Disclaimer: I don't want to write it. Sue me. (Actually – don't)
A\N: Yay!!! So many reviews!!! I was so happy; my mailbox was full of 'Review Alerts'!! Thank you very very very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Replies – in the end of the chapter)
Chapter 9: The end of the summer
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After returning from Diagon Alley, Hermione immediately started reading her new books. As there were so many of them (she took a lot of subjects), Harry almost didn't see her for the first couple of days. In the meantime, he, Ron and Ginny spent a lot of time talking about Quidditch, and especially about the next year's team. It turned out that they needed not only new chasers, but also new beaters – Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, the beaters that replaced Fred and George last year, weren't going to continue playing.
"… or so I heard," said Ginny. "But it's probably for the best, they were lousy players."
"Yes, but what if we can't find anyone better?" asked Ron anxiously.
"Anyone is better than those two," answered Ginny. "Besides, last year I heard people saying that they won't try and get on the team if Harry, Fred and George aren't there. Now that Harry is the Captain, they are going to be more eager to play."
"You're really exaggerating, you know," said Harry uncomfortably.
"I'm not. You'll see how many students are going to come to the tryouts," said Ginny. "Then you'll see that I'm right."
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The rest of the summer passed very quickly. There were a few times when there were Order meetings, but as the 'children', as Mrs. Weasley called them, weren't allowed, it wasn't such a big deal. The only annoying thing about it was that Fred and George were now in the Order, too, but didn't agree to tell the 'kids' anything, as well. Ron often complained about it, but there wasn't much he could do, so, eventually, he stopped.
A day before returning back to Hogwarts, Harry and Ron were in their room, packing their trunks. Once again, their things seemed to scatter of themselves all over the house. Some of Ron's things somehow turned up in Harry's cupboard, and Harry's – in Ron's trunk. Harry's Defense book was surprisingly found under Hermione's bed ("You know I wouldn't take it, I have one of my own"). So, they've been busy sorting it all out, and trying to put their things in their own trunks.
"Hey, what's that?" frowned Ron, pulling something out of his pack of Bertie Botts's Beans. Harry looked up, and saw a silver chain that looked familiar.
"It's mine," he said, finally realizing what it was. "Hagrid gave it to me as a birthday present. What was it doing in your sweets' bag?!"
"I've no idea… Something weird is going on," Ron frowned again. "D'you reckon somebody messed up our things on purpose?"
"Ummm… couldn't possibly be Fred and George, could it?" grinned Harry, finally understanding what was the reason to the 'mysterious' mayhem.
A look of comprehension dawned on Ron's face. "I'll kill them one day, I swear I will."
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A few hours later, while Harry was downstairs, looking for more forgotten things, the doorbell rang. Harry went to open the door, and there stood none other than Dumbledore himself. Harry greeted him, and turned to leave, thinking that there was probably another Order meeting planned for the evening. However, to his surprise, Dumbledore called him back.
"It's you that I want to talk to," said Dumbledore with his usual smile.
"Oh." Harry could think of nothing better to say. "Why, Professor?"
"Well, you're returning to Hogwarts tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Yes," said Harry slowly, suddenly fearing that something was wrong and he won't be able to come to Hogwarts.
"In that case we have to make you seen – unless you wish nobody in school can see you," said Dumbledore.
"Er… I guess I want them to see me… I have to, don't I?" said Harry hesitantly.
"You don't have to, but it's definitely recommended," answered the Headmaster.
"Er… all right, then," said Harry, feeling weird.
'Finite Fidelius Incantatem', muttered Dumbledore, pointing his wand at Harry. He felt a rush of wind blowing on him, and Dumbledore smiled. "That's it, Harry. Well, I'm off now; I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Professor," said Harry, and Dumbledore disapparated instantly. Harry went back to his room, feeling confused – it all happened so quickly…
"What's up with you?" asked Ron when Harry entered their room.
"What? Oh, nothing, Dumbledore just removed the Secret-Keeper Charm, and it was really sudden, and…" said Harry, not really having anything else to add.
"Sure. Can you help me with this?" Ron indicated his trunk. "I can't close it."
A\N: I know, I know, it's really short, but I didn't want to put the Hogwarts Express in this chapter, it'll be in the next one, along with the Sorting. But!! I'm posting chapter 10 along with this one, so you won't even have to wait for it.
Now, replies to my wonderful and great reviewers (It's simply splendid to read your reviews, just marvelous, absolutely spiffing, and really corking. If you don't know where that came from – shame on you!):
Jo0609 – Thank you for reviewing every single chapter, it was fun to see 8 reviews at once, all of them from the same person. :)
Chiliz – That's alright, continue stalking me, it only makes me update faster :)
Mageling – I know what you mean; he should be more 'dark'… I'll try to make him more so in the next chapters. Tnx!
Broc the dwarf – I don't know yet whether it'll be a H\G. It's a possibility, but I'm not sure. I can only say that it definitely won't be H\Cho.
Lil1318 – Your feeling is very close to the truth. But actually, I don't think it'll be mentioned anywhere in the story, he he he (=*evil laugh*) If I'll ever write a sequel about the 7th year, it'll probably appear then, but that won't be anytime soon :) Tnx very much, anyway!
Lily skylo – Everything said in the reply above, applies to you too – it's 'something like that', as you said. And yes, I agree – Malfoy is very annoying :) And, of course – Sirius is and forever will be the best. Thank you!
Baby gurl – I guess you're right, but I'm too lazy to change the name of the story now :) But thanks 4 pointing it out!!
Anita coffee – No, no, no Mary Sues in this story… And thank you so much for the compliments!!
Also, many many many thanks to: Remus J Lupin1, iniysa, Ginny-Girl-89-(TF-is-mine, miss-marauder3, fresh-angelbabe, bluemoon52292, dragon_wing, draconia phoenixus, holly, wowsergirl, believe, sethro72, brandon. THANK YOU ALL!!!!
