Chapter 9
For the weeks that followed the seven fell into a routine of exercise, breakfast, training, lunch, lessons, dinner, group training and discussion then a bit of free time to do whatever they wanted before bedtime, which was strictly at 10:00 P.M. since they woke up everyday at 5:30 A.M. There was a bit of problem at first for those who were not regularly early risers, but their biological clock clicked into place after a few days.
Everyone improved their stamina and strength as well as their respective lessons. Even Neville who shook in his shoes at the sight of Snape had gained confidence that made him as competent as Ginny in potions. Snape was impressed that he could no longer scare Neville, but he kept his praises to a bare minimum and his smile to himself. The only way they could tell that he was please with them was because he had not yelled nor belittled them as much as he did in the past.
They all became a bit more confident that together they were invincible. They'd dueled with each other and took turns winning. They'd scrimmage in a mock battle each time with different members and found that they did well working together to reach a goal. Harry would alternate between teams since it left them uneven and there wasn't a time when the other team would complain of not being with their significant other or not having Harry on their team. They'd do their best use the skills that they were most competent in and each time the result was different.
Harry continued his nightly training with Merlin, though it would only be for a few hours each night. He'd learned to be confident in leaping in which he practiced every night when he'd leaped to Fincayra to continued with his training. He'd even leapt to the basement just as practice and was quite proud of his feat. Even Merlin was proud and he'd told him as much.
They'd received their Hogwarts letter in the middle of the month and much to no one's surprise, Hermione made Head Girl and Harry as Head Boy. Ron was still co-captain of the quidditch team with Harry and Draco became captain of Slytherin. They'd bantered with each other about who would win the Quidditch cup each proclaiming their team would win. Draco gave in seeing there were six Gryffindors to his one Slytherin.
Draco received a letter from his mother telling him that she'd meet him at Diagon Alley when he was ready to buy his supplies. Draco politely wrote her back telling her that if it were okay with her he'd rather just order all his supplies by owl. He told her that he was having such a grand time and would meet them at King's Cross when he would leave for Hogwarts. He didn't like lying to his mother, but he didn't want to see his father even for a mere second. He had been vague about where he was and though he missed his mum a bit, he'd rather not stay where his father could scrutinize him. He just told them he was fine and being well taken care of. He'd received an owl the next day telling him to send his list to the respective merchants at Hogwarts and that his parents would take care of the payment. His mother hadn't asked where he was exactly, just that she missed him and she'd see him at King's Cross.
Draco smiled thinking of what his father would act if he knew that he was under training to destroy his master. His mother probably thought he was at some kind of death eater's training or something and she wouldn't dare ask his father where Draco was. That was the beauty of it, his mother wouldn't ask his father and his father would think his mother knew where he was though he'd never asked. The only thing his father cared about was pleasing his master and destroying Harry. He'd remember the punishment he had to endure after the incident in the Forbidden Forest. His father had asked him what happened to him and he'd simply told him that he was caught in the cross fire and was knocked unconscious. His father believed his excuse since Malfoy was in pursuit of the others and he was punished for showing weakness. It seemed as if Malfoy was disgusted with his son, so much so that he'd locked him in the dungeon for three days. He'd heard his mother begging his father to let him out, but Malfoy argued that Draco needed to learn to be strong. He told her he couldn't tolerate a weakling to follow in his footsteps. A few weeks later Dumbledore's invitation arrived and Draco was overjoyed.
No one would call Draco weak now. He'd build up his muscles and though he wasn't as tall as Harry and Ron, his physique was something Ginny didn't complain about. He'd not only improved his body, but his mind, dueling skills and care for magical creatures as well as forming more respect for Hagrid and his work. He was becoming fast friends with Hagrid as if the years of total disrespect and ridiculing him had all just melted away.
Hagrid had a great time spending some time with teens during breaks. They'd had long talks and he'd told them that he and Madame Maxim were becoming more than friends. "If you know wha' I mean," he'd told them and they'd roared with laughter and approval. He'd apologized for missing Harry's birthday party, but he'd hoped that the present made up for it. He didn't exactly say what he was doing, but they'd learned not to question those in the order so much. They had their own mission as it seems thanks to the prophecy.
Neville who was a bit round in the stomach was starting to develop six packs on his abdomen. His cheeks weren't as round as before as well and even Tonks told him he was handsome, which made him blush immensely. The others teased him because they knew of his crush, but didn't tell Tonks about it. She was good at fighting, but she was oblivious to Neville's schoolboy crush on her.
They'd celebrated a bit after receiving the news from Hogwarts about all their position. Ginny was still prefect and had a very large chance of becoming head girl the following year. Ron was also still prefect and he'd been ecstatic, but Molly had been teary-eyed finding that her children had such prestigious positions once more. She wanted to treat them by buying something for them, but for once Ron declined the offer. He hadn't even asked for new robes or a new broom. Now that they could afford things a bit, Ron was finally not complaining. He was truly maturing, but then he did request that they get a day off or two from all the training and lessons. The others all seconded the motion. "I'll ask Dumbledore," she'd told him and walked out of the parlor wiping her eyes on her apron.
While they were alone, they'd compared their classes with each other. They all had Advanced Potions, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Advanced Herbology, Advanced Transfiguration and Advanced Charms. Ginny was the only one who'd had a slight variation in her schedule since she was only in sixth year.
After the weekend of their small celebration with butterbeer and cake made by Molly, they were informed by Remus that their training would still continue throughout the school year. They'd all groaned outwardly but smiled at him to let him know that they didn't mind it a bit.
"Well, since you are all doing so well, I thought you'd deserve a few days off before we head down to Hogwarts," Remus informed them after their collective groans. They all cheered and ran over to give him a hug.
"We don't have to wait for an okay from Professor Dumbledore?" asked Hermione.
"As a matter of fact, the directive came from Dumbledore himself."
"So, when do we get those days off?" asked Draco who'd missed spending more time with Ginny. At times they were too tired to do anything but go straight to sleep after a long day of training and lessons.
"Well, seeing as there's only five more days before you head back to Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore wants you all to enjoy yourselves and we will resume training when we get back to Hogwarts."
"Remus, you said we. Does that mean you're going to be there with us?" asked Harry who even without the use of his empath powers was proving to be quicker at catching little things during conversations. He'd promised to turn off his empath powers off when he kept answering Remus before he'd even told him about his feelings. He'd told Remus about his powers and explained a bit how it works and that only a few people knew about it.
Remus looked at Harry as if to ask if he'd been reading his feelings again. "I turned it off," he answered and made Remus wonder why he again knew what he wanted to ask.
"Then how do you know what I was going to ask you?"
"You're face is so obvious Remus, really."
"Okay, yes. I will be going as your Advanced Against Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Wicked!" Ron blurted. "So does that mean we have to start calling you professor again?"
"Not until we get back to school. Why don't you all go upstairs and get changed and we'll have a picnic outside and tomorrow you may all go to Diagon Alley to purchase your supplies."
"I'll need to stay here," Draco told him.
Remus didn't have to ask he just nodded. He knew that it would be a risk for Draco to be seen with Harry and his friends. It would be disastrous to the seven. They'd become closer in the past month and the other five, excluding Ginny, were learning to trust him more. Ginny already trusted him wholeheartedly.
The picnic was great. Ron won the eating contest as if anyone else would. They'd played quidditch, even Hermione and Neville who weren't too skilled with the broom. They'd displayed their new flying skills. Hermione and Neville were enjoying their new skills and were more confident with flying than they were a month before. Tonks played to make it even. Draco and Harry played seeker. Hermione and Lavender were Harry's chaser and Ron played keeper. Tonks and Ginny were Draco's chaser and Neville played keeper. They didn't have any bludgers to keep the game safe.
Wagers were set between Mad-Eye and Remus. Harry's team won the first game and Remus won 5 galleons unknown to the players of course. The second game went to Draco since they thought they'd made the game interesting by having Harry blindfolded. The third game went to Harry's team again despite the blindfold. Harry didn't tell anyone that he'd let Draco's team win the second game, but he didn't want the day to be a total lost so he'd caught the snitch on the third game. Mad-Eye ended up owing Remus 10 galleons since they went double or nothing on the last game.
"How the bloody hell did you catch the snitch blindfolded!" Tonks demanded.
"All part of Harry's training," Remus answered. "That was great. I believe Neville and Hermione deserve an award each for most improved broom flyer." He conjured up two medals and gave it to them. The two were ecstatic.
"Good game, Harry." Draco told him as he held his hand out for a handshake. Harry pumped it enthusiastically. "Thanks for letting us win one game." Harry smiled being caught at his attempt on being gallant.
"No problem, mate."
"I don't know how we're going to win the quidditch cup now," Draco pretended to sulk. For some reason he didn't feel contempt or jealous of Harry. He knew now how much responsibility lay on Harry's shoulder and though he had his own problems, he didn't want to trade with Harry at all.
"Just remember to have fun when we play," Harry answered him. "If we have fun, then we all win."
"I will mate," Draco answered and took Ginny's hand and walked back to the house.
"Who would have thought?" Ron asked from behind Harry.
"What was that mate?" Harry asked as he placed his hand in Hermione's.
"Who would have thought that we'd be friends with the ferret?"
"Oh, Ron. I hope you wouldn't call him that. Ginny would hex you," Hermione reprimanded, but Lavender didn't think it was enough and socked him in the shoulder.
"Girls!" Ron whined. "I was just saying that it's weird being friends with someone who gave us such a hard time during the first years of school."
"We know Ron. But, I think Ginny brings out the best in him."
"No, he's realized my life wasn't as good as he first thought it was with all the attention I was getting from people I didn't even know and that he's old enough now to know that his father is not all he seems."
The trip to Diagon Alley was uneventful, except for one little incident. Ginny stayed back with Draco and Ron and Harry promised to buy her supplies. Remus and Mad-Eye put on their invisibility cloaks to chaperone the teens while Tonks stayed back as guard for the two, which disappointed Neville. He liked it when Tonks was near him even if she would just ruffle his hair a bit.
"Cheer up, Neville," Ron whispered so that the adults would not hear. "I'm sure Tonks will figure out one of these days that you fancy her."
"Ron, leave him alone," Lavender reprimanded. "How would you like it if I didn't know you liked me?"
"You're right. Sorry mate. Cheer up though, al least we don't have lessons for five days." Neville did smile then.
"So, how should we go about this?" asked Hermione.
"Maybe we should go to Gringott's first," Suggested Harry.
"Right. Then maybe we'll go to Madame Falkins, I need new robes and buy the books last since they're the heaviest."
"Sounds like a great plan Hermione," Lavender agreed. "I'm sure we'll have to take a trip to the Quidditch store as well and to WWW (Weasley's Wizard Wheezes) for the boys?" Lavender giggled at Ron's excited expression at the word Quidditch Store and WWW. Sometimes there was still a bit of child in him that she so adored. "Come along, love." She pulled on Ron's hand.
Their day was going great until they stepped into Flourish and Bott's. There in the middle of the room was Cho Chang holding a book signing session for her new book "Harry Potter Unplugged". Harry's empath power was turned on full blast on Cho instantly. He wanted to learn everything that was going on inside Cho. As soon as he was recognized, the press ran up to him full of questions regarding all the claims that Cho made in her book.
"Harry, is it true that you had a problem performing even when the beautiful Cho stood in front of you undressed?" asked a reporter. Harry could feel Cho's feeling of triumph as she stared at him with a smirk.
"Harry, are you gay?" asked another as Ron snorted.
"Harry, is true that you had different girls practically every week in your sixth year to try to prove you weren't at all homosexual?"
"Harry is true that your relationship with Miss Granger is just a front so that you would not be questioned about your sexual orientation?" Cho was having a great time at Harry's expense. She'd already sold over 100,000 copies and still rising. She knew that any book that had Harry Potter on the title would make her money. She just didn't foresee what happened next.
Harry had enough. He was livid, but was keeping his temper under control. Hermione kept whispering for him to ignore the reporters and Cho. But the mention of Hermione's name was not sitting well with him and having their love being talked about as merely faux was too much for him.
"Enough!" he yelled. "I will answer all your questions and put all your inquiries to rest. First of all, if you bought Miss Chang's book, you are merely reading a fictitious story based on revenge. I did have a short lived relationship with Miss Chang, that much is true, but I had broke it off with her because I didn't feel anything for her. I do not like men and I did go out with different girls during sixth year because of a personal war between my own feelings and not my preference. If you bought the book, I suggest you return it and get your money back. Though I don't know entirely what else is contained within the book, I can assure you that it was written without my consent, without any interviews from me and something based loosely on someone's sick fantasy of revenge." He looked at Cho who was looking at him fearfully. She'd never thought Harry could get angry. She always thought him a pushover and easy to manipulate. She felt like running away. Harry kept his eyes on her daring her to challenge everything he had told the press so far.
"As to my relationship with Miss Hermione Granger, I think that's a private matter between the two of us, but I can tell you that there is nothing at all pretentious about how I feel for her or how she feels for me. That's all I have to say." All the reporters ran to hound Cho for a rebuttal, but all she did was run out of the store with embarrassment apparent on her face.
"Good job, mate" Ron complimented him. Harry was still a bit peeved, but with Hermione's hand in his he knew that Cho wasn't worth the trouble when she was all he needed.
"Serves her right, that bitch," Lavender put in.
"Now, love. I think Cho got off easy, but I'm sure she'll get her comeuppance when everyone will return her book." They all chuckled except for Harry who was still working to get his temper in check.
"Are you all right, Harry?" Hermione whispered.
"As long as you're with me, love," he answered as his anger ebbed away.
They bought the rest of their supplies and headed home. No one mentioned the incident again. Harry couldn't believe they'd been so secluded that they didn't know about Cho's book. What would have happened if they hadn't arrived when they did, he thought? He thanked fate for putting him in the right place at the right time.
A/N: Thank for your reviews. I truly appreciate the fantastic response I am getting. Please let me know of any mistakes so that I can correct them. This is the last chapter for an almost daily update. I will be updating at least once a week only after this. Hope you stick with it until the end.