A/N: If you are still reading this story…THANK YOU! I haven't abandoned it, no, it's far from it. I've actually started college this September; Go University of Delaware!! :) Some of the later chapters are on my home computer and haven't been sent to me yet, and it's been hard getting ANYTHING that doesn't involve schoolwork done so…thank you for staying with my story, I'm very proud of it.

Oh, and if there are any spelling, grammar, or canonical errors, just tell me in the reviews. I whipped this up and posted it as soon as I thought it was ready…um, yeah. I wanted to please my readers :)

Chapter 9- Premonitions

Ron jumped away from him as if he had been burned. His eyes were wide with fright and he shook involuntarily.

"What?" he croaked, stumbling away. Harry's stomach fell as the look of pure horror cascaded over Ron's face.

"I've…I've got to see Dumbledore," he whispered, and Harry jumped up, pushing Hermione out of the way before he could realize what he was doing. Chatter arose before he even made it past the Portrait Hole, but he didn't care.

"Harry!" Hermione called from behind. Harry just lifted up an arm to show that he responded, but his pace began to quicken, and soon he was in a full out run towards the Headmaster's office.

He didn't worry about getting caught by Filch or Snape, anyone in their right mind knew that if they saw Harry Potter running with a frantic look on his face, that they better leave him be. The five flights of stairs he had to run down was quite a tedious task for someone who wanted to be somewhere in a hurry, but all his mind was set on was getting to the next staircase, then running down the hall to the next one.

For a brief moment he wished he could Apparate, but Hermione's voice scolded him in the back of his mind.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour of running, Harry skidded to a halt in front of the gargoyle statue that hid Dumbledore's office. It was when the statue didn't move to let him in that he realized he didn't know the password.

He let out a roar of frustration as he tried to recall various candies.

"Ice Mice? Cockroach Clusters! Droobles Best Blowing Gum! Fudge Flies!"

"This isn't a time to be aching for candy!" Ron's voice screamed from the other end of the hallway. Harry whirled around to see him and Hermione a few feet from joining. He slammed his foot in impatience.

"The password! He uses candy! I can't think of any!"

"Really?" Hermione asked, looking incredibly interested. She tilted her head as she thought about the statement. "Huh, you would think he'd try to project some good eating habits—"

"HERMIONE!"

"Oh, sorry…cauldron cakes?"

Miraculously, and luckily for Hermione, the statue moved and opened up the stairwell towards the Headmaster's office. The boys rushed up as fast as they could, Harry throwing the door open and not caring if he was waking up the entire castle.

Dumbledore was seated at his desk, and he stared up at the three (Hermione had managed to join them) with curious eyes.

"What happened?" the Headmaster asked, knowing that the trio wouldn't barge into his office for no reason.

"I-I had a vision or…I saw, something," Harry jabbered, pacing, "It was a pub or-or something, but Charlie was talking to someone in this weird language and then Voldemort appeared—It was like I could see through his eyes and see him at the same time! But he exposed himself, and Charlie…he and the guy looked so scared!"

"That's enough," Dumbledore interrupted, standing up and heading towards one of the sleeping portraits, "Phineas, wake up!"

The former Headmaster shook violently and jumped out of his chair, his hair flyaway.

"What—what is it?" he asked grumpily.

"Go to the headquarters and sound this alarm: Tame the Dragon has been interrupted with force, code green."

Nigellus jumped in surprise and disappeared from his portrait, and the other Headmasters began to whisper as well.

"What's going on, when will we find out?" Ron asked, gripping onto the back of a chair. "Charlie was in danger?"

Dumbledore nodded solemnly, heading over to another desk where he was flicking his hand over a number of small objects, then making them disappear with a small pop.

"He has backup, he wasn't alone."

"But it was—it was him!" Ron exclaimed.

The Headmaster turned to him slightly, looking interested, "Who was it, Mister Weasley?"

Harry watched as Ron's face burned a slight crimson, and he gulped. Hermione's eyes were determinedly set on Ron's face, and she watched with such interest that Harry was slightly taken aback.

"It was…" Ron shut his eyes for a moment, and Harry wondered if his scars were hurting. "V-Vol…Vol-demort."

Hermione gripped his arm and Ron bowed his head, though Harry could see that his ears were flaming. Dumbledore nodded slightly and then disappeared in to a back room of the office that Harry had never noticed.

They stood in silence for a few moments before Ron let out a shuddered breath, pulling away from Hermione to pace the room, a hand in his hair.

"Do you think he's okay?" he asked Harry, but he didn't stop his pace. Harry just shook his head and slumped down into a chair, staring straight out a window that he couldn't see out of.

"I have no idea, Ron, really…"

"He couldn't have been alone; there must have been other Order members with him…" Hermione added, slipping down into a bench under the window. Her shaking lip didn't help her strained voice.

Harry shut his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall behind him. Who knew how long it would take to get a response from Romania, where he assumed Charlie was. There must've been a battle, when would Dumbledore know the outcome? How long would it last?

He noticed his breathing was uneven and quietly, he began to try and calm it.

In…out…in…out…in…

……

Harry didn't realize he had fallen asleep until a loud snore startled him awake. He jittered and jerked slightly, his eyes blinking open and taking in his atmosphere. He was still in Dumbledore's office, but he had absolutely no idea what time it was; all the clocks had an immense amount of hands and didn't have any numbers, just symbols.

Another snore rang out through the office and Harry raised an eyebrow when he finally found Ron (he had shared a room with him long enough to know his snores). His roommate had apparently taken a seat next to Hermione, and the two had drifted off like Harry did. Her head was on his shoulder and his head was on top of hers.

If only they could see each other now.

Footsteps echoed through the office and Harry watched as Dumbledore exited from the back door. The Headmaster smiled slightly, and something inside of Harry knew that Charlie was okay.

"There were some injuries, but no causalities," Dumbledore said simply, taking a seat. He looked tired, but Harry supposed that it was a bit late at night, whatever time it was. "I suggest you three make it back to the dorms…" The Headmaster waved his hand softly, and Hermione and Ron both yawned at the same time, blinking their eyes open and sitting up.

"How's Charlie?" Ron grumbled, standing up but wavering. He rubbed his eyes and looked over at Harry first, then at Dumbledore. His face grew red when he realized where he was.

"Charlie's fine, Mister Weasley, he received a few lacerations to his face, and a dislocated knee, but otherwise he is perfectly fine."

"Where were they?" Hermione asked, testing the waters. Whatever information they could get…

"He was on business for the Order in Romania, Miss. Granger," Dumbledore said smoothly, his eyes filled with slight twinkling. He knew the game they were playing. "I suggest you all go to bed, it's been a long day."

Harry nodded, itching to stay after and just talk to the old wizard, but knowing that his body wouldn't make it. The three bid the Headmaster good night and headed towards the dormitory in silence, though Harry knew his friends' minds were swirling as much as his.

"I can't wait till I'm of age," Ron said softly as they started down the hallway to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "I can't wait to join the Order."

"Your mum will have a fit," Hermione noted, though it sounded more like she was the one who was going to react violently.

"Don't really care at the moment," Ron retorted curtly as he muttered the password to the Common Room ("Bouncing Ferrets").

Before he could enter, however, Hermione grabbed his arm and made him turn to her. Harry saw a flash in her eyes that he hadn't seen before, and it startled him and Ron noticeably.

"Promise me you'll finish school."

"What? Hermione…"

"Promise!"

Ron rolled his eyes and nodded, "Of course I'm going to finish school, why would you even question that?"

"And you too!" Hermione whirled on Harry, barely acknowledging Ron's question. "You have to promise, you have to!"

Harry was slightly stunned at the change of pace, and in the silence of the hallway (actually, the Fat Lady was huffing because of the late hour they had awoken her), he nodded.

"Yeah, I promise, Hermione."

Her eyes glittered and with a nod she swept into the common room. Ron put a hand to his head as if he was growing a headache, and didn't move when he said,

"You know she's going to be crying in about a second or two."

"Yeah, let's get in there."

They climbed through the Portrait Hole to find that Hermione wasn't crying at all, she was actually speaking rather softly to someone the boys couldn't see.

"Yes, everything's quite alright, though Dumbledore wouldn't give us any more information than that."

"Oh, well I guess that was expected."

Harry and Ron entered to see Hermione standing near the couch, with Ginny and Neville Longbottom sitting on it, looking very sleepy. They both acknowledged the boys, and Ginny let out a long yawn, not bothering to cover her mouth.

"That makes me happy," said Ginny, rubbing her eyes. "I'll have to write to Charlie in the morning, though I'm a bit ticked off with you, Ron." She glared at her brother at the best way she could with her sleepy eyes.

"Me? Why?" Ron growled, falling into a nearby chair. His eyes were sagging but he stared angrily at his sister.

"Because you wouldn't let me go, thank goodness Neville offered to stay with me until you lot returned!"

At this, Neville blushed a deep red and Harry immediately felt guilty for leaving Ginny behind. He had been in too much of a panic to ever think about bringing Ron, let alone her, but she still should have joined them.

"Sorry Ginny, it was just a mad dash..." Harry said, trying to reason with her.

"S'alright, Harry," she said, sending a softer glare in his direction. "Neville was the perfect gentleman; he even helped with some of my Herbology homework."

By now, Neville's face was as deep a crimson as his robes, and Harry had the strange urge to just kick the boy and tell him to get over it. There was no point at it, though, because everyone was heading up the dorms, desperately searching for some sleep.

Harry dragged behind, tired and his mind swirling with thoughts. He wanted to think, he wanted to get it all sorted out, but when he reached the dorm room he realized how truly inviting his bed was, and collapsed onto it, still in his Quidditch attire.

......

"Harry, if you're too tired or something, we could stop…"

"Shut it, Weasley."

After breakfast on Sunday the first D.A. meeting of the year had been started, after much time planning and procrastination on Professor Weasley's part. Harry was of course partnered with Ron, and for some reason he was having difficulty performing a wandless Expelliarmus.

Percy had decided that the D.A. was suitable for third years and up. Harry realized that Dennis Creevey was a third year this year, so he'd have to ask how the boy made it to the D.A. meeting in Hogsmeade last year.

The first class was a touch up and everyone was doing Expelliarmus on their partner, though the N.E.W.T level students had to try and do it without their wands. One partner attempted it at a time, seeing as they needed something to summon.

"Come on then, Harry! Even I got it away!" Neville teased from nearby, waving a wand. His partner was Ginny Weasley, who seemed incredibly miffed that Neville was able to snatch her wand without using one of his own. She was the odd girl out in her year and Neville was the odd boy, so they paired up, Ginny using her wand and Neville wandless.

Harry sent a forced grin towards his roommate and then shot his hand out towards Ron as if he had his wand gripped in his fingers, "Expelliarmus!" he shouted, and Ron's wand came soaring to him.

"Good show!" Ron laughed, though he shook his hand as if burned, "That hurt though, damn!"

"Sorry," Harry muttered, tossing him back the wand. "I don't like that I didn't do it so fast."

"We had a long night," Ron responded, shrugging casually. "No one works well on lack of sleep."

Harry was ready to retort with examples of the many times he, Ron, and Hermione had snuck out late at night, but Percy Weasley called attention to all the students with a loud clearing of his throat.

"Okay, third and fourth years! I want you practicing Riddikulus—I'll be over to release the Boggart in a minute. Fifth years, I want you dueling, nicely Miss. Lovegood. Sixth through seventh years, I want to see all of your Patronuses before you leave. After I see the form, you are dismissed," Percy commanded, looking pleased that the students were actually following his instructions.

Ron groaned quietly, making Harry look up in question.

"I never made a corporeal Patronus--I couldn't get it, last year," Ron explained, looking worried. "I don't want to make an idiot of myself in front of Percy."

"It's not your fault, if you can't," Hermione noted, standing in line next to Harry. "We were never officially taught it."

"You got it," Ron retorted, still slightly put out.

"Yes, well, I'm Hermione," she answered lightly, sending a smile and wink towards both boys. Harry laughed out loud and Ron flushed, shaking his head with a grin playing on his lips.

"Since you find this so funny, Mister. Potter, why don't you go first?" Percy's voice broke through the noise and Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Percy knew he could perform the Patronus, he'd been there at the hearing last summer, when Harry had to explain himself about the Dementor attack!

"Yes, Professor," he said stiffly, walking to the front of the group, "Expecto Patronum!"

Swiftly, a silver jet-of-light streamed out of his wand, slowing forming to the shape of a stag. With no Dementors present, the Patronus trotted around the hall, startling Ginny Weasley as it nudged her shoulder (she sent a curse straight up, making the clouds that had formed on the ceiling break into rain). The sixth and seventh years laughed, and Ginny sent Harry a faux-glare, laughing a few seconds after wards.

Percy looked mildly impressed, and started on the opposite end of the line from Harry, starting with Parvati. Her Patronus ended up being a peacock, which flew around and landed on top of Dean Thomas' head, making him laugh nervously as the large beak came precariously close to his face.

Harry knew that he could've left after performing his Patronus, but he was rather intrigued to see his friends' forms, even though he remembered most of them from last year's DA meeting. Neville's took on the form of a rather large toad, making the Gryffindors laugh. Seamus' was interesting, not because of the shape (a big sheepdog), but because it jumped on him and he shrieked in a rather shrill voice.

Finally, Hermione performed hers and out shot an otter that scurried around and jumped onto Ron's foot, untying his shoelaces. Harry knew that Ron was barely controlling the urge to kick the Patronus off, but he managed, making both Harry and Hermione proud.

"Mister Weasley?" Percy said, sounding stiff. The brothers had made their dislike for each other barely noticeable, only if you really paid attention could you see that Ron was extremely irked by every word his brother said. It came back when the essays he had written where scribbled all over in red ink, pointing out frivolous mistakes.

With a crack of his knuckles, Ron stepped forward, looking poised. With a swish of his wand, he exclaimed, "Expecto Patronum!" The silver light shot out and with a grin, Harry watched as it began to take shape. Ron seemed particularly excited and they stared eagerly at the form.

"Oh my," Hermione whispered, tugging on Harry's sleeve. He watched with very confused and interested eyes as the Patronus took the form of a gigantic dog that looked eerily familiar.

The dog turned around and trotted towards Harry and Hermione, sitting down and wagging its tail happily. While the rest of the group applauded, the trio stared at the dog with unbelieving eyes and white faces. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the dog disappeared with a 'poof'.

Harry, though still in major shock, forced himself to look up at Ron. His friend's expression was an odd mix of confusion and pride.

"I…was that…?" Ron tried asking as the three began to walk out of the Great Hall. Harry slowly nodded, and Hermione released a shuddering breath.

"I think it was," she said, not daring to look Harry in the eye. "I think…do you think it was…?" The question was directed towards Harry as he opened the door and held it for some other retreating students.

"Why would Ron see him as a protector?" Harry asked as they started towards the dorms. The Patronus really couldn't have been Snuffles, could it?

"He saved us from Lupin's werewolf form," Ron noted, running a nervous hand through his hair.

"But he attacked you and broke your leg," Harry retorted, not sure why he was so adamant about the form not being the Animagus of his godfather.

"A Patronus' job is to protect…" Hermione began, looking over her shoulder to make sure they were out of hearing distance from other students. "Wouldn't Sirius want to protect his godson's best friend?"

Harry looked down at his feet, contemplating Hermione's suggestion. Would such a thing like a Patronus work like that? He supposed it would be rather nice of his godfather to do such a thing, but how it would have happened…

"You think this is some…supernatural thing?" Harry asked softly, looking interested. Ron paled and shrugged while Hermione looked thoughtful.

"I think…" she started, as Ron gave The Fat Lady the password, "that it's a very nice thing, and a very thoughtful thing that you needn't look into." Hermione smiled at Harry, making him relax slightly. "I don't think it's a sign of any sort, I just think that this is…" she saw some students sitting in the common room, "Snuffles' way of saying that he's still here to help."

"I reckon' I like that idea," Ron said, spinning his wand in his fingers. Harry smiled and just shrugged his shoulders, still a little mystified by the revelation of Ron's Patronus.

Maybe the dog wasn't Sirius, but damn, did that make Harry feel good. His godfather was a great person, if he's willing to go against Dementors, the things he hates the most, to defend Harry's best friend. Hermione was right; it was a very nice thing to think about.

"Hey, I've got an idea!" Hermione chimed, seemingly very happy for some reason. "Why don't we visit Hagrid? We haven't done that all year!"

"Why did we come all the way back to the dorms, then?" Ron groaned, though he had started for the Portrait Hole again. Hermione seemed slightly stumped by his question, but then her eyes brightened again as she walked backwards towards the steps to the dorms.

"Cloaks! It's nearly the end of November; do you really want to catch a cold?" She laughed and headed up the steps at a very fast pace.

Harry and Ron shared an odd look before heading up the stairs to retrieve their cloaks.

"She's insane," Ron muttered, though he had a smile on his face. Harry agreed, and the two got ready to go see Hagrid.

......

They didn't get to Hagrid's straight away, though. They were just turning the corner past the Great Hall when Theodore Nott stepped into their path, looking extremely innocent.

Ron's fists had immediately clenched, but Hermione had put a placating hand on his forearm. Harry took the initiative in finding out what the Slytherin wanted.

"Well…" Nott began, toeing the ground. "It's going to sound a bit stupid…"

"Doesn't everything from your mouth 'sound a bit stupid'?" Ron snapped, making Hermione hush him with a quick slap on the arm. Nott appeared to ignore the comment, and continued to talk to Harry,

"I just…I wanted to join the D.A."

"What?" the trio exclaimed in surprise. Nott actually blushed, but he nodded and wrung his fingers together.

"I want to brush up on my magic; I think it would be of some benefits."

"Benefits for your father's friends, right?" Ron snarled, this time taking steps towards the Slytherin. Hermione grabbed his arm and Harry stepped in front of his friend, knowing that the last thing they needed was a fight.

Ron's comment made Nott bristle, but the boy remained calm and took a deep and shaky breath.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said smoothly, raising his eyebrows. Ron's eyes flared, but this time Hermione stepped forward, playing peacemaker.

"Theodore, if you want to join the D.A., you can; all students are allowed."

Harry heard a growl escape from the back of Ron's throat, and he silently agreed with his friend. There was no way this guy wanted to join the D.A. for his own benefits, Harry was almost sure he remembered the name 'Nott' from one of his various accounts with Death Eaters.

But Sirius' voice rang through his head, "…not everyone bad is a Death Eater, Harry."

Was he supposed to give this prat a chance? He already showed that he was incredibly rude by the way he had been talking to Hermione. Nott had threatened Ron as well; what if he were just spying to see in what areas Ron was weak? There were so many reasons to not want him to join, but there was no reason to stop him from doing so. There was already enough division with the Houses, causing a scene over group membership would just create more tension.

"She's right," Harry admitted, sending a look towards Ron. "Next meeting is next Saturday, after breakfast."

"Oh, I know when meetings are held…" Nott said, and Harry suddenly felt like the Slytherin was pushing his luck. "I just…I don't think I'd be greeted very warmly, considering I'm not exactly in a House that's well represented…"

"So what in bloody hell do you want us to do about it?" Ron interrupted, having lost his patience minutes ago. "You don't want us to escort you, do you?"

At that, Nott looked thoughtful, and Ron groaned and walked away a few feet. Harry and Hermione shared a glance, and she turned to Nott with a forced smile on her face.

"Sure, Theodore," she said, sounding very authoritative. "Just wait outside the doors next time, and Harry and…" Hermione saw that Harry had sent her a 'don't do it' glance. "I'll introduce you to the other members, it'll be all right."

Nott grinned widely, and much to everyone's surprise, wrapped Hermione into a quick, but tight, hug. He let go and was off in the opposite direction before Ron could storm over, and the three watched him turn the corner and disappear.

"Why I oughta…" Ron growled, ready to chase after the Slytherin. Harry and Hermione looped their arm through his, though, and managed to drag him backwards and towards the exit to Hagrid's.

Things keep on getting stranger and stranger, Harry thought, as they made their way out into the cold.