Author's Notes: First, I want to thank everyone who is still reviewing this story. I am really enjoing them, and they are also helping me at the same time. Please keep them coming and I will try to continue to deliver a story worth reading..*grin*
Now with the offical things taken care of on with the fourth chapter. I hope you enjoy it. I hope it will also answer one of your question about what prophecy Dumbledore and McGonagall are talking about in the last chapter.
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Chapter Four: Diagon Alley
After breakfast, Harry stood up and noticed Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore talking quietly to themselves by the front door. Glancing at Ron and Hermione, Harry slightly nodded over his shoulder. Harry recognized the grave look on McGonagall's aging face. She was upset about something. Grabbing his plate, Harry walked into the kitchen with Hermione and Ron behind him.
"You've finished your breakfast I see. Just put the dishes down over there," Mrs. Weasley said pointing to the counter next to the sink.
Doing as he was told, Harry smiled at the woman who for six years he had known as a surrogate mother. "That was very good. Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," he said seeing Hermione and Ron nod in agreement.
Laughing softly, Molly leaned forward and kissed Harry's forehead and hugged him for good measure. "You're very welcome, Harry. Now go on all three of you. I'll take care of these dishes. Oh, I'll be taking you kids to Diagon Alley later today. Off you go," she said shooing the three friends out of the kitchen.
Stepping out of the kitchen, Harry looked over at the front door. Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall were no longer standing there. "Something is wrong," he said turning toward Hermione and Ron.
"Professor McGonagall did look upset," Hermione said agreeing with Harry.
"What do you think it could be though," Ron asked.
"I don't know. That's something we've got to find out," Harry said frowning slightly.
"How," Ron asked.
Sighing, Harry shook his head. "I don't know."
"We'll figure it out," Hermione said as she and Ron walked into the living room and sat down in the chairs sitting in front of the fireplace.
Following behind his friends, Harry looked around. "How long have you two been here at the Order," he asked noticing the painting of Sirius's mother was now gone.
"Not long," Ron said following Harry's gaze. "Mum had Dumbledore remove that horrid painting when we got here. She said she couldn't put up with the screaming every single day," Ron said smiling.
"Yeah, I can imagine," Harry said turning around as the front door opened. Seeing Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and Snape walk in made Harry frown. Something was defiantly wrong if the members of the Order were all arriving at the same time.
"What happened to you, boy," Moody asked stepping into the room and closer to Harry.
"Isn't it obvious, Moody? Potter was in a fight," Snape snapped irritably as he walked past the others and into one of the back rooms.
Ignoring Snape, Moody's gaze never left Harry's bruised, swollen face and broken left arm. When he realized Harry wasn't going to answer his first question he asked another. "Who did this to you, Harry?"
"I did," Harry answered simply.
"What do you mean you did, Harry," Lupin asked as he and Tonks stepped up closer to Moody and Harry.
"Did Dursley do this to you? We'll make sure he gets what he deserves," Moody promised shaking his head.
Smiling, Harry shook his own head. "As much as I would love to blame Uncle Vernon and see him get what he deserves as you put it, I can't do it. I picked a fight with my cousin and his bully friends. All four of them jumped me at once and this is the end result. It's my own fault I'm bruised and my arm is broken not to mention my wand."
"Your wand? They broke that too," Tonks asked shaking her head which now had purple locks in it.
"Yeah, my cousin Dudley actually broke it, but that doesn't matter now. It's in the past. Why are you all here," he asked wanting to change the subject.
"We're here on official Order business, Harry. You're too young to know about it," Moody said stepping past Harry seeing Remus and Tonks following him with his magic eye.
"Does this have anything to do with the prophecy," Harry asked turning around as Lupin, Moody, and Tonks walked past him. He also ignored the confused look from Ron. He knew he would have some explaining to do later.
Turning back around, Lupin looked gravely at Harry. "What do you know about the prophecy, Harry?"
"Everything, why? I know I'm the only one who has a chance to defeat Voldemort," Harry said frowning and ignoring Ron's sudden shudder at the mention of Voldemort's name. He figured Dumbledore had all ready told them about the prophecy and that he all ready knew about it.
"Then you all ready know you won't survive the final battle with Voldemort."
"WHAT," Harry, Ron, and Hermione all exclaimed at the same time. Ron and Hermione stood up quickly from their seats.
"You didn't know," Lupin asked feeling suddenly sick to his stomach.
"It's all right, Remus. Harry has a right to know. I've learned that keeping things from him is a very unwise decision," Albus said stepping from the back room with Minerva and Severus behind him. Seeing Molly walk in from the kitchen, he knew she had heard Harry, Ron, and Hermione's outburst.
"What's Professor Lupin talking about, sir," Hermione asked Dumbledore not realizing she had stepped up beside Harry and had slid her hand into his.
"He is talking about a prophecy Professor Trelawney just foretold two days ago at Hogwarts. I, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape were all present and heard the prophecy, but I do not think it was completed."
"What is the prophecy you heard," Harry asked squeezing Hermione's hand giving her some of his strength.
Smiling, Albus nodded his head slightly at the scene he saw in front of him. Clearing his throat, he pushed his half moon glasses up higher on his nose. A destiny draws near. The Dark Lord's power grows stronger with each passing day. The one marked as an equal will not survive the final battle, but will die at the hand of the Dark Lord himself....," he recited clearly.
Gasping in horror, Molly shook her head. "That can't be complete," she cried.
Looking over at Molly, Albus nodded his head. "That's what I think, but there is no way we can be sure. All we can do is go on from here and make sure this prophecy doesn't come to pass."
Wiping her eyes on her dress sleeve, Molly nodded her head. "I suppose there isn't anything else we can do now is there," she asked softly looking over at Albus.
"I'm afraid not. I believe you were going to take Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to Diagon Alley today. I don't see any reason to change your plans. The rest of us need to discuss our options," Albus said turning around and leading the way into the back room leaving Molly, Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the living room.
Looking over at the kids, Molly forced herself to smile at them. "When I'm finished in the kitchen we'll go," she told them before walking back into the kitchen.
"How can he act like that," Ron snapped looking at the closed meeting door.
"I guess he wants us to act like nothing is wrong," Hermione said softly. She still couldn't believe what she had heard. Life just couldn't be this unfair. She couldn't …. no, she wouldn't lose Harry now. They would find a way to keep Harry safe from harm.
"Well, I can't act like nothing is wrong! I just found out my best mate is going to die at You-Know-Who's hand," Ron shouted in anger.
"Ron, don't yell at her. It's not her you're angry with," Harry said calmly as he wrapped a comforting arm around Hermione's quivering shoulders. She looked so fragile like she was a china doll about to break. He wanted to protect her from the pain, but most of all he wanted to protect her from Voldemort himself.
"No, I'm not angry at Hermione Harry, but exactly when were you going to tell me about the prophecy you were talking about to Lupin?"
"I would have told you when I felt the time was right."
"When was that going to be, Harry? The day of the final battle!"
"Stop it, Ron! Please stop fighting," Hermione begged breaking down into tears.
Starring daggers at Harry, Ron shook his head before spinning on his heel and walking upstairs. Slamming his bedroom door, he kicked his night stand with his foot. Sitting down on his bed, Ron tried to cool off. He knew if he didn't, he would snap at Harry again the next time he saw him.
After Ron stormed off, Harry wrapped his cast arm around Hermione as best he could. "It's going to be all right."
Looking up at Harry, Hermione shook her head in denial. "It's not all right, Harry. It's never going to be all right as long as Voldemort is around."
"Well, I guess that means we're going to have to make him go away," Harry said smiling.
"Harry, this isn't a joke," she said pushing herself away from Harry's comforting embrace. Walking a few steps away, she crossed her arms over her chest.
Sighing, Harry nodded his head in understanding. She was afraid for him when he wasn't. He didn't fear Voldemort like everyone else. "Hermione, I know it's not a joke, and I didn't mean to make it sound like one. I know how dangerous and deadly Voldemort is, but I'm not afraid of him. You told me yourself you know I'll beat him, and at first I didn't think so."
"What changed your mind," she asked turning to face him.
"You did, Hermione. It's crazy I know, but I feel like I can do anything as long as you're by my side. Don't let this new prophecy change your mind."
"I can't help it, Harry. The prophecy you told me didn't say anything about you dying."
"It doesn't matter, Hermione. A prophecy is just one outcome for the future. It doesn't control us. It can be changed. That's why Dumbledore is so calm right now. He knows, just like I do, that the future hasn't been written yet. We still have time to change it, but I can't do it alone. I never could do it alone. I just didn't realize that fact until earlier this year. Look you know I'm not very good at this, but I'm asking you for your help. Will you help me?"
Starring up into his pleading eyes, Hermione sighed softly. "You know I will, Harry. You never had to ask."
Grinning, Harry nodded his head. "I didn't think so, but I wasn't going to press my luck by just assuming you'd help."
"You know you're going to have to apolize to Ron don't you."
"Yeah, I know, but I don't think he's going to give me the chance right now. I think we should keep Dumbledore's Army going this year. Everyone needs to be prepared."
"I agree on both statements but Harry, you can't let Ron stew for very long."
"I know," Harry said as Mrs. Weasley walked out of the kitchen.
"Are you ready to go, dears," she asked trying to keep her chin from quivering.
"I'll go get Ginny and Ron, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said walking up the stairs calling out for Ron and Ginny.
"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry that I'm still upset and crying. I know it makes you uncomfortable," Molly said wiping her eyes again on her dress sleeve.
"It's all right, Mrs. Weasley. You're just worried about me. I understand," Harry said smiling as Ron, Ginny, and Hermione stood at the bottom of the stairs.
Walking over to Ron, Harry opened his mouth to apologize, but he never got to say a word before Ron shoved past him. Sighing, he glanced over at Hermione as they all stood in front of the fireplace. "I told you he wasn't going to talk to me right now," he whispered softly into Hermione's ear.
"That doesn't mean you should stop trying," she whispered back before she stepped into the fireplace with her floo powder.
"Easier said than done," Harry muttered before he took his floo powder from Mrs. Weasley. Stepping out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry looked around the busy pub. He spotted Ron standing in the corner waiting on everyone. Brushing the ash off of his clothes, he walked over to Ron.
"Look Ron, can we talk?"
"Harry, I don't want to talk to you right now."
"Come on Ron, I was going to tell you. I just didn't want to worry you."
"And I guess you did want to worry Hermione? She didn't seem too surprised about the prophecy you were talking about to Lupin."
"I'm sorry, Ron. Just because I told Hermione first doesn't mean you're any less my friend. There are loads of things I tell you first before I tell her."
"Yeah, I know. I guess I was being a prat wasn't I," Ron asked smiling.
"Would you take my head off if I said yes?"
"No, I'll let you keep your head, Potter," Ron said grinning.
"Good I'm glad, because I like my head exactly where it's at," Harry said laying his hand on his throat laughing.
"I see the two of you have kissed and made up," Hermione said smiling as she walked up brushing the ash off of her clothes.
"Eww, Hermione, that's just disgusting," Ron said cringing at the thought.
Laughing, Harry shook his head. "Ron, it's a Muggle expression. She didn't mean it literally," Harry explained.
"Right, I knew that. What does it mean anyway?"
Laughing, Hermione rolled her eyes at her friend. "It means you and Harry aren't fighting anymore."
"Oh, yeah, we're talking to each other again," Ron said nodding his head.
"Good, I know I wouldn't want to walk around with you if you were going to be a grump all day," Ginny said joining the three friends.
"You knew about the fight? You were upstairs during the whole thing."
"Yeah, but when you yell everyone can hear you no matter where they are at," Ginny said smiling up at her brother.
"I'll keep that in mind next time," Ron said as they all stepped out into the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron.
"Please do," Ginny said as they walked out into Diagon Alley.
"Shut up, Ginny," Ron said glancing over at Luna who was walking out of Flourish and Blots. "Does she ever read her Father's newspaper in the right direction?"
Seeing the look of interest on his face, Hermione smiled before nudging Ron in the ribs. "Why don't you go ask her," she suggested.
"What? No, I… No," Ron said shaking his head.
"Ron, don't tell me you're scared of a girl," Harry teased.
"No, I'm not scared of a girl, but she's weird."
"She's not weird, Ron. She's just different, but she's very sweet and smart," Ginny said waving over at Luna. "Hey, Luna," Ginny called out to her friend.
Looking up from The Quibbler, Luna smiled and waved back. "Hi, Ginny, Ron, Harry, Hermione," she said as she stopped in front of her friends. Frowning, she glanced over at Harry. "What happened to you?"
"I was being dumb and got into a fist fight with four bullies near my house," he explained shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah, and one of those bullies was his cousin," Ron piped in grinning like a cat who just caught the canary.
Giggling, Luna shook her head. "I'm sure Harry just loved you adding that tiny bit of information to the story, Ron," she teased.
"Sure he did," Ron said grinning and ducking a playful swipe to his head by Harry. "I was wondering something. Why do you read your dad's newspaper upside down," he asked as he stood up straight.
Looking at the newspaper, Luna laughed softly as she held up the paper toward Ron upside down. "I'm not reading it. I'm looking at the pictures. My dad couldn't afford a photographer when he first started the paper, so instead he made every article into a picture when you look at it upside down. It made such a hit with readers that when he could afford a photographer he still continued to make the words from the articles form a picture when the paper was turned upside down. Besides, if I read the paper upside down, I would be very weird," she said smiling sweetly up at Ron.
"Right," Ron said feeling his cheeks get very hot very fast.
"You don't think I'm weird do you, Ron?"
"No, of course I don't. Okay, I did think you were a bit weird because you always had The Quibbler upside down," Ron admitted when Luna raised her eye brows at him.
Clearing his throat, Harry waited for both Ron and Luna to look at him. "Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to let you guys know I'll be continuing D.A. this year if you're still interested that is."
"Won't we be learning defenses though," Ron asked not wanting to add something else to his plate this year.
"I think it's a great idea, Harry. I'll be there. Just let Ginny know when the meetings will start," Luna said smiling from ear to ear.
"Count me in too, Harry," Ginny said starring at Ron.
"Me too, Harry. I'm not going to be the only one left out," Ron said shrugging his shoulders.
"Great, we can let Neville and the others know when we get on the Hogwarts Express," Harry said smiling.
"Potter, you know your little club isn't legal. Professor Umbridge…."
"Professor Umbridge isn't a teacher at Hogwarts anymore Malfoy, so her decrees aren't valid. Why don't you join D.A.? I'm sure it will do you some good."
"And be taught by you and your Mudblood friend? You have got to be joking."
"Don't call her that, and I'm not joking. I want you to come. You could probably teach the rest of us some things," Harry challenged.
Smiling, Draco nodded his head. "Yeah, Potter, I could teach you some things. All right, I'll come to your little club meeting," he said as he walked away laughing.
"Harry, are you mad," Ron asked once Malfoy was out of ear shot.
"No, I'm not mad, Ron. Draco is more than likely working for Voldemort. By having him in D.A. we can keep an eye on him and hopefully find out what he's telling his Master. As Muggles like to say keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
"Well, I hope you know what you're doing," Ron said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Yeah, me too," Harry said quietly hoping he hadn't just made matters all together worse.
To Be Continued......