A/N: I would just like to thank all the wonderful people who have reviewed; I love you all very much. - I've responded individually at the end. Anyway.enjoy!

Chapter 4: Attacks and Revelations

Harry woke up feeling strange, he had just experienced a peaceful night's sleep, and he was happy. He could barely remember a recent time when there was no negative thought on his mind, but then again, it wasn't every day your godfather came back from the dead. Harry was still having trouble accepting that Sirius was truly back, even after spending all of last night talking to him. It was like a dream come true. Harry reached over to the bedside cabinet, his hand searching for his glasses. He pulled them on and glanced over at Ron's bed; he was already up. Harry threw off the duvet and wearily staggered downstairs.

He paused just outside the kitchen, what if he went inside and Sirius wasn't there at all, what if it had all been a dream? Just then the door flew open and sent Harry into the opposite wall.

"Ouch! What did you do that for?" exclaimed Harry, looking over at his aggressor

"Sorry!" replied Ron sheepishly "you alright?"

"Yeah, I think so" said Harry, rubbing the shoulder which had collided with the wall.

"Oh good. I was just coming to wake you anyway. Breakfast is ready."

At this Ron turned and vanished back into the kitchen with Harry close behind him. A few calls of "Morning Harry" greeted him, as he took his seat. "Morning"

Harry looked around the table and saw a rather odd group, there were 7 Weasley's, a tired, bedraggled looking Remus Lupin, a contented Sirius Black, and an extremely cheerful Nymphadora Tonks. "Is this all that's here?" Harry asked no-one in particular.

"Yes, for now, we do have a meeting tonight though, one I'm looking forward to." Replied Sirius, a mischievous glint appearing in his eye.

"Why so enthusiastic?"

"Well, it's my first meeting in a while, and I want to know what's going on"

"and." prompted Harry "I know that's not why you look so happy."

"Well I just think it'll be quite funny to see how some of the members react to me, they all still think I'm dead. There is one in particular I want to see."

"Snape!" exclaimed Harry, a look of pure glee taking over his entire face

"Yes, I think Snivellus will be a little shocked to see me, don't you?"

"You have to let us see that much of the meeting!" pleaded Ron, between mouthfuls of food

"No, you most certainly cannot." Molly intervened.

"But..!" exclaimed Harry "Please!"

"No you are too young, and you are not members of the order, so there is no way you can attend any part of the meeting." Molly said this with such finality that both boys realised they were defeated and resigned themselves to eating their breakfast. When Sirius interrupted "No-one said that the first time Snape saw me would be at the meeting. I can make sure I bump into him before that sometime"

"This is going to be great!" exclaimed Harry, grinning again

*

Members of the Order had been arriving all day, and their reactions to Sirius were always worth watching. Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny had been hanging around on the first floor landing above the front door all day; they didn't want to risk missing Snape's arrival. It was around 5pm, the meeting was due to start at half past, and there was still no sign of Snape. Harry turned to Ron "What if he turns up only seconds before the start of the meeting? There won't be time to see what happens!"

"Well at least you're optimistic!" said Ron sarcastically

"He does have a point though" muttered Fred "This whole day could've been a waste of time."

"Not a complete waste, we are going to try out the new and improved extendable ears!" interrupted George

"I thought they didn't work against the imperturbable charm though?" commented Harry

"Ah, but that's the improvement! At least we hope so, mum's charms are quite strong and we've not had a chance to test them against one yet." Explained George

Just then the door opened, and all five of the hung over the banister and looked down to see who it was. They were in luck; it was none other than the evil greasy haired potions master, Severus Snape.

"Hi Professor!" Harry called in a falsely cheerful voice, leaning over the railing. Snape snapped his head up, sent a scathing look in their direction, muttered "Potter" and stalked into the front room.

Harry almost fell down the stairs, caught up with the Weasley's in a desperate fight to be the first to the bottom; luckily Ron caught him by the jumper before he landed on the floor. "Thanks mate"

"No problem, now where is the best place to watch from?"

"Over here." It was Tonks "I've put a charm on this section of the wall so we can see through it" Harry saw an all too familiar mischievous glint in her eyes, it was very similar to the one he had seen plenty of times in the eyes of Fred and George.

"Brilliant!" exclaimed Fred "We should've thought of that"

Sirius had just arrived at the foot of the stairs, when he spotted the group staring at the wall. "What are you lot doing?"

"Waiting for you to greet your guest!" replied Harry

"What?" said Sirius looking at the wall they were all staring at "Snivellus!" he exclaimed "Why didn't you tell me he was here?" His face clearly full of glee, "This is going to be so much fun!"

Sirius turned to enter the front room, and all at once, Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny and Tonks turned to face the wall. Sirius winked at them, and stopped in the doorway, "Snivellus, how nice to see you again!" his voice was dripping with a clearly fake enthusiasm.

Snape's face contorted at the mention of that nickname, the only people who ever called him that were Sirius Black and James Potter, and they were both dead. He stood up, and whirled round with an expression of pure loathing on his face. It was a very rare occurrence that followed; Severus Snape completely lost his composure and stood, staring, with his mouth hanging open. "Black?" he barely managed to get the word out.

"That's my name Snape." The look Sirius shot him equalled one of Snape's own glares.

"But how? You're dead!" Severus had regained composure and retaliated to Black's glare with an even harder one.

"Doesn't look much like it does it?"

Severus had forgotten just how much that man irritated him. "But people saw you die! There's nothing special about you. How can you be here?" He spat out the words, this was looking like one of the worst days of his life.

"People saw me fall through a veil, and assumed I was dead, which I very nearly was. Luckily the spirit of my good friend James saved my life!" Sirius could tell he was infuriating Snape, he was enjoying this so much, it almost made falling through that veil worthwhile. He grinned knowing that would annoy Snape even more. "He said to tell you hi"

"I doubt that somehow." A dumbfounded look flickered onto Snape's face, but vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared, being a spy had made him quite adept at hiding his emotions. It was replaced with the usual sneer. "Forgive me if I do not begin to worship you because you managed to evade death, I doubt your ego needs any more inflating. Now if you don't mind I have a meeting to prepare for." And with that Snape stalked out of the room, pushing past Sirius who was still in front of the door frame.

Fred turned away from the wall "That was brilliant!"

"I know, did you see Snape? He totally lost it!" enthused Ginny

"I thought he was going to pass out or something!" exclaimed Ron "Would've been hilarious if he did!"

"You know what?" intervened Harry "I feel sorry for Hermione."

"Why?" asked Ron

"Well, she missed it!"

"No she didn't!" George cried "I recorded it, with my wand"

"You mean we have a copy of that?!" Ginny was grinning from ear to ear "This has been the best day ever!"

"Glad to see, I provided entertainment." Sirius had left the front room, and returned to the corridor. "Did I hear someone say they had a copy of that? I would like to see it, no doubt Remus would too. A shame he had to miss it."

"Yeah, I got it all, Bill and Charlie will want to see it too no doubt!"

"You know George that was one of your best ever ideas!" Fred exclaimed

"Defiantly" agreed Ron

"Did you guys see his face?" Harry said switching the conversation back to Snape, which led to George replaying the scene and causing a great deal of laughter all round.

*

The meeting was well under way, and Fred and George had discovered that the new and improved extendable ears worked very well indeed. Unfortunately they found out something that they would rather not know. Ignorance sometimes is bliss. They found out that Voldemort had become active again. He was killing, not just enemies but innocent people. That wasn't the worst of the news though. A Muggle family had been killed, a family called the Granger's, a family that was from Hermione's neighbourhood. Hermione's house had also been destroyed. The Order feared that this attempted attack on Hermione and her family was because they were close to Harry and the Order. It was lucky they were on holiday; otherwise the consequences would have been much worse. Currently there was a debate going on, as to whether or not the Granger's should be told what really happened to their home, and why. Hermione would obviously find out, and they couldn't ask her to keep this from her parents especially when there is a chance they could still be in danger. The only thing they were unanimous about was that it was definitely a warning from Voldemort. Needless to say this ruined the good mood Harry had experienced for the first time in months that day. When he found out he ran upstairs into his and Ron's room.

"It's so unfair!" he thought to himself "They didn't do anything; they don't even know he exists, yet because of me their lives are in danger." Harry felt so helpless, it was his fault and there was nothing he could do about it. But there was. The prophecy, it said he could kill Voldemort, he had to, it was the only way to end all the suffering people were experiencing because of him, and he could make it all go away. Granted he had to kill one of the most powerful wizards ever, and he was most certainly not a murderer by nature, Harry felt that he could make an exception to that where Voldemort was concerned. He had killed his parents, he had tried to take his godfather, he had tried to kill his friend and her family, and he had tried to kill Harry. He deserved to die, he deserved so much worse than death, but death would have to do. At least that way it would end. The pain, the anxiety, the suffering, the torture, and life could go back to normal. Not that it had ever been very normal for Harry, but at least without Voldemort it had a chance. Harry had decided, he was going to kill Voldemort. Soon.

"Harry?" It was Ron; he sounded concerned, and upset. "Harry are you alright?"

"Not really, Voldemort just attempted to kill my best friend."

"And mine." Ron looked pained to even say it, and Harry suddenly realised that Ron must be feeling awful too, though it only made Harry feel worse, thinking that he had forgotten to care about his other friend.

"I'm sorry." Harry looked at, and he truly was sorry. Sorry that he could cause so much pain.

"It's not your fault."

"But it is."

"Harry how can this be your fault?"

"Because I never made any effort to fulfil the prophecy, never made any effort to stop him."

"What are you talking about? What prophecy? The one from The Department of Mysteries? I thought it smashed?"

"It did. But Dumbledore heard the original."

"And he told you? When?"

"When we got back from The Ministry."

"And you didn't tell me?" Ron sounded hurt

"I couldn't. I could barely cope with what it said myself. I just wasn't ready to deal with telling people."

"Are you ready now?" Ron asked tentatively

"I don't know. But I think you need to know what it said, so I guess I'll have to try. Basically it said that either I kill Voldemort or he kills me."

"Wow, I, ah, there's nothing I can say to that."

"I know."

"And Voldemort doesn't know that?"

"I don't think so."

"And you're going to kill him?" Ron squeaked, he sounded petrified at the mere thought of it.

"Or die trying."

"Wow. Harry, I don't mean to sound nasty, but he's one of the most powerful wizards ever, and you're only just starting sixth year, I know you're good, but mate, you don't stand a chance."

"I know. That's what makes it worse. But don't you see? I have to try! All this evil, and pain, and suffering, it could end. It could actually be over. I can't just ignore it, and pretend there's nothing I could do. I'm the only one with the power to kill him; I owe it to everyone to at least try."

"Harry, I think you have to talk to someone about this. Someone who understands a lot better than me. Talk to Sirius, he'll know what to do."

"I'm going to sleep" said Harry, climbing into bed "G'night." He couldn't talk to Sirius; he knew exactly how the conversation would go. It would end in Sirius forbidding him to go after Voldemort. No-one could understand what this felt like.

"Night then" replied Ron, who headed out the door, looking decidedly worried.

*

The meeting was over; most of the Order members were long gone. Ron walked into the front room, deep in thought. He didn't know what to do about Harry. He had to tell someone, the way Harry talked it was like he was thinking of going after Voldemort tomorrow. He couldn't be considering that, could he? It was only when Ron slumped down onto the couch that he realised Sirius was already there.

"A lot on your mind?" Sirius looked as though he knew exactly how that felt.

"Yeah" was all Ron could manage to reply

"Anything you want to talk about?"

"I dunno" Ron glanced at Sirius, he could trust him, and he would know what to do, maybe he should tell him.

"Well, I'm willing to listen if you want to talk."

"It's just, well, it's Harry."

"Harry? What's wrong?" Ron could hear the panic rising in Sirius' voice.

"Okay, don't get mad, but we overheard some of the meeting today, about the Granger's. And Harry's got it into his head that it's his fault."

"Oh."

"Do you know about the prophecy?" Ron enquired cautiously

"Yes, but Dumbledore told me only Harry and I knew."

"Harry just told me tonight. He blames himself for the Granger's because he feels like he should have at least tried to kill Voldemort by now."

"Oh."

"Is that all you have to say?! Harry wants to try and kill the most evil wizard of all time and all you can say is "Oh"."

"I need to talk to him. Make him understand that there's nothing he could do."

"I don't think that will help."

"And what would you know?" demanded Sirius, anger building up in him, how could Harry be so stupid, he wouldn't stand a chance against Voldemort. He had to see that. He just had to. Sirius couldn't lose someone else to Voldemort, he couldn't lose Harry, he wouldn't.

"I know how Harry would react to that, and that he wouldn't like it, he feels useless as it is." Ron replied coolly.

"I'm sorry" Sirius was calmer, Ron was right, Harry was similar to himself in that respect, he hated sitting around watching people suffer when there was something that he thought he could do. "You're right, but I have to make him see, running to Voldemort won't make a difference, other than giving him one less person to attack."

"I know that, and I tried to tell him, and I told him to talk to you, but he just said he was going to bed. I don't know what to do. I don't want him to die." Ron was beginning to look quite sick, it had only begun to hit him that this war was real and that people were going to be hurt.

"Don't worry. He is not going to die. I won't let him." Sirius said that with such conviction that Ron actually believed him. Sirius' eyes had a cold determination in them, and Ron was certain that he would not want to be on the wrong side of that glare. Sirius stared at the fire.

"He won't die. He can't."

- So what did you all think of that? I'm quite pleased with it actually, I wanted to find a way to make it sink in that Voldemort was back, and looking for revenge, but I didn't have the heart to kill anyone we know. Not yet anyway. I hope that did the trick. Please, please review. I love to know what you think. Speaking of reviews, I did promise to reply so here goes: -

Xycos - firstly thank-you so much for such detailed reviews, I will try to cover all your points. Firstly The Knight Bus, I completely forgot it, how I don't know, my memory works in mysterious ways; I will amend that when I get the chance. As I will with the quidditch score, my mind was elsewhere. My grammar isn't that bad, I write this on word, and it doesn't have that many problems with it! Hermione was never officially dating Krum was she? I think they're just friends. And I think Hermione would be forward, she's never been very shy has she? - Maybe I just see it this way because she reminds me of a friend, and that's how she would act? Anyway, I know Sirius coming back is unlikely, but I love him, and I felt sorry for Harry so he had to be here! More on Ali soon, I think she will have quite a big part, but then the story may take a turn in its own direction! Thanks again for the reviews, they mean a lot!

Slrmn82 - Thank-you for taking the time to review. I'm glad Sirius is alive too! I've never been Ginny's biggest fan either, but I think she has the potential to be a good character. I don't think it's going to be a Ginny/Harry pairing, I just don't see them together myself. I think they're more like brother and sister, and close in that way. Snape made his first appearance! Hope you liked, I know I was mean, but it's about time someone was evil to him. He he, thanks again for the review, hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Jewels5 - Thanks, I'm glad you like it, hope you keep reading!

Stbolrog - Thank-you, that means so much! I'm very touched *tear*

Hplova4eva - Thank-you hope you continue to enjoy it.

Chipper1 - Glad you liked it, hope you like the rest just as much!

Dragania Amma Lyris Malfoy - Thank- you for taking the time to review. I really hope you enjoy the rest!

Dreamer43 - Yay Sirius is back! - I know, I love him so much! Thank- you!

Korn64068 - Thank-you, glad you like it!

AndReallyBadEggs - You think I'm an excellent writer - that is so nice, thank-you so much. You are way too kind! Hope you like the rest!

Bootylicious-lil-gal - I'm so glad you like the story, and thanks for mentioning that anonymous people couldn't review - that's fixed now!

Shreve - Ron and Hermione are the best couple! Glad I'm not alone in that opinion, thanks for reviewing!

Goldensand - It makes me so happy to know all these people are enjoying it, thank you so much!