DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of Harry Potter.

Severus hesitated but nodded "okay we start this afternoon" he turned to Remus "call Tonks, she can train Hermione to begin with".

Remus nodded and Severus turned to Sirius "contact Moody, he can train Harry" Sirius nodded and looked at his son proudly.

"Moody was my mentor as well" Sirius grinned before moving away.

Hermione nervously fiddled with the bottom of her jumper until Harry reached out and grabbed her hand.

He squeezed it gently "don't worry" he whispered into her ear making her shudder as his breath cooled her skin.

She smiled at him slightly "I'm not" at his arched brow she bit her lip "this is for the best, I have to do this" they sat in silence for a moment before Hermione said sadly "I don't have a chance if I can't defend myself without my wand".

"Again!" shouted Tonks as Hermione dodged a spell "but quicker this time, you need to be able to move quickly!"

Hermione sucked in a breath as she straightened from her crouch "I'm trying" she said tiredly.

"You can't try! You must do!" Tonks shouted again.

Hermione stared at her for a moment thinking that she was enjoying this way too much but then flashes of her parents passed through her mind and she nodded in determination.

"Okay" she said quietly showing Tonks she was ready again. They had been at this for five days straight now, Blaise had joined Harry in training three days ago and even Ron joined in sometimes though he still felt awkward around Harry.

Ginny, Luna and Pansy had all gone shopping for dresses without Hermione who had agreed it best she not go out in public yet. They had chosen her dress for her saying she had to go to the New Years Ball. Hermione was also looking forward to seeing her friends again, being in a house mostly full of men could be tiring. They would all be arriving some time today, Draco Malfoy was coming staying here with his parents and they were hoping to get Pansy away from her parents over the holidays. Luna would be joining them after she sent her Father on his trip to find the pink Nargle of Island.

"Move!" Tonks barked as Hermione flew across the room dodging spell after spell. Hermione so determined in the fight to get better didn't notice that her Uncle Severus, Lucius, Blaise, Harry, Ron, Sirius and Remus had entered the room all pausing to watch the fast moving duel between the girls.

Tonks was grinning as she sent spell after spell towards the curly haired brunette who may not have realised just how much she was improving in her fighting skills.

"Fight back, defending yourself won't cut it in a proper fight" she yelled still moving around the room, Hermione only faltered slightly before everyone felt the fight shift. Both girls were now sending spells at each other, using defence spells and dodging spells that got passed their defences.

Hermione felt her mood improve the more she worked and she knew Tonks was feeling better as well after being kept cooped up for so long.

Tonks sent a stunning spell towards Hermione who dropped to the floor, she flipped back up and spun around as she sent a spell towards Tonks. Tonks who had been too busy sending a spell missed the one heading towards her and ended up being hit in the chest.

She gasped in shock as she dropped to the floor. Hermione paused gasping in a breath, her own eyes wide with shock that she had won.

"Oh Merlin" she breathed out as her face lit up "I did it" she was gasping for breath as she stared ahead before realising Tonks was still unconscious. She rushed over and revived Tonks who congratulated her.

"You did it" Tonks said with a grin "you beat an Auror, how does it feel?"

Hermione let out a laugh "better" she said before nodding "I do feel better but is it enough to take on him".

Both girls stood in silence before they heard clapping coming from near the door. They spun in shock to stare at the group of clapping men at the door.

"Congratulations indeed" Blaise grinned as he nodded in satisfaction at having watched the duel.

"That was amazing" murmured Ron who stared at them wide eyed.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably as she glanced at her ex, she shrugged off the complement and said quietly "it could have been better I suppose".

Tonks rolled her eyes "you've only been training for five days, I trained for months before I could beat my Auror trainer. Many Aurors never beat their trainer".

Hermione smirked at Tonks "your trainer was Moody, I highly doubt I'd be able to beat him in a duel".

"Maybe not now" growled a gruff voice form near the door "but one day girl, one day you may just beat me".

Hermione turned to see Moody standing behind Harry "this lot are a bunch of little girls" he rolled his eyes as he gestured the three boys who blushed and looked ashamed.

Hermione bit back a smile and nodded "like Tonks said, it's been five days. I'm sure they'll improve".

"Oh they've improved, just not enough to please me" Moody replied before he turned and called out "Molly, I don't suppose you have any tea do you?" he moved to the kitchen leaving them.

"You've improved greatly Hermione" nodded Lucius smugly "knew you had it in you".

Severus snorted and rolled his eyes "that wasn't what you said last week".

Lucius smacked his friend on the back of the head making Severus wince and glare at him in reply. Lucius ignored his glare with a smug look, his eyes gleamed as he watched Hermione "I believe we could have a bit of fun with this".

"How so?" drawled Severus.

"No one knows that this lot are training, just imagine if the Death Eaters or even he-who-must-not-be-named himself tried to attack them, they'll shock them so much with their fighting skills that they could escape if need be" replied Lucius.

Sirius snorted "planning an attack anytime soon Malfoy?"

Lucius glared slightly but stood straighter "no, I'm just being prepared".

"Or paranoid?" murmured Ron.

"It's better to be paranoid then not ready at all Weasley" sneered Severus in defence of his friend "just ask Moody".

Ron stalked off towards the kitchen muttering things about Slytherins and snakes. Tonks' hair changed from red to pink as she moved towards her husband "hungry?" she asked as they both left hand in hand.

Hermione watched them go with a smile before turning to the others, Blaise shrugged and gave a small wave before he followed the two older Slytherins out of the room, they were bantering back and forth about red headed morons.

Hermione rolled her eyes before blushing when she realised Harry was still there. She stared at him for a moment before smiling "hi" she said softly.

Harry smiled back and Hermione's legs went weak as his eyes sparkled brighter with amusement "hi" he replied back as he watched her.

"You did good" he said as he nodded to the area she and Tonks had duelled.

Hermione blushed again "thanks" she glanced down in embarrassment.

Harry moved towards her, stopping so close that they were touching, he breathed in her amazing scent of Vanilla and strawberries as he looked down at her "how are you feeling today?" he asked his customary question.

Hermione finally looked up into his eyes and sucked in a breath when she realised how close they were "I'm fine" she replied, her voice coming out strained as she tried to breath normally.

Harry who was having the same problem of trying to calm his beating heart licked his lips as his eyes scanned her face "that's good" he whispered as his face leaned in closer.

Hermione unknowingly starting rising to meet his lip as his came closer "yeah" she whispered just before their lips met. The kiss was unlike any Hermione had ever had before, she had never been one to believe in fireworks going off when kissing but now she understood that feeling. She felt like she was on fire as her body heated to Harry's touch. She nearly gasped as the kiss deepened weakening her legs with her high emotions.

Harry finally pulled away leaving both of them gasping for breath, he leaned his forehead on hers and she smiled as she felt his warm breath fan her face.

"Hermione" he whispered as he stared into her eyes "I really do love you, you know that right?"

Hermione licked her lips as she nodded "I love you too Harry, more then I have ever loved anyone" she replied quietly. She felt her heart soar as Harry suddenly beamed down at her. She felt his arms pull her close to his body and relaxed letting his scent flow around her.

"How about some lunch?" Harry whispered huskily in her ear.

Hermione let out a light laugh feeling slightly light headed "yeah, course" she grinned up at him dreamily and let him take her hand as he lead her to the kitchen.

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OMG! I can not believe that I forgot to put this up D: I've had it on my laptop for ages and I forgot about it …. So stupid! Anyway please review :)