Okay guys sorry this took so long I had terrible problems with writing it then betas and so on and so forth. I'm back at school now so I don't know how often I'll update I will try I promise but this is my TEE (NEWTS) year……………
Please please review I beg you.
Chapter 14 - Diagon Ally and the Marauders.
Quickly, Harry jumped to his feet and dusted himself off just in time to steady Hermione as she tumbled from the fire into the Leaky Cauldron.
"Careful Mione." Harry cautioned, steadying himself for the independent lecture that he was more then use to by now, however when Hermione opened her mouth Harry nearly fainted from the flirtatious smile she gave him before replying.
"Well that's what you're here for right?"
For a moment Harry was left speechless before he managed to mutter a response, "…Uh… Sure."
Just as Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist Sirius Black and Remus Lupin tumbled from the fire clutching each other's arms and laughing hysterically. When their planned escort had been delayed by the order, it had been decided that Sirius, Remus and Tonks would accompany them - Harry had a sneaky suspicion however, that Dumbledore was trying to give him some time with Sirius and to a lesser degree Lupin as well.
"Oh boy, did you see his face? It was classic!" Sirius exclaimed as he straightened up his robes and removed the ash.
"And you're sure he can't change it back?" Remus asked sobering for a moment as he repeated Sirius's actions on himself.
"Positive, the potion mixed and the spell, I spent weeks developing that remember? It's charmed to last 12 hours. Come on Moony you know this." Sirius explained slightly offended by the doubt.
Remus grinned in response, "Okay, Padfoot that one's yours. But the next one is mine."
A small smile appearing on Harry's face he cautiously stepped forward, "Um, guys what's going on?"
Looking up the two Marauders sobered enough to answer Harry's question.
"Dumbledore," Sirius started.
"With purple," Remus interrupted.
"Hair!" they chorused together before breaking into fits of laughter. Harry looked at the two adults strangely for a moment before he burst into laughter as well.
"What was the point in turning Professor Dumbledore's hair Purple," Hermione questioned causing all three males to sober immediately.
"Because Prank Season has returned to Hogwarts my dear," Sirius explained a large smile still plastered on his face.
"Prank Season?" Hermione questioned in disgust, "Sounds more like the something the twins would do."
"Hermione," Remus said softly, "The twins are nothing compared to the Marauders, the greatest mischief makers to ever grace Hogwarts. And they never once proved it was us." Remus continued to explain as if Hermione had pointed out what appeared to be an obvious problem in a lesson.
"So when does this immature phase stop?" Hermione asked
Just as Sirius was about to answer Harry jumped in, "Let me guess, when the Marauders do."
Sirius and Remus grinned broadly, "Of course."
"Great." Hermione mumbled, "Now I've got the twins and the Marauders to try and control."
Suddenly Sirius looked up, "What do you mean the twins?"
Harry explained, "The Weasley twins, the current Hogwarts pranksters, however they say the key to their success is a little tool to mischief makers everywhere called the Marauders map. I believe they called it the secret to their success when they gave it to me."
This time it was Harry and Hermione turn to laugh as Sirius and Remus stood in shock.
"Well Moony I think our next target has been acquired. Don't you agree?" Sirius said an evil grin appearing on his face.
"I think so to Padfoot."
Just as Hermione was about to comment a loud crack filled the air as Tonks appeared pink hair and all, "Watcha," she greeted accidentally knocking a glass over, "Opps." Was all she said as with a wave of her wand she fixed the glass and restored it to its place.
"Well come on people let's get going." And with that Tonks led the way to Diagon Ally effectively stopping the current possibly volatile conversation.
Three hours later the small group sat outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice-cream parlor at one of the more secluded outside tables.
"So where do we still need to go?" Tonks asked checking the time before turning back to the group.
"We still need to get our books and pick up our new dress robes - which should be ready soon." Hermione quickly answered checking through her Hogwarts letters.
"Well why don't you and Tonks have a look in Flourish and Blots for awhile and I can take the Marauders to look at Quality Quidditch Supplies." Harry replied smiling as Hermione's hazel eyes lit up with joy.
"Okay so why don't we meet in Flourish and Blots in about an hour," Tonks suggested winking at Harry, she seemed in a way to know what he wanted to do and for that Harry was thankful.
When everyone was agreed on the proposal the group stood up and said their good byes, before Remus and Sirius who were currently laughing quietly took off in a race to what in their eyes was one of the world's best shops. Smiling Harry just shrugged his shoulders at Hermione's raised eyes before walking after the two adults.
When Harry reached Quality Quidditch Supplies he found Remus and Sirius waiting for him debating who had won, seeing Harry had joined them the pair made to enter the shop but were quickly stopped by Harry.
"Look guys Mione's birthday is soon and I want to get her a present, this was the only thing I could think of that would let me slip away without question."
"Do you know what you want to get her?" Remus asked smiling gently.
"Well no." Harry admitted his checks turning slightly pink, "Just not a book."
"Well then…" Sirius started looking at Remus and back to Harry as a mad grin formed on his face.
"We know just the thing." Remus finished and Harry was terrified to see he was a mirror image of Sirius.
"Trust us. Lily loved it." Sirius said trying vainly to comfort Harry as each of the Marauders grabbed one of his arms and proceeded to drag Harry down the street till they were outside a small worn down shop, "Come on," Sirius prompted before dragging both Harry and Remus through the door.
****###****
That night Harry, Hermione, Sirius and Remus tumbled through the fire and onto the floor of the Gryffindor common room several large bags at their sides.
"Guys, how many books do you need?" Sirius asked as he heaved three of the six bulging bags onto the sofa the humor evident in his voice.
"They're our books for Potions, Charms, History of Magic, Transfiguration, Care for Magical creatures, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and the four for Defense against the Dark Arts." Hermione quickly explained running through the list in a very business like manner as she dusted the soot off of her clothes.
"Hey, do you guys know who the defense teacher is going to be this year and why in Merlin they would assign us four books?" Harry asked looking at both Sirius and Remus, who were smiling, "It better not be another fraud like Lockhart!"
"No idea, Dumbles is keeping it all hush," Sirius quickly said before changing the subject, "So that explains two of the bags what about thee third?"
"Oh that's just some light reading and extra books I picked up." Hermione stated as if the answer were obvious.
"That's light!" Sirius exclaimed realizing his mistake too soon, about to add more he suddenly found that he couldn't speak.
"Don't Sirius, trust me." Harry explained release the spell when Sirius respectfully nodded his head in awe.
Suddenly picking up on the mental image Hermione was thinking of Harry tried not to laugh, //Go on.//
//Harry I couldn't possibly. It'd be cruel. // Hermione replied however Harry caught the evil glint in her eyes as she bought them to meet his.
//Think of it as pay back for their future miss deeds. // Harry counted trying to keep the smirk off his face as he received a mental nod back.
Concentrating on Hermione Harry could feel the energy in her body growing and could just make out a ting hint of blue between her fingers.
Hermione opened her hand and the tiny bolt of energy shot out towards Sirius connecting the soft skin of his neck. For a moment nothing happened then all of a sudden his hair stood straight on end.
As soon as the effects sunk in Harry, Hermione and Remus collapsed in fits of uncontrollable laughter as Sirius tried vainly to make his hair sit straight. After ten minutes Sirius fell to his knees in defeat, which just increased the level of laughter in the room.
"Please Hermione. Please make it stop, I promise never ever to say anything again. Please you can't leave me like this." Sirius begged towards where Hermione was curled up on the floor holding tight to Harry.
"Oh I don't know if you've learned your lesson yet." Hermione replied appearing nonchalant.
Looking between the pair Harry collapsed in yet more laughter, "Mione let him go please I can't take it anymore." he pleaded.
"Oh I guess so then." Hermione said as she finally relented and held out her hand as a small bolt of blue energy flew to her palm and began to crawl over her skin before eventually dissipating.
Sighing in relief Sirius collapsed on the floor, "I said before Hermione, you can do whatever you want as long as it does not involve my hair."
Hermione replied as if she thought Sirius was missing the obvious before a small seductive smirk appeared on her face, "Yes but… what's the fun if you don't care?"
****##-****
Harry sighed as his body twisted out of the white stag and continued running quickly removing his sword as he met the Hermione who was currently absorbed in fire.
As their weapons clashed first high then low before Harry quickly sent out a high kick and a blow to Hermione's waist. Smiling grimly Hermione side stepped the kick and caught Harry's sword with her sais about to twist it from his hands when her feet suddenly slipped out from underneath her.
Bracing herself Hermione fell to the ground then quickly preformed a back roll that left her standing on her feet facing Harry's back. Quickly, Hermione aimed a kick at Harry's now open side and she bought the but of her one of her sais towards his back in a quick jab.
Waiting to the last moment Harry quickly stepped to the side so that Hermione's leg was between him and her sai as he aimed a kick at the back of her leg. Before his foot connect though he found Hermione had rolled forward and was now several feet in front of him.
Hermione grinned as she sent out a wave of air to off balance Harry followed by a shot of energy aimed at his hand. Being caught off guard by the force of the breeze Harry used it's momentum to push himself backwards as he released his sword for a second to roll backwards then quickly summoned it back to his hand immediately sending out a confusion spell combined with the jelly legs jinks.
Calling to the air around her Hermione quickly pushed the first spell away but was hit by the jelly legs. Groaning as she lost her balance Hermione quickly let go of one of her sais smiling as it floated suspended in air and pulled out her wand muttering the counter curse as she deftly put her sais back in their holders. Muttering a strong of curses in Harry's direction before assuming her Phoenix form and flying high into the sky.
Dumbledore, Sirius and Remus watched the battle from a corner, smiling, as the two students fought neither gaining the advantage as they used all the skill they knew.
It was Remus who finally broke the silence as he whispered to his companions, "Albus, I don't know how we are going to teach those two this year. They are already doing stuff that is way above OWLS."
"I know Remus. But they only know the basic spells and defense. You need to teach them what is out there and how to fight it. They need to know what the death eaters will send at them, cause weather to our liking or not they will be in the fight. Harry has to fight Voldemort and he will, but not only that he won't stop until his entire force is destroyed. Hermione won't let him go through that alone, and he needs her. When the time to fight comes I don't think we'll be able to hold either of them back, even if we tried. They need each other and they're stronger for it." Dumbledore replied in a whisper his eyes never once leaving the pair who they were currently talking about.
"But Albus the 5th years only learn the basics, they won't learn most of what your suggesting till 7th year or later if they ever learn it." Remus counted.
"We simply can't teach a bunch of 15 year olds half the stuff they need to learn." Sirius added equally entranced by the fight.
"I suggest you allow them to work on their own from books that they have in their possession, make sure they completely understand your current topic first though. Help them as much as you would help anyone else in the class. Set them homework except base it on what they are working on each lesson or what you think they need to know, make it the same type as other student so they can hand it in with everyone else with out questions being asked. Guide them in what they study as well so they are learning things they need to know. I think that their training in this area will largely become something that they control." Dumbledore explained turning to look each Remus and Sirius in the eye and they nodded in understanding.
Smiling Dumbledore clapped his hands signaling for the two students to stop. The two teenagers stopped immediately quickly changing into their human forms and placing their weapons and wands in their respective places.
"Congratulations you two." Dumbledore said smiling, his blue eyes holding a familiar twinkle as he walked out from the corner Remus and Sirius on either side of him, "But you must get going, I believe Arya was watching a part of your fight and has several points for you, among other things she wishes to impart before she leaves."
Harry's eyes quickly snapped up, "She's leaving?"
"Yes I'm afraid that she must return home in two days." Dumbledore said the sorrow evident in his voice.
"But sir, if she leave who will be teaching us?" Hermione asked clearly upset at the fact of loosing such a good teacher.
"That I believe will fall to your Defense Against the Dark Arts professors." Dumbledore said a twinkle in his eye.
"Oh well…" Harry began but was quickly cut off by Hermione.
"Professors sir. You mean we have two teachers this year!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh did I?" asked Dumbledore trying to look innocent, "You will have to forgive old age my dear I believe the mind starts to go when it comes. Now go on Arya is waiting for you by the lake."
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