Darius wrote to Sirius about the entire incident as he felt he should know about it as soon as possible. Sirius could use his status as the Lord Black and Regent Potter to further pressure Fudge and make him toe the line. He also asked Sirius to send a Harry a Firebolt as a replacement broom for the lost Nimbus. He knew Sirius would definitely go for it.

He also asked Sirius to contact his account manager Sharptooth and the Potter manager Goldtooth to ask them to work together with his own manager Goreclaw to buy as many shares of the Bolt company as possible. He knew he should have thought of this earlier but he hadn’t considered all the business opportunities he had before. Of course, he had invested in the Weasley twins which was definitely going to be a success but that didn’t mean he couldn’t go after other companies. Bolt brooms was new in the market which was still mainly dominated by the Nimbus and the Cleansweeps. It was not until the world cup in the coming summer that their popularity really picked up. Buying into the company now would be a sound tactical plan and could get great returns. Of course, all these gains would become negligible in front of the newest project he was working on, if only he could get it to work. The Japanese magic texts had helped and soon enough he would have an idea on his hands which could catapult him into becoming one of the richest wizards alive.

That done, he also wrote a letter to Goreclaw himself, informing him of his plans. It would not do to have his own manager caught on the backfoot now, would it? Money matters over with, it was time to ponder on the next and much more important task. How on earth was he going to ask Mione on a date? And before the coming Hogsmeade trip, at that?

He first actual DA class for the year was held the weekend after the match. There had been a couple of open classes for the Patronus but now it was back to business as usual. There had been several new applicants since the two open classes and their club’s popularity had soared. It was known for the wide repertoire of spells taught as well as the strong inter-house unity it displayed.

Darius had finally managed to come up with a solution for the excess number of students in the club now. Taking in more students in the present groups would be too cumbersome and hinder their study rhythm but the new student couldn’t just be turned away either. So, he would continue teaching only the core group and they in turn would teach their juniors. This way, it would work out more as a peer study group that a hierarchal club and that was much better in Darius’ opinion. It would help the new students a lot and also let the old students remain in shape with their spells.

They started off the class with some basic practice and revision of last year’s classes before moving on to the next topic. By now everyone in the DA could cast at least an incorporeal Patronus and moving ahead from there could be done by practising in their own time. Today, they would start learning the intricacies of battle-transfiguration and it would likely be their topic over the next several classes.

There was an immediate uproar after that was announced, especially from those not from the old families. Those from the old families still had some concept of what sheer power could be commanded by a skilled transfiguration master but the others, not so much. After all, how could they? All they were taught in Hogwarts was turning one thing into another, not the applications of doing so. And it wasn’t Professor McGonagall’s fault either. She was trained in the old ways and would have done the same for her students except for the fact that it was the ministry that made the curriculum and they wanted the general public unaware of such potent magic.

“What do you mean by battle-transfiguration?”

“How on earth can you use transfiguration to battle?”

“I understand jinxes, hexes and curses. I even get charms. But why transfiguration?”

Darius decided to put a stop to this post-haste. He could not have the students dissing one of the most important subjects willy-nilly and not giving their full-attention to it.

“I understand all your doubts, I really do. After all I had the same doubts when I first started learning it. Maybe it would help you understand better if I gave a few examples of its applications.

How would you react when faced with an unforgivable being fired at you? You can’t block it with magic, and you might not have the time or the physical reflexes required to dodge it in time. Do you just roll over and give up? Of course, not! Your best bet would be to transfigure the ground into a shield or wall to physically stop the attack. If you are capable enough, you can directly conjure something solid into the path of the curse, another application of transfiguration.

Let’s say you are faced with a superior magician. He/she knows more spells than you and has greater magical power as well. A simple way out of the situation is to use transfiguration as a distraction and take him/her out then. For instance, transfiguring a stone into a dog and getting it to bite the opponent from behind is pretty much guaranteed to get you the distraction you need.

There is a magical shield known as Aegis. A combination of transfiguration, conjuration and charms. I have been practising it since I first learnt it a while ago. Not to boast, but you all know my talent in the field of DADA but I still haven’t managed to perfect it. Transfiguration is a subject you can’t just master. There is always something you can improve further. Remember these words, not everyone who learns transfiguration is a powerhouse but every powerhouse is a master at transfiguration.”

The students were looking at Darius slack-jawed as they heard and saw the extensive use of transfiguration personally. Darius had been performing the magical feats as he spoke of them, finishing off with the still incomplete Aegis, which despite that fact was an impressive sight. The Aegis he formed had several rocks rotating around him, serving as physical barriers along with several magical barriers, both visible and invisible.

“Fifty points to Gryffindor for a brilliant explanation of transfiguration and its battle applications to your peers, Mr Icarus. I hope you don’t mind but I will certainly be using some of your examples to impress upon future students, the sheer versatility transfiguration is capable of. And another thirty points for an exceedingly impressive display of the Aegis, particularly admirable at your age.”

Darius whirled around to see Professors McGonagall and Lupin on chairs at the corner of the hall. The various teachers had grown to trust Darius to teach properly and barely interfered in the classes, so he had nearly forgotten about their presence in the hall. He accepted the praise with a gracious nod but still couldn’t help from blushing at the unexpected praise from the strict transfiguration mistress. It wasn’t every day that Professor McGonagall smiled at and praised someone.

The class continued after that and everybody started practising their transfiguration skills. Most of the students were barely proficient at it though. Darius’ long-term practice as well as frequent perusal of older books had developed hi skills to a whole new level compared to his peers. He had to continuously go around teaching and advising the other students. Even Professors McGonagall and Lupin joined in when they saw how much the others were struggling. Even Mione, for all her intelligence and skill was at a barely passable level, let alone capable of battle-transfiguration. He was firm with his words at the end of the lesson.

“You have all clearly witnessed me using battle-transfiguration and I’m sorry to say that all of you are, as of yet, very far from reaching this level. Transfiguration is all about application and creativity and all of you have taken this subject far too lightly. You need to think of the subject beyond academic terms. Have any of you tried transfiguring anything outside of what is taught in class. Of course not, or we wouldn’t be having this situation today. We will be continuing today’s pattern over the next few classes. Some DADA practice followed by transfiguration practice. And the next class will be held after a month.

I suggest you all use the time wisely and brush up on your transfiguration skills. You need to set a good example for the juniors you’ll all soon be teaching. The newer members will have their lessons with you anytime in this month gap between our classes and I hope you do me proud.”

Darius asked Mione to stay back for a bit and thinking that he wanted to talk about her transfiguration skills, she hung back a bit. The teachers left first and the rest of the students left soon after. Darius waited till everyone had left before turning to Mione. Unbeknownst to them, Harry, Neville, Luna, Daphne and Hannah were peeking from the slightly ajar door. Luna must have felt something so she hung back and the others followed her example. Seeing the two of them alone together, they couldn’t help their curiosity and stayed to watch.

“Mione, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Sure, what’s up? Is it about my transfiguration skills? I never really knew how versatile it could be until today. Don’t worry, I’ll work hard to improve and put in as many hours in the RoR as needed.”

“Well, that’s great and I’d expect no less of you but that is not what I wanted to talk about.”

“Well, what is it?”, Mione asked, despite the fact that she had a feeling she knew what this was all about.”

Darius took a deep breath before he continued. And then blurted it all out in a single breath. “IwaswonderingwhetheryouwouldliketogotoHogsmeadewithme?”

“Wh-what?”

“I was wondering whether you would like to go to Hogsmeade with me?”

Mione blushed a bit and asked in a small voice. “Like a date?”

“Precisely. Mione, would you please go on a date with me?”

Hermione couldn’t help it, she squealed a bit. “That’s a definite yes. I’d love to go with you. Thanks for asking me.”

They both were happy with the end result and were grinning at each other like fools before it started getting awkward and Mione beat a hasty retreat after a loud goodbye. Unbeknownst to them, the five outside had heard nearly everything and were grinning widely at each other. Only a blind person wouldn’t know they were both into each other and were a good couple together. There were many bets running on how soon they would go on a date and get into a relationship.

Harry was the first to speak up. “They finally got together! It was starting to get painful, watching them dance around the topic like that.”

Daphne countered, “Yes, it’s great that he asked her on a date but it’s not over yet. He still has to ask her to be his girlfriend.”

Neville also had to put his two knuts in. “It’s only a matter of time. In fact, I don’t get what took them so long. And they are acclaimed as the smartest witch and wizard of the generation!!”

Hannah and Luna gave equally empathetic nods at that. All of them were rooting for the couple and wanted to see them together. They parted soon after but Harry and Neville hung back a bit. They had some planning of their own to do.

Neville began this time. “So, we go for it?”

“Yeah, of course. I mean, even Darius managed to ask out Mione, we should get our acts together as well.”

“It’s easier said than done. I tried twice and shrunk back at the last moment twice.” Neville said, visibly depressed.

“What are you worried about? I’ve got it much worse. Think about my situation.” Harry looked even more morose than Neville, if that was possible.

“Nah, that would have been true before the DA but we both got much better chances now.”

“Anyway. Let's go for it soon. We have about a week till the Hogsmeade trip and the worst-case scenario would be if someone else gets there first.”

“Yeah, we don’t need others meddling in an already difficult situation. Best of luck!”

“The same to you. Let’s hope we come out of this successful.” Harry said with a final grin.

“Yeah!!”