Chapter 1: THE CONVERSATION

A quarter sounds entering a slot.

Eleven buttons are heard pressed.

Several minutes pass with constant small ringing pauses.

A female's voice finally answers and says, "Harry".

Responding back is a stern voice, coming from the person referred to as Harry, "Yeah".

A messy haired 17 year old boy leans on a wall talking on a telephone receiver.

"Where are you?" asks the distressed female "We've all been worried sick about you?"

"I expect you already told the Order what's going on huh?" interjects Harry.

No one speaks.

In those few seconds of silence, Harry's green eyes wonders dazzlingly off in memory lane.

He remembers back all those school years with Hermione … her constant warnings against the small vile containing a potion that makes the individual lucky…

Her confession to Prof. McGonagall about the mysterious broom sent to Harry that almost caused Gryffindor to lose the Quidditch Cup…

Her constant nagging consultations about the importance of school work, and the list goes on.

She quite interferes a lot, Harry concludes, especially at times that his is endangered in some way or form. I'm going to miss that…

Harry's eyes snap and he returns back to reality.

"I don't have time to talk, so pay close attention. This is the last time I'm contacting you, so consider this my improper farewell.

"No!" says a dishearten Hermione.

She speaks distantly off and comes back, beginning to cry "...don't … you said…"

Harry with a much stronger tone responds, "What I said before does not matter. Your much safer over there for the time being."

A demanding male's voice enters "Give it here".

The other end shudders and the male's voice comes on "Harry!"

Harry's face becomes blank; its sternness vanishes.

"Harry!" repeats the male's voice "Listen here,…" Harry closes the phone.

Ron, his best friend for seven years, was over there now. They sure had their ups and downs but what relationship doesn't. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, thought Harry. He can't afford to get them involved, he just can't…

"All aboard!" calls a train conductor in the far background.

Harry quickly picks up his bags and runs to the train. He enters with just enough time.

The train doors close behind, and the train begins its journey.