Standard disclaimer: The idea and characters of the Harry Potter universe are not mine, I could only wish.
The portrait hole opened and Ginny and Hermione walked in. "Ginny, you are just going to have to tell him. You can't keep on like this," Hermione said.
Ginny nodded. "I know, I just don't know what to do."
Hermione looked around the common room as they walked in.
"Where is everyone? It's never this empty in here."
At that moment, Gryffindors starting jumping out from behind the furniture and curtains yelling, "Surprise!" Loud pops with streamers filled the air over her head and people came towards her from all directions singing, "Happy birthday to you….happy birthday to you…happy birthday dear Hermione….happy birthday to you…." Hermione was swept up in a round of hugs and kisses. Seamus made a remark under his breath about spanking the birthday girl that quickly earned him a box to the head from Ron.
Hermione covered her mouth with her hands in surprise. "Ginny, you kept me out late on purpose! I thought everyone forgot my birthday this year. You guys are the greatest!"
Ginny hugged her best friend, "How could we forget your birthday? Everyone put together an absolute feast of junk food and butterbeer just for you. I have been looking forward to it all day!"
Music started playing in the background and a few couples started to dance. Harry walked up to her and hugged her tight. "Happy birthday, Hermione. Did we manage to surprise you?" Harry grinned widely at her.
"Of course you did! How long have you guys been planning this? I can't believe I didn't notice anything."
"Ron and Ginny did most of the work actually," Harry said. "They did a brilliant job, I think."
Hermione looked around the common room which was now filled with streamers and balloons. A large table filled with food and drinks was on one side of the room and a small table loaded with gifts stood next to it. People were milling around talking, eating and laughing. She was swept onto a makeshift dance floor again and again until she was nearly dizzy from it. Soon, people were calling for her to cut the cake and open her gifts. After everyone was served a large slice of chocolate butter crème cake, Hermione started opening gifts. Many of the gifts met with 'ohhhs and ahhhs' from the girls and laughter from the guys. She opened the box from Ginny and pulled out a delicate dark blue silk nightdress with little thin straps. Hermione blushed as several of the boys let loose with whistles. She hurriedly placed it back in the box as she thanked Ginny with a grin. She opened her box from Harry next. Inside she found a beautiful silver quill and ink.
"Oh Harry, it's lovely, thank you!' Hermione hugged him.
"You're welcome Hermione. It's charmed to work sort of like a Qwik Quotes Quill, only it actually writes what you tell it too," he laughed. "I thought it might come in handy for your homework and for taking notes for the DA."
She opened the box from Ron next. From inside she pulled out some chocolate from Honeydukes, her favorite of course. Then she spotted a long thin box at the bottom of the larger one. She pulled it out and opened it, followed by gasps from the girls sitting nearby. She lifted out a thin gold bracelet with a single charm of a cat dangling from it. Hermione smiled. "Oh Ron, I love it. It reminds me of Crookshanks. Could you help me put it on?"
Ron blushed furiously and stood up. "Umm, sure…can I have it?"
Harry looked at Ron and smiled. He stood up also and turned to Parvati and asked her dance. "Let's kick this party in gear guys."
Everyone moved off to the dance floor and left Ron and Hermione standing alone. Ron made a mental note to thank Harry later.
Hermione held out her wrist for Ron to hook the bracelet on. "I really do like it, thanks." She smiled broadly at him.
Ron hooked the bracelet around her wrist and blushed. "I saw it when we were in Diagon Alley before school started. It reminded me of you, so I bought it." He looked into her chocolate brown eyes and stammered, "So, you umm…want to dance? If you aren't too tired already…I mean…you don't have to…"
"No, it's ok, I would love to dance with you Ronald," Hermione smiled.
Harry smiled as he watched his two best friends across the room slowly dancing together. 'It's about time Ron did something, it would be so great if they got together—it's what they both want---its so obvious.' He had to admit that he did wonder sometimes how things would change between them all if that happened, but he would deal with it when the time came; and he was sure that time was coming soon.
Ginny walked up and stood beside him. "They look good together don't they?"
Harry nodded and smiled.
Ginny smiled. "Sometimes it takes forever for people to see what's standing right in front of them." She moved to stand in front of Harry and looked up at him. "Dance with me Harry, you haven't asked me all night."
Harry looked down at her. "I didn't think Dean would appreciate it if I did."
"Well, seeing that he doesn't have anything to say about it, I guess it doesn't matter if he likes it or not. He doesn't own me. We are friends Harry; he just needs to accept that. So dance with me."
Harry slid his arm around Ginny's waist and led her out onto the floor. She turned, slipped her hands around his waist and moved close to him. They began to dance. Harry's mind was racing; he knew he shouldn't be doing this. He only knew it didn't feel this way when he held Cho in his arms. Ginny laid her head on his shoulder and he was overcome with the scent of lilies. He felt the muscles in his stomach tighten as her small hand slid up his back.
Ginny turned her head towards Harry's ear and said, "See, this isn't so bad, is it?"
Harry felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle when her warm breath brushed his ear. He saw Dean glaring at him from the other side of the room but he just didn't care. He didn't ever want to let her go. Then he saw Ron. Ron was still dancing with Hermione but he was staring at Harry intently with a hard look on his face. Harry moved away from Ginny quickly.
"Ummm, thanks for the dance Ginny, but I think I need to get to bed. It's late and I …uhhh…have class in the morning…it was…fun."
Ginny looked up at him with a confused look on her face. "Did I do something wrong, Harry?"
"No, no…not at all. I just hadn't realized how late it had gotten is all. Goodnight Ginny."
Harry beat a hasty retreat upstairs. He sat on the side of his bed and Fiona flew over to sit next to him. He stroked her golden feathers. "What am I going to do girl? This can't be happening. She's Ron's sister, he'll kill me. Hell, all her brothers will kill me. What am I going to do about Cho? I can't keep this up with her. Something about it just doesn't feel right." Harry stood up and stripped down to his boxers then climbed into bed. He decided he better at least look like he was sleeping before Ron got upstairs for the night.
Harry was sitting in transfiguration class trying desperately to change his pincushion into a porcupine. He pointed his wand at it, flicked his wrist to left and swirled it once muttering, "Cessum Acupulvinus!" He looked down in irritation as his pincushion sprouted short little legs and scurried around his desk. He looked over at Ron. At least he wasn't faring much better; his only grew a tail and a few whiskers. Hermione, of course, had a perfect porcupine wandering around her desktop. He glanced up again to find Ron staring at him.
Ron leaned over and whispered, "Harry, we have to talk. You can't keep avoiding me like this."
'Yes I can,' Harry thought to himself. 'I have been managing to avoid the subject for the last two weeks quite nicely.' He pretended to concentrate intently over his porcupine for the next twenty minutes.
Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the class. "That will be all for today students. You may pack your things away and get ready to leave. I want two feet of parchment on the transfiguration of mammals and the magical properties of the porcupine. You are dismissed, except for Mr. Potter. May I see you for a moment Mr. Potter?
Harry nodded to his friends, "Go on, I'll catch you up." He walked up to the front of the room. "Yes ma'am. You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, have a seat. How is quidditch practice going?"
"Terrific, Professor, our new players are working out splendidly. I think we are in for another good year. Is that all you wanted to see me about?"
"Well, not completely. I have a few questions I need to ask you Harry."
Harry looked surprised at the use of his first name. "Yes, ma'am; anything I can help with?"
"Tell me Harry, have you ever been able to change your appearance at all? Magically, I mean of course."
"Well, I'm not sure if this is exactly what you mean; but when I was a kid, whenever my Aunt Petunia would cut my hair it would look exactly like this again the next morning. It used to make her so mad that she finally stopped cutting it."
"That's exactly what I mean Harry. Professor Dumbledore thinks you may have the ability to perform the animagus transformation. He wants me to begin instructing you as soon as possible."
Harry looked surprised. "But Professor, I'm not old enough to register until next year. How long will it take?"
"Well, that depends entirely on you, Mr. Potter. The Headmaster will take care of registration issues for you. We will start next week; I want you to read up on the animagus transformation before our meeting. The Headmaster informs me that you have access to some books that might be able to help you. Off you go then, and be prepared to get started when we meet again."
Harry ran all the way to common room and barely had time to change into his quidditch robes and meet up with Ron who was already on the way down to the pitch for practice. "Hey, Ron, wait up."
"Oi! There you are Harry. I wondered if you were going to be late. You're not in trouble with McGonagall are you?"
"No, she just wanted to tell me about something. I will tell you and Hermione later. We need to make another trip to the private library for something. I need some specific information that I am hoping I can find there."
Ron looked seriously at Harry. "Harry, we need to talk…about Ginny."
Harry looked away. "Yeah, we do. I know. What do you want me to say to you Ron?"
"Bloody hell, Harry. I saw the way you were looking at her the other night at the party. You looked like you could positively eat her alive. I know that look."
"You mean that same look you get when you look at Hermione?" Harry snickered.
"This has nothing to do with Hermione. It isn't the same thing and you know it. How can you look at her like that and still be seeing Cho?"
Harry looked sad. "I know Ron. You're right, but I have to be honest with you. I quite fancy your sister. I tried not to, but I do. If you want to punch me right here I wont blame you. If you tell me to stay away from her I will. If you feel there is someone better for her, then I will respect your wishes. I won't like it, but I will do it."
"Harry, I just don't want her to be hurt. She has liked you ever since she was a little girl. I won't stand for her to be heartbroken, not even by you, mate. If you have forgotten, you have a girlfriend."
"Yes, and she has a boyfriend." Harry looked downcast. "I won't do anything Ron, I promise. I won't come between her and Dean. That's her decision. But I am going to have to do something about Cho. I don't know what I was thinking. It seemed like I couldn't think straight around her in the beginning. Now something about it just doesn't feel right. I need to break it off, but I don't want to hurt her."
Ron nodded. "You have too many bad memories together. Maybe that's what drew you to her again; the feeling that you needed to make something up to her."
Harry nodded. "Yes, you are probably right. When did you get so smart anyway?" He looked over at Ron. "So, what's up with you and Hermione?"
Ron blushed. "Nothing is up, why do you ask?"
"Oh come on, now who isn't being honest?"
Ron looked away. "Well you know, she is my best friend next to you. So, of course I like her. You know…"
Harry laughed. "Ron, everybody knows. You are the only one that doesn't."
"No, I do know. But Harry, I'm scared. Scared of how things will change between the three of us. I'm scared that you will be angry if I ask her out. I'm scared that she will say no. I think it's better for everyone if things stay just the way they are now."
"You know Ron, I love Hermione. She is the closest thing to a sister I have ever had. I don't want to see her hurt either. But I can't think of anyone else I would trust her with more than you. I bet if you just talked to her, you would find that she feels the same way about you."
"Thanks mate, that means a lot to me for you to say that. I wouldn't even know what to say to her."
Harry grinned. "Well, I think you already made points with her birthday gift, mate. It was a brilliant gift. She really loved it."
"Thanks, I feel better now that we got it all out in the open now. If it makes you feel any better, I hope she dumps Dean soon. I never liked the way he looks at her anyway." Ron stopped and looked at Harry. "I am not sure I want to see you look at her that way either, she is still my baby sister after all."
Harry laughed. "That's understandable. It feels weird for me to see you look at Hermione that way too."
Ron patted Harry briskly on the back. "Oh well, let's put these people through a tough practice, we need to be ready for our first match!"
Harry and Ron walked onto the pitch and started going over new strategies and plays for the season with the rest of the team. By the time practice was over they were tired and sore, but it looked like this was going to shape up to be one of the best teams ever.
Harry, Hermione and Ron spent the better part of the afternoon in Gryffindor's private library. Harry explained to them that Professor Dumbledore wanted him to start learning the animagus transformation.
Hermione looked dumbstruck. "Wow, Harry, that's amazing. You're going to get private tutoring from Professor McGonagall herself. You'll have to tell us absolutely everything. I am so jealous."
"Well, hopefully I can do it. It's supposed to be very complex. There has to be something in one of these books about it. McGonagall expects me to read up on it before our first lesson."
They spent the next hour going through books looking for some reference to the subject. Harry had found a particularly good book about concentrating magical energy to use for wandless magic. He decided to take that one back to his dorm for further reading. Ron was sitting at the table reading a book about military strategy.
Hermione walked out from behind a stack of books, her eyes shining. "I just love it in here, I could spend hours!" She was carrying several large, heavy books. "Harry I think I found something you can use."
Harry moved over to the table next to Hermione and sat down. "Leave it to you to find just the book I need."
Hermione laughed. "Well, this one seems to deal quite a bit with wandless magic, but it also talks about the animagus transformation. Apparently some of the same principles apply to both. There are even some handwritten notes in the margins. I wonder if any of them were written by Gryffindor himself."
Harry started leafing through the book. "This is amazing Hermione. Thanks."
I would also like to take these two with me for some further reading, if you don't mind Harry. There are a few defense spells I'd like to study and some magical theory chapters in this book look promising as well."
"Of course, take what you need. I really do believe that the answers lie in this room somewhere….we just need to find them. Did you find anything you can use Ron?"
"Yeah, I think so Harry. This book is all about military strategies. It's fascinating really. It reminds me a lot of like playing chess. It's ok if I borrow this one and study it some more?"
"Sure, if you think it will help you, take it. I have to meet with Dumbledore tonight so we better head back, I don't want to be late."
Harry helped gather up books and they started back towards the common room. "Ron, do you think you can carry this book back for me? I am going to go on over to the Headmaster's office from here."
"Sure, mate, it's no problem. See you later then, good luck." Ron and Hermione turned towards the common room and disappeared down the hall.
Dumbledore sat back in his chair. "That was very good, Harry, very good. You are able to block me much faster now. I wasn't able to see anything before you detected me. How do you feel?"
"Not bad, it still takes a lot of effort; but it's getting easier. I have been practicing and meditating like you suggested."
"That's excellent, very good job. I understand Professor McGonagall has spoken to you about you lessons with her?"
"Yes sir," Harry nodded, "we are supposed to start next week. I was surprised when she told me you had suggested it sir."
"I believe that you have the ability to accomplish it. If so, it could be a useful tool for you in this war, as well as a disguise when needed. I believe I will be able to convince the Minister to hold off on your registration due to security reasons. It's best not to tell anyone else about this Harry." He added with a twinkle in eyes, "Except of course, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, since I am already sure that you have told them."
Harry grinned. "Well, yes, actually I did tell them already. I won't say anything to anyone else, though."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said, "I will be seeing Remus later this week and wanted to inform him of what has been happening with you. I trust that would be alright with you, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Of course, I was going to tell him everything next time I saw him anyway."
"Now, is there anything else you would like to tell me about before we adjourn for the night?"
Harry paused for a moment before speaking. "Well, actually sir, yes there is. I wasn't going to say anything, but I am convinced there is something going on. I saw Snape and Malfoy in the hallway together the other night. They are definitely up to something. I know you trust him sir, but…."
"Yes, Harry, Professor Snape has my complete trust. I know what you think you saw. But remember Harry, things are not always as they seem."
"But sir, I heard them together. It was very suspicious. I really think you should check into it."
"You will just have to trust me Harry. I am well aware of what is going on. Now if there isn't anything else, it's getting late and you should be off to bed. I'll say goodnight."
Harry could see he was being dismissed so he said goodnight and trudged out the door. He couldn't understand why Dumbledore continued to trust Snape. He knew what heard and it sounded pretty fishy to him. Just because Dumbledore trusted him, didn't mean he had to.
The next couple of weeks passed in a blur of activity. It was hard to believe the end of October was already here. He had been putting in extra time with the practice dummies in addition to the time spent during DA meetings. He was definitely seeing improvement. The last practice session he didn't even need to use his wand for last half of the fight. His lessons with Professor McGonagall were moving slower than he expected though. He had already decided on the form he would attempt, but wasn't ready to tell her in case he couldn't manage it. His first lesson all he was able to do after an hour of strenuous concentration was to grow his fingernails on one hand a few inches. Occlumency was at least faring better. He was able to guard against any intrusion into his mind with little effort now. Dumbledore wanted to start training him to be a Legilimens next. The first quidditch game of the season against Slytherin was just around the corner and Ron was nearly driving everyone crazy with his fanatical approach to training. Harry even overheard Ginny telling her brother in a not-so-nice way to remember that he was not the team captain. Harry had to admit though that Ron is a brilliant strategist. Some of his new plays were very good and he figured that Slytherin was going to be done for. With all that going on, plus the effort of continuing to avoid Cho as much as possible, it's no wonder that the month had just slipped past.
As Harry walked to the DA meeting with Ron and Hermione he thought about the predicament he found himself in with Cho. He had already made up his mind to officially break it off with her. The last time he was with her she was acting so fragile again that he didn't have the heart to do it. He had every intention of it, and then she started talking about how much she needed him for strength and support and how lucky she was to have him that he just couldn't do it. It wasn't right to keep leading her on though, he was going to do it next chance he got.
Hermione looked over at Harry. "You alright there Harry?" She knew how much Harry disliked Halloween. It was the anniversary of Voldemort murdering his parents and Harry was understandably morose on this day.
Harry gave her a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, thanks Hermione. I just have too many things on my mind today I suppose. I'm good though. Let's just get this over with; I know everyone is looking forward to the feast tonight." They entered the Room of Requirement and started setting up for the meeting.
Once everyone arrived for the meeting Harry stood at the front of the room. "Hi everyone, thanks for coming. We want to try something that we feel will make us more organized and effective as a group. We are going to split up into groups. I will need a group of healers that will be able to go into a battle area, quickly fix up someone fallen and get them out safely. We are also going to need a group that will fight on the ground, you need to be very good with jinxes and hexes as well as have excellent defensive capabilities. The last we need a group that can attack from the air. I happen to know that there are currently some weapons being created just for this purpose. You lot are obviously going to need excellent flying skills as well as defensive capabilities. We are going to pass around slips of parchment for you to write which group you feel best equipped to be in, and we will try to accommodate everyone's wishes. At the next meeting we will have the groups worked out and Ron will get with each of you to start you on your practice training. Madame Pomfrey has agreed to sit in with the healers a few classes to teach some basic healing spells to hold them until a professional healer can take over. So, if there are no questions about that, let's split into pairs and work on jinxes and counter curses; we can also set up at least four people with practice dummies."
Everyone started moving into groups and soon purple and red hexes were zinging around the room. Professor Cochrann was standing off to the side observing so Harry joined her. "Professor, how are you this evening? Is there something I can do for you?"
"Good Harry, thanks for asking. You and your friends are doing a wonderful job here. I am really impressed. You should consider teaching professionally when you are out of school."
Harry shook his head. "Well, at this point, I will be happy to survive that long."
Devyn looked at him curiously. "You really believe that don't you? Well, if what I see here is any indication, I am more confident than ever that we will be fine." She looked off into the distance. "Your mother would be so proud of you, you know that?"
Harry turned to look at Professor Cochrann. "You knew my mother?"
"Yes, I did; quite well, actually. We were dorm mates. I was quite taken aback at how much you resemble your father; except for your eyes, of course. Lily had those same fiery green eyes."
Harry nodded sadly. "So, I've heard."
"Oh Harry, I'm sorry. I can't believe I am talking about your parents to you on today of all days. I have to go anyway if you aren't going to need me for anything tonight. See you in class Harry."
Harry moved around the room helping others until it was time to leave. He had pretty much decided to just skip the feast and go back to his room. He wasn't really feeling much like socializing tonight. He was getting ready to leave when he saw Cho waiting for him.
He walked up to her. "Hi Cho. You did really great during practice today."
"Harry," Cho said with a pouty look, "aren't you even going to walk me to the Halloween feast?"
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry Cho. I am not going to go, this isn't a good day for me and I just need to be alone right now. I hope you can understand."
"Well, no, I really can't Harry," she frowned, "all the other girls have their boyfriends walking with them. I waited for you to ask me all week and you never did. You seem to want to spend more time with Ron, Hermione and Ginny than with me!"
Harry sighed. "Cho, this really isn't a good time for me. You will just have to try and understand."
"What could be more important than walking your girlfriend to the feast Harry? Are you going to see Ginny again?" Cho asked angrily. "For someone that is so obviously not your type Harry, you sure spend a lot of time trailing after her."
Harry could feel his anger rising. "Cho, you really don't want to do this with me right now. It doesn't have to always be about you, you know. My parents were murdered on Halloween; forgive me for not being in the partying mood at the moment."
Cho frowned. "That was a terrible thing, Harry, but it happened years ago. It's about time for you to get over it and think about me for a change."
Harry just stared at her. "I can't believe you can be so self absorbed Cho, sometimes it needs to be about me and my feelings, not just yours all the time."
"Well maybe you just need to be a better boyfriend Harry. I always thought you were the type that did whatever was necessary to make other people happy. I am not happy Harry. I need more from you now. I need your strength and support. I just need you."
Harry stood back and watched her for a moment. "You know what? You are absolutely right. I am no good for you, Cho. You deserve much better than me. I hope you find what you are looking for."
"Harry, wait….that's not what I meant! I wasn't breaking up with you…I just want you to pay more attention to me, that's all."
Harry shook his head, "No, this isn't working out. I can't give you what you want. It's better to just end it now before someone really gets hurt. I hope we can still be friends Cho." Harry walked out of the room with Cho glaring behind him.
Harry stormed into the common room just in time to hear Dean shouting at Ginny. "You never want to be alone with me anymore Ginny! If there is someone else, just tell me."
Ginny stood next to him her face growing redder by the minute. "Don't you dare speak to me like that Dean. That's the problem, you think you own me, but you don't. I won't have it I tell you."
Harry walked in. "Sorry to interrupt, I was just going upstairs."
Dean raged, "Oh sure, interrupt, Harry. I am sure she would rather be with you anyway! She just plays me along because she knows that you won't have her."
Harry walked up to Dean and stared down at him. "Look, I don't know what's going on here, and it isn't any of my business. But don't you ever speak about Ginny in that tone of voice around me again. She deserves better than that; if you ask me, that's your whole problem. Now I have enough problems of my own today than for you to blame me for your relationship problems. I suggest you apologize to her," Harry growled, "and be grateful that I am the one that walked in here and not her brother." Harry turned on his heel and stomped up the stairs to his room.
He stripped off his clothes and fell into bed. He just wanted this day to be over. His head was pounding and he couldn't even think straight anymore. Before long, he felt himself flying. But he didn't feel like himself, he felt different somehow. He looked to his sides and saw an enormous wing span to either side of him. He smiled to himself; now this is an awesome dream…..'I must be dreaming in my intended animagus form.' This was awesome! He felt so free and strong. Maybe this meant he was going to be able to accomplish it after all. Harry swooped and glided and enjoyed the ride. Then it began to turn dark. Harry looked below and realized that he wasn't sure where he was, so he started looking for landmarks. He soon saw he was flying over the Burrow. His head started to pound again as he noticed several dark cloaked figures moving out of the woods towards the house. Just as he was circling around for a better look a tall red-headed man came rushing out of the house towards them, wand raised. As Harry's forehead exploded in pain, the man fell dead in a flash of green light. Harry screamed in agony and felt himself plummeting towards the earth.
