A/N: Okay, here's the deal- I know that the last chapters have been confusing, and I am really sorry- hopefully this chapter and the next should clear things up a bit. Now, I have had quite a few reviews about not killing off important characters- and I admit that I am trying not to kill people a particularly like, but don't worry- there will be at least two very important deaths during the course of this story, and a lot of deaths of secondary characters, it's just not yet because the "battle" going on was to set up something that still may or may not happen. About only letting there be twins so one could die- that actually was something I was planning for a long time, and has to do with the plot, eventually. And remember that it's only the very beginning of the year- but don't worry, this story will be more spread out than the last one, where I was at Christmas around chapter 60 or so- and the end of the story at 75. So please keep reading and giving me feedback- it is really appreciated! Thanks, and I hope you like the chapter!
Chapter 11:
The next days at the Burrow seemed to last forever. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Draco still weren't allowed to leave the house, and Harry was very frustrated to find that his link with Lenore wasn't working properly. It was wearisome to all of them that they were left alone in the Burrow most of the time, with orders not to leave the house, and it wasn't helping that nobody would tell them anything, including whether Penelope's baby was Percy's, where Percy was, how Hagrid was, who was occupying Grimmauld Place, whether Death Eaters had destroyed the hospital or not, and where everyone else was staying. They learned nothing new of the pyramid, Evelyn's house, Grimmauld Place, Calli's Manor, or Hogwarts- and with Ron and Hermione at each other's throats, Harry was about to be driven insane. His trunk had finally appeared at the Burrow, so he at least had his things with him.
It was their third day at the Burrow when they were finally clued in. Draco and Ron were fighting aggressively over Quidditch teams- Harry had not the heart to join in.
"Are you kidding?" asked Ron hollowly. "Russia's team has absolutely nothing! Their chasers are decent, I suppose, but it's really the Keeper who makes the game-"
"Like the Chudley Cannons?" asked Draco sarcastically. "They're even worse than Puddlemere United! Harry could catch the Snitch before their seeker, and that's saying something-"
"Harry's a really good Seeker!" said Ron defensively. "What do you say he could even beat Krum-?"
"No way," snorted Draco derisively.
"He only lost to Diggory because of those dementors, and—" Draco burst out laughing rather maniacally. "What?" asked Ron cautiously.
"That-" wheezed Draco- "Was the- funniest- bloody- thing I've ever- seen!" He began rolling around, and Harry exchanged smirks with Ron.
"I'd still say the bouncing ferret was more memorable, Malfoy," said Harry skeptically. Malfoy stopped looking and gazed up reproachfully. Ginny began giggling.
"Shut up, Weasley," yawned Draco. "That was a one-time occurance which you will never see again-"
"Speaking of," said Hermione suddenly from behind her large book, "I heard your Mum, R- Ginny. She was telling your Dad that some of the Order's coming over tonight for a quick meeting-"
"What's that got to do with anything?" asked Draco curiously. Hermione grinned.
"Moody will be here…and we all know how much he hates Malfoys…" Draco paled noticeably.
"Well- Moody won't turn me- well…. That wasn't Moody," he compromised finally. "That was that crazy Crouch lunatic…" Hermione kept smirking.
"Whatever you say… But anyway, Fred and George will be here, too. Do you think that they might lend us the Extendable Ears?"
Ginny scowled. "Mum's already made all of the doors and walls and ceilings Imperturbable! I already tried the Extendables…. It's so unfair!" Harry's face fell. How would they ever find anything out? He sighed and tried to relax. Around midday, Hermione retired to Ginny's room to sleep, and Draco went upstairs to write a letter. After Pigwidgeon started up a loud racket, Ron went to check on him and left Harry and Ginny alone together. There was a moment of peaceful silence before Ginny spoke.
"Harry?" she asked softly.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"I have your birthday present…" She then proceeded to pull out something small and stone from her pocket.
"What is it?" asked Harry curiously, coming closer to look. She pushed it closer. It was a very small basin, filled with a familiar silvery fluid. "It's not-" began Harry questioningly, but Ginny smiled and looked into his eyes.
"It is," she said with some excitement. "It took me forever to think of what to get you… and I kept trying to think what you liked and needed most… and then it kind of clicked. This is a Pensive I made. I had two, after my first year. Mum and Dad bought it so I might, you know… get out my memories of the Chamber. But I think that those memories, in a way, at least some of them, helped build my character. Even though they're horrible, I wouldn't be the person I am without them. So I, instead, put really happy memories into it. Most of them are from Hogwarts. I think you'll like it, Harry. But don't look at them right now…" Ginny trailed off thoughtfully, and Harry looked at her in wonder. "And I asked Hermione and Ron for some memories, too…"
"Ginny- thanks so much! That idea is brilliant…" Ginny then looked up into his eyes, and Harry drew her closer. When they touched, and kissed like this- he wished it could last forever. Harry wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he and Ginny broke apart, startled, when somebody stepped out of the fireplace.
"Bill!" gasped Ginny, sitting up. "What are you-"
"Whoa…. Didn't mean to interrupt, you two… but Harry- watch what you're doing with my sister."
"Sorry," said Harry, rather embarrassed at having been caught at a time like this, but then Bill laughed.
"It's okay. I was your age once, too. I meant to be careful in this house. If Ron, Charlie, Fred, or George caught you, forget it." He laughed. "Mum and Dad, too… but teenagers will be teenagers. Feel free to carry on in a few minutes- I just need to-"
"Bill?" asked Ginny suddenly.
"Yeah, sis?" he asked.
"What's going on?" she asked, sighing. "Please tell me?"
"Gin," sighed Bill, "You'll find out tonight. Believe me."
"Promise?" asked Ginny pleadingly. Bill grinned.
"Yeah. I promise. Now no more questions, okay? I am not allowed to answer, you all should know that. But you'll be getting some unexpected visitors tonight, okay?" Ginny grinned.
"Can you tell me who?"
"No," said Bill, running into the kitchen and grabbing a candle and a handful of Floo powder. He then threw the powder into the fireplace. "Bye," he said, as he stepped in and disappeared. Harry turned back to Ginny and kissed her again.
"I love you, Harry," she breathed.
"I love you, too," he said. They then just sat next to the fireplace and gazed into it, each lost in their own thoughts.
That evening, many more people than Harry expected began showing up, one by one, through the fireplaces, though some Apparated. The first to arrive were Tonks and Lupin, followed closely by a very under-the-weather Evelyn and Fleur, then Calli, holding little Austin and Bill, holding Adele. The moment they arrived, they said quick hellos to Harry and the rest and then walked straight into the kitchen, closing the door. Harry exchanged confused looks with Hermione and then Ron. Next came Hagrid, who looked nearly as bad as he had after meeting the Giants, but he simply brushed away Harry as he rushed to greet him and proceeded into the kitchen. The next to enter the room was none other than Madame Maxime, who Harry hadn't laid eyes on since his fourth year. Hermione gasped in surprise as the large woman graciously stooped through the door into the meeting room. Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape then proceeded in. Dumbledore winked at Harry, and McGonagall said curtly, "Nice to see you all. I trust you are well?" and Snape showed no recognition whatsoever of the five teenagers. Harry was still trying to guess who the 'special visitor' was when someone caught them all off guard, Flooing into the house. Harry didn't notice he'd arrived until Ginny gasped beside him.
"Neville?" she asked, surprised. Everyone turned to look.
"Hi," said Neville, who smiled brightly.
"Hey, Neville!" said Harry, standing up to greet him. "How's your summer been? And what are you doing here?" Neville grinned.
"Oh, it's been all right, you know… I got five OWLs, you can imagine Gran's surprise… I'm here because- well, you know about St. Mungo's… my parents were moved, so I've been staying there for a few days. How are you all?" Harry saw Neville's eyes turn to each of the people in the room, and land on Draco in fear for a moment.
"We're okay," said Harry. "Have you by any chance been hearing any information at Grimmauld Place-?" Neville frowned for a moment.
"Actually, yes- you mean you haven't? Everyone's been dropping in so often, and they probably didn't realize I was there or something."
"What have you heard?" asked Ron immediately, in an eager voice, but was stopped by Hermione's angry tutting. "What?" he asked angrily.
"People are still arriving- we should go upstairs to talk about this!"
"Good idea, Hermione," said Harry, nodding. Suddenly Lenore, followed a moment later by Asher, appeared. Lenore was looking rather upset as she stepped into the room.
"What's the matter, 'Nore?" asked Ginny kindly. Lenore sighed.
"Nothing- except Tabby left, really this time."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Hermione in a voice she tried to make sound sympathetic. But everyone knew she couldn't be happier about Tabby's flight- and who could really blame her, besides Lenore? "Come on; let's go upstairs," said Hermione in a low tone. Everyone nodded and ended up piling in Bill's old room, which was the largest. Harry sat on the floor, with Ginny next to him. Neville sat on the other side of the floor next to Hermione and Asher, Ron sat alone by the far wall, and Draco and Lenore sat down together on the bed. The meeting took several minutes to get to order because of Lenore's constant giggling since Draco wouldn't stop tickling her.
"Come on you guys, pay attention," said Hermione impatiently. "Neville- and you, too, Lenore and Asher- what has everyone heard?"
Neville began. "I've heard most of the things on the hospital, and people inside of it. Er- the hospital is still standing, I know- and the Death Eaters have left it. They were trying to kill… my parents, and Lupin, and pretty much the other waiting group of Order members… I don't really know what else to say; ask me questions." Ginny spoke up almost immediately.
"Did they find the body of… my niece?" Neville looked down somberly.
"No. But a Death Eater's reported her death…" Ginny nodded and then spoke again. "What about Penelope Clearwater's baby?"
"It's definitely Percy's. They did tests. But, the problem is that nobody's seen Percy since he left the country last year. Penelope has no idea where he is, and says that she doesn't want to be a single parent or be a parent with Percy… Remus and Evelyn have agreed to raise it, you see… Fleur and Bill don't want to replace the twin, and Mrs. And Mr. Weasley will take the baby, but they're getting older, you know…? But the Lupins asked if they could bring her up, and everyone's said yes, I think…"
"What's its name? Do you know?" asked Ron. Neville nodded.
"Aurora or something…" Ginny smiled.
"Now what of the pyramid?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"I know," answered Asher. "They're going to, er… at the end of the summer, evacuate everyone. Then, right after that, some wizards, disguised as Muggles, are going to get it to explode. Of course, we'll be sure to have everyone around it evacuated as well. Then it'll just be… gone."
"What's the point of it?" asked Harry loudly. Everyone shrugged.
"Someone's stupid idea," said Lenore moodily. Everyone nodded in agreement.
That evening, Neville and Asher left, but Lenore stayed at the Burrow. Draco and Lenore went up to the attic to talk, Hermione and Ginny left to go talk and go to sleep, and Ron lingered around the kitchens to eat some more food. Harry, left alone in Ron's room, decided to finally look inside the Pensive. He cautiously dipped wand into the silvery substance, and was pulled inside.
The first thing Harry walked in on was a day in the common room- so long ago! It must have only been his first year. He stood near a large couch and, after a second, noticed his younger self, laughing with Hermione and Ron. A moment later, the scene evaporated, and Harry was in the stands of a Quidditch match- with a lurch, he remembered that day- Snape had been refereeing! He smiled widely- remembering the happiness of catching the Snitch and winning before Snape had the chance to favor Hufflepuff too much. And then- winning the House Cup, from right under Slytherins' noses… The next memory was one which included Ginny. She was watching shyly from a window as Harry and her brothers de-Gnomed the garden. Then Ginny was sitting at the Great Hall, smiling, as she read the paper- the article about the flying Ford Anglia. Harry laughed. The next scene showed Fred and George escorting Harry down a corridor. "EVERYONE MAKE WAY FOR THE DANGEROUS HEIR OF SLYTHERIN! HE'S LATE FOR THE MONSTER'S DENTIST APPOINTMENT-" Harry chuckled once more, seeing the petrified glances people were throwing at them, including Cho Chang- before Harry ever knew she existed. The next few memories looked to be Ron's- they were of Lupin's Defense class, Hermione smacking Malfoy, and winning the Quidditch Cup. Harry looked closely at Oliver Wood's face- and was happy that he won the Quidditch Cup at least once. There was then a memory of seeing Sirius for the first time, and helping him escape on Buckbeak. After these came Ginny's memories of the Triwizard tournament- Harry flying against the Horntail(this was Harry's first time watching this), and Harry at the Ball. After this, several months seemed to have been left out. The next memory was of Sirius explaining the Order- there were several happy memories of Harry's fifth year, including the Swamp and Umbridge being chased from the school. After these memories came memories of Lenore, of making peace with Malfoy, of Harry and Ginny's first kiss, of Evelyn and Calli- and even a memory of the Founders. The last memory must've been one Ginny sneaked inside later- it was of their kiss earlier that day. Harry came out of the Pensive feeling happier than he had felt in a long, long time.
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter! Review:-D
Jinglez