AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated! I lost my internet and just recently got it back. But anyways, thank you all once again for all the reviews. Here's the next bit….

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The next day, everyone awoke early for they will be going to Diagon Alley to purchase their school supplies. Fred and George had stayed to help the adults accompany the younger ones. They said that their shop could wait to be opened later. Mrs. Weasley had expressed her concerns about having the children go to Diagon Alley especially after that letter that Harry had received not too long ago.

Lupin, Tonks, and Moody had all agreed to accompany them as guards. So did Bill and Charlie. The last Order meeting they had had been about Harry feeling someone at the Burrow. They all thought that it would be safer in numbers to go to Diagon Alley and that had seemed to satisfy Mrs. Weasley.

They all had decided to take a Muggle bus towards London, and arrived in front of an old building about an hour later. To any ordinary humans, the door that led to The Leaky Cauldron was not visible. Everyone had gathered in front of the invisible door and watched out for any unsuspecting Muggles. Lupin turned the door handle and led the group into the pub. The pub grew quiet as the group headed out towards the back door that would lead them to Diagon Alley.

Harry noticed that everyone was glancing at him with curious stares and was trying his best not to let it get to him. Ginny held his hand and squeezed it giving him a sweet smile as he noticed his face. He looked back at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. There were some 'awws' heard from the pub and Harry felt his face get hot.

They all piled at the back of the pub and waited for Moody to tap the bricks that would open up the entrance to the Alley. When it did, Harry felt his heart swell as he entered. It was great to be back in a world where he knew he belonged. And to be there with someone he cared for made it more worthwhile.

"Okay, I'll head off to Gringott's and I will meet all of you at the bookshop," Mrs. Weasley said to everyone. Everyone nodded their heads and walked along the busy street.  Fred and George bid everyone goodbye as they headed for their shop. There were a line of people in front of it waiting for the shop to open. Harry smiled to himself as he watched the twins walk proudly to their store. Their shop was a success and the twins made sure that their family was taken cared of. It meant that no more second hand stuff for Ron and Ginny.

They went down to the bookshop and browsed for their books. It was filled with other students and their families. Ginny had mentioned that she didn't mind having Ron's old school books from the year before. She said that she'd just put a charm on them to make them look new. Ron had protested of course, but Ginny insisted and he gave up. But he did made a promise to himself that he would take care of his books this year for her.

When they finished at the bookshop, they started to head over to the Madame Malkin's. They were about to enter when someone called Ginny. They all turned to see and Harry's eyes narrowed. Ginny looked at him worriedly and forced a smile on her face when she turned to look at the person calling her.

"Hello, Seamus," she greeted. Harry was standing behind her and had a hand on her back. She felt his muscles stiffen and shook her head slightly.

"Hi Ginny!" Seamus smiled when he reached her. Again, he went up to her and just engulfed her in a hug. It was all Harry could do not to lunge at him. Bill and Charlie had also grabbed hold of both his shoulders to keep him from charging.

"Hey, let me take you out for some ice cream," Seamus said, smiling at Ginny. Everyone looked at each other uncomfortably. Harry was trying his best to keep his temper under control.

"Er…thanks Seamus. But I'm sorry, I can't," Ginny said apologetically. Seamus' smile faded off his face, whereas a smile had formed on Harry's. Seamus gave him a hateful glare.

"Oh that's too bad Ginny," he said, his voice sounding sincerely disappointed. "But I'm glad that you're feeling better. I'll see you at school then, okay?"

"Okay Seamus," Ginny said smiling. Then suddenly before anyone could react, Seamus leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

When he pulled away, his face met with someone's fist and he fell to the ground.

Seamus got up clutching his nose for it had started bleeding. He looked up to see the furious face of Ginny, the girl that he had just kissed.

"Seamus Finnegan! If you ever try that stunt again, I swear you'll get more than just a punch in the face from me!"

Everyone around Ginny stood just gaping at her, shocked that she had just punched a guy. Her brothers knew that she was spunky, but none of them had ever witnessed this kind of retaliation from her. Bill and Charlie looked at each other with proud smiles, although Mrs. Weasley was still trying to let it sink in that her daughter had just hit Seamus. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were trying hard not to burst out laughing.

"It's not like I enjoyed it anyway, Weasley!" Seamus spat, his voice muffled through his hand over his nose. "You kissed like a dog!"

That was it. Harry broke away from Bill and Charlie and lunged at Seamus.

"Harry!" everyone cried out. Harry was pounding on Seamus' face like a mad man. Everyone was too shocked to do anything. Ginny had tears in her eyes. Mostly because she was humiliated in front of a lot of people.

"Don't," punch. "You," punch. "Ever," punch. "Say," punch. "That," punch. "Again!" punch.

Seamus managed to push Harry away and kick him in the stomach. Although Harry doubled over, he managed to grab his neck.

Seamus broke free from Harry's grip and whipped out his wand. He pointed it at Harry only to find that Harry had done the same.

"Don't even think it, Finnegan," Harry hissed, his eyes flashing. "You know that I know a lot of good hexes."

Seamus' face was bloodied and bruised from Harry. He didn't get any chances to throw any punches for he was surprised, only the kick.

"And do you think that I'm scared of you, Potter?" Seamus spat at him glaring at Harry contemptuously.

"As well you should be, Finnegan!"

Everyone turned to see who had said that. Everyone's mouth dropped open when they saw the last person they expected to say that.

Draco Malfoy had his wand out and it was pointed directly at Seamus. Everyone was staring at him in shock as he walked over and stood next to Harry. Lupin, Moody, Tonks, Bill, Charlie and Mrs. Weasley looked at each other with wide eyes. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were just gaping at him speechless that he had stepped in.

Harry was watching him from the corner of his eye as he tried to keep Seamus in his sights. Seamus glared at Draco as he stood next to Harry.

"And since when are you friends with him, Malfoy?!" he hissed at him

"Who said we're friends?" Draco replied with a smirk. Seamus blinked and stared at him confused.

"But- but-.." Seamus stammered.

"No but's about it Finnegan," Draco drawled. "You did wrong, you got beaten, and you're a sore loser. You were losing Muggle style so you had to do it with your wand. Either way, you'll still lose."

Seamus just scoffed and put his wand away leaving, but not without giving everyone one last glare.

"I'll see you around, Ginny," he said with a sneer. "We are in the same house you know?"

Harry was going to run after him and pound him again but Draco held out his arm to stop him. He looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"What's up with you, Malfoy?" he asked rather icily. Draco looked at him a bit taken aback but smirked.

"You don't want to get into trouble before school even started now do you, Potter?" he said. "Save all that energy for more serious matters, Harry."

He looked at the others and nodded before walking away. Everyone was just watching him. When he entered one of the shops, they all looked at each other.

"Er…what just happened?" Ron asked perplexed. He looked at Harry who was tending to Ginny. He was wiping the tears off her eyes and holding her close. The crowd that had gathered around them when the fight broke out was slowly dispersing but whispers could be heard.

"What's Malfoy playing at?" Hermione asked, to no one in particular, her brows furrowed.

"Maybe he's finally realized what would happen if he turned out the way his father wants him to," Lupin said softly. He had a look of sadness when he said this that Harry couldn't help but notice. He decided to ask him about it later. He wanted to make sure that Ginny was alright first.

"Ginny, I'm sorry," he whispered to her as he kissed her forehead. Ginny sniffed and hugged him. Harry was still fuming inside but was guilty about his behaviour. He hugged her back and told her that he wouldn't let Seamus or anybody else hurt her again.

"I know you won't Harry," she said in his ear. "And thank you."

He pulled away slightly from her and looked in her eyes.

"I'll do anything for you Ginny. I love you."

"I love you too, Harry."

Then with disregards of knowing that everyone was watching them, they kissed each other on the lips, their love for each other ever more visible to anyone that saw.

~*~*~

The night before they had to leave for King's Cross was chaotic. The children were frantically checking and double-checking to make sure that they got everything packed and ready to go. Hermione had a time catching Crookshanks, her pet, to put him in his cage. He did not like being caged up. Hedwig was allowed to stay out until they have to leave for she was no trouble to be put up when it's time to go.

Lupin, Tonks, Bill, Charlie, and Moody will be accompanying Mrs. Weasley and the children to King's Cross. Dinner was splendid that night as that would be the last time for a few months that Mrs. Weasley would be cooking for the children.

"Remus?"

He looked up and nodded to Harry.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Remember that day at Diagon Alley?" Harry asked making everyone look up and listen. "You said that Malfoy probably realized about what would happen if he followed in his father's footsteps?"

"Yes, I do Harry," Lupin answered, his eyes narrowing.

"Well, I noticed that when you said that, that you seemed rather…sad, about it. Why?"

Lupin looked at Moody who gave him a small nod.

"Well Harry," he sighed. "As you well know, Draco's mother, Narcissa, is related to Sirius."

Harry nodded but did not understand what that had to do with what he wanted to know.

"Harry, just because Narcissa is married to Lucius, did not mean that she would be as bad as he is," Lupin told him pointedly. "Their marriage is more of by name than anything else."

The children all looked at him more confused than before Harry had addressed the question.

"It was more a marriage of convenience. I do not believe that love was any factor at all in that union. In addition, unfortunately, Draco is the one suffering. Even though you lot don't see it."

Harry was taken aback. He tried to let what Lupin just said sink in. To think that Draco came from a loveless family was probably worse than being an orphan.

"You can't tell me that he was a git to us all these years because he was just miserable!?" Ron cried out angrily. "He took great gratification on making things hell for us! Especially Harry! And calling Hermione that foul name and making fun of our family!"

Hermione put a hand on his arm and looked at him with sad eyes.

"Ron, calm down," she told him gently although she understood completely how he felt when it came to Draco Malfoy. Harry also looked at him and nodded. Draco did not exactly made an effort to be nice to anyone.

"Sorry, Remus," Harry said shaking his head. "I'm having a very hard time believing that Draco had a hard life."

Remus sighed. "It's okay Harry. I guess I would feel the same way as you if I was the one in your shoes. But I speak the truth. Narcissa and Draco were both as much victims as you and the rest of the world that the Dark Lord torments. Only in their own home. And by someone who was supposed to be protecting and loving them."

Everyone was quiet after that and the rest of the meal was spent in silence. The four children went upstairs to Ron and Harry's room while the rest of the adults stayed to chat more and have nightcaps.

"So what did you think about what Remus said?" Ron asked. "I mean, it's just really unbelievable to me."

"I know Ron," Harry sighed pulling Ginny close to him. They were sitting on the floor leaning against his bed. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head as he encircled his arms around her. "And don't forget what happened at Diagon Alley."

"Exactly!" Ron said, slapping his thigh and shaking his head. "I mean, who would've thought that he would actually agree with you Harry?"

"Maybe Remus is right," Hermione interjected. Ron looked at her sweetly and pulled her close to him. They too were sitting on the floor leaning against Ron's bed. "Maybe that was his way of trying to make amends."

"Maybe," Harry said.

"We'll all find out now won't we? When we get back to Hogwarts," Ginny said shrugging. "It'll be an interesting year I can say that much."

Everyone agreed with her and they spent the next couple of hours talking about what they would be facing this year in Hogwarts before separating for bed.

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There you go. I hope that you all like this post! I'll update ASAP! Please R/R!