Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does. As Proof of this, notice the sixth book does not have Luna searching for Crumple Horned Snorkacks... in Harry's pants!

I felt generous because haven't updated in a while... so two chapters for the price of one.

Chapter 5 – My little Ravenclaw

Transfiguration Owl Exam

Harry was having a hard time on this exam… fortunately for him most of the questions he knew the answers to, due to Hermione forcing herself to study over her favourite subject relentlessly. Thus forcing Harry and Ron to study over the subject just as relentlessly. He had just finished off the spell category, where he had been asked to describe spell pronunciations, wand movements, and effects. He was now into the trickier aspect of writing an essay style response.

Harry took the chance to look up and noticed the furious scribbling pace his fellow fifth years were writing their exams at. Normally he wouldn't risk moving his head to take in such an observation, but because of the anti cheating quills they were forced to use, the examiners knew that should he look up any answers from a different paper, the quill would automatically start to write in red ink. Harry wasn't sure about the mechanics of the charm that enabled it but figured it must be quite difficult to circumvent if the examiners were so comfortable, they left the room every now and then.

Harry could see a bushy brown head bob up and down rapidly before its arm swiftly finished whatever it was writing with a flourish.

Harry watched as Hermione raised her hand proudly asking for an examiner to praise her speedy completion.

Harry looked down at his exam and his one essay question.

'Explain why using transfiguration on inanimate objects, to create permanent living creatures is strictly regulated.'

Harry reread the question and made sure he understood it before groaning silently.

'I didn't even know it was possible...' Harry lamented. Harry looked on the front page to see the mark breakdown.

'Twenty percent! If I don't do well on this question I might not even be able to get an Exceeds Expectations… and transfiguration is fairly important for any Job in the Magical World.' Harry mentally panicked.

'Calm down… there's no point whining.' Harry scolded himself.

'Just think about the question… what would be so bad about creating a living creature…'

Harry was glad he had about an hour left… he spent half of it jotting down any and all ideas he could. He focused mainly on the moral implications of creating life.

'To permanently give life to any form of animal would entail being responsible for it and its progeny. By giving life to an animal that was not naturally alive to begin with the wizard or witch in question are in essence creating a sentient creature. To do so would be irresponsible and would raise esoteric questions of whether at the same instance a soul was created for the new life. We as a society are not yet prepared to take that kind of responsibility.'

Harry was completely making crap up as he went along; but the more he wrote the stronger he felt that even if he was wrong, he would still be right. The Question itself was vague enough to allow for such an answer. Harry left the exam confidant that even if his essay wasn't what the examiners were expecting; he was still able to argue his points.

'Who knows…? I might even make an Outstanding' Harry thought sarcastically.

:-..-..-..-..-:

Present Day

Harry had spent the following day after Dumbledore's return, avoiding Hermione.

Ginny who had not been present during the discussion, learned of it through Hermione as they shared a suite with Luna.

Needless to say he tried to avoid her as well.

Harry wasn't sure what side Luna would take but was reasonably sure, she, like Neville, wouldn't pressure Harry for answers.

Harry felt a little guilty for thinking it but 'They aren't close enough to me to demand answers of my personal life, even if they had tagged along to the ministry.'

He would be forever grateful for his friends support that day, but it was never his decision for them to come. They had come of their own free will and Harry would not take responsibility for their actions. He was done blaming himself.

Harry did feel guilty for the thought that always occurred to him though. 'Did they really help me… or hinder me.'

Harry didn't want to sound pompous but the numerous times he reviewed the night he always paused at his quick escape of the department.

He had found a way out of the death chamber to the lobby within minutes of Sirius death… compared to the near half hour trying to regroup and cover his friend's backs.

Harry knew that if he went it alone, things would have been very different; not necessarily good either, but every instance he fought alone, he had no one to protect, no one to consider besides his own safety. It had been that way for each and every adventure… he would wind up fighting on his own and he would survive.

He wasn't a team player. He worked best on his own and that was just the way he was. He needed the freedom of being selfish in a fight. He couldn't do that if he had to look after his friends.

"Harry?"

Harry was pulled out of his musings by Ron poking him with his fork. They were currently hiding out in the older wing of the citadel.

The citadel, having not always been an office tower, five hundred years ago when it was originally built, was at first a cathedral style sanctuary not un-similar to the Notre dame. This made the headquarters quite the contrast to behold from the outside, as it was a futuristic office tower emerging from a wondrous multi chambered Cathedral. The cathedral looked almost like Hogwarts in design with its many turrets and grand opulence. It screamed security and protection with an underlying current of danger.

Ron was looking at Harry exasperatedly. "You can't avoid Hermione forever you know."

"I'm not avoiding her… I just wanted to explore the place" Harry said indignantly.

"Sure you're not" Neville snorted as he was finishing his breakfast.

Ron and Neville had been banging on Harry's door early in the morning negating his plan of escaping everyone for the day. Harry was grateful that they were not going to interrogate him for information but was a little annoyed that he couldn't get the time to himself he had been planning to have.

Chippy had been only too happy to personally deliver 'The great Harry Potter sir and friends their Breakfast.' She had acted a little funny though when she apprehensively asked them whether they were going to go deeper into the citadel dungeons.

"Fine I'm avoiding her, but can you blame me?" Harry admitted. He was tired of lying to his friends and knew that everyone would figure it out… it didn't bother him as much as he thought it should have.

"Not really… Hermione is fairly stubborn." Ron admitted with a smile. Ron seemed a little more mature to Harry than last year. Harry couldn't help but smile at his care free friend.

"What?"

"You're not a teaspoon, you're a ladle!" Harry said smugly.

He was rewarded with a muffin being hucked at his face, and a confused Neville.

"So what you guys want to do, as much fun as hiding out in an empty stone room is, we're going to have to go up eventually."

Harry groaned as he knew his friend was right but didn't want to face Hermione just yet… he may have been a Gryffindor but he still didn't want to fight this fight.

"Well you three can always do your school shopping early."

Neville, Harry, and Ron turned around quickly at the authoritative voice of…

"Tonks! Don't do that…" Ron said exasperatedly. He had been drinking his juice at the moment she surprised him… needless to say, sputtering ensued.

"You know you missed me…" Tonks said fondly as she skipped over. Bob stood rigidly at the base of the stairs heading up to the citadel. His grey overcoat, helping him blend in with the rock wall.

"We see each other far too much as it is." Harry said. It was meant as a joke but was true none the less. Tonks and Bob had become his permanent body guards for the summer. Harry thought Tonks might have arranged for it, as like them, she didn't know that many people in the Citadel. Not to say they were close… but they were familiar faces.

Tonks pouted at Harry's jibe but tussled his hair affectionately any way. Harry was against this on principal as even though his hair was originally messy in nature, he did not need someone help it on its crusade for chaos.

"Well I suppose you three want to hang around here then… alright" Tonks sighed theatrically as she leaned against a wall.

"What did you mean…?" Ron asked the Auror... taking her bait.

"No, you guys made it clear… you don't want to hear my super fantastic suggestion, or see my ultra top secret package from Dumbledore." She said resignedly.

"Come partner… let's not stay where we aren't wanted." Tonks took one last over-the-top saddened glance at the three curious boys before making her way over to Bob.

"Tonks!" Harry said exasperatedly.

"Hmm?" Tonks sounded as she paused her forward momentum.

"I'm sorry I said we saw you too much as it is."

"And…" Tonks Goaded.

"…And we missed you" Ron added helpfully.

"… well I'm still not sure we are wanted here" Tonks said unsurely. As she pouted at them pathetically.

"Oh most definitely…" Neville said assuredly. He had gotten much more comfortable around the easy going witch.

"Yeah it's always great to have you around… like a non-stop party it is!" Ron said getting into the ego rubbing.

"I personally don't know where I would be without your constant sunny disposition." Harry said sarcastically.

"What about my ravishing beauty…" Tonks suggested.

"You're a metamorph?" Ron said bemused.

"Well, a girl still likes to hear the compliment!" Tonks explained testily to Ron's previous comment.

"So sorry Tonks, your beauty is the thing of legends. It makes Veala everywhere jealous, is what it does." Harry said exaggeratedly.

He took a moment to mouth the words "Teaspoon once more" to Ron.

"I'm sorry Harry but you're a bit young for me… one day you might find someone as perfect as I…" Tonks said sympathetically. "Maybe… If you're lucky." She added condescendingly.

Harry rolled his eyes, but felt much better. Tonks always had a way of making troubles disappear. He didn't realize how much energy he spent avoiding confrontations with his friends, until just then.

'…that can't be good'

"Alright since you lot are such sad, lonely men… I might as well share my gossip with you… you don't seem to have much else going for you." She said with a shake of her head.

"Tonks…" Harry warned.

"Now I suggest you lot take this opportunity to go do your school shopping early. Professor Dumbledore took down the lockdown this morning."

Ron gave Neville an excited look at the news. Neville had become a bit more than a roommate after the adventure they shared and being confined together in a military instillation had cemented the three as friends.

"… Also I ran into McGonagall and she suggested you all go school shopping now. Hardly anyone will be out and about yet to do theirs as the letters haven't been sent out yet."

"Then how are we supposed to know what to get… we don't even know what courses we have gotten accepted into yet." Ron asked.

She ignored him in favour of pulling out four envelopes from her back pocket.

"I present to you… your O.W.L.'s" She took one envelope away and handed each of them a cream coloured letter.

Each letter had the Hogwarts crest in the top right corner with a shield emblazoned by a stylized owl next to their name in the centre.

On the back was a wax seal with the same owl insignia.

"Where's Hermione… I'm supposed to give her hers, as well. I'm sure she would love to get her school supplies early." Tonks questioned the trio.

"Were kind of avoiding the girls today." Ron winced as he tried to explain the situation.

"What did you do?" Tonks said sternly.

"Oy, we didn't do anything…"

"That's what they all say…" Tonks said patronizingly.

"We didn't…Hermione's just…" Neville was stopped from telling Tonks by Ron stomping on his foot while shooting Harry pointed looks.

Harry wasn't saying anything but had a deep scowl plastered across his face.

Tonks seemed to understand that her interference in the matter was not welcome this time.

"Well… I suppose the girls can go later. The letters aren't being sent out till tomorrow Night." Tonks attempted to ease their minds.

"But only on one condition!" She said strictly.

"What?" Harry asked apprehensively. He really didn't want to have the girls shop with them as he was fairly certain Ginny and Hermione would try to double team him for answers. Hermione pulling her Lecturing superior tone on him, and Ginny, her confidant angry one she had used on him in the library and his bedroom at Grimmauld, last year.

Both were equally irritating on their own… but together, they were a recipe for homicide.

"Show me what you guys got on your owls… it's been killing me." Tonks begged.

Harry smiled, relieved and amused by her request as they all nodded their heads in acceptance of her bargain.

They all tore open their envelopes and reached in to pull out a yellow parchment.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Ordinary Wizarding Levels

For

Harry James Potter

Congratulations on the completion of your O.W.L. examinations and fifth year of education. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances for your owl year students are being allowed to rewrite attempted exams. Any inquiries or appointments should be made to the Wizarding Examination Authority.

Congratulations once more on your achievement and good luck in your N.E.W.T studies.

Sincerely

Professor Griselda Marchbanks

… … … … … … … … … … … … … …

O.W.L.'s are the calculated totals to each examinable course.

Outstanding requires a grade of 90 or higher.

Exceeds Expectations require a grade of 75 or higher.

Acceptable requires a grade of 60 or higher.

Poor Requires a grade of 50 or higher.

Dreadful requires a grade less than 50.

Troll requires a grade of 10 or less.

Examination results for Harry James Potter

Examined Course - - - - - - - - Practical Exam - - - Written Exam - - - - - - - -Owl Achieved

Charms - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - - - -92 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Outstanding

Defence Against the Dark Arts - - - - - - 101 - - - - - 100 - - - - - - - - - - - - - Outstanding*

Care of Magical Creatures- - - - - - - - - - -97 - - - - - - 90 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Outstanding

Transfiguration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -100 - - - - - - 99- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Outstanding

Potions- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90- - - - - - - 73 - - - - - - - Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -75- - - - - - - 78 - - - - - - - Exceeds Expectations

Herbology- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 80- - - - - - - 75 - - - - - - - Exceeds Expectations

Divinations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 - - - - - - - - -1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Troll

History - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NA - - - - - - Na - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Exemption

*Displayed use of Newt level magic. Bonus Marks Given.

Exemption: Due to extenuating circumstances Student was unable to complete exam. Please Contact the Wizarding Examination Authority to schedule a re-examination.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Harry read over his exam marks once more and slowly started to smile.

'Not so bad…' Harry congratulated himself. Harry's potion marks were a little disappointing but much better than he would have expected… transfiguration was the surprise as he was worried he might not have been able to achieve an exceeds.

Harry turned around to take a look at his friend's faces to find equally pleased looks.

"Enough of this, give em here." Tonks snatched each paper out of their hands with inhuman speed, and spent the next few seconds scrutinizing each and every detail of their O.W.L.'s

Tonks whistled appreciatively as she looked over the results. "And here I thought you three were Gryffindor's… Ravenclaw's are what you are. Excellent work boys." Tonks congratulated the group.

"But… how did you all manage a Troll for Divinations?" She questioned in surprise.

"You too…" Ron cheered.

Harry couldn't help but smile at Ron's wide grin. "Yup… only 9 " Harry said proudly.

"Same…what bout you Neville?"

"Well… I got 8" Neville Blushed.

"Damn! He beat us…" Harry deadpanned.

"Hold up… you two aren't upset?" Tonks questioned the pair.

"Why would we be… it's not like Trelawney actually ever taught us anything." Harry said bitterly.

"Woooo… you will be impaled while tying your shoelaces in the quidditch pitch." Ron moaned in exaggeration of their divinations Teacher.

"It can't be that bad…" Tonks smiled at the pair.

"That was one of her predictions she used on Harry." Ron corrected. "Minus the woooo bit."

Tonks could only snort in amusement.

"Well my prophetically challenged friends… let us get you some books, then. Your looks will only get you so far…"

:-..-..-..-..-:

They had portkeyed into the leaky cauldron and made their way to the brick wall entrance of the magical alley.

Harry prepared himself for his re entrance into the magical world. Adjusting his hair to cover his scar as much as possible and slouching; Harry waited for the sudden wave of noise signalling the barriers disappearance.

He heard the deft grinding of stones and the vacuum of silence the three had enjoyed behind the brick wall dissolve away as yells of wizards and witches selling their wares filled their ear drums.

Tonks took up a rear position while Bob went up front and lead the group to the white stone bank.

Harry was a little surprised that nothing had changed… a little part of him had thought that maybe the alley might be slightly sombre or quieter on the wake of Voldemort's exposure.

'Exactly the same…' Harry at first took this as a sign that the wizarding public was not taking the situation seriously, but then realized, not everything has to always change.

:-..-..-..-..-:

Harry had taken his time exchanging a hefty sum of galleons into pounds… It did not seem to dent his mound of Gold in his Vault but Harry knew that it was a significant amount none the less.

He wanted to have the option of travelling into the Muggle world, and money was always helpful in both worlds. He thought he might need to open up an account in a Muggle bank as carrying around wads of money, just screamed rob me.

Harry was eager to leave the bank as the goblins seemed more testy than usual.

Each goblin seemed to sneer at anything that moved. Harry also noticed the bank was unusually busy…

'Must be overworked…'

:-..-..-..-..-:

Harry, Ron, and Neville went to Flourish and Blots first, where they asked for the sixth year course books.

They picked up their grade 6 charms text, their transfiguration book, and their other course books. They avoided Divinations and history; although Ron and Neville did get a P and A respectively in history of magic, they both decided they could get sleep in their own bed, instead of their own seats. What surprised them all was the lack of defence text. Usually by now the books were already shelved and ready to be sold.

"You think Dumbledore couldn't find anyone this year?" Ron asked.

Harry could only shrug in response as he continued to browse the defence section for titles he had not heard of before. He found a heavy encyclopaedia style book with spell name, wand movements, and effect listed alphabetically and by severity.

He thought this kind of book was much more his style of read. He didn't need a long winded chapter on why the spell worked the way it did. He needed a quick and concise description of spells and how to perform them. He needed to learn as much magic he could use in a fight as possible if he was to survive Voldemort. Not learn the mechanics of it.

Harry started to head to the front desk to pay for his things but stopped as a book caught his eye.

Harry eyed the sixth year potions text blankly. 'I didn't make the grade, no way Snape will take me… I don't need to be an Auror anymore to get training… Dumbledore is starting it in two days…'

Harry contemplated the book for a few minutes but picked it up in the end. Even though Snape refused to teach him, he could teach himself.

He didn't have any expectation of becoming a potions master… but he did think he was capable of making a few healing drafts. His O.W.L. mark seemed to indicate he wasn't a complete failure in the subject.

As Harry was paying for his purchases, it truly hit him… 'I can't become an Auror.'

'Shouldn't I be a little bit more disappointed?'

Harry wasn't experiencing any of the crushing anxiety he had expected. If he was honest with himself… he felt, lighter.

Harry was woken from his introspection by the bright purple hair of his bodyguard, making its way towards him.

"Alright kiddies… let's get you some big boy clothes and then you can do whatever else you want here."

Ron scowled at being referred to as kiddies, but followed along obediently as she led them through the crowds of Diagon Alley. He did however easily cheer up as he had a sac full of galleons for once. If the war had any good attributes to it, it was helping the Weasley family. With Mrs. Weasley pulling hours in the hospital wing and Mr. Weasley doing whatever he did nowadays… the family now had a reasonable amount of money to spend. Harry was proud of his friend as he hadn't gloated about it as he thought he once might have.

Memories of Ron questioning his father on winning more money after their fortuitous luck the summer of third year sprang to mind.

:-..-..-..-..-:

"Finally!" One of the three called as they plopped themselves down into the benches outside Fortescues.

The three plus two bodyguards had finished their rounds for supplies and decided to treat themselves to a sugar boost before they could enjoy the rest of their day.

"I think that little girl recognized you…" Ron smiled at his scruffy haired friend.

"Why would you say that?" Harry questioned as he unnecessarily checked his bags for his school things.

"Maybe it was because she squealed and tackle hugged you…" Neville teased.

"…or because she demanded you marry her this instant…" Ron added.

"I don't see where you're going with this…" Harry said with a straight face. He had expected this since exiting Malkin's. A six or seven year old girl with blond ponytails and a bubble gum pink dress pulled a dobby and clung to his legs demanding his undying love.

"That doesn't seem unusual to you?" Ron asked patronizingly.

"No… I get that from women a lot. It's my charm…" Harry said in his best Malfoy impersonation.

Once he stopped getting mortified by his fame… small instances like these amused him in hindsight.

He was rewarded for his impersonation by having sprinkles tossed at him.

"So other than having Casanova here amuse us with his many exploits… what do you guys want to do?" Tonks questioned as she stole a spoon full of vanilla from Harry's cup.

Harry warily watched Ron as he expected him to demand they be allowed to go to Quality Quidditch. He wasn't too sure what Neville did but didn't think him that much of a Quidditch fan.

"Ron turned to Neville. "Muggle world?" At Neville's healthy nod Ron turned to Harry silently asking for his opinion. Harry was pleasantly surprised but agreed without preamble.

The quintuplet made their way to the Leaky Cauldron where Tonks, shrunk their purchases and hid them in Bobs overcoat.

Tonks did a quick shift into a young ebony haired woman who could have passed for Harry's older sister.

She hooked hands with Neville making the teen blush and marched them into the Muggle world. Bob following along at a slightly faster pace than usual as he tried to keep close to the four.

The moment they exited the unseen pub Harry was reminded of his first trip with Hagrid to the magical world. He hadn't seen the outside of the leaky cauldron since and it was every bit of a dive as he remembered it.

Harry, and Ron quickly lead the group to the sidewalk where they perused shop names. Every now and then Ron or Neville would question Harry on an interesting shop but they had retained some knowledge from their daily trips to the beach town near the citadel.

Harry learned that Neville was a music enthusiast as he quickly asked to visit a store he recognized from the coves commercial district.

Harry questioned him on whether he played any instruments, but Neville admitted quickly he never learned. Harry was a little amused by his friend, as he went straight to the oldies section and pulled out some vinyl records Harry recognized from the 70's, by their washed out colors and bubble letters.

Ron amused himself by trying out the listening stations and commenting on how strange some of the music was loudly to the store as he listened to it. Tonks surprised them all by perusing the classical music. Harry couldn't imagine the visually shocking Auror to be a symphony lover.

Bob stood silently by the entrance often confusing shoppers into thinking he was security.

:-..-..-..-..-:

The four made their way out of the store a good hour later with Neville having Harry purchase him a record labelled 'the kinks'. Harry being the only one with Muggle money; Harry quickly eased his friends mind after he promised to pay him back the sixth time.

"You know what Neville… consider it a belated birthday present." Harry said after he realized he had forgotten that Neville's birthday had passed a day before his own little production.

Neville paused and looked at Harry in surprise. "How did you know it was my birthday?" He asked shocked.

Harry was about to reply from the headmaster but decided to be a little more vague.

"I have my ways…"

He had truly learned about it the same day he learned the prophecy… Harry wasn't worried about leaking information about it to Neville… but he seemed to associate that particular kernel of knowledge with Neville's parents. It was ridiculous, and it was illogical… but for whatever reason his mind had concocted… Harry considered all the knowledge he had gained in the headmaster's office about the other child… taboo.

Neville smiled and thanked Harry profusely while clinging to his gift a little tighter.

:-..-..-..-..-:

It was getting late and the group had decided to head back… Harry was reasonably sure that when he got home he would be immediately tackled by the curious females about his disappearance but considered it his price for excluding them from their day out.

He still wasn't going to tell them anything he didn't want to, but he had had a relaxing day with his mates and was reasonably calmer than he was the night before.

"Mommy look… their doing magic!" an excited squeal was heard from a girl.

The effect of the little girl's proclamation was immediate as she dragged her mother in the groups general direction. Bob quickly pulled his wand out from regions unknown and Tonks took up an alert stance while herding the trio away from the girl. The boys all kept their hands on their wands as they watched the girl warily and wondered how they were ousted.

'Did I do accidental magic?' Harry thought.

Bob aimed his wand at the girl discreetly as she continued her hurried pace. There was a noticeable ripple in the crowd of Muggles as a few more turned their heads at the girls excited statement and looked in their directions… Some held wide eyes while some like the girl started to make their way hurriedly toward the group.

"God Damn it! Here you three, I'm going to portkey you out of here. On 5 it will take you to the boardroom in the citadel… inform Dumbledore we got an exposure situation. You got that" Tonks hurriedly questioned as she pulled out a metal object that looked like a 10 way brass knuckle.

"What about you…" Ron asked hurriedly. Harry guessed for Ron and Neville this was like a nightmare gone horribly wrong. To be the ones caught by Muggles as witches and wizards must have been every purebloods worst nightmare.

"We got to contain the situation as much as we can… now line…up?" Tonks trailed off as the little girl and her mother ran past them followed by an ever growing handful of people. They ran right by the previously panicking group up the street..

Harry looked toward where they were going and openly gaped.

There, dressed in black and cream colored business attire, was a pair of women who were openly transfiguring a penny into balloons for a group of ever growing children.

"Ohhh…" Neville said in relieved comprehension.

"Is that one of them?" Ron asked a little star struck. Harry blinked confusedly for a few seconds before he realized that neither woman was carrying a wand.

"They're the 7800?" he said in startled realization. He was a little bit more shocked by the fact that he had just walked right by the two and never considered it. There were no distinguishable marks of any kind to mark them as different. He had actually thought the two were middle aged secretaries or office workers just finishing work.

"Errr… right… doesn't matter you three…we have standing orders to stay away from them… we're getting out of here." With that she pulled Harry and Neville towards the entrance of the leaky cauldron and had them cling to the brass knuckled portkey before rapidly counting to 5.

Harry felt the tugging sensation he had associated with portkey travel tug on his organs as he was pulled into a blinding swirl of colors and spit out onto the floor of the boardroom. Neville and Ron ended up dog piling him as they arrived and leaving Harry sore all over.

"Mr. Potter, is everything alright down there."

Harry recognized the voice of Dumbledore ask as he fought to regain footing.

"Sorry proffes….or" Harry blushed slightly as he took in the table full of what looked like dignitaries watching him, some with amused smiles, others stern scowls disapproving of their entrance.

"Oh, Don't mind them Mr. Potter the meeting was coming to a close, but I assume because you portkeyed here, you three used the emergency portkey… I must know the situation." Dumbledore said authoritatively… all traces of the jovial old man vanishing immediately.

"Right… um we were in Muggle London when we ran into two of the 7800 Tonks lead us to the leaky Cauldron and portkeyed us away as a crowd was forming." Harry said quickly.

"How did you know they were 7800 Mr. Potter" a familiar voice wheedled from across the table.

"They were transfiguring things into balloons for some children…" Harry trailed off as he turned to see the familiar lime green bowler hat of minister Fudge. Harry scowled at the minister openly as he had not intended to ever see the man again after last year.

'Little man must have been released already… shame'

"Thank you Mr. Potter, I'm sorry if this may seem rude but I must attend to the matter immediately. Please find your own way back to your quarters." The professor said kindly if not quickly as he watched the minister start to bluster.

Harry with the help of Ron Pulled Neville up off the floor and made their way to their rooms to the shouting of the minister exclaiming how he would show those Muggles.

:-..-..-..-..-:

The trio made their way to their suits, discussing the events of their afternoon.

"How do you think they managed it?" Ron asked

"I'm not sure, I never saw any kind of wand on them… can magic be done without a wand" Harry asked curiously.

"No, it's not possible for us to do any kind of focused magic without them… or something like them." Neville explained patiently.

"You think the Muggles figured out a way?" Ron asked in awe.

"No. I remember one of Gran's friends telling me about why we need wands. Something about magical poisoning and stuff like that… she was a retired unspeakable." Neville explained.

As they reached their door Harry remembered the glow he noticed around the women's sleeve he saw on the TV.

"Where on earth were you three?" a shrill screech echoed around the walls as they entered their shared common room.

'And it begins…'

"Hello Hermione… how was your day?" Harry said tiredly as Ron and Neville winced in sync.

"Don't Hello Hermione me… where were you?" She demanded. Hermione was striding forward from a table with a pile of books, while Ginny got up from the couch she had been sitting on next to Luna with.

Ginny quickly adopted a pose similar to that of her mothers and looked at the three sternly.

Harry was a little concerned by the fact that Luna hadn't turned her head or done anything to acknowledge their presence.

"We just went to get our school supplies… Neville said helpfully if not a little meekly.

Even though Neville had developed his confidence quite a bit since they first met… girls were still his weakness. Especially angry ones.

"What are you talking about, we haven't even gotten our letters yet… you don't know what to get." Hermione argued snappishly.

"Tonks gave us our O.W.L.'s in the morning…" Ron added unhelpfully.

'Damn…' Harry knew what was going to come next.

"WHAT! Why didn't she give me mine!" Hermione boomed. Everyone in the room winced at her tone of voice.

"She was with us all day." Harry said firmly. Hermione turned her ire to Harry and paused at the angry stare she was receiving back.

She seemed to consider her actions for a moment before resolutely raising her chin and staring Harry down.

"What did you get"

"For?"

"Your O.W.L.'s"

"7"

"What subjects?"

"Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defence, Herbology, Astronomy, and Hagrid's class."

"How many O's?"

"Enough…"

She paused to glare irritated at him for not telling her but said nothing.

"Why were you avoiding me?"

"What were you going to ask me when you saw me this morning."

"What professor Dumbledore told you in his office…"

"That's why"

"You shouldn't hide things from your friends…"

"My friends shouldn't pry into my private matters"

"Friends don't keep secrets…"

"Why didn't you tell me and Ron about the Time Turner?"

"That was different… it was important to keep it a secret."

"How do you know my secret isn't the same?"

"Do you have a time turner?"

"No"

"Then it's not the same…"

"Says the person who doesn't know what the secret is."

Harry knew that was a little bit of a jibe but this interrogation was quickly ruining his mood. Hermione coloured brightly but said nothing of the matter.

There was an awkward pause where no one said anything; everyone's eyes were on the pair of Muggle raised hot heads. Neither had so openly fought in front of so many friends before, and neither had ever been this heated.

"Show me your O.W.L.'s"

"Excuse me?"

"Give me your O.W.L.'s I want to see them."

Ron and Neville were automatically reaching into their back and jacket pockets retrieving them at her command.

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said no."

"If you don't show me, I'll just assume you did horribly…"

"That's fine"

Hermione grit her teeth as she had expected Harry to cave in after being confronted with being deemed inadequate. To be honest she had expected him to cave in the moment she had yelled at him.

"Show me your results Harry"

"I already told you, no."

"Neville, what did he get?"

Harry was incensed that Hermione would try to subvert his wishes so.

"Harry said he doesn't want you to know… I couldn't tell you even if I knew"

Harry was impressed and grateful for Neville's show of support. He had stuttered his response but he had still stood his ground for him. Harry sent Neville a thankful head nod while sending Hermione a scathing look.

"I think you should go."

"What?" The girl asked in surprise.

"I think you should go… I'm not in the mood to deal with you after that"

"You can't kick us out" Hermione asked in outrage.

"It's our suite, and I agree with Harry… you went too far Hermione." Ron said in support as he stood to the right of Harry crossing his arms. "Besides we aren't kicking everyone out… just you."

Hermione looked hurt but turned her stare toward the last male. "Neville?"

Neville panicked but did not look in Hermione's direction as he said…

"Its 2 to 3… I'm not voting anyway… good night" Neville all but vanished as he sprinted to the closest room which was conveniently his to begin with.

An awkward silence continued before Hermione huffed and went back to her table and gathered a pile of books, and stormed past the duo. Knocking shoulders with Harry as she shoved past them.

Ginny looked panicky between Hermione and Harry but wisely decided to just follow the previous girl and exited without preamble.

Luna slowly stood and smoothed down her long white skirt and frilly knitted sweater. She gathered what Harry guessed was her traveler bag and slowly made her way toward the door.

"Luna, you don't have to go." Harry said calmly. He had noticed that the girl had not shown any reaction to Harry whatsoever and worried he might have hurt her feelings.

She paused at his words… each facing the opposite direction. Luna, the door; Harry, the couch she had been occupying.

"I wouldn't have questioned you, you know?"

"I know"

"Good… Goodnight Ronald… Harry…"

And with that she left the room.

AN: This is becoming all angsty… damn. I guess I naturally write the junk. I said earlier that I would try to write Hermione to be less bashable… that will come, but it was necessary for her to react this way for future events in my outline.

For those of you worried Ron's going to be all supportive of Harry for everything… wait till next chapter. Ron's going to be a good character in my story but that doesn't mean he will agree with Harry on everything. Just wait and see…

I think I finally got my Neville persona right. You're going to get a lot of his character next chapter and see some insight into his character.

Luna… Luna acted the way I thought Luna would react but I can understand if you guys are worried she's becoming a bit angsty as well. I'll give you a little insight into my Luna.

She does believe in all the stuff she talks about… whether they are true or not who's to say. But she is also a teen girl who is trying to find acceptance in her peer group. Harry's friends are accepting of her… mostly…. And she has never had that.

Try and place yourself in the mind of that Luna. My Luna is a free spirit but she is also Lonely.

Anyway… the last bit I thought I should address was Harry's fantastic grades. The practical stuff for most of the exams I figured were spells he had already learned and as McGonagall has demonstrated in cannon, "you don't get it right in class you keep studying it until you do or I ride your arse to France." The only way to lose marks for a practical is to not know how to do a spell, or to do it incorrectly in some fashion. The Written stuff is the part where I figure most of the marks will depend upon. As examiners become nitpicky. There is a reason why I included the first bit of this chapter. It will show up later but you guys will probably already be able to figure it out. Theory is not even covered in the exam…. Umbridge.

Other than that… Hermione doesn't seem the type to not force her friends and any other passer-by to study when exams approach and especially not with O.W.L.'s.

Also My Harry is smart… I'm not going to deny it; he is just used to being put down so he always expects less from his efforts. This is also going to factor into my story. Harry's got to have some stuff going for him …

Anyway… another long Authors Note…points to anyone who can guess what minor detail I mentioned in this chapter will play into the next. Hint: has to do with Neville.