Chapter 4:

Time at Grimmauld Place

The next morning Harry awoke refreshed and ready for another day. He looked over to see Ron still asleep in his bed. He quickly got up and went for the shower. Once he finished he got dressed and headed down to breakfast.

"Good morning, Harry, dear." greeted Mrs. Weasley as he walked into the kitchen. Hermione was in the kitchen, but when she looked up and saw Harry, she got up and walked out without speaking. Harry sighed. "What's the matter, Harry?"

"Ron and Hermione are mad at me because I won't tell them what happened in the Order meeting last night."

Mrs. Weasley whirled around to look at Harry, "You didn't tell them."

"No, Molly, I didn't. I'm going to eventually, but I'm just not ready for them to know what the Prophecy says. I can't tell them what's going on with the Order without telling them the details of the Prophecy. I know what their reactions are going to be. I'm just not ready to face that, yet." Harry replied.

Molly smiled at him, "I understand, and they will too, eventually." She put a plate of eggs and sausage in front of him, "Happy birthday, Harry."

Harry snorted, "I can't believe I forgot my own birthday."

Ginny walked in, "Happy birthday, Harry."

Harry looked up smiling, "Thank you, Ginny."

Ginny sat down beside Harry after grabbing a plate, and began to eat. Then, Ron walked into the kitchen and grabbed food. He then turned around and walked out to go eat with Hermione. Harry shook his head, "This is going to be a long summer."

Ginny patted him on the shoulder, again, "Don't worry, they won't stay mad at you forever."

Molly broke in, "Ginny's right, dear, they will come around."

Harry nodded, "I know, but I think I'm going to go up to my room, and meditate some more. I'll see you at lunch."

After Harry had left the room, Ginny turned to her mother, "Mum, why does everything have to happen to him? Why can't he just relax and be normal?"

Mrs. Weasley shook her head sadly, "I don't know, dear, but I do know that he is the bravest young man I have ever known."

Harry walked into his room upstairs, and locked the door behind him. "Okay, Voldemort, let's see what I can dig out of your mind this morning." Harry sat on his bed and arranged his legs and began to focus. He entered Voldemort's mind fluidly and easily. While maneuvering his way through Voldemort's subconscious he came across something that he had never seen before. Voldemort's Animagus form. He concentrated on the form, and discovered that Voldemort was a raven. A little more digging and Harry uncovered the training to become an Animagus. He began the equivalent of downloading the information into his brain.

Suddenly, there was a knocking on his door. Harry shook himself from the connection. "Who is it?"

"Harry, its Ginny. Did you know that it was lunchtime?" Harry glanced at the clock beside his bed and noticed that it was after noon. He jumped up to go and open the door.

"Hi, sorry, I must have zoned out in there. Let's go eat."

Ginny smiled, "Okay, but can I talk to you later?"

Harry smiled, "Of course. I always have time to talk to you."

Ginny blushed scarlet and led the way down to the kitchen.

When the two of them entered, Ron and Hermione got up and left. Ginny acted like she was about to say something to them, but Harry placed a hand on her arm and shook his head. "Anything that you say to them, will just make the situation worse. It's best just to leave them be for awhile." Harry grinned mischievously, "In fact, its probably a good thing that they aren't talking to me."

Ginny looked at him in amazement, "How can you say that?"

"If neither of them can come to me to complain about the other one then they have to talk to each other. If they finally stop bickering and start going out, any loneliness I go through will have been worth it."

"I'm not going to let you be lonely, Harry." Ginny said.

Harry grinned in reply, "I know, but its not the same. I like talking to you, Ginny, but Ron and Hermione have been close to me for a lot longer. I'm more comfortable around them than I am you. Although, I have a feeling that sentiment is going to change."

Ginny blushed, "Well, I…" She stopped when Harry placed a finger on her lips. Then, he bolted for the door to see Arthur and Remus help a limping Bill into the foyer.

"What happened?" asked Harry.

"The Death Eaters attacked the Minister's home again. We were sent by Dumbledore to check on the aftermath. One of the Death Eaters that we thought was stunned jumped up and hit Bill with a curse. He's okay, but the medi-witch said that he would be limping for a day or so." answered Lupin as he and Arthur helped Bill to the couch. By this time the rest of the household had ran into the sitting room.

"Were there any casualties?" asked Harry.

Lupin nodded as Molly began to fuss over Bill, "One Auror died, and Mad-Eye ended up in St. Mungo's with broken ribs."

"He's going to be okay, isn't he?"

Arthur replied, "Yes, Harry, Alastor is going to be just fine."

"Which Auror died?" persisted Harry.

"Bingins." replied Lupin. "I don't believe that you have ever met him."

Harry shook his head mutely in reply. "I think I'm going to go upstairs to my room. Call me if anyone needs me." Then, Harry raced up the stairs and locked himself in his room. "Now, to see if I can pull off this transformation. Harry pulled out his wand and sealed the door so that it would take magic to open it. Then, he began the exercises of altering parts of his body. He extended his fingers and then reverted them. He changed the shape of his head. Then, he lengthened his arms. Next, he altered the length and shape of his legs. "Alright, now to try the total transformation." Harry said aloud to himself. "I just need to picture the animal that I wish to transform into and then will myself into that form." Harry summoned a full-length mirror and leaned it against the wall. He stood in front of it, and willed himself to be a black panther. He began by picturing himself in his minds eye as the panther. Then, he closed his eyes and focused on the form. As it became sharper and more defined in his mind, he could feel himself changing more and more rapidly. After a couple of minutes, he opened his eyes to see a black panther staring from the mirror back at him. Next, he pictured himself as a human again and transformed back. "I wonder if I can do more than one form. I guess that its worth a shot." mused Harry aloud. So, next he pictured himself as a golden Phoenix. This seemed much more difficult than the first one. So, he poured all of his concentration into achieving the form. It took him nearly ten minutes to accomplish the feat, but when he opened his eyes there was a golden phoenix staring back at him. He spread his wings and took a once around the room. Then, he reverted to his human state. "Whew, that was tiring. I guess I need to try the panther, again and see if I can still do it." So, he attempted the transformation to the black panther, again. It was much easier to do this time and he had the transformation completed in less than a minute. He reverted to his natural form, and almost fell onto the bed in exhaustion. "I guess I had better rest for awhile. That really takes a lot out of you."

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door. He quickly removed the locking spell, and said, "Come in."

Ginny entered the room almost hesitantly, "Harry, you said that we could talk later, and I was hoping now would be a good time."

Harry smiled widely, "Of course, come on in, Ginny."

"Harry, you told me earlier to ask you some questions later, and that you would answer them." Ginny began before Harry stopped her.

"I believe that you are twisting my words, Miss Weasley. I told you that I might answer them. I never promised anything. So, let's see what your questions are?" replied Harry.

Ginny sighed in exasperation, "When you told Hermione that appearances could be deceiving earlier, you told her to keep something between the two of you. What were you talking about?"

Harry shook his head, "I will answer that question one day, but that day is not today. Next question."

Ginny huffed, "Well, then, how were you floating?"

"I don't know exactly how I was doing it, but I do know why. So, if you're interested then sit down and prepare for a story." Ginny proceeded to sit down in one of the two chairs in the room, but Harry shook his head, "You don't have to sit all the way over there." He lay on one side of the bed and then patted his hand on the other. Ginny blushed profusely, but came over and sat on the bed. "I'm not sure how to start, but you have to promise that this doesn't go any farther than this room. You can't even tell Hermione and Ron yet." Ginny nodded for him to continue. "I can tap into Voldemort's mind."

Ginny looked bewildered, "What do you mean?"

Harry ran his hand through his hair, "I can see what he sees, hear what he hears. I can even page through his thoughts and memories as if they were a book to read off of the shelf."

Ginny looked at him in amazement, "Are you serious?"

Harry nodded, "Very serious. That's what I was doing when you walked in on me the other day. I don't understand why yet, but when I enter Voldemort's mind I float."

"Weird."

"How do you think I feel. I'm the one with a line to the inner workings of the most evil man currently alive." said Harry.

Ginny smiled, "At least you will know how he thinks, so you can tell the Order how to fight him."

Later that night, Remus, Molly, Bill, and Ginny gave Harry a small birthday party that Ron and Hermione refused to come to. They both stayed upstairs.

Molly put her hands on her hips, "I'm going up there and give those two a piece of my mind."

Harry caught her arm and shook his head, "Let them be. They will get over this in their own time. Besides its their loss. They're missing an awesome cake."

All of them laughed. The night ended merrily for the five, and Harry went to bed later that night, perfectly content.

The next two weeks at Grimmauld Place settled themselves into a nice routine. Harry would go down to breakfast in the morning, eat and then be given some chore to be done for the day. Most often Ginny helped him with his chore and then he would help her with hers. Ron and Hermione did much the same, but continued to avoid Harry like the plague. There was another Order meeting that Harry attended, but nothing of consequence was discussed except for the security arrangements for when Harry and the others finally went to Diagon Alley.

Finally one morning, Hedwig arrived with the morning post and the students Hogwart's letters were included. Harry opened his and found the standard letter from Professor McGonagall in the standard green ink. However, it was a bit longer than usual, and their were two more sheets of paper included.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Enclosed is the list of books for each possible subject that you may take at the N.E.W.T. level. Also enclosed is a class list. As a sixth year you must pick which classes that you wish to continue. We must receive your return owl no later than August the 25th.

Note that you are to catch the Hogwart's Express on September 1st.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry pulled out his letter to mark down that he wanted to continue with Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology. While he heard this he heard a squeak from his left. He looked over and saw Ginny holding a shiny Prefect badge in the Gryffindor colors. Harry smiled widely, "That's great, Ginny."

Mrs. Weasley turned around and asked, "What's great?"

Harry reached out and grabbed Ginny by the wrist and turned her arm to where Mrs. Weasley could see what she was holding in her hand. Mrs. Weasley leaped onto her daughter and buried her in a hug, "Ginny, that's wonderful. I'm so proud. My baby is a prefect."

Just then, Hermione and Ron came into the room. Ron asked, "Who's a prefect?" Ginny mutely held up her badge.

Hermione squealed, "Ginny, that's great. I'm so happy for you."

Ron smiled, "Great job, sis. Now, you can join me and Hermione in the prefect's carriage."

Mrs. Weasley beamed down at her daughter, "So, what present do you want when we go to Diagon Alley tomorrow."

"Can I have an owl, Mum. I want a snowy one like Harry's." It was at this moment that Ginny noticed that Harry had slipped from the room unnoticed. "Where did Harry go?" she asked.

Ron snorted, "Who cares?"

Ginny jumped and slapped Ron across the face hard, "You should. I thought he was your friend. Although, I don't know why he would want you around. All you are is a giant prat." Then, Ginny ran up the stairs to find Harry sitting on his bed. "Harry, why did you leave?"

Harry smiled, "In case you haven't noticed, Ron and Hermione don't stay in a room where I'm present for more than a few seconds. They were congratulating you on making prefect, so I beat a hasty retreat."

"You didn't have to leave."

Harry smiled, "Yes, I did. Did I tell you how proud of you I was?"

Ginny shook her head, "No."

"Then, I should be ashamed of myself. Ginny, I'm very proud of you. You earned it."

"Harry, I… thank you."

Harry smiled, "You're welcome. Do you play chess?"

Ginny did a double-take at the change of subject, but nodded.

"Good, do you want to play with me? I haven't had a game in a while, and I would like to play."

Ginny grinned, "I would love to play with you."

Harry then suffered three humiliating defeats in a row from the youngest Weasley. Finally, he said, "I give up. Have mercy. What is it with you Weasleys and chess?"

Ginny smiled impishly, "It's a gift."

"I can tell. I've never won a game against Ron, and I don't see that I would ever have a prayer at beating you either."

Ginny shook her head and said, "No, probably not."

Harry pointed a finger at Ginny, "You had better watch yourself, Ginny, or I'll transform and eat you."

Ginny raised her eyebrow, "Transform?"

Harry clapped a hand over his mouth in surprise. Then, he said, "Did I really just say that?"

Ginny nodded, "Spill. What do you mean transform?"

Harry stood up and closed the door. "At this rate, you're going to know all of my secrets. This one is really big. The Order doesn't even know about this, yet. I'm an unregistered Animagus."

Ginny looked at Harry as if he were crazy, "Do you really expect me to believe that, Harry?"

In response to her question, Harry changed into the black panther, and then quickly back into human form so that he could cover Ginny's mouth to keep her from screaming.

When Ginny indicated that she wasn't going to scream anymore, Harry let go of her mouth. "You were serious."

Harry nodded, "I told you. Remember, though, that one is the mother lode secret. I haven't even told Dumbledore, yet."

"Why not?"

Harry shrugged, "I'm just waiting for the right time."

Ginny said, "I'm going to go to my room for awhile. This was kind of a lot to take in."

Harry opened the door, "I'll talk to you later then."

Ginny walked out of the room and then within thirty seconds she was back. Harry looked up from where he had sat on the bed, "That didn't take long."

Ginny shook her head as if she were trying to dispel a particularly disgusting image from her brain. "I just saw Ron and Hermione snogging."

Harry jumped up, "Yes, its about time."

"How can you be so happy about the fact that they are kissing?"

"Well, now that the two of them are together, I can chase the girl that I want without feeling guilty." supplied Harry.

Ginny put her hands on her hips, "So, who is this girl you want to chase? Do I know her?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that you do."

Ginny motioned with her hands, "So are you going to tell me?"

Harry shook his head, "Ask me again sometimes. Maybe I'll tell you."

Ginny just stomped her feet and whirled around and swept from the room. Harry smiled to himself, "She's good at that."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews.

Vampire Story Hunter: I have the plot structure for this one planned and it would be pretty well impossible to work a character like that in. However, I am planning a seventh year fic as well, and it could work there. Keep the suggestions coming.

Lady M.E.L: I will be updating at least once a week. Hopefully, twice a week, but we'll see.