Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N):

Chapter 19

Inferi, Giants and Werewolves…

As the December 1st Defense class reconvened for the afternoon session, Harry took a moment to look around and see what was different in the classroom. Figuring out what had changed for that day had proven a good clue to what they would be studying. Each week in November had consisted of a short lecture and very specific spell practice. It was a formula that had been working well. The first week had, as promised, consisted of a discussion about inferi and much practice of fire spells. Harry spent a good portion of that lesson wishing he had had that training the previous year. He could see some of the same fear that he had felt in the cave painted on the faces of many of his classmates.

The following week had been one of the most interesting for Harry as it dealt with indirect combat strategies. Since the giants they were studying had a natural resistance to most magic, as generously demonstrated by Hagrid, the professor instead focused on using the environment to their advantage when confronting them. Harry could tell it opened up a lot of possibilities in the minds of his classmates. It was most evident on the DA meeting that Saturday, so far the only one he had managed to attend that month, when the number of accio spells cast multiplied tenfold.

The werewolf discussion in the following class had been perhaps better informed on the part of the students for a change. Having had a werewolf professor, they were uniquely suited for the topic. Keystone had stepped back and merely asked questions for most of the class while the students gave well informed answers. It was only on the topic of fighting them that he had any additional input and then mostly just to qualify the best method of those proposed by the students. At the end he did make a short speech about their dangers when transformed, usually allies or not.

Just a week ago had been focused on Dementors complete with a patronus demonstration by the professor. The whole class was allowed an up close and personal look at the silver Horntail this time, though he still deflected any questions about its origins from the class at large. He had been surprised and rather impressed that so any of the students were able to summon patroni of their own. Little did he know that the patronus charm was one of the most heavily practiced spells in the DA.

The DA… As the month had passed the group had grown. Now over sixty members, it included nearly all of the sixth and seventh year students and required an enlargement of the Room of Requirements. Fortunately the room was ever accommodating to the increased membership. One problem harder to overcome was having nearly a quarter of the students in the school missing for most of Saturday and not arousing suspicion. To counter this, Ginny had instituted a rotating attendance policy. Three or four teams skipped every meeting and did their best to make themselves seen around the castle.

The teams she had put together were proving remarkably effective at training and their groupings had extended beyond the DA. Much like himself, Ron and Hermione, the squads tended to hang out together and it was having much the same effect. During battle they were talking less and less, instinctively doing what they knew was needed to help the squad. Though Harry half hoped the day would never come, he knew that when the final fight came, they would be ready.

He suspected they knew the time for fighting was coming too. Everyday it seemed the Prophet was reporting new attacks and deaths. Hermione still strongly suspected patterns in the murders, but was having a hard time piecing together what they were. The long awaited real assault on Azkaban had finally come the previous week. All of the Death Eaters had escaped at the cost of only two of their number. Thirteen Aurors had been killed or went missing before the rest had regrouped and fled. As far as Harry knew, the prison now sat empty, another ruin of the War.

Harry had become more worried about his own readiness than theirs. He still had no additional lead on how to destroy a Horcrux, despite hours helping Hermione look in the library. The time they did have to search was growing shorter and shorter though, and not just because of the inexorable march of time. Their homework levels had been creeping up, NEWT level work was quickly becoming the focus of their lives. Thanks to some long nights, and Hermione, they were managing to get everything in on time.

Just this morning had held an interesting surprise that arrived with the mail. A single card, tattered and much folded, addressed to Harry and carried by a hired owl held a single word. Written in very precise script was the word 'acknowledged'. It also had a number of seemingly disconnected lines drawn on various places in different directions. Seeing no confirmation that is was, as he suspected, from Snape, he handed it to the others. Hermione took several minutes examining the card and in one deft motion, folded it several times. On the last bit of folding, three letters were revealed, 'HBP'. She looked up after showing Harry and mouthed 'Snape?' He nodded in confirmation. So…Severus had gotten the message.

Putting that out of his mind, Harry continued looking around. There was still no apparent changes as the bell rang for start of class. The professor entered from his office a few seconds later carrying a packet of papers. Taking his usual seat on the stool he glanced around. "Welcome back. Before we begin this afternoon, the Headmistress has a couple of announcements to she'd like me to make. Mr. Finnegan, if you would…?" He held out most of the papers which Seamus took and began handing out.

"Thank you. First up, these are notices to your parents about some proposed changes for Christmas break. After much consultation with the staff, the governors and a few others, the Headmistress has decided that instead of sending most of the students home for Christmas, families will instead be invited to stay here for the majority of the break starting on the twenty-third. Given the recent surge in attacks, we felt it was the safest thing to do. There are a number of classrooms and other rooms throughout the school that will be converted for the course of the visit. She has also asked me to pass along that visiting parents will be strictly limited in there access to certain parts of the castle, such as dormitories. We're attempting to provide a safe way for you to be with your family while not putting too much of a dent in your privacy."

Harry chuckled a little under his breath. Here for a change was a reason for most of the students to stay in the castle over Christmas, and he was going to be leaving. The mirth left him a moment later when he realized he had no one to send a notification to. The smile returned though as he folded up the piece of paper and made a mental note to invite Remus. He didn't know if Tonks would be happy or annoyed, but it would nice to see the man again. Besides, they would all be back together at Grimmauld for most of the break anyway.

"Okay…now that that's dealt with, I have a rather more pleasant announcement. This is an extremely stressful time as the Headmistress wants us to take what enjoyment we can, while we can." Harry's mind raced with all the possibilities of what this could mean, and he could tell many of the others were thinking similar things. "Believe it or not, this was actually a more controversial decision than inviting the parents. Anyway… It's been decided that on Sunday the twenty-first, Hogwarts will hold another Yule Ball. Though traditionally reserved for the Twi-Wizard Tournament, she feels this is an extraordinary enough case to warrant bending tradition." Harry's mind reeled at the announcement, simultaneously remembering the Ball during fourth year and considering the changes this time around. He glanced over to Ginny and noticed her eyes had glazed over and she had a wide smile plastered on her face.

"Yeah… Gentlemen, you'll notice the glazed and distant looks on the ladies faces. They'll be in their own little world or a moment. In the interim…might I suggest you find a date should you want one early, practice your dancing, get your dress robes ordered now if needed and…jewelry is usually a good bet." He paused for a few moments as that sunk in and the girls came back. "Okay…now there's going to be the same stipulations as last time. Fourth year and up only, formal attire, et cetera, et cetera. I imagine the school will be abuzz with talk about the Ball by this afternoon and likely it will be consuming much of your thoughts…so before it does, let's talk about something new." Harry's mind rapidly tried to come up with anything they hadn't covered and drew a blank.

"Now, for weeks you been dueling me and each other, and becoming very, very good at it. My compliments to all of you." The class beamed at the compliment. "You've learned how to fight everything you're likely to face and, over the years, a number of things you probably never will. You've discovered the strength that lies within you and know all the spells you're going to need for all but the most extraordinary circumstances. You know your enemies, and you know yourself. Very good." The class as a whole was beaming brightly at the praise.

"Now we move on to the truly advanced skills of a duelist. The things I'll attempt to teach you over the next few weeks are beyond what most Aurors are capable of. I don't expect you to master any of them, I barely expect you to grasp most of them, but you need to be exposed to them." Shock and surprise dominated the expressions of most of the class, each wondering what they might now be doing. The thought of training in things that Aurors couldn't do, combined with his expectations of failure, was raising more than a few eyebrows. "First, let's talk about how to commit murder." Though his previous statements had caused surprise, the entire class turned to pure shock at this. Before any of them could protest, he continued.

"Now, murder is defined as one human intentionally ending the life of another. Even in the wizarding world this definition has barely been expanded. Other than witches and wizards, it only covers goblins and that only after a long fought battle by Gringott's. So if you were to kill…a Dementor, a giant, even arguably a werewolf and you're fine. Kill a Death Eater though…that's murder." He rose and began to walk around the room as he spoke. "Even at the height of Voldemort's power, when full blown war was being fought every day…much as it is now…and Unforgivables were authorized for use by the Aurors, very few were able to cast the Killing Curse, even in dire need. Now surely you must think, how could it be hard to kill such and obviously evil person?" He waited until a few of them nodded.

"Well…it's because killing evil is easy in theory, but when you face a man, or woman, and look them in the eye, it takes a certain type of person to end the life of another. That's why Azkaban was so full at one point, bringing them in alive was the easier option. You will have to make the choice for yourself whether you can kill another person. I'd advise you to figure it out soon. It is likely many of you will be put in the position before this war is over, and when you're staring down the wrong end of a wand is not the time to figure it out." He fell silent and waited. After a moment Harry's hand rose. "Yes Mr. Potter?"

"What about self defense? What if you have no choice?"

"Self defense is the textbook definition of murder. You purposely take the life of another. Legally you won't be held to the same punishment as someone who kills an innocent, but it's still murder, and you still have to decide if you can do it." He waited again and this time no one raised their hands, each looking deep inside to consider the question. After letting them stew for a few moments he spoke again. "And that's enough deep philosophical questions for now. Now we will deal with something far more tactile. If you would rise?" He gestured for the class to stand. When they did so he swept his wand across the room and removed the furniture, piling it all on the dais and out of their way. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of something Harry couldn't make out.

"Now, you've proven you can duel well in the light of the day. But how about," his hand flew in the air and a black mist sprayed from it, "when you can't see?" A second later the room turned completely black. Harry put his hand a few inched from his face and was unable to see it. Peruvian Darkness Powder. The answer came to him in a heartbeat, though judging by the gasps from some of the others, they had no idea what had happened. Somewhere in the darkness the professor's voice sounded. "Peruvian Darkness powder. Quite interesting what you can find at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Completely harmless and completely dark. Now, a number of you are probably trying to trace my movements by the sound of my voice or my footsteps. That's a start. Back in the states we had to conduct entire duels in the dark. You grow used to it. After a very long time."

Harry could just make out the professor's firm footsteps circling the students over their groping in the dark trying to find each other and the shuffling footsteps moving around. He reached out and found Ginny's hand reaching for him. Pulling her close they stood nearly back to back, staring into the blackness. Reaching out his other arm he found Ron a couple steps back and pulled him and Hermione into a back to back circle. Together they waited for the professor to continue or for the powder to dissipate.

"Now…this powder will last just over and hour. In that time I would like you to reassemble the classroom as it was when you came in. Communication will be key. Oh…and no wands. Begin."

By the end of class and the dissipation of the powder, they had managed to put most of the room together correctly. Much of it had been due to Ginny taking command and organizing the students. Even the professor seemed to be impressed at their work as the class broke up. After speaking to Tonks for a moment, Harry caught up with the others a ways down the corridor. The girls had their heads close together and Ron was trailing at a distance. Harry slowed from his jog as he caught up to his mate.

"What are they talking about?"

"The ball. Figured it was safer back here."

"Good call. So…who you going to ask this time." Harry fought to clench his jaw and ask with complete seriousness. After a cockeyed moment, Ron picked up on what he was doing.

"I don't know… Think the Patil twins are free? We can ditch them halfway through again." Ron imitated giving them the boot.

"You mean get ditched. I don't think Pavarti would say yes at this point after how I treated her last time."

"Probably right. One of us could ask Luna, just to really mess with people."

"That would do it. Suppose we should practice with the dancing again. Neville will still dance us all under the table, but it's the least we can do for whatever poor girls we sucker into going with us. Hey! At least you'll have some decent dress robes this time around."

"Thank Merlin." Harry glanced ahead and noticed the girls throwing some rather evil glanced back at them. "What?" They turned away and walked a little faster, leaving the boys behind. "They know we were kidding, right?"

"Yeah. We do this, they do that, and it'll all work out. Where do you think they went?"

"Where else? Our room." Harry nodded in agreement and followed Ron up the stairs. Approaching the portal to Ron and Hermione's room, they found Ginny waiting outside. Ron gave his best cheeky grin and passed by her into the room leaving Harry alone with her.

"Hello."

"You know, if you go with Luna, then I could ask Dean. That would probably make both of them happy."

"Ginny…"

"Yes?" He stepped forward and pulled her close, looking deep into hr eyes. She resisted a little at first but quickly gave in, smiling a widely.

"You know you're the only one I would ask. So, what do say, care to join me for the Yule Ball?" She made a show of melodramatically considering it for several moments before breaking again into a wide grin.

"Of course Mr. Potter, it would be my pleasure." He kissed her lightly.

"Thank you. Guess that means I need a new set of dress robes."

"Yeah…and I'll need a dress… You suppose that means there will be another trip to Hogsmeade coming up?"

"Almost have to be. Can't very well mail order that kind of thing. Let's go, Ron and Hermione should have made up by now." Turning, he followed her through the portrait hole.

As December wore on, the mounting death toll outside the walls of Hogwarts stood in stark contrast to the excitement over the coming ball. Aurors and parents alike became more apprehensive everyday as Christmas break came closer. Though many of the parents were pacified by being allowed to stay with their children, a couple times a week someone had to talk a frightened parent or two out of taking their children home. A few times during the month Headmistress McGonagall would appear at the door of a classroom and pull out a student to tell them a relative had been killed or injured. People were starting to avoid her in the halls.

It was a strange, disconnected sort of panic that flowed through the wizarding world for the people at Hogwarts. The school and the village seemed oddly immune since Halloween and the reports came with owls either to the Headmistress or in the Daily Prophet. The Ministry was back to its diversion campaign, and all the fiercer since Harry's interview had appeared. Reports of murder and attacks were buried as deeply in the paper as possible while the few spots of purportedly good news were broadcast loudly for a week. The Ministry had claimed to capture eight unnamed Death Eaters in December alone, a figure which barely held up to scrutiny when compared to the rash of violence.

Their advanced training in Defense continued, as did their copy cat practices in the DA meetings. In addition to the advanced skills the professor was demonstrating, they finally began reviewing the lessons they had been learning since first year. Given how little they had actually learned many of those years due to the teachers, the review went rather quickly. New material they covered included fighting beasts of the sky such as Hippogriffs and dragons. Ron turned out to be a fount of knowledge on how to deal with dragons due to his brother's long work with them.

As Harry predicted there were more visits to Hogsmeade, again with the same rushed schedule. Due to the upcoming Ball though, there were many more students prepared to go on the random Saturday mornings. Ginny hade made sure there was a healthy contingent of the DA with each group that went to the village. The quartet, along with Ginny's squad and a few other DA members, were part of the second trip and arrived in the village on a bitterly cold and yet sunny morning. Waiting in a rough line outside the men's dress wear store, Ron and Harry huddled near a wall trying to shield themselves from the wind. They had a tried a few different shield charms only to find the effort of maintaining them more draining than the cold.

"So Ron, have you seen any pattern in the attacks Hermione might have missed?"

"Well…the Prophet did say most of the victims were alone and far from any help when they were struck down. It could be a coincidence, but if it isn't, it means that someone is letting the Eaters know when these wizards and witches will be alone."

"You think there's a spy in the ministry?"

"It's only a possibility, but it wouldn't be the first time, would it?"

"No…I suppose not. If there is a spy, who would you pick? What job I mean?" Ron answered after only a split second's thought.

"Auror." The thought chilled Harry a little, but he could see the advantage.

"If that were true, they could have been part of the Azkaban raid." Harry continued to think on it as they advanced a little closer to the door and more into the wind. He had been wondering for weeks what had happened to the Death Eaters that had escaped. Most would be welcomed back into the ranks, but Lucius Malfoy… Dumbledore had said Lucius was probably happy to be safe inside Azkaban. Now that he was out of it…

As they finally got indoors to be helped with fitting their robes, Harry's mind struck on a strange thought. Like his son, the elder Malfoy tended to blow with the wind that brought him greatest profit. If his once and current master had become less than welcoming… Harry pushed the still forming thought out of his head before it finished. Using people like that was what Tom did, he never would. Lucius would face justice, no matter what.

It was an hour later when they rejoined the girls up the street, each of the four holding a long garment bag over their shoulders. Harry and Ginny followed the others at a distance, mostly to avoid any backlash from Hermione should Ron's pestering about what kind of dress she bought become too much. Both of the Weasleys had gotten brand new garments thanks to other benefactors. Ron was still curious as to why Fred and George would spring for his robes, but he wasn't one to turn down anything from his brothers. Ginny on the other hand…

"I still don't know how my mum could afford to let me get such a nice dress."

"Well…she doesn't have to pay the usual home expenses right now…plus what she makes cleaning..."

"Yeah…" She seemed to mentally count up how much those two would save her. "Harry…how much are you paying her?" They had had the discussion about her boyfriend paying her mother to clean his house, it had been surprisingly short.

"Oh…what we decided was fair." She hefted the bag a little.

"It was her money…right?" Harry looked just a little more offended at what she was implying than was fully believable.

"Of course." The stone cold fact he had given her a good sized bonus the same day she had learned about the ball had no relevance whatsoever. She cut her eyes at him suspiciously for a moment before dropping it. Reaching the waiting carriages, he held the door and followed her in. Part way through the ride back, while the girls were again huddled discussing…jewelry maybe, Ron decided to speak.

"So…we still spending Christmas at your place? With parents coming here…"

"Yeah…I think so. The Yule Ball will be Sunday, parents start arriving Monday night after work….I figure we can take off on Wednesday morning. That'll give us most of Christmas eve to settle in."

"Sounds good. The school's going to be crazy with all those extra people."

"Agreed." Harry glanced out the window as they passed into the castle grounds, the white snow a stark contrast to the layer of black cloaks that had lain there six weeks ago.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.