Author's Note- Yay! Chapter 26!!! Here it is, for everyone that's been
waiting patiently. Harry tells Erika something very serious, and "good"
news for Ruth (in her eyes). Plus, a plan is in the making. Also, I know a
bunch of people wanted this to be H/H, or H/G, or whatever combination
people have thought of. I, personally, have nothing wrong with any of them,
I read all of them. But, for this story I decided to settle on neutral
grounds so I wouldn't make anyone angry with doing the wrong combination.
You'll find out what I'm talking about when you read. Hehe. So, here goes!
Disclaimer- I own nothing. It all belongs to the Great Harry Potter people (of which I am not, sadly). I am not getting paid, so don't sue me (I have NO MONEY and your profit would be ZERO!).
Erika - The Legacy of Lily and James
"Erika! Over here!" I heard someone shout.
I turned to see Sarah, waving her arms madly in the air outside Platform nine and three quarters. Confused, but happy to see her, Meg and I walked over.
Like last year, Meg was staying the first night at our apartment since Anya left Hogwarts the day after the students.
We set down our trunks near her.
"Hi! Sorry Harry couldn't be here, urgent business. You know. But he'll be back in time for your welcome home dinner, for both of you. We have to stop at the market on our way home, if you don't mind. I just need a few things," Sarah said.
I nodded, smiling, "Okay. Sure."
"I got you a trolley to put your trunks on," Sarah told us, motioning to the trolley beside her.
We got our trunks onto the trolley, and wheeled them from the station. Sarah got us a taxi, which we took to our corner. There was a little market on the corner, where we stopped to get what Sarah needed. Meg and I waited outside, sitting on our trunks.
"What is she making?" Meg asked.
I shrugged, "I guess we're making it tradition to have a welcome home dinner for me."
Meg smiled, "Harry must really like Sarah."
"He does," I said, nodding and looking at the passing traffic, "I have a feeling I'll be seeing her a lot this summer."
"More than last summer?" Meg asked.
Again, I nodded, "Yep."
The apartment was empty when we got there. Meg stowed her trunk in my room and helped me unpack. Once we were done, we went out to the kitchen were Sarah was making dinner.
"So, where's Harry and Ron?" I asked.
"Urgent Order meeting," Sarah answered.
I frowned, "I thought you were joining the Order."
"I am. This year, hopefully. But since I'm not a member yet, I'm not allowed to the meetings. They're very careful, what with the spy at Hogwarts," Sarah said.
"So they haven't figured out who it is, then?" I asked.
Sarah shook her head, "Everyone that was thinking it was Adrienne is burying their heads, now. She couldn't be if she had been killed by Ruth . . . Oh, Erika, Meg, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to talk about it!"
"It's okay," Meg said, "So, what's for dinner?"
Harry and Ron showed up fifteen minutes before dinner, looking exhausted and slightly worried. Seconds after they walked in the door, they donned smiles and greeted us back from Hogwarts. Harry kissed Sarah hello, and then went in his room to change.
"Smells delicious," Harry said when he returned, "What is it?"
Sarah gave him the menu: steak, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls with butter, and home-made pumpkin juice that her mum had given her when she left America (magically kept good).
Despite my eagerness to know what had been happening, Harry and Ron said absolutely nothing about Voldemort, the Order, or the Ministry during dinner. They sticked to safer topics. The conversation was good, but I wanted to know what was happening.
After dinner, we all settled down and watched a Muggle movie on TV, laughing at the idioticness of it all. It was the best movie a bunch of wizards and witches could watch, a movie about the Muggles of ideas of witches and "warlocks".
Sarah left at eleven, and we all went to bed. Harry had borrowed a cot from Hermione, which he set up in my room for Meg's use.
"Glad to be back?" Meg asked.
"Very glad," I whispered.
Five minutes later, we were asleep.
* * *
That night
Somewhere else
Ruth stood before Voldemort, her excitement hidden deep under her skin. Voldemort titled her "Dark Lady" and announced her formally as his heir.
"Lady Ruth," everyone murmmured.
Ruth held her head high. This was the day she had been dreaming of. She was now the second most powerul person in the world. Of course, Voldemort was more poweful than all, with Ruth following. No one could beat them.
Not the pesky Potters or that idiotic Dumbledore. Certainly not the Ministry of Magic, who was crummbling from the inside (with some help from a few well placed Death Eaters). And as for Megan, her sister, there was nothing Megan could to do stop her.
At that moment, Ruth felt as if the world was in her hands, ready to be crushed under her power.
"Behold, world, it is I, Lady Ruth," she whispered to herself.
* * *
A few minutes later
As told by Erika Rose Potter
"Harry? Harry, wake up!"
I opened my eyes, and sat up in my bed. Meg sat up on her cot as well.
It was Ron's voice, yelling to my brother to wake up. Confused and slightly scared, I pushed the covers (that I had halfway kicked off) off my bed, and got up. Meg followed me.
Down the hallway, the door to my brother's room was open, and the lights were on. I walked in to find Ron standing over my brother, and Harry sitting up in his bed. I sighed in relief, and walked in.
"What's happening?" I asked.
Harry and Ron turned to look at me.
"Erika? Why are you awake?" Harry asked.
I raised an eyebrow, and said, "Ron woke me up with his shouting. What is happening?"
"Nothing. I had a nightmare, that's all," Harry said.
"I don't believe you. You'd better tell me. Remember, you promised you wouldn't lie to me anymore," I countered.
Meg appeared beside me, silent.
The room was silent for a minute, and then Harry spoke, "Fine, fine, I'll tell you. Let's go in the living room and sit down."
We did so, turning on the lights as we went. It was now about two in the morning, or so the clock above the stove said.
We sat down in the living room, and I waited for Harry to speak.
"Remember how I told you about the connection Voldemort and I have . . . how I can sometimes feel what he's feeling, see what he's seeing. Well, that just happened," Harry said.
"I thought you said you could block it out," I said.
"I can," he replied, "I didn't tonight . . . I forgot. Good example I'm setting."
No one laughed, but I managed a smile.
"So, what happened?" I asked.
"Well, tonight, when I was dreaming, I forged a connection between Voldemort and I, and I saw what he saw. It was only a few seconds. He could sense me in him, and that can be dangerous . . . that's why I've learned to block it off," Harry said, "Tonight, I saw a huge room. I was . . . Voldemort. There was a young woman there, she was being honored for doing something good," Harry told us.
Meg interuppted, "Ruth. Probably for . . . you know . . . killing Adrienne."
"They were saying something about 'Dark Lady'," Harry said.
"'Dark Lady' is the title my grandfather planned to give to his heir. He must have offically done and named her," Meg said, "Ruth'll be pleased with herself."
Meg looked down at her hands, and sighed.
"You should tell Dumbledore," I said.
Harry nodded, "I will. I'll go over to the Order Headquarters after work today."
"Okay," Ron said, "I think Mum or Dad's going to be there. It shouldn't be hard to get the message to Dumbledore."
"Yeah, but he's not going to be happen I didn't use my Occlumency," Harry said.
I looked up, "Occlumency?"
"That's how I block my mind," Harry explained, "I use it every night."
I nodded, "Oh, okay."
For the next few days, Harry had that air about him. The air he got whenever he had something important to tell me, but was delaying it. Curious, and worried it might be something about Voldemort, I hoped he would tell me soon. And soon he did.
One night, a week after I came home, Harry asked to speak to me. Ron had gone out, so there was no one else in the apartment.
"Sure, what about?" I asked, sitting down on the couch.
"Erika, do you like Sarah?" Harry asked, nervous.
I nodded, "Yeah, I do. She's really nice, and I like her. Why?"
"Well, I was thinking about asking Sarah to marry me. Of course, I won't it you don't like the idea. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it. You are, aren't you?" Harry asked, saying that very fast.
I grinned, "That would be great. I really like Harry. Go right ahead. I'm behind you."
Harry grinned, in turn.
"Great. I'm telling Ron tonight. Next week I'm going to take her out and ask her," Harry told me.
"This is so cool! Have you decided where to go, yet?" I asked.
Harry shook his head.
"Go to Barnuby's. It just opened, it's supposed to be really nice, and really romantic. I saw pictures on the television," I told him.
"Okay. I'll get reservations, then," Harry said, and then stood up, "I'm really glad you're okay with this, Erika. I love Sarah."
I laughed, "You'd better, if you're proposing to her."
Apparently, Ron didn't mind the idea either. A week later, an extremely nervous Harry was standing in the living room, wearing a tux, saying goodbye to Ron and I. We'd ordered a pizza, which was supposed to arrive in an hour.
"Wish me luck," Harry said.
"Luck!" I shouted as he left the apartment.
I turned back to the Muggle television, and got ready to wait. The pizza arrived, and Ron and I pigged out (there is no other word for what we did) in front of the TV.
"How come we don't have our own network or something? I think we should have Wizard TV," Ron said.
I laughed, "Wizard TV? What about Witch TV? Huh?"
"Yeah, well, we'll see," Ron said.
We returned to the topic about how stupid some of these Muggle programs were. As it got later, older episodes came on. As we were flipping through channels, we saw an old rerun of Bewitched, which Ron and I spent fifteen minutes laughing over before turning the channel.
At ten o'clock, we were still watching TV. I was curled up on the couch. Ron was sprawled on the recliner.
"It's ten o'clock. Why don't you go to bed?" Ron suggested.
I looked up at him, and gave him a look that said, "Yeah, right. You must be crazy."
He gave up the topic, and we went back to watching TV.
At ten thirty, I got up and got us both some lemonade, which Ron and I drank in about ten seconds each.
It was about five minutes after eleven when the apartment door finally opened. Immediately wide awake, I sat up on the couch and leaned over the back. Ron, too, sat up on the recliner. I could hear Harry in the hallway.
I held my breath, but both Ron and I remained silent.
Harry walked into the living room, and grinned.
"I should've known you two would be awake," Harry said, laughing.
I rolled my eyes, and replied, "Oh, come on, like we'd miss this! So, what did she say?"
"She said yes," Harry told us.
I squealed, and Ron got up, and patted Harry on the back, "Congratulations, mate."
"Harry and Sarah are getting married!" I cried, grinning and so awake I didn't think I'd ever get to sleep.
"That's great!" Meg said when I told her.
It was Sunday a few days later, just after noon. Meg and I were in my room. Harry and Ron were running around the apartment. We were going to the Weasley's for Sunday dinner, partly so Harry and Sarah could tell them their good nes, partly because we wanted to.
"Anya and I are going out for dinner tonight," Meg told me, "Someplace really nice."
I smiled, "That's great. Do you know where?"
"No, Anya wanted to make it a surprise," Meg said.
There was a knock on my bedroom door, and then it opened. Sarah appeared in the doorway, smiling.
"Erika, Megan, Harry sent me to tell you it's time to go," Sarah said, grinning.
Meg and I left, and I waved goodbye to Meg as she used Floo Powder to get back to her house. A minute later, Harry, Ron, Sarah, and I used Floo Powder to get to the Weasleys (Harry, Ron, and Sarah could have Apparated, but for my sake they didn't).
As usual, the moment we arrived the Weasley's house was full of activity. Mrs. Weasley came rushing in to the room.
"Ron, Harry, Sarah, Erika! Oh, lovely, you've arrived!" she shouted, smiling and hugging each of us, "You can go out back. Ginny, and the twins are already here. Hermione should be here any minute . . ."
We all nodded, and went outside. Fred and George roared welcomes, and nearly killed their younger brother by presenting him with a flower that immediately blew up in his face.
"Our latest product, to use on certain girls who annoy you," George announced, "We're still testing. They'll be on sale next month!"
We all laughed.
"Business going well?" Harry asked.
"Spectacular!" Fred replied.
Ron looked around the backyard, "Hey, where's Sally and Katie?"
"Ah, Sally had to work today," George said, referring to his girlfriend.
"Katie had a family obligation," Fred told us, referring to his girlfriend.
Ginny came over, grinning, and waving.
"Hi, guys! Good summer so far?" she asked.
"Very good," I replied, glancing at Sarah and Harry (Harry shot me a look that clearly told me to shut up, so I did).
Ginny raised her eyebrows, but said nothing.
Mrs. Weasley came out the door with Hermione.
"Nearly ready. Has anyone seen Arthur? I haven't seen him for at least a half an hour . . ." Mrs. Weasley said.
"He went into the shed, Mum," Ginny replied.
"ARTHUR! DINNER TIME!" Mrs. Weasley shouted, annoyed that her husband would choose to look over some Muggle contraption rather than help her with dinner.
I whispered to Ginny, "Never a dull moment here."
Ginny just laughed.
Finally, the table was set and we all sat down for dinner.
The conversation was very funny at times, and not quite serious at all. It was a lot of fun, and I stuffed my face.
Near the end of the meal, Harry and Sarah stood up to make their announcement, one of the reasons we'd come.
"Everyone," Harry said, calming everyone into silence within a matter of seconds, "Sarah and I have an announcement to make."
Sarah grinned.
"We're engaged," Harry told them.
Mrs. Weasley squealed, "Oh, how wonderful!"
Suddenly everyone was standing and shaking their hands. After Mrs. Weasley was done hugging them both, I saw her turn to Ron.
"When are you going to find yourself a nice girl, hm?" she asked.
Ron turned red, and mummbled something. I laughed.
Some time after, Harry and Ron had just got back from work, and we were getting ready for dinner, when a head appeared in our fireplace.
It was Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry, Ron, dears, there's some urgent business that the Order needs you for. Death Eaters are attacking," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Where?" Ron asked.
Mrs. Weasley gave them the place, and said, "Your father's already left. You'd best hurry."
"We will," Harry replied.
"I have to go," Mrs. Weasley said, and popped away.
Harry and Ron set into immediate action, grabbing wands and robes.
"Erika," Harry said, "I don't know when we'll be back. You can go over to Meg's if you want, or you can wait here."
"I'll stay here," I told him.
Harry nodded, "Okay, just be careful. Don't let anyone up. We'll be back as soon as we can. Okay?"
"Yeah," I said.
Harry and Ron apparated away, leaving me alone in the apartment. I locked the door and continued to make dinner, this time only for myself.
There was a pop and then a crash as someone landed right on the hearth.
I turned around, spatula ready to hit anyone.
But it was Meg, covered in ashes.
"Erika? Why are you holding a spatula like that? It looks sort of . . . weird," Meg said.
I laughed, and lowered it, "I wasn't expecting you. Did Anya go, too?"
"Yeah. She told me to come over here. She wasn't to fond of the idea of leaving me alone," Meg said.
"Well, then, why don't you eat dinner with me, and you can hang out here until they come back," I offered.
Meg didn't refuse, and we finished the dinner and sat down in front of the TV to eat it. We sat there for a while after our dinner was done.
"Erika," Meg said, "Haven't you ever thought that . . . you know, they might not come back from a fight with the Death Eaters."
I nodded, "Yep."
"But you don't seem worried," Meg whispered.
I didn't look at her for a minute, and then turned to my best friend, and said, "That's because I'm not worried, not completely at least. Sure, I'm worried something might go wrong. But I know Harry. He's real powerful, and I know that he can handle himself. He's very courageous, too. But I know he'd do anything to make sure he could come back. He doesn't want to lose Sarah or I. He loves Sarah, that much is clear, else they wouldn't be engaged. And I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to lose his only sister, even if I can be annoying at times, as he so kindly points out."
I looked at Meg, and laughed. Meg laughed too.
"When's Sarah joining the Order?" Meg asked.
I shrugged, "Sometime really soon. They're making the Veritaserum that they have to question her with."
Meg raised an eyebrow, "I didn't know they questioned them with that."
I nodded, "Harry told me. They added it to the whole process this year. They want to be extra careful, what, with the spy in Hogwarts and everything else. Plus, what happened with Wormtail."
I let my sentence trail, not really wanting to finish it. Meg understood, and left the matter alone.
Later that night, Harry and Ron returned, exhausted, but not hurt.
"Meg," Harry said, "You can go home now. Anya's waiting."
She nodded, and waved goodbye to me before leaving with some Floo Powder. Harry and Ron said goodnight, and went into their rooms without a meal. I was sure I heard someone collapse on one of their beds, but I wasn't sure who.
Laughing to myself, I settled in my own bed, and allowed myself to fall asleep.
* * *
Somewhere else
Ruth was standing behind a table, with a large group of Death Eaters across from her. Her face was crestfallen, without hope for the plan they had in front of them.
The door to the room opened, and a dark cloaked man walked in. He whispered something to Ruth, who's expression immediately changed to that of a dark hope. She looked down at the parchment in front of them, and, in one motion, swept them off the table. The Death Eaters stared at her with incredulity.
"There is a new plan," Ruth announced, "During last night's attack, the Potter girl and Megan were left alone by their respective guardians. I believe that with the right plan, we could kill them during a time of circumstances similar to those of the last night."
One of the Death Eaters spoke, "My lady, you forget, while they are close to each other or in their homes, they can not be hurt."
"I did not forget, you fool. With the right plan, I believe we could seduce them from their homes and away from each other, and kill them. It will require careful planning, but I want it carried out before the beginning of the next school year. It will be harder to kill them when they are under the protection of Dumbledore. Is that understood?" Ruth asked.
There was no sound in the room. Ruth raised her chin, and gave the group a triumphant and confident look.
"Good. Then let us begin planning," she said.
Author's Note- And that was chapter 26! Thanks to Oliverwoodschic (did I spell that right?) who's been emailing me and compelling me to finish this chapter! Snaps to Oliverwoodschic! Lol. Well, now that that's over, I must go into my usual speech: Review! Blah blah blah! Check out my other stories, including the prequel to this story "Lily's Lake"! Blah blah blah!
Any additional comments can be sent to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com
Disclaimer- I own nothing. It all belongs to the Great Harry Potter people (of which I am not, sadly). I am not getting paid, so don't sue me (I have NO MONEY and your profit would be ZERO!).
Erika - The Legacy of Lily and James
"Erika! Over here!" I heard someone shout.
I turned to see Sarah, waving her arms madly in the air outside Platform nine and three quarters. Confused, but happy to see her, Meg and I walked over.
Like last year, Meg was staying the first night at our apartment since Anya left Hogwarts the day after the students.
We set down our trunks near her.
"Hi! Sorry Harry couldn't be here, urgent business. You know. But he'll be back in time for your welcome home dinner, for both of you. We have to stop at the market on our way home, if you don't mind. I just need a few things," Sarah said.
I nodded, smiling, "Okay. Sure."
"I got you a trolley to put your trunks on," Sarah told us, motioning to the trolley beside her.
We got our trunks onto the trolley, and wheeled them from the station. Sarah got us a taxi, which we took to our corner. There was a little market on the corner, where we stopped to get what Sarah needed. Meg and I waited outside, sitting on our trunks.
"What is she making?" Meg asked.
I shrugged, "I guess we're making it tradition to have a welcome home dinner for me."
Meg smiled, "Harry must really like Sarah."
"He does," I said, nodding and looking at the passing traffic, "I have a feeling I'll be seeing her a lot this summer."
"More than last summer?" Meg asked.
Again, I nodded, "Yep."
The apartment was empty when we got there. Meg stowed her trunk in my room and helped me unpack. Once we were done, we went out to the kitchen were Sarah was making dinner.
"So, where's Harry and Ron?" I asked.
"Urgent Order meeting," Sarah answered.
I frowned, "I thought you were joining the Order."
"I am. This year, hopefully. But since I'm not a member yet, I'm not allowed to the meetings. They're very careful, what with the spy at Hogwarts," Sarah said.
"So they haven't figured out who it is, then?" I asked.
Sarah shook her head, "Everyone that was thinking it was Adrienne is burying their heads, now. She couldn't be if she had been killed by Ruth . . . Oh, Erika, Meg, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to talk about it!"
"It's okay," Meg said, "So, what's for dinner?"
Harry and Ron showed up fifteen minutes before dinner, looking exhausted and slightly worried. Seconds after they walked in the door, they donned smiles and greeted us back from Hogwarts. Harry kissed Sarah hello, and then went in his room to change.
"Smells delicious," Harry said when he returned, "What is it?"
Sarah gave him the menu: steak, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls with butter, and home-made pumpkin juice that her mum had given her when she left America (magically kept good).
Despite my eagerness to know what had been happening, Harry and Ron said absolutely nothing about Voldemort, the Order, or the Ministry during dinner. They sticked to safer topics. The conversation was good, but I wanted to know what was happening.
After dinner, we all settled down and watched a Muggle movie on TV, laughing at the idioticness of it all. It was the best movie a bunch of wizards and witches could watch, a movie about the Muggles of ideas of witches and "warlocks".
Sarah left at eleven, and we all went to bed. Harry had borrowed a cot from Hermione, which he set up in my room for Meg's use.
"Glad to be back?" Meg asked.
"Very glad," I whispered.
Five minutes later, we were asleep.
* * *
That night
Somewhere else
Ruth stood before Voldemort, her excitement hidden deep under her skin. Voldemort titled her "Dark Lady" and announced her formally as his heir.
"Lady Ruth," everyone murmmured.
Ruth held her head high. This was the day she had been dreaming of. She was now the second most powerul person in the world. Of course, Voldemort was more poweful than all, with Ruth following. No one could beat them.
Not the pesky Potters or that idiotic Dumbledore. Certainly not the Ministry of Magic, who was crummbling from the inside (with some help from a few well placed Death Eaters). And as for Megan, her sister, there was nothing Megan could to do stop her.
At that moment, Ruth felt as if the world was in her hands, ready to be crushed under her power.
"Behold, world, it is I, Lady Ruth," she whispered to herself.
* * *
A few minutes later
As told by Erika Rose Potter
"Harry? Harry, wake up!"
I opened my eyes, and sat up in my bed. Meg sat up on her cot as well.
It was Ron's voice, yelling to my brother to wake up. Confused and slightly scared, I pushed the covers (that I had halfway kicked off) off my bed, and got up. Meg followed me.
Down the hallway, the door to my brother's room was open, and the lights were on. I walked in to find Ron standing over my brother, and Harry sitting up in his bed. I sighed in relief, and walked in.
"What's happening?" I asked.
Harry and Ron turned to look at me.
"Erika? Why are you awake?" Harry asked.
I raised an eyebrow, and said, "Ron woke me up with his shouting. What is happening?"
"Nothing. I had a nightmare, that's all," Harry said.
"I don't believe you. You'd better tell me. Remember, you promised you wouldn't lie to me anymore," I countered.
Meg appeared beside me, silent.
The room was silent for a minute, and then Harry spoke, "Fine, fine, I'll tell you. Let's go in the living room and sit down."
We did so, turning on the lights as we went. It was now about two in the morning, or so the clock above the stove said.
We sat down in the living room, and I waited for Harry to speak.
"Remember how I told you about the connection Voldemort and I have . . . how I can sometimes feel what he's feeling, see what he's seeing. Well, that just happened," Harry said.
"I thought you said you could block it out," I said.
"I can," he replied, "I didn't tonight . . . I forgot. Good example I'm setting."
No one laughed, but I managed a smile.
"So, what happened?" I asked.
"Well, tonight, when I was dreaming, I forged a connection between Voldemort and I, and I saw what he saw. It was only a few seconds. He could sense me in him, and that can be dangerous . . . that's why I've learned to block it off," Harry said, "Tonight, I saw a huge room. I was . . . Voldemort. There was a young woman there, she was being honored for doing something good," Harry told us.
Meg interuppted, "Ruth. Probably for . . . you know . . . killing Adrienne."
"They were saying something about 'Dark Lady'," Harry said.
"'Dark Lady' is the title my grandfather planned to give to his heir. He must have offically done and named her," Meg said, "Ruth'll be pleased with herself."
Meg looked down at her hands, and sighed.
"You should tell Dumbledore," I said.
Harry nodded, "I will. I'll go over to the Order Headquarters after work today."
"Okay," Ron said, "I think Mum or Dad's going to be there. It shouldn't be hard to get the message to Dumbledore."
"Yeah, but he's not going to be happen I didn't use my Occlumency," Harry said.
I looked up, "Occlumency?"
"That's how I block my mind," Harry explained, "I use it every night."
I nodded, "Oh, okay."
For the next few days, Harry had that air about him. The air he got whenever he had something important to tell me, but was delaying it. Curious, and worried it might be something about Voldemort, I hoped he would tell me soon. And soon he did.
One night, a week after I came home, Harry asked to speak to me. Ron had gone out, so there was no one else in the apartment.
"Sure, what about?" I asked, sitting down on the couch.
"Erika, do you like Sarah?" Harry asked, nervous.
I nodded, "Yeah, I do. She's really nice, and I like her. Why?"
"Well, I was thinking about asking Sarah to marry me. Of course, I won't it you don't like the idea. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it. You are, aren't you?" Harry asked, saying that very fast.
I grinned, "That would be great. I really like Harry. Go right ahead. I'm behind you."
Harry grinned, in turn.
"Great. I'm telling Ron tonight. Next week I'm going to take her out and ask her," Harry told me.
"This is so cool! Have you decided where to go, yet?" I asked.
Harry shook his head.
"Go to Barnuby's. It just opened, it's supposed to be really nice, and really romantic. I saw pictures on the television," I told him.
"Okay. I'll get reservations, then," Harry said, and then stood up, "I'm really glad you're okay with this, Erika. I love Sarah."
I laughed, "You'd better, if you're proposing to her."
Apparently, Ron didn't mind the idea either. A week later, an extremely nervous Harry was standing in the living room, wearing a tux, saying goodbye to Ron and I. We'd ordered a pizza, which was supposed to arrive in an hour.
"Wish me luck," Harry said.
"Luck!" I shouted as he left the apartment.
I turned back to the Muggle television, and got ready to wait. The pizza arrived, and Ron and I pigged out (there is no other word for what we did) in front of the TV.
"How come we don't have our own network or something? I think we should have Wizard TV," Ron said.
I laughed, "Wizard TV? What about Witch TV? Huh?"
"Yeah, well, we'll see," Ron said.
We returned to the topic about how stupid some of these Muggle programs were. As it got later, older episodes came on. As we were flipping through channels, we saw an old rerun of Bewitched, which Ron and I spent fifteen minutes laughing over before turning the channel.
At ten o'clock, we were still watching TV. I was curled up on the couch. Ron was sprawled on the recliner.
"It's ten o'clock. Why don't you go to bed?" Ron suggested.
I looked up at him, and gave him a look that said, "Yeah, right. You must be crazy."
He gave up the topic, and we went back to watching TV.
At ten thirty, I got up and got us both some lemonade, which Ron and I drank in about ten seconds each.
It was about five minutes after eleven when the apartment door finally opened. Immediately wide awake, I sat up on the couch and leaned over the back. Ron, too, sat up on the recliner. I could hear Harry in the hallway.
I held my breath, but both Ron and I remained silent.
Harry walked into the living room, and grinned.
"I should've known you two would be awake," Harry said, laughing.
I rolled my eyes, and replied, "Oh, come on, like we'd miss this! So, what did she say?"
"She said yes," Harry told us.
I squealed, and Ron got up, and patted Harry on the back, "Congratulations, mate."
"Harry and Sarah are getting married!" I cried, grinning and so awake I didn't think I'd ever get to sleep.
"That's great!" Meg said when I told her.
It was Sunday a few days later, just after noon. Meg and I were in my room. Harry and Ron were running around the apartment. We were going to the Weasley's for Sunday dinner, partly so Harry and Sarah could tell them their good nes, partly because we wanted to.
"Anya and I are going out for dinner tonight," Meg told me, "Someplace really nice."
I smiled, "That's great. Do you know where?"
"No, Anya wanted to make it a surprise," Meg said.
There was a knock on my bedroom door, and then it opened. Sarah appeared in the doorway, smiling.
"Erika, Megan, Harry sent me to tell you it's time to go," Sarah said, grinning.
Meg and I left, and I waved goodbye to Meg as she used Floo Powder to get back to her house. A minute later, Harry, Ron, Sarah, and I used Floo Powder to get to the Weasleys (Harry, Ron, and Sarah could have Apparated, but for my sake they didn't).
As usual, the moment we arrived the Weasley's house was full of activity. Mrs. Weasley came rushing in to the room.
"Ron, Harry, Sarah, Erika! Oh, lovely, you've arrived!" she shouted, smiling and hugging each of us, "You can go out back. Ginny, and the twins are already here. Hermione should be here any minute . . ."
We all nodded, and went outside. Fred and George roared welcomes, and nearly killed their younger brother by presenting him with a flower that immediately blew up in his face.
"Our latest product, to use on certain girls who annoy you," George announced, "We're still testing. They'll be on sale next month!"
We all laughed.
"Business going well?" Harry asked.
"Spectacular!" Fred replied.
Ron looked around the backyard, "Hey, where's Sally and Katie?"
"Ah, Sally had to work today," George said, referring to his girlfriend.
"Katie had a family obligation," Fred told us, referring to his girlfriend.
Ginny came over, grinning, and waving.
"Hi, guys! Good summer so far?" she asked.
"Very good," I replied, glancing at Sarah and Harry (Harry shot me a look that clearly told me to shut up, so I did).
Ginny raised her eyebrows, but said nothing.
Mrs. Weasley came out the door with Hermione.
"Nearly ready. Has anyone seen Arthur? I haven't seen him for at least a half an hour . . ." Mrs. Weasley said.
"He went into the shed, Mum," Ginny replied.
"ARTHUR! DINNER TIME!" Mrs. Weasley shouted, annoyed that her husband would choose to look over some Muggle contraption rather than help her with dinner.
I whispered to Ginny, "Never a dull moment here."
Ginny just laughed.
Finally, the table was set and we all sat down for dinner.
The conversation was very funny at times, and not quite serious at all. It was a lot of fun, and I stuffed my face.
Near the end of the meal, Harry and Sarah stood up to make their announcement, one of the reasons we'd come.
"Everyone," Harry said, calming everyone into silence within a matter of seconds, "Sarah and I have an announcement to make."
Sarah grinned.
"We're engaged," Harry told them.
Mrs. Weasley squealed, "Oh, how wonderful!"
Suddenly everyone was standing and shaking their hands. After Mrs. Weasley was done hugging them both, I saw her turn to Ron.
"When are you going to find yourself a nice girl, hm?" she asked.
Ron turned red, and mummbled something. I laughed.
Some time after, Harry and Ron had just got back from work, and we were getting ready for dinner, when a head appeared in our fireplace.
It was Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry, Ron, dears, there's some urgent business that the Order needs you for. Death Eaters are attacking," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Where?" Ron asked.
Mrs. Weasley gave them the place, and said, "Your father's already left. You'd best hurry."
"We will," Harry replied.
"I have to go," Mrs. Weasley said, and popped away.
Harry and Ron set into immediate action, grabbing wands and robes.
"Erika," Harry said, "I don't know when we'll be back. You can go over to Meg's if you want, or you can wait here."
"I'll stay here," I told him.
Harry nodded, "Okay, just be careful. Don't let anyone up. We'll be back as soon as we can. Okay?"
"Yeah," I said.
Harry and Ron apparated away, leaving me alone in the apartment. I locked the door and continued to make dinner, this time only for myself.
There was a pop and then a crash as someone landed right on the hearth.
I turned around, spatula ready to hit anyone.
But it was Meg, covered in ashes.
"Erika? Why are you holding a spatula like that? It looks sort of . . . weird," Meg said.
I laughed, and lowered it, "I wasn't expecting you. Did Anya go, too?"
"Yeah. She told me to come over here. She wasn't to fond of the idea of leaving me alone," Meg said.
"Well, then, why don't you eat dinner with me, and you can hang out here until they come back," I offered.
Meg didn't refuse, and we finished the dinner and sat down in front of the TV to eat it. We sat there for a while after our dinner was done.
"Erika," Meg said, "Haven't you ever thought that . . . you know, they might not come back from a fight with the Death Eaters."
I nodded, "Yep."
"But you don't seem worried," Meg whispered.
I didn't look at her for a minute, and then turned to my best friend, and said, "That's because I'm not worried, not completely at least. Sure, I'm worried something might go wrong. But I know Harry. He's real powerful, and I know that he can handle himself. He's very courageous, too. But I know he'd do anything to make sure he could come back. He doesn't want to lose Sarah or I. He loves Sarah, that much is clear, else they wouldn't be engaged. And I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to lose his only sister, even if I can be annoying at times, as he so kindly points out."
I looked at Meg, and laughed. Meg laughed too.
"When's Sarah joining the Order?" Meg asked.
I shrugged, "Sometime really soon. They're making the Veritaserum that they have to question her with."
Meg raised an eyebrow, "I didn't know they questioned them with that."
I nodded, "Harry told me. They added it to the whole process this year. They want to be extra careful, what, with the spy in Hogwarts and everything else. Plus, what happened with Wormtail."
I let my sentence trail, not really wanting to finish it. Meg understood, and left the matter alone.
Later that night, Harry and Ron returned, exhausted, but not hurt.
"Meg," Harry said, "You can go home now. Anya's waiting."
She nodded, and waved goodbye to me before leaving with some Floo Powder. Harry and Ron said goodnight, and went into their rooms without a meal. I was sure I heard someone collapse on one of their beds, but I wasn't sure who.
Laughing to myself, I settled in my own bed, and allowed myself to fall asleep.
* * *
Somewhere else
Ruth was standing behind a table, with a large group of Death Eaters across from her. Her face was crestfallen, without hope for the plan they had in front of them.
The door to the room opened, and a dark cloaked man walked in. He whispered something to Ruth, who's expression immediately changed to that of a dark hope. She looked down at the parchment in front of them, and, in one motion, swept them off the table. The Death Eaters stared at her with incredulity.
"There is a new plan," Ruth announced, "During last night's attack, the Potter girl and Megan were left alone by their respective guardians. I believe that with the right plan, we could kill them during a time of circumstances similar to those of the last night."
One of the Death Eaters spoke, "My lady, you forget, while they are close to each other or in their homes, they can not be hurt."
"I did not forget, you fool. With the right plan, I believe we could seduce them from their homes and away from each other, and kill them. It will require careful planning, but I want it carried out before the beginning of the next school year. It will be harder to kill them when they are under the protection of Dumbledore. Is that understood?" Ruth asked.
There was no sound in the room. Ruth raised her chin, and gave the group a triumphant and confident look.
"Good. Then let us begin planning," she said.
Author's Note- And that was chapter 26! Thanks to Oliverwoodschic (did I spell that right?) who's been emailing me and compelling me to finish this chapter! Snaps to Oliverwoodschic! Lol. Well, now that that's over, I must go into my usual speech: Review! Blah blah blah! Check out my other stories, including the prequel to this story "Lily's Lake"! Blah blah blah!
Any additional comments can be sent to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com