Hey! Sry if the chapters are really short, but I'll try to make them longer! It's just that when I feel I'm done with it, I am, but I'll try! READ AND REVIEW! Thnx for all the great reviews! So much better than my other fics! ;-)

CHAPTER 8

Harry and Lupin walked up the creaky stairs and to the room where Harry and Ron stayed last year. Now it was empty except for 2 beds. It hadn't changed; it was just as dusty and musty as ever. The whole house seemed to be filthier since Sirius wasn't there anymore. It was eerie being at Grimmauld Place without Sirius.

Harry and Lupin sat on one of the beds and began talking, first about the Order and the Prophecy.

"So, Harry, what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Lupin.

"Well, lots, really. First, about the Order; are there any new developments?" asked Harry.

"No, not as many, and I can't say, but, after the whole ordeal in the Department of Mysteries, we suspect Voldemort has been weaker than last year, with some of his Death Eaters gone in Azkaban, but he's still strong, and still plotting to kill you. I guess you understand why he's doing that, am I right, Harry?"

"Yeah, after learning what the Prophecy was all about. I have to say, Lupin, I'm scared, I'm really scared, for myself and my friends. I just don't know how I'm supposed to defeat him by myself. I've always had help, and I know I have to do it, but I am just really afraid. And after what he did to Sirius, I just don't know what he'll pull."

"I'm trying to understand Harry, really I am. I can't imagine what it's like to live with something like that. Also, you've faced fears far beyond any of your friends, and have to live with something so terrible, it's hard to bear."

"Yeah, I'm trying to try to be how I was before all this, young, carefree, but it's hard. I'm not normal and certainly not young anymore."

"Right you are Harry. You've got to try to be a normal teenager, but don't forget about Voldemort entirely. The time will come, but I know, and you have to know, it's not now."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"I'm glad you decided to talk to me, your father would have loved to have conversations like this with you."

Harry exhaled. "Okay, now, I have to tell you something else, and I want to know what my father would have done at this age. Well, you see, the last, few, like 3 years at Hogwarts, there's been this girl, okay?"

"Yes."

"And, I've had a huge crush on her for those three years. Two years ago, I asked her out to the ball for the Triwizard Tournament, and she was going out with Cedric Diggory, so she said she couldn't. Last year, it kind of dawned on me that she might like me, but I didn't want to do anything then. Well, after one of our D.A. meetings, she cornered me under some mistletoe and well, kissed me. Then she got mad at me when we went to a café in Hogsmeade because I had to leave and meet Hermione at the Three Broomsticks. Then we were on speaking terms again when I did that interview in the Quibbler. But when her friend, Marietta, or something, told Professor Umbridge about the D.A, I got angry at her, and we didn't really make up until this afternoon. But now, we're going out, so I guess I was just wondering how my dad was at this age."

"Well, about this age, your father and mother were just starting to hang out more. Your dad, of course, being cocky, thought that he was just great." Lupin laughed. "But I don't think Lily, I mean your mum, really fell in love with him until after they got out of Hogwarts. I think she just saw him in a different light, not being such a show-off like he was at school. That's one thing that's different between you and James; you're not the show-off kind a person."

"No, not really, I guess. Hey, thanks a lot for talking to me, I really appreciate it."

"No problem, Harry."

They descended downstairs. Harry felt like he had almost talked to his dad, without him being there. Harry could practically feel his presence there with him. He knew he was a lot like him, but never realized how much.

"Where're Hermione and Ron, Ginny?" Harry asked when he saw her downstairs.

"Um, I'm not sure. I think maybe they're in the living room," she replied.

"Oh, I can guess what they're doing," Harry said, smirking.

Sure enough, Ron and Hermione were snogging on the couch. Harry and Ginny laughed aloud.

"RON!" Ginny squealed, giggling so hard she hit the ground.

Ron and Hermione broke the kiss, turned bright red, looked at each other, then continued to laugh as well.

"I still don't see what's so funny," said Ron a minute later.

"It's almost strange, but more or less destiny to see you guys kiss," said Harry. "I mean, we've been friends for like five years, and I've known all along that you guys had the hots for each other."

"Then why didn't you try to get us together before!?!" said Hermione smiling.

"I don't know, I was pretty stupid, and plus we were too busy saving Hogwarts and the wizard community to have time for any romance," Harry replied matter-of-factly.

"Haha, very funny," said Ron grinning.

"Yes, Ron, how come you never told me about your passion for Hermione? I mean, we would have approved," said Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, standing in the doorway to the living room.

Ron froze. "Um, hi, mum, and er, dad," he said.

"And how long were you expecting to keep this from us, you two?" said Mrs. Weasley with a smile.

"I wasn't sure if you would approved of Ron going out with a girl for once," said Hermione.

"Well, as long as you don't, you know..." started Mr. Weasley.

"Dad! Oh my god!" said Ron, stunned.

"There's nothing to worry about, Mr. Weasley. I'll take care of Ron just fine," said Hermione, ruffling his hair affectionately.

"Thanks, Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley, and they left the room.

Everyone burst out laughing.