AN: A little on the shorter side, but not by much, but it's where I felt the chapter needed to end. Hope you all enjoy it, and next chapter will be the next Task!

GreengrassRebel - Oh yeah, when shit hits the fan, Dora definitely has some people from abroad who could come to assist . . . and just might. We'll see! My mindsight on Harry's Shadow travel is that the Wards are up, so he can't shadow travel while on Hogwarts grounds. Astra can because you can't restrict her use of an element, but Harry's out of luck. He only could in the First Task because the wards were down. If Krum or Fleur had thought of it, they could have apparated in the First Task, as a way to get away or get around the dragon, but they didn't think of it. Harry only knew he could because Astra informed him. Though, yes, even if he could shadow travel, it would remove a lot of the running, but he would have made a lot more errors and missed a lot more targets, which might have hurt him more than it helped.

scrappy8 - Thanks! Yeah, it was time for them to have a bit more fun. You can only work hard for so long before you need some down time.

Jet22345 - No worries! Glad to hear from you again, and thanks for the support!

stars90 - Right? Dora's not allowed to leave. She's Harry's good luck charm!

Chapter 39

"Keep up the fire on the left flank!"

"Shield! Raise Shields!"

"Cover me!

"More support on the left flank!"

"Keep pushing!"

Dora shielded herself and her team, which consisted of Eichi, Steph, Branson, and Tom. They were in their final exercise of platoon operations, the final exercise of the course, and it was the final day . . . this was the final fight.

They'd been in the field for nine days, constantly fighting against the other three platoons. Four of their instructors were constantly moving around and evaluating, as were all of the other squad instructors for the other platoons. The lead instructors served more as a figure head . . . a figure head to defeat and capture. The goal of the exercise was to engage and defeat the other platoons and capture their head instructor . . . which was easier said than done. The lead instructors were the best of the best. Carson Dallows wasn't the only world champion duelist to be in charge of a platoon. The course had a reputation for a reason.

Wraith platoon had already bested Sphinx and Basilisk, but now they sought the defeat of Dragon, who had also already bested Sphinx and Basilisk, if their instructors were to be believed. This was their last chance to see who was the best platoon, something that earned no accolades other than pride, but their competitiveness ensured that nearly everyone was eager to prove their group the best. They'd had several skirmishes with Dragon over the past nine days, but none had been decisive engagements. Now though, both platoons were giving everything they had.

"First squad is covering us," Illeana called over. "Second squad is going to draw some fire. We need to push through their defenses! Fourth Squad is going to push through the center, we'll flank right!"

"Understood!" Dora and her squadmates all responded sharply.

"Alright, Branson, Tom, Barry, shield breakers!" Tristan ordered, and the three members all complied, and Dora with the remaining six rushed through the breach that had been created.

One of the squads from Dragon platoon tried to close in on them, but fourth squads own push disrupted this slightly, and the cover fire from First squad waylaid several more, allowing for Illeana, Eichi, and Stephanie to engage the remainders, making the opening for Dora, Tristan, and Cole to rush straight for Langston Brown, the head instructor for Dragon.

Dora launched a bone breaker, Tristan fired off an advanced stunner, and Cole sent off a shield breaker. Brown slapped away Dora's spell, and spun away from Tristan's spell, making Cole's spell ineffective. He responded with chained banishing charms that Cole just barely managed to shield them from, but it still knocked him back as the third broke through his sustained shield.

Brown was a powerhouse of a wizard. Sure he was very skilled in multiple disciplines of magic, but it was well known that his leading strategy was battering his opponents down since he was reputed as one of the strongest wizards alive on the planet . . . something Dora and her platoon could attest to.

Dora took the lead and immediately started trying to tie him up. She started conjuring small half walls, and vines to help corral Brown and halt his movements, and bricks and other small items to intercept Brown's spells. She kept up her defensive style, trying to keep Brown contained, trying to contain his power while Cole and Tristan took to the offensive, and she saw Brown's eyes narrowed in concentration, clearly working hard to keep up.

Dora transfigured the ground into quicksand around Brown's feet and he quickly moved to cancel her spell, but Cole was rapidly firing minor, but disruptive hexes while Tristan further removed movement by raising anti-apparation wards. Dora started raising the ground and then started animated it to start pushing forward, engulfing him, but Brown raised a barrier to shield himself.

All around her, her teammates were doing their best to keep the other platoon away from them. She even saw Steph jump in front of three spells, managing to raise a shield and deflect two of them, but using her body to stop the third from flying towards Tristan. First squad was firing rapidly at anything that was trying to approach. Second squad had rushed into the enemy platoon recklessly to draw their fire, but with Dora's crew taking on Brown, the reckless attack had worked with the enemy platoon's focus being split. Fourth squad had pierced the center of the formation and were continuing to push forward, but now were not circling towards Brown, the whole platoon trusting in Dora and her two partners.

Brown's counters started pushing on Dora's efforts and she felt the strain of trying to push the earth on his barrier and marveled at his strength as he used his magic to counter Dora while still powering a shield to counter her teammates, but she dug deep, straining to keep up and it paid off as Brown's shield was shattered by a shield breaker that came from Barry from out of nowhere, and in the gap between Brown being affected by the shield breaker, Dora crushed the earth over the man's legs, up to his thighs and Cole and Tristan sunk two advanced stunners into him, dropping the formidable legend.

Dora untransfigured all her work, and then conjured walls which she hardened and reinforced and then applied shields to while Cole and Tristan gathered Brown's limp body and moved to the rear. If they could get behind their friendly lines, the fight would be over.

Dragon tried to rally, but with victory in sight, Wraith fought as hard as they ever had, with stellar teamwork providing for an airtight defense and it wasn't long before Dora was cheering loudly and triumphantly with the rest of her team as Brown's capture was complete and the fight and the day was theirs!

**HP**

"Come on, Tonks!" Steph said cheerfully. "Only one more day until graduation, and we're finally starting to look like human again rather than half-starved old crones!"

Dora laughed.

"Yeah, but I still have another course after this . . . besides, as happy as I am to graduate -"

"Yes, you'd rather be watching Harry in the Triwizard," Stephanie said with a grin. "I know, and I get it, but you've got only two more days before you no longer have the gift of seeing my smiling face every day."

"Well, how will I ever live knowing what I'm missing," Dora mock moaned, and Steph punched her arm. "I pity your kids."

"No you don't."

"No, I don't," Dora agreed, smiling.

"Come on," Steph said. "You get to meet my husband today and I'm curious to meet everyone else's families too."

"Not everyone's," Dora mumbled a bit bummed, but she knew that there wouldn't be anyone there to see her. It was just too far and everyone had too much going on."

"Eh, I'll adopt you for the day," Steph said. "Let's go."

Dora chuckled and followed her friend out, and she glanced around seeing her squad and platoon mates all happily greeting their families for the first time in months. It did make her feel a bit homesick, but she didn't get to feel that for long before she found herself being tackled to the ground.

She grunted before her face was being licked enthusiastically and her vision could only see a wall of black.

"A-Astra!" Dora protested, laughing. She started pushing the enthusiastic hellhound off of her, and she heard a familiar voice laughing. Dora finally pushed the shadow hound off of her and then she pulled the dog in, wrapping her arms around the now panting animal and she beamed up at the smiling face of Remus Lupin.

"Hi, Dora," Remus said, and he offered her a hand, which she grabbed before she grinned devilishly and pulled him down onto her and the dog, who immediately jumped on Remus as well.

"Ack," Remus said, laughing with Dora, as they both had to fight off the playful dog, whose tail was wagging exuberantly.

"What are you doing here?" Dora asked, beaming.

"Well, Astra was missing you, and Harry was in full agreeance that she was more than capable of getting me here to visit, so well, here I am," Remus said with a shrug, looking a little nervous. "I hope you're not upset."

"Upset?" Dora exclaimed. "Of course not! This is wonderful!" Dora leaned in swiftly and kissed Remus soundly and he grunted in surprise before reciprocating and she sighed. "This is a wonderful surprise, Rem. Plus, now you can tell me all about what's been going on!"

"I figured you'd want to hear about Harry," Remus agreed with a smile, "and I'm sure Harry would love to hear how things have been going here."

"Well come on and let me introduce you to everyone first," Dora said happily, keeping a hand on the greedy Grim, whose tongue was happily lolled out, enjoying the attention.

"Lead on," Remus said, smiling.

Dora linked her arm with his and dragged him along eagerly, aiming for where her squadmates and their families were starting to interact.

"Tonks, get over here and meet my better half," Branson said, smiling over at her, and Dora took in the plump, but smiling woman with him. She was brunette with a pretty face. Next to them was Cole and his husband, a polished looking black man in a suit.

"So, you're the one who has to feed and keep up with this punch happy bastard?" Dora asked in shock. "Love, you must be a saint!"

Branson grinned as the woman laughed.

"Oh, feeding him is definitely a chore, but he loves to eat so much that you can't help but feel extremely appreciated and flattered with how much he'll compliment what you've cooked," the woman said with a twangy southern accent and a smile. "As for him being punch happy? Always has been and always will be. It just goes with the package."

Dora smiled at that.

"Tonks," she said, extending her hand out and the woman shook it happily.

"Caroline," she responded.

"And you must be Robert," Tonks said, looking over at Cole's partner. "How do you motivate this old man to take you out?"

"Oh, I take him out," Robert responded matter of factly, with a sly grin while Cole rolled his eyes. "If it were up to him, he'd just stay out on the porch drinking whiskey and watching the horizon. Caroline and Branson help me get him out too."

"We weren't expecting any of your family to come," Branson said, eyeing Remus and looking at Astra, who had already moved forward as Caroline bent down to pet the grim, cooing.

"I wasn't expecting it either!" Dora said. "Remus here teamed up with my brother to make this happen. Astra shadow traveled him over here for this visit."

"That's mighty handy having a familiar capable of international transportation," Branson said with a whistle, extending his hand out for Remus to shake. "Pleasure to meet you, bud. Tonks here has told us lots of good things."

"I wish I could say the same," Remus said mournfully. "All Tonks does is talk about how much better she is than all of you."

"Hey, no getting me in trouble!" Tonks said, slapping Remus's arm lightly. "That's Sirius's job."

Remus grinned while Branson and Cole both chuckled appreciatively.

"My turn, ladies and gents."

Dora smiled over at Tom and his wife, a short, pretty red-head.

"Remus, this is Tom, also known as Sleeping Beauty."

The short redhead snorted at that.

"Boy, do they have you pinned down, baby. Sleeping Beauty." She snorted in amusement again. "Did anyone have to take his hat away from him?"

"Oh, all the time if we wanted him to stay awake," Branson said.

"Yep, but take away the hat, and he pouts too much, and we just didn't have the heart to fight his puppy dog eyes," Dora said with a shake of her head.

"Yeah, he just looks so sad that you have to give in to his proposal," the red head said, nodding mock sadly.

"Exactly how I got you to marry me," Tom said proudly, shaking his head and playing along.

"I was bamboozled," she agreed. "Kara," she finally introduced herself.

Introductions continued going around.

"Hot damn, Kirigaya," Tristan said, looking at his stunning fiance. "How the hell did you bat that far above your weight class?"

"What a surprise, my brother is an uncontrollable flirt," Tristan's sister, Amanda, said. "We can't keep him away from anyone."

"That's okay," Erika said, smiling before she winked at Eichi. "He's a catch, that's how. He's smart, funny, thoughtful, and an absolute smoke show in the sack."

"Erika!" Eichi protested as the Aurors and half the spouses all whooped in support.

"Damn, I think she broke Hollywood," Steph said with a grin.

"I love that you called him Hollywood! That's the perfect name for this pretty boy!"

"Thanks, sis," Tristan said dryly. "I didn't invite you here to help my friends roast me."

"You didn't invite me at all, you egghead," Amanda retorted to Dora's joy. "I've just figured out this whole Auror school system and I would never miss the chance to mess with you and ruin your whole schtick. Besides, you love me."

"Just because I love you doesn't mean that you aren't a twerp. So, Remus, what's it like dating Nympie? Don't you get tired of all of dealing with her being all melodramatic?"

"Shut up Hollywood," Amanda and Dora both shouted, before smiling at each other.

"I wish my girlfriend would have visited like Remus, but we don't have a gorgeous familiar to make that easy," Illeana said, rubbing Astra' ears as the dog nearly purred.

"She is the best!" Dora agreed, smiling at Astra. "I think poor Harry was really worried what I would say when he got her, but I love the little bugger, even if she does still occasionally eat one of my shoes"

"I never saw that apartment, but from what little Harry has described, I can only assume that it was going to be overly cramped with him and Astra living there with you," Remus said.

"Yeah, it was small, but it was home, and it was what we could afford," Dora said with a shrug, but smiling, thinking of her first place fondly.

Mike, Stephanie's husband, was a nice, and friendly guy. He seemed to own the concept that his wife could wipe the floor with him in a duel, not seeming to care at all and only looking very proud of her and her accomplishments, and both said they were looking forward to a week long vacation after graduation, while the kids were with their grandparents.

Dora glanced over at Barry and his very pretty, blonde wife, Carly, who was just as bubbly and social as he said, but super sweet and cool. She kind of reminded Dora of Penny, just without the obsession with Potions. Barry was glancing at Remus curiously and then finally he snapped his fingers.

"Ah, you're a werewolf, that's what's wrong with you!" Barry exclaimed, looking proud.

Dora watched Remus's face pale, and he backed up, looking ashamed and embarrassed. Dora's eyes narrowed and she prepared to rip Barry a new one when someone else beat her to the punch.

"OW!" Barry said, clasping the back of his head where his wife had slapped him.

"You deserve that," She said, wagging her finger. "Come on, sweetie, you know better than to shout out other people's business. I don't care how happy you are to have remembered or figured something out. Besides, choose your words more carefully."

Barry's eyes widened.

"OH! Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. Nothing's wrong with you," Barry stammered worriedly. "I just meant that I figured out what was bothering you. I'm sorry, Remus, Tonks."

"It's - er - fine," Remus said, clearly strained, his eyes glancing for his exit. "I should probably be going any-"

"No!" Dora protested, but she wasn't the only one.

"There's no need for you to leave," Carly said. "Our country isn't nearly as biased as Europe, and besides, my brother is a werewolf. No problem here."

"We've got a nice werewolf couple that lives in our town," Branson added. "Been there for years. Always nice."

Cole and their spouses nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I'm in no hurry to hang out with you during the full moon, but you seem like an okay dude right now," Tristan said, and his sister hit his arm.

"Very handsome, too," Amanda added with a wink. "I can see why Tonks likes you."

"This country is so large and spread out, there's so many places for werewolves to be safe during the full moon, and you're still witches and wizards the rest of the time, so no reason to really be scared," Stephanie said with her husband nodding.

"Wait, really?" Remus asked, looking shocked at how he was being received after being outed.

"If Tonks thinks you're good, and obviously she does, that's good enough for me," Eichi said with a shrug. "I don't have any good or bad experiences with werewolves. I know the stories, but I also know how people like to persecute that which is different. You'll have no issues with me."

"Si, none from me either," Illeana said with a shrug. "I have a good friend that's part goblin. I've seen how he is treated, and I've always hated it. I figure this is just the same thing."

Dora's anger evaporated away and she gazed at her squad and their families gratefully, knowing just how important it was for Remus to have positive reactions to being outed as a werewolf.

"So, instead of fleeing, I think you owe us a story," Dora said brightly. "I've been sharing stories involving Harry, so I'm sure they would love to hear about the Fourth Task and anything else that's gone on."

"Yeah, I'd actually love to hear that story," Mike said. "Steph's been transcribing those stories and sending them home and I've been reading them to the kids. They've replaced those fictitious Harry Potter stories, and the kids love them, especially knowing they're actually true."

"How come I didn't get Harry Potter stories written back to me?" Amanda asked with a pout. "Those have to be some good stories, just based on what I've seen in the newspapers."

"Oh, they're all brilliant," Branson said. "They make me really want to meet this kid, because I bet he's going to be an incredible duelist!"

"Of course he will be," Caroline said with a loving, but exasperated sigh.

"Well, okay," Remus said, relaxing further and smiling, looking happy. "Well, Harry did really well, but he's in Third Place now . . and he told me that when I saw you, I needed to tell you that it's your fault since you weren't there . . ."

"How in the bloody hell is it my fault?!" Dora demanded/whined.

**HP**

'Providing us a guiding light

Help us through the dark of night

Though they're never seen by day

They never really went away.'

"I still don't really understand this," Harry muttered with a sigh, and grunts or groans of agreement were heard all around the room.

"I mean, to me it all points to stars," Hermione said, "but since we know that the next task is in the Forbidden Forest, it doesn't make sense. You won't be able to see the stars in the Forest."

"Well, they could be magical stars that are hidden," Alicia said, sitting up looking energized. "What if there is a path to follow, one that needs to be revealed?"

"That's an idea," Angelina said, looking interested. "So, revealing spells could be the way forward. Or maybe some sort of tracking spell? Maybe they'll give you an item that you can use to find where you need to go? I still don't really understand either, but maybe we should just dig deeper on tracking and revealing charms. More survival charms too."

"Well, we don't have to really worry about Harry's spellwork in the dark," Katie said with a grin. "He's the only person who won't want any light because it will make his magic weaker. He's got the advantage there, but the second part worries me, plus without this guiding light, whatever it is, it doesn't seem like you can complete the Task."

Follow the guiding light and find

'Eight pallbearers carry,

death across the floor.

He weaves his shroud for those that move,

to make sure they move no more.'

"I have to imagine that the guiding light will make more sense once we get there," Harry said with a frown. "I can't imagine that the other Champions would be completely screwed without that hint. The hint is just supposed to help us prepare to make it easier."

"I think Alicia's right," Ginny said thoughtfully. "I think Angie's right too. I think we should focus on tracking, revealing, and survival charms."

"But he already knows so many of those," Ron pointed out. "How much more can he really learn?"

"I still haven't learned everything from those papers and books that Kingsley and Savage gave to me," Harry said. "Still, I do feel like I know more about tracking magic than most people, and I would think more than my fellow Champions."

"Maybe," Hermione said, pensively. "Maybe not though."

"Still, what about the last part again?"

'Eight pallbearers carry,

death across the floor.

He weaves his shroud for those that move,

to make sure they move no more.'

Ron shivered and they all knew why. They all agreed that spiders made the most sense, but Hermione argued that they had to be wrong.

"I still don't think they'd make you go after Acromantula," Hermione said. "They're too dangerous and unpredictable, and there are too many of them in the Forest."

"Yes, but they make the most sense, and perhaps this is the Ministry's way of dealing with them," Angelina said grimly.

"We also don't know that it's actually the Acromantula lair," Katie pointed out. "We're assuming because Harry and Ron know there is one, but not a lot of other people do. The Ministry could have put other Acromantula into the forest for this challenge."

"True," Hermione said.

"But wouldn't that possibly draw the others?" Ginny asked nervously.

"It could, yes," Alicia said warily. "This could be a really dangerous Task."

"Not counting Fleur's hint," Harry muttered.

They'd given their hint to Fleur, explaining what little they had seemingly deduced, figuring it was only fair, since she was giving them her hint. If she figured out more, it was on her to decide. They wouldn't know who was right till the Task was going either way.

From Fleur, they knew that the Forest had been loaded with more magical plants dedicated to incapcitating and capturing whoever would wander. There were magical rune traps carved into trees, and other various magical traps that had been emplaced throughout the Forest. Beyond that, Fleur had gotten Krum's hint and had revealed that the Centaurs would be roaming and trying to capture the champions, using traps or simply brute force. Other dangerous creatures had also possibly been released into the Forest creating a plethora of physical dangers to be experienced, beyond the ones already present in the Forbidden Forest.

"Well, if it's spiders, then our focus should be on banishing charms, fire and light spells, and then Harry's Shadow Magic should work to counter anything there is," Hermione said primly.

"Better you than me, Harry," Neville muttered nervously. "I can't imagine facing down Acromantula. That sounds awful."

"Thanks, mate," Harry said sarcastically, and Neville grinned weakly.

"At least I'll help you study more plants that could harm you and how to counter them," He said, and Harry groaned.

"Nev, I know you love Herbology, but I really struggle to care about it at all. Besides, Astra will be there with me, and she's really good at sniffing out traps. I'm not really worried about traps."

Astra wagged her tail, her head still solidly on Katie's lap however as the girl continued to rub the dog's back.

"I'm still more worried about the light," Alicia said thoughtfully. "If it is stars, magical or not, I think we would benefit from spending some more time studying Astronomy."

"That's not my strongest subject either, Leash," Harry said dryly.

"I know, you prat," she said, and he grinned at her. "It's not the strongest subject for any of us, but I still think we should look into it.

Harry and Ron both sighed dejectedly, and Katie, Neville, and Ginny laughed while Alicia, Angelina, and Hermione shot the two boys unimpressed looks. Suddenly Harry brightened.

"I have an idea," he said, grinning.

"What's the idea?" Angelina asked.

"Oh, no. I want to see if it'll work first, and then I'll surprise you," Harry said, wagging his finger.

"Are we going to like this?" Ginny asked, eyeing Harry warily.

"I think you'll love this," Harry said honestly. "Just have a little faith."

"In you? Always," Katie said. "What do you need from us, Harry?"

"Let me run off by myself and meet me in the common room before dinner" Harry said. "It shouldn't take long for me to confirm and then I'll come get you all and show you my plan."

"Fine."

"Alright."

"Ok."

**HP**

"You look really pleased with yourself," Katie noted as she looked up from her defense book at Harry approaching their group.

"Am I not allowed to be?" He asked.

"Depends on the reason," Katie shot back. "If you're pleased because of your looks, then keep on looking pleased, handsome."

Harry blushed, and Katie grinned.

"Alright, Harry, what have you done?" Angelina asked, eyeing him and then the two that were flanking him. "If you brought those two, then I'm questioning why you're looking pleased."

"Hey, I take offense to that!" Fred said.

"Yeah, you're supposed to be happy to see me," George agreed. "We are dating afterall!"

"I'm pleased to see you when you're not corrupting Harry," Angelina said snidely. "Now, what have you convinced him to do?"

"This was all his idea!" Fred said.

"All credit or hate should go to him," George said with a nod. "However, if said credit is a snog, then Harry has agreed to lend me the credit."

Angelina snorted.

"Just follow me and have some faith," Harry said with a smile.

"Fine, but you have to escort me," Ginny said primly, hopping up and looping her arm through Harry's. "You can escort Katie or Alicia too, since you have another free arm."

"Don't I get to pick who I escort?" Harry asked, amused, eyeing the smiling redhead.

"I gave you a choice for your second, Harry," Ginny said. "Be grateful you even get a second. So greedy."

Harry snorted as Alicia stood up and stole Harry's other arm, winking at Katie who sighed dramatically before she grabbed Neville and yanked him to his feet and looped her arm through his.

"Come on Ron, Neville needs to escort another," Katie said.

Ron gazed at her in confusion before he chuckled and good naturedly took a page from the Twins and looped his arm through Nevilles, much to Neville's confusion but amusement.

"Now, Fred, that leaves you to treat Hermione right," Harry said seriously.

"Why of course," Fred said seriously, before he grinned playfully and linked his arm through Hermione's free arm, while Hermione shook her head.

"Alright, follow me!" Harry said, and he guided them out of the portrait hole and up to the corridor with the Room of Requirement.

They watched in interest as Harry made the room into whatever he had planned and then they all entered and there were audible gasps, sighs of delight, and shrieks of joy from the five girls as they found themself in a picturesque field with the night sky above them, and the stars bright and visible. The temperature was beautiful, and there was a small lake in the distance. Trees and flowers were all around the field, and it truly was a lovely sight.

Harry guided them a little ways into the field where they found several blankets set up and two picnic baskets

"Oh, this is beautiful, Harry," Angelina said happily.

"Gorgeous," Katie agreed.

"Well, I figured this would be a way for us to study some Astronomy in a rather stress free way. We could enjoy our night, and just kind of relax. The stars are brighter and appear closer, so they should be easy for us to study without our telescopes"

"Brilliant idea, Harry," Alicia said, beaming.

So, they spent several hours joking, laughing, telling stories, and playing with Astra who was enjoying running all around the field, enjoying the night sky and ambushing them with tackles and licks.

Finally they started talking about stars and how to navigate using them. Harry had found a book on astronavigation and worked that in with the navigation spells they'd learned. Soon though, they just were all about enjoying the night.

A little ways off, Angelina was curled up in George's arms, gazing up into the sky, talking softly. Too softly for Harry to hear, but that had been his intent. He'd wanted to give George and Angelina a nice date, even if not as private as maybe they would have liked, but with how often the both of them helped him, he figured some time together would be a nice change for them.

Fred had snagged Ron and Ginny and the three Weasleys were cracking jokes and making up stories about various things they saw in the stars, a tradition that they had started when they were kids camping outside at the Burrow.

Hermione had been included with them since Fred decided she was an honorary Weasley. That had been a funny outcome of when Harry got Hermione flustered and sent her after the Twins for talking to Krum. Of course, they had done no such thing, but when she ranted at them, they took her quite seriously . . . but not in the way she expected. They decided that she was completely right . . . they should have had a serious talk with Viktor. She yelled at them like Ginny, so clearly she must be another sister for them.

It had been really amusing watching Hermione's fire just leave as the two twins just hugged her from both sides before linking arms, and lifting her in between them and marching her down to speak to Viktor, all the while talking about how they'd always wanted to have a new favorite sister . . . much to Ginny's delight, since it meant Hermione was the focus of the Twins' pranks for the next week.

Still, the event had brought the Twins and Hermione closer and the two older boys often made references to their second sister and included her in "family bonding" moments, which were often things that she probably would have been happy to avoid due to the large presence of pranks, but also seemed rather touched to be included and thought of in such a nice way.

Neville had already dozed off, and was sleeping peacefully, lightly snoring nearby.

That just left Harry, Alicia, and Katie, all three laying on their backs near each other exchanging stories and laughing. Astra was at their feet chewing on a bone that Dobby had left in the picnic basket for "Master Harry's hound."

It was a peaceful night where they did get a little done, but overall another successful event where they got to relax a bit, something Harry had been working hard to force on his group of friends more and more often ever since his talk with Mad-Eye.

They still studied and trained plenty, but he felt they were doing a much better job of balancing that out with joy, entertainment, and rest, something he wouldn't trade for anything, especially as he saw the contented and slowly drifting asleep looks on Alicia's and Katie's faces as they curled into him.

He knew from Remus that Dora was doing incredible and had just passed her first course, not officially yet, but soon would, and that made him really happy. He'd missed seeing her at the last Task, and he knew he'd miss her again for this next one and sadly the one after as well. Still, it was nice that she was getting to do something just for her . . . even if it was really hard and not what one would call fun. He looked forward to hearing all about it when she got back, and he really hoped he'd get to meet some of her new friends. Remus had said they were all great people, and that was something Harry knew Remus and Dora both needed in their lives. Great people. They already had some, but you could always use more. That was something he had learned a lot this year, even with all the trying times.