Circle of Love

a/n: Fully betaed version of the chapter up. Thanks Mon it rocks now.
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Harry and Ginny sat down at the kitchen table as the elves busily prepared and brought the lunch over. Remus and Severus sat across from them and they all filled their plates while waiting for the others to arrive. Ginny wondered what was taking Hermione so long to come down to eat, knowing it would be too late for their next class was soon.

“Tonks and Shacklebolt should be here for your first Defense class momentarily.” Remus said, confirming her thoughts. “You both might want to dress in some loose clothing, from what they described to me it's going to strenuous.” He advised them.

“I'm going to tell Hermione and change then. You coming Harry?” Ginny looked to her boyfriend. Harry sighed as he put his fork down, still full of apple cobbler.

“Sure Ginny, may as well inform Malfoy also.” Harry grimaced at the name while he stood up and took Ginny's hand. The two older wizards watched them walk out before speaking.

“Think he'll get over his dislike soon?” Remus asked Severus.

“Perhaps a few Defense classes will shake them both out of it, a little exercise to get all the aggression focused correctly. They are both such Erumpents! Luckily they won’t explode. Imagine the mess those inflated heads would make.” Severus said dryly as he finished the last of his own bowl of cobbler covered in vanilla ice cream.

“Might want to brew up some extra healing potions for the next few days, Severus. Speaking of which, I'll need a Wolfsbane potion for tomorrow night. We still planning on testing Draco's and Hermione's?” Remus watched as the elves speedily cleaned up the dirty dishes and packed away the food for consumption later.

“I'll get them back in class in the morning, we have those other vials I prepared if it doesn't work out.” Severus thought for a moment. “Not sure if Potter will want to continue; though he should. He will need the skills should he really want to become an Auror.”

“Wotcher, Severus; Remus!” Tonks burst into the kitchen, giving Remus a kiss that made Snape roll his eyes.

“Hello, Kingsley.” Remus greeted the other Auror over Tonks' purple hair. Snape waved a hand in greeting.

“Hi Remus; Snape.” Kingsley nodded at them both, as Tonks continued to talk.

“You both ready to observe and possibly demonstrate this afternoon?” Her eyes looked to both expectantly.

“It would be an interesting sight,” Severus said thoughtfully, while the four of them walked to lower parts of number 12, Grimmauld Place to the Room of Requirement. “I have given the room as much information on the possible Death Eaters they will encounter; Lucius, Goyle, Crabbe, Bellatrix and Voldemort, to name a few. They'll make good sparring partners once they get into condition. I may need one of you to head for Diagon Alley with an ingredients list once this all gets going, because I still can't show myself.”

This Room was more stable then the one in Hogwarts, it never disappeared and it offered more in the way of challenges. Because of Tonks' status she was authorized to have work dummies in place to fight with to keep her in fit condition for combat. Yet it was a great relief to find that the Room blocked any notification of these dummies to the the Ministry. After all, what business would Tonks or Shacklebolt have, using these dummies in this house and not their own homes? This room was perfect. This room was the place where Harry would learn to cast the killing curse on Voldemort, and mean it.

When Severus had proposed this idea to Remus, he had at first been shocked into an emphatic 'no', then after a few moments of contemplation, he agreed. If Harry was to stand a chance against their nemesis, he would need a realistic situation in which to practice. Harry would be at a disadvantage without it; unlike a Death Eater's training, they didn't seek out living beings to work with.

“I expect the Dark Lord's call soon Remus. The Muggleborns' families have been moved?” Severus said, sitting down in a chair in the corner by Remus. They watched as Tonks and Shacklebolt set up some mats and stocked a small table with some potions and pitchers of water.

“Most of them yes. Andromeda and Ted refused to go into hiding though. I'm sending Molly to persuade them later, she's offering the Burrow to house as many as the walls will stretch for. It seems to get bigger as each year passes.” Remus chuckled.

“They breed like rabbits, what do you expect.” Snape sneered as they waited on the young wizards to arrive. His foot tapped the floor in his impatience to get this over with.

“That was not nice!” Remus glared at him.

“I'm not nice, so please never think I am.” Severus retorted. “They're late, too bad House points are disabled here.”


****


Harry and Ginny made their way up the stairs to where the bedrooms where. He stopped at Draco's door while Ginny continued on to Hermione's. As far as he was concerned the prat could stay nestled in bed with whatever he was doing and never come out. He made a soft rap on the door. While he waited for Draco to answer, he watched Ginny walk into Hermione's room and come back out quickly.

“She's not there.” She whispered worriedly when she got back to him. “It's not like Hermione to just disappear like this.”

Not waiting for an answer any longer, Harry pushed open Draco's door, a suspicion settling into his mind. “Bloody hell!” Harry shouted at the sight of Hermione curled up in the Slytherin's arms. Draco woke up with a start and stared at the two intruders.

“What did you do to her?” Ginny looked at Draco, “Hermione are you okay?” Ginny asked, Harry glaring at the bed's occupants with anger. Ginny clutched her wand, waiting for answers.

“It's not what you think! Nothing happened, Ginny.” Hermione felt Draco's arm go around her waist, as if to taunt the others.

“Just what exactly have you two been doing together since my brother died?” Ginny inquired angrily, her wand aimed at Draco's sneering face.

“He-- We-- oh for Merlin's sake!” Hermione cried out as she swatted futilely at the bats slapping their wings painfully into Draco's face. “Ginny make them stop!”

“You're concerned about Malfoy?” Ginny retorted in disbelief.

“How could you?” Harry shouted. “Ron was your best mate, your boyfriend even and you shag this-this- ferret?”

“I haven't shagged anyone yet, Harry Potter. And no, I haven't forgotten Ron. We fell asleep and that's all!” Hermione shouted back angrily as she pulled her wand out to end Ginny's hex. Draco held his hand to his nose while glaring at the two angry Gryffindors.

“I don't believe you!” Ginny said, sounding exasperated and pulling on Harry's arm. “Let's go.” She said to her boyfriend, walking out. The door's slam echoed throughout the house.

“Snogging Malfoy! How could she?” Harry hissed, more to himself than anyone else, and made his way to his room to get ready. Angrily he ripped his shirt off, buttons flying across the room. He kicked his jeans off and pulled a pair of jogging pants on and slipped a loose fitting Weird Sisters t-shirt over his head. Putting his trainers on he opened his door in a huff and made for Ginny's room.

“Come on.” He urged at Ginny as he pushed her door open impatiently, greeted by the sight of a half-dressed Ginny. She clutched her shirt to her chest, as Harry's jaw figuratively dropped from the view he received.

“Harry!” Ginny squealed as he turned around and walked out, a slight blush staining his grinning face.

“Just hurry, please.” He said, sliding down the wall to sit by her now closed door. Ron's going to-- Harry started to think, stopping in sadness. “I miss you, mate.” He whispered.

“I'm ready now.” Ginny said as she walked out into the hall, dressed similarly to Harry.

“Come on,” He repeated, standing up. “Sorry I walked in on you. I'm such a git.” Harry squeezed Ginny's hand lightly.

“It's okay Harry.” She leaned into him slightly. “Knocking on doors works wonderfully, you know.”


****


“You okay, Draco?” Hermione asked, looking at his red face by the light of her wand.

“Yeah,” He mumbled, his face slightly swelling from the hex. “What's a bat-bogey between friends?” He tried to joke, wincing as Hermione place a piece of conjured ice on his nose. Hermione laid a hand on his shoulder, and he rested his unconsciously on her hip. “We need to get to Defense class.” He reminded her.

“It would be better if you showed up less swollen.” Hermione bit her bottom lip in thought. “Deflating potion? Wonder if the bathroom cupboard has some?”

“It's okay, Hermione. As long as it wasn't Potter, they aren't going to have a hippogriff about it.” Draco said, standing up and pulling his shirt off. “Go get ready. This is little compared to what we face later.”

Hermione started to walk away, and with her hand on the door knob, she turned around again. “Draco, are you okay with them all knowing you fell asleep with me?” She asked uncertainly, his past words from their school years spinning around in her brain. Her eyes focused on his bare chest, not meeting his eyes.

“Yes.” He said shortly, his hands on his zipper. “And if you don't leave now, you're going to get a free show. I'm not above stripping in front of you.” He watched her cheeks turn pink before she practically ran from the room. He smirked when the door clicked shut, wishing she had stayed.


****


Draco leaned against the wall between the bedrooms, waiting for Hermione to come out. Potter was not going to make this easy on them, and he regretted the way it had been revealed. As it was, neither Hermione nor he knew what was going on between them. It would have been nice if they had had some time to figure it out, but now that is was in the open; he found that he really didn't care. He could take Potter's anger and give back as good as he got. But would Hermione stand for it? Who would she chose if push came to shove; the wizard who had been a prat to her for years or the best friends who has stood by her for that same time? Did he really stand any chance?

The witch in question stepped out of her room then, smiling uncertainly at Draco when he offered her his hand. She took it, and he pulled her closer. “Ready?” He asked, touching her face with his other hand. Her smile widened a little as they closed the gap between them. He wanted to kiss her again, pull her back in that room, ignoring everything that was happening around them. Never did he expect her to make the next move and his heart beat a little faster when he felt her lips brush his lightly before she pulled back.

“Yes,” She said, as his hand squeezed hers lightly in reassurance, their steps steps lighter as they walked down the hall.


****

They entered the Room of Requirement hand and hand, feeling all eyes staring at them. Draco started to pull away, but Hermione's fingers tightened around his. She defiantly looking at Harry; who gave her a look of reproach in return as he stared at their clasped hands. He opened his mouth to say something but felt Ginny tug at his arm.

“Not now, Harry.” She whispered urgently, her eyes flicking back and forth between him and the adults. Harry set his jaw and turned away to look at Ginny, his eyes angrily holding her sad ones.

Yes, Draco decided, I am going to enjoy kicking his arse. He nodded at the silent Snape before they took their places by the wall. Snape's eyebrow had arched slightly in question at their hand holding, wondering what his favorite Slytherin had been up to with the Gryffindor know-it-all. He'd get his answers later, he decided.

“Now that we are all here, we are going to begin with some stretching exercises, then we'll pair off.” Shacklebolt said, showing them stretching moves to loosen them up for the real lesson. “Now Draco and Harry, you stand over here. Hermione and Ginny over there. Tonks and I will show you some holds and flips, copy them.”

Draco and Harry glared at each other as the moved into position, matching Tonks and Shacklebolt. “You're going down, Potter!” Draco hissed out, taunting Harry's anger further.

“I'm going to kick your arse, Malfoy.” Harry hissed back, his fingers digging into Draco's shoulders. With no warning, Harry pulled Draco close and flipped around in an attempt to throw Draco. He in turn flipped back around, and with a mighty whoosh Harry went flying over Draco's shoulder to land at Snape's feet with a harsh grunt of pain. Snape looked down at Harry and smirked.

Draco stood over Harry, his breaths coming in heaves as he sneered down. “Try that again, Potter?” Harry jumped up, his head plowing for the Slytherin. Draco moved sidewise, and Harry flew by him. He turned back, looking the blond in the eye.

Remus started to stand up, but Severus pulled him back down. “Let them work it out.” Remus sighed and nodded. “This is constructive remember.” Snape sneered as Remus threw up his hands in defeat.

Ginny and Hermione stood dumbstruck as the boys fought, and the Aurors watched silently, waiting to see the outcome. Tonks was ready to stop it, but for once knew Severus was completely right that they needed to work it out. She saw that Shacklebolt had his wand in hand, ready to stop it if it got out of hand.

Harry and Draco circled each other, waiting for the other to make a move. Harry blinked and Draco sprang at him, both falling to the mat in a mass of limbs with a painful thud. Draco's fist connected with Harry's jaw, causing him to yelp in pain. Harry's hit Draco in the eye, bruising it as they grappled.

“Stop them!” Ginny cried out, burying her face into Hermione's shoulder, forgetting her anger at her best friend. The brunette wrapped her arms around the redhead as they watched.

“This is what they need, Ginny.” She whispered into the other girl's ear. She held herself back from interfering, her heart hurting for her best friend and the one who had saved her life. Life seemed so much simpler back when she hated the blond haired boy, but she couldn't quite make herself do that now.

“I am not a ferret, you prat!” Draco shouted as they rolled on the floor. “Take it back!”

“Never! You're trying to trick Hermione into trusting you!” Harry shouted back, a fist driving into Draco's side, making him grunt as his ribs cracked painfully. “For all we know, you casted an Imperious on her like you did in Sixth year!” Draco snorted at that.

“No trick about it,” Draco breathed out, wrapping a forearm around Harry's neck, choking him. Harry's face turned red, and he gasped for air. “She's old enough to make her own decisions, Potter.”

Harry eyes bulged as he tried to kick the Slytherin, but missed as his legs flayed helplessly on the mat.

“Take it back, now!” Draco tightened his hold on the other wizard, making Harry's face grow redder and his eyes roll back as he neared unconsciousness. Shacklebolt raised his wand, but lowered it at Snape's look.

Harry's head nodded and Draco slowly let go and stood up. The Slytherin offered his hand to help the Gryffindor up. Harry took it begrudgingly as he stood, taking in air in painful gasps. Draco gripped the hand tightly as he drew Harry's arm painfully up his back. “Never, ever again take anything out on Hermione. You have any problems with us, come to me with it.” He pulled it up tighter to emphasize his words. “Got it Potter?”

“Yes,” Harry spat out, and Draco let him go. Slowly, Harry straightened up, wincing as he did so. With the back of his hand, he gingerly wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. Ginny rushed over to Harry, conjuring up a wet cloth to wipe his face clean off the sweat and quietly admonishing him for fighting with Malfoy. She gave Draco a reproachful glare from across the room as she fussed over her boyfriend.

Hermione looked at Draco, not knowing what to do. His gray eyes gazed deeply into her brown ones, challenging her to once again close the gap between them. It had to be her decision to walk over, to show Potter and the others it was her choice, not him forcing her. As the seconds seem to pass like hours , he waited. His heart skipped a beat as her feet moved slowly closer to him, an uncertain look in her eyes. He took a painful step towards her. “Careful of the ribs,” He moaned out as her arms went around him, almost collapsing from the pain.

Tonks and Remus went to Harry to help heal his wounds. Shacklebolt walked over to Draco to check his ribs. A few spells and potions later, the boys looked a little less for wear, though it would take a few days before Draco's ribs completely healed.

Severus Snape stood and clapped his hands slowly. “Good job, both of you. Now if you can do that to the enemy instead of your allies, we'll stand a chance.”