3

Thursday couldn't come quickly enough for Harry. He bid goodbye to his aunt and parents before Flooing to the Leaky Caludron. He arrived slightly early, so ordered a Butterbeer. He took a long drink before taking a seat in a darkened corner. It reached 5 to 12 when the front door opened. Harry looked up expectantly, but slumped when he only saw Luna and Neville. "Shit," he thought. "Don't see me, don't see me, don't see me."

"Hey, it's Harry," Neville said. "Come on Luna."

"Hey guys," Harry said begrudgingly.

"What are you doing here, Harry?" Luna asked.

"I'm waiting for a few people to arrive. I need to talk to them. And I don't want to sound rude, but I would appreciate it if you two weren't here. It's a very personal matter."

"Have you been sleeping with a Frood, Harry?"

"A what?" Harry looked at Luna in disbelief.

"A Frood, Harry. They are full of Swarty Slime, which makes people hostile. You need a Kuckleberry Wish, they make you feel all light and fluffy and happy. I'll see if I've got one." Luna started to rummage through her bag.

"Who are you meeting here," Neville quickly said, changing the subject.

"Hermione, Ginny and my godfather."

"Not Ron?"

"No. If I know Ron, he won't like what I have to say."

"Harry," Neville looked right at the other boy. "You might not want me and Luna there, but you have to know that we are with you, whatever happens. Through thick and thin. I will never turn my back on you like others have. Trust me."

Harry's hastily wiped his eyes. "Thanks, Neville. That really means a lot to me."

"Sorry, Harry, I haven't got one today. I'll see if Daddy has some at home."

"Thanks for looking, Luna."

The door opened again. In came Ginny, Hermione, and to Harry's surprise Remus Lupin, with a black dog on a lead.

"Remus! I wasn't expected to see you here!" Harry leapt up to hug the man, but the dog got in the way, and licked Harry's face happily. Harry laughed at this, then asked Tom the barman for a private room. They headed up the stairs and entered a large room with several chairs and a bed in it. Harry sat down quickly and waited for the others to seat themselves too.

"OK, I'll cut this down for you as much as I can. Basically, I met my parents, but they had no idea who I was but my mum recognised Aunt Petunia as her sister. They told me that Dumbledore made them move house all the time. I was angry. So I mindspoke to Voldemort. I got him to meet me, I showed him what I heard, and I told him I was going to join him." Harry rolled up his left sleeve. "So I did. I'm getting myself resorted in September, hopefully to Slytherin. I want to show that old coot who's in control."

Remus started to talk first. "Harry, that was really dangerous, going to see You-Know-Who alone. But I have to commend you. Going against Dumbledore, that is very brave. You have my support 100%."

"Mine too, Harry," Sirius said, turning back into a man. Him and Remus had been together since the end of Harry's 3rd year. "But what was that you said about your parents?"

"My uncle got me this job, and I met my mum and dad. It's really them, Sirius."

"That's fantastic. We must go visit them soon, Remmie."

"So, Harry," Hermione interrupted. "Why did you ask us here?"

"To be honest, I only asked you, Sirius and Ginny. But that's beside the point. I want you to join."

"The Dark Side?" Ginny almost shrieked.

"Yes, I've made a deal with Tom. I'm not just a Death Eater, I'm second-in-command. I'll talk to him later today about a secondary army. An infiltration from inside. He should agree. Once Dumbledore falls, the Ministry falls, not the other way around."

"I'm with you, Harry," Neville said. Harry nodded.

"Me too," Luna said absently. "I'm interested in Voldemort's collection of Schrupblowers."

"Harry," Hermione whispered. "Isn't this dangerous?"

"Exceedingly," he grinned.

"Then I'm in too," Ginny smiled.

"Us too," Remus said, kissing Sirius lightly.

"Hermione?"

"Oh, alright. You only live once!"

The group cheered at this. Harry quickly sent a mental message to Voldemort, who smiled to himself, before changing into a bat and flying away.

*

The group sat chatting for a few hours, ordering up Butterbeer every so often. Because of this, no-one except Luna noticed a bat fly into the room.

"Ooh. Look Harry. It's a Frood!"

Harry jumped up. "That's not a Frood, Luna." The bat landed on a chair and turned into Voldemort. Hermione let out a slight squeal.

"Harry." The Dark Lord nodded his head.

"Tom." Harry greeted him in the same way.

"These are your recruits?"

"They are. Part of the infiltration army."

"Catchy." Voldemort smiled. "Are you all willing to be Marked?" They all agreed, and bared their left arms.

10 minutes later, they were all Marked. Luna looked especially proud of hers.

"Now," Voldemort said. "You are part of Harry's army. However, as he answers to me, you also answer to me, and you will call me Lord Voldemort. You may call Harry whatever he wants you to. I have to go." He looked at Harry. "Talk to you soon."

"Bye, Tom." Harry waved as the man, back in bat form, flew out the window again. "Herms, Gin, Luna, Neville, you should write a letter to Dumbledore asking to be resorted. Get the hat to put you into Slytherin. Remus, the Defence position is again available. Ask Dumbledore for that. Sirius, I believe Hagrid is taking this year off to visit Madame Maxime in France. You could apply for the Care of Magical Creatures position. We'll have to use a heave Glamour charm, but it should hold. Ginny, Hermione, I want to talk to you in private. I'll see the rest of you soon." They bid Harry farewell and left the room. "Ginny, probably a stupid question, but will me and Hermione be welcome at the Burrow this summer?"

"Of course you will, Harry! Mum's always asking for you. She'll be thrilled. Why?" Ginny frowned slightly.

Hermione knew what was coming. "Ron," she said solemnly.

"Yes, we need to talk to him, sooner or later."

*

Thanks to ams71080, ValeryaPotter, panther73110, DawnPapaya, LyricalPhoenix18 and animephantom for reviewing Chapter 3. I love it!