**A/N: We're so sorry for the delay. Its quality not quantity right???**
"Hmm..." Harry mused.
Harry and Ron were playing an agonizingly slow game of chess while Hermione was curled up on the oversized armchair with a new book, the latest edition of the Hogwarts, a History. The trio could most often be found in these respective positions as they were waiting for the start of their training.
"Just bloody move already Harry. We already know I am going to win." Ron said as he reached for his glass of pumpkin juice.
Hermione giggled from her place in the room. Both boys looked up at her. "What?" Harry asked with a confused look about him.
"I was just thinking about how much it seems like we are back in the common room." Hermione grinned. "Doesn't it?"
Both boys nodded. "Only much better. No bloody homework to have to worry about, no completely mental study guides, and no greasy haired gits breathing down our necks." Ron said resolutely.
"I'll have you know that those 'mental study guides' saved your arses and got you the highest grades in the class." Hermione said proudly.
"Arses?" Ron questioned with an eyebrow raised.
"What?" Hermione said, insulted.
"America has corrupted our 'Mione." Harry said, only to quickly duck a pillow targeted for his head.
Harry finally moved his bishop diagonally three squares only to have it be his turn again since Ron already knew his move and quickly took Harry's bishop with his knight.
"Why do I even bother?" Harry said with a dejected sigh. "Yeah laugh it up over there Granger. I'd love to see you do better."
Hermione hid her face behind her book, continuing to stifle her giggle. When she felt her face was composed, she came out from behind her safeguard. "You and I both know I can do better. Merlin Harry, I think even Dobby could beat you." She and Ron both erupted into laughter, leaving Harry to try and put a depressed face on.
"Ha. Ha. Ha." Harry said, before falling into a fit of laughter himself. It felt so good to just hang out like this without any imminent threats. Yet his impending fight with Voldemort was making him antsy, even in these times of happiness.
Ron waved his wand, putting the chess set away on one of the oak shelves on the far wall by the window. "Alright you two," Ron said as he stood, "I've got a dinner date with Luna, so don't wait up for me."
Hermione looked up from her book, "Well don't stay out too late, we do start training tomorrow morning. You'll need to be well rested."
"Thanks mum," Ron said with intense sarcasm, "Oh yeah, and you two behave yourselves. Don't do anything that I wouldn't do."
Hermione's face became tinged with pink and Harry just shook his head. "Get out of here mate," he said as he threw one of the pillows at Ron, hitting him square in the chest.
"Consider me gone," Ron said as he disappeared with a loud crack.
"So…" Harry said tentatively as he looked over at Hermione who was thoroughly engrossed in her book.
"Hmmm…" Hermione said in response, as her eyes hungrily sped from right to left across the page.
Harry just shook his head. Almost nothing could get between Hermione and her books. He knew he'd have to do something drastic to get her attention. "Accio Hogwarts, A History," he called out.
Hermione looked up at him with a frustrating gleam in her eyes as her book ripped out of her hands and over into Harry's lap. Her look changed from that to a devilish smirk within a couple of seconds however. Simultaneously Harry's smug look turned into one of fear as he realized what her look was for. Almost immediately ten copies of Hogwarts, A History came barreling into the room, pelting him from all angles.
Hermione doubled over in fits of laughter as a different grunt of pain escaped Harry's lips with each smack of the book. "It serves you right," Hermione said as she tried to stop herself from laughing.
She got up and crossed the room to where Harry and her piles of books were. "Oh my poor, poor…" she leaned in as if she was going to kiss him, "books." She started piling up her books, inspecting each one to make sure they weren't harmed.
"Oh you little…" Harry groaned as he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her onto the couch with him causing her to drop all of the books again.
"Honestly, Harry my bo…" she was cut off as Harry's lips covered hers. She was instantly silenced and seemed to melt into him, her arms wrapping around his neck.
"What about your books?" Harry grinned cheekily as he broke from their kiss.
"What books?" Hermione said breathlessly as she pulled him closer to her.
*~*~*
Harry, Hermione, and Ron stood before Hogwarts, staring up at it. They had initially planned on training at Grimmauld Place until Ginny and Luna went to school, but Professor Dumbledore thought otherwise. He insisted that their training commence at Hogwarts from the beginning.
"Wow," Hermione said with her mouth open, "nothing has changed a bit!"
Both of the boys chuckled and started towards the door. Harry rubbed his forehead as the trio walked through the halls to find where they were to train.
"You all right mate?" Ron asked.
"Huh?" Harry said while still rubbing his scar.
"Harry, is your scar bothering you?" Hermione asked with an overly concerned tone.
"Yeah, it is only throbbing a little. Maybe I am excited for the training…and a little nervous."
Hermione grabbed Harry's hand, which only made him a little more nervous since he had never held her hand in the halls of Hogwarts before.
They ambled down the corridor into the Great Hall where Luna, Ginny, and Neville already were.
"There you guys are!" Ginny said as she beckoned them over. "Did you see any teachers on your way in?"
All three shook their head in response. "I'm sure they'll be here soon," Hermione said with an authoritative tone.
"I really hope we don't have to work with that greasy git," Ron grumbled.
"I do believe we share the same sentiments Mr. Weasley, but unfortunately it could not be avoided," came a drawl from behind the group.
Everyone jumped and turned to see none other than Severus Snape, dressed in all black. Ron's face tinged a faint pink.
"Oh hello prof…" Hermione started.
"Save it for someone who cares Miss Granger. Professor Dumbledore asked me to take you to your training destination, but why he is bothering, I have no idea. Follow me and keep up. I will not be responsible for any of you getting lost."
Not even bothering to look at them, he turned and stalked away, his black robes billowing behind him. The group stared awkwardly at each other before running to catch up with the man that they had no choice but to follow.
After following the sour professor through the twists and turns of the dungeon in complete and utter silence, the group came to a dead-end.
"I wouldn't speak if I were you Mr. Weasley." Snape spat as Ron had indeed opened his mouth to say something.
Snape tapped three times on the only brick on the whole wall that had the most significant discoloration. Several gasps were heard as a hole the width of a wand appeared. Professor Snape stuck the tip of his wand into the hole and after a brief five second pause the wall seemed to shimmer slightly before a doorway appeared to let them in.
"I suggest you all remember how I did that in the future because I will not be showing you again." Snape said haughtily as he stalked off back into the catacombs of the dungeons.
As the group slowly made their way into the room they saw none other than Remus Lupin standing in front of them.
"Sorry about that," Lupin grinned empathetically, "I would have come and got you lot myself, but I was busy setting things up."
They managed to finally look around their surroundings. There was an abundance of targets and obstacles scattered throughout the room. Hermione happened to note that there was quite a bit of what looked to be muggle exercise equipment.
"Well are we ready to get started?" Lupin said cheerfully, clapping his hands to break everyone out of their reverie.
"Dumbledore wanted me to get you started on some basics for a little brush up. It has been a..erm...different kind of summer holiday for all of us. First off, I want to see what kind of shape you are in. It's not going to do you any good if you can't keep up with the Death Eaters themselves."
Within fifteen minutes everyone was at different stations around the room. Ron and Harry started out on the jump ropes, but Lupin would occasionally come through and throw hexes at them while they jumped. Ginny and Hermione were on some sort of contraption that mimicked a muggle treadmill. Only they weren't running on a belt, it was more of a patch of rolling terrain. Each piece brought pieces that they need to jump over and avoid. It was intense to say the least. Lastly, Neville and Luna each seemed to be in a dodgeball game of sorts with a device that shot stunner spells at them. They took turns trying to see who could last the longest, the other waiting by to wake them from the stunner. The longer one of them stayed out, the more demanding the device became. It would be impossible to beat it.
Lupin wandered between the groups, making them each go for about a half an hour at each station before giving them a ten minute stretch of a break. "Ten minutes?" Ron gasped red faced.
The others were far to worn out to even say anything. "Yes ten minutes. Do you think a Death Eater is going to hold off on sending an Avada your way when you need a break?" Lupin questioned as he felt sorry for the shabby looking group in front of him. Finally when no one answered, he answered for them, "Didn't think so."
The ten minutes went by faster than any of the six could have imagined. Looks of horror came when Lupin announced it was time to rotate. This time Ron and Harry were on the treadmills, Ginny and Hermione were dodging stunners, and Neville and Luna jumping rope.
When the next ten minute break came, the group was in shambles. Ginny was nursing a sprained ankle, and Neville had managed to trip himself up with the jump rope, repeatedly. Everyone else was absolutely exhausted and collapsed onto the ground struggling for breath. Hermione shot a bedraggled look to Harry, which he returned with the utmost sympathy he could manage. No one had the energy to say a word to each other.
"Alright you lot, you're on the home stretch. You've only got one more station to go, and then we're done here." Lupin said as positively as he could.
There were several grunts in response, but mostly no one managed to move.
"I'm serious you guys. Up you go. The sooner you get it started, the sooner it will over with. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He instantly bit back his own words as he received several death inspired glares as a result of his comment.
Hermione was the first to stagger to her feet, followed by everyone else. "Alright, to your last stations everyone." Lupin directed, "Ginny, be careful on that foot. Jump on one foot if you have to."
"Everyone ready? Begin." He said with as much conviction as he could. He felt bad for them, but he knew if anything, it'd keep them alive later.
And they were off. Exhaustion and determination could be seen on each and every one of their faces. Ron and Harry took turns jumping out of the way of the stunners. Ginny kept up her jumping on one foot, having to stop occasionally because of fatigue. Every couple of times she would stop though, Lupin would shoot a stunner at her. Hermione on the other hand was going full boar jumping rope. Luna was definitely outrunning Neville on the treadmill. Neville's face was quite similar to a tomato, and it looked as if he were going to pass out at any minute.
Lupin was about to shoot a stunner at the jumping form of Hermione when she stopped suddenly with a weak look on her face. It was obvious to Lupin that she was to be sick. He quickly conjured her a bowl just in the nick of time. Her knees buckled under the stress and lack of energy and collapsed to the floor in a weak heap. Everyone seemed to have stopped at that point. Harry ran over to check on her leaving a shocked Ron to get hit with a stunner and keel over.
"Alright, I think it's time to stop this part of the training for today." Lupin said mournfully, releasing Ron from the stunner. "It is probably time for a break. I believe some food is being sent down here."
Everyone turned to the sound of a grumble from Ron. "Yes?" Lupin asked.
"The sound of food is not too pleasant right now; I just want to lay here." Ron groaned from his position on the floor.
There was a collective gasp from the group that was huddled around Hermione. "I guess there is a first time for everything." Harry said with a chuckle that instantly turned into a wince.
Just then, Dobby appeared with a pop causing everyone to jump. "Dobby has brought food for Harry Potter and his friends."
Ron jumped up from his laying position to see what had been brought to the training room. "Oh how I have missed Hogwarts' food."
"I thought you just wanted to lay there." Ginny said looking at her brother.
"Nothing keeps my Ronald from his food," Luna smiled.
"What?" Ron asked through his mouthful of biscuits.
Everyone else just shook their head in response to his question. Harry and Lupin however still had their concentration on Hermione.
"How are you feeling now Hermione?" Lupin asked as Harry conjured a cushion for her to rest on.
"I feel like I've been trampled by a heard of hippogriffs. I can't believe I did that though." She said as a blush brightened her fragile pale face.
"Come on 'Mione, you've been emotionally drained here recently. Running the gauntlet like this was likely to make you breakdown. Look at everyone else." Harry said pointing to the group that was haphazardly spread around the table Dobby had lain for them. Luna was tending to Ron's sore muscles while he fed his face and Neville was bringing Ginny some food since her ankle was still sore.
Hermione's face screwed up into one of contempt. "I can't go around using that as an excuse Harry. I'll just have to work harder."
As she moved to get up, Harry held her back. "No, 'Mione you're not getting up yet. Not at least until you eat something. I'll be right back."
Harry jumped up and hobbled his stiff body over to the table where the dwindling assortment of goodies was. "Ron, honestly, couldn't you save us some?"
"Dobby can get Harry Potter more food." Dobby said eagerly.
"No need, there is still plenty here. I was just giving Ron a hard time." Harry said this and noticed Dobby's eyes start to water. "Alright, if you really want to you can get a small portion and bring it down here."
Dobby grinned from ear to ear and popped out of the room. "That one sure is mental." Ron said with a bewildered look.
"Oh honestly Ron," Hermione shouted weakly from her position over on the cushion, "Dobby is doing you a favor, the least you could do is show him some respect."
Ron saluted with a grin, "Yes oh fearful SPEW leader."
"It's S.P.E.W. Ron, S-P-E-W." Hermione said with a roll of her eyes.
*~*~*
It had been an hour since Dobby had brought up his version of a small portion of food. That meant that there was enough food to feed a small army. Everyone was lounging around taking a break from the brutal training session and eating a hefty lunch.
Lupin walked back into the training room with a smile on his face. "Time to start back in on some training."
Many moans could be heard from the group. "Do we have to?" Neville squeaked.
"You must." Lupin answered looking from person to person. "We're not doing anymore physical training today. You lot probably could not handle much more of that. Instead, we will go over a minor healing spell."
There was a collective sigh of relief amongst the group.
"What do you mean a minor healing spell?" Neville asked.
"Well, a minor healing spell just cures the common sprains. For instance, Ginny would not be able to fight as perfectly with her sprained ankle. By knowing this spell, she would be able to fight with ease."
"Professor, does this spell only work on sprains?" Ginny inquired.
"Very good question Ginny, very good indeed. They also work on most pain in general. If the wound or pain is too great, the spell will simply not work. So it would be best to try it at least once."
"This is the pain relieving spell Indolentia isn't it?" Hermione asked, her know-it-all tone signifying an increase in energy.
"Right you are Hermione. Where did you pick that up at?" Lupin asked eagerly. It wasn't something that would have been on the curriculum at school.
"At Gullveig. I took a healing course over there that taught us basic healing spells and such."
Lupin paused, while everyone looked enthusiastically at each other. "Since you all seem excited and slightly bruised and battered from our earlier training endeavors, this spell should do the trick."
"Alright, I want you to repeat after me. Indolentia." Lupin commanded.
"Indolentia," came the collective chant amongst the group. Hermione's voice could be heard the loudest and quickest.
"I think you've got it. Why don't the girls go with Hermione, and the boys over here with me and we'll work on everyone getting some practice and effects of the spell."
*~*~*
"Leave it to Hermione to come out on top again. Honestly mate, is there anything your girlfriend doesn't know?" Ron asked.
"So you two finally got together did you?" Lupin asked, interrupting Harry's answer. "It looks like I'll be getting a couple galleons from Arthur."
Harry gaped wide-eyed at his friend and professor. "You knew and you made a bet about it?"
"Harry, everyone knew it was going to happen sooner or later," Neville said clapping him on the back before recoiling with a wince. "So do you think we can stop the girl talk for just a second so I can work on this spell?"
"Nev, you wouldn't mind if we talked about a certain red haired witch, so sod off." Harry said with a smirk.
Neville turned a nice shade of red before Lupin began to instruct them on the correct wand movement for Indolentia.
*~*~*
"Okay Gin, lets get your ankle fixed." Hermione said, ready to show off her healing skills.
Ginny sat down on one of the cushions and held out her ankle for Hermione. "Indolentia," she said with a wave of her wand.
A bluish glow surrounded Ginny's ankle momentarily before it disappeared. "Wow," Ginny said, twisting her ankle about, trying to provoke pain, "Thanks 'Mione."
"Okay Luna, did you pay attention to how I did that or do you need me to do it again?" Hermione said with her hands placed haughtily on her hips in a way that would make Professor McGonagal proud.
"I can do it, thank you anyway Hermione." Luna said, her eyes focused on Ron across the way.
"Alright, then why don't you try to it on my knee?" Hermione rolled up her trousers revealing a hideous looking bruise on her knee from when she collapsed earlier.
"Eww 'Mione. Was that from when you collapsed?" Ginny scrunched up her nose in disgust.
Hermione sighed. "Yeah, it is. Now can we please just cast the spell so we can move on?"
Ginny bit back whatever response she had thanks to Hermione's brunt response.
*~*~*
"I'm proud of everyone mastering that spell today. We'll continue to practice it throughout the training," Lupin said as he stood before the now pain free group in front of him. "I think that we'll call it a night since you've all worked so hard today. I suggest that you get a good nights rest because we'll meet back here tomorrow, same time and we will be doing more stations."
"Professor? Are we going to do anything else? We need to defeat the Death Eaters, not run from them." Luna said with a dreamy smile causing a general consensus.
"Yes we are. We're going to work on some defensive spells and such too, so no need to worry. Plus, one of these days this week, Professor Dumbledore will be coming in to explain what we think might be the key to Voldemort's defeat." Lupin said as he watched Harry's eyes go wide.
"Well get out of here already," Lupin directed the silent group in front of him, "unless of course you want to have another round on those treadmills."
Almost instantly the group jumped to their feet. "I'll take that as a no then?" Lupin questioned with a chuckle. The only response he got from the group as they left was a cushion thrown at him.
**A/N: Alright, another chapter down. We're SO sorry we didn't make our update last week. R/L does happen sometimes, it's sad but true. So what do you guys think? Yay, nay?? We really feel like we've lost our momentum in the past couple of chapters, but that's hopefully going to pick up. Let us know what you thought in that cute little box below. Thanks again for sticking with us.**