A/N: Wow, Wow, Wow, that's all I can say! Thanks sooo much to everyone that reviewed. It went way past what I expected it to and *sob*, it made me so happy. : ) There is a list of thanks at the end, so keep up the good work reviewing everyone. Seeing as this is going to be a super long and really interesting chapter, full of action, adventure and yes you said it, Romance, I would like to aim my reviews towards something in the hundreds. I know that's a huge leap, but I have faith in you guys. I guess my idea for an HP story in space wasn't really wanted, but the reason I've taken such a long time to finally get the chapter up was because I've written a ton of another story, I'll tell you about it at the end. Earlier on, my computer crashed and I'd written a good 5 pages, so you can imagine how upset I was. For now, read and don't forget to Review!!!

~Chapter 7~ Diagon Alley, The Dark Mark and a Death

The trio walked slowly past the bar. Tom greeted them jovially.

"Morning Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr.." Tom trailed off staring at Harry. He did look vaguely familiar, almost like.no it couldn't be him. The innkeeper's eyes quickly flicked upwards to Harry's scar which seemed more pronounced than ever before. Hermione and Ron bore rather amused expressions but Harry wasn't in the mood for this. If Tom noticed or actually didn't notice him, what would all his teachers and fellow students think? More attention was all he needed.

"Morning Mr. Potter. You sure have changed." He said by means of greeting Harry. Harry returned the greeting, using a bland voice and headed towards the back of the Leaky Cauldron and the entrance into Diagon Alley.

The brick wall moved aside forming an archway. Bright sunlight blinded them for a couple of moments. Harry remembered that earlier on in the summer, Diagon Alley had been attacked. That was the day he'd gone to Ron's house by floo powder. The death eaters must have thought he'd been on his way here. Oh no, he was putting everyone in danger again. Harry pulled an astonished Ron and Hermione into a side alcove.

'Am I recognizable?' he asked flattening his fringe against his scar.

Ron looked at him oddly but Hermione understood the relevance.

'Harry, I doubt the death eaters would have traced us here. Don't worry, you're safe.' Her voice betrayed pity.

'I'm not worried about myself Hermione, last time they thought I'd be here and because of me again innocent people died!'

There was a minute's silence as Harry's words sunk in. Ron broke the silence and made a valiant attempt to cheer Harry up.

'No-one will recognize you if you keep your scar covered.'

Harry seriously doubted it, but what else could he do? He placed his hand inside a pocked gripping his wand tightly then nodded. At least he'd be somewhat prepared if they attacked again.

For a while the trio walked around admiring items from shop windows. Finally Hermione was able to persuade or rather shove them into Flourish and Blotts. She fished out her neatly folded Hogwarts letter from a thin book bag she'd been carrying and flipped it open, sliding the parchment out. She skimmed through the usual letter from McGonagall. A small paragraph at the end of it caught her eye.

Please note that a compulsory 'Job Class' will be added to the school years curriculum for fifth and sixth year students only. It will specialize in helping each pupil to find a future job, which suits their talents, what they enjoy and the subjects they have chosen to take. Being a versatile topic, it will require much attention and a dedication of mind. We hope you will be able to enjoy all aspects of it and trust you will take its lessons into a beneficial account.

Yours sincerely Professor M.McGonagall

MinervaMcGonagall

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Ron and Harry looked absolutely horrified at the thought of a new subject. Hermione on the other Hand, looked ready to throw a party.

'This is going to be the best year ever!' she exclaimed and hurried off to find her books.

'Mental.' Ron muttered scowling at his letter. 'Let's see what we're going to need.'

Perfectly Putrid Potions by Sharika Simmering A 5th Years Guide to Transfiguration by Miranda Goshawk Chew on Charms by Gabriel Floater Dead Right Divination by Angela Orb Magical History for the Clueless by Mary Revolt Mein Kamphf a bibliography by Adolph Hitler Magical Creatures Misbehaving by Catherine Claw What's out Where? By Orion Delta The pleasant and not so pleasant of plants by Henry Herb Never turn your back by Danielle Curse Avoiding Unemployment by Hobo Jeel

Harry stared in amazement at the list. Hitler. Why would Hogwarts want them to buy a book written by him? Ron seemed more concerned about the thickness and price of each book.

After collecting what they needed and paying, they went to sit at a restaurant outside in the sun. Three toffee and chocolate ice creams vanished in seconds and Harry sat back to think. Hermione watched him carefully.

'Harry?'

'Yes?'

'Please don't try to find Snuffles.'

Harry looked up, face set in a frown. Ron was chewing nervously on his fingernails.

'What would you do, if the only person even close to being your father was in danger Hermione? Would you just wait for someone else to do something?' Harry asked. Hermione bit her lip thinking then sighted. 'I guess I would, but Harry, I'm sure Dumbledore knows and is doing the best he can to help. So many people depend on you. and so do we.' She said pointing at Ron and herself.

'Hermione, Sirius is all I have as family, and I'm not going to promise Ill do nothing.'

Ron glanced at Hermione. 'Just leave him, he won't change his mind.'

As Harry stood up, a loud, high-pitched scream echoed through Diagon Alley.

Harry shout out of his seat, clutching his wand tightly. His head swiveled around to a nearby shop: 'Malevolent Maskers'

The whole of Diagon Alley had fallen silent allowing the terrified yells to be heard clearly. It was almost immediately that Diagon Alley began to empty. As the screaming died down, a low chortling laugh could be heard. Harry froze and an uneasy frown lingered momentarily on his face. Someone was in trouble and no one Harry could see looked as if they'd be helping any time soon.

'Hermione, Ron, I'm going to see if I can help!' he said to his friends. Ron was fiddling nervously with his wand, 'Harry I don't think that's such a good idea. Suppose it's a trap?'

Hermione nodded fervently, 'And Harry, I don't think this is what Sirius would have wanted you to do.'

Harry glared at Hermione. "Please never ever use Sirius against me.' He said.

After a couple more seconds, Harry turned in the shops direction and strode towards it, leaving Hermione and Ron to figure out what had just happened.

The laughter began to subside. A niggling feeling in Harry's stomach told him to back down and get out as fast as possible but being the curious teenager he was he pushed the feeling aside and walked briskly through the door.

The shop was dimly lit by multiple balls of floating flames, which glowed a white fluorescent colour. Harry ducked his head avoiding them. Dozens of spooky masks hung about the walls adding to the situation perfectly. An eerie magic cracked overhead and the manic cackling ceased. A dark red cloak floated before Harry and as he watched, a purposeful rip began to etch itself upon the thin material, which slowly began to drift into a back room. Harry cautiously followed. The cloth now lay over a lump on the floor, a distinctly human shaped kind of lump. Harry bent down to move the cloth, heart high in his throat. As he touched it, a reporter stepped in. Upon Harry's touch, the cloth glowed green and straightened itself. The reporter behind him gasped and a blinding camera flash blazed through the room. A horrific sight met Harry's eyes. The ripping on the cloak had formed a horrifying symbol, The Dark Mark. But underneath the cloth lay and even worse sight.

Drenched in blood was a body. Her long hair splattered in all directions and her eyes open wide. Her mouth had been contorted into a mixture that Harry could only assume was either amazement or shock.

The reporter flashed away. Harry turned round just in time to be caught by the camera. The reporter gave him a slightly fearful glance and dashed out of the shop no doubt to plaster his treasure upon the Daily Prophet's front page. Harry tripped backwards refusing to believe this was happening. Two Ministry wizards entered the room. Instead of reacting with emotion, they pushed Harry out and through the door.

Hermione and Ron dashed up to Harry as he came into view, looks of relief spread over their faces.

'So what was wrong?' Ron asked Hermione was examining Harry carefully and panic began to race through her eyes.

'Harry?' she asked, her voice shaking slightly 'Are you okay, is everything fine?'

Harry stared blankly at her for a few seconds then answered in a monotonous tone, 'No, everything is not fine.'

A crowd had begun to gather around the shop, the more curious people edged over to Harry, conveniently in the line of hearing.

Harry shook his head and gave a pointed glance at the crowd. 'I'll tell you later.'

Hermione and Ron nodded. Together they pushed their way out and made for the Leaky Cauldron. Just as they entered, a thin, pale boy slammed into Ron.

'Going somewhere Weasel?' he asked as a grin spread over his pointed features, not unlike a cat-playing toy with a mouse.

'As a matter of fact Malfoy, I am, so could you move it!' Ron had gotten back onto his feet and was glaring at Draco. Ignoring Ron's request, Draco averted his eyes to Harry and Hermione.

'Afternoon Granger, what happened to mummy and daddy? Embarrassed by them? Don't worry I'd also be.' His drawl was slow and purposeful.

Hermione crossed her arms and merely glared.

'And you Pott.' Draco trailed off at the sight of Harry. A blank expression stole his smirk. He couldn't place a finger on it, but he knew this boy from somewhere. Understanding dawned upon him and his eyes widened slightly in shock.

'Hello Malfoy.' Harry greeted enjoying the Slytherin's reaction.

Draco frowned sulkily and stomped past them, still unable to believe Harry's change.

********** Back at Hermione's house that afternoon Harry told his two friends about what had happened. He finished off by explaining that a reporter had snapped everything.

'Now people are going to think I did it!' he said sullenly.

Hermione and Ron shared a glance. Unfortunately Harry caught it and he soured even further.

'What is it with you two and all these hidden looks?'

Hermione blushed but Ron remained silent.

Sighing Harry left it. 'So what do you think?' 'Strange.' Hermione said.

Ron screwed up his face. 'Suspicious.I mean Harry, It doesn't sound like You-Know-Who.does it?'

Harry scowled furiously at his feet and shrugged, 'How should I know!'

~^~^~^~

REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, .......PLEASE!
I am most dreadfully sorry I took soo long but if u review, it will come quickly! The other story I started was a Harry/Ginny romance but I don't think I'm going to carry on with it, so there you are. I'd like to thank Lesley for beta reading my story and my sisters for helping me past the bit of writers block I had. I've already done the next chapter, so I'll wait for a ton of reviews. I also have a major thing to ask,

Thanks go to:

Nicky: Thanks for reading again, it's so nice to hear it!

Endless-luv: I sure hope it was and will remain so!

Lilia: I'm glad to know Ron is going as he should and I do find him the easiest to write. Your observation on the Ministry thing is quite correct. I overlooked the other use, merely thinking that Voldemort could block out his magical signature. Thanks for telling me!

Thundering Lights: Yeah, thanks for reviewing, I'm glad my story is worth such honour, oh and it's real nice of you to add me to your fav's!

Honeybee: No, I am going to continue, as long as people want me to, meaning, a ton of reviews, an absolute mountain!!!

ANgEl-EyEz2529: What a complicated name, but it's cool anyway! I've also been real busy so don't worry, do carry on with your story!

Ice-dragon: Sure will try, many apologies!!!

Heather: Oh dear, it was way more than a month since my last update. *Gulp* don't kill me, I'm soooooo sorry!!

Meg: Your story is cool, tell me if you want me to put it up for you, thanks for reading mine so steadily, carry on!

Lucy: Glad u love my story and Read it again, it makes me so happy, carry on reading it. Hope to hear from u sooon.

AFOYI: I like it too, so I'll try adding a few more touches!

Angel of Light: Les, thanks for beta reading my story, again, it means a lot to me, could you hurry up and get yours out!

Gnat the Fly: Fine, I won't put Harry in space, it is kind of a touchy thing and would probably be hard to write, other than that, Thanks!!!

Unknown(even to me: Wow, wow, I will try continuing!

Ash: So you want more Harry/Ginny do you, well you'll just have to wait a while, wont u?! Thanks for all the encouragement.

Erinamation-limited2-nothing- Your name is a mouthful or should I say fingerful. I do care, and It's gr8 that you're going to add it to your favorites, carry on reading and of course, reviewing!

CR: I'll try to keep writing or at least till HER book comes out, if It eva does!

ER: I definitely.most probably.could.maybe write more!!!!

Till Next time everyone, Chow Buckbeak Girl

N.B. WOULD EVERYONE STILL CARRY ON READING MY STORY EVEN AFTER JK'S BOOK CAME OUT, CAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD AND I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF I SHOULD HALT IT ???