Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived at the Burrow in time for dinner. Mrs. Weasley set up a cot in Ginny's room for Hermione.
After dinner Hermione went to Ginny's room and crawled into the bed that had been set up for her. Ron and Harry made their way up to Ron's room and went to bed.
As Mr. Weasley retired for the night, Mrs. Weasley shooed the rest of her children to bed.
The following morning after breakfast Ron, Fred, George, Harry, Ginny and Hermione went out side to the Quidditch Pitch.
"Did you have to invite the girls?" Asked Ron annoyed.
"So what if I did. Honestly Ron what is so bad about including them? Ginny knows Quidditch and she should be able to fly around on her broom while she still can. Not much and longer and we will be Hogwarts. The girls don't have to be cooped up in the house."
"Thank you Harry. At least someone around here isn't a git." Ginny said
"Yeah, thanks Harry. I definitely do not want to be cooped inside on a nice day like this."
"So, my sister knows how to play Quidditch, why does she have to every time we do? Hermione can't stand the game. She doesn't even like to fly."
"Ron, this is only what the third time that Ginny has been out here with us. Hermione can sit and watch if she wants. Hell if Ginny wants to she can sit and watch with Hermione."
Fred and George said nothing and listened to every one else talk. Ron didn't say another word gave up and sighed in defeat.
Hermione found a place to sit and watched them play and suggested that they take turns on who sits out so that it's fair for both sides. Ron reluctantly agreed to the suggestion that they alternate on who sits out. The rest were perfectly fine with it. Ginny was just happy to be playing and to have a reason to be near Harry.
Ron sat out for the first time and was complaining to Hermione the entire time.
"Ron shut up! It doesn't matter; it's for fun not for the stupid Quidditch cup. What do you have against your sister playing? It's not like she could really get hurt. We are in your back yard and she isn't that far up in the air. She'll be just fine on her broom. You said yourself that she can handle Harry's broom great."
"It's not that, really. Of course I don't want my sister to get hurt. Is it so bad to want to just hang out with the guys. Ginny is also being annoying, at least to me she is, she being so obvious that she fancies Harry."
"No it's not so bad that you want to spend time with the guys without and girls around but you don't have to be a git about it. So what if she fancies Harry, it shouldn't bother you in any way. Harry doesn't seem to be bothered by it. You know what, most of this is about having to sit out isn't it? No one else is complaining about it."
"Of course I don't want to sit out. Fred, George and Harry aren't going to complain, they get to play at school. Ginny is just so thrilled to be near Harry. I just thought of something that could work and no one will have to sit out. Hermione, why don't you join us? Seriously, it would be so much better. You can be on Fred and George's team. I know you don't like flying. You could just hover a few inches of the ground. What do you say?"
"Did you fall out of bed and hit your head? It wouldn't be fair if I just hovered in one spot."
"It's just for fun."
"No."
"Come on Hermione. Pleeeease. It will be fun."
"Fine. I'll play. But if I fall off even once I am done, got it!"
"You are the best Hermione."
"What's gong on?" Asked Ginny
"Hermione has decided to join us."
"Who do we get?" Asked the twins
"Me" Hermione replied.
The twins nodded an okay as Ron ran to the broom shed and got Percy's broom out and brought it to Hermione.
They played for hours and to every one's surprise Hermione didn't fall off once, she didn't even nearly fall off. As they were about to start another set Mrs. Weasley called them in for lunch.
"Oh my. All of you will clean up before lunch. Best hurry because no one eats until everyone is at the table."
"Mum, that's no fair. Why do I have to wait for them?"
"Because I said so Percy."
They cleaned up as quickly as possible so that Percy would shut up and not go on about it all year.
After lunch as the boys headed out back out side to start the game they attempted when Mrs. Weasley called them in, Hermione convinced Ginny to stay in and hang out in her room.
Harry trotted back inside, "Are you two coming out?"
"Not this time Harry, thanks."
Harry shrugged and tried not to show any disappointment.
"Where are the girls? Didn't you invite them?"
"I asked and they are staying inside."
"It's about time."
"What's the matter with you? What did you say to Hermione?"
"All I said to Hermione was asking her if it was so bad to want to just hangout with the guys. I don't want them around all the time. Is it really all that bad that I don't want the girls around so much?"
"I suppose not."
"Hey, why do you always include my sister?"
Fred and George stopped what they were doing to listen to this.
"I just thought it would be nice to include her. Come on Ron you have to admit that Ginny is not the typical girl, she can fly a broom really good, she likes to play Quidditch and she plays really good."
Ron looked at Harry with a wondering look.
Harry could see that Ron was close to figuring out that he is interested in Ginny. Harry quickly guided Ron to the pitch so they could play Quidditch.
'I have to tell Ron about Ginny. I just wish I knew how. I have to be careful when I tell him. Now when should I tell him? Should I tell him tonight? Or wait until we are at Hogwarts? Telling him now might not be a good thing or I should wait until we are at school. If I get the chance I'll ask Hermione what she thinks.' Harry thought.
"Harry, are you ready?" Ron asked
"What? Yeah I'm ready."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I was just thinking about something."
Ron let it go figuring that it had to do with Sirius.
At dinner that night Harry ate what he could and went up to Ron's room to go to bed. He was so exhausted as though he had played for the Quidditch Cup.
Harry heard Ron walk in. He stayed still hoping that Ron would think that he was a sleep. Harry was relieved when he heard Ron climb into bed.
Harry laid a wake for hours listening to Ron's snoring. He couldn't take just laying in bed so he got up and went down stairs. He sat on the couch and enjoyed the silence while thinking of Sirius, Ginny and telling Ron what he should be told.
"Harry what are you doing up?"
"I could ask you the same thing Hermione."
"I heard someone on the stairs and thought I would see who it was."
"I can't sleep. Too much on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Do you mind going outside? I'd rather not talk about it here."
"Outside it is then."
Once outside Hermione waited for Harry to start talking.
"What's on your mind?" Hermione asked.
"Sirius. Ginny. Ron. Fred and George are fine with the fact that I am interested in their sister and that she is why I wasn't paying attention and ended up back in time. I intend to tell Ron, I need to tell him soon. I just don't know if I should tell him here or wait until we are at school. What do you think would be the best place to tell him?"
"I think you should wait until we are at school. That way he might be less likely to kill you. Although no matter where you tell him if he were to harm you in anyway or worse, Ginny would kill Ron."
Harry couldn't help but smile at the last thing Hermione said.
"Oh, Harry I would suggest that you don't include me and Ginny, much. Ron's not stupid and you can only distract him so much. You don't want him to figure it out. He has to hear it from you, at least most of it. I am sure he has figured out some, if not he is about to. Please be careful, I don't want the two of you fighting. I am sure Ginny doesn't want the two of you fighting either."
"I'll try not to include you girls much. The problem though is that if I don't ask then he'll know something is going on if he doesn't already. I know he isn't stupid. I just hope that I get the chance to tell him everything, weather or not he figures it out or not."
Harry and Hermione went back inside the house and to their respective rooms to go back to bed.
The following morning just after breakfast a knock on the back door could be heard. Mrs. Weasley shooed everyone out of the kitchen and opened the door.
"Professor, what brings you here?"
"Hogwarts letters. I though that I would bring them myself and I would like a word with Harry."
"Thank you, come in. Follow me, everyone is in the living room."
Harry looked towards the kitchen as Mrs. Weasley and Dumbledore entered the living room. Harry was a little excited and nervous, he jumped up on to his feet and walked over to them.
"Professor, would you mind talking outside?"
"Not at all Harry."
Harry led the way out side to the farthest point from the Burrow.
"So any news about Sirius?"
"I'm afraid not. He is still in Azkaban. I am sorry Harry. I should have known that Cornelius would drag this out."
"He needs to admit that he was wrong and let Sirius free."
"I agree Harry. In your letter you said something about wanting to tell me something that I should know."
"Yes. I now realize that I should have told you right off. I wasn't really sure what was going on. I was a little scared to tell anyone at first. I wasn't sure if I had been dreaming or not. I have told a few people, but it's still hard to say it. Remember when you asked me if I was a seer and I said I wasn't?"
"I do remember and you still feel you are not a seer?"
"I know I'm not a seer."
"I am guessing that you have somehow traveled through time."
"I accidentally sent myself back in time."
"How is that possible?"
"I am not sure. I was heart broken and not paying attention in Potions. We were working on a time travel potion. Some how I messed up with the ingredients, there was an explosion and I ended up at the Dursleys before ever going to Hogwarts."
"Care to elaborate a little more?"
"Sorry. Well, I had been dating Ginny and I broke up with her to go look for the Horcruxes. I didn't warn anyone that there was a possibility that I could die. I actually had figured out that I wasn't going to make it. Then it all went different. I figured out that I was the last Horcrux when Voldemort took care of it and I survived. Any way Ginny wouldn't talk to me, I couldn't stop thinking about her while trying to make the potion."
"Voldemort returns to power?"
"Yes. Well I am going to do everything I can to keep that from happening and not let certain other things repeat."
"What do you know about Horcruxes?"
"Not much, I know that Horcruxes are very dark and that Voldemort made seven."
"But how does Voldemort return to power?"
"Horcruxes!"
"How many Horcruxes are there?"
"Seven!"
"What are they exactly?"
"Tom Riddles diary, Marvolo Gaunts ring, Slytherin's locket, Hufflepuffs cup, Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem, Voldemort's pet snake Nagini and me."
"Where are these objects?"
"One will show up at school at this term. Some how Lucius Malfoy gets into a bunch of books that Mrs. Weasley gives to Ginny. You find the ring at the Gaunt house, the locket is at number twelve Grimmuald Place, Hufflepuffs cup is in the Lestrange vault, Rowena's diadem is in the room of requirement, the snake is always with Voldemort once he is in human from, and of course me. Oh Professor, for should you still be the one to find Marvolo's ring, please promise me you won't put it on your hand. Please trust me."
"I do trust you Harry and I promise not to put the ring on my hand for should I find it. I assume that you plan on going after the Horcruxes and destroy them."
"Yes, but not right away. I'm not physically strong enough yet, but will be. I am going to do everything I can to keep Voldemort from returning. If I am unable to prevent it, I know how to defeat him. When the time comes I will ask you for two things and I hope that you can hand them over without question."
"Harry by chance would you happen to know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Yes. It very well does exist. The entrance to the Chamber is in the girl's bathroom that is haunted by Moaning Myrtle. She died in the bathroom fifty years ago."
"Thank you Harry for trusting me with this information. I will not ask you about schoolwork I saw you studying through out last year. Keep me informed please and I will keep you informed. I would like to help as much as I can."
"Thank you Professor."
"Oh, Harry if you need my help in regard to Sirius do not hesitate to ask."
"I won't worry about Sirius. I have something, I guess one could say, in motion."
"Is there anything else you think I should know about?"
"I can understand and speak Parseltongue. I can transfigure rocks into owls. And I can apparate. The last two things I have done countless times and no letter of warning or anything. I assume it has to do with the fact that I have gone back in time."
"I agree with your assumption. Well, I have taken up enough of your time for today. I am sure your friends are anxiously waiting for news of this conversation."
"Thank you again for everything you have done for me and Sirius. Oh, once Sirius is released will I be able to live with him? I have left the Dursley's for good and I won't feel comfortable staying here forever, temporarily works for me. I feel too much of a burden on Ron's family. They don't feel that way. Thank you again. See you when school starts."
"I will see then Harry. You take care."
"Oh, Professor, does Glideroy Lockhart have to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? He is a fake you know."
"Unfortunately there is no one else willing to take the post."
"I suppose I could tolerate him again. I'll see you at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore nodded and apparated out as Harry walked back to the Burrow.
As Harry entered the Burrow Mrs. Weasley handed him his Hogwarts letter. Harry opened and looked at his letter. It was going to be expensive for all the books alone, Percy in his 6th year, the twins in their 4th year, Ron in 2nd year and Ginny's 1st plus her robes and her wand. He wished that there were something he could do to help even though Mrs. Weasley would not hear of it.
* * * * * * *
After breakfast everyone prepared for the trip to Diagon Alley.
"Harry dear, do you know how to use floo powder?" Mrs. Weasley asked
"Yes."
"How about you Hermione?"
"No." Hermione replied nervously.
"Mum why don't Harry and I go so that Hermione can get the idea?"
"Sounds good to me Ron"
Ron went first then Harry. Hermione got that you need to speak very clearly. She stepped inside the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder and clearly said, "Diagon Alley."
One everyone was through Mrs. Weasley took Ginny to the second-hand robe shop to get Ginny's robes. Harry went to Madam Malkin's to get his robes.
Everyone met at the Apothecary to get the needed potion ingredients for each person. Harry quickly went to the Owl Emporium to get stuff for Hedwig. As they all headed in the direction of Flourish and Blots Harry slowed down walking to a complete stop. Ron and Hermione looked around for Harry, once they realized that he had stopped they walked back to him.
"Harry are you all right?"
"Not really. I do not want to go into Flourish and Blots. Ron if I give you the money will you please go in and purchase the books I need."
"Sure, but why?"
"I really don't want to see that fake piece of shit."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Gilderoy Lockhart. He's our new Defense teacher."
"Are you serious Harry? Why are you calling him a fake piece of shit?"
"I am serious and uh…he is a fake piece of shit. Trust me I've tolerated him before."
"Oh that's right. You would know if someone was on the up and up."
While Harry waited outside for everyone, Lucius Malfoy stopped in front of him.
"Well, well if it isn't Mr. Potter."
"Mr. Malfoy."
"And why aren't you inside getting your books?"
"None of you business."
"No need to be rude."
"In your opinion that is."
Before Lucius could do anything at all Mr. Weasley came outside.
"Lucius."
"Arthur. I see you are still purchasing tacky second-hand books. A shame that the Ministry doesn't pay you well enough, it's a disgrace to the name Wizard."
"In your opinion. If you will excuse us, we will be on our way."
Harry was relieved to have avoided Lockhart and Draco. He had too much on his mind to deal with them just yet.
