Joshua Black and the Beginning of the Wizarding War

by Doctor Auditore

Well, it's the sixth year for Josh Black at Hogwarts, and a War has begun, but Josh doesn't want to be apart of it. He wants to step aside. He doesn't want to get his loved ones hurt anymore. But isn't that what war is? Josh has much to learn about war. One cannot stay by the sidelines and hope their loved ones won't get hurt.

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Explosive Birthday

The first week of the year was plenty busy for Josh and company. He was glad to find that he had a free period at towards the end of the week, and he did use it to finish up most of his work. Once he was done, he pulled out his own Hogwarts map, to see where Daphne was. Though before he could spot her, he spotted another name on the seventh floor. Josh's eyes furrowed when he saw Cormac standing in front of the wall. He watched when Cormac suddenly walked through the wall, disappearing off the map. He was confused, got up from where he was sitting and decided to check it out for himself. Minutes later, Josh was standing in the exact spot where Cormac had been. He knew this place. It's where he taught Defense for the other students. He tried to access the room, but no door was appearing. Was he mistaken? He touched the wall, though it was solid, not like other false walls in Hogwarts.

"What are you up to, Cormac," Josh whispered to himself. He turned and went on his way.

A few weeks later, Josh was walking down the corridor. He was all caught up with his heavy work load over the past weeks, but there was one thing Josh could not understand. For the past five years, Josh was one of the top Gryffindors who was the best at potions, but this year, Harry was suddenly better than him. It was strange. He had become so talented over the summer. Even so, their classes were giving out so much workload, it was almost tough to keep up with it, but he did. He hadn't been able to spend some time with his girlfriend as of yet, but he knew he'd get to see her on the weekends. Maybe they should do their work together.

Nonverbal spells were now expected in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but in Charms and Transfiguration as well as any other classes that required one to preform magic. Many students were really struggling to make spells work without saying the incantations. Some of the students from the DA would come to Josh and ask for a new study session to help them learn to use nonverbal magic. He declined to teach them and just offered them some tips instead. He was done teaching defense to other students, since he thought that they had another decent Professor even if he was a psychopath.

Josh entered the Great Hall for breakfast sitting next to Harry, Ron, and Hermione who were chatting about schoolwork, and Hermione was already chiding at Ron to not doing his and getting it finished. Josh happened to look up at the head table, noticing that Hagrid wasn't there. He had noticed that Hagrid had been missing from meal times a lot lately. He remembered running into Hagrid the other week and had to explain to the half-giant that he wasn't going to have time for his class anymore, to which Hagrid understood. Josh offered to have tea sometimes, but Hagrid had yet to send an invite.

"Have any of you been to see Hagrid?" Josh spoke up, interrupting the trio's chat. They all glanced at one another. "Don't tell me that none of you went to tell that him that you weren't taking his class?"

"Er...no," Ron answered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his next. Harry and Hermione looked equally guilty. "Have you?"

Josh nodded. "Yeah, it was one of the first things I did my first week back," he answered. "Though it would have helped in my career choice," he added in a murmur.

"We've just been so busy lately," Hermione weakly said. "We should go and explain," she added with a nod.

"But we've got Quidditch try-outs this morning," Ron said. "And we're supposed to be practicing the Aquamenti charm from Flitwick! Anyway, explain what? How are we going to explain to him we hated his stupid subject?

"We didn't hate it!" Hermione tried to argue. "I just hate not talking to Hagrid."

"Just do what I did," Josh offered. "Tell him you couldn't fit his class into your schedules. That none of your career choices required his class."

Harry nodded in agreement in Hermione and Josh. "We'll go down after Quidditch," he said as Ron rolled his eyes. "But I suspect that tryouts will take all morning long. The number of people who've applied. It's crazy. I don't see how the team is all of a sudden more popular."

"Can't you see, Harry?" Hermione said, suddenly impatient. "It's not Quidditch that's become so popular. It's you! You've never been more interesting, and frankly, you've never been more fanciable." Hermione blushed at the end, realizing the last words she had spoken. She cleared her throat as Josh smirked to himself. "Everyone knows the truth now. With everything the went on last year. You stuck to your story no matter what. And it was the truth, and now everyone has finally caught on."

"It's a little too late for that," Josh muttered. Ron nodded, agreeing with him.

The post owls arrived, swooping down through the rain-flecked windows, scattering everyone with droplets of water. Most of the students received the usual letters from frantic parents who wanted to hear from their children and know that they were alright. Josh had received a letter from his mother as Harry had received one from Sirius. Added to that letter was a big package that landed next to him with a thud. Ron received the same package as well.

"Good," said Hermione, delightful. "Now you can give that graffitied book back to Slughorn."

"Are you mad?" Ron spoke up. "That book has made him top of the class. He's even better than both you and Josh combined." Josh and Hermione both annoyingly glared at Ron. Harry suddenly used magic to change the cover of the books.

"Here, Slughorn can have this one," Harry said, looking triumphant. Hermione pressed her lips together, looking angry and disapproving. Josh looked annoyed, but decided to let it go for now.

Hermione suddenly gasped. The three boys turned the attention to Hermione who was reading the Daily Prophet. "What is it?" Ron asked. "Someone we know dead?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, just many dementor attacks and an arrest," she told them.

"Who's been arrested?" Josh asked.

"Stan Shunpike," Hermione said.

"What!?" Harry screeched. "What for?"

"People have overheard him talking about Death Eater secret plans in a pub," Hermione said, "And his home was raided and arrested."

Harry shook his head. "I don't get it," Ron said. "If he was talking about it out in the open like that, then it would be hard not to be under the Imperius curse."

"Then he wasn't," Josh said. "You guys know Stan. It sounds like he was trying to make out how he knew more than he actually did, and the Ministry took it too seriously. You remember when he was trying to chat up those Veela and trying to tell them he was going to become the Minister of Magic." Ron and Harry nodded.

"The Ministry is probably wanting to look as if they are doing something," Hermione said with a frown. "People are terrified - you know the Patil twins' parents want them to go home? Eloise Midgen has already been withdrawn. Her father picked her up last night."

"And this is how it all begins," Josh commented. "Scare the population to its core and then take it over."

"But Hogwarts is safe," Ron said. "We've got Aurors and all those extra protection spells. We've got Dumbledore!"

"Not all the time," Josh said. "His seat has been empty as much as Hagrid's these days."

"Maybe he's just preparing for us," Ron desperately said as he and Harry glanced up at the table. "Doing something for the Order." None said much of anything for the next couple of minutes until Harry suggested they head down to the Quidditch Pitch.

Once they left the Great Hall, Tracey and Daphne joined them, Daphne latching onto Josh's arm. They passed Lavender and Parvati who seemed to be whispering to one another, looking a bit distressed. When Parvati noticed them, she nudged Lavender, who looked around a gave Ron a wide smiled. Ron blinked at her, then returned the smile uncertainly. His walk instantly became something more like a strut. Harry had resisted the temptation to laugh. Josh rolled his eyes as Daphne glanced towards Tracey who was looking cold and distant all the way down towards the stadium through the cool, misty drizzle, and departed with Daphne and Hermione to find a place in the stands. She even wished Ron good luck before the trio of boys moved towards the field.

Half of Gryffindor house seemed to have turned up, from second years who were nervously clutching a selection of dreadful old school brooms, to seventh years who towered over the rest, looking coolly intimidating. Josh noticed one of McGlaggen's friends, Jordan Hitch, who was glaring at him. Harry started with a basic test, asking all applicants for the team to divide into groups of ten and then fly once around the pitch. It was a good decision. The first ten was made up of second and third years who weren't very good at flying their brooms, watching as a few of them crash landed onto the field. Harry let them go.

The second group was comprised of ten of the silliest girls Harry had ever encountered, who, when he blew his whistle, merely fell off from giggling and clutching one another. Romilda Vane was amongst them. When Harry told them to leave, they did so quite cheerfully and went into the stands to heckle everyone else. A third group had a pile up about half-way around the Pitch. There was only one survivor, Ginny, who was able to stay out of it and complete Harry's basic test. He asked all of them, but Ginny to leave. The next group was consisted mainly of Hufflepuffs. Harry had to yell at them to leave and anyone else who wasn't from Gryffindor.

The next two groups consisted of some witches and wizards who were able to fly around the pitch without any problems at all. That's when Harry split them up to whatever positions they were trying out for. There were only two keepers trying out Ron, and a tall burly fifth year name Bruce Willems. There were four beaters; Dennis Creevey and his brother Colin, Ritchie Coote, and Jimmy Peakes. And then there were six chasers; Josh, Ginny, Katie Bell, Demelza Robins, McGlaggen's friend, and another fourth year by the name of Jack Rhodes.

It was enough to split them up into teams; which Harry decided to do. Josh, Katie, Jimmy, Ritchie, and Jack were on one of the teams; the other team consisted of Jordan, Ron, Ginny, Demelza, and the Creevey brothers. "Alright teams," Harry said as the two teams flew up in the air on opposite sides of the Pitch. "You know your teams. I will be judging all of you on how well you play. Ten goals will be shot for each team, and that will end the game. Then I will decide on who will play for Gryffindor. Alright?" Everyone gave a nod or said something to confirm they understood. "Go!" Harry shouted.

And the practice game us on as Harry tossed the Quaffle into the air. Josh flew as fast as he could towards the ball, but he was surprised when Ginny snagged it from right under his nose. The game went on almost normally. Josh's only competition was Ginny. She was doing pretty well. The only problem he had was with McGlaggen's friend who would bump Josh every chance he got. Both Keepers were doing really well, though Jack was blocking goals with ease, while Ron was getting lucky, feeling extremely nervous. And as soon as it started, then practice game was over. Ron and Jack both blocked all their goals.

"Alright," Harry said, looking at a clipboard as both teams landed in front of him. "As for Beaters, I choose Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote." The Creevey brother sunk in disappointment and began to leave the Pitch. "Better luck next year," Harry spoke with sympathy in his voice. He turned to the others. "Chasers! Ginny Weasley - "

"Yes!" Ginny quietly celebrated.

"Katie Bell," Harry continued, "And...Joshua Black!"

"Oh bullocks!" McGlaggen's friend growled out. "You only chose him because he's your best friend!" Josh rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Maybe I'm just better than you," He stated.

Harry glared at the taller seventh year, looking vexed. "That's my final decision, guy. If you don't like it, too bad. Now get out of here." McGlaggen's friend glared at Harry then at Josh, finally leaving the pitch. Demelza and Jordan also left the pitch in disappointment as well. Harry turned to Jack and Ron. "Both of you blocked all shots during the game, so I will have you do it again, and this time, the Chasers going to pull some trick shots on you. Each Chase will throw one shot to each Keeper, and whomever blocks the most shots, is my keeper." Ron and Jack nodded, mounted their brooms and Jack flew up towards the goals first.

Katie threw her trick shot first, though Jack was able to kick it away. Then it was Ginny's turned, and Jack nearly saved it, catching the quaffle by his fingertips. Finally, it was Josh's turn. He flew as fast as he could, barrel-rolling in the air, winding up his arm and then threw the ball as hard as he could. Josh was stunned when Jack went the complete opposite of the way of the ball and it went right into the goal. Josh looked down at Harry who too had a confused look on his face. The two watched as Jack hovered down to the ground, and hopped off his broom, and continued to hop a few more steps falling to a knee and shaking his head. He walked over to Harry, sitting on the grass.

"Ron, you're up!" Harry informed. Ron let out a sigh and nodded, nerves running through his body. He mounted his Cleansweep eleven.

"Good luck!" A voice shouted from the stands.

Josh looked around towards the stands, expecting to see Tracey, but she was sitting near the goals with Daphne and Hermione. Instead, he saw Lavender who had shouted and was waving at Ron. Josh continued with the practice. Ron saved all three of their trick shots, not surprising Harry, Josh, or Ginny, who all knew that he was capable of doing it. Jack wasn't too disappointed when he lost out to Ron. He looked as if he wasn't even paying attention when Harry told him so, staring off into space. Ron flew down to the others, looking relieved.

"I have my team," Harry said, feeling confident in his choices for his team. He looked at Ron. "Well done, Ron. You flew really well!" Josh clapped him on the back while the others smiled and nodded in agreement.

"You did brilliantly, Ron!"

This time it was Tracey as she, Hermione, and Daphne came running up towards them. Daphne ran up and hugged onto Josh, congratulating him. Ron looked extremely pleased with himself and even taller than usual as he grinned at the team and his friends. After Harry fixed the time for their next practice, the Golden Trio went off to go talk to Hagrid. Josh, Daphne, and Tracey began walking back to the school.

"So, what do you guys want to do?" Josh asked, not looking at Tracey who nudged Daphne. She looked at her best friend questioningly.

"Actually, Josh," Tracey began with the roll of her eyes. "Daphne and I have to go do something for Professor Sinistra." Realization appeared upon Daphne's face.

"What is it?" Josh asked, as they were closer to the castle. "Maybe I can help - "

"Oh no!" Daphne blurted out, stunning Josh. She cleared her throat and said more quieter, "I mean, no. It's okay. It's just a simple thing that we can do. And the Professor asked for us personally."

"Are you sure?" Josh asked, feeling as if something was off with his girlfriend.

Daphne innocently smiled. "It's okay, Josh," she replied. "We can handle it. We can meet up later, but we really should get going." Tracey eagerly nodded as she grabbed Daphne by the arm. Josh watched in bemusement as the two friends were fiercely whispering, hearing Tracey whisper to Daphne about how she could forget what day it was. Josh shrugged to himself and decided to go lounge around in the common room and read up on Curse-Breaking.

Daphne and Tracey quickly ran away from Josh. "How could you forget about today?" Tracey whispered to her best friend, glancing back at Josh who was shaking his head in bemusement and walking away.

"Maybe I was worried about my best friend glaring at some other girl and possibly wondering why she rigged the Quidditch tryouts," Daphne replied.

"Shh!" Tracey shushed as they passed a couple of second years. "Nobody can know that, not Harry, not Josh, especially not Ron. It would break his heart if he knew it was a rigged tryout and he didn't get in my his merit alone."

"Tracey," Daphne sighed out. "He blocked all those shots, even his sister's which looked impossible that he was going to miss, but he didn't." Tracey sighed heavily. "Ron has skill in this sport. He did really well - "

"Yeah, because Lavender wished him luck before I could," Tracey said, glaring at the stone floor.

Daphne sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her best friend had a crush on a certain redhead, but someone else also had a crush on him. She knew how Tracey was afraid that she wasn't going to get her chance to be with Ron because they were in different houses, while Lavender was in the same house as him. "Well, maybe you can make your move at this party we're going to have for Josh," Daphne suggested. "Get him alone in a corner of somewhere and just lay one right on his lips."

"You have no idea how I just want to do that every time I see him," Tracey commented, looking sullen.

"I might have some idea," Daphne replied, thinking about how her heart explodes every time Josh enters her line of sight.

Tracey sighed. "Anyways," she said, "Where are we going to do this thing? The party, I mean."

"I think we should do it in the Room of Requirement," Daphne suggested. Tracey nodded. "We could think of all the decorations and they'd appear. Maybe go down to the kitchens and ask them for some food and drinks. Gather the gifts from all his friends - "

"Sounds like a good idea," Tracey agreed with a smile.

Daphne and Tracey walked up to the seven stories to the top floor and making their way towards the wall where the Room of Requirement would be. The duo stood opposite of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Daphne took a step forward, thinking of a room to celebrate a birthday. When she opened her eyes, no door appeared. "What happened?" Daphne asked in annoyance. "Why didn't the door appear?"

"Maybe you did it wrong?" Tracey suggested.

Daphne shrugged. "You try," she said. Tracey nodded, stepping towards the wall, thinking of a room, but still there was no successful result. "I don't understand."

"Maybe it's broken," Tracey wondered, walking up to the wall and touching it. Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass caused the two girls to jump in fright. Daphne and Tracey snapped around to see a seventh year Ravenclaw down the corridor, who had dropped some vials that were now broken. Daphne recognized him as Barty Filch.

Barty knelt down towards the glass, glancing towards the two girls. "What are you two snakes doing up here?" He asked in annoyance.

Daphne rolled her eyes while Tracey crossed her arms and glared at the older boy. "What are you doing up here?" She asked him.

"I belong up here," Barty snidely spoke, "However, neither of you do."

Tracey ground her teeth in anger. Daphne calmly placed her hand on her friend's arm. "Come on," she said quietly, "We can find somewhere else to do the party." Tracey sighed through her nose and nodded. Daphne led her best friend pass Barty and back down the stairs to find another room to have Josh's birthday party. They were going to find an unused classroom, one big enough to hold about thirty teenagers. They found a room on the fifth floor. It was an old Defense classroom by the looks of it and looked it hadn't been used in ages. The place was covered in dust and cobwebs; broken desks and chairs were littered everywhere, and broken shelves lined the walls with its books sprawled out in front of them. There was an old office at the back and it too looked cluttered and dirty. Daphne wondered who used to use the office and classroom. Maybe it was a teacher who was actually pretty good at teaching Defense before the curse of the job set in.

"This place is going to need some heavy cleaning," Tracey said as she and Daphne stood at the front of the room. A smile appeared on Daphne's face. They had searched many rooms, but this one was the perfect room to have Josh's surprise party. It was big enough to invite a bunch of people and have some fun. "This is going to take forever, Daphne. There's no way we'll be able to get it clean and have everything set up by seven tonight."

"Not without some help," Daphne said nonchalantly, looking pensive. "Why don't you get started on cleaning, and I'll go get some help!" Before a bewildered Tracey would reply, Daphne ran out of the room to get some help with the set up. Tracey sighed and pulled out her wand and began to work.

---

Josh came down from his dorm and entered the common room. He decided to just sit in front of the fire when a third year ran up to him. "Black?" she called. Josh questioningly turned to her. "There's a girl in the corridor looking for you," he was informed. Josh smiled, thinking it was his girlfriend. He quickly stood up and quickly made his way out of the portrait hole. He was suddenly disappointed. It wasn't Daphne. It was Elladora.

"What are you doing here?" Josh spoke, nonchalantly and crossing his arms.

Elladora gave her most prettiest smile, with her hands behind her back. She walked up to Josh. "A little birdie told me that tomorrow was a special day for you," she said.

Josh raised an eyebrow, wondering who could have revealed that information to her. "Right," he replied with a shrug. "And?" Elladora pulled a small wrapped present from behind her back.

"Surprise!" she said, handing Josh a present. He stared at the present. "Go on, Josh. Open it."

Josh sighed through his nose, slightly annoyed and hoped Daphne wasn't around the corner or something would happen. He accepted the small wrapped gift box from Elladora. He slowly ripped it open to reveal a card, a cupcake, and a small vial of pink liquid. "What is this?" Josh asked, holding up the vial of pink liquid. "It's not poison, is it?"

"Of course not," Elladora giggled. "It's for stress. Whenever your stressed or whatever, whoever, stresses you out, drink that and you'll become very relaxed." Josh held up the vial with interest, thinking he could use this at some point, but then, he glanced down at the cupcake. "And that is just a simple cupcake I requested for you, and a nice little card."

Josh nodded, looking up at a smiling Elladora. "Er...thank you," he said to her.

"You're welcome, Josh," Elladora replied, "Enjoy your cupcake!" And with that, Elladora turned and walked away from Josh. He sighed, turning and entering back into the common room. He picked up that cupcake, and smelled it. It was sweet with a slight bitterness to it. He suspiciously stared at the cupcake, noticing a second year walking by.

"Hey!" he called out to the younger boy who stopped looking curiously at Josh. Josh smiled as he tossed the cupcake to the boy who caught it. "Enjoy."

"Thanks!" the second year replied, continuing on his way and eating the cupcake. He walked up to his dorm tossing the card and potion onto his bed. He pulled out a book from his trunk, plopping onto his bed and began to read. Half an hour later, Josh had fallen asleep. And once he was asleep, he began to dream; dream of something that he hadn't dreamed about in a long while.

Josh was back int he Department of Mysteries, hugging his mother. Suddenly, there was a flash of green light, and there was a gasp coming from his mother. Josh suddenly felt the weight of his mother begin to fall, but he caught her. "Mum!" he shouted in horror, looking into his mother's now soulless eyes. "Mum, no!"

He turned around to see that Peter still had his wand out of the rope. "No!" he cried out in anger, as a burst of wind blew out from his body. He whipped his wand forwards, sending a spell towards Peter slicing his hand off. Peter screamed out in pain. Josh turned and fell to the ground with his mother, not able to hold her up anymore.

"No," he cried, tears falling from his face. "Mum, no. You're okay. You're gonna be okay. Please. Don't go. I'm sorry, mum. I'm so sorry." He hugged her. "Please stay with me, mum. I love you."

He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, next to his mother. He had stopped crying ages ago and was now in a sort of, state of shock. He was sitting there, on his knees, his eyes were closed as he began shaking. Peter was whimpering in pain but became even more scared when wind began to pick up and blow all around the room. His fists her clenched, blood pouring out of his palms, the ring around his neck giving off a black Aura. He stood up and turned towards a frightened Peter. Josh slowly opened his eyes to reveal they were no longer grey, but blood red and blood shot.

Josh looked down, seeing his wand at his knees. He opened his hand and his wand instantly flew into his hand. He then walked over to stand in front of Pettigrew point his wand at the traitor. The red eyes intensely glared down at the rat as the tip of his wand glowed with a sickly green.

"You took her away from me," Josh told him. "You took her life. Now I'm gonna take yours."

Pettigrew whimpered. "Y-you k-k-kill me," he stuttered, "Y-your f-father won't be f-free."

"I don't care," Josh growled at him. "You're still going to die! Avada- " A hand suddenly snatched around his wrist. Josh snapped towards its owner to see that it was him. But this Josh was normal, with grey eyes and no Ring around his neck. He wasn't angry, but calm and unbeaten.

"This isn't us," the voice of the grey-eyed Josh rang through his head. "We're better than this."

"He killed our mother! He deserves this," Red-eyed Josh replied.

"If you open your heart, you'll see that she is still alive," Grey-eyed Josh said.

Red-eyed Josh shook his head. "I've already made up my mind," he said. "This is what i must do!"

"You can't!" Grey-eyed Josh shouted. "There's no going back if you do. Think about the others who still love you!"

People suddenly appeared all around them. All his friends and family surrounded the two Joshes, looking at him with love and concern. One of the figures stood forward and held out her hand towards red-eyed Josh. He realized that it was Daphne. "Come, Josh," she said to him. "Let's go home."

Josh's hand began to shake as he suddenly let go of his wand. The two Joshes suddenly combined into one. His red eyes flickered, changing back to grey as tears welled in his eyes. He turned and took a hold of Daphne's hand, and suddenly there was a flash of white light and images flood Josh's mind. There was an image of an older Josh, laughing as two children tackled him to the ground; and image of a couple in wedding clothes, smiling and holding onto one another; and an image of a year older Josh was standing atop a hill, next to Harry, both looking defiant as their friends stood behind them, ready to battle a group of Death Eaters.

Josh suddenly woke up. The dream slowly dissipating from his memory. He wiped his face and threw his legs off the bed. Ignoring the dream, Josh left to take a shower and left the bathroom fifteen minutes later wearing fresh clothes. He walked back into the common room and noticed that it was empty, except for the younger classmate who was sitting in front of the fire staring blankly ahead, his eyes glazed over. Josh slowly walked over to him. "Are you alright?" he asked.

The boy grinned and nodded. "More than alright," he responded. "I'm in love!"

Josh raised a curious brow. "Good for you I guess," he said and turning away. "What a weird kid," he mumbled to himself.

The Portrait door opened. Shawn walked in and looked around. "Oi Black!" he cried. Josh turned to his young friend and looked at him questioningly. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Did you check my dorm, mate?" Josh sarcastically replied.

Shawn huffed and ran up to his friend. "I need your help!" he said. "Hurry, There's a duel in a classroom!"

"What has that got to do with me?" Josh asked in confusion. "If two people are angry at one another, let them duel it out."

"Even if that duel is between Granger and Greengrass?"

"What!?" Josh yelped, his heart starting to beat faster and grabbed onto Shawn's shoulders. "Where? Why? When?" he frantically asked, shaking the younger boy.

"I'll take you there if you stop shaking me!" Shawn struggled to say.

Josh stopped shaking Shawn. "Sorry," he apologized. "Take me there, please."

Shawn straightened his shirt and nodded. "Follow me," he said, quickly turning around so that Josh wouldn't notice his smirk.

The two Gryffindors left the common room and began to jog to where Josh believed there was a duel between his best friend and his girlfriend. His heart beating fast and worried about both of them and hoped they wouldn't hurt each other, not like what he and Harry had done last year. Josh was led down to the fifth floor and into some random corridors and then stopped. Shawn bent over his knees, breathing heavy and then pointed at a door. Josh skidded next to him, also breathing heavily, looking at the door he was pointing at. "It's...there," Shawn puffed out. "They're in there."

Josh nodded, quickly ran over to the door, and burst through it, though it was pitch black. "Daphne! Hermione!" he frantically called out, thinking the worst possibilities. Suddenly, light surrounded the entire room. Josh covered his eyes and was surprised when he heard a collective yell.

"Surprise!"

Josh squinted in confusion, lowering his arms, still breathing heavily. He looked around and saw that everyone he knew and was friends with was in this room. It was decorated beautifully with Gryffindor colors or red and cold with some silver. There was a large table with many kinds of foods, drinks, and sweets, with a three layered green and blue frosted cake in the center of the table. There was also a smaller table with a pile of gifts. It all looked amazing to Josh. He looked around all of his friends faces who were all smiling at him and Daphne who was looking lovingly at him. There was a mix of students from all houses, most from the Gryffindor house or Dumbledore's army. Shawn slowly walked next to Josh, smirking triumphantly, patting his friend on the back.

"I had to get you here, mate," He spoke, looking proud of himself. "That was my job, by any means necessary." Josh slightly side-glared in annoyance towards his young protege. He began to lead Josh over to his main group of friends: Daphne, Tracey, Rina, Draco, Ron, Hermione, and Harry. And the party began and people began to either talk excitedly or grab some food. Light music played in the background.

"What is this?" Josh asked as he was surrounded by his friends. "What's going on?"

"Did you forget your own birthday, mate?" Ron asked, patting him on the shoulder.

"We had to get you here somehow without telling you the real reason," Daphne informed, hugging her boyfriend. "We're sorry. Happy Birthday!" she exclaimed, kissing him on the cheek. Josh's friends then all rang out with a Happy Birthday, and the party began. Friends began intermingling with one another. Josh was having a great time with all of his friends, laughing and eating the food, dancing with Daphne, Hermione, and Rina.

Tracey was gathering some cake when Hermione walked up to her. "How are you doing?" She asked Tracey as she grabbed a pretzel and ate it. Tracey glanced at Hermione and then over to Ron who was laughing with Lavender Brown, chatting about something funny. Hermione noticed Tracey's sad and annoyed expression. "You know, Ron like's tough fighters, and Lavender doesn't seem that much of a fighter. Like someone I know," Hermione comforted.

Tracey sighed, "Maybe." She put the cake down. "I don't have much of an appetite. I think I'm gonna leave actually." She turned away and began to leave.

Josh walked over with a giggling Rina. "That was fun," she said. Josh smiled and nodded. Rina patted her cousin on the arm and turned around to talk to her friends.

"Having a good time?" Hermione asked Josh.

"Yeah, I am. You girls did great," Josh said with a big smile, grabbing a glass of butterbeer.

"Not me, thank Daphne and Tracey, they did it all," Hermione informed.

Josh nodded, taking a drink of Butterbeer when he noticed Tracey leaving. "Where is she going?" he asked Hermione.

"She's a little upset over someone, but I won't say who because that's a girl's business," She replied with a cheeky smile.

Josh amusingly rolled his eyes and walked away, and quickly followed after Tracey. "Tracey!" he called out. "Tracey!" Tracey slowed to a stop and turned towards Josh, looking him at questioningly. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"To bed," Tracey answered dryly.

"Why?" Josh asked, walking up to her and grabbing her hand. "You can't go yet."

"Why not?"

Josh smiled widely, "Because you owe me a dance," he said. "I have to dance with all my friends and we haven't had a dance yet." Josh pulled Tracey towards where others where dancing.

"Josh, I'm really not in the mood," Tracey groaned while others danced around her.

"Come on! It's my birthday, dance with me!" Josh said, grabbing Tracey's hands and waving them around for her. Tracey tried not to smile as Josh lamely danced with her, but then Tracey started to laugh and dance with him. Daphne and Hermione were watching him and Tracey, smiling at them.

Josh looked around the room as he danced. The whole party was a buzz. Harry was sitting at a table talking with Cho, Ginny, and Draco. Who would've thought those two would act civil to each other. Gryffindors and Slytherins were joking around with each other. Shawn had some of his own friends, laughing with one another. Everyone was having the best time of their lives, as if there wasn't a war that was looking around them. Everyone felt free, until...

KABOOM!