Chapter 2 – Grimmauld Place
His nightmares, again, woke him early. He remembered that he was leaving the Dursley's in an hour or so and cheered up immediately. He picked up some clean clothes and went for a shower. He went and cooked breakfast for his awful relatives without being told for the first time in his life.
The smell of the bacon must have roused his uncle and cousin as they were up an hour earlier than usual. His uncle was surprised to see him smiling. "What are you so happy about boy?" he grunted. Harry grinned. "It's my birthday, in case you didn't know and my exam results came last night" His uncle looked shocked for a moment but immediately regained his composure. "I expect you filed them all miserably, not that I care." he said tucking into breakfast. Harry laughed. "Actually, I got top grades in everything" he lied, knowing it would only infuriate his uncle.
"Oh my gosh!" exclaimed Harry mockingly, checking his watch. "I'd better go and get ready! I'm getting picked up in fifteen minutes!"
Uncle Vernon spat his coffee back into his cup as Harry laughed and ran out of the room, leaving a startled Dudley and Vernon behind.
Back in his room, Harry packed away all his birthday presents in his trunk and began searching every nook and cranny for forgotten spell books or quills.
Satisfied that he had everything packed, he sat on his bed only to have to jump up again when he heard a loud "crack" and a shriek coming from he living room.
He bolted out the door and jumped down the steps four at a time, finally skidding to a halt in the living room. Standing in front of the terrified and silent Dursleys were two people. One was a tall, skinny man with shabby roes, greying hair and bags under his eyes. The other was a firm, strict looking woman. It was Remus Lupin or "Moony" and the woman was his transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall. Both were smiling broadly at him "What the bloody hell took you lot so long!" he said, mock angry "I've been waiting for like, a month!" "Language Potter!" said McGonagall, but she was still smiling. Moony was looking at the terrified looks on the Dursley's faces "Err... Why don't we go up to your room Harry?" he said, "We've got five minutes until the portkey activates" Harry shrugged and led the way up the stairs. "Not a bit paranoid Harry" said Moony laughing, motioning towards all the unused locks on the door. "I wish," said Harry. "They're not to keep people out; they're to keep me in" he said. "There's my foot flap," he said kicking it through. He went into his room and turned to see the horrified looks on the adult's faces. "Seriously?" asked Professor McGonagall quietly. "Yeah "said Harry "Did you think that they treated me like a prince or something? They hate me! If it wasn't for their fear of you lot they'd chuck me out on the street and quite happily let me starve to death!" "Ah "said Moony "I knew they treated you badly but I didn't think it was this bad. How are you anyway?" he asked sympathetically. Harry knew he meant Sirius. "I'm coping," he said with a weak smile" "Good" said Moony. "Get your things, we don't have that long." Harry nodded and let Hedwig out the window telling her to meet him at Grimmauld Place and gathered together her cage and his trunk.
McGonagall produced an old drinks bottle from her cloak and they all held on to it. "Do you accept, Potter?" she asked Harry smiled. "Yes" he said, knowing she meant the captaincy. "Thanks" McGonagall smiled as Harry felt that familiar tug behind his navel and the rush of the wind and the colours. He landed with a "Thump" in Grimmauld Place, but managed to keep on his feet. There was the usual cry of "Mudbloods! Mudbloods in my home! From the painting of Mrs. Black on the wall. Harry fought to hold back the tears as he remembered the first time he came here when Sirius was trying to close the curtains over her. He felt a comforting hand squeeze his shoulder. It was Moony. "It's O.K.," he whispered as a sea of red came from the kitchen door. The first to reach him was Mrs. Weasley. "Oh Harry dear! How are you? Are you O.K.?" she asked before smothering him in a hug only a mother could give. "I'm fine thanks Mrs. Weasley," said Harry "Apart from the fact that I can't breathe!" "Oh sorry dear" said Mrs, Weasley, finally releasing him. He was only free for a second before Hermione through her arms around him and cried "Oh Harry! I've missed you so much! How are you?" Harry's lips were very close to Hermione's cheek and he felt a strong urge to kiss her, but he settled on answering, "I'm fine." Herminoe, to Harry's disappointment, finally released him and it was Ron's turn to clap him on the back and shake his hand "Alright mate?" he asked. Harry nodded "Starving though" he added. Ron grinned. "Well come into the kitchen and have some breakfast then dear." Said Mrs. Weasley. Harry nodded. "I'll just go and take my things upstairs first." He said. Mrs. Easley nodded and everybody began to make their way back into the kitchen and Harry started to climb the stairs, but Moony didn't move. "Harry," he said quietly "You can have Sirius' room if you want." Harry stopped dead and turned to look at Moony with wide eyes. "N-No" he said "Not yet. Maybe, maybe later" Moony nodded and followed the others into the kitchen as Harry made his way as quickly as he could to the room that he and Ron had shared last summer. He threw his things down and bolted back downstairs, not wanting to be alone for too long with all the memories of Sirius around him. Harry entered the kitchen and sat down next to Hermione. "So I expect you've got some questions for us Harry." Said Moony. Harry swallowed the piece of bacon he had began to eat and nodded. "Where's Voldemort?" he asked. Moony sighed. "We don't know he said. Nobody does, although Albus probably has a shrewd idea." Harry nodded. "What's he planning?" ha asked. "I don't know." Said Moony. "Probably to kill you though" he laughed. Harry and Ron laughed too. But Harry noticed that Hermione didn't.
They sat in silence, eating for the next five minutes, until suddenly Harry asked, "Where's Kreacher?" Mrs. Weasley sighed. "He passed away a few weeks ago Harry" she said. Harry was stunned. "Good" he said. Hermione gasped. "I don't know what I'd have done to that traitor if I'd got my hands on him. I wouldn't have been responsible for my actions, I tell you." He explained. "Oh that reminds me Harry," said Moony "Dumbledore said you should tell us. He said not to push you if you weren't ready though." All colour drained from Harry's face "T-Tell you?" he stammered. Moony nodded while the other three had puzzled looks on their faces. "Damn Dumbledore for putting him on the spot like this!" he thought. Though he was secretly glad because it meant that he didn't have to bring the subject up himself. He swore under his breath but Mrs. Weasley heard him "Harry James Potter!" she exclaimed. "Sorry Mrs. Weasley" he said. Harry took a deep breath "Oh well here goes" he said "I take it you all remember the prophecy from last year?" he asked. They nodded still with puzzled looks on their faces. "You mean the one that was destroyed?" said Hermione. Harry nodded "But it wasn't destroyed" he said. "That was just a record of it kept by the ministry" "This must be big mate," said Ron, looking worried. "You wouldn't have kept it from us otherwise" he said. Harry nodded. "It is." he said and he recited the prophecy to them while looking at his shoes.
When he looked up he saw Hermione crying and Mrs. Weasley looking as though she might do the same. Ron and Moony looked... well they looked as though they had just seen a ghost in the Muggle world. "Does-does that mean?" asked Ron looking extremely grave. "That I have to kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill me? Yeah" said Harry "Oh Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, throwing her arms around him. It felt good to be in that embrace; it made him feel safe. "What are you going to do Harry?" asked Moony. "Don't have much choice, do I?" he said. "Fight him when the time comes I suppose"
Just then Professor Dumbledore came into the room. Closely followed by Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Dumbledore stopped when he saw the looks on their faces. "Ah" he said, his eyes twinkling. "I take you have just told them, Harry?" he asked. Harry nodded. "Thanks for putting me on the spot like that Professor" he said sarcastically. Dumbledore chuckled. "Not at all Harry" he said. "I take it you've calmed down since our last meeting?" he asked. Harry grinned as he remembered spectacularly trashing Dumbledore's beautiful office in his rage. "Yes Professor" he said, "Err, sorry about that" Dumbledore chuckled again. "Not to worry Harry," he said, "Not to worry." "What did you do?" asked Ron. Harry laughed. "I kind of, err, trashed his office" "And a mighty fine job he did too" said Dumbledore, smiling broadly. Hermione gasped. "Now if you five and Ginny, wherever she is, would like to join me in the living room, I have important matters to discuss with you." Said Dumbledore, turning formal. They obediently followed him into the living room and sat down, a few moments later Ginny joined them, looking confused. "Right" said Dumbledore, conjuring himself a large squashy armchair. "First things first, we have to get these three caught up." He said, looking at Harry. "You tell them," he said. Dumbledore nodded and recited the prophecy to them and explained what it meant. "Wow!" said Neville, looking at Harry in awe. "It could have been you, you know, Neville" said Harry "What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled "Born to those who have thrice defied him...born as the seventh month dies. It could have been you." Harry explained. "Well why did he pick you then? I mean you're a half blood and I'm a pure blood, not that it matters" "Ah ha!" Harry laughed. "That's the thing. Voldemort chose me because I'm half blood, like himself," he said. Dumbledore nodded. "You mean he's a half blood!" cried Ron. Harry nodded. "Quite funny really," he said. "If he's vowed to kill every Muggle born and half blood in the country he's going to have to kill himself! Well that'd make my life a whole lot easier!" he said. They all laughed nervously.
"To business!" said Dumbledore. "As I said in my letter to Harry, you six will be studying apparation, wandless or "soul" magic, physical training, Occlumency and the thing that I didn't want to disclose in the letter is animagus training" He said. Harry was thrilled! He's always wanted o become an animagus since he had found out that his Dad and Sirius were, but he never thought that it would actually happen. He looked around him and saw the same looks of excitement on his friend's faces. "Cool" said Harry. Dumbledore chuckled. "Very" he said. "Anyway," he continued, "I want you to learn soul magic in case you are disarmed in a duel and you can also perform the counter curse to any spell performed on you and because of your wand Harry," he said. The others looked puzzled. Harry sighed. "It seems to be my secret telling day, doesn't it?" Dumbledore smiled "You don't have to Harry" he said. "I might as well" he sighed. "In both my wand and Voldemort's there is a phoenix tail feather. The phoenix, Fawkes, actually, only gave two feathers, which makes the wands brothers; they won't fight against each other. I found out in the graveyard." Hermione was more shocked than anybody else. "Wh-what happens if they fight?" she asked. "The last victims appear through a connection. It's called prior incantatem." Said Dumbledore "But Voldemort had just been resurrected" she said "So-" "Cedric" said Harry "Bertha Jonkins. Frank Bryce and – my parents" he said hanging his head. "Oh Harry!" said Hermione "You should have said!" "No matter" he said giving Dumbledore a look that said "Carry on, Please!" Dumbledore obliged and everybody turned back to him after giving Harry a look of sympathy. "You will be learning to apparate because you wont be ready for the battle for a long time, it is best you can get away, except you wont be able to do this in school grounds or on the train" he explained. They all nodded. "Isn't that illegal Professor?" asked Hermione "I mean we're too young and we haven't passed our tests" "Shut up Hermione!" cried Ron "if the man says we have to learn to apparate, then we're just going to have to learn to apparate!" Dumbledore laughed. "Yes it is illegal Miss. Granger" he said "But I've put up some wards so that the ministry can't detect it and you wont be apparating out of the house. O.K.?" he said. Hermione nodded. "The battle may last a long time, neither of you will be taken out easily so you must be I excellent physical condition. That is why I have installed a gym in the basement and there is the Room of Requirement and the quidditch pitch at school." He said "Er, Professor? "said Harry "Do you think we would be able to take the quidditch team along a few times?" he said glancing at Ron who was grinning. Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I suppose so" he said "But I want you in the gym an hour a day" The two boys grinned and nodded. "You will also be studying Occlumency" he said "As there is a chance Voldemort might try and attack your mind for information" Harry groaned. "Don't worry Harry," he said, "It will be with me, no Professor Snape, that was a mistake" "Thank God" said Harry, "Do we at least get cushions?" he asked. Dumbledore chuckled. "What would we need cushions for?" asked Hermione. Harry laughed. "You'll see" was all he said. "And lastly" continued Dumbledore "You will all be learning to become animagi" he said. Harry grinned and looked round. Everybody was grinning madly too, including Luna. "This is extremely important," said Dumbledore "You must tell no one. Not brothers, sisters, parents boyfriends or girlfriends, because this is illegal as I don't plan on registering any of you. Do you all understand?" The nodded, some of them just realising how serious all of this was. There as a few minutes silence as everybody digested this new information. Harry broke the silence. "What about the D.A. Professor?" he asked. "I'm sorry Harry," said Dumbledore, "But I don't think your going to have time for that. Along with all the other things, I was going to keep this until you arrived at school, but you will also be getting tuition as a small group from the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in the forest nightly." "Who is that?" asked Harry "Kingsley Schaklebolt" said Dumbledore "Cool" said Ron. Dumbledore chuckled. "I have to go now." he said, "but I suggest you spend your last free afternoon having fun." He said with a smile. "Oh and I would like you to pick up some books on the subject when you go to Diagon Alley tomorrow" he said. He bad them farewell and was gone in a swish of his cloak. "So that's school, homework, quidditch, Shacklebolt, soul magic, occlumency, physical training and animagus training!" he said counting them off oh his fingers. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed "There are only seven days in a week!" They laughed. "Well you heard the man!" he said, "Let's have some gun. Who's up for some exploding snap?" "There was a general murmur of agreement and everybody began to file out of the room, except Harry. "Aren't you coming Harry?" Hermione asked concernedly "No I – I need some time to think" "I'll stay with you then" "Thanks" She sat down on the couch next to Harry, extremely close he noticed and her eyebrows came together deep in thought. "What's up 'Mione?" he asked "I was just thinking about how unfair a life you have and what you have to do. I don't want to lose you Harry!" she said, tears forming in her eyes. "Shhhhh. You are not going to lose me." He said comfortingly putting his arms around her. "I'm not going anywhere," he whispered
He felt that urge to kiss her again and this time he couldn't resist. He pecked her on the lips. "Harry Potter you IDIOT!!!" he thought. "I-"he started but Hermione cut him off and kissed him back. Harry deepened the kiss and they stayed like that for a few moments until Harry finally pulled away. They had to talk. "Wow" said Harry "I didn't know you – are we?" Hermione giggled. "Are we together?" he asked. "If you want us to be "said Hermione, not looking at him. "I do, "said Harry boldly. "So do I" said Hermione. Harry grinned and kissed her again. "There's just one problem," said Harry. "Ron" said Hermione "When and how do we tell him?" she asked Harry sighed "Now and Carefully" he said "Now?" "He might not be quite so hurt if we tell him straight away" he explained. Hermione nodded "I'll go and get him" she said.
Harry sat on the couch nervously waiting for them to come back. There were butterflies in his stomach. Finally they came through the door. Ron looking confused and Hermione nervous. Hermione sat down next to Harry and Ron sat across from them. "'S'up?" he asked. "Well" said Harry, taking Hermione's hand. "Me and Hermione er well we're er." "You guys are together?" Ron cut across him. They nodded. "Wow" said Ron leaning back in his chair. "When did this happen?" he asked. "About five minutes ago" said Hermione. "Are you O.K. with this, us?" Harry asked nervously "I suppose so" he said "Can't say I haven't been expecting this. I did used to fancy you Hermione," he said. Harry was shocked but Hermione nodded. "Just promise me one thing," said Ron "Anything" said Harry and Hermione together. "That no matter what happens between you two we will always be best friends" "Of course" said Hermione "We've been through too much together." Ron grinned "O.K." he said, "Let's go have some fun!"
And they did all day long. It was the best birthday ever. Harry was the happiest he'd been in months and he fell asleep that night feeling like the luckiest person alive!
His nightmares, again, woke him early. He remembered that he was leaving the Dursley's in an hour or so and cheered up immediately. He picked up some clean clothes and went for a shower. He went and cooked breakfast for his awful relatives without being told for the first time in his life.
The smell of the bacon must have roused his uncle and cousin as they were up an hour earlier than usual. His uncle was surprised to see him smiling. "What are you so happy about boy?" he grunted. Harry grinned. "It's my birthday, in case you didn't know and my exam results came last night" His uncle looked shocked for a moment but immediately regained his composure. "I expect you filed them all miserably, not that I care." he said tucking into breakfast. Harry laughed. "Actually, I got top grades in everything" he lied, knowing it would only infuriate his uncle.
"Oh my gosh!" exclaimed Harry mockingly, checking his watch. "I'd better go and get ready! I'm getting picked up in fifteen minutes!"
Uncle Vernon spat his coffee back into his cup as Harry laughed and ran out of the room, leaving a startled Dudley and Vernon behind.
Back in his room, Harry packed away all his birthday presents in his trunk and began searching every nook and cranny for forgotten spell books or quills.
Satisfied that he had everything packed, he sat on his bed only to have to jump up again when he heard a loud "crack" and a shriek coming from he living room.
He bolted out the door and jumped down the steps four at a time, finally skidding to a halt in the living room. Standing in front of the terrified and silent Dursleys were two people. One was a tall, skinny man with shabby roes, greying hair and bags under his eyes. The other was a firm, strict looking woman. It was Remus Lupin or "Moony" and the woman was his transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall. Both were smiling broadly at him "What the bloody hell took you lot so long!" he said, mock angry "I've been waiting for like, a month!" "Language Potter!" said McGonagall, but she was still smiling. Moony was looking at the terrified looks on the Dursley's faces "Err... Why don't we go up to your room Harry?" he said, "We've got five minutes until the portkey activates" Harry shrugged and led the way up the stairs. "Not a bit paranoid Harry" said Moony laughing, motioning towards all the unused locks on the door. "I wish," said Harry. "They're not to keep people out; they're to keep me in" he said. "There's my foot flap," he said kicking it through. He went into his room and turned to see the horrified looks on the adult's faces. "Seriously?" asked Professor McGonagall quietly. "Yeah "said Harry "Did you think that they treated me like a prince or something? They hate me! If it wasn't for their fear of you lot they'd chuck me out on the street and quite happily let me starve to death!" "Ah "said Moony "I knew they treated you badly but I didn't think it was this bad. How are you anyway?" he asked sympathetically. Harry knew he meant Sirius. "I'm coping," he said with a weak smile" "Good" said Moony. "Get your things, we don't have that long." Harry nodded and let Hedwig out the window telling her to meet him at Grimmauld Place and gathered together her cage and his trunk.
McGonagall produced an old drinks bottle from her cloak and they all held on to it. "Do you accept, Potter?" she asked Harry smiled. "Yes" he said, knowing she meant the captaincy. "Thanks" McGonagall smiled as Harry felt that familiar tug behind his navel and the rush of the wind and the colours. He landed with a "Thump" in Grimmauld Place, but managed to keep on his feet. There was the usual cry of "Mudbloods! Mudbloods in my home! From the painting of Mrs. Black on the wall. Harry fought to hold back the tears as he remembered the first time he came here when Sirius was trying to close the curtains over her. He felt a comforting hand squeeze his shoulder. It was Moony. "It's O.K.," he whispered as a sea of red came from the kitchen door. The first to reach him was Mrs. Weasley. "Oh Harry dear! How are you? Are you O.K.?" she asked before smothering him in a hug only a mother could give. "I'm fine thanks Mrs. Weasley," said Harry "Apart from the fact that I can't breathe!" "Oh sorry dear" said Mrs, Weasley, finally releasing him. He was only free for a second before Hermione through her arms around him and cried "Oh Harry! I've missed you so much! How are you?" Harry's lips were very close to Hermione's cheek and he felt a strong urge to kiss her, but he settled on answering, "I'm fine." Herminoe, to Harry's disappointment, finally released him and it was Ron's turn to clap him on the back and shake his hand "Alright mate?" he asked. Harry nodded "Starving though" he added. Ron grinned. "Well come into the kitchen and have some breakfast then dear." Said Mrs. Weasley. Harry nodded. "I'll just go and take my things upstairs first." He said. Mrs. Easley nodded and everybody began to make their way back into the kitchen and Harry started to climb the stairs, but Moony didn't move. "Harry," he said quietly "You can have Sirius' room if you want." Harry stopped dead and turned to look at Moony with wide eyes. "N-No" he said "Not yet. Maybe, maybe later" Moony nodded and followed the others into the kitchen as Harry made his way as quickly as he could to the room that he and Ron had shared last summer. He threw his things down and bolted back downstairs, not wanting to be alone for too long with all the memories of Sirius around him. Harry entered the kitchen and sat down next to Hermione. "So I expect you've got some questions for us Harry." Said Moony. Harry swallowed the piece of bacon he had began to eat and nodded. "Where's Voldemort?" he asked. Moony sighed. "We don't know he said. Nobody does, although Albus probably has a shrewd idea." Harry nodded. "What's he planning?" ha asked. "I don't know." Said Moony. "Probably to kill you though" he laughed. Harry and Ron laughed too. But Harry noticed that Hermione didn't.
They sat in silence, eating for the next five minutes, until suddenly Harry asked, "Where's Kreacher?" Mrs. Weasley sighed. "He passed away a few weeks ago Harry" she said. Harry was stunned. "Good" he said. Hermione gasped. "I don't know what I'd have done to that traitor if I'd got my hands on him. I wouldn't have been responsible for my actions, I tell you." He explained. "Oh that reminds me Harry," said Moony "Dumbledore said you should tell us. He said not to push you if you weren't ready though." All colour drained from Harry's face "T-Tell you?" he stammered. Moony nodded while the other three had puzzled looks on their faces. "Damn Dumbledore for putting him on the spot like this!" he thought. Though he was secretly glad because it meant that he didn't have to bring the subject up himself. He swore under his breath but Mrs. Weasley heard him "Harry James Potter!" she exclaimed. "Sorry Mrs. Weasley" he said. Harry took a deep breath "Oh well here goes" he said "I take it you all remember the prophecy from last year?" he asked. They nodded still with puzzled looks on their faces. "You mean the one that was destroyed?" said Hermione. Harry nodded "But it wasn't destroyed" he said. "That was just a record of it kept by the ministry" "This must be big mate," said Ron, looking worried. "You wouldn't have kept it from us otherwise" he said. Harry nodded. "It is." he said and he recited the prophecy to them while looking at his shoes.
When he looked up he saw Hermione crying and Mrs. Weasley looking as though she might do the same. Ron and Moony looked... well they looked as though they had just seen a ghost in the Muggle world. "Does-does that mean?" asked Ron looking extremely grave. "That I have to kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill me? Yeah" said Harry "Oh Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, throwing her arms around him. It felt good to be in that embrace; it made him feel safe. "What are you going to do Harry?" asked Moony. "Don't have much choice, do I?" he said. "Fight him when the time comes I suppose"
Just then Professor Dumbledore came into the room. Closely followed by Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Dumbledore stopped when he saw the looks on their faces. "Ah" he said, his eyes twinkling. "I take you have just told them, Harry?" he asked. Harry nodded. "Thanks for putting me on the spot like that Professor" he said sarcastically. Dumbledore chuckled. "Not at all Harry" he said. "I take it you've calmed down since our last meeting?" he asked. Harry grinned as he remembered spectacularly trashing Dumbledore's beautiful office in his rage. "Yes Professor" he said, "Err, sorry about that" Dumbledore chuckled again. "Not to worry Harry," he said, "Not to worry." "What did you do?" asked Ron. Harry laughed. "I kind of, err, trashed his office" "And a mighty fine job he did too" said Dumbledore, smiling broadly. Hermione gasped. "Now if you five and Ginny, wherever she is, would like to join me in the living room, I have important matters to discuss with you." Said Dumbledore, turning formal. They obediently followed him into the living room and sat down, a few moments later Ginny joined them, looking confused. "Right" said Dumbledore, conjuring himself a large squashy armchair. "First things first, we have to get these three caught up." He said, looking at Harry. "You tell them," he said. Dumbledore nodded and recited the prophecy to them and explained what it meant. "Wow!" said Neville, looking at Harry in awe. "It could have been you, you know, Neville" said Harry "What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled "Born to those who have thrice defied him...born as the seventh month dies. It could have been you." Harry explained. "Well why did he pick you then? I mean you're a half blood and I'm a pure blood, not that it matters" "Ah ha!" Harry laughed. "That's the thing. Voldemort chose me because I'm half blood, like himself," he said. Dumbledore nodded. "You mean he's a half blood!" cried Ron. Harry nodded. "Quite funny really," he said. "If he's vowed to kill every Muggle born and half blood in the country he's going to have to kill himself! Well that'd make my life a whole lot easier!" he said. They all laughed nervously.
"To business!" said Dumbledore. "As I said in my letter to Harry, you six will be studying apparation, wandless or "soul" magic, physical training, Occlumency and the thing that I didn't want to disclose in the letter is animagus training" He said. Harry was thrilled! He's always wanted o become an animagus since he had found out that his Dad and Sirius were, but he never thought that it would actually happen. He looked around him and saw the same looks of excitement on his friend's faces. "Cool" said Harry. Dumbledore chuckled. "Very" he said. "Anyway," he continued, "I want you to learn soul magic in case you are disarmed in a duel and you can also perform the counter curse to any spell performed on you and because of your wand Harry," he said. The others looked puzzled. Harry sighed. "It seems to be my secret telling day, doesn't it?" Dumbledore smiled "You don't have to Harry" he said. "I might as well" he sighed. "In both my wand and Voldemort's there is a phoenix tail feather. The phoenix, Fawkes, actually, only gave two feathers, which makes the wands brothers; they won't fight against each other. I found out in the graveyard." Hermione was more shocked than anybody else. "Wh-what happens if they fight?" she asked. "The last victims appear through a connection. It's called prior incantatem." Said Dumbledore "But Voldemort had just been resurrected" she said "So-" "Cedric" said Harry "Bertha Jonkins. Frank Bryce and – my parents" he said hanging his head. "Oh Harry!" said Hermione "You should have said!" "No matter" he said giving Dumbledore a look that said "Carry on, Please!" Dumbledore obliged and everybody turned back to him after giving Harry a look of sympathy. "You will be learning to apparate because you wont be ready for the battle for a long time, it is best you can get away, except you wont be able to do this in school grounds or on the train" he explained. They all nodded. "Isn't that illegal Professor?" asked Hermione "I mean we're too young and we haven't passed our tests" "Shut up Hermione!" cried Ron "if the man says we have to learn to apparate, then we're just going to have to learn to apparate!" Dumbledore laughed. "Yes it is illegal Miss. Granger" he said "But I've put up some wards so that the ministry can't detect it and you wont be apparating out of the house. O.K.?" he said. Hermione nodded. "The battle may last a long time, neither of you will be taken out easily so you must be I excellent physical condition. That is why I have installed a gym in the basement and there is the Room of Requirement and the quidditch pitch at school." He said "Er, Professor? "said Harry "Do you think we would be able to take the quidditch team along a few times?" he said glancing at Ron who was grinning. Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I suppose so" he said "But I want you in the gym an hour a day" The two boys grinned and nodded. "You will also be studying Occlumency" he said "As there is a chance Voldemort might try and attack your mind for information" Harry groaned. "Don't worry Harry," he said, "It will be with me, no Professor Snape, that was a mistake" "Thank God" said Harry, "Do we at least get cushions?" he asked. Dumbledore chuckled. "What would we need cushions for?" asked Hermione. Harry laughed. "You'll see" was all he said. "And lastly" continued Dumbledore "You will all be learning to become animagi" he said. Harry grinned and looked round. Everybody was grinning madly too, including Luna. "This is extremely important," said Dumbledore "You must tell no one. Not brothers, sisters, parents boyfriends or girlfriends, because this is illegal as I don't plan on registering any of you. Do you all understand?" The nodded, some of them just realising how serious all of this was. There as a few minutes silence as everybody digested this new information. Harry broke the silence. "What about the D.A. Professor?" he asked. "I'm sorry Harry," said Dumbledore, "But I don't think your going to have time for that. Along with all the other things, I was going to keep this until you arrived at school, but you will also be getting tuition as a small group from the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in the forest nightly." "Who is that?" asked Harry "Kingsley Schaklebolt" said Dumbledore "Cool" said Ron. Dumbledore chuckled. "I have to go now." he said, "but I suggest you spend your last free afternoon having fun." He said with a smile. "Oh and I would like you to pick up some books on the subject when you go to Diagon Alley tomorrow" he said. He bad them farewell and was gone in a swish of his cloak. "So that's school, homework, quidditch, Shacklebolt, soul magic, occlumency, physical training and animagus training!" he said counting them off oh his fingers. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed "There are only seven days in a week!" They laughed. "Well you heard the man!" he said, "Let's have some gun. Who's up for some exploding snap?" "There was a general murmur of agreement and everybody began to file out of the room, except Harry. "Aren't you coming Harry?" Hermione asked concernedly "No I – I need some time to think" "I'll stay with you then" "Thanks" She sat down on the couch next to Harry, extremely close he noticed and her eyebrows came together deep in thought. "What's up 'Mione?" he asked "I was just thinking about how unfair a life you have and what you have to do. I don't want to lose you Harry!" she said, tears forming in her eyes. "Shhhhh. You are not going to lose me." He said comfortingly putting his arms around her. "I'm not going anywhere," he whispered
He felt that urge to kiss her again and this time he couldn't resist. He pecked her on the lips. "Harry Potter you IDIOT!!!" he thought. "I-"he started but Hermione cut him off and kissed him back. Harry deepened the kiss and they stayed like that for a few moments until Harry finally pulled away. They had to talk. "Wow" said Harry "I didn't know you – are we?" Hermione giggled. "Are we together?" he asked. "If you want us to be "said Hermione, not looking at him. "I do, "said Harry boldly. "So do I" said Hermione. Harry grinned and kissed her again. "There's just one problem," said Harry. "Ron" said Hermione "When and how do we tell him?" she asked Harry sighed "Now and Carefully" he said "Now?" "He might not be quite so hurt if we tell him straight away" he explained. Hermione nodded "I'll go and get him" she said.
Harry sat on the couch nervously waiting for them to come back. There were butterflies in his stomach. Finally they came through the door. Ron looking confused and Hermione nervous. Hermione sat down next to Harry and Ron sat across from them. "'S'up?" he asked. "Well" said Harry, taking Hermione's hand. "Me and Hermione er well we're er." "You guys are together?" Ron cut across him. They nodded. "Wow" said Ron leaning back in his chair. "When did this happen?" he asked. "About five minutes ago" said Hermione. "Are you O.K. with this, us?" Harry asked nervously "I suppose so" he said "Can't say I haven't been expecting this. I did used to fancy you Hermione," he said. Harry was shocked but Hermione nodded. "Just promise me one thing," said Ron "Anything" said Harry and Hermione together. "That no matter what happens between you two we will always be best friends" "Of course" said Hermione "We've been through too much together." Ron grinned "O.K." he said, "Let's go have some fun!"
And they did all day long. It was the best birthday ever. Harry was the happiest he'd been in months and he fell asleep that night feeling like the luckiest person alive!