Harry held on tighter to Hermione.
"Can't we just sleep in, we have class in four hours," he asked.
"We have homework and studying we have to do."
"Can't it wait a little while longer? It's just so warm, and I don't think I want to move all day...."
"Fine, you sleep in and I can get you up in time for class."
"No, you can't go. I need an accomplice..." he said.
Someone knocked at the door, "Hermione, Ron wants to talk to you," Ginny said.
They both got up and got dressed.
"Why does he only want to talk to you all of a sudden? Like I'm the invisible friend or something," Harry said as he buttoned his shirt behind one of the curtains.
Hermione didn't answer him, just waited until he was done dressing and opened the door. Thankfully Ron wasn't in the room to see them coming out of their own room.
"There's a note for you Harry," Ginny said as she sat down next to him and went on reading her Transfiguration book.
He read it then got Neville's attention.
"It's from Professor Lupin, there's an Order meeting tonight. We have to go to his classroom after dinner, he's got a portkey."
"Professor Lupin is a member of the Order too," Neville asked.
"Yeah, of course. You ready for your first meeting?"
"Not really," Neville said looking rather queasy.
"Neither was I. You'll do fine."
"Do you two have dates to the ball," Ginny asked changing the subject as she slammed her book shut.
Neville shook his head.
"Do you," Harry asked.
"No," she shrugged.
"Would you like one?"
"Harry James Potter, I would be honored," she bowed dramatically.
They both laughed, but Neville didn't seem to be in on the joke.
"We're going to have to wear dress robes again, won't we?" Neville asked.
"Yeah, that reminds me! I don't have a dress!" Ginny said.
"Just ask the twins for the money, then you can buy it on one of the Hogsmeade weekends," Harry said.
"What's Ginny buying in Hogsmeade," Hermione said as she re-entered the room.
"A dress. Harry's taking me to the ball," Ginny said.
"He is?"
"Yeah, so what was that all about," Ginny said pointing to the tapestry indicating her brother.
"Nothing," Hermione said as she sat down next to one of her books.
Defense Against the Dark Arts went very well, although Harry and Hermione couldn't feel the effects of the curses they were trying it was fun to see the looks on people's faces when they saw Neville do spells he had learned in the DA last year.
* * *
They knocked on the door of Lupin's room after dinner had ended. The three stood in the hall looking over their shoulders making sure they weren't going to get caught by Filch.
"Oh no..." Neville said.
They turned to see Snape walking down the hall. The door opened and Lupin came out.
"Sorry about the last minute notice, there's been a change of plan. We have to use the floo network instead. Professor Snape, are you ready?"
Snape nodded and the two teachers led the way.
"Snape's a part of the Order too," Neville whispered.
"Yeah, shocking he's on our side, I know," Harry whispered back.
They all went to Umbridge's old office and Floo-ed to Grimmauld Place without an incident.
"Hey Harry, Hermione. How've you been," Tonks said.
Today she decided not to discriminate and put every color in her hair.
"Good. Tonks, I don't think you managed to actually meet Neville Longbottom. He was the one with the broken nose at the Ministry last year," Hermione said.
"Hello Neville, you're a member, good on you. I wasn't actually old enough to be a member when your parents were around, but haven't heard anything but good about them," she said.
They headed downstairs and entered the meeting room. Molly Weasley practically attacked Harry and Hermione as she hugged them and asked them about school. She noticed Neville and asked, "Who is this?"
"Neville Longbottom," Neville said holding out his hand for her to shake.
"Welcome dear," she said taking his hand.
A loud pop called everyone's attention as Dumbledore apparated at the front of the room.
"Hello everyone. I'd like to welcome a new member, Neville Longbottom. Now, some news, the Ministry's people have talked to the giants and some are willing to come forward on our side. It seems there have been several overthrows and mass confusion. And now, I believe Nyphadora Tonks would like to say something."
"Thank you.... The new cells the prisoners are being kept in are controlling them, but there is word of a potential break out. I just wanted to say this so that some members could be on their guard," she said.
"Is there anything we can do to make sure they don't escape," Bill asked.
"There are so many charms on that place as it is, I don't know what else we could do," Arthur said.
"There is one thing... I mean I don't ..... er, I just meant..."
"Mr. Longbottom, you were saying," Dumbledore said.
This of course made everyone turn to Neville who was in danger of turning bright red.
"I was saying, did anyone ever think of putting Man-Eating Cackleweed around the prison? It can grow very fast, and can cover the place like a dome... that way they wouldn't even be able to fly out. And since its roots are poisonous no one could dig out either...." Neville said.
"That's actually a great idea," Tonks said.
After an hour or so the meeting ended. Tonks came over to talk to Neville some more about the Cackleweed.
"Miss Granger, Harry, could I speak with you both for a moment," Dumbledore said.
They went up the stairs and sat in the living room.
"I would like to start your Occulmency lessons again Harry. I will of course be teaching you, along with Miss Granger, this time...."
"Do you think Voldemort...."
"After loosing the prophecy I believe Voldemort is desperate, I would put nothing past him."
"And you want me there for the Legitimines..." Hermione said.
"That is one reason. Another is Voldemort may try to use your friends to get to you."
"What about Ron," Harry asked.
"Molly and I have discussed the matter thoroughly and she does not think it wise for her son to learn the skill. Shall we say every Monday around eight? In the Room of Requirement?"
They all agreed.
* * *
That Monday they arrived early to the Room of Requirement, Harry passed the wall three times thinking of a place which would be good to learn Occulmency. When they entered they found the floor seemed to be made of pillows, for which Harry was grateful.
Hermione was reading passages from books on the shelves to Harry when Dumbledore stepped in.
"Are you ready?"
Harry nodded.
"Alright then. I've been told by Professor Snape how your lessons with him went. I think we'll try something a little different. Okay Harry?"
Harry nodded again.
"Now while warding off dementors you think of your happiest moment. This time, I want you to think of a moment when you were at most peace." He waited a moment, "Have you got one, Harry?"
Harry closed his eyes and thought of the time when he was alone on his broom at his parent's house. He nodded.
He saw flashes of the Dursleys, him hiding then getting beaten up by Dudley and his gang, he saw Uncle Vernon burning his letters to Hogwarts....
He was on his knees, he felt Hermione holding him steady.
"Are you okay, Harry," she asked.
"Yeah, didn't work. Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"Don't go easy on me, he won't."
The corner of Dumbledore's mouth twitched upward slightly, "Alright Harry, how about you try another memory... and concentrate on it...."
Harry concentrated on the only other memory that came to mind and nodded for Dumbledore to go. His balance faltered a bit, something hazy came in front of his mind but he concentrated on his memory and it soon went away.
"Well done Harry. Now for the hard part. I want you to practice every day with all the spare time you have.... Now that you can block someone out of your mind the hard part is being able to do it any time," Dumbledore said.
* * *
"As you can see Yurk doesn't seem to like this ruling.... And there goes the Judge, see him cowering? And the wizards come to restrain him and we all know how much giants hate to be on the wrong side of spells.... And that is why in most trials today the defendant is restrained. Any questions? Alright, next class we learn more about Judge Frobisher and how much of a coward he was." Dr. Sam said.
Harry was still finishing his notes for the class when Professor Lupin came through the door.
"Sam, do you need your parchment, I seem to be running low."
"Not at all, take it."
Harry got down from his stool which seemed to frighten Lupin.
"Harry, didn't see you there. Are you going to be ready to fill in for me tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I hope so."
"Are you going somewhere," Dr. Sam asked Lupin.
"No, I'll be changing...."
"Oh, sorry. I totally forgot about the full moon."
"Bye Professors," Harry said as he walked out of the class room.
He headed over to the Great Hall.
"Ron, don't you have the decency to come down to lunch dressed," Harry asked as he sat down.
Ron was still in his night clothes, eating his lunch.
"No, sorry mate."
"Really Ron, you are a Prefect, what does this say to the other students?"
"At least I made the effort to come downstairs, doesn't that say anything?"
"I think you look rather cute Ronald. You should get dressed today though, McGonagal picks the new team captain at dinner."
"Thanks Luna," Ron said, although he didn't seem to mean it.
"Ronald, do you have a date to the dance?"
"Yeah."
"Alright," she got up and made her way out of the Great Hall.
"She is so weird!"
"And coming down to lunch wearing what you are isn't," Harry asked.
"When did you become the president of the Loony fan club?"
"Her name is Luna." Harry said as he got up and left the great hall.