Disclaimer: Everything you recognize is J.K. Rowling's. Except Jamie, Luka, and Ariana.
Sixth Year was the year that everything that we had known before started to fade away. The world had changed Voldemort was back and now the general public knew about it. With him came the vicious Death Eaters, one in particular had a pretty nasty focus on my brother and me. In some ways it was one of the best years of my life, but in others— it signified the start of one of my most dangerous adventures yet.
Chapter 1- World Out of Time
Despite everything going on in the world that summer the Burrow almost seemed to have a shield around it that bounced off any and all negative thoughts that tried to break through its barrier. The only way that the actual world seeped in was through newspaper articles, that I made sure to pinch as soon as Arthur abandoned them for work.
HARRY POTTER: THE CHOSEN ONE?
Rumors continue to fly about the mysterious recent disturbance at the Ministry of Magic, during which He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was sighted once more.
"We're not allowed to talk about it, don't ask me anything," said one agitated Obliviator, who refused to give his name as he left the Ministry last night.
Nevertheless, highly placed sources within the Ministry have confirmed that the disturbance centered on the fabled Hall of Prophecy.
Though Ministry spokeswizards have hitherto refused even to confirm the existence of such a place, a growing number of the Wizarding community believe that the Death Eaters now serving sentences in Azkaban for trespass and attempted theft were attempting to steal a prophecy. The nature of that prophecy is unknown, although speculation is rife that it concerns Harry Potter, the only person ever known to have survived the Killing Curse, and who is also known to have been at the Ministry on the night in question. Some are going so far as to call Potter "the Chosen One," believing that the prophecy names him as the only one who will be able to rid us of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
The current whereabouts of the prophecy, if it exists, are unknown, although (ctd. page 2, column 5)
SCRIMGEOUR SUCCEEDS FUDGE
Most of this front page is taken up with a large black-and-white picture of a man with a lionlike mane of thick hair and a rather ravaged face. The picture is moving — the man is waving at the ceiling.
Rufus Scrimgeour, previously Head of the Auror office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, has succeeded Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. The appointment has largely been greeted with enthusiasm by the Wizarding community, though rumors of a rift between the new Minister and Albus Dumbledore, newly reinstated Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, surfaced within hours of Scrimgeour taking office.
Scrimgeour's representatives admitted that he had met with Dumbledore at once upon taking possession of the top job, but refused to comment on the topics under discussion. Albus Dumbledore is known to (ctd. page 3, column 2)
MINISTRY GUARANTEES STUDENTS' SAFETY
Newly appointed Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, spoke today of the tough new measures taken by his Ministry to ensure the safety of students returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this autumn.
"For obvious reasons, the Ministry will not be going into detail about its stringent new security plans," said the Minister, although an insider confirmed that measures include defensive spells and charms, a complex array of countercurses, and a small task force of Aurors dedicated solely to the protection of Hogwarts School.
Most seem reassured by the new Minister's tough stand on student safety. Said Mrs. Augusta Longbottom, "My grandson, Neville — a good friend of Harry Potter's, incidentally, who fought the Death Eaters alongside him at the Ministry in June and —"
"Will you please put those bloody rags down? There's nothing good in them even now that they're reporting the truth." A highly annoyed voice rings out causing me to slowly lower the newspaper that was obscuring my face. Standing before me donned out in full Quidditch gear from last year is my little sister.
Her brown eyes are alight with excitement at that thought of getting out into the air again. Ever since I told Ginny that I would help her practice for the Quidditch tryouts coming up next year, she has been on my case to practice for at least two hours everyday. She always seems to pick my alone time with the morning paper.
"You do know that there could be something important in these one day." I say dryly setting down the paper and picking up the booklet which has gained much of my disgust for the past few weeks. I glare at the purple leaflet almost as deadly as Ginny glares at our blond headed guest.
The words on the page make my head swim with anger.
— ISSUED ON BEHALF OF —
The Ministry of Magic
PROTECTING YOUR HOME AND FAMILY AGAINST DARK FORCES
The Wizarding community is currently under threat from an organization calling itself the Death Eaters. Observing the following simple security guidelines will help protect you, your family, and your home from attack.
1. You are advised not to leave the house alone.
2. Particular care should be taken during the hours of darkness. Wherever possible, arrange to complete journeys before night has fallen.
3. Review the security arrangements around your house, making sure that all family members are aware of emergency measures such as Shield and Disillusionment Charms, and, in the case of underage family members, Side-Along-Apparition.
4. Agree on security questions with close friends and family so as to detect Death Eaters masquerading as others by use of the Polyjuice Potion (see page 2).
5. Should you feel that a family member, colleague, friend, or neighbor is acting in a strange manner, contact the Magical Law Enforcement Squad at once. They may have been put under the Imperius Curse (see page 4).
6. Should the Dark Mark appear over any dwelling place or other building, DO NOT ENTER, but contact the Auror office immediately.
7. Unconfirmed sightings suggest that the Death Eaters may now be using Inferi (see page 10). Any sighting of an Inferius, or encounter with same, should be reported to the Ministry IMMEDIATELY.
"You would think that we're all bloody idiots." I snarl hotly. Ginny rolls her eyes at me, and shoves the paper off the kitchen table without so much as a blink of an eye.
"Come on Jamie. You promised me flying time, and I'm holding you to it. I don't care how late you stay up scrawling out letters to your girlfriend." She says grabbing me by my wrist and pulling me out of the chair and the kitchen. Out in the early morning air there is a slight chill about so I rub my palms together, to warm them up as I follow my sister to the broom shed.
"You're going to burn out one of these days Gin." I say softly. My only response to that is a flick of Ginny's fiery mane of hair.
I follow her into the shed as she grabs her old broom out of the shed, and I take my Firebolt out along with her. Silently the pair of us march away from the Burrow and into the trees making our way to the clearing in there that we can fly in without fear of discovery.
"I honestly don't see why you're even worried in the first place Ginny. You fly better than half of the people on the house Quidditch teams in the first place." I tell her stifling a yawn behind my hand since it is only eight in the morning during summer vacation.
"Am I up to your and Harry's level yet though?" She demands swirling around to look me in the eye. I falter for a moment, before giving the question some actual serious thought.
"Not quite but you're nearly there and honestly its only because Harry and I have been playing on the team and have been coached for so long." I say shrugging my shoulders as I grab the Quaffle and mount my broom, lazily drifting into the air. Ginny rolls her eyes at me and mounts her own broom, and accelerates quickly at me.
I roll out of her way, dodging the grab that she makes for the Quaffle. As soon as I'm righting again, I start streaking across the clearing, both of us taking turns gaining and losing the ball, without any real direction to our practicing. Around a half hour later though, I hear a sound in the bushes, and slow down to any easy glide slightly worried about whom would be coming out here at this time of the day.
Ginny coasts to a stop next to me, but her worried frown is replaced by an eye roll when she sees Ron blearily rubbing his eyes while clutching his new Cleansweep in his hands.
"I still don't understand why you two have to start out so bloody early in the morning…" He groans tripping over his own feet for a second before catching himself.
"Its almost eleven Ron." Ginny says drolly. Ron looks up at us giving us unbelieving looks.
"Emphasis on the almost part of that equation." He grumbles.
"The only reason he's really up is because Fleur is up and about before noon. Molly is busy tending to the cleaning and Luka is off doing whatever the hell he does these days, so that just leaves little Ronniekins to be the only person there for her to talk to. You just love that don't you Ron?" I tease with a crooked smirk on my face. Ron looks more awake now and there's a definite scowl on his face.
"You got mean when you got into a relationship. I'm telling on you." He pouts before throwing his leg over his own broom and taking off in the air to meet us. A slight frown comes over me at the thought of Ron telling on me to my own girlfriend but I shake my head knowing that that will never happen.
The three of us practice for another good hour without any interruptions. Ginny and I get in good workouts at shooting on Ron and the improvised hoops that we made from old junk that we found in the village. We mess around until lunchtime when Ron's stomach finally demands to be fed. We made our way back to the Burrow laughing and giving pointers on the skills that we still had to brush up on for the season.
Once the brooms are locked back away in the shed, we march into the kitchen looking for any stray scraps that we can get out hands on before lunch is actually ready. Molly is standing in front of the stove watching a pot stir itself, and sitting at the kitchen table looking over a giant witch wedding book is Fleur and Luka. The smile that was previously on his face is wiped off the second that we're in the same room together.
I shift uncomfortably for a second, and before anything can be said Luka gets up from the table and leaves the room with a dramatic eye roll and a scoff. "And there he goes. I think he made it a whole ten seconds this time." Ron says with an eye roll of his own. I sink down into a chair at the table with a defeated sigh. I hate that its like this between us now but there is nothing that I can do about it now.
"'e is just tired Jamie." Fleur says turning to me and giving me a sympathetic smile. I shake my head at that.
"You don't have to make excuses for him Fleur." Molly says sharply from the stove. I glance up and take in the annoyed and stern expression that's on her face. Her gaze is directed in the direction of the stairs that he had disappeared up. "Merlin help that boy see reason before I tan it into him." She grumbles.
"Molly you don't need to do that. I know my brother, he's just shocked that's all. He'll come around, he's just feeling a little betrayed at the moment." I say weakly trying to explain away the cold shoulder that I've been getting from him for weeks now.
"Still no excuse for acting like a downright prat." Ginny says collapsing into the chair next to mine, and the farthest away from Fleur. Two loud cracks come from outside and a wide grin starts growing on my face. There's only two people that I know who would show up in the middle of the day uninvited.
The door to the kitchen is thrown open and in strut Fred and George in matching bright lime green suits, that set off their red hair. "Kiddies—" George calls.
"I'm home!" Fred finishes dramatically. I snicker at them and Ginny gets up to wrap the two of them in a giant hug.
"Show offs. What're these made out of stinksap essence?" Ron grumbles but the twins overhear them.
"Is that jealousy I hear little brother?" Fred says.
"Though that is a marvelous idea that we must market for witches and wizards who wish to repel the repellant suitors of theirs." George grins. Ron rolls his eyes at them, and I get up to hug them as well, but not before seeing the disapproving look that Molly is casting their way.
"Why is it that you two always manage to show up when there's a meal about to be served?" She scowls. Fred goes over to her, and gives her a big hug around the middle from behind.
"Because for the many talents that your stellar sons possess cooking is not one of them." He says.
"You wouldn't want your very hard working, industrious sons starving would you mother dear?" George joins in. I can help but chuckle at them. Molly can't seem to help herself either. As much as she was against the pair of them opening a joke shop in the beginning, she has become one of the proudest people of them.
"Oh you— just sit down will you. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes." She concedes, and grinning wickedly the twins sit down in seats on either side of Fleur.
"'ello boys. You are looking 'andsome as ever." She compliments them, and I can't help but roll my eyes at that. She's totally feeding into their egos now.
"Handsome my foot." Ron mumbles next to me and I fight to keep the grin off my face.
"Where is sourpuss by the way?" George questions, looking around for my brother. Molly makes a disgruntled noise at the nickname given to him.
"Sulking most likely." Fred says with a shrug. "So sister dear, how is our other favorite blond these days?"
I see their expectant eyes on me and feel a faint blush come to my cheeks. Fred has been most vocal and boisterous at declaring that he knew about the two of us before anyone else for he walked in on us almost kissing. His excitement lessened greatly when Ginny had declared that she knew before him, and I finished popping his bubble once I admitted that Hermione had guessed that there was something between us for years.
"She's doing really well. Her grandfather took her to a few professional Quidditch games, and they've been spending as much time as they can together when he doesn't have to do work for the Order. She's looking forward to staying at the Burrow though. She says that she loves this place like it's a second home." I say with a bright smile on my face, the one that apparently I always get on my face when I talk about Ariana.
"Well she is welcome here at any time Jamie." Molly says coming over and putting down bowls of Spaghetti in front of us. She turns around back to the stairs. "Lunch! I am not making you anything later if you choose not to come down and eat with us mister!" She yells up the stairs.
With a sigh and a shake of her head she joins us at the table. The conversation switches back to lighter topics like the success of the twin's shop, Arthur's latest magical catastrophes with muggles, and the biggest piece of news Bill and Fleur's wedding.
That's right my newest eldest brother managed to go and snatch himself the beautiful French half-Veela. That had Fred and George impressed more than anything for days, claiming that they finally got the familial resemblance between them now.
She has been here since practically the beginning of summer, planning with Molly how exactly the wedding is going to work, and I will just tell you this, there are major differences in what the two of them think will be a good wedding. Ginny can't stand anything Fleur these days, and I just try to slink around hiding as best I can from all the planning. I am not the kind of girl who gets all gaga over details like those.
I tell Ariana so in my letters to her, and she always get a huge kick out of imagining me cornered by Molly and Fleur demanding my opinion on the color scheme of the ceremony. I will say one thing; Ariana certainly has some scary ideas in that head of hers.
Lunch finishes up and Fleur offers to help Molly clear, and I can tell by the tight look on her face that she wishes that Fleur had never offered to in the first place.
"What do you say Jame, a game of Exploding Snap?" Ron offers heading towards the living room.
"I'm game, try and keep hold of your eyebrows this time." I grin. Ron huffs, and heads into the living room with Ginny following after him, giving him flack about the countless times that Molly has had to regrow if not one but both of his brows back. Before I can head out to join them, Molly stops me.
"Jamie we need to speak." She says, and the look on her face is serious. I blanche remembering what went down the last time she sat me down to 'talk'. She had been surprisingly quiet when she learned about my relationship with Ariana. To make it the single most embarrassing moment of my life she gave me 'The Talk', she even researched it and everything for me.
I swear that I had never squirmed or blushed so much in my life. She was flustered for she never had to give this talk to a girl before or have it be about another girl.
"I-I'm okay." I say trying to back into the living room as quickly as I can, not eager for another repeat performance. Realization dawns to her on where my mind is going, and heat rises to her cheeks as well.
"No, Jamie its nothing like that. We need to speak for Dumbledore contacted me. He has need of you and Luka for some time." She tells me. I cock my head at that.
"Why does Dumbledore need us?" I ask suddenly very confused.
"I have no idea dear only that he needs both of you for a short time to help him on some business that he needs to conduct. He hasn't told me much more than that I'm afraid. He will be by for you two sometime soon." She tells me. I nod my head in agreement, though I'm not so sure how it's going to be forced to go on a trip with only Professor Dumbledore and my brother. I may not make it back alive for I'm dating the one's granddaughter and the other is mad at me for dating said girl. Well this is certainly going to be interesting.
Our day goes by very fast and the three of us find ourselves playing yet another game of exploding snap before Molly is going to chase us up to bed. Ginny and I have decided to try and team up against Ron.
A very frantic Molly who looks way too flustered suddenly interrupts us a few hands of exploding snap later, there must be another unexpected guest.
"Jamie, Professor Dumbledore is here for you." She says, and that ends any thoughts that I had on making Ron lose his other eyebrow. Well I guess that this thing is going to happen sooner rather than later.
Here we go sixth year. I hope that everyone is excited about this as I am. Fair warning the updates of this story will vary depending on my course load. Jamie is back and ready for another year of hopefully somewhat peace, she's not quite ready to jump straight back into battle just yet. She rather spend the time thinking of better things like say (Ariana)? Again thank you all so much for favoriting, following, and commenting on the story up until now. It means the world to Jamie and me. Enjoy. :) -99bottlestogo