Harry Potter and the Fight For Freedom

The rest of the week went smoothly. Harry miraculously managed not to get a detention from Snape. Saturday morning dawned bright and early. The sunlight streamed in from the window landing on Harry’s face causing him to wake up. Harry got up, went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, took a shower and then got dressed. The afternoon rolled around a Harry was hoping the Quidditch tryouts would go with no problems.
“Hey Harry,” Ron said as they were in the change rooms getting ready for tryouts
“What?” Harry said as he pulled his Quidditch robe over his head.
“Umm…just curious, but what is the date two Saturdays from now?” Ron asked
“I dunno, September eighteenth. Why?” Harry said
“Well what is September eighteenth?” Ron asked with a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.
“I don’t know. Why should I know?” Harry asked pulling on his Quidditch gloves.
“Harry how thick are you? September eighteenth, Hermione, does it ring any bells?” Ron said
“Err…no, Hermione’s birthday is September nineteenth, not eighteenth, or don’t you remember?” Harry said
“I know when her birthday is, I’m not talking about that. Okay, what happened on September eighteenth exactly a year ago?” Ron asked
Consciously unaware of what he was saying Harry answered “I asked Hermione to go out with me” Harry asked
“Exactly,” Ron nearly shouted, “I’ve been hearing Hermione talk about it with Ginny lately. She seems really excited. So I thought I would just give you a little reminder, but it looks like you needed a big one as you forgot. The only reason I gave you heads up, was because I didn’t want to see Hermione get hurt because her boyfriend forgot their first year anniversary”
What Ron was saying suddenly hit Harry like a brick. “Oh crap, I totally forgot. I owe you one mate.” Harry said hitting Ron on the back.
They grabbed their brooms and went out onto the pitch
“All right,” Harry said, “Everyone take a piece of parchment and on it write your first and last name along with your year and the position you’re trying out for.”
Harry handed Ron some pieces of parchment for Ron to hand out to the players. Five minutes later all the parchment was back in Harry’s hand. He looked through it. Looked like six people for Chasers, four for Beater, three for Keeper and two for Seeker. Wait, Harry thought, Keeper? Seeker? This is going to be a long day.
“Okay those here for Keeper and Seeker please leave, as those positions are already filled."
At these words two fifth years, one sixth year, and a third and fourth year walked out of the crowd and left the Quidditch pitch. Harry looked around and saw the familiar faces of his fellow Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Wait a minute what is going on here? “Those of you not in Gryffindor please leave, you can watch from the stands.” Harry said getting mad.
“You’re in for a hard day” Ron whispered from behind him.
“I know” Harry said gloomily “Okay, now I will sort the remaining people into teams. Danielle, Cassandra and Chris you’ll be Chaser team number one and Ginny, Hillary and Alexandra, you’ll be Chaser team number one. Brett and Tyler, Beaters team number one and Kyle and Liam, beaters team number two.”
The ten people broke into their teams and turned back to Harry for the next set of instructions.
“Ron take your position” Harry instructed and turned back to the players. “Okay, Danielle, Brett your groups are up first. Now I will time your for ten minutes, try to get as many goals as you can on Ron. Brett, Tyler, for now keep the bludger away from the players. Harry opened the Quidditch box and one bludger zoomed into the air. Harry picked up the Quaffle and threw it straight to Danielle. “Group one in the air.” Harry blew the whistle and the five players rose up into the air. They played not badly, yet not as great as Harry would have wanted. “Not bad,” Harry said ten minutes later “3 goals, seven saves, one miss on both. You two, hit the bludger eight times in total, while twelve other times it hit a player. Interesting”
Harry walked over to Ron, who was leaning on his broom a few feet away. “You’re doing well, as usual”
“Thanks mate” Ron said. “That was pretty bad wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, well I’ll let the other team up, then I’ll let team one back up and then team two, so both teams are in the air twice,” Harry said. Harry turned around and faced the players. “All right, team two your up. Let’s see what you can do in ten minutes.” Harry threw Ginny the Quaffle and the players were off.
Group two played much better, it took awhile for the two beaters to get control. At one point, Liam sent a bludger away from the players, and didn’t look where he sent. Luckily for Harry he was paying attention and ducked just in time.
“Okay that was good. You guys managed eight goals, three saves. Kyle, Liam, you two hit the Bludgers 11 times and the Bludgers hit the players three times, and almost hit me once.” Harry said
Liam turned a slight shade of red in his cheeks and ears. Harry laughed as it reminded him very much of Ron when he was embarrassed. “Okay both teams will go up in the two more times. So team one your up.”

A few hours later Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were all sitting at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.
“So Harry, what group will you pick?” Ginny asked grabbing a piece of bread and buttering it.
“You’ll see when the rest of Gryffindor finds out, okay” Harry said.
Just then Hedwig flew into the Great Hall, and descended down onto Harry’s shoulder.
“Hello Hedwig,” Harry said taking the letter she had from her.
He opened the letter and proceeded to read.
“Who’s it from?” Ron asked through a mouth full of chicken.
Hermione shot him a look and turned back to Harry.
“Professor McGonagall, she wants the three of us in her office at 6:30, and from what I can gather in the letter, the password is ‘White Bumblebee’.” Harry answered not looking up from the letter.
“Wonder what she wants with us,” Hermione said
“I guess we’ll find out tonight won’t we” Harry said.
Just the Pigwidgeon flew into the Great Hall and flew in circles above Ron’s head before being scolded and dropping the letter on Ron’s lap.
“Who’s it from?” Hermione asked.
Ron smiled, “Bill and Fleur.”
“What do they want?” Harry asked.
“Nothing really,” Ron said casually. “Just…Fleur’s pregnant.”
“Really?” Hermione asked. “Your mom must be extremely happy.”
Ron nodded, “She is.”

They spent the rest of the day in the Gryffindor common doing the mounds of homework that had been assigned by their teachers.
“Well we’d better go,” Harry said glancing down at his watch. “We’ve about five minutes. See ya later Ginny.”
Hermione and Ron got up and followed Harry out the portrait hole. After a few minutes they came to a stop in front of the stone gargoyle that hid the staircase to what was once Dumbledore’s office, but was now Professor McGonagall’s.
“White bumblebee,” Harry said
The stone gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside to reveal the hidden staircase that lead up to Professor McGonagall’s office. They headed up the staircase and down the small hallway towards the door. Harry knocked on the wooden door and McGonagall’s voice was heard from inside, “come in”. The trio entered the Headmistresses office and took their seat in the chairs in font of the desk
The office hadn’t changed much, many of Dumbledore’s possessions were still in the room and there was no sign that were going to be moved any time soon. Harry looked behind Professor McGonagall, at the portrait of Professor Dumbledore, in the golden frame. He was napping, like most of the other portraits in the room were doing, and Harry silently wished to himself that he would wake.
“Now I have much to do, so I will get to the point. The reason you three were summoned here was to talk about the extra classes you will taking this year.” Professor McGonagall said. The three seventh years just looked at each other then back to Professor McGonagall. “Harry this year you will be taking Occlumency lessons again,” McGonagall said.
“Professor, I don’t think Professor Snape will do it,” Harry suddenly said.
“I talked to Professor Snape, and you’re right, he refuses to continue Occlumency with you, he also refuses to tell me why.” McGonagall said
Harry suddenly felt slightly uncomfortable and became slightly warm around his neck.
“Harry you told us that Professor Snape said he stopped your lessons because he said you could carry on by yourself,” Hermione said accusingly
“I’ll tell you later,” Harry whispered under his breath so McGonagall couldn’t hear him.
McGonagall shot Harry a curious look and carried on.
“Luckily, Professor Hawthorn is able to teach you Occlumency giving the fact that he himself knows it and is an accomplished Legilimens, which, if your Occlumency lessons go good, you will also learn. Now Miss. Granger and Mr. Potter, Professor Snape has informed me that you two have managed to perform non-verbal spells.”
Ron sighed quietly and sunk low in his chair seeing where this was going.
“Now Mr. Weasley, unfortunately since you have been unable to perform non-verbal spells, you will be having extra lessons with Professor Snape. After two months, I you still haven’t managed to get anywhere, those lessons will end and it will be evident that you are just not capable of performing non-verbal spells, as not every witch and wizard can.”
At these words of having extra lessons with Snape, Ron face went as white as a banshee. He had had a feeling that he was going to have to take extra lessons for non-verbal spells, but having them with Snape he will learn nothing.
“Now all three of you are being given the chance to become Animagi. Whether you want to become one is your choice.” McGonagall informed.
At these words Ron’s’ color began to return and all three of them now had broad smiles on their faces.
“I thought you three would like that idea. Now of course you know that becoming an Animagus will take years, keep that in mind. Now take these and fill them out,” McGonagall said handing them each a form.
“So what animal do we become?” Ron asked
“Thank you Mr. Weasley, for finally telling me that you didn’t pay attention in my class. I defiantly remember that in your third year we studied Animagi, and if I remember correctly, last year I assigned an Animagi essay to be done over the summer.” McGonagall said.
Ron turned a pale shade of red and Harry fought to subdue a grin.
“Miss. Granger, will you kindly explain to Mr. Weasley,” McGonagall said
Hermione turned to Ron and said,” Ron we choose the animal we become, remember?”
“Oh right,” Ron mumbled slightly embarrassed
“Now, until these forms are handed into me, and then sent to the Ministry, none of you can become animagi understood?” Professor McGonagall asked.
“Yes Professor,” they all replied
“Are we allowed to tell anyone?” Harry asked
“I think it is safe to tell Miss. Weasley, but leave it at that, tell no one else of your alternate classes and make her understand that she is to tell no one else.
“Professor what about our other school work? I mean our N.E.W.T.s year,” Hermione asked
“Your teachers have been informed of the extra classes you are taking and will be a little more graceful with you. Yet that does not mean you can slack on your main courses. If that happens, your extra classes may be suspended till further notice. Tomorrow you will receive a new, altered time table, including the scheduled extra classes. Also Mr. Potter it would be wise to keep Quidditch practices down to twice a week.”
“Yes, Professor,” he replied.
“Very well, I believe that is all then, you’re dismissed.”
“Thank you Professor,” they all replied, and rose from their seats and left the office.

“Com let’s take the short cut,” Hermione said five minutes later.
While the trio was walking along the short cut, the three of them heard someone or something up ahead.
“What’s that?” Ron whispered
“I dunno, but it sounds like it’s just around the corner up ahead.” Hermione whispered back.
They rounded the corner to find Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson snogging. Malfoy had Pansy pinned to the wall with his body and his hand roamed all over her body. Hermione cleared her throat and Malfoy and Pansy broke apart abruptly.
“What are you three doing here?” Malfoy sneered at them as he stepped away from Parkinson.
“We happen to be heading to Gryffindor tower Malfoy. What are you doing here?” snapped Ron.
“Watch your tone of voice with me Weaselbee, I happen to be Head Boy,” Malfoy spat.
“I also happen to be Head Girl, Malfoy,” Hermione said with a slight hint of warning in her voice.
“Humph,” Malfoy said taking Pansy’s’ hand and walked away.
“That was quite disturbing,” Ron said continuing down the corridor with Harry and Hermione.
“Just a little,” Harry agreed.
Five minutes later they were back in the Gryffindor common room. Ginny was not in the room when they entered.
“Ginny must have gone to bed already,” Hermione said sitting down on the couch.
“So what animal do you think you’ll be?” Ron asked slouching into a chair.
“I don’t know yet, I’ll have to think about it. What about you Harry?” Hermione asked.
Harry was heading over to the stairs that led up to the boy’s dormitories, “Umm…I don’t know. I’m going to bed,” Harry said
Harry climbed the stairs and entered his dorm. He stripped down to his boxers and pulled a t-shirt on. He slipped between the cool sheets and was asleep within five minutes as the image of a black wolf prowled his mind.