Title: The Aftermath
Disclaimer: All familiar characters and events are from JK Rowling and the only thing I own is the plot… Don't sue me or anything I don't get anything from this except maybe reviews. Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I also want to point out that as much as I want Harry and Hermione together already, I can't just put them together because I am following a plot. I'd love to put bits of fluff here and there but the Harry and Hermione part would take a while but please bear with me with this. I already have this planned including the sequel to this series… Well, I have a small draft but not anything concrete yet. Just bear with me okay. Sorry for the errors. I just hate it when I don't have a lot of time in my hands. A Beta is badly needed, I know.
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CHAPTER 15: Test of Virtue
The two walked up to Moody. Harry looked back to see Ron with a questioning look on his face.
Moody motioned Harry and Hermione in one corner. The Headmaster continued talking to the DA members.
"Potter, Granger you two will help us with the testing," Moody's magical eye was moving in circles.
"Why can't Ron help us? He doesn't need to take the test. We know he's loyal to us," Harry said. He wanted to convince Moody to exempt Ron.
"You two had been exempted because you are members of the Order and because you both have already been marked. It is better this way. You two will point your wands at the head of the person to be tested. Use Legilimency and try to sort a few of their recent thoughts. You can compare what you see," Moody instructed.
Harry understood the 'they were Order members' part but not the 'because you both are marked' part.
"Can Ron at least go first? We're sure he'll pass it," Hermione said.
"When you see gripes, deep anger, and envy in their thoughts they should take the virtue exam from me and the headmaster. If they only have mild emotions of the same kind in their minds then Remus and Tonks will administer their exam. Granger, you scan the past thoughts. Potter skim through the present and most recent thoughts and yes your friends can go first if they like," Moody said.
Harry and Hermione nodded.
"I think we can begin with the tests. Pair yourselves and fall in line," Dumbledore instructed.
Harry could see from the front of the line that Ron had a composed look on his face.
Neville and Ron were the first ones to take the Legilimency test from Harry and Hermione. Harry scanned Neville first and Hermione scanned Ron's thoughts.
Harry saw the scene where he and Neville were in the boy's dormitories then it shifted to a the common room where Neville must have been observing Ginny and Dean. The last he saw was the Neville waiting outside of their DA practice room while they waited for the Headmaster to arrive.
"Okay, you're next," Hermione said as she prodded Neville to stand in front of her. Ron took his place in front of Harry.
"What are you going to do mate?" Ron asked.
Harry put his wand up and pointed it at Ron's head. "Just the same as what Hermione did," he replied and used the Legilimens on his best friend.
He was brought to the scene in the Quidditch pitch after they chose Harry as captain. Ron stomped his way into the locker room. "He always beats me in everything. I don't want to be prefect I'd rather be Quidditch captain but of course Harry's better. I bet Fred and George were right, making me a prefect was a big mistake," Ron said to himself.
Harry didn't expect Ron to think badly of what happened. He knew that he would be upset because he wanted so badly to be captain but Harry didn't know that Ron envied him so much. He didn't expect Ron to be jealous of him. He did have wonderful parents and a happy lot of brothers and a sister.
Then it changed into the Gryffindor common room. Where Ron and Hermione were walking together or it was more of Hermione following him. They seemed to be arguing at first but He saw Hermione's sympathetic look on Ron's face. Harry realized that this was the time when Ron asked Hermione to go with him on their Hogsmeade weekend.
Then it changed into the scene outside their practice room then to the time before they were called for testing. The last thing he heard Ron say to himself was, "He always gets everything."
Harry put down his wand and looked at Hermione.
'Harry any angry thoughts inside Ron or Neville at present?' Hermione Legilimens to him.
'Ron has a little but nothing big on Neville. How about their past?' Harry Legilimens back.
'Neville has and Ron has some jealousy issues in the family. I think these two should take their test from the Head master and Professor Moody,' Hermione Legilimens.
"Ron, Neville you'll take your exams from the Headmaster and Professor Moody," Harry directed.
The headmaster had conjured dividers in both sides of the room. He and Moody occupied one part and on the other were for Professor Lupin and Tonks.
Other than Ron and Neville only Parvati and Dean had to take their test from the Headmaster and Moody.
Zacharias Smith, Cho Chang, Anthony Goldstein, Hannah Abbot, and Michael Corner were also sent to the Headmaster.
It was the Slytherin's turn to be sorted out for the test. Only Blaise Zabini was not sent to Dumbledore. Hermione took a long while in reading out Draco's thoughts and she gave Draco a very disgusted look before they sent him to Dumbledore.
Harry only saw the usual things in Draco's head. He bullied even the first year Slytherins. He also had seen him sniggering while Tonks was teaching their class a few days ago. It was hard to look inside his thoughts because he seemed to have put a wall that kept Harry away from the blond Slytherin's thoughts.
When they were done sorting the Advance DADA class they waited in one corner for the rest to finish their tests.
"Harry, I know where Kreacher is?" Hermione whispered to him.
"Huh? Where is he?" Harry asked. It had been a while and he had forgotten about the Black's house elf.
"He's head is on a plaque in the Malfoy Manor," Hermione muttered. "They killed him. After using the poor thing they killed him."
Harry didn't feel sorry for Kreacher because he's part of the reason why Sirius is dead but he also knew that Hermione is pretty passionate about house elf rights.
"He must have asked them to do that to him. He'd been talking about being like his family when he was in Grimmauld," he said as he tried to make a distraught Hermione at ease. Harry remembered the House elf heads in wooden plaques back in Grimmauld place.
"I can't believe they can be that cruel to him. He's been ill treated all his life," Hermione muttered.
Harry knew that Hermione felt sorry for the house elf.
"And Draco hates you so much not that you don't know that yet. He also hates muggles and thinks that muggleborns like me are dirty. But there was one part of him that I can't see. He's hiding something. I'm not sure if it's anger because he's bad thoughts were all on the surface."
"I know, he seem to put a wall on his thoughts. Maybe Snape taught him Occlumency already," Harry said.
"No, its just his strong will. There are things he didn't want us to know and he's determined to keep it from us. But whatever it is Dumbledore or even Professor Moody would figure it out," she said.
"I wonder what they're doing inside. How can they test a person's virtue?" Harry asked. He and Hermione were in a deep conversation at one corner.
"Well, I've read about them in the book Sirius and Lupin gave you. There weren't enough information in it though. All it says there was that an incantation would be used to filter through a wizard's body. It will reveal all his anxieties, troubles and all his after thoughts. It drains much of a wizard's strength but you only need to eat sweets to revive it. This test is only administered once," Hermione explained as if reading from the book itself.
"I see. You think maybe we should take the exam too?" Harry asked. He was thinking of submitting himself to such an activity.
"I guess we can ask Dumbledore if you really want to," Hermione said. "But remember what Professor Moody said about us being marked. I think he means your thunderbolt scar and my sun runes shape scar." Hermione was slightly taken a back. She seemed uneasy talking about her scar.
"I guess you're right but we could still ask," Harry replied. He thought maybe Hermione didn't like talking about her scar because he might get into a guilty fit again.
"Err… Harry, I didn't know that Cho hated me so much. Well, I thought she didn't like me but I didn't expect her to hate me that much. I never did anything bad to her," she said with uncertainty.
"Don't mind her she's just jealous of you." Harry looked at her with his green pools pleading to her. "Hermione, can you help me? I honestly didn't ask Cho out but she thought that I… well she misunderstood what I said. I want to join you and Ron on our Hogsmeade weekend," he confessed.
"I honestly don't want you to go if you really don't want too but you're already in a compromise with her. Now, maybe you should take this as an opportunity to end your relationship with her but can you do it in the nicest possible way. You know she's been through a lot before and she might not be able to take it well," Hermione suggested.
"You're a saint Hermione. You're worried about the feelings of someone who hates you," Harry commented.
Hermione laughed. "I'm not a saint Harry. I just don't think any girl deserves to get her heart broken twice," she said earnestly.
"That's what I love about you. You seem to know everything. I think the guardian thing is just a bonus. I bet we'd still be friends even if destiny didn't put its sneaky hands to put us together as friends," Harry said. He was slightly unsure with the words he used. He was thinking that maybe he came out to strong with using the word love but the look on Hermione's face said otherwise.
"I think so too," Hermione said and returned a smile.
Harry and Hermione continued chatting while they wait for the DA members to finish.
After the test the headmaster asked for everyone's attention once again.
"I'm very pleased that all of you have passed the test of virtue. Although this does not guarantee that you will forever be in the side of good. This only proves that goodness can still over power the darkness that may lurk within," Dumbledore said.
Everyone including Ron and most of the Gryffindor looked so tired and sleepy. Other students from other house were slumped on corners and even the Slytherins were ready to snooze off any moment.
"All of you should go back to your dormitories. We will meet next weekend to start our lessons. We shall pick up from where the DA members left off. Professor Lupin and Tonks will be teaching you. Professor Moody and I shall supervise your meetings. Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. I think it is fitting that the two of you should coordinate with the two professors so you can assist in teaching the rest of the class," Dumbledore instructed.
There were approving nods from DA members. The Slytherins made unpleasant murmurs.
"I thought that this is Advanced Against the Dark Arts Lessons. Why would you let students teach us?" Draco asked indignantly.
All eyes were on him and the headmaster. No one had ever questioned Dumbledore before except for Harry that is.
"Mr. Malfoy, I believe Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger is perfectly capable of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts because of their recent experience, however they will not be teaching but assisting professor's Lupin and Tonks. You're training would be extensive and a lot more difficult than of your regular Defense classes. I think that additional help would be to your advantage," the headmaster explained.
They were dismissed from their meeting. Harry and Hermione were asked to remain. Ron wanted to stay and wait for them but he was so weak that he fell asleep. Professor Lupin had to move his sleeping body to the dormitories.
"Professor, why didn't Hermione and I take the test tonight?" Harry asked.
"Because your duties had already been established. You two are already marked," Dumbledore said. He conjured a round table and seats where they all took their places.
"Professor Moody told us the same thing about being marked. Is it our odd shaped scars?" Hermione asked.
"You are truly very bright miss Granger. Yes, the two of you have gone through a far more extensive test of virtue. Your bodies have rejected the Avada Kedavra," Dumbledore said.
Harry was listening very carefully to him.
"But professor. Didn't the Harry's mother save him and I was only lucky because the words weren't said aloud?" Hermione asked.
"It's not the symbols that you carry that gives you the mark but what these symbols represent. The thunderbolt is the sign that appears when a body rejects evil. It represents the bearer of strength, the hero. The sign of the sun represents the light that is brought down to guide the bearer of strength. Thus making you his guardian. And your duties in this world has been acknowledged so there is no need for you to prove your virtues," Dumbledore answered.
"Now, I understand. I know about the prophecy foretold about her. Should I tell her about mine?" Harry asked.
"I thought the prophecy broke," Hermione said with a questioning look.
"Indeed it has but I have kept his prophecy in my Pensieve for it was first said to me," Dumbledore explained. "I believe you should tell her the prophecy but bear in mind the risk she will be in."
Harry knew that Dumbledore was speaking the truth about the risk Hermione would be in but looking at her and watching how determined she was to be by his side he knew that even with the risks she would be in he would always be there to protect her.
The Headmaster and the others left the two of them inside the room to talk.
Harry took a very deep breath before he started telling her about the prophecy.
Hermione listened intently to Harry's every word. It was as if every word uttered made things clearer to her.
"There has to be another way. There should be," Hermione said as she took Harry's both hands.
"I knew it would be a bit of a surprise for you. I honestly don't know if I can do something like that or maybe I fear that I am actually capable of doing such actions in the future because of so much hate," Harry admitted.
"I promise you'll never be alone. Even if it is a fight you have to do on your own that won't stop me from being with you no matter what. I think Ron would feel the same way. We will be here for you. I will be here for you. I just wish there is some other way. I wish I can do something so you wouldn't have to dirty your hands with his blood," she wept so hard in his arms.
"At least I know I wouldn't be alone. I know for certain that you will be there no matter what," he said to her as he run his fingers through her brown hair. Silently he wished that Ron would also be there to support him. The scenes in Ron's mind made him wonder what his other best friend actually thought of him.
"I hope that we can go through school and all these trouble and live to tell the tale," Hermione joked as she looked up at him and stood up from where they sat.
"I do hope so too," he said as they left the training room.
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A few days later Harry, Ron and Hermione were in their Transfiguration class. The class was a mix of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs.
"I the class would start grouping themselves into fours we can start with our lesson," Professor McGonagall instructed her class.
The trio was automatically grouped with only one missing member to fill in the slot.
Dean, Seamus, Parvati and Lavender were already grouped. Hermione motioned Neville to join their group.
"I guess you'll be grouped with us then," Ron said.
"And he's a very good addition to our group. Did you know how he blew off Snape in our class because he makes the second best potion next to Hermione, that is," Harry said.
"Actually, Harry isn't so bad also. Snape couldn't find anything to say to our potions work," Hermione said.
"The truth is I'm just lucky. Harry and Hermione here are great help," Neville added.
"I'm glad you guys are getting along pretty well," Ron muttered.
"Open your books in page 375. The topic is Animagus transformations," Professor McGonagall said to the class.
"It would have been a lot better if you were there with us too," Harry said as they started opening their books.
"And make a big fool of myself in his class. No way," Ron retorted but Harry could tell that his best friend wanted to be with them even if it were in Snape's class.
"Now, I am not expecting that all of you will be able to animagus. Our class would only study the theories behind being animagus. Practicing the transformation should be done after you have finished from school or if you are under authoritative supervision. If you have become a successful Animagi you are required to register in the ministry of magic," Professor McGonagall explained to them.
"Maybe we can ask Dumbledore to teach how to be Animagus," Neville exclaimed. "He's the Headmaster after all."
"Maybe we should ask him next meeting. I don't want to go through that test again. I wanted to sleep all day the day after that meeting," Ron said.
"You won't go through with it again. Maybe I can ask McGonagall to teach us I mean it would be advantageous for Harry," Hermione said excitedly.
"I guess we can try," Harry said when McGonagall went pass their table.
"I suppose you four know what the class is discussing," McGonagall's voice echoed inside the now silenced room.
Everyone was staring at them, waiting for one of them to answer.
"I believe we're discussing the types of animals a wizard may become when he transform and how this animal represent his personality," Hermione said as she stood up.
"You lot, are lucky Ms. Granger is with you," Professor McGonagall commented before she continued with the discussion.
Ron, Neville and Harry all sighed with relief.
After the discussion they were all assigned to make a research on the animals they think would most likely be their animagus forms.
Ron was acting pretty normal around Harry. He thought maybe his best friend had gotten over what had happened a few days back with him being captain and being exempted from the test. He was more worried about the coming Hogsmeade weekend than his first practice with the team as the new captain.
Ron kept on reminding him every few hours that they would be practicing during Wednesdays and Fridays. Hermione would only be away during prefect meetings with Ron and other house prefects. During these times he would be with Neville pulling some pranks on Slytherins who often bully first years and most of the time it included Malfoy.
Professor Snape had grown weary of the incidents and had demanded that the prefects work extra hours to find out who ever it was who had been playing tricks on the students from his house.
"Do you think maybe Hagrid is serious about showing the class a Clabbert?" Hermione asked them. They had Care for Magical Creatures after Transfiguration.
Neville went back to get some things inside the boys' dormitory.
"Maybe. I haven't finished reading that chapter yet," Harry said. "I had to finish a practice play for Quidditch."
"So that was what kept you from coming up in our dorm early last night. Seriously Harry, spending too much time with Hermione isn't a very good thing. You'll turn into a bookworm in no time," Ron joked.
Hermione on the other hand was infuriated by the unlikely comment. "Just because you don't study and get away with it doesn't mean Harry has to do the same. He's a lot more responsible than you," retorted Hermione.
"Yah, yah he's always better at everything," Harry heard Ron mutter softly to himself.
"So, our first game is against Slytherin. We have to make sure we win that game. I have to ask all of you guys to play extra hard. Ron, you have to guard the goal post as if your life depended on it," Harry said to loosen up the tension building up in the air.
"You bet I will. I don't want to see Draco sniggering at us," Ron exclaimed. He surely was determined to beat the competing team against them.
There were already close to Hagrid's hat when they saw the path to the dark forest made even wider and bigger.
"Why do you reckon?" Ron was about to ask.
"Grawp!" Harry and Hermione both said.
The three of them ran towards Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid!" The three of them called out.
"Hiyah Harry, Hermione, Ron," Hagrid greeted them as he got out of his hut. "Aren't yah a bit early for class?"
"Did you bring Grawp here with you. We saw the entrance to the Dark forest it's a lot bigger?" Hermione asked with a worried look on her face.
"Dumbledore found eh perfect place for Grawpy. Maybe you three can join me when I visit him. Goin' there on ther firs Hogsmeade Weekend," Hagrid said.
"We'd love to go," Harry and Hermione both said before Ron could refuse the offer. Harry didn't exactly like the idea of meeting Hagrid's giant little brother but it would be a good reason to join Ron and Hermione and to cancel his date with Cho.
"You haven't seen Grawp yet. I think it would be nice if you would meet him," Hermione said.
"You two were both scared of him then. Why do you want to go and visit him now?" Ron retorted not minding the fact that Hagrid was actually there with them.
"Well, he saved our life from the centaurs. We owe him that much," Harry said. He was a bit worried about Hermione though because she was terrified of the giant the last time they saw Grawp.
"Yes, Harry's right. So are you teaching him how to act properly now? I see you aren't badly beaten anymore," Hermione asked Hagrid.
"Well, Olympe's been teachin' him and Dumbledore had been gracious enough ter help me find him a place ter stay in," Hagrid said. Hagrid explained to them that the entrance to the forest was made bigger for some important reason and he would not go any further in the details. He also secretly congratulated Harry and Hermione for being inducted in the Order of the Phoenix.
The members of the class started to arrive including the Slytherins lead by no other than Draco Malfoy himself.
Hagrid brought a pair of Clabberts to show the class. The two creatures were a bit uneasy with the crowd surrounding them but after a while they were allowed to pet the magical animal. The Clabbert looked like a cross of a frog and a monkey. It also has a furuncle that turns red when it senses danger.
"Aren't these creatures supposed to sense danger? Why isn't it reacting to Granger when she touches it? Muggles are included to the threats they're suppose to sense," said Draco in a matter-of-factly manner to his cronies.
"It's because Hermione doesn't pose a threat to them. Touch it I'm sure that the thing on its head will turn red," Harry countered.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it burst because Malfoy touched it," Ron commented.
"Who asked your opinion anyway," Draco smirked at Ron.
"Is there any problem here?" Hagrid came from the front to check on how the class was progressing.
"Nothing," the trio answered.
"For yer homework research on where Clabberts live and the things they need to survive," he instructed the class then he let them all go back inside the castle.
"Err you three see you at three broomsticks at around two in the afternoon so you can stay and enjoy the morning outside," Hagrid told them before they left.
That night Harry was talking to the portrait of young Sirius through his magic mirror.
A special day was getting close and no it wasn't their match with Slytherin. It was scheduled early November. It wasn't his date with Cho that was going to take place a couple of days from that day. Hermione, his best friend would turn sixteen. It wasn't such a big deal before. She'd like anything that came from him because she's his good friend.
"Why don't you buy her perfume?" the young Sirius suggested.
"No that's what Ron gave her and I don't remember her wearing the scent at all," Harry reasoned.
"Then don't buy her that then. You know her. What's her favorite thing?" young Sirius asked.
"Books," Harry answered flatly.
"Then get her one. Something that she'd love to read over and over," young Sirius said.
"You think she'll like it?" Harry asked.
"Of course. It's from you. I have to go now. My mum would go around the portraits again you know. Just cover your mirror with the brown paper and stuff it in your trunk so she won't see anything just a plain broken mirror. Good thing Kreacher isn't here anymore or she'll be ordering him to get rid of my piece," Sirius said.
"I know where Kreacher is?" Harry said.
"You do? Where is he then?" asked young Sirius.
"His head is on a plaque in the Malfoy manor," he said.
"Well, at least he got what he wanted I have to go. Talk to you next time," and young Sirius left his portrait.
Harry wrapped the mirror and slid it back in his trunk.
"Harry? Are you still awake?" he heard Ron ask.
Harry could notice the sleepy tone of his best friends voice. He mumbled a little pretending to be asleep inside his curtain-covered bed. Ron didn't ask him again. He probably assumed that Harry was already asleep.
A/N: Hello everyone!!!!! I'm sorry this took a while but I'll try and work faster next time. I have tons of schoolwork to do as usual. I'm just squeezing in some story writing time. I hope you guys stick around with me till I finish this fic.