Harry Potter and the Black Grimoire

CHAPTER ELEVEN - CLASSES

Harry woke up the next morning with a wide smile on his face. The previous night was still implanted in his brain and he knew it would stay there. At least until something better came along, he thought.

He couldn't wait to go and see Hermione. He was hoping that she was in a good of a mood as he was. He also knew they would have to talk to Ron about all of this. He also remembered he had other things to talk to Ron about. He figured he could do all of this tonight.

Harry showered and dressed before making his way down to the common room. Hermione was already waiting for him by the portrait hole. They smiled at each other as Harry drew nearer. Harry gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as he came to her. He withdrew and stood next to her, looking around.

"Where is he?" he asked.

"Don't worry, he already went down to breakfast with Maddie," she replied, a wicked smile on her face. "I may have had a little to do with that."

"You're great," he said, kissing her freely on the lips.

"Well I can see you're in a good mood this morning."

"Well, I have good reason to be."

"You're damn right you do. Now let's go down and eat. You want to talk to Ron tonight, right?"

"Yeah, let's go."

Harry and Hermione left the common room and made their way down to the Great Hall together. Ron and Maddie were sitting at the end of the table, across from each other. Harry and Hermione went down to where they were sitting and took seats next to them.

"Ron," Harry said, "I have to talk to you real quick."

"Sure Harry."

Harry got up and directed Ron out into the entrance hall. They stood in the corner away from everybody.

"Harry, listen, I know I haven't been paying much attention to you lately, but with Maddie and all..."

"Don't worry about it Ron. I don't mind and I completely understand. But seriously, I have something very important to talk to you about later. It's very important though, so you need to be there."

"Ok, I get it. So in other words, don't sneak off with Maddie after dinner?" Ron asked, an understanding grin on his face.

"Exactly. And please don't tell her anything about it. It's nothing about her, but I've been asked to not tell her about it."

"Ok, no problem."

They made their way back into the Hall to their partners. The four friends ate their breakfast cheerily and made their way to their morning classes. They had the same classes as the day before, this day as well. Their classes went smoothly, partly because Harry wasn't thinking about anything at all except for Hermione. They snuck glances at each other in class; they played with each other's feet underneath the desks; they found every opportunity that they could to touch each other. This kept Harry's mind off of other things that were going on in class and he was sure that it was the first time that Hermione had actually not paid attention to the teachers.

By the time the day was over, they were so tired of keeping all of this from Ron.

"I really hope this goes well," Harry said, leading Hermione by the hand into the common room.

"Me too. But I'm sure it will. And he better be there!"

Harry laughed but he was thinking the same thing. He knew Ron and as much as he knew him to be a good friend, he also knew that he was very interested in other things lately. He put this out of his mind though as he was sure Ron would be there.

And he was. He was sitting on the same couch in front of the fire that Harry and Hermione had occupied the previous night. This was their usual place to sit when the three of them needed to discuss something important. Hermione went upstairs to her dormitory because they had decided that Harry would talk to him alone for awhile. Harry wanted it to be 'man to man.' Then they would meet up with her again to talk about the rest.

"You're here!" Harry said as he came over to him.

"Of course I am! So what's up?"

"Well, I have something to talk to you about and I want to know your honest opinion on it."

"Ok, I'll try my best."

"Just be honest," Harry said before pausing. "Ok, here goes. Last night, I had a meeting with Sirius and Dumbledore."

Ron frowned.

"Is everything alright? Was it something about Voldemort?" he asked, his look full of concern.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about that. We'll get to that later. But what I want to talk about is what happened after the meeting. When I came back, Hermione was waiting for me. I started to tell her about everything and..."

Harry hesitated. He was praying that Ron would take this the way he was hoping.

"Well, Ron, I don't know how to say this but, me and Hermione..."

"Spit it out Harry!"

"Ron, me and you and Hermione have been best friends for five years now. We've been inseparable. And I don't want anything to change that, but... Well, Ron, the other night... me and Hermione... we kissed," Harry finally squeezed out. "I don't know how it happened Ron. We were sitting there on the couch and I was telling her how I felt and it just happened. We wanted to tell you before we did anything else. I really hope you don't have a problem with this because, well... I think I love her."

Harry stopped and sat still, waiting for Ron to say something. He just sat there with a confused look on his face. Harry just knew that he wasn't going to take this well.

"Well Harry," Ron said.

"Ron, if you have a problem with this... I mean, she's your friend too."

"Won't you shut up Harry?" Ron said.

Harry's hopes plummeted to the deepest depths of his stomach.

"Well Harry, I'm glad you came to me, but really. It's about damn time!"

Harry looked up to see Ron wearing a wide smile.

"I mean really, Harry. It's not like I haven't known forever. It was just a matter of time and we all knew it."

"Ron, I don't know what to say! I'm -- we're so happy you don't mind."

"Well really, Harry. Who am I to stop love anyway? And besides, I have Maddie now, and I feel the same way about her that you do about Mione. And I know I would be devastated if you didn't approve. You do approve right?"

Harry laughed.

"Of course Ron. But think of it this way, now we can double date!"

"Awesome idea! But where is she anyway?"

"Oh! We figured that I would talk to you alone first. But let's go get her now. She's waiting in her dorm."

"Oh! Then maybe her and Maddie have been talking about it as well."

The two boys got up from the couch and made their way up to the girls' dorm. Reaching the door, Harry put his hand out to knock. Both Hermione and Maddie came to the door and answered. Their faces wore hopeful expressions and when they saw the smiles on their boy's faces, they lit up as well. Both couples went into the room and embraced each other warmly. Then they split and Hermione and Maddie, followed by Harry and Ron, gave each other friendly hugs as well.

The Gryffindor fifth-year girls' dormitory was deserted except for the four youths. Harry and Hermione sat on her bed, while Ron and Maddie sat on hers. They talked for awhile before Hermione nudged Harry with a serious look on her face and touched his chain. Harry decided this was as good a time as any to fill Ron in.

"Ron, me and Hermione need to talk to you umm..." Harry said, catching Maddie's eyes and silently relaying his message.

She got up, understanding fully.

"Don't worry guys, I need to go and finish my Potions homework anyway, so I'll leave you guys alone."

"Thanks Maddie," Harry said. "I don't want to make you feel left out and that I don't want to share this with you too, but Dumbledore wants to leave it up to your mother to fill you in."

"Don't worry, Harry. I understand fully. I'll see you guys later. And I'll make sure nobody interrupts you."

"Thanks Maddie," Hermione added.

Ron gave her a quick kiss and told her he would see her in a little while. Then she turned and walked out.

"Ok, guys. What's so important?"

"Ok. First, we have to see if we can even tell you at all. Come here."

Ron took himself over to Hermione's bed and sat beside them. Harry took his chain off and handed it to him.

"Put this on."

"Ok. I don't understand why, but I'm sure you know what you're talking about."

He took the chain and lowered it onto his neck, dropping it in place. Just as it had with Hermione, the chain remained there. Harry and Hermione broke into enthusiastic smiles. Harry was overjoyed. Now he knew that both of his best friends would be there for him.

Seeing the puzzled expression on Ron's face, Harry began to relate the whole story. Hermione jumped in at certain parts to explain them more thoroughly during the story. Ron remained silent until they were done talking, wearing an expression that Harry thought must have looked much like the one he wore when he was being told the same things.

When they were through talking, Harry and Hermione remained silent, waiting for Ron to say something.

"Well. That's quite a bit to take in at one time. Harry, I always knew there was something different about you, but I never even imagined that it would be something that huge. The heir of Gryffindor... Wow."

"What do you think of all the Order of Light business? Are you up to it?"

"Well of course I'm up to it. I've been up to it ever since I met you. That's not a problem. When do they plan on going about this? And do they even know where this chamber is?"

"Dumbledore said we would meet later on to discuss that. You two should be there at the same time. You'll probably be getting your own chains sometime soon."

"Well now I'm really curious. I can't wait until the first meeting."

"Yes, It is very exciting. I mean, were going to be part of a secret society that was started by Godric Gyffindor! Imagine the honour that comes with that," Hermione said.

"Yeah, it's all very overwhelming," Harry added.

"Don't worry about it though, mate. Whatever happens, I'm sure you can handle it. You always have."

"Thanks Ron, you're almost as good as Hermione at cheering me up."

"Yeah. Almost. I'm not about to start resorting to Hermione's newfound methods though!"

"I would sure hope not!"

"Well," Harry said, "I feel bad about leaving Madeline out of this, so let's go find her. I need to start my homework as well."

"Yeah, let's do that."

"You know, she did her job too, no one has bothered us."

The three got up and prepared to go downstairs. The minute they opened the door, all of the rest of the fifth-year girls came storming into the room, muttering about taking forever and being so secretive. It seemed that Maddie had definitely done her job.

They joined her in the common room and thanked her profusly for her help. Together, they all finished their homework for the night and spent some time in front of the fire, curled up in their partner's arms. They spent a little time there before making their way up to their beds to get to sleep. They had to be nice and rested for their classes the next morning.

* * * *

Wednesday morning brought the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class for Harry and his fellow fifth-year Gryffindors. The whole of the class had been waiting the whole week for the class. The buzz around the castle about Professor Radford was nothing but positive. The talk about the new professor and her teaching wasn't perhaps as exciting as it had been the previous year with Mad-Eye Moody, but it was exciting all in the same. Even Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins didn't seem to have anything bad to say about Professor Radford. It seemed she must have been doing something that even they could approve of.

One thing that Harry did notice as the week progressed was the change of attitude in Malfoy. His old arch enemy hadn't said two words to him since the beginning of term. Harry began to love the look on Malfoy's face every time he passed him; he always had a pained look on his face as if he wanted say something badly, but couldn't. It was the quietest start of term Harry and his friends had ever had. Harry couldn't help thinking that perhaps it was too quiet though.

During breakfast that morning, Harry got another letter from Dumbledore. It read:

Dear Harry,

I trust it went well with Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Granger? As I said last night, we need to meet again soon and discuss plans for the future. Ron and Hermione should be present at this as well. I would please ask you three to be in my office Friday night after dinner. As for today, I would like you to stay after class in Transfiguration so we can discuss what you asked me the other night with Professor McGonagall. It's right before lunch, so you won't miss much.

--See you this afternoon, Dumbledore

Harry decided not to say anything about him becoming an Animagus to his friends. It wasn't that he didn't want them to know. but this was something that he felt was special to him and without offense to his friends, he wanted to keep it more to himself.

"So Maddie," Harry asked, "How do you feel about having class with your Mum?"

"I haven't really thought about it to be honest. I mean, I don't think it'll be a particularly bad experience. My mum is a relatively nice person, so I don't think having class with her will be all that bad."

"I know I'd leave if my Mum was teaching," Ron said. "It'd be hell!"

"Oh, Ron, I'm sure your Mum isn't all that bad."

"Just wait till you meet her."

Just then the bell rang, signaling the end of breakfast and the passing period before first period.

Harry, Ron and Maddie had Professor Trelawney for first class. Harry didn't exactly like the fact that he had to spend a double period with her at the beginning of the day. Plus he wouldn't have Hermione to take his mind off of it. He'd manage though.

The four made their way out of the hall and parted ways to their separate classes. Harry, Hermione and Maddie took the route up to the North Tower. They were halfway there when they were stopped by a voice Harry was not expecting to hear.

"Ah! My fine young comrades have come to wish me a happy return! How very fine to see you again! Ah! And we have a new maiden amongst the group! How very pleasurable it is to make your acquaintance Milady!"

"Sir Cadogen! I thought you had left for good!" Ron said.

"No, young lad! I was only away for a short time. I took a journey to my cousin's castle for a time. But not to worry! I am back again!"

"Just great," Harry said.

"Well you can leave for again now, we're trying to get to class," Ron said.

"Ah! A journey! Just like the old times! Let us ride on then comrades!"

Sir Cadogen mounted his fat gray horse in his frame and began riding along with them into the other pictures.

"Come good sirs and lady! Who knows what young maladies lie ahead! Sir Cadogen will provide you with the protection you need!"

"Great, we'd be dead by now," Ron said.

Finally they all reached the North Tower with Sir Cadogen right behind them. They began to climb the ladder to Professor Trelawney's room while he spoke.

"Alas, the perilous road has ended. I am very impressed, young sirs and lady; you fared well, almost as good as I! For now, I bid you all farewell! Come back to Sir Cadogen anytime you need any kind of knightly protection! I am always here to aid less able common folk! But now, Goodbye! I hope our paths may cross again young comrades! Goodbye!"

The three chuckled to themselves at the knight's speech while climbing the ladder. When they reached the trapdoor an old fortuneteller was trying to kick him out of her painting.

Harry, Ron and Maddie went into the smotheringly hot room and found three bean chairs in the back corner. They sat to await the professor's entrance and the start of class.

Soon all of the other fifth-year Gryffindors came in and Professor Trelawney appeared from the back. She welcomed them all back to her class and took role call. Then she started the class and began teaching them about fire scrying. She conjured small fires on each of their tables and urged them to stare into it and interpret whatever they saw. Harry and Ron found it quite silly to stare into a perfectly good fire and also found it annoying because it only made the classroom even hotter. Maddie, on the other hand, enjoyed it. She claimed to see many things and got much praise from Professor Trelawney. She described the things that she saw in the fire to the eccentric teacher and grinned much like Hermione as she said that she "may well possess the inner-eye." Harry and
Ron were happy for her, but still thought it was a load of rubbish.

Finally, the class ended and they made their way downstairs to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

They met up with Hermione at the doorway. Harry gave her a great hug and kiss on cheek before they made their way into the dark classroom. They took seats in the front of the classroom together so they wouldn't miss anything. Professor Radford was already sitting on the front desk waiting.

As the rest of the students finally piled into the room and took the seats, Professor Radford stood to address the class.

"Welcome fifth years, to Defense Against the Dark Arts! We'll begin as soon as I'm done taking attendance.

She called their names and scanned the isles, making a mental note of which voice belonged to which face.

She closed her book and took her position in front of the class again. She paced back and forth while speaking to the class making eye contact most of the time.

"Well, fifth-years, as I've already said, welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I hope you have all been looking forward to learning in the class as much as I have been for teaching it. I have heard that Hogwarts has a reputation for not being able to keep a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for more than a year. However, I plan on being here for much longer than that. Now, I have spoken to the Headmaster on this class already to find out what you have already learned. He has informed me that this class has already had a good background of the subject. You have dealt with dark creatures, dark curses, hexes and of course the Unforgivable Curses I'm sure you all remember from last year. This means that this class is already far ahead of the game. You have already learned basically everything you need to learn in your schooling on this subject. There isn't really much left to do!"

Many students began talking to each other around the class, most likely thinking of asking whether they could have this class off then.

"Now," she continued, "Professor Dumbledore and myself have discussed what exactly should be done with this class. And no, you cannot have this period off."

There were many boos in the class, but deep down, nobody really thought they would get the class off. The students that didn't boo tried to quiet the rest down as to hear what exactly the headmaster and professor had in store for them.

"As I was saying, I think we have decided what to do with you all. Professor Dumbledore has said on many occasions how much faith he has in the class and how well you all have been doing in the subject. And after going over the records left by your former teachers, I can say that this class's reputation is very well deserved. It is for this reason that we have decided that, in light of You-know-who's return and your current situation, we believe you are ready to not only learn about dark curses and their affects, but actually learn how to do them."

A loud buzz went through the class as friends began to talk about what they had just been told.

"We both feel that teaching you how to cast these curses, under controlled circumstances of course, will teach you to be better trained wizards with the capability to anticipate and defend yourselves if you ever found yourself in a situation that meant life or death. On top of the curse training, you will all be learning basic hand-to-hand combat skills and tips on thinking like a dark wizard. Basically, you will all be trained on being an Auror."

Harry found all of this incredibly exciting. Ever since he had been told that he should consider a career as an Auror, he had thought that this would probably be the best career for him. Hell, he thought, pretty much of his entire wizarding life has been spent doing the things Aurors do. All of his friends seemed to be just as excited as him, except for maybe Neville of course.

For the rest of the class, Professor Radford outlined how the rest of the year would go and exactly what things they would be learning. For the time before the winter holidays, they would be learning the twenty standard dark curses and hexes and how to use them. After the holidays would start the rest of their training as dark wizard catchers. They would study the most famous dark wizards and exactly how they did things, in hope of getting an idea of how dark wizards think and go about doing things. They would then learn how to anticipate these actions and go about defending themselves against them, both physically as well as magically. At the end of the year, they would be put through a simulation to test the skills that they had learned throughout the year. They had no idea what this would be, but as Professor Radford had said, this was part of an Auror's job.

All in all, when the class was over, everybody was overly excited and eager to get on with their training. They all left the class with thoughts on what the next months of their fifth-year would be like. Many were scared, many were not, but they all were excited.

The next class that they had before lunch was another Harry was waiting for. Transfiguration was next and then he'd be talking with Dumbledore and McGonagall about becoming an Animagus. He still hadn't said anything about this to Ron, Hermione or Maddie and he didn't know what he would say if they asked him why he was staying after class.

Thankfully, after the class was over and they all began to leave for lunch, nobody said anything when he told them he would catch up with them. He watched them leave without him and closed the door behind them. When he turned around, Dumbledore had appeared in the room and was talking with Professor McGonagall.

"So Potter, thinking about becoming an Animagus eh?"

"Yes, Professor McGonagall."

"Well, I'm going to tell you this right now, it's not going to be easy."

"I didn't think it would professor. How long do you think it's going to take though?"

"Usually we can't tell. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. In you case, I would say in a few months. We need to get you used to doing wandless magic, but from you hijinks with your Aunt Marge, I know you're not completely clueless about it."

"No, professor," Harry said, remembering that incident all to well.

Before Harry's third year at Hogwarts he had accidentally inflated his Aunt Marge, whom he really couldn't stand at all.

"But, you really only think it'll take a few months professor? I was expecting more like a year."

"No, Potter. I predict you will be able to transform into the animal of your choice by the end of the winter holidays."

Harry was very happy about this. Every since he thought about becoming an Animagus he had thought it would take a long time. It took his father and his friends three years to learn how to do it.

"Harry," Dumbledore chimed in, "have you put any thought into what type of animal you want to become?"

"To tell you the truth professor, not really. I have some ideas, but I'm not completely sure yet."

"Choosing your animal counterpart is a very tough decision that shouldn't be taken lightly Potter. The animal that you choose should be something that reflects on your true personality and reflects the same qualities that you possess. For example, I chose to become a cat because they are generally quiet, clean and like to keep to themselves, much like me. You need to put this type of thought into your decision. Don't make a choice without fully making sure you are happy with it."

This was a lot to think about. Harry hadn't imagined it would be that complicated even before the actual training began. He would have to spend some time going over this.

"Do you think it's a good idea, Professor?"

"Honestly, Potter...I think it is a great idea. It will truly help you and while it will without doubt only add to you rule-breaking, which I highly frown upon, by the way, I'm most sure it will come in handy one of these days. And I don't think any of us can stop you and the clan from doing what you want at this point anyway," she said, adding the last sentence with a slight smile.

"Well, Harry, Lunch is halfway through. Why don't you go and join your friends before it's over. You can meet Professor McGonagall in the East Tower on Monday at nine o'clock."

"Yes, Professor. And thanks for everything."

"It has been my pleasure Harry."

Harry left the classroom and went downstairs to join his friends in the Great Hall.

The rest of the day went without incident. History of Magic with Professor Binns was as boring as usual. Harry was surprised that so much stuff could have happened in the wizarding world in the many years.

At the end of the day, while sitting in the common room with Hermione, Harry couldn't help but not pay attention too much. He was thinking about what animal he wanted to become. Hermione of course noticed that something was wrong, as she always did.

"What's on your mind Harry?" she asked.

He just looked at her before saying anything. She was so beautiful.

"Well...," he said, breaking off.

He didn't know if he exactly wanted to tell her, but he knew if they were going to have a successful relationship, he couldn't have any secrets from her.

"What animal do you think best suits me?" he asked, finally relenting.

"Ah. I see. You want to become an Animagus."

"Yeah, that's what I was talking about with Professor McGonagall this afternoon. But I really have no idea what animal suits me best."

"I would think that's obvious Harry."

"It is? What animal?"

"Well, Harry," she said, rubbing his hands, "you're strong, brave, loyal and smart. There's one animal that comes to my mind when I think of that."

Suddenly, Harry understood it. It was so simple. Why hadn't he thought of it before? It had been right there all along.

This cheered Harry up a great deal and got his mind off of other things for the rest of the night.

"You're greet, you know that Hermione?" he said, putting his hand on her leg.

"Yes, I do know that," she said smiling at him.

Harry pulled her close and planted a wet kiss on her lips, not caring what anybody else in the common room cared. Harry could've sworn he heard a lot of "It's about time" coming from other people in the room around them.

As they sat in front of the fire in each other's arms, Harry could help but wish for the weekend so he could spend the entire day doing nothing but this.