Harry Potter lay awake. The other boys in his dormitory could be heard snoring or, in Ron’s case tossing and turning, in what was obviously another nightmare. This only served to upset Harry more. He knew full well the reasons for Ron’s nightmares. It was Harry’s fault he had them. If Ron hadn’t been with him the day they had been kidnapped from Diagon Alley, he wouldn’t be having nightmares. Ron had paid one hell of a price for being Harry’s friend, which, is exactly why he should not be lying awake thinking of Ginny.
The wizarding world and Harry’s life had changed a lot since Ron’s and his kidnapping the summer before 5th year. The news of what the Death Eaters had done to both of them had leaked to the press in shady detail. The good side of having the whole world know that you had been tortured for almost 15 hours, was that it forced the Minister of Magic to recognize that Voldermort was indeed a threat. It also forced Dumbledore into the position of having to set up training for Ron, Hermione and himself as War Mages. An elite group of fighters who fell under the cover of the Department of Mysteries. After almost two years of training, Harry had to admit, they were all pretty damn good. Of course, being able to make that statement had come with a lot of sacrifice and a whole lot more work. They had to drop all their electives and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Since their training was nothing but Defense Against the Dark Arts, that was an obvious subject to drop, the other subjects were dropped simply because there was not enough time in the day for everything, a fact which had almost drove Hermione mad.
Yet, she was willing to do it, since being Harry’s friend in these times required nothing less. There was also the appeal of being the only woman War Mage in History. Harry and Ron had protested her being included to such training when they had discovered what it entailed. Basically, War Mages were trained killers, something neither of them wanted for her. However, the threat of Voldemort and her own insistence had won out. They had discussed cutting off their friendship with her for her own protection and decided it was simply too late. Everyone, including Voldemort, knew who Harry’s friends were. Even now, Harry was still shocked at how well she had taken to the training. They’d all known she would excel and at the countless complex charms and spells they were forced to learn. It had been the physical training that they had questioned. Hermione, however, was a lot tougher then they had given her credit for. She was great at weapons training, not as good as Ron, but great nonetheless.
Ron had the hatred and anger of torture at the hands of Death Eaters to fuel him. Harry did too, for that mater. He just handled it slightly better than Ron. Ron was a demon with weapons. Although, Harry himself was very good at weapons, his near mastery of wandless magic had provided him with the ability to capture most of his opponents alive.
Ron had no such desire. In his mind the only good Death Eater was a dead one, a fact he had proven when they had been attacked in Hogsmeade, at the beginning of this year. Eight dead and six captured Death Eaters, plus several altered memories at the hands of the Department of Mysteries, had proven that. Harry had killed two himself. He might not like to kill but he would and did if it came down to it. Hermione, thankfully had not killed any. However, the ones she came across had taken a LONG time to heal.
Training to be a War Mage was no light task. Training, while trying to balance school, Quidditch, Perfect duties and being a teenager was nothing short of a miracle. Yet, they continued to pull through it. Training never ended. It kept going until you either quit or you died. Harry didn’t plan on quitting, and he wasn’t to keen on dying, so training seemed to be something he was going to be facing for a while.
Harry glanced at his clock. It was only 4:45 in the morning. He was dreading waking Ron up in fifteen minutes. War Mages had quick startle reflexes and being wakened during a nightmare, was a sure way to trigger one. Harry cringed as he thought of Dumbledore’s speech to the school about just that thing. It was totally humiliating to have the Headmaster announce to the school that scaring one them could be an extreme danger to someone’s health. It had to be done though. Hermione and Ron had both laid out the twins several times last year. Harry himself, had accidentally put poor Colin in a coma for a week after he had snapped a photo of him coming off the Quidditch field. Harry had not seen him coming and he reacted. No one knew the exact details, but everyone knew enough.
Harry glanced again at the clock and realized he should get up. Hermione would be waiting for them. He tried again to push thoughts of Ginny out of his mind. He was angry and he had no right. She had been going out with Colin for a year now. It was normal for her to be sleeping with him. He should be happy for them. In the midst of war, Ginny and Colin had a nice, normal teenage relationship. Isn’t that what he’d told Ginny he wanted for her? God, he was such a hypocrite.
With the wave of a hand Harry lifted the barriers he’d set around his bed and got up. He and Ron both set barriers at night to protect their roommates. As he walked to the mirror he looked at himself. No one could call him scrawny any more. He had practically given the Dursleys a heart attack last summer, and that was fifteen pounds ago. Being put though a physical fitness boot camp for two years could certainly pack on the pounds. His glasses had also been absent. His eyesight had been fixed almost immediately upon beginning training. Bad eyesight was not a weakness he could afford.
Over all, the training had done loads for his social life. Apparently, the female population of Hogwarts was more than willing to overlook the warning Dumbledore had issued for a chance at him. Not that he took advantage of it. Well, not really. Not for four very long months. Harry ran a hand through his now very short hair. If he didn’t find someone soon he was going to end up doing something very stupid. Like going after Ginny. A much more mature Ginny. She was not the young naive girl he’d fallen in love with at the Burrow two years ago. She was a woman now. Thanks to Colin. Harry was forced to admit, that even if the idea of her and Colin being lovers upset him to no end, he was also attracted to her in a whole new way. Since last night, when the Marauders’ map had proven what he had suspected for a while, he had been tortured with the ideas of a much more knowledgeable Ginny.
Harry decided to ignore the sinking feeling in his gut and wake Ron. He could still hear him tossing, and since it was almost five, he needed to get up. Harry walked to his bed and waved a hand, dispersing the barrier Ron had set. Harry pulled back the curtain on Ron’s bed with one hand, and threw a spell-absorbing barrier with the other. Just in time, too. The second the curtain had been drawn, Ron’s wand was in hand and Harry’s barrier was in place just seconds before a nasty hex was thrown. It took Ron a few more seconds to blink fully awake. When Harry was certain that he was dealing with a conscious Ron he waved his hand to expel the barrier.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Harry chirped with more enthusiasm then he felt.
“Yeah, what's so good about it?” Ron mumbled as he rolled out of bed. Ron had never been never a morning person, especially since their schedules forced them to be up at 5 every morning. Of course, Ron’s usual late nights didn’t help the cause.
“I was wondering that myself, to be honest,” Harry countered as he pulled out his training clothes. They had battle training after warm-ups, so he was also pulling out his duffle bag, which contained all his weapons and battle gear. Ron was at his trunk doing the same.
“God, I am not in the mood today. Can’t we just skip it?” Ron mumbled as he pulled on a tight-fitting black shirt and trousers. Harry wore an almost identical outfit. It was designed for easy movement. The material was very flexible.
“Damn, I can’t find my boots.” Ron was back to complaining, trying to gather all his equipment. By the time Ron was dressed and organized, Harry had been waiting for ten minutes. As they walked down to the common room, they found Hermione in similar costume, waiting with her duffle bag over her shoulder. Harry had to smile at this. Hermione might be his friend, but he was not dead. She looked damn good in tight black clothing. Two years of training may have packed the pounds on him and Ron, but it’d had a much different effect on Hermione. She was cut and sexy.
“Ron, you forgot to transfigure your belt, anyone could see you,” she huffed as she pulled out her wand and transfigured his belt for him. Their belts carried an assortment of weapons and potions vials. While they typically didn’t wear full battle uniforms on a day to day basis, they always wore their belts transfigured. You never knew when you might need weapon or two.
“Hey! Watch it with the transfiguration. You could miss.” Ron jumped back with what now appeared to be a very ordinary looking belt around his waist.
“Oh, and wouldn’t that be a shame,” Hermione said with grin. “Don’t worry, Ron. The girls of Hogwarts can rest at ease. I never miss.” Hermione then patted his shoulder and pushed him towards the door.
“Oooo, aren’t we saucy this morning. Rather sexy too, I might add.“ Ron ran up behind her and grabbed her waist. “You could cause me to change my ways Mione. Why, you could make a honest man out of me,” he said smiling and much more awake.
“That I highly doubt. Besides, I’m taken. Or, have you forgotten?” Hermione pushed him off and headed for the portrait.
“Is Josh going to beat me up for hitting on his girl?” Ron asked in a fake worried voice still smiling. Harry laughed at this as they walked down the hallway.
“No, but I might,” Hermione said with a glare. Ron made a pass at Hermione every chance he got. He never tired of it. Hermione short hair bounced as she walked ahead in a fake huff. She had cut it short the same time he and Ron had trimmed theirs. It made it much easier for her to handle. Like his glasses, it was simply a weakness she could not afford. Short hair never got in the way. The frizziness was gone, replaced with the sleek curls that sat around her face and enhanced her already startling beauty. Harry watched her walk and had to admire her. She looked damn good from behind.
“You can hardly blame the man,” Harry commented as he caught up with her. “You are dead sexy.” Harry grinned at the shocked look on her face and placed his arm around her shoulders.
“Harry, you need a woman. I can’t deal with two of you.” She pushed his arm off her shoulder and kept walking. Ron fell in place beside them. “I have half a mind to talk to Cho and tell her the state you've fallen into,” Hermione said as she shook her head. It was an everyday occurrence for Ron to hit on Hermione. Harry almost never did.
“I have to agree, mate. I will never understand this self-imposed celibacy you've put yourself though lately.” Ron was also shaking his head as he spoke, a look of utter bewilderment on his face.
“Look, I have standards. I can’t just shag any random girl, unlike others I know.” Harry glanced at Ron with his eyebrows raised.
“I have standards,” Ron said in an indignant voice. Hermione gave a choked laugh at this.
“Whatever you say, mate.” Harry let it drop at that as they walked outside. It was still dark, and they all lit their wands as they walked out to the Quidditch field. Upon their approach, a large black dog appeared in the dim light of their wands. As they got closer, he transformed into a man.
“You’re late,” Sirius stated in a semi-angry tone. Sirius oversaw most of their physical training, which, was why they had to be out there before any normal human would consider being awake. He lived at the castle under the guise of Professor Lupin’s dog, since Lupin was the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher again.
They dropped their duffles on the grass and began their stretching exercises in silence. As they walked up to the pitch, Sirius smiled.
“I want twenty laps, and then we’ll start on the rest.” He was a tyrant. Harry supposed that he had their best interests at heart. Although, at 5:30 in the morning, it was hardly a comfort. Ron groaned.
“Make that twenty five, thanks to Casanova over here,” Sirius said in a tone that dared them to complain.
“Thanks a lot, Ron,” Harry muttered as they all started on their run. It took them almost forty minutes to complete it. They ran up to Sirius, who sat in the stands waiting for them. They were all out of breath and sweaty. However, they were much more alert. They walked up the stands and sat next to Sirius.
“Hey, don’t get comfortable. Today is a long day. You have a lot to fit in. You have weapons training at seven. So, we only have forty-five more minutes. What's wrong with you lot, anyway? It usually only takes you a half an hour to finish running.” Sirius stood and pulled Harry up as he spoke.
“Five extra laps take a few extra minutes,” Harry muttered as he helped Hermione up. She started to stretch her arms, preparing for what was next, as Harry pulled Ron up as well.
“Come on, I have the weights set up in the locker room,” Sirius said. He transfigured back into a dog and headed down the stands. They all followed.
“You know, I’d like to see him run twenty five laps in forty minutes,” Ron growled. Then he bounced down the steps after Sirius. It usually took the run to wake him up.
“So, what is going on with you? You've been in a mood all morning,” Hermione asked Harry as they walked down the stands behind Ron.
“Did you know that Ginny was shagging Colin?” Harry asked in a whisper. Hermione and Ginny were very close, and Harry was sure Ginny had told her about it.
“The map again, Harry? I swear, I wish you hadn't found that little trick on it. It sure made my life hell. You’d better make sure Ron doesn’t see them at it.” Hermione was glaring at him. Harry had forgotten that it was a sore spot with her. At the beginning of the year, Harry had worked out that when the two dots on the map turned into one dot with a name on each side, it meant the dots or rather the people were shagging. He had been looking for Ron at the time and had known full well what he'd been up to. He’d confirmed it when Ron had got back later that night. The two of them had got quite a kick out of knowing who was shagging whom. Right up until they discovered Hermione shagging Josh Devon, a seventh year Ravenclaw she had been seeing for some time. Ron had flown into a rage over it. Needless to say, she hated the map now.
“I’m not going to let him see it. Now answer my question.” Harry was too upset about Ginny to beat around the bush.
“Yes, I knew. You didn’t think she would wait forever, did you? She has been seeing Colin for a while. You didn’t wait. Why should she?” Hermione whispered as the walked across the field to the locker rooms. They could not risk being over heard by Ron who was way ahead of them by now.
“No, I didn’t think that. It was just a shock that's all. I mean Colin, who knew the bloke… had it in him.” Harry was indignant. Maybe he had hoped she would wait. Of course, the way the war looked right now, it could be years before Harry would consider it safe to date Ginny again.
“She cares about him, you know that. Besides, if you hadn’t got it into your thick skull that you can’t date her, this would not be an issue, would it? She needs this relationship with Colin, it’s a distraction.” Hermione pulled him to the side as she spoke. Ron had already gone into the locker room with Sirius.
“Oh, that's a great reason for her to shag him.” Harry was pissed off now. The girl he loved was shagging Colin as a distraction!
“You would know, Harry. By the way, how is Cho lately?” Hermione said fiercely.
“I wouldn’t know, you'd have to ask David about that.” Harry couldn’t hide the almost hurt sound in his voice. David Finner was Cho’s boyfriend. A seventh year Hufflepuff she had been seeing for four months now. Four very long months in Harry’s mind.
“Look Harry, I can’t help you. You pushed Ginny away. You told Cho to start dating again. You are too self-sacrificing for your own good. You need to figure out what you want and act on it. Life is too short. So, if Colin and Ginny shagging bugs you so much, do something about it!” Hermione had a hold of his arm as she lectured him.
“I just can’t risk it. If something happened to her because of me. I just...... Look, enough people have suffered because they care about me. It’s not fair to her.” Harry broke off with a sigh as he glanced at Hermione. Her face softened. She was about to speak when Ron’s voice echoed out of the locker room to hurry up.
“We’ll talk later.... okay.” Hermione squeezed his hand as she spoke. “If it helps at all, I don’t think she’s in love with him. She's just lonely, I guess.” Hermione then turned and walked into the locker room. Harry followed behind her. Inside, Ron was already doing push ups. He stopped and glanced up at them with scowl.
“Come on, get started. I don’t want to be late for weapons. We only have an hour today.” That said, he started back with his push ups counting to himself.
The next half an hour found them doing push ups, sit ups, plus weight lifting. Hermione strayed from weight lifting and practiced her yoga. She really did not need brute strength. Her skills were enhanced by her agility.
When all was said and done, Harry felt that it would indeed be a very long day. He had pushed himself on weights and was planning to do the same in weapons. It was a sure fire way to work off aggression.
“Okay, you lot? You better go. Daniels will be waiting for you,” Sirius said as he started to shrink the weights and pack them in a bag over his shoulder. The three of them helped him pick up and headed for the door.
“I’ll see you later. I have some things to take care of. Great session, even if you were a little late this morning.” They said goodbye as the three of them ran towards the castle in fear of being late. A black dog could be seen running off into the distance.
At seven on the nose they arrived in the deserted corridor on the third floor, which was a common practice ground. Ron was grinning from ear to ear as he pulled open the door. They met with Jeffrey Daniels who was waiting and ready. Daniels was a forty two year old War Mage. After the first defeat of Voldemort, he had spent years traveling around Asia and beyond, studying nothing but weaponry. He was not the most personable guy, and at 6’4 and 260 pounds, not someone to mess with. He was, however, a great weapons coach and he had a huge soft spot for Ron, if you could call pushing someone to the brink of collapse on weapons training a soft spot. Ron took it and asked for more. That thirst for punishment, along with Sirius and his work out sessions had produced a VERY different looking Ron. Ron was a good 6 ‘4 himself and at Harry’s guess not very far behind Daniels in weight. He was taller than all his brothers now, and only Charlie rivaled him in the bulk category, which was not surprising, since Harry was almost sure Charlie was a War Mage, himself. The summer after Voldemort’s return to power, Charlie had suddenly quit his job and moved back to England. He worked at the Ministry, but that was all anyone knew. He was gone for weeks at a time and had startle reflexes that spoke volumes about what he did.
“Hurry, suit up. Let's get started. Ron you're with Harry today and Hermione and I will team up.” He said this all while checking his belt and arm guards that held serrated daggers.
In less than five minutes, all three of them were in full battle uniform, which included their weapons belt, now back to it’s original state. They also had arm guards that held knives. Hermione's knives were smaller than Harry’s and Ron’s since her arms and hands were smaller. In fact, each weapon they wore had been specially made for its owner, many with magical charms which allowed them to change into the appropriate weapon of the moment. They also wore Dragon-hide casings over their pants and a Dragon-hide vest that held a few more weapons in the side pockets. The Dragon-hide served to deter the effects of nasty hexes. They would normally have a gun in the holster on the side of their belts, but, since this was an hand-to-hand combat lesson they had left those out. All in all, in the five minutes since they had come into the room, the three of them had transformed into three very intimidating-looking teenagers.
“Okay, are we ready? Make sure all anti-injury charms are set on your weapons. I don’t want any accidents.” Harry and Ron faced each other as Daniels spoke. They made a quick run of all weapons making sure that charms were in place. Harry saw Hermione do the same as she walked over to Daniels, who was waiting, already in position.
“Make sure your charms are set, Ron. I don’t feel like visiting the Hospital wing this morning,” Harry said as he noticed that Ron was not checking as intently as he should.
“They’re set. Besides if they’re not, I doubt you’ll make it to the Hospital wing,” Ron said with that manic smile he got right before battle.
“We’ll see. I have a feeling I might give you a run for your money today.” Daniels and Hermione faced each other on the other side of the room.
“Go!”
In an instant Ron pulled the two knives out of his armbands. With a flick of his wrist they grew to curved swords. Harry did the same, feeling the need to match Ron one on one. Usually, he opted for smaller knives since his aim was deadly and knife throwing was something he was rather good at. Yet, he decided that a good hands-on battle was what he needed.
“How very un-Harry like of you.” Ron made the first move and swung one sword against his waist. Harry deftly jumped out of the way.
“Yeah, well I guess I feel like beating you at your own game today.” Harry swung up and arched, aiming for his shoulder. Ron raised both swords and blocked his blow. The vibration of his block caused shock waves to vibrate through Harry’s arm. He was reminded instantly why he had so good at throwing knives. Damn blocks hurt like hell.
In the next five minutes, Harry and Ron sunk into a battle mind, where nothing else but beating your opponent throbbed in their heads. All feeling of pain flew away and all they could do was block and aim hits. Harry was fairing surprisingly well. He was meeting Ron blow for blow, something he could not usually do. Harry had bested Ron many times in weapons, but it was usually in a different fashion than this. Normally, he used his ability for wandless magic to his advantage and forced Ron to battle from a distance. Since Harry’s aim was good, he could usually stick Ron a time or two with a well placed knife throw. Hermione was also good at this method of battle. Using her agility to duck and aim hits before her opponent knew what hit them. Ron was a hands-on man: he loved big weapons and the fierceness of hands-on battle. So, with today’s change of pace, Ron was nothing short of ecstatic. Harry was vaguely aware of Daniels and Hermione watching them, as he and Ron danced around the room. The swords were flying faster, clanging as they clashed. Harry focused all his being on every slight movement. It took total concentration. Watching every move, aiming every blow perfectly.
After ten minutes, Harry and Ron were still at it. They were both starting to tire slightly and in a moment of unusual weakness Harry saw Ron lift both swords slightly upwards aiming for another blow. Harry took the chance and swung low, catching Ron in what would have been a fatal blow across the stomach. As if to verify that fact, the area his sword crossed turned bright red. It was part of the anti-injury charms placed on the weapons. It allowed them to know when they had bested their opponents.
“Damn! Damn! Damn!” Ron hollered as he dropped his arms. With a flick of his wrist his swords reverted back to knives, which Ron put back into his arm guards. Harry did the same. Hermione and Daniels looked slightly shocked.
“God, what has got into you today, Potter?” Daniels said, with what was clearly approval in his voice, a rare occurrence indeed.
“Yeah, you didn’t throw up one barrier. I think that's what threw me off,” Ron muttered as he stretched out his arms.
“I have some pent-up frustration. I reckoned, a good hands-on battle would help out.” Harry was smiling and feeling much better than he had all morning.
“That, I don’t doubt.” Ron smiled now. Harry could tell he was already preparing for the next round.
“Ok, well let's keep the pairings the way they are then. We've got forty five more minutes, let's make good use of them,” Daniels said as he and Hermione walked to the other side of the room.
Forty-five minutes later they were all exhausted. Harry had lost three times to Ron. Hermione had managed to get one win against Daniels, which was hard for anyone, since Daniels was the best. So, it was in pretty good moods that they waved goodbye to Daniels and headed back to common room. Harry’s three losses didn’t upset him, since he had the comfort of knowing that he had varied from his usual routine.
Upon entering the common room, they ran across Dean and Seamus who were heading down to breakfast. It was an everyday occurrence for the three of them to walk into the common room looking beaten and sweaty. This never stopped those who passed them, from asking questions.
“God, I don’t know what you three do every morning, but it can’t be much fun,” Dean said as he looked at them. The sweat was literally pouring off Ron and Harry. Hermione was not much better.
“Actually, it’s loads of fun,” Ron said with a smile.
“Whatever, I don’t suppose you want to share what exactly it is, do you?” asked Seamus as he looked at Hermione. Apparently, she didn’t look too bad, judging by Seamus’ expression.
“Not today, mate. Catch me another day,” Ron tossed over his shoulder as he headed up the stairs for a shower. “Come on Harry, I don’t want to miss breakfast. I’m starved.”
“See you in a few,” Harry said to Hermione, as he headed after Ron and Hermione headed towards her own dorm. Dean and Seamus just walked away muttering something about all three of them being completely mad.
Twenty minutes later, they all headed towards the Great Hall feeling much cleaner and relaxed. Harry’s arms were aching, but he shook it off. After all, their day had really only just begun.