Chapter 2:

To Headquarters

With the same pop that they left the Dursleys with, Ron, Harry, and Tonks appeared at #12 Grimmauld Place. Before Harry even managed to take a breath he was swept up into a hug by Mrs. Weasley. "Oh, Harry, we're so glad that you're finally here. Why don't you and Ron go upstairs and put your trunk away, and then come down and have some lunch. Dumbledore wants to speak with you, Harry."

"Is he here now?" questioned Harry.

"Yes, dear, he's in the kitchen waiting for you." Molly replied.

Harry immediately began dragging his trunk up the stairs, with Ron fighting to keep up. They reached Ron and Harry's room and put his trunk at the foot of his bed. They turned around to run smack into Hermione. Hermione squealed and grabbed Harry in a hug. Harry responded by enveloping Hermione in a hug and placing a kiss on her cheek. "Hey, Mione. C'mon, let's go talk to Proffessor Dumbledore."

"O.K., but after that I want to know about your O.W.L.'s." replied Hermione.

"I know, I know. Let's go." With that the three teenagers raced down the stairs to the kitchen where they found Mrs. Weasley, Dumbledore, Tonks, and Ginny.

"Ah, Harry, just the wizard I've been waiting for." said Albus.

"What did you need to see me about, sir?" asked Harry.

"Well, Harry, its about Sirius. He named you to be his sole heir in his will." replied Albus.

Harry frowned, "I don't really want to talk about this, Professor. Can it wait?"

"Most of it, yes. However, I would like to at least outline what is now yours, if I may?" Harry nodded for him to continue. "Yes, well, the Black estate comprises several thousand galleons that have now been transferred to your vault. Also, this residence is now yours. I am for the time being the executor of Sirius' last will and testament which means that I will hold the deeds for the home until you become of age, Harry."

Harry nodded numbly, "Is that all?"

"Yes, Harry, that is everything. Now, I assume that you would like to be filled in on what has been happening up until now over the summer. However, I must ask that you hold your questions until tonight at dinner when I will return with some other members of the Order. I will speak to you then. For now I must be going. Good-bye, Harry, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley, Molly. I will see you all at dinner."

"Good-bye, Professor." chorused the students. "Good-bye, Albus" added Molly.

Then with a pop the headmaster was gone.

"Well, I think its time to eat." announced Molly as she began to sit trays of sandwiches on the table.

Hermione sat there almost hopping with anticipation as the five of them settled down to eat. Harry looked over at Ginny, and nodded his head toward Hermione and rolled his eyes. Ginny laughed.

"Go, ahead and ask, Hermione." intoned Harry.

"How did you do on your O.W.L.'s?" quizzed Hermione.

Harry soundlessly pulled out the folded piece of paper and handed it over to Hermione. She opened and read down the page and then handed the paper to Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. Then, she jumped up and rounded the table and grabbed Harry in another massive hug. Harry then proceeded to kiss her on the cheek again, to which Ron flushed red, but no one besides Harry noticed. "Harry," she squealed, "Those scores are amazing, although you could have done better on History of Magic I suppose. Now, Ron, you see, it can be done. You don't have any excuse for not pushing yourself to do better on your N.E.W.T.'s than you did on your O.W.L.'s."

Ron interrupted her, "Mione, give it a break."

"Yeah, come on, leave him alone." broke in Harry. "By the way how did you do?"

Ron grimaced, "I got P's in Divination, History of Magic, and Potions. A's in Transfiguration, Astronomy, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures. I got an E in Herbology, and an O in Defense against the Dark Arts."

Harry grinned, "Not bad, mate, so which ones are you going to do at N.E.W.T.?"

"The obvious, I suppose, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Herbology, and DADA. No more Snape." cheered Ron.

"Speak for yourself," grinned Harry, "I've got two more years with him."

Ron gasped, "You mean you're not dropping potions?"

Harry grimaced at the look of horror on Ron's face, "I can't. I want to be an Auror and you have to have an N.E.W.T. in Potions."

Ron's face fell, "Yeah, I guess you're right. It would have been cool to be able to become an Auror, but I couldn't make the cut."

Hermione broke in, "You could have, though. All you had to do was pay closer attention in class and study more. You would have been able to do it easily. Harry got an O in Potions, and Snape's meaner to him than anyone else."

Ron made a smart retort, which set Hermione off even more and the two launched into a full blown argument. Harry managed to catch Ginny's eye, and motioned his head toward the living room. He got up and she followed him. They sat down on the couch and Ginny asked, "Have they always been like this?"

Harry sighed, "You better believe it."

Ginny smiled and then turned sober, "Harry, why did you kiss Hermione on the cheek. Ron didn't appear to like it very much when you did it."

Harry laughed, "I thought I was the only one that noticed. I was trying to make him jealous."

"Why"

"I'm tired of those two fighting all the time."

Ginned giggled, "I can understand that, but how is making Ron jealous going to make the two of them stop fighting?"

Harry looked at her, "Come on, Ginny, you know the only reason that the two of them fight all the time is because they like each other."

Ginny nodded, "I knew that, I just didn't know any of you boys had figured it out."

"Ginny, just because your brother is a little slow when it comes to Hermione, doesn't mean that the rest of us are. Hell, I would bet several galleons on the fact that Draco Malfoy knows that the two of them like each other. He just doesn't give a damn."

Ginny giggled even harder, "The only two people who don't know how the other one feels are the two of them."

Harry nodded, "I know, and that's exactly what I plan to change, because I am not living through another year of those two rowing constantly. It's enough to drive anyone batty, and I already have enough mental problems."

Ginny looked puzzled. "Harry, you don't have any mental problems."

Harry raised his eyebrows, "I don't. I share brains with Voldemort. If that's not a mental problem, then I don't know what would qualify."

Ginny giggled even harder, "I guess I see your point."

Harry shook his head, "That's enough about my mental problems, we were discussing relationships, so what's your story?"

Ginny frowned, "What do you mean?"

"The last time I heard you were dating Gryffindor Tower's resident West Ham soccer fan, Mr. Dean Thomas. So, how is that going?"

Ginny blushed, "Oh, well Dean and I broke up a few weeks ago."

"So, who's the lucky guy, now?"

Ginny blushed even harder, "No one, I'm single again."

Harry sighed, "Shocking, I didn't realize there were enough idiots at Hogwart's to even give you a shot at staying single. They must all be stupid or blind. Either that or you're being picky. Which is it?"

This statement only managed to increase Ginny's blush, to which Harry said, "You know, that shade of red really is quite fetching on you, Ginny. I shall have to see if we can't introduce it on a more permanent basis."

At this Ginny fled from the room up the stairs, which occurred at about the same moment that Ron and Hermione walked into the sitting room. Hermione looked expectantly at Harry, while Ron burst out, "What happened?"

Harry grinned, "If I'm not mistaken, I think I embarrassed her. Hermione, would you go check on her, and make sure that I didn't make her mad."

Hermione nodded and followed Ginny's path up the stairs, although at a much slower pace. Ron grinned, "Wizard's chess?"

Harry returned the grin, "Definitely."

When Hermione got to Ginny's room, she heard what almost sounded like laughter. "Ginny, are you O.K.?"

"I'm better than O.K., Hermione. Unless I'm completely losing my mind, Harry was flirting with me. Actually flirting with me."

Hermione smiled, "Well, if he is, it would be about time. He has been somewhat of a prat when it comes to you over the years."

Ginny grinned mischievously, "Oh, like you're one to talk. You and Ron have had crushes on each other for awhile now and neither of you have done anything about it."

Hermione looked scandalized, "I don't like your brother. He makes me so mad. IF he would just study, and put some effort into his studies, then he might be tolerable, but .."

At this Ginny had broken down completely, and laughed at Hermione. "What is so funny, Ginny?"

Ginny continued laughing and managed to choke out, "You, Harry doesn't do his work or study like he should most of the time, but I don't see you having a fit about him the way you do about Ron. Its because you like him, Hermione, and you know it."

Hermione turned beet red, "Well, maybe, but he's still a prat."

Ginny smiled, "I know that, but the only reason he acts that way is because he doesn't know how to tell you that he likes you. Heck, sometimes, I even wonder if he actually knows himself? Harry seems to think that he doesn't realize his feelings."

"What does Harry have to do with anything?"

"Oh, come on, Hermione, when has Harry ever kissed you on the cheek before? He's only doing it to try and make Ron jealous. You should have seen the look on Ron's face when Harry pecked you on the cheek at the table. His face was redder than his hair."

"Really, I didn't think that he would be that obvious. How does Harry know that we like each other anyway."

Ginny really laughed at that, "Are you kidding, Harry told me he figured that even Draco Malfoy knew that the two of you liked each other. He said it has been obvious for a long time to everyone in Gryffindor."

Hermione looked at Ginny in amazement, "Harry said that. He's more perceptive than I thought. I'm going to have to start being more careful about what I say in front of him from now on."

After a couple of very humiliating losses to Ron, Harry decided that he had had enough wizard's chess for the day. "I'm going to go upstairs and see what the girls are up to. I need to check on Hermione anyway."

Ron flushed mildly red, but was cut off from making any kind of retort by a call from the kitchen, "Ron Weasley, get in here this instant," screamed Mrs. Weasley.

Harry grinned cheekily at Ron and said, "See ya later." He then proceeded up the stairs to the girl's room, and stepped to the doorway just as Hermione was telling Ginny she would have to be more careful about what she said in front of Harry. He broke in, "You're also going to have to be considerably more careful of what you say about me when I happen to be lurking in the doorway." Both girls jumped in surprise at his voice coming from the doorway. Harry walked in smiling cheekily, "Surprise."

Ginny stood up, "Harry Potter, that was not funny. You almost gave me a heart attack."

Harry looked at her over the rims of his glasses, "Yes, it was. Also, I would like to know exactly why you need to be more careful about what you say in front of me?"

Ginny smiled, "We were talking about what you and I discussed earlier. Hermione said she didn't realize that you were so perceptive."

"Ginny." moaned Hermione.

Harry raised his eyebrows at Hermione, "Now, Hermione, I couldn't have spent the years I have around you and not learned to pick up on something. Who do you think I am, Ron."

Hermione blushed, "No, of course not, but you usually don't seem to pay attention to things like that."

Harry smiled cryptically and flicked his eyes at Ginny but only Hermione saw it, "Appearances can be deceiving, Hermione."

Hermione smiled impishly back at him, "I can see that."

Harry flushed, "Yeah well, let's just keep that between the two of us for the time being." He stared pointedly at Hermione until she nodded.

Ginny asked, "What did I just miss?"

Harry smiled, "Ask me that question later. I'll think about answering it. Back to the original conversation. I left Ron stewing downstairs."

Ginny grinned mischievously, "Exactly how did you do that?"

"Well, I told him that I was coming upstairs to check on Hermione."

Hermione looked horrified, "You didn't!"

Harry nodded, "I most certainly did. If he doesn't take the hint and react pretty soon, I'm going to go to more drastic measures."

"What do you mean by more drastic measures?" asked Hermione.

Harry shook his head, "I'm going to have to start telling you how beautiful you are, and I might even have to start holding your hand."

Hermione looked scandalized, "Well, you don't have to act like it would kill you to say something nice about me."

Harry laughed, "Mione, I don't mind saying good stuff about you because its true. I just think that its pitiful that I'm going to have to go this far to make that goofball pay attention."

Ginny shrugged, "You don't really have to. You could just talk to him about it."

Harry snorted, "Do you know your brother? If I tried to talk to him about this, he would deny it at the top of his lungs, and then go out of his way to avoid Hermione just to prove a point."

Ginny held up her hands, "Okay, I get the picture. You're right. I just hope that he doesn't end up attacking you or something."

Harry grinned, "If he doesn't, I will be very highly disappointed. Don't worry about it though, I'll be bringing it on myself, so I don't intend to get mad about it. Although, you had better talk him down quickly after he does it. I don't want to have to hurt him."

Hermione snorted, "What makes you think that you could hurt him?"

Harry just smiled mysteriously, "Let's just say that I have been studying quite a bit over the summer. I know a few curses that I don't think that he could handle."

Hermione looked amazed, "You've been studying when you don't have to?"

Harry replied, "In more ways than one."

At that point Ron walked into the room. "So, what's going on in here?"

"Nothing, Ron, we were just talking about studying." replied Harry sunnily.

Hermione spoke up, "So when's dinner?"

Harry laughed, "I thought Ron was usually the one worried about food."

Hermione and Ginny giggled at the look on Ron's face. "I am not always worried about food, Harry."

Harry chortled, "Don't give me that. I'm surprised you don't chew someone's arm off when they pass you the potatoes."

Hermione and Ginny fell over laughing at this joke with Harry not far behind. Even Ron laughed. "Dinner will be about sevenish, so we have a couple of hours."

Harry stood up, "Good, I think that I will go spend a little while meditating."

Hermione shot up from the floor, "Meditating?"

"Yeah, it helps me focus. Dumbledore will be here to discuss some things at dinner this evening, and I intend to be mentally prepared for anything that he needs to tell me. I think there is going to be an Order meeting afterward, and I intend to be a part of it, so I need to think and plan my argument for why I need to be included. I would appreciate it if no one disturbed me until dinner time."

Each of the others nodded as Harry walked out the door, but they also exchanged odd glances that Harry saw. After he had walked from the room Harry grinned wryly to himself and thought I guess I'm going to be the topic of conversation for awhile. Then, he proceeded into his room and settled down onto the bed. Once he had arranged himself into a cross legged position he smiled almost hungrily, "Well, Tom, let's see what you have on your mind this tonight." Next, Harry concentrated on the connection that was maintained between himself and Voldemort. As soon as Harry entered Voldemort's mind, he realized that Voldemort was upset to say the least. Harry deepened his concentration so that he could actually see and hear what was going on. Voldemort was in a small chamber with walls made of stone. There were no windows and only one door. The only other occupant of the room was a Death Eater that was kneeling prostate before the Dark Lord, who was pacing to and fro in obvious agitation.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity to Harry, but was probably only a few seconds, Voldemort spoke, "Bella, I am disappointed. I want to know how the Aurors knew that we were going to attempt to raid the Minister's home. They should have never expected such a move by us."

Bella responded meekly, "My Lord, I fear that you have been betrayed. That is the only way they could have known. There must be a spy among out ranks."

Voldemort mused, "That I believe is obvious, Bella. I want to know who."

Bella replied, "I know, My Lord, and it will only be a matter of time before I discover them. I promise,"

Voldemort smiled evilly, "I know you will not fail me, Bella. However, this blunder shall not go unpunished. Send in Bridges as you leave. Also, convey my pleasure to your husband for his successful raid on Azkaban. As soon as he arrives, have Lucius come to me. You may go."

Bella rose, "Yes, My Lord."

Once she had left the room, another Death Eater stepped in and was immediately subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. Harry could see him thrashing on the ground and hear his screaming. However, even over that he could hear Voldemort's maniacal laughter. So, Harry relaxed the connection and busied himself rummaging through Voldemort's memories and knowledge for useful spells and techniques. Even after having a month of practice of sorting through Voldemort's mind it still amazed Harry that when he learned something through the connection it was as if he had learned it in class and spent a thousand hours practicing the spell. Everything that he gained through the connection was simple for him to perform. He had discovered a way to mask his magical signature early on, and had actually been able to practice spells in his room at Privet Drive. Harry smiled with the knowledge that he would have a few surprises for any of the Death Eaters that confronted him this year. He had learned to Apparate and was actually quite proficient at it. He had also learned many useful spells that were going to be a lot of fun springing on the teachers this year.

It was almost time for dinner, and Ginny decided to go upstairs and see if Harry realized what time it was. Ron and Hermione were sitting on the couch talking. They were starting to bore her. Hermione had broken down and told Ron that she liked him just to keep Harry from doing anything too drastic to make Ron wise up. Ron had been sitting there looking stupid ever since. As Ginny walked into Ron and Harry's room, she saw something that she never expected to see. Harry was hovering several inches above his bedspread with his legs crossed. Ginny rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. She wasn't. "Harry?" she squeaked. Within a second Harry had sprang from the bed and had his wand out pointed at her. When he saw who it was he smiled and said, "Hi, Ginny."

"You were floating!"

Harry smirked, "Yeah, I know."

Ginny spread her hands, "So, are you going to tell me how you were floating?"

"Not right now. Ask me again later and maybe I'll explain it. Right now, I'm starved and I can smell your mother's meatloaf. So, let's go to dinner."

"Harry James Potter, why do you keep telling me to ask you later?"

Harry smiled, "Why not? It gives me an excuse to talk to you later."

Ginny looked at him oddly, "Harry, you don't need an excuse to talk to me. All you have to do is say hi."

Harry nodded, "I know. I just enjoy making excuses to talk to you. Now let's go to dinner." Harry walked out the door and then realized that Ginny didn't follow him. So, he turned around and stuck his head back in the door. "Are you coming?" he asked as he held out his hand to her. That was all it took as she grabbed his hand and the two of them made their way down the stairs to the kitchen.