Disclaimer: I would gladly tell you all that I am the inventor, and current owner of Harry Potter and co. however, I don't feel that being sued by JK Rowling would be a pleasant experience, so I'm forced to deny ownership of Harry Potter and basically anything else in this fic that you recognize.

A/N: I'm sorry if some of you got confused about the random updating last chapter. I updated some grammatical mistakes and thinks, and the site decided to send out author alerts again. Sorry if that confused anyone.

To all of my faithful reviewers: Thanks s much for your feedback, and it's good to know that many of you liked my update! I signed in, and saw 12 new reviews! That really makes an author happy! Anyways, here's what you all have been waiting for!

Chapter 12

Harry awoke the next morning when he heard a loud pop. He sat straight up, and dove for his wand, when something white came flying at his head. He heard Ron and Neville grumbling from the other side of the room. Harry felt around for his glassed, and looked around the room. He saw that the white something that had hit him on the head was a pillow, thrown by probably either Fred or George, as they were standing over Ron and Neville hitting them with pillows as well.

"Geroff me Fred," growled Ron sleepily.

"I'm not Fred, I'm George," said George. "You lot have got to wake up. Mum's cooking."

"SO?" said Ron grumpily.

"She's cooking lunch oh, stupid brother of mine," replied Fred. "Get dressed, and go downstairs before she thinks someone drugged you at that party last night."

All three boys grumbled, and stumbled out of bed.

"Hey Harry," said Ginny after lunch. "Can I talk to you for a minute? It's about a little problem a friend is having." She glanced over at Ron and Hermione, and both she and Harry burst into laughter.

"Sure," said Harry when he had stopped laughing. "Lets go."

Together they walked out of the kitchen, but Harry didn't miss the smirk on Neville's face. After their conversation the night before, Harry could only guess what his friend was thinking. Harry glared at him, before making his way out of the kitchen with Ginny.

They walked to the drawing room, where they sat down on the couch, and Ginny faced him.

"I want to thank you Harry," she said to him after a minute.

Harry had just opened his mouth to say something about Ron and Hermione, however now he was confused. What was she talking about? She had wanted him to talk to him about Ron and Hermione, didn't she?

"Thank me for what exactly?" Harry said clueless.

"For getting me away from Dean last night," she said looking at him. "I really didn't want to talk to him. Plus I was upset, and you cheered me up."

Harry wondered where she was getting this from. He had begun to feel a bit uncomfortable when she had mentioned Dean, and he didn't remember cheering her up at all.

"You joked with me, and made me forget about how mad I was," she said seeing his confused look. "And you're a much better dancer than Parvati gave you credit for."

"Yeah, well…" Harry mumbled more to himself. The Yule Ball hadn't exactly been the highlight of his Hogwarts career. "What happened?" Harry realized this might be rude, but it was out before he could stop himself, and he really wanted to know.

Ginny looked at him for a moment, and then spoke.

"We were having a great time, but when I returned from getting a drink, he was acting all weird. I ignored it, and we danced and stuff. I noticed Fred and George about to hex us though, so I went to yell at them, and gave them a nasty Bat Bogey hex," she added as an afterthought. "When I came back I couldn't find him. I looked everywhere for him, and finally I heard his voice. I looked behind a tree at the edge of the clearing, and saw him snogging Padma Patil. Then I stormed off, and we danced."

Harry just looked at her when she was finished, and wondered why she just told him all of this. They were never that close. Harry found himself angry at Dean for hurting her like that.

"I'm sorry he did that to you Gin," said Harry finally. He was struggling with himself over sending Dean a howler, and giving him a piece of his mind.

"It's okay Harry," she said looking at him. "We weren't really close anyhow. Thanks for listening. You're a lot easier to talk to then any of my brothers. The twins would probably turn him into Snape's twin or something, and Ron would beat him to a pulp the first chance he got." She smiled. "Actually Ron would probably go red in the face, and say I was too young to date anyway. Then he would beat Dean to a bloody pulp."

Harry laughed at this. It was true. Ron was a bit overprotective.

"Did you see Ron and Lavender last night?" asked Ginny after a moment.

"Yeah, they looked like they were enjoying themselves," said Harry thoughtfully.

"Or enjoying each other," Ginny laughed.

After talking a bit more about Ron and Lavender, Harry suggested they go back to the kitchen, so people wouldn't send out a search party for them. As they walked back into the kitchen, they heard an explosion.

"Fred Weasley!" they heard Mrs. Weasley shout. "You fix that platter right now!"

Later that night, Harry couldn't help noticing that they didn't have a training session that day. He mentioned this to Neville, however neither boy could come up with a reason why. Harry vowed to ask Remus when he saw him next, which turned out to be very soon. As Harry was walking to the drawing room where Ron and Hermione were, he bumped into Remus.

"Hey, Remus," said Harry before dropping his voice. "Do you know why Neville and I didn't er- meet with you, Moody, and Tonks today?"

"Dumbledore called it off tonight, because apparently he has to observe a potential member of he Order, and he needed Moody there with him. He figured you and Neville wouldn't mind though," answered Remus.

"Who's the new member?" asked Harry curiously.

"I haven't got any idea," replied Remus looking truthful. "Apparently he needed Dumbledore and Moody's protection, so he might be important."

Harry walked back into the Drawing room, and sat with Ron and Hermione. He hadn't talked to them at all since he got there, with out being surrounded by other people. Everyone was great, but Harry missed the time they had together before. He enjoyed an afternoon of talking with his friends.

They sat just like that until Mrs. Weasley called them for dinner.

The next morning, Harry woke up, and made his way down to the kitchen for breakfast. As he entered he heard the sounds of people eating. Harry joined Ginny and Hermione at the table, and scooped some food onto his plate. Neville came down shortly afterwards. They were enjoying a great breakfast cooked by Mrs. Weasley, when Tonks entered the room.

"Harry, Neville," she said with her eyes wide as though she was trying to tell them something important. "Remus wants to see you about something in Buckbeak's room. It seems as though there is a fungus growing in one corner, and Harry knows the hippogriff, and he heard Neville was good at Herbology so-"

"Okay, Tonks," said Harry cutting her off. Tonks was really a terrible liar, and her story was getting worse and worse. "We're coming alright?" Tonks nodded and left.

"We'll be back later I guess," said Neville. "Come on Harry, lets go look at that fungus."

As soon as they were on the stairs, Harry and Neville dissolved into fits of laughter. "Fungus!"

"I know the hippogriff, which would surely enable me to identify a fungus!"

"Fungus in Buckbeack's room. That is the weakest excuse I've ever heard."

The two boys laughed all the way up the stairs, and don the hall to their new training room.

"Harry," said Tonks as soon as they entered. "Dumbledore wants to know how you're doing on that wandless magic of yours."

Harry looked up sharply. No one was supposed to know, and she had just told five people!

"Wandless magic, Harry?" said Neville excitedly. "Can I see?"

Everyone was looking at him, and Harry decided that it wouldn't hurt, so he levitated a book across the room, and put it down in the opposite corner. Moody clapped.

"Let's see more of that Potter, and you might make a great wizard!"

The next half hour was set on Harry's wandless magic abilities. After that they moved into their dueling training. This is how things were for the next week or so. Harry and Neville would eat their breakfast, and then Tonks would come down, with a worse and worse excuse everyday, about why they would be missing for the afternoon. They would go to training, where they would focus on Harry's wandless magic abilities for about half an hour, and then they would move on to their normal training session. Harry and Ginny would talk a bit more everyday also, which made Harry feel great.

One night at the end of the week, almost the whole Order came for dinner. Mrs. Weasley was cooking so much food, Harry figured that they could have fed half of Britain with it. Supposedly the new Order member was arriving that night for the meeting, and no one knew who it was except Dumbledore and Moody.

Harry, Ron, Neville, Hermione, and Ginny were helping Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen when Fred and George came in with an owl who was making a great racket. They walked right up to Hermione and handed her the ball of feathers, and the letter attached to it.

"Who could this be from?" Hermione wondered aloud. It seemed that everyone in the house had looked in the kitchen at the racket the owl was making, thinking it was the new addition to the Order. They were all disappointed when they saw only an owl, and the twenty or thirty people that had come running in, were about to turn away when Hermione shouted.

"It's from Rita Skeeter!"

A murmur was sent around the kitchen at this, and everyone was wondering why Rita Skeeter was writing to Hermione. She opened the letter, and scanned it quickly.

"She just wanted to let me know the deal ended," she said to Harry and Ron.

"What deal?" shouted Mundungus from the doorway.

"After Rita wrote those awful articles in the prophet two years ago, Hermione here found out some useful information about Rita, and threatened her with it.," said George grinning at Hermione. Harry had forgotten that the twins had heard the whole thing when they were spying on Malfoy outside the train compartment.

"Didn't anyone notice that the only article Rita wrote over the past year was Harry's interview? And it was published in the Quibbler of all places. That was defiantly not Rita's choice," added Fred thoughtfully. "I think it was the article in Which Weekly that sealed the deal though. The one about the love potions."

Everyone in the room nodded, remembering the impact that article had on people. Ron scowled, and Harry and Hermione groaned.

"Snape decided to give a dramatic reading of that bloody article to our entire potions class one day," said Ron angrily.

"At least you weren't in it Ron," snapped Hermione.

"It was bloody awful," agreed Harry.

"So you blackmailed her?" Kingsley asked skeptically.

Hermione was looking slightly flustered by the attention she was getting.

"She bloody had it coming!" cried Fred. "Good job Hermione."

"Yes, well I do remember a positively horrid article she wrote after the Quidditch world cup," said Mr. Weasley thoughtfully.

"That filthy wench!" cried Mundungus.

"I had better go send a reply," said Hermione, hastily making her way to the door.

Five minutes after she left Moody entered the room just as Mrs. Weasley announced that dinner was ready. Everyone but Moody found a place to sit. Harry was on the end, with an empty spot for Hermione.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet our newest member of the Order," he said.

A tall slouching dark figure shuffled into the room, and turned to look at everyone. Harry heard gasps. He himself was very surprised.

"Everyone," continued Moody. "This is Viktor Krum."

Almost every single person in the room looked star struck by the famous seeker. Even Remus looked surprised.

"Hello," said Krum.

"Molly has a great dinner cooked for us all, so why don't you have a seat next to Mr. Potter here, Viktor," suggested Moody taking a seat on the opposite side of the table. "I believe you two already know each other."

Krum's face brightened at the sound of a familiar name, and he looked up to see Harry and Ron.

"Hello Harry," he said nodding to him, and then to Ron. "Ron."

Harry could feel everyone in the room watching them in surprise that they knew each other and still got along, considering the circumstances that they met under. Harry could have sworn he saw George's jaw hit the floor when Krum acknowledged Ron. Krum sat down.

Slowly people started to go back to their dinner, and conversation took place, but Harry could feel everyone sneaking glances at them every now and then. Harry, Ron, and Krum were having a conversation about Hogwarts, and Quidditch. At the end of dinner, Harry remembered something. Hermione hadn't come down at all during dinner. Ron had just mentioned Hermione, and Krum looked up from his food.

"Ave you seen her zis summer?" he asked Ron, who had to conceal a dark scowl. Harry noticed that Krum's English was improved.

"Yeah, she's here," said Harry. "She disappeared before dinner, and I haven't a clue where she is."

"I'll go get her," said Ginny. Harry became aware that everyone was listening to them again.

A few minutes later they were talking about flying again. Krum was just telling Harry that they should go for a Quidditch game the next day.

"Excellent!" cried Ron. "Harry against Viktor Krum. Harry you're gonna loose."

"Thanks mate," said Harry. Krum laughed.

"We have to get a game going tomorrow," said Ron excitedly, apparently forgetting that he was supposed to hate Krum. "Fred and George and Charlie can play. And Bill if he gets here with Fleur in time."

"Fleur?" asked Krum and Harry together.

"Yes, they're dating." Replied Ginny, entering the room. Hermione was writing her letter to Rita Skeeter, and forgot about our little dinner."

"Isn't she that woman who wrote zat article about Harry, and Hermy o ninny, and…"

Harry nodded as Krum trailed off.

"I'd love to play," said Charlie from the other end of the table.

"Us too!" said Fred loudly, looking excited at the prospect of even being within ten feet of the famous seeker.

"Viktor!"

Everyone turned to see Hermione come running into the room. She came up and hugged Krum, and sat down next to him, making Harry and Ron squish. People were eying Hermione and Krum in surprise, as they had not believed that the two were actually dating. Mrs. Weasley raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. Harry remembered how Mrs. Weasley treated Hermione after the article. Ron remembered apparently, because he resumed his dark scowl at the pair of them. Harry looked up and caught Ginny's eye, and they both started shaking with silent laughter.

Later that night, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville had been told to go upstairs so the Order could meet. The twins and Krum were attending the meeting. Suddenly the door to Grimmauld Place was thrown open, and a cloaked figure entered. Harry couldn't see his face, but he could recognize that figure anywhere.

"Ron," Harry hissed. "It's Snape!"

Snape burst into the kitchen, and they heard a lot of shouts.

"Wonder what' going on in there?" said Neville aloud.

"Fred and George gave me these little spy eye things," said Ginny pulling some small purple objects out of her pocket, and handing them around. "Maybe these will let us see inside the meeting. You can attach extendable ear things to them also."

"How do you use this thing?" asked Ron confusedly. "And how come Fred and George gave them only to you?"

"Because they did," snapped Ginny. "And you are supposed to put them to your eye and tap them twice to activate them."

Harry watched as Ginny did this, and then proceeded to activate his own. He noticed that it didn't work.

"Uh, Ginny, how exactly do these work again?" asked Ron quietly. "I can't see anything out of mine."

"Mine dosen't work either," said Harry.

"Hey Ginny, I think mine's broken," whispered Neville.

"Mine works just fine Gin," said Hermione proudly.

"Damn," whispered Ginny. "Well I guess Hermione and I will stay here and watch then, seeing as I haven't got anymore of these, and they will take too long to switch to another person."

"What are we supposed to do then?" asked Neville indignantly.

"Go up to your room, and we'll be up once we've heard what Snape has to say. We promise to tell you everything," said Hermione. "If you three stay here then we'll make to much noise."

Grumbling, Harry, Ron, and Neville set off to their room.

Hermione and Ginny came running through the door to the room about ten minutes later.

"Mum came out and we think she saw us, so we had to leave," panted Ginny.

"Well," asked the boys together.

"Well what?" snapped Hermione flopping down on Ron's bed.

"What happened?" asked Harry impatiently.

Ginny sighed and plopped herself down on Harry's bed next to him, and leaned her back against the wall.

"We didn't hear the whole conversation," Hermione began. "But from what we did hear, You-Know-Who is royally pissed that Harry isn't at the Dursleys anymore."

"And he's planning some kind of revenge for something," continued Ginny. "Probably on Harry, but that was when we had to leave."

"How do you know it's on Harry?" asked Ron, glancing at his best friend with concern before shifting his gaze back to his sister and Hermione.

"Because," started Hermione. "After Snape had stopped to take a breath, the Order went into planning increased security around Harry."

"Just perfect," muttered Harry. Just what he needed. Extra security. Harry hated all of this. Everywhere he went people treated him as if he was a piece of glass. With added security, he probably wouldn't be able to go to the loo by himself.

"Sorry mate," whispered Ron.

"Wonder what kind of revenge he is planning though?" wondered Neville aloud.

"Knowing Voldemort, something awful," said Harry.

They sat up all night coming up with possible ways that Voldemort could take revenge.

The next day was a Sunday, and therefore there was no training for Harry and Neville. When Harry woke up that morning, Fred and George apparated to the foot of his bed with a loud crack waking Ron and Neville.

"I hate it when you two do that," said Ron angrily. "Can't you just knock like everyone else?"

"Of course not Ronnikins," said Fred cheerfully. "That wouldn't be any fun at all."

"Everyone get up!" shouted George equally cheerful. Harry thought it should be made illegal to be this cheerful before breakfast. "We're going to have us a nice little Quidditch game today."

"Don't you two have to mind your store today?" asked Neville.

"Nope," answered Fred. "It's Sunday mate."

"Where do you plan to have this game?" asked Ron.

"Well," began George. "We talked to Dumbledore after the Order meeting last night, and he said that certain people needed a break. I've got no idea what he means by that, but he said he would expand the backyard of this place so we could have us nice little game of Quidditch. McGonnagal supported us surprisingly. She said she didn't want half the Gryffindor team out of practice."

Half an hour later, Harry, and Ron were getting their brooms, and heading outside. Neville was planning to watch with Hermione. Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, Charlie, Bill, and Krum all went outside to play.

After a bit of friendly bickering, they had finally come up with teams. It was going to be Harry, Ron, Fred, and Charlie against Krum, Ginny, Bill, and George. They had decided to not have Keepers, as there weren't enough people. Fred and George had managed to get a set of real Quidditch balls. Harry knew better than to ask where they had found them, so he ignored it, and got onto his firebolt.

Half an hour later, Harry had been soaring around the yard looking for the snitch. Across the lawn he could see Krum doing the same thing. Fred and George decided to do the commenting.

"Potter's team scores again!" cried Fred happily. "The score is now Potter-90, and Krum-20!"

"Hahaaa," cried Ron. "We got a better team!"

Harry laughed as George mumbled something Harry couldn't understand even with the sonorous charm. Harry ducked as a bludger came whizzing past his head. Fred came chasing after it, shouting.

"Don't think you'll get away with that one George Weasley!" Fred sent the bludger hurtling towards Ginny who was about to score. She dropped it as George started to shout again. Harry had seen the snitch, and dove. He could see Krum diving at the other side of the yard.

"I don't think so Fre-"started George, hitting the bludger.

"WHAT'S THIS? I BELIEVE THEY'VE SEEN THE SNITCH!" cried Fred

"It's hiding in a bush!" shouted George laughing. "Wonder what they'll do?"

"Come on Harry!" shouted Fred and Ron together.

Harry dove, and saw Krum a bit ahead of him. Suddenly Krum slowed down, and Harry saw why almost right away. The bloody snitch had flown into a bush. The entire game had stopped to see who was going to catch the snitch. To a spectator the scene could be considered quite comical.

The six Quidditch players were frozen in their positions, watching the two seekers hover over a bush in the corner of the yard, and appeared to be glaring at it. Harry and Krum were scowling at the snitch, as it teased them. It would make like it was going to fly out of the bush before darting back to the center again.

"Stupid snitch," growled Krum after five minutes. The Quidditch game was still on pause, as everyone watched Harry and Krum with great interest.

"I am not going into that bloody bush to get it," stated Harry, growing frustrated.

"Same," said Krum.

Suddenly the snitch flew out of the bush. By instinct, and reflex, both seekers launch themselves at it simultaneously, apparently not realizing they were only a few feet above the ground to begin with.

CRASH!

Harry and Krum collided with the bush, and Krum, having longer arms than Harry, was able to grab the snitch a split second before they were both thrown off their brooms. Both seekers lay on the ground laughing, covered in twigs, leaves, and scrapes.

"WHO CAUGHT THE SNITCH?" cried Fred and George along with the rest of the two teams.

Still laughing, Krum raised his fist, clutching the snitch.

Harry looked up and noticed that their audience had grown. Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and Moody had all joined Hermione and Neville.

"Krum's team wins, 170 to 100!" cried George excitedly as everyone landed their brooms.

"Oh dear, boys," cried Mrs. Weasley as she saw Harry and Krum. "Let me get a potion to fix those scratches for you."

As Mrs. Weasley hurried back into the house, everyone else followed at a slower pace. Krum was talking to Hermione, and Ron walked behind them scowling.

"Look at them," said Ginny giggling.

"Yeah," said Harry. "Look at Ron."

Ginny laughed. "That was some match Harry. Good job," said Ginny changing the subject completely. Then she added, "even though we won."

"Hey!" said Harry in mock annoyance. "I resent that Ginny Weasley."

A quarter of an hour later, Mrs. Weasley had given a potion to Harry and Krum to fix the cuts they had acquired from the bush. They all had begun to eat their lunch, when a few owls had flown into the room.

An official looking owl had dropped a letter on Fred's plate. Several more owls flew over to Harry, Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Hermione. Harry opened his letter, and saw his school letter.

Harry Potter,

As you should know by now, the start of term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is on the first of September. You will get the Hogwarts express at eleven o'clock at Platform 9 3/4. Enclosed is a list of books and supplies you will need for the year, and the OWL test results.

You should also know that your ban on Quidditch has been lifted, and you are expected to return to the team as a seeker unless you should disagree with this. If you are not planning to return to the team you should see your head of house at the beginning of term.

Signed
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry felt a grin on his face at the thought of being able to play Quidditch again. Then a second piece of parchment fell onto the table, and he unfolded it wondernig if it was his OWL scores. Harry scaned it quickly, and threw it aside. It was his booklist. Harry picked up a third piece of parchment and saw his OWL scores.

Dear Mr. Potter,

The following are your scores earned from the Ordinary Wizarding Level tests you completed last June. A passing score is that of an A (Acceptable) or higher. Each Passing grade earns you 1 OWL. Your results are as follows:

Charms E (1 OWL)
Transfiguration E (1 OWL)
Herbology E (1 OWL)
Defense Against the Dark Arts O (1 OWL)
Potions O (1 OWL)
Care of Magical Creatures O (1 OWL)
Astronomy A (1 OWL)
Divination P
History of Magic P

Total OWLS earned: 7
Congratulations Mr. Potter on your results.

Sincerely,
Griselda Marchbanks
Chief Examiner
Wizarding Examination Authority

Harry looked up from his letter and heard Hermione shriek. Harry jumped. He had forgotten he was in a room full of people. He looked around, seeing that Ron, Neville, and Hermione had also gotten their scores. Harry exchanged glances with Ron, knowing that neither of them wanted to be the one to ask Hermione about her OWL scores. They didn't have to dwell on the thought for long however, as Neville spoke just then, and asked for them.

"What did you get Hermione?" he asked cautiously.

"I've gotten an A in Ancient Runes!" she exclaimed upset.

Ron rolled his eyes. Harry had to stifle a laugh, as he thought about what Hermione would say if she saw his History of Magic grade. Ron leaned over and snatched Hermione's letter before she could stop him and looked at it, his eyes wide.

"Hermione," he said weakly. "You've gotten 11 OWLS! You've even managed an E in Astronomy."

"Yes, well," Hermione snapped halfheartedly, trying not to look too pleased with herself. Krum was grinning at her.

"I've gotten seven OWLS," said Ron. "I messed up a bit in Divination, but I was expecting that anyways. I got a P in Astronomy though."

"Thats alright mate," said Harry. "I've gotten seven also. A P in Divination, and in History of Magic. I got an O in potions though." Harry was stunned. He had only just noticed his exceptional grade in potions. Neville let out a small squeak.

"I've passed potions," he cried excitedly. Then he turned to Harry. "Thank you Harry."

"For what?" asked Harry, puzzled.

"I got an O in Defense against the Dark Arts." Neville had a look of awe.

"Me too," said Ron excitedly. "Thanks mate. That was all because of you."

Harry blushed, and tried not to look too pleased with himself, and avoided Ginny's gaze.

"I've done extremely well on my Defense exams also, thanks to the DA," said Ginny, smiling at Harry.

"Oh, I'm so proud of you all," said Mrs. Weasley happily. Harry looked up. He had forgotten that she was in the room. "Tomorrow we shall go to Diagon Alley and get your things, alright?" she said, picking up the booklists off the table.

Harry enjoyed the rest of the day before Hermione and Krum walked off for a bit. Neville sniggered at them as he wondered what they might be up to. Ginny hit him upside the head. Ron scowled again. When Hermione came back later that night, very pink in the cheeks and giggly, she explained that Krum had to leave, as he wasn't staying at Grimmauld place. She said he would be in and out for meetings, and he would be staying in London.

"Why are you so smiley?" asked Ron grumpily.

Hermione and Ginny exchanged significant looks, and ran off to their room giggling. Ron, Harry, and Neville just shrugged, and went off to their room.

Up next: Diagon Alley!

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