ᵖʳᵒᵘᵈ ᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˢ ; ʰᵃʳᵐⁱᵒⁿᵉ ✓

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter 37 - When Plans Come Together

The three Gryffindor chasers were standing outside the twins room, hoping to go along to breakfast with them. It soon became obvious why their repeated knocks were going unanswered as the twins in question were part of a family group slowly shuffling their way along the corridor. That both Fred and George looked knackered, and were sweating buckets saw more than a few questions heading their way.

Those questions were eventually answered by Millie, wearing a wrap over her swimsuit while helping her clearly exhausted betrothed along the corridor.

"These three decided they ate far too much yesterday, so joined Harry and Dan in the gym for a workout session this morning. It's been a few weeks for all of them since they last trained, while Harry and Dan workout every day. A shower and breakfast should see them refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day."

When asked about her own attire, Millie easily explained. "When not training on Harry's beach, he and Dan use the gym here. Hermione and Emma prefer to take their exercise in the pool, I love swimming too so join them as often as I can. No one can keep up with the four of them though."

It was a baffled Katie who asked the obvious question. "Why do they train so hard?"

Leaning on his betrothed, Ron had regained enough breath to answer that. "At the start of the summer, Harry and Hermione portkeyed back to his villa covered in blood. It wasn't theirs - Death Eaters had attacked the Grangers in their own home."

Lucius Malfoy's death had been reported back in Britain. Thanks to the Prophet though, details of his actual demise had been sketchy to begin with. An article printed in the Quibbler had certainly added more truth to the matter, though their friends involvement in it was not mentioned in great detail. That House Potter declared blood feud on the houses of Malfoy and Parkinson had grabbed all the headlines back home.

"On his birthday, Harry again arrived there bloody, only this time he was the one doing the bleeding. Harry took a curse to his shoulder saving Sirius's life in the Wizengamot chamber, the curse was intended to kill his Godfather. At Halloween the four of them raced out of the Institute to save our father from Voldemort - rescuing him and sending Granny V packing. Let's not forget the tournament at Hogwarts, and all that's in the last six months alone. That's why they train so hard, to be ready for whatever comes next."

Ron felt a hand on his shoulder, giving a supporting squeeze for his explanations. He turned his head to discover Harry and Hermione standing beside him.

Harry appeared just as sweaty as the trio of Weasley's but in nowhere near their state of distress and exhaustion. Hermione was in similar attire to Milli and smiled as her betrothed spoke with their friends.

"You three did really well in the gym today. Dipping in and out of training more frequently will certainly improve your fitness - without feeling like you're about to keel over any second." The twins managed a grin, or grimace, at that before Harry addressed his former chaser teammates.

"The children will be returning back to London before New Year, give everyone at the Institute the chance to prepare for the new term. You have the option of joining them, to spend New Year with your families, or staying here and portkeying back to Hogwarts for the opening feast."

Taking over seamlessly, Hermione continued with their offer. "You are all staying in guest quarters, which won't interfere with getting the Institute ready for our returning students. We also want to arrange a trip to Naples, to give you the full Institute experience."

With all three Weasleys, and Milli too, heartily recommending that option, the trio of chasers quickly agreed - and promised to pass that news around the rest of the Hogwarts visitors. As the group broke up, Harry couldn't help but smile at Hermione's comment over their rings. 'I don't think they'll have any trouble convincing Cedric to stay longer.' Harry's reply had both of them smiling as they headed back to get their showers and collect Joan.