"I felt fine last night." Harry stated. "A bit fed up with life as a whole, but fine."
"You've got a very odd definition of 'fine,' love."
"Nothing about me is normal. Haven't you realized? What happened after I came in here last night, anyway? I'm morbidly curious."
Tonks shrugged. "The twins were the first to leave. Looked conflicted. Hermione and Ginny were out next. Neither of them talked too much. Pansy didn't last long after. Leon and Luna said they were heading up to the Nest for awhile to talk about it. Then I took a bath and hopped in bed."
Harry nodded. "...Do we have to leave bed? Can't I just have Dumbledore deliver my lessons to me directly? I know he can do it."
Tonks giggled. "Yeah, I can just imagine that conversation going well. 'Professor, you're a jackass. Stop hiring people who want me dead. I'm going to spend the year sulking in my hole in the ground and becoming a vampire. Bring me my homework!' - Yeah, I don't think it would fly."
"Oh, be quiet." Harry muttered. "Anyway, I'm just saying. I'd rather stay curled up with you than to go out there and deal with that... that..."
"Frogspawn?" Suggested Boris.
"Frogspawn! Exactly." Harry said. Tonks giggled again.
"Sorry, Harry. If I have to go to classes, so do you." Tonks said. "Sucks that we have her first thing after breakfast though, doesn't it?"
"I'd rather have a sick Buckbeak fly over me than to go to Umbridge's class." Harry groaned.
"Lovely thought there. Thanks." Tonks said, swatting Harry's chest.
"Sorry. Okay, okay. I'll get up. Just know I do not do so willingly! ...Basically, I need to know what the titanic frogspawn's got planned." Harry said, sighing.
"Two galleons says she's still not as inept as Lockhart was." Tonks said quickly.
"...You're on."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
As it turned out, Harry won the bet. Not only was Umbridge apparently more inept than Lockhart was, the only thing that they did for most of the class was sit and read through their Defense textbook. It was a baffling turn of events and one that Harry hadn't been counting on. He had been expecting at least a little practical application. But it seemed like Umbridge was bound and determined to make Defense Against the Dark Arts as horribly boring as any one person could.
It was also a bit of a problem for Harry. He was a fast reader. Not only was he fast, he tended to absorb almost everything he read. The twins had often joked about Harry and Hermione having a 'read-off' of sorts to determine which of them was faster and who memorized the most in the time given. Despite his own skills, Harry still wasn't entirely sure he could beat the brainy Gryffindor girl. Hermione was scary sometimes.
They had been given an hour and a half of the two hours the class spanned to read the first four chapters, making notes on anything they thought was useful. Umbridge apparently was going to have a verbal quiz or something during the last quarter of the class. It was more than slightly annoying to Harry when he reached the end of chapter four within the first half hour. He also hadn't made any notes because he didn't need them. He already knew most of the things written in the textbook. It was all very basic stuff. Far more basic than Harry was expecting for fifth-year material.
So he decided to try killing some more time and re-read the chapters. It took less time than before as he ended up skipping bits that were quite well-burned into his memory. With slightly more than an hour left to the class, he closed his textbook and stared down at the blank sheet of parchment in front of him.
'If she keeps doing this each class,' Harry thought, 'then we're going to hit the end of the book within the month, surely. What the hell are we going to be doing AFTER that?'
"Mr. Potter?" Said Umbridge, walking across the room to stand next to Harry. "Is there a reason your book is closed and you've made no notes?"
"I've already read the chapters twice, professor. And I know most of what was written." Harry replied, forcing himself not to let any traces of irritation enter his voice. The frog-like woman's voice was grating to his nerves and she stank of excess perfume.
"I see." Umbridge said, glancing down her nose at Harry. "Then, perhaps, you can answer a few of the questions I was going to ask once everyone had finished."
"If you'd like, professor." Said Harry, forcing out a fake smile.
Walking back up to her desk, Umbridge sat down and picked up a book. She flipped it open to a dogeared page. After clearing her throat, Umbridge glanced up at Harry and asked, "What did Mr. Slinkhard feel was the best way to deal with an attacker?"
"Magical or non-magical?" Harry asked back.
"Magical." Said Umbridge.
Blowing out an inaudible sigh, Harry drew in a breath. "Slinkhard felt the most proper way to handle an attack by a magical source - magical in this case being another witch or wizard - was to defend yourself until Aurors appeared. I'm not entirely sure how valid his statement is, however, as one could be in a position where this simply isn't an option. If one were to be somewhere not heavily populated, for instance. Who would be there to get ahold of an Auror? Moreover, even in densely populated areas, the chances of not only having another witch or wizard present at the time but also one who would contact the proper authorities would be quite slim. Surely one cannot simply bunker down and hold a shield spell against an aggressive and openly hostile person."
The class was silent. Even Umbridge looked a bit surprised with the length of Harry's reply. It passed quickly, however, and the professor cleared her throat in that horribly irritating way again. "Hem hem. I did not ask your opinion on Mr. Slinkhard's teachings, Mr. Potter. Five points from Ravenclaw."
"I apologize, professor." Harry said, his fake smile growing slightly. "I merely thought it strange that he wouldn't consider the variables."
Ignoring Harry's extra statement, Umbridge glanced back at her book before asking, "And what spells do Mr. Slinkhard feel are best used for defending one's self in a hostile situation?"
"He feels that shield charms are the most viable option." Harry replied. "However, once again I find fault with his supposed teachings. Only minor shield charms are mentioned. Protego, one of the strongest shield charms, is never brought up, despite the fact that it is, perhaps, the best all-around shield charm to use. Against a single attacker or multiple ones, you'll get the most use out of the Protego shield. Lesser shields also have a bad tendency to quickly break or to not cover a wide area. Against a single opponent, a single, small shield charm directly in front of yourself would suffice. But if you were being flanked and couldn't manage two shields at once? And unless there was some chance your enemies remained stationary the entire time, you'd do best to have one large shield that covered all sides, would you not?"
"Again, Mr. Potter - I did not ask your opinions. Another five points from Ravenclaw." Said Umbridge, smiling at Harry.
Harry nodded his head slightly to acknowledge the woman and, once he saw that she wasn't going to badger him with more stupid questions, flipped his book back open to read ahead in the book. It really was quite pathetic. Wilbert Slinkhard, the author of Defensive Magical Theory, sounded like the type of man who had never entered combat in his life, yet felt like he was an authority on the matter. To Harry, anyone who hadn't had their life directly threatened in a fight had no business trying to write a book on the matter. Much less one that tried to teach students. The last thing Hogwarts needed was more poorly-trained fighters now that Voldemort had returned.
When the final half hour of class rolled around - Harry was surprised to see many people still reading - Umbridge asked the class to close their textbooks. And, at random, she started picking people and began asking questions again. Harry was baffled by just how many people couldn't get a single thing correct. The only excuse Harry could find was that everyone found the book too damned boring to read. He couldn't really blame them for it, either. He could write a better book than Slinkhard had!
"Mr. Potter." Umbridge said, looking to Harry once more.
"Yes, professor?" Asked Harry.
"Can you tell us what Mr. Slinkhard had to say in regards to the Unforgivable Curses?"
Oh yes. He could tell her what Slinkhard had to say. That they were cruel and disgusting spells that only the depraved would ever think of using. But, feeling a headache growing, Harry blew out another sigh - an audible one this time - and replied, "What any other person with half a brain would think, I suppose, though I can't speak for the Slytherins."
Stifled laughs could be heard in the silence that followed. It looked as if Harry wasn't alone in feeling that Umbridge's so-called teaching methods were more than a bit questionable.
"I feel that students should watch their mouths around their teachers." Umbridge said, that strange smile still on her frog-like face. "And I feel that smarting off to one's teacher when he or she is clearly smarter than you is a very foolish thing to do."
"If you're clearly smarter than me," Harry began, "Then I'll eat this stupid book."
There were no laughs this time, though Harry thought he heard a few quiet gasps. Even Tonks was looking at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"I beg your pardon?" Umbridge said, eyebrows raised.
"You heard me." Harry said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "I know people who have risked their lives in fights. I've been in fights. I had to escape from Voldemort himself last year. This Slinkhard guy? I bet he's never had even a mild, childish hex thrown at him. I've heard people speak like this guy writes - pompously. He believes that following a straight and narrow path without deviation is the best way to get anything done. But let me ask you something, professor - if Voldemort hadn't decided to make his followers back off last year; if he had told them they were free to come after me too, what would I do? Throw up a simple little shield charm and pray against all logical hope that the Aurors would somehow magically know where I was? In addition, what would they have done? The Death Eaters, yeah, maybe they could've beaten them. But Voldemort? No, I don't think so. The rules change when one is fighting him, PROFESSOR. In fact, I'd say the rules go out the bloody god damned window when fighting him. You do what you can to survive. You don't sit there like an idiot with a shield charm raised and hope someone will save your ass."
If there was silence before, it was nothing to what filled the air now. Now no one was even moving. Harry had never really told his story to anyone outside of his inner circle and Dumbledore. Sure, the headmaster had stated that Cedric had been murdered by Voldemort and that Voldemort had indeed returned. But hearing Harry actually state, at least in summary, what he had happen to him? That was a different story altogether.
Something was churning inside of Harry. He didn't know what it was about this woman that rubbed him the wrong way. He didn't know why he had gotten to his feet and slammed his hands down on the desk midway through his rant. It couldn't have simply been the fact that this stupid frogspawn was working for that blithering dolt Fudge. Harry could deal with Fudge and any of his insipid minions. So what had caused him to snap like that?
"Detention, Mr. Potter." Said Umbridge who, throughout Harry's entire rant, had kept smiling. "For yelling at a professor, telling blatant lies, and swearing."
Ah yes. There was the reason. Fudge didn't believe that Voldemort had returned. So naturally, his followers wouldn't, either. That was what was irritating Harry about Umbridge. But he was in a mood and didn't much feel like listening to Umbridge call him a liar in front of the assembled fifth year Ravenclaws.
"And what lies, exactly, would those be?" Harry asked, his voice low.
"Why, speaking of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as though he were back, of course." Said Umbridge.
"Voldemort." Harry said. "His name... is VOLDEMORT. And yes, he is back. I had to escape from him. He murdered a friend of mine. He and his followers have killed more than just Cedric since his resurrection. And how would you and that idiot boss of yours explain all of the killings? The Dark Marks being thrown into the air? I suppose it's all just one big coincidence, isn't it?"
"I think an extra week of detention is in order for your continued outburst." Umbridge said.
"Good luck enforcing it, you cow." Harry hissed in Parseltongue as he collected his things and headed for the door.
"I don't believe I told you that you could leave, Mr. Potter." Said Umbridge.
"I don't believe I asked." Harry sniped in a growl. The door to the room flew open, seemingly of its own accord. And, as Harry stepped out, it slammed shut behind him.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Harry heard the door to the Pit open slowly. There was much whispered arguing from outside before it opened fully to allow the group access. He was sitting on the center of the couch and staring at the fireplace. Boris was curled up around his neck. His arms were stretched out along the back of the couch.
"Feeling alright?" Asked Tonks as she walked over.
"Better than I have in awhile. I'm not going back to her class, by the way." Harry stated in a dull voice.
"C'mon, mate. Go back at least once more." Came Fred Weasley's voice from somewhere in the center of the room. "We want to hang around outside the door and listen. Our little Nymmy here collected us and told us what you did."
"We've brought lozenges." Said Luna.
"My throat's fine." Harry said. "Feeling a bit like hexing that cow off the top of the school, though."
"I'm impressed, Potter." Pansy said. "Never thought you had it in you to rant at a teacher like that."
"Frogspawn was calling me a liar when she and Fudge and most of the Ministry is saying Voldemort isn't back. That was rich, kids. Rich. I wasn't going to just sit there." Harry stated.
"Going to tell them?" Asked Boris.
"Ah yes. Thanks for reminding me." Harry said. "I'm going to be doing a little... well, let's call it a test. I've not got anything but an outline for it yet. But if I succeed, I'll be able to go back to class. Not only go back, but do so in a way that's sure to infuriate the giant frog."
"We adore plans." George said. "Let's discuss it, shall we?"
"Yes, let's!" Fred agreed.
"Oh no you don't. I'm keeping this one under wraps. At least for the time being. Got some people I need to talk to first." Harry said, smirking faintly. "Anyway, could you guys. I dunno, bugger off for the afternoon or something? I don't mean to be rude, but I need some quiet time to think this out. Plus I need to get those books from Grimmauld Place up in here."
"Gonna be alright?" Tonks asked, leaning in to kiss Harry's forehead.
"I'll be fine. Might have a headache by evening, though." Harry murmured. "Here, I'll give you lot a mission - you can return after you successfully perform a dozen items on The List. I assume you two have been adding to it since we gave it to you?"
"Indeed we have." Fred said.
"Sounds like playtime to me." George added.
"One condition!" Harry said. "You can't get caught. Nothing can trace back to you. It'll add a bit of fun to the mix."
"Intriguing." Said the twins in unison.
"Then off we go! Malfoy, here we come!" Cried Fred as he and George practically charged from the room.
Sputtering, Pansy stood up and ran after them. "You leave Draco alone, dammit!"
"The rest of you? Go off and make sure that lot doesn't kill each other or anything?" Harry asked.
"Aye-aye, captain!" Tonks said, saluting. "...You really gonna be okay?"
"Nymmy, if this stupid plan of mine works, I'll officially be better than okay. I just need to finish hammering out the details."
Once everyone had left, Harry sighed quietly. "I hope we're doing the right thing, Boris."
"It will help you, Harry. We both know that."
"Yes... but will it change me?"
"We shall see."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
The next day was when Harry found out when his first detention with Umbridge was. He had found it strange that he hadn't heard anything yet. But when he was told when it would be, he realized why. That horrible woman had set it up so that all of his detentions would coincide with Ravenclaw's Quidditch practices. Needless to say, this left Harry in a furious mood. The team wasn't very happy either, and got into a huge fight with Harry during lunch. The news had spread by then.
Thankfully, Harry had Charms that afternoon. And Flitwick was usually good about picking up on when his students weren't in a good mood. Of course, word had also gotten back to him about Harry's detention and what it meant for his House's team. He asked Harry to stay behind after class was over with to have a word with him. Harry assumed that Flitwick was going to scold him for yelling with a teacher. It was, after all, not a very brainy-type thing to do.
"Harry," Flitwick began, crossing the room to sit next to Harry. "I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you to stay..."
"Actually, I figured it had to do with Umbridge."
"Professor Umbridge. And yes, it does. But... not for the reasons I believe you think."
"Sir?"
Flitwick lifted his head for a moment, his brow creased. "...Harry, you're one of the smartest students in Hogwarts right now. You've a capacity for learning that I've rarely seen. And you're easily one of the better players Ravenclaw House has seen on her team in years. Now I'm sure you're thinking I'm going to get onto you for verbally attacking a professor. And while I will say that it wasn't your crowning achievement, I will say this: I'm not disappointed in you."
Harry frowned. "Sir? What do you mean?"
"None of us want her here, you know." Flitwick said, looking up at Harry and smiling crookedly. "The Minister came two weeks before the term was to start, bringing that... that awful woman with him! He prattled on for ages about how he thinks Hogwarts' standards aren't up to par, so to speak. He said that he insisted on having a Ministry-approved official as a teacher. Someone that would also be able to keep tabs on the other professors and, yes, Dumbledore himself."
"Yeah, I've... I've kinda figured out she was here for that kinda thing." Harry said. "I'm surprised you're being so frank with me about this, though."
"Yes, well, I know you've normally got your head about you, Harry. And, as I've said, you're one of my top students. I trust you not to spread this knowledge about. Oh, I'm sure you'll tell your friends and that's perfectly fine. But Harry, the point I want to make is this - you need to be careful." Flitwick said, choosing his words carefully. "Dolores Umbridge is here in what the rest of us have decided is a clear attempt to wrangle control of the school away from Albus Dumbledore."
Harry just nodded. He had come to the same conclusion, but it was somewhat disturbing to actually be told outright that it was what was going on. He hated being right sometimes.
"If Dolores finds any aspect of the school 'inappropriate,' she's to report back to the Minister at once. This goes for pretty much everything, Harry. I'm not exactly sure what the Ministry has planned, but I know we're on thin ice. I know you don't like her Harry - I don't either. I think Albus hates her the most, though he'll never admit it. He's not the type to claim hatred. What I'm saying--"
"...Is that I should watch what I say. Yeah. I'm sorry. It's just... I dunno. She rubbed me the wrong way. Don't worry, sir. I won't give her the satisfaction of that again. In fact, I was actually thinking about a way to ensure she can't rile me up again." Harry explained.
"Oh? And what plan is that?" Asked Flitwick.
Harry glanced back towards the door to the room. "Um..."
Flitwick blinked. Turning to look at what Harry was, he gave a smile, drew his wand, and spelled the entire wall. "If it was privacy you wanted, consider it done. Will you tell me what you have planned?"
"Does the information leave this room?" Asked Harry.
"That depends on what the information is." Flitwick replied. "Clearly, I'll have to tell Albus if you're planning something potentially dangerous."
"Nothing as such, no. Okay, I'll tell you. It's been driving me crazy, anyway. It'll be nice to get it out in the open. Hopefully you'll be able to give me your opinion on how I go about it..." Harry said.
"This is going to take awhile, isn't it?" Flitwick asked, another crooked smile on his face.
"Probably."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"There! All done! What do you think?"
Tonks peered over the back of the couch, snorting when she saw Harry's handiwork. He had just finished transfiguring some more book shelves to hold all the things he had nicked from the Black Family library. There were now four new shelves around the room, each of them mostly filled up.
"I think you're completely off your nut for taking so many." Tonks said, facing forward again to continue glancing through her Herbology book. "Damn it, what page did that old bat say...?"
"Homework problems?" Harry asked, walking over.
"You could say that. Professor Sprout is completely barking, you know." Tonks muttered.
"Poor Nymmy." Harry said.
"Poor Nymmy." Tonks agreed. She then smacked Harry in the arm.
"So where were you this afternoon? How long'd Flitwick keep you, anyway?" Asked Tonks.
"Oh, uh... I was in there about an hour after class." Harry said, smiling sheepishly. "I ran my plan past him. Got some good advice, too."
"You plan on telling me what your plan is?" Tonks asked.
"I really should." Harry said, sitting down on the couch. "But I'd prefer it if Leon were here, too. The rest don't need to know."
"Really? Not even the twins?"
"Not even the twins. They're gonna have to find somewhere else to experiment for a bit." Harry said. "Gonna be using the training room for something."
Tonks closed her book, setting it to one side and scooting closer to Harry. "Whatcha gonna use it for, then? Come on, tell me. I'll tell Leon if you want."
"Tell her." Hissed Boris lazily.
"You be quiet." Hissed Harry in reply. Then, in English, he turned back to Tonks and said, "Look, it's nothing. Gonna miss classes for a week, though."
"A week? ...Okay, so you're gonna be doing something for a week and you'll need the training room for it. Since you said Fred and George would need to find somewhere else to experiment, it means you're probably going to be locked in, right?"
"Right in one, Nym. Would you care to continue your disturbingly good detective work?" Harry asked, looking highly amused.
"Indeed I would! Since this plan came about after your outburst in the frog lady's class, I can assume it has something to do with either making sure you don't tell her off again or, y'know, killing her. And since you don't kill, it's gotta be the former." Tonks said.
"Very good." Harry said, leaning in to kiss the girl. "When, exactly, did you become so calculating?"
"When I started hanging out with you, you jackass." Tonks said, smirking. "So what're you gonna be doing in there for a week?"
"Occlumency training." Harry said. "I've got everything worked out. I've talked to Dobby and he's agreed to bring me two meals a day. I'll exit once a day for a bath, but that's it. We're going to be sleeping solo for a week, I'm afraid."
"Awwww! That's no fair!" Tonks whined. "Can't you come to bed in the actual bedroom? Why do you have to stay in there for that?"
"Because you, my dear Nymmy, are very distracting." Harry said, poking Tonks' nose lightly. "And I'm going to be working almost around the clock. I'm going to be completely bloody exhausted by the end of it. Professor Flitwick said he would speak to the rest of staff, save for Umbridge. Not sure what he's got planned, though. Probably saying I'm off visiting a sick relative or something. Which is a fine enough story given not many people really know that the Dursleys are a complete waste of oxygen."
"I'm surprised he's helping you out like that." Tonks said.
"So was I, to be perfectly honest. But he and the rest of the staff hate that woman as much as I do. If I can keep my emotions in check, I can keep her from reporting anything bad to the Ministry. The last thing I need is the Prophet to run a headline saying I've attacked a teacher or something." Harry said, shaking his head slowly.
"So when do you start? Tomorrow?"
"That's the plan." Harry said, nodding. "Me and Boris will go in and basically seal ourselves away for seven days."
"Do you think you'll get anywhere in your training?"
"I think it's worth the shot." Harry said. "The homework when it's over will suck, but I should be able to finish it off quick enough. I have to do this now, before the work loads start to increase. There's no way in hell I could try this if the O.W.L. stuff starts to get here."
"So tonight's the last night I get to snuggle with you for a week?" Tonks asked, bottom lip jutting out.
"No pouting. Cute girls should never have a reason to pout." Harry said, slipping an arm around Tonks' shoulders and pulling her into a hug. "If this works, I'll also be much, much, much less stressed out. About everything."
Leaning into the hug, Tonks sighed. "Yeah, I know. I'll trust your judgment on this one. But it doesn't mean I have to like it. What'm I going to curl up with?"
"A good book." Harry stated firmly. "...OW! Okay, I deserved that one."
Sticking her tongue out, Tonks then rested her head on Harry's shoulder. "Do you want me to just tell Leon, then? So you can get an early start to it?"
"Would you? So hard to tell when he'll stop in these days." Harry said.
"Yeah. Luna's keeping him busy." Tonks said, amusement in her voice. "Can't imagine how."
"I don't think I want to see what the Nest looks like these days." Harry deadpanned.
"I agree with you entirely." Tonks said, nodding quickly. "...I'm glad she's so loyal to him, though. He's not exactly the easiest guy to warm up to."
"I'm just glad she didn't have a fit when she found out he was a vampire." Harry said. "It... I dunno. I'm just glad he knows he has someone there for him like you're there for me. You know? After all the crap he's been through, he deserves some happiness too."
"I just hope that little bitch from the Vatican keeps well clear of him." Tonks growled.
"Yeah. If she ever tries to hurt him, she's going to have the lot of us attacking her at once. Surely she knows that." Harry said. "Have you seen her glancing at Leon any so far?"
"Not yet. She's just been chatting it up with her little Gryffindor friends so far."
"Let's hope it stays that way."
"Yeah. Hey, Harry?"
"Hm?"
"Can we go to bed a little early tonight?"
Harry tilted his head. "What for?"
"Last night together for a week." Tonks murmured.
"You're acting like we'll never see each other again."
"A week's a long time when you're waiting."
"I suppose so. Hey, look at it this way! You can always hop in the tub with m--YOWCH!"
"Jerk." Tonks giggled, hopping to her feet.
"I didn't deserve that one! Come here, dammit!" Harry said, giving Tonks the evil eye and getting up as well.
"Nope! Gonna hafta catch me!" Tonks said, running towards the back of the room.
"Accio Nymmy." Harry said dryly, aiming his wand at Tonks as he rounded the side of the couch.
Tonks let out an indignant squeak as she was pulled back across the room and into Harry's arms. He smirked as she arrived. "I believe I have caught you."
"Cheater." Tonks said, crossing her arms.
"You laid out no ground rules. It was a perfectly viable method of catching you." Harry replied, twirling his wand lazily.
"I'll ground rule you." Tonks said, returning the evil eye.
"You'll ground rule me? What does that even mean?" Harry asked.
"It means... that I still remember you're ticklish!" Tonks said, launching herself at Harry, who quickly found himself pinned to the floor and laughing.
"Unfair!" Harry howled, trying to grab at Tonks' hands as she tickled him. "Gah, not my stomach!"
"Submit!" Tonks crowed, her hands stopping.
"Never!" Harry roared.
"Have it your way!" Tonks said, resuming her tickling.
"Noooo! Boris, help!"
"What do you want ME to do?" Boris asked, looking over in amusement. "Help yourself."
"Ahhhh, damn you all!"
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Author's Notes: Yes, the last line was a Family Guy reference. No, I don't like the show at all.
So here's chapter 9. Cranked out mostly in a single day. Yeah, after the last one took me a month to get out. Once I actually deposited Harry in Umbridge's class, it was a little easier to get going. Chapter 10's the one I've been wanting to write. Only I'm not entirely sure how I can stretch it into a whole chapter. I know that there are a few interludes to the training, so it isn't going to be Harry sitting there going "OHMMMMMMMM" the whole time and sitting cross-legged or anything. The notes for Chapter 10 are pretty damn long. Plus there's the 'big reveal' at the end where Harry walks out after completing his training.
That's gonna be a fun end. And judging from the note I made about how Harry acts with and without certain people around, I'd say there's going to be a fair amount of fluff at the end of 10. So 10 is the training... 11 is his detention with Umbridge. And won't THAT be fun?
So yes. Hope you enjoyed an entirely transitional chapter and I'll see you for the lockdown.