Author's Note:
Some of your reviews really make me think about stuff that will happen later, like the things that I would never consider asking about this story in a million years. (And every writer should keep asking themselves questions about their story.) This is the importance of reviewing; you can make the writer think about something or even create an entire plot bunny for them (which has yet to happen in this story). I hope that gave you a reason to review. Feel free to just type your thoughts out to me; I'll read and reply to all of them.
I'm sorry this chapter is kind of short. If it's any consolation, the next three chapters are already written. I just have to make some changes to the next chapter. This was originally going to be a bit longer, but I realized that I would basically be copying what happened in Order of the Phoenix word for word. I'm going to assume that you all have read it and know what happens in the part I'll be skipping.
Anyway, Harry's back! As for Draco, well, he's probably off sulking somewhere…or imagining what he could do to Pansy with his talons. Maybe that would get him out of the marriage contract…
Chapter 15
Harry was sitting in the library with Ron and Hermione as Ron finished an essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts. It hadn't taken Harry much time to finish it since it was on Dementors and the use of the Patronus charm. He'd conquered all of that years ago, and he assumed he knew more about it than most of the people in the class had before they wrote their essays. Hermione looked at Harry, and when he noticed it he raised an eyebrow at her. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but it could be anything.
"Harry, would you mind if we went to an empty classroom and practiced some of the spells from Defense Against the Dark Arts? We don't get a lot of practice in class, and it would be good to get some more in before our OWLs."
"Course, 'Mione. Do you want to go do it right now?"
Hermione nodded. "I finished my homework, and I'm proud of you for finishing yours, too. We don't have anything else to do, and if we stay here Ron's bound to ask us to help him with his essay, and we both know that means give him everything he needs to know."
Harry packed his things in his bag while Hermione stood up. "Ron, if you need us we'll be in an empty classroom on the third floor, probably the one across from the knight. Don't come until you've finished your work; we'll only distract you."
Ron looked up, only now realizing they'd been talking. "Where are you going?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "The third floor, to an empty classroom, probably across from the knight; we'll studying. Come find us when you're done with your essay."
Harry and Hermione left the library before Ron could ask any more questions. "What spells do you want to practice?"
Hermione thought for a few moments. "I'd like to practice all of them, but I think we'll have to settle for the spells that can be used without a plant or creature that's about to attack you."
Harry nodded. "Expelliarmus?"
Hermione laughed. "Yes, even Expelliarmus. You've got Expecto Patronum mastered, and we could try Impedimenta."
Soon enough, they reached the empty classroom Hermione had told Ron they were going to, and the door was unlocked. Both of them went inside, closed the door, and cast silencing charms so they wouldn't be heard and interrupted by a professor.
An hour later there was a knock on the door. "Harry? Hermione? Are you in there?"
Harry was closest to the door, so he ran to it and opened it. "Yeah, we put silencing charms up so nobody would hear us."
Ron looked at his two best friends. "What exactly were you doing in here? I don't see any books, and 'Mione said you were studying."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We are studying; we're studying Defense Against the Dark Arts if you must know. Harry here's a great teacher."
Harry scratched the back of his head. "I wouldn't say that, 'Mione. I'd say you're just really quick to pick up new information."
Once again, Hermione rolled her eyes. "I can finally cast a corporeal Patronus, Ron. Look. Expecto Patronum!" An otter flew out of the tip of Hermione's wand and scampered around the room before it disappeared again. "I figured we needed some more practice on the spells than what we get in class. We do have our OWLs coming up, you know, and these spells are bound to be on it."
"Voldemort's back, too. I think we need all the practice we can get for the real thing."
Ron sighed and nodded. "I guess you'd better start teaching then, Harry."
A week later the entire 5th year Gryffindor Defense Against the Dark Arts class was meeting twice a week in an empty classroom to practice the spells they'd been taught in class in preparation for their OWLs and the inevitable war. Other years in their house had asked if they could join them, and some of the 5th years had been talking to their 5th year friends in other classes. The Golden Trio had considered the idea, but the empty classroom was barely large enough for their needs with the 5th year Gryffindors alone. Unless they could find a larger meeting place, everyone else would have to be excluded.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were finalizing their plans for the winter holidays. Hermione was going skiing with her parents, and Ron and Harry would have to stay at Hogwarts where it was safer with Voldemort on the loose unless something drastic happened. The boys didn't mind too much, though; Fred, George, and Ginny would have to stay at Hogwarts with them, and they could have snowball fights when it finally snowed.
Unfortunately, those plans did change when Harry had a vision of Mr. Weasley being attacked by Nagini.