“Thanks for coming,” Harry said with a grin, gesturing everyone over to the table. Ron and Ginny had been called home several days ago, and he was frankly enjoying not being under constant scrutiny.

“Why’d you need to meet with us, Harry? Is it something to do with DA?” Hermione asked, glancing at the assembled group.

“Yes, the fact is that once we start up the new DA, it’s going to be a lot bigger than last time. We’re going to be meeting more often, and I’m going to need help with all the extra year’s classes. I’d like you to help me.”

“How are we going to help?” Neville asked, glancing around the mixed group of students.

“Mostly, I need you to help teach. I’m going to be attending every lesson and will get the class started, but I might not be able to stay the entire time, I need you helping the struggling students in each class.”

“Neville, I want you and Luna working with the first, second, and third years. Padma and Susan, fourth and fifth years; Hermione, you, and I will work with the sixth and seventh years. Dean, I want you and Seamus helping with the Saturday sessions in the morning.”

“Will we be enough help? It sounds like half the school wants to attend this year.” Neville asked nervously.

“I doubt most of them are going to make it through the first few weeks. Once we’ve had a month of sessions, I’m going to offer an out to anyone who wants it, and a new contract will be signed for those who want to stay.”

“What are we going to be doing exactly that’s going to make half the school quit?” Hermione asked.

“Running, for one. Saturdays will be nothing but physical training.” Harry said grimly, “Most of magical society seem perfectly content to use their magic to do physical tasks for them, letting their bodies get out of shape. Unless you play quidditch, there are no sports or outside activities to keep the students fit.”

“How is being fit supposed to help us in the war exactly?” Padma asked.

“I did a lot of reading and studying this summer, and I found out a few facts that recent generations seem to have forgotten. Physical exercise while you’re young helps your magical core grow. The stronger the body, the stronger the magical core as long as both are exercised.”

“Really?” Neville asked.

“Yeah, it’s part of the Auror training they do with incoming members. You have to be fit enough to dodge spells fired in your direction and run after a fleeing criminal if needed. If we’re going to be able to protect ourselves and our families in the war, then we need to be just as physically fit.”

“And if they can’t keep up?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“We’ll be working in groups, the good, the okay, and the needs work. If the ones who need work don’t improve in the first month and get moved to the other groups, then they won’t be allowed to progress out of the beginner lessons either.”

“Beginner lessons?”

“Once everyone gets used to running and builds up some muscle, we’re going to start running drills to work on our speed and agility, that’s all we’re going to be doing for the first few months. The classes are going to be working to control the speed and precision of our spell-casting. Once we have that down, we’re going to work to specialize, fifth year and above will be working on learning defense, offensive spells, healing, and wards that can be cast to protect a home or even a small corner to hide in if needed.”

“What if they don’t ever make it out of the beginner lessons?”

“Then we’ll move them to non-active spell casting, such as healing, defensive warding and shields, and other passive work. I know some people just aren’t built to be active, and I’m not going to force them, but they have to at least attempt it and make an effort.”

****

Harry surveyed the gathered DA students with a grin; all looked half-awake or grumpy as he checked off each person. Once the last name was checked off, he noted that half the expected groups hadn’t bothered to even show up for the early morning session. Stuffing the scroll away, he warded his bag next to the entrance and turned back to the group with a grin.

“Okay, everyone, the point of these sessions is to start adding more physical effort to our training. Those that can’t keep up today will be moved to the remedial morning sessions until they manage a full session without tapping out.”

“What if we don’t want to do the physical sessions?” Someone asked from the back.

“Then you won’t be part of the advanced classes for DA. You have to at least prove to me you tried to improve yourself before I move someone not able to complete the physical sessions to the advanced spell sessions.” Harry said flatly, “I know not everyone wants to be physically fit or even needs to be, but you won’t be part of the combat training if you don’t. You’re welcome to attend the other sessions or focus on another area outside of combat, such as mediwizardry or warding.”

“I’m only asking that you do your best,” Harry said firmly, glancing over the crowd. “Now, the first test is running a lap around the lake; I suggest you leave your robes and bags behind. I’ll get a house elf to keep watch over everyone’s things. In the future, come dressed for exercise if you’re going to continue.”

Barely a third of the students managed to complete a single lap around the lake, and those were mostly the quidditch players. Most of the group managed halfway around, walking the rest, while the last fourth didn’t even manage a quarter of the distance at a run. Harry let the charmed parchment he’d warded near the finish line mark the last person’s time before he dismissed the groaning group. He was sure half the people there wouldn’t bother showing back up for their session next week.

“That was worse than I was thinking it was going to be.” Neville said with a groan leaning against the castle and letting the stone suck out the heat from his skin, “Does it get better?”

“Yes, you get used to the effort, but we’re going to keep increasing the distance, so it won’t exactly get easier,” Harry said with a shrug.

“You’ve done this before?” Hermione asked, gathering up their bags and handing them out.

“I ran a lot at the Dursleys, and I started running every morning this summer," he said with a shrug.

“You made it look easy, Harry,” Neville said with a huff, forcing himself up. “Are you doing anything else today?”

“I’m going to finish my run, then clean up and study in the library a bit,” Harry said with a grin.

“You’re not finished?” Neville asked, eyes bugging out slightly.

“Nev, that’s the warm-up, mate,” Harry said with a laugh, clapping him on the shoulder as he jogged off.