Chapter 41: Winter Surprises

Harry joined his friends at their table and shrugged.

"I tried, guys, I did, but you lot just had to reveal who you were early!" Harry laughed after he scorned sarcastically. Everyone looked at him in his musketeer garb while laughing, as Hermione removed her purse from an otherwise empty seat next to her, for Harry to sit down.

"They all figured us out too quickly!" Ron had said in rebuttal, not sensing Harry's sarcasm, having been too intrigued by Luna's kissing.

"Well, Ron, dear brother of mine, a flaming haired Quidditch star isn't too hard to figure." Ginny joked. The rest laughed at Ron's expense and face, seeing as it had become-if possible-more red than his hair. Harry explained he was only kidding and the gang returned to their evening looking at their fellow peers unmasked and see who some of the characters they had met earlier as who they truly were.

Harry noticed Mark, dressed as Superman, was sitting with a few third years. Jess could be seen sitting with her fellow fifth year friends, laughing and enjoying one another's company. She had made terrific friends with Ginny and Luna as well. Jess was dressed as a muggle cheerleader costume. When she saw Harry she waved and he returned the gesture. As the night continued few students began to file back to respected common rooms, with a few pit stops for some in broom cupboards. Harry, who had been zoned out for a while caught a bit of odd conversation being shared at his table.

"I can't wait to go back home, I know we've only been here two months, but it's weird not going home everyday." Kate said while drinking her butterbeer.

"You'll get use to it, besides Christmas is right around the corner!" Hermione helped with enthusiasm. Harry laughed and Harry turned her attention to him, along with everyone else.

"Don't American's have a holiday that's close to our Boxing Day at the end of November?" Harry asked, his mother had explained something about it to him over the summer.

"Yeah, Thanksgiving." Tori explained.

"Oh, that's right!" Hermione said smacking her forehead with her palm.

"Wait a tick!" Ron yelled. "Harry knew something Hermione didn't?" Everyone laughed, save Hermione, as she drew her wand in threat.

"You wouldn't." Ron asked in covered fear.

"Try me." She replied dangerously. Ron quickly got up and ran into the crowd thinking Hermione was chasing him hot on his tail. But in actuality she was still sitting next to Harry.

"I've got an idea!" Chris exclaimed and everyone's attention went to him. Tori figured out what he was thinking.

"We could invite them to Thanksgiving with us!" She finished.

"That's a terrific idea!" Kate exclaimed. A few students at a table near by looked in her direction, her eyes literally flashed with lightening when they tried to make fun of her. The rest sitting at her table was laughing when the group she was looking at moved to the opposite side of the spectacularly decorated Great Hall.

The Great Hall hadn't been transformed much, but it's already existing features enhanced. The sconces on the wall were filled with dim candles and the rest were left to float as they usually would. Enchanted cobwebs were attached to the scones and a few other decorations with spiders crawling on them (Ron made sure to avoid standing next to these.) Circular tables, for ten, were placed in different spots, which students seemed to like very much. (Harry made a mental note to himself to perhaps make this a new trend at the school.) At the centre of the tables was a jack-o-lantern, a different face or creature at each table that would move or even travel to a different table. At their table an eagle was carved. Each person had a gold plate and goblet, which no matter what you drank fog would spill out of it. The head table was no longer, but instead a stage and in front of that a dance floor. Looking from the stage, to the right of the dance floor were the refreshments and on the left of the dance floor were the tables, which traveled to the back of and right, making an L shape. The band, located on stage, began playing a slow ballad.

Luna looked to Ron, who had finally returned from running from an invisible Hermione, with an expecting look as he chewed on a dinner roll. Harry smiled to Hermione and she nodded.

"Luna?" Harry asked as he stood in front of her, hand extended. "May I have this dance?" He added with the famous Potter Charm and added smile. The whole grouped looked in question. Hermione smiled to them all with a mischievous smirk.

"What!" Ron yelled. "You can't ask her to dance! She's my girlfriend! What about Hermione! Come on, Luna!" He gently grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor, while being pulled mouthed a "thank you" to Harry. He smiled in return. Ron thus held Luna close and both began to sway to the music. Harry turned back to the group.

"Two words, cake walk." He said to them and the rest burst into laughter at the saying. They didn't notice James and Lily approach and the song begin to end. Sirius and Remus were just behind them.

"Well, what have we missed?" Sirius asked looking at the red-faced teenagers. Professor Keller approached as well, un-noticed by Sirius. Remus tapped Sirius' shoulder, seeing as he wasn't paying attention since he started a conversation with the group about what Harry just did to Ron. Sirius turned and saw what Remus was saying.

"Rachael!" Sirius exclaimed, along with Remus, in a questioning tone.

"Sirius! Remus! So good to see you both!" Rachael said hugging them both. The waltz familiar from fourth year began while the reunion took place.

"Hermione would you like to dance?" James asked his subject, who in turn looked to Harry for permission. He nodded and held out a hand to his mother who accepted. Remus asked Rachael to dance and they left for the floor. Sirius spotted his target and approached her.

"May I have this dance?" He asked her.

"Now, Mr. Black, that didn't work twenty-years ago and it-" Sirius smiled started to fade as it had twenty years ago and to the woman in question it hurt just as much as it had then. "It…will work today." She accepted, and his smile returned.

He led her to the dance floor with the others. Minerva McGonagall let Sirius take the lead as all the men did in this dance.

"Nice trick you pulled earlier." Lily said to her son after he spun her.

"Thank you." Harry smiled he liked getting compliments. Harry followed the others in picking up the female and twirling around.

"Wow, you're really strong." Lily said proudly.

"Well, Mum, you don't make it hard." Harry complimented.

"Aren't you the perfect son?" Lily hugged him in the middle of the dance and they returned and continued to keep up with the others.

James & Hermione

Hermione put her hands where they usually would during the dance, as did James. They began to dance and watch their friends before talking to each other.

"So how's everything in paradise?" James questioned with a smile much like Harry's.

"No trouble. Everything is fine considering the war is less than seven months away. Harry had been telling me of his plans. He wants to start really training the D.A. and even the Order. We're going to start researching the unforgivables tomorrow. Harry figures there must be a way to make a shield or some type of counter curse. No one would come up with this spell, even if it was accidental, without trying to come up with a counter curse or any other protection other than love protection which wasn't really thought of until Lily did it." Hermione explained and James looked down at her scrunched face and smiled at her thinking, when a thought occurred to him.

"At the school library?" James asked with doubt.

"Of course not! Harry and I are going to use the Room of Requirement. We have a lot of free time and if we use time turners, then it will be even more successful." Hermione spoke with confidence.

Harry woke up on the floor of his bedroom. Suddenly, minor pain was felt on his hip, that's how he had woken up, he had fallen off his bed. He smirked to himself and walked out to the common room, not bothering to look at the time. He noticed the fire was out and it was still rather dark outside. Harry walked around the couch and sat down on something lumpy and definitely not a couch cushion.

"Oi! Wotcher!" The deep groggy voice yelled. Harry waved his hand, after standing very quickly, to ignite the fire. Draco was lying on the couch with his snake coiled around his wrist. Draco was looking at Harry with a slight scowl on his face.

"Sorry, didn't see you there, mate." Harry apologized. Then it occurred to Harry, "What are you doing there?"

"Well, my house has finally had it with me, except for a fair few, but nonetheless I was kicked out. Is it alright if I stay here?" Draco asked curiously, wondering if Harry really would make him go to Dumbledore to find replacement housing.

"Of course, why didn't you just come to one of us, we can make more rooms. The founders taught us how. Rowena, who was the seer of them all, saw us needing more than just six. Besides this isn't the first time you've slept here, I know that." Harry said kindly.

"Thanks, Harry." Draco genuinely smiled, a common occurrence.

"Now, tell me everything you want…" Harry said, hands at the ready.

Hermione walked out of her room and went to see if Harry was up, but noticed there was another door than usual at the end of the boy's side. At first thinking she was mistaken, she counted to herself. Yes, there were seven doors, not six. Keeping her hands free, she walked down to the door and lightly pressed her ear upon it. All that could be heard were two muffled male voices. She made out one to be Harry and the other was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

Hermione opened the door and found her boyfriend and friend, Draco Malfoy, standing in a blue and orange room. To the right was a four-poster bed with a trunk at the foot. A wardrobe stood between two windows on the wall opposite Draco's bed. On the one side of the wardrobe was an armchair and table. On the other side, a tall bookcase next to the window and a play gym for Damien. On the far wall was a couch and coffee table. Off the to the left of the couch was a door leading to a bathroom.

"Good morning." Draco greeted as he saw Hermione.

"What are you doing up this early?" Harry asked with a smile.

"Good morning to you too, Draco, at least you can give me a proper greeting." Hermione teased.

"Sorry, I was just wondering." Harry remarked and looked back at Draco. "I think that's all I can really do with conjuring and transfiguring. You could probably ask Tori for anything else. She can literally make anything." Harry said to Draco before looking around the room for one last check.

"Harry, I just wanted to remind you that James wanted to meet with you this morning." Hermione smiled as she spoke to her loving boyfriend. Harry waved his hand and was dressed in casual robes and kissed her on the cheek and said good-bye to both standing near him. He left and Hermione looked around at Draco's new room. "I like it, although not very Slytherin, if I say so my self." She teased.

"That's exactly the look I was going for, but pink was too out of the question so I decided on orange and blue. Oh, that reminds me, could I borrow Harry's lesson journal from when you lot went to the past? I really would like to study it as soon as possible. I've got most of the wandless already. Harry's really been teaching me a lot, especially with the time-turners handy." Draco replied enthusiastically.

"How often are you using time-turners? They can get dangerous if used-" Hermione began her lecture, wondering how many times those boys trained without her.

"We use them as any other would. Harry and I practice everyday. He and I both use them three times maybe. Once for sleep, training, and being with everyone else. We go about normal with classes, meals, and down time. Then we go to sleep with everyone else and when we wake up we go back hours until probably lunch, train and maybe get some other work done for classes. After all that we may get another nap in before we catch up with everyone else. We hang out in the castle if we have extra time on our hands. Once we even went to Godric Hollow to avoid being bumped into. Oh! And one time we hung out with ourselves! It was amaz-"

"WHAT!" Hermione screamed. "Do you know that is the number one rule of time! You never are seen by yourselves!"

"But see, it was alright because we had already planned that. What we did was during some down time we had during training and realized we'd need more people. We agreed in the future to go back and spar with each other. So in walked ourselves! It was fantastic, and extremely weird…" Draco slipped into his memory. "Harry said we shouldn't have told you, that'd you would do what you just did. You two are honestly made for each other you know that?" Hermione shook her head and figure she'd let it go, but would have a nice talk with Harry later, especially not including her in these training sessions, not to mention have her take some over considering everything he's been balancing on his plate lately.

"Oh, great, he's gonna kill me!" Draco frowned. "Perhaps I'll hide. The Slytherin Common Room! Yes, he'll never find me there, or even better the Hufflepuff Common Room! I'll find Susan or Ernie. They'll help me. With the use of W.W.W.'s sweets I can alter my appearance, get a set of their robes and-"

"Draco, you're metal." Hermione laughed and walked into the common room and back into her own room to change for the day.

Meanwhile With Harry and James…

Harry wandered down towards the lake smelling the crisp November air. He liked this time of year, it reminded him of a lot of things. Good things. Like Hermione, Ron and him were finally best friends six years ago around at this time. Quidditch usually starts around this time; Slytherin and Gryffindor have their first of the season match next week. Harry smiled at the thought of he and Draco's upcoming week of trash talk. Snow would be coming soon, which he loved to participate in the usual evens that followed first snow day. Such as snow ball fights, snow men, knocking down younger years' snow men, snow angles, snow forts, ice skating on the lake, hot chocolate, a nice game of chess next to the fire after coming in from outside, and many other little things.

Harry spotted James down by the famous tree by the lake and smiled. Remembering the pensive memory of his friends, just like Harry's, would sit under that tree after a day of classes. James had taken to skipping rocks on the lake's cool surface whilst waiting for his only son. Harry sat down next to his father and the small pile of smooth rocks between them.

"So what's it you had to tell me?" Harry asked, picking up a rock and skipping it.

"Oh, hello, Pronglet." James was distant, but happy. "I've got great news!" His change in actions startled Harry for a moment.

"Well what?" Harry asked the excited James.

"I can't tell you here. I would like you to get Hermione and bring the other's if you like and meet us at home, Godric's Hollow." James said in a giddy tone.

"Err, alright, I'll just go and get Hermione and Draco. I think they're the only ones up." Harry said slowly. He rose from the ground and walked quickly to the castle. As he was close to the doors, James had run past him into the Entrance Hall and all the way to his and Lily's common room. Harry smiled and wondered what was so important. Harry went into the cupboard and through there he went into the secret dorm.

"Hermione, Draco? Are you two here?" Harry called quietly.

"Yes, Harry. Oh, Draco, hush up will you, Harry's not going to kill you." Hermione said from her room. Harry raised an eyebrow and walked into her room. Draco was sitting on Hermione's couch as she was putting in her earrings in front of her vanity table.

"Why am I going to kill Draco?" Harry asked as Rosie came over to him and purred against his leg, he bent over to scratch her ears. "Where's Godric by the way?" Harry asked looking around. Godric came out of Rosie's bed and stretched. "Bit tired?" Harry asked him.

"Draco is worried that you'll kill him for telling me about your little adventures with the time-turners." Hermione explained.

"You didn't tell her about the time we…?" Harry asked as Draco nodded.

"Hermione, we were really careful, honest!" Harry explained.

"I know you are, just know we will talk about it later along with a few other things." Hermione smiled to reassure him he wasn't in trouble.

"Alright, well now that that's settled, we have to go to Godric's Hollow. My Dad wants to tell us all something. So Draco, here, borrow some of my robes." Harry waved his hand and Draco was dressed in red and gold robes.

"Now that's just wrong." Draco muttered, loud enough for them to hear.

"Mind you those are authentic, Uncle Godric gave them to me." Harry smirked and held Hermione's hand in his right and held out his left to Draco.

"What?" Draco asked.

"We're apparating." Harry explained.

"Oh, right." He grabbed his hand from the couch. Harry smiled and apparated with a small pop. They appeared in the family room and saw Sirius and Remus sitting in the armchairs waiting for them all.

"What's up with your father? I think James has finally gone completely mad." Sirius said watching Draco fall on his bum. He then laughed with everyone else.

"My father? Why is he suddenly my father? Isn't he your best friend? Your adoptive brother?" Harry quirked, helping Draco up and onto the couch, were he sat with Hermione, still holding her hand. From the other room voices appeared and in walked said person and his spouse.

"We've got some news." James said excitedly.

"James, you haven't acted this way since…oh wait!" Remus began to joke, but quickly realized.

"Yes, Remus, but hold that thought!" James said not wanting Remus to spoil the surprise. James was smiling ear to ear when he looked at Lily.

"Harry, Hermione, Draco, Sirius, and Remus." She said going around the room. "Recently I haven't been feeling well. At first we thought I had the flu, but I didn't show all of the symptoms for the flu. I took a pepper-up potion and that didn't work, just made it worse. When I went to Madame Pomfrey, I found out why I wasn't feeling so well. I felt so stupid for not realizing it before." Lily explained. Hermione's face lit up, she caught on, along with Sirius and Draco. Harry felt utterly stupid.

"Wait, I feel incredibly stupid, what's going on. Are you all right, Mum? I mean you couldn't figure out why you were sick, and they're all smiling?" Harry had crossed the room in mid-thought. He was now standing before looking her in the eyes.

"Harry, you can see people's aura's right?" Remus asked.

"Yes, but that's not the point. I-" Harry was cut off by his father.

"Pronglet, look at your mother with it." James said softly.

"Alright, but I don't see why-…" Harry looked around and back at his mother and father. "I…I'm…" Harry's smile got bigger.

"Going to be a big brother." Hermione whispered in his ear. For Harry could see two aura's coming from his mother both magical.

"Yes, Harry, I'm pregnant." Lily said softly and smiled as her son hugged her tightly, but very gentle all the same. Sirius and Remus got up and hugged James then Lily and Hermione and Draco followed and Harry finally let go of his mother.

"Harry, are you alright?" Lily asked him whilst the other's were talking to James at the moment.

"I'm more than alright. Although, I'm a bit worried. With the war coming up, I don't want you or h-" Harry almost slipped the sex of the baby. The whole room quieted down when they heard this. They wondered if he was going to say him or her.

"You know if it's a boy or girl?" Remus asked.

"Don't you know? Madame Pomfrey must've told you? Right?" Harry asked confused.

"That's a simple test, it won't tell us what the baby is. By any test it's too early to tell." Lily explained.

"Well, do you want to know what it's going to be?" Harry asked as James and Lily looked at each other. They nodded.

"Well, first of all…" Harry began.

Hogwarts, Secret Dorm, Common Room

Tori walked into the common room after waking up and sat down on the couch. She closed her eyes as she leaned her head back. After a few seconds she said something aloud.

"Wait a second…" She opened her eyes and looked behind her at the doors. "Seven?" Tori crossed the room and opened the extra door and walked into a blue and orange room. After looking around she figured out it was Draco's room because of the D.M. initials on his trunk. She waved her hand and she was dressed. A book sounded wonderful to her at the moment and went out to the common room and picked up a spell book and began to read.

Kate walked out of her room and sat next to Tori and leaned over to see what she was reading.

"Ooh, that's a good spell." Kate said pointing to one on the middle of the page.

"Ottus Lodium?" Tori questioned.

"Yeah, it's a tripping charm. That's could be useful." Kate smiled.

"As long as you don't use it on anyone near stairs, well besides Death Eaters, but that's a different story." Tori rambled while turning the page.

"Awe, you take the fun out of everything." Kate said, getting up and walking over to the book case and picked out a book after thinking for a moment. Kate noticed there were seven doors, instead of six. Tori explained that Draco must've finally moved into the secret dorm early this morning.

"What's going on?" Chris asked in a slight slur as he came into the common room and sat down on the other side of Tori. Kate had sat on Tori's right while Chris sat on her left. Chris started falling back asleep again reading over Tori's shoulder.

"Chris wake up!" Kate said pushing Tori into Chris.

"Hey!" The two said.

"What?" Kate asked innocently. There was a knock on the door and in walked Jess, Ginny, Luna, and Mark.

"Howdy." Tori greeted along with Kate and Chris. The four that walked in sat down on the couch opposite of the American trio. The seven began conversation for a while before another door opened and Ron was emitted from it. After he sat down next to Kate, after he kissed Luna on the cheek, he yawned and spoke.

"We're missing three." Ron muttered to the room. Everyone laughed at him before they all came up with places the three could've gone.

"Well, Jess, ask Godric or Rosie. Maybe even Damien. They might know." Ginny suggested.

"That's a good idea." Mark piped up. He knew of the Americans' powers. Jess turned into a lion cub and ran into Harry's room looking for Godric. She came back and in mid-run she turned back and stopped in front of her seat before sitting down.

"He said they were meeting James at Godric's Hollow." Jess repeated.

"Oh, wonder why they were meeting there." Ron pondered. "Why didn't they take me!" He added.

"Because you were sleeping, Ronald." Hermione said from behind him. He made a funny sound which made everyone laugh. Behind their couch were Harry, Hermione, Draco, James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus.

"Hello." They chorused.

"Hey." The teens, excluding Mark (who still participated), replied.

"We've got some terrific news!" James began. The group was waiting for him to tell them, but he decided to wait for them to ask what.

"Well…?" Ginny asked.

"Lily's pregnant!" James exclaimed enthusiastically.

"What!" Everyone questioned in surprise before congratulating the couple.

"But that's not all either." Lily continued. "I'm having…"

Later, Grimmauld Place

"Professor Dumbledore, here are those files you requested." Kinsley Shacklebolt handled very thick looking files to Professor Dumbledore as the meeting began.

"Thank you, Kinsley. Now before we begin, I know James and Lily have some terrific news." Dumbledore announced and waved a hand towards the couple for eyes to follow.

"Well, recently I haven't been feeling well and we found out why." Lily explained and put her hands on her stomach.

"Lily's pregnant!" James exclaimed for the millionth time that day. He had been going through the halls practically screaming it at every student and adult alike. He was very excited for the new addition to the Potter clan. Questions and compliments burst forth from the Order. Harry and Hermione smiled as it happened, having watched it a few times already today.

"Do you know if it's going to be a boy or a girl?" Mrs. Weasley asked, quickly tending to Lily. Making her sit and gave her something to eat. Sirius and Remus laughed as this happened as well. Lily had been concerned Molly would do that as soon as she heard, and really didn't want to have Molly fuss over her, like she had when she was pregnant with Harry. Although, when she had been pregnant with Harry, Molly had been pregnant with Ron as well. But at that time, she rarely saw Molly.

"Molly, don't fuss, please." Lily complained.

"But, deary, you must be tired. With all the students, constantly being on your feet all day! My, my you'll stress the child!" Molly explained.

"Molly, I've done this before, see," Lily pointed to Harry, everyone laughed. "He was one of the most healthy baby boys St. Mungo's ever saw."

"Oh that's right, what did you say the child was going to be again?" Minerva McGonagall asked, seeing one of her favourite students and now co-worker pregnant again was almost too much for her. She was smiling ear to ear.

"Well, thanks to Harry, we know that we're gong to have…" James began.

Later that night, Harry's bedroom

Hermione was laying on her back with her head on Harry's chest while they talked. Harry was so excited to be a big brother. He couldn't wait to team up with his Dad, Sirius, and Remus to teach mischief and other important things. He also was very worried about his mother, especially with the upcoming war. The stress of the war and teaching may get to her.

"Harry, you know you, your Dad, Sirius, Remus, and a few other's will protect your Mum. You've nothing to fear. Let's talk about something more…" Hermione encouraged for something happier to be the new subject.

"More like…us. Like the kids we're going to have?" Harry asked, not sure if it was too early to be talking about kids.

"Well, only if you want to talk about that. I didn't even know you thought about that stuff to be honest." Hermione said with shock and a smile.

"Of course, I do! I can't wait to have a family of my own. Have a bunch of little Potter's running around! It'll be great!" Harry imagined with excitement.

"You'll be a great father." Hermione commented.

"Not as good of a mother you'll be. I'm too afraid to hold a baby. Like I'll break him or her. What if I hurt-" Harry rambled about what may happen.

"I doubt you ever could. You're too gentle and look how you are with Faith. You'll be the same way once Lily has-" Hermione spoke with kindness.

"Faith was different, not as small and not as fragile as newbournes are! How about this, for the first year you can hold the baby!" Harry said in hysterics.

"Harry, let's just go to sleep. You know you're being silly. I can't wait for Lily to go into labour." Hermione imagined.

"What if I'm not alive then?" Harry asked after doing the math.

"You will be, and then you'll be a big brother. That was pretty amazing about what you did today for your parents. Now they know what to plan for, it would've been a big surprise otherwise." Hermione laughed and she rolled over and Harry put an arm around her, then snuggled up to her.

"Yeah, who knew twins run in my family." Harry said just before they drifted off to sleep.

(A/N: HAHAHAHAHAHA Should I leave it off here? Nah, I'm not that mean…)

November 16, Monday…

The group sat at their section of the Gryffindor table at breakfast. The morning owls flew in and one dropped a letter into Tori's lap.

"Oh, this should be the answer." She muttered before breaking the wax seal on the scroll. Her eyes quickly skimmed the letter and she smiled.

"You can come. All of you!" Tori announced after reading the letter.

"Wicked, do we have to bring anything?" Harry asked looking at the letter upside-down.

"I'll ask, but I doubt it." Tori spoke as she put a hand under the table, and then brought her hand back up with a self-inking quill. "How many should I tell her is coming?"

"Let's see there's Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny, Draco, Dad, Mum, Sirius, Remus, myself, and Mark are you coming?" Harry ticked off with his fingers before leaning forward and looking down the table at Mark. He looked thoughtful for a moment and nodded.

"If you'll have me." Was his reply.

"Of course, we'll have you." Kate said smiling at him, her bright purple eyes sparkling.

"So that's eleven?" Chris asked for Tori, who was scribbling the rest of the letter to Kate, Chris, and her families. They usually had Thanksgiving together. Tori nodded and wrote that in. She rolled the scroll back up and put her finger over the seal and it melted and resealed. The owl had waited and took off as soon as she tied it around its leg.

"This is going to be so much fun." Jess started.

"Sure is!" Ron added. The bell rang and the group all, reluctantly, got up and went to their Monday morning classes.

Defense Against the Dark Arts…

Harry and Hermione arrived to class before James did. They were first there and just went into the class but wandlessly unlocking the door.

"Wonder why James is late, usually he's here early." Hermione thought aloud.

"It was their anniversary yesterday. My Dad took my Mum to Italy last night. My Mum just loves Italian food, so my Dad took her to this restaurant they went to for their first anniversary.

"How romantic." Hermione commented.

"He took my idea. I took you to France for your birthday." Harry said pointedly.

"Well, yeah, but I'm saying he remembers all that stuff. Not to mention, he's a teacher as she is. We're students who can miss school, they're not. They're supposed to be here. Do you think they're still sleeping? They weren't at breakfast." Hermione explained.

"Dad is on his way, Mum is still sleeping." Harry said in a rather bored tone.

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked looking at him, she shook her head. "Never mind, I don't want to know why or how."

"Good because I can't explain it like usual." Harry said as the door opened and James entered with a few others who were waiting outside for the teacher, not knowing there were people inside. Harry approached his father, who was in the middle of setting his papers down on his desk.

"Have fun last night? Someone looks a little hung over." Harry laughed.

"Well, you see, Lily said I could drink although she can't. I ordered myself some muggle scotch because I had never tried it before. Well, it turns out, I haven't any tolerance for it. Have you got any hangover potion? Stupid question." James explained slightly holding his head.

"You could ask Snape or maybe Tori." Hermione suggested helpfully.

"Good idea. I'll ask Tori, she won't make loud noises. Oh there she is." James went and asked Tori for the quick favour, which she was more than happy to fulfill. Needless to say, James felt much better after taking the potion and started class immediately. Although some students tried to get James to talk about his very pregnant wife, to avoid the test they were suppose to take today.

"James?" Susan Bones asked while her hand was in the air.

"Yes, Susan?" James replied seeing her hand.

"I heard Lily was pregnant, congratulations, what are you having?" Susan asked politely.

"We're having twins. Boy and a girl! I can't wait." James shared his news very enthusiastically.

"Have you thought of any names?" Dean Thomas asked from the back.

"Well, sort of, I mean we just recently found out earlier this month. We've thought of a few. Jason was thought of for my second son." James winked at Harry who smiled. "Or perhaps Jordan and Jamie. We're not sure yet, but you all can make offers. You will have to write them at the bottom of your tests though." James replied with a smile and laugh to follow. The groans escaped the student's mouths. "Thought I forgot did you?" James asked flicking his wand to send out the tests. "I'll be back in a moment. Harry…no wait…Hermione you're in charge. Keep Harry in line will you; Merlin knows what he may do. And to you lot, make sure he doesn't do something to my desk." James warned before leaving. Harry listened for James's footsteps go down the hall and fade away.

"Party!" Harry quietly yelled.

"Harry!" Hermione warned.

"Like you'd use force on me." Harry argued.

"I can still threaten." Hermione replied.

"But you won't pursue." Harry teased.

"Potter, you got the answer to number twelve?" Justin asked from the back of the room.

"Why yes I do, Justin." Harry's reply came slightly cool, but nonetheless normal.

"Well, what is it?" Seamus said on the far side of Harry on his left.

"It's an easy question!" Harry retorted.

"What was the killing curse originally used for?" Millicent Bulstrode mocked. "How's that a simple question?"

"It was one of the first things we learned, I'm not going to cheat and give you lot the answer. You knew what was going to be on this test and you should've studied, better yet, you should've taken notes." Harry said, finishing his test and took it up to the front desk. Millicent got up from her chair and went towards the front desk to look at Harry's answers. Harry wiped out his wand faster than you could've said Quidditch. Millicent bumped into a bubble five feet in diameter of the desk. The class gasped at his swift movement.

Hermione put her hand on Harry's before she walked up to put her test on the desk. Ron and Draco finished and brought their test up to put on the desk. They were able to pass through the bubble, whilst Millicent wasn't. The class laughed and continued with their tests. If their intention of approaching the desk were trustworthy, they would be able to pass. Millicent eventually just wrote down her answer and passed through the bubble. Harry smirked at her as she passed him. Everyone was done and she said.

"Cleaning? Is that your answer, Potter? It was originally used in cleaning?" She asked in a snobbish tone.

"Yes, until it was mispronounced by a wizard making it a killing curse, rather than the early scourgify charm. If you had been paying attention you might've known that." Harry said smartly. She huffed and took her seat in the back. Hermione turned to Harry and kissed him on the cheek just before James walked in the door.

"What did I miss? Oh, you all finished? No one cheated I hope." James began and the class laughed at his laugh comment.

"It's not possible with Harry and Hermione in charge." Seamus piped up.

"Oh really?" James asked raising an eyebrow.

"That's an understatement." Justin added.

"Okay, what happened?" James asked then added with a smirk. "What did Harry do?" This made the class laugh and not even say a word, because while James had turned around to straighten the pile of tests, Harry turned around and put a finger to his lips and winked. Harry, under the table, waved his wand and an invisible barrier popped up in front of James and he walked straight into it. The class laughed as the papers went floating to the ground. Harry waved his wand and the papers were put back into a pile next to James. James smirked and looked at Harry with playful eyes.

"That's right, we never did have that duel did we?" James asked. Harry looked at him with innocence.

"I haven't a clue as to what you're on about father. What ever do you mean?" Harry tried with a straight face.

"Regular rules, or formal rules?" Quirked James.

"Regular is fine." Harry said, dodging out of his seat just in time to miss James's hex. Harry rolled into a standing position and threw a stunner. It narrowly missed James at the ear. Harry shot another while James shot one. They hit each other and fizzed out. This duel continued on for twenty minutes, both sweaty and hard to tell apart. Harry, no longer abiding by school rules, wore regular robes to class sometimes instead of the school robes. This had been catching on to other students; Dumbledore or any other teacher hadn't said a thing so far. James and Harry had both decided to wear the Potter family robes and considering their main only difference was their eyes, it got hard watching them run around and quickly change position. Harry disarmed James, but James had something up his sleeve. He rolled and kicked out Harry's legs, making him fall to the ground. This gave James time to grab his wand, and he was back in the duel. Harry shot out a stunner just as James grabbed his wand and turned around. James was missed, but didn't realize Harry had counted on it. James tripped backwards over the trashcan and this gave Harry the opportune moment to stun James. Harry even quickly conjured a pillow just under his head before he hit the floor.

The class burst into applause when Harry defeated James, yet again. Hermione rushed to the front and kissed Harry's cheek and checked on James. He had sliced his finger earlier on the stinging hex Harry shot at him earlier. Hermione fixed up his finger as Harry waved his wand to wake James.

"That was a terrific duel. Nice thinking." James complimented.

"Me? Are you kidding, you had the faster thinking, I let my guard down when I disarmed you." Harry shot back as the bell rang.

"Class dismissed." James shouted over the bell. "You still did a good job. It was only a friendly duel." James argued. Harry meant to argue back but Hermione pulled him away from doing so.

"James, are you alright?" Hermione questioned while trying to hold Harry behind her.

"Very much so, thank you for the repair." James laughed.

"Good, we've better get off to lunch, Harry." Hermione suggested pulling Harry through the door and down the corridor.

"Hermione, why?" Harry asked simply.

"Just let people compliment you! At least, your own father." Hermione quickly replied with exhaustion.

"Sorry, I-" Harry started, although, he was interrupted by Hermione.

"Harry, I know growing up you're not use to compliments and pats on the backs. Just let some slip sometimes. Alright?" Hermione asked kissing him on cheek. A smile crossed Harry's face and he nodded. He slipped his arm around her waist and banished their schoolbags to their secret dormitory. They walked down to lunch and sat down with the usual group. Everyone greeted Harry and Hermione, as they sat down and enjoyed some lunch before all the sixth years of their group traveled up the stairs for Transfiguration.

Tuesday, November 24, Thanksgiving Day

"Do you remember where you're apparating us?" Kate asked Harry uneasily.

"Of course I do." Harry apprated all fifteen people, him included, to Tori's house for Thanksgiving Dinner. They all landed on their feet by the front door. Tori went to open the door it was locked. She looked at it for a moment, waved her hand and it clicked, and opened by itself. They walked inside and were all greeted by the magnificent smell of the usual thanksgiving dinner being cooked.

"We're home." Tori said to no one in particular. First to appear to them was Jess and Kate's Dad who hugged his two girls before greeting everyone else. Then appeared Chris's Dad and brother who greeted Chris and then everyone else. Tori's Dad came last and greeted everyone after hugging his daughter. The Americans went to find their mothers in the kitchen while everyone else was brought into the family room, where the Dads and Chris's brother had been watching the American football game. Everyone sat down to watch, although not everyone was interested. Sirius and James were inquiring as to what was happening for conversation and for their curiosity.

Soon enough dinner was served and everyone squished into the dining room. Dawn, Tori's Mum, expanded the room for everyone to fit comfortably. After everyone was seated everyone went around saying what he or she were thankful for.

"I am thankful for my family and for being blessed with this dinner here tonight." Tori's Dad started. Tori's Mum went next, then Kate's parents, then Chris's parents, and their children. Now it was the Brits' turn. James started.

"I'm thankful that I've been reunited with my family and friends, and that I've made new friends and having been invited to this dinner." Was James's reply.

"I, too, am thankful for being reunited with my son and my old friends, and I'm thankful for the Michaelsons inviting us into their home." Lily said kindly.

"I'm thankful being reunited with everyone, my name being cleared--Thanks to Harry--, I'm thankful for Harry and his friends risking their lives for me last June. I'm thankful to be free and alive." Came Sirius's reply with complete sincerity.

"I'm thankful for the true Marauders being reunited once more, including Lily of course, and I'm thankful for my friends and considered family for always being there for me." Remus replied.

"I'm thankful for my family, friends, and girlfriend. They support me in everything, which I greatly appreciate. I'm thankful for the training we received over the summer by the founders and Merlin. I'm thankful for being invited into this home and enjoying an American tradition." Harry spoke with genuineness and kindness.

"I'm thankful for my family, my friends, and my boyfriend. I'm thankful for the training I received as well. I'm thankful for books." Hermione started with laughs at that part. "I'm thankful for being invited here to enjoy the holiday with everyone here. I'm also thankful for Hogwarts, because that's where my life really started."

"I'm thankful for family, friends, and Luna. I'm really thankful to Hermione for always helping me with my homework and putting up with my "emotional range of a teaspoon" as she likes to call it, along with everyone else for that matter." Laughs were received her as well. "I'm thankful for Quidditch and food." More laughs came as it moved on to Luna.

"I'm thankful for my family, friends, Ron, The Quibbler, boogiemen, and short-winged snuggle bears." Luna said as her usual strange self. Things progressed onto Ginny, then Draco.

"I'm thankful for my mother and brother. I'm thankful for my new friends for accepting me, along with many other people. I'm thankful to be included on the light side." Draco said not bothering to look at anyone. Mark was last and he was thankful for along the same lines of everyone else.

"Alright, if that's all, let's begin." Mr. Michaelson announced, passing the turkey platter around.

"So wait…what happened?" Harry asked laughing extremely hard.

"Alright, let's start over the story. When Kate and I were first going to meet, Chris hadn't a clue about any of it until his Mum let it slip something about Kate here. We were going to kidnap him from school and go to Philly for the day." Tori began.

"Wait. You played hooky basically?" James quirked.

"Yes, my note actually read: To whom it concerns, Please excuse Tori for going on a family and friend field trip to Philadelphia for the day to learn about the historical sites." Tori recited before Kate picked the story back up again.

"Tori calls me and says "The cat's out of the bag." So I was like WHAT! What do you mean the cat's out of the bag? Chris knows?" Kate reenacted.

"Well, I said yes, because Chris had called asking what does my Mum mean by going to Philly with Kate and you tomorrow." Tori enthusiastically imputed, while added. "So, that night I had called up Chris at 10, or well 22:00, and said what are you doing, wanna go somewhere? He said, go where and acting as if he had no clue on what was happening. He wanted me to tell him and act like I slipped and told him the surprise. Kate and I had been calling this "The Plan" for a really long time when we were ever talking about it around him. It drove him nuts. So eventually he says he's not sure if he is going to school the next day and he's got to go to bed soon incase he does. His Mum wasn't up so he couldn't ask her, because his dad didn't know what was going on." Tori explained.

"So, we were checking into the hotel, I'm holding Landon as some weirdo comes in and says, "Welcome!" I turn around and see Tori." Kate shared.

"She's not weird, she's a turkey." Kate's Dad joked.

"Inside joke," Tori explained before picking up the story. "So we eventually kidnap Kate and Jess and go to Chris's house. We're running around out front and it had rained earlier that day and the ground was muddy. Well we were deciding on whether or not to knock on the door. Well, Jess, got the bright idea to run across the yard. I was like "Jess watch out you might sli-" And she slipped and slid across the yard on her butt. I had finished what I was saying after she had. "-p." It was so funny. When she got up she had this huge mud mark on her butt."

"It was so funny. And Tori's Mum was so into it and had her headlights off and everything. It was like Mission Impossible or something." The ones who had heard about the movie, laughing. A brief moment out of the story was taken to explain this to Sirius, James, Remus, Ron, Luna, Ginny and Draco. "So eventually we get back in the car and Tori's Mum takes us back to their house and we get something to drink, while her Mum gets the camera. We go back out and go to the state sign and take pictures. It's started raining while we were there, I think, and Tori notices this light. Then says, "Mum, there's a cop car." Her Mum told her to stop being paranoid but then the cop car pulled into the parking lot we were taking the pictures at. Tori announced it and we were all laughing at this point because the cop came and pulled up next to Tori's car and we were like uh-oh." Kate said, passing it on to Tori.

"So the cop gets out and asks us what we're doing and my Mum explains and then he leaves and we get back in the car. As soon as we do, Jess says "Man! That cop was fine." Tori explained, everyone burst into laughter and when they all finished laughing she continued. "We looked at her and burst out laughing, because after being questioned by a cop that was the first comment she had to say. So that's part of our story anyway on how we first in person met."

"What about Chris?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, well, the next morning we picked him up and went to this convenient store called, Wawa, my Mum wanted to get coffee, well this store was right next to the hotel Kate's family was staying. So I made Chris walk with me over to the hotel. He stopped maybe four rooms short of theirs. I kept walking and knocked on the door, because he said he wouldn't take one more step until I told him where we were going. He knew, but he was just trying to make me spill the beans. So Kate and Jess come out and tell him "Get your butt down here!" Well, even though he knew they were here, he was still surprised, in my opinion." Tori told, while other's laughed towards the end.

"So the first night you met; you slipped in the mud, got questioned by cops, took some weird pictures I'm sure, and met your pen pals?" Asked Remus. The four nodded. Everyone burst out laughing again and conversation later changed.

"Thank you for dinner." Lily said to Dawn. Everyone said their good-byes and Harry apparated everyone back, save the Americans. They were going to floo-in the next day for class in the morning. They had a free period in the morning anyway.

December 1st

"Wow, look, it's December already!" Ron pointed out looking at the Daily Prophet over Tori's shoulder at breakfast.

"Good sighting Ron." Hermione retorted sarcastically.

"When's break again?" Chris asked.

"I think it begins the 19th." Harry said, looking to Hermione who nodded. "Yes, the 19th." That day everyone went to class and all the students had begun the countdown to holiday break. The regular roster went around and Harry was happy to sign that he was going home for holiday. Hermione and Harry agreed to figure out a way to see each other on Christmas. James and Lily had said it was perfectly fine to invite Hermione's parents and Faith over for Christmas Eve and spend the night if they wish for Christmas Day through New Years; they were going to have a party.

Sirius and Remus had owled James that they had begun decorating the house for Christmas. Tori had decorated their common room already with Christmas things, including a fully decorated tree. The ornaments that hung had pictures of them training in the past and some from the school year.

That night was a D.A. meeting. Harry informed everyone of intense training was to be started and more and more meetings were going to be coming up, at least three times a week. Harry had also introduced using muggle weaponry. He made a list of everyone and what they would need.

"I will need 15 of the best flyers for air control. You will be invisible and flying. You will be able to get some of the harder targets, and be on the lookout. We'll have a secret try-out session tomorrow here. Any who wish to try-out can, but we will take only the best in maneuvers and quickest. You will be giving top of the line brooms, created by our own Tori Michaelson. They will be personalized to each person. The brooms will have notice-me-not charms, invisibility, stealth, and most importantly speed and handling. Please, this isn't for Quidditch. You have you know you'll be an easy target if you're noticed." Harry explained. "Hermione is next to explaining news in the Order of the Phoenix and a few other things."

"Thank you, Harry." She began. "Everyone will be receiving Order cloaks, from now on you must wear them, they will be concealed as your regular school cloak, but you must at all times wear these. They protect against most mild spells, charms, hexes, and jinxes. Muggle weaponry is being brought in such as guns. We will need the best shots. Everyone will be tested and trained of course. We're going to need 50 snipers. You will be supplied with unlimited ammo; we have a spell that will supply you. Everyone will need at least one extra wand and two holsters, one leg and one arm holster. Draco, Ginny, Ron, and Luna will start passing them out to you all now. Everyone is to get: one cloak, two holsters, one hand gun that will never run out of ammo, chain mail, two daggers, one sword, and an ear piece. The earpiece is for everyone to contact head quarters. We will have a team monitoring incoming transmissions. For if someone is hurt. It will give automatic coordinates as to where you are. Ollivander will be here the night after next for everyone's second wand; Harry Potter is contributing all this. He asks for your help in the downfall of Voldemort." Hermione finished. Ron was to continue with other news.

"Hagrid has persuaded most giants to join our side and will be an utmost help. He's also gotten the sp-spiders to join us as well. Harry's been able to get snakes on our side, even a few basilisks. You must watch out for these, for they can kill you will a look in the eye. They will be first wave along with the giants to first go into the Forrest. That's where Voldemort is planning to attack. Then following them will be the snipers and air control. Air control will have to look out for the snipers. They've got to get into trees. Snipers you will also shoot will your wands!" Ron continued on about a few other things before the training began. Harry was teaching them physical training now; how to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and so forth. Everyone was defiantly seeing changes in the student army. Everyone was becoming stronger, faster, and more vigilant. The Order had started joining in on Harry's training sessions. Harry had finally let Dumbledore in on them. All recruits were being sent in over time. They were supplied just like the others.

Up until holiday break Harry trained everyone really hard. Most of the army was crack shots, deadly with swords, quick with daggers, and so forth. The advanced students were already starting on wandless magic. Most were animaguses by now and just becoming into the most powerful army. Harry couldn't wait to see them in action. He was setting up a course for his army. In the Room of Requirement was an obstacle course set up to really challenge the army. Harry and his friends got through it with natural ease, although, Mark had a bit of trouble.

Mark had really surprised Harry in his power. Harry was very pleased nonetheless. Mark had become one of the teachers soon enough. Although he still had much to learn. Watching some of his students outside of class was amazing. Everyone was studying spells and practicing in secret of the untrustworthy. They even stopped Harry to show them their progress.

December 15th…

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jessssssssssss, happy birthday to you!" The whole Great Hall chorused. The Gryffindor table started it and the Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and most Slytherins. Jess was flushing so much by the end of it. Her friends laughed even harder and handed her cards and gifts. She thanked everyone and opened him or her during breakfast. She put them all in her bag and went back to breakfast like everyone else did.

"Well, holiday is coming up soon. Where's everyone going? Any trips." Harry asked starting conversation.

"My family and I are going back to America and spending time with our other family." Tori replied before returning back to her book.

"Same." Kate said after drinking some of her orange juice.

"Yup, same." Chris responded, eating bagel.

"I think we're staying at the Grimmauld Place, Charlie's coming in though." Ron explained.

"You'll all have to come and visit or something." Harry suggested to them all. They all agreed and Mark asked Harry if he was aloud as well.

"Mark, you're family. Of course you're allowed. Maybe I'll come pick you up or something and we'll hang out, just us, during break." Harry said to the younger. Hermione smiled knowingly and returned to her breakfast. Harry and Mark continued on with plans.

"Well there's a Quidditch game coming up, maybe we'll go, the Boxing Day match? I'm sure we can get tickets." Harry offered.

"That sounds like fun." Mark replied and asked Draco for the apple juice.

"Draco, you and your Mum and Brandon are coming to our house right?" Harry asked with a smile.

"I think so." Draco said with a smile.

"Wicked." Harry replied and they all later went to class after the bell rang.

December 19th…All Aboard

Harry packed the last of his things and shrunk his trunk and put it in his cloak pocket and walked into the common room. By the door, six trunks were piled up, and everyone was waiting on the couches for Harry.

"You didn't have to wait for me." Harry announced in an exasperated tone.

"But you're our leader." Hermione replied getting up and kissing him on the cheek.

"Well, Simon says shrink your trunks in your pocket and let's go." Harry joked.

"Harry's that's not how you play follow the leader." Ron said quickly without thought.

"Ron, it was a joke." Luna whispered in his ear.

"I knew that." He said all too loudly. Everyone laughed and did as Harry said and proceeded down to the carriages and to the train station.

Once on the train they found a large compartment for them all to fit into. Godric sat in the empty seat with Rosie. Dustin and Damien were playing around with each other. Tiger and Tobey were watching Dustin and Damien, and Rosie was sleeping. This compartment had ten seats available, only one open. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Luna sat on one side; while Draco, Ginny, Tori, Chris, and Kate all sat on the other. Jess came in and took the empty seat Godric and Rosie were in.

"It's nice to go home for break." Harry began.

"Yeah, it is." Draco said, smiling at him, knowing what he meant.