Chapter 7

A.C.T.

Ron had never felt more alone in his life. He sat down into 6th year Astronomy without either Hermione or Harry. He looked around the class room and he obviously recognized everyone in the room, but couldn't call any of them 'mates". It was a feeling he hadn't experienced for 6 years. He felt almost like a fraud sitting in a classroom that he intended to actually try in. He also realized how absurd that statement sounded. For probably the 100th time he looked down to the inscription on the cover page of the book:

Ron,

I will never forget my first astronomy lesson. Thank you. I truly believe in you and would like to see you be brave again and take these classes. You deserve success.

Separate classes don't end relationships. If anything it's more to talk about.

Love

'Mione

"The Universe is a grand amalgam of space, time, magic matter, and energy, in infinite variety and in infinite combination." Professor Sinistra began. "It is an infinity of infinities, that we are but specks of dust in. Nay our world is but the speck of dust. That all of the other classes carve like christmas goose to teach and preach about. Well… that's fine, let them have the world…We'll take everything else." she smiled as she introduced the subject to the class.

"Now let us see if we have any cosmic thinkers. In the ancient days of astrology, it was thought that the stars and heavens above dictated the fate, personality, and behaviors of the mortal men, and women, of this planet. But now, we have entered the age of modern magic. By show of hands, does anyone here feel the heavens influence the affairs of man today? Who says, 'yes'.

Ron raised his hand, then felt a surge of heat as he was the only one. With that came the stare of every student in the room, including Professor Sinistra.

The voice of Little Ronnie came to Ron's left ear. "What are you doing? First question out? Put your hand down!" Ron looked over to see his 2nd year self watching him in a panic. A bead of cold sweat formed on both of their foreheads.

But then, curiously He also heard Hermione's voice seemed to purr in his right. "Setting yourself apart on the first question… Nicely done, Ronald!" He looked to his right to technically see the voice of Hermione, but she looked different, with a shorter skirt and the top couple of buttons on her blouse open. Ron realized his head had to be messing with him.

Regardless of the madness in Ron's mind. Professor Sinistra was continuing on. "Well good sir, you are of a singular mind. Do you wish to reconsider?"

Little Ronny was screaming. "YES! Put your hand down and shut up!"

Dream Hermione leaned over and smiled. "You've faced Death Eaters, you handle a Professor. Besides, " Dream-mione leaned close and whispered, "You're right."

Ronald swallowed hard and had another dose of battlefield calm. "I stand by my statement."

Sinistra's eyebrows raised, then she turned to the rest of the class. "Well we certainly have a brave man here. Any wish to follow in his ranks?" She scanned the audience, not only did she not find any volunteers, for foreboding gaze forced students to lower their heads. She turned back to the redhead. "Your name, sir?"

"Ronald Weasley, ma'am."

"Stand and deliver, Mr. Weasley. Defend your answer."

Ron stood up with mixed emotions as the voices argued in his brain.

"Recant! Apologize!" Little Ronnie begged. "'Mione is going to kill us for bombing this!"

Dream-Mione sat back and smiled like a cat who caught the canary. "Actually, 'Mione is going to sit back and watch the show. You got this…. And you got a nice arse." she said, leaning back.

Ron extend fingers as he cited his examples, "Tidal activity, eclipses and other alignment events, and werewolves."

The class snickered and laughed at the third entries. Professor Sinistra's look turned incredulous, not knowing what to make of this eclectic grouping of answers. "Elaborate, please."

"Lunar tidal activity has been known for centuries to affect shipping and sailing an a worldwide scale. Especially, as mages, a whole host of spells and rituals are tied to celestial events such as solar and lunar eclipse as well as planetary alignments. Finally the lycanthropic cycle is well known to be tied to the lunar cycle."

"And you would say werewolves influence the affairs of man today?" the professor asked.

Ronald stood tall and direct to her. "In the middle of the Second Wizard war, yes ma'am, and I would venture a guess that anyone who has had a friend or family member fall victim to them one way or another would agree with me."

Professor Sinistra paused and calculated his words. "That is a unique, yet logical and well reasoned answer Mr. Weasley. Ten points Gryffindor for it."

"Thank you, ma'am." as he began to be seated. But was then interrupted.

Sinistra continued onto the class at large. "Students, across all classes, and frankly most opportunities in life, the most common threat you will find is not rage, nor malice, not even greed nor pride. It is cowardice and conformity. Mr. Weasley alone chose unique answer and when challenged Mr. Weasley alone stood firm." She turned back to look at Ron. "Well played Mr. Weasley. Fifteen points for the courage and independence you just showed."

"Thank you, very much, ma'am."

After that interaction with the Professor, the class continued more or less normal. More normal as they were covering what would be normal class material. Less normal as it was Ron who seemed to be the head of the class, and the tug between Little Ronny and Dream-moine never left him. Relief came when class was dismissed and Ron was pleased with himself … for 5 seconds. "Mr. Weasley… A moment please." Professor Sinistra asked.

"I told you! You're bloody mental to be trying this class!" Little Ronny

"Ma'am," he reported to her desk.

Sinistra looked up to him. "Alright, Mr. Weasley, I'll bite. What is your angle?"

"Ma'am?"

She gave him a sour expression. "Mr. Weasley, like an eclipse you cast a long shadow. The antics of your family, and yourself, precede you. Now, I will admit that you surprised me today with your initial response, and I will even admit I was waiting for the punchline through class today. Yet, you continued to surprise me. So I've let you have your first class here. What's the angle? What prank? What design do you have in my class?"

"None, ma'am."

"Ha!" She laughed. "Two of your elder brothers rode out of this school on broomsticks with a hail of fireworks. Now you expect me to believe you are the serious one."

"Just be brave, Ron." Dream-mione whispered.

Ron took his own courage breath. He stood all and with his shoulders back and grabbed his wrist behind his back. "Professor,I won't pretend you don't have a point. I will acknowledge my history and even that of my family. But may I offer an explanation?"

"I would truly appreciate one, yes."

"You are an educated woman Professor, one trusts you read the Daily Prophet?" She nodded. "Then you will be versed with the events of July 4, of which my house and my family came under a direct attack from the Death Eaters. One minute we were sitting down to supper and next we were literally fighting for our lives. Respectfully, events like that can change a man's perspective, just like the phases of the moon. We won that day, but after that I realized I'm not a bloody child any more. I'm of age in 6 months now. It's time to put away childish things. I'm not saying I don't crack the odd joke any more. But this… " he gestured to the classroom " … is not a joke to me. If you are wondering where today's knowledge came from I have been an amature fan of Astronomy for a while and … people whose opinions I trust and care about recommended I try this. " he paused for a moment and settled his thoughts. "Professor, this is your class. I actually do respect that. All I would ask is to be judged by how I actually perform in your class now., not for the mistakes of a youth I am trying to grow out of."

Sinista looked at Ron carefully, watching for the tick, the tell, the twitch. Anything to poke a hole in the veracity with with Ron stood, There was none. "Alright Mr. Weasley, if even the heavens above can change I will give you the opportunity to do the same. You will be judged simply by your merits."

"That's all I ask ma'am."

Late that day, as planned, a large grouping of sixth years all sat in anticipation in Muggle Studies. Harry admitted to slight nerves, the lot of them having taken this class and Ginny talking it in 5th year, all on what he felt was a logical hunch that muggle born should have an edge. A slender woman with dark blonde hair in her 40's took to the front of the room. Professor Burbage smiled as she opened class. "Welcome to Muggle Studies, I fully admit to being impressed with the class size this year, but I will take that as testament to what I have said for years. It is inevitable that the magical and the mundane world will grow closer and closer every generation. Now, let me start by throwing out a few general questions. To see how familiar you all are with life beyond and without magic."

"Especially over the course of the last century, muggles have crafted what could be called the closest copy to magic they use to operate the majority of-"

Harry raised his hand first.

"Yes, to the gentleman with the green eyes and classes. Name and answer please."

"Harry Potter, and electricity."

"Very good."

Harry smiled but then looked to his side to see Hermione glare. Further behind her Ron watched fighting a smile.

Burbage continued. "Within the last fifty years muggle have made tremendous abilities in their use and manipulation of electricity, called - yes to the lovely brunette. Name and answer."

"Hermione Granger, technology in general and more specifically circuitry. "

"Oh, high level answer there and correct."

Hermione looked back to Harry with a satisfied and smug expression.

The Professor continued. "Now for those of us not used to muggle's electricity, can anyone give and ex- Mr. Potter again, an example please."

"Well this might be a bit of a shock, but I'm going to go with lightening," Harry replied with a grin. The class was divided between groans an laughs.

Burbage showed an appreciative smile and nod. "Corny, but correct. But decent delivery so I will grant 5 points Gryffindor. At least we know who the class clown is now."

"Oi, thought that was my job?" Ron replied with a cheeky grin.

"Don't worry", Burnbage quipped, "Only the first day, lots of opportunity. Now can anyone tell me why muggle technology is incompat - all right the red head who WANTS to be the class clown, Name and answer."

"Ron Weasley, and the core difficulty is that electricity while useful for muggles is still far weaker than magic and the previously mentioned circuitry simply can't remain intact when exposed to even the most basic arcane auroras of the wizarding world. They burn out."

"Short out." Hermione corrected the term, "Muggles call it a short circuit."

"Regardless of the name, at the end of the day you have smoke rising and black wires." Harry summarized. The class including Burnbage chuckled. "Nicely done, all of three of you, Five points each, Gryffindor."

The class continued that way for the rest of the period. It felt odd to Harry in a way… actually enjoying a class, but a good odd. One he even smiled from. As soon as they reached the hall, Harry had to know. "Ron, where the hell did that blown circuitry bit come from?"

"Oh, well you know Dad. Love muggle stuff hobby of converting Wirelesss over to our side. Most all seven us have taken turns helping him."

Hermione smiled. "Well I am proud of both of you, but alas Harry. Only Ronald gets the prize." she leaned over to peck the redhead on the cheek. Harry just smiled. She did continue through. "It's actually nice having competition for once. I see why Ginny likes it so."

"Merlin, it's spreading. Soon it will be competitive breathing."

The mysterious A.C.T. class was the last class of the day. So the DA gathered in, what years ago had been the old Duling Training hall, which was only slightly small in size than the Great Hall. A few of the D. A. members had gotten there before Harry and most of the rest were quickly following behind, most with worried expressions. He immediately addressed them.

"Alright, alright, everyone relax. Yes, we're aware that A.C.T. is largely the D.A. No, none of us is in trouble. I have specifically asked. No, I don't specifically know much more than you-" then a thought came to Harry's mind, and the grin came to his lips. "... except, this summer I met with Professor Dumbledore a few times. He is well aware of us, that we're not going away, and he needed to figure a way to bring us into the fight. I'm willing to bet this is his next step. Regardless, myself, and several of us have worked with Sgt. Tonk. She knows her stuff and is a hell of an Auror."

With that the main door opened and the pink haired Auror entered the room with and let the door close behind her with a grand thud. She was wearing he black leather jacket and carrying a clipboard wrapped in her left arm and one of the most stern expressions Harry had ever seen. "Class! Give me single column down the center line!"

Harry didn't like being on Tonk's bad side during vacation, he wasn't going to risk it in class. Quickly the D.A. got itself in a single line that Tonks marched in front of to address.

"Thank you for your attendance today. My name is Sgt. Tonks, you will address me as such or ma'am. I am sure many of you have questions. I will have the floor for now and we will save questions for the end unless I invite otherwise. Beginning with variations of this collection of students have been involved with 1 or more of the three major battles of this war. Just to make things perfectly clear. Who the hell is in charge of this team?"

"I am, ma'am." Harry said as stepped forward.

Then, insanity followed.

"Glory hogging again, Potter? Sgt. Tonks, He only thinks he's in charge. You know how boys are. Bat your eyes the right way and you can get them to do anything."

"Excuse me!" Hermione questioned. "Sgt. Tonks, you know I'm the only one smart enough to manage a team like this.

"Bloody hell, the lot of you." Ron said, shaking his head. "Sgt. Tonks, you know I'm the only one dumb enough to convince a team that actually want to run towards the danger."

"Wait! Stop, all of you." Tonks ordered shaking her head. "Is there ANY one here, who does NOT plan to claim responsibility for this team?" The Training Hall was silent. "Well Mr. Potter, you certainly know how to inspire loyalty," she said with a grin. "Back in line every one."

"Now let's get to brass tacks. The Second Wizard War is upon us. Ridiculous as it sounds a large part of the wizarding world wants to ignore. You lot seem to be the few willing to step up and to your credit, you have found some success. Mr. Potter, in front of your team I will whole heartily admit what you and your fellow leaders did in putting this team together with essentially nothing was damn impressive. However, with all due respect, no one in this room is a properly trained Auror… except me. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry of Magic is recruiting you and bringing you into the fold. Mr. Potter, with respect, I will be assuming command of this unit going forward. Acceptable?"

Harry was elated. "Yes ma'am. Happily so."

Tonks nodded. "A.C.T. stands for Auror Combat Training. Whereas Defense Against the Dark Arts supposedly teaches students the basics of keeping your arse alive in an average world, my intention is to train you how to be an effective, efficient tactical unit useful to this war. Make no mistake, as soon as you are ready, and that means prior to your graduations, you will be seeing combat. The initial intention is for this unit to act as a rapid response team. To hold and secure areas freeing more senior aurors to focus on the heightened dangers. Now some of you I'm sure," eyes to Hermione " will be worried about academic progress. It is my intention you will all be fast tracked. Due to mission needs you will be granted early Appration training and testing as well as Trace permits. Believe me when I say when I am done with you, you will more than pass the Defense N.E.W.T.s." She gave a careful look to the class. "I will accept questions now. Mr. Potter?"

"When you speak of N.E.W.T.s, and the similarities between this and Defense, may I ask if you report to Snape or need his approval for any of this?"

"I'm sure you meant Professor Snape, Mr. Potter, but no. He has his classes. YOU are mine. I report to the Professors McGonagal and Dumbledore, as well as the Ministry of Magic. For all intents and purposes you will respect me as any other of your class Professors, my title is simply different and my coursework will be more intense. Miss Granger?"

"When you say more intense? In what way?"

"Yes," Tonks replied, and paused with a smile. "Humor aside, I am not kidding. Aurors serve as the shield of civilized society against the monster at the gate. Physically and magically you are challenged to outfight.. Intellectually you will be trained to outthink your enemies. Socially you will learn to operate as a singular cohesive team to outnumber your enemies." Tonks surveyed the crowd,most seemed to be taking the idea fine, but she did see some with nerves. "I'm not a fool, I know none of you knew this was coming. I will admit the duties of auror are not for everyone. But you lot, I saw you stand in courage and defiance against a superior enemy. I will give credit where credit is due. This unit, as raw, and young as you are already saved my life. I would very much like to see what you can do properly trained and equipped. This is how I repay my debt."

"Finally, to those of you who are unsure or nervous, I will let you know, eventually every Auror is. So do not let your nerves force you to leave. Additionally, I will remind you. The War has come. It will come to civilians and soldiers alike, but we as aurors will be far better face the challenges that come to meet us."

"Now, lets get some course material. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom, on the table behind you will find three boxes of the Auror Handbook, please deliver them to your fellow cadets. Class, These handbooks will be your course work. We will work in phases, you'll learn the fundamentals of Auror work as well as our standard operati. This will be our heaviest academic work. Following that we will develop your combat skills, with special emphasis on general and elemental alignment training. You'll learn how to identify, track, target and engage targets. We will cover marksmanship. You will learn how to shoot a spell straight. . Spending time on these skills also hones your self-discipline and teamwork. Then wie will build your individual tactical training, increase your leadership skills and self-discipline, and improve your understanding of teamwork. It will also include challenges and tests you'll have to pass. For tonight, I want you to read chapters 1 and 2, ready for tomorrow."

"Finally, I know how the lot of you are. You will spend maybe five minutes on the assigned reading, then get lost looking at all the Auror level spells in the back. Fine, I can't stop that, I was the same damn way. However before you are let loose on that, can anyone tell me about elemental alignment. Miss Granger?"

"Each wizard or witch's arcane abilities have a natural predisposition to certain elements. They tend to learn those spell quicker and easier with greater effects, but I've never heard of Hogwarts teaching elemental focus before."

"Correct, because Hogwarts is trying to cover the necessary bases for the British population. This is more advanced technique, but it will greatly improve your effectiveness in the field. I want to at least scry you all today so when you do start reviewing, maybe you'll spend some of that time on the spells for your element."

Tonks spent the rest of class scrying the cadets there. There weren't so many surprises, the closest ws Ron aligning with water. Rather it was more revelations much along the lines of 'Why didn't we notice that sooner.' Ginny was aligned with fire. Hermione with intellect. Neville with nature, and Harry… Harry was lightening.

Tonks finally re addressed the class in entirety. "Alright, you have first reading both by assignment and by interest, class dismissed. Except for Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, Mr. Longbottom and Miss Abbott."

Tonks led them to the teachers desk that was set up in the corner to the right of the hall 's main entrance. She took a seat while waiting for the dismissed students to depart, the invited circled around her. "Thank you, now the reason I wanted a word is because of the simple observation that each of you is in a romantic relationship with another Cadet. Now, I have seen it work both ways, where a couple is the best team in the field, or it completely blows up. But my first concern is developing and effective squadron for the war. I am not asking anyone to break up, but if you haven't before you sure as hell learn how to handle relationship with some level of responsibility and maturity. So long as you do not jeopardize my cadets or my missions, I will stay out of your lives. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes ma'am." in unison.

"Excellent, Longbottom, Abbott you are dismissed." They nodded and left.

Tonks continued. "You four, " she sighed. "You four have had me to your homes and holiday meals. I do hope you know I consider you actual friends."

"Feeling is mutual, Tonks." Harry replied.

"That being said, I hope you can recognize the new dynamics of this role. Now I promise you, I will NEVER be like Professor Snape. But this material WILL be challenging. You are not going to like me sometimes. I hope we can maintain that friendship at the end of this."

"Yes ma'am." they all nodded.

"Dismissed." Tonk nodded with a smile.

Harry's head was spinning as they left. Auror training, Actually official, auror training from an actual veteran auror. Ginny took his hand and rubbed his arm. "You okay, babe?"

Shaking his head slightly. "Just…Last night I was in the valley of 'dear Merlin, defense under Snape'. Now I've ridden to auror training 2 years ahead of time."

"Mate, you negotiated this?!" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head. "I won't even joke. When I chewed out Dumbledore I just said he needs to figure out a way for us to do something. I never thought of this."

Hermione nodded, "I think A.C.T. was from Sgt. Tonks encouragement, a result of Diagon Alley. Your … discussion with Professor Dumbledore would likely have assisted him in agreeing to it. Regardless, I am surprised. The training itself sound first rate. I admit I am please we will not be missing any N.E.W.T."

Harry shook his head, "Leave it to 'Mione to be offered a badge and be happy to about the certifications she gets along the way"

"I'm a student, we're in school! That's what we're supposed to do."

"Mione, hon," Ron asked with a rub to her back. "When have we EVER been able to stick with what average students are supposed to do?"

"True," she sighed.

As they turned a corner they almost bumped in to Luna walking at a much slower pace.

Ginny took the opportunity to hug her best friend. "Luna! What do you think of A.C.T.?" the redhead, smile dropped when she saw it wasn't shared.

"Oh, well… I dont know… um… Harry could I talk with you for a moment?" her nerves clearly apparent.

"Sure, Luna. Ron, 'Mione, catch you later." Turning back to her. "What's up?"

"I never planned to be an Auror."

"Okay, well no one is suggesting a job for life here." Harry said. "I mean I might. Ron's talked about it a bit, but of the rest, D.A. / A.C.T. / Auror.. I always figured MOST of you would use this to be good enough to take care of ourselves through the war and then move on with our lives."

Ginny offered a reassuring rub to Luna'a back.

"Well, its just the Aurors are part of the Rotfang Conspiracy, I thought everyone knew that. They're working to bring down the Ministry of Magic from within using a mixture of dark magic and gum disease."

Ginny's brown eyes looked up to Harry pleading for him 'Be kind.'

Harry wouldn't have even thought otherwise. He smiled, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Luna, do you plan to bring down the Ministry of Magic? I mean I'm sure you could, but I don't see you wanting to."

"Oh no, Harry. I don't agree with everything they do but -"

"Luna, I'm on record as not agreeing with them with everything. "

"Same here," Ginny nodded, "and neither of us is going to take down the ministry."

"And Luna, I know you know a lot, but you're not part of any Conspiracy, right?"

She vehemently shook her head. "Absolutely not!"

"Okay, and as far as gum disease goes, well both of 'Mione's parents are dentists. You knew that, right?"

"No… oh that's a relief."

Ginny reassured, "Luna, you're fine. We're all fine. If it means anything, I would really like you to stay with this. I like you around."

"I'm going to agree with Gin. You always see things uniquely, and I'm going to remind you of this, we're friends."

"I remember Harry and thank you," as she leaned into him for a hug. "I likely will stay, just to make sure we're not infiltrated." Then she let go and started walking back to her tower.

Ginny beamed. "Add that up as another thing I love about you."

"What? Being kind to Luna? Why not, she's great."

"I know that. You know that. You know most people don't, just call her Loony Luna."

"Ya, well the world is full of stupid people. But she's always welcome, little sis I never had."

"Ah, that's sweet, Harry.

"Just let me know if I ever start getting like pratty Ron over her."

"Babe, believe me, I will NEVER let you be like Ron."