A.N. Chapter four is up!! Sorry it took so long. It's gonna be at least a month in between chapters, because I'm really busy with school and stuff. But I hope you enjoy it! I personally like this chapter a lot. READ and REVIEW!!!

I'd like to thank Alicia, my editor!

I own nothing, except part of the plot, and maybe a few characters. They all belong to J.K. Rowling!

Chapter 4: Ancient Secrets

Harry awoke to see Ron and Ginny kneeling beside him, looking at him levelly. He was lying on a hard and bumpy bench.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked, having noticed him awake.

"I, I think so," Harry said shakily.

"Here, eat this," Ron said giving him a large chunk of chocolate.

"What happened?" Harry asked. Ron and Ginny glanced at each other.

"There was an attack, though You-know-who..."

"Voldemort," Harry cut-in.

"Yeah him, well, he decided to use dementors rather than Death Eaters," Ron said.

"You saw the large crowd and went towards it, against Lupin's warning and then fainted." Ginny said.

"It was mad," Ron continued," There were at least five dementors."

"But why was there such a large crowd? Muggles can't see Dementors." Harry asked confused.

"Well, no, but they attacked a group of muggles, who fell to the ground, which caused other people to come over and see what was going on."

"I see," Harry said.

"There were people lying everywhere. Ron and I carried you to this bench while Mum, Dad, Lupin, Fred, George and everyone else fought off the dementors with the Patronus Charm. Me and Ron even had to use it once when a Dementor started coming after us. It's a good thing you taught it to us last year."

"It took the both of us to fight it off though," Ron interrupted, "As we didn't have very strong Patronus's."

"So, did they get ride of them all?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Ron responded, "Hopefully they won't go attack anyone else, but..."

"But what?" Harry asked.

"We didn't get there soon enough."

"What d'ya mean?" Harry asked, although he already knew the answer.

"People, people were...kissed." Ron answered, his voice quivering.

Harry's heart plummeted. "How many?"

"Three, a family of three, a mum and dad and a little girl,"

Ginny, who had been trying to hold back tears began crying, a little at first and then harder. Harry felt like crying, his eye's burned with tears. Innocent lives, innocent souls, wrenched from their bodies, the people were worse than dead, it wasn't fair. Harry vowed then and there that he would stop this madness, even if he died doing it.
They sat in silence for awhile reflecting on the tragic events of the afternoon. "The obliviators are here now, along with people from St. Mungo's. They're probably almost done with the muggles. The family is being taken to St. Mungo's, they can't very well be left to wander around the Muggle world in that state. Everyone else is helping them out." Ron said, "I think we're going to take a port-key home then, rather than the Underground."

Harry nodded, he couldn't speak. They sat there in silence until the other five showed up. They all went behind an abandoned building, held on to the port-key Mr. Weasley had brought, a gum wrapper, and a minute later arrived at Grimmauld Place. As soon as they arrived, they all went to the living room and sat down, except for Mrs. Weasley, who went to the kitchen sniffling.

"I can't believe it; I just can't believe it, Dementor's in London," Lupin muttered.

"It's unheard of, there are dark times ahead, dark times," Charlie said.

"That's for sure," added Bill.

"What I don't get," Harry said, "Is why I fainted, I haven't done that in awhile."

"That's simple Harry," Lupin replied, "You were just caught off guard."

"I guess that makes sense," Harry muttered. They all sat in a long silence, reflecting on the horrible events of the day. A short while later Mrs. Weasley brought in some warm soup, small sandwiches and tea for everyone to eat. No one was really hungry, but they forced themselves to eat anyways.

Mrs. Weasley drew a large breath, "Tonks and Moody just popped in. They said they'd heard about it all. They both had to get back to work though for a meeting at the ministry. They should be home for dinner."

Everyone nodded chewing their food thoughtfully. Suddenly Harry thought of something. "Isn't it kind of odd that this attack occurred right by the Ministry? Do you think the Dementors were sent there in hopes of Ministry personnel being kissed?"

"That's a good point," Mr. Weasley said, "that's a very good point. Luckily we got them away before that happened."

"But they still got people," Ron said.

"Yes, they did. An awful thing, something definitely worth mourning over; but something to remind us what dark days these are and who and what we're dealing with. We can defeat him, but it will be tough."

'We can defeat him,' Harry thought, 'I have to defeat him, only I can defeat him'. Harry looked around at the others. Not one of them knew of the prophecy. Harry decided that when Hermione arrived, he would tell her and Ron about it because he couldn't keep it to himself any longer.

The next two days were spent preparing for Hermione's arrival. She would be arriving around eleven in two days; her parents would be staying the night as well.

"What's up mate?" Ron asked as they dusted and swept the guest room Hermione's parents would use. He had noticed Harry looking a bit off that day; he looked distracted and not as lively as he had been all summer.

"I can't tell you...yet," Harry replied.

"When Hermione gets here?" He questioned.

Harry nodded.

"Right."

By three o'clock the next afternoon, the room was dusted, swept, washed down, and new sheets were put on the bed. Ginny had cleaned up her room that she would be sharing with Hermione, and everyone else had tidied up the rest of the house. Everyone was exhausted by that time, and Harry, Ron, and Ginny took to a game of exploding snap. Fred and George were working late until 8 o'clock because they were taking tomorrow off for Hermione's arrival.

"Will you tell us about it tomorrow?" Ron whispered as they set up a new game.

"Yeah," Harry whispered.

Ginny looked up at them curiously "What's going on?" she asked. "I know something's up. Harry hasn't looked normal since the dementor incident, Ron keeps eyeing you all the time, and now you guys are whispering to one another. I'm not stupid you know, I know something's up."

"Er...well...it's just something..." Harry stuttered, "Ron doesn't even know what it is yet..."

"Ah, a secret," Ginny comprehended.

"No! I mean of course not," Harry replied, trying to appear innocent.

"That's okay, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Ginny said, looking somewhat hurt.

"No! I will, I promise, but not until tomorrow, after Hermione arrives." Harry said.

"Are you sure you want to tell me?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Harry responded smiling.

Ginny returned the smile, "Alright, I'll wait until tomorrow then."

That night, they settled down to a mediocre dinner. There was enough food to fill them up, but it wasn't any kind of feast, that was for the next day. After dinner, everyone trudged upstairs and went to bed.

The next morning, Harry awoke when Ron jumped onto his bed. "Ron!" he groaned, "its too early!!"

"Get up mate! Hermione will be here in an hour!" Ron cried. That got Harry out of bed.

"Really? It's that late?"

"Yep, you lazy bum!" Ron teased.

Harry threw a pillow at him, "Oh shut up!" he laughed.

Harry jumped out of bed, threw on jeans and a t-shirt, and raced downstairs where a breakfast of eggs and bacon were waiting for them. He scarfed it down and helped clean up the kitchen.

"How are they getting here?" Harry asked.

"Driving. Hermione knows how to get in here, so they're going to park in a parking garage nearby and walk here. Remus is going to meet them and help carry their stuff," Mrs. Weasley said. "Why don't you boys clean up your room, and then meet down here to wait. They should be arriving quite soon."

Harry and Ron eagerly nodded and then anxiously ran upstairs to clean up their room.

"I'm so excited," Harry exclaimed.

"Me too," Ron nodded, "especially because when she gets here, you can tell us what's been on your mind."

They had just finished cleaning up, when they heard a knock on the front door. They glanced at one another and raced downstairs.

Hermione had just come in the door when Harry and Ron attacked her, toppling her over.

"Hey guys! I just saw you, what, two days ago?" Hermione said, standing up and brushing her skirt off.

"Yeah, but we hardly actually saw you!" Ron said.

"More like said hi and sat by you," Harry put in.

"Well I'm glad to see you guys too," Hermione smiled.

"Hermione!" a voice cried from the stairway.

"Ginny!" Hermione responded, embracing Ginny in a hug. "It's wonderful to see you! I didn't get to talk to you at all at the trial!"

"I know!" Ginny responded.

"Ready for fifth year?"

Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes, causing the whole room to laugh.

Harry noticed that Mr. Weasley was talking excitedly to Hermione's father, while Mrs. Weasley was chatting with her mother.

"Come, let's put your things in my room," Ginny told Hermione, who agreed. Together they lifted her heavy truck and carried it to Ginny's room. Somehow Harry thought that a spell had been put on it by Lupin to make it lighter, because they weren't struggling with it at all.

Harry and Ron followed everyone else into the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was preparing a small lunch to be ready in an hour.

"It's so nice to see you again," Mrs. Weasley said kindly to Hermione's mother, "it's been so long since we've last met."

"Yes, I agree," Mrs. Granger replied nervously glancing about her as if something would explode.

"Never been in a wizard house before, have you?" Mrs. Weasley laughed in a friendly way.

"N-no, can't say I have!" Mrs. Granger replied chuckling.

Meanwhile, Mr. Granger was talking to Mr. Weasley on the other side of the room. While Mr. Weasley was fascinated by the muggle world, Mr. Granger was fascinated by the wizarding world and each were asking one another questions in turn.

"So, Hermione tells me that one can fly on brooms and that pictures move in the wizarding world? Is this true?"

Mr. Weasley answered seriously, pulling out his wallet and opening it up, "This here is a picture of my family, we were in the newspaper a few years ago," he said, showing Mr. Granger the newspaper clipping Harry had once received from Ron three years ago. "Ron has a broom upstairs, maybe later he can show you how it works!" Mr. Weasley said excitedly. "So what exactly is a calcubater?"

Harry smiled to himself. It was so interesting to see muggles and wizards interact in a friendly manner.

The room was interrupted as Hermione and Ginny burst into the room giggling.

"What's so funny girls?" Mrs. Weasley questioned. Hermione and Ginny's cheeks reddened.

"Er- nothing mum, nothing." Ginny replied.

"I'm sure. Now why don't you, Ron, and Harry help me and your father give the Grangers here a tour of the house!"

"Okay," Ginny replied. They showed them the whole house from the kitchen, to the drawing room, to the bedrooms and to the attic. By the time they finished, lunch was ready, and they all sat down to a nice meal of potato soup and sandwiches.

"Sorry lunch is so small, but we have a great dinner planned for tonight," Mrs. Weasley apologized.

"Oh, that's quite alright," Mrs. Granger assured her, "We had a big breakfast anyway." Mrs. Weasley smiled.

After lunch was finished, a unanimous vote was made to play Quidditch. Therefore, everyone headed to the fireplace to floo to the Burrow. Mr. and Mrs. Granger stood nervously, watching as Fred and George disappeared into the fireplace.

"Of course," Hermione said, "Mum and Dad have never traveled by floo! They can can't they?"

"Of course they can," said Mr. Weasley, but he didn't look to sure of himself. "Just take a pinch of floo powder, say where you want to go, in this case the Burrow, throw the powder down and away you go!"

"I'll try it," Mr. Granger said, looking interested at the idea of being involved in some type of magic. He cautiously went up to the fireplace, stepped in, took a pinch of floo powder, and shouted "the Burrow!" throwing the floo powder down and away he went.

This gave Mrs. Granger such a scare that she went right after him just to make sure he was alright. Everyone else quickly followed.

It turned out that the Grangers had arrived just fine and were quite eager to see more magic. So everyone trooped outside and went to the Quidditch pitch where everyone began flying around.

"Could I have a go?" Mr. Granger asked like an eager child.

"Well, I'm not sure it will work," Mr. Weasley said, "but I suppose you could try." He handed Mr. Granger his broom.

Mr. Granger eagerly took it and hopped on. "Now what do I do?"

"Just kick off the ground."

Mr. Granger kicked off but immediately fell, "I guess you have to be magical," He said dejectedly.

Suddenly, Harry got an idea. "Mr. Granger, come get on my broom, maybe if I fly with you it will work!" Mr. Granger's face lightened up.

"Oh do be careful!" Mrs. Granger yelled in the background.

"I will!" Mr. Granger told her, climbing on the broom.

"Now, hold on tight," Harry commanded. Mr. Granger obeyed, and Harry kicked off and up they went. It was a bit difficult to control the broom, but Harry managed, and Mr. Granger was delighted. When Harry finally landed, he was bursting with excitement.

"Ready to play some Quidditch?" Ron asked.

Harry grinned, "You bet." They played a very long time. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were delighted to watch, even though Hermione wasn't the best on a broom. Later, as they were walking back toward the house, Harry spoke to Mr. Weasley.

"Are you sure we weren't breaking the International Law of Secrecy?"

"Of course not! Their daughter is a witch after all."

"Well, how come they accused me of breaking it when I used magic in front of Dudley last year? He already knows about magic."

"Remember Harry, they were out to get you last year. They have would used anything against you."

Harry nodded, "That's true."

"Hey Dad! Can we get some ice cream at Diagon Alley?" Ginny asked anxiously.

"How about after dinner?" Mr. Weasley said.

Ginny grinned, "All right!"

While they were all playing Quidditch Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger went back to Grimmauld Place and made supper so that it was ready when they got home. Harry walked into a kitchen full of delicious scents that made his mouth water. They all sat down for a quite delightful dinner.

After dinner everyone headed to the fireplace to floo to Diagon Alley.

"I must admit, as much as I'm enjoying all this magic, this isn't my favorite way to travel," Mr. Granger said walking into the fireplace.

Harry smiled, "That's alright, it took me awhile to get used to, too."

Soon they were all in Diagon Alley and at Fluorescents eating ice cream. They were all quite full, so small cones suited them fine.

As they were all reclining in their seats eating ice cream, Harry spotted a face he did not want to see. He quickly sunk down in his seat, as though trying to hide himself.

"Malfoy," he growled quietly, glaring at him.

"Well that's a pretty face Potter!" Malfoy said as he approached them.

"Sod off Malfoy," Harry replied viciously.

"No, I think I'll sit here." He said.

"Malfoy go away," Hermione said, smirking.

"Oh sorry mudblood, am I disturbing your peace, or do you not want you dirty muggle parents to see me by you?!"

Ron started, but Harry grabbed him, "Don't rise to him, he's not worth it," Harry whispered.

"Scared to fight Potter?" Malfoy challenged, "Snape's not here now, I can take you down."

"I won't sink as low as to fight you Malfoy, I've fought your father, and I'm not about to fight you too."

This angered Malfoy, who retorted, "Don't you dare mention my father. He's a great wizard, it's because of filth like you that he's in Azkaban.of course, he won't be there long."

"What do you mean?" Ron questioned.

"Oh, don't you know? Some people recently escaped, they're working on a way to get him out too, since the dementors aren't there anymore. My father's a very loyal man to his master." At the word master, his voice lowered as though to emphasize the fear in the name.

"Your father will never get out," said Harry glaring, "and he's not in Azkaban because of "filth" like us. He's in there because he's a dirty, rotten, filthy, bloody Death Eater."

Malfoy stood up smirking, "so what if he is? What are you gonna do about it?"

Harry narrowed his eyes, "plenty," he growled.

Malfoy jumped at Harry, but Harry was ready and pinned him to the ground. "You better watch it Malfoy, or you'll end up the same way as your father. Now get out of here!"

Malfoy stood up, "You know," He whispered with a smirk of hatred on his face, "my father taught me some useful curses before he left."

"You don't scare me Malfoy, and you never will. You can't use magic outside of school and you know it, not to mention, it would be unforgivable."

Malfoy sneered and tucked his wand back in his robe. "You watch it, Potter, He'll get you, and all your filthy friends." Smirking, he whipped around and walked away.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione just stood there for a minute breathing deeply when Mr. Weasley came rushing up.

"What just happened?" He asked worriedly, "We were getting some water and when I turned around I saw Malfoy physically attacking Harry. I couldn't get here fast enough, are you all okay?"

Harry nodded, "We're all fine, that rotten Malfoy was just trying to pick a fight I suppose."

Mr. Weasley nodded, "Well I'm glad you're all fine." His face became stern, "You stay away from that Malfoy boy. I have a feeling that if he gets angry enough he'll attack you, even in the danger of expulsion. Either that or make your lives miserable."

"He's already tried that," Ron said.

Mr. Weasley looked at him, "Just stay away." He turned to Hermione, "Your parents were worried sick when they saw you. They tried to come over, before I stopped them, I didn't want muggles getting in the middle of a wizard fight. Let's go see them."

Hermione nodded, still upset.

"Are you okay?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"I guess. He said my parents were dirty muggles, and I know it's not true, but."

"Don't listen to a word he says Hermione," Ron interrupted, "He's rotten to the core."

Hermione nodded, then smiled, "alright."

They all went to meet the others. Hermione's parents were so relieved that she was fine and were embracing her. They all decided it was time to go back to Grimmauld Place, so they went to the fireplace and used floo-powder to get home.

Once home, everyone went into the Drawing Room to relax. Harry, Ron, Fred, and George got involved in a muggle card game that Lee Jordan had taught the twins, while the others discussed the day's events.

"That game you all played today was absolutely delightful," Mr. Granger commented, clearly trying to forget the Diagon Alley incident. "Harry and your twins were zooming on those brooms, and everyone else looked great too. If Hermione ever decides to try out for the team, and makes it, we might have to come!"

Mr. Weasley looked at him, "Er, I don't think that would work very well. There are too many anti-muggle spells at public wizarding places."

He looked a bit upset, but Hermione quickly covered up, "Don't worry dad, I don't think I'll ever be on the team...seriously." Mr. Granger gave a weak smile and was soon involved once again in lively conversation.

Shortly after, Harry noticed Hermione and Ginny sneak off upstairs.

Ron noticed them too and looked over at Harry, "Wanna follow them?"

"Sure," Harry said and began climbing the stairs. They had just reached the second level when Hermione and Ginny met up with them once more.

"So, Harry, Ginny says you have something to tell us all," Hermione said mischievously.

"Shh!" Harry warned, glancing around, hoping no one had heard her, "In here!" He whispered pointing inside he and Ron's room. He noticed Hermione and Ginny sharing a confused look, while Ron stared at him curiously. He hurriedly shut the door behind them.

"So what is it mate?" Ron asked.

Harry took a deep breath. How was he going to say this? "Okay, this is weird to explain, but."

"Go on!" Ron urged him.

"Remember that night,"

"At the ministry when Sir." Ginny began to question.

"Ginny!" Hermione chastised. "Sorry Harry, please continue,"

"Yes, the night when Sirius di.fell through the veil," Harry said, "Well remember the prophecy in the glass ball?"

Everyone nodded.

"Remember how it broke and no one knows what it said?"

Everyone nodded once more.

"Well, I do."

Hermione gasped, "But Harry. how?"

"The person who first heard the prophecy was Dumbledore, he.he told me what it said."

"And. What does it say?" Ron persisted.

"Ron, it's up to Harry to decide if he wants to tell us," Hermione said, but she looked anxiously at Harry.

"Well, I can't remember exactly what it said, and at the time it wasn't sure that it was me, but, it said something about how the person who could destroy Voldemort was someone whose parents had escaped him three times, was born at the end of the seventh month and has been marked by Voldemort as an equal. There was more to it, but. The prophecy came about before my birth, or before that, night."

"So, how did they know it was you? How did Voldemort know it was you? There could have been lots of people like that?" Hermione asked.

"That's what I asked Dumbledore," Harry said. "He said the Death Eater who heard the prophecy, didn't hear the whole thing, and they didn't know the person would be marked by Voldemort. Voldemort took it upon himself to kill the one he thought most of a danger to himself, me. There was one other person it could have been. I asked Dumbledore if Voldemort could have chosen wrong, but Dumbledore said it had to be me."

The three others sat there staring at Harry awkwardly.

"Who was the other person it could have been?" Ginny asked.

Harry shook his head, "I'll tell him one day soon, but if he decides to tell you, that's his choice. There's one more thing too, the prophecy says that one cannot live while the other one survives, which means I have to kill him, or.

Though he didn't say it, everyone understood that either Harry had to kill him, or he would have to be the one killed.

"Aren't you, scared, Harry?" Ginny asked.

"No," Harry lied, "I'll defeat him, good has always triumphed, hasn't it?"

"Oh Harry!" Hermione cried, "Why does it have to be you? Why do you have to endure this torture?"

"I don't know Hermione, I don't know." Harry didn't know how long they sat there before she pulled away, wiping tears from her face. Ginny and Ron gave him a comforting hug too.

"You know we'll always be here for you know matter what you have to face, don't you?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded.

"Good. Now, I have something to share with you, something I learned while on holiday this summer. Something valuable, something that might, that might, well, you'll see." Hermione said. She pulled out a tattered looking book and opened it. "While I was in ancient Rome, we went on a walk through all the old buildings and such. I was in one building when I noticed something sticking up in the dirt, I went to uncover it, and found.this. I don't know how long it's been there, but it's got some ancient secrets in it. Ancient, magical, valuable secrets." She finished off.

"So what's in it?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure..."

"Can we see it?" Ron asked.

Hermione reluctantly handed it over. Ron opened it up and Ginny and Harry leaned over to look at it.

"Hermione," Ginny said excitedly, "It's all written in ancient runes!"

"I know, that's why I'm not entirely sure what's in it, I just know it's important. Some things I've been able to translate, others I haven't. Some of the runes are really complex."

"So what kind of things have you found out about?" Ron pushed on.

"Well, from what I could tell, there was a lot of history in it. Things about famous witches and wizards in the past and even some family trees. There was also a bit on some of the mysteries of the world. Something about a green flame torch, I don't know exactly what it was saying about the torch, but it was something important, something...dark."

"A green flame torch?" Harry questioned. "Doesn't sound like anything good. Sounds like something the Slytherin's would have in their common room."

Hermione nodded grimly. "From what I could read, there was a lot of history on the torch, what it is and such, though I'll have to look further to be able to tell exactly what it says. There was also a great deal about where to find it."

"What else was in there?" Harry pursued further, not too particularly concerned about the torch.

"Well, a great deal about dementors, where they come from and a lot of other stuff I couldn't quite read...however, I think there might be a way to reverse a Dementor's kiss,"

At the word "dementor" Harry, Ron and Ginny shivered, Hermione probably didn't know what happened yet, she was continuing on about the book...

"Mind you, it would be difficult magic, even the best may not be able to perform it, save Dumbledore and Voldemort...oh stop it Ron and Ginny." she said after Ron and Ginny flinched at the name.

"Wow," said Ginny after recovering from Hermione's retort, "This could save thousands of lives."

"Or destroy them, if Voldemort gets ahold of these secrets," Harry said.

"Which he won't, I'll make sure of that." She paused for a moment.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny glanced at one another, this seemed like a good time to tell Hermione about the dementor attack. "Er, Hermione? There's something you should know," Ron said.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"The other day, after the trial, there was a dementor attack, a family of three was kissed, we did what we could, but we were too late for the family."

"Oh my, that's awful!" Hermione said, she was clearly horrified, but definately not as much as she would have been had she witnessed it.

Ginny nodded, "It was horrible, I wish I hadn't been there."

Hermione sat in quiet thought for a moment, reflecting on what she had just been told. "That's one more reason to figure out this book and then tell Dumbledore about the charm," she said determinedly.

"You know Hermione, it's usually you saying this to us, but...shouldn't we tell Dumbledore about this now? Before it's too late? I mean they can probably figure out the runes more quickly than you, no offense," Ron said.

Hermione sighed, "Yes, I know, I thought of that too, but we can't tell them yet. It's not like Voldemort's going to figure out the secret first anyways. I've researched the makings of this book, and the secrets in this book, are found nowhere else in the world. Anyway, there's something else I found, something I set to translating right away, and am almost done with. Something they might not look into because they would consider it too risky and would go through all measures to stop us from doing it, but it's something we got to do. I know it." She looked straight at Harry as if daring him to ask what it might be.

Harry swallowed, "What is it?"

Hermione held up the book, "This," she began, "holds the secret to the veil."

A.N. I spaced it out better this time, so I hope it was easier to read. Look for chapter five in the coming month!!

Bookworm2000- Yep, you were correct, it was Dementors!!

Angel114889- thanks for reviewing!!

Anaxandra- thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you liked the trial

Mella deranged- sorry about the trial being to free, it's not my strong point, but I hope you like the rest of it!

Prongs