"I cannot be bothered for Transfiguration." Theo announced as he leant against the wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy. His tie was loose and his shirt untucked and Tracey giggled as she watched him. "What?"
"You look unlike any pureblood I know."
Harry also looked over and let out a chuckle. "Definitely looking more muggle there, mate."
"Me? A filthy, uncouth muggle. How dare you! I am a pureblood" The Nott Heir said, lifting his nose up and straightening his spine.
"Look like a pureblood prick." Neville said with a smirk.
"Oi!" Came the indignant reply as Tracey and Daphne fell about laughing. "Hmph, come on oh saviour of the wizarding world what's taking so long?"
"I think someone is using the room, it's the first time it hasn't opened. Back to the library?"
They stated the journey back, none of them rushing. Lunch had still half an hour to go and they weren't in a particular hurry to fall back into the books, Neville and Daphne were in front, then Luna who was holding or more like pulling Harry along as she skipped and then Tracey and Theo.
"Whats everyone doing now?" Tracey asked.
"Harry and I are going to go and see Professor Flitwick." Luna announced as she curtseyed to a milkmaid painting who giggled back.
"We are?"
"Yes." Came the simple reply and Harry turned towards Tracey.
"I guess I'm going to see Flitwick."
"Theo and I have Transfiguration though I'd have to agree with him and say I really don't want to go." Daphne said from up ahead.
"Right! It's so boring! McGonagall has had us on changing a sofa to a hippopotamus for three weeks! Daphne and I did it in the first week!"
"So don't go." Came Neville's reply. "What? Oh don't look at me like that, lets be honest we all know what's going to happen, can you really be asked to go through all that?"
"I don't know…Snape would kill us." Theo said while the others looked at him amusedly.
"Theo…Snape's not around anymore. Plus, we could always say its to help Harry with the Tournament." Tracey said.
"So its agreed?" Daphne said, spinning to face them as she continued to walk backwards as Neville kept an eye for any obstacles. "We're all actually going to skive?"
"Looks like it!" Tracey said with a grin and held out her hand to Theo who gave it a reluctant high five.
"Well then Harry and I need to get going before the next class starts." The smallest member of their group said as she started to drag the older students along the corridors, he only managed a quick "Bye guys" before he was led down the stairs.
"I think your boyfriends been stolen." Tracey said, giggling at the scene they'd just witnessed.
"Meh, he's the Boy-Who-Lived he can take care of himself." Daphne replied with a wave of her hand as she also laughed.
They carried on the walk to the library in a comfortable silence, at one with each-others company and settled into the back corner room.
"Theo why you don't you tell them your new training idea and I'll go and find some more books." Daphne suggested and at her partners agreement she left to do some hunting.
"What ideas?" Neville asked curiously.
"I was thinking of upping Harry's spell work, we all know he's good at what he does. But if his dreams are correct then the third task could be way more dangerous than any of us thought possible. Especially if his meeting with the Unspeakables went as well as any of us thought."
"You think its that bad?" Tracey asked with an unhappy frown.
"He's not happy Trace, he and Daphne both know something that they haven't told us yet and I bet its not good news. I think its necessary that Harry starts to learn darker spells."
"Its definitely going to be hard to convince him."
"Not as hard as I think it would have been at the start."
"True, especially if it's do with protecting himself. So what have you got so far?" Neville said, leaning forward.
"Most of the stuff that I got taught to be honest, bone breaking curses, burning spells, conjunctivitis curse etc."
"Only slightly bad then." Tracey said.
"Exactly." Theo said, oblivious to the sarcasm in her voice. "I've also thought up a new training plan, it involves all of us. I know we're not top notch but if Harry can win against the four of us then he has to be able to do a little damage to one or two bad guys, right?"
They three started to look over the spells and then make some new suggestions; they had quite a list when Daphne finally returned with a few older, more crumbly books in her arms.
"Erm, Daphne…Where did you get these?" Tracey asked with wide eyes as she looked on the cover of one of them which depicted someone clinging to their throat as blood dribbled out their mouth.
"The restricted section, Snape gave me a pass last year and I never gave it back, there wasn't a title on it so I just carry on using it."
"Riight." Tracey replied still looking a little creeped out as she pulled a separate book to her with a person holding his hand out to a shadowy figure next to him and started to read the introduction to The Nightshade Guide to Necromancy.
Meanwhile Luna had let go of Harry's hand and had merrily been skipping her way to her favourite teacher's office while Harry enjoyed the optimism and feelings of sunshine the girl gave him.
"Luna, tell me something about yourself."
"What would you like to know?"
"I don't mind, what would you like to tell me."
"Well my name is Luna Lovegood and I am thirteen years old. I like the lilac flowers of the Taniki tree in South America, have you seen them? No? They're beautiful, floaty and calming and smell wonderful! Have you ever seen a Nargle?"
"I don't even know what they are Luna."
"Oh well they're these mischievous thieves, some of the things are quite precious but they also seem to enjoy taking practical items too. They took my shoes when I first arrived here." Her voice was tinged with sadness and Harry quickly sped up to walk beside her.
"Did you get them back?"
"Oh yes, they always show up eventually. Its quite interesting how things come back to you isn't it? I get my shoes and you get your family" She said, looking up at him and smiling gently, Harry struggled to breathe normally for a moment as her words echoed around his head and he thought of Sirius and Remus and how whole they made his feel.
"Yes, its interesting." He murmured quietly.
"Ah here we are." Luna announced brightly and Harry looked up, surprised to find that they were indeed at Flitwick's office. Before he could say another word, Luna had rapped on the door somehow making it sound like a tune. The large wooden door opened and the diminutive Professor glanced up from his desk where he was marking papers.
"Miss Lovegood, Mr Potter! What a surprise, how may I be of assistance today? Please bear in mind I only have ten minutes before the second years need to be taught cheering charms."
"Oh teaching is joy, isn't it Professor, being able to pass on knowledge and understanding of such an incredible subject."
"Indeed it is, Miss Lovegood. A most excellent choice of words too."
"And you are of course a Master of charms and have a wealth of complex information that you have to cypher through before delivering."
"Well I do have a Masters, yes. And do try my best to deliver it in understandable ways. Miss Lovegood, is there a particular spell you're having trouble with? Is that what you're getting at? Quite incredible, you are a fantastic student this is the first time I believe!"
"Oh no, Professor I'm quite alright thank you." The girl beamed before turning her luminescent eyes onto Harry who sighed and looked towards the Professor whose focus had now switched to him.
"Professor Flitwick, I would be extremely thankful if you could share some of your knowledge with me. I have recently come into some new information that has nothing to do with the Tournament and require some assistance in duelling practise as well as spell work. If you have some free days that I could have your support I would like to have it."
"Oh of course Mr Potter I am free on Tuesday's and Thursday's for two hours each, is that acceptable?"
"Very acceptable, thank you Professor."
"Excellent, if you could send me a note with some of the things you'd like me to prepare and I will reply with confirmation on times then we can begin this Thursday?"
"Yes sir and thank you." Just then the bell rang for class to begin and the Professor started to gather some papers from his desk.
"You're most welcome, was there anything else?"
"No sir, goodbye." Harry said turning around to open the door that had shut when they had stepped into the rounded office with the Ravenclaw banner and past pictures like in McGonagalls.
"Thank you for all the help Professor, see you tomorrow."
"I have you last class, Luna."
"Oh not today Professor, we're going to figure out a way to keep Harry alive."
"Oh I see, have fun and well done on your magical painting properties it was a brilliantly creative piece of work, certainly O.W.L level."
"Thank you Professor! See you tomorrow!"
Harry's respect for Flitwick rose a fraction at seeing the happiness emitting from Luna and he gave the Professor a nod as they left. They started to walk towards the library but Harry found himself feeling quite restless, glancing around and felt his eye twitching as his skin crawled.
"Sometimes the atmosphere of the castle can be quite suffocating can't it?" Came the soft small voice to his left and he smiled as a small hand slid into his own. "People are very focussed on the future when they should remember its called the present for a reason."
Harry squeezed her hand gently. "You're very intelligent aren't you, Luna."
"Oh I don't know about that, I do enjoy the outside though." She said with a twinkle in her eye that didn't annoy Harry nearly as much as the one a certain Headmaster did.
Without a word, the two started to change direction and headed towards the entrance hall, breathing in contentment as the breeze ran over their faces and the May sunshine warmed their bones. They settled by the oak tree, Luna started to make a daisy chain and Harry pulled out some ink and parchment from his bag and began writing to his guardians.
While they were enjoying their quiet time the others had been flicking through books until the bell rang and Tracey had decided to take advantage of the emptier common room and had left to retrieve her astronomy chart. Neville had tagged along with her to help carry her bag which was spilling over with parchment and now heavily regretted it.
"I mean honestly the way he talks you'd think I was part of a gang!"
"Well I suppose you are kind of."
"Not helpful, Neville! You just don't understand my father. I mean he's so annoying and really wants me to start working on the business but I just don't think that's for me. And I'm trying in my classes, but school isn't for me it never was and he still thinks I can go further! I mean geez it's like he doesn't even want me to lead my own life, I get he wants the best for me but I've told him so many times that business just isn't my thing but its like his pride and joy! I mean what if your dad started to ho-" She cut herself off and turned to face her friend who was determinedly looking straight ahead. "Oh Neville, I'm so sorry I didn't mean-"
"Its okay, Tracey." He answered shortly and the red head immediately felt the guilt more at the hardness of his voice and she walked in front of him, determined to make it better.
"No it isn't okay. I'm sorry I spoke without thinking, foot-in-mouth disease don't you know."
"I know."
And she was gratified to see the twitch in his lips and hesitantly linked their arms.
"I really am sorry."
"I know, its okay."
They walked back to the library in silence and it was just before the doors that Neville spoke up.
"I think you need to talk to your dad. Send him a letter, explaining exactly how you feel and what path you want your life to take; he loves you and like you said only wants the best. But by doing what you love and standing up for yourself, it'll make them proud. It's what I would do."
Tracey hugged him tightly.
"Your parents would be so proud of yourself too."
"I hope so."
They walked into the back room but before they had a chance to sit down Daphne spoke up.
"Prongs just left, Harry and Luna are down by the lake and have decided to take the rest of the day off if anyone wants to join."
Neville immediately gathered his stuff and Tracey was quick to follow, they paused at the door realising the other two Slytherins hadn't moved from their positions over the table as they scribbled away.
"You guys aren't coming?"
"In a bit we had an idea about turning things inside out." Daphne mumbled as she looked up and pulled another of the heavy tomes towards her.
Tracey opened her mouth to speak but instead shook her head and pulled Neville after her as they left. They easily saw Luna's bright halo of hair and Tracey spun in the sunshine before sitting next to her and talking about the weaving crown the girl had just finished. Neville on the other sunk down into the earth and after placing his bag behind his head to rest against he shut his eyes and announced that we would be invisible for the rest of the day.
An hour later, the four were joined by the final members of their group, they had yet to reveal what they'd been working on as they both fallen onto their backs in a move so unsophisticated that Tracey had immediately started teasing. Theo had been lulled by the warm air and lack of students into a doze that none of the others had the heart to interrupt, Daphne meanwhile had settled her head against Harry's thigh and was idly playing with his fingers as he listened to Neville speak about his new love – Serapias a Petales Etroits – a rare orchid that his grandmother had brought him for a well written speech about the inducement of a new law that put money towards St Mungos and that she'd put forward to the Wizengamot. Luna had taken to making a third daisy crown and was answering Tracey's usual slew of questions when faced with a new person, the blonde was completely poised and relaxed considering she was skipping class for the first time and a part of a group that were virtual strangers to her.
"So you see these creatures, but no one else? Why is that?" Tracey asked, genuine curiosity falling from her gaze instead of the patronizing tone that came from everyone else.
"Because I have a belief in them." Luna said simply, her gaze on her crown as she complimented which of her new friends to put it on, Harry already had one as did Theo though he wasn't quite aware of it.
"But how can we start to believe in them?" Tracey asked confused, which had been her state of mind since she and Luna had started this conversation.
"The same way people have faith in St Nick, the tooth fairy, God etc. You read about them, people you trust tell you about them."
"Unfortunately your father and you seem to be the only ones to have any sort of knowledge about this. What makes you so sure there are some things that aren't conspiracies?"
Luna sighed and glanced up and away but found herself caught in a warm green gaze that promised trust, loyalty and care, it made her smile back and decide to open up to this group of strange individuals in a way she hadn't since her mother had died and turned back to the redhead.
"Some of things my father writes in our magazine are made up or at least made up to most…My father has a lot of contacts all over the world that he shares information with regarding new government policies and different groups. A few years ago, he wrote a piece about how the previous minister was actually part mandrake or something…complete nonsense to most, but to those that know the code it was a warning against those that have lycanthrope to stay away from Ireland as there were strong threats against them and illegal hunts happening. Some things we have a genuine belief in because I can see them. When my mother died of her potions accident I was in the room, neither my father or the healers have any explanation for it but when I woke up there were things that I could genuinely see, hear and touch. My father wanted to try and help me by finding others like me and so put out the word, a few responded and that's how I have such faith."
There were a few minutes of silence at the end of her confession until Tracey shuffled round to give the blonde a one-armed hug.
"Thank you for trusting us with this Luna, we promise to not betray it any time soon."
Luna smiled at them, her eyes returning to their light silver instead of the storm cloud grey that they had been.
"I know and I thank you for it, I've never been this happy at school before."
"Well you have us now to make sure you remain this happy." Tracey said cheerfully.
Luna let out a giggle and placed the daisy crown onto Tracey's red hair and the Slytherin immediately struck a pose leading them all to laugh and wake up Theo who blearily rubbed his eyes and sat up to stretch, flinching back in confusion as the flower crown slipped down over one eye, prompting more laughter. A comfortable silence descended once more until Neville broke it with a quiet "Are you two going to tell us about your afternoon then?"
Daphne sighed and stretched out slightly before rolling onto her side, keeping her head on her boyfriends lap but facing the others.
"We probably should. Theo. Go."
"Why me?"
"Because it was your idea from the start."
"Fair, Harry please listen to it all before you make any snap judgements."
"Alright."
"No, no, no. You have to give your word!"
Harry raised an eyebrow but gave the promise.
"Daphne and I have thought about it and we think it's time to up your training in spells. We think we should move on to darker curses."
Harry was about to retort when he caught the gleam of worry in his friend's dark eyes, swallowing his words he waved his hand in a 'go on' gesture.
"The thing is we can prepare you, but if the worse comes to worse then you could be going against someone who doesn't give a damn about your age, ability or health what so ever and who has a hell of advantage over you in terms of experience and knowledge." Theo took a breath and Daphne carried it on, still playing with Harrys fingers and twisting her head to look into his eyes.
"We want you to be as protected as you can be, these spells while not to your liking won't be used against innocents but rather the most awful beings you can imagine. And you can bet a million galleons that they will take full advantage of your lack of skill."
Harry rested his head against the tree, the idea was revolting to him. To use spells that would actively hurt, maim and perhaps kill…he knew they were right. If the worst did happen it was better to be prepared for it. However, they had already moved their training onto the darker curses, things like the severing charm, and stronger versions of incendio and oppungo came easily to him. Luna interrupted his thoughts with her own insightful comments.
"I agree with them, the dark arts also have different levels of intensity and evilness, just because you may use bad spells against bad people does not make you a bad person. It is better to have them in your arsenal and know that you are not required to use them than not having them and feeling a regret later."
Harry took another breath, he knew he'd accept the offer but there was still a reluctance to do with the pain. Neville could practically see his inner turmoil, considering what happened to his own parents he also understood the level of disgust that was felt at even contemplating someone else to the same degree.
"Harry, you don't have to use any of them. But think about the people you may be going against. They won't just be using jelly legs and disarming charms. What do you think the Death Eaters at the world cup were using? Definitely not cheering charms."
Theo also piped up.
"You'll be using advanced spells on people who won't be expecting it, that gives a small element of surprise and more of a chance."
"Okay, lets do some research into the kind of things I might be able to use and go from there."
"Way ahead of you sweetheart. Theo, go."
"Woman stop telling me what to do!"
"Get on with it or I'll tell Danika that you listen to pop music."
Theo gaped at her for a minute before narrowing his eyes.
"You're truly evil."
"Thankyou." The blonde answered with a smug smile as she rearranged herself over Harry's chest and snuggled into the circle of his arms, breathing in the comforting scent of pine and broomstick polish as well as something fresh that reminded her of a cold winter's morning.
"Well Daphne and I have already done a little research into what can be done. We recommended learning of these" he handed Harry a parchment with several spells written on them." But don't worry if you don't get them, the ones we think could be essential are the; Fiendfyre, Knee-reversal, Deterioration hex to start off. They're all simple incantations and wand movements but they require a lot of power and control in ensuring the action you want is actually completed, Fiendfyre will be the hardest to conquer, the flames can get out of hand extremely quickly and you need to have a level enough head to only permit what you can control."
"So am I trying that one first or last?"
"I think we should try it first its so strong and we only have a month or so left that I think it'll be your best chance of survival if you need a distraction.
"Alright, what about the others why those?"
"Equal measure of pain and distraction. Although they can all be reversed easily enough, the first shock of it actually happening will hopefully produce enough of a shock that will slow them down a bit."
"Great, and I already know protego and protego maxima so I don't need to practice those."
"Nope, these are even stronger. When you add Repello Inimicum and Fianto Duri the shield is practically impregnable, the shield can stop stronger spells as well as dark magic."
"Well Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee would definitely approve that." Tracey said with a laugh.
"Tweedle who now?" Asked Neville and Theo in unison identical looks of confusion on their faces as they stared at the redheaded girl who had ties in the muddle world and occasionally let loose on the trivia.
"The ones who wished to wrap him cotton wool, that's who! What matters is keeping the Boy-Who-Lived living! I say let's go to the ROR now and start on fire and shield and then go from there."
"In a minute, I think I should tell you guys about my foray into the Department of Mystery."
"Ohh yes go on tell us all about the strange and weird things of the most mysterious department." Tracey said excitedly, rolling onto her stomach and putting her head in her hands as she watched Harry who gave her a weak smile in return which caused the bubbly snake to frown slightly.
"Well there's quite a lot to get through to be honest. I guess the major thing is that Tracey might have a point at ignoring prophecies, I have one and its confusing but I can tell you guys if you want?"
"After the other thing that you need to tell us." Theo said and at Harrys raised eyebrows he elaborated. "Its written all over your face, plus its you there's never just one thing."
With an exasperated laugh Daphne dug her elbow into his stomach.
"He's got you there, baby. Go on fill them in."
Harry told them all exactly what happened down at the Ministry with Daphne filing in some the details he'd left out.
"So they think that you're a horcrux? That you have a piece of Tommy inside you! Is that all!" Said Neville slightly hysterically.
"Well yeah, but they said as nothing much as happened then they're okayish about leaving it in there until they figure it out. They think the most important thing is also training and preparing for the third task."
"The maze does look rather elaborate, doesn't it." Said Luna who had started to make another daisy chain and looked like she hadn't a care in the world. "I don't think the animals like it very much."
"If you have any information about it we could do with hearing it, we only know that Hagrid is preparing the Blast-Ended Skwerts really and an idea of some of the other obstacles."
"I don't know much, I've seen a few of the spiders from the forest make their way in. And the teachers have each cast different charms though only Professor Moody has actually gone in, Professor Flitwick was practically bubbling with knowledge about creating riddles for things and I believe Professor Sprout has added some plants from her personal collection including Devils Snare and Venomous Tentacula."
"I've finally managed the netting spell as well as the severing charm used for magically strengthened plants so Harry should pick them up all well enough." Neville said with a decisive nod.
"What are we actually think will happen in the third task?" Tracey asked. "Definitely can plan better if we know what will happen."
"Most of what we have is all conjecture except for a few tasks." Daphne said. "We know that the third task is on the same day as the summer solstice, we can say with very little doubt that Riddle has found a way to give himself a body, the questions should be who is helping him and is it going to have something to do with Harry. During the third task Harry will be in the maze with the three other champions, the obstacles will keep them busy and I don't think much will happen in there, they can send up red sparks and a teacher will instantly retrieve them."
"However considering the other two years we really can't discount that Harry will somehow be put in life-threatening danger once more." Neville deadpanned.
"Exactly. So lets head to the ROR and fire call Sirius and Remus and then start practicing."
They started to move up to the castle and it was only when they reached the Hall that they realised how dark it had become and dinner was starting, Theo and Tracey immediately changed direction to lead them toward the hall and they settled at Ravenclaw table with Luna happily snuggled between Daphne and Harry.
"Woah, this is different." Neville said looking around as though he'd never seen the Hall before. "Has it always been this big?" He asked with a perplexed expression as Tracey tried to stifle her giggle. Theo merely looked at him with a blank face before turning to Luna with a small smile rarely seen.
"So Luna, tell us more about yourself. What classes do you like? Any idea of plans for the future?"
The girl was delicately placing some salad on her plate as well as a slice of chicken and answered almost absentmindedly.
"I really enjoy charms and I suppose I'm rather lucky that I'm rather good at it too. I also think potions is rather complex and so enjoy unravelling that mystery. Of course, Care of Magical Creatures is a passion of mine, I always think the animals understand a lot more than they pretend to. Its why I'm looking into the idea of magizoologist like Mr Scamander who wrote Fantastic Beasts, I think they can be fascinating and I would enjoy learning more about them. What about you?"
Theo and Luna chatted about personal hobbies and interests for a few minutes before a disturbance caught their attention. As soon as the cries began Harry was reminded of the Twins promise against the House of Loyalty a few weeks ago, he had thought what they did at Hogsmeade was enough…apparently not. He prayed that it wouldn't be too bad but as he glanced up he realised his hopes were in vein.
The Ravenclaw table sat in the middle of the hall with the Slytherin on its left and the Hufflepuff on its right with Gryffindor closest to the badgers and Slytherin on the opposite side.
The Hufflepuffs had half the students coloured bright pink and hiccupping madly as bubbles floated out of their mouths, the others found themselves with feathers growing and uncontrollable sneezing. The hall burst into laughter as well as groans from the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, the Slytherins were mostly sneering but a few were openly laughing at the misfortune of the yellow and black table. Harry caught the eye of one of the twins who merely winked at him before turning to chat with his fellow prankster. He turned to Daphne who had a small smile but otherwise a blank face but at Harry's questioning glance she shrugged.
"Its some pretty impressive magic, especially from a couple of fifth years who most of the teachers think will fail most of their O.W.L.s."
The six enjoyed the chaos for a few more minutes until they decided to leave while people were distracted and they wouldn't have to put up with the stares or people yelling at them again.
Once they had got settled in the room of requirement, Harry knelt in front of the fire and called out for his guardian's hideaway. A second later he was looking around the kitchen of Grimmauld Place but before he had a chance to call them he was put off by the level of noise bursting through his ear drums. The normally clean kitchen was filled with some sort of coloured smoke and there was heavy rock music loudly booming through the place.
"Kreach…KREACHER!" Yelled Harry as loudly as he could while his eyes teared up. The green creature popped infront of him and gave a shallow bow.
"What on earth is going on here?"
"Master doggy and wolfy are fighting in a battle, Kreacher was told not to clean unless battle over. So much paint." The elf whimpered whilst pulling on his ears. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Please tell the dog idiot that his godson needs him in the kitchen."
With another head bob, the elf popped away. A few minutes later an almighty crashing sound was heard through the place and Harry looked around worriedly before a huge black grim burst into the kitchen covered in yellow and green glitter. He skidded to a stop in front of the fire and his godfathers form melted back into his human one.
"Alright, kiddo?" Sirius said in a normal tone with his trademark smirk on his lips.
"Padfoot, what…You know actually don't tell me, just stick your head through once Moody arrives please."
And with that he pulled back shaking his head and coughing as the smoke overpowered him. Pushing himself back from the fire he looked into his friends bewildered faces. "Don't ask."
The five shrugged and settled back as they waited for the 'adults' to visit.
"Hello everyone!" The overexuberance in Sirius's tone had Tracye and Neville jumping while Theo raised an unimpressed eyebrow and Luna just waved happily.
"How's it all going?" Remus asked.
"Well we have a new plan that we wanted to run past you guys if you have time?" Neville asked.
"If we have time? If we have time!? Actually we have plenty of it." Sirius said with a grin and a wink.
"Right well Daphne your turn." Theo said and apart from the evil eye she shot him, Daphne turned to the fireplace and explained their wish of introducing Harry to darker spells and more diverse training.
"I think it's a wonderful idea, we have no clue what will be happening in the future but it is better to be overprepared than underprepared." Sirius said with a solemn nod.
"Agreed, you don't have to use them Harry but having this sort of spell knowledge against the people you could be going against is necessary. What's the strategy?" Remus continued.
"I start duelling training with Flitwick tomorrow night, he said he'll figure out my level and what he thinks I need to improve upon. Theo and Daphne are going to take care of my dark arts training, they have more than enough knowledge handed down from their families that they can teach me the basic spells but we thought you might also have some ideas. Tracey and Neville are still improving my speed casting by tag-teaming against me."
They'd all been surprised to see how well Neville and Tracey had worked together. Since Theo had joined their group after the second task the two had taken over as Harry's teachers. Neville had excellent shielding methods and managed to make up quick plans on the spot while Tracey's ingenuity and creativeness had Harry almost paranoid about the next thing she'd throw at him. As a team they had one mind, each contributing what the other couldn't and although the few time they'd decided on it, Daphne and Harry usually won their battles it was always a hard-earned win.
"Excellent, tag teaming is a great way to improve your focus and learn your enemies weaknesses as well as strengths. In terms of strategy try and watch which spells they work close with as well as the ones they struggle and shy away from. You don't need to watch for long before you can figure out a weakness. Most of the killer munchies stick to har-"
"Killer munchies?" Daphne asked quizzically, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Well we're calling Voldemort by his much scarier name of ol' Tommy boy might as well extend the same courtesy towards his followers. Now as I was saying before being so rudely interrupted." Here he stuck his tongue out at the now giggling Daphne. "They stick to the harsher spells like Diffindo or Repulso and of course the Unforgivables, those are actually pretty easy to avoid."
"Really, I wonder if the people in the first war realised that." Harry said dryly.
"Now now don't get sarcastic that's my job. But they are, the unforgivable can be deflected with another object; say the killing curse is heading towards you, summon a piece of rock and you're protected because the curse will attack the rock instead of you." Sirius finished looking pleased with himself.
"For you Harry the snake summoning hex is an excellent idea too, as you have summoned you will be able to speak to them and command them. I think that would be quite a distraction for some." Remus pointed out.
"Plus the imperius is once that you don't have to worry about at all really." Tracey said as she remembered with a laugh one of their first lessons with Moody.
"True, so we're thinking Fiendfyre first?"
They all carried on talking strategy before the conversation turned to much more pleasant and silly conversations as Remus and Sirius started tell stories of their Hogwarts years and even managed to recall some of Luna's parents who were good friends with Harry's grandparents.
By the end of the evening, they were all prepared for harder training and the very real threat against them all, as well as a firm belief in each other, the group made sure Luna got back into her common room before the started to walk down to the dungeons with Neville, Tracey and Theo slightly ahead in order to give the couple some private time.
"You think we can get through the next 4 weeks, okay?" Harry asked, his arm tightening around his girlfriend to bring her an inch closer.
"I think we can get through anything." Her reply was quiet but firm, confident but not arrogant and her eyes glowed as they looked into his, sealing her belief in them all.