The next three weeks were full of classes, homework, training, bonding, and, most importantly, preparing Harry and Neville for their Honor Battle.

At least Harry, with Ron's help, had managed to catch Emolga.

When Professor Lockheart's class proved to be little more than fantastical, unfinished anecdotes, Hillevi had taken it upon herself to teach her friends, with some help from James.

"Sharpshot, Fire Punch! Meatlug, Heavy Slam!"

Stumper the Phantump squeaked, twisting around the Fire-type's fist, as Meatlug bore down on Ludwig and nearly flattened him.

"Ludwig, use Smog!"

"Stumper, use Leech Seed, then Ingrain!"

Sharpshot growled as the seeds sprouted on her rough hide, barely avoiding the thick vines that grew around her feet, as Meatlug reared back from the poisonous smoke.

"Fire Spin!"

The funnel of flame sucked up the Smog like a vacuum, and poor Stumper was caught in the center, clinging to his roots.

"Metal Burst!"

Ludwig flew out of the makeshift battle field with a cry, and Hillevi gestured for her Pokemon to stop, ending the battle.

"Great job, guys." She praised, Cloudjumper mirroring her smile. "Maybe use Ingrain and Leech Seed a little earlier, though? And using Smog like Smokescreen is definitely smart, especially since it can cause poisoning."

Both boys nodded, flushing a bit with pride, as Cloudjumper used Healing Wish on their Pokemon.

Ron was working with Emolga, who seemed rather fond of the Weasley, while Luna was administering Flora's medicine and supplying Togepi with hot sauce, and Ginny was helping Eevee's reflexes by having both her Rattata and Pachirisu chase the fluffy Normal-type.

Princess had taken it upon herself to help Neville's Sam with his icy attacks, while Abe and Demon corralled Hillevi's baby Dragons, the Disaster Pokemon sometimes breaking away to help Dexter prevent Magikarp's latest suicide attempt.

The Valhallan looked over the scene with some pride.

This right here?

This was Pack.

"Alright, let's give it another go. Remember, type isn't everything, you've just got to think on your feet-"


September Thirtieth came with some fanfare, the entire school seated in the Great Hall around a carefully constructed battlefield, while the participants waited in separate hallways outside.

Rubbing gentle knuckles against Cloudjumper's jaw as the Latias whimpered, glancing around, Hillevi tried to project calm and assurance, not just for her Pokemon, but for Harry and Neville.

"Harry? You okay?" Ginny wondered, shaking the boy's arm.

Taking a deep breath, he managed to give the group a smile.

"Yeah, just last minute jitters."

"No worries, mate!" Ron assured, slapping his friend on the back. "Better to be nervous now than during the battle."

"He's right, Harry." Hermione agreed, bouncing in barely-contained glee at the thought of actually seeing an Honor Battle. "Get it out of your system now!"

Neville looked equally nervous, fidgeting with the jacket his grandmother had sent him.

James gave the impression of wanting to roll his eyes, Andi giggling on one shoulder and Sting doing just that on his other ear.

"You did everything you could." The super soldier stated, strangely supportive. "Trust that."

Luna, for her part, was humming a song she had called a Western, wearing a hat that looked like she had wrapped Sunny's head around her own and mismatched clothes.

"I'll tell you the words my mother told my father on their wedding night." The blonde said to Neville. "I'm here to kick ass and chew bubblegum…And I'm all out of bubblegum."

"Your mum must have been a scary lady."

"You have no idea."

With Ron holding Togepi and Harry wearing his Gauntlet uniform-with the prescription goggles included-, the boys looked to each other.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

Hillevi followed them into the Great Hall, Cloudjumper shaking out her feathers at opposing feeling from the cheering Gryffindors and the hissing, jeering Slytherins and Ravenclaws, only the Hufflepuffs staying quiet as the group took seats in the front row of Gryffindor.

The professors sat on their platform, wearing a wide array of emotions from disappointment to interest to excitement, with Hagrid outright rooting for his young friends.

Chang and Edgecombe had clearly coordinated their wardrobes, wearing all black with twin headbands and matching lipstick, the trim on their sleeves mimicking the wings of their House Pokemon.

The seated Ravenclaws waved black towels and cawed, as if to intimidate the boys, but fell silent along with Slytherin at James' glare.

"Now that everyone is here, we can begin." Professor Dumbledore announced, rising from his seat. "As per the rules of this battle, I will allow you each one final chance to work through your dilemma with words and not violence."

Neither side made a move to do so, and the headmaster sighed.

"Very well. The rules are as such: each trainer is allowed to send out a total of two Pokemon. A Pokemon may only be sent out once. If you switch out, that Pokemon is counted as fainted. No potions, held items, or berries are allowed. Nor can any other trainer interfere with the battle. After a Pokemon is knocked out, there will be a thirty second timeout for trainers to strategize. When a team cannot send out a single Pokemon, the battle is over. The entire area may be used, but if I feel you are gravely endangering a trainer or an observer, I will declare this battle over. Understood?"

"Understood." All four chorused.

With one last, disappointed look, Professor Dumbledore raised his hand.

"Begin."

"Stumper, I choose you!"

"Ludwig, I choose you!"

"Go, Sneasel!"

"Go, Litleo!"

Cloudjumper squeaked at the sight of the fire-cub as Dexter quickly took a picture, the feline immediately going for Stumper with a Fire Fang.

"Ludwig, Smog!"

Blinded at a crucial moment, the Lion Cub Pokemon missed his target, hitting the floor with an OOMPH.

"Ingrain!"

Roots shot out from the poisonous cloud, covering the marble floor and causing quite a few students to leap up.

"Now Grass Knot!"

"Icy Wind!"

The arctic wind blew the Smog away, revealing Stumper clinging to one of his roots, a green glow running up into his body despite the frost on his leaves.

"Now a Faint Attack!"

"Flamethrower!"

The stream of fire had Sneasel backing away from Stumper as Dexter brought up the new archive page, concerned.

"Litleo, the Lion Cub Pokemon. A Fire/Normal-type. The stronger the opponent it faces, the more heat surges from its mane and the more power flows through its body."

"They chose a Pokemon that's strong against Grass-types and immune to Ghost-types." Hillevi realized, sharing a look with Hermione.

"Which means anything Neville sends out will be at a disadvantage." The bushy-haired girl continued, worrying at her bottom lip as she explained the situation to Ron. "Worse, Stumper is a Ghost-type too, meaning it can't even attack Litleo with a Ghost move since he's a Normal-type, and Sneasel is a Dark-type, so it's strong against Ghosts. Ludwig is going to be going two-against-one."

"And Harry has to be careful." Ginny added. "He doesn't want to hit Stumper with a Flamethrower by accident."

"Type isn't everything." James reminded them, Andi and Sting quiet in the face of this battle.

"Don't be quick to count Neville out yet." Luna agreed with a dreamy voice. "He's a clever boy."

"Fire Fang!"

"Leech Seed!"

The Phantump threw the seeds as he was struck, crying out at the fire coursing along his helmet.

"Smog again!" Harry ordered as Sneasel moved in.

"Iron Claw!"

From within the cloud, there was a solid SNIK of sharp claws meeting flesh, and Edgecombe grinned.

"Didn't dodge that one! Icy Wind!"

The Smog was cleared, and Edgecombe gasped along with her Sneasel to find that their attack had struck Litleo instead of Stumper, who was covered in the seedlings the half-frozen, half-burned little Ghost had thrown.

"Flamethrower!"

Litwig appeared directly behind the distracted Sneasel at that moment, engulfing the Sharp Claw Pokemon with a cry.

"NO!"

"Sneasel has fainted!" Professor Dumbledore declared, the Gryffindors beginning to scream and holler and stomp their feet.

As the remaining Pokemon returned to their trainers, Hillevi reached up to soothe Cloudjumper.

"Stumper will be out next turn." James noted, slanting a look her way. "If he sets things up right, they'll be fine."

Taking the reassurance for what it was, the Valhallan managed her usual lopsided smile as Dexter clung to her braid, anxious.

"Begin!"

"Quagsire!" Edgecombe shouted, immediately pointing towards Ludwig. "Water Gun!"

"Litleo, Fire Fang!"

"Shadow Ball!"

"Leech Seed!"

The Phantump just managed to fire the seedlings at Quagsire before Litleo pounced, nearly breaking off one of his branches with the ferocity, while Ludwig's own attack seemed to roll right off the Quagsire's belly as the seeds sprouted.

The resulting Water Gun sent poor Ludwig flying into the Hufflepuffs, both Ghosts out cold.

"Stumper and Ludwig have fainted!" Professor Dumbledore declared. "One minute!"

"Quagsire, the Water Fish Pokemon. A Water/Ground-type. It has a sluggish nature. It lies at the river's bottom, waiting for prey to stray into its mouth." Dexter informed the group solemnly.

"Harry and Neville are in real trouble!" Ron worried. "They both got knocked out in one turn!"

"I think they figured as much." Hermione replied. "But Neville set them up pretty good."

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.

"Stumper was able to use Leech Seed on both Litleo and Quagsire." Hillevi pointed out. "When he sends Flora out, she'll be able to draw energy from them, and she's also super effective against Quagsire. Harry just needs to take Litleo out."

"Let's just hope Emolga can manage." Ron voiced, Cloudjumper twitching to stare at Togepi as the baby realized Ludwig had been hurt. "They did a real number on him."

"Begin!"

"Flora, I choose you!"

"Emolga, I-"

"TOKI!"

Everyone stared as Togepi wiggled out of Ron's arms and leapt down, racing onto the battlefield to properly scold the Ravenclaws for hurting Ludwig.

Hillevi looked from a stunned Ron to Togepi and back again, mind stalling, as Cloudjumper face-palmed and Dexter let out a stuttering, static-filled noise.

What?

A tidal wave of laughter took over the Ravenclaws and Slytherins, the Gryffindors silent, though James just looked at the pair of Pokemon intently.

"Wait for it."

Before anyone could ask what the enigmatic soldier was talking about, Flora stepped up to the baby Pokemon, glancing back at their trainers before nodding.

"Bulba."

"Toki." Togepi agreed with a dazzling smile, throwing out her arms. "PRI!"

"BULBA!"

"By Merlin…" Ginny breathed as the Pokemon began to glow a brilliant white, bringing instant silence upon the Great Hall, the once cackling Ravenclaws and Slytherins rendered mute as they realized what was happening.

Hillevi could only stare, the memory of her own Honor Duel flooding back.

"Litleo!" Cho shouted, near panic. "Headbutt!"

The Pokemon raced forward, only to be thrown at the sudden rush of raw power.

And then there they were.

"They evolved!" Ron stammered as Dexter quickly snapped pictures.

"Photos captured!" The Rotom Pokedex proclaimed, quickly pulling up the information. "Ivysaur, the Seed Pokemon. A Grass/Poison-type. Exposure to sunlight adds to its strength. Sunlight also makes the bulb on its back grow larger."

A quick shuffle to the next page.

"Togetic, the Happiness Pokemon. A Fairy/Flying-type. Togetic is said to be a Pokemon that brings good fortune. When the Pokemon spots someone who is pure of heart, it is said to appear and share its happiness with that person."

"How could they evolve?" Ginny wondered, dumbstruck. "Why now?"

"They waited for the right moment." Luna answered with a smile. "The hour of need."

Hillevi pressed a hand to the red and silver Poke Balls on her belt, heart full of joy for her friends, as Cloudjumper trilled and sang a congratulation-song.

"Flora has been fighting evolution pains since the summer." Hermione noted. "As for Togepi, they evolve based on the love they hold for their trainer. Togepi not only loves Harry, but Ludwig. When he got knocked out, she must have decided it was time to evolve so she could avenge him!"

Glancing at James, the Valhallan bit back a smile.

To the end of the line, huh?

Neville recovered first, looking at his first Pokemon and friend before pointing at the still-stunned Litleo and Quagsire.

"Flora, Poison Powder!"

The Ivysaur let out a cloud of poisonous spores from her blooming bulb, coating Quagsire at least.

"Litleo, Fire Fang!"

Togetic responded by releasing a jolt of electricity that had the Lion Cub Pokemon crying out as he fell, twitching from the Thunder Wave.

"When did she learn that?" Fred wondered, scratching his head.

"Ah, but you forget, brother, Togepi was always out of her ball, watching us train with Harry's other Pokemon. She could easily pick up on many moves."

"Ready to make them regret laughing at us?" Harry wondered, earning an enthusiastic 'Toki' in response. "Then show Litleo what you learned from Ludwig!"

The Togetic fired off a Flamethrower that engulfed said Pokemon, which was just enough to knock him right out.

"Litleo has fainted!"

Leg bouncing in anticipation, Hillevi leaned forward with Cloudjumper as Cho prepared her next Pokemon.

"Go, Mienfoo! Fake Out!"

"Togetic, Intercept!"

The winged Fairy darted between Mienfoo and Ivysaur, the tricky slap doing little damage thanks to her dual-typing.

"Flora, Leech Seed!"

The seeds latched onto the Fighting-type, and Neville pressed the advantage.

"Now go for a Vine Whip Special Number Three!"

Edgecombe had her Quagsire move to intercept-likely remembering their past skirmish-, but instead of striking the Water Fish Pokemon, Flora instead grabbed Professor Flitwick's chair and used it to bash her opponent upside the head.

"Togetic, now show Mienfoo what you learned from Eevee!"

"Double Slap!"

Mienfoo back-handed Togetic right across the face, sending her flipping end over end before righting herself to shoot off a Shadow Ball, which hit her own opponent right in the gut as the Leech Seed activated with a groan from both Pokemon, healing Flora.

"Sludge Bomb!" Edgecombe roared, her Quagsire firing off a glob of poisonous goo that hit Togetic dead-on and grounded her with a cry.

"Are you okay?" Harry called, concerned, though his Pokemon moved to stand in the affirmative.

"Mud Bomb!"

Flora braced herself, the attack doing little damage thanks to her type.

"Petal Dance!"

Bright pink petals burst from the Ivysaur's blooming bulb and hung in the air for a moment, an almost photogenic sight, before Flora began to spin, kicking up strong winds and darting forward to blast them at the Mienfoo and Quagsire in a storm.

While the Fighting-type was able to deflect some of them, his ally could not, leaving a multitude of shallow paper cuts that eventually proved too much for the Water/Ground-type.

"Quagsire has fainted!"

Edgecombe recalled her Pokemon, leaving just Mienfoo to fight both newly-evolved Pokemon.

"Mienfoo, use Brick Break!"

"Togetic!"

The Happiness Pokemon flew in, taking a shot right in the belly…

Before laying a happy little kiss on Mienfoo's cheek.

"Sweet Kiss." James noted, a sense of amusement in his tone. "Good job, Hermione."

Said girl beamed, obviously proud that she and Ralts had taught the then-baby Pokemon that particular move.

Mienfoo looked around as the confusion set in, the normally-graceful Fighter stumbling and tripping to land right on his face.

The Leech Seed activated again, and anyone could see that the Fighting-type was thoroughly disoriented and struggling to right himself.

"Get up! Snap out of it!"

"Flora, one more time!"

Mienfoo was not able to deflect any of the Petal Dance this time, even when on his feet, and with a whimpering sigh, collapsed for the last time.

"Mienfoo is out! Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter are the victors!"

Gryffindor exploded, cheering and whooping even louder than before, as Fred, George, Oliver and Lee Jordan lifted the boys up to spin them around in celebration.

"Long live Neville the Brave!"

Watching from the fringes as the boys healed their Pokemon, Hillevi was practically glowing, as if her happiness was doubling back on her every other second.

When Neville and Harry broke away from the crowd to approach Chang and Edgecombe, she moved to follow, James at her back.

"Miss Chang, it's time to settle our wagers."

"If you think-" Marietta started.

"Think carefully before you finish that statement, Miss Edgecombe." Professor Flitwick warned. "Your actions are the reason you were in this battle in the first place, and why Ravenclaw lost one of its First Years. Now, give your Pokemon to Mister Longbottom and Mister Potter."

The girls glared mutinously, but did so under James' icy stare, Chang handing hers to Neville and Edgecombe to Harry.

With a pair of Revive Crystals each, the boys healed the Pokemon within.

"We take these Pokemon as a sign of strength and proof of the power and glory of the Ancient and Noble Houses of Longbottom and Potter." Neville intoned, handing them back with a smile. "And we return them healed to prove our kindness and mercy."

"It is a mercy I will one day repay." The Ravenclaw replied through grit teeth.

"Now, to the rest." Neville prompted, and Professor Flitwick turned to speak with the headmaster about their points.

Luna stepped forward then, happily presenting the Third Year Ravenclaws with a list.

"This is everything you took from me."

Cho glanced over the paper, the shadow of a smile on her mouth for a moment.

"Yes, everything you have listed will be returned."

"Exactly as it was." Hillevi stated, Cloudjumper bristling.

"Of course." Cho replied, spinning on her heel and marching away.

The reddish-brunette watched as Edgecombe followed on the fringes of the group, clearly no longer welcome in their inner circle, and contemplated that icy feeling chilling her spine…