Chapter 8~ Tea With A Stranger

Harry woke late the next morning having gotten very little sleep the nigh before. When he did wake it was with a very string feeling of foreboding, something was going to happen today something not of the good. By the time Harry was up and dressed it was almost 11:20. Harry walked down the stairs to find the common room was empty which on a rain Sunday was a little weird, so he went to sit by the fire. It was a few seconds before he heard the voice behind him.

He turned around and saw Hermione and Ron sitting together on the floor. He got up and started over. They didn't seem to see him coming. When he was about five feet away he saw that they looked a lot older. Then Hermione turned away from Ron and he could see she was crying. He knelt down next to her.

"What's wrong Hermione" But she didn't seem to hear him.

"I just can't believe he's gone" Hermione said as she wiped her eyes on her shirt.

"It's ok Hermione, He's with his Mum now. He'll be happier this way" Ron said trying to reassure her.

"Who's gone" Harry tried but nether of them could hear him.

"It just won't be the same with out him" Hermione said as fresh tears threatened to brake free.

"I know Hermione, I know" Ron said as he helped her up. Harry started to stand too. But as he was standing up the room started to spin and then he was no longer in the common room, but standing on the side of a grassy hill. 'Oh, so I'm dreaming' Harry thought as he walked up the hill a little. At the top he stopped and looked down. There were graves all over, so he was in a grave yard. 'I wonder who's funeral this is' Harry thought when he saw the mourners down the hill a little ways. He walked down and as he got closer the people all started to disappear. One by one so by the time he reached the bottom of the hill he was alone. He looked around at all the graves and saw familiar names.

Sirius Lee Black

1959-1997
Loving Friend and Godfather

Harry didn't want to look but he was compelled to look around at all the names. Lupin was there, Severus, Dumbledore, Ms. Weasley, and many others. Harry was so distressed he didn't notice when some one walked up beside him.

"This is all your fault, you do realize that, Right?" Harry looked up to see who had said that.

"No, I didn't do this" Harry said waving his hand around the grave site. He looked up into the big brown eyes of his best friend.

"They all died because you couldn't do one little thing right," Ron said shaking his head.

"But I did" Harry insisted "I got rid of Voldemorts powers, he's no danger to us" Harry said

"You really think it's that easy? He may be gone but he's not forgotten" Ron said "They'll come, they'll never stop till it's over" Ron said "This IS all your fault" He said again this time he started to fade. "All your fault.your fault"

"No, no" Harry said "No it's not my fault, I stopped him.No" Harry said

Harry shot up out of bed and looked around. He was again sitting in bed, but this time it was still dark out side. 'What was that about' Harry thought. Just to be sure he was out of the dream he pinched him self.

"Ow" he said as he reached for his wand. He stared at it as he thought about his dream. It meant something.But what he wasn't sure. 'He's not forgotten' what did that mean? Well for now he'd put it out of his mind, but he would have to tell Ron and the gang tomorrow after tea with Hagrid

At the thought of Hagrid Harry began to worry again that something might be wrong. "Why would Hagrid call him Mr. Potter? Maybe it was some kind of sign. Something he could do to alert Harry with out alerting.who? Maybe some one kidnapped Hagrid and there going to use him as bate or maybe Harry just had an over active imagination and every thing was ok.

But then Harry had learned long ago to follow your first instinct, and his was that something was not right. He looked over at the clock and saw that it was 7:33am. He got up knowing he'd never get back to sleep and headed to the common room. It was a bright sunny Sunday and there were a few kids up already, starting on homework and playing chess. Harry wondered over to his favorite chair and settled in. Harry was sat there for a little while before he decided that it might be a good idea to go to Hagrid's a little extra prepared.

He got up and walked back up to the dorm rooms. He walked over to his trunk and opened it. The lid slipped out of his hand and slammed into the bed. Harry looked around to see if it woke anyone. When it didn't look like it he started going throw his trunk. As soon as he found what he was looking for he stood up and walked over to the window while pocketing the Swiss army knife Sirius had sent him. It wasn't just a muggle knife, it had all kinds of charms on it. He looked out and saw Hagrid walking back into his hut. He looked ok, 'maybe I'm just over reacting' Harry thought. Looking back at his clock he saw it was 8:00am. Maybe I'll se if Ron wants to go fly for a little while.

He walked over to the bed and stuck his head in the curtains "Ron" He said to the sleeping form.

"Hey go flying with me" Harry said as he shook his shoulders

"Wha.muf.what time is it?" Ron asked when he rolled over to look at Harry.

"Its 8 now get up and go flying with me" Harry said pulling off Ron's covers. While Ron got up and dressed Harry wrote a little note to Draco telling him they were going flying and he should come down and meet them. As Ron was coming out of the bathroom Harry sent the note off with pig because his bird was off delivering his and Ron's homework to Moony.

"Who was that for?" Ron asked

"Draco" Harry said as he headed for the door. He was about to open it when Ron said "Harry"

"What?" Harry asked turning around to look at Ron. Ron walked over to Harry and stood there for a second.

"I well.I just wanted to say thank you" Ron said "You did an unbelievably brave (and stupid) thing and I never got to thank you" Ron said looking a little red.

Harry smiled and said "Hey what are friends for?" Ron then pulled Harry into a hug and said "You're right we don't say this enough so.Love you mate"

Someone cleared their throat behind them and Ron jumped back as he flushed a very dark shade of red.

"You two want to be alone?" Dean asked as he climbed out of bed with a big smile trying not to laugh.

"Stuff it" Harry said with a smile "It's not our fault if your not secure enough in your manhood to tell your friend you love them" He then tuned and walked out to the sound of every one laughing.

"That was great Harry" Ron said as they walked down the stairs. "Should we see if the girls want to come?"

"Sure, I'll get them while you go get the brooms" Harry said turning up the other side of the staircase. He knocked on the door and heard laughing and giggling and some loud voice say 'just a minute" 'That must be Lavender' Harry thought as he stood there waiting. He then heard foot steps and Lavender opened the door and stuck her head out.

"What can I help you with Harry?" She asked

"Can I talk to Hermione please?" He asked trying to look around the door.

"No I'm sorry Hermione and Ginny are currently unavailable" She said then tried to shut the door.

"Wait" Harry said holding on to the door "Why are they 'unavailable?" He asked

"They just are" She said with a big smile

"Lavender I'd like a word with my girlfriend, do you mind?" He said trying again to look passed the door.

"Harry" He heard Hermione yell from inside the room "We're a little.occupied right now" Harry could hear the smile in her voice. "I'll see you after your tea with Hagrid, ok?"

"Oh? You're not going to come?" He said.

"No we're really busy here doing.well stuff" Hermione said with a smile

"Ok, well I'll see you after tea" Harry said with a smile. He turned to walk away.

"Wait Harry" Hermione said "Close your eyes"

"What, why?" He asked turning back around.

"Just do it," She said

"Ok" Harry closed his eyes and waited a second then he could smell her, she smell so good like old leather and flowers. Hermione leaned over and gave his a little kiss. He smiled and put his hand on her neck and pulled her forward with his eyes still closed. He deepened the kiss and when he pulled away he was smiling.

"I'll see you later" Harry said as he walked away.

"Right.later" Hermione said. She walked back into the room a little dazed. She sat down and smiled. "That's the first time he's called me his girl friend" Hermione said. There was a choirs of 'ohhh' 'how cute.' Then Lavender said, "Ok back to work"

Harry walked down to the pitch with a big smile on his face. He saw that Ron and Draco were flying around the bottom of the field. Ron was the first person to see him, he flew down and landed.

"This is some really good flying weather huh?" Ron said smiling "What are you so happy about?"

"Yeah it's nice. I just saw the girls, there not coming to tea though" Harry said taking his broom from Ron.

"Oh ok, so it will be just the three of us?" Ron asked hopping on to his broom.

"Yeah" Harry said. They flew over to Draco. "You are coming to tea right?" Harry asked

"Yeah, I'm coming. Where are the girls?" He asked

"There doing "girl stuff" in the dorm rooms" Harry said "Hermione made me close my eyes when I went up there so I don't know what it is"

"Ok, so it's just us guys then?" Harry said nodding his head yes "Well let's do some flying then"

"All right then" Harry said as he let the snitch that he was holding go. Harry Ron and Draco flew after it. Ron wasn't all that good at it. But Draco put up quite a fight. After a while of flying around after the snitch Harry caught it about 2 seconds before Draco. After that they did some racing and diving. They flew around for about two and a half hours and after they were done they landed in the middle of the field to relax. Harry decided to tell them about his worries over Hagrid.

"So you think because he addressed it to 'Mr. Potter' that it's a trap and Hagrid is in danger?" Draco asked looking very skeptical.

"Well when you put it that way it sound a little silly" Harry said sitting down on the grass.

"Ya think?" Ron asked with a big smile. "He was probably tired or something or wasn't thinking"

"You worry to much" Draco said. They fell into a comfortable silence. They sat there in the field for almost half an hour. Harry was the first to say something.

"What time is it?" He asked

"Its.I don't know I left my watch up stairs" Ron said looking up at the sky. "It looks about noon. We should head over to Hagrid's."

"Ok" Harry said as he got up and stretched. He looked around and saw Hermione and Ginny walking down the field. As they got a little closer Harry noticed something was different about them. And when they were a few feet away he saw what it was.

"Hermione your hair" Harry said when she was right in frount of him.

"Do you like it?" She asked shifting from foot to foot afraid of what Harry would say.

"It's wonderful" Harry said as he brought his hand up to her hair. It was now a few inches shorter then it use to be. It also had a very light gold look intertwined in the dark brown and no longer puffy and wild but soft and fluffy.

"Wow" Ron said as he stepped closer "It looks great Hermione"

"Thank you" Hermione said blushing. She then took Harry's hand in hers and smiled at him.

"I love it" Harry said smiling at her. It was then that he looked over at Ginny. She too had a new look. While her hair was still the same length it now had blond in it and it was now very curly. It looked really good.

"I take it this is what you were doing in there?" Harry asked

"Yes, we didn't think we'd be done in time" Hermione said

"It was Lavenders idea" Ginny said

"And you look beautiful" Draco said taking Ginny's hand. She blushed and went on "She wanted to dress us up and do our make up to but I've seen what she wears under her school robes and I would never were something like that"

"So you came to tea with us?" Harry asked

"Yep, I'm already for some tea and inedible treats with Hagrid" Hermione said

"Good we were just on our way there," Draco said walking with Ginny to his left and Ron to his right. Harry and Hermione were walking behind them.

Harry was just telling Hermione about the letter and how it worried him a little when Hedwig flew down and landed on his shoulder.

"Do you have something for me?" Harry asked. She held out her leg and Harry took the letter. He opened it up and read it.

"You guys" Harry said. They all turned around "My Dad wants to see me and Ron so you go ahead we'll meet you down there"

"Ok, we'll see you down there" Draco said. Hermione kissed him on the cheek and he turned with Ron and walked up towards the castle.

The three of them walked the rest of the way in silence. Draco was the first one to the door. When he knocked there was no Fang at the door barking. But no one seemed to notice.

(A/N.I'm no good at writing Hagrid's accent.I tried a few different ways and it just won't come out right so I'll write it normal and you can pretend he has an accent. Ok :-)

Hagrid opened the door o let them in. Draco looked around to see Fang lying in front of the fire.

"Where are Harry and Ron?" Hagrid asked as they all walked over and sat down at the table.

"Severus needed to talk to them" Hermione said "They'll be down in a little while"

"Alright then" Hagrid said with a smile "Tea any one?"

There was a choirs of "Yes please." Hagrid went and got the tea all ready and when he was done he poured in into four cups. He took the cups over and sat down. They all took there cups and took a drink.

"So how is every one doin'" Hagrid asked

"Well the party went great" Draco said "We really surprised him." He smiled

"They even made a cake" Draco said pointing to Hermione and Ginny

"Well the house-elves showed us how" Ginny said.

"Are you coming to the game next week?" Draco asked after he put his empty cup down.

"Yep, sounds like fun" He said with a big smile.

"I think Gryffindor is so going to kick but" Hermione said looking a Draco with a big smile.

"Not if I have anything to say about it" Draco said smiling back.

"Well you really don't seeing as Harry's faster then the wind n his broom" Ginny said with a big smile.

"Well see" Draco said. He put his hand to his head and felt the room start to spin. He looked up and saw that Hermione was holding her head too. He could hear Hagrid saying something about the game but it was becoming very hazy.

"I don't feel very well" Ginny said as she tried to stand up "I think I need some air"

"No I don't think you'll be going any were" Hagrid said standing, he drew his wand from his sleeve.

"You're not Hagrid" Draco said trying to stand with little success. "You drugged us"

"Very good Draco" Hagrid said, He then noticed that Hagrid was staring to melt away. And were Hagrid had been standing was-

"Lucius" Draco said looking into his 'fathers' hard cold eyes

"What have you done with Hagrid?" Hermione demanded although her words were starting to slur. She looked back and saw Ginny was already out cold.

"That over grown beast is fine, for now, after all I needed him for the polyjuice potion" Lucius said with a sneer.

"People will know we're gone, you won't get away with this" Draco said to his 'father'

"Oh yes son" Lucius said with a sick smile "This turned out even better then I planed, Potter and his little friend will come looking for you and find nothing but a note, and he'll come after you with out any help"

Hermione turned to say something but before she could get it out she fell over and lost consciousness.

Draco turned and looked at his 'father' and said "Harry's not stupid he'll...know it's a..." Draco stumbled with the words "a trap he won't come alone, and we'll beat you...you can't winnnn...." Draco said as he fell over and blacked out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry and Ron were walking down the grassy hill headed for Hagrid's house. They were talking about there homework. That was what Severus had wanted, to tell them how well there extra project was coming. They had just covered Vampires in class and Professor Lupin had mentioned the Slayer, and so Harry and Ron wanted to do a little research on her. And they had found a lot, so they wrote a paper on her.

"I still can't believe they put all that on the shoulders of one girl" Ron was saying with a sad look.

"I know it must be so hard for her" Harry said. "What if something like that were to happen to Hermione or Ginny" Harry wondered. They walked in silence till they got to Hagrid's door. Ron raised a hand to knock but stopped and paled.

"Harry isn't that the..." He trailed off not wanting to say it. Because burned into the door was the Dark mark. Harry threw the door open and ran in.

"Hermione!" He called looking around. Ron came in behind him calling for his sister. Harry found the note sitting on the table. He picked it up with trembling hands and read it out to Ron.

"Potter, You're so lucky, I had big plans for you. But, I guess these three will have to do. I'll be seeing you"

"Shit!" Ron said kicking the chair. "Shit!" He said again grabbing his foot and hopping up and down. "This is really bad! Son of a bitch! What are we going to do?"

"What we always do," Harry said balling the note up in his hand and threw in into the fire. "Go after them"

A/N- I just thought I should let you know I changed something in chapter 7. See you next time.