Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter Twenty

When they got down to the kitchen, they found Mr. Weasley and Ginny eating at the table as Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen to Dobby's protests.

"Please you sit down, Mrs. Weezy. I is making your breakfast."

"I know Dobby, thank you. It's just that I'm used to…"

"Molly, dear…have a seat," Arthur said easily, smiling at his wife. He finished the last of his coffee and toast as his wife hesitantly sat down next to Ginny who was reading The Quibbler. "Well, must be going or I'll be late," he said, standing up then leaned over to kiss Molly on the cheek. "Thanks for breakfast, Dobby. See you all this evening." He cast a smile around at the others then swept quickly out the door as they bid him goodbye. They could hear his footsteps retreating up the stairs.

Ron sat in his father's place at the head of the table while Remus, Harry, and Hermione took seats opposite Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Harry felt Hermione join her hand with his under the table and he caressed her fingers softly. Dobby trotted over with large plates of toast and eggs, from which everyone began to help themselves as they thanked the house elf. Harry saw Ron notice Ginny's magazine and then observed the pensive look that spread over his face.

"Oh, by the way, your booklists came this morning." Mrs. Weasley handed them out.

They eagerly opened the envelopes. Ron and Hermione received letters notifying them that they were to continue with prefect duties their sixth year and Harry was relieved that he only felt glad for them and none of the jealousy that had bothered him last summer.

"What's this?" Harry asked, unfolding and separating the parchments that were in his envelope. The regular booklist was there but also included was a new parchment unlike any he had previously received. At the top of his, Harry read:

Harry James Potter

Chosen Career Path- Auror

Core Courses of Study for N.E.W.T. Level:

Advanced Charms

Advanced Defense Against The Dark Arts

Advanced Potions

Advanced Transfiguration

N.E.W.T. level students should also choose one or two elective courses from the following list:

Ancient Runes

Arithmancy

Astronomy

Care of Magical Creatures

Divination

Herbology

History of Magic

Muggle Studies

Please indicate your preference(s) by return owl no later than 20 August.

"What does yours say?" Harry handed his to Hermione and took hers. He read:

Hermione Jane Granger

Chosen Career Path- Healer

Core Courses of Study for N.E.W.T. Level:

Advanced Charms

Advanced Defense Against The Dark Arts

Advanced Herbology

Advanced Potions

Advanced Transfiguration

N.E.W.T. level students should also choose one or two elective courses from the following list:

Ancient Runes

Arithmancy

Astronomy

Care of Magical Creatures

Divination

History of Magic

Muggle Studies

Please indicate your preference(s) by return owl no later than 20 August.

"I didn't know you wanted to be a healer," Harry said to her softly, switching her letter for his and handing his to Remus.

Hermione lifted her eyes from the parchment. "It wasn't what I had chosen at first. But I changed my mind just before we left for summer holiday."

"What caused the change?"

"Umm, several things…maybe we can talk about it later?" Hermione asked as her eyes darted around the room then back to his.

"Sure, and you'll be great at whatever you choose."

Hermione smiled and took Harry's hand back in hers.

"My letter's the same as yours, Harry," Ron said peering around at the paper Remus held. "Looks like we'll have the same core courses. What're you choosing for your electives?"

Just then, Ginny shrieked and held up a prefect's badge. Mrs. Weasley enveloped her in a big hug.

"Well, done, Ginny! Well done!"

Everyone at the table congratulated Ginny who had turned a bit pink from all the excitement. "I can't wait to owl Dean and Luna! I wonder if Luna's been made a prefect?"

Ron started a bit at that. "Hadn't thought of that," he muttered to himself.

"What?" Ginny asked turning to look at Ron.

"Nothing. Just thinking aloud, I guess."

Ginny shrugged and turned back knocking her Quibbler off the table. She bent down to get it and when she rose back up she had a sly smile on her face, which she directed at Hermione and then Harry.

"So," Ginny began. "Since when have you two been dating?"

"What?" Mrs. Weasley glanced quickly at Ginny in surprise and then to Harry and Hermione.

"Since about thirty-three hours ago, but how did you know?" Hermione smiled as Harry grinned at her amusedly for counting the hours.

"Saw you holding hands under the table when I picked up my magazine. Congratulations and about time." Ginny smirked.

"Thanks. We'd kind of like to keep it under wraps for a bit, if you don't mind, though." Hermione said.

Ginny nodded. "No problem. My lips are sealed"

"So are you and Dean together?" Harry asked.

"Sort of…we've been owling each other a lot this summer."

Ron rolled his eyes and said, "Try every other day." Harry heard him mutter something that sounded suspiciously like, "Git," and fought back a grin.

"Sounds like you're getting on well," Hermione said, shooting a quelling look at Ron.

Ginny shrugged. "Well see what happens when we get back to school and have to look at each other every day."

Mrs. Weasley's lips quirked into a smile as she shook her head and said mostly to herself, "And so it begins…"

Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and Hermione as if to say, `If she only knew…'

Remus pushed his plate away. "On that note, I think I'm going to go on up and lie down for a while."

Mrs. Weasley looked at him in concern. "Are you all right? Have you taken your potion today?"

"Yes. I'm just a bit tired. Didn't sleep well last night," he reassured her as he stood. Remus clasped Harry on the shoulder. "See you tomorrow, then."

Harry nodded looking at Remus disquietedly. "See you tomorrow."

"Maybe I can start teaching you how to ride the motorbike in the next few days."

Harry brightened a bit. "That'd be good."

Remus bid the others good-bye and went out the door. In the silence that followed, Hermione laid her head on Harry's shoulder and sniffed a bit. He turned to find her eyes a bit teary and reached his arm around her shoulders.

"I hate that he has to go through that…" Hermione said softly, wiping at her eyes.

Mrs. Weasley sighed. "I am hoping his life will be a bit easier now after what Sirius left to him. I can't imagine having to endure all that he's had to live with."

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

Later that morning, as Harry was showing Ron, Ginny, and Hermione some of the new spells he had learned the doorbell rang. Soon, Tonks walked through the door a little out of breath.

"Is Remus…" she began.

"He went upstairs just a little while ago to rest," Hermione said as she walked over to give Tonks a quick hug. "I'm sure he'd be glad to see you, though."

"Yeah," said Ginny as she, too gave Tonks a hug. "Why don't you run on up and then stop back by before you leave."

"You guys learning Harry's new stuff?"

"Trying to." Ron said. "We're expecting Moody tomorrow morning-best to be prepared."

"No kidding…" Tonks turned to Harry and grinned. "Is it true that you caught him in an Anti-Disapparation Jinx?"

Harry smiled and shrugged. "Yeah…it was after several tries, though."

"Pretty impressive."

"His reaction was rather…well, he almost called me a name."

"He isn't used to being caught like that…well done." Tonks said still grinning as she turned back to the door. "I'm just going to run upstairs for a bit. See you later." She walked out closing the door behind her.

"You caught Moody?" Ron's face was almost gleeful. "How?"

"Tricked him," Harry chuckled. "I just let Mad Eye think I had given up and then I kind of turned around quickly and got him."

"I hope he'll let us practice on him tomorrow." Ron said. "Wonder what he's going to teach us?"

"Dunno," Harry lifted a shoulder. "Ready to try the Disillusionment Charm?"

"What's that?" Ginny asked.

"It makes you blend in to your background," Harry replied. "Here… look." He tapped himself on the head with his wand while saying the incantation.

"Good heavens," said Hermione, her eyes big. "That looks really odd." She held her wand ready. "Now how did you say that?"

When Tonks walked back in she had a hard time seeing them until they called out to her. "Looks like you're all doing well. Moody'll be pleased if he's able to come tomorrow."

"Sounds like they're really working you guys. Any news on the three Death Eaters?" Harry asked.

Tonks shook her head. "We're still getting reports that they're in the Wiltshire area but so far, we've not been able to find any trace of them, even with several round-the-clock surveillance teams of Aurors."

"Wait…" Hermione said. "Isn't that near where the Malfoys live?"

"Yes…how did you know?"

"From an article in the Daily Prophet this past year that quoted Lucius Malfoy. Does the Ministry think the Death Eaters are hiding there?"

"It's certainly crossed our minds but we've not been able to find anything to verify that at this point." Tonks shook her head. "I just wonder how long it's going to be `til more escape, with the Dementors gone and all." She looked more serious than Harry had ever seen her. "Well, I need to get going. I might be back tomorrow night for the meeting but it'll depend on what's going on. See you soon, I hope."

They all told her good bye and went back to practicing. After a couple of hours, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had mastered the Screening and Binding Charms as well as the Anti-Disappparating Jinx. They practiced the Shielding Charm some more as well so Ginny could learn. They finished with a little more weight training.

Ginny stopped lifting and sank down to the floor. "I'm done in," she panted. "I think I'll go upstairs and get a shower before lunch."

Ron, Hermione, and Harry were also tired and sweaty but fared a little better due to all the work they had put in over the past few weeks.

Harry spoke up, "Hermione, you can use our shower if you want. Is it all right with you, Ron?"

Ron shrugged. "'Course."

"Thanks, that sounds great," Hermione said as she followed Ginny over to the trunk to put her weights up. "See you in a bit."

Harry waited until they were gone and then continued lifting.

"Good grief, mate, give it a rest." Ron said looking at him incredulously.

"Nah, I'm used to this. Remus and I worked out almost every day for several hours while you guys were on holiday. We didn't yesterday though, I guess because of my birthday, and I actually missed it."

Ron shook his head but joined in with his weights and Harry looked over at him with a grin.

"Well, I've got to keep up, haven't I?" Ron grinned back.

"So…any new thoughts about Luna?" Harry asked cautiously.

Ron took his time answering. "I've…been thinking about her a lot, actually. But I just don't know…"

Harry nodded and they worked in silence for a while. Then Ron said, "Maybe we can pop over to Diagon Alley tomorrow afternoon and get our books."

"That sounds like a good idea. Wonder if Remus will feel up to going?" Harry told Ron about Remus and him going for dinner there and how they had used Fred and George's sweets to disguise themselves as Dumbledore had advised.

Ron laughed. "I'd like to see Remus with blond hair. Maybe we should use them tomorrow when we go."

"Probably a good idea." Harry nodded.

"So, are Remus and Tonks together?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, but they don't want everyone knowing yet."

"So Hermione was right, eh? Are they serious?"

"I think so," Harry nodded.

"Hmm. She's really young compared to Remus…I mean she's about Charlie's age and he's, well, getting close to forty."

Harry shrugged. "They seem to be happy and that's what's important."

"Well, sure," Ron said hastily, "I wasn't meaning to say anything against them-it just surprises me is all."

"I was caught off guard by it, too." Harry's lips quirked into a smile as he remembered the night he found out.

"What?" Ron asked eyeing the look on Harry's face.

"Nothing…it's just-I've been caught off guard by a lot of things lately."

"Me, too." Ron said wryly. "Makes life interesting, at least."

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

Later that afternoon, they lazed in the drawing room. Ron and Harry sat by the window playing chess and Hermione and Ginny were sitting on the couch laughing over some articles in The Quibbler.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked as Harry deliberated his next move.

Ginny turned the magazine toward Ron and Harry to show him the headline of the story they were reading.

"Thestrals: Bad Luck Omens or Better Than the Knight Bus?" Ron read aloud as Harry moved his pawn then he chuckled, "Well, I certainly don't think they're better than the Knight Bus, but they're a close second."

"Ron and I were talking about going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get our books." Harry spoke to the girls as Ron moved his knight. "Does that sound good to you?"

"Check," Ron said with a sly smile and Harry scowled and surveyed the board.

"Sounds fun," Hermione said. "How about tomorrow afternoon?"

"Did you talk to mum about this?" Ginny asked.

"Not yet."

"Talk to me about what?" Mrs. Weasley walked into the drawing room and sat down on the couch next to Ginny.

"We were wondering if it'd be all right for us to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow afternoon to get our school books."

"Hopefully, Remus will be feeling well enough to go with us." Harry added, moving his queen and scowling again as Ron chuckled.

"Well it's fine with me if it's all right with him." Mrs. Weasley replied. "Don't forget there's a meeting of the Order here tomorrow night so he'll need to be back in time for that."

"No problem," said Ron moving his knight once again. "We shouldn't be gone that long. Checkmate." He grinned at Harry.

Tipping his king over, Harry sighed a longsuffering sigh then sagged back into his chair and raised a hand to his forehead. "I salute the King of Strategy."

Ron laughed and tried to say in an imperious voice, "And never may I be dethroned!" Then he smirked, "Although it does help when your opponent isn't concentrating and keeps sneaking glances at his girlfriend."

Harry and Hermione both blushed at this.

Ginny snorted, "You're both mental. Hey, can I ask Luna to come with us tomorrow?" She asked. "She's home by herself most of the time during the day while her dad's at work and I'm sure she's bored of it."

"I don't see why not, dear," replied Mrs. Weasley. "That's a nice idea."

Harry and Hermione shot a look at Ron who looked a little startled by Ginny's request but then said, "That's fine with me-go ahead and ask her. Oh, and let her know that our hair will probably be blond or brown." Harry and Hermione agreed.

"Will she get an owl in time or should I floo over to her house?" Ginny wondered.

"Just floo. Then you can talk to her and plan a place to meet."

Ginny got a handful of floo powder and knelt by the fireplace. From what they could hear of Ginny's end of the conversation, Luna would be joining them.

"I told her to meet us in front of Gringott's at two o'clock." Ginny said, standing up and wiping some soot off her face. "That all right?"

"Sounds fine," Mrs. Weasley nodded. "I hope Remus will be up to going tomorrow. I'd feel better if he were with you but if he can't go, I will."

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