Harry Potter and the Dark Pheonix

Disclaimer: Oh you know I don't own anything…..poor me

Diagon Alley and Dances

Before anyone could say anything else, Parvati started asked them questions, like “How did a Hippogriff get in here?” and “What do you mean you flew to Hagrid's?”

So, with a heavy sigh Harry began to explain everything.

“Well, Parvati, it all started when my father was at school. He was friends with Sirius Black.”

“The murderer?" Parvati interjected.

“Er…yeah, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Lupin was already a werewolf and went to the Shrieking Shack to transform every full moon, that's why people think it's haunted. Anyway, protecting the passageway to the shack was the Whomping Willow. My father and friends soon discovered Lupin's secret and set off to become Animagi.”

“That's pretty hard, isn't it?” Parvati again interrupted.

“Yeah, it is Parvati, but Harry's Dad and Sirius were really smart, top of the class” Ron said, beaming at Harry.

“Well they managed it, and produced `The Marauders Map'. It's a map that shows the entire layout of the castle and where everyone is at all times. Anyway they went through school and eventually joined the Order of the Phoenix. But Peter Pettigrew was working as a double agent. He had already pledged allegiance to Voldemort.”

“That rotten troll!” Parvati bursted out.

“That's not the worst part,” Ginny told her.

“No, it's not. Anyway, my parents were marked for death and went into hiding, in fear for their own lives. Everyone thought Sirius was their secret keeper, but he had convinced them to use Peter. Peter had sold them out to Voldemort when I was a year old. When he found my parents' house in ruins, Sirius confronted Peter in plain view of Muggles, but Peter gained the upper hand. Before Sirius could curse him, he had transformed into a rat. A rat that hid in Ron's family as Scabbers.”

“Your pet rat, betrayed Harry's family?" Parvati shot at Ron.

“We didn't know!” Ron retorted, feeling hurt.

“No one but Sirius and Peter knew, Parvati. Anyway Sirius escaped from Azkaban as you know and traveled to Hogwarts. After he was captured by Snape, Dumbledore told me and Hermione to use her time turner to save him.”

“You have a time turner Hermione?” Parvati asked, shocked.

“Only for that year. I had way too many classes, and Professor McGonagall talked to the Ministry and let me have one.” Hermione replied.

“Anyway we saved Buckbeak, who was innocent, and flew him to save Sirius, who fled with Buckbeak that night, and stayed here when Voldemort returned to power.” Harry finished, shocked that he managed to get through the story without faltering.

Parvati started another question when Ginny interrupted and said, “We should let Harry and Hermione sleep.”

They silently left and Hermione kissed Harry goodnight before going over to her bed. Harry fell onto his, exhausted, falling asleep instantly.

He was wakened later that night by Mrs. Weasley calling them down to dinner. Harry got up to put his glasses on and saw that Ginny had also come in for a nap. Hermione woke her up and they went down to dinner together.

“Parvati has been asking Ron about all your adventures Harry,” Ginny told them, “I got bored so I went to see if you two were awake.”

“So, Ginny, have you received word from Dean yet?” Hermione asked her.

“Mmmm, yeah, he said he wants to sit with me on the Hogwarts Express,” Ginny told them blushing. A flushed Ginny led the way into the dining room, where Harry had earlier spoken to Lupin. Hermione enquired why they were eating here, receiving a reply from Ginny that Mr. Weasley was coming with big news and the Order felt like a formal dinner.

“Does that mean Snape will…?” Harry started.

“It most certainly does, Potter,” a cold voice from behind Harry said. “And it would be courteous if you called me Professor from now on. If you want to stay in my Potions class that is?” Snape told him, with vindictive pleasure.

Harry was about to retort, but thought better of it, as he needed to pass Snape's potions class to become an Auror. They sat down for the meal, which was the most delicious thing Harry had ever eaten (and that's saying something after the Hogwarts Feasts). During dinner, Snape and the other members of the order talked about known Death eaters and such, as if to invite Harry, Ron or Hermione to ask. They knew better than this however and kept silent, not needing to be told that they were too young. After a delicious dessert, Mrs. Weasley ushered them off to bed, the only protest coming from Ginny who wanted to talk to the twins about something.

“You need your sleep, we're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow for your school things and I want no misbehavior. From anyone,” she added as an afterthought, looking at Harry and Hermione.

“Ron, does your mother hate us now?” Harry asked.

“No mate, she just was worried is all, you know, flying off like that. Scared her, it did. No one knew where you were,” Ron answered, his ears going slightly pink. They entered their bedroom with a sense of joy. Diagon Alley meant school wasn't too far away, which meant that Quidditch and the DA were getting closer. Harry felt a smile cross his face as he thought of this. His 6^th year at Hogwarts was going to be good.

They awoke the next morning a dressed hurriedly, not knowing how they were getting to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry stole a quick talk to Ron about the previous day.

“Hey, Ron…er sorry that we…didn't invite you along, sorta a spur of the moment type thing,” Harry said with a very apologetic tone in his voice.

“It's okay mate, besides you and Hermione usually end up doing stuff with out me. Just don't forget me completely, okay?”

“Ron…I could never forget you, mate, you…you're my best friend.”

“Glad to know mate, anyway, we better be off to Diagon Alley,” Ron said, a flush spreading across his face. Harry and Ron never really spoke much on feelings and that, but Harry didn't want to leave Ron out. Following him down the stairs, he saw Mrs. Weasley waiting for them.

“Hurry Ron, and you too, Harry dear, don't want to dawdle, do we? Come now,” she said as she hurried them out of the house and onto the street.

“Er…Mum, we're not walking are we?” Ron asked.

“No dear, your father's bringing some cars from work. We'll be driving there and back. It shouldn't be too long a wait now.”

Despite her reassurances, they waited for about twenty minutes before Mr. Weasley turned up with two Ministry cars. Harry and Hermione went to the front most car, while the others went to the second. They all climbed in and drove through London toward the Leaky Cauldron. The trip was long and rather boring. Mrs. Weasley shared the car with them and took the opportunity to talk about the day before. She wasn't shouting, but managed to make them feel really guilty about taking Buckbeak without asking first.

When they arrived at the Leakey Cauldron, Mrs. Weasley tried to get them all to walk with her into the shops. Ginny was the loudest protester, so Mrs. Weasley said, “Fine, we'll go to Gringotts, I'll get you some gold, and you can buy what you need. But so help me if you forget anything.”

As they were milling around the Gringotts foyer, Ginny let slip that she was meeting Dean at the ice cream shop. Ron predictably tried to steer her off this course of action, saying things like `Mum wants me too look after you' and `What do you see in him anyway? Harry was at least good looking'. Ginny, furious at her brother's statements, tore off straight after Mrs. Weasley had given her some gold for school supplies.

Harry wanted to walk around Diagon Alley alone with Hermione but she insisted in staying with Ron and Parvati, saying something about not treating Ron fairly, or forgetting about him. So they walked around Diagon Alley. While looking at the new Quidditch supplies, new robes and books, they all noticed that a lot of the witches and wizards were acting very nervously; almost like they expected Death Eaters to jump out and attack them at any moment. Eventually disregarding this, they continued to amble through the busy shops. Before long they had pretty much everything except new ingredients for potions.

“I thought you'd given that up, Harry,” Parvati said as they entered the store.

“Yeah, two more years with Snape. You'll be lucky to be alive,” Ron followed on.

“Oh seriously Ronald, Professor Snape won't be that bad. It's our N.E.W.T.s after all,” Hermione said, sounding offended that Ron still wouldn't forgive Snape. Harry was looking worried, but bought his potion ingredients and they stepped into the afternoon sunlight.

“Why look! Potty and Weasel King have girlfriends, how cute,” Malfoys' snide voice came at them from their left.

“Yeah Draco, how embarrassing, Potty and a mudblood, and poor Parvati, with him,” Pansy Parkinson shot at them, venom in her voice. Turning, Harry saw that Draco looked smug as usual, but sort of run down. His normal clean and pressed robes had a certain shabbiness about them, nothing like what Professor Lupins' had, but still. Remembering that his father was in Azkaban, Harry snorted.

“So not having Daddy around really showing, is it Malfoy?” Harry told him, indicating his robes.

“Shut your mouth, Potter,” Pansy retorted as she took Malfoy's hand and led him away.

“So, she didn't leave him after all,” Hermione said, sounding amazed. “I mean after the fight they had on the Hogwarts Express at the end of last year…” This was news to Harry and he pressed for information, but before he could get anything out of her, Dean and Ginny had turned up, hand in hand.

“Hey guys, how's it going?” Dean said cheerfully. Harry noticed Ron's ears getting red, however so did Ginny, who shot him a reproachful look.

“Er…fine, Dean, what are you guys up to?” Harry asked, trying to get the conversation ended so Ron didn't explode.

“Oh, you know, school stuff, just got to get Ginny here some potions stuff. Poor thing, still got Snape for another year,” Dean said, with sympathy written across his face. Harry thought this might calm Ron down, but how wrong he was. His ears now looked to be on fire, and he was biting his lip to stop himself.

“Well, we better get them, er, see you later.” Before anyone could say anything in response, a blushing Ginny pulled Dean inside the Apothecary.

After they were a safe distance away Ron exploded. “I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SNEAK, GOING OUT WITH GINNY…”

“Better him than some others,” Hermione reassured him.

“Who else was there? It was only Harry,” Ron said, still fuming.

“Well…no not exactly, umm Ron, Malfoy…he well, he fancied your sister…” Parvati told him, obviously trying to soften the blow.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN `FANCIED MY SISTER'?” Ron shouted again, losing all composure. Witches and wizards from all around were staring at them now.

“Well, that's what Pansy and Malfoy were fighting about on the train, Ron,” Hermione told him. Seeing this as a reasonable answer, Ron turned his attention onto inflicting pain on Malfoy. Harry, who immensely enjoyed this subject just nodded approval, even offering some of his own. They stopped however, when Mrs. Weasley, Dean and Ginny caught up to them.

“What's he doing here, Mum?” Ron asked indicating Dean, who was blushing.

“Oh, I invited him to stay for the remainder of the summer. Ginny's been feeling left out with you lot, so…” She left her explanation hanging as she noticed that Ginny's face now was redder then her hair.

“So, should we visit Fred and George now, Mum?” Ginny asked, her voice sounded weak and strained.

“Oh yes, yes I think they'll be waiting for us.” Mrs. Weasley led them to a two story green building directly opposite Nockturn Alley. They entered and to their surprise, they saw Lee Jordan behind the counter.

“Harry, Ron, how are you?” Lee shouted, completely bewildering an elderly customer, who was presumably buying his grandchildren presents. “Fred and George are upstairs, go on ahead.”

Mrs. Weasley led the way upstairs. She pushed open the door and ushered for her children, as well as Harry, Dean, Parvati and Hermione to enter. Harry noticed that Fred and George had decorated their office so it resembled the Gryffindor Common Room, except that it had a weird tally, presumably for their work within the Order.

“Hey Mum, ah, you brought the whole clan along,” George said from across the room, pulling of a chameleon cloak.

“And one extra,” Fred continued, indicating Dean.

“That couldn't be little Deany Thomas?”

“You two said you'd give that up,” Ginny said, sounding hurt. After what George said, the pleasantries were taken care of, and they then sat down for tea. Harry was enjoying this. It had obviously kept Ron off the subject of Draco and Ginny. He had a chance to catch up with the twins, who were very successful, even once or twice offering to pay Harry back the thousand Galleons. He had to flat out refuse, in front of Mrs. Weasley before their generosity died down. After a brief goodbye, Mrs. Weasley ushered them out into Diagon Alley, and Harry found Malfoy smirking about something. He tore his gaze away and before Harry knew it, he was driving back to Number 12 Grimmald Place.

The trip back was more entertaining than the trip to Diagon Alley. Ron kept shooting Dean threatening looks and receiving scolding glares from Parvati and Ginny. Harry, who never really got to know Dean that well, was asking him about school and Ginny and other stuff about his life. One topic that engaged Ron's interest was how Dean and Ginny started together.

“Well, it sorta started in the DA, I just noticed how…” Dean stared blushing furiously. “Well how good looking she is, and then when she was playing seeker, well I, my heart was in my throat when she made those catches. I always asked her about them, but she was modest. Probably so she didn't insult you Harry. Well I waited and waited till she was single and I asked her if she would fancy going to Hogsmeade with me. And well…” Both Ginny and Dean were beat red now. “Well we're together.”

As Dean finished, Ron let out a load snort, which got looks of disgust from all the girls, including Mrs. Weasley. They all went into Grimmald Place and brought their schoolbooks into their room. Ron was just about to interrogate Dean about Ginny again when Parvati told him that they had just left, wishing to look around alone. Ron was obviously angry at this news but said nothing of it. Harry caught Ron's eye and lead him to the balcony.

“Look mate, Ginny, well she is growing up and Dean won't do anything stupid, and at least he isn't a git like Malfoy.” Ron laughed in response, but only half-heartedly. He looked at Harry smiled, saying, “Look mate, last year…well before you came to Grimmald Place…I…well me and Hermione, we were getting kinda close, then well…I started liking Parvati… just don't hurt her, okay?” Harry felt really wrong footed. It was like Harry was getting Ron's blessing to be with Hermione. Not for the first time, Harry thought Ron felt more for Hermione than he was letting on, and shaking his head, he smiled.

“Sure Ron, I'll try to never hurt her,” Harry said a deep flush appearing across his face. This was the first time he and Ron had ever really talked about girlfriends, with Hermione being thought as one of them.

The next few days passed without any major events, well no more major than numerous Order members coming and going, all seeming anxious about something. Whenever Harry or the others tried to pry about whatever the Order was doing, they seemed to be led around in circles, and fed different information from the same people.

So after five days of going around in circles, Ron said he had enough and went on to study for the coming year. Over the next few hours, the others gave up. Hermione, on the other hand wouldn't. Everyone but Ginny was shocked about Hermione, not studying. But Ginny explained, “When Hermione wants to know something, she will find out, no matter what.”

“Just like S.P.E.W,” Harry and Ron both joked, but Ginny just shrugged and went on to reading her potions book. The day before they were due on the Hogwarts Express, a tawny school owl arrived with six letters.

“What's all this about?” Ron asked as he took the letters from the owl.

“They wouldn't be giving us new book lists would they?” Dean said, sounding fearful.

“Of course not,” Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Harry looked at his letter, wondering what Hogwarts would have to say this late in the holidays. Opening his letter he read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

Because of overwhelming demand, there has been another school ball scheduled. It will be taking place on New Years Eve. If you do not have Dress Robes there will be a portkey set up for Diagon Alley. This is only to get dress robes, not anything else. If a student is found in Diagon Alley not getting robes, there will be disciplinary action.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry read his letter three times over before breaking out into a flush, stealing a glance at Hermione to see if she was thinking what he was. Another ball…Harry hated dancing, but Hermione seemed to love it last time. Maybe he could get lessons on dancing before New Years Eve. But how would Harry manage that without making Hermione suspicious. Harry wanting to talk to her, but she, Ginny and Parvati were already talking animatedly. Harry glanced over and guessed they were discussing the dance. Harry caught Ron's eye and they went to walk out and Dean quickly following behind them.

“Why do girls have to be so giggly?” Ron asked, Dean and Harry both exchanged glances and shrugs. The girls spent the rest the day chatting and trying on their old (thought they only used them two years ago, hardly old) formal robes. Meanwhile, Dean came up with a plan on learning to dance. Instead of going to Hogsmeade, they would stay at school, find a classroom, and practice. Harry was all for this idea, as he wanted Hermione to be happy about the dance, not get sore toes. But Ron on the other hand couldn't seem to get over not going to Hogsmeade.

“But Parvati wants me with her at Hogsmeade,” Ron said, pleading.

“Well, can you dance well, Ron?” Dean asked.

“Er…well…not well, but…well I guess Parvati wouldn't really mind…if I can't dance…”

“Well if you're sure,” Harry said with a small smile.

That night at dinner, Mrs. Weasley was fussing over the subject of the dance, asking the boys if the needed any Galleons for new dress robes, if their old ones fit, if they went with their dates' robes; questions that Harry wouldn't have thought about until most likely a week before the dance, which made him, in Hermione's opinion, a `typical boy'.

After dinner, they went into the bedroom. Harry knew that sleep would be hard to come by that night. The girls would stay up talking about the dance while the boys would listen and hopefully learn how not to disappoint them. This, Harry found, would be harder than ever. Parvati warned Hermione that Harry, though while all right, didn't fancy twirling around the room, dance after dance after dance. This made Harry blush. He knew Hermione would eventually find out how Harry felt about dances, but now. How would Harry get out of it now? Hermione would make Harry like this dance he just knew it. Grrr, life was unfair. He didn't want to have to go to this stupid dance. Maybe if he just told Hermione that. She would respect his feelings…right?

The next morning Hermione woke Harry up. She strode over to him, her face alight in the morning sun.

“Ugh…hey,” Harry said, wiping sleep out of his eyes.

“Hey yourself, I packed for you, so you could sleep in,” she said smiling. Harry felt a wave of relief wash over him; he wouldn't have to scuff around all morning finding his books.

“Uh…thanks, you packed?”

“Wha? Oh yeah I packed when we got back from Diagon Alley.” Harry got up and pulled Hermione into a hug, she smiled as he let go.

“See you at breakfast,” she called to him as she closed the door.

Sitting up in his bed, he realized that he would have to get dressed. Hermione had packed his trunk without thinking, or did she? Harry looked over and he had clothes hanging up, ready for him to get dressed. Harry smiled when he saw what clothes Hermione had picked for him; Harry would have never worn what Hermione had organized. But seeing as she did, Harry sighed and pulled on the clothes. He felt odd, but hey, at least he didn't look like Malfoy. Harry smiled to himself as he walked down for breakfast.

“There you are, Harry dear.” Mrs. Weasley beamed at him, “Hermione here said you would be down shortly, what would you like? Kippers, toast…?”

“Just er toast, thanks,” Harry said, still a bit groggy from sleep. Lupin looked at him and smiled. Harry returned the smile, and looking around, he saw Dean and Ginny were talking quietly over there breakfast, Ron and Parvati held hands while eating cereal, Fred and George were joking with Mundungus and Tonks, Lupin was sitting near Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking about the Order most likely, and Hermione was sitting next to him. As their eyes met she beamed at him. Harry felt himself blush and continued to eat his toast. As he finished, Harry thought of another person who should be at the table, Sirius Black. This was after all, his family's table. Sighing Harry got up.

“Er…I'm going to make sure I've packed everything,” Harry announced.

“But Harry…” Hermione started, but a look from Harry cut her off. Climbing the stairs, he realized he was not alone.

“It's Sirius, isn't it?” Hermione asked from behind him.

“Yeah,” Harry told her as he turned to face her. Tears again were building in his eyes, but before Hermione could notice them, Harry had turned and dashed into their room.

“Harry, don't hide from me…I…it won't get better if you hide from it,” Hermione said, following him into the room. Harry looked at her, hot tears falling down his face. He tried to put into words how Hermione had no idea what it felt like, how Hermione could stand there saying “It will be alright” all she wanted, but it didn't help. All Harry could muster was a whimper.

Hermione walked over to him, sat him down on his bed and held him. Harry began to feel a lot better when Hermione had reached him, but not wanting to sever the contact, he remained silent. They didn't move until Mrs. Weasley called to them that they would have to leave. Harry called for Hedwig to come into her cage and seized his trunk. As he heaved it down the stairs, Harry wondered why bringing his luggage to Platform 9 3 / 4 was always the hardest. Ron also felt this way and made it clear that he couldn't wait until he was of legal age, so that he could levitate his trunk around.

“Now Ronald, that won't help your Quidditch muscles,” Lupin said from behind them. They all laughed, even Ron who's ears were turning slightly pink. Mr. Weasley, who Harry had seen very little of over the summer, had yet again managed to get Ministry cars for them to travel in. Harry, Hermione, Dean and Ginny shared a car, while Ron, Parvati, Lupin and Mrs. Weasley shared the other. Harry noticed that the trip to Kings Cross didn't take as long as usual. In fact they arrived at 10:30.

“Well at least we will be able to save some good seats,” Dean said chirpily to Ron and Hermione, who had to go to the prefects' compartment before they could sit with their friends.

Harry caught Hermione's eye and they smiled, both guessing that Ron didn't really want to travel with Dean, but what choice did he have? He also wanted to check up on Ginny. Harry and Hermione led the way to the portal divider to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. As they moved through it, Harry saw the familiar red steam engine that would take him to Hogwarts, his home for the next year. Harry smiled and caught Hermione's eye once again, causing her to blush. They pushed their luggage trolleys onward toward the engine. Harry climbed onto the train after saying his goodbyes to Mrs. Weasley, and Hermione gave him a quick hug before making her way to the prefect's cart. Ginny, Dean and Parvati found Harry three minutes later, saying they had found a compartment that could fit all of them and later Ron and Hermione. Harry found himself a seat and stared glumly out the window; and looking out to the hall occasionally when he heard some footsteps walking past. On one such occasion, he saw Cho Chang, who noticed Harry looking at her. She poked her head in to say hello, just as Hermione and Ron turned up.

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