=== May 18 1996 ===
Malachi had come every sunday since break, taking time to work with Neville and Hannah before concentrating on Harry and teaching him how to control the sword.
Now Harry and Hermione stand on one side of the crystal pedestal, while Malachi stands on the other. He summons the dark blade and places it on the pedestal.
"I'm going to insist that you take a break from training after today." Malachi says. "Monday you'll start reviewing for your O.W.L.s."
Both the teens nod as he continues. "Your O.W.L.s determine what classes are available to you next year, which in turn determines your career choices."
"I'm nervous and excited at the same time." Hermione says.
"You are both good students. I have every bit of faith that you will both do well."
"Thank you." Harry says. "Now, let's find out if I'm ready."
"Go ahead then." Malachi says.
Harry wraps hand around the dark weapon. 'You again!' Atrunant says. 'Trying again?' The voice laughs.
'This time I'm taking control, you will help me!' Harry commands
'Much better, what do you need me for?' Atrunant asks.
'I need to destroy a prophecy.' Harry replies as he feels the sword try to go through his memories but the back of his neck burns slightly as the runes stop it.
At the same time Harry lifts the blade from its resting spot. "We're ready."
###
Harry and Hermione walk up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. "The Potters, to what do I owe this visit?" Dumbledore asks.
"We need you to arrange a visit to the Hall of Mysteries, our intent is to destroy the prophecy." Harry explains.
"I will go talk to the Minister." Dumbledore says.
"Thank you." Hermione replies.
#####
Hannah steps into the Defense classroom, Malachi sitting at a desk. "You asked to see me, Professor?"
"I have something for you." Malachi says as pulls out a beautiful wakizashi from beneath the desk and hands it to Hannah. The sheath and handle are both brown, with yellow accents.
Hannah carefully takes the blade and draws the blade from the sheath. As she examines the blade she notices the Damascus pattern seems to shift as she moves it. "It's beautiful."
"I call it Mujina." Malachi says.
"Mujina?" Hannah asks.
"A mythological japanese shape-shifting badger." Malachi explains.
"Never heard of it." Hannah says.
"Hermione will get the reference." Malachi says.
Hannah chuckles. "Most likely."
"It has the ability to shift into anything your mind wills." Malachi explains.
"Any weapon or anything?" Hannah asks.
"Anything that you can hold in your hands." Malachi answers. "As much as you liked to experiment with weapons I wanted to let you continue to do just that."
"I'm honored." Hannah says.
"Now, if you allow me to tattoo your hand I'll teach you how to summon it, just like Hermione can summon her daggers."
Hannah carefully sheaths Mujina and holds out her right hand. "Let's do this."
=== May 20 1996===
Why they even bothered calling it a study group anymore is beyond Harry's knowledge. Every single student in their year was sitting in the library. Much to the Potters' surprise Madam Pince volunteered to babysit the twins for the study sessions.
Hermione steps in front of everyone. "As many of you know I've spent what little free time I've had this year working with our professors. Each one of them has been wonderful. On the table behind me you will find study guides for every class except arithmathy and divination. The professors will be handing those out in class."
== May 27 1996 ===
The first day of their O.W.L.s and Hermione is on edge. "Mione, I can literally feel you jittering through our bond." Harry says as he eats breakfast.
"How are you not nervous?" Hermione asks.
"You're nervous enough for us both." Harry says.
"Mister and Missus Potter, I need to see you in my office after breakfast." McGonagall says.
"Are we in trouble?" Hermione asks.
"No, nothing like that." McGonagall says.
Hermione nods and goes back to picking at her food. Harry puts his fork down a few minutes later. "Come on, let's go see her so maybe you'll eat something." Harry says.
"Thank you." Hermione mutters as they head to McGonagall's office and knock.
"Enter." McGonagall says and Harry and Hermione do so. "That was quick."
"Sorry," Harry says. "You made Hermione so nervous that I can't eat.'
"Yes, your bond." McGonagall says. "One of the reasons you are here." She pulls out a wooden box, and removes the top. "These are specially made to temporarily block your bond."
"Block our bond?" Hermione asks.
"The Wizarding Examination Committee has deemed that your bond could be used for cheating and has asked you to wear these." McGonagall says.
"I honestly hadn't thought of that." Harry admits.
"Me either." Hermione says. "So in the interest of fairness."
McGonagall pulls two bracelets out of the box and places one onto each of their non-wand arms. "I have one more thing to ask of you."
"What's that?" Hermione asks.
"Rowena Ravenclaw's Grimoire." McGonagall says. "I need you to place it in the box."
"I can just summon it again." Hermione says.
"Not from this box." McGonagall says. "This is a null box, anything inside it can not be affected by outside forces."
"I can't give it up." Hermione says.
"Missus Potter, they won't let you take the tests unless you do this." McGonagall says
"What if something happens and I need it?" Hermione asks.
"During the test?" McGonagall asks.
"I can come get it immediately after testing?" Hermione asks.
McGonagall nods. "And I can remove the bracelets, we just have to do it everyday before any testing."
Hermione sighs and summons the grimoire then puts it in the box. "There."
=== June 7 1996===
"I'm exhausted." Hermione says as she sits on a couch, Rowena's grimoire held tight in her arms.
"Me too." Harry says as he sits beside her. "No offense, Mione but I'm tested out."
"None taken." Hermione says. "Even I'm glad they're over."
"Can we get that in writing?" Ron asks as he and Lavender sit on another couch nearby.
Hermione sighs. "Tell you what, you get the parchment and quill and I'll write it down."
"Yeah, I'm good." Ron says.
"How does everyone feel they did?" Lavender asks.
"Really good, Hermione's guides had made me feel really prepared." Harry answers.
"Me too. Those things were a lifesaver." Lavender says.
"Same here." Ron says. "Hermione?"
"It was strange, I had no problem with the written test, but for some reason when it came to the practical exam I kept wanting to summon Rowena's grimoire." Hermione answers, holding the book up. "So I hesitated every time, hopefully that doesn't hurt me."
Amanda comes into the common room. "We have a problem."
"What is it?" Hermione asks, dismissing the grimoire.
"It's kind of private." Amanda says, looking around at the other students.
Hermione gets up and follows Amanda to her and Draco's room. "Draco?" Hermione asks.
Amanda nods. "He was summoned by You-know-who. He's demanding something."
Hermione nods, "we knew that this was a possibility. He'll probably tell them our plans to destroy the prophecy.
"He just did." Amanda says. "He's gathering his forces, they're heading to the Ministry"
#####
'I'm heading to Dumbledore now.' Harry sends to Hermione as he gets up from the couch.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ron asks.
"Riddle's about to attack the Ministry." Harry says quietly. "I'm going to tell Dumbledore."
Ron nods and watches Harry leave before turning in Lavender. "Sounds like trouble."
#####
Harry sprints all the way to Dumbledore's office. "Headmaster!"
"He's not here." One of the portraits says.
"Damn." Harry says as he runs to McGonagall's office. "Professor!"
"Mister Potter, what seems to be the problem?" McGonagall asks.
"Riddle is going to attack the Ministry tonight." Harry explains. "He's after the prophecy."
"How do you know this?" McGonagall asks.
"We have a spy among his ranks." Harry answers.
McGonagall nods. "Gather whomever is going with you. You can leave as soon as we get word he's there."
"Shouldn't we get there first?" Harry asks.
"Only if you want him to know you have a spy." McGonagall says. "This way he'll just think you were waiting for him to make his move"
Harry nods and goes back to the common room. "We're all going with you." Ron says.
"I'll take anyone who can freely use magic." Harry says.
"Harry, you've been training the rest of us all year." Lavender says.
"I've been training you to defend yourselves if the situation comes to it." Harry says. "You're talking about purposely putting yourselves in danger, that's something entirely different."
"We're still going." Lavender says.
"No," Malachi says, having come into the room when they were arguing. "This is not a game. I will take The Potters, and no other students."
"What about us?" Fred asks.
"We're of age," George says.
"And ready to fight." Fred finishes.
Malachi looks at Harry and Hermione. "They could be useful as a distraction." Hermione says.
"We finished or Newts," Fred says.
"So we're not technically students." George finishes.
"Then I can't stop you from coming along." Malachi says. "Let's go."
"You heard him." Hermione says as she, Harry. Fred and George leave the room.
Malachi goes to follow them, but stops at the common room door. "Just in case you are thinking of following us. I took the liberty of inscribing the door with temporary runes so it can only be opened from the outside for the next 12 hours." He shuts the door behind him.
"Thank you." Hermione says. "Now we can focus on the task at hand."
Malachi leads them to McGonagall's office where she is waiting. "I just got word from Mundungus, a group of Death Eaters have been spotted entering the Ministry."
"Let's go." Harry says as he grabs a handful of floo powder. "Ministry of Magic!"