A/N: The reviews and messages after the last chapter were incredible! You guys are amazingly understanding, helpful, and supportive. I truly appreciate it. The drive to write remains, luckily, and I've tweaked my outline a bit to help keep me on a pace I'm comfortable with. Writing letters within a chapter may remain a chore, though, as I'm completely technologically deficient. I appreciate the advice from those that reached out, and I'll try to find a better way that won't give me a migraine.

This one is a bit shorter, as I stole the beginning to give closure at the end of 20, but the next chapter is longer. I appreciate the reviews, messages, favorites, and follows, and hope you continue to enjoy!

Chapter 21

November 22, 1995

The days following his conversation with Daphne felt incredibly surreal. Like everything he had on his plate was suddenly much easier to manage. Harry hoped the feeling would last, but knew the world wouldn't allow it for long. Daphne told him she felt the same, and they decided to just soak up happiness whenever they could find it.

They agreed to keep their new relationship as private as they could, in an attempt to delay any possible danger. His training group all seemed to know the pair were together, but Harry made sure to act as professionally as possible while they were working. It didn't stop the constant jokes from the Weasleys, but he honestly couldn't find it in him to be offended at the attention. The jokes just made him smile and look for the girl wherever she was in the room. He trusted his group to keep the information to themselves, but realistically knew it would become public knowledge eventually.

Tonight's training session brought the group a bit more excitement, as Harry decided to split everyone into trios and hold a combat tournament. So far the teams had performed well, but the older students' extra power and experience had been proven insurmountable for the most part. The championship round was George's team, with Hermione and Blaise versus Fred, Luna, and Daphne.

The twins surprised everyone by how serious they took the exercise, but Harry knew they understood there was a time for jokes and a time for fights, though they excelled in both. As Harry fired a blast from his wand, the two teams immediately began casting.

George's team followed the strategy that had worked for them so far, with Hermione and Blaise doing most of the shielding, and the older teen doing most of the attacking. Harry limited the duels to non-lethal or injurious magic, as they couldn't afford to have anyone wind up in the hospital wing, but George's spell selection had been impressive so far nonetheless.

As soon as the start was signaled, the redhead waved his wand dramatically, a swarm of large, magically charged butterflies flying towards his opponents.

Fred, however, was equally as inventive, and immediately froze the distracting swarm with a wave of his own wand. Daphne had served as the group's defender in the previous rounds, and she quickly snapped a large shield into existence. Luna, however, seemed to play by her own rules. In the previous round she took Angelina and Terry down by herself, as she was constantly on the move and devilishly hard to hit.

Harry watched as the younger blonde levitated some of the frozen insects, banishing them towards her opponents whenever she could get around their shields. She managed to hit Blaise three times in quick succession, forcing the Slytherin to shift his focus. As he turned to fire a stunner at the girl, he caught a disarming charm from Daphne instead. His wand went sailing towards his friend, and he was stunned by Fred a moment later.

The numbers advantage proved a huge issue in every match prior, and this one was no different. The team of three were able to spread out through the dueling area, making it much harder to avoid their spells. Eventually, Hermione was hit on her rear by a frozen butterfly, and her shield flickered at her surprise. Daphne jumped at the opportunity and stunned the girl immediately.

George was quickly overwhelmed, but he fought valiantly and was able to dodge the majority of the spells sent his way. He managed to stun Luna after a few seconds of struggle, but Fred avenged his teammate by yanking his brother a few feet off the ground with a modified levitation. Completely disoriented, the redhead quickly succumbed to his brother's stunner.

"Winner!" Harry shouted, unable to keep the smile off his face.

The source of his happiness quickly moved to wake the three stunned students, all of whom congratulated her when they regained their bearings. The winning team shared a group hug, Luna squealing in happiness at the embrace. As they pulled back, Daphne's eyes found his, and he tried to put all the pride he felt in the girl into his gaze.

She beamed at him brightly in return, and Harry was completely dumbfounded for a moment. The look didn't go unnoticed, as a laughing Ron took the chance to step forward.

"What our fearless leader meant to say instead of going all ga-ga, was 'way to go you guys!'"

The comment broke the spectators' reticence, as everyone moved forward to congratulate the trio. Harry hugged Luna briefly, before being swept off his feet and spun around by an exuberant Fred. When his feet returned to the ground, the gesture was immediately repeated by a carbon copy of the victor. Harry laughed, glad George was taking the defeat easily.

When he was finally free of the goofballs, he made his way to Daphne, her smile still wide. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, and Harry's circled her midsection, lifting her off her feet in a tight embrace.

"I'm so proud of you, Daph," he whispered into her ear.

"I'm not singing," she laughed, pulling back with a red tint to her cheeks. Harry was hesitant to let go, and as he finally did so he saw the expected grins on the faces around him.

"Yeah, yeah," he called grumpily. "Show's over."

"Oi, mate!" Blaise called from the back of the gathered students. "I'd like a different type of show. You versus the winners."

Harry winced at the idea, knowing he outclassed the three by a wide margin. He wanted the group to retain the pride they had in themselves, but he didn't want everyone to think he felt above the exercise either. So far he'd been able to avoid any actual dueling while they trained, but as the group cheered in agreement, he realized his luck had run out.

Thinking quickly, he proposed a compromise. "How about me against the five seventh years?"

The group responded with silence until Terry broke into laughter. That set everyone else off, including the seventh years in question. Daphne, not amused, sent him a questioning look, but he smiled back at her with confidence.

Eventually Angelina, Alicia, Lee, and the twins agreed to his challenge, and Harry led them towards the dueling area.

"Guys," he whispered seriously. "Don't hold back, and you've been impressive no matter what happens. You've all done incredibly well, and I want to see your best."

"You'll see it for about two seconds, Potter," Angelina replied with a confident grin.

The twins looked a bit less certain. They had seen a little of what he was capable of over the summer, but even they didn't know how much he'd improved in the meantime.

"No hard feelings, no matter what." George said with a firm nod.

"If I take you down, I'm telling Umbridge you snooped through her underwear drawer," Fred added with a grin.

"Deal," Harry replied with a smile of his own. "Ron, get us started, would you?"

Harry moved to one side of the warded area, his opponents fanning out on the other. At the sound of Ron's blast, all five sent spells his way. He sidestepped the first two, ducked under a third, and slid between the unknown spells from the twins. The five teens, however, didn't let up.

Harry began to move through the arena, dodging an incredible amount of magic as he went. He knew the five would tire of the incessant casting eventually, but he didn't want the fight to last that long. When he reached the far right side of the group, he finally pulled his wand. A quick stinger to Lee's wand hand interrupted the teen's spell, and Harry took advantage. He rushed forward in three long strides, firing a stunner at the surprised Gryffindor as he did.

Harry grabbed the teen before he could fall, using him as a shield for another wave of spells. The stunned teen was petrified, lost his wand, and had his hair grow to an outrageous length before Harry lowered him gently to the floor, firing concussive blasts as he did. The spells didn't cause any damage, but served as a perfect distraction for Harry to move forward.

He fired a quick non-verbal Petrificus, hitting Alicia squarely in the stomach. He slowed the chaser's descent to the floor with a spell, using his off-hand to raise a weak shield. The dual casting was something he'd been working on for a while, and though his wandless magic wasn't as strong, it served its purpose. The advanced tactic forced his remaining opponents to hesitate, and Harry was happy to push his momentum.

He sprayed a huge jet of water at the feet of the three, freezing it immediately. Angelina caught the brunt and her shoes froze to the floor, while the twins slipped around outrageously. As the older girl attempted to break through the ice, Harry stunned her, angling the spell so she would fall into the redheads. All three fell in a tangle of limbs, Angelina's feet coming out of her shoes with a 'plop', but Harry gave his two friends a chance to recover.

George began melting the ice with an impressively controlled flame charm, while Fred revived his captain. As she blurrily came to, Harry hit her with a second stunner. Fred sent him a grin, and enervated her a second time. Harry laughed at the boy, and hit the unfortunate teen with a third stunner. Fred moved to revive her again, but was stopped by a stinger.

"She's going to be groggy enough after three stunners."

"I know, but it's fun!"

Harry summoned the girl out of danger, and squared off with the twins. The pair shared a quick look, the ice now a puddle at their feet. They moved simultaneously, one to either side, and Harry knew they meant to catch him in a crossfire. He dodged the spells sent his way as they positioned themselves, content with how he'd counter their tactic. When they finally reached opposite ends of the arena, Harry took a few steps forward, and they cast silent spells simultaneously.

Harry tracked the magic, unaware of what the spells would do. Instead of finding out, he waited until they approached and jumped, twisting his center of gravity while he did. He kicked his legs out backward, his body parallel to the floor. His twist allowed him to roll between the spells, and he landed with his off-hand on the floor. He watched as Fred's spell hit a smug looking George, and felt George's hit Fred to his other side. Without hesitation, Harry raised his wand and an open palm, focusing on firing stunners from both.

The spells connected, and the shocked twins were the first of the match to hit the ground with a thud. Harry sheathed his wand and stood, turning to face the other students.

Not one was moving. Most wore an expression of utter disbelief, many with a widely opened mouth. Harry chuckled to himself, and moved to help the five seventh years. Each congratulated him when they regained the ability to do so, though Angelina was unsteady when she tried to stand. Fred quickly approached to help, earning an angry glare from his girlfriend for his trouble. The fact that he was sporting a new pair of very impressive breasts didn't help the boy to keep a contrite expression.

The six combatants exited the dueling area, George removing the new body parts from his twin, while Fred reciprocated, transfiguring George's extremely short legs back to their appropriate sizes. Alicia, Harry noticed, already managed to restore Lee's hair to its normal look. He turned to look back at the younger students, hoping they'd recovered from their shock.

Daphne managed to, at least, as the girl took a flying leap into Harry's arms as he exited the dueling arena. Harry caught the excited girl, spinning her around in a few tight circles, and returned her joyful laugh.

"That was unbelievable," she whispered in his ear, her breath sending shivers down his spine.

"Thanks, Daph," he responded with a grin, setting the girl back on the floor.

Her movement seemed to break the stupor the others were under, as they rushed en masse to congratulate him. After many high fives, back slaps, and a few hugs, Harry raised his hands for their attention.

"That was fun guys," Harry said to his opponents once he had silence. "Where did you go wrong?"

"We underestimated you," Angelina offered immediately. "I'm not sure how, as we all knew you were incredible, but we weren't expecting that. Our spells never got close, and we weren't working as a team."

"Fred and I messed up," George continued. "We should've made sure we weren't in the line of fire." Harry nodded, glad the twins noticed the flaw.

"What about their choice of spells?" Susan asked seriously. "The cosmetic stuff would probably slow you down, but they could've gone with stunners."

"I thought that at first, too," Hermione countered quickly. "But I realized the spells they used were non-verbal, and the wand motions were simple jabs. They would've been able to fire a ton of spells like that very quickly if Spiderman here was a mere mortal."

"Good catch!" Harry agreed with a laugh. "When you have numbers on your side, quantity often outweighs quality. If they positioned themselves a bit better, they could've kept me under constant attack. Especially since I didn't recognize the spells, so wouldn't be able to choose an appropriate shield. It still wouldn't have worked, but it was worth a shot."

Harry softened his jibe with a grin to the twins, who both returned it easily.

"I have a question," Tracey asked from the back of the clustered students. "Uh… how?"

Her tone earned laughs from most of the group, Harry included. In lieu of an answer, he crossed to the sitting area, pulling a parchment out of his bag.

"This is the new contract," he explained to the group. "I don't expect any of you to sign this. And if you choose not to, you can continue to work and train with us as allowed. But there are certain questions about the how's and why's that I don't really want to answer until we know the information is safe."

Hermione quickly approached, grabbing the offered contract and reading it over. After a nod, she turned to Harry.

"What should we include? It doesn't actually protect anything right now."

"Let's start with the knowledge of the room, so we can burn the last contract. And let's add protection for some of the things we're working on, so we can only speak in depth about the training to those that have signed. The last one I know of at the moment is that I'd like for my training and ability to be spoken of as nothing more than above average."

"Technically you are above average," Seamus agreed with a grin. "Just how far above isn't exactly easy to figure out."

"Astoria, could you help me?" Hermione asked, sitting down and grabbing a quill and ink.

The two worked diligently on the wording of the contract, while the rest of the group mingled. Harry was careful to not answer any questions about his performance until the contract was signed, though he felt incredibly awkward about it. As he mixed with the group, trying to have a few words with each student about their performance in the duels, he noticed Daphne's eyes following him. It made him feel unnaturally warm, and he was completely distracted during his conversation with Neville and Ginny.

They grinned at him as he stuttered out some pointers, quickly nudging him to the last remaining member.

"So how did I do, Professor?"

"Remarkably," Harry answered with a grin, fighting the urge to pull the girl into his arms again. "You were incredible, Daph. Your instincts are spot on, and you switched from defense to offense with perfect timing. I'm so proud of you," he finished with a whisper.

"Still not gonna sing," she whispered back, her cheeks reddening again.

"Damn."

"Harry, come read this!" Astoria called from her spot near the table. He sent Daphne one last grin, which was returned, and made his way back to the contract.

"You done ogling my sister?" the girl asked with an amused smirk, offering the parchment.

"Never," Harry responded distractedly, already reading the new additions, which meant he didn't notice the happy smiles Hermione and Astoria shared at his answer.

"This looks great, guys, thanks. I want everyone to read this carefully," he continued loudly, turning back to the group.

"If you're uncomfortable with the wording, we'll try to change it. If you're uncomfortable with the promises, I won't be upset in the least. You'll continue to be part of this group, but the rest of us simply won't be able to talk about certain things around you, and you may be asked to leave for certain portions of the sessions."

He set the contract back on the table, signed it, and allowed the group to read and sign as they wished. Hermione led the way, with a queue quickly forming. Harry collapsed in a chair out of the way and was quickly joined by his prettier best friend.

"You did great today, Hermione," he said seriously.

"I'll never be a fighter," she countered with a shrug. "But things like that are fun. The real thing terrifies me, though."

"Me too," he replied easily.

"But you're still gonna do it. You're still going to be at the front of all this."

"Of course. And I have a feeling you'll still be somewhere behind me, despite your fear."

"Unfortunately," Hermione agreed with a grin. "I can't trust you on your own."

"True," he said with a laugh.

"You're so happy. Ever since Hogsmeade, you've been a different person. I'm really glad, Harry."

"Thanks, Hermione. Feel free to say I told you so."

"I did, didn't I? And I hope you'll remember that I know best in the future."

"I will," Harry answered, laughing again. "I could've saved myself a pretty awful week if I'd listened."

"No, I actually think that time was for the best. As heartbroken and miserable as you were, you needed that week. You're as stubborn as Ron, and you needed to feel life without her for a bit, so you could take what you're feeling seriously."

"I spent fourteen years without her," Harry argued. "It still feels so surreal. Your boyfriend is smarter than he looks, I think."

"You talking about the Doctor of Love?" Ron asked as he approached. "I heard the word 'boyfriend'."

"Just about how incredibly intelligent you always appear," Harry answered quickly. "It just seems like every moment of the day, you're contemplating big things, ya know? The meaning of life. Relativity. The expanding universe."

"Huh?" he asked dumbly in response.

"There it is!" Hermione cheered with a laugh. "There's my wise Doctor boyfriend!"

Ron knew he was the butt of a joke, but couldn't help smiling at Hermione's laughter. Harry looked up to see the line of students finishing up, and stood with a last smile to his friends. He picked up the parchment after George signed with a ridiculously large flourish, and counted the names. Twenty-five.

"You guys really know how to make a guy feel special," he said to the gathering group. "Thank you for your trust. Now, who has questions about our finale this evening."

Tracey quickly raised her hand, and Harry acknowledged her with a chuckle.

"I think I remember yours, Trace. Your eloquence is hard to forget." The girl sent him a fake glare and he grinned at her before continuing. "The simple answer is I've been training since the end of school last year. The normal configuration of the Room is a recreation of my basement at home, and I put in at least three hours of work everyday over the summer. Usually more. I used training dummies extensively to practice evasion, and made a conscious effort to dedicate myself to growing and expanding my skill set.

"I don't expect that of any of you," he continued gently. "I don't expect you guys to dedicate your lives to it like I have, and I hope you won't have a need to. I plan to be at the front of the coming war, and I plan on ending it when I can."

"But Harry," Hannah asked, raising her hand. "Surely that's not your job."

"You've seen how the Ministry is reacting," Harry responded gently. "You would have been on your own at Hogsmeade if my friends hadn't stepped in. The aurors and volunteers that protected us weren't on duty, they were only there as a favor. Fudge would rather spend his nights in luxury than do his job, and I refuse to let our world be destroyed by those who think themselves our superiors."

"Why don't you just storm the Ministry?" Dean asked with a grin. "From what we just saw, you'd be king in a few hours."

"I'll only fight Death Eaters," Harry answered seriously, hoping the statement would remain true. "Or Dementors, obviously. I have to believe that our side will figure itself out, and that they'll respond to the coming threat."

"And if they don't?" Neville asked with a serious tone.

"Then I'm prepared to."

—

Harry took a moment to himself as the rest of the group trooped out of the Room, something he tried to do after each session. His mind seemed to work too fast recently, and if he didn't focus on calming his thoughts with Occlumency exercises, it quickly grew distracting.

"Er… Harry?"

He breathed deeply at the interruption, opening his eyes after a moment. Blaise stood awkwardly a few steps away, Daphne further behind to allow a bit of privacy. Harry grinned warmly at the boy before gesturing him into a nearby chair.

"What's up?"

"I just wanted to mention something," the Slytherin began as he sat. "We all know how much Draco hates you, and it's been entertaining as hell watching you make him look stupid for the last few years."

"Happy to be of service."

"I don't think it's him you should be worried about, though," the boy continued seriously. "I make it a bit of a habit to listen in on conversations when I can, and some of the older students seem like they're looking to be more proactive recently."

"Who?" Harry asked, sitting forward concernedly. "And are they talking about me specifically? Are you four okay in the house?"

"They haven't mentioned us," Blaise reassured him. "They seem intent on you and your Gryffindor friends at the moment. Montague and Warrington seem to be the ringleaders, and I heard Warrington mention how much they'd be rewarded for taking you and your group down."

"Really? They've never seemed like much of a threat other than to the rules of quidditch."

"They're dicks. Those two and Pucey seem the most confident, but there are others listening to the pair. I just wanted to let you know."

"I appreciate it, Blaise. Really. I'll keep an eye on them, but my only real worry is for you four that have to deal with them every day."

"We've been looking after each other since first year, and Astoria the year after. The rest of the house knows what happens if one of us is targeted, and the Greengrass girls are merciless in their punishments."

"Couldn't have told me this last year?" Harry asked with a grin, hoping to break the tension.

"I thought it was 'Gryffindors forward' or some such nonsense," Blaise countered sarcastically. "I think you may be safe from their mistreatment, but it wasn't easy to convince Astoria to stay out of it when you were being dumb."

"I thank you for the effort. Any firm plans I should be aware of?"

"Not that I've heard. Pucey and Montague both tend to pick their moments, and they've gotten pretty good at staying under the radar. Warrington is as subtle as Crabbe and Goyle, though, so he may be dumb enough to try something in front of the Queen herself. I know you're already on high alert, but I just wanted to mention it."

"I really appreciate it," Harry said as he stood and extended a hand. "And thank you for watching the girls so closely."

"That's not for you," Blaise answered as he took the offered hand. "Those three are my favorite people in this world, and I'd jump in front of a train for any of them."

"I'll keep an eye on you whenever we're near trains, then. Good job today."

"Thanks, mate. And good luck with Daphne. She's a crazy person, but the good kind… I think…"

"Your confidence is reassuring."

"I heard that, Zabini."

"Damn," Blaise whispered with a grimace.

"Forget she was there?" Harry asked with a grin.

"She needs a fucking bell tied around her neck."

"She can still hear you," Daphne interrupted. "I'd suggest you quit digging."

"I think I'll head out."

"Great idea," she answered with a glare, though Harry could see the amusement behind the look.

Blaise left for the dungeons, and Daphne plopped to the couch with a sigh. She quickly pulled him down next to her and snuggled into her 'spot', and Harry gently stroked her hair as she got comfortable.

"Thanks for talking to him," she said, her face a bit muffled by his shirt.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"I knew you would, but he was a bit nervous about it. He said group settings are one thing, but he was worried you wouldn't trust him if he tried to warn you."

"I'm sorry he feels that way. I don't think I've ever had a problem with him specifically, and now that I know him, I can easily call him a friend. Tell him I said so, would you?"

"I will," she whispered, squeezing him a bit tighter.

A thick silence fell, but it wasn't an easy one. Harry's instincts told him Daphne was worried about something, but he was hesitant to push her. He returned the squeeze instead, hoping she would feel comfortable enough to share. After a long moment and an elaborately deep breath, she sat up and pulled away a bit.

"What's wrong?" he finally asked, his nerves getting the better of his patience.

"It's nothing," Daphne answered quickly, though her body language said otherwise. "It's just… Draco…"

"What's he done now?"

"Nothing yet, but he broke up with Pansy last week and has decided to set his sights elsewhere."

"Has he been bothering you?" Harry felt his magic swell in anger, but tamped it down as much as he could.

"Not offensively," Daphne assured him, grabbing his hand. "He's just been trying to flirt whenever we're in the same room."

"Even after you sent him to the hospital wing? How thick can one person be?"

"He's a glutton for punishment. I think there's a word for it, but I'd rather not even think about it. Somehow he saw the attack as proof I'd be a strong match, and he's been hinting that Lucius is going to approach my dad."

"I wish I could be there for that conversation."

"Me too. I just wanted to tell you before you saw it for yourself, since he's obnoxiously blatant about it."

"Thanks, Daph," he whispered, squeezing her hand. "But even if you hadn't told me, I trust you. I have a feeling men are gonna be approaching you your entire life, and I don't blame them in the slightest."

"The insecure part of my brain thought you'd be upset for some reason," she admitted, scooting back to her spot. "I should've known better."

"Because we know each other so well?" Harry countered with a teasing smirk. "There's gonna be a bit of a learning curve for us, and I think it's exciting."

"I do too, and I wanna know everything."

"That could take a while."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Harry's heart flipped at her immediate response, and he couldn't stop the smile that grew on his face. "Good."

A/N: Looking back at the story to make sure my other formatting stuff translated, I realized my squiggles to denote flashbacks also don't come over correctly. DUUMMMB. I'll figure something else out for that, though the flashbacks are super rare from here on out. Thanks for reading!