Disclaimer: You, the reader, realize I don't own or make money of this.
Quick Notes: Umm, sorry about the delay! Things have been hectic this weekend and I completely forgot. Sorry again!
~~~
Earlier that same day - Albania
`Finally,' a woman with a dark, skeletal like face thought to herself as she walked silently through the darkness of a very dim manor. It was decorated only by the shadows on the walls and a candle rarely seen. `It seems as if he might have finally forgiven me for that fiasco at…'
"Ahh, Bella," a cold, unnaturally high voice whispered as he watched her bow low, nose touching the floor. He was clad in the darkest of robes, and the pounding rain around the house suited him perfectly. "I have…talked…to the traitor you have found. Do you know what I found?"
"No, master," the woman answered quietly. She only hoped it wasn't bad news. She had been punished unmercifully after her last failure and was only know recovering fully.
"He was a more competent Occulemens than I gave him credit. I realized this when I broke into his mind this morning. He was not the one who has been giving away our plans."
`No,' the woman thought to herself.
"Silence, Bella," her master told her. "You will not be punished, for he did prove useful. He have us confirmation on another."
"Who, master?" the woman asked curiously. "Is it Snape?"
"Yes," he answered her in a more twisted, colder voice. She realized how his eyes were flashing. "Bring him to me…alive. Do whatever is necessary. He will be punished for this."
"Yes, master," the woman answered, standing and walking back the way she had come
"Oh, and Bella?" the man said.
"Yes, master?" she answered.
"Is our new informant behaving as we commanded?"
"Yes, master. Barely any resistance."
"Good. Now leave me."
~~~
I wonder how they will react, a man thought to himself, as he surveyed his ornately designed office. Some of the unique objects sparked memories, mostly unpleasant, about the war he had been involved with for so long. You're getting old, Albus, he thought to himself as a knock resounded throughout the office.
"Come in," he said. Only seconds later the door opened and in walked Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
"You asked to see us, Professor?" Hermione asked.
Dumbledore inclined his head in acknowledgement. "Do take a seat," he told both of them, gesturing towards the comfortable chairs sitting in front of his desk. After seated he opened a drawer and pulled out a container. "Lemon drop?"
"No, thanks, sir," Harry said, always one ready to skip pleasantries and get down to business. "You had something to tell us?"
"That I did," the headmaster said. "Firstly, I have realized it is best to not withhold information from you any longer, so what I am telling you is strictly Order business. It is not to be repeated to anyone except for Mr. and Miss Weasley."
"Yes, sir," the couple agreed.
"Now, secondly, the reason I requested for you to come. There has been some rather disconcerting changes in this war that we have unfortunately found ourselves ringleaders in. Two of our own have been murdered. They were both instrumental in providing us in information from Tom and his followers."
"Who were they, sir?" Hermione interrupted. She had an ominous feeling about this.
"Edward Steele," Dumbledore answered, watching them both carefully. "He wasn't relatively known and wasn't in Voldemort's inner circle, but he was trusted more than most." The Headmaster then stopped for a second, as if willing himself not to stop. After a couple of eerily quiet minutes he continued. "The other, unfortunately, is Severus Snape."
"Snape?" Harry asked unbelievingly. He was certain that was not who the Headmaster had just said. Why would Voldemort kill his own spy?
"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore answered. "Severus Snape."
"But, why?" Hermione asked. "Why was he murdered now?"
"I have no clue as of yet," Dumbledore answered. "I was rather under the impression that Severus was still trusted."
"But can't you find out, sir?" Harry asked calmly. The news that Snape had died didn't seem to cause him pain at all.
"No, Harry," Dumbledore sighed, looking more tired than ever. They had finally come to the reason for another main part of the meeting. "That is what our other problem is. Severus and Edward were our only spies. Without them, we can only speculate."
This information seemed to affect Hermione more than it did Harry. "What are we going to do, sir?" she asked.
"As of right now Ms. Granger, nothing," Dumbledore answered, now with a defeated expression on his face. Couple with the loss of the ever present twinkles in his brilliantly blue eyes it was odd to see. "And it does get worse. There seems to be a leak on our side, and I can't seem to even find a clue as to who it is."
Now this is what really affected Harry. He couldn't believe that someone on their side was giving away their plans. Someone who was practically murdering innocents.
They sat in quiet for a few minutes, all contemplating on this new turn of events. They all knew it could happen, but it was still an unpleasant shock to see it come true. Eventually Dumbledore stood from his desk. "I really have nothing more to say. I will keep you both informed on developments."
Harry and Hermione, seeing as the meeting was over, quietly rose from their chairs and left the office.
~~~
It was late Wednesday night and Harry and Hermione were finally leaving the Room of Requirement after being quizzed on various spells and having two very long duels between themselves that had ended in a tie, both having one once. Professor Abe had barely allowed them to leave, and only because they had been assigned prefect duties that night. The Professor seemed to be having too much fun, in Hermione's opinion.
So, as Hermione has the year before, they walked quietly around the castle, patrolling for any mischief makers.
"We do have a lot on our plates this year," Hermione whispered. "I hope I don't have a third year relapse."
"You won't," Harry said confidently. "You're a brilliant witch. You have more classes than anyone in Gryffindor and yet you always have your homework done."
Hermione didn't want to agree, but she couldn't help but think it was true. She was most comfortable when she was prepared, instead of someone who stayed up the night before to do a whole essay. She was not one known for procrastination.
They continued to walk together, not needing to really talk. They were just glad to seek comfort in knowing the other was there.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Harry asked playfully as they finally neared the Common Room. Hermione didn't seem to really paying attention to where they were going anymore. She had had a thoughtful look on her face for the last several minutes.
"Just thinking," she answered evasively.
"About?" Harry pressed.
"Professor Dumbledore," Hermione eventually answered. "I've been thinking about him all day actually."
"What have you been thinking?" Harry asked curiously.
"Did you not think he looked more worried than he was trying to let on?" Hermione asked, turning to face him right outside the tapestry blocking their entrance to their dorms.
"He did seem a little off," Harry agreed. "I think the whole Snape thing unsettled him."
"He always did seem fond of Professor Snape," Hermione said, while pushing the door open to the common room. She wondered briefly why it was empty, then realized the time. They had been patrolling a lot longer than she had originally thought.
"Which is weird," Harry responded. "How could anyone like that greasy git?"
"Harry!" Hermione admonished. "You know you shouldn't speak ill of the dead."
"Sorry," he mumbled, walking over to sit on one of the most comfortable couches by the fire with Hermione.
Hermione didn't say it was okay, because she truthfully didn't think it was, so she just sat in silence for a few minutes. Harry seemed to realize this and even felt worse for having said it.
Hermione's eyes eventually glazed over again as she thought.
"What are you thinking about now?" Harry asked amused.
"The war," Hermione answered simply. "I just can't stop thinking about it."
Harry thought for a second, moved closer to her, then said, "I know how to make you stop."
"How?" Hermione asked. She hoped he wasn't talking about Firewhiskey.
He wasn't. Instead he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her softly.
Hermione's thought instantly evaporated as she deepened their kiss; sliding her hands cautiously up his back and snaking her hands around his head, pulling him closer.
She momentarily wondered how fast there relationship was growing, but suddenly found that thought gone also as Harry pulled her down onto the couch.
~~~
"Now, please, Miss Granger, focus," Professor McGonagall said. She was currently standing in front of the two as they attempted to make their hair grow, something that Harry was surprised came quite naturally to him.
Hermione on the other hand was having a little more difficulty and it didn't help that her thoughts were still on what had occurred the night before. She had yet to make her hair grow after an hours work, while Harry had progressed to growing nails.
It was with more than slight agitation that she exited the Room with Harry that evening. She knew they needed to talk about everything, but she wasn't quite sure what to say. Sure they had kissed before, but nothing like that and never that far. Nothing that contained the loving passion that had been the night before.
As if Harry was reading her mind, he laid a comforting hand on her arm, and she turned to look at him.
"It's okay, you know?" He told her. "You don't have to be scared of this, of us."
This surprised Hermione. She often forgot how compassionate Harry could be.
"But what if we lose control?" She asked him, gazing deeply into his brilliantly emerald eyes. She always seemed to find solace and comfort there.
"We'll just have to be more careful," Harry responded. He continued to gaze at the beautiful witch who was gazing helplessly at him, knowing she was still worried.
They were both interrupted by the creaking of an opening door behind them, which upon further inspection showed Professor McGonagall emerging.
"Potter, I forgot to mention," she said, walking back up to them. "Professor Dumbledore has given the go ahead for continuing the Defense Association. Professor Tonks said she didn't mind if it continued, seeing as how it helps her. He also wished for me to inform you that you may set it up anyway you want."
"Umm, thanks, Professor," he answered. Having delivered her message, the Professor walked and soon turned the corner of the corridor.
~~~
"How are you going to manage all of that?" Ginny asked sometime later that night. The common room was still somewhat full so they had to conduct their conversation on training and such in hushed tones in the corner.
"I'm really not sure," Harry answered. He hadn't given much thought on the subject yet. "Listen, how are you and Ron doing?"
"Okay, I guess," Ginny answered. "Ron doesn't seem to be having to much fun. He's quite moody lately actually."
"I know he won't admit it, but he does miss us," Hermione whispered.
"I know he does too," Ginny answered. "Neville isn't quite the replacement for both of you."
"Speaking of Neville," Hermione interrupted. "Have you noticed how much better he's been doing in classes lately? His dad's wand probably held him back a good deal."
"Not to mention how dashing he's become," Ginny answered impishly. "I heard him telling Lavender at lunch about all his physical training and diet over the summer."
Hermione suddenly turned to Harry with an excited look on her face.
"Harry, what do you think about Neville teaching the D.A.?" she asked him. "Him and Luna. They could split it up!"
"Wouldn't everyone find that kind of weird though?" Harry asked. "I mean, Neville isn't widely known as the best student and everyone finds Luna a bit odd."
"I'm sure everyone in the D.A. would back them," Hermione pressed. "They saw how hard Neville was working."
"I dunno," Harry said indecisively. "I'll think about it."
"You know they would do fine," Hermione answered.
"I agree, Hermione," Harry answered. "I really do. I'm just thinking of everyone else. What do you think Ginny?"
"I think they'll do okay," Ginny answered. "I'm still planning on going as long as there is a competent teacher."
That was not what exactly Harry thought Ginny would say. He himself wasn't so sure about the idea, and tried to change the subject to studies but to no avail. Finally, he was forced to answer.
"I'll talk to him about it soon," Harry sighed. He knew they would do fine, but he was worried that people would think it a joke and not come. He could only hope for the best now.
~~~
After a little coaxing, Neville did comply to attempt to teach the class as long as Harry continued teaching him and Luna privately sometimes.
So, with that now done, and Harry having filled in Dumbledore in on the changes, it was no surprise that people were all standing around the newly adorned signs in the common room that proclaimed the continuation of the Defense Association. That in-so-much didn't seem to be causing the most interest. Most people were talking about who would be running it. Clumsy Neville Longbottom and Loony Lovegood. There would be meetings every Tuesday through Thursday and all sign ups were due at the beginning of the first meeting the week after next. It was decided that Neville would teach the fifth through seventh years on Thursday nights, while Luna would teach the third and fourth years on Wednesdays. They would both teach the first and second years together on Tuesdays, mainly because they would need the most instruction.
Harry and Hermione had spent their only free afternoon tracking down the old members who were still present at Hogwarts and encouraging them to sign back up in a show of support. True to their word, most had and a fair few had eventually signed up also. Whether it was because they thought they would be getting a treat at seeing the two make fun of themselves or if they were truly interested was yet to be seen.
Harry and Hermione had spent most of their Saturday and Sunday with Luna and Neville going over lessons and perfecting the spells they would be covering first for the next three weeks. Although they would be teaching it, neither Luna nor Neville wanted to be the name behind it.
It came as quite a shock to most of the school when both Neville and Luna taught quite well. They had both started the meetings, which took place in the Great Hall, as Hermione had suggested. They talked about how they didn't expect some of the people present to take them seriously, but it was a very serious subject. They told them a little of their experience at the Department of Mysteries and then took questions. They allowed those who wanted to, to leave and then began. Tonks, who was required to oversee the meetings, herself was quite impressed with how well the two were doing. They had been incredibly nervous right until the meetings had started, and then as they had approached everyone they had seemed to change. She was quite impressed.
~~~
The Thursday night as Neville was beginning his first Defense Association with the fifth through seventh years, Hermione and Harry were seven stories above sitting in the Room of Requirement with Professor McGonagall. Although Hermione was just now beginning to beginning to get her hair to lengthen, Professor McGonagall insured her it was still impressive. She herself had taken roughly the same time. Harry, on the other hand, had an uncanny knack for Animagus training. He had told them the story of growing his hair back multiple times when his aunt had tried to cut it extremely short and Professor McGonagall was more than slightly impressed. She was completely astonished. It was unheard of for a wizard or witch to begin using such abilities at such a young age, and she told him so.
"But, why?" Harry asked after hearing this.
"Because most wizards and witches powers don't progress enough to reach the level of Animagus till about fifth year, and that's even if they have the ability," Hermione had answered instead.
"That is essentially correct," McGonagall had added. "Although, their have been some old family lines where the ability manifested itself earlier than usual, but never at the age Mr. Potter is referring to."
Harry nodded his head, more for something to do than anything else.
"In the next weeks we will be doing something different from just attempting to grow your hair or nails," McGonagall said. "We will essentially be meditating. Trying to focus on the animal within and figuring out what your true Animagus form will be."
"Professor," Hermione interrupted. "I've read that it can also be told early on by having an affinity with certain animals. Is this true?"
"Yes, that is correct. I, myself, have always found it quite simple to make cats understand me. Have either of you experienced the same?"
"Actually," Hermione said. "I've always found eagles to be quite nice. When I was younger they would sometimes fly down beside me and let me stroke them."
"It seems you have all ready figured it out then, Miss Granger," McGonagall replied. "What about you Mr. Potter?"
"Not really," Harry responded. "I mean kind of snakes, but because I can talk to them."
"We'd best hope you don't transform into a snake," Professor McGonagall replied seriously.
"Why?" Harry asked. "I mean, I wouldn't want to, but what's the big deal?"
"Snakes are the ultimate sign of evil within, Harry."
~~~
Author's Notes: Once again, sorry for the wait. Hopefully it will only be one of the few times that will happen. If you do read, please take the time to review and give me your thoughts!
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