Author's Note: Chapter 16...our heroes start preparing for the big showdown.....warning: there is an adult scene in this chapter.....after all, it was rated "M" for a reason....if you're offened by adult content, then skip past it....if not, read, review and enjoy
A week had passed and everyone was talking about the new dueling club started by Remus and Mad-Eye. Everyone was in the main courtyard, awaiting the first meeting.
"Hopefully this will go better than Lockehart's attempt at forming the dueling club," Ron joked. Harry chuckled.
Everyone turned to see Remus and Mad-Eye emerge from the castle, making their way to the group. "It seems quite a lot of you have shown interest in further your combat skills," Mad-Eye said, "So Professor Lupin and I have reinstated the dueling club. Each week, we will meet and will train you in combat spells and techniques."
"Now, because so many have signed up," Remus began, "Professor Moody and I will not be able to teach you all ourselves. So, we're assigning assistants. Assisting in defensive spells, Ronald Weasley." Ron stepped out from the crowd and stood with Mad-Eye and Remus.
"Assisting in offensive spells, Harry Potter," Mad-Eye said. Harry stepped out and joined the others.
"And finally," Remus began, "Assisting in hand-to-hand combat, Jason Saint." Jason stepped out and joined with the others.
"What experience do you have, Jason?" Ron asked.
"I studied several forms of martial arts since I was eight," Jason replied, "Why do you think I'm so skilled with a sword?"
"With five instructors," Mad-Eye began, "You'll be sorted into groups of fifteen. Afterwards, your instructors will begin teaching you. The club will meet once a week. Each week, you will briefly go over what you learned the previous week."
The students were divided up and placed with their respective instructors. "Now, instructors," Remus said, "You may begin your lessons." Mad-Eye and Remus drifted off to different areas of the courtyard with their students.
Ron stood before his fifteen students, feeling very bewildered. "Okay," he began, "I think we should start first by going over basic defensive spells. Umm, there's the Shielding Charm."
"Ron, is everything okay?" Alice asked.
"Yeah," Ron said, "I'm just not used to being in charge of a mass of people."
"You're doing fine," Alice said, nudging Ron.
Ron smiled and stepped forward to his group. "Okay, so the Shielding Charm is the basic defensive spell for any wizard," he said, "I'm sure most of you know the spell by now, so we'll skip instructions. However, I will say that the spell is only as strong as the wizard, so keep that in mind."
Harry stood in front of his students, each one awaiting Harry's instructions. "Okay, so the trick with offensive spells is knowing how to pick and choose your spells in battle," he began, "It's not enough to simply know the spells. You have to be able to recite them and use them correctly in battle." Harry motioned for everyone to raise their wands.
"The first spell we'll review is the stunning spell," Harry said, "I want everyone to raise their wands and repeat after me. Stupefy!" A bolt of energy erupted from Harry's want and traveled across the courtyard.
"Stupefy!" fifteen voices cried out, the same energy shooting from their wands.
Jason stared at each one of his group. "Spells, hexes, and curses," he said, "These are the basics of any witch or wizard. However, for most witches and wizards, that is not all. Many are acclaimed swordsmen. Most witches and wizards have mastered hand-to-hand combat. Can anyone tell me why?" His students each looked at each other and then back at him. "Because although a blasting spell is effective," Jason began, "If the enemy is too close to you, it's wiser to subdue him physically rather than attempt a spell. I shall demonstrate. Seamus, step forward."
Seamus nodded and stepped forward from the group. "Seamus," Jason began, taking several steps back, "I am ten meters from you. When I start running, I want you to stop me and subdue me with your wand before I subdue you."
Seamus nodded and raised his wand. Jason let out a brief snort and took off running.
"Stupefy!" Seamus shouted. The spell shot from his wand. Jason dove to his left avoiding the curse and rolled back to his feet, not breaking his momentum.
"Immobulus!" Seamus shouted.
Again Jason dodged the curse, closing in on Seamus. Seamus raised his wand to curse Jason again, but Jason quickly closed in on Seamus, driving a knee in to Seamus' stomach. Jason grabbed Seamus by the head and arm, tripping him off his feet. As Seamus hit the ground, Jason placed his knee on Seamus' head and twisted his arm. After keeping Seamus pinned for a moment, Jason let him go and helped him up.
"Just a few more pounds of pressure," Jason explained, "And Seamus' arm would've snapped in two at the elbow. Thus, his wand-wielding hand would've been disabled. I will teach you this technique as well as many others."
As the day wore on, each group practiced various spells and techniques. Finally the meeting was over and the students dispersed. Jason sat down, out of breath.
"Long day?" Harry asked, prompting a nod from Jason.
Hermione sat down next to Jason, her face flush. "I think you did an excellent job," she said.
"Thanks babe," Jason said, "It's not easy teaching a hand-to-hand combat class."
"Well done today," Remus said, walking up to Harry and the others, "You impressed Professor Moody and myself with your abilities."
"At least we'll stand a fair chance against Voldemort and his Death Eaters," Mad-Eye said.
Cho had just finished planning her lessons for the next week when Neville walked into her office. He sat down in a nearby chair, a dejected look on his face.
"Something wrong, Neville?" Cho asked.
Neville nodded. "I talked to Luna the other day," he said.
"Well, did you tell her how you felt?" Cho asked.
"I was going to," Neville explained, "I had worked out exactly what I was going to say and gathered the courage to say it."
"So what happened?" Cho asked.
"A chap named Ernie Macmillan," Neville said, "Luna's....boyfriend."
"Neville, I'm so sorry," Cho said.
She reached out to place a hand on his shoulder when she accidentally knocked over the case she had put her lessons into. As the case hit the floor, a small crystal orb rolled out across the floor. It was the orb she'd received from McGonagall's office. Neville snatched it up and handed it to Cho. As Cho held it, began to glow red. Suddenly, she was sucked into a hallucination.
Cho looked around and could see the ruins of Hogwarts. Bodies littered the fields around the school. Cho looked up and saw the Dark Mark lighting up the night sky.
"Cho!" a voiced behind her called.
Cho spun on her heels and saw Harry. Voldemort had him by the throat, his wand aimed at him. "Do you love this boy?" Voldemort hissed.
"I...I..." Cho stammered.
"If you wish to save him," Voldemort hissed, "Just say the word. But, why save Potter when I can give you...him?"
Voldemort stretched out hand, pointing behind Cho. Cho followed Voldemort's finger and what she saw brought both elation and shock to her soul. Cedric Diggory was standing in front of her.
"Cho," Cedric whispered.
"Cedric," Cho said, almost in a gasp, "Is that you?"
"Yes, my darling," Cedric said, "I came back for you. Now we can be together."
"But, Harry is in danger," Cho said.
"Harry let me die," Cedric said, "He robbed you of your happiness. Shouldn't he be punished?"
Cho slowly turned to Harry and saw him in Voldemort's grasp. "We all have a choice to make," Voldemort hissed, "Now choose where your heart truly lies."
Suddenly, everything burned white.
Cho woke up on the floor. Neville was hovering above her. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"What happened," Cho asked.
"You had a fit," Neville said, "Out of nowhere, you fell over and passed out."
Cho sat up and looked at the orb in her hand and watched as its message appeared.
"At the time of the Red Dawn, she who has the spirit of the raven will use her passion to aid in the dark lord's downfall. But her passion is split in two and only one can survive. When one is torn, sometimes it is best to take to the skies to know the truth."
Cho's eyes locked on the orb, she didn't even see Harry enter. "Cho?" Harry asked.
"Cedric," Cho whispered.
Harry took a step backward. Hearing her whisper that name stung him. "Cho?" he asked again.
Cho snapped her head up, finally registering that Harry was there. "Harry," she said, getting to her feet, "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear you whisper Cedric's name," Harry replied, fairly coldly. Cho's eyes darted around the room, her mind frantically searching for something to say.
"Umm," Neville said, "I should go." Neville got up and sheepishly walked out.
"Been thinking about Cedric lately?" Harry asked.
"Umm," Cho began, "I guess I have." Harry was silent, but Cho could see the hurt in his eyes.
"Tell me something," Harry said, "Do you still love him?" Cho didn't answer, but her silence and her eyes was answer enough for Harry.
"I see, then," Harry said, "I suppose I'll see you in class then...professor."
Harry turned and walked out of the room. Cho made no attempt to stop him or follow him. She knew this would probably happen, but she never believed it would hurt as much as it did. Cho closed the door to her office, sat down in her chair, and cried.
Draco was practicing the spells he had reviewed in the dueling club when he heard his father's voice again. "Draaaacoooo," his father's voice echoed.
Draco gritted his teeth. "Get...out...of...my...head," he thought.
"You don't really want that," Lucious replied, "As much as you resist me, you can't deny one simple fact: You are my son."
"I am not your son," Draco thought, "I will not be a Death Eater. That life is not my life."
"But it is," Luscious hissed, "And you will be. Because it is your destiny to join us and destroy Potter and all those who follow him."
"I WON'T!" Draco shouted.
"Draco?" a voice behind him asked. Draco spun around and saw Ginny standing in front of him, looking confused.
"Ginny," Draco said, "Been there long?"
"Long enough to wonder if you've gone mad," Ginny replied, "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Draco said, "Right as rain."
"You're lying," Ginny said.
Draco sighed and sat down. "I don't know how," he began, "But my father can speak to me through his thoughts."
Ginny sat down beside him. "What does he want from you?" she asked.
"The only thing he ever wants," Draco replied, "He wants me to join him and Voldemort and turn my back on all of you."
"That madman just won't quit," Ginny said, her voice resonating with anger and despair.
Draco put an arm around Ginny and pulled her close to him. "I'll never join him," he said, "He corrupted me once. He won't do it twice."
Alice had been searching the halls for Ron, but couldn't find him after the Dueling Club had dismissed itself. She turned a corner and saw a black dog sitting near a bench.
"Sirius?" Alice asked, "Is that you?"
The dog immediately transformed into Sirius. "Everything alright, Alice?" he asked.
"Yes, everything is fine," Alice replied, "I was just looking for Ron. Do you know where he is?"
"As a matter of fact," Sirius replied, "I do. I saw Ron go into the Room of Requirement earlier. He had something with him. Looked like a bow."
"Thanks, Sirius," Alice said, turning to make her way to the Room of Requirement.
She finally got to the room as the door appeared. She walked inside to see Ron standing in the center. His red hair had turned to flames. He was holding the Bow of Flame and was firing at several practice dummies that were moving around the room.
"Ron?" Alice asked, "I've been looking for you for ages."
Ron instinctively spun around, bow raised, and fired a arrow of fire at Alice. Alice couldn't react in time and put her hands up as the arrow hit its mark. She watched as the fire sunk into her very skin, traveled up her arms, through her chest, and passed out her back and into the wall behind her. Ron, realizing what he'd done, sprinted to her side.
"Alice," Ron said, his voice echoing with an ominous tone, "Es vos vulnero? Ego sententia vos erant unus of expertus pingo. Ego sum sic bardus. Commodo indulgeo mihi."
"Ron," Alice began, "I don't understand Latin."
Ron stared blankly at her for a moment, then nodded. In an instant, the fire on Ron's head transformed back into his red hair. "I'm so sorry, Alice," he said, "I got caught up in training and though you were another of the test dummies."
"It's okay, Ron," Alice said, "My absorbing abilities are as strong as ever. The fire went right through me."
Ron put his arm around Alice, who wrapped her arms around his waist. As they looked into each other's eyes, they both sent the same thought to each other. It was time. Out of the corner of their eyes, they saw a bed appear.
xXx....Adult Content Warning....xXx
Without hesitating, their lips pressed together as they each clumsily removed their clothing.
"How do you want me?" Alice asked, unzipping her skirt.
"I...I...," Ron stammered, ceasing his actions, "I don't know. I've never done this."
"Neither, have I," Alice said, "You do...want to...right?"
"Of course I do," Ron said. Alice started to say something, but Ron grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him as he buried his face in her neck.
Alice let out a long moan as she unbuttoned her shirt and flung it behind her. Alice pulled away from Ron and sat down on the bed. She unclasped her bra and let it fall to the floor. By now, Ron had removed his shirt and was fumbling with the zipper on his pants. His head was down and he was trying not to look at Alice, hoping his anxiousness would subside.
"I'm sorry," Ron stammered, "I'm just nervous."
"Ron, look at me," Alice said.
Ron slowly brought his head up and laid eyes on Alice, her naked body shimmering in the soft light of the torches lighting up the room. Alice motioned for him to come closer. Ron swallowed hard and inched closer to Alice. Alice reached out and grabbed the waistline of Ron's pants and pulled him close to her. She finished unzipping Ron's pants and let them drop to the floor.
Alice grabbed her wand, aimed it at herself, and muttered, "Gravida Tutela."
A faded green flash spat from her wand and sank into Alice just below her waistline. She then set her wand down a slid her panties off. She laid back on the bed as Ron placed his hands on her hips. Alice wrapped her legs around Ron's waist as Ron pushed himself inside her. Alice winced at the sudden pain, biting her bottom lip.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked.
Alice nodded. "Go slow," she whispered.
Ron slowly moved his hips back and forth, his hands now exploring every inch of her exposed skin. The pain soon melted away and was replaced with wave after wave of pleasure. A soft moan escaped her lips as Ron increased his pace slightly. Alice reached up and pulled Ron closer to her and kissed him passionately, her moans muffled by the kiss they were sharing. Ron buried his face in Alice's breasts as he thrusted himself into her over and over. Suddenly, flames appeared on Ron's arms and spread to the rest of his body, not engulfing him but rather becoming part of him. The flames lashed at Alice, but were only absorbed into her a re-directed back at Ron.
"Ron," Alice whispered, "I need...I need to hear..."
"I love you," Ron said, cutting her off.
"That's it," Alice moaned, "I love you too."
Ron felt his climax approaching and instinctive began thrusting faster. Alice bucked her hips against his, her own climax fast approaching.
"Alice," Ron stammered, trying to hold back, "Alice, I can't...hold...out..."
"Let it go," Alice said, "Don't hold back. Let it go."
Suddenly, the flames surrounding them both burned blue as they both released loud cries. An electric sensation traveled through them both as they reached their climaxes simultaneously. Ron shivered as he released himself inside her. Out of energy, Ron pulled out of Alice and collapsed beside her on the bed.
xXx....End Of Adult Content....xXx
Alice curled up next to Ron and placed a hand on his chest.
"That...was...exhilarating," Alice said, out of breath.
"Did I...do okay?" Ron asked.
Alice lifted her head and looked at Ron, her eyes still burning with desire. "I can barely breathe," she said, "I doubt I can walk right now, and I'm holding onto you like I never want you to leave. What do you think?"
"So, is that a yes?" Ron asked.
Alice kissed Ron, the fires of passion still on her lips. "That's a yes," she said, laying her head back down.
Ron smiled and held onto his girlfriend when a crazy idea popped into his head. "Do you love me?" he asked.
"What kind of a question is that?" Alice asked, "Of course I do."
"Then let's get married," Ron said, "Tonight."
Alice sat up and stared at him. "You're serious?" she asked, "But what about our wedding? We planned everything out."
"We can still have the wedding," Ron said, sitting up, "Alice, I love you. More than I've loved anyone. And right now, the only thing I want is to hear someone pronounce us husband and wife. Just hearing it in my head creates feelings so strong they can't be denied. I love these feelings so much that I would go through a thousand weddings with you just to hear those words said again and again. I want us to be husband and wife tonight and damn what anyone else thinks."
Alice stared at Ron for a moment and saw his undying love for her shining in his eyes. Smiled and took his hand. "Okay," she said, "Let's do it. Let's get married."
Ron and Alice quickly got dressed and sneak out of the Room of Requirement. They crept down the halls sneak off of school grounds. They ran as fast as they could, laughing and smiling, making their way to Hogsmeade. Hopefully, they could find someone there who would help them.
A/N: So that's Chapter 16....Chapter 17 will be up when I get a chance.