Disclaimer: I do not, in anyway own the wonderful world of Harry Potter, or Charmed. I am just dabbling in the world they left for us.

Chapter 33

She Had it coming

Last Time

"We now have the two duelers for our next match and they are, Cho Chang; of Ravenclaw, and Ginny Weasley; of Gryffindor."

It was a beautiful Friday morning and the halls of Hogwarts School were bathed in silence. The only movement in the castle was in a small, but spacious room which currently housed all of the teachers, who were poised and ready for the weekly staff meeting.

"Thank you all for finding time in your busy schedules to attend this staff meeting." the Headmaster said with a smile. "Now the first thing on the agenda is to offer congratulations to the Tournament Head, Mr. Bixby for a job well done so far." All of the teachers assembled around the table either clapped their hands or bowed their head at the smiling man.

"Thank you Headmaster and I do hope that you all enjoyed the two duels last week, I know I sure did." Bixby said as he looked around the table. There were some smiles but some just nodded their heads not showing any emotion.

"I believe I can speak for all those present here when I say that we have all enjoyed the festivities that you have provided." Dumbledore said. "Also, deciding to have the duel between Neville Longbottom and Terry Boot in the middle of the week was a great way to give the students some fun."

"Well that is what I was hoping for Headmaster." Bixby said.

"I am sorry to interrupt Headmaster" Professor Flitwick said "But I just wanted to say what an amazing young man Neville is becoming. He won his
duel with such ease. I honestly would not have thought to use the 'Lumos' charm in the way he did."

"Indeed" Dumbledore started "Harry's battle against Ernie was just as good. He too is becoming a talented wizard, just like his James." he finished with a smile.

"Ah, but Headmaster, he has Lily's heart." The tiny Flitwick said.

Dumbledore nodded at the diminutive Professors comment. Harry did have the same care for others Lily had, but he, Albus, could not ignore the fact that Harry had inherited the hot-headedness of his family. "How is the boy performing in class?" he asked to the table at large.

"Mr. Potter." McGonagall said "has a firmer grasp on the workings of magic. He can conjure/transfigure anything now. When he first did a conjuring spell I thought it had been luck, so at a later date I had him do something else. Each time I went up in the level of difficulty and he matched it."

"I thought it was just in my class he has had an easier time with." The Charms Professor said.

"Even in Potions Headmaster" Professor Sparks began "According to my predecessor, Harry has no talent for the subject, though on the first day of class he told me not only what the potion did, but how everything worked together with ease."

Albus Dumbledore listened to the responses from all of Harry's professors and committed to memory all of the important information. "Mr. McCreedy, you have yet to give your opinion on Mr. Potter." The Headmaster said as he looked at the defense teacher.

"He is holding back" was all McCreedy said before taking a sip of tea.

"Minerva" Dumbledore said coming out of his silent reverie "Could find Mr. Potter and send him here please."

"Of course" she replied leaving the room.

When she had gone, the Headmaster turned his attention back to the other professors and said "Thank you all for coming today and I look forward to next Friday, as well as seeing you tonight for the duel between Miss. Chang and Miss. Weasley."

As the teachers were heading out, Professor McCreedy turned to Dumbledore and asked "Sir, may I have a word?"

"Of course, in fact you may have as many as you like." Albus Dumbledore said with a smile as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth.

"Thank you, I was just going to inform you that I will be unable to teach my sixth year class today due to personal reasons."

"And you need me to find someone to be a stand in?" The Head asked with a smile.

"Actually sir, Mr. Bixby has already agreed to cover for me. I figured that since he is the Tournament Head, that he would be the right choice." McCreedy responded.

"I see no reason why that would not work, as long as you are sure." Dumbledore said.

"Thank you for understanding sir." McCreedy said as he headed for the door. When he opened it he found Harry Potter getting ready to knock.

"I'm sorry sir; I was told that the Headmaster wished to see me." Harry said looking at his defense teacher.

"Ah, Harry, thank you for coming." Albus said appearing behind McCreedy.

"You have a good day Headmaster, Mr. Potter."

"You as well Dargus." Dumbledore said.

"Yes, have a good day sir." Harry added.

Looking down at Harry, Dumbledore smiled and said "Come on in Harry."

Nodding, Harry stepped into the now empty room. Seeing that the Headmaster had taken the only seat, Harry took out his wand and conjured a chair; not unlike those found in the Gryffindor common room. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly at this, as he had been the one to banish all of the chairs moments ago.

"Nicely done Harry."

"Thank you sir." Harry replied.

"You are very welcome."

They sat in silence for a few minutes both lost in their thoughts. Just when Harry was about to say something the Headmaster broke the silence that had settle over them. "Now Harry, I called you here because I wanted to apologize for the incident over the summer. I could have handled it in a differently."

"Sir it is water under the bridge now and I would appreciate it if it could be left in the past." Harry responded.

"Of course and now I was hoping to discuss your classes. Your teachers have all expressed that you seem to be exceeding all of their expectations and seem to be holding back, would you care to explain." Dumbledore said with a smile.

It was not a question and Harry knew it. "Well sir" Harry started "This past summer I did a lot of studying and exercises and I guess that it paid off."

Dumbledore just looked at him. He knew that Harry would divulge nothing willingly and any attempt the probe his mind would be met with a force he would not want to face. He was not scared, just cautious, and needing earn what little trust he could.

"Harry, I was hoping that you could at least answer just one or two questions without being so cryptic."

"Sir, to be honest you have done nothing but try and find out where I was and control me since I got back" Harry paused to collect his thoughts and emotions. It would do no good to lose his cool in front of the Headmaster. "However, I will concede to your request." He finished.

Albus smiled and began with his first question "Did you use magic wherever you were?"

Harry frowned slightly before answering "Yes." Did the Headmaster forget about him appearing in his office and then asking him about it during their first meeting?

Nodding his head in understanding Albus continued "now this next question is a bit personal, but as I really need to know, I hope you can answer it."

Harry just looked at Dumbledore. He wanted to say 'Forget it, I should not have answered your first question, let alone a second', but he just sat there looking at the aged man in front of him. The Headmaster was old and wise but he still had some learning to do. Though he knew it would not happen overnight.

"Wherever you were this past summer, did the people you stay with treat you well? I mean they did not harm you did they?" Albus Dumbledore asked.

Harry was caught off guard with this question, though he did not show it. A question about what he had studied or the exercises he had done was what he had expected the man to ask. Not about his well being. He sat there for a moment just looking at the Headmaster, thinking about his answer.

"I was cared more for this past summer, than I had ever been in the fifteen years I had lived at the Dursley's." Harry answered.

"But Harry, the Dursley's are your family and that is why I must insist that you return to them for the holidays. Your being away from them during the summer did not have the desired affects on the wards as it should have."

"I am not going back there" Harry said as he stood up "If this is the reason you asked me here then you wasted your time." Harry finished matter of factly.

"I apologized to you for my behavior Harry." Dumbledore said.

Harry was livid, 'did the Headmaster think that by saying what he had would change his mind.' Harry thought to himself. "Your "apology" was just so you could get me here and subtly steer the conversation to my personal life? Heck, maybe you only apologized so that you could sleep better at night, I don't know." Harry paused to calm himself and to collect his thoughts "Like I have said before, you only have say when it comes to my schooling and even then you are just my Headmaster. Where I go or what I do on holiday is my business and that will never change."

Finished with telling the Headmaster off, Harry turned on his heel and opened the door, leaving a quiet Albus Dumbledore to his thoughts. "I am sorry you feel that way my boy" Dumbledore said aloud, looking at the still open door in front of him "But what I must do next is for the greater good".

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Harry walked to potions still seething from the meeting with the Dumbledore. The old man had apologized, but only to clear his own conscience. How many of these so called "meetings" was Harry going to be called on before the Headmaster finally saw reason. If all Dumbledore was going to do in every one of them was try to meddle in his life; a life which it appeared the old man had little regard for, Harry would not take part in it. At times Harry just wanted to tell him everything; what had happened over the summer, the fact that Lily and James were not his parents, that he did not need a wand for most spells any more just to shut him up. He could tell him if he really wanted to, but he also knew that when the time was right for Albus Dumbledore to know he would come clean about everything and not a moment sooner.

He was so deep in thought that he had apparently missed the fact that he had walked right into the potions classroom and was now standing at the front, right next to the professor. "You are late Mr. Potter." Professor Sparks said.

Jostled out of his thoughts he looked at the teacher sheepishly and said "I'm sorry ma'am. I must have zoned out there for a second, I was with the Headmaster, though he did not give me a note."

"I merely stated a fact Mr. Potter. I knew where you were; now please take your seat." She replied a little harshly.

Harry nodded and moved to sit with Hermione, who was currently sitting alone at her workstation. "Where's Ron?" He asked as he slipped in next to her.

"Madam Pomfery" She answered as she pulled her quill in front of her, ready to take whatever notes she could. "He got hit with a boil hex and it got pretty bad."

"Slytherins" Harry stated as he sent a glare over to the group of green and silver. "They can't even lose with honor. I mean that duel between him and Malfoy was a month ago."

"Which is why, Professor McCreedy took one hundred points and assigned detention to every Slytherin present at the time." Hermione said with a smile.

Harry was about to comment but was unable to as the Potions Professor started to speak. "I hope you all had a good week and are looking forward to the duel tonight" there were a few nods to her comment but nothing more.

"Well, today well will be concocting a potion that will test your brewing skills greatly" she paused for dramatic effect and let what she had said sink in, smirking she continued "The potion in question is called 'Induxi Pavoris' in Latin, but for those who primarily speak English, it is called ' The Fear Inducer'. The instructions are on the board, begin."

Harry looked at the board carefully and began to write down the ingredients and the directions. He was just about to go to the student cabinet and get what he would need when he looked over at Hermione. She was sitting stock still, eyes not leaving the black board. Harry then turned his head to the board and then back to his friend and asked "Hermione, are you okay?"

He thought that he was going to ask her again, but a quiet voice broke the silence between them. "Harry" Hermione breathed "This is classified as a Class-M restricted potion, while not illegal; it is treading a fine line when you brew it. She really should have chosen a different potion for us to make."

Harry just looked at her and asked "What is so bad about this potion?"

"Its effect on the victim is ten-times worse than that of a Dementor."

"Oh" Was all Harry could say. He would not want to be on the receiving end of this potion.

"Class-M or not, we have an assignment to do and the sooner it is over the better." Hermione whispered to Harry as she stood and headed to the cupboard. Harry shook his head and smiled, 'leave it to Hermione to be "concerned" about an assignment but still go for the grade.

An hour and a half later Harry walked up to the front of the classroom and set his potion vial in front of his professor and went to collect his things. This potion was indeed hard but having followed the instructions to the letter and the color of his potion the dull gray it was supposed to be, he was sure that he would be given an 'O'.

He and Hermione chatted on their way down to the Great Hall for lunch about the duel that was going to happen that night. Both of them were confident that Ginny would wipe the floor with Cho. Once the ball had been announced, Cho had seemed to have made it her personal mission to get Harry alone to "talk" with him. Thankfully Harry knew enough about Hogwarts and also had the sense to carry his invisibility cloak to make himself scarce whenever she came round. His friends, or rather so-called friends had laughed the first couple of times it had happened, but even they could only take so much and it was then that they helped Harry out. Whether it was making excuses about not knowing where he was or just not saying anything at all. He was thankful that they were now helping him.

Just as they were rounding the corner in the Entrance Hall, Harry turned to Hermione and asked "Do you think Ron will have been put right in time for lunch?" But just as Hermione was about to answer there was a holler across the Hall. Ron was sitting there, mouth full of food, and beckoning them over to two extra seats that he had saved.

Hermione just shook her head as they walked over to their red haired friend. "Couldn't wait to eat until we got here could you?" she asked rhetorically.

Ron just looked at her and said "What, I was hungry".

"I think that we have established that you are always hungry Ron" Harry put in jokingly. As soon as they sat down, both Hermione and Harry began to load their plates with all of their favorite foods and the three friends were soon bathed in silence, each lost to their own thoughts. While Harry was eating he looked up to the Head Table and began to observe the Professors. Hagrid was drinking deeply from his silver goblet. Professor McGonagall, it seemed, was having a heated discussion with Professor Vector. The Headmaster was as omnipotent as ever, looking over the sea of students before him. Professor Bixby, with a ridiculous smile on his face, was talking to Professor McCreedy, who was frowning slightly. It happened very suddenly. Professor McCreedy looked from Bixby and stared right into Harry's eyes- and a sharp, heavy pain pulled at Harry's chest.

Harry's breath hitched in his chest and a low 'hiss' of air was pulled into his lungs.

"What is it?" asked Hermione.

"N-nothing." The stitch had gone as quickly as it had come. Harder to shake off was the feeling Harry had gotten while his eyes had been locked with the Defense Professor-a feeling that he didn't like at all.

"You're lying" Hermione stated "What happened?"

Harry shook his head and said "Later" in barley a whisper.

She frowned, but went back to her lunch. He was sure that she was no doubt trying to figure out what had happened. What was he going to tell them; he wasn't even sure what had happened himself. He needed to talk to someone from 'home', but he needed to be alone while he did so. With a sigh he went back to his lunch and put the incident out of his thoughts until he could take the time to focus on it. All too soon Hermione was pulling Ron and Harry to their Defense class. Now that they had a competent Professor teaching the subject, she was as eager as ever to not miss one moment of it.

When they arrived to the Defense room they saw the doors open and half the class already seated. Moving down the aisle they went to their normal spots in the middle-front of the room. Shortly after they took their seats, the class filed in. The room was humming with the quiet murmur of all of the different voices chatting about their missing teacher. "Maybe he decided to skip", or "Did the curse get him early?" were just some of the things Harry heard from those around him.

Harry and his friends shared a look as well. Their teacher was always on time and was never out. Ron just shrugged his shoulders, while Hermione pulled out a book and started to read, and Harry just leaned back into his chair and looked around the room at all of the students. He found himself doing this quite a lot lately, just 'watching' people. It was strangely calming.

Then without warning, the air around them crackled with magic causing the hairs on the back of Harry's neck to stand upright. "Everyone, Shield Charms NOW!!!" Harry yelled out. As soon as he had yelled several red beams of light were zooming towards the students from all directions. Some of them hit a few students. One of which was Draco Malfoy. Smirking, Harry moved swiftly into the middle of the room.

"All of you" Harry called to the room at large, "Move slowly but quickly and get to the middle of the room with me. Then we can take out our attacker."

No one spoke against him and did as they were told. Soon they were all standing back to back in a perfect circle. "Now every other person point your wand outward, everyone else point your wands up and say the shield charm" Harry paused mid-sentence and made a split second decision and moved into the middle of the circle and then yelled "NOW!!" While everyone yelled out "Protego", Harry cried "Expelliarmus" wand raised above his head.

For a moment there was silence and not a move was made. Out of nowhere a single wand flew into the outstretched hand of a smiling Harry Potter. "Did we pass sir?" Harry asked as he looked around the seemingly empty room expecting their teacher to step forward from some unknown shadow. At this point everyone was now looking around the room trying to find out where this person was hiding. That's when they all heard it, a soft chuckling coming from right above them. They all turned their heads towards the ceiling and were surprised at what they found.

It was not in fact their Defense Professor at all. It was Mr. Bixby and without warning he waved his hand and his wand flew from Harry's grasp and into his own. With a quick tap of the wand on his feet began to fall to the floor. Most of the girls screamed at seeing this, Harry and his friends just smiled. Mr. Bixby landed on both feet with elegance not usually seen and threw a smile at those who had screamed. "Well, what do you say we start class?" he asked as he walked to the front of the room, reviving those who had been hit with the stunning spell.

"H-how did you stay up there?" A Ravenclaw, that Harry didn't know, asked.

Bixby looked at the person who had asked that question and then looked around the room and noticed that every eye was on him, awaiting his answer. With a smirk he said "I'm a vampire."

The effect was instantaneous, and like a wave, the gasps of shock swept over the students in front of him. They stood like this for about a minute before Mr. Bixby started to laugh. "I'm just kidding" he said with a smile. After another moment, the students started to relax and some even laughed half-heartedly. Deciding that now was the opportune time to start the lesson Mr. Bixby said "You obviously have noticed that your regular Professor is out but that does not mean that you won't still learn something. Today we are going to be going over dueling and surprise attacks, because you can never be too careful in these dark times." He paused a moment and let his eyes fall onto Harry and then said "Mr. Potter, take 40 points for your quick action today." Harry nodded and while he was grateful for the points something the Professor had said had struck a cord in him. Something that he would need to speak to his friends about later when there weren't so many people around.

He had been so deep in thought that he had nearly missed what the interim Professor had said. "…But all that aside, can anyone tell me what the difference and similarities are between just plain old dueling and being caught off guard by your attacker?"

The rest of the class period was spent with Bixby going on about all the different styles of dueling and the different techniques that most duelers will use; some if not most of which are put together piece by piece by the dueler him/or herself. All in all their defense class for the day had been one of the best that the trio had ever had. Not including Remus, and what he had taught them back in third year. On their way to the Great Hall for dinner, Ron even got Hermione to agree to the fact that Crouch Jr. had done some good lessons.

Dinner that night was not quiet, to say the least. Everybody kept talking about the upcoming duel between Ginny and Cho. There were even some people taking bets on who would win it. When Harry looked at Ginny halfway through the meal he saw that she was not fazed in the slightest by all the chatter. She had a mask on her face that spoke volumes. She was composed and ready for this duel and nothing was going to break her. Harry briefly glanced over at the Ravenclaw table and saw Cho sitting there with a calm look on her face, though Harry could tell that she was getting nervous. "Don't worry Ginny; it's all going to turn out the way it should." Harry told her calmly. She nodded in response, smiled and took another bite of her food.

The rest of dinner passed by without any incident and as soon as the table was void of anything on them the Headmaster stood up and said "Now that we have all been fed and watered I do believe it is time for a duel." and with a wave of his hand all of the tables vanished. Some of the students gasped but were moving to get off the benches before they too disappeared. Once everyone was up against the wall, the dueling platform appeared and Tournament Head Bixby could be found walking up the steps with a broad smile on his face.

"Welcome everyone to another night of our Dueling Tournament, which if you ask me, I am sure that we are in for a show tonight." He paused to let the applause settle down and then continued. "Tonight we will be seeing, for the first and only time in this tournament, two female duelists pitted against each other for a spot in the final four." There
was more applause this time and it took some time for them to quiet down. When they finally did Bixby had started to speak again "Will Miss. Weasley and Miss. Chang please come up to the stage."

Ginny and Cho made their way up the steps to the sounds of thunderous clapping. They turned to face the crowed when they arrived next to Mr. Bixby and waved at those assembled. "Okay now you two know the drill, the shield will come up and you can began when the bell tolls." The two girls nodded and turned to face each other, pulling out their wands as they did so. As soon as Bixby left the stage the shield went up and somewhere in the hall a bell tolled.

Ginny and Cho just stared at each other, both of them unmoving. Then, in a flurry of movement the duel started; both girls sending hex after hex at each other. This went on for some time, each girl exchanging spells trying to trip the other up. They seemed to be evenly matched in their knowledge of spells and their ability to cast them. With none of the spells not finding its mark, people were beginning to get restless. They were surprised however when the first spell to make it through one of their defenses and sent Ginny flying through the air.

When she got up to her feet, Ginny had this look of pure loathing on her face. From where Harry was standing it looked as though Ginny was talking to herself. He guessed that she may be chiding herself for letting one of Cho's spells through. "Harry, look at Ginny." Hermione said whispering in his ear. Brought out of his musings, Harry looked back up at Ginny and smiled at what he saw. The two Girls were circling each other, Cho smirking at Ginny who was slowly moving her wand in a motion that Harry did not recognize.

Then without warning Ginny finished her wand waving and yelled out "Vertere Turpo"and with a jab of her wand she sent the spell sailing towards her opponent, who had just brought up a shield. Unfortunately for Cho, this spell is able to be blocked with a simple charm. Which is why there was a look of surprise on her face as the spell went made it through her shield and hit her in the chest. Ginny smirked as the blue light from her spell spread all across the Ravenclaws body. Not waiting for Cho to make her a move against her, she sent another spell at the unsuspecting witch.

"Terricula Defixum"

Ron winced at the sound of the spell that Ginny had yelled. "The Bat Bogey hex." He said leaning over to Harry, who also winced. He had been on the receiving end of that spell by accident. It had been meant for Ron. Which is why, when the spell hit Cho in the face Harry smiled.

When the spell had hit her in the face Cho had started to scream, and brought her hands up shielding it from view. What Ginny did next surprised them all. She conjured a mirror. "Cho look." Ginny yelled out. And in one swift movement she sent the mirror over to her. When Cho dropped her hands from her face she picked up the small object and looked into it and what she saw made her scream. She looked ugly; all of her makeup and charms that kept her looking beautiful had been nullified. She no longer looked the bell of the ball, now she just looked…plain. All dignity and wand aside, she stood up, growled and ran full on, right towards Ginny, who just stood there.

Ginny made no movement, not even to cast another spell to end the duel; she just let Cho run at her. When the Ravenclaw was just about in front of Ginny, arms extended as if to choke her opponent, did the red head make a move. With one swift movement, Ginny lifted her whole arm backwards and then pumped it in an upward motion catching Cho just under the jaw; effectively knocking out the Ravenclaw witch.

Not a sound was heard throughout the entire Great Hall as the protective shield over the stage fell. It was when Ginny turned to the crowed and said "She had it coming." that all hell broke loose. The cheers were deafening, and it took some time before the professors were able to calm everyone down. As Mr. Bixby was walking up the steps to the stage, the last of the joyous roars came to an abrupt end when he lifted his wand and shot off a spell that sounded like a cannon.

"Thank you so very much to our two duelers, Miss. Chang and Miss. Weasley, for such a great display of magic and the physical combat. The use of physical force to incapacitate your opponent, while not usually seen in a duel with magic, it has won Miss. Weasley the last spot in the final four."

"She cheated, and did not use magic to beat me." The recently revived Cho Chang exclaimed angrily.

"Miss. Chang, please control yourself" Bixby said "Miss. Weasley has won the duel fairly and was well within the rules of the tournament. Congratulations Weasley."

"Thank you very much sir." Ginny said ecstatically.

"You are very welcome" Bixby said with a smile, and then turning to the room at large "Now; I do hope that you will all join us here next time for the first round of our final four. But now it is time for us to adjourn to our respective rooms and get ready for bed."

There were several groans at this, but those were soon hushed by the many professors. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all waited in the Entrance Hall until the hordes of students had died down. They stood there chatting for some time but stopped abruptly when Professor McCreedy walked in through the main doors to the school. "Potter, with me now." He called not breaking his stride.

"I had better follow him guys, I will meet you all in the common room later." Harry called as he ran after the defense professor; who was already halfway down the hall.

"Careful mate." Ron called out after Harry, who waved his hand in response.

Harry followed the defense professor silently for some time not daring to speak. He seemed to be lost in thought, and Harry did not want to interrupt him. 'Could it have something to do with why he missed class?' Harry thought. As they kept walking Harry noticed that they were heading towards the defense classroom and it was not long before the professor led him through the door to the room. Harry decided that it would be best if he just waited at the back of the room until his teacher was ready for him.

"What are you doing here Potter?" Professor McCreedy exclaimed.

Harry just stared at the Defense Professor in confusion "You told me to follow you sir." He answered quickly.

"I have too much work to do having missed class, so go" McCreedy said briskly.

Harry just stood there watching the man rummage through the papers that littered the desk. When the Professor looked up and saw Harry still standing there he yelled at Harry "Leave…NOW!"

Deciding against pushing his luck, Harry ran toward the closest stairs and headed for where his friends were. Taking a few short-cuts here and there so that he could get to where he wanted as soon as he could.

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Ginny, Ron and Hermione just stood there watching their friends retreating back as he headed off with the defense professor. "Well, I say we head up to the common room." But just as Ron made to leave there was a flash of white fire and an envelope fell to the ground in the middle of the three of them. He bent down to pick it up but Hermione beat him to it.

"Ginny, it's for you." She said handing to her friend.

Ginny took the envelope calmly in her hand and began to open it. Inside there was a single piece of parchment with the words 'By the Lake'. Smiling Ginny turned to her brother and Hermione and said "I will meet you all in the common room later." and ran out the still open doors.

She had been hoping that he would call on her again and now, on the night that she made the final four, he sends a message telling her to meet him. Could it a coincidence that it was now, on the night that she had won that he had decided to ask her to meet him? Had he seen the duel? So many questions she still had that she wanted to ask him. When she drew closer to the lake she saw him sitting there with a few candles lit floating above the water. She also noticed that the Giant Squid was out in the distance moving this way and that, causing the water to splash back up on the shore, though not too close to where the figure was sitting.

As she approached she saw the figure stand and walk over to greet her. He lifted his hand and held it open for her to take. Smiling she took his hand and noticed that it was slightly warm and that it fit around hers just right. She was so busy thinking about how gently he was holding her hand that she had missed what he had said, so she asked him politely to repeat what he had said.

"Congratulations on winning the duel and getting into the final four."

So he had been there, well there was one question down. "I am glad that you enjoyed it." She responded and as he led her to her seat she now noticed that there was a red and white checkered blanket lying over the slightly wet grass. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He said.

They sat in silence for a few moments just staring out at the Giant Squid spinning lazily in the water creating large ripples. "Ginny?" the figure asked.

"Yes, Flynn." She answered using the fake name.

"Well, I wanted to ask you something, but if you would rather I wait I will." Flynn said cryptically.

Ginny was curious now as to what he wanted to ask her. "Go on." She prompted.

"I was hoping that you would just think about going to the ball with me. You don't have to answer now as I just want you to think about it." Flynn started "I will do it properly, closer to the dance but yea…"

Ginny was caught off guard. She had really not expected for him to ask. 'Okay, so maybe I did want him to ask. But should I? That is the question I need to be asking myself.' Ginny said to herself.

"I'll think about it." She replied.

"That is all I ask, but now, I have wasted enough of your time and you need to head back so that your friends don't worry." Flynn said as he helped her to her feet.

"You're right; it was good to see you again." Ginny said as they began to walk toward the double doors.

"And it was good to see you again as well." He said as he let go of her hand, something that he wished that he did not have to do.

"Have a good night Flynn." Ginny called out as she went inside.

"Don't forget to think about it." He called out after her. Though the only response he got was a smile.

Walking back down the steps he made his way back to the lake to clean up where they had been sitting. After banishing the last candle he straightened back up and looked out over the rippling surface that the squid was still creating. Smiling he took off his cloak and let the gentle breeze wrap itself around him. He took out his wand and conjured some food and threw it out into the middle of the lake as close to the squid as he could get. All of a sudden his eyes flashed white and he was enveloped in pure white flames, speckled with black leaving the Giant Squid alone. Though a lingering "Thank you friend" could be heard flowing out across the lake out to where a lone tentacle could be found waving back and forth in goodbye.

Hpgwhpgwhpgwhpgwhp

Ginny walked to the common room at a slow, but steady speed thinking about her lake-side rendezvous. She was so lost in thought that she soon found herself standing in front of the fat lady, who was currently asking for the password. "Ferret." She said with a smile and climbed through the now open portrait hole. Ron had suggested that password after he had won the duel with Malfoy but as they had a password at the time; the prefect had said that they could use it later. When she walked into the common room there was a lone figure sitting in its favorite squishy armchair. "Hey Harry. She called.

"Oh, hey Ginny, how'd the meeting with Flynn go?" Harry asked as he shut the book he had been writing in closed.

"Good, what're doing?"

"Oh, I was just writing to one of the people I stayed with over the summer. They should be getting back to me in a second." Harry answered as he showed Ginny the communication book.

Ginny was confused and it must have shown on her face because what Harry said next cleared up some of the confusion. "This book" He said patting the book, "Allows near instantaneous communication between this book and any others that are linked to it."

"Oh." Was all Ginny said as she looked at the book in his hand. "The jewel on the clasp is glowing Harry."

"Good, she's there. Here look" Harry said as he held the book open for Ginny. There on the page was a response to an earlier question.

'I'm good Harry, how are you?"

"It is kind of like the mirrors that Sirius gave me, only you write instead of talking. Dead useful if you don't want to get in trouble, as it looks as though you are just writing in some sort of diary." Harry explained. "Ginny, are you okay?"

"What? Oh sorry Harry, I am a little preoccupied with my thoughts." She answered.

"Do you mind if I ask what about. I am a good listener after all." He replied.

"Oh, just this and that; Ball stuff I guess." She answered with a wave of her hand.

"Well, if you say so" Harry began "Look Ginny I was wondering if I could ask you a question."

"Sure, shoot." Ginny said.

"Well, I was wondering if anyone had asked you to the ball yet."

Ginny just sat there and for the second time that day she was caught off guard. "Actually, someone did ask me." She said, but at seeing the look on his face she quickly continued "But I have not said yes yet. In fact I am not sure I even want to go with this guy."

Harry brought his eyes up to meet hers. He looked deeply into them as if searching for something. "It was Flynn, wasn't it?" he asked.

Ginny steeled herself not wanting to answer, but as this was Harry she was speaking to she told him the truth. "Yes."

They sat there in silence for some time, neither saying a word; though every so often one would look at the other and then look away just as quickly. Harry was the one that finally broke the silence that had settled between them "I think you should say yes to Flynn."

"What?" Ginny asked.

"I think you should say yes. Besides you and me both know that you will kick yourself if you pass up the opportunity to go to the ball and find out who this guy is." Harry said as he stood to leave.

Ginny sat listened to what he had said and of course he was right. This was one of the things that she liked about Harry. He liked to make sure everyone else was happy before himself. As she thought over the meeting with Flynn and the offer he had made, something that Harry had said pushed itself to the front of her mind. "What did you mean when you said 'pass up the opportunity to see who he is'?"

Harry stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to face her. "Are you going to tell me that not once has the thought crossed your mind that he was not going to ask you to the dance?" He asked.

"Well…" Ginny started but Harry had cut her off.

"You got the first note the morning after the ball had been announced; believe me when I say that I have been keeping track of what he sends you and when he sends it. And the ball was when he was, well is, going to show you who he is."

"What if I don't want to go to the ball with him, What if I want to go with you?" She asked now walking to the stairs where Harry was still standing.

"Ginny, I'm not going to lie when I say that I have feelings for you. I have for quite some time." He paused momentarily to gather his thoughts "But I know you Ginny, and you will beat yourself up for not going with this guy and learning who he is."

"I am still going to think about it Harry, and even you can't change my mind." Ginny said matter of factly.

"I would never dream of trying to change a Weasleys' mind once it is already made up. Besides I have tried it with your mother and it does not work." Harry said with a smile.

"And it never will." Ginny said as she turned to head up to the Fifth year girl dorms. "Goodnight Harry." She called.

"Goodnight Ginny." He replied and with that said they both went up to their rooms and got ready for bed. Just as Harry was about to fall asleep he was hit with an idea. And if he played his cards right then it would be a great success. But for the idea to fully take shape he needed his friends help. Deciding to put sleep on the back-burner, he jumped out of bed and went back down into the common room with his wand in hand.

Casting a quick "Expecto Patronum." He sent it off to Hermione, who he hoped was not asleep yet. He did this two more times, one for Ron and the other for Ginny. Now that all he could do was wait for his friends, he moved into the armchair closest to the dying fire. He did not have to wait long because within minutes his friends now sat with him, each in their own chairs. Hermione was about to say something but Harry raised his hand in time to silence her.

"I know that it's late but I promise not to keep you all long." He started "but I had this really great idea hit me just as I laid down to sleep."

He looked around at his friends and saw that they were all waiting for him to continue. Taking a breath Harry began to explain.

"Look I know that this year has been going great, and why should we, I mean, I try to jinx this. Well today at lunch I just got this wired feeling in my chest; which I still have no answer for." He said looking at Hermione "And then there was the lesson today in Defense. When I thought about how the only people who were left standing were DA members, I decided that something needed to be done." Harry said taking a breath.

"Harry, are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Hermione asked.

"I hope he is." Ron put in.

"Yes" Harry said "We need to start the DA back up again. Only this time we need to change the name; calling ourselves the DA won't work anymore."

"Why not?" Hermione asked.

"Because, this would still be an illegal club and now that we have a competent teacher for the subject we have no reason to go behind the backs of anyone." Ginny put in.

"Exactly" Hermione said. "I bet that if we went and asked for permission to start this up again, that we would be met with approval."

Harry shook his head and turned to look at Hermione and said "You're right as always Hermione, but if we did that, then Dumbledore would have someone checking in on us and, not to mention the fact that the Headmaster has done little to gain my trust lately."

Hermione sighed; she knew that Harry was right. Once he had told them about his trips to see the Headmaster, she too began to question his motives. "I agree." She said nodding to Harry "What do you want me to do?"

"Well, first off we need to get everything set before we let the others know. So that means you need to make a much better contract this time, one that they can't even think about breaking." He said to Hermione.

"What do you want me to do?" Ron asked eagerly.

"Research old battles and see what you can come up with. We need to be organized." Harry told Ron; who then turned to face Ginny.

"And me?" Ginny asked.

"I want you to start looking for any potions book you can and find some that can be bottled and kept on us at all times. It also might be good if whichever potions you find can be bottled and shrunk, so that we can carry more than just a few." He answered.

"What are you going to be doing?" Hermione asked.

"I'm going to try and find us a better location than the Room of Requirement to practice in. And that could take some time, so we really don't need to rush this. So for the time being let's just focus on our tasks and go about our daily routine." Harry replied.

"I really do like this idea Harry, and I for one am glad you decided thought of it." Hermione said.

"Well, you came up with it first, I am just recycling it." He said with a smile. "Now I apologize for dragging you all down here so late so what do you say we go to bed and we can talk about all of this again later."

There were nods of agreement all around. And so Two by two they made there way to their rooms to finally go to bed after a long day. "Night mate." Ron quietly called.

"Night Ron." Harry replied. And before either boy's heads hit their pillows, they were out like a light. Each lost in their dreams of Quidditch and Dueling.

A/N: I hope you all like this chapter. It is now officially the longest one I have written. I hope you liked the duel as well as some of the other things I put in here. I am sorry it took so long but I just wanted to make sure I got everything in here that I wanted/ was supposed to be. If there is something you don't quite get…then message me. But like I said everything is done how it should be. Thank you reading and as always….

Please Review.

Mudbloodpotter.