Chapter Three
Ron's warning
Harry spent the few weeks prior to the Weasleys and Hermione's arrival wandering around Diagon Alley, browsing The Quality Quidditch shop, admiring all the things he wanted and could buy, but resisting temptation. On the morning of their arrival Harry was waiting for them. They all slid through the fireplace at The Leaky Cauldron. "Harry!" Mrs. Weasely cried happily when she saw him, pulling him into a warm embrace.
"Mom, let him breath," said Fred or George, Harry wasn't sure. Mrs. Weasley let go, and dusted off the shoot from her own cloak. Where were Ron and Hermione? His question was soon answered as Hermione came screaming through the fireplace. She lay on the floor trying to catch her breath and staring at the ceiling. Ron followed after her. Hermione calmed down a bit and explained she had never traveled by way of floo powder, Harry knew how she felt. He thanked them for the gifts and the group headed out for school shopping.
*~*~*~*
"You mean Pettigrew was actually in your house?" Ron gasped as Harry told the story.
"Yes, thank god Sirius had been there, if he hadn't I can't imagine what Pettigrew might have done," Harry sighed, both Ron and Hermione looked frightened. Harry almost regretted telling them. "Don't worry, I'm fine now, and Sirius told me that he and Professor Lupin are going to be at Hogwarts a lot this year. Everything is going to be fine." His assurance didn't seem to sway his friends, but they both forced smiles and the trio went about shopping.
Hermione went ahead with Ginny to shop for new dress robes, while they were doing that Ron and Harry stopped and got a scope of ice cream, which Ron insisted on paying for. He looked around them and then leaned in close to his best friend. "I didn't want to say this in front of Hermione because I know she would only worry," he whispered.
"Ron, what is it?" Harry asked, becoming extremely concerned. Ron sighed, again looking cautiously around them before answering.
"Harry, two nights ago Pig flew in my room with a very short letter, it was addressed to me but it didn't say who it was from. Harry it said…" He paused for a moment, "It said someone in Gryffindor was in league with You Know Who and you would be dead by the end of the school year." Harry was shocked, someone in Gryffindor was going to try and kill him?
"Did you show your parents?" He asked, but Ron shook his head.
"They'd turn it in to the Ministry of Magic and the school would probably put under guard, not to mention you wouldn't be allowed there," Ron explained. Harry agreed it was for the best. "Please Harry, just tell me you won't go anywhere unless Hermione or I are with you. Something is going to happen this year, I can just feel it."
*~*~*~*
Harry and Ron met up with the rest of their group at The Leaky Cauldron for lunch, trying not to show there was anything wrong. Harry laughed and joked with Fred and George, but his thoughts were on what Ron had said, something is going to happen this year. Could he be right?
"Did you hear about the two new sixth years that are coming to Hogwarts?" Hermione suddenly asked. No one had. "They're coming from Dimthicone Wizarding School in California," She explained.
"Americans? When did Hogwarts start having transfer students?" Fred asked.
"Since their parents are the best Auroras in all of America," Hermione, "They helped fight off You Know Who before, and now they're being called in again." The conversation for the rest of the meal was about the new students.
"Harry, do think they could be apart of the message I got?" Ron eagerly asked as they walked up to their rooms. He immediately regretted asking, forgetting Hermione was with them.
"What message?" she demanded, neither boy said a word. "What is it? What message?"
"Don't worry about it, it's nothing really," Ron said casting Harry a sideways glance, he got the message.
"Yeah, nothing at all, just some kind of joke," Harry put on a fake smile and went into his room. Hermione stood out in the hall; she knew they were hiding something from her, but what she didn't know. She was going to find out.
*~*~*~*
It became an unspoken agreement between Harry and Ron to not speak of the message, and Hermione never brought it up again, much to their relief. Hedwig had gone out the night before and had yet to return. Harry was a little worried, they would be leaving for the Hogwarts Express any minute and he didn't want to leave her. She flew in at the last minute with something attached at her leg. She knew they were leaving so after Harry to off the letter, she went into her cage. There was no name on the letter but his own. He opened it carefully.
Harry,
Ready for an exciting year? It will be your last.
It, too, was unsigned. Harry's hands trembled as he folded the letter and put it back in the unsealed envelope. Hedwig cocked her head to the side, sensing he was troubled. "Harry, come on!" Ron burst through his door. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing Harry's face. Harry showed him the letter.
"Maybe we should show Mum and dad," Ron said nervously, but Harry refused.
"Like you said, they won't let me at Hogwarts if anyone knew about this, I'll just be very careful," Harry reasoned, he gathered up the rest of his things and they went out to meet up with the others.
