The Wolf's Lion ~ Harry Potter (Editing)

Chapter Twenty-One | The Day Before the Task

That day, Harry, Ariana and Hermione had skipped lunch to practice in Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration classroom.

The girls worked with Harry to perfect his execution if the Summoning Charm. He made quills and books fly towards him, but they lost their nerves half-way and dropped to the stone floor.

Harry wanted to skip Divination to continue practising, but Hermione had refused to miss Arithmancy. Ariana, on the other hand, had agreed to skive Muggle Studies, since she had lived in the muggle world her entire life and often had to correct their Professor.

Underneath the Invisibility Cloak, the pair had slipped outside. Ariana had thought it better to be outside, so she didn't accidentally destroy the room they were in with her defensive spells.

She had also told Harry about a curse that gave the victim severe Conjunctivitis. Ariana thought this was a great idea, having read that a dragon's eyes are its most vulnerable point.

As Harry worked in his charm, Ariana perfected a spell that would create a wall of water in front of her, in the hope that it could take the brunt of a fiery attack instead of her.

It only took her two attempts to get it, which wasn't a surprise when you consider her extraordinary Patronus. She waved her arm in front of her and a massive wall of shimmering water stood, ready for anything.

"Ariana, that's amazing," Harry grinned, pausing from his practice.

"Yeah, it's great." Ariana flicked her wand, making the wall disappear as if it was never there. "How is your charm coming along? We will have to head up for dinner in a few minutes."

Harry looked uncertain, aiming his wand at a small piece of broken branch. "Accio," he said. The branch flew towards him, landing only a couple of inches short of his hand.

"Harry, that's great! You'll have that charm mastered by tomorrow," Ariana smiled, tucking her wand into her robes.

They journeyed back up to the school for dinner, joining Hermione. They discussed Harry's progress and the upcoming task, talking about theories and spells they could use.

Ron sat with Dean, Neville and Seamus. He didn't acknowledge Harry and Ariana at all, which would of hurt them, but they were far too preoccupied with their upcoming event.

The trio were awake much longer than the others, still watching as Harry made things soar towards him.

He was surrounded by upturned chairs, packets of Exploding Snap, books, quills and Neville's toad, Trevor.

"That's better, Harry, that's loads better," Hermione said, looking exhausted but very pleased. 

"Well, now we know what to do next time I can't manage a spell," Harry said, throwing a rune dictionary back to Hermione, so he could try again, "threaten me with a dragon. Right..." He raised his wand once more. "Accio Dictionary!" 

The heavy book soared out of Hermione's hand, flew across the room, and Harry caught it. 

"Harry, I really think you've got it!" Ariana said delightedly. 

"Just as long as it works tomorrow," Harry said. "The Firebolt's going to be much farther away than the stuff in here, it's going to be in the castle, and I'm going to be out there on the grounds..."

"That doesn't matter," said Hermione firmly. "Just as long as you're concentrating really, really hard on it, it'll come. Harry, Ariana, we'd better get some sleep... You're both going to need it." 

At that moment, Ariana spotted an unfamiliar owl hooting at the window. She and her friends looked at in confusion, so the white-haired girl opened the window and let it in.

The small Screech Owl hopped inside and held its leg out. Ariana unbound the small scroll from its leg, then watched it soar straight out of the open window.

"Who's it for?" Harry asked, turning the chairs up the right way.

"Me apparently," Ariana said, unravelling the small scroll.

Ariana,

We must be wary of what we write down, but good luck! I have faith in you.

Sirius told me about the dragons you will have to evade, try to go for its eyes. Possibly a Conjunctivitis Curse, although I trust you know this already. I'll be watching your performance. Please pass my wishes on to Harry, I know he'll do well.

Best of luck, Remus.

A broad smile stretched onto Ariana's face as she took in the delicate writing, a warm, fuzzy feeling spread in her heart.

She pushed the smile from her face, moving to help Harry replace everything he had moved.

"Who is it from?" Hermione asked, stifling a yawn.

Ariana handed the scroll to her friend, trusting her. She wouldn't usually of gave that to anyone, but Hermione and Harry had earned her trust time and time again.

"Oh, okay," Hermione hummed, trying to prevent a grin coming over her lips.

"Don't give me that look," Ariana said, raising an eyebrow. "Harry, Rem - uh - Lupin wishes you luck... Oh, just give him the scroll."

Ariana waited for the onslaught if questions from Harry, but when he opened his mouth, she beat him to the punch, "Harry, if we survive the task tomorrow, which I am sure you will, I'll answer all of your questions. For now, I'm quite tired. Goodnight."

She gave him a pat on the shoulder and headed upstairs. The other girls were sleeping, so she was able to change without having to release the curtains on her bed and sit inside there.

Hermione soon joined her, amused by the confounded expression on Harry's face after Ariana headed up to their dormitory.

They had a quiet conversation then got into their beds. Ariana lay awake for an hour before getting some disturbed sleep, the only consolation about tomorrow being that Remus would be there.