Disclaimer: Nope. Still don't own anything, except plot.  Everything else can only be claimed by JK Rowlings.

Author Note: Thanks for all the reviews!! Keep them coming!

Chapter 5:   Changing of the Guard

The summer had almost come upon its close.  Everything was perfectly normal on Privet Dr.  That is if Wizard's chess, Occlumency lessons and curses could be considered normal.  Harry and his friends were still continuing with their respective lessons.  However, instead of going over to Wisteria Walk, where Mrs. Figg's house was, Harry would stay at 4 Privet Dr.  Snape would usually come to the house sometime in the afternoon. 

Harry had not gotten as far along with the lessons as one could have hoped, but he had definitely improved.  The first couple days of the lessons had been particularly bad ones for Harry.  He did not want to remember how many times he was forced to relive the memory of Sirius falling through the veil.  Each time he would see the fear and surprise in his eyes and Harry felt as if he was watching him fall all over again. 

Apparently this did not affect Snape in the least.  He would just accuse Harry of not concentrating enough, and have him do it again and again.  The practice was beginning to prove successful during the last couple of weeks.  As the last week before school started set in, Harry had learned to block Snape's entrance into his mind after less than a quarter of a minute.  Harry was exceedingly pleased with this, even though he had to still endure ridicule from his Professor about his progress not being adequate enough. 

Harry had thought himself rather strong for being able to ignore Snape for so long.  Through his talk with Lupin he had realized a few things about himself.  He finally realized he missed Sirius.  He knew he missed him before.  But now he was more sad than angry.  There were so many things he wished he could have done with his Godfather before he died.  He had always pictured the time when Sirius would finally be cleared of all charges and he could move in with him instead of the Dursley's.  He knew that dream had always had little hope of coming true.  But there had always been hope.  With Sirius gone, even the smallest chance had been taken away from him.

Harry was also more determined than he had been in his whole life.  He didn't want everyone who had perished to die in vain.  He still blamed himself for the many deaths but he felt that the only thing he could do to make up for it was to fight back.  He wished to prove that the people that had fallen would not go unforgotten and their deaths would not be futile.

So for most of the lessons, Harry would force himself to endure the constant contempt from Snape.  Unfortunately this was easier said than done.  Harry could not figure it out but it seemed like Snape was angrier with Harry than he had been since he had met him.  And with Snape that was definitely saying something.  He just tried his hardest to block him from his mind, and it appeared he was finally getting somewhere.

He was not sure how the others were getting on with their lessons.  He was not going to Mrs. Figg's anymore so he could not watch them.  By the time they were getting home, Harry was tired out from his lessons and they spent most of the remainder of the night talking about other things. 

One week before they would leave for Hogwarts, the four sat around the kitchen table.  It was before noon so none of them had anywhere to be.  They had been lounging around most of the morning after their early morning run.  Hermione had gotten some eggs and sausage from the fridge and she and Harry were preparing it for the four of them.  Just as Harry set down the last plate at the table he saw an owl appear outside of one of the kitchen windows. 

He walked behind Ginny's chair and opened the window to let the owl in.  He untied a bunch of letters from the owl and placed them on the table.  He then reached over to one of the plates and picked some sausage which he then presented to the tired looking owl.  It eagerly accepted it and with one swoop flew back out the window. 

Harry took the letters and handed them to their respective recipients.  He noticed the familiar Hogwart's crest on the outside.  He took his letter and tore it open

Dear Mr. Potter,

          Inside along with your list of necessary books you will find your results from the O.W.Ls., as well as a list of possible classes for the upcoming year.  Please note that some classes have minimum O.W.L. requirements.  Please fill out the paper and return it by owl.

          Term begins on September 1.  We wish to here about your class choices no later than August 28th. 

                                     Yours Sincerely,

                                                                 Minerva McGonagall

                                                                Deputy Headmistress

With some trepidation, Harry looked at the enclosed sheet.  He sat there amazed as he took it all in.  He had received 12 owls.  He was even more excited as he had gotten an Outstanding in DADA, COMC (care of magical creatures), Transfiguration, and Herbology.  He glanced around at the other three.  Ginny had pushed aside her open letter and was eating heartily.  Harry could see that Ron and Hermione were already checking the classes that they wanted to take.  So he decided to do the same.  He realized that he could not take the advanced potions because he had only received and E (exceeds expectations) and he specifically remembered Professor McGonagall telling him that Snape only accepted people who got Outstanding on their O.W.L.s.  Besides with his even worse attitude toward Harry he expected that Snape was celebrating the minute he realized Harry couldn't be in it.  Harry felt a little disappointment as McGonagall had told him that Potions was a very important part of being an Auror. 

Harry finished checking the classes he wanted to take and folded the paper to be sent back.  He looked up and Hermione and Ron were staring at him.  Hermione spoke first, "So, how did you two do?"

Harry glanced down at the table, "I got 12."

Hermione looked delighted, "Harry that is great.  You got the same amount that Percy got!"

She turned to look at Ron, "Well, go on. What about you?"

Ron stared intently down at his letter which was still unfolded in front of him on the table.  He waited a few seconds before responding.

"I got 13."

Hermione jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around Ron.  "Ron that is excellent! I knew you could do it!

Ron pried her arms off of himself, looking thoroughly abashed, "No this isn't excellent."

Hermione stepped back and looked at him, a glint of hurt in her eyes, "Why not?"

Ron slumped and placed his head in his hands, "Because the twins are right, I am turning into Percy! First the Prefect badge and now this!"

Ginny laughed from where she sat and he turned to her, "What do you think is so funny?"

She smiled at him while continuing to push the food around her plate, "Ron will you please relax? You are so dramatic.  You should be happy that someone took pity on you and allowed you to somehow manage 13 O.W.L.s!  You certainly don't deserve them and besides Bill got twelve O.W.L.s and look at him.  You are not turning into Percy."

Ron sat still, apparently weighing her comment in his head.  Finally he looked up and smiled, "Alright then, I should owl mum and dad, they would want to know they have a genius in the family."

Harry, not wanting to miss his opportunity put in, "Oh so you are marrying Hermione then."

Ron turned red and muttered something under his breath involving the words 'Harry' and 'death'.  Hermione and Ginny were now doubled up in laughter. 

Ron glowered at Hermione, "Well then genius, what did you get?"

She looked taken aback and recovered after a few seconds.  "If you must know, I received 16 O.W.L.s."

Ron's jaw dropped open.  "16 O.W.L.s?  That must be some kind of record, that's amazing!"

It was Hermione's turn to look embarrassed.  "It's not a record and it is not a perfect score, but I guess I could have done worse."

Harry looked at her, "Done Worse?  Hermione, it would be a surprise if I heard of anyone doing better than 16.  I doubt anyone in Gryffindor beat that."

Ginny answered, "They didn't, well at least Dean and Seamus didn't.  They both got 9."

Ron grunted, "Please stop talking about them.  They are supposed to be my friends remember?"

Ginny looked at her brother, "Sorry Ron, next time I will ask them not to remove their 'Property of Ron' tags so I know I can't talk to them!"

With that she got up from the table, stormed up the stairs, and slammed the door.  Harry looked over to Ron.  "What was that all about?"

Ron looked defensive and replied, "She says that she is dating Dean! Can you believe that?  One of my friends!  She talks to him and Seamus more than I do."

Harry remembered her saying something about that on the train from Hogwarts but he assumed that she was trying to bait her brother. 

Hermione stood up from her chair, "Oh Ron stop it.  They like each other, why can't they show it.  Just because you don't…"  Hermione looked over to Harry, almost as if she forgot he was there. "Never mind."  She turned and walked out of the kitchen. 

Ron replaced his hands over his head in defeat.

Harry got up from his seat and gathered their letters.  He noticed something very peculiar when he picked up Ginny's letter.  Harry picked up the familiar scarlet and gold patch.  Harry ran his finger over the 'P'.  He couldn't believe it, Ginny was named Prefect!  And she had not even so much as mentioned it. 

He ran up the stairs to his room and tied the letters to Hedwig's leg to be sent back.  Hedwig gave him an affectionate nip, turned, and flew into the sky, which was now bright and sunny.

From his window he could see Hermione sitting in the grass.  He was about to step away when he saw another figure emerge towards her.  Panic set in, but then to his relief he saw that it was Ron.  He watched as Ron moved slowly toward Hermione.  He could see their mouths moving but they were speaking too quietly for him to hear.  Ron moved closer and sat down next to Hermione.  She smiled at him and he put his arm around her shoulder.  Harry wished he had a pair of Fred and George's Extendable Ears so that he could hear what they were saying.  His attention was pulled away from the scene outside by a voice behind him.

"Excuse me Mr. Potter but you aren't spying on anyone are you?"  Ginny was standing in the doorway.

Harry looked at her and then once again at the window, a guilty look on his face, "I didn't mean to… I mean… I just… Ron and Hermione…"

Ginny walked in the room, shutting the door behind her, and joined Harry in front of the window, "Relax Harry" she smiled at him, "I think there is something they are not telling us."

Harry nodded his head, "Are they…uh…umm?"

"Together?" Ginny asked.  "I'm not sure. I know they had been exchanging letters the month before we got here but I didn't really think anything of it."  She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, "Would you be mad if they were?"

Harry thought about it for a second.  He knew that they liked each other.  But he had never actually expected them to admit it, especially Ron.  It would certainly make life much easier if they could just admit it.  However, he did want to know if something was going on.  "No, I think I would be relieved, but if there is something going on I want them to tell me."

Ginny continued to look down on them from the window while she pulled her long Weasley red hair into a pony tail, "Who knows if they are even sure what is going on?" Harry thought that they might know something as he saw Hermione laid her head on Ron's shoulder. 

Harry suddenly reached in his pocket, "Speaking of people not telling others what is going on, I believe this belongs to you Miss Weasley."  And with that he withdrew her Prefect badge from his pocket.  She blushed and grabbed the badge from him.  "Umm thanks… I forgot I left this downstairs."  Harry was bewildered, "Why didn't you say anything?  This is a really great thing."

"It's really not that big of a deal" she said.  Harry smiled, "Well I think it is… so congratulations." 

She gave him a small smile, "Thanks Harry."

They both quickly focused their eyes out the window.  Harry liked having Ginny as a friend.  He also realized with the new development between Hermione and Ron, whatever it was, it would be good to have another close friend.  His mind wandered to an earlier topic.  Harry looked at Ginny, "Are you really dating Dean Thomas?"

Ginny smirked, "I was but I talked to him a bunch of times this summer and we decided we should just be friends… but don't tell Ron that.  It's just too much fun watching him get agitated."

Harry laughed, "Geez, remind me to never get on your bad side."

Ginny looked at him slyly, "Harry my friend, you have no idea."

Harry was about to reply when he heard the front door open.  He listened closely and heard footsteps come up the staircase and walk into the room across the hall.  He glanced at Ginny who had walked to the door and opened it slightly to allow a view to the room.  She met his eyes and nodded, "Your Aunt is home."

Harry closed his window and joined her at the door.  He opened it all the way and motioned for Ginny to follow him.  He made his way down the stairs and walked swiftly down the hallway.  He opened the back door as loud as he could.  The two people on the grass jumped apart which made for a humorous site as they had both been sitting.  What resulted was Ron and Hermione bumping heads and so both sat there in surprise nursing their injuries. 

Harry attempted to hold back his laughter as he heard Ginny snickering behind him.  "Sorry are we interrupting anything?"

Hermione stood up determinedly, "Yes actually there…" But she was abruptly cut off by Ron "No nothing mate, so what's going on?"  Harry noticed that the look Hermione was giving Ron at that moment was no less than murderous. 

Harry shifted his eyes from one to the other when he heard the back door open.  He turned around to find the most peculiar site.  His Aunt was standing in the doorway holding her suitcase.  Harry could tell she had packed in a rush as her clothes were coming out of the sides of the suitcase.  She was slightly out of breath as she addressed him, "Harry I am leaving. I have gotten permission from Albus Dumbledore to stay with Vernon and Dudley for this last week of the summer.  Do not do anything to my house.  I don't trust you but I want to see my dear son more than anything."

With that she turned around and swiftly disappeared from their site.  Harry could hear the car start and then leave several minutes later.  They remained where they were until Ron broke the silence, "So she just left?"

Harry was slightly bewildered that Dumbledore would just let her leave.  Especially if it meant they were all alone.

At that moment Mundungus Fletcher appeared at the back door.  "I was wondering where you all were.  Come inside we need to talk." 

Harry walked to the door and entered.  He walked down the hallway to the living room where Mundungus had led them.  He took a seat on one couch and was soon joined by Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. 

Mundungus lit his pipe and sat on the other couch across the room.  "Something has happened.  Now I don't want you kids getting all worried.  Let me tell you that a few people were hurt but there were no deaths.  There was an attack today in Diagon Alley.  The dark mark was in the sky."

"Most of the order including your parents", he looked at Ron, "are now at Diagon Alley with Dumbledore.  They are trying to find out what happened as any people that were witnesses have had their memories altered by the death eaters.  I am going to stay here with you for the next couple of days; that is why Dumbledore gave the okay for your aunt to leave.  She would just be in the way anyway."

Harry's mind had about two million thoughts fighting to make their way to find his voice.  But none of them did.  He sat there in silence. 

Ron looked just as uneasy, "How many people were hurt?"

Mundungus took another puff from his pipe and looked at Ron, "They are not sure.  We know of only a couple people receiving the Cruciatus. But that seems to be the worst of it."

Harry found his voice, "Excuse me but that seems pretty bad."

The unshaven man looked at Harry, "Yes, it is a big problem.  But right now since we are in a war, we should be happy no one was killed."

Hermione who had thus far been silent shifted in her seat, "But why would they attack Diagon Alley?  Were they just proving that they are back and strong enough to mount an attack?"

"That Miss Granger," Mundungus answered while standing up "is something that they are currently trying to figure out.  So while they are all there, I will be staying here with you.  I will be up in the guest bedroom sleeping if you need me."

With that the man in tattered overcoat walked out of the living room and slowly made his way up the stairs.

Hermione huffed, "Well, I am glad he is so relaxed."

Ron grabbed her hand in his, "Hermione what else is he supposed to do?  Look, I am sure that the order along with the Aurors will take care of this.  He is right.  Let us be thankful that no one was killed."

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Later that night Harry sat in his room on his bed reading over his book that he had gotten from Ron for his birthday.  That afternoon they had just hung around the house, as they had no more lessons to go to.  Ron had come up with him to the room after dinner but he had soon after disappeared downstairs.

He was reading about the newest broom model, the Excelsior.  He was picturing himself soaring above the Quidditch Pitch after he had just caught the snitch.  That was something that he was most excited about going back to school.  With the dreadful Umbridge gone, he hoped that they would revoke his ban from playing Quidditch. 

He heard a knock on the door and saw a familiar color of hair from an unexpected person.  "Ginny what are you doing up?  It must be almost midnight."

She shrugged her shoulders and sat on the floor.  "Hermione left the room a while ago and I was getting bored by myself.  I thought you might like some company."

Harry smiled and held up his book, "You have to see the new broom they came out with.  I can't wait to use it this year… you are still going to play right?"

She nodded, "I told you I want to be a chaser and now that only Katie is left, there are open positions.  I saw the new broom in Diagon Alley last month, it's the Excelsior right?" 

"Yea"

She sighed, "I wish I could buy it but I think I will have to stick with the school brooms again this year."

Harry smiled apologetically.  He knew that the Weasley family did not have a large amount of money.  He felt even worse knowing that he could afford it because of the money his parents had left him.

"Maybe Fred and George could buy it for you.  They seem to be doing some good business."

She nodded, "Harry you wouldn't believe the new things they have come up with. Mum isn't as mad anymore because they are getting to be really successful.  They said they might even want to open a branch of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Hogsmeade.  But I don't think I could ask them for a new broom.  It's not that important."  Harry thought she was telling the truth but he could see a small glimmer of disappointment in her eyes.

Wanting to ease her discomfort he spoke, "How are your brothers doing, the others I mean."

She hugged her arms around her knees, "Hmm… well…Charlie… he is still in Romania to continue with the Dragons and convincing others abroad to help with the war… and then Bill has still been working with Gringotts in Diagon Alley for the time being so he could be close to home.  Of course Mum is absolutely delighted about this...oh and he is working with Fleur Delacour again. You know of course that they are dating."

Harry knew this but it surprised him every time he heard it "Isn't he a good deal older than her?"

"Honestly Harry, you sound like my mum."  Ginny giggled, "And then there is Percy… he is still working for the ministry… he is back to his old job in the Department of International Cooperation.  He still isn't talking to us and mum and dad don't usually talk about him.  I guess he finally believes you know who is back because Fudge admitted it.  I don't know if things will ever be alright between him and my parents."

Harry stared at the small girl sitting on the floor across from him.  The girl who used worship the ground he walked on.  He wondered how different her life might have been if her family had never met him.  The family might not be split apart.  But Harry quickly dismissed these thoughts from his head.  The Weasleys were now his family too and he could not be more grateful. 

Suddenly he heard raised voices downstairs and he looked to Ginny who was already on her feet.  They opened the bedroom door a crack and listened.

Harry heard Hermione first "Excuse me but I want to tell him.  I was going to today."

Ron shouted, "Yes but he doesn't need to deal with this.  He's got enough to think about."

"Come off it Ron!  I care about you and you obviously don't feel the same way."

"If that is what you think then I don't know what to tell you!  I must have told you about a hundred times but I guess there is just no pleasing Hermione."

Hermione was yelling now too "Why are you so stubborn?  If that is the way you feel then why can't we tell people?"

"You know what… fine… tell everyone you like… I don't feel like fighting." Ron replied in a very snippy tone. 

Harry heard the front door open and slam shut.

He looked at Ginny and she had a look of understanding on her face.  He motioned for her to follow him down the stairs.  He stopped however when he saw Hermione looking out the front door, presumably at where Ron had gone.  It was then that she started screaming and she opened the door and ran out.

"RON! Come back! Look… they are in the street!"

Harry heard what sounded like Ron's strangled voice, "Hermione! Get help! Quick!"

Harry immediately bolted to the front door when all of the lights went out on the street and he felt a familiar and unwelcome coldness sweep over him.  He felt Ginny grab his arm, as she had followed him, and he peered through the darkness to see Hermione about five feet in front of him. 

Harry's heart fell however when he squinted further onto the other side of the street to see a handful of dementors standing in a circle.  All that Harry could make out beyond that was a tall figure trapped in the middle, and straining his eyes as hard as he could, he made out the red fiery hair. 

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*** As always a million thanks to my beta "Bootstrap Jim" and his broom The Excelsior***