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The Diagon Alley Shootout

"17! 17 O.W.L's Ron! That's brilliant, only Bill and Charlie have gotten 17!"

"It's not that great mum."

"Nonsense, that's better than even Harry!"

"Really?"

Harry could feel the heat rush to his face, but tried to ignore it as Mrs. Weasley brought Ron down who was as red as Harry was. He had a weak smile on his face as Harry came and went to shake his hand. Ron suddenly remembered everything again and looked shrewdly toward Harry.

"So how many did you get Harry?"

"15."

A smile came over Ron's face and he shook Harry's hand vigorously. Going over to sit with Hermione, he looked over her paper, not surprised at all. Harry came back and sat next to Hermione who looked at him with a very 'proud' look in her eyes. Smiling back at her, the three looked up as Mrs. Weasley came back over from the fireplace.

"I just told Arthur the news. This is such a great achievement Ron."

Seemingly, Ron was getting even redder.

"Oh... how does a new set of robes sound? No you just got those... a new owl? No... actually, you're father got quite the raise after what happened at the Ministry, sorry Harry, so how about a better Broomstick?!"

"Mum... you just got me one."

"I know, I know, but this one will be better, you deserve it Ron, 17 O.W.L's, I can't believe it, and a prefect."

Mrs. Weasley walked away, still talking about Ron who was a red as tomato and verging on the color of a red pepper. Ron slumped in the chair he was sitting in, apparently trying to hide.

"She embarrasses me so much."

"It's not embarrassing Ron, you did really good." said Hermione as she looked over his paper. "Have you decided what classes you were taking?"

"Anything as long as Trelawney and Snape aren't around me. What are you taking Harry?"

Harry jumped, partly because he was more worried about something that he hadn't been telling them, and because he was shocked that Ron was talking to him without yelling. "Uh I'm not sure, I didn't do too well on the potions exams, and I needed to do well in order to get into N.E.W.T's potions so that I can become..." Harry just realized that he hadn't truly told them what he had been trying to do. "An Auror."

Ron tried hiding a snigger but burst into out-right laughter. Hermione looked at Harry before laughing as well. "An Auror Harry, that's totally out of the question! You can barely stay out of trouble!" At least that's what he thought they would be like. However, both Ron and Hermione looked at him as if it were the best thing that suite him.

"Fits you perfectly Harry." Hermione said.

"Couldn't imagine you doing anything else... maybe a Quidditch player. Could you imagine Harry working for the Ministry?"

Harry pictured himself walking around with a pencil mustache and a lime-green bowler hat when Hermione spoke yet again. "Harry, you've got enough to fill your classes, did Professor McGonagal tell you everything you needed?"

"Yeah... look, I'll just write to Snape, you all don't have to worry about it."

"But Harry..." Hermione began, but was interrupted by the appearance of Fred and George who still had grins on their faces from yesterday.

"Hey Harry... hey Hermione. Say, you two really made a home out of Percy's old room didn't you." George said with a sly grin.

"Now now George, it's obvious our little friends here are finally growing up. Oh Ronniekins."

"Lay off it." Ron said, his face going back to that beet red.

"C'mon Ron, seriously, you should be happy that they've found each other." said Fred looking over at Ron.

"But we haven't found each other..." said Harry looking up at Fred and George. Looking pas them toward Ron and Hermione, he could see Ron's red complexion lighten up and could see Hermione getting redder, a tear in her eye. "I mean... I'm not sure; can I talk to Hermione alone about this?"

Fred and George nodded, but Ron shook his head.

"No way, I'm not leaving you two by yourselves again." sad Ron as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Whoa, I can sense tension in here, why not go outside, let's play a little game of Quidditch? Anyone?" said George as Fred left for the backyard. Looking from Harry and Hermione, to Ron.

"Alright, but it's me and Fred. George, you can have Harry." said Ron as he got up and was soon following Fred out.

"Fine by me Ronnie, you've just given me a bloody good flyer, hope Fred doesn't fly into you two much, his targeting is a bit off."

George walked out into the backyard of the Burrow followed by Harry, but Hermione called him back in. Hoping Ron wouldn't catch this; Harry turned back in and sat down.

"Harry... this is getting out of hand. Ron is so jealous of you, you know that... but... but"

"Hermione... about what you told me yesterday in my room. Am I that other your interested in?" asked Harry as he looked at Hermione, who was very red, and near the point of bawling her eyes out.

Silently and slowly, Hermione nodded. Harry suddenly felt very weird. He felt as if he had eaten a boulder of Honeydukes Chocolate, drinking not only a liter of Butterbeer, but a jug full of pepper-up potion. He wasn't sure if he was as red as Hermione, who was trying to look out the window, then look at the table. Harry wasn't sure at all what to do. Looking down at her, she suddenly looked up, and their eyes met. The moment seemed to last for an eternity to Harry, but soon they were moving closer to each other. Their lips almost touching when a voice came from the backyard, calling them. The moment broke and both looked at each other very sheepishly. Getting up at the same time, both walked out of the Burrow and into the backyard where several gnomes were running away from Hermione's cat Crookshanks. Both decided not to smile when they came out, as both saw Ron looking at them rather suspiciously. George and Fred were already in the air. Harry gave one last smile to Hermione before kicking off on his Firebolt that Ron had thrown him. Ron kicked off moments later, flying very close to Harry.

"Harry, what was that all about?" asked Ron as he stayed with Harry who did a few barrel rolls and a dive.

"What was what about?" said Harry as he watched Ron out the corner of his eye.

"You and Hermione, Harry."

"Ron, would you"

"Fellows, chaps, we thought you were on separate teams." said George as he threw a ball to Harry.

Harry caught the ball glad that an opportunity came where he wouldn't have to talk to Ron. He couldn't figure out what had gotten into Ron. Ron was his first friend, aside from Hagrid, and his best friend. Only once had their friendship been tested, and if it weren't for Hermione, Harry didn't think he would have passed it. Hermione obviously would be there for him now, but he didn't want the waters of his friendship to ripple and wave. Ron and Fred moved away and toward each other as Harry through the ball, a quaffle, back to George who had come closer.

"Don't worry about Ron mate; he can be very possessive." said George as he threw the quaffle at Fred, who caught it with ease, passing it over to Ron.

"What is there to be possessive about?" Harry asked as Ron threw the quaffle right at him.

Harry caught it hard in the chest and almost flipped backward off his broom. Harry could hear Hermione call out his name, and as he steadied himself, he saw Ron turn very red and go back down to the ground. Fred and George looked at each other sullenly before following Ron down. Harry came down last and as he landed, Ron and the twins were walking into the house. Hermione however had stayed and came up to him with a hug, but he pushed her off, just as Ron walked past the window. Harry, sighing, walked past a congregation of gnomes and sat down upon a bench. Hermione followed and sat close to him. Harry felt he had no choice other than to put his arm around her shoulders, and she complied by nestling closer to him.

"What in the world has gotten into Ron?" asked Harry as he watched the afternoon sun.

"You know what's gotten into him Harry, you just don't want to admit it."

"Admit what?"

"That you know that Ron is jealous."

"Look… Hermione, you gave me this speech two years ago."

"I know, but things have changed. We've changed Harry, you and I could possibly have something happen between us that for once, all three of us can't enjoy. For years it's been the three of us enjoying everything, and now it'll only be you and me."

"But what about you and Ron?"

"It couldn't happen. I thought I liked him, back in our second year, but I realized that through all of that, there was only one person I really wanted. It's been that way since our first year, but I was much too young, too silly to really think about it. I didn't really think about it until our fourth year. It was you Harry, all along it's been you."

"He"

"Harry, Ron believes you get everything in life, even if a lot gets taken from you, it never ceases to amaze him how much you get."

"Does he want dead parents, a dead god father? Does he want to bear the burden of a prophecy that places the weight of the entire wizarding world on his shoulders?" Harry began asking these questions out of spite, his anger rising.

"Don't get upset Harry, just look at it from his point of view."

"That's just it Hermione… I want to look at things from his eyes. He's got a full family; he lives in the wizarding world. He lives every day knowing that Voldemort won't try bursting down his front door just to kill him to fulfill some stupid prophecy. If you ask me, Ron has it all; I should be the jealous one."

"Oh…"

Hermione didn't say anymore, neither did Harry. They watched the sun and sky until they heard the arrival of Mr. Weasley. Mr. Weasley of course was very loud in making his pride over Ron known through out the house, despite the fact that everyone who could hear was within ten feet of him.

"Brilliant Ron, just brilliant! Perhaps you'll be Minister of Magic in the future. Now where are the other two?"

"Outside." Harry could hear the sneer in Ron's voice.

"Well then, get them in here, we need to be off; the Floo-Powder ready Molly?"

Mr. Weasley's voice trailed off and Harry and Hermione could hear Ron approaching. Breaking their embrace, they watched Ron come over to them, his face very red.

"Dad said to hurry up, we're going to Diagon Alley." Mumbled Ron before he turned around and walked back into the house.

Harry and Hermione exchanged worried looks before following Ron into the house where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood at the fireplace, waiting for the three to show up. Ginny stood next to her mother whom she was several inches taller than.

"Well, everyone ready? Then Ginny, you should go first followed by Hermione, then Harry, then Ron." Mr. Weasley said, beaming around at everyone. If Harry wasn't certain, he'd think Mr. Weasley was related to Gilderoy Lockhart.

Ginny and Hermione disappeared into the flames and all that were left were Harry and Ron. Harry grabbed a handful of powder and turned toward the fire when Ron grabbed him from behind. Harry spun as Ron looked down into his eyes.

"We need to talk."

"We'll talk later."

Ron wanted to say more, but Harry had yelled Diagon Alley, disappearing into the green flames. Harry reappeared, very dizzy, on the cobblestone-paved street of Diagon Alley. Turning around, he noticed that several fireplaces were placed along the walls just before the exit from the Leaky Cauldron. How could he have missed them after all of those days he spent prowling around in his third year? Ron appeared out of the way he had just come out himself, wiping soot and ash off of himself. Harry realized he should be doing the same when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared from the fireplace.

"I must say, it is an improvement, only buying for two." said Mrs. Weasley as she led the way down the paved road.

Harry tried to keep to the back, and Hermione followed his lead, walking stride with him. Ron had his father to deal with, who was all over him. Mr. Weasley was so proud that it was hard not to feel rather proud of Ron, who was very red and was trying to hide his face as several girls from their school passed.

"Hello Ron! Hi Harry… and Hermione." came the voices of Parvati and Padma Patil, and their best friend Lavender Brown. The girls blushed upon seeing Harry, then their faces wavered suddenly as they saw Hermione walking arm in arm with him.

The girls passed very quickly and Harry found himself in Flourish and Blotts, the wizarding book shop. They looked around and finally got their books (Ron and Ginny not having to get second hand) and were on their way out to the center.

"Now, you've all got until 3 to meet us back here. I'll get your things for school, and Ron, you meet us in a half an hour outside of Quality Quidditch Supplies." Said Mrs. Weasley as she and Mr. Weasley walked off.

Harry glanced at his wrist, forgetting he had gotten rid of the broken watch. Looking up, he saw only Hermione looking at him. Ron was still there, and Ginny was walking off with some friends from her year. What had followed was a very awkward moment that Harry never thought would end, however it did end, and it ended with the familiar, drawling voice that Harry had hated since he stepped foot into Hogwarts.

"So, are the poor Weasley's happy they got money? Or are they still saving from three years ago. A thousand Galleons only goes so far Weasley."

"Back off Malfoy." Said Harry, stepping up, his eyes only on Draco Malfoy, who looked at him with just as much hatred.

"Well Potter, I'm surprised you're here, thought you'd have been done in at your own house by the Dark Lord."

"I'm just fine Malfoy."

"I don't need you fighting my battles Harry." Said Ron as he pushed Harry aside, pulling his wand out.

However at that exact moment, a jet of blue light hit at Ron's feet, making him jump back. Draco looked just as stunned, Harry however was seething. Just ahead of them, behind Malfoy stood five people, their robes billowing in a wind that just appeared. The five pulled their hoods down, revealing themselves to be Nott, Macnair, Crabbe, Goyle, and someone Harry thought he knew, but he wasn't sure. Pulling his wand out as well, he moved closer to Hermione, trying to cover her.

"Tisk, tisk, can't have a Weasley harming Luscius' son, can we?" said Macnair, a sinister smirk covering his face. "And look at this men, we've garnered yet another concert with precious Harry Potter, oh what treasure the Dark Lord would give us if we killed Harry Potter."

"You'll kill no one." Harry found himself saying, quite surprised.

"Harry, don't take this into your own hands." Hermione said as she gripped his left arm.

"Wee little Potter's got himself a girl friend." Said Nott, laughing.

He didn't get to for long though as a sharp blast took his wand from his hand, sending him backward into a wall. Harry had used the disarming spell against him, Ron catching Nott's wand. Macnair shot a red spark at Harry who dived behind a barrel to avoid it. Hermione moved back against a wall as Crabbe and Goyle came nearer. Ron used a stunning spell, who fell into Crabbe, just as Harry used the body bind curse. Both fell and Ron and Harry ran over to Hermione.

"Thank you!" she said, wrapping her arms around Harry, then around Ron. As she backed away, she suddenly screamed. Ron raised an eyebrow when a strong pair of arms wrapped themselves around him. Macnair lifted Ron up and was trying to pry lose Nott's wand, but Ron wouldn't let go.

Harry went to help when suddenly he couldn't move, but he was falling. He realized he had been magically bound, but who could've done it? The fifth death eater still had not moved from his position, but a cold voice gave Harry a very accurate idea of who it was.

"Now Macnair, we wouldn't want to seem uncivilized, dueling like a Muggle. Set the Weasel down… accio wand."

Nott and Ron's wands came flying into the hand of Luscius Malfoy who threw Nott's to it's owner, then threw Ron's to the ground. "Pity… Dumbledore still sends children to do his work, still hasn't changed. Reading, grab the girl, we'll be on our way, and as for you Potter…" said Malfoy, pointing his wand at Harry, who was moved to a standing position, albeit he floated off the ground by a few inches.

The fifth Death Eater, Reading, grabbed Hermione, who began to kick and scream. Ron was grabbed roughly by Macnair, Nott helping Crabbe and Goyle. As the six began their exit, some spell broke the stone in front of Luscius and Draco, who had gotten very quiet during the duel. Luscius looked up to see Arthur Weasley, Nymphodora Tonks, and Kingsley Shacklebolt running up to them.

"Let them go Luscius." Said Mr. Weasley, his wand pointed right at Malfoy.

"Ah… Arthur, I couldn't possibly do that, the Dark Lord would not be pleased."

"And neither would he be pleased to know that six of his followers were dead because they wouldn't follow a simple command." came the voice of Albus Dumbledore, who was coming from the back side of the group.

Malfoy and the others looked around, weighing their chances. Harry on the other hand wanted them to try and fight, knowing they would fall, hoping they would fall. However he found himself falling, Malfoy had lifted the curse upon him.

"We know when to fall back… gentlemen." And with that, they Disapparated. Luscius having taken Draco.

Harry pounded the ground hard, they had gotten away again. Harry got up, helped Hermione up, and together they helped Ron up. Mr. Weasley, Tonks, and Shacklebolt came running up to them, dusting them off.

"Impressive battling boys…" said Kingsley as he patted them on the back.

"It wasn't enough." spat Harry, his anger rising.

"No… you held them off long enough for us to get here, that was impressive, you held off full grown wizards, and Death Eaters at that… are you alright Ron?" asked Mr. Weasley as he dusted his son off.

Ron looked very ill, his face was slightly green, and he was wobbling. "I think I'm going to b" he didn't finish, because he was too busy running toward a barrel and vomiting into it.

"C'mon you three, we need to find Molly and Ginny. I'm sure she's gotten everything for everyone. Thank you Tonks, Kingsley, Professor." Said Mr. Weasley as Ron returned and Professor Dumbledore finally walked over to the group.

Harry looked over to Dumbledore, seeing whether or not he would reprimand them for trying to fight Death Eaters again. Dumbledore however was smiling down at him from behind those half-moon spectacles that he wore.

"Harry, I must say that I am proud, however… I should tell you this now. Vengeance is not the answer to defeating Lord Voldemort. That is something he will prey upon until it consumes you, and he will have you right where he wants you. I must also tell you that a certain item you've seen before won't help you." Dumbledore smiled again before sweeping his long robes, disappearing.

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