Chapter 6: She's ba-ack!
Harry, Ron and Ginny were preparing to leave for Diagon Alley. They were not to go alone however, "It's just not safe out there!" as Molly Weasley put it when they suggested it. They managed to get Remus to agree to accompany them though, something Ron especially was glad about. It was after all the first time he was going to see Hermione after they had admitted their feelings, and it would have been much, much worse if his mother was there. He knew he could trust Lupin to give them some time alone at least.
"Ron? You ready?" It was Harry, breaking Ron's train of thought
"Um, yeah, I think so" his face however told a very different story, he looked sick with nerves.
"You're gonna be fine, mate" said Harry reassuringly
"Yeah, I mean Hermione's probably just as nervous" Ginny added.
Harry snorted "Sorry, but Hermione's never been exactly shy has she?"
"No" replied Ron, who was now looking decidedly worse.
"Harry!" hissed Ginny as she elbowed him in the side "How thick are you?"
"Oh come on Ron, what is there to be nervous about, she said yes didn't she?" Harry started trying to sound cheerful
"I dunno, I just think it's going to be really awkward."
"Well, we'll be there to help any lulls in the conversation!" Harry added, in a desperate attempt to make Ron feel better.
"Yeah, I guess." He no longer looked like he was about to throw up, which Harry took as a good sign.
"Ready to go?" Lupin appeared at the doorway "George has offered to drive us."
"Yeah, let's go!" said Ginny with a definite enthusiasm, as Harry hauled Ron towards the door by the sleeve of his robes.
"Am I missing something?" enquired Remus, looking at Ron being dragged by Harry
"Well" started Ginny when she was sure Ron wouldn't overhear "Ron asked Hermione out the other week and she said yes, but they haven't seen each other since then."
"Ah, I see. And he's nervous about meeting her?"
"Yup, that's about it"
Once they were all seated in the car, George started up the engine and reaching for the apparation button called "Diagon Alley!"
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They reappeared just outside of Gringotts, where they had arranged to meet Hermione. Ron felt even worse than he did before they left headquarters. There she was, she was so beautiful, and the summer spent abroad had only helped that. Her skin was now a healthy brown, and it looked as though Harry was not the only one to grow over the summer, Hermione had certainly grown too, just slightly differently, she was a woman now, her figure much more defined. Her hair was still bushy, but it was cut into a better style, and her bright eyes smiled as she saw Ron staring at her.
"Ron!" hissed Ginny, elbowing him in the side "Put your eyes back in please!"
"I, uh, sorry." Said Ron blushing furiously.
"Now Remus, I have to go and get some money from my vault, do you want to come along? Ginny?" Harry looked at them both expectantly
"Yes, certainly." Replied Remus flashing Ron a knowing look, which caused Ron to blush even more furiously
"Yes, we'd better give those two a chance to catch up, eh?" said Ginny, with a grin
"Hi everyone!" it was Hermione, who was also looking slightly awkward
"Hey Hermione, me and Ginny and Remus are going to get some money, we'll catch up when we get back ok?" Harry offered
"Yes, okay" replied Hermione, looking relived to have some time alone with Ron, "See you soon."
"See you" called Ginny as they entered the bank.
"So, uh, hi" started Ron uncomfortably
"Hi" replied Hermione, "how's things?"
"Um, good" returned Ron "How was South America?"
"Ooh, it was excellent, so interesting, so much to learn, it was a great trip."
It was only then, when Hermione was speaking normally that Ron realised that there was no reason for the awkwardness, nothing was different, not really, he smiled up at her, knowing that it was going to be alright. She returned his smile warmly. They fell into the familiar comfortable pattern of chat, talking about everything and nothing all at the same time. After what seemed like only a few minutes Harry, Ginny and Lupin arrived back, and Ron had never wanted to see them less.
"Hey guys!" Ginny smiled at them, "Flourish and Blotts first?"
"Sounds good" replied Hermione, and they set off as a group, while they were walking Hermione was startled to find Ron's hand in her own, she looked over at him, his face showing uncertainty over his actions. She grinned at him, and squeezed his hand. This caused him to grin back, and get a hint of colour on his face. Ginny looked back at them and smiled knowingly, she caught Hermione's eye and gave her a subtle thumbs up sign when no-one else was looking. Hermione could feel the happiness bubbling inside her just below the surface, she loved her friends, looking around her she realised just how happy all of them made her, especially Ron. Her glance settled on Harry for a moment, he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, a look that was becoming all too familiar with him, and she shot him a concerned look, he met her eyes and smiled. A genuine smile that said he was happy for her, she smiled back. "Things are gonna be okay" she told herself, and for a second she believed it.
The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day, Harry was surrounded by friends, all that was missing was Sirius, and he would see him soon. Maybe life wasn't so bad at all. He loved Diagon Alley, the magic and mystery surrounding it. It was the first magical place he ever saw, and he knew he would never forget that day so many years ago, when Hagrid brought him to get his first set of school things. This place was full of fond memories. The day was perfect, but as we all know all good things must come to an end. In this case an abrupt and ugly end.
As he passed one of the alleyways leading off of Diagon Alley Harry could've sworn he heard a voice. He stopped and peered down the dark street, he was not expecting what he saw. It was two Death Eaters and they had captured someone.
"Crucio!" The taller of the two yelled, voice full of malicious pleasure. The unknown captive was on the ground in an instant, writhing and screaming with pain.
"What do you want?" the prisoner panted when the torturer relented
"We were bored" replied the shorter one, followed by a sick, twisted laugh, Harry recognised that laugh, but from where?
"Please leave me alone" begged the captive
"I don't think so" said the first "Bella will you do the honours?" Bella! Bellatrix Lestrange, the one that had tried to kill Sirius!
"Why certainly. Crucio!" The prisoner was back on the ground screaming, and convulsing hideously
"Remus!" hissed Harry "look!" Remus turned instantly and looked where Harry was pointing. "It's Bellatrix!"
"What?" Remus looked worried "We have to help them, come on, wands out everyone!" The group turned and headed down the dingy alley.
"What now?" asked Bellatrix turning to her partner; Harry had never had such an urge to throw up.
"I suggest you leave." Said Remus, revealing their presence
Bellatrix spun around quickly sizing up her opponents, a few months ago she would have taken on this sorry bunch without a second thought, now though, and she found herself reminded of that day at the department of Mysteries, and how all of the "children" had survived. There was something strange about them, and she wasn't ready to discover what it was. Besides, she couldn't risk Harry being killed, no, that task was reserved for her master, he would be most displeased if someone stole it from him, and she wasn't about to be the one to do it. "Run" she hissed to her partner, and she quickly turned to face the now pathetic lump on the ground. "Avada Kedavra!" she muttered, almost carelessly, and then turned her wand on herself, and disapperated.
Remus, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were left gaping at the now lifeless body in disbelief. If Death Eaters were torturing innocents in the streets, for no good reason, things were bad, much worse than any of them had realised.
"Does anyone need anything else? Or can we get back to Headquarters?" inquired Remus, a sense of urgency creeping into his usually calm voice.
"No, I think we can go back now" said Hermione softly, and the rest of the group nodded their agreement, all completely at a loss for words.
"Right then, let's go."
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A short while later the group arrived back at Grimmauld Place, an air of uneasy silence still surrounding them. Sirius walked into the room grinning, obviously pleased to see they were back, but when he did catch sight of them his smile faded considerably. "What happened?"
"There were Death Eaters, two of them, torturing someone just off of Diagon Alley." Remus paused "for fun."
Sirius' jaw dropped. "In a public place? In broad daylight?" Remus simply nodded in reply. Sirius couldn't wrap his head around it, things hadn't been that bad in so long. In fact the only time they were that bad was just before he was sent to Azkaban, when everyone had given up hope. He looked over at the group facing him, Remus felt the same way he did, he could see it on his face, he hadn't realised it was that bad either. Sirius hated himself for it but he was glad, he hated having to hide away and always felt as though he was missing out. At least he wasn't any more in the dark than anyone else. He looked at the kids, for that's all they were, kids. It wasn't right that they should have to see something like that, they shouldn't have had to do so much that they had. He wanted more than anything for them to experience childhood and adolescence at Hogwarts the same way he did. Full of friends, and fun, not enemies and despair. Harry in particular looked shaken by the day's events. Sirius found that odd, after all Harry had seen more of this sort of thing, he'd be more accustomed to it. He felt sick even thinking that, as if death was ever something you became accustomed to. Still he walked over to Harry. "You okay?"
"It was her" Harry's eyes were watering at the mention of her. Not out of sorrow though, he was furious, full of hatred, he hated her more than any other person alive. Voldemort after all hardly counted as a person any more.
"Lestrange?" Sirius choked out the word. She had almost killed him, he hated her for that, but he hated her more for the way she made him feel. She scared him. He couldn't be scared, not with Harry to look out for. He had never been scared before. Then again he'd never been so close to being dead before. Sirius wasn't the type of person to be afraid, much less show fear. He was a Griffindor after all, that's what really hurt, she took his pride away when she tried to kill him. She made him fear something other than fear, and he despised her for it.
"That was. That was the one that tried to kill you wasn't it?" asked Hermione timidly, it was strange to see Sirius standing there before her when she had believed him to be dead. Harry and Ron had told her all about how he survived of course, but still it didn't prepare her to see him there.
"Yes" Sirius looked pained to admit it.
"Are you alright?" asked Remus, looking concernedly at Sirius
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit of a shock. I guess I had subconsciously been hoping she was dead or something, I knew I'd have to deal with this sooner or later. Just would've preferred it to be later that's all."
"Someone should tell Dumbledore, shouldn't they?" said Ginny softly
"Oh yes, of course, I'll go now" said Remus, and with that he disapperated, looking rather flustered.
"Well, I'm gonna go and put this stuff away" said Ron in a desperate attempt to break the awkward silence that had fallen over the group.
"Mmm, me too" Harry said distractedly, as Ginny and Hermione nodded their agreement. The group headed upstairs leaving Sirius to his thoughts.
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That night an emergency meeting of The Order Of the Phoenix was called, and members were arriving all the time. However, it wasn't any of them that Dumbledore wanted to see upon arrival, it wasn't Harry either. It was Fred and George Weasley. He invited them to join the Order, which they most willingly did. It was, however, to make for a rather unpleasant dinner. Everyone was gathered round the table, Sirius, Remus, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Tonks, Molly, Arthur and of course Dumbledore.
"Molly, Arthur" began Dumbledore, looking at each of them as he said their names, "I believe your sons have something to tell you."
"What is it?" asked Molly suspiciously, looking at each of her sons in turn.
"Well, um, Mum, me and George have, um, we've joined the Order." Said Fred rather weakly
"You've what?!" Molly screamed
"I invited them, Molly" said Dumbledore, trying to keep the peace
"You invited them?" said Molly turning on Dumbledore "Well I suppose that makes it all better. My sons are going to be putting their lives on the line, when they are little more than children! Doing work they can't possibly understand the seriousness of, they're probably going to end up dead or worse, and that's meant to be okay because you invited them?! Well sorry but I don't agree."
"Mum" started George, "We know exactly what we're doing, we know we could end up dead, but let's face it, Voldemort hates our family anyway, chances are we would be targeted even if we weren't in the Order, we may as well do some good while we can!"
"Plus the Order needs all the members it can get, if that incident in Diagon Alley is anything to go by." Added Fred, though after seeing the look on his mothers face he looked as though he might regret it.
"What do you expect to do to help? You're just out of school, which might I add, you didn't even finish! You are still children; you don't know how dangerous this is!"
"Molly, they are of age now, it's their decision, we can't stop them." Arthur tried to console his wife.
"Mum dad's right, we're of age, and there's nothing you can do to stop us." George argued
"I just don't want anything to happen to you." Said Molly, her rage losing its edge, but defiantly still present.
"Well neither do we and we don't intend to let it." Fred said simply
Molly could see she was getting nowhere and resigned herself to eating her dinner.
"If you want my opinion" started Sirius "you should be proud of them Molly, all too many people are afraid to risk themselves for the cause, the fact they are shows that they're good people."
Molly sent a scathing look his direction "I don't want your opinion. Would you be proud if Harry joined the Order?"
"Well, I, yes, I would."
"You would say that, knowing it's not going to happen anytime soon." She retorted
"Maybe" replied Sirius looking pensive
"Why can't I join the Order?" piped up Harry
"Because you're still in school." Said Molly
"Hmph!" Harry returned to his food. Sirius looked relieved. Truth is Molly was right; he wouldn't want Harry to join the order. James did and look where it got him. At the same time, it's not like it would put Harry in any more danger, he was already top of Voldemort's most wanted list. The meal was finished in relative silence, the only comments being "pass the salt, please" etc.
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Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the boys' room discussing the events of earlier that day.
"Does anyone else find it strange that they just left when we turned up?" asked Ron "I mean it was just Lupin and a bunch of kids, how scary could that be?"
"I didn't get that either" said Harry, looking confused
"Not meaning to be melodramatic but I think it's quite obvious why." Said Hermione, with an all too familiar superior look on her face "I mean, she looked round at us obviously sizing us up, but then she saw Harry, and she panicked, just for a second she lost her cool. I think that Voldemort's put you off limits Harry. I think he wants to kill you himself."
Harry paled considerably, "Or he knows."
"Bloody hell!" said Ron "What if he does?"
"Knows what?" said Hermione
"Oh, um, about the prophecy." Said Harry meekly "Now before you say anything, I wanted to tell you sooner, but I wasn't ready to talk about it before the summer, and well, I thought you should hear this face to face rather than via owl."
"Okay" she said, looking only slightly put out. "How do you know about the prophecy?"
"Dumbledore told me, after the Department of Mysteries."
"and what did it say?"
"That me and Voldemort cannot co-exist, that one has to kill the other."
"But no! I mean it can't be, not you!"
"It is Hermione. It said that the one with the power to vanquish the dark lord would be born as the seventh month dies to parents who have thrice defied him. That Voldemort would mark me as his equal." He said pointing to his scar. "It is me."
"Oh, Harry." She reached over and hugged him, tears rolling down her cheeks. "How could you not tell me?"
"Well, it was kinda a lot to take in, and Sirius had just "died"."
"Oh, of course, I'm sorry Harry, I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be. It's not like there's anything any of us can do about it."
"But there is." Said Hermione, her eyes lit up "We can find out how to defeat him, we'll help you Harry, and we'll rid the world of him forever. The prophecy says you can do it, we just have to find out how."
"She's right Harry" added Ron "it's not like you'll have to do this by yourself, I'll be there, so will Hermione, and Sirius, and Remus, and the rest of the Order, not to mention Dumbledore."
"I know" said Harry, fighting back tears. He could barely believe what he was hearing. They would help him. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. He had fought Voldemort before, and he had won, he could do it again. Harry wished he could believe that. He wanted to, and his heart told him to, but the logical part of his mind kept making snide comments like "you're a sixth year, he's one of the most powerful wizards in the world, you don't stand a chance." Harry couldn't win. The only thing he knew was that he was so lucky to have such great friends. He could think of so many people that would run screaming at the mere mention of fighting Voldemort, and here were his friends, offering their help. He couldn't even begin to tell them how much that meant.
"But what if he knows?" Ron asked, looking scared "I mean, he'll come after you won't he?"
"Probably" said Harry, crestfallen
"Then all the more reason to be prepared. Harry you will beat him, you will win. You have to." Hermione looked determined.
"I know, but how?"
"I don't know, yet. But we'll find out. Don't worry. Things always seem to work themselves out for you Harry. It'll be okay." Hermione said encouragingly
"But what if this time they don't?" Harry looked pained to even see it, and he saw the flicker of worry in both Ron and Hermione's eyes that showed they didn't even want to consider that.
"They will Harry." Said Ron, looking defiant
"They have to." Said Hermione softly, with such a fierce look in her eyes the other two were almost convinced.
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A/N: Another chapter complete, hope you're all still enjoying it! Next chapter is Hogwarts!! Hooray! I really wanted to write about Hogwarts and I'm finally there, anyway please keep reviewing, you're all so kind!! Can't wait to hear from you. Still open to suggestions about the DADA professor, as I haven't completely decided on it yet. Please tell me if I mess up the characters, I want them to be right! Anyway I'm going to start on the next chapter, so it'll be up in a day or two! - Enjoy!
Replies to my favourite people (my reviewers!! Lol):
Dreamer43 - I'm so glad you like it, hope you continue to! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Katie - I hope Sirius comes back in book 6 too! Thanks for reviewing, hope you enjoy the rest!
Goldensand - I know, Sirius rules!! Glad you're enjoying the story!
Anna L. Black - thanks for the suggestions but I don't know. I don't see Snape getting the job ever, and I can't really think of why Lupin would go back - I mean he left because he's a werewolf and people wouldn't like it, that won't have changed. I will keep those in mind though, thank you!!
Harry, Ron and Ginny were preparing to leave for Diagon Alley. They were not to go alone however, "It's just not safe out there!" as Molly Weasley put it when they suggested it. They managed to get Remus to agree to accompany them though, something Ron especially was glad about. It was after all the first time he was going to see Hermione after they had admitted their feelings, and it would have been much, much worse if his mother was there. He knew he could trust Lupin to give them some time alone at least.
"Ron? You ready?" It was Harry, breaking Ron's train of thought
"Um, yeah, I think so" his face however told a very different story, he looked sick with nerves.
"You're gonna be fine, mate" said Harry reassuringly
"Yeah, I mean Hermione's probably just as nervous" Ginny added.
Harry snorted "Sorry, but Hermione's never been exactly shy has she?"
"No" replied Ron, who was now looking decidedly worse.
"Harry!" hissed Ginny as she elbowed him in the side "How thick are you?"
"Oh come on Ron, what is there to be nervous about, she said yes didn't she?" Harry started trying to sound cheerful
"I dunno, I just think it's going to be really awkward."
"Well, we'll be there to help any lulls in the conversation!" Harry added, in a desperate attempt to make Ron feel better.
"Yeah, I guess." He no longer looked like he was about to throw up, which Harry took as a good sign.
"Ready to go?" Lupin appeared at the doorway "George has offered to drive us."
"Yeah, let's go!" said Ginny with a definite enthusiasm, as Harry hauled Ron towards the door by the sleeve of his robes.
"Am I missing something?" enquired Remus, looking at Ron being dragged by Harry
"Well" started Ginny when she was sure Ron wouldn't overhear "Ron asked Hermione out the other week and she said yes, but they haven't seen each other since then."
"Ah, I see. And he's nervous about meeting her?"
"Yup, that's about it"
Once they were all seated in the car, George started up the engine and reaching for the apparation button called "Diagon Alley!"
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They reappeared just outside of Gringotts, where they had arranged to meet Hermione. Ron felt even worse than he did before they left headquarters. There she was, she was so beautiful, and the summer spent abroad had only helped that. Her skin was now a healthy brown, and it looked as though Harry was not the only one to grow over the summer, Hermione had certainly grown too, just slightly differently, she was a woman now, her figure much more defined. Her hair was still bushy, but it was cut into a better style, and her bright eyes smiled as she saw Ron staring at her.
"Ron!" hissed Ginny, elbowing him in the side "Put your eyes back in please!"
"I, uh, sorry." Said Ron blushing furiously.
"Now Remus, I have to go and get some money from my vault, do you want to come along? Ginny?" Harry looked at them both expectantly
"Yes, certainly." Replied Remus flashing Ron a knowing look, which caused Ron to blush even more furiously
"Yes, we'd better give those two a chance to catch up, eh?" said Ginny, with a grin
"Hi everyone!" it was Hermione, who was also looking slightly awkward
"Hey Hermione, me and Ginny and Remus are going to get some money, we'll catch up when we get back ok?" Harry offered
"Yes, okay" replied Hermione, looking relived to have some time alone with Ron, "See you soon."
"See you" called Ginny as they entered the bank.
"So, uh, hi" started Ron uncomfortably
"Hi" replied Hermione, "how's things?"
"Um, good" returned Ron "How was South America?"
"Ooh, it was excellent, so interesting, so much to learn, it was a great trip."
It was only then, when Hermione was speaking normally that Ron realised that there was no reason for the awkwardness, nothing was different, not really, he smiled up at her, knowing that it was going to be alright. She returned his smile warmly. They fell into the familiar comfortable pattern of chat, talking about everything and nothing all at the same time. After what seemed like only a few minutes Harry, Ginny and Lupin arrived back, and Ron had never wanted to see them less.
"Hey guys!" Ginny smiled at them, "Flourish and Blotts first?"
"Sounds good" replied Hermione, and they set off as a group, while they were walking Hermione was startled to find Ron's hand in her own, she looked over at him, his face showing uncertainty over his actions. She grinned at him, and squeezed his hand. This caused him to grin back, and get a hint of colour on his face. Ginny looked back at them and smiled knowingly, she caught Hermione's eye and gave her a subtle thumbs up sign when no-one else was looking. Hermione could feel the happiness bubbling inside her just below the surface, she loved her friends, looking around her she realised just how happy all of them made her, especially Ron. Her glance settled on Harry for a moment, he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, a look that was becoming all too familiar with him, and she shot him a concerned look, he met her eyes and smiled. A genuine smile that said he was happy for her, she smiled back. "Things are gonna be okay" she told herself, and for a second she believed it.
The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day, Harry was surrounded by friends, all that was missing was Sirius, and he would see him soon. Maybe life wasn't so bad at all. He loved Diagon Alley, the magic and mystery surrounding it. It was the first magical place he ever saw, and he knew he would never forget that day so many years ago, when Hagrid brought him to get his first set of school things. This place was full of fond memories. The day was perfect, but as we all know all good things must come to an end. In this case an abrupt and ugly end.
As he passed one of the alleyways leading off of Diagon Alley Harry could've sworn he heard a voice. He stopped and peered down the dark street, he was not expecting what he saw. It was two Death Eaters and they had captured someone.
"Crucio!" The taller of the two yelled, voice full of malicious pleasure. The unknown captive was on the ground in an instant, writhing and screaming with pain.
"What do you want?" the prisoner panted when the torturer relented
"We were bored" replied the shorter one, followed by a sick, twisted laugh, Harry recognised that laugh, but from where?
"Please leave me alone" begged the captive
"I don't think so" said the first "Bella will you do the honours?" Bella! Bellatrix Lestrange, the one that had tried to kill Sirius!
"Why certainly. Crucio!" The prisoner was back on the ground screaming, and convulsing hideously
"Remus!" hissed Harry "look!" Remus turned instantly and looked where Harry was pointing. "It's Bellatrix!"
"What?" Remus looked worried "We have to help them, come on, wands out everyone!" The group turned and headed down the dingy alley.
"What now?" asked Bellatrix turning to her partner; Harry had never had such an urge to throw up.
"I suggest you leave." Said Remus, revealing their presence
Bellatrix spun around quickly sizing up her opponents, a few months ago she would have taken on this sorry bunch without a second thought, now though, and she found herself reminded of that day at the department of Mysteries, and how all of the "children" had survived. There was something strange about them, and she wasn't ready to discover what it was. Besides, she couldn't risk Harry being killed, no, that task was reserved for her master, he would be most displeased if someone stole it from him, and she wasn't about to be the one to do it. "Run" she hissed to her partner, and she quickly turned to face the now pathetic lump on the ground. "Avada Kedavra!" she muttered, almost carelessly, and then turned her wand on herself, and disapperated.
Remus, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were left gaping at the now lifeless body in disbelief. If Death Eaters were torturing innocents in the streets, for no good reason, things were bad, much worse than any of them had realised.
"Does anyone need anything else? Or can we get back to Headquarters?" inquired Remus, a sense of urgency creeping into his usually calm voice.
"No, I think we can go back now" said Hermione softly, and the rest of the group nodded their agreement, all completely at a loss for words.
"Right then, let's go."
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A short while later the group arrived back at Grimmauld Place, an air of uneasy silence still surrounding them. Sirius walked into the room grinning, obviously pleased to see they were back, but when he did catch sight of them his smile faded considerably. "What happened?"
"There were Death Eaters, two of them, torturing someone just off of Diagon Alley." Remus paused "for fun."
Sirius' jaw dropped. "In a public place? In broad daylight?" Remus simply nodded in reply. Sirius couldn't wrap his head around it, things hadn't been that bad in so long. In fact the only time they were that bad was just before he was sent to Azkaban, when everyone had given up hope. He looked over at the group facing him, Remus felt the same way he did, he could see it on his face, he hadn't realised it was that bad either. Sirius hated himself for it but he was glad, he hated having to hide away and always felt as though he was missing out. At least he wasn't any more in the dark than anyone else. He looked at the kids, for that's all they were, kids. It wasn't right that they should have to see something like that, they shouldn't have had to do so much that they had. He wanted more than anything for them to experience childhood and adolescence at Hogwarts the same way he did. Full of friends, and fun, not enemies and despair. Harry in particular looked shaken by the day's events. Sirius found that odd, after all Harry had seen more of this sort of thing, he'd be more accustomed to it. He felt sick even thinking that, as if death was ever something you became accustomed to. Still he walked over to Harry. "You okay?"
"It was her" Harry's eyes were watering at the mention of her. Not out of sorrow though, he was furious, full of hatred, he hated her more than any other person alive. Voldemort after all hardly counted as a person any more.
"Lestrange?" Sirius choked out the word. She had almost killed him, he hated her for that, but he hated her more for the way she made him feel. She scared him. He couldn't be scared, not with Harry to look out for. He had never been scared before. Then again he'd never been so close to being dead before. Sirius wasn't the type of person to be afraid, much less show fear. He was a Griffindor after all, that's what really hurt, she took his pride away when she tried to kill him. She made him fear something other than fear, and he despised her for it.
"That was. That was the one that tried to kill you wasn't it?" asked Hermione timidly, it was strange to see Sirius standing there before her when she had believed him to be dead. Harry and Ron had told her all about how he survived of course, but still it didn't prepare her to see him there.
"Yes" Sirius looked pained to admit it.
"Are you alright?" asked Remus, looking concernedly at Sirius
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit of a shock. I guess I had subconsciously been hoping she was dead or something, I knew I'd have to deal with this sooner or later. Just would've preferred it to be later that's all."
"Someone should tell Dumbledore, shouldn't they?" said Ginny softly
"Oh yes, of course, I'll go now" said Remus, and with that he disapperated, looking rather flustered.
"Well, I'm gonna go and put this stuff away" said Ron in a desperate attempt to break the awkward silence that had fallen over the group.
"Mmm, me too" Harry said distractedly, as Ginny and Hermione nodded their agreement. The group headed upstairs leaving Sirius to his thoughts.
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That night an emergency meeting of The Order Of the Phoenix was called, and members were arriving all the time. However, it wasn't any of them that Dumbledore wanted to see upon arrival, it wasn't Harry either. It was Fred and George Weasley. He invited them to join the Order, which they most willingly did. It was, however, to make for a rather unpleasant dinner. Everyone was gathered round the table, Sirius, Remus, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Tonks, Molly, Arthur and of course Dumbledore.
"Molly, Arthur" began Dumbledore, looking at each of them as he said their names, "I believe your sons have something to tell you."
"What is it?" asked Molly suspiciously, looking at each of her sons in turn.
"Well, um, Mum, me and George have, um, we've joined the Order." Said Fred rather weakly
"You've what?!" Molly screamed
"I invited them, Molly" said Dumbledore, trying to keep the peace
"You invited them?" said Molly turning on Dumbledore "Well I suppose that makes it all better. My sons are going to be putting their lives on the line, when they are little more than children! Doing work they can't possibly understand the seriousness of, they're probably going to end up dead or worse, and that's meant to be okay because you invited them?! Well sorry but I don't agree."
"Mum" started George, "We know exactly what we're doing, we know we could end up dead, but let's face it, Voldemort hates our family anyway, chances are we would be targeted even if we weren't in the Order, we may as well do some good while we can!"
"Plus the Order needs all the members it can get, if that incident in Diagon Alley is anything to go by." Added Fred, though after seeing the look on his mothers face he looked as though he might regret it.
"What do you expect to do to help? You're just out of school, which might I add, you didn't even finish! You are still children; you don't know how dangerous this is!"
"Molly, they are of age now, it's their decision, we can't stop them." Arthur tried to console his wife.
"Mum dad's right, we're of age, and there's nothing you can do to stop us." George argued
"I just don't want anything to happen to you." Said Molly, her rage losing its edge, but defiantly still present.
"Well neither do we and we don't intend to let it." Fred said simply
Molly could see she was getting nowhere and resigned herself to eating her dinner.
"If you want my opinion" started Sirius "you should be proud of them Molly, all too many people are afraid to risk themselves for the cause, the fact they are shows that they're good people."
Molly sent a scathing look his direction "I don't want your opinion. Would you be proud if Harry joined the Order?"
"Well, I, yes, I would."
"You would say that, knowing it's not going to happen anytime soon." She retorted
"Maybe" replied Sirius looking pensive
"Why can't I join the Order?" piped up Harry
"Because you're still in school." Said Molly
"Hmph!" Harry returned to his food. Sirius looked relieved. Truth is Molly was right; he wouldn't want Harry to join the order. James did and look where it got him. At the same time, it's not like it would put Harry in any more danger, he was already top of Voldemort's most wanted list. The meal was finished in relative silence, the only comments being "pass the salt, please" etc.
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Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the boys' room discussing the events of earlier that day.
"Does anyone else find it strange that they just left when we turned up?" asked Ron "I mean it was just Lupin and a bunch of kids, how scary could that be?"
"I didn't get that either" said Harry, looking confused
"Not meaning to be melodramatic but I think it's quite obvious why." Said Hermione, with an all too familiar superior look on her face "I mean, she looked round at us obviously sizing us up, but then she saw Harry, and she panicked, just for a second she lost her cool. I think that Voldemort's put you off limits Harry. I think he wants to kill you himself."
Harry paled considerably, "Or he knows."
"Bloody hell!" said Ron "What if he does?"
"Knows what?" said Hermione
"Oh, um, about the prophecy." Said Harry meekly "Now before you say anything, I wanted to tell you sooner, but I wasn't ready to talk about it before the summer, and well, I thought you should hear this face to face rather than via owl."
"Okay" she said, looking only slightly put out. "How do you know about the prophecy?"
"Dumbledore told me, after the Department of Mysteries."
"and what did it say?"
"That me and Voldemort cannot co-exist, that one has to kill the other."
"But no! I mean it can't be, not you!"
"It is Hermione. It said that the one with the power to vanquish the dark lord would be born as the seventh month dies to parents who have thrice defied him. That Voldemort would mark me as his equal." He said pointing to his scar. "It is me."
"Oh, Harry." She reached over and hugged him, tears rolling down her cheeks. "How could you not tell me?"
"Well, it was kinda a lot to take in, and Sirius had just "died"."
"Oh, of course, I'm sorry Harry, I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be. It's not like there's anything any of us can do about it."
"But there is." Said Hermione, her eyes lit up "We can find out how to defeat him, we'll help you Harry, and we'll rid the world of him forever. The prophecy says you can do it, we just have to find out how."
"She's right Harry" added Ron "it's not like you'll have to do this by yourself, I'll be there, so will Hermione, and Sirius, and Remus, and the rest of the Order, not to mention Dumbledore."
"I know" said Harry, fighting back tears. He could barely believe what he was hearing. They would help him. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. He had fought Voldemort before, and he had won, he could do it again. Harry wished he could believe that. He wanted to, and his heart told him to, but the logical part of his mind kept making snide comments like "you're a sixth year, he's one of the most powerful wizards in the world, you don't stand a chance." Harry couldn't win. The only thing he knew was that he was so lucky to have such great friends. He could think of so many people that would run screaming at the mere mention of fighting Voldemort, and here were his friends, offering their help. He couldn't even begin to tell them how much that meant.
"But what if he knows?" Ron asked, looking scared "I mean, he'll come after you won't he?"
"Probably" said Harry, crestfallen
"Then all the more reason to be prepared. Harry you will beat him, you will win. You have to." Hermione looked determined.
"I know, but how?"
"I don't know, yet. But we'll find out. Don't worry. Things always seem to work themselves out for you Harry. It'll be okay." Hermione said encouragingly
"But what if this time they don't?" Harry looked pained to even see it, and he saw the flicker of worry in both Ron and Hermione's eyes that showed they didn't even want to consider that.
"They will Harry." Said Ron, looking defiant
"They have to." Said Hermione softly, with such a fierce look in her eyes the other two were almost convinced.
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A/N: Another chapter complete, hope you're all still enjoying it! Next chapter is Hogwarts!! Hooray! I really wanted to write about Hogwarts and I'm finally there, anyway please keep reviewing, you're all so kind!! Can't wait to hear from you. Still open to suggestions about the DADA professor, as I haven't completely decided on it yet. Please tell me if I mess up the characters, I want them to be right! Anyway I'm going to start on the next chapter, so it'll be up in a day or two! - Enjoy!
Replies to my favourite people (my reviewers!! Lol):
Dreamer43 - I'm so glad you like it, hope you continue to! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Katie - I hope Sirius comes back in book 6 too! Thanks for reviewing, hope you enjoy the rest!
Goldensand - I know, Sirius rules!! Glad you're enjoying the story!
Anna L. Black - thanks for the suggestions but I don't know. I don't see Snape getting the job ever, and I can't really think of why Lupin would go back - I mean he left because he's a werewolf and people wouldn't like it, that won't have changed. I will keep those in mind though, thank you!!
