A/N: Hi all. This chapter didn't come to me all that easily, but I think it worked out alright. Plot is a lot harder apparently than just romance. Loll. Ah well. Thanks for all the reviews. Just answering a couple of questions posed to me. Ron isn't that much in the story as a main character because I noticed in the last book, Hermione was with Harry all the time, but Ron kind of disappeared into the background and just became one of the bigger group. As for Ron and Luna, obviously they are together, but I'm not sure if I will put much about their personal time together. As for Ginny and Neville, not sure. I think the rules for posting may prohibit that relationship. I'll need to read up to make sure it's ok before I go there. Enjoy.
After breakfast the next morning, Harry and Hermione presented their idea to Dumbledore regarding the research for ancient magic. Dumbledore seemed very interested in the idea and said that he would speak to Madame Pince about giving them unrestricted access to the library, including the restricted section, which is where they would probably find all examples of ancient magic anyway. Harry and Hermione were both excited to be able to go through all of the books that were previously denied to them. Harry voiced the idea to Hermione while in their private quarters that they could also research different spells as well that they may use in attack or defence.
"Perhaps," Harry said, just before they exited their rooms," We could find some of the spells that Moody will teach us?"
Hermione agreed with this and they spent the rest of the day waiting in anticipation for lessons to finish so they could begin their research.
During defence against the dark arts where Moody had paired them up to perform a tricky spell which reflected the
spell back at your opponent invisibly, while giving the illusion that the spell had hit the intended victim and
produced the desired result, which was difficult at the best of times and even more difficult to work out if the spell
had succeeded until the attacker had been struck, Ron was told of their special permission to research in the
restricted section.
Ron instantly volunteered to be a research assistant, eager to get his hands on the restricted texts himself. Harry
agreed provisionally, saying that he had to make sure that Dumbledore was fine with this. Moody pulled Hermione and
Harry aside just as class finished and said
"Alright you two, we will begin your advanced sessions this Friday night. Meet me in the room of requirement. There you'll meet my assistant and we shall begin."
They both nodded, their curiosity peaked at who was going to be the assistant. They went down with Ron and Neville to lunch. Harry approached Dumbledore as he was passing to go up to the head table.
"Professor, do you have a moment?" Harry asked as he reached Dumbledore's side. Dumbledore halted and turned to Harry, smiling and inclined his head for Harry to proceed.
"Well sir I was just wondering if it was alright if we have Ron help us in our research." Harry asked.
Dumbledore pondered this a moment and then said
"Well I don't see the harm. You no doubt will share some of your research with the DA as well as the Marauders anyhow and you would be sure to let Ron know of any discoveries you have made, considering you three are so close. It should be fine."
Harry smiled broadly at Dumbledore and thanked him. Dumbledore smiled and continued up to the head table. Harry joined Hermione and Ron and gave Ron the good news. Ron was grinning broadly and said
"This will be great! I'll be as helpful as I can, although I guess I'll mainly cart the books and research the ideas that you two come up with. I know I am not a genius in the brains department and it is well known in the common room that you two are the brightest of our year."
Harry and Hermione both smiled at Ron and Harry wondered once more about his friend and at how mature he now seemed. He thought to himself that Luna must be having a very good effect on Ron. As if thinking her name conjured her, she arrived at Gryffindor table and kissed Ron on the cheek, her arm about his waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he gave her a goofy, sappy smile. Harry reminded himself to talk to Ron later to get an update on his relationship with the Ravenclaw girl.
Afternoon lessons tended to drag on for the three as all they really wanted to do was get to the library and begin their research. They knew that it would probably take a long time for them to find anything useful in their defence against Voldemort, but they didn't mind, as all of the information kept in those books must be there in the restricted section for a reason.
"We all have to be careful though with the information we gather. You don't want something to happen to any of us, so be extremely careful. It isn't the information only that makes the books in the restricted section dangerous." Hermione cautioned them as they were heading to the library. Harry remembered the book he had read first year from the restricted section and shuddered, remembering the blood curdling scream it had given as he had opened the book. They all agreed to check with Madame Pince before opening any book, to make sure they didn't get into trouble or get harmed. It was a good thing they did too, as she informed them that the books on the back shelf were forbidden without her there to mutter the counter charm on the books before they were opened. One of the books, apparently, could burn your eyes out if you did not use the incantation to remove the curse before opening it. Their excitement was tempered with caution at the reminder of how dangerous the books are. They all selected large tomes from the stacks related to ancient magic and trooped back to their study area and began flipping through pages, not exactly sure what they were looking for.
Their first nights study ended with all three of them having sore, tired eyes from reading the fine grainy print and having gotten nowhere as far as their research was concerned. Harry did borrow a book called 'Most vile curses and their counter charms', thinking that there was a possibility that some of the spells in there may come in useful. After saying goodnight to Ron, the couple headed into their private quarters and Harry settled himself in front of the fire and leafed through the book, noting that some of the pictures, showing the effects of the spells were truly horrifying. One spell seemed to have the ability to make the person cast upon to turn inside out. Harry felt his stomach roll over lazily and Harry quickly shut the book, wishing he hadn't read it after all. Hermione, noticing the look on his face said "what's the matter?"
"I just saw something in this book that made me think twice about researching the dark arts in the restricted section." He informed her, still green.
Hermione took the book from him and leafed through the pages until she was looking at the spell Harry had been studying. She looked a little shocked but said
"Well, we need to know the worst that can be done Harry in order to protect ourselves from it. It may be disgusting, but it is possible that one of the death eaters knows this spell, so we need to study it."
Harry nodded, agreeing wither logic, but he didn't think his stomach could handle any more of the pictures inside, so he put the book down on the table and snuggled with Hermione for a while before they went off to bed.
Friday soon was upon them and after finishing their lessons for the day, and eating a hearty meal, knowing Moody they would need the energy, Harry and Hermione headed up to the room of requirement. They opened the door cautiously and peered in to see Moody and a familiar figure with their heads together, engaged in serious conversation.
"Professor Lupin!" They both shouted in unison, making the two before them jump. Ramus Lupin smiled and came over to embrace Harry and Hermione.
"Hi you two. It's good to see you!" He said with a broad smile. They both hugged him back and stepped back, smiling. They noticed that his clothes were no longer tattered and rather than the normal robes he usually wore, he was dressed in black slacks, with a black shirt and leather boots. He smiled as they noticed his attire and said
"Look a little different don't I? The reason is that Sirius left me some money from his will, so I now don't have to work if I don't want to. However I have found it more convenient to wear these clothes while training as they allow for more flexibility and allow me to manoeuvre more efficiently. You don't know how many times a duel has been won because of someone being caught in their robes and unable to dodge a curse."
Both Harry and Hermione nodded, listening and Moody then joined in the conversation, saying
"We are not going to teach you spells yet, that comes later. The first and most important way to defend yourselves is managing to get out of the situation in the first place. If you can escape, you do, understand?"
Harry and Hermione nodded, as it made sense not to fight if they didn't need to.
"Right, now we are going to teach you the basics of camouflage and stealth tonight. A good Auror can do this at an elementary level, while some like Ramus here, have developed skills to the point where they teach others. If not for the fact that the Ministry is full of bigots who can't stand the fact that he is a werewolf, he would be one of the lead trainers in the Auror division. As it is he is training all of the order."
Harry thought of Umbridge when Moody said this and for the first time had a twinkling of an idea.
For the next half hour, Ramus lectured them upon the principles of camouflage and stealth. He explained to them that while invisibility cloaks and the disillusionment charm were useful tools, they were not to be relied upon as there were always methods people could use to penetrate these disguises.
"Transfiguration is an important tool in these instances as many don't realise that a transfigured person is anything more than what they appear to be. It allows covert operations while being out in the open. However, the person has to be exceptionally advanced in order to fully benefit from it as transfiguring yourself requires considerable adeptness and concentration. There have been quite a few blunders made by people who were not conscientious enough and ended up half transfiguring themselves. Not a pretty sight let me tell you."
Harry looked at Hermione and knew while his skills in transfiguration were adequate for his school level, he had a long way to go before considered advanced enough to transfigure himself. Ramus watched the look on Harry's face and said
"I am aware of your progress in transfiguration, Harry. I have asked Professor McGonagall if she would consent to giving you more intensive lessons during a week night and she has agreed. She has also asked me to tell you to research animagus transfiguration as she will be exploring this option with both of you in your first lessons."
Harry nodded and realised that his work load had just become a lot heavier. He had stopped his revision with Hermione on arithmency, since Professor Vector said that he had a thorough enough grasp of the concepts to be able to take classes as normal and had just begun to enjoy some of the spare time he had had. He gave Hermione a resigned look and she giggled and squeezed his hand and whispered
"Come on, it won't be that bad. After all, we will be studying together you know."
Harry smiled at this and thought perhaps it wouldn't be that bad after all. Ramus then went on to explain about stealth and the uses that the silencing charm can be used for.
"Casting the charm on yourself can be useful, as most people will not be able to hear your movements. Combined with an invisibility cloak or disillusionment charm, it can be quite effective. However, when you are transfigured, you need to learn how to move quietly, but still appear normal. You don't want to make yourself too apparent by making too much noise, but you don't want to get even more attention by making no noise at all. There have been studies conducted in the Auror department within the Ministry and they have concluded that there is a specific level of sound where most people will not notice you. We will practice this next week in the forbidden forest. We will meet you by Hagrid's hut next Friday."
With that, Harry and Hermione rose and thanking Ramus and Moody, went back to their room. Harry sat down in the couch and pondered the information they had learned tonight, while Hermione scoured the bookshelf in the common room, looking for a book on animagi. She sat down ten minutes later with a book entitled 'Finding the Animal Within'. He leaned over her shoulder and read along with her about the incredibly complex art that was becoming animagi. They both learned that the first part of the process was to learn what kind of animal they were to become and figured that this would probably be the first lesson with Professor McGonagall. They continued reading until midnight, and then retired to bed.
They spent the weekend working on their homework with Ron in the main common room of Gryffindor tower. Luna joined them as well, Ron having brought her in on regular occasions since they had become an item. Harry took a break on Sunday afternoon to see Professor Dumbledore regarding the upcoming trial of Draco Malfoy.
When he arrived at the headmaster's office, he found Professor Dumbledore reading a copy of The Times. Professor Dumbledore waved him over to a chair as he finished an article. Seeing Harry's bemused look he said with a smile
"Do you remember me telling you last year that I read muggle newspapers as well as our own? Well now you've caught me. How can I help you, Harry?"
"Well sir," Harry began, unsure," I wanted to talk to you about Draco Malfoy's trial."
Dumbledore folded his hands on the table and nodded, listening.
"I know you're head warlock of the Wizen Gammot, and I wanted to know if I could attend the trial as well as address the court, once the trial is over."
Dumbledore looked a little startled at this request and asked
"Can I ask why you want to do this Harry?"
Harry nodded and said
"It is regarding some events that happened last year sir, as I have relevant information that the court may want to hear. I would need a pensive though and some way to magnify the image so the whole court will be able to see what I have to show them."
Dumbledore thought this over, getting up and walking over to where his phoenix Fawkes sat on its perch and absentmindedly scratching its head, said
"I think it won't be a problem. I take it we may need some security personnel on hand?"
Harry nodded, saying
"That may be wise sir. Some people may not be happy with my revelation."
Dumbledore smiled at this, saying
"I shall arrange it then. Don't let anyone know about this though Harry. We don't want any fore knowledge of this getting out. I don't know what it is and don't want to know, as I think it will be quite enjoyable as a surprise. You can, of course, tell Hermione, but leave your revelations just to her, agreed?"
Harry nodded, rising to his feet and thanking Dumbledore. Dumbledore spoke up before he left, saying
"Tomorrow night meet me here with Hermione to begin your first Occlumency lesson."
Harry nodded and he went back to the common room, his heart lighter and a smile playing across his lips as he thought of the uproar he was about to create.
He sat back down next to Hermione and continued his homework, which they finished just before dinner. As they were walking down with Ron to the great hall, he leaned close to Hermione and whispered
"I have something I need to tell you about after."
She nodded, as she continued walking and he slipped an arm about her waist, kissing her on the cheek. Ron walked with Luna, hand in hand and they chatted about the upcoming quidditch match in October. Due to Harry's injuries, the match had been rearranged and it was now Slytherin versus Ravenclaw. Harry thought this was funny, considering that Slytherin had lost their seeker, although Malfoy in his opinion was more of a liability to Slytherin than an asset. Ron was gleeful at the prospect of Slytherin being humiliated and couldn't wait until the match. They reached the great hall and Harry sat down and pulled a large bowl of goulash towards him and began ladling it into his bowl. Hermione sat and watched him with a smile on her face. He noticed after a moment and asked
"Something funny?"
Hermione nodded, giggling and said
"Just how much your appetite has increased since we've come back to school. It's amazing how much food you consume on a daily basis. You're giving Ron a run for his money!"
Harry looked at her for a moment then grinned and whispered, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively
"Perhaps due to our nocturnal activities?"
Hermione's eyes widened and she blushed and slapped Harry lightly on the arm. He laughed and started eating. After a moment of recovering from her shock at his words, Hermione began putting food onto her plate. Harry was amused to see that her appetite seemed to have increased as well, but thought it wise not to mention it.
All four of them made their way to the library after dinner. Luna took a book on mythical creatures from the shelves and walked back to the table, while the trio picked out some more books on ancient magic and began scanning the pages again.
After about twenty minutes, Ron said
"Here's something. It says here that there is a way to dissipate the magic cast by a particular wizard, providing that there is a blood relationship between the wizards. Harry didn't you say that he took some blood from you in order to rejuvenate his body?"
Harry nodded, his hope rising at this idea. They quickly wrote down the information regarding the spell and hastened to Dumbledore's office. They all rushed in to find Dumbledore dressed in his night gown and a sleeping cap with a red pom-pom on the end. He looked up enquiringly at the four and Harry quickly recited the information they had found. Dumbledore examined the information for a moment and then said
"Interesting. This could be something. I'll investigate it further on your behalf if you like and I'll come back to you with my findings. However, I want you not to think that this is the solution if it does work. Always have multiple angles that you can defend yourself by. It is better to over prepare than under prepare, remember that."
Harry nodded, still elated by the discovery and Ron suggested they celebrate. Harry nodded and went down to the kitchen with Ron, while Hermione went with Luna to the Gryffindor common room. They returned fifteen minutes later with trays full of cakes and half a case of butter beer. They spent the rest of the night eating and drinking, hoping that they had found something they can use to finally get Voldemort out of their lives. Harry and Hermione returned to their own rooms and went straight to their bedroom. Hermione turned to wrap her arms about Harry's neck and she kissed him deeply, and then rested her head on his chest, saying "I really hope this works out. If it does, we are basically going to render most of Voldemort's magic useless."
Harry nodded, saying "I hope so too. Remember what Dumbledore said though. I'm sure even if we render him useless, he will still have all of his followers around him, all willing to do away with us at his command. We still need to prepare for all contingencies."
Hermione agreed and releasing Harry walked over and sat down on the bed and taking her brush from the bed-side table, began to brush out her hair. Harry sat down beside her, watching, then stopped her, taking the brush from her and began to run it through her hair working out the knots as he did so. Hermione relaxed, loving the feel of Harry doing this for her. For some reason it seemed so romantic that Harry took care of her in such little ways as this.
"What did you want to tell me?" She asked, her eyes still closed.
Harry smile and told her of his conversation with Dumbledore and his plans. She chuckled and said
"That will be interesting to see. I can imagine the headlines now."
Harry chuckled and put the brush aside once he had worked all of the knots out and sitting cross legged on the bed behind her, began to plat her hair. He had seen Pavarty Patel do it in the common room before and had paid close attention. Now he found it quite easy as he worked and soon had Hermione's hair platted right down her back, reaching her waist. Harry had never realised how long her hair was, the bushiness always concealing it. She turned around and looked at him, smiling and Harry thought she looked quite pretty like that and said so. Hermione blushed and kissed him lightly on the lips and said
"Let's get some sleep, ok?"
He nodded and extinguishing the lights, they crawled into bed and cuddled up together.