Disclaimer: All charcters and world concepts are property of J.K. Rowling

Disclaimer: This is not the work of CNG25 but that of Lilausty, originally published on harrypotterfanfiction-dot-com.

Chapter 25: Law Of The Land

"Students, welcome back to Hogwarts. I hope you all had a good Christmas, despite the dark times that we are living in." She began a slight smile on her face.

Ginny leaned over and whispered slightly, her lips barely moving, "ouch time!" He nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed upon those of the Headmistress.

"Unfortunately due to certain circumstances revealed to me at the end of last term, I have to enforce new rules upon the student body of Hogwarts. I wish to impress upon you that this is not a punishment in any way, but the actions of a few people have shown me that despite your maturity, you are still children and therefore cannot be expected to act like adults."

She took a deep breath, "Effective immediately the defence group known as the DA is to be disbanded completely, no meetings are allowed. If in the future, students wish for additional defence classes, the teachers of Hogwarts will be happy to abide, but for now, it is not suitable for such a class to be taught by a student."

Harry nearly laughed at the look of disbelief on the members' faces. Particularly the Gryffindors looked ready to mutiny. Several looked to him obviously wanting permission to start hurling abuse, but he subtly shook his head and they subsided, settling for glaring intensely at the Headmistress.

"Secondly, I am bringing the curfew of 10pm forward to 8pm except for NEWT students who may use the library under supervision until 10pm. I know this will cause hassles for the OWL students particularly and I do apologise, but it is for your own safety. Also, while we are not cancelling them, Hogsemede trips will now be teacher supervised, with certain areas banned, including the Shrieking shack as well as the southern outskirts. Again this is for your protection, not as a punishment."

She sighed heavily, "Again I must apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause many of you…"

"Then don't do it!" someone called out, obviously disgusted by the new rules.

Harry's head snapped around and looked at Ernie who was on his feet glaring at the Headmistress. Before she could respond he burst out, "You were all aghast when Umbridge took control of the school bit by bit. Well you are doing the exact same thing! How long do you think it will be before more edicts are enforced? We trusted you Ma-am and this is how you repay us?"

She looked genuinely furious, "Mr Macmillian that is enough. I can assure you that this is not a take over. I can understand your anger, but unfortunately this is a necessary precaution against certain dangerous actions taken by a few in recent weeks."

Obviously not willing to back down he snorted, "Now doesn't that sound familiar? Ok fine, you aren't teaching us that liking 'half-breeds' is a dangerous action, but just because Harry's deeds do not meet your approval doesn't mean you have the right to…"

"Enough!" she burst out, sending a death glare at Ernie, before shooting another at Harry.

For his part, Harry was completely dumbfounded at Ernie's proclamation. The boy had always respected authority figures, and while he had been in the DA and supported Harry during the Umbridge era, Harry had never thought he would argue with the teachers of Hogwarts for him.

However, what really flayed Harry was the muttering of the students around him, many shooting McGonagall dangerous and disgusted looks, obviously agreeing with Ernie's summary of the situation.

McGonagall spoke over the whispers, "I am sorry that so many of you are angry with these new rules, but the fact that there are so many of you, proves to me that this is a necessary step. Any lawlessness will be dealt with harshly, there will be no favours granted to anyone, and I look to our prefects as well as our Head boy and girl to uphold the new regime.

Hermione almost snorted and even Ron raised an eyebrow, but luckily McGonagall couldn't see their faces. The Headmistress waved her arms and the feast appeared, "Eat well, and then return to your dormitories."

Ron muttered, "Finally, I thought we'd never get fed tonight."

Hermione however looked too furious to eat, "This is appalling! Harry please tell me you aren't going to roll over to her?"

He cocked his head to the side, "I thought you didn't want me teaching people how to kill Herm?"

She rolled her eyes, "I don't but you are a good teacher, and so far you have only been teaching us to fight, not to kill."

Harry coughed on his food, "Herm, you do realise the techniques I have taught you allow you to kill. You have to make the decision yourself about using those techniques, but I have not just been teaching you to fight. Think about it, Incendo, Reducto even Stupefy can all kill in the right situations."

After a moment her eyes went wide and she stuttered, "Y-You're right! But you haven't been telling us to kill."

He rolled his eyes back at her, "And I am not going to start to. It is not my place to tell someone to take a life. That decision can only be made by the person, otherwise being forced down such a path can break the soul."

"You came to the decision." Neville stated, "And it hasn't affected you at all."

Ginny frowned, "Didn't affect us? How can you say that Nev, that was the first time we killed, and we were a total mess afterwards! Mind you, getting yelled at by your brother and being disowned by your adopted mother might have contributed to it!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed, pain written clearly on his face as he looked at his mash potato, "After you were through with me, your mother caught up with us. She disowned me, told me that I had betrayed her one to many times and that she not longer counted me as family."

Ron winced, "Ouch. I-I didn't know that, in fact I don't think any of us did."

Harry shrugged, "Can't say I blame her, though it hurts like hell."

Hermione meanwhile looked confused, "What did she mean, one to many times?"

"Let's face it; each year since I came into her life a member of her family has been hurt, sometimes quite severely." Harry explained.

Ginny nodded, "I didn't help the situation when I refused to come home with her. She wants to home school me for the rest of the year, but I am not going to go."

Ron sighed, "It's kind of pointless to try and protect you now though."

Ginny looked hopeful, "Can you tell her that? I mean, I know you don't agree with us, and you really don't like Harry at the moment, but can you try and convince her to let me stay?"

Her pleading eyes were enough to soften that stubborn pride of her brothers and he sighed again, "I-I'll try Gin. But you know as well as I do that we both got our stubbornness from someone and it wasn't our father!"

"Mr Potter." A voice said behind them.

Harry turned around and looked at Tonks, "Yes professor?"

"The Headmistress would like to see you and Miss Weasley tonight at 7:30pm in her office. Don't be late!" with that she turned on her heel and walked back up to the head table.

Neville grinned, "Well that was straight to the point."

Harry snorted, "Oh I doubt very much that Tonks is pleased with the new regime. Let's face it, she is a rule breaker at heart, and she has never had any problems with letting us run amok. Having to enforce these new rules has got to stick in her throat."

Ginny nodded in agreement, "Yes, especially since she knows she can't turn a blind eye without getting in trouble."

"I'm coming." Ron said suddenly.

"Huh?" Harry asked.

"To your meeting thing, I am coming. Mum'll probably be there and so might Dad. Plus I want to hear what she has to say to you." Ron almost grinned at Harry.

The black haired teen was genuinely confused, "Ron? Your mood swings are starting to give me whiplash. Are you mad at me or not?"

Ron shrugged, "I meant what I said before Christmas. All of it! You are the best mate a guy could ask for. I just don't think Ginny should be involved is all."

"Well, if you are going then so am I" Hermione declared.

Harry replied, "You do realise that if you come, McGonagall will automatically think you are on my side. You risk losing your badges."

That stumped Hermione for a second, but a determined look crossed her face, "I am on your side Harry, and if losing my badge is required to stay there, then so be it!"

Neville's eyes brightened slightly, "Harry, you should ask for a final DA meeting, just to pass on your last thoughts!"

Harry grinned, "Nev, I doubt very much it would be unsupervised, and I know that McGonagall would not want me spreading around my 'thoughts.' Still, it is an idea I'll run past her."

The dishes of food were disappearing and some students were getting to their feet. Harry looked at his watch and sighed, "it is 7:20, we probably should get going, after all, we are under strict orders not to be late!"

Ginny giggled and looped her arm through his, "Well, let's go face the music then."

Saying goodbye to the other Gryffindors, they made their way out of the Great Hall. It was obvious that many students from the DA wanted to talk to Harry, but at a gentle shake of his head, they subsided.

Fawkes appeared and sat on Harry's shoulder, startling Ron and Hermione. Ginny had gotten so used to the bird flashing in and out that she didn't even blink.

"The founders are following. They also wish to hear what McGonagall has to say to you"

Harry nodded and passed the message onto Ginny who subconsciously grinned. Ron and Hermione were completely oblivious to this exchange, leading the way to the Office.

Hermione gave the password and they all trooped inside, just as the clock struck 7:30pm

"Ah, good, you are on time." One of the portraits stated.

McGonagall was seated at her desk with both Weasley parents as well as the twins, Bill, Tonks and Kingsley facing them.

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Quite a gathering." He muttered.

"Mr Potter, Miss Weasley, please sit down." McGonagall gestured to two chairs. She then turned to Ron and Hermione, "You two were not requested to be here."

Ron shrugged, "Maybe not, but since most of my family is here, I guess I should be as well. And Hermione insisted." The girl nodded emphatically.

McGonagall sighed, "Oh very well."

"It is good to see you safe Ginny." Bill stated softly, looking at his little sister.

She smiled back, "It's good to see you too. I was always safe, there was never any doubt."

Mrs Weasley snorted, "That is a matter of opinion."

Ginny shrugged, "Well, considering what happened over the Christmas holidays, I was much safer then you were!"

Obviously unable to contradict her daughter, Mrs Weasley simply glared at her. It seemed her wrath for the moment was being contained by Mr Weasley who had an arm around her.

"Mr Potter, I asked you here tonight to see if you have changed your attitude. As you saw, the majority of the student population is not impressed that your little escapade means less freedom for them." McGongall stated.

Harry laughed, immediately causing the Headmistress to bristle, "Ma-am, if you are trying to insinuate that they are angry with me you are wasting your time. If Ernie's little spiel wasn't enough, the glares that the students were giving you not me, should demonstrate where the real animosity is being directed. Let's be honest with each other for a moment, if it was another student who had done what I did, would you be exerting as much pressure as you are now? Or is it just because you fear the influence I have over the students? Because they respect me instead of fear me?"

She glared, "Whether or not these new rules have come into effect because it was you or someone else is irrelevant Mr Potter. They are in effect, and rule breakers will be severely punished. Do not think that your standing as the Boy-Who-Lived will get you off the hook."

Harry wasn't looking at her, his gaze fixed upon an awake Dumbledore. The old Headmaster's face was one of sorrow and disappointment. McGonagall turned and saw this, returning her gaze to Harry, "You see! Even Dumbledore is disappointed in you!" she stated triumphantly.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly but didn't say anything. Harry got the message however and replied, "No, I don't think so Ma-am. But even if he is, my war is different to his, and I will not back down. My answer is no, my attitude has not changed at all."

Mrs Weasley, obviously unable to take any more snarled, "Then Ginny will be coming home with us tonight. You will not see her again!"

Ginny bristled, but before she even got a word out Ron interceded, "Mum, that would do no good now."

Flayed by her youngest son, her mouth worked wordlessly. Mr Weasley asked, "And what do you mean by that Ron? You cannot deny she is in danger!"

"Of course not, but let's face it; the damage has been done, she is a target now and You-Know-Who is not going to leave her alone just because she leaves Hogwarts. The Burrow is not as protected as here, you send her home and you will be putting her more at risk. The castle can be defended against an attack, and at least near Harry, she has access to Fawkes, and he can get her away instantly." Ron explained.

Fawkes trilled in agreement, rubbing his head against Ginny's. Fred and George looked stunned at the phoenix's familiarity with their sister, obviously not understanding that the phoenix was sentient.

George glanced at his mother, "Ron has a point you know. It really is too late to try and protect Ginny. She has chosen her own path, even if it is against your wishes."

Mrs Weasley glared, "She is too young to make her own choices!"

That drew a snort from Harry, earning him a death glare in return, but he was not going to be cowed. "That is a pretty rich statement Mrs Weasley. Especially coming from you, the woman who fell pregnant with her first child during school! At the peak of Voldemort's reign during the first war no less!"

Harry obviously touched a nerve, for the woman flushed a deep red and looked like she could have spat fire. Bill looked mortified and Ron was stunned, but the twins cracked evil grins, obviously trying not to laugh at Harry's statement.

Realising she was quickly losing control of the situation, McGonagall interrupted firmly, "Harry, you should not interfere with another family."

Fred interrupted, "Yes he should, because he is part of it!"

Harry's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise at the twin's statement. George was nodding in agreement, "Yes Ma-am, Harry is every bit as much a brother to us as Ron is."

"You would take his side over your mothers?" Mrs Weasley asked, her voice dangerously low.

George winced but Fred answered strongly, "It isn't a matter of taking sides mother. Families have disagreements all the time, they are still family. Just look at the git we call Percy!"

Mr Weasley had been very quiet up to this point but he smiled at his son, "That is an extremely wise statement Fred, I am impressed that under that larrikin exterior beats the heart of a serious man."

Fred looked utterly horrified, "Serious? ME? NEVER!"

Some of the tension in the room was released with Tonk, Kinglsey and Bill giving genuine laughs, even Ron smirked slightly.

McGonagall frowned, "Harry, due to your behaviour and your lack of remorse, I am revoking the 10pm library rule for you. Your curfew is also 8pm, and so help me, if you are found in the halls after that time you will wish that Umbridge was here!"

Harry sighed, "Ma-am, I can assure you, you will not catch me wandering the halls. But if you think you can keep me in the Gryffindor common room after hours, you have another thing coming. I am telling you now that I will be breaking the rules. Fawkes doesn't stand for it and neither do I!"

Obviously furious that her edict was being completely disregarded she all but yelled, "I will not be dictated to by a bloody bird and a puffed up egocentric boy!"

BANG!

There was a flash of smoke and everyone looked around in confusion. Harry's eyes had automatically sought Ginny's wand, expecting her to have cursed the Headmistress, but she was looking as dumbstruck as the next person.

It wasn't until the smoke had cleared that McGonagall was revealed….as a rabbit.

After a quick check of all people in the room, Harry realised that one of the witnesses behind the wall had obviously lost their temper, though which one he had no idea. Smirking slightly he waved his wand and the Headmistress was restored.

To say she was angry would have been an understatement, her eyes were almost glowing with fury as she spat, "Mr Potter, you have just earned yourself a detention for the rest of the year for attacking me!"

"Huh?" Tonks, Kingsley, the twins, Bill and Ron all asked together.

She glared at them, effectively shutting them up but Hermione wasn't to be silenced, "Professor, he didn't attack you! I was watching him the whole time! He didn't even raise a wand, he didn't even get angry enough to warrant wandless magic. It wasn't him!"

"Be quiet Miss Granger or risk losing your badge!" she snarled.

"Minerva, calm down before you humiliate yourself." Kingsley said sharply. "Mr Potter was not responsible for that advance magic just displayed. Though if you wish confirmation I can simply test his wand?"

She was breathing heavily obviously angry that she was about to be overruled. "Well then who did do it then?" she snarled.

"Perhaps Hogwarts herself?" Harry suggested.

The colour in McGonagall's cheeks faded rapidly, "H-How do you know…?" she stuttered.

His eyebrows rose, "What? How do I know that Hogwarts is semi-sentient? The same way I learnt how to kill Death Eaters."

"Well, you still haven't told us how you have done that to a satisfactory level." Tonks pointed out.

Harry grinned, "And nor shall I. An ace in the hole only remains when it is undetected." She grinned in understanding.

Mr Weasley meanwhile was talking quietly to his wife, who obviously still wanted Ginny to come with her. However, after a few minutes she sighed in defeat, "Ginny, you may stay here, purely because it is safer for you now. But so help me child, if I find out you have been in any more battles, it won't be You-Know-Who that you need to fear!" She turned her stare to Harry, "You have torn my family apart, forced them to choose sides, and for that I cannot forgive you."

He opened his mouth but before he could even say a word a voice cried out in anger, "That is completely unfair mum!" Surprised, Harry fixed his eyes upon Ron who was sitting rigidly in his seat, staring at his mother, "Harry has not forced anyone to choose a side. We have done that! Done it with our own views. He has not tried to force us to act as he does, not even to accept what he does. He has been nothing but understanding through this whole thing, even with me, though I have been pigheaded and a complete bastard to him! We are forcing him to pick a side, and he has. Ok, fine it may not be the one we all agree on, but don't go putting the blame on his shoulders when it rests firmly on ours!"

Fred and George were nodding in agreement, the latter stating firmly, "Ron is right Mum. Harry is prepared to sacrifice his life for us, as has been demonstrated time and again. You may not like his methods, but there is no doubting that if there is any hope for this war it lies with him."

"Then we are doomed!" she shot back, "When our fate rests in the hands of a 17 year old boy who is willing to commit murder without any second thoughts."

Harry sighed, "It grieves me Mrs Weasley that you cannot see that I only do this because I must. Killing in the heat of battle is not murder, but yes you are right, it does affect the soul. Have I had second thoughts about it? No, only because I know what I am doing is right. Has it pained me and caused me grief? Yes absolutely."

The emotion he poured into his voice was enough to make her face soften ever so slightly, but after a moment it hardened again and she turned away, obviously disregarding his statement.

Harry sighed again, before looking at McGonagall, "Professor, I have a request from several of the DA members. They wish to have a final meeting, supervised if necessary, if only to reminisce good times together."

She eyed him thoughtfully before frowning, "I do not think it is a good idea, I do not want you to poison them."

Ginny snorted, "Ma-am if you don't, you are inviting a riot amongst the students. Harry's public opinion is at an all time high when he turned back the attack. He saved many students' lives that day, and they want to know that he is willing to keep fighting. If you don't let him tell them that they you will lose what control you have left."

She glared at the red haired teen before turning her gaze back upon Harry, "If you swear a wizard's oath that you will not try and keep hosting DA meetings behind my back, then I will allow you to have one last meeting. But it will be supervised, by myself and Professor Tonks. That is my condition, take it or leave it!"

Hermione looked fearful and Ron looked stunned but Harry merely pulled out his wand and held it straight, "I, Harry James Potter do so swear on my wizard's honour that after the last DA meeting I will not initiate nor participate in any further DA meetings at school until such time as they are approved by the Headmistress. So mote it be." A wisp of gold smoke wafted out of his wand and hovered around his head before dissipating completely. He stared at the Headmistress, "So? Will that do?"

She frowned, "I noticed that you left open the option to start it up again when you graduate Mr Potter."

He shrugged, "School is only a very small part of my life Professor. I refuse to be tied by something that is insignificant in the long run. Now, what date did you want the final meeting?"

"I suppose Wednesday night would be enough time to pass the word around." She replied.

He nodded, "So be it. Was there anything else you wanted of us Professor? It is getting pretty close to curfew, and I think it would be pretty unfair if you kept us behind and then punished us for it."

She glared at him before waving them away, "Very well, get yourselves back to the Gryffindor common room."

Hermione hastily jumped to her feet and almost pulled Ron out of the room, Harry and Ginny following, the latter giving her brothers a farewell wave and receiving several in return.

The common room was much busier than normal due to the fact that the students were not allowed out, and the noise was excessive, mostly because of the outraged shouts that were being flung through the air. Harry couldn't help but give a smirk at the disgust many were showing towards the new rules.

As soon as Neville saw Harry he made his way over, quickly followed by the rest of the Gryffindor DA. "Harry! Even on the first night you are cutting the curfew close!" he greeted him with a grin.

Harry shrugged grinning back, "Oh you know. I like to live on the wild side."

Ginny had her arm wrapped around his waist as they sat down on the couch. Seamus rubbed his hands together, "So, how are we going to continue the DA then? I mean around McGonagall's back?"

Harry frowned, "For now we aren't." All the jaws around him dropped, and several people started to protest. He held up his hands, "Look, this isn't Umbridge we are dealing with, McGonagall is highly intelligent and far more connected to this castle than that bitch ever was. We would be caught, and from what I have just heard, the consequences would not be pleasant."

Ginny spoke up, "McGonagall has given permission for a final meeting in which Harry will, well, give a final speech I guess. It will be supervised, but it is the best we can do."

"But…" Hermione looked shocked.

Harry shook his head, "I am sorry Herm, but I swore an oath, I cannot be a part of any DA functions at school."

She sighed, "It just isn't fair."

He grinned, "At least Tonks is a good teacher. You have no fear about not being trained up well for your NEWTS, and she has been giving some pretty good duelling techniques as well. It isn't like back in fifth year this time."

"But that's not the point!" Neville burst out, "The DA wasn't a study group any more, you made that perfectly clear to us when we joined. We were an army built to defend the students and the school. Now you are saying that just because of a few silly rules we are just going to bend over? I thought we stood for something." The pain and outrage in his voice was evident and Harry winced.

"Look Neville believe me I know how you feel. None of this would have happened if I didn't kill those Death Eaters, or if McGonagall was a bit more understanding towards my reasoning." Harry explained.

Dean tilted his head, "Why do you need reasoning?"

Several sets of eyes turned to him, Harry asking, "Huh?"

"Well, we are in a war. Killing is just a natural fact of it." He stated firmly.

Harry couldn't help but give a grateful smile, "Dean, you just made my day. I have been trying to explain that concept for days. But unfortunately, because the Death Eaters are the ones that kill and that the light side is not supposed to, I am considered to be treading a very fine line."

The dark skinned boy just shook his head in exasperation, "But that is just silly! For crying out loud, in the muggle military, even if you aren't soldier, just an engineer or something, they are still taught how to kill. What do they think this war is? A sit down dinner with fancy champagne?"

A few of the members were muttering amongst themselves, most were nodding their heads in agreement and even Hermione had a thoughtful look on her face as she stared at Harry. For his part he was shaking his head, "For now, I think that we should just wait until the final meeting. After that we can decide what we want to do. Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to partake in anything you do, for I would only bring the wrath of McGonagall down on you."

Ginny focussed her gaze on the clock and blinked, "Wow, you guys probably better start getting ready for bed if you want to be even half awake for classes tomorrow."

While it was still early, the others got the hint and left the four alone. Ron was fidgeting, looking extremely confused, Hermione looked sad but Ginny and Harry were merely smiling at each other in contented love. However, after a moment Harry looked at Ron and asked, "Are we fighting Ron? Still? Or can you understand where I am coming from yet?"

The red haired teen looked into his eyes for a moment before sighing, "I don't know Harry. On one hand I want to beat you senseless for putting my sister in danger. However, I also realise that she is not a child even if she is not of age yet, and she is a rather stubborn witch and she would have found a way to put herself at the front lines even if you weren't in the picture."

His eyes flicked to his sister who was nodding in confirmation, before continuing, "As far as you killing Death Eaters, I honestly don't know. I mean, you make good points about the fact that this is war and killing is necessary, but still, it's killing, you are taking another's life."

Hermione nodded, "We talked to Remus like you suggested while he was recovering from the attack. He told us several stories about the first war which gave me nightmares. I don't think I fully understood the horrors that the Death Eaters were capable of. A person capable of that sort of evil cannot come back to the light, but if you then take their life in turn, you are affecting your own soul. They aren't worth that, and I fear the long term consequences. According to Remus, the individuals who were willing to kill are all dead, so long term effects could not be measured."

Harry gave a slight smile, "Believe me when I say I am not lessening the seriousness of the situation, and it was a decision that I did not arrive at over night. But that day, I grieved more for the child than the monsters that killed him. I know that you are worried that I could be damaging my soul like Voldemort did, but understand this; while killing can rip the soul, love can heal it. My soul is still whole, and as long as I can love, it will remain so."

Hermione looked confused, "Where did you learn that?"

"Same place I have learnt everything else." He grinned.

Hermione sighed, "And you still won't tell us."

Ginny patted her gently on the arm, "Herm, I have no doubt you will learn soon enough."

Ron fixed Harry with a serious stare, "Do you mean that Harry? About your soul not being damaged by the killing? That there is hope for those of us that decide to use violence in this war to save others?"

Harry nodded emphatically, "yes Ron. This war cannot be won if people are not willing to fight and to kill, but it doesn't mean that we are betraying the 'light.' We are not selling out our own morality in order to destroy the darkness. Monsters will not be created in the action of destroying those that already walk our land."

The red haired teen sighed, "Then, taking you at your word, I am with you. I do not yet know if I can kill someone, but you have not lost my loyalty, even if you are the prat that has put my sister into more danger." A ghost of a grin hovered on his lips as he said the last statement.

Ginny almost collapsed, the relief on her face evident and Harry returned the grin in full, "Thank you Ron, that means the world to me. I know I wouldn't have a chance in this war if you aren't by my side."

Ron nodded, "Just promise me something Harry. Please, please protect my sister. Do not let her get hurt."

Harry squeezed Ginny's waist and smiled, "Oh don't worry, I intend to."

Hermione yawned deeply, "Well, I still do not think we should roll over to this new regime, but right now I am just too tired to argue with you about it. But do not think that I will stop badgering you about it tomorrow." She said, fixing Harry with a sleepy stare.

He smiled, "I wouldn't dream of it Herm. Goodnight."

She got to her feet and held out her hand to Ron, "Come on, you can kiss me goodnight and tuck me in."

He blushed, "B-but boys can't get up there."

She rolled her eyes, "You are head boy Ron, you can." With that she waved goodbye to Harry and Ginny and pulled Ron towards the dorms.

Ginny stifled a giggle, "Oh it is nice to see the woman wearing the pants in that relationship." Harry nodded in agreement just as Fawkes came and flashed them to Phoenix's Nest.

The founders were sitting in the lounge, obviously arguing over something but the immediately stopped when the teens arrived. Harry grinned, "Oh please, don't stop on our account."

Helga gestured for them to take a seat asking, "Harry! I am glad to hear that you have mended your friendship with Ron and Hermione. However, what on earth possessed you to take that oath?"

His eyebrow rose, "Hello Helga, have you had a good evening?"

She rolled her eyes, "Oh yes Harry, it was particularly enlightening." She replied in a falsely sweet voice.

"Good, and in answer to your first question. Do not worry, I have a plan."

Salazar's eyes narrowed, "Oh, do tell, this should be good."

Harry grinned, "I made an oath swearing that I would not host nor partake in any DA meetings at Hogwarts. So, I will hold them at my castle. Easy huh?"

Ginny frowned, "I am confused."

He smiled gently down at her, "Before each scheduled 'meeting' I will leave Hogwarts and go to Potter Castle. You will then lead all of the DA members to the Room of Requirement where the portal will be set up, and they will all join me there. We then train at the castle and return to Hogwarts when we are done. See? I told you I had a plan."

Salazar had a thoughtful look on his face, "And you came up with that just when she was asking you to swear the oath? I am impressed Harry."

He shrugged, "Actually Fawkes suggested it to me a week ago. However, before these 'meetings' will take place, I need you to do something for me."

The snake founders looked surprised, "Me as in me specifically or me as in the founders?"

"No, you as in Salazar. You are the best at legimency, you can read surface thoughts without the person knowing. During our last meeting of the DA I need you to determine who among the members is willing to stand with me unconditionally and who I need to cut loose."

He nodded, "I can do that. Do you also want to know who is willing to kill or not?"

Harry shook his head, "No, that is not necessary, it doesn't matter to me. They will reach that decision in their own time. Also, once we have decided who is going to be continuing on, our first new meeting I intend to introduce you to them. Is this ok with you guys?"

Helga nodded, "Of course, we were the ones who suggested it to you remember? Are you planning on introducing us to Ron and Hermione before hand?"

Harry shook his head, "No, there is no need. They will meet you soon enough, a couple of days won't make any difference considering that I have been hiding you from them for months now." Pausing for a moment he grinned, "Now, tell me, who was it that turned McGonagall into such a superb rabbit?"

He was looking at Salazar intently but the founder merely grinned and raised his hands innocently. Surprised, Harry then looked at the other three, two of which were grinning at the third who was blushing deeply. "Rowena?" he gasped, utterly flabbergasted.

She snorted rather indelicately, "Well she deserved it!"

Ginny laughed loudly, "Oh no doubts there, I just didn't think you had it in you to do such a thing. After all, not even Salazar and Godric can piss you off enough to transfigure them!"

Harry nodded, "yeah, I have never seen McGonagall that angry in my life. I seriously was thinking she was going to have a heart attack."

Rowena rolled her eyes, "I am glad I provided such good entertainment for you. Now however, it is past your start time and we have lessons to do."

Harry nearly groaned, "Oh fantastic, I have Occlumency first up."

Salazar glowered, "You know, I would think you would be a little more sympathetic towards me. After all, I am the one who is being bombarded with all of your memories."

Harry shrugged, "At least you didn't have to live through them!" He stood up and kissed Ginny before walking into his 'classroom.'