Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
By: Fred and George Weasley are MY Kings
Chapter 6: Lupin's Warning
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
FIRSTLY REVIEWS:
ADJ: Okay well I am slightly disheartened to read that the characters were off. I really wanted them to be… on, I guess. Especially Harry. As far as him not noticing things, I really just wanted to build dramatic suspense. I suppose you are right that he would be more suspicious after everything that has happened and I will try to get it so that he fits. Secondly, I couldn't find any description of Aberforth ( I looked forever!) at all before I wrote that chapter. Honestly he could have white hair and I am sorry if that is true. Again I am making this up, trying to make it as realistic as possible. Thirdly: Garry Stu's yes… I am not going to have that I promise. Harry is of course the main character and that won't change in my stories. I just wanted to give the impression that this half-blood guy is really important for his own special reason, which no one knows yet. Okay this is uber long so yeah, one quick question (even though I feel really stupid asking, since I probably should know this) but what does AU story mean/stand for? Thanks for reviewing… and giving me pointers. I hope you'll review again and help me out some more.
DaFutureMrsDanielRadcliffe: Thanks for reviewing. I seriously doubt that I have better writing talents than JKR, but I am flattered by the compliment all the same. Glad you liked the story, and I really will try to update soon. Keep reviewing!
Chapter 6: Lupin's Warning
Getting out of Quality Quidditch supplies seemed to be harder than actually getting into it. The steady flow of people entering had increased and the three had to duck, dodge, and constantly swerve to avoid running headlong into another person. When they finally got outside they were greeted by Lupin and Moody, who were in deep, hushed conversation. Ginny was also with them, much to Ron's annoyance. Ron was still fuming after the discovery of Ginny's secret, and didn't give her a glance as they set off towards the main alleyway again. Harry had personally been glad that Ron had found out about Ginny. Otherwise, all of the attention would've been focused upon his "kiro" incident. Luckily, Ron and Hermione seemed to have forgotten about it and Harry didn't see any reason to give it second thought. His gut just told him that Gretchen was not the spy that Hermione was so convinced existed.
They stopped in Flourish and Blotts, with Ginny trailing behind them, to get their new Defense Against the Dark Arts Course book (by Escha Manor) and Standard Book of spells Year 6. "Who do you reckon Dumbledore's chosen for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Harry asked as they retrieved three books from the shelf.
"I have no idea," Hermione replied
"Me either,"
"I heard that Professor Snape finally got the job," Dean Thomas said as he too grabbed the book off the shelf.
"Hey Dean. How's your holiday been?" Harry said as the fellow Gryffindor looked up and replied, "Oh, pretty good. Been a bit err… hectic with all the attacks. My mum's been going mad… Muggle newspapers are reporting all about it and I finally cracked and told her what was really going on. Now she won't let me go anywhere by myself. She's right outside waiting for me, so I best be off… See you three next week at Hogwarts." And with that Dean left, without a look back. Harry also noticed that he hadn't even looked at Ginny. Apparently, she had upset a lot of people with her actions.
"Snape got the job?" Ron asked as he watched Dean leave, "That'll be a nightmare." Harry and Hermione both agreed as they looked down at the new books. Scanning the pages, it seemed to be highly advanced, full of complicated hexes and shields including many things that Harry and Ron had never heard of. Hermione, on the other hand, knew quite a lot about the topics and was appalled that they were going to cover it in sixth year. "Most full grown wizards can't perform this," She said as she looked over a chapter called Kifiso Curse.
"Well maybe with you-know-who gaining power they have decided to teach us something useful. Besides it's sixth year... we have to learn how to do it sometime. We only have one year left after this one." Ron suggested as he paid for his book. They others paid for their books as well.
"But that is a very dangerous curse. Many think it should be among the unforgivable curses." Hermione said as they made their way towards the door, with their new books in bag.
"Well, I don't care what the new teacher teaches just so long as I don't have to put up with Snape." Ron retorted.
"Speaking of Snape, I haven't seen him once at the headquarters...I wonder what he is up to." Harry wondered aloud.
"Maybe Dumbledore finally saw what scum he really is and sacked him."
"Oh Ron, come off it. Snape is probably busy with important matters for the order." Ginny piped up for the first time, still several paces behind them, taking large steps to catch up.
"Ginny's right you know. Maybe Snape is spying on Voldemort, getting information. It's obviously clear that someone is spying on us, so I don't see why we wouldn't have a spy." Ginny and Ron had both take an inhale of breath like they always did at the mention of the dark lord's name.
Hermione and Harry ignored their reaction and the teenagers walked up to Moody and Lupin who were standing about ten feet away from the store. Harry felt the tense atmosphere surrounding the two men, as they gave stressed half smiles as the four approached. "Do you all of your school supplies, then?" Lupin asked kindly.
"No, we need about three more stops. We also have to find three Harfodens. I have no idea where to find them." Hermione said checking her list.
"I didn't know we needed those this year," Ron said squinting on the list. Harry didn't have the slightest clue as to what Harfodens were, let alone that they each needed to have one. He must've bore a confused look because Lupin quickly said, "They're required for charm class. It's sort of a charm keeper… It stores successful charms that you administer during class."
"That way the teacher can collect them, and review each of the charms individually." Hermione said, finishing Lupin's explanation. Harry nodded, giving them a sign that he understood. Moody then growled, "You'll most likely find them at Olivander's, in the back, behind the wands. I've seen some before," then turning his attention to Harry, "Molly said something about you needing to go to Gringotts?"
"Yeah. I have some money on me, but not nearly enough for everything I still need to buy."
"Well, I have to go there anyway for some… uh… business, so I'll pick up your money for you. Dumbledore will meet me there so I'm sure he'll be able to get to your vault. You five go along, and we'll all meet up at Flourish and Blotts at 3:00 with Molly and the rest of the lot." Harry was suspicious of Moody's "business' at Gringotts with Dumbledore, but didn't get the chance to question Moody himself. After he finished his sentence, Moody, left in the direction of Gringotts without a glance back. Harry instead resolved to questioning Lupin. "What 'business' does Moody have at Gringotts?"
"Exactly what I was wondering, Harry," Ron said, with a smirk up at Lupin. Lupin, however, did not crack like they had hoped, but merely said, "Some business for the order… you know you all are really too suspicious for your own good."
" I reckon we are… but if you told us what was going on, we wouldn't have to be suspicious… we could do something more valuable with our time," Ron said.
"I agree," Hermione said, as Harry and Ginny nodded their agreement as well. Lupin shook his head, obviously not knowing whether or not to be amused or annoyed.
"Look, you four, I will tell you this. All of you are quite accustomed to poking your nose where it shouldn't be and still managing to get out of the situation. But times are changing and there are not going to be any more near misses. You have to start taking your own responsibility for your actions and not rely on pure luck or anyone else's actions anymore." His face and voice were gravely serious and Harry, along with the others sensed it.
Harry suddenly became fully aware of how accurate Lupin's words were. Times really were changing. People were fearful of Voldemort's new reign, the death eaters were all free, and attacks were all anyone could ever think of and speak of anymore. Fear hung everywhere, among everyone. Maybe that was what had been straining everyone's words and faces.
Lupin was right, and Harry saw the others realize it too. They were in the second era of fear.
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Everyone had successfully and safely gotten all their shopping done at Diagon Alley. They all met in front of Gringotts at 3:00 as directed by Moody. Dumbledore was with Moody, looking like his normal cheerful self. He appeared to be the only one who had not yet become fearful from the recent attacks. In fact, he gave them all a warm smile as they walked over to join him and Moody. Harry half returned it, not feeling very happy after Lupin's harsh reality check.
Somewhat hurriedly they all filed into the tight car (Except for Moody, Dumbledore, and Mr. Weasley who again apparated) and went back to Grimmauld Place. Lupin had a slightly better driving experience, and the others all relaxed a little bit. Once they returned to the headquarters Harry, Hermione, and Ron all went off into the library with their new school supplies and all of their other homework that they had not yet completed (Ron and Harry still had eight essays to do between them). They all spread out their work and sat in silence for about ten minutes before Ron made a comment.
"What do you reckon they're up to?" Ron asked.
"Aren't you taking Lupin's warning seriously Ron? Obviously this really serious and we will get into a mess if we get mixed up in that." Hermione said worriedly.
"Hermione, this is important… Don't you want to know what's going on? Why they are so secretive around Harry, and even us? Why they have all these meetings? Why did Lupin even warn us? We all know you-know-who is back… I say there is something else going on." Ron said hurriedly, his voice rising.
"Ron's right, Hermione. Something else is going on. First Voldemort attacks twice in about three days and I see a boy being killed. Then, I heard some sort of secret meeting going on early this morning through some sort of vent in the kitchen, and now Moody meeting Dumbledore at Gringotts."
"You overheard a meeting?" Ron asked as soon as Harry finished.
"Yeah… about two sentences. Your mum was coming, Ron, so I had to stop listening in."
"Well, what did they say? Who was it? Don't leave us in suspense," Hermione said, wide eyed.
"Well, Tonks and Dumbledore were there for sure. Tonks asked if he had the actual one… and Dumbledore said something about not knowing if he had the one, and that no one knew. He said something about…" Harry stopped realizing that if he continued he would be expected to tell them about the prophecy. He took a deep breath and continued, knowing that there was no use in not telling them… He wouldn't be able to hide it forever. "He said something about me playing a different role in the prophecy… about being the seen and not the seer. I don't understand any of it. The prophecy states that… I… Voldemort and me can't live while the other one is alive."
"Meaning what?" Ron asked.
"Either I kill him or he kills me. We both can't stay alive... one of us has to die." Harry said bluntly looking down but still seeing his friends' reaction. Hermione gasped and looked shocked. Ron bore a look of utter confusion and surprise. Neither of them said anything for a little while.
"So how would you play a different role?" Hermione asked, with a confused expression.
"I have no idea," Harry said helplessly, shrugging his shoulders.
"There has to be a logical reason for all of this but I am not sure we want to find it. I just have this feeling… When Lupin started talking, I realized how right he was. Look at how many people lost their lives last time Voldemort reigned. Who is to say that we won't die, or other people close to us? We've already lost Sirius, Doge, and Diggle. I can't help but think that we might get in over our heads."
"Well it's a bit too late not to get involved now," Ron said, "We've been in this since day one. There's nothing we can do to change that." Ron didn't know how right he truly was, neither did Harry or Hermione. However, it wouldn't be before long until they finally really understood just how deep they already were in.
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After the discussion about the future and the present that the trio shared, their spirits were no longer light with what carelessness they had before. The week slowly dragged on. People for the order came and went, including Lupin, whom had only been seen about once after the trip to Diagon Alley. Ginny also disappeared frequently, Ron shuddering darkly as he wondered about it aloud one day when he and Harry were finishing their last essay.
Finally, the day came when they all headed to Platform nine and three quarters, to board the Hogwarts Express. The morning began hectically, everyone having slept in. There was scrambling, and within twenty minutes, they crammed into the muggle vehicle and sped off. Again it was a slightly uncomfortable ride, all of the people plus trunks and pets. When they got to the platform, Harry felt the familiar and warm feeling soar inside. He felt his spirit lift, and thought to him self with some excitement, 'I am going home!' Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione all boarded the train after a goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. At last they were going home.
A/N: Yay! Happy Holidays Everyone! I hope you all have a great one. Okay so we don't have a lot going on in this chapter, but a TON of foreshadowing, so read carefully. There are hints (some obvious and some not so obvious) EVERYWHERE! And they are all really important. For the next chapter: Hogwarts (yay!), another attack with an unknown alliance aiding Voldemort (there was a hint, who knows who it is?), the sorting hat and its song, new students, Its going to be a long chapter and I hope to update by New years so keep on the look out. Thanks for reading! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
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This Chapter has been revised :) If you notice any errors, please let me know. Thanks.