I don't own anything except the marbles and the plot.
Chapter 1: The Last D.A. Meeting
Harry Potter cast one final look at the grave of the greatest wizard he had ever known. The sun high in the sky reflected off the grave giving it a glowing quality and illuminating the scene around him. I swear to you I will end this, finish what you so nobly set out to do, even if it kills me. A small breeze rustled the leaves of the Forbidden Forest seeming to encourage him to move on. I will never forget you. He turned away from the grave and then realized Ron and Hermione had been standing next to him.
"You okay mate?" said Ron.
"I've felt better, you feeling okay Hermione?"
"I'm doing okay" she said softly.
"Listen guys, can you round up the members of the D.A. that you can and tell them to meet in the Room of Requirement?"
"Sure Harry. What are you going to do?" said Ron.
"I need to have a talk with McGonagall. I'll meet you there in an hour."
Harry walked into the room of requirement forty minutes later after finishing his meeting with McGonagall. Ginny was in the corner sitting on a soft chair and gave him an encouraging yet conflicting smile; Ron and Hermione he noted were very close to one another on one of the couches that had a appeared in the room. He also saw that Neville, Dean, Katie Bell, Luna Lovegood, and Ernie Macmillan had also showed up to join them. Not a trace of the usual chatter existed.
"Before you guys went home I wanted to give you warning, I think the death eaters may go after some of you guys so I want you to constantly be vigilant of your surroundings." said Harry.
"Why do you think they would want to get us?" said Luna
"Dumbledore told me how to kill Voldemort, and that is what we're going to do. I think the death eaters may try and use you guys to get to me," said Harry.
"Why can't we come and fight?" Neville asked, "We deserve it! You're not the only one that has the right for revenge! Your not the only one who's life he ruined! You- "
"I couldn't handle more than Hermione and Ron by my side Neville. Any more and we won't be able to keep hidden well enough. Please, please understand. I can't take you with me Neville, but I can and will make you a promise."
He looked directly into his face. "If I find her Neville she will meet her death, I won't hold back for a second. What she did to your parents is unforgivable. I promise that I will make her feel pain beyond imagination for the crimes she has done before I kill her. But if she comes to you Neville, which see indeed might do looking for me, then kill her. Kill her for what she did to your parents what she did to my godfather and what she did to others."
"Why you? Why can't you let the ministry handle it?" said Luna all trace of her Misty voice gone.
"You remember that prophecy that was smashed?" said Ron. "Well Harry found out what it said."
Harry smiled sadly, "It was made before I was born: The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those who thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. I was born in July, my parents escaped him three times and he marked me as an equal" he finished pointing to his forehead.
"Why do you think the prophecy is true Hermione?" said Ernie "I mean it's not exactly a secret that you don't believe in that stuff."
"Because Dumbledore told Harry, that's why!" she snapped.
They all turned to look at Harry, who had buried his face in his hands.
"Why would you have to do it now? Why not wait Harry?" said Neville quietly.
He looked up. "Because I will no longer stand around waiting for him to kill everyone I have ever loved. I can't sit here pretending the adults will protect me, I no longer believe the comforting words that are given to me. I will no longer watch my friends and family die before my eyes. I don't want to see any of you die; I want no more blood on my hands. I want to live without death hanging over my head every day. I want the death and pain to end. I can't live while he survives."
Harry looked at them; he didn't want to remember them with these worried and fearful faces. He wasn't going to kid himself any longer, he knew that this might be the last time he ever saw some of them.
He stood there for a few moments then took out his invisibility cloak and said, "Don't go anywhere, I'll be back in a bit." With that he opened the door and left.
Katie Bell got up and headed towards the door.
"Where are you going?" asked Hermione.
"Back to the common room, its not like he's coming back and we'll see you guys on the train tomorrow."
"For one thing Katie, Harry wouldn't just leave after wanting to see you so badly. Secondly were not even going home on the train tomorrow so this may be the last time he ever speaks to you! So don't you walk out of here thinking he won't come back!"
"What do you mean your not going on the train tomorrow?" said Katie.
"Why would we go on the train?" said Ron. "That would be an easy place to get at Harry."
"Oh come on," said Katie "he wouldn't attack the-"
"He attacked Hogwarts" said Neville, "What difference would the train make?"
They all went silent.
"How are you going to kill him?" asked Dean Thomas quietly.
"We can't tell you that."
"Why not?" yelled everyone in the room.
"Because we don't want him to know what we're doing." said Hermione. "We're afraid that they'll torture you to get information on Harry."
Everyone in the room went silent.
Then Luna began quietly singing, "All the, small things, truth care, truth brings"
"Were did you hear that?" Hermione inquired.
"What do you mean?" said Luna mistily.
"That's a muggle song, where did you hear it?"
"Hermione wizarding radio stations can't just play wizard bands; there are not enough of them. Most bands don't say that they are wizards, so that they can have a bigger audience." said Ron.
Hermione was surprised by this piece of information "Which bands have wizards in them?"
"The Who's drummer is," said Ernie "can't remember any others off the top of my head."
"What are you guys favorite bands?" said Hermione. She was glad to have another topic to talk about.
"I LOVE the Beatles," said Ron.
"Ug! I hate them," said Dean.
"Why?"
"There so overrated!"
"So what? That doesn't mean there not good!" Ron retorted.
"I'm just sick of hearing them."
"Well I guess that makes sense," said Ron. Hermione was impressed that he didn't make it into an argument. "What about you Hermione?"
Hermione smiled, "AC/DC"
Ernie Macmillan cracked a wide grin and started clapping then; "Oy Oy Oy Oy"
Dean Thomas laughed then: "See me ride out of the sunset."
Hermione beamed. As everyone who hadn't ever heard the song joined into the background.
"Oy Oy"
Ginny said happily joining in: "On your, color TV screen."
Ron (imitating the voice): "Out for all that I can get."
Hermione (winking at Ron): "If you know what I mean"
Ron (pulling Hermione towards him): "Women to the left of me!"
Dean (pulling Katie close): "Women to the right!"
Hermione: "Ain't got no gun!"
Ginny: "Ain't got no knife!"
Ernie: "But don't you start no fight."
Ginny: "'Cause I'm TNT!"
Hermione: "I'm dynamite!"
"T-N-T!"
Crack
Fred: "and I'll win the fight!"
"T-N-T!"
Crack
George: "I'm a power loooad!"
"T-N-T!"
Crack
Harry (accompanied with a few Weasley Whizzbangs): "WATCH ME EXPLOOOODE!"
Harry had returned with Fred and George, who each was holding a large barrel and 2 sacks each hanging from their shoulders that were tied in the front. Harry was carrying 6 large sacks the size of industrial trash bags with a wide grin hitched on his face.
"I thought I would liven this meeting up a bit. I can already see you got a head start! I mean I can't have the D.A. going out on a bad note! Consider this a reward for all your guys hard work last year!"
Harry opened the sacks, and everyone's jaw dropped. Harry seemed to have brought Honeyduke's with him. There was butter bats, sugar quills, chocolate frogs and every other candy Harry had manages to stuff in the sacks. George threw a tiny ball into the air that started playing "Your Love Stupifys Me" by the Weird Sisters.
"Who wants Butterbeer!" Fred called as he opened the large barrels.
Everyone in the room went to get drinks and food
"Harry?" said Hermione.
"Yea Hermione?" he said beaming while simultaneously shoving as much candy into his mouth as possible.
"How much did this cost?"
"Oh not as much as you think, Fred got me a discount on all of it." Harry said as he reached for another chocolate frog. Hermione stopped his hand.
"Harry" she said smiling mischievously, "how much?"
Harry grinned acknowledging defeat, "Oh, well let's see, um, hmmm, I believe it was 500 galleons give or take."
Everyone, except Fred and George, stopped eating.
Harry reached for the frog. Only to be stopped once again, this time by Ron.
"Give or take what Harry?" said Ron.
"huh?" Harry said, even though he knew perfectly well what Ron had said.
"You said it was 500 galleons 'give or take' Harry. Give or take what Harry?"
Harry let out a small laugh before he could hold it in, then smiled.
"Give or take a thousand"
"knuts?" said Dean.
"sickles?" said Neville.
Harry smile grew.
"Oh no you didn't-" started Ron.
"yes he most certainly did." said Fred.
"We should know-" said George.
"Seeing as we lent him the money-"
"All one thousand six hundred seventy five galleons of it"
"IT WAS NOTHING!" Harry yelled at all the stunned faces. "Come on guys is this a party or what?"
Come on Fred and George help me!
Harry's eyes flicked to the left.
"Watch out Dean"
"huh?"
"I said" Harry turned to look above Dean's head "watch out Dean".
Dean looked up.
"Oh sh-"
An entire bag of pre-opened chocolate frog was dumped on him. George at the same time set-off an entire bag of there patented fireworks. Harry ran over to Fred and George as the room erupted in happy chaos from the Whizzing rockets and jumping chocolate.
"Thanks guys!"
"Not a problem mate!" said Fred.
"I hate awkward silences to" said George.
"Thanks for not mentioning my other purchases." said Harry in an undertone as a Pig shaped rocket flew by his head.
"What might those be?" Hermione whispered to him, he had been listening in.
"Just some stuff I think we'll be needing. I'll show you guys when everyone leaves. Fred and George say they have something new for us to use."
The party continued into the night. People took turns eating and dancing and setting off various jokes. The party started to die down when Neville, who had been dancing with Hermione, collapsed on top of her from drowsiness.
"I'm a bit tired myself actually. I'll take him back to the common room." said Dean.
At this Hermione glanced at her watch and let out a yelp.
"It's 2:00 am!"
"You guys might want to get some sleep the train leaves at 9!" said Ron.
Everyone started towards the door. Harry stood in front of it.
"I want to tell all of you this before you leave; constantly be on guard, never go anywhere alone. If anything catches the corner of your eye or seems suspicious, use your best judgment to either get out of there or defend yourselves. Stay safe, and we'll see you next summer."
One by one they left the room, each giving Harry a "good luck" until Ginny went to step threw the door.
"I'll see you at the wedding Ginny" said Harry giving her a small smile.
She smiled back, but he noting that the smile did not reach her eyes.
"Now to Business! Would you like to go first Harry?" said Fred as he took the remaining two bags off his shoulders.
Harry walked over to the corner of the room and drew out two long packages, and tossed one to each of his friends.
Harry smiled at Ron.
"Open it"
Ron ripped apart the packaging, which contained a Firebolt.
"Oh I can't wait to try it out."
"Their another form of transportation if we need it in an emergency."
No matter what he'll admit, he also did that to cheer him up. Thought Hermione.
"I also got these travel packs for us for carrying food supplies. Well, what did you guys bring for us?"
"Plenty" said the twins. "We got you some Decoy Detonators, some extendable ears for spying, dog snouts-"
"Dog snouts!"
"You put them on your nose and increases your sense of smell. We figured you never know you if might need it. We also got you a portable swamp and some Instant Darkness Powder."
"-That you're restricting the sale of?" added Hermione.
"Yes" said Fred quickly as he stared at his shoes.
"Now for our surprise." George reached into the bag and took out what appeared to be marbles. One was red and one was blue. "Were so afraid of these little buggers that we wont even sell them to the ministry."
"Err why's that?" said Harry.
"We'll show you"
George picked up what looked like a normal red marble. On closer inspection however, it could be seen that it was made up of two spheres. In between the two was a red colored liquid, the inner sphere was hollow and contained a minute flame. Smiling at them, George turned and flicked the marble at a large clay pot.
This burst into flame, lighting every inch of the surface that shouldn't be able to burn.
Hermione gasped. Ron stood slack-jawed. Harry was stunned.
"You guys are geniuses!" said Harry.
"Don't complement us yet! Try to put it out." they said in a daring manner.
He took out his wand and yelling "Aquamentai!" causing a blast of water to flow out of his wand and onto the pot. This only caused the fire to increase in volume. It was using water as a source of fuel.
Harry was amazed, but Hermione wasn't. "Are you two insane? How can we use a fire we can't stop? What the heck were you-?"
Fred flicked the blue marble at the vase. The blue marble was made up of two spheres just as the red, however containing a blue potion and a few drops of seawater in the center. The marble hit the vase and the fire went out with the blue marble dropping to the floor.
Hermione face went from anger to bewilderment to impress.
"But wait there's more!" they said like there were doing an infomercial.
George picked another red ball out of the bag, and chucked it at Ron. Ron froze as the ball hit his shirt and dropped to the floor. Fred walked up and pulled out a blue marble that he had slipped in Ron's pocket sometime before. He and George laughed. Ron and Harry both took in a breath of relief. Hermione rounded on the twins.
"THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!"
George and Fred looked were taken aback.
"Hermione it's ok" Ron said softly.
She closed her eyes and tried to force herself to relax.
"So-so if you have a water marble you can't be hurt by the fire one?" said Harry looking at Hermione with concern.
"Yea," said Fred still trying to recover his lighthearted tone. "One always negates the other. All you ever need to keep yourselves safe is to have one of each. Also they can be set off with a good Reductor curse as well."
"What does the blue one do by itself?" said Ron whose eyes were still flicking in Hermione's direction.
"It generates a gallon of water instantly when it hits," said George proudly.
"We can definitely use them. How many did you make?"
"More than you'll ever need," said Fred.
"How many?" Harry insisted.
"We have fifteen of each."
"I'm sure they'll help us," said Hermione appreciatively. "Just out of curiosity how did you guys make them?"
"Let's just leave it as we don't want to have to make any more of them for you guys, so don't use them for fun," said George.
"So I guess we'll meet you guys at the wedding in two days?" said Fred.
"Yea we will." said Harry.
With a CRACK they were gone.
The three of them were silent for a moment, and then stepped threw the door.