Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
Author's Note -- I hate to do this, but I am going to upload 2 chapters tonight because I am having a surgery in the morning and am not sure I will be able to update tomorrow... Hope to be back on track on Saturday anyway.
Thanks for the reviews... of course, four out of three-thousand isn't a great average, but I appreciate them anyway...
February Musings
Harry woke early on February 2nd before the house elf could wake him. He realized that Valentine's Day was coming up, and he needed to go shopping. He dressed quietly and went to the front hall to meet with Rowan. Rowan, in turn, looked at her watch and smiled broadly to see him so excited for an early run. It was the first time he had seen her smile in weeks.
"Err... Rowan?"
"Yes, Harry."
"Uhm, it's February Second," She nodded and resisted the urge to add the word 'and' to the conversation, "I wanted to know if you realized that Valentine's Day was coming up."
Rowan smiled at him again. "Yes, that usually happens in February. I am old, but not that old." She smirked, expecting the next sentence from Harry.
"So, are you going to let us have a break for the holiday? Maybe a couple of hours off to go shopping in London?" He asked hopefully.
"And what classes would you throw off to accomplish this?"
He looked at her deep in thought. "Apparition lessons are over, so that might be an option. Or maybe the evening group from the end of Dueling until midnight?"
She looked at him thoughtfully. "We'll talk about it over breakfast."
"What will we talk about over breakfast?" asked Ron as he joined them, followed by the others. Severus, Remus and Neville had followed them in as well.
"At breakfast…" Rowan repeated, opening the door into the darkness to run as far as they could for twenty five minutes. Each day, she had marked the turning point for the morning runs. Each day, the group got farther. She estimated that they ran just over ten kilometers a morning now. Although very tired when they returned home for breakfast, when they passed the mark of the previous morning, they seemed determined to pass the next one as well.
Because it was a Saturday morning, others had joined them for breakfast. Buffy and her crowd were not due to arrive for an hour, so there was time to relax and enjoy one another's company. Over breakfast, Rowan asked Harry to repeat his request for the rest of the group. Dumbledore, Tonks, Severus, Moody, Remus, Shacklebolt, Molly, Arthur, the twins, and Charlie were all at breakfast with them.
Harry put down his fork, not sure which adult to ask for permission. Finally, he decided on Ginny. "I would like to know if you would throw off flying lessons around the Thirteenth and apparate to London with me to shop for Valentine's Day?"
She giggled. "Why, Mr. Potter, are you asking me out on a date to choose my own gift?"
"No, I am asking you, because I have absolutely no clue which adult is actually in charge." He raised his eyebrows and threw his head toward the group of teachers seated around the table, he smiled at her, his words loud enough to be heard throughout the dining room. The adults in the room broke into loud laughter. Remus snorted and blew tea out of his nose. Apparently none of them knew who was in charge either.
"The answer to your question, Harry, is 'no', you cannot throw off flying lessons to go shopping," Dumbledore said finally, "However, if you can convince the other six plus Rowan to go to Texas for two days, I believe I have enough influence on the multiple personalities of the adult who are in charge to convince them that the trip is important."
Ron whooped loudly, rising from his seat as he did so, grabbed Hermione and lifted her from her chair to spin her around the room. She held on and her smile flashed the room. Madison and Draco held hands and watched. Mason thought he should send Katie another owl. The only drawback to this break was that Rowan would be taking them. Each was confident that she would have to relax at some point.
February 13th
Dinner on the twelfth, found the group at the table. The original plans had them leaving as soon as their run was completed in the morning. But as always, someone had a different plan. Hermione spoke up. "Does anyone realize that Texas is six hours behind us?" They nodded. "So… do you realize that if we left before ten tonight that it would only be four o'clock there? Mason, you could have an extra day with Katie…."
The kids ran upstairs and got their bags together. In less than fifteen minutes, they were at the front doors ready to be free for the first time in just over six weeks; each apparating to Texas without incident.
Home was as they had remembered it. Katie was waiting on the big rocker on the front porch when they arrived. She could not help herself as she squeaked her excitement over seeing Mason again. She ran to his arms, as he scooped her up and spun around. The others were too excited for him to do much, other than watch the passionate embrace of their friends.
Rowan entered her home and greeted her brothers. They were all waiting for her return, sitting as she remembered many days, at the kitchen table, drinking coffee. The correspondence from the kids to their uncles had made each man a bit nervous about approaching their sister. They felt they needed to talk about what had happened and they way that she was treating the children. Robert noticed how tired she looked and the dramatic weight loss of his younger sister. In the end, Robert, Tony, John, and Jeff did not ask her anything, instead offering to take the kids shopping if she would like to take a nap or anything. Once the children were settled, the came into the large kitchen, which was the heart of her parent's home. "My brothers would like to take ya'll shopping; girls with one, boys with the other. I recommend Robert and Tony taking the girls, because Robert' daughter Bianca will be going too."
They agreed and split into groups with the same credit cards and identification they had been given in California. Rowan made her way to her bedroom, wanting nothing more than to sleep in her own bed for the rest of the afternoon.
When she entered her room, any residual irritation dissipated when the pleasure of seeing Remus Lupin and Severus Snape lying on her bed, both clad only in silk pajama bottoms smirking, overtook her.
Much tension was released that afternoon by the three professors. They were tender with her, and while she was nervous about the actual feel of either of them inside of her, she trusted them. It was a healing time for her and them and for several hours, the enjoyment combined with the physical healing and trust of these two men, made their day complete.
The teens were scheduled to return soon though, and the three showered and dressed. Severus always enjoyed his time with this beautiful American, but today was… simply amazing. He tenderly held her jaw line in his hands, raising her face to his, kissed her, before telling her that he had to be back for classes at Hogwarts, but would return at the end of each day.
She wondered how she could get rid of the house full of people to spend another afternoon in his arms 'releasing tension'. Remus watched him release Rowan; stepping closer to her, "I don't have classes for a few days, I could stay." He kissed her passionately.
"I would like that, but no. I can't have you sleeping in my bed with the kids here. If I show them that I am sleeping with you and/or Severus, they will think it is okay too. I mean, just because I am an adult doesn't make me right; just promise to come back soon though…both of you. I am sure I could use another pick-me-up tomorrow afternoon." She grinned at him. They kissed once more and apparated away.
Everyone returned within a few minutes of Remus and Severus' leaving. She was in the process of making coffee when they arrived. Robert and Bianca left with a quick hug. She heard him muttering something about "never again…" and Bianca laughing. Everyone enjoyed dinner but Rowan played mom and made everyone go to bed early. They would not try to adjust to the time difference.
Five o'clock AM English time, was eleven AM Texas time; which found the group of teenagers getting up and dressed for their morning run. Rowan had explained the night before that they had to do a couple of things with this freedom: 1. Run and 2. Keep up with the diaries.
Texas was warm in February and they were able to run that morning in shorts and tank tops. This suited the boys well as they ran side by side. Hermione first noticed Ron's inability to watch where he was going when he tripped and fell face first into a tree. He was embarrassed, but less so than Harry and Draco, who tripped over Ron, not having seen him fall in the first place. Mason hurdled over the group, seeing the girls as sisters and not wanting to think about breasts moving with each step. The run was finished, as usual in fifty minutes. Later that day, Rowan drove the route the kids had taken and was pleased to realize that they had run just under seventeen miles in fifty minutes - that included the mishap.
After showers and breakfast, each teen left the kitchen to wrap their gifts. Valentine's Day was the next day and they each wanted it to be special. Mason was going to go to the high school for lunch and when he had mentioned this, everyone wanted to go with him. He readily agreed, but warned Draco to be prepared for the attention that Madison would have from his friends there. Draco smirked, feeling that no one could compete with him and his feelings for her. Oh, how wrong he was.
February 13th, local high school, lunch room
They entered the public American high school with Rowan and signed in. Each carried a dozen roses for Katie from Mason. He found her when he saw the crowd part and the beautiful brunette ran to his arms. He lifted her to applause from the crowd. Mason's friends came to see him as well. He introduced new friends to old, noticing the old friends looking at the female teenagers he had brought along.
Mason, sensing a potential problem, began with "This is Harry Potter, and his long-time girlfriend Ginny Weasley." Harry slipped his arm protectively around Ginny's shoulders.
"This is Ron Weasley, Ginny's brother, and the love of his life, Hermione Granger." Hermione beamed at the introduction. Ron gave her hand a squeeze. "This is Draco Malfoy, boyfriend of my sister. You all do…remember Madison?" A collective gasp went around the male population as they looked at Madison. Mason rolled his eyes and squeezed Katie's hand. Draco's eyes were almost slits as he observed the way these high school boys were eying Madison. 'Not pleased' was an understatement he mused silently.
Madison, however, seemed to be in her element with this group. The local boys were some of the ones who had made her early childhood through Junior High almost unbearable. The girls in the group were jealous of her and the guys were looking close. Clearly, Draco was jealous. She turned to her boyfriend when she noticed the girls looking, not at her, but at him. She raised an eyebrow at him and laughed loudly; secure in the knowledge that he was the only one she wanted. But she could definitely enjoy being watched by so many others.
Madison had changed in appearance. Although she had been growing nicely before, she was stunning now. A month and a half of intense training, physically and mentally, gave her amazing curves. Of course, the jeans and form fitting t-shirt did not hide her chest. Her face had lost all remnants of a child's and the confidence she held in the way she carried herself was rivaled only by that of Mason. They had both changed dramatically in the short time they had been gone. Once the magic had been unbound in them, their physical appearances followed the power of the magic. An ease and grace radiated from the group as they sat in the common's area to have lunch.
About ten minutes into their lunch, Mason rose and left the area for a moment. Katie talked with the others casually waiting for his return. When he did, he was holding a snare drum he had 'borrowed' from the band hall, and sticks were in his back pocket. Harry thought fleetingly about 'wand safety... as Professor Moody told him "…not to put it in your pocket…because he could lose a buttock!" Harry laughed out loud, watching Mason closely as he started tapping on the drum.
The others in the lunch line stopped talking as the tempo increased. A few minutes later, more of the old drum line had returned to the common area with their own instruments to join the impromptu session. Harry was amazed at the speed and accuracy of Mason and his friends. Someone started blowing a clarinet, someone else a trumpet. Within a few minutes, an entire Jazz band was playing.
Draco took the opportunity to show the high school boys why Madison was with him, and with a quick look at Madison, he motioned for her to join him. They started dancing, joined by the other two couples. Flips, turns, spins, and smiles were theirs to have as they danced to the music the teenagers created. The Office area emptied, the principals and office aides were watching them as they danced. No one paid any attention as the bell rang for start of classes. It was almost an hour before order was restored and classes resumed and instruments were returned to the band hall. They left shortly thereafter smiles not leaving their faces.
Remus and Severus joined them for dinner that evening and the men laughed at the stories of the day. Snape leaned in close to Draco and asked him if he understood what love was yet. Draco met his eyes and a broad grin covered his face. After dinner, the teens went to the movies that evening, and Jeff was still out; giving Remus, Severus, and Rowan a chance for more relaxation therapy. Before the men left, she reminded them both that the kids would be going out the following evening… and please not to be late.
February 14th
Mason drove out to pick up Katie at five o'clock the next afternoon. He wore a tailored black suit, which he had purchased when he went shopping the first day. She opened the door and Mason found himself staring open-mouthed at a woman in red stiletto heels, a low cut dress and hair swept up in the most amazing design he had every imagined. She was smiling when she reached up to his mouth and closed it for him.
They returned to Carleton Drive to meet the other couples, all now ready and looking equally as amazing. The limousine arrived to take them to Fort Worth. Jeff had a date as well, but would be dining at the same restaurant as the teens, 'just in case they needed him.'
As the Limo drove away with the eight teenagers, Remus and Severus appeared. She turned and hugged them both, but released them quickly and turned to walk away. When she took the pen out of her hair and they watched to below her waist, they took a moment to look at each other and smile, before following her to her bedroom. The physical scars of her kidnappings aside, they were helping to heal the broken spirit that had happened. They made her feel beautiful and loved.
After dinner, the couples were driven to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. This gave each couple an opportunity to look at the clear sky with the person they cared for most. Mason walked with Katie only a little way before stopping at a bench. He knelt in front of her and removed her shoes. When she looked at him, with a puzzled look on her face, he grinned. "Your feet have to hurt with these things on… don't they?" She agreed.
He reached in his pocked after taking the seat next to her and produced a small blue velvet box tied with a gold ribbon. She was shocked at the gesture. He handed it to her with a quiet, "I love you."
Trembling, she opened the box. Inside were two of the most perfect diamond earrings she had ever seen. Her body, so tense for those few moments relaxed until she realized it was not a ring. She hugged him crying and said, "Thank you. They are perfect!"
Harry and Ginny had gone farther away from the entrance than the rest of them. Not only to get a little privacy, but also to just not be in a crowd. She sighed as she held his hand walking on the cobblestone pathway. "Are you okay?" he asked her.
"Yes. I was just being very content that you are the one walking with me, alone, under the stars."
"Oh. Well, er, I, uh… I want to give you your gift if you are ready." She smiled broadly. "I will take that as a yes?"
She laughed and reached up to bring his face down to kiss her. "Yes, my love, I am ready for your gift. But I warn you now, it better be special…" She was smiling a most devious smile.
He reached in his pocket and brought out a long red velvet box, tied with a gold ribbon, and handed it to her. She trembled as she took it; a cold Texas wind blowing at that precise moment. Opening it, she gasped out loud at the necklace inside: A platinum choker with rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. She looked from the necklace to him. "Wow" she whispered.
"You looked amazing at the Bronze last fall. I wanted you to have the real things next time I get you to wear a green mini dress to a party." He smiled at her, "The Rubies are for your hair. The Emeralds are for my eyes. The diamonds are for the children and grandchildren we will rear in or around the Estate. There are 17 stones total, one for each year I have survived so far. There are two clasps, if you look close, one has an "H" on it and the other has a 'G'. When they are closed, it changes to POTTER."
She bit back her tears. "I love you Harry James Potter. I would always be honored to wear this." And with that, he demonstrated how the clasp changed when it came together. He opened the clasp and helped her put it on her neck. It magically adjusted to fit at the proper height on her neck. He kissed the clasp after closing it; whispering that it did not compare with her beauty.
Hermione and Ron found a greenhouse and were looking at the roses. She bent to sniff one, but when she looked up, her eyes met Ron's. He stared at her, surrounded by but outshining the beauty of the roses. He was open-mouthed as he found himself staring at the wonderful sight before him. He really did love this woman. 'How could I have waited so long to be with her? Why would she want me?'
As if she had read his mind, she answered all of the above for him: "Because I love you Ron. I don't care how long it took us to be together. I love you. We are together now."
He walked closer to her. Kissing her deeply, when he released her, he kept his forehead to hers and whispered, "I am the luckiest man in the world." He, like the others, produced a box from his pocket. The green velvet box was square and tied with a silver ribbon. He kneeled before her, looking up into her eyes, he felt his own tears come to the surface. "'Mione, I love you. I just can't imagine life without you in it. I wasted so many years before I noticed you were a 'girl'. The only part of that is that I got to know you as my best friend. So maybe it wasn't what I could call a complete waste. There will be a time, in our future, that we can have peace. I look forward to that time so much; to be able to hold you at nigh with no nightmares. Look into the eyes of our children. You give me the desire to live past this great battle that we are part of. When it's all over, when Voldemort is defeated, when we get our chance at peace… Will you be my wife? Will you let me love you for ever? Will you…" he opened the box to reveal a beautiful Ruby and Diamond platinum ring. With shaking hands, he reached for her left, praying for the second time in his life, that she would say yes.
She willingly gave him her hand. She stretched her left ring finger to him. She nodded yes, unable to wrap her mouth around all the things he had just said to her. Finally, after slipping the ring on her finger, he stood and held her close to him. His tears fell untroubled as, for the first time in his life, he was truly happy.
Draco and Madison were walking. Talking about what had happened the day before at the high school. She loved dancing with him. Loved the way she felt in his arms. Loved the fact that the relationship was so new that it was still fun. They were still learning about each other. He stopped walking and looked at her. "Yes Draco?"
"The others have all gotten their girlfriends very expensive and exquisite pieces of jewelry. I… I wasn't ready to get you something like that." She nodded. "But I wanted to get you something that would show you that you have made a difference in my life. I see myself with you for years to come. But, I was really at a loss as to what to do about Valentine's Day." She breathed deeply, not having a clue as to what he was talking about. He continued "I did find this and when I saw it, I thought of you." He handed her a small box. When he placed it in her hand, he muttered "Finite" and the box magically expanded to cover both arms and overlap. "Go ahead, open it."
She did, smiling when she saw the thin leather and silver belt with a belt buckle, roughly the size of a hubcap. There was a long box in the center as well. It held a charm bracelet with only a few charms, one being the bag which held everything. She squealed her delight and threw herself into his arms. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you" she said between kisses. "I love it!"
The group met at the limousine an hour later; each young woman sporting a different piece of jewelry. Madison, for her part, resisted the urge to wear her new belt around her velvet dress. The ride home was enjoyable. The happy couples chatted all the way home.
Severus and Remus apparated naked out of the bedroom when the door to the limo closed and they heard footsteps. Rowan stretched and slept without nightmares.
February 15th
It's always fun to be out late, until you have to get up early the next morning. When no one came to their rooms to wake them, however, the teenagers were fine with it. After six weeks of intensive training, a bit of a lie in was okay by all the teenagers.
They woke late to the smells of breakfast being cooked and coffee being brewed. Rowan was up most of the night, but she didn't mention the reasons. While they were eating breakfast, an owl swooped in and dropped a letter for her. Reading over it, she was instructed to meet with Dumbledore and Arthur about stepping up the training in wandless magic. It also noted that, Willow would now be staying at Hogwart's and joining them daily as it was agreed that she would begin her own classes with them.
After breakfast and goodbyes, one by one, the teenagers left Texas, arriving at the Dining Hall at the Estate. Rowan was the last to join them. Hermione rushed to Molly and show her the ring and talk about the proposal. Ron moved to his dad and received the biggest hug he could have imagined. "I'm proud of you son," he said.
Rowan took a few moments then got everyone's attention. "Today is your only day off. Use the time wisely. Enjoy it, but be ready to go tomorrow morning at five." She left the estate to apparate to discuss what was happening in the outside world while they had been away. She was horrified at Dumbledore's answers. When she left, she was determined to double her efforts to make the teenagers ready for the upcoming fight.
February 16th
Five AM was early in the US, but even earlier after so much fun away from home for a few days. The house elf, however, was no longer in charge of waking Ron up. Hermione, who found that exhaustion kept away her nightmares and was able to sleep alone for the first time in almost a year; went to his door and leaned in to whisper "It's time, Love." And turned to leave Ron standing straight up looking around the room; he saw her looking over her shoulder at him, urging him to follow her. He dressed quickly and she screamed as she ran from his grasp. He caught her just before she reached the front door. Picking her up from behind, he spun her around as she yelled. Anyone not awake was by the time he put her on the floor.
The run was increased from fifty minutes to seventy-five minutes. The trail they took was no longer the same one. There was snow on the ground and each of them was wearing a sweat suit. The new trail took them down to the lake, around it, up the mountain towards the Burrow. When they reached the top, she turned resolutely south and ran across the ridge, then made her way down a few steep points until the ground leveled again. Rowan was pleased when they returned to the Estate and everyone was just a few steps behind her. She put her hands on her knees and drew in great cleansing breaths.
"Bloody Hell Rowan!" Ginny screamed. "Are you trying to kill us?"
Rowan turned to the petite red head, her maniacal obsessed look on her face once again. "No, I am NOT trying to kill you. I am trying to get you ready for the fight of your life. You had your time off. You got a break. You had fun, but it is time to work now." She turned and left those looking at her to the warmth of the Estate and the blankets the house-elves provided.
At breakfast, she was pleased to see them in the light. They all had torn places in their suits and there were a few bumps and bruises from falls either up or down the mountain. "If you need to go to the hospital wing, be sure you are not late for class." She rose and left them to their breakfast.
No one went to the hospital, no one took a shower. They did, however, take their breakfasts and went into the Research Room. This would give them an extra hour or so of study. What ever had happened while they were gone had gotten to Rowan; Mason warned the others, his mom was scared again; she would be pushing them harder than ever.
Hermione ate while she read. It was customary for the group to see her absorbed in a book while multi-tasking through her breakfast. They looked up when she dropped her tea cup, shattering it on the stone floor. "'Mione?" Ron asked, repairing the cup.
"This is it. This is what we have been searching for. It has to be…" she broke off intelligent communication muttering under her breath. Finally, she looked up to see the faces of those around her. "Listen to this:
"When the darkness falls around the world and the light cannot be found. It must be found within. The charm of protection come when there are seven united to a common goal: Light and Peace. The seven must be united and share a love of others.
In order to use this spell properly, the group must be united in all things. Friendships and family must come second to the ones who wish to cast this spell.
It has only been said that it was used once in ancient times. No one living today has ever seen the correct use of the spell." She looked around the room. "It all fits. I feel like I did the day I realized that it was a basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets." She looked smug but excited.
Harry's grin was the largest she had seen in months. "It sounds like it. What else does it say?"
"The spell should be used only in great times of darkness, to defeat the dark ones. If used properly, the casters send their hearts into the darkness and protect the one chosen. Each must be strong and without doubts. Two must share blood in order for the spell to succeed.
Standing in a circle, shoulder to shoulder, hands should be raised above their heads. The chant "abundantia adfero abeo dedoceo cesso adamo" should be repeated aloud until the shield covers six of the seven. The seventh will use the power generated by the six to defeat the darkness."
"Ohh, there is even a diagram! Should we tell Rowan?"
Mason answered her, "NO! Mom doesn't need to know. Something must have happened while were home. She's flaky again. God above, Hermione, didn't you hear me warn you? You have to be really careful what you tell her. Do yourselves a favor and don't challenge her. She is going to try to kill us when she thinks we don't have the answer. I think we should just practice it and keep studying. Oh and great job Hermione!" They all agreed to keep this from the semi-insane woman they would be meeting with in the next few hours.
Work-outs were intense, but rather than continue flying lessons, they were now using the time they used for Animagus studies. They found that the study of turning oneself into an animal was harder than Potions. The following day, the only registered Animagus' appeared for training. As there were only seven registered, Rowan trained Neville on the side. She was an unregistered Animagus, but promised to register when the others did.
Potions, ever a difficult class, seemed to be easier to them, but the potions were more difficult. They were getting used to Snape's teaching methods in this class and were aware that he could and would teach them everything he knew. They also knew that if there was a potion that could help them, he would have them brew it. It was easier to brew something that might save your life than it was to brew something someone might need someday. Their classes with the Charmed ones on Sundays had taught Professor Snape about a class of vanquishing potions which he had not been able to research before and enjoyed learning and teaching at the same time.
Chapel continued with Chaplin McHargue. They were due to have a Jesuit Priest come in the following week, but as the time with the Christian Chaplin continued, they could find excuses to believe in a higher power. It was, again, easier than thinking it was all on them. Harry and Ron, in particular, had taken to praying each evening.
Dueling was now exclusively without wands. Willow arrived at the beginning of class to show them what she knew, as she could not use a wand with any consistency. Because she was self taught on the Hellmouth, her powers were stronger than she realized. Rowan made them leave the wands out of the room when they entered. It was difficult to funnel their individual magic through their hands without the sticks.
After a few days of only Harry making progress with wandless magic, Rowan left the room and returned with their wands. Handing them back, she said, "There is one spell that I think will help you understand wandless magic better than others. You have spent so much time training with wands, that you don't know how to function without them. Try this without the wands, then with the wands."
She turned to a line of bottles set on a shelf, she raised her left arm and said quietly "rapideous bulitus" Small gold lights shot out from her wrist, reminding Mason of Spiderman's Web. She only said it once, but as long as her arm was raised, the lights shot out rapid fire, hitting each of the bottles. She lowered her arm, and turned to the teenagers. "That is an American spell, roughly translated to…"
"RAPID BULLETS" Madison shouted, interrupting her mother.
Rowan nodded her head. She half wanted to give the girl house points. "Yes. The magic is so condensed as it leaves your body; it actually acts as a projectile to what it is aimed at. It will stop a Bull Moose. Sorry, for those of you who don't know what I am talking about, how about a Rampaging Hippogriff?" The group nodded their understanding. "However, the wands actually decrease the use of this spell. Who's first?"
Draco stood. Waving his want muttering "repairo!" the bottles repaired and was ready for him to blow them apart again. He raised his wand, muttered the incantation, and missed every bottle. He lowered his wand, embarrassed.
"Try your hand without the wand." Rowan instructed. He raised his right hand and muttered the spell again, the first bit of light shot from his wrist as he bent his hand back to the floor. The bottle shattered. He dropped his hand.
"Incredible!" he repeated the procedure with his wand and again without it. He could hit his targets every time with his arm, but not with his wand.
Rowan answered the question before he could answer it. "Your aim with a part of your body is more accurate than the wood in your hand. Your body my shake when you are scared, causing your wand to move. Your arm, even when shaking is connected to your body, and will continue to shoot accurately. There is no buffer between you and the target." It made sense. Everyone attempted the spell, but Harry did not even bother to try a wand. He was advanced with the wandless magic; since his kidnapping last summer, he knew he was stronger and better than ever. His strength had grown since admitting his feelings for Ginny. His magic was unbelievable on his worst days; even Willow learned that day. At the end of the class, Rowan instructed them all to begin to search for those spells best suited for wandless magic.
The physical combat studies were now being taught by different people with different strengths. Swords, small knives, weapons training, if Rowan could think of it, they were learning it.
The strategy specialists were concentrating on Hogwart's defense, working closely with Ron and Neville. There was a lot of property and woods which would probably be the center of the battle. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses were imperative.
Dumbledore and Rowan spoke about the numbers of those committed to the fight. They were overwhelmed as to the thought that almost fourty percent of all known wizards were to be involved with the war itself, on both sides.
