Chapter 5:

Diagon Alley

The next day dawned bright and sunny. Unfortunately for Harry, nothing else about the morning was any good. He went downstairs for breakfast to be greeted by Remus, Tonks, and Sturgis Podmore, who he knew were assigned as his guards for the day. Mrs. Weasley sat a plate down in front of him and smiled cheerily, "Morning, Harry." However, the three other teenagers in the room refused to look at him. After breakfast, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron went upstairs to get ready, but Harry hung back to talk to the adults. He fidgeted for a moment before Tonks said, "So, why aren't the others talking to you?"

Harry scratched his head, "Well, Ron and Hermione aren't talking to me because I won't tell them what goes on in the Order meetings. They haven't spoken to me since the day before my birthday."

Lupin nodded, "We knew that, Harry, but Ginny has been hanging around you quite a bit the past couple of weeks." His lips quivered in an almost smile that all of the adults shared.

Harry coughed, "Yeah, well, I kind of made her mad yesterday."

Mrs. Weasley looked at him kindly, "What did you do?"

Harry squirmed uncomfortably, "Well, Ginny caught Ron and Hermione kissing yesterday." All of the adults exchanged smiles at this. "Ginny came and told me about it. So, I sort of did a victory dance. So, she asked me why I was happy about it, and I told her that now that Ron and Hermione were together that I didn't have to feel guilty about chasing the girl that I wanted to date."

Tonks put her head in her hands, "Oh, Harry, you didn't."

Harry looked confused, "Didn't what?"

Tonks shook her head, "Harry, you never tell a girl that likes you that you're planning on chasing another girl."

"I didn't."

Remus looked at him, "You just told us that you did."

"No, I didn't."

Tonks sighed, "Yes, Harry, you did. You told her that you were going to chase another girl."

Harry shook his head stubbornly, "No, I didn't, because I was talking about her."

Tonks started to contradict him again, "What?!"

Harry blushed as Tonks, Remus, and Molly crowded closer to him. Molly leaned over the table, "What does that mean?"

Harry flushed even redder, "It means that I want to date your daughter, Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley smiled, "I told you to call me Molly, dear. I have only one thing to say about the idea of you dating my daughter, though." Harry cringed as though he expected her to tell him to stay away from Ginny. "It's about time."

Harry gaped, "What?"

Molly smiled, "I have been waiting and hoping that you would finally notice her one of these days. She has had a crush on you for so long. What finally changed your mind?"

"Nothing changed my mind. I have never gotten to know her. It's hard to know whether or not you like someone when you can't have a conversation with them that contains more than six words." Harry replied.

Tonks looked at Harry, "Why couldn't you have more of a conversation with her."

Harry snorted, "Six words is basically as far as I could ever get before she would either do something clumsy, which would embarrass her and she would take off or someone around would say something to embarrass her and she would take off. It's really hard to get an idea of what someone's like when all you ever see of them is their back and flying hair as they flee from the room."

By this point all of the adults were laughing wildly at Harry, who stood up and went to get ready for the day.

Tonks looked at Molly, "I knew she liked him, but I didn't realize she had it that bad."

Molly shook her head smiling, "It was worse. After the first day she saw him at the train station, she spent the entire next year talking about nothing else. She was smitten from day one."

Lupin grinned, "Well, from what I see, young Harry is just as smitten. Its not as if there was ever any doubt that he would fall for her eventually."

Tonks looked over at him, "What does that mean?"

Lupin smiled even wider, "Well, Lily was a red-head."

"So."

"Every male Potter for the last five generations has married a red-head. Harry didn't have a chance. It's in his blood."

Molly looked sharply at Lupin, "Does Harry know that?"

Lupin shook his head, "Not a clue. I promise I'll tell him when he puts a ring on her finger."

Molly harrumphed, "Well, I'm sure that will be some time away."

Lupin really grinned then, "I wouldn't be too sure of that, Molly. James was in his seventh year when he proposed to Lily. One more year to go."

The four adults heard footsteps on the stairs, so they broke off the conversation. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came into the room together. A few minutes later Harry came in. Mrs. Weasley hurried over. "Alright, everyone grab a pinch of Floo Powder. Remus, you first. Tonks. Sturgis. Harry. Ron. Hermione. Ginny."

Each person called out Diagon Alley and leaped into the flames. They came out in the Leaky Cauldron. Mrs. Weasley came out last and began brushing the soot off of everyone with her brush. "Let's go then. Everyone stay together. We're going to go to Gringott's first."

When they arrived at Gringott's, Lupin, Molly, and Harry went down to the vaults. Mrs. Weasley got money from the Weasley vault. Harry scraped a sack full of galleons and sickles into a pouch for himself. Then, they were back to the lobby, and out into Diagon Alley. They went to the Apothecary for Ginny, Hermione, and Harry to restock potion ingredients. Mrs. Weasley spoke up, "We're going to stop by the twins' shop next. We'll get your books at Flourish and Blott's after that. We'll go to get your owl last, Ginny dear."

Ginny smiled, "Okay, mum."

The group filed into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Harry immediately noticed that there were a lot of young people crowding the store. It was easy to see why. The shelves were covered with different types of candies that produced a myriad of effects. The twins were obviously working overtime coming up with new inventions. Harry slouched against a wall, while the Weasley family spoke to the two practical jokesters. After a few minutes the rest of the family began wandering around the store to look at different things, and the twins came over to Harry. "What's the matter, mate?" asked Fred.

Harry shrugged, "Ginny, Ron, and Hermione aren't talking to me."

"Why not?" asked George.

"Well, Ron and Hermione haven't spoken to me since I joined the Order and refused to tell them anything that was going on. Ginny got mad at me last night, because she thinks that I like some other girl." answered Harry.

Fred and George exchanged glances and then smiled at Harry, "Don't worry, mate. Ginny won't stay mad at you for long." said George.

"Yeah," Fred nodded, "she's liked you for entirely too long to stop talking to you. I wouldn't be surprised if she started talking to you before the day is out."

George clapped Harry on the back, "Yeah, buck up. Our little Ginny has got a temper as fiery as mum's, but she's really soft-hearted. She'll forgive you for liking another girl."

Harry protested, "I don't like another girl, though. It was all a misunderstanding. I was talking about her.." Harry broke off as he realized what he had just said.

Fred and George both grinned widely, "Don't worry, Harry. Your secrets safe with us. We just wanted to know for ourselves. You better take care of her."

Harry nodded, "You don't have to worry about that. Ginny can take care of herself just fine, but if she ever needs some help, I'm going to be right there beside her."

Molly Weasley walked over, "Harry, it's time to go to the bookshop now." Harry nodded and waved good-bye to the twins. He followed Molly, and the rest of the group to Flourish and Blott's to buy their books.

As they exited Flourish and Blott's there was a distinctive pop that signaled the Apparition of a wizard or witch. Suddenly there was a scream as someone noticed the six Death Eaters. Sturgis went for his wand and was immediately stunned. Two other Death Eaters had their wands leveled at Lupin and Tonks while three more covered Molly, Hermione, and Ron. The sixth grabbed Ginny by the arm and held their wand at Ginny's throat almost like a knife.

The one holding Ginny spoke, "Where is Potter?" It was immediately obvious that this Death Eater was female. Everyone looked around as they realized that Harry wasn't with them. The woman tightened her grip on Ginny and repeated loudly, "Where is Potter?"

"Calm down, Bellatrix. I'm right here." The Death Eaters turned to see Harry standing in the street with his wand drawn.

Bellatrix laughed, "So, are you prepared to fight for the little girl, Potter?"

"I killed your half-breed boss' Basilisk four years ago because he threatened Ginny. The question isn't whether I'm willing to fight for her, but if you are willing to die to attack her?"

A Death Eater to the left of Bellatrix snorted. "Still trying to play the hero, Potter?"

Harry smiled, "Lucius, I was wondering when you were going to come out and play."

Lucius took a step forward but one of the other Death Eaters said, "Remember what we are here for."

Lucius stopped himself, "Of course, of course. Here are the terms, Potter. You come with us willingly, and we let the girl go and leave without killing anyone."

Harry interrupted him, "I have a better idea. You let Ginny go, and I decide not to kill everyone of you right here and now."

Bellatrix laughed shrilly, "Potter, you have gotten bold. We can Disapparate from here with the girl and there would be nothing you could do about it."

Harry raised his eyebrows, "Really, I would like to see you try that considering you are all bound by a Disapparation Jinx."

Lucius boomed laughter at that, "You expect us to believe that you can cast that spell, Potter? My what fantasy."

Harry smiled knowingly, "Try it and find out."

Lucius attempted to Disapparate and discovered that he could not leave the Alley. "He's right, we are bound."

Bellatrix turned her masked face towards him. "No matter. Potter, you will remove the jinx and come with us or I will kill the girl."

"I don't think so, Bella. You won't kill her."

Bellatrix laughed evilly, "Oh, Potter, I assure you that I will."

Harry shook his head, "No, you won't. In case you haven't noticed there are Aurors all over the place. The only thing keeping them from attacking at this very moment is the fact that you are holding Ginny. The second you remove the hostage, I'm afraid its back to jail. So, as I said, you won't kill her."

"Perhaps you are right, Potter. We shall see how she handles the Cruciatus Curse, however." Bellatrix proceeded to flick her wand up to cast the Cruciatus Curse on Ginny. In the split second that the wand was not pointed at Ginny, Harry acted. Two spells rang out from the two wands that he had. One in each hand. From his right hand came the first, "Accio Ginny." From his left came the second spell, "Expelliarmus." Two things happened immediately. Ginny was ripped from Bellatrix's grasp and Bella's wand went flying. A moment after Ginny was away from Bellatrix, a dozen stunners caught the six Death Eaters, and sent them to the ground.

Harry hugged Ginny to him, "Are you O.K."

Ginny began crying onto Harry's shoulder, "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry I didn't talk to you this morning. I was so mean."

Harry was patting her on the back, "It's okay, It's okay. You're alright now. Don't worry."

Mad-Eye walked up to Harry as the other Aurors were binding and enervating the Death Eaters. "I'm impressed, Potter. Where did you get the second wand?"

Harry smiled, "Sturgis." and handed the wand over.

Moody laughed, "Well, good job. We landed six Death Eaters today."

Harry shook his head, "We need to let one of them go."

Everyone around him screamed, "What?!!"

"I'm serious. I need a messenger to go back to Voldemort. This is the best I'm going to get."

Moody nodded, "Alright, Potter. Which one do you want to let go?"

Harry replied immediately, "Lucius. Except for Bellatrix, he's the highest ranking Death Eater. I wouldn't let that bitch go if my life depended on it."

Everyone looked to be in shock, both from Harry's request and his use of language regarding Bellatrix Lestrange. Harry pulled Ginny's arms away from his neck and pushed her gently towards her mother. "Sorry, I've got to go work."

Moody and Harry walked over to where Dawlish was putting the Body Bind on Lucius to prepare him for transport to the Ministry. "Hold it, Dawlish, we're going to let this one go."

Dawlish looked at Moody as if he had lost his mind, "What?"

"You heard me. Potter needs to send a message to the Dark Lord. He needs an errand boy. We figure that kind of job is right up Malfoy's alley." replied Moody.

"The Minister will not approve of this."

Harry stepped forward, "Well, considering all the hell he put me through with trying to get me kicked out of school last year, he owes me a few. He'll get over it. If he doesn't, he can take it up with the business end of my wand. "Finite Incantato." Now, Lucius, you're going to be a good little boy and take a message back to Tom for me."

Lucius gritted his teeth, "You can go to hell, Potter."

Harry smiled, "You have a choice, Malfoy. You can take the message to Voldemort, or you can go into custody with the Aurors. Your choice."

"Fine, Potter, what am I to tell the Dark Lord."

"First, tell him that I know the contents of the Prophecy. All of it. Tell him that I know he's going to die. Tell him that I know how to kill him. Tell him that he and I have a date with destiny that will come soon. Tell him to be afraid, very afraid. Now, go."

Lucius disappeared as quickly as he was given leave to go.

Mad-Eye swung around to look at Potter, "What the hell was that about? Are you crazy?"

"No, when the Order meets again, I'll explain what I just did." replied Harry.

"That will be tonight. As soon as Dumbledore finds out about this he's going to be livid." muttered Moody.

Harry smiled and shook his head, "You may be right, but I would be willing to bet money that before the night is out, that Dumbledore will think what I just did is one of the funniest things he has ever heard."

Ron and Hermione both came running over to Harry. "Are you crazy, Harry?" shrieked Hermione with tears in her eyes.

Ron was extremely pale, "She's right, Harry, you could have gotten yourself killed."

Harry snorted, "So, now you're talking to me. I'm going to check on Ginny." Harry then walked back over to where Mrs. Weasley was holding Ginny. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Ginny, are you okay?"

Ginny turned from Mrs. Weasley arms to fling herself at Harry, "I'm so glad you're alright, Harry."

Harry smiled as he wrapped his arms around Ginny. "I'm fine, Ginny, and I am so glad that you weren't hurt."

Mrs. Weasley enveloped both of them in a hug, "Thank you so much, Harry. You saved her again. You brought my baby back to me."

Ron and Hermione looked on in horror as they realized what they had done. Then, they hugged and began to cry.

Harry shook Ginny very gently, "Ginny, come on. Look at me." Ginny looked up at Harry with a tear streaked face, and Harry smiled, "Everyone's okay. No one got hurt. I think its time to go and pick out your owl."

Ginny almost jumped in surprise at the ordinary statement and smiled broadly up at Harry, "Let's go." Then, they walked in to Eyelop's Owl Emporium hand in hand.

Later, that afternoon after they returned to Grimmauld Place, and Ginny had settled her new snowy owl in his cage, Dumbledore entered the kitchen. He looked sharply at Harry, "We need to talk. Miss Weasley, I must ask you to leave us alone."

"Yes, professor." She patted Harry on the shoulder as she left the room. Arthur and Molly walked in and closed the door behind Ginny. Then, the three adults sat down at the table.

"Harry, I must ask why you did this?" he sounded almost disappointed.

Harry replied, "Who else is coming?"

Dumbledore replied, "Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, and Alastor will be here momentarily."

"We'll wait for them, then. I have no desire to have this conversation more than once. Besides, I have a bet with Moody on your reaction, sir."

Dumbledore's eyes widened, "This is serious, Harry. You let a known Death Eater go free this afternoon to send an insult to Voldemort."

Harry smiled, "My reason for letting Lucius go was hardly that trivial, but I will explain in a moment, and I daresay that you will agree with me."

Dumbledore merely nodded his head, "We shall see."

A few minutes later all of the others were assembled around the table to listen to Harry.

Lupin spoke first, "Alright, Harry, why did you let Lucius go?"

Harry snorted, "Well, that was direct. I know what all of you are thinking. I decided I wanted to send Voldemort an insult. I was being childish. I should have known better. In fact most of you are probably thinking right now that it was a mistake to let a kid into the Order of the Phoenix."

All of the adults exchanged glances and it was readily apparent that Harry had hit the nail on the head.

Harry snorted again, "Well, you're all wrong. Tell me, Remus. What did Voldemort spend all of last year trying to get?"

Lupin shrugged, "The Prophecy. You already knew that, Harry."

"I did. Now, Tonks, can you tell me why he wanted it so badly?"

Tonks looked puzzled, "He wanted to know how to kill you."

Harry smiled, "Exactly."

Kingsley entered the conversation then, "So what does that mean or prove?"

"Well, you have all heard the Prophecy. Does it tell Voldemort how to kill me?" All of the adults shook their head. "However, Voldemort believes that the Prophecy would tell him this. If he believes that, doesn't it follow that he would believe that the Prophecy also holds the key to his death?"

Lupin nodded, "It would follow the logic of the argument. But, Harry, the Prophecy doesn't tell you how to beat Voldemort."

Harry smiled even wider, "I know that. He doesn't."

The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes began to sparkle again as he looked at the boy, no young man in front of him. Alastor broke in, "So, you sent that message with Lucius to make Voldemort think you know how to kill him. How does that help us?"

"It doesn't really. At least not yet. All the message accomplished was to piss him off. I'll get to that later. You, however, Moody, get to answer the next question. What is Voldemort's greatest weapon?"

"People are afraid of him. That has always been the dark side's greatest advantage."

"Exactly. I just took that weapon away from him. If we had merely sent the Death Eaters to the Ministry under custody, Voldemort would have known that he lost today. He would have simply assumed that he had been betrayed from within, and guessed that the Aurors were waiting for the Death Eaters. However, by sending Malfoy back to let him know what really happened.."

"You let him know how badly and easily that the Death Eaters were beaten. Which lends credibility to the message that you sent." finished Lupin.

Harry nodded, "So, the more powerful I appear to be, the less likely Voldemort is to attack for fear of exposing himself to me. He's going to set up another attack as soon as possible. My guess is when we get on the train to King's Cross. As long as I make it through that fight unscathed, the plan will work beautifully. Voldemort will think that I have both the knowledge and power to destroy him. It will make him play the game carefully. So, basically what I just did, ladies and gentlemen is to buy us time. I don't know how much, but its more than we would have otherwise."

Dumbledore laughed out loud, "Harry, exactly when did you become so diabolically clever?"

Harry grinned mischievously, "Professor, I am the son and godson of Marauders. Also, I have been on the receiving end of several of Voldemort's diabolical schemes. You don't stay on the bad end of them as many times as I have and not pick up a trick or two. Moody, I believe I won the bet. I told you he would laugh before the meeting was over."

Moody growled, "That you did, Potter. I believe I'm going to have to change my opinion of you." Then, he flipped a Galleon to Harry.

Lupin let his head sink into his hands, "I can't believe this. We've created a monster." He turned to Arthur and Molly, "Are you sure that you want to let your daughter date him." he said as he pointed at Harry.

Arthur turned sharply as Molly smiled, "What's this about Harry dating Ginny? No one has asked me yet."

Harry flushed scarlet, "Well, see, I, Er, I told your wife that I wanted to."

Arthur shook his head, "You were supposed to ask my permission."

"I haven't started dating her. I haven't even asked her out." Harry protested.

"You were planning on doing it, though weren't you?" asked Arthur accusingly.

Harry looked left and right as if he didn't know what to say or do, "I, uh, I need to go to my room. As long as their isn't anymore Order business. I'm going to go."

Molly Weasley's voice rang out, "Harry James Potter, get back over here. Now, Arthur." she said sternly. "Stop torturing the poor boy."

Arthur smiled, "Harry, you have my permission to date Ginny."

Harry looked up, "Really." Then, his look changed to one of terror. "Now I have to figure out how to ask her out. Oh, brother."

Alastor Moody cackled, "This is amazing. He can match wits with the Dark Lord, but he's afraid of asking out a girl."

Harry shook his head emphatically, "It's a lot harder to deal with girls than it is Voldemort. At least when I make him mad I can throw a curse at him. If the girl is mad at you, it's a whole different game. Being on the bad side of the Weasley temper isn't something that I would wish on anyone." Harry stated.

The adults burst out laughing at him once again.

A/N: I have forgotten to put a disclaimer on my previous chapters. So, here it is. Everyone knows that Rowling owns Harry Potter. The rest of us just like to borrow him from time to time.

To Cookies With Khleo, pegoheart144, voxenking, Bob33, and Harry potter luva14: Thanks for the reviews, I hope you enjoy Chapter 5.

Vampire Story Hunter: I'll talk to you some more about the character once I get that far. Enjoy.