The Tip of the Knife

The Tip of the Knife

Summary: The wizarding world is at war. The fate of its people lies on the tip of a knife. Should the littlest catastrophe happen, it will fall. Despite the war around them, the witches and wizards find ways to move on with life, now that the only one Voldemort ever feared is gone. Life goes on, with weddings, new romances, anything that will momentarily take their minds off the death and destruction going on around them. Friends of “the Chosen One” turn worried eyes to the future, anxious of what Harry Potter's fate might have in store for him. Hogwarts remains open, but many have chosen not to return, Harry among them. With his two best friends at his side, he sets out to destroy Voldemort by tracking down the remaining Horcruxes, and to eventually bring down the wizard who has brought nothing but despair to the people around him. The mission could cost everything that Harry holds dear, and it could also cost him his life.

A/n: In light of the sad news in the 6^th book, with Dumbledore dieing and Harry going out with Ginny, I decided to try writing a version of the next book. I've never done anything quite like this before, so be gentle. Don't flame me too bad.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters. They belong fully to JK Rowling, and I'm just borrowing them purely for entertainment purposes only. This goes for this chapter, and every chapter after it.

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Chapter 1: The Visitor

“So is she really pretty?” Harry nodded.

“Yeah, she's really pretty.” Dudley grinned. Harry couldn't believe he was having an actual conversation with his cousin without one or both of them taunting the other. But there he was, the middle of July, talking with his cousin about his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. Harry left out the part that he had broken up with her, because as far as Harry was concerned, he would pick up where they left off after he defeated Voldemort. If he defeated Voldemort. Dudley said,

“So, are you going to be going back to that school now that your headmaster is dead?”

“I don't know, I don't know if the school will even be open for this year.” Dudley nodded slowly, and Harry still couldn't believe this change of heart in his cousin. It was slightly unnerving, as though there was a catch to his being kind. Dudley got up from the chair when Petunia shouted from the kitchen that his friends were there to see him. Harry went upstairs and fell back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. He thought about what Dudley had asked him about whether the school would reopen or not. Harry decided that if it did, he wouldn't be going back. He had a mission to complete, and he couldn't do it very well at school. Harry hadn't fallen into a depression as most he read about in the Daily Prophet had because of Dumbledore's death. He handled it like Sirius's death, though the death of his headmaster and the only one that Voldemort ever feared had more of an effect on him. Soon enough, Harry started to doze off, and didn't wake up till after dark.

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It was late, eleven-ish, and Dudley was sitting in the living room, the only one still awake, whole large pizza to himself, and a movie his mother definitely wouldn't approve of on the TV. He didn't know that at that moment a woman was walking up the street, and turned at the end of the sidewalk to Number 4 Privet Drive. She was dressed in a black dress, with a black cloak. Her bowed head was covered by a hood, and she looked up at the sign that read, Number 4. She knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. Dudley came to the door, and his jaw dropped slightly when he saw the woman's face. She said sweetly,

“Hello, I'm here to see Harry.”

“Uh…sure…c…come on in.” She smiled and came inside. Dudley said,

“Um…I'll go get him.” He ran upstairs to get his cousin. The woman looked around the house, raised an eyebrow at how unnaturally tidy it was. She glanced at the TV, and made a face at the dirty movie playing on screen. With a flick of her wand, the movie was shut off.

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Harry jerked awake and for a minute was unsure of where he was, and what that noise was. He opened the door and rubbed his eyes groggily.

“What is it?”

“Your girlfriend is here.” It took Harry a minute to register what Dudley had said. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“What? She is?”

“Yeah.” Harry left the room, Dudley in tow, and they went downstairs. The woman had her back to them and Harry said,

“Ginny?” The woman turned around and looked up at Harry. She smiled.

“No.”

“Hermione? What are you doing here?” Hermione reached up and pulled the hood from her head. She looked different from the last time that Harry saw her. Her hair was smooth and sleek, pulled back into an elegant knot at the back of her head. Her black dress was very un-Hermione-ish. It was strapless with just a little cleavage, and the skirt reached the top of her heels. She wore chandelier earrings and a matching necklace, and black eye liner and black mascara and silver eye shadow that made her chocolate brown eyes look bright. Dudley couldn't stop staring at her, and the way he stared at her didn't set well with Harry.

“I've come to get you.”

“For what?”

“For Bill and Fleur's wedding.”

“Oh. I forgot about that.”

“I'm to come and get you for a week, and then you'll come back to stay until your birthday. Then you're free.”

“What's going on here?” Everyone turned at the sound of the voice, and saw Petunia and Vernon Dursley standing on the steps. Vernon said rudely,

“Who the bloody hell are you?” Hermione smiled, and forcing herself to be polite, said,

“My name's Hermione Granger, Mr. Dursley. I'm one of Harry's friends from school.”

“From…” Vernon trailed off as he remembered what he had overheard Harry telling Dudley a while back.

“What about your friends?”

“Well, my friend Ron is a Quidditch player, he has a huge family, and is,” Harry laughed, “sort of thick sometimes. And my other friend, Hermione, is well, the best in our year, there's no spell that she can't do, and when you get on her bad side, then it's not pretty. Ron found that out this year when she sent a flock of little yellow birds at him, and they started pecking at him.” Hermione said,

“I've come to get Harry for our friend's brother's wedding. He'll be gone for a week, and then I'll bring him back here until his birthday and then he becomes of age.”

“Why are you coming to get him? From what I've heard that that Lord Voldie-thingie has come back again, and they send a student to get him? Why doesn't that Dumbledore come and get him?” Harry and Hermione both looked at the floor at the same time. Hermione bit her bottom lip and looked back up at her friend's uncle. She said simply, yet sadly,

“He's dead.” The only one of the Dursleys that reacted to the news was Petunia, whose jaw dropped and she put a hand to her mouth in shock. She asked,

“He's dead?” Harry and Hermione slowly nodded.

“Oh my God.”

“Right now everyone is still mourning in the wizarding world, but we're trying to get on with our normal lives, or as normal as possible in the middle of a war. That's why I came to get Harry. So, if you don't mind, we should probably be leaving soon. The Weasleys are expecting us, and if we don't return soon, they might send out a search party for us.” Without another word, Harry and Hermione were on their way upstairs so Harry could pack for a week. Harry pulled out an old backpack that he had used when he was younger, and started putting clothes into it. Hermione wasn't much of a help; she wandered around Harry's room, taking in all the surroundings. She put a lid back on a bottle of ink, and pointed her wand at Hedwig's dirty cage and cleaned it.

“Scourgify!” Harry said,

“So how long have you been at the Burrow?” Hermione said simply, still looking around at things, and tidying the room up a bit,

“Since term ended.”

“You haven't been home to see your parents?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I'm not safe there.”

“Why not?” Harry said again.

“Because there's no protection there.”

“Why are you in danger?” Hermione turned and faced him and smiled sadly.

“The reason is right here in front of me.” Harry slowly nodded.

“So, because of your association with me, you're in danger?”

“Pretty much.”

“And yet you're still here? Still wanting to speak to me?”

“Yes, because I'd rather take the necessary precautions than lose one of my best friends.”

“You'd rather risk your life for something that's not your fight, just because you don't want to lose one of your best friends?”

“Right.”

“But it's not your fight.”

“In a way it is. But I know you have to be the one to defeat Voldemort. But as long as it is your fight, I can guarantee that I'll stand by your side every step of the way.” Harry smiled.

“You're stubborn, you know that?” Hermione laughed.

“And you're not? Anyways, finished packing?” Harry nodded as he shoved the last t-shirt into the bag. He slung it over his shoulder and Hermione led the way down the stairs. The Dursleys were still downstairs, waiting for Harry and Hermione. Hermione smiled politely, and went to the door, Harry in tow. Hermione opened the door and exited, and Harry stopped, holding the door open.

“See you in a week.” He left and shut the door behind him. Hermione had stopped and was waiting for him to catch up to her before walking again. It was unusually cool for the middle of July, but the sky was clear and the stars were out, twinkling brightly. Hermione led the way, for Harry had no idea where they were headed.

“How are we getting to the Burrow?”

“Apparating.”

“But I can't, I'm not seventeen yet, and I don't have a license yet.”

“Harry, the wizarding world is in the middle of a war, do you really think that underage wizards breaking the law are their first concern?”

“Well, no. So does that mean, I could've been doing magic all summer, and no one would've said anything?”

“Probably not.”

“Wish I would've known that. So where are we going?”

“The apparation area.”

“Where's that?”

“Mrs. Figg's backyard. So remember that when you come back.” They were silent for a while until Harry suddenly thought of something.

“You never asked me the question.” Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes.

“Nor did you.” Hermione stopped walking and so did Harry. She smiled and said,

“Favorite jam flavor?” Harry smiled and answered,

“Blackberry.” Hermione nodded in approval that the answer was the right one. Harry said,

“Alright, same question.”

“Strawberry.” Harry mimicked Hermione's nod of approval at the answer.

“So how are things at the Burrow?”

“Busy. Mrs. Weasley is driving everyone crazy with the wedding plans, which is part of the reason why I volunteered to fetch you. Ron wanted to come with, but Mrs. Weasley wouldn't let him out of the house when there was things for him to do.”

“How is everyone?”

“In mourning, like all the witches and wizards who were close to Dumbledore. But life must go on, and the Weasleys are proving that by having that wedding.”

“Anything else new?”

“Not really. Well, the Lupin/Tonks relationship is going good. Ron and I have a bet that their wedding'll be the next one that gets planned. I'm betting the plans start around Christmas, Ron thinks maybe next summer.” Harry smiled. They reached Mrs. Figg's house and Hermione knocked on the door. From the other side, Mrs. Figg called,

“Who is it?”

“Hermione Granger,” She almost forgot to add, “and Harry.”

“Ask the question!”

“Mrs. Figg, do I have to? You know it's me.”

“That's exactly what a Death Eater impersonating you would say!” Hermione sighed.

“What was the name of your first cat?”

“Whiskers. What is the core of your wand?”

“Dragon heartstring.” The door opened and Mrs. Figg let Hermione in, but held a hand up to Harry. She said,

“Is he the real Harry Potter?” Hermione sighed again and rolled her eyes from behind Mrs. Figg.

“Yes, he is. I already asked him the question.” Mrs. Figg stood aside so Harry could come in.

“Harry! It's good to see you again! Have your aunt and uncle been treating you right?”

“All right…” Hermione cut him off and said,

“I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, Mrs. Figg, but we must be going, otherwise people will start to worry.” Mrs. Figg nodded and followed Harry and Hermione outside. They reached the grass, surrounded by trees and brush so thick that no one could see into the backyard, no matter how nosy they were. Hermione stopped and turned and faced Mrs. Figg who was still behind them. She said quietly,

“Any news?” Mrs. Figg said in the same hushed voice.

“Nothing much more than the usual.” Hermione nodded.

“Good, I don't want any problems.” Harry noticed for the first time that night how grown up Hermione seemed. Of course, naturally, she was grown up, she was considered an adult in the wizarding world, but she seemed like a different person from the one that he had last seen. She seemed more like she was in her thirties, rather than late teens. Mrs. Figg said,

“Well, I'll let you get going. See you, Harry, Hermione.” She went back inside leaving Harry and Hermione alone in the backyard. Harry said,

“Um, Hermione?”

“What?”

“I haven't apparated in a long time. And even then I wasn't that good at it. I'm going to have to hold onto you to make sure I get to where I'm going and that I don't splinch myself.” Hermione smiled.

“Harry, I'm sure you haven't forgotten. But if it makes you worry less…” She took his hand, and closed her eyes. Harry did too, concentrating on his destination. He had that feeling of being pressed hard from all directions, he felt like his body was trying to cave in. He could feel Hermione grip his hand hard as they were transported across the countryside.

A/n: There ya go. This idea was just a thing that came to me and I had to type it out before I forgot it. Let me know what you think of it. For those of you who are reading my story, `To You I Belong', I haven't forgot about it, I'm just waiting for more reviews till I post.

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 2: A Weasley Wedding and Talks of R.A.B.

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(A/n: Just a little note, the wedding ceremony itself in this chapter is really crappy, because I just don't write weddings well. I've only been to like four in my entire life that I remember. So, just cut me a little slack on this. Thanx!)

Harry and Hermione landed in the Weasley's living room and they bumped into each other, and Hermione almost lost her balance, but Harry kept her from falling by keeping a hold of her hand, and grabbing her other one. Once Hermione's feet were firmly planted on the ground, Harry found himself in a smothering hug by Mrs. Weasley. Harry said his hello, and didn't really hear what Mrs. Weasley was saying about him looking underfed as usual. He saw Ginny leaning against the wall, smiling. Harry returned the smile, and his gaze traveled over to his other best friend, Ron. From the looks of it, it seemed as though Ron hadn't noticed that Harry had arrived. He was too busy staring at Hermione, who was staring back, an annoyed expression on her face. No one had really noticed Mrs. Weasley and Ginny leave the room, most likely to fix some food for Harry. Hermione cleared her throat and looked pointedly from Ron to Harry. As if just noticing that Harry was there, Ron said,

“Harry, good to see you mate!”

“Hi Ron.” Harry glanced at Hermione, who smiled feebly and then climbed the stairs. Harry was about to say something to Ron, but he was interrupted by Mrs. Weasley calling him to go eat. Ron smiled with a look on his face saying they'd talk later, and then followed Hermione's path up the stairs. Harry went to the kitchen, where the kitchen table was full of food, and Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Fleur had congregated. Fleur smiled warmly when she saw Harry and stood to give him a hug.

“'Arry, eet's good to see you again. `Ow've you been?”

“Hello, Fleur. I've been ok, I guess.”

“Oh, Molly, you are right, `e is far too skinny. `Ere, `Arry, eat up!” Harry looked at it all skeptically, and asked,

“Er, Mrs. Weasley, you don't expect me to eat all that, do you?” Mrs. Weasley said looking pointedly at Fleur,

“Oh heavens no. Fleur is trying to decide on what food she wants for the wedding. She still can't reach a decision.”

“I'm sorry, Molly, but everything is so good. Eet's impossible to choose.”

“Well, you're going to have to, because you can't have it all at the wedding! That's too much! Harry, dear, your food is on the counter there.” She pointed to the large plate of food and glass of pumpkin juice on the counter. Harry smiled. It was still a lot of food, but he appreciated the thought. He said,

“If you don't mind, I'll take this upstairs, so I'm out of the way.” Mrs. Weasley and Fleur weren't paying attention, but Ginny smiled at him and nodded. Harry returned the smile and went upstairs. He heard Ron's voice from the room that Hermione and Ginny shared. He heard Ron say,

“Why were you holding his hand then?” Hermione sounded quite irritated when she said,

“Because he told me that he was worried that he might splinch himself if he did it by himself. I was merely helping him.”

“So you have to hold his hand to do that?” Hermione sighed in frustration.

“Ron, you are blowing this way out of proportion. There's nothing wrong with holding onto his hand to help him with apparating.” Ron sighed and Hermione went on saying,

“There's nothing going on between me and Harry. I don't know why it bothers you so much if there were, it's not like you and I going out.”

“That's rich coming from someone who couldn't stand to see me and Lavender together last year!”

“I've told you the reasons for all that, Ron, why do you keep bringing it up?”

“You know I've fancied you for a long time, Hermione. It's just, I was just a little…”

“Jealous?”

“Yeah.”

“You have nothing to be jealous of, Ron.” Harry took this opportunity at a cease-fire in Ron and Hermione's argument to knock on the door. Hermione called,

“Come in.” Harry opened the door and smiled feebly at his friends.

“Mind if I join you?” Hermione smiled and shook her head, Ron was looking uncomfortable, like he sensed that Harry had been listening to the conversation he had with Hermione. Harry sat down on Ginny's bed and held the plate out, offering the food to the other two. They both declined, and Harry said,

“So, what's all the news?” Hermione was about to answer, but again Mrs. Weasley interrupted the conversation. They heard her yell up the stairs,

“Ronald Weasley, I told you three times to clean up the backyard! The wedding is in less than a week, it has to be clean!” Ron sighed and said,

“Be back later.” He left the room, leaving a silence between the two. Hermione said,

“You heard what we were talking about, didn't you?”

“No, I didn't.” Harry lied.

“Liar.”

“Alright, so I did. Sorry, I didn't mean to.”

“Don't worry about it. It's just Ron being himself, and it gets annoying sometimes.”

“I thought there was something between you two?”

“There never was, and never will be, as long as I have something to say about it.”

“But I thought with all the stuff going on last year that you were going out.”

“Harry, the reason I acted the way I did was for three reasons. One, Ron was spending too much time with Lavender, two, Lavender was just using him to get to you, and three, I was feeling left behind.”

“Left behind?”

“Yes. Ron was dating Lavender, you were dating Ginny, who was I dating? Nobody. It was just a little jealousy is all. And I knew Ron used to fancy me, and the fact that he didn't anymore made me feel left behind. Don't get me wrong, I don't like Ron in that way, but just the thought that he had moved on made me feel jealous. It's just a simple thing, really.” Harry slowly nodded, taking in everything that Hermione had said. Then Hermione added,

“And also, between you and me, Ron's an idiot.” Harry laughed. Hermione smiled and said,

“He still has the emotional range of a teaspoon. But anyways, how've things been going for you?”

“Like what?”

“Like everything.”

“You already know that if Hogwarts is going to remain open, I'm not going back.”

“I know. And it is going to remain open, McGonagall is the Headmistress now.”

“And, well, what else is there to say?”

“I don't know. Oh, I'm sorry, you asked me before what the news was, and I never told you.”

“Right, you didn't.”

“Ok, first of all, have you been reading the Daily Prophet?”

“Scanning it is more like it, I just look over the headlines, occasionally read the stories.”

“Alright, then what do you know?”

“I know that the Ministry is still printing things to help people stay safe. I've read about the deaths across the muggle world, and disappearances of witches and wizards.”

“Mainly that's all that has been happening. Either nothing major has happened, or the Ministry is trying to keep everything quiet so they don't cause a panic.”

“Sounds like something the Ministry would do.” They were silent for a while, and Harry's eyes scanned the room, and his gaze stopped at a pale gold dress hanging next to Hermione's bed. He said,

“What's the dress for?”

“Fleur decided she wanted another bridesmaid in her wedding, so, you're looking at the third bridesmaid for the Weasley-Delacour wedding.” The dress was a shiny pale gold, with halter straps that tied in the back.

“Well, if you don't mind Harry, I need to change clothes. The whole nice dress thing doesn't work for me on a regular day.” She got up off her bed and Harry took his plate and left the room. At the door, he stopped and said,

“What was with the dress and everything?” Hermione laughed.

“It was Fleur's idea, and her handiwork. She thought I'd have a better time of convincing your relatives to let you come with me if I looked nice, and not like I do every day. The dress, the hair, make up, all that stuff was her idea.”

“Well, I guess it worked, Dudley couldn't stop staring at you.”

“I know. It was a little disturbing too.” They both laughed and Harry left, shutting the door behind him.

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Three days later, people were arriving from all over to the Burrow for the Weasley-Delacour wedding. Everyone was bustling around with the last minute details, and the house was noisy with chatter and yelling. Vivid flashes of colors went by as the people wearing them rushed past. One girl of about eleven rushed through the crowds, clad in pale gold. She ran up the stairs and opened the door to the room where the bride and her bridesmaids were getting ready. She slammed the door and said,

“Ginny, your relatives, zay are crazy!” Gabrielle crossed the room and sat down in her chair she had previously vacated. Ginny smiled.

“Yeah, they are. But they are the ones that only come around for these big family events like this. We never see much of each other. So when we get together it's all, `Oh I haven't seen you since you were this big!' and stuff like that.” Gabrielle said,

“Well, good luck, Fleur, `ou `ave crazy relatives now.” Fleur and Ginny went on talking, and Ginny said to Hermione,

“Let's go see what Harry and Ron are up to.” Hermione nodded, and she and Ginny stood and left the room going down the hall to Ron's room, where he and Harry were getting ready for the wedding. Ginny knocked and called to the two on the other side of the door,

“Are you decent?” Harry said,

“Yeah, come on in.” Ginny opened the door and she and Hermione came in and shut the door. Ron was pacing, dressed already in black dress robes for he was best man for the wedding. Harry was sitting on his bed, reading, and dressed in his green dress robes. Ginny went and sat beside Harry on his bed, and Hermione conjured up a chair to sit down. Hermione looked up at Ron pacing back and forth and asked,

“What's the matter with you?” Ron shook his head and continued pacing. Harry rolled his eyes.

“He's nervous.”

“About what? It's not like it's your wedding.” Ron didn't answer, but Harry spoke for him.

“He's afraid he'll mess something up, like trip and fall and knock the witch he's escorting over, or that he'll walk too fast and it'll look bad, or he'll loose the ring, or whatever.” Hermione rolled her eyes too.

“Honestly Ron, you'll be fine. If you trip when you escort Gabrielle up, I'll tell her to let go of your arm and let you fall and keep walking. So you won't knock her over.” Ginny and Harry laughed, but Ron stopped pacing for a moment to glare at Hermione. She grinned, and he resumed his pacing.

“You'll do fine, Ron. I promise you, you won't make a fool of yourself.”

“I hope you're right, Hermione.”

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A few hours later, the entire group of guests were congregated outside in the garden for the wedding. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the main event, conversing amongst themselves, glancing back towards the house every once in a while to look for the wedding party. Finally, the minister stood at the front of the garden, and the groom walked up the aisle between the chairs and stood facing the people, waiting for the rest of the party. Bill was smiling, of course, the kind of smile that he couldn't get rid of even if he had to. Despite the fact a werewolf attacked him earlier that year, he had healed, and he only had minimal scars. Aside from the scars, he still looked like the Bill Weasley everyone had always known. Mrs. Weasley started wiping away tears with her handkerchief, while her husband kept his arm around her for support. Mr. Weasley smiled at his son, and looked back as the bridesmaids and groomsmen started walking up. Hermione and Fred were first. Hermione nervously smiled, looking around at all the people staring at her, while her escort was grinning at the attention. Hermione let go of Fred's arm when they reached the front, and they both turned and faced the group, waiting for the next two to come up. Hermione caught Harry's eye and they both smiled. Ginny and George were the next ones to come up. Ginny's arm was linked with her brother's and like Hermione, Ginny had a nervous smile on her face, and George, like his brother, grinned at the attention. Ginny and George joined Bill, Fred, and Hermione at the front, and watched the last couple coming up the aisle. The best man and the maid of honor were the last couple to come up, Ron and Gabrielle. Gabrielle was smiling shyly, while Ron looked sort of green. All of the wedding party knew he was nervous, and so did a few of the congregation. They all smiled in encouragement trying to make Ron feel better, but it never worked. Charlie was originally supposed to be Bill's best man, but something came up that he couldn't make it back for the wedding, so Ron stood in Charlie's place. The two reached the front without any incident, and soon after the bride and her father came up. Bill beamed with pride as he watched his bride come up the aisle, arm linked with her father's. Fleur smiled back blushing slightly. Fleur's father gave her away, the vows were spoken, rings exchanged, and the newlyweds were presented to the congregation.

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“See Ron, you did fine, you didn't forget the ring, or trip and fall. You were just over worried,” Hermione said to him later at the reception.

“That's the last wedding I want to be best man in for a while, it's too much stress on a person.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“But what if I want you to be best man at my wedding?” Harry said.

“You won't be getting married right away anyways, right?”

“Right. There's too much else to deal with right now anyway. And I'm not in that place with anyone.”

“Good. Ginny's too young at the moment.”

“I know that, Ron. Like I said, there's too much to deal with right now. And if we were still together, we wouldn't even be in that place yet.”

“Good.” Hermione laughed.

“Ron, it's a wonder Ginny ever meets any guys. If it were up to you, she'd never date.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“No, there's not, but there is if her brother scares away potential boyfriends.”

“Ginny's only sixteen, Hermione, she's got her whole life to date.”

“Well, anyways, I'm just glad I don't have an older brother like you to keep me from dating.”

“You don't date much anyway.”

“So? I still date.”

“I think you need an older brother sometimes to fix the problem with your choice in men…” Ron trailed off, instantly regretting what he said when he saw the look on her Hermione's face.

“I didn't mean that, Hermione.” Hermione stood up, and walked away.

“Is this like a daily routine for you two, that you two have to fight all the time?”

“Well, if she didn't take everything so personal, we wouldn't fight so much.”

“No, Ron, I really don't think that's why.”

“But whatever. She'll be back.” Harry stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To go find her.”

“She's fine.”

“Don't you remember that no one is supposed to go out alone?”

“Ok, I'll go with you.”

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They found Hermione sitting on the porch swing in the backyard, looking out over the fog-covered landscape. Evenings were foggy every day now; the dementors were the cause for that. It settled the earth with a hazy gloom, but it seemed to go unnoticed by the guests at the party. Hermione was brought out of her reverie when a voice said,

“Hey.” She turned towards the direction of Harry's voice and saw him and Ron standing next to the swing. Harry elbowed Ron to apologize.

“Hermione, I'm sorry for what I said, I didn't mean it.” Hermione smiled and shook her head.

“Don't worry about it. I've got better things to do than stay mad at you, Ron.” Ron smiled.

“Mind if we join you?” Harry asked.

“Go for it.” Harry sat next to Hermione on the swing, while Ron slid up onto the railing that went around the back porch. They all stared out across the countryside. After a long silence, Ron decided to voice the opinions of himself and also the two sitting with him.

“The weather sucks nowadays.” Harry and Hermione smiled and nodded.

“Even with the dreary fog, it is peaceful around here,” Hermione said.

“Yeah, when we leave, I might never be able to come here again,” Ron said.

“Why's that? You'll be back after you finish the term this year,” Harry said.

“Not necessarily, I'm not going back to Hogwarts, and who knows if this place'll still be standing when I eventually get the chance to come back. If I'm still alive.”

“Why aren't you going back to school?”

“Same reason you aren't, mate. I'm going Horcrux hunting with you. We both are.” Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione spoke first.

“Harry, there's nothing you can say that's going to stop us helping you. Do you really think we'd let you go out alone and find these by yourself?”

“Yeah, we might be of help to you, Harry.” Harry opened his mouth again to say something, but found that Hermione was right, there wasn't a thing he could think to say that would keep them from coming with him. He sighed.

“What did your Mum say when you told her that you weren't going back for your seventh year?”

“Well…she doesn't…really know yet.”

“Good luck with that one, mate. Have your told your parents what you're planning on doing?”

“Yes. They were disappointed, but then I pointed out that if we don't help, and something happens that you should fail, God forbid, there won't be a Hogwarts to stay at, and if there still is, it won't be very safe anymore.” There was silence again; save for the squeaking of the swing as Harry's foot absently moved the swing back and forth. Hermione picked her feet up from moving back and forth with the swing and stretched her legs over Harry's lap, and leaned her head against the back of the swing, while the squeaking continued. Ron said out of nowhere,

“Do you really think my Mum is going to over-react when I tell her?” Harry and Hermione laughed.

“Do you not know your mum?” Hermione said.

“Yeah, I guess your right. Well, I guess I should get it over with soon, you know, rip the Band-Aid off. Quick and painless.” Again Harry and Hermione laughed.

“Oh, I don't even have the heart to crush your small glimmer of hope, Ron,” Hermione said. (A/n: Ok, now, I don't have my 6^th book on me, it's at school, so I can't remember all this stuff of the top of my head, so if something's not quite right, I apologize. Please kindly correct me, and thank you in advance for your forgiveness.)

“Anyways, any ideas on where and what these Horcruxes might be?” Harry shrugged.

“The only thing I know is one of them is a locket that belonged to Slytherin, a cup that belonged to Hufflepuff, and something that belonged to Gryffindor, and his snake, Nagini. There's also the diary and that ring Dumbledore had, but I have no idea where to find the remaining ones, or even what they are for sure.”

“What did the note in the basin in that cave say again?”

“That this R.A.B. person has taken it and plans to destroy it to bring Voldemort closer to his downfall.” Ron flinched at the mention of Voldemort's name.

“Oh come on, Ron, if you're going to help Harry, you've got to learn to say Voldemort's name,” Hermione snapped. “Come on, say it. Let me hear you say it.” Ron hesitated.

“Come on.”

“V…V…Vold…” He took a deep breath and rushed out, “Voldemort.”

“There. Now, no more flinching when you hear his name.”

“Alright, Hermione.”

“Anyways, R.A.B. And we still don't know who he or she is?”

“No.”

“I asked Lupin about it earlier this summer, and he said he's never heard of an R.A.B., and neither has McGonagall or anyone else. It's probably a Death Eater, who backed out or something. Too bad Sirius isn't…you know. He might have heard of him while he was in Azkaban.” When Ron finished his last sentence, Hermione got that look on her face when she just figured out the answer to a difficult problem. The two noticed it and Ron said,

“What?”

“I think I just realized who R.A.B. is.”

“Who?”

“What if the R. stands for Regulus, and the B. for Black?” Realization dawned over Harry and Ron.

“Sirius's brother.”

“Yes, what if his middle name began with an A?”

“And Ron could be right, he was a Death Eater that backed out, and Voldemort killed him.”

“What if that was the reason why Regulus died? Because Voldemort found out that he stole the Horcrux.” Ron sat up, wearing almost the same look that Hermione was wearing before.

“I know where it is.”

“Where?”

“Remember when we were cleaning Grimmauld Place summer before last?” Harry and Hermione nodded.

“Remember when we found a locket that…”

“No one could open.”

“Right.”

“Well, that was an easy find then, we'll go to Grimmauld Place tomorrow,” Ron said.

“But how do you know it's still there?”

“Why wouldn't it?”

“Remember that Mundungus as been through the house looking for things to sell, what if he took that too?”

“I thought Dumbledore made him bring everything back?”

“Ron, do you honestly think that Mundungus is going to bring everything back?”

“Oh. Right.”

“He might-Harry, what's the matter?” Harry was staring off into space, like he purposely tuned out the conversation. He shook his head.

“Nothing.”

“Liar, ” Ron and Hermione said at the same time.

“It's just…I don't want to go back to Grimmauld Place all that bad. The whole place is just depressing.

“We don't have to go right away if you're not ready, Harry. It's understandable that it's painful to go back.”

“But anyways, I think we all should go back inside, people will be looking for us soon,” Ron said, as he slid off the railing and headed inside, Harry and Hermione right behind him.

A/n: Whew, long chapter! But I finally finished it!! Hope you enjoyed, please review!!

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 3: Coming of Age Bringing Tragedy

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A week later, Hermione and Ron brought Harry back to Privet Drive where he would spend his very last week in that hellhole. They apparated to Mrs. Figg's, and then they parted ways, Hermione and Ron going back to the Burrow, Harry going down the street. When he got back, he was greeted with an empty house. It looked as though the Dursley's moved out while he was gone. Harry climbed the stairs up to his room, where the padlocks had been placed on the door, to try and keep him from getting in. Harry laughed to himself, Uncle Vernon didn't know that preventing underage wizardry wasn't the Ministry's top priority, so Harry could easily get into his room again. Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at all the locks.

“Alohamora (sp?).” The locks all undid themselves, and Harry opened the door. For the most part it looked the same as it did when he left, except for two envelopes on his desk. His name was printed on the envelopes in his aunt's tidy script. One had just his name on it, the other had his name and underneath his name were the words, `Do not open until July 31^st. Harry opened the first one and found Petunia's writing in a letter.

Dear Harry,

I'm sure at this moment you're probably wondering where we are, but probably aren't too concerned. I'm not sure where we're headed at the moment, but we'll return the day after your seventeenth birthday. Vernon, in all his insanity, wanted to be as far away from you as possible the minute you became of age, and so he packed us up and soon we'll be leaving. I don't know if I'll ever see you again, I don't blame you if you never want to see all of us ever again; it's my fault for that. But basically I just wanted to say goodbye and wish you well, and also to apologize for sixteen years of misery that you spent in this house. I want you to know, if I could go back in time, I'd change everything. We were afraid, afraid of what you could become. If you need a reason for that, I can explain in three words; Lily and James. Even a ignorant muggle like myself could see the power that my sister possessed even at eleven, and when she met her counter-part at school, I could see that if they were to marry and have children, their offspring would have power that would be unthinkable. So, naturally, we were scared.

Another thing I want you to know, deep down, I loved my sister. She was my only sibling, and before she went off to Hogwarts, we were best friends. But I think my hate for her grew because of jealousy. She was the baby, and was going off to a wizarding school, while I was just a plain, every day mediocre person. The day I found out she died was the day that you turned up on our doorstep, and that night, I think I cried. I cried for all those years that I had hated her, and cried for the short life that she lived (she and your father were only twenty), and cried for the one-year-old that would never know his parents. And believe me, I think of that every day. I can see her staring back at me when you looked at me with her eyes. I wish you could've known her, and your father. I never knew James all that well, but naturally I knew Lily extremely well. She was always full of life, mostly all smiles, except around me, and she was beautiful. That was another reason for envy from me.

I want to say that I'm proud of you. More so than I am of my own son. You're the one that can and will do something with your life, Dudley's more content to spend the rest of his life wedged into an armchair, watching hours upon hours of television, eating bags of potato chips. I don't know what profession you want to go into, but I have a feeling you'll do what your parents did. They were both…oh what was the word…Aurors? Does that sound right? Some defense job, that hunted down the dark wizards of your world. You'll do well at it, should that be what line of work you go into.

I'm sorry about what happened to Sirius. I met him twice, I think, and I could see why your mum and dad named him your godfather, and why he and James were best friends. It's sad that you'll only had a few years to get to know him. And I hope everything turns out all right for everyone following Dumbledore's death. Death is a part of life, Harry, and everything happens for a reason.

Good luck with fighting Lord Voldemort. I hope you kill the bastard. In the meantime, keep your friends close. That Hermione girl seems like a good young woman. I can see why you and her are best friends, and…(the next part made Harry's jaw drop)…she'd be a good match for you. Something to think about. I'm sure by now you've heard quite a bit that you're a lot like your father. What with all the letters that your Head of House sends me two or three times a year. But you're more like your mother, I also get the letters every time you do something good too. Don't get me wrong, James did good things too, but I see it more from Lily's son rather than James's. Goodbye, Harry, and good luck. I probably won't see you again, but I hope that I might, and I hope that everything turns out right for you. I wish I could be there to say goodbye in person, but not everything works out the way we want.

Aunt Petunia

P.S. Help yourself to anything while we're gone, no one will care.

Harry was surprised to say the least after he finished the letter. He never knew the kinds of things his aunt felt, or really how much she knew. He tucked the letter back in the envelope and placed it between two pages in Quidditch Through the Ages. He went downstairs and helped himself to a pop (soda, coke, soft drink, whatever you happen to call it), and plopped into the couch in the living room. His aunt's words were running through his head, the explanations and the little advice stuck the most. It was at that time that he forgave her, he realized that he couldn't stay mad at her anymore.

------------------------------------

July 31^st rolled around and Harry again was spending his birthday by himself with no one to wish him happy birthday in person. He had the birthday cards and presents from his friends, and some fan mail from people who found out that he turned seventeen. He didn't open any of the ones from people he didn't know, because you can never be too cautious in the middle of a war, especially when you're the target of the enemy. Instead, he through them into the garbage disposal and ducked as paper shards flew all over. Since Ron and Hermione were coming to get him this evening, he figured he should pack his things. He could just see the look Hermione would give him if he wasn't ready when they came. The owl carrying the Daily Prophet for him flew through the window, and Harry paid the fee and took his paper, and the owl took flight again. On the bottom corner of front page was a short article,

Mysterious Muggle Attacks in the Middle of the Night

At exactly midnight on 31 July, two muggles were found dead with the Dark Mark sent over their house, writes Miranda Hixby, Special Correspondent. At this time we are unable to disclose their names, but further reports will be posted as soon as possible. Authorities are questioning the Death Eaters motives for these deaths because it's unusual for Death Eaters to pick a specific time of day like midnight. And this writer believes that the specific time of this particular day might have something to do with `the Chosen One', Harry Potter, like He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is sending his calling card. With the death of Albus Dumbledore, one wonders what kind of people are still out there for the Boy Who Lived.

Harry rolled his eyes. This writer was almost as bad as Rita Skeeter was. After scanning through the rest of the Prophet, he folded it up and left it on the table. He got up and stretched. He had total freedom on his birthday, it was the first time he had ever had a chance to do anything. Now he was legally an adult in the wizarding world and could do magic without taking the chance that Ministry officials would come and expel him. Going back to the letters he received, he opened a letter from Ron. It read,

Harry,

Happy Birthday! Sorry I didn't send your present with you, but when Hermione and come get you tonight, a party's waiting for you at the Burrow. See you at seven tonight.

- Ron

Harry supposed that the party wouldn't wait till tomorrow, it'd be waiting for him when he got there that night. An official Ministry letter was among his mail and it read,

Dear Mr. Potter,

With your coming of age, the opportunity has come up that you may take your apparition test. Should you choose to do so, contact the Ministry with an available time for you.

Sincerely,

Louisa Marshnal

Head of Department of Wizard Travel

Harry folded up the letter and took out a piece of parchment, wrote down a time and sent it to the Ministry. He was nervous, the last time he apparated, he needed assistance, and wasn't all together sure he could do it by himself. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, another one pushed itself in the previous one's place. He was talking to Lupin at Bill and Fleur's wedding, and the topic was apparition. Even then, Harry wasn't sure he could do it, and it was at that point where Lupin smiled and said,

“Harry, you're James and Lily's son. I don't really think there is any magical capability that you don't possess.”

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A few hours later, Harry had gone trough the visitors' entrance of the Ministry and presented his wand to be checked. The security guard found it ok, and sent him to the apparition floor. A surly wizard marked one spot with his wand and told Harry to stand on it. Then he marked a spot twenty feet away and told him to apparate from one spot to another. Remembering the brief training he had last year, Harry concentrated on the spot and kept willing himself to appear on it, and he shocked himself to find that he had. The wizard marked three more spaces; each time was farther and farther apart. Finally, the examiner decided Harry had passed, and twenty minutes later, Harry apparated out of the Ministry and to Mrs. Figg's backyard with his license in hand. When Harry got back to his room to finish his packing, he found the second letter that Petunia had left him that said not to open until July 31^st. He opened it and read,

Dear Harry,

When you were left in our care, a few things came with you from your parents' house. Lily had written on a piece of paper that if anything should happen to her that these things should be given to you on your seventeenth birthday. They are at the bottom drawer of my dresser in the hall closet, underneath a blue quilt. There are three books in there, all three of them belong to you.

Petunia

Harry set the letter down and went to the hall closet. He found the blue quilt underneath a green one, thinking that Petunia didn't do all that good of a job hiding the books, but then remembered that he had only opened this door once or twice, and it was to hide from Dudley. Harry found his books, a small baby blue, a crimson square one, and a small emerald green one. The green one had the word, “Journal” written on it, and on the inside cover was his mother's signature. The crimson square one was a scrapbook Lily had made of her years in school, her wedding, the birth of her son, etc. Harry opened it and saw his mother and the Marauder's smiling and waving at him. The third book, the baby blue one, was Harry's baby book. The first page was titled, “Arrival” and had all the birth information on Harry.

Name: Harry James Potter

Date of Birth: July 31^st, 1980

Time: 12:00 A.M.

Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz.

Mother: Lily Elizabeth Evans-Potter

Father: James Michael Potter

Maternal Grandparents: David and Rose Evans (both deceased)

Paternal Grandparents: Michael and Cecilia Potter (both deceased)

Godfather: Sirius Black

Godmother: Alice Haysing-Longbottom

Aunts/Uncles (mother's side): Petunia Evans-Dursley, Vernon Dursley

Aunts/Uncles (father's side): none

Harry looked at the page with curiosity. He never knew his grandparents' names, on either side of his family, but wasn't surprised to find that all four of them were dead. He found it interesting that his godmother was Alice Longbottom, thought sadly that both his godfather and his godmother were either dead or insane because of being tortured. Harry closed his baby book and pulled out the scrapbook. Apparently, taking pictures was one of Lily's favorite things to do. Almost every event had a dozen or more pictures for it. There were quite a few pages dedicated to James and Lily, and a few for the Marauders. Harry kept looking at the pictures in the scrapbook, and lost track of time. Faintly, downstairs he heard someone knocking on the door. He looked at his alarm clock and noticed it read 7:10. Harry jumped out of his chair and ran downstairs. He was supposed to meet Hermione and Ron ten minutes ago. He opened the door and saw Ron on the step.

“Sorry, I lost track of time. And I haven't even packed yet.”

“I was worried. I thought something happened to you on the way to Mrs. Figg's.”

“I'm really sorry, Ron. But I just need to finish packing and we can go.” They both went upstairs and packed up all of the things in Harry's life into the trunk. Harry shrunk it down and put it in his pocket. On the way down the stairs, Harry asked,

“Is Hermione still at Mrs. Figg's?”

“No. She didn't come with me,” Ron said expressionlessly.

“Why didn't she? Where is she?”

“She at her house,” Ron said in the same expressionless tone.

“I thought it wasn't safe for her there?”

“She's protected there. The Ministry is there with her.”

“Why?”

“Did you read the Prophet this morning?”

“I skimmed through it.”

“Did you read that article about the muggles dying last night at midnight?”

“Yeah, I did. About all that crap that they think it has something to do with me, because of the time and day it happened. Do you know who it…?” Harry trailed off, realizing why Hermione was at home and the Ministry was there. He stopped walking and looked at his best friend.

“Hermione's parents were the ones who were killed?” Ron slowly nodded.

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A/n: Well, I finally got the next chapter out. Again, I apologize for long times between updates. School and work keeps me busy, and there are times when I just don't get a chance to write. Well, please review!!!!

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 4: Decisions and Conversations

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It was two weeks before Hermione came back to the Burrow. She hadn't been in contact with anyone there, and to Harry, it bothered him immensely to not be able to talk to one of his best friends, especially when her parents were dead. Once she arrived, she kept to herself, only speaking when she was addressed, and usually with only one or two word answers. One evening, when Hermione was sitting out on the porch in the swing, Mrs. Weasley said to Ron,

“Why don't you go talk to Hermione?”

“Why me?”

“Because you're her friend, Ron.”

“I wouldn't know what to say to her. I'll probably say something that she would classify as insensitive or something.”

“Well, someone needs to talk to her. It's been almost a week since she's been back and she hasn't spoken once.” Harry stood and headed for the door.

“I'll go.” Harry stepped outside, and shivered slightly because of the unseasonably chilly breeze that blew through the evening. Hermione didn't acknowledge his presence, but continued to stare off into space. Harry sat beside her, and Hermione said bitterly,

“What, did you all have to draw straws to find out who was going to come out and talk to me?”

“No. I volunteered.”

“No offense, Harry, but what could you possibly say to make me feel better?”

“Well, honestly, not much, but I at least got you to say more than two words at a time. I actually thought I would be the one you wouldn't want to talk to, not just everyone in general.”

“Why's that?”

“Well, all this happened because of me, right? It happened on midnight on my birthday…” Hermione interrupted him saying,

“Don't you dare try blaming yourself for my parents getting killed, Harry. You had nothing to do with it. There was nothing you could've done to stop it.” Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione beat him to it.

“Don't try and argue with me. No one could've stopped it.” Harry didn't want to argue the point with her, but after a short silence, he said,

“Look at it this way, Hermione. At least you got seventeen years with your parents. Some of us don't even get that much time.” Hermione's features softened. She sighed.

“You're right, Harry. At least I did get seventeen years with them.” There was another silence, but this time it was broken by Hermione.

“I just keep going over in my head that I'll never be able to go home to see them. They'll never be waiting for me when I get off the Hogwarts Express, they won't be there when I graduate. They'll never be there to meet my husband, my dad won't be there to walk me down the aisle at my wedding, and my kids'll never know their Grandpa and Grandma Granger. I guess you could say I'm just feeling sorry for myself.”

“Well, everyone's entitled to it some time in their life.”

“You know the one thing I'll miss most though?”

“What's that?”

“When I was little, at the holidays, the whole family was invited, and my Mum and I would make a huge dinner for everyone, with turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie (a/n: wink, wink), and all that other stuff. I'm going to miss it.”

“But you have those memories of it though. And that's better than nothing.” Hermione smiled.

“Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Harry. Thank you for making me feel better.” Harry smiled in return, and said,

“Well, I'm glad you're feeling a little better, and that you're talking again. See, when you aren't talking to anyone, then I only have Ron to talk to, and there's things that are just too complex for his brain.” Hermione laughed.

“Well, I'll try to help spare his brain of any difficulty then.”

“Shall we go inside then?”

“Yeah.” Harry stood and offered his hand to Hermione to pull her to her feet. She took it, and stood up. Harry started to head for the door, but stopped when he felt Hermione grab his arm.

“Harry. Thanks again.”

“You're welcome.”

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The next morning everyone woke to find Hogwarts letters on the kitchen table. While Mrs. Weasley was making plans for them all to go to Diagon Ally that afternoon, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were talking about their letters that they hadn't even bothered to open. Hermione said,

“We have to write to McGonagall and tell her we're not coming back.” Harry pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. He dipped it in the ink and held it over the paper, prepared to write. Ron said,

“I'd hate to hear what McGonagall has to say when she finds out her best student isn't returning.” Harry said,

“I'd hate to hear what your mum'll say when she finds out her youngest son isn't returning for his last year.”

“Oh right.” Hermione said to Ron,

“She's the one I'd be more worried about, if I were you, Ron. Tell you what, we'll handle the letter to McGonagall, and you can tell your mother.”

“You mean you're sending me without witnesses? That's about as bad as putting a wizard in a room full of Death Eaters without his wand and telling him to win.”

“Take Ginny with you.”

“Maybe you should tell her first.”

“Good idea, get some practice.” Ron stood and went upstairs, looking for his sister. Harry said,

“Ok, back to the letter. Here, you tell me what to write.”

“Ok.” Harry started the letter out writing, Dear Professor McGonagall. He looked at Hermione, who said,

“Due to reasons that can't be disclosed in this letter…we are writing to say that we will not be attending Hogwarts this year.” She paused, thinking about what to say. For no particular reason at all, she picked up her letter and opened it, perhaps thinking it might help her figure out what to say. Her eyes widened in surprise. Harry asked,

“What is it?”

“Oh my God.”

“What is it?” Harry repeated. Hermione pulled out a gold badge that had the letters, HG on it, and underneath, the words, Head Girl. Almost speechless, Hermione said breathlessly,

“I've been made Head Girl.”

“I don't know why you're surprised. Everyone always knew you were going to be someday.” Hermione didn't reply, but had that look on her face of deep thought. She muttered,

“I wonder…” She then grabbed Harry's letter from the table and slit it open. Her face broke into a smile, and she said,

“I knew it.” She handed the silver badge to Harry, which had the letters, HB, on it, and underneath, the words, Head Boy. Harry was speechless. Hermione grinned.

“I've been expecting that for a while.”

“But…I wasn't a prefect.”

“So? Neither was your dad, but he was Head Boy. Anyways, back to the letter.” Harry dipped the tip of the quill into the ink and held it above the parchment.

“We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause with the selections of Head Boy and Head Girl. There, it's short, and to the point. Just write, sincerely, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.” Five minutes later, Hedwig was flying off with the letter attached to her foot, and Harry and Hermione went to find Ron, to be with him when he told Mrs. Weasley that he wasn't going back to school. She was in the kitchen when the trio found her, and Ron said,

"Mum, we need to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"Maybe...you should sit down for this." Mrs. Weasley sat at the kitchen table, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione sat across from her.

"Well, what is it?"

"Mum, I'm seventeen, old enough to make my own decisions, right?"

"Some of your decisions, yes."

"Well, I've decided that I'm not going back to school this year." There was complete silence as the trio waited anxiously to see how Mrs. Weasley would take it. Finally she said,

"Why don't you want to go back to school this year?"

"Because I'm going with these two, and we won't have time for school."

"Neither one of you are going back?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I...can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because...it's a secret."

"Well, you better be telling me the secret if it's the reason why you're planning on not going back to Hogwarts this year! Where are you going?" Neither one of them answered her.

"Ronald Weasley, you'd better tell..." She never finished her sentence, because Hermione interrupted her saying,

"We're going to destroy Voldemort." Mrs. Weasley's attention turned to Hermione, and she said breathlessly, like she couldn't believe what she had just heard,

"What?"

"We're going to kill Voldemort."

"All three of you?"

"Yes."

"But...you're only seventeen!"

"So?"

"So how do you expect three seventeen year olds to take on the most powerful dark wizard the world has ever seen?"

"Well, we're not ordinary seventeen year olds."

"Ron, you're going back to school, and that's all there is to it!" Ron said, starting to lose his temper,

"Mum, I'm seventeen, I should be allowed to decide whether I go back or not!"

"Seventeen or not, Ron, I'm still your mother, and I'm saying that you're going back!" Mrs. Weasley stood up, and angrily left the kitchen. Ron glared at her as she left, and as soon as his mother was out of earshot, he said,

"I can't believe she's making me go back."

"She's just trying to protect you, Ron. You're her youngest son, and you're seventeen already. She's...just a little emotional."

"She's protecting me. From what? No one is safe anymore."

"But you're going and looking for trouble."

"Don't tell me you're thinking of backing out?" Harry, who had been silent through the whole conversatoin, looked at Hermione when Ron asked her about backing out. Without missing a beat, she said,

"Of course not." There was a short silence until Harry broke it, saying quietly, almost like he dreaded hearing the answer,

"What did Ginny say when you told her?"

"I never did."

"Why not?"

"Becuase she wasn't upstairs, and I didn't bother going to look for her. I'll tell her later, or you can tell her."

"Why do I have to?" Hermione rolled her eyes and said before Ron could answer Harry,

"Honestly, you two act like you're afraid of Ginny."

"We're not afraid of her."

"Then be men and talk to her." Both of them glared at her. Ron shrugged.

"Well, one of us should do it." He looked at Harry, and so did Hermione.

"Why am I the one who should talk to her?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Because she still thinks there's a chance for the two of you. You need to tell her the truth, stop leading her on. It's a cruel thing to do to a girl, Harry." He sighed.

"Where is she?"

"I think out in the garden." Harry stood and left the house, heading out to the garden, seeing Ginny's red hair right away. When he got to her, she smiled when she saw him, and he halfheartedly returned it. He said,

"Mind if I join you?"

"Go for it." Harry sat down, and Ginny said,

"So, what's up?"

"I need to talk to you."

"About what?" Harry didn't answer her right away, he was trying to think of the best way to put what he wanted to say. While he was thinking, he glanced up and saw an owl flying towards the Burrow, and soar into the kitchen window. Finally, he thought of something to say.

"You know when we...broke up last spring...how it...kind of left things up in the air? Like...maybe some day we could be together again?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, Ginny, I really don't things are going to work out at all. I don't know what made me feel this way over the summer, but you remember me telling you how I would feel every time I saw before we were together?" Ginny didn't answer him, the hurt look on her face and all the things running through her brain kept her from answer him. Harry went on, still trying to think of what to say without hurting her more.

"I guess, I just can't explain it, Ginny." It was a while before Ginny said anything. Harry patiently waited until she said,

"You're sure that it can't work out between us? I mean, we have next year at school still, are you sure that you're wanting to make up your mind already?"

"Yes, because I'm not going back to school this year."

"You're not?"

"No. Ron, Hermione and I are going off to kill Voldemort." Ginny flinched. The hurt look on her face turned to a sour one and she shook her head and muttered, "Hermione."

"What about her?"

"This is probably the highlight of her boring life, to set out with her two best friends out to save the world, keeping them all to herself." Harry didn't reply, he didn't know what to say. As if reality just hit her, Ginny shrugged and, losing her anger, said sadly,

"Oh well, I guess it's the way it's supposed to be. In the back of my mind I always figured that you two belonged together."

"Me and Hermione? Belong together? I don't think so, Ginny."

"You don't think so? Haven't you always wondered why the gossip mill has been revolving around you two for six years, Harry?" When he didn't answer her, she went on, "Because it seems to fit. To some people you seem like the perfect couple. She and Ron don't belong together, people with two different levels of brain activity don't belong together. Where would you be without her? Seriously."

"Probably dead."

"Exactly. You need her more than need me."

"Wait this isn't about me and Hermione, Ginny. It has nothing to do with her."

"Nevertheless...I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Ginny."

"Just make sure you do one thing, though."

"Kill the bastard."

"I plan to, I will." In the distance, from the house, Harry heard Ron calling for him. Ginny said,

"You'd better go, it's probably important."

"Yeah. Ginny, I..."

"Just go, there's nothing really left to say." With that, Harry slowly stood up and headed back to the house. He was deep in thought about what Ginny had said to him. That was the second person who in the last month had said that he and Hermione seemed to belong together. Ginny was right, he did need her, but mostly for help, and to bail his butt out of trouble sometimes. But he didn't need her like a girlfriend. He couldn't deny that she was pretty, especially at the wedding and that night she came to bring him back to the Burrow for that week. He shook his head, getting the thought out of his head. He didn't need to be thinking about anything like that now. He had bigger things to worry about.

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Harry reached the house and came back into the kitchen, where Hermione and Ron were sitting opposite each other, a letter between them. Harry said,

"What is it?"

"McGonagall sent a reply."

"Already?" Hermione nodded and handed the letter to Harry. It read,

Harry, Hermione, and Ron -

I wish for you three to meet with me tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 to talk about your letter.

Sincerely,

Professor McGonagall

"Well, I guess we probably should go."

"Yeah, we should."

"She'd better not try and convince us to go back, because like I told Mum, I'm not doing it!" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Easy there, Ron. No one's making you go back. You're so defensive."

"I am not!" Hermione gave him a look that said, 'see?', and Ron fell silent. Forgetting Ron's defensiveness, Hermione said,

"I wonder what she wants to see us about."

"Dunno."

A/n: Ok, really bad way to end this chapter, but I don't know how to end it without going into my next thought. But anyways, here's chapter 4, finally! Again, thanks for the reviews and keep it up!!!

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 5: No Name Chapter

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The next day, at twenty-five after three, Harry, Hermione, and Ron stood outside the Hogwarts castle, staring up at the building that had been their home for six years. But it just didn't seem to have the same warmth and inviting feeling as it used to. The reason for that, Harry figured was the white tomb by the lake, which held Dumbledore's body. Harry took a deep breath and sighed. Hermione looked at him, smiled, and reached for his hand, and held it in hers comfortingly, then she took Ron's hand in her other one and held it. She also took a deep breath and sighed and said,

"Well, let's get it over with." Ron opened the doors to the entrance hall, and the trio set foot in the castle. It seemed so dark and gloomy, like the lights weren't functioning properly, not giving off their proper amount of light. They made their way to the Headmistress's office, stopped at the stone gargoyle, unsure of what the password was. Harry thought for a second then said tentatively,

"Lemon Drop?" The stone gargoyle leapt aside and the stairs to the office materialized. The trio climbed the steps and when they reached the top, Ron knocked on the door.

"Come in," came McGonagall's reply from the other side of the door. Ron opened it, and they came into the office. It looked almost exactly the same as it did when Dumbledore was Headmaster, with only a few changes. The portraits of the former headmasters and headmistresses quietly snoozed in their frames or tried to see who entered the office. The portrait of Dumbledore still slept peacefully, looking the same as it did at the end of last year. From the time the three had come into the castle and went to McGonagall's office, Ron had dropped Hermione's hand, but Harry still held her hand, finding it somewhat calming. Professor McGonagall sat at her desk, writing, and didn't acknowledge the presence of her former Gryffindors right away. She finished the sentence she was on, and laid her quill down and looked up. She smiled and said,

"Please have a seat you three." The trio sat, and McGonagall leaned back in her chair.

"I cannot deny my disappointment when I read your letter. So many have already decided not to come back this year, and it's disappointing to see you three on the list. Especially when you, Harry and Hermione, were chosen as Head Boy and Head Girl."

"You're not going to make us come back are you?" Ron said uneasily.

"No, Ron, I'm not. I have no control over the matter. If it is your choice to not return this year, then I must go along with it. I just would like to know why, though." Hermione, releasing Harry's hand, sat up a little straighter in her chair and said,

"It's not that we're afraid to come back, Professor, it's that we have things to deal with, that can't be done while at school."

"Because of the Horcruxes." The trio looked at their former transfiguration teacher in surprise. She smiled slightly and said,

"Before he died, Dumbledore left me a letter in case the worst should happen, and he explained it all in there. He explained that there are still four left if the locket proved to be a decoy.”

“It was, Professor. The locket wasn't a Horcrux, Dumbledore weakened himself that night for a fake Horcrux.”

“I know. But what we need to find out is where the locket could be.”

“Professor, I think we might know that. Harry said that in the locket was a note signed by an R.A.B. We did some thinking, and we think that R.A.B. could've been Sirius's brother Regulus, and that the fourth Horcrux could be at Grimmauld Place,” Hermione said, in that same tone of voice she used when answering a question in class. Professor McGonagall nodded.

“That is very possible. If I recall correctly…” She stopped in mid-sentence and got up and retrieved a thick book and flipped through a few pages before coming to a stop and placing her finger on a place. The trio stood to see what she was pointing at, and saw the book was a list of every student that had ever attended Hogwarts and what house they were in. She was pointing to Regulus A. Black.

“You were right, Regulus's initials are R.A.B. There's a very strong possibility that he took the Horcrux.” Ron picked the book up and turned it over in his hands.

“Can I borrow this for a moment? I just want to look through it.” McGonagall nodded and the trio sat back down in their chairs.

“So you're planning on going to Grimmauld Place then?” Harry and Hermione nodded, Ron was busy looking through the book.

“Then let me offer a suggestion. I already know you won't be returning to classes, but I think that it might be wise to let everyone think that you are. Because people will notice that you three are among the ones not coming back to school this year and could tell the right people to go looking for you somewhere other than Hogwarts. So, I think you should come back on the first day of school, as the Head Boy and Girl, and you can come and go as you like, though I would prefer that you let me know when you're leaving.” Hermione nodded.

“It might be a good idea. But if we're gone for weeks at a time, wouldn't people notice then?”

“I don't think they would as much as if you didn't come that first day. At least this would buy you some time.” Hermione and McGonagall went on forming the plan, but Harry's attention was brought to the book his other best friend had. Ron had elbowed Harry and when he got his attention, pointed to a few names on the list of students that came to Hogwarts twenty-seven years ago. He pointed to Evans, Lily E. and Potter, James M., then to Black, Sirius O., and to Lupin, Remus J. Harry smiled, but Ron held up a finger to say `hold on a moment'. He flipped back a few pages to a list written twenty-five years prior to the one with his parents. He pointed to a name, Potter, Michael W. Harry's grandfather apparently. Ron held his finger up again and flipped forward in the book. He got to a list twenty years after his parents' year. Ron said,

“Who're these thickheads?” He pointed to Granger, Hermione J., Potter, Harry J., and Weasley, Ronald B.

Harry smiled and shook his head. “Dunno, never heard of them.” Ron grinned and turned back through the book looking for other people they knew.

Harry turned back to McGonagall and Hermione's conversation. “Professor, how do you destroy a Horcrux?” Both women turned their attention to him and McGonagall said,

“I don't know, Harry. I know very little about them.”

“I know how I destroyed the diary, but I know there's other ways of destroying them.”

“I know. But like I said, I know very little about them, and even less about how to destroy them.”

Hermione grabbed Harry's arm as a realization came to her. “Harry, maybe Slughorn knows. He knew about the Horcruxes in the first place, remember, he told Riddle in that memory. Maybe since he knew what they were, he might know how to destroy them.”

“Is he here?”

“Yes, he should be in his office.” Harry and Hermione stood up, and Ron asked,

“Where are we going?”

“We'll be right back, Ron, we need to talk to Professor Slughorn.”

“We'd take you along, but…”

“It'd be easier for you two to persuade him to give up information than it would be if I was along right?”

Harry and Hermione looked uneasily at each other, but Ron shrugged. “I guess you're right. I'll be right here, still reading. I'll admit, it is interesting to see what kind of people went to school here.” They smiled, and Harry and Hermione left the office to find Slughorn. They found him in his office, writing out lesson plans for the upcoming year. Hermione cleared her throat, announcing their presence.

Slughorn looked up and he smiled a huge smile and said jollily, “Harry, m'boy! And Miss Granger! How good to see you!”

“Sorry to bother you sir, are you busy?”

“I'd never be too busy to visit with two of the best potion students in this school! To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Would you like a cup of tea? Or perhaps something stronger?”

“Sorry, Professor, but we didn't exactly come for a social call. In fact, we have something we need to ask you.”

“S'alright, sit down, sit down.” They sat, and despite their protests, eventually ended up with cups of tea in front of them.

“So what can I do for you?” Hermione spoke; Harry was glad that she was doing the talking for the both of them; she was able to sweet talk people and make them see logic in things to get her way sometimes.

“Sir, we were wondering if you could tell us…how do you destroy a Horcrux?” The jovial smile fell from Slughorn's face, and he stood up quickly, almost knocking over his chair.

“Now why would you think I would know anything about that?” The nervousness was evident in his voice.

“It's just well, you gave Harry that memory of you telling Tom Riddle what Horcruxes were, and we figured that since you knew what they were, you might know how to destroy them.”

“You know, I've just remembered, I have an appointment, terribly urgent, can't get out of it, so I'll just be going…” He made for the door, but Hermione and Harry stood in front of it.

Hermione said, the sweetness and hesitation in her voice gone, “If you tell us, Professor, it will take us a step closer to killing Lord Voldemort. We can rid the world of his power…if only we knew how to destroy the seven parts of his soul.” She added, “You…do want him dead…right Professor?” It was a cornering question. Bordering on the lines of blackmail. If he were to refuse to tell them, they could easily use it as an excuse to be helping out the Dark Arts. Slughorn sighed.

“Why don't you want to give up this information?” Harry asked.

“Harry, m'boy, do you realize that Horcruxes are among the list of extremely Dark magic. If the Ministry knew I knew about them, I'd be spending a lifetime in Azkaban for sure.”

“So you value your own life over hundreds of others whose lives could be spared if we knew how to destroy the Horcruxes?” Hermione asked incredulously. Slughorn didn't answer.

“If you tell us, we'll keep it to ourselves, we'll never tell anyone. Not even Ron,” Harry said, trying another tactic. Slughorn sighed again. He pulled out his wand and shut the door, and cast a silencing charm around the office.

“Horcruxes are extremely Dark Magic. Destroying one is just as bad. To make one, you have to kill someone or something of importance. To destroy it, you simply destroy the object. But, it's not that easy. You have to give it something in return; blood. If you don't, it will take something from you. Case in point, Dumbledore's hand. But it can't be just any person's blood. It has to be someone significant.”

“What happens to the part of the soul once the Horcrux is destroyed? Does it return to Voldemort?” Slughorn shook his head.

“It is destroyed too.”

“Would Voldemort know if a part of his soul was destroyed?” Slughorn shook his head again.

“It is unlikely. Because if he did, he would've put more care into hiding his soul. But I believe that because his soul is split, he can no longer feel them because they are no longer part of his body. But, anyways, I really do have an engagement I must attend to now. It's getting late, and I must be going.” He lifted the silencing charm off the office, and unlocked the door for Harry and Hermione to exit.

“That makes sense what Slughorn said about destroying the Horcruxes. I'm guessing there was blood on the diary. You were bleeding from the basilisk wound; it was your blood on the book. I bet Dumbledore did a more thorough way of destroying the soul in the ring, but didn't give it his blood,” Hermione said.

Harry shrugged. “I think for the moment, we need to find these Horcruxes first, then think about destroying them. Take it one step at a time.” Hermione smiled.

“Good insight, Harry. You're right. We need to take one step at a time.” They reached McGonagall's office, arranged everything so it was possible for the trio to come and go as they pleased while at school. Soon, they were leaving the castle, and as soon as they were outside the grounds, Ron started asking about what Slughorn told them.

“How hard is it to destroy one?” Harry and Hermione stopped walking and so did Ron.

“Well, Slughorn doesn't want us to tell anyone how to destroy one so he can save his own butt, but…”

“Oh, so I see, so you're not going to tell me. You're going to leave me out, again. You're going to leave me out while you two go out and be the heroes. Well, I'll leave you to it then. I'm heading back home.” Ron apparated before Harry or Hermione could say anything. Harry sighed.

“Well, that could've gone better.”

“He wouldn't even let me finish what I was saying. He acts like we're trying to do this all on our own, that we don't want his help. He's turning himself into the victim, and frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of it. He's been doing this all summer, it sounds like something a ten-year-old would do, not an adult.” She sighed.

“Well, come on, let's go get him.” They both apparated back to the Burrow, thankful it was empty save for Ron up in his room. Hermione knocked on the door, and Ron didn't answer. She opened it and they found Ron sitting on his bed, reading about the Chudley Cannons.

“That was real mature, Ron,” Hermione said sarcastically. Ron looked up from his book and sighed.

“Well? What did you want me to do? You're excluding me, when I could be of help.”

“No one is excluding you from anything, Ron. If you would let Hermione finish what she was saying, you'd know that.”

“Fine, what were you going to say?”

“I was going to say that we promised Slughorn that we wouldn't tell anyone, but we're going to tell you, so don't you dare tell anyone else.”

“I promise. How do you destroy one?”

“Simply destroy the object, but you have to give it a blood sacrifice.”

“Well, that sounds like something Voldemort would do.”

“But we're going to go to Grimmauld Place and get that locket. Are you coming with us?”

“Of course…” They were interrupted by Mrs. Weasley coming in the room and she started bustling around the room, picking up dirty clothes and tidying up a bit.

“Mum, what are you doing in here?”

“We're going to Diagon Ally to pick all of your new school things.”

“Mum, I already told you, I'm not going back this year!” Mrs. Weasley pretended like she didn't here what her son said, and continued to pick up dirty clothes.

“Come on, you three, let's get going. Ron, let me see how your robes look, I need to see if you need new ones this year. Come on, come downstairs and show me.” Ron sighed as his mother left the room.

“She's mental.”

“She's in denial. She doesn't want to admit that we're not going back.”

“Well, she's going to have to deal with it soon. Go on, I'll do what she says, and I'll apparate before we leave. I'll meet up with you a little later.” Harry and Hermione nodded, and the three of them left the room, and Harry and Hermione apparated to just outside Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

A/n: Here's chapter 5 everyone!! My apologies on how long it took to update, but I've had a MAJOR writer's block on this one, and of course, school, homework, and working a lot during the week and weekends don't help much. But hope you enjoyed this installment! Please review!!!

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 6: Horcrux Number Three

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A/n: I decided that since it was so long between updates that I'd post two chapters, hope you enjoy!!

Grimmauld Place was dark and dusty, as it hadn't been occupied in a year. Harry gazed at the hallway and was instantly reminded of Sirius. This was one of the last places Harry ever wanted to visit, because it was a reminder of the way Sirius spent the last year of his life; cooped up in a house that he'd hated since he was young. Nothing had changed. The old troll leg umbrella stand still stood by the steps; the violet curtains were still pulled over what Harry knew was Mrs. Black's portrait. The house elf heads were still on the wall, and all of the Black artifacts still stood or hung in their places. Hermione looked at the entrance hall with disgust.

“Well, do you have any idea where we should begin to look?” Hermione said quietly, just in case any loud noises would awaken Mrs. Black.

“No idea. Do you remember where that locket got thrown? I remember Sirius finding it, but I don't remember what happened to it?”

“Oh, I hope it didn't get thrown away, because there's no telling where it might be.”

“You know, remember when Kreacher was stealing things out of the bins we were throwing them into? What if he just happened to take the locket?”

“We should check his little den.” Harry nodded in agreement, and they headed for the kitchen, but Hermione's foot caught the troll leg umbrella holder and she almost fell over, but Harry caught her, and the stand fell over with a loud clunk. The violet curtains flew apart and Mrs. Black started screaming.

“WHO DARES ENTER MY HOUSE!!!” She spotted Harry and Hermione and her huge eyes widened.

“YOUUUUUUU!!! FILTHY MUDBLOODS AND BLOOD TRAITORS!!! HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY HOUSE!!!! HOW DARE YOU DEFILE THE HOUSE OF MY ANCESTORS…”

“SHUT UP!!!!” Harry and Hermione both shouted at the same time, but it wouldn't stop Mrs. Black's ranting and raving. At the same time in one fluid motion, Harry and Hermione whipped their wands out and shouted,

“SILENCIO!!” The combination of the two voices shouting the same spell made it twice as strong, and the jet of light hit the painting, and Mrs. Black was rendered silent. Hermione lowered her wand and pointed at the picture of the woman.

“Now, you will shut up, or I swear, I'll find a blasting charm sufficient enough to blast you off the wall, and mark my words, I will find one,” Hermione said in a deadly voice. Mrs. Black glared back at the young witch, just wishing to scream out at her. Hermione put her wand away, and Harry followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen. They made their way down to Kreacher's home by the boiler. Old ratty clothes and blankets littered the floor, and Hermione searched through them, hopefully finding Kreacher's stash. Harry looked by the boiler, and noticed a loose stone in the floor when he put his foot there. He shifted it a little, and carefully lifted it from its place in the floor. The hole the stone left was just big enough for Kreacher to shimmy down it and into the hole underneath. Harry pulled out his wand and muttered, “Lumos.” He stuck his wand down the hole for the light and his jaw dropped at what was down there.

“Hermione, come here.” Hermione stopped rummaging through the cloth and moved over to where Harry was kneeling. Harry pointed at the hole.

“Look.” Below, in a space about twenty feet long and six feet deep, everything that Kreacher had saved was in boxes stacked to the ceiling. There was just enough room left for two people to crawl in. Hermione's face lit up and she laughed.

“Well, now that we've found all of this, the next question is, how do we get down there?” Hermione pulled out her wand and transfigured the loose stone into something sharp that could cut stone. She cut a hole big enough for them to slide into, and lighting the tip of her wand, she did like Luna Lovegood always did and put it behind her ear, and swinging her feet down the hole, she grabbed the other side of the hole and slid into the hole. Harry heard her shoes softly hit the stone floor below, and he slid down beside her. He stood up straight and hit his head on the ceiling. His hand went to his head and he glared up at the ceiling.

“Ow! Son of a…”

“Careful Harry,” Hermione interrupted him before he could finish his sentence, “You're not as short as you used to be.” Harry rubbed the bump on his head and glared at Hermione, who laughed.

“So,” Hermione said, looking over the boxes and crates full of junk, “Where do we start?” Harry shrugged and grabbed a box.

“First of all, we can move everything out of this hole, so one, we can see it all better, and two…”

“So you don't have to worry about hitting your head, right?” She said, with another grin.

“Exactly.” Harry lifted a box up and slid it onto the floor above them, and Hermione handed him another one, and he slid that one onto the floor too, and they repeated the process until the last box was out of the hole. After all the boxes were out, Harry pulled himself out of the hole, and offered his hands to Hermione to help her out. Once they both were out, they stopped when they heard someone in the house. They looked at each other, fearful that someone had found them. It wasn't until they heard Ron's voice say, “Harry? Hermione? Where are you?” that they breathed a sigh of relief.

“We're in Kreacher's den, through the kitchen!” Harry called out to Ron. They heard him open the door and when he saw the boxes and crates scattered all over, he grinned.

“Well, we've got a start.” They all three started sorting through everything, looking in every fold, small box, and envelope they could find.

“So, how did you get away from your mum, Ron?” Hermione asked, not taking her attention off the box of random junk that filled it.

“She told me to go upstairs and get my cloak to measure, and I just never came back. But don't worry, Hermione,” Hermione opened her mouth to interrupt. “I left a note for her, so she doesn't worry.”

“Ron, all the notes in the world wouldn't keep your mother from worrying about you.” They went through more boxes and when Harry got to the bottom of a crate, he moved it out of the way, but stopped when he heard something move, and there was a sound of metal hitting wood. Ron and Hermione both stopped and looked at it.

“The bottom of the inside of the crate doesn't fit with the outside. It's shallower than it looks,” Harry said, after examining it. He felt around in the box to see if there was a way to get to what was underneath.

“Turn it upside down,” Ron suggested. “Maybe it'll fall out.” Harry did so, but it didn't work. He smacked it, but the bottom wouldn't budge.

“Know any spells for getting the bottom off of a crate, Hermione?” Harry said, half joking, half expecting her to come up with something. She pointed her wand at two pieces of silver and transfigured them into an ordinary muggle hammer and crow bar. She handed both to Harry.

“Sometimes the muggle way is simpler.” Harry nodded in agreement and slid the crow bar under on of the lath pieces and hit the end of the bar with the hammer to get better leverage underneath. He then bent the crow bar back, and the nail popped out of the hole, and the lath snapped off. Harry put the hammer and crow bar down, and Ron picked them up, looking at them with awe.

“Amazing. Amazing that a simple muggle thing-a-ma-bob could do that.” Both Harry and Hermione smiled at each other as Harry felt around for whatever was rattling around. He first pulled out an envelope and handed it to Hermione, and reached around for the metal object.

“This envelope is addressed to Sirius,” Hermione said when she read the name.

“What does it say?” Hermione slit it open, and pulled out the note. She read, “Dear Sirius, I need you to hold on to something for me. NEVER let anyone find it. It involves a way to defeat Voldemort. Keep it safe, again, NEVER let anyone find it. I don't know what's going to happen to me now that I've tried to back out, but I can guarantee it's not something I'll live through. I know things have never been great between us, but please, do this for me. As one last wish from your baby brother. Regulus.” Hermione and Ron looked up as Harry lifted a locket on a gold chain with a small serpent in the shape of an `S' engraved on it. They all looked at it in shock. Shock that it had been so easy to find, and that they had actually found the Horcrux.

“So now what do we do?” Ron asked.

“I think we should leave it in the house for right now. It's a safe place; no one will come here except us, since it belongs to Harry. We'll decide when to destroy it, and…who's blood we need.” So, leaving the locket and the letter in a safe spot in Ron and Harry's old bedroom, the trio went back to the Burrow. After sitting through one of Mrs. Weasley's lectures on leaving without telling anyone during dangerous times, Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat outside on the back porch, just like they did the day of Bill and Fleur's wedding. Harry and Hermione sat rocking back and forth on the swing, and Ron sat on the porch railing. They sat in silence until Hermione spoke up.

“Ok, we need to discuss this coming year.”

“What about it?”

“Well, since Mrs. Weasley didn't take us and Ginny to Diagon Ally today, she's talking about going tomorrow. We need to go on like we're going back to school this year. We need to go through with buying the books, robes, whatever we need, so we don't raise suspicion. So then on September 1^st, we'll be on the train to Hogwarts, go through all the ceremony, and then we'll talk later. How's that sound?” Harry and Ron nodded, glad that Hermione was the brains of the operation, because she had it all figured out, while they didn't really have a clue of what to do next. It worried Harry what they were all getting themselves into. He knew he had to do it; he had to destroy the Horcruxes and kill Voldemort. But it didn't settle the feeling of dread that constantly sat in the pit of his stomach, he had no idea what the future held for all of them, and that was what mostly worried him.

“You know what I wish?” Ron and Hermione turned they're heads to Harry to show they were listening.

“I wish that I knew how this would all turn out. I wish I could see the future, and know whether we all live or die through this.”

“You'll live, Harry,” Hermione said, her eyes drooping with exhaustion. “I'm sure of it. You'll go on, and live the life that most people only ever dreamt about, a life without the threat of Voldemort.”

“But you don't know that I will, Hermione. What about you? And Ron?” Ron waved the thought away with his hand.

“We'll live, Harry. We're tough, we'll make it,” Ron said, trying to sound reassuring, but in the back of his mind, and in his two friends beside him, they didn't know if he was right, there was no way to find out until that day.

A/n: Ok, I'm going to have to stop the chapter here, because I'm at a writer's block right now, I have no idea where to go from here without going into the next chapter's idea. Again, my apologies for not updating in MONTHS, but y'all know how it is, work, school, homework, it sucks. But today is a snow day, about seven or eight inches of the fluffy stuff and it's still snowing. I'm off work for tonight because of the snow and there wasn't any school today, so it's a great time to write!!! Please review!!!

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 7: Diagon Alley

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The next morning, the trio, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley set out for Diagon Alley. Mrs. Weasley was becoming overbearing, and all teenagers wanted to escape as quickly as possible. No matter what they said or did, Mrs. Weasley never let them leave. Ginny had resorted to begging.

“Please, Mum, I'll be fine, can't you just let me go by myself?”

“No! Things are too dangerous nowadays to be wandering around by yourself. There's no guarantee that you'll be protected.” Mrs. Weasley grabbed Ginny's arm to pull her along, but Ginny wrenched it out of her grip.

“Mum, I'm not a child!” she said fiercely. “Stop treating me like I'm five years old!” Mrs. Weasley sighed and kept walking, her fuming daughter following her. Harry, Hermione, and Ron started walking again, completely bored out of their minds. When Mrs. Weasley suggested they go visit Fred and George in their shop, they all lightened up. A joke shop full of people and chaos would be the perfect way to escape. Just as they all suspected, the shop was filled with students buying joke supplies. While Fred and Mrs. Weasley were talking, Ron beckoned for his older brother, Fred's twin, George.

“What?”

“Keep Mum busy, we're trying to ditch her.”

“Ah, trying to play the rebel, little bro?”

“She's overbearing.”

“Of course she is, she's Mum. I'll see what I can do.”

“Thanks, George, we owe you one.” George nodded and joined his brother talking to their mum.

“Mum, you've got to see some of the new things we've come up with. Should be a high seller.” Mrs. Weasley agreed to go, and while they were walking away, George gave Ron a thumbs up to tell him to go. Ron grinned and turned to his friends.

“Alright. Let's go. See ya later, Gin.” Harry, Hermione, and Ron all apparated at the same time, leaving Ginny. But it didn't matter to her; she'd rather be by herself than with the trio. She stepped out of the store and onto the street, deciding where to go next. When she and Harry last talked, Ginny had pretended that she was ok with everything, but the truth of the matter was she was still angry about it. The only member of the trio that Ginny really talked to was her brother, only because he was the only one who hadn't betrayed her or tossed aside. She was furious with Harry, and hated Hermione with a passion. Every little thing about Hermione irritated her, from her intelligence, to the fact that to Harry, Hermione could do no wrong, that he had her on a pedestal that no girl could ever measure up to. And then he said he didn't love her, that there was nothing between them. Foolish boys, they couldn't see love if it was standing right in front of them. And Hermione was just as foolish, she said there was nothing between her and Harry. Ginny laughed to herself. And people thought Hermione was smart. And that was what hurt, and made Ginny's jealousy of Hermione grow even more than it had been from day one. Ginny didn't realize where she was going until she reached the end of Diagon Alley, about to go into Knockturn Alley. She turned around, but didn't realize three men beginning to follow her as she made her way back to Diagon Alley. She sensed someone following her, and turned, and that was when they grabbed her. Ginny tried to scream, but one of the men covered her mouth with his hand. She tried to reach for her wand, but they were quicker, and flung the wand onto the streets as they carried Ginny deeper into Knockturn Alley.

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“You know what this means, not going back to school this year?” Ron whispered, his face brightening while they were in Flourish and Blotts.

“What?” Harry said, as he was the only one Ron had to talk to, Hermione had disappeared behind the shelves of books.

“We won't have to take our N.E.W.T.s this year! We won't be here for most of the year, so we won't have classes, so we won't be able to take the tests!” Harry smiled and nodded.

“Well, that is a plus, but don't tell Hermione about this. She might be sad.” Hermione popped out from behind a shelf, making both Harry and Ron jump.

“Ron, don't tell me about the N.E.W.T.s, I've already thought about that we won't be there,” Hermione snapped.

“Why do you want to take them, Hermione? I mean, it won't decide what our jobs will be, if we make it back, I'm sure the Ministry will give us all any job we ask for.”

“It's not that. It decides where we're going with our life. What we can do. I don't want to just have something handed to me, I want to earn it. Like any other normal person would.” The conversation died there, and they went back to looking for books.

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It was the scariest moment of Ginny's life. She didn't what was going to happen to her, whether she'd live or die. Her mind was numb to what was actually going on, all she could think about was that she was going to die. She didn't see someone reach down and pick up her wand and hold it in the opposite hand of the own that held his own wand. He held his wand at the ready.

“Let her go,” He said in a threatening voice. The three men stopped and looked for who spoke. One of them sneered at the intruder.

“What do you want?”

“I want you to let her go. Now.”

“What authority do you have over us, Malfoy? You're so low on the Death Eater chain, that you're not even fit to wipe the dirt off of our shoes. You think we'll listen to you?”

“I could curse you. Remember all of those curses Voldemort taught me? I could use them now.” The third man pointed at him.

“Don't say his name, boy. You're not worthy enough to use it!”

“C'mon, you two, let's go. Let this traitor have the bitch,” The second man said, and they all disapparated. Draco knelt next to Ginny, who, wide-eyed with fear, tried to get up and run away, but Draco held her still.

“Are you alright, Weasley?” Ginny didn't answer, now more scared than she was with the three men.

“I'm not going to hurt you.” Ginny finally found her voice.

“Why should I believe anything you say, Malfoy? You're the enemy!” Draco stood, and offered his hands to Ginny to help her up.

“I'm not the enemy. I've been exiled by who you call the enemy. I'm no longer part of them.” Ginny laughed, not taking Draco's offer and still sat on the ground.

“I refuse to believe that. What would make them send you into exile?”

“The fact that I couldn't complete a mission. I'm actually very lucky, I could've been killed for my failure.”

“Why should I believe your story, how can you prove it?”

“If I was meant to be a Death Eater, don't you think I would've gone through my mission?” Ginny looked at Draco hesitantly, but finally took Draco's offered hand and he pulled her up.

“Do you have the…Dark Mark on your arm?” Draco nodded slowly. “Trust me, Ginny, I've taken Dumbledore's advice and come over to the other side. Though as a silent follower, I'm sure no one will be pleased to have me right away.”

“I must be crazy, but I'll give you a chance for right now. And…thank you, for…saving me.”

“You're welcome.” They were silent for a while, neither one really sure what to do next.

“So, are you still going out with Potter?” Ginny looked up and glared at Draco.

“Don't. Remind me of him. He's nothing but a…there are no words to describe him.”

“That bad?”

“Actually, it's not him I'm mad at it. It's not him I hate. It's that female best friend of his that I can't stand.”

“What's wrong with Granger? Besides her being an overbearing know-it-all.”

“Harry loves her and not me, and he's too much of an idiot to realize that he loves her.”

“Well, I knew that, everyone knew that.”

“You all knew that he didn't love me?”

“Everyone knew he would never love you, Ginny. Because of Hermione. And no one ever understood why you wasted your time with him. Sorry to be so blunt, but…”

“How could I have been so stupid and foolish?” Draco shrugged.

“I guess we're all allowed to be stupid and foolish sometimes.”

“Yeah. Well, I should probably go, my mother will looking for me.” Ginny turned to go.

“Hey, Ginny?” Ginny stopped and looked back.

“Want to do something daring and rebellious?”

“Like what?”

“Want to meet me again sometime?” Ginny smiled.

“When?”

“I don't know. Next Friday?”

“I can't. There's a whole bunch of family stuff going on that day. Are you going back to school?” Draco shook his head.

“Well, we can meet up in Hogsmeade. How about the first Friday after term starts?”

“Alright.”

“At seven?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. Till then.” Ginny smiled and nodded.

“Bye.” As Ginny walked away, she thought to herself, `What am I doing? I just said I'd meet Malfoy in Hogsmeade! What is the matter with me? What will people say? Ron would be pissed, and…' Ginny smiled, `So would Harry.' Suddenly, the risk she was taking meeting Malfoy didn't seem so dangerous now.

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“Ginny, where'd you go?” Ron asked his sister later after they had met up and were going back to Fred and George's joke shop.

“Oh, just…around. I went to a…whole bunch of places.” Ron nodded in understanding.

“Mum's going to be furious.” Ginny shrugged.

“Oh well, what is she going to do, you're seventeen now, I'm going to be in a few months, we're not kids anymore.”

“Have fun convincing Mum of that, Gin.” Ginny shrugged again and turned her attention to Harry and Hermione who were walking along in silence.

“You two seem awfully quiet.” Hermione gave a half smile.

“Just thinking.” There was no time to say anything else, they had reached Fred and George's shop, and Mrs. Weasley stood outside the door, hands on her hips, and a glare that would rival McGonagall's famous glares on her face. The four teenager's looked at each other and in unison sighed. This was not going to be pretty.

A/n: Ok, not the greatest chapter in the world, but it's setting up stuff for later. Yeah, Malfoy a little OOC, but I figure, he's just been kicked out of the Death Eater cult and probably suffered horribly for it, so his ego and arrogance has deflated a lot. I don't know how to describe it, but anyways, hope you liked this chapter, and as always, please review!!

Husker_fan_2006

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Chapter 8: The New Leader of the Order of the Phoenix

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"You could've been hurt, kidnapped, or killed even! What were you thinking wandering off by yourselves?”

"Mum, we were fine, nothing happened to us! We made it back all in one piece!" Ginny shifted uncomfortably in her chair, the thoughts of what happened when she was out on her own still vivid in her memory, but no one seemed to take notice her fidgeting.

"Nevertheless, Ronald, you shouldn't have been out by yourselves, we're in the middle of a war!”

"You think we don't know that! You can't protect us forever, Mum. Sooner or later you have to let us go." The anger left Mrs. Weasley's face and she sighed and sank into the nearest chair.

"I know that, Ron," she said sadly. "But you have to understand, you're my youngest son, and Ginny, you're my youngest child and only daughter, Harry and Hermione, you're like two of my own. You have to understand that I worry about you, and yes, I do understand, Ron, that I have to let you go. It's just not as easy as it sounds." Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry and Hermione.

"Would you two mind if I talked with Ron and Ginny alone for a moment?" They both shook their heads and left the room. Heading upstairs, they went to Harry and Ron's room to wait for him. Fifteen minutes later, Ron came up. He sighed and sank onto his bed.

"Well, how did it go?" Ron shrugged.

"We understand each other better now." And that was all he said about the subject, and Harry and Hermione weren't about to press the issue.

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Dinnertime was beginning to roll around, and while Hermione and Ginny were helping Mrs. Weasley cook dinner, Mrs. Weasley called Harry and Ron in from the garden.

"Please set the table for me will you? Be sure to set two extra places, I've invited Remus and Tonks for dinner tonight." Ron grinned.

"Any particular reason why, have they news or something?" He said, looking pointedly at Hermione, who smiled.

"Why would you care if they have news, you said they wouldn't be engaged until next summer."

"That's true. Still thinking it'll be Christmas though?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Why?"

"Because it's perfect, a ring is a good Christmas present. And then a summer wedding...it'd be perfect." Ron shook his head.

"Nah, Christmas is too predictable. A man's gotta have spontaneity."

"But a proposal at Christmas is romantic though." Mrs. Weasley smiled.

"We should write this down for reference to Hermione's future husband. When he proposes, he has to do it at Christmas," she said with a small pointed look at Ron. Hermione blushed slightly and glanced at Harry who was laughing with everyone else except Ginny.

"I'm sorry, I'm a hopeless romantic," Hermione said. "Can't help it. But I still think you're going to be owing me five galleons by Christmastime, Ronald."

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"You know, this doesn't actually surprise me that she wrote this letter to you, Harry. I knew somewhere deep down Petunia Dursley had a heart. There was some reason she kept you under her roof for sixteen years, and not just because of Dumbledore," Lupin said, folding Petunia's letter to Harry back up and handing it to him. Dinner had been consumed, and everyone was either congregated in the living room or in Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lupin's case, the kitchen table. Harry had brought down the letter and the three books that his aunt had given him and showed them to Remus.

"She could've at least showed it over the years."

"Well, like she said in her letter, she was basically taking out her jealousy of her sister out on you, Harry," Hermione said. "The jealousy must've overpowered her sisterly love for your mum."

"Here, Remus, I thought you might want to see this too." Harry slid his mother's scrapbook over to Remus, who smiled fondly at it.

"Ah yes, the scrapbook. Lily's pride and joy was her pictures. We always used to joke with James saying he was second in importance to Lily after this scrapbook and her pictures." Remus opened the first page and looked at the title page. "She always said she wanted pictures or a memory of everything, so that when she was old and gray she could look back on this scrapbook and remember her life and all the things in it." There was a sad silence that followed Remus's last comment, the sad knowledge that Lily Potter never would be able to look back on her memories that she put so much time and effort into in that scrapbook. The scrapbook was split into sections, after family, came friends, a page dedicated to each of her friends, and then a few at the back of the section with group pictures. The first page had a picture of a pretty witch with black hair and bright blue eyes. She had a gentle smile and seemed very mature and professional, until something happened in the background of the picture that insulted her and she stuck out her tongue childishly and laughed. Above the picture was the name, Isabelle L. Portman. There were pictures of Isabelle over the years, and then one with Lily and Isabelle together.

"That was Lily's best friend in school,” Remus said, smiling at the pictures of Isabelle. “She was a conniving witch, there was always talk of letting her into the Marauders."

"Where is she now?" Ron asked.

"She died a couple months before James and Lily were married. Killed by Death Eaters, I believe." Remus turned the page and then next page was for a witch that the trio recognized without having to look at the name, for she looked so much like her son, Neville. Above the big picture of Alice was her name, Alice M. Haysing-Longbottom.

"And you know what happened to her," Remus said softly and turned the page. The next page was for Peter Pettigrew, which Remus didn't stop at and turned the page again. The next page was for Remus. He smiled at it, and Ron pointed at the picture of Lily and Remus together. They stood with their arms around each other's shoulders; both wore the same badge pinned to their robes. A gold one with a red `P' in the middle.

"You both were prefects?" Remus nodded and turned the page. A grinning picture of Sirius was on the next page, and at the bottom right had corner where Lily had pasted all of the pictures of her with the other person, Lily was laughing in the picture and glancing at Sirius, Sirius had a mischievous grin on his face, as he held Lily tight and winked at a person in the background. Remus laughed at the memory of this picture.

"Sirius always loved taking pictures with Lily. Because every time they would take a picture together, Sirius would always pretend to be trying to steal Lily away from James. It was always one of his favorite jokes, because it would always get James riled up." The next page belonged to Harry's father. In the picture with Lily, she was smiling and blushed a little when James turned and kissed her on the cheek. Remus flipped through some more pages, stopping on certain pages. A few dedicated to the Marauders. One had a picture of the original Order, the same copy that Moody had. About ten pages were of James and Lily's wedding day. Again there was a picture of a last minute attempt by Sirius to steal Lily away that resulted in a punch in the arm from James. There were pictures of all the guests, the wedding party, and almost every detail of that day. A few pages later, there were pictures of Harry when he was born. There was a picture of James holding Harry and the little caption read, "Looks just like his daddy..." and a little ways down the page was a picture of Lily holding Harry and the caption continued, "...but has his mother's eyes." Remus flipped through a few more pages, mostly dedicated to baby Harry, and then at the end were pages that were unfamiliar to him.

"I don't remember these." One page had an article clipped from the Daily Prophet about the Potter's death, with other things written on it. Another page had Harry's first Hogwarts letter, or well, one of the copies of it. There were other things from Harry's first years at school, decorated just like Lily would've done.

"Your aunt must've done it, Harry," Hermione said. Harry pulled the scrapbook to him which was open to a page that a copy of the award to special services that both he and Ron had received their second year for killing the basilisk and finding out the secret of the Chamber of Secrets.

"This seems like it was a million years ago. So much has happened since then."

"That's the tricky thing with time. One day you're free with little worries," Remus turned the scrapbook back to a picture of the four Marauders and Lily and her two best friends together. "Then the next day you're sitting in a kitchen, looking back at memories wondering where your life went. How did you reach this place?" Harry understood exactly what Remus was saying; it was hard to believe that he, Harry, just six years ago had found out that there was another world out there, one that he belonged to, one where every witch and wizard knew his name. And now, at seventeen, he was being thrust into the middle of a war, one where it was either kill or be killed. Harry glanced at Hermione and Ron. At least he was facing it with his friends, he couldn't imagine what it must be like for Remus, all of his friends from school were either dead or had turned out to be a traitor. Harry was glad that Remus and Tonks had found each other; at least they had each other for support.

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An hour later, Remus and Tonks left, and one by one, the ranks began thinning out as members of the Weasley family began going to bed. Pretty soon the only people left in the living room were Harry and Hermione. Though Hermione had long fallen asleep, lying on the couch, book in hand. Harry sat in a chair dozing until he heard a 'thump' signaling that Hermione's book had fallen out of her hands. Harry got out of his chair, picked the book up and set it on the coffee table. He grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and covered Hermione up with it. He started to walk to the stairs but felt Hermione grab his hand.

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Eleven-thirty." Hermione hadn't opened her eyes, nor had she let go of Harry's hand yet.

"Mmm, you should go to bed," Hermione mumbled. Harry smiled.

"I was on my way to go do that." There was a short silence. In that time, Hermione let go of Harry's hand and he sat down on the edge of the couch next to her.

"Harry?"

"What?"

"Do you ever think about the future?"

"Yeah. Loads of times."

"What do you see?"

"Well, I don't really know, right now, the future consists of me getting rid of Voldemort. I haven't thought about anything past that. What about you?"

"I see the war ending...hmm...and getting on with my life...getting married...having children. I dream about it a lot. I see myself older with two children...living in the country...the sun shining over the...green grass on the rolling hills...my husband...swinging our son up into the air...and into his arms." Hermione was beginning to become incoherent because the sleep was overpowering her.

"And do you see said husband's face, or is he faceless like my wife is when I think about it?"

"No…he has a face...he's looks like...” But Harry didn't hear who Hermione's husband in her dreams was, she dozed off again. A few seconds later, she grabbed his hand again.

"Harry?"

"Still here, Hermione."

"When do you want to destroy that locket we got from Grimmauld Place?"

"We'll talk about it in the morning."

"Mm…k."

"I'm going to bed, k?"

"K, me too." She threw the blanket back like she was going to get up, but fell asleep again. Harry covered her back up and went upstairs.

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The next morning, while everyone was seated around the table eating breakfast, they were all brought out of their normal every day conversations when there was a flash of fire causing them all to jump in surprise, and Fawkes the phoenix was perched on the table staring at Harry, a letter clutched in his beak. Everyone stared at the phoenix sitting on the table with baited breath, almost as though they were afraid to speak. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley glanced at each other, while Harry slowly took the unaddressed envelope from Fawkes.

"What's going on?" Ron finally said, asking the question most of them were wondering.

"I had a feeling that this would happen." Everyone turned their attention to Mr. Weasley, who said, "Dumbledore said that should the worst happen, the Order would still continue, he would leave a successor and Fawkes would turn up one day with instructions." Harry's hand froze in the process of opening the envelope.

"You mean to say that Fawkes is here because Dumbledore wanted me to be his successor in leading the Order?" Both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"We never mentioned it because we never thought it would happen, we never thought that Dumbledore would die before the end of the war, so it was forgotten," Mrs. Weasley said. "He never said who his successor would be; just that we'd know when Fawkes appeared to that witch or wizard." Harry continued opening the envelope and unfolded the letter.

Dear Harry,

If you're reading this letter, then that means I've passed on, and now the Order of the Phoenix is without a leader. By now I'm sure you've figured out that I've named you as my successor, to take over lead of the Order, should the situation come to this. I know it's a lot to ask of you, but I know without a doubt that you'll be a strong leader; one anyone would be willing to follow. Your first order of business is to call a meeting at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, since we now know that it does belong to you, and is still safe to conduct meetings there. You will use Fawkes to send your summons. Write on a piece of paper and place in an envelope the date and time of the meeting and send Fawkes out. He will appear to every member of the Order in the flash of fire that occurred when he appeared to you and leave copies of your note. Just leave the date and time, there's no need for anything else; that can be saved for the meeting.

Once the meeting has been called, you'll be filled in on the goings on of the Order, since I know you've not been included in meetings. It is also at this time that you may accept new members, two of which I'm sure will be Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger. Others will bring in recruits they know will be good assets to the Order.

Know that every member of the Order is still trustworthy, no matter what they've done. There are reasons for the things they do. Do not be surprised and do not let violence arise when he arrives...you know of whom I speak. Understand that I died as a part of a plan, one that is too complicated to explain in this letter, that'll be saved for later times. Remember that.

I know that you'll make me proud of how you lead the Order and the movement for the end of this war. Do not feel like you're walking blindly into this task, there will be many who will offer guidance and assistance to you whenever you need it, one person you can depend on for aid is Remus Lupin. He and Minerva McGonagall are the only other people who know of your successing me. Thank you for accepting this task, and good luck.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. As you are now the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, Fawkes now belongs to you. He is a very loyal friend; I know he's left in good hands.

Harry was in shock after finishing the letter from Dumbledore. How could he lead the Order of the Phoenix? Dumbledore must truly have been crazy when he was alive.

“Harry? What does it say?” Hermione asked.

“It says…I'm the new leader of the Order. I'm supposed to send Fawkes out to send summons for the next meeting. Everything is supposed to be explained at this meeting, and we'll initiate new members. Snape is going to be there, but Dumbledore says it's alright.”

“Snape is going to be there? And Dumbledore says it's alright? Is he mad? Snape killed him!” Ron said, stunned.

“Dumbledore says in the letter that it was all part of a plan.”

“What plan?”

“I don't know, Ron, he didn't say, but said it'll be explained later.”

A few minutes later, Harry placed the piece of paper that contained the date and time of the Order meeting in an envelope and tied it to Fawkes's foot. Fawkes was off in the same flash of fire that occurred when he appeared. He, Hermione, and Ron were the only ones left in the kitchen; everyone had gone back to their everyday activities. Harry sat down at the table with a sigh.

“Harry, what's wrong?” Hermione asked, and Harry gave her a look that told her he thought that was the stupidest question to ask.

“What do you think, Hermione?”

“Well, this doesn't really surprise me that this happened, Harry. All of what Dumbledore said in his letter doesn't surprise me.”

“All of it? It doesn't surprise you that we're all of a sudden supposed to trust and accept Snape?” Ron said.

“No, it doesn't. If Snape hadn't killed Dumbledore he would've done two things, given up his life because of the Unbreakable Vow, and given up his role as the spy. As long as Voldemort knows Snape's loyalties lie with him, he can still be used as a spy.”

“Well, I don't trust him, no matter what the reasons for all this, I never have, never will.”

“I'm not saying we'll just roll out the welcome mat and embrace him, we still need to be careful.” She looked at Harry, who had dropped out of the conversation long ago.

“You'll be fine. I know you can do it, you can lead them, and you will.”

“I wish I had as much confidence in myself as you do.”

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A/N: Ok, not the greatest end to a chapter, but I had to end it somewhere, and I couldn't think of what else to type. Sorry I haven't written in a LONG time. I started my freshman year of college in August and I didn't bring all of my fanfic stuff with me until I came back for Christmas break. Since then, I've been slowly writing this chapter, and now since it's Spring break I have a chance to finish it! Hope you enjoy it, and just to let you know, it might be a while before the next chapter is up, hopefully not as long as the wait for this one.

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