CHAPTER 4
UNITED WE STAND
(A.N - I'm really sorry but I totally messed up with their ages in this story, for the record they are all seventeen in this story already. Please understand, it is very confusing for me, especially in the state I am in now!! So for the record they are all seventeen and allowed to do magic out of school.)
A golden chink of light passed up over Harry's feet, rising higher and higher, until finally it passed over his head and he was left standing in the Atrium at the Ministry of Magic, with Ron and Hermione standing beside him. It was the day of their apparition test and they had come to the Ministry of Magic, ready to be tested with the rest of their year at Hogwarts.
The golden fountain that stood in front of Harry now, had been magically repaired and restored, after being destroyed protecting him from Voldemort in his fifth year. He looked up into the face of the handsome wizard and distinctly heard Hermione tutting with disapproval at the house elves expression, of almost worship to the wizrd and the beautiful witch.
They crossed the Atrium purposefully and submitted their wands for checking by the security guard, and walked over to the lift, that they would need to take to Level Six. They stepped into the lift, and the grilles slid shut slowly, and they began their ascent. The cool female voice that Harry had heard on the day of his trial spoke out again, 'Level Six, Department of Magical Transportation, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office and Apparition Test Centre.'
''This is us then.'' Hermione said as the grilles slid back, to allow them to exit the lift and for five paper aeroplanes to zoom into the lift behind them.
They walked along the brightly lit corridor of level six and followed the directions to the Apparition Test Centre, when they finally reached their destination, they were met with almost everybody in their year at Hogwarts, they were all standing around nervously outside a large white door, that was locked. Hermione saw Neville Longbottom and called him over to join them, as he was standing alone, nervously muttering to himself, and fidgeting.
''Hiya Neville.'' Ron said cheerfully, but it was all an act, deep down inside his insides were writhing, and the nervous feeling that had set his stomach doing backflips wouldn't go away. ''How've your holidays been so far?''
''They've been good, thanks.'' Neville replied nervously looking round him, and Harry had a funny feeling that his nervousness was not all due to the fact he would be having and apparition test soon. Harry suspected that Neville's apprehensiveness, and the way he kept looking over his shouder had more to do with the fact that the last time he had been at the Ministry of Magic, he had been tortured by the very same Death Eater that had tortured both of his parents to insanity, and the way he was looking around timidly told Harry that he was afraid that she would show up again, with her long black hair and her sunken features and start screaming curses at him again, in her banshee like voice. Harry shudddered at the thought. ''Luna's been around to meet my grandmother.'' he said proudly.
''Really, well.....that's great.'' Hermione said uncertainly. ''What does your gran think of her?''
''She says she's a nice girl.'' Neville answered happily.
''That's great Neville.'' Harry said honestly, but he couldn't continue as just then a stern looking witch and an old wizard appeared in front of them all with a soft pop and a loud crack. They immedeately had the attention of all of the Hogwarts seventh years, and they proceeded to open the locked door and gestured for everyone to go inside. Their instructions were followed without anybody saying a word, and as the last person entered the room the huge white door shut tightly, then disappeared completely, so that they were all left in a large room that had no windows and no door to get out of. It was brightly lit with the same bubbles of white light that Harry had seen at St Mungo's.
''Right then everyone.'' The stern looking witch said sharply, in a very business like tone. ''The aim of this test, is to teach you all how to apparate successfully, and to ensure that you have the sufficient skill to be able to apparate successfully without supervision by a trained adult.'' Hermione was listening with rapt attention, as she did to all lectures, and she seemed positively ecstatic to be faced with a whole day full of tests, Ron looked across and saw the pleased look on his girlfriends face and smiled to himself, that was what he loved about her, she was so passionate about everything she did, her moto was if it's worth doing it's worth doing well, and she applied that to every single thing she did.
''As you have probably all noticed by now there is no way out of this room, therefore you will only be able to leave by apparating out of the room into the corridor outside.'' The old wizard said, his voice was precise and clear, which surprised Harry as he had expected a weak and trembling voice to come from the small, frail old man.
The lessons started, and as usual Hermione excelled in every last test, she was the first person to be able to successfully apparate, to another place within the room and soon mastered apparating in to the corridor outside, her next test was to apparate to somewhere far of, and back again, to see if she could successfully apparate over long distances, she, of course, passed this with flying colours and was allowed to leave the Ministry of Magic first out of all of her year.
Harry and Ron weren't allowed to leave until a lot further into the day and although Harry feared they would be the last there, he needn't of worried, Crabbe and Goyle still hadn't managed to successfully apparate into the corridor outside of the room when Harry and Ron passed. They decided to wait behind to encourage Neville, who passed about half an hour after Harry and Ron did, they then apparated back to Grimmauld Place, to be greeted by all the adults and Ginny and Hermione in the basement kitchen, shouting congratulations. Harry looked up overhead and saw a banner reading 'Well Done, Harry, Ron and Hermione.'
That night they had a small celebration in the kitchen, and Mrs Wesaley made them all sandwiches, pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes. There were also large jugs of butterbeer, for them to drink.
Harry looked away from Ginny for a minute to see Ron apparating around the room with loud cracks and Hermione looking impressed, he surpressed a smile as he turned his attentions back to Ginny.
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''Remember when we passed our Apparition tests?'' Sirius asked Destiny, who was standing by his side, her hand held in his larger one. He smiled at her fondly, looking into her deep purple eyes, eyes that had enchanted him when they were at Hogwarts and still did to this very day. Those deep pools of purple were what pulled him through Azkaban, made him determined to get out and drown in them once again.
''How could I forget.'' she replied laughing. ''That's all you did for two whole weeks after, you apparated every single place you went, just to prove you could.''
''It was not.'' Sirius replied defensively. ''It was for practice.''
''Mmm, ok then.'' Destiny said, laughing at the indignant look on his face, that soon turned into a genuine smile, the smile that stole Destiny's heart back at Hogwarts, the smile that could turn her legs to jelly and her mind to mush. His dark brown eyes, that were almost black, shone with love and looked more alive than they had ever done since he escaped from Azkaban.
''God I love you Dest.'' he said seriously, as he traced his hand across her cheek, brushing away a loose strand of her jet black hair. ''I've missed you so badly.''
''I missed you too.'' she replied, her eyes welling up with tears from hearing the desperation in his voice and the look of longing in his eyes. ''You were the only one I ever loved, and the only one I ever will love.'' she kissed him softly on the lips, not caring that they were in the middle of a crowded room, or that they had several pairs of eyes on them. All that mattered was that she was back with her soulmate, back with the one person who made her feel complete.
Across the room Remus Lupin looked up from his conversation with Kingsley Shacklebolt and saw Sirius and Destiny in a soft and gentle embrace and smiled sadly. He was pleased for his friend, who really deserved to have a bit of happiness in his life, after everything that he had been through, but even as he watched them together, he felt his heart bleed, he remembered Bethany, and what they had together, and what he lost all those years ago, there hadn't been anyone since, but now he was experiencing those feelings again, only they weren't for Bethany, the only girl he said he'd love always and forever. He sighed and looked to his feet, barely aware that Kingsley was still talking to him, he heard his words, but their meanings washed over him like waves on the rocks, how could he be feeling like this again? Why did his heart skip a beat whenever she was near? Why did he feel like he would do anything for her? He couldn't be in love, could he? 'No' he told himself, 'I can't be, I promised myself to Bethany, and I will honour that promise, it would be an insult to her memory.' But even as he tried to convince himself, he felt his heart leap into his throat as Tonks smiled at him.
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''God, it is horrible staying here.'' Ron moaned as he tried to get comfortable on his small bed in the room that he and Harry shared, while listening to Hedwig and Pigwidgeon scratching around on top of the wardrobe for treats. ''Do you know how many nights have gone when I haven't been able to sleep next to Hermione?'' he asked Harry irrately, as he punched the pillow.
''No, How many?'' Harry asked, more to humour Ron than anything else.
''Bloody loads, that's how many.'' he answered angrily. ''First off there was her way over-protective father who made me sleep downstairs, even though they had spare rooms just so I wouldn't be tempted to sneak into her room, and now we are here, with my mother and Fred and George watching me all the time.'' he complained loudly, but not loudly enough so that his mother would hear.
''Too bad.'' Harry said unsympathetically. ''Sirius let Ginny sleep in with me.''
''That's just not fair, Ginny's younger than Mione.'' Ron said as he finally lay still in bed, staring up at the dingy ceiling, with only the thin ray's of moonlight to illuminate the room. Phineas Nigellus sniggered from somewhere in his frame. ''Harry....you...haven't...um......you know....with Ginny...have you?'' Ron asked uncertainly.
''What?...........oh..no.'' Harry answered, understanding what Ron was asking. ''Have you........you know......with Hermione?'' Harry asked awkwardly, he didn't usually have these sort of conversations with Ron.
''No.'' Ron answered truthfully. ''I'm glad you and Ginny haven't......done it.....yet.'' Ron said resloutely staring out of the gap in the curtains. ''She's too young.''
''I know, I'm not going to force her into anything, when she's ready, I'm ready.'' Harry replied maturely, even though his hormones were raging, he wanted to wait, he knew it had to be special, and that Ginny had to be completely ready.
''Good.'' Ron said, ending the conversation and turning over in his bed, to face the wall, before his snores filled the room that Harry lay awake in.
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The next morning Harry awoke to find the room empty. He had a fleeting memory of his dream in which he had been crying unconsolably, but couldn't for the life of him remember why. He got out of bed and changed into a pair of khaki combat trousers and a black t-shirt, then proceeded downstairs to the kitchen where he was met by Ron, Sirius, Destiny, Remus and Mrs Weasley. Mrs Weasley was preparing breakfast and everyone else was sat around the large, scrubbed, wooden table. Lupin looked tired, as though he had been up all night, although it wasn't a full moon for another week and a half, his eyes looked red and bloodshot, but he smiled all the same when Harry entered the kitchen.
''Morning Harry.'' he said in what he hoped was a cheerful voice. He brushed his sandy hair, that was premetuarely flecked with grey from his face, and surveyed Harry fondly. ''What are you planning on doing today?''
''I don't know yet.'' Harry answered honestly, there wasn't much you could do around Grimmauld Place. ''I thought maybe I'd........'' But Harry never did get to finish his sentence as right at that minute the portrait of Sirius's mother started screeching in the hallway above, as the doorbell rang. Mrs Weasley abandoned the stove and rushed up to the front door muttering about people ringing the doorbell. As the screaming died down, Harry heard the voice of Tonks and Kingsley in the hallway accompanied by the voice of Molly Weasley who sounded distraught.
Ten minutes later and Harry and Ron were being ushered out of the kitchen and back to their bedroom, as the Black house once again filled with witches and wizards who were members of the order, some looking confused and others nervous, but most looked very serious. They all filed down into the basement to join with the rest of the order. Harry and Ron rushed to wake up Hermione and Ginny so that they could listen once again through the extendable ears, Fred and George had winked at Harry as they entered the kitchen, signalling that they would once again remove the charm that their mother placed around the room.
Harry stood on the landing listening, along with Ron, Hermione and Ginny to the meeting that was taking place below, and praying for no more bad news.
''Well what is it Tonks?'' Sirius asked sharply. ''You call us all together at nine o'clock in the morning, you'd better have a good reason.''
''Don't be so hard on her.'' Lupin snapped
''It's ok Remus, he has a right to want to know.'' Tonks answered smiling at Lupin warmly. ''There has been another attack, it happened last night. The newspaper doesn't know yet, me and Kingsley were called out to the house last night.''
''Who was it?'' Molly asked her voice sounded worried.
''Dedalus Diggle.'' Kingsley Shacklebolt answered. ''We've informed Dumbledore, he'll be here shortly, he's just sorting things out.''
''Well is he alright? Is he at St Mungo's?'' Lupin asked hopefully, although judging by the looks on Tonks and Kingsleys faces he knew Dedalus was far from alright.
''No Remus, he's not.'' Tonks said sadly. ''He's...he's dead.'' Her statement shocked everyone in the room and four people who were listening form the landing above. Even Lupin who had seen the looks in Tonk's eyes hadn't expected something this bad, memories from the first war came flooding back to him, having his friends dying all around him and having no way to help. The feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, despair. The room was silent for a long time before a soft pop was heard and Albus Dumbledore appeared by the doorway, his expression grave, and as he took a seat at the head of the table he sighed heavily.
''I have been expecting this.'' Dumbledore said sadly, he was obviously hoping that he would be mistaken. ''He has started already, picking us apart at the seams, we must remain united.''
''How can we remain united, when two of us are in hospital and one of us is dead.'' Sirius barked, standing up so violently that his chair crashed backwards onto the ground.
''I didn't say it would be easy Sirius, but what is right isn't always easy.'' Dumbledore said sadly. '''Voldemort is gaining strength and followers, there have been several attacks on muggle villages all around the country, they haven't been reported in the Daily Prophet, but in muggle newspapers. They were carried out by people cloaked in black, wearing white masks.''
''Death Eaters.'' Sirius spat as he picked up his chair and sat back down. ''Been out torturing a few muggles for fun.'' his voice dripped with hatred and disgust.
''His power is increasing and his reach has extended further than before, we must remain united. I expect an attack on Hogwarts, before the year is out.'' Dumbledore said quietly, as a wave of gasps and cries echoed throughout the room.
''Surely not.'' Hestia Jones shouted, she was a pink cheeked witch with black hair. ''Not Hogwarts.''
''I'm afraid so, he tried last time and failed. I suspect he will atempt again, just to prove to himself that he can.'' Dumbledore stated. ''The prediction that Sybill Trelawney made in Harry's third year says it all. 'He will rise again greater and more terrible than before.' I'm afraid it's started now, no-one is safe.'' Dumbledore finished gravely.
''But Sybil Trelawney is hardly reliable is she?'' Destiny questionned, having worked with her, and hearing what the other members of staff say about her, Destiny had summarised that Sybil was an old fraud.
''Not usually no, but this was a genuine prediction. I can assure you........''
''If I may interrupt you Albus.'' Snape said, his voice as dangerous and low as ever, but this time it was mingled with what could only be described as dread. ''Voldemort did have plans to attempt an attack on the school.''
''What?'' Lupin shouted. ''Did he have any other plans?''
''Not that I know of.'' Snape replied regretfully. ''I revealed myself before he told me of any other plans, but he made no secret of his plans to try and take the school.''
''So what are we going to do about it?'' Sirius asked urgently.
''Leave that with me.'' Dumbledore said flatly, he excused himself and apparated out of the room.
''Looks like it's going to be a hectic year for me this year at Hogwarts.'' Destiny said, trying to lighten the mood in the room, but not succeeding.
Upstairs on the landing Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione rolled up their extendable ears and all sank down onto the floor the shock of Dumbledore's satement rattled them all, they had all thought Hogwarts was the safest place that they could ever be, but now even that was under threat. Dumbledore was right, Voldemort had indeed extended his reach far beyond what it was before.
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(A.N Thanks to absolutely everybody who has reviewed this story, and a special thanx to Re-writing Destiny who is the author of ''Why? Secrets, Lies and the Truth Hurts.'' Which I think that you all should read, because it is an amzing story, that is really well written. Sorry this chapter is shorter, but I didn't want the rest to be in this chapter, that will be in the next one. Please review. Luv ice princess12 x x x x x x x x x)
UNITED WE STAND
(A.N - I'm really sorry but I totally messed up with their ages in this story, for the record they are all seventeen in this story already. Please understand, it is very confusing for me, especially in the state I am in now!! So for the record they are all seventeen and allowed to do magic out of school.)
A golden chink of light passed up over Harry's feet, rising higher and higher, until finally it passed over his head and he was left standing in the Atrium at the Ministry of Magic, with Ron and Hermione standing beside him. It was the day of their apparition test and they had come to the Ministry of Magic, ready to be tested with the rest of their year at Hogwarts.
The golden fountain that stood in front of Harry now, had been magically repaired and restored, after being destroyed protecting him from Voldemort in his fifth year. He looked up into the face of the handsome wizard and distinctly heard Hermione tutting with disapproval at the house elves expression, of almost worship to the wizrd and the beautiful witch.
They crossed the Atrium purposefully and submitted their wands for checking by the security guard, and walked over to the lift, that they would need to take to Level Six. They stepped into the lift, and the grilles slid shut slowly, and they began their ascent. The cool female voice that Harry had heard on the day of his trial spoke out again, 'Level Six, Department of Magical Transportation, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office and Apparition Test Centre.'
''This is us then.'' Hermione said as the grilles slid back, to allow them to exit the lift and for five paper aeroplanes to zoom into the lift behind them.
They walked along the brightly lit corridor of level six and followed the directions to the Apparition Test Centre, when they finally reached their destination, they were met with almost everybody in their year at Hogwarts, they were all standing around nervously outside a large white door, that was locked. Hermione saw Neville Longbottom and called him over to join them, as he was standing alone, nervously muttering to himself, and fidgeting.
''Hiya Neville.'' Ron said cheerfully, but it was all an act, deep down inside his insides were writhing, and the nervous feeling that had set his stomach doing backflips wouldn't go away. ''How've your holidays been so far?''
''They've been good, thanks.'' Neville replied nervously looking round him, and Harry had a funny feeling that his nervousness was not all due to the fact he would be having and apparition test soon. Harry suspected that Neville's apprehensiveness, and the way he kept looking over his shouder had more to do with the fact that the last time he had been at the Ministry of Magic, he had been tortured by the very same Death Eater that had tortured both of his parents to insanity, and the way he was looking around timidly told Harry that he was afraid that she would show up again, with her long black hair and her sunken features and start screaming curses at him again, in her banshee like voice. Harry shudddered at the thought. ''Luna's been around to meet my grandmother.'' he said proudly.
''Really, well.....that's great.'' Hermione said uncertainly. ''What does your gran think of her?''
''She says she's a nice girl.'' Neville answered happily.
''That's great Neville.'' Harry said honestly, but he couldn't continue as just then a stern looking witch and an old wizard appeared in front of them all with a soft pop and a loud crack. They immedeately had the attention of all of the Hogwarts seventh years, and they proceeded to open the locked door and gestured for everyone to go inside. Their instructions were followed without anybody saying a word, and as the last person entered the room the huge white door shut tightly, then disappeared completely, so that they were all left in a large room that had no windows and no door to get out of. It was brightly lit with the same bubbles of white light that Harry had seen at St Mungo's.
''Right then everyone.'' The stern looking witch said sharply, in a very business like tone. ''The aim of this test, is to teach you all how to apparate successfully, and to ensure that you have the sufficient skill to be able to apparate successfully without supervision by a trained adult.'' Hermione was listening with rapt attention, as she did to all lectures, and she seemed positively ecstatic to be faced with a whole day full of tests, Ron looked across and saw the pleased look on his girlfriends face and smiled to himself, that was what he loved about her, she was so passionate about everything she did, her moto was if it's worth doing it's worth doing well, and she applied that to every single thing she did.
''As you have probably all noticed by now there is no way out of this room, therefore you will only be able to leave by apparating out of the room into the corridor outside.'' The old wizard said, his voice was precise and clear, which surprised Harry as he had expected a weak and trembling voice to come from the small, frail old man.
The lessons started, and as usual Hermione excelled in every last test, she was the first person to be able to successfully apparate, to another place within the room and soon mastered apparating in to the corridor outside, her next test was to apparate to somewhere far of, and back again, to see if she could successfully apparate over long distances, she, of course, passed this with flying colours and was allowed to leave the Ministry of Magic first out of all of her year.
Harry and Ron weren't allowed to leave until a lot further into the day and although Harry feared they would be the last there, he needn't of worried, Crabbe and Goyle still hadn't managed to successfully apparate into the corridor outside of the room when Harry and Ron passed. They decided to wait behind to encourage Neville, who passed about half an hour after Harry and Ron did, they then apparated back to Grimmauld Place, to be greeted by all the adults and Ginny and Hermione in the basement kitchen, shouting congratulations. Harry looked up overhead and saw a banner reading 'Well Done, Harry, Ron and Hermione.'
That night they had a small celebration in the kitchen, and Mrs Wesaley made them all sandwiches, pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes. There were also large jugs of butterbeer, for them to drink.
Harry looked away from Ginny for a minute to see Ron apparating around the room with loud cracks and Hermione looking impressed, he surpressed a smile as he turned his attentions back to Ginny.
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''Remember when we passed our Apparition tests?'' Sirius asked Destiny, who was standing by his side, her hand held in his larger one. He smiled at her fondly, looking into her deep purple eyes, eyes that had enchanted him when they were at Hogwarts and still did to this very day. Those deep pools of purple were what pulled him through Azkaban, made him determined to get out and drown in them once again.
''How could I forget.'' she replied laughing. ''That's all you did for two whole weeks after, you apparated every single place you went, just to prove you could.''
''It was not.'' Sirius replied defensively. ''It was for practice.''
''Mmm, ok then.'' Destiny said, laughing at the indignant look on his face, that soon turned into a genuine smile, the smile that stole Destiny's heart back at Hogwarts, the smile that could turn her legs to jelly and her mind to mush. His dark brown eyes, that were almost black, shone with love and looked more alive than they had ever done since he escaped from Azkaban.
''God I love you Dest.'' he said seriously, as he traced his hand across her cheek, brushing away a loose strand of her jet black hair. ''I've missed you so badly.''
''I missed you too.'' she replied, her eyes welling up with tears from hearing the desperation in his voice and the look of longing in his eyes. ''You were the only one I ever loved, and the only one I ever will love.'' she kissed him softly on the lips, not caring that they were in the middle of a crowded room, or that they had several pairs of eyes on them. All that mattered was that she was back with her soulmate, back with the one person who made her feel complete.
Across the room Remus Lupin looked up from his conversation with Kingsley Shacklebolt and saw Sirius and Destiny in a soft and gentle embrace and smiled sadly. He was pleased for his friend, who really deserved to have a bit of happiness in his life, after everything that he had been through, but even as he watched them together, he felt his heart bleed, he remembered Bethany, and what they had together, and what he lost all those years ago, there hadn't been anyone since, but now he was experiencing those feelings again, only they weren't for Bethany, the only girl he said he'd love always and forever. He sighed and looked to his feet, barely aware that Kingsley was still talking to him, he heard his words, but their meanings washed over him like waves on the rocks, how could he be feeling like this again? Why did his heart skip a beat whenever she was near? Why did he feel like he would do anything for her? He couldn't be in love, could he? 'No' he told himself, 'I can't be, I promised myself to Bethany, and I will honour that promise, it would be an insult to her memory.' But even as he tried to convince himself, he felt his heart leap into his throat as Tonks smiled at him.
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''God, it is horrible staying here.'' Ron moaned as he tried to get comfortable on his small bed in the room that he and Harry shared, while listening to Hedwig and Pigwidgeon scratching around on top of the wardrobe for treats. ''Do you know how many nights have gone when I haven't been able to sleep next to Hermione?'' he asked Harry irrately, as he punched the pillow.
''No, How many?'' Harry asked, more to humour Ron than anything else.
''Bloody loads, that's how many.'' he answered angrily. ''First off there was her way over-protective father who made me sleep downstairs, even though they had spare rooms just so I wouldn't be tempted to sneak into her room, and now we are here, with my mother and Fred and George watching me all the time.'' he complained loudly, but not loudly enough so that his mother would hear.
''Too bad.'' Harry said unsympathetically. ''Sirius let Ginny sleep in with me.''
''That's just not fair, Ginny's younger than Mione.'' Ron said as he finally lay still in bed, staring up at the dingy ceiling, with only the thin ray's of moonlight to illuminate the room. Phineas Nigellus sniggered from somewhere in his frame. ''Harry....you...haven't...um......you know....with Ginny...have you?'' Ron asked uncertainly.
''What?...........oh..no.'' Harry answered, understanding what Ron was asking. ''Have you........you know......with Hermione?'' Harry asked awkwardly, he didn't usually have these sort of conversations with Ron.
''No.'' Ron answered truthfully. ''I'm glad you and Ginny haven't......done it.....yet.'' Ron said resloutely staring out of the gap in the curtains. ''She's too young.''
''I know, I'm not going to force her into anything, when she's ready, I'm ready.'' Harry replied maturely, even though his hormones were raging, he wanted to wait, he knew it had to be special, and that Ginny had to be completely ready.
''Good.'' Ron said, ending the conversation and turning over in his bed, to face the wall, before his snores filled the room that Harry lay awake in.
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The next morning Harry awoke to find the room empty. He had a fleeting memory of his dream in which he had been crying unconsolably, but couldn't for the life of him remember why. He got out of bed and changed into a pair of khaki combat trousers and a black t-shirt, then proceeded downstairs to the kitchen where he was met by Ron, Sirius, Destiny, Remus and Mrs Weasley. Mrs Weasley was preparing breakfast and everyone else was sat around the large, scrubbed, wooden table. Lupin looked tired, as though he had been up all night, although it wasn't a full moon for another week and a half, his eyes looked red and bloodshot, but he smiled all the same when Harry entered the kitchen.
''Morning Harry.'' he said in what he hoped was a cheerful voice. He brushed his sandy hair, that was premetuarely flecked with grey from his face, and surveyed Harry fondly. ''What are you planning on doing today?''
''I don't know yet.'' Harry answered honestly, there wasn't much you could do around Grimmauld Place. ''I thought maybe I'd........'' But Harry never did get to finish his sentence as right at that minute the portrait of Sirius's mother started screeching in the hallway above, as the doorbell rang. Mrs Weasley abandoned the stove and rushed up to the front door muttering about people ringing the doorbell. As the screaming died down, Harry heard the voice of Tonks and Kingsley in the hallway accompanied by the voice of Molly Weasley who sounded distraught.
Ten minutes later and Harry and Ron were being ushered out of the kitchen and back to their bedroom, as the Black house once again filled with witches and wizards who were members of the order, some looking confused and others nervous, but most looked very serious. They all filed down into the basement to join with the rest of the order. Harry and Ron rushed to wake up Hermione and Ginny so that they could listen once again through the extendable ears, Fred and George had winked at Harry as they entered the kitchen, signalling that they would once again remove the charm that their mother placed around the room.
Harry stood on the landing listening, along with Ron, Hermione and Ginny to the meeting that was taking place below, and praying for no more bad news.
''Well what is it Tonks?'' Sirius asked sharply. ''You call us all together at nine o'clock in the morning, you'd better have a good reason.''
''Don't be so hard on her.'' Lupin snapped
''It's ok Remus, he has a right to want to know.'' Tonks answered smiling at Lupin warmly. ''There has been another attack, it happened last night. The newspaper doesn't know yet, me and Kingsley were called out to the house last night.''
''Who was it?'' Molly asked her voice sounded worried.
''Dedalus Diggle.'' Kingsley Shacklebolt answered. ''We've informed Dumbledore, he'll be here shortly, he's just sorting things out.''
''Well is he alright? Is he at St Mungo's?'' Lupin asked hopefully, although judging by the looks on Tonks and Kingsleys faces he knew Dedalus was far from alright.
''No Remus, he's not.'' Tonks said sadly. ''He's...he's dead.'' Her statement shocked everyone in the room and four people who were listening form the landing above. Even Lupin who had seen the looks in Tonk's eyes hadn't expected something this bad, memories from the first war came flooding back to him, having his friends dying all around him and having no way to help. The feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, despair. The room was silent for a long time before a soft pop was heard and Albus Dumbledore appeared by the doorway, his expression grave, and as he took a seat at the head of the table he sighed heavily.
''I have been expecting this.'' Dumbledore said sadly, he was obviously hoping that he would be mistaken. ''He has started already, picking us apart at the seams, we must remain united.''
''How can we remain united, when two of us are in hospital and one of us is dead.'' Sirius barked, standing up so violently that his chair crashed backwards onto the ground.
''I didn't say it would be easy Sirius, but what is right isn't always easy.'' Dumbledore said sadly. '''Voldemort is gaining strength and followers, there have been several attacks on muggle villages all around the country, they haven't been reported in the Daily Prophet, but in muggle newspapers. They were carried out by people cloaked in black, wearing white masks.''
''Death Eaters.'' Sirius spat as he picked up his chair and sat back down. ''Been out torturing a few muggles for fun.'' his voice dripped with hatred and disgust.
''His power is increasing and his reach has extended further than before, we must remain united. I expect an attack on Hogwarts, before the year is out.'' Dumbledore said quietly, as a wave of gasps and cries echoed throughout the room.
''Surely not.'' Hestia Jones shouted, she was a pink cheeked witch with black hair. ''Not Hogwarts.''
''I'm afraid so, he tried last time and failed. I suspect he will atempt again, just to prove to himself that he can.'' Dumbledore stated. ''The prediction that Sybill Trelawney made in Harry's third year says it all. 'He will rise again greater and more terrible than before.' I'm afraid it's started now, no-one is safe.'' Dumbledore finished gravely.
''But Sybil Trelawney is hardly reliable is she?'' Destiny questionned, having worked with her, and hearing what the other members of staff say about her, Destiny had summarised that Sybil was an old fraud.
''Not usually no, but this was a genuine prediction. I can assure you........''
''If I may interrupt you Albus.'' Snape said, his voice as dangerous and low as ever, but this time it was mingled with what could only be described as dread. ''Voldemort did have plans to attempt an attack on the school.''
''What?'' Lupin shouted. ''Did he have any other plans?''
''Not that I know of.'' Snape replied regretfully. ''I revealed myself before he told me of any other plans, but he made no secret of his plans to try and take the school.''
''So what are we going to do about it?'' Sirius asked urgently.
''Leave that with me.'' Dumbledore said flatly, he excused himself and apparated out of the room.
''Looks like it's going to be a hectic year for me this year at Hogwarts.'' Destiny said, trying to lighten the mood in the room, but not succeeding.
Upstairs on the landing Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione rolled up their extendable ears and all sank down onto the floor the shock of Dumbledore's satement rattled them all, they had all thought Hogwarts was the safest place that they could ever be, but now even that was under threat. Dumbledore was right, Voldemort had indeed extended his reach far beyond what it was before.
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(A.N Thanks to absolutely everybody who has reviewed this story, and a special thanx to Re-writing Destiny who is the author of ''Why? Secrets, Lies and the Truth Hurts.'' Which I think that you all should read, because it is an amzing story, that is really well written. Sorry this chapter is shorter, but I didn't want the rest to be in this chapter, that will be in the next one. Please review. Luv ice princess12 x x x x x x x x x)