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Harry Potter and the Staff of Merlin by Holland Sauce
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Harry Potter and the Staff of Merlin

Holland Sauce

Harry Potter and all related Characters belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 14 - Incidents of Note

Even before he and the others had returned to Hogwarts Harry had had the feeling that their `Special Training' wasn't going to be the only interesting thing to happen this term and the revelation about the Marauders had proved him right.

But that was to be only the start of possibly the most interesting term Harry had ever had at Hogwarts.

The next morning saw the start of lessons but it also saw the answering of a question that had been puzzling Harry since the night they'd arrived back at Hogwarts.

What had gotten Snape in such a foul mood? And with his own Slytherins?

The answer came as he, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Neville were making their way to breakfast only to find a small crowd gathered in the entrance hall chattering loudly amongst themselves and pointing at the House Point hourglasses. But where as Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw all had a zero floating above their glasses, the score above Slytherin's read minus three hundred and fifty.

"What the hell!" exclaimed Ron, his voice filled with glee as the five friends hurried down the stairs to join the crowd. "How did that happen?"

"No idea," murmured Harry.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," said Hermione screwing her eyes closed and snapping her fingers. "Didn't Bill and Tonks tell us that Dumbledore had to agree to some conditions to let Malfoy and the others back."

"Yeah, that's right," said Ginny with a nod. "They had to surrender their wands between lessons and were stripped of all their positions and privileges."

"Well my guess would be the Ministry also ordered a point deduction as well," said Hermione with a small grin.

"But three hundred and fifty points!" grunted Neville. "No wonder Snape's mad!"

"He's gonna be absolutely unbearable in Potions!" said Harry with a grimace.

"Yeah," agreed Ron before a wry grin crossed his face. "Glad I haven't got it this term."

As they were finishing of their breakfast by the time Professor McGonagall and the other Head of Houses came down from the High Table, each carrying a bundle of parchment and started walking down the tables handing everyone a roll.

"Here are you timetables for the duration of your N.E.W.T's," said Professor McGonagall briskly handing Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville each a roll. "Try to keep them safe," she added glancing at Neville gave her a sheepish smile before she headed off towards the Seventh Years. Neville then turned to his timetable and groaned.

"Potions on Friday afternoons," he said miserably. "What a way to start the weekend!"

***

As it was however Neville had little chance to worry about the upcoming potions lesson during the first few days as he and the others were not only kept busy with their N.E.W.T coursework (Or in Ginny and Luna's case, their O.W.L.'s) but also with their first proper Marauder's meeting where Professor Gringle gave them the test he'd mentioned at Grimmauld Place which ended with them all getting exactly the same score at which point each of them was presented with a box of chocolate frogs although Harry and Hermione both had a sneaky suspicion that Gringle had planned that on purpose although they weren't about to say anything.

At the same time, the new Marauders didn't just have their training to fit into their schedules. To start with Ron, Hermione, Luna and Ginny had their prefect duties to attend to and Neville was helping Professor Sprout in the Greenhouses most nights.

Harry meanwhile had received a note at breakfast on Tuesday from Madam Hooch asking him to attend a meeting the following night and so on Wednesday night after dinner he made his way to the Quidditch Stadium along with the other team captains, Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff, Montague from Slytherin and, to Harry's discomfort, Cho Chang from Ravenclaw.

"Hello Harry," she said coldly as she sat down next to him in Madam Hooch's cramped Office.

"Eh, Hi Cho," replied Harry and was relieved when the door opened and Madam Hooch strode in.

"Good evening Captains," she said cheerfully and Harry could sense the excitement radiating off her. "And what a season we've got to look forward to." She now sat down opposite them and leaned back in her chair.

"After talking with the Headmaster we've agreed that it's time to change the competition slightly. As from this season you will each play the other teams TWICE!"

"You what?" exclaimed Smith with a stunned expression. "Twice?!"

"That's what I said Smith," replied Madam Hooch. "They play each other twice in the National Conference so I see no reason why we can't play each twice, do you?"

"No Ma'am," replied Smith weakly.

"Good," said Hooch who then went on to tell each of the Captains that they would be restricted to one practice a week with Slytherin getting Mondays, Hufflepuff on Tuesdays, Gryffindor would have the pitch every Wednesday and Ravenclaw would get Thursdays. Apparently, she'd become increasing annoyed by the Houses squabbling for practice time and had decided that the teams would only have one evening each to practice and on a fixed night.

"Well, at least there won't be any getting out of bed for before the sun comes up," remarked Ron cheerfully after Harry had told him, Ginny and Katie on arriving back at Gryffindor Tower whilst Hermione was engrossed in her copy of the Daily Prophet.

"I could never understand Oliver's thinking there," agreed Katie. "Especially on the morning of a game."

"I just hope one practice a week is going to be enough," said Ginny thoughtfully. "I mean, we're gonna have a new Chaser to break in and…well, Andrew and Jack still need work."

"Be nice if we could replace `em," grunted Ron before shooting a quickly look towards Harry. "Course, that's your decision mate."

"Ron's got a point," said Katie. "Even if we don't replace them it wouldn't hurt just to put the wind up them! Might make them play better."

"Are they really that bad?" asked Harry with a grimace.

"Oh, they try hard," replied Katie at which Ginny nodded in agreement whilst Ron frowned slightly. "Probably a bit too hard in Jack's case but…well, let's just say I've seen better!"

"Okay, so that's one chaser and possibly two beaters we're looking for," said Harry thoughtfully.

"Well just make sure you talk to Andrew and Jack," said Hermione looking up from the Prophet. "You should at least invite them to the trials. It wouldn't be fair just to drop them." And with her piece said she returned to her paper.

"She's right," said Katie. "We've got to give them a chance. It's only fair."

"I guess," sighed Ron grudgingly with Ginny nodding in agreement.

"Okay, I'll tell them their going have to try out for the team liked everyone else," said Harry with a small nod. "Just hope they don't get to pissed!"

"Want me to tag along?" asked Ginny. Harry smiled at her and shook his head.

"Nah, I'll do it. I am Captain," replied Harry but at the same time he couldn't help feeling just a little apprehensive at telling the two beaters that they'd have to try out for their places again.

***

As it turned out Harry needn't have worried as neither Jack or Andrew seemed surprised or upset when he told them that they'd have to take their chances at the trials just like everyone else in the Common Room that evening although only Andrew said he'd be defiantly coming to the trials when Harry invited them and even then he'd be going for the third chaser spot.

It was a distinctly happier Harry who left the Common Room a short time later and made his way straight to the library where'd he'd promised to meet Hermione. As he entered he couldn't help but grin as he saw Madam Pince rebuking two first years while waving a bag of sweets at them. Still grinning Harry hurried towards the back of the library where he quickly spotted Hermione's bag at her usual desk but with no sign of his girlfriend.

Dropping his own bag next to Hermione's Harry turned and made his way towards the Transfiguration section. After all, they were here to do the essay McGonagall had set on Monday afternoon.

"Hermione?" Harry called as loudly as he dared. "'Mione? Are you here?"

Suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder and pushed him hard against a bookshelf causing Harry to turn just in time to see a blur of brown before he felt a pair of lips against his own.

For a second Harry was too shocked to react then slowly he felt a fresh grin spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist as she slipped her own arms around his neck before breaking the kiss and looking up at him with a broad grin of her own.

"I've been waiting to do that all day," she murmured quietly.

"Me too," said Harry happily. "And I've gotta say, it was worth the wait!"

"Well then, now that we've got that out the way you'll have no problem concentrating on Professor McGonagall's essay will you?"

"I'd rather concentrate on you," murmured Harry grinning lustfully ay Hermione who immediately blushed.

"Harry!" she hissed. "Let's not push our…" However she was quickly cut off by Harry's lips meeting hers for a few brief seconds before he pulled away with a roguish smile.

"See? No problem!"

"Prat!" hissed Hermione, albeit with an affectionate smile on her face. "Come on, let's go and do that essay!"

"Yes Professor!" chirped Harry merrily and laughed at the expression on Hermione's face.

"Oh shut up!" she snapped and stormed off towards their desk while Harry followed her grinning broadly.

***

With Hermione's help Harry had no problem getting a start on the essay and by closing time had gotten well over four and a half of the six foot McGonagall had set them.

"See, I told you it wasn't going to be hard," said Hermione with a smile as they packed up and left the library.

"Well, it helps that I've got a good tutor!" said Harry cheerfully and grinned as Hermione went red as they continued on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. As they did Harry realised the corridors were practically deserted and an idea entered his mind and he now reached down and took Hermione's hand in his.

At the sensation of Harry's hand grasping hers Hermione looked up and met Harry's gaze and smiled. She knew they were taking a risk but she was willing to take it if he was and she now squeezed his hand back at which Harry shot her one of his smiles that even before they'd started dating would give her a warm fuzzy feeling. Now however it also made her knees feel like jelly!

As it was they made it back to Gryffindor Tower without being seen (although the heard Filch screaming at Peeves at one point from the floor below) and only let go of each others hands as they came up the stairs leading to the Fat Lady as she was know to have the eyes of a hawk and knowing what a gossip she was neither of them wanted to take the chance.

"Evening dearies," said the Portrait cheerfully as they approached. "How are you?"

"Very well thank you," said Hermione with a smile whilst Harry grinned cheerfully before Hermione gave the password and the Fat Lady swung open allowing them through to the Common Room which was filled with little groups busily doing homework, playing games, swapping chocolate frog cards or just sitting around talking with their friends.

Harry and Hermione were making their way over to one of the unoccupied couches when suddenly two familiar voices called "Hey Harry," from behind them causing Harry to give a small groan and close his eyes while Hermione quickly moved to cover her mouth as she gave a small giggle before they turned to see the Creevey brothers standing there, both grinning broadly.

"Hey guys," said Harry with a weak smile although neither Colin nor Dennis seemed to notice this. "What's up?"

"We were just wondering what time the trials are next week," said Colin.

"Yeah, we both want to try out," added Dennis swinging his arm as if knocking away an invisible bludger with an invisible bat."

Harry groaned inwardly whilst he could see Hermione was beginning to shake with silent laughter beside him.

"If you'd read the notice it said to be at the Stadium for seven o'clock," he said softly at which Dennis and Colin both went red.

"Oh, right," mumbled Dennis his face flushing red with embarrassment.

"Yeah, sorry!" added Colin and with that they turned and hurried towards the far corner of the room.

"Oh Merlin!" muttered Harry as he watched the brothers sitting down with some of their friends. "That's all we need!"

"They've got as much right to try out for the team as everyone else Harry," said Hermione with a calm smile.

"Yeah, I guess," Harry grudgingly allowed. "But Ron's not gonna been happy!"

"But Ron's not Captain," replied Hermione. "You are, and you want the best for Gryffindor right?"

"Right," said Harry before a sly smile crossed his mind. "So does that mean you're gonna be trying out? I could use a smart Chaser!" He was rewarded by a look of utter panic crossing Hermione's face and her eyes started darting left and right looking for a distraction.

"Oh look, there's Ginny," she said hurriedly and grabbing Harry's elbow started guiding him across the common room towards where they could see Ginny standing beside Dean who both had their backs to them whilst Harry sniggered.

"Hey guys," said Ginny glancing over her shoulder as they approached to see Seamus and Ron leaning over a chessboard whilst Neville was on a stool between the pair watching the game closely.

"How's Seamus doing?" asked Harry in a hushed voice.

"Well, I'd say he's doing fine if it wasn't for the fact that Ron's smiling," said Ginny with a grin.

"Oh dear," said Hermione quietly. "That's usually a bad sign."

Harry now cast a look over the board and he saw that whilst Seamus had taken a few more pieces than Ron his king had been left exposed and it seemed Seamus hadn't realised that.

"Protect your king, protect your king!" Harry heard Hermione murmur under her breath having also seen their Irish friend's mistake. Unfortunately Seamus seemed more concerned about taking pieces as he now moved his bishop towards one of Ron's knights which was promptly smashed to bits.

Neville shot a look up towards the others whilst Ginny shook her head,

"That's it," she murmured as Ron reached forward and moved his own bishop before sitting back with a smug grin on his face.

"Check-mate!"

Seamus's eyes darted around the board desperately for a moment before his shoulders slumped and gave a small nod at which his king reached up and removed its crown, which it then threw at the feet of Ron's bishop.

"Bugger!" growled Seamus miserably. "I thought I had ya!"

"No mate, not a chance," said Ron gleefully before looking around at the others. "Anyone else wanna go?"

"Not with your luck mate!" snorted Dean. Here Ron shrugged before turning to Harry.

"Come on mate, you must be up for a game?"

"No thanks," said Harry and when Ron turned his gaze to Hermione she quickly shook her head.

"Wimps!" sighed Ron removing his wand from his pocket and waving it over the board and at once the broken pieces repaired themselves before marching back into their box.

"So what did Dennis and Colin want?" asked Dean with a grin. "I saw them talking to you, wanted you to autograph something?"

"If only," sighed Harry.

"Colin and Dennis were just asking about when the trials were," smirked Hermione, her gaze fixed firmly on Ron and she didn't have to wait long for a reaction as several chess pieces clattered to the ground and Ron turned to them with a look of anguish on his face.

"Please tell me your joking!" he said in an almost pleading tone to Hermione before turning to Harry. "You're having a joke right?"

`"Fraid not mate," sighed Harry.

At this Ron spluttered a loud expletive that earned him a stern "Ron!" from both Hermione and Ginny whilst a few other Gryffindors turned to look towards Harry and the others.

"What are you all looking at?!" barked Ron sharply and everyone immediately went back to what they'd been doing albeit with occasionally glances towards Ron.

"Ron, will you shut the hell up!" snapped Hermione angrily causing Ron and the others to stare at her in shock. "Honestly, you haven't even had the trials yet and you're already making this out to be one horrendous disaster!"

"Well…it…it could be!" stammered Ron still looking stunned at Hermione's outburst.

Harry was also staring at Hermione wondering if it was wrong that watching her tearing into their mutual best friend was seriously turning him on!

"Ron, calm down will you," sighed Ginny from beside Harry causing him to turn towards the youngest Weasley. "It's not as if their the only ones trying out."

Here Ron frowned slightly but then gave a reluctant sigh.

"Haven't got much choice have I?"

"No," said Hermione firmly. "Besides, for all you know they might turn out to be pretty good!"

Here Ron just gave a sceptical snort.

***

Later that evening the majority of the Gryffindors including Ron and Neville had headed to their dorms leaving just Harry, Hermione, Seamus, Dean and Ginny alone in the Common Room. Hermione was engrossed in an Arithmancy Book whilst Dean and Ginny were chatting happily, Ginny with her head in Dean's lap. Seamus meanwhile was dozing lightly in the seat opposite whilst Harry whilst pretending to read Bletchley Hoggleton's Quidditch Tactics and Strategies but in truth he was watching Hermione, a small grin tugging at his lips as he remembered watching her yelling at Ron earlier.

"Oh, sorry," said Ginny give a yawn. "Guess I'd better get off to bed." With that she sat up and gave a small stretch before swinging her legs off the sofa so she was now sitting beside Dean whom she now kissed on the cheek.

"Night," she said smiling broadly at him as she now got to her feet before turning to the others. "Night guys!"

"Night Ginny," called Hermione looking up from her book.

"Night," added Harry as Dean now also got to his feet.

"Suppose I'd better go to," he grunted before kicking Seamus's boot. "Oi! Wake up Sleeping Beauty!"

"Wha?!" slurred Seamus sitting up with a violent jerk, his eyes shooting open and giving the Common Room an unfocused scan before returning to Dean. "What time is it?"

"Gone midnight," said Dean. "Come on."

"'Kay," mumbled Seamus as he rose from his chair. "Night all!" And with that he stumbled to his feet and trudged towards the stairs to the boys' dorm behind Dean.

"Night boys," called Hermione cheerfully.

"Night Hermione," replied Dean while Seamus just grunted as they disappeared up the stairs.

A minute later at the sound of the sixth year boys' dorm door closing Harry tossed his book on to the coffee table and sighed.

"About damn time," he growled as he got to his feet and crossed over to the sofa she was seated on, her feet curled under her and her book in her lap and sat down beside her.

"You need something Harry?" asked Hermione, her voice tingling with laughter.

"You could say," chuckled Harry and with that he grabbed Hermione's book and tossed it onto the coffee table next to his whilst Hermione started to protest.

"Harry! I was reading….," she started but was cut off by Harry's lips pressing against hers.

"You were saying?" said Harry thirty seconds later as he pulled back grinning broadly.

"Oh, nothing important," sighed Hermione happily. "Although I'm not entirely sure kissing in the Common Room's a good idea! We might get caught!"

"We could get caught anywhere," said Harry with a shrug. "And I'm more than willing to take risks if you are."

"You know the answer to that," chuckled Hermione.

"Good," said Harry and claimed another kiss before they settled into the seat, Hermione's head on his shoulder as they looked into the flames.

"So, what kind of wonderful surprise do you reckon Hagrid's got for in store for us this year?" said Hermione after a few minutes.

"Oh thanks," grunted Harry. "There I was looking forward to a nice peaceful nights sleep and now I'm going to be having nightmares about some cute cuddly teddy bear like creature that turns out to be some vicious monster that will try eating you soon as looking at you!"

"Don't!" squeaked Hermione slapping Harry lightly on the chest! "I like teddy bears!"

"Sorry," said Harry dropping a kiss on her temple. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"I never said I was scared," replied Hermione defensively. "Just…just don't talk about teddy bears like that!"

"Sorry," said Harry again, a wry grin crossing his face. "Didn't mean to ruin any childhood memories!"

"Smartarse!" snorted Hermione but her light tone told Harry she was only joking before she suddenly gave a loud yawn.

"Oh dear," she sighed. "Sorry about that."

"It's Okay," Harry assured her. "We should probably be getting to bed ourselves."

"Good idea," agreed Hermione as Harry got to his feet then turned and pulled her up and straight into his arms, which he quickly wrapped around her.

"Mmm," sighed Hermione. "I like this though."

"Me too," agreed Harry. "But we should go, especially if we have got Hagrid tomorrow. I'd hate to take on whatever he's got for us with no sleep."

"Good point," said Hermione as she now looked up him. "Night then Harry."

"Night `Mione," said Harry as he lowered his head and gave her a brief kiss.

Hermione now moved over to the stair where she turned and gave Harry a beaming smile.

"Love you," she called as loudly as she dared.

"Love you too," replied Harry with a grin. "See you in the Morning."


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