Harry Potter and The Two Year War

by TheRealXenocide

Disclaimer: This story contains characters created and owned by J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Scholastic, Inc. and AOL/Time Warner, Inc. No permission has been given and since no money is being made here, no infringement is intended.

Note: I am using a different layout for Grimmauld Place than was in the movies. When I read the descriptions of and actions in Grimmauld Place from 'Order of the Phoenix', I was left with the strong impression that it, like many other places and things in the magical world, had been the subject of extension charms over the years. As such, it would be much larger inside than its exterior would suggest.

Note: Remember section 7 of the Forward.

Chapter 9

The Serpent in the Alley

Harry was nervous all morning. While Remus couldn't help but find some amusement in this, he also tried to help. "The thing I don't understand is why you're so nervous. You've had two successful afternoon get-togethers with her. So it's not like she's a stranger."

"But this is a real date. As in going out in public. And don't tell me it's not different. Ginny has been helping her get ready, and Hermione had been helping me." In fact, Harry's clothes today had been picked out by Hermione on her most recent visit. A visit that became much more than Hermione had intended upon seeing the condition of Harry's wardrobe. As most of his clothes were still Dudley's leftovers, which were excessively baggy on Harry, she and Dobby went through and resized everything they thought was worth saving, which wasn't all that much. From these limited options, she chose a basic black button-front shirt with thin scarlet accent stripes, along with the only black jeans he had that passed her inspection. "Why would they need to help if it isn't different?"

"Because they know you, Harry." Harry glared at him, causing the older man to chuckle. "I'm not denying that it is a step. But it's still Luna. You count her as a friend, right?"

"Well, yeah. How could I not?"

"Would you have been able to honestly say that about Cho before your date?"

Harry paused for a moment. "Um, well." He stammered.

"Friend, Harry. Not an acquaintance. Not a crush. Not 'she seems nice'. But a friend like the rest of the Ministry Six?"

"Well . . . hang on. Ministry Six?"

"Something I'm trying out. Now stop dodging and answer the question."

"I dare you to let Hermione hear that one."

"Harry."

Harry sighed. "No, Remus, I couldn't honestly call her a friend."

"And that's the big difference here, Harry. You won't be starting from zero like you were with Cho. Because Luna is a friend, and you've had a couple of nice, long one-on-one conversations with her, you will be easier for you to talk with her today."

"I hope you're right."

As the morning moved toward noon, the D.A. group began to assemble at Grimmauld Place. The plan, laid out during the discussion/argument between Moody and Dumbledore, was for everyone to gather there by noon for the trip to Diagon Alley. Each of the three dating couples would have an Order member assigned to them, with the two remaining boys, Seamus and Neville, organized into a fourth group with a guard from the Order. Moody had wanted two guards per group, but Dumbledore felt that was too much of an imposition. In compromise, a reaction team of four Order members, led by Moody, would be stationed just outside the Leaky Cauldron.

When Hermione arrived, she fussed a little with Harry's outfit, and reminded him that he should go clothes shopping soon. "I'm not saying you need to buy out Sloane Street. But really, Harry, you need and deserve clothes better than what those people gave you. Besides, most girls enjoy shopping for the guy they like, so Luna should be fine with that for your next date. Promise me you'll arrange things for that today."

"Hermione . . ."

"Either you do or I do."

"You would, wouldn't you?"

"Of course."

Harry sighed. "Fine, Hermione, I'll talk to Remus when we get back, and we'll figure it out from there."

"Good." Once satisfied with his clothes, she sat down and began talking about class lists and other school related subjects. As Neville, Seamus, and Dean arrived, Harry noticed that every time somebody mentioned or asked about his impending date with Luna, Hermione would swiftly change the subject. In Dean's case, she fussed over his clothes as much as she had Harry's, distracting the others quite well. He would have to remember to thank her later.

Luna arrived with the Weasley group of Ron, Ginny, Charlie, and Mrs. Weasley. Harry was puzzled at first by the fact that she and Ginny walked past the door to the sitting room they were gathering in, apparently wearing the same basic, practical clothes their instructors had 'encouraged' them to wear during training. As he heard what could only be them walking up the stairs, Mrs. Weasley walked up to Harry. She seemed a bit embarrassed about something. "Harry, dear, I hope you won't mind. But the girls didn't want to risk their dresses in the floo network. So we thought they could bring them in a garment bag and change in one of the upstairs bedrooms. But I completely forgot to call ahead to ask. I guess I'm still getting used to this being your home."

"Oh. So, is that where they went? Upstairs to change?"

"I hope you don't mind. I am sorry for not asking first."

"It's fine, Mrs. Weasley. I mean, we normally wash and change after practice anyway. So it's not a problem."

"Thank you, Harry. Now, before we go, I was wondering. Would you mind if I spoke to Dobby?"

"If he isn't busy, sure." Harry called out in a moderate yet clear voice. "Dobby, can you come here a moment?"

Harry barely finished when the 'pop' of a house elf apparating answered him. "Dobby is available, Harry Potter sir." Dobby was wearing a clean brown tunic that looked like it had been made just for him. It had two small patches on it. On his right shoulder was a patch showing the Potter Family crest, and on his left shoulder was one with the Gryffindor house crest.

"Dobby. Mrs. Weasley wanted to speak with you a moment."

"Oh. The one you say has been as a mother to you?"

Harry blushed. "Yes, Dobby."

Dobby turned to her. "You have earned much respect, Mother Weasley. How may Dobby help you?"

Mrs. Weasley had been clearly surprised by this exchange, and was actually blushing a little herself. "Oh, um, thank you, Dobby. Well, I was thinking. You have proven yourself to be an excellent cook for Harry. But I was wondering, would you be interested if I gave you a few of Harry's favorite recipes of mine?"

Dobby thought for a moment. "While Dobby has learned how to make many foods, I am still learning how Harry Potter likes things. If you can help Dobby learn his preferences, that would be welcome."

Mrs. Weasley nodded. "I'm glad to hear it, Dobby." She handed him a small notebook. "If you like, we can talk more after I come back from Diagon Alley. But these recipes should be a good place to start."

Dobby nodded in what looked like a half bow. "Thank you. I was thinking of having something ready for them to eat when they returned, but I haven't started it yet. I could use one of these."

"Excellent idea." Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Well, I shouldn't keep you from your duties any longer, Dobby. I need to check on those girls."

"Thank you." Dobby turned to Harry as Mrs. Weasley walked away. "Is Dobby needed for anything else, Harry Potter sir?"

Harry had been watching the exchange with a smile. "Dobby, you've gotten much better with people. It's good to see." Dobby smiled. "But if you would bring us a pitcher of water with a dozen glasses, I think we should be fine for a while."

"It will only be a moment." Dobby disappeared with a pop.

"I think he actually managed to embarrass mum." Ron commented. "I wonder which recipe he'll try first?"

Hermione shook her head. "Was the tunic your idea, or his?" Harry looked at her, not sure how she meant that. "I mean, after seeing those socks, I was expecting something more . . . colorful."

Harry smiled at that. "He wanted some new clothes to go with the new job, so we talked about it, and he went with Remus to a shop Remus knows will help magically creatures. I wanted to go and help, but Remus said they don't like wizards unless they have an issue like his."

"Oh, because he's a werewolf?" Neville asked.

Harry nodded. "Dobby said he chose tunics because it's most like what he's used to. And yes, Hermione, some of them are VERY colorful. I did suggest that he save the multicolored stuff for his days off. But he has ten single colored tunics, two each of five different colors. The patches were his idea, and I saw no reason to say no."

"Well, he's the best dressed house-elf I've ever seen." Seamus remarked.

"Don't most of them avoid being seen?" Dean asked.

"I think so, yeah." Neville replied.

"Not the point."

Dobby popped back in the pitcher of water and glasses. He placed them on the table, then tilted his head. "It sounds like your ladies are on their way." He pointed to Harry and Dean. "Dobby will be in the kitchen." With that, he left with a pop.

Harry quickly stood, something Hermione had reminded him to do several times during the week. He glanced to where he saw movement, and saw that Dean had also stood. Mrs. Weasley was the first to return, and approached Dean. "I hope you don't mind, Dean, but Ginny decided to keep her outfit simple so Luna could shine. It is her first date with anyone."

"What? Oh. I don't mind. Ginny looks good in anything, anyway."

As Mrs. Weasley cleared the way, a sound that might have been the start of a growl from Ron was cut short by a quick hiss of pain. Harry guessed that Hermione's elbow found Ron's ribs. "Oh, come on, Hermione. I didn't do anything."

"That would be a nice surprise." Came the unmistakable voice of Ginny Weasley from the doorway of the sitting room.

Harry had only turned away from the door a moment. When he turned back, Ginny was approaching Dean. She had on a forest green dress that seemed to be a fairly simple shape. It reminded Harry of something the character of Marion might have worn on a Robin Hood show Dudley sometimes watched reruns of. He was broken from his attempt to remember it exact title of that show by Dean's voice. "Ginny, WOW, I love that green on you."

"It really is a lovely dress, Ginny." Hermione added. "Is it new?"

Ginny nodded. "Mum decide to get us all a few new clothes now that we can afford it." She closed her eyes as soon as she said that. "Sorry, Harry."

It took Harry a tick to realize why she was apologizing. "I'm sure Sirius would approve, Ginny."

"Thanks. I asked Luna to wait a moment, so Dean and I could sit and leave the floor for you two." With that, she led Dean to a two-seat couch opposite the doorway.

"Hello, Harry."

Harry turned back to the doorway at the sound of Luna's voice, and his brain froze for a moment. This dress was not the kind of thing he had come to associate with his eccentric friend now girlfriend. The words 'elegant' and 'beautiful' fought for supremacy in his mind as he stared silently. Full length and sleeveless, it managed to show her shape without being clingy. As Luna crossed the somewhat shadowed doorway into the better lighting of the room, her dress seemed to change color from a sort of violet to a royal blue. That shade of blue, along with how her hair framed her face, seemed to highlight her eyes in a way Harry found very . . . very.

"I think he approves." Hermione said, not bothering to hide her amusement.

"He'd have to be blind not to." Seamus added.

That started to shake Harry from his trance. "Um, yeah. Luna, I . . . really don't what to say first. I mean, you look elegant and beautiful and . . . and . . . oh Merlin your eyes."

Luna was simply beaming. "Thank you, Harry. When Ginny offered to let me borrow this, she said you'd like it. I'm glad she was right."

"She was. Wait, that's Ginny's?"

"Yes."

"It's perfectly normal for girls to borrow from friends for special occasions, Harry." Mrs. Weasley said.

"Oh. Sorry, but my aunt would never lend anything that nice to anybody. I guess that's one more way she's a bad example."

"As if we needed more reasons to dislike that woman." Mrs. Weasley grumbled.

"Well, Harry, I think you look quite handsome as well." Luna remarked.

Harry couldn't prevent the blush starting to form. "Um, thanks. Hermione picked it out."

"Would you mind if we added something?" Luna brought up her hands, which Harry saw had been closed. As she opened her hands, Harry saw that each had one of her butterbeer cork necklaces. "Ginny didn't think it would go with the dress, but . . ."

"She's wrong." Harry interrupted. "You wouldn't be the Luna I know without it." Then he noticed the color combination of the threads on the one in her right hand, and looked at her in amazement. "Blue, red, and silver? Luna, is that what I think it is?"

She nodded. "You remembered. But it's not quite what you're thinking. This one is new, but it uses the same colors as my mother's. I made it for you, Harry."

Harry gulped, knowing from their talk the previous weekend just want that meant to her. "Luna, I would be honored to wear it."

"I hope you to don't mind sitting down to help each other put them on." Moody said as he entered the room. "It's about to get rather crowded in here."

"Way to kill the mood, Moody." Tonks grumbled behind him.

XzXzX

The group arrived at The Leaky Cauldron at 12:10. After Moody gave final instructions to the group, which amounted to a five-minute version of 'Constant Vigilance', the eight teens and their four escorts left for the alley, soon to be followed by the reaction team. Moody and Professor McGonagall were on the reaction team, and they were joined by two Order members new to all the teens except Harry, Michael Morris and Maeve Connor. While the other teens suspected that Professor McGonagall was there to keep Moody from overreacting, Harry wasn't so sure. Maeve had an aggressive streak that scared him sometimes.

The plan for the day was to start as a single group as they went first to Gringott's for any money they may need, and then to Flourish and Blotts for their books. Mr. Weasley would use part of his lunch break to meet them at the bookstore in time to take everyone's books via portkey to Grimmauld Place, so they wouldn't need to lug them around all day. After that, the four groups could separate, allowing the couples time without their friends watching them. So long as they took care of school needs first, they had until 3:00 to do as they like before returning to The Leaky Cauldron. Remus went with Harry and Luna, Mrs. Weasley joined Ginny and Dean, and Charlie went with Ron and Hermione. Tonks was assigned to Seamus and Neville, who were expected to leave earlier than the others, as they were the only group not on a date.

As they made their way out of Gringott's, Harry felt as if he was being watched. At first, he wondered if maybe he had been spending too much time with Moody. But the sensation stayed with him all the way to Flourish and Blotts. Just before they reached to door, he stopped. "Hold up, everyone."

They all stopped, gathering around him. "What is it, Harry?" Tonks asked first.

"Has anybody else felt like we're being watched?"

"Are you sure you aren't lettin Moody get to ya?" Seamus asked. "I realize it's not like the weekends, Harry, but the lunch crowd is busy enough not to care about us."

"No." Neville countered. "I think Harry's right." He turned to Harry. "Since Gringott's, right?"

"Yeah." Harry confirmed.

"I didn't want to say anything." Remus cut in. "But I think I saw who it is."

"And why didn't you say anything?!" Tonks asked, starting to get agitated.

"Because I thought I'd let young Mr. Creevey decide if his interest in his friends was worth disrupting what appears to be a date."

"Oh, well, that's different then." Charlie said. Tonks nodded her agreement. "Should we invite . . ."

"Sorry but no, Charlie. We are on a bit of a clock." Remus replied. "Let's get everyone's books first. If they want to talk to Colin, they can do it after that."

"He's right." Mrs. Weasley added. "Arthur won't have a lot of time. Come on, everyone. Let's get this done so you can enjoy your day." With that, she ushered the teens and Tonks to the door in a way only an experienced parent could manage.

Once in the store, they quickly saw that the lunch crowd today wasn't all that interested in books. This made it easy for the teen to move around and get their class books quickly. Even Hermione surprised her friends by being only a couple of minutes behind her friends at the checkout. "We do have other plans today. Besides, it's early enough in the summer, I'm sure I can come back."

"Early is right." The clerk, a balding man who looked to be in his fifties said. "We only got some of these in last week, and you lot are the first students I've had buying their book for next term."

As he rang up each separate purchase, Harry, Ron, and Dean looked on with a bit of discomfort. All three had the urge to try a buy his girlfriend's books for her. But all three had been lectured about that before they had left Grimmauld Place. The short version was that while it was fine to buy each other small gifts afterward, they should leave the books to each person's family.

Leaving the store, they saw Mr. Weasley sitting on a large, and rather old looking, steamer trunk. Seeing the teens, he hopped off and opened it. "Pulled this out of the shed. I figured it would be big enough, even with all eight of you."

"It should be more than enough room, Mr. Weasley. Thank you." Hermione agreed. The rest of the group also gave him their thanks as they carefully put their books inside. By the time they finished, it was clear that it was able to handle nearly twice as much by space. Weight, however, would have been a challenge without magic.

Mr. Weasley closed the trunk. "Well, now that that's done, I hope you all have a nice day. I'll see you all this afternoon." With that, he grabbed one handle, tapped the top with his wand, muttered something, and he and the trunk vanished.

"Wait." Harry said, looking at Remus. "They used the trunk itself for the portkey?"

"Why not?" Remus replied. "For a one-time use, it made sense."

"Hello, Harry. Hello, everyone." Came the familiar overly cheerful voice of Harry's most omnipresent fanboy.

"Hello, Colin." Harry replied as he turned to see the younger boy. But what drew Harry's attention was the girl on Colin's arm. Because, unless he was seeing things, this girl was a raven-haired twin of Ginny Weasley wearing a emerald green summer dress with what looked like silk lace on the collars.

His thoughts were broken by a sharp intake of breath. "Mafalda?!" Neville's exclamation was colored by so much and so many emotions that Harry couldn't really make out what his friend was feeling, except that it was nothing good.

"Oh, hello Neville." The girl spoke in a voice that sounded like Ginny's, but bathed in flowers and basilisk venom. "I hope you aren't regretting breaking up with me. Because it's too late, I've found a boy who's willing to be a man."

Whatever Neville might have said was lost by Ron jumping in. "DAMN YOU, MAFALDA! What are you doing here? Did Drurmstrang kick you out for screwing around?"

To everyone's surprise, Colin stepped right up to the larger Ron. "Watch your mouth, Weasley."

"What?!"

The adults came between them at this point. Charlie made himself closest to Ron. "Calm yourself, Ron."

"But . . ."

"I know, Ron, remember? But I think your young friend doesn't."

"Of course not."

"So why wouldn't he stand up for his date?"

As Hermione embraced Ron from behind and began whispering to him, Ginny stepped up next to Charlie. "Colin, we're friends, right?"

"Of course." He was still very tense.

"Did you know that she is our cousin?"

"She mentioned it."

"Colin, we haven't seen her in years, so I don't if she's changed. But she hurt Ron, and all of us, back then. And I'm worried she might hurt you, too."

"Look, Ginny. I don't know about the past. We're still learning about each other. But she makes me happy. Can't that be enough?"

"Colin, dear." Mrs. Weasley spoke. "I know we've only met a couple of times, but I know Ginny counts you and your brother as friends. How about this. For today, we all continue as we were before this happened. Then maybe you could come to the Burrow and we can all catch up?"

Colin looked at the girl, who nodded. "Alright. We were on our way back to my place, anyway."

She looked Neville straight in the eyes. "To do what you're too much of a coward for. Bye."

The group just watched as the couple strode away. When she was sure the pair were out of earshot, Mrs. Weasley spoke. "Such a nasty little girl. I hope Colin will be alright." She turned to face the group. "I'm sorry you all had to see all that. Please don't ask, at least not yet."

"Of course, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione answered. "I'm sure when he's ready, Ron will tell me his end. I can wait until then."

"She's your ex, Neville?" Dean asked. That drew Harry's attention their way. Dean's face worried Harry.

Come to that, so did Neville's. "Yeah." Neville answered. "From my Channel Islands vacation."

"I think you and I need to ECK!" Dean's thought/threat came to an abrupt end when a hand grabbed his collar in such a way as to make sure that the knuckles would press against his throat.

The hand quickly pulled the collar, shirt, and boy down and around until Dean was eye-to-eye with a very angry Ginny Weasley, who looked ready to breathe fire. "The only conversation you'll be having is with me." She hissed. "And the subject will be trust."

Mrs. Weasley placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder. The girl seemed to be vibrating with rage. "I agree. And knowing you, dear, I think it best if we get this over with."

"Yeah. My day's shot, anyway."

"Harry, dear, would you mind if we use your place for this, since we're meeting there anyway?"

"Um, yeah, sure. I've been using the second floor study a lot. It should be private enough."

"Thank you. Come on, Ginny. And do let the boy walk for himself."

Ginny released Dean's collar and walked angrily toward the Leaky Cauldron. "If you want any chance of saving this, Dean." Mrs. Weasley said to the young man. "Keep up with her, silently, until you two are alone at Harry's." Dean nodded and strode after Ginny. "I hope the rest of you have good day. And Ron, do let Hermione help you." With that, she turned and walked quickly after the troubled couple.

"How could he be such an idiot?" Charlie asked. "Especially with Ginny already hacked off."

"Are you alright, Neville?" Luna asked. Harry looked at him again, and the answer seemed obvious. But he knew that they'd become friends during their D.A. meetings last term. And, as he'd been learning, this was just her way.

"I donno. I mean, I broke up with her. But it's why I did that's the problem. Especially now."

Luna took his hands. "If you need to talk, my friend, you know I'll listen."

Harry saw Neville glancing his way, and even he could figure out why. "You don't need to worry about me." Harry added. "I trust her, and I know she can help." Neville looked at him questioningly. "Sirius."

That threw Neville off for a moment. "Wow. Okay. And thanks, both of you. We should talk after this."

"And on that note." Tonks said. "We've lost some time from the day, but I think you can still have some fun, if you're up to it."

XzXzXzXzXzXzXzX

Note: For those interested, the TV show whose full title Harry can't remember is "Robin of Sherwood". Search the phrase 'Robin of Sherwood Marion' in Google Images to see examples of what Ginny's dress might look like.

Note: As for Luna, if you search the phrase 'blue dress Luna Lovegood' in Google Images, Luna's dress in this chapter should be the first one shown, being worn by Evanna Lynch. Fans in the crowd on the left of the image are holding an "Order of the Phoenix" poster.