Chapter 7 - a surprise arrival

When they got to Diagon Alley, Mrs Weasley suggested that they all go in pairs. Harry instantly turned to Ron, but Ron had already grabbed hold of Hermione and was leading her away. Harry looked at them astounded. Ginny was going with Mrs Weasley to get some robes, so Harry resignedly went with Megan. Megan was incredibly quiet the whole time they went to get their things. Harry tried to make polite conversation with her, but she didn't talk much, giving only very short responses to each question. They were passing quality quidditch supplies.

"Do you like quidditch?" Harry asked.

"Not really" she replied quietly.

Harry sighed.

"Do you mind if I go in quickly and have a look?" he asked.

She shook her head and waited near the window. Harry looked around at all the shelves in ecstasy. He was soon disturbed when he saw Draco Malfoy talking to Megan outside. He decided to go out and see what they were talking about.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" Harry spat when he got out of the store.

His wand was out and pointing at Malfoy. Megan looked at him in surprise and Malfoy scowled.

"With Potter are you Megan? Father will hear about this" he said menacingly.

Megan's eyes turned to fear.

"Please! No!" she said grabbing his robes. "No Draco, don't say anything" she begged.

Harry looked at her strangely. Draco had a smirk on his face. He pushed Megan off him. Megan fell back onto the ground and the hem of her robes ripped.

"I'll be sure to give father regards for both of you" Draco said, looking at both Megan and Harry before leaving.

Harry walked over to Megan and was surprised to see that she was crying. He went to help her up, but Megan recoiled from him, looking scared at the wand in his hand. Harry was confused, but put the wand away before kneeling beside her.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

She began sobbing. Harry was extremely uncomfortable of the fact that people were staring at them. He helped her up and led her into an alleyway so that they were not being watched. It took a few minutes for Megan to stop crying.

"What was that about?" Harry asked gently.

Megan looked up into his eyes. They seemed so welcoming and understanding. She surprised herself because she wanted to tell him everything, but something inside her closed off and she shook her head.

"It doesn't matter" she said softly. "We should get back to the others"

Harry felt sympathy for her, but was slightly annoyed that she hadn't confided in him. He walked back into the main street with her and went to find Mrs Weasley. They had just found the others when a loud BANG made them all start. There were people in black cloaks walking up Diagon Alley shooting curses.

Suddenly, Sera and Snape were with them.

"Come on everyone follow me" Sera said quickly as she led them all away from the fighting.

"Not you Potter" Snape said quickly, grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him away.

Harry was scared, knowing that Snape used to be a deatheater. Harry was still not sure that he could be trusted, but he was surprisingly strong, so Harry didn't have the strength to resist. The two of them ran the opposite way to where Sera was leading the others and Harry panicked. They were headed straight for the deatheaters. He was about to try and get free when Snape pulled him into an alleyway and began running hard, half dragging Harry behind him.

"Come on Potter" He hissed.

Harry tried to run faster, but there was a huge pain in his chest. He had no energy. He felt his head spinning. He fell over and heard Snape curse. Suddenly, he was no longer on the ground, but was being carried. He didn't have the strength to care. After a few minutes, he felt himself being gently put back on the ground and looked up. Snape was looking down at him.

"Get on Harry" he said, indicating a motorbike.

There was a woman on the front. Harry stared confused for a moment and Snape picked him up and placed him on the bike, shoving the spare helmet on his head.

"Go quickly" Snape told the rider.

Harry held on for dear life as the motorbike sped away into the distance. Snape looked around quickly, and noticed some figures in dark cloaks making their way towards him. He swore and then disapparated, hoping against all hope that the figures had not recognised him.

The motorbike came to a stop outside a small cottage. Harry was feeling quite ill, but tried not to let it show as the woman helped him off the bike. She took of her helmet and he gasped. She had white blonde hair and pale blue eyes, just like someone else that Harry recognised.

"Hi Harry. I'm Melarin Malfoy. Just call me Mel" she said, holding out her hand for him to shake.

Harry backed away slightly, his eyes wide with fear. Mel chuckled.

"It's alright Harry. I'm Molly's cousin. I'm in the order too" she said.

"Now we have to get you inside before someone realises you're here. Emily should be contacting me again any minute" she added, grabbing Harry's arm and leading him in a firm, but gentle grip.

Harry had no choice but to go with her. He sighed resignedly as she led him up the stairs.

There was another woman in the house. She introduced herself as Ruby and began making a pot of tea. Mel drank the tea, but Harry didn't. He sat on the chair, watching both women apprehensively. After a moment they heard a pop and Harry jumped when he saw Emily's face staring back at him from the fireplace.

"Mel the coast is clear now. You can bring Harry back. Everyone else got here fine. Megan says to tell you not to worry" she said brightly.

Mel gave a relieved sigh.

"We'll leave now" she said quickly.

There was another pop and Emily's head disappeared from the flames.

Mel parked the motorbike a fair way from the hideout. She looked around to make sure no one was around before transfiguring the motorbike into a ring, which she placed on her finger. Harry looked at her amazed.

"It doesn't get stolen this way, and it's handy when I need it" Mel said quickly before leading Harry to the entrance of the hideout. Mrs Weasley was waiting for them in the entrance hall and sprung on Harry as soon as he entered, embracing him warmly. Harry wished that she would let go because he was feeling quite sick. When she let him go and looked at him, she seemed to realise something was wrong. She put a hand to his forehead. It was burning hot.

"I think maybe you should go upstairs to bed Harry dear" she said after a moment.

Harry nodded and began walking up the stairs. Suddenly he felt violently sick. He put his hand to his stomach and felt the world spinning around him. His eyes became unfocused and then all he could see was red. He felt himself falling, but couldn't do anything to stop it. He was vaguely aware of the sounds of footsteps and people yelling. Everything went black as he felt himself hit something solid.

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"How is he dear?" Mr Weasley asked his wife as she came back into the dining room.

All faces were turned to her and Remus, who had taken Harry to his room.

"He's quite ill. I think it might be because he hasn't been eating, but I can't be sure. He'll have a nasty bump on his head when he wakes up too. We'll let him sleep tonight and if he isn't any better in the morning then we'll have to take him to St Mungos." Mrs Weasley said sadly.

Remus looked quite pale. He was quite shaken up by Harry's sudden illness. He had lost all three of his best friends, and now he felt that he might lose Harry too. It was more than he could bear.

The people seated around the table were Mr and Mrs Weasley, Remus, Sera and Mel, as well as Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Megan. Everyone in the kitchen ate in silence. There was a nervous tension in the air. The silence was suddenly broken, but the distraction didn't ease the tension.

A dark haired man ran straight into the room, causing everyone in the room to jump out of their chairs in fright.

"Food!" the man cried hoarsely and began eating anything he could grab.

They looked at the man in stunned amazement for a few moments. Remus and Mr Weasley were the first to react and pulled out their wands, pointing it directly at the person standing in front of them. The man looked up finally and everyone in the room gasped. It was Sirius Black.