Harry Potter and the Voldemort Resistance

By Bado

Disclaimer: I own none of the Harry Potter franchise.

Chapter 5 Friends

The next day seemed to pass very fast for Harry. On Friday, Harry informed to his aunt that he was leaving the next day. Harry wasn't sure which explanation took longer the explanation of Floo Powder, or Mrs. Figg being in contact with the magical world. Later that morning, Harry met Mark at the park. Mark consoled Harry, telling Harry about a dog he had when he was seven years old. Mark said he went through it and so did everyone else. It seemed weird for Harry to be taking advice from a ten year old. After their chat, Anna took the boys to a movie. The movie was a real cheesy magic powers one. A girl discovered she had some sort of mind powers. Harry liked it though, he hadn't really seen any movies about magic. Or any movies what so ever for that matter. After the movie the was over, Harry said goodbye to Mark and Anna, and told them he's see them tomorrow.

The next day Harry woke up early, in anticipation for his journey. He took a very quick shower and got all ready to depart, which was two hours away. He quickly but neatly began to pack all his old robes (he decided he needed to get new ones this year), his new clothes, and all of his old schoolbooks. When Harry got to his most prized possessions, his father's Invisibility Cloak, the Marauder's Map, and his Firebolt, he slowed down his progress, wanting to be very careful with those items. He noticed when he was packing that all his belongings were becoming very cramped inside his trunk. Going to have to get a new one sooner or later. Might as well be sooner. He thought. So he made a mental note to get a new one today.

After he finished packing at nine o'clock, Harry went downstairs and had some breakfast with his Aunt Petunia (Uncle Vernon and Dudley had conveniently went out to breakfast). They had a wonderful chat over pancakes, sausage, hash browns, and orange juice. Harry decided it was time to say goodbye when he noticed they had been talking for forty-five minutes.

"Well Aunt Petunia. I think I should probably get going."

"Ok Harry. Have a great school year. And do be careful dear." She said as she walked Harry to the door.

"I will. Bye." And with one last wave Harry grabbed his trunk and started out the door. Suddenly his aunt stopped him.

"Did you think you were going to get away without giving me a hug?" She said in mock anger. So Harry hustled over and gave his aunt a huge hug. Just as they let go, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." His aunt then stepped over Harry's luggage and opened the door. Standing there was a tawny headed man dressed in shabby wizard robes.

"Hey Professor Lupin. So are you here to help me with all this?" Harry said as he walked over to the door.

"You're correct Harry." Lupin said as he shook the young wizard's hand.

"Ok cool. Well you can shrink my things and we'll be off." Harry said as he pulled Lupin over to his trunk and the cage. With a quick spell, Harry's trunk was small enough to fit in his palm and the cage was small enough to pick up with two fingers.

"Alright, let's go down to Mrs. Figg's." Lupin turned to the door.

"See you next summer Aunt Petunia." And with one last wave, Harry was on his way back to the wizarding world.

Harry and Lupin walked in silence for only a couple of seconds, until the werewolf broke it.

"So Harry, how have you been?" He asked intently.

"Fine, just fine." Harry said as his voice trailed off.

"Come now Harry. I know I am not Sirius, but I would like to be a friend just as him."

"Of course Professor Lupin. You are already a great friend. You are the only true Marauder left." Harry said with a smile.

"That's another thing Harry. I am not your professor anymore. Please call me Remus, or Moony if you like." Remus smiled then asked his question again. "So now Harry. How are you doing?" Harry hesitated before answering.

"Well it's been rough. I miss Sirius so much. He was a great man."

"Of course he was Harry. So was that beautiful bird of yours."

"Thanks Moony. She was great. I don't think any pet could ever replace her." Thinking of his two deceased friends caused more tears to come. As they turned off the sidewalk into Mrs. Figg's yard, Harry wiped his eyes.

"Thanks Remus." Remus could only nod in response. He too was on the brink of tears. As the pair reached the door, Remus reached over and rang the small cat shaped doorbell. A second later a batty looking old woman with a house slippers on answered the door.

"Hello Harry dear. How has your summer been?"

"It's had its ups and downs." Harry said.

"O well. Just make sure not to dwell on the downs." She said knowingly. "Well I believe you two should be on your way. The Floo Powder is right there on the mantel." She said as she pointed to a small flower pot above the fireplace.

"Ok. Thank you Arabella. I'll see you soon." Remus said as he waved to her. Moony lit a magical fire with his wand He then stuck his hand in the Floo Powder and pulled out a small pinch. He threw it into the purple flames, then as they turned emerald green, Moony stepped in and called out, "The Burrow!" Harry then turned to Mrs. Figg and waved, then did exactly as Remus. Seconds later he was in the Weasley's living room, Remus in front of him.

"Ron and Hermione are waiting right through there." He pointed to the kitchen door. Harry walked through the doorway. Just as he came into the kitchen the air was knocked out of him.

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked as she ran up and gave him a rib breaking hug.

"Easy Hermione. I've only been away for three weeks." Harry said as his other best friend walked up to him, hand outstretched.

"Hey there Harry." Ron said as Harry shook his hand.

"Hey Ron. So how have your guys' summers been?" Harry asked.

"Well, I've just been visiting with my parents. Dumbledore sent them a letter, about V-V-Voldemort. They were pretty scared at first, but then I explained to them that there were so many people working against him. But other than that it's been a rather pleasant summer." Hermione finished with a smile. "Mum thought it would be good for me to get involved with something, you know for something to keep all this stuff off of my mind besides homework. So I started gymnastics again. I was in it for a long time before I went to Hogwarts."

"Well that sounds fun." Ron said. "I've been just hanging out here with Ginny." The he added with a big grin. " It also seems that Ginny has once again taken a liking to our good buddy Harry here. She's been talking about how great you were in the Department of Mysteries ever since we got off the train." He quickly added, "Just don't tell her. She's taken a leaf outta Hermione's book and has been researching curses."

"Wait. I thought she was with Dean."

"She just said that to be able to see the look on Ron's face." Said Hermione casually.

"What are you talking about."

"O never mind. But anyways you weren't supposed to tell Harry." Hermione exclaimed. "O well. I guess he would've found out sooner or later." Hermione suddenly became very excited.

"O Harry! What did you get on your O.W.L.s? I've been dieing to find out." She said practically jumping up and down.

"I did pretty well." Harry said slightly self-conscious. He knew Hermione definitely had done better than him. "I got Os in Defense, Potions, and Care of Magical Creatures. I had Honors in Defense. I got E's in Charms and Transfiguration. Then there was the A in Herbology. I failed the others. Ten O.W.L.s in all though. How about the two of you?" Hermione was the first to speak up

"I got Os in all the standard classes and Care of Magical Creatures. I got Es in Runes, Arithmancy, History of Magic, and Astronomy. Sixteen O.W.L.s in all." Harry's jaw dropped. The he remembered he was talking to Hermione.

"And you Ron?" Harry asked.

"I actually got nine O.W.L.s. Same grades as you except I didn't pass Herbology."

"That's great Ron." Harry said. "And what classes are you two taking?" He asked. Once again Hermione was the first to answer.

"I'm taking N.E.W.T. level everything, except Care of Magical Creatures. Plus, picked that extra Defense class and the Study Hall."

"You're not taking Care of Magical Creatures anymore?" Ron asked.

"No. I decided it wouldn't be doing anything for my career preparation." She said. "What about you Ron. What classes are you taking?"

"I'm taking all the standard N.E.W.T. level classes except Herbology. And my electives were that new Defense class and Care of Magical Creatures. And you Harry?"

"I'm taking the all the standard classes, and my electives are Care of Magical Creatures, the extra Defense class and Study Hall." Just then Ron's mom walked in.

"Hello Harry. Hope you've had a good summer. I am so sorry about Hedwig dear." She leaned over and gave Harry a big hug. The second bone crushing one today. "Well on a lighter note, it's time to go. You can leave your things here. Everything's being sent ahead." Harry pulled out his miniature trunk and bird cage and handed them over to Mrs. Weasley. "Well everyone is waiting for you three out by the fireplace." The trio followed her into the living room. Several Order members as well as a few other unexpected people were there.

"Hello Harry." Several people chorused. Standing in front of the fireplace were all of his fellow sixth years, as well as a couple fifth and seventh years, whom had been members of D.A. the previous year. Harry walked around the crowded room stopping and shaking hands or giving hugs (he even awkwardly shook Cho Chang's hand). After they were all done saying hello, they each (including a few Order members) in turn took a pinch of Floo Powder and left through the fireplace.

As Harry stepped through the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron, he was surprised to see the Evans, looking rather nervous. Harry walked over to them.

"Hey Mark. Hey Anna. Come over here a second. I'd like to introduce you to a few friends of mine." Harry said as he lead them to the young wizards. He introduced each one of them by name. Then he explained to them who these obvious muggles were.

"This is Mark and Anna Evans. Or Aunt Anna and little cousin Mark." Harry said with a smirk. "This is what Dumbledore confirmed, that they are my family."

"That's great Harry." Said Hermione. From the right of them, a voice spoke up.

"All right children. We need to be on our way. We have many places to go." They all looked over to see Professor McGonagall.

The walked out of the Leaky Cauldron into the bright sunshine of Diagon Alley.