Chapter Three---The First Attacks
Mr. Weasley sighed and stood up, "Tonks and I must get to the Ministry. The rest of you stay here. Molly, stay alert."
The two left hurriedly, Mr. Weasley shoving a last bit of the pie into his mouth.
Mrs. Weasley glanced around as if to count if everyone was here, "Okay, children, once you finish your meals, go upstairs and sleep. I don't want you worrying either. This won't happen to us. We are Unplottable and it's impossible to get here unless Dumbledore invites them in."
The children nodded, still looking extremely apprehensive. Harry finished his pie hurriedly and motioned for Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George to follow him into his room. Sulking, Ginny went into her own room alone.
"I can't believe it," said Ron, when they entered his and Harry's room.
"I can," said Harry grimly, "there's no reason for Voldemort to sit quiet anymore. The Ministry's acknowledged his return and he failed in getting the Prophecy. What else is there to wait for?"
The four shrugged and George said, "This is going to be really bad for business. Nobody will step out of their houses anymore."
"It's just as dangerous inside their houses as out," Hermione pointed out.
Fred just shook his head, "The reasonable ones will think that. Most of the others will just panic and stay home even though that's probably more dangerous."
"Well," said George, "we're off to bed. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
They Disapparated and the trio was left staring at each other.
"At least we're safe," said Ron.
"I just hope no one we know dies," said Harry worriedly.
Hermione nodded and sat closer to Harry.
"Let's talk about something else," Ron suggested.
"Yeah," said Harry, "can you believe that we're gonna have these private lessons with Kingsley?"
"Yeah, they sound really cool, whatever they are," said Ron, "and Dumbledore called us 'three of the most amazing students' he's ever had. Bet Mum was proud of that."
Harry nodded and then said, "Along with D.A., I'm going to have only two nights free each week."
Hermione grimaced, "Yeah, and we're probably going to have a lot of homework this year."
"Good thing I only have to take six classes this year," said Harry.
"Damn! We should've asked Dumbledore what our other class was going to be," said Ron, snapping his fingers together almost angrily.
Harry nodded fervently.
"Anyway, I'm gonna sleep. See you guys tomorrow," Ron said, flopping onto his bed and he began snoring almost immediately.
"Are you all right, Harry?" asked Hermione.
Harry had suddenly grown silent and was staring out into the distance. Pain was etched on his face and he looked agonizingly sad.
"Just thinking about Sirius," he said softly.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I know exactly how you feel."
Something flared inside Harry and suddenly he was on his feet.
"Do you, Hermione? Do you? You've never someone as close as a father die, have you? Have you? Sirius was like a father to me! SO WHY DON'T YOU SHUT YOUR ARROGANT LITTLE MOUTH?!"
Hermione stared calmly up at him, "Actually I have. My mother was diagnosed with brain cancer in February and she died the first week of July. So I think I do know how you feel."
She was staring up at him, unseen tears clinging to her eyelids. Harry's heart broke rather nastily and he felt horrible. He quickly sat down and put his arms around her.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't know----"
"It's quite all right," said Hermione, fighting to keep her voice steady.
"Hermione, do you want to talk about it? You can just talk. I'll listen."
Hermione nodded, "Please?"
"Of course."
She sighed and then she began, the tears beginning to flow out of her.
"Okay, I knew my mother had been sick for a pretty long time and my father and I couldn't really figure out what was going on. Finally in February, my dad took my mum in to see an important physician in London, after getting nothing from five other doctors, and that doctor diagnosed her with a severe case of brain cancer. We all knew that meant she probably had less than six months to live. I wanted to finish the rest of the school year for my schooling sake and for your sake. My parents agreed, and when school finally got out she came to meet me, I don't know if you really saw her, but she was pretty weak and was wearing a hat to cover her baldness from chemotherapy. The plan was that I would head back to our house for some time before heading over here," Hermione said, the tears really starting to come out now. Harry silently waited for her to continue.
"I was only going to be able to be there for a couple weeks before I headed back here. Well, during the first week, she passed away. The next week, we had her funeral, and then I came here."
Harry hugged her into him, burying his head into her waterfall of brown curls.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry," said Harry, smelling the wonderful rose smell of her hair, "so, all this time, you never told Ron and me…your mother was fatally sick and you still aced your O.W.L.s and you still did amazing in the Department of Mysteries. I've said it before, but you really are an amazing woman."
"Thanks, Harry," said Hermione weakly wrapping her arms around Harry's neck.
"D'you want to stay tonight?" said Harry, rubbing her back slowly and comfortingly.
"Yes."
Harry lay down and Hermione joined him a second later. She wrapped her arms around Harry and began to cry again, this time softly. Harry put his arm around Hermione and closed his eyes. He knew this was a night where Hermione just needed some support. His eyes began to close…
Harry was back in the Room of Requirement. What am I doing here? It's summer! his brain screamed. Then he saw her.
It was Cho Chang and she was wearing deep midnight-blue robes and looked very attractive. She began shouting that she wanted Harry's Firebolt. Harry began to feel angry (he shouted back, "Why on earth should I give you my Firebolt?!") and he began to walk to the door.
"Harry?" called out the voice from behind him.
He turned around and realized that Cho Chang was no longer standing behind him. She had been replaced by Hermione, who was wearing her Yule Ball robes of one and a half years prior. She also looked very pretty. She then asked Harry, "Will you ever clean your glasses?" Harry shrugged confusedly and then asked her what she meant.
"HARRY!"
"There's no reason to yell. I'm right next to you," he murmured.
"COME ON! WAKE UP!"
Harry's mind struggled to wake up from the throes of the dream he had been having and he stared up at the face of Ron who was looking rather amusedly at him. When he tried to move his arm, he realized why. Hermione was still in his bed for the second night in three nights.
"Having fun?" Ron asked, in a mock serious tone.
Harry shook his head and whispered, "Ron, I'll explain later. All right?"
Ron understood that there was probably a serious reason why Hermione was sleeping in Harry's bed. He stood up and went outside, presumably to go down for breakfast.
Harry moved over and shook Hermione gently.
"Hermione," he whispered, "wake up."
Her eyes slowly opened and she looked up at him, her face looking angelic even as she rose from her deep slumber. Harry grinned at her and tucked that same tendril of hair behind her ear again. She blushed and when Harry saw her face redden, he felt his face do the same.
"Er----do you want to go to your room and change?" Harry asked.
"Sure," she said.
Harry was just about to close the door after her when she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"Harry…" she said.
"Yes?"
"Thanks for last night. You were really wonderful," she said.
"No problem."
She headed off to her room, leaving Harry to contemplate her kiss on his cheek. After he got dressed, he quickly ran downstairs, finding Mrs. Weasley and Sturgis Podmore in deep conversation.
Ron was already seated and was eating his food with great gusto. Fred and George were nowhere to be seen; perhaps they had already headed to work. Harry sat down next to Ginny, across from Ron. Ginny gave him a rather seductive wink, but Harry ignored it.
"What are we doing today?" asked Harry, "Not to mention, were there any more attacks?"
"No, there weren't, Potter," came a cold, sneering voice.
He turned around and was face-to-face with the teacher he loathed most except perhaps Umbridge.
"Professor," Harry spat derisively.
Hermione came into the room and stopped suddenly when she saw Professor Snape, leaning over Harry, his foul eyes glinting. She quickly sat down beside Harry and glared up at Snape with him.
"Much as I would like to chit-chat with you, Potter," said Snape, his eyes making it very clear what he would like to do to Harry, "we have a meeting to hold. So I suggest your hurry up with your breakfast, so we important wizards can make decisions."
Harry didn't feel like picking a fight with Snape at ten o'clock in the morning so he simply nodded and turned back to his food. Snape looked slightly disappointed and turned his attention back to the arriving members of the Order of the Phoenix. A couple of them, including Dedalus Diggle and Emmeline Vance, said hello to Harry, but the rest seemed grim and serious and didn't seem to be able to talk. Harry couldn't blame them. After all, the Second War had really officially begun yesterday.
"Ron," said Mrs. Weasley hurriedly as they finished their meals, "today Fred and George are going to take you lot to Diagon Alley. Be extremely careful and stick close to Fred and George. Much as they are irresponsible, they can still Apparate and Disapparate. You don't need to purchase your supplies yet so just enjoy the day."
"Yes, Mum," said Ron and motioned for Ginny, Harry, and Hermione to follow him.
"Is everyone ready?" he asked.
Everyone nodded and Harry glanced sideways at Hermione. For some reason, he couldn't help but notice what she was wearing lately. It was still pretty much as conservative as ever, but Harry seemed to be noticing more and more. Today she had on a white shirt and a navy-blue skirt.
Ron grabbed some Floo Powder and threw it into the fire.
"Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, Diagon Alley!" he shouted.
Ron disappeared and Harry quickly grabbed some powder and jumped into the fire himself. He felt himself sliding…sliding…sliding until he finally stopped in a brightly lit room. He brushed the soot off himself, glancing around. Ron was leaning against the wall, waiting for the two girls.
"I hope they aren't fighting," Ron said worriedly.
His fears were assuaged when Hermione came tumbling out of the fireplace next. Harry helped her to her feet and when Ginny finally got out of the fireplace, the foursome headed out of the store to get some money out of Gringotts.
Harry took out a couple bagfuls for the entire term and to maybe purchase some jokes. He felt slightly guilty when Ron pulled out a few Galleons out of the Weasleys' near-empty vault. Quickly, they went back to Fred and George's shop.
Harry couldn't take his eyes off the surrounding jokes and various items placed on the shelves around the stores. Several of them he had seen at Hogwarts, but some of them looked really new and he couldn't wait to test some of them out.
"Ah, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny," said George pompously, "do have a look around. We're waiting some customers' arrivals."
Harry was examining a dragon firework that he had seen used last year when Katie Bell, the only seventh year player remaining on the Gryffindor Quidditch team strolled in. After getting a quick kiss from Fred, she spotted Harry and hurried over.
"D'you know whether your ban's being lifted or not?"
Harry grinned, "Yeah. It's been lifted."
She gave Harry an appraising look, "I know we won last year, but we need you back in top form this year. McGonagall says that I'm probably going to be Captain and now that you've got that idiotic ban lifted, we might become the most unstoppable team at Hogwarts again."
Harry's brow furrowed, "Yeah, but we're going to need two Chasers this year, right? And two Beaters if we can manage it? Because Sloper and Kirke are pretty bad."
Katie sighed, "Yeah. I know Ginny wants to be one of the Chasers and she's good on a broom, but I don't know who else we can get. That's why we need you back."
"Yeah," said Harry, "I hope we get some good ones. Take care of yourself."
"Okay. Bye!"
Ron came over and stared at the retreating figure of Katie Bell, "She's pretty good-looking, you know."
Harry snorted, "Ron, she's going out with Fred."
Ron shrugged and nodded, "Yeah, I know. But still there's nothing wrong with looking at her."
Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to the fireworks. After deciding that since they were slightly too expensive for probably not being used at all. He then began perusing the same section that Hermione was looking through.
"What are you looking for? Brainy jokes?" Harry asked. His tone was somewhat snide, although he had no idea why.
Hermione looked at him, somewhat hurt, "You know, after five years, one would think that you would know that I'm more than just books."
Harry instantly regretted his snide comments, "I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to imply that you're just brains and books."
"It's quite all right," she said in a dignified voice.
Harry hugged her and whispered in her ear, "You're one of the bravest, friendliest people I know. And I'm sorry if I keep acting like a prat."
She just nodded.
KA-POW!
Harry felt the ground shake as a loud explosion was heard from far away. He quickly pulled Hermione to the ground next to him and put his arm protectively around her. It sounded like it had occurred probably eighty yards away. Where was Ron? Harry scanned the area and saw Ron on the ground, inching towards Harry and Hermione.
"Harry, it's probably You-Know----"
Ron was cut off as another loud explosion occurred.
Harry pulled out his wand, "I'm going to investigate."
"Harry, that's crazy! Don't be an idiot!"
He shook his head at Ron, "I have to help those people."
Hermione nodded and stood up, "Come on Ron, let's go."
Harry grabbed her arm, "You're not coming with me."
Hermione raised her eyebrow, "Oh really? Harry, I'm not going to sit here while you go and risk your neck. I'm coming and I think Ron will too."
Ron nodded firmly and Harry sighed. He had no choice but to let them. After all it was not within his purview what they could or could not do, although this fact made him very angry at the moment.
They rushed out of the store and Harry's eyes were immediately drawn about forty yards to the left where three men in dark cloaks were torturing civilians and blowing up large areas of the road.
Harry charged up to one of them and kicked him in the back of the head. His mask slipped off and Harry recognized the long, thin face of Antonin Dolohov. Harry guessed that he had escaped with his fellow Death Eaters from Azkaban recently. This was the man who had hurt Hermione two months ago. This was the man who had knocked her unconscious in such a convincing fashion that Harry had thought her dead. Such a rage rose up in Harry that for a second he thought it would consume him.
"Ron, Hermione, let me take this one myself."
Ron and Hermione nodded and Ron turned and shot out a Stunning Spell at one of the two other Death-Eaters, who deflected it. Hermione began dueling with the other one.
"Dolohov," Harry spat.
"Potter."
Harry punched Dolohov in the stomach with his left hand and sent a Stunning Spell at him with his other hand. Dolohov dodged the spell and shot out a jet of green light that barely missed Harry. Harry jumped up from the ground and kicked Dolohov in the groin.
Dolohov groaned and shot out strong, thick ropes towards Harry. Harry was tied up.
"Damn it!" he yelled.
Hermione was preoccupied in her battle with one of the Death Eaters who Harry now saw was Macnair. Although in a dangerous predicament himself, Harry couldn't help but take pride in the fact that Hermione was holding her own against the executioner/Death Eater. Ron seemed to be winning against the man called Nott. He didn't seem very strong and Ron was unceremoniously beating him down.
Harry turned his attention back onto himself. The ropes were very tight around him and he saw Dolohov begin to approach him, grinning from ear-to-ear. Anger rose up in Harry. He was going to die. He would never see Ron again. Or Hermione…
At the thought of his two best friends, Harry felt such a powerful energy thrum through him that he felt light-headed. Harry looked down and saw the ropes were on the ground, looking tattered. He realized that he had just ripped out of those thick ropes.
Dolohov was looking at him with a mixture of anger and respect. The man raised his wand began and began to start the same slashing motion that had rendered Hermione unconscious in the Department of Mysteries. Harry leaped forward and kicked the wand out of his hands. Picking up Dolohov's wand, Harry pointed his own wand at the Death Eater and yelled, "STUPEFY!" Dolohov fell to the ground, Stunned.
Harry looked around and saw that Nott was beginning to fight back against Ron and Ron was being backed into a wall. Hermione on the other hand was beginning to drive back Macnair and Macnair looked slightly scared.
"STUPEFY!" yelled Hermione and Macnair finally fell to the ground unconscious.
Ron leaped into the air and kicked Nott in the head. Nott fell back his mind clearly losing consciousness and Ron helped it along by Stunning him. Harry looked around at them and saw that perspiration was evident all over them. Ron's hair was sticking up and his shirt was wet. Hermione looked as pretty as ever, but her shirt was also soaked and she had a scratch on her arm. Harry knew that he could not look much better, but he noticed that they were all grinning like they had just had a Cheering Charm performed on them. They had taken on three Death Eaters----and won.
A loud crack suddenly startled the happy silence and Harry whirled around to see Kingsley Shacklebolt and an Auror called Dawlish surveying the scene.
"Well, well, well," said Dawlish, looking at the three unconscious Death Eaters, "what have we here? Three escaped, unconscious Death Eaters."
Kingsley nodded, "Yes. Perhaps instead of taking them to Azkaban this time, we could put them at Hogwarts in the dungeons."
Dawlish agreed and they placed the three on stretchers to be taken to Hogwarts for Dumbledore to stand guard over. When Dawlish disappeared with the stretchers, Kingsley turned back to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, grinning.
"You three fought amazingly well. Taking on three Death Eaters who have committed countless murders----and winning----is quite an accomplishment. I knew Dumbledore was right when he said three would be good for those private lessons," Kingsley said. He winked and then he Disapparated.
Ron grinned at the other two, "We are pretty good, aren't we? Wonder what those private lessons are about… Anyway, we should probably head back to the shop and then home. Mum's probably had a heart attack."
The trio hurried back to Fred and George's shop where the two proprietors were hastily trying to explain what had happened to a head that was in the fire. On closer inspection, the head was found to be Mrs. Weasley's. Suddenly she caught sight of Ron.
"WHERE WERE YOU, RONALD ARTHUR WEASLEY?"
"Harry, Hermione, and I were helping out some civilians," Ron said, grinning rather cheekily at his mother.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"
"Calm down, Mum," said Ron still beaming, "Harry, Hermione, and I just decided when we heard the explosions that we better go and help out whoever was being attacked. We kicked those Death-Eater's butts, Mum! I took out the dude named Nott and Hermione kicked Macnair's sorry little arse----and you should have seen Harry. Man, Dolohov really must be feeling sorry for himself."
Mrs. Weasley looked slightly proud at what they had done but that did not stop her from giving them all a good scolding.
"Now, get back home this instant!" she barked.
"Once your head gets out of the fire, Mother," said Fred, winking at her.
Mrs. Weasley's head quickly disappeared and George grabbed some Floo Powder. One by one they went through the fire and landed in Number Twelve Grimmauld Place's living room.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't our new heroes," said a disdainful voice.
Harry glared up at Professor Snape.
"What are you doing here, Snape?" Harry asked icily.
"That would be Professor Snape to you. You're quite lucky term hasn't started, otherwise you would have already lost five points for Gryffindor," Snape replied silkily.
Harry opened his mouth to reply but was quickly elbowed by Hermione, "Be quiet!"
Snape grinned with satisfaction and strolled out of the room leaving the four Weasley children, Harry, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley to stare angrily after.
"Are you all right?" asked Mrs. Weasley, turning towards the children.
They all nodded and Ron motioned for the others to follow him up to his room. Harry flopped onto his bed and didn't miss the fact that Hermione and Ginny had both sat down at the foot of his bed. Ron was smirking as were Fred and George.
"So what was it like?" asked Fred eagerly.
"Awesome," said Ron, "we whipped them."
Harry nodded his agreement, "Yeah, I especially enjoyed getting Dolohov back for hurting Hermione."
Hermione beamed and Harry grinned warmly at her. Ginny did not look too pleased at this and made a loud tutting sound. Harry was drawn back to the present rather abruptly.
"I wonder if they're gonna be more attacks," George said, "and I didn't know that some of the Death-Eaters from Azkaban had been sprung."
"Yeah," Ron said, "maybe they were sprung yesterday or something."
"Perhaps," said Hermione frowning, "Kingsley said that they're now putting them in Hogwarts or something. I don't really like the sound of that. If someone really important like Bellatrix Lestrange got in there, Voldemort might mount an attack on Hogwarts."
Ron sighed, "I wish you'd stop calling him by his name, Hermione. It's bad enough when Harry----"
Harry's temper flared, "Why can't she call him by his name? That's how he should be addressed, right? Don't jump on her because she's a lot braver than you---"
"Shut up, Harry! I'm just not used to it, okay? You don't need to jump down my throat about it," Ron said angrily.
"Well, fine," said Harry equally angry.
"Come on guys," said Hermione, "it's really up to me whether I want to call Voldemort by his name or not. So you two don't need to fight about it."
Ron sighed, "You're right---as usual. Truce, Harry?"
Harry nodded and they shook hands, a little harder than usual but everything was pretty much back to normal again.
"Anyway, Harry, are you going to keep doing the D.A., Harry? You were a really good teacher last year," Ginny purred and she gave him a rather spicy wink.
Hermione glared icily at Ginny and Ron, Fred, and George smirked at one another for some reason. Harry, on the other hand, just answered her question.
"Yes, it was fun, but since Kingsley's going to be our teacher, I don't know if anyone'll want to be in it. I can still help out Hermione and Ron though."
Ginny looked unhappy at her exclusion from the list, but decided to ignore it, "So anyway, back to the question that Granger was asking before you guys got all huffy about You-Know-Who's name, d'you think he'll attack Hogwarts if Lestrange or Malfoy gets put into prison there?"
"There's no need to refer to Hermione by last name," Fred said pleasantly, "and, I personally don't think he'd attack Hogwarts just to get Lestrange or someone out."
Ron nodded, "I agree. Dumbledore's too dangerous for You-Know-Who to attack Hogwarts."
Remnants of the prophecy began to filter through his brain. Suddenly he felt the urge to tell something important to Ron and Hermione.
"Er…Fred, George, and Ginny, can you leave for a little bit? I need to talk to Ron and Hermione privately."
Fred and George strolled off without a moment's hesitation, but Ginny lingered on the bed.
"He included you on that list," Hermione said politely, "so why don't you leave?"
Ginny stood up, whispered a few choice words in Hermione's ear and walked off.
Harry immediately turned to Hermione, "What did she say?"
"Nothing," Hermione replied, but she avoided his eyes.
"Tell us, Hermione!" Ron half-shouted, "If she's insulting you, I'll make her pay."
"It's nothing," said Hermione, still staring at the ground.
Harry and Ron shared frustrated glances, but Ron changed the subject, "So, what's up, Harry?"
"You said that Dumbledore visited you earlier and told you a little bit about the prophecy. How much he did tell you?"
"He said you have the power to kill him and he has the power to kill you. Not much else," said Hermione.
Harry sighed, "All right. I'm going to tell you everything…okay, the main thing is that Trelawney made this prophecy--- (Hermione gave a cluck of impatience while Ron gave a look of surprise) ---look, guys, this is a real prophecy, she made another one to me when I took her exam in the third year. Anyway, the point is that I'm the only one who can conquer Voldemort. So if Voldemort found that out, which he hasn't yet, than there's nothing to be afraid of at Hogwarts besides runty me."
"You're not runty---you're taller than me," Hermione said angrily, but then her voice softened as she said, "wow, I didn't know that you were the only one who could kill him. If Voldemort knew----"
"He'd attack Hogwarts without a second thought," Ron finished, looking quite awestruck.
"Yeah, I hope he doesn't find out. That's why I sent the others out. I mean, I think Fred, George, and Ginny would never tell, but I don't trust them like you guys."
Ron grinned and patted Harry on the back, "Don't worry, this secret's safe with us."
Hermione nodded vigorously and hugged him, "It must be really hard for you knowing that you're the only chance the world's got."
"My feelings exactly," Harry said as he breathed in the slightly fruity scent of Hermione's hair, "did you know it could've been Neville?"
"NEVILLE?" Ron asked, half-laughing.
"Yeah, if Voldemort had attacked the Longbottoms instead of me, than he'd be the 'Boy Who Lived.'"
Ron looked shocked and even Hermione, who still hadn't let go of Harry, had a surprised expression on her face.
"Funny how fate works, isn't it?" Hermione sighed.
"Yeah," said Harry miserably, "I hate this life. I wish my parents were alive and Sirius----"
His voice choked up as he remembered his late parents and his recently killed godfather. Hermione hugged him even tighter and slipped her arms around his neck.
"Harry, it was meant to be that way. Fate is fate. We can't do anything about it. What if you guys hadn't decided to come running after the troll? I'd probably be dead and even if I somehow lived, I still wouldn't be friends with you two and that would be horrible because you two are the best friends I've ever had," Hermione said and she drew Ron into their three-way group hug.
Harry sighed, "Much as I want my parents and Sirius back, I don't think I'd give up either of you two."
Ron raised an eyebrow, "Seriously?"
Harry sat on his bed, looking thoughtful, "Yeah. You two are the best people I've ever met and even if I got my parents and Sirius back, if you two were dead, I would never forgive myself or be as happy as I could be."
A loud and intrusive voice broke in through the thoughtful silence that had eclipsed the room, "Are you guys done yet? I'm bored."
"We're coming, Ginny," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
He opened the door and she walked in, looking slightly peeved. A moment later, Fred and George appeared looking quite cheerful.
"I'm sorry all, but it appears that lunch will be served soon. I suggest we hasten downstairs and eat," said George pompously.
The three Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione rolled their eyes at George and the six hurried down to the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was haphazardly putting the last touches on her sandwiches.
Ten minutes later, Harry finally stopped gulping down the tasty chicken salad sandwiches to ask a question that had been bothering him since they had returned to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place from Diagon Alley.
"Mrs. Weasley, how many more attacks have there been?"
Mrs. Weasley's eyes closed as if in anguish and when she opened them, there were hints of tears in them, "Seven reported so far. One of them you stopped, four others have been stopped by Dumbledore, and two others are still raging on. So far only four Death-Eaters have been apprehended, and three of them escaped from the person who was transporting them to Hogwarts---the three that I believe you neutralized. More than twenty-two wizards have been killed so far."
Hermione's hand reassuringly squeezed Harry's, which had clenched up in anger, and asked, "Why are there so many attacks?"
"Sending a warning to Dumbledore that they're willing to kill anyone and everyone, most likely," came Lupin's voice. He strode into the kitchen, looking more shabby and haggard than ever.
"Just give me a bit of a sandwich, Molly. I need to get to the battle in Oxford."
Mrs. Weasley grabbed a bacon sandwich off a protesting Ginny's plate and shoved it into Lupin's mouth. He quickly swallowed it, tipped his wizard's hat to Mrs. Weasley, and Disapparated.
"Must be a busy day," Ron said, his eyes glinting as though he wanted to join the battle.
Harry was about to comment on Ron's keen and rather dangerous sense of adventure when suddenly Snape walked in, looking rather angry about something. Trailing behind him was a blond girl that everyone only knew too well---Luna 'Loony' Lovegood. Harry had had a feeling she had a crush on Ron, but with Luna, you never knew. She believed in everything that she heard and was a big fan of her father's magazine, The Quibbler, which usually printed a load of junk in it.
"What're you doing here, Luna?" Ron asked, looking rather bewildered.
Snape went over and muttered something in Mrs. Weasley's ear. Her eyes widened and she nodded. Snape gave a glare to Harry and disappeared with a loud crack.
Meanwhile, Luna had chosen to answer Ron's question, "Well, I was brought here by Professor Snape to keep me safe."
"From what?" asked Ron, puzzled.
"Well, you see, my father was just killed by a Death Eater in our home about half an hour ago and Professor Dumbledore thinks that my family was a target because I helped Harry out in the Department of Mysteries," said Luna, her voice neither wavering nor shaking.
Two things happened at the same time. Everyone's eyes widened in horror that Luna's father had been killed (Hermione gave out a muffled cry of shock.) Then in a move that surprised everyone including himself, Ron went over to Luna and hugged her.
Luna looked quite unperturbed, "It's quite all right you know. I was actually sort of expecting this."
"How'd you get out alive?" Harry asked.
"Professor Snape assisted me," she replied.
Ron let go of Luna and stared at her as if judging to see whether she was really all right. Hermione and Ginny both came over to Luna and hugged her, although Luna looked as though if she thought this attention was quite unnecessary.
"Do you want something to eat?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
Luna shook her head, "My father and I were just finishing lunch when the Death Eater burst in. So I'm quite full, thank you."
Harry wondered if her cool demeanor was just part of some act. He was sure that it must be hurting a lot inside. After all, he had lost Sirius over a month ago and still was very painful.
"Where's your mother?" asked Ron curiously.
"She died when I was nine," Luna said.
Mrs. Weasley came over and patted Luna on the back, "I'm sure you'll find a nice family to take you in."
Luna shrugged, "Yes, I hope so."
Fred piped up, "Why don't we take her, Mum?"
Mrs. Weasley gave him a look which clearly said, "We'll discuss this later." Silently Fred turned back to his almost-done sandwich.
Harry and the others began finishing their sandwiches, with scarcely a word being passed.
"You can stay in my room," offered Hermione, turning to Luna when they were done.
"More often than not, you'll have the bedroom to yourself," George said, grinning, "she's usually up sleeping in Harry's bed."
Hermione blushed scarlet and Harry could feel himself sinking to the floor. Ginny looked furious, Fred and George were laughing, and Ron was hiding a grin. Luna looked vaguely interested.
"I see," she said calmly, "I would be happy to accept your offer, Hermione."
"It's not like they're making it seem like," Hermione said, blushing even further red.
"Yeah," Harry added fervently, "we were just talking and we kind of fell asleep."
Luna shrugged, "I don't especially care what you guys do. It's your life, after all."
Ron stood up, "Let's go upstairs."
The others followed, Harry still fuming about George's comment. Ron kept turning back and winking at Harry and this was very annoying. They finally reached their room and Ron shut the door behind them.
"So, what do you guys want to talk about or do?"
Fred shrugged, "I dunno. George and I are going to go develop some stuff for the shop, so see you guys later."
They walked out the door and mentioning something about taking her stuff to Hermione's room, Luna followed suit.
"I'll help you," said Hermione and she ran after Luna.
Not to be outdone, Ginny also went to help Luna who looked quite bewildered at all the help she was getting. This left Ron and Harry in their room. Ron flopped onto his bed and turned to face Harry who was lying in his own bed.
"Man, what a day."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I can't believe Luna's dad's dead. I mean I knew that her mother had died---she told me so last year---but man, this must really hurt for her. Oh yeah, Ron, did you know Hermione's mother died over the summer?"
"WHAT?" Ron shouted incredulously.
Harry nodded, "That's why she slept in my bed last night. I had to comfort her. Can you believe she got all those O.W.L.s and stuff, not to mention help me in every single, little thing I need help on knowing that her mother was in her deathbed?"
Ron shook his head unbelievingly, "When did she know for sure her mother was going to die?"
"February," Harry replied, "but her mother didn't die until about a week into summer."
"Right before she came here," Ron said, "she didn't even act differently or anything."
"I know," Harry said, "she's really amazing."
Ron simply nodded and seemed ready to add something when the three girls walked in again. Ginny immediately sat down luxuriously on Harry's bed, leaving no room for anyone else. Hermione scowled and sat down at the foot of Ron's bed. Luna remained standing, looking politely disinterested as usual.
"So, what'd you guys want to do?" asked Ron.
"Let's play Truth or Dare," Ginny said, grinning.
"What's that?" asked Ron confusedly.
"This Muggle game where a person asks another person, 'Truth or Dare.' If you say 'Truth,' they ask you a question and you have to answer with the truth. If you choose 'Dare,' you have to do whatever they tell you to do. And if you simply refuse to do either, you have to reveal a deep secret of yours," Harry explained, having played it once with Dudley and his gang of friends (all he could remember about the incident was being punched a lot.)
Luna looked interested and so did Ginny and Hermione, so Ron shrugged, "Why not? Who starts?"
"I'll start," said Harry, "I pick you, Ron. Truth or Dare?"
Ron grinned, "Dare."
"Sing, 'I Love You For Sentimental Reasons,' to Luna," Harry said, smirking.
Ron's grin disappeared. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began to sing. Everyone except for Luna was sniggering at not only Ron's inept singing voice and his bumbling notes.
Luna however was looking up at Ron with this odd, unreadable expression on her face. Harry supposed she didn't want to make Ron feel bad. His voice was quite horrible. Finally, Ron finished and sat down to scattered mock clapping.
"Okay," Ron said his ears pink, "how about you Ginny?"
"Truth," she replied.
"Did you ever make out with Michael Corner?" he asked, seriously.
"A couple times," Ginny said indifferently.
"WHAT?" Ron shouted.
"Calm down, Ron," Harry said.
Ron finally calmed down and took his seat once more.
"Hmmm…how about you, Luna?" asked Ginny.
"Dare," Luna said calmly.
"Flash Ron."
Harry and Ron gasped at the same time. No way a girl was going to show off her breasts to a guy on a simple game of 'Truth or Dare', right?
"Only Ron?" she asked.
"You're not seriously doing this?" Hermione asked questioningly.
"Sure," she said and when Ginny nodded to signify only Ron, Luna stepped outside. Ron paused.
"This isn't right. I'm not going to do this," he said.
Hermione muttered, "I'm glad you have some decency."
Ron ignored her, "Luna, just tell us a secret or something."
Luna shrugged, "All right. My secret is that I really would like to get kissed one day."
Hermione sighed sympathetically, "Yeah, I've never been kissed either."
Luna nodded agreeably before saying, "All right, it's your turn, Hermione."
Hermione glanced at Harry before deciding, "Truth."
"Do you have feelings for either Harry or Ron?" Luna asked.
Harry caught himself leaning forward eagerly to her answer. Hermione looked at both of them and said, "Yes."
"Which one?" Ron asked.
"None of your business----that wasn't the question at any rate."
Harry ground his teeth in frustration. Hermione was about to pick Harry when Mrs. Weasley came in, "It's dinner time. Why don't you all come downstairs?"
Everyone nodded and began heading out of the room; Hermione however hung back a little bit and motioned for Harry to do the same. When everyone was out of the room, she leaned up and whispered, "Meet me in the basement."
Surprised, Harry nodded. When she walked out, he numbly realized that she was asking him to meet her in private. What did she want?
During dinner, Harry seemed to slip in and out of the conversations and his eyes seemed to have taken a glazed look as he thought and thought about Hermione.
"Are you all right, Harry?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Fine, fine."
After dinner, Ron and Harry bade goodnight to the girls by their rooms and headed up to their own room.
"Hey, Ron, guess what? Hermione wants me to meet her in the basement at ten o'clock."
Ron started laughing, "I wonder why."
Harry shrugged, "She probably has a good reason for it. What time is it?"
Ron checked his watch, "Nine-thirty. Relax, mate."
But Harry could not relax. He kept pacing up and down the room, with Ron casting an amused eye at him. Finally it was five to ten.
"All right, get out. Go meet your lovely damsel," Ron smirked.
Harry slowly walked out of the room, his heart hammering. He finally reached the basement and hurried down the stairs to find it already softly lit. He looked around to see Hermione standing against a fluffy couch with a record of some sort in her hand.
"Sit, Harry," she said pleasantly.
Feeling confused, Harry sat down on the couch and watched bemusedly as she put the record in a record player and begin to set it.
"Won't it not work because of the magic in the air?" asked Harry.
Hermione shook her head, "It's like one of those magical cameras. It works in either place."
Harry nodded.
Hermione finally turned to him, a tear apparent in one of her eyes.
"Just listen," she pleaded.
The record started playing and Hermione started singing softly, hauntingly.
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Her voice was beautiful, the song even more so. A thousand emotions and images crossed his mind, all relating to his dead godfather. He felt sad, but strangely at peace.
"Oh, Hermione," he said, his voice breaking.
Hermione ran into his arms and began sobbing,
"I thought you'd like it," she said, "It's also perfect for me too. My mother---"
She broke off, but Harry nodded understandingly and held Hermione close, trying to brave his own demons. The song had a powerful message for both of them. They just had to let it be and not try to fight the change and deaths of their close family. Change was inevitable, like the tide rolling onto the beach.
Harry and Hermione fell asleep in each other's arms, the haunting tunes going on and on in their minds.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE: "Let It Be" is a song by the Beatles, written by Paul McCartney.