Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all associted characters/things belong to J.K. Rowling.


Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry about the wait but I've been really incredibly busy lately it seems and haven't had time to think of any new ideas for my stories. I've been trying to repost all my chapters for my story that got deleted but first I had to re-type them all so that's been stressful, to say the least. Plus exams just finished so that was another bit of stress to deal with and I've had tons of soccer and I start training for my summer job next week so there's just way too much going on right now. I'm trying to write a chapter a week though but I can't promise that I always will. Thanks to all my reviewers once again! You guys are awesome and really keep me motivated!

The Nauti Dolphin-Thanks so much for the boost of confidence about the last chapter. I still didn't like it too much but at least I'm now reassured that it wasn't that bad. Since you can't stand crappy updates I'll try not to have one OK? Thanks for reading my other 'whack job' story-lol. I'll try and read the rest of your Draco/Hermione fic later today or maybe tomorrow, depending on how much work I have to do around the house. Thanks for the review though!

shedoc-Well I'm glad I managed to make you curious about where this story is going. Truth be told I'm not to sure yet myself, I only have a small outline written out so far but I'm expanding on it almost daily whenever the mood strikes me. Thanks for the review!

Elmindrea-al'Thor- Thanks for the review! Although I wouldn't necessairly call Ron 'sweet'-lol.

jen-About time Jen! Geez! I told you to read this story ages ago-lol! Thanks though but don't feed my ego too much. Just so you know though, for you to re-type chapters for my messed up story I'd have to type them first then e-mail them to you so it wouldn't make any sense. Thanks for the offer though. If you come see my english movie I'll put you to work though, how about that eh? Well, thanks again! (You should've remembered reading the first two chapters of this in like January though, remember I asked you what you thought about it sso I could edit it? Well I remembered your advice and edited it accordingly.)

Karen C.-Oh my god Karen! I can't believe you actually read it! I was just bugging you about it because I was bored, I didn't think you'd really go and read it-lol. Maybe the next step is for you to start reading the real Harry Potter books!

K.A.G.-Thanks for reviewing! Glad you like it so far and I'm also very happy that you've reviewed like every chapter of "Harry Potter in a Crazy Little World". Thanks for reviewing!

Lately it seems that everytime I open my e-mail there's tons of new reviews which really makes my day! They really do help motivate me to keep me from being too lazy-lol. Anywho, enough talk, on with the chapter!

P.S. I might come back and edit this chapter later tonight or tomorrow. I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment but I really wanted to get this posted today. Sorry if there's lots of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

Chapter 4: Dangerous Conversations

Later that night at dinner, Ron noticed that the festive cheer Mrs. Weasley had expressed earlier in the afternoon had almost disappeared. Mr. Weasley was trying his best look happy but it was all too obvious that something was going on and most likely that something had to do with Voldemort. Bill and Charlie had arrived in time for dinner, the latter had returned from Romania the previous week for a holiday; although Ron wondered what kind of holiday it was if the Order was constantly trying to track down Voldemort and his followers. Fred and George were both there and seemed over exuberant, even for them, as if they were trying to hide something. Ron looked across the table at Ginny who looked as puzzled as he felt and then over at Hermione, who bit her lip and frowned. He turned to Harry who shrugged.

"Maybe we should ask," Harry said in a low voice.

"It couldn't hurt," Ron agreed. He looked down the table at his mother who was conversing with Bill in a low voice looking worried. "Mum?" he said, and she looked up.

"Yes Ron?" said Mrs. Weasley.

"What's going on?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, but her smile seemed rather strained.

Ron frowned, "Did something happen?" he asked.

"With what?" Mrs. Weasley said evasively.

"The Order," Ron said. He noticed that everyone else had fallen silent and were watching the conversation like a tennis match, turning their heads back and forth from one speaker to another. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked back at his mother.

"No dear," said Mrs. Weasley, "Nothing at all."

"We're not babies you know," Ginny pipped up.

"Yes I know," Mrs. Weasley said looking rather ruffled. "Arthur, tell them nothing happened."

Mr. Weasley set down his fork and cleared his throat, "Nothing happened," he said, but his face said otherwise.

"Oh come off it," said Fred.

"They're not stupid," said George.

"And you guys are terrible liars," added Fred.

"Absolutely dreadful," agreed George.

"Just tell them already."

"They're bound to find out anyway."

"Now that's enough out of you two!" Mrs. Weasley scolded furiously, "And I forbid you to tell them!"

"Mum," Bill said, "They're right you know, they aren't babies and they deserve to know."

"And why do they deserve to know?" demanded Mrs. Weasley.

"Because you know that they'll do something stupid to try and find out if you don't tell them," Charlie said with a wry smile.

"Don't encourage them Charlie," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Mum, we're sixteen, I think we can handle it," said Ron.

Mrs. Weasley sighed in defeat, "Alright," she said, "Tell them Arthur."

Mr. Weasley cleared his throat, "There was a bit of a ruckus at the ministry today," he said, "Nothing big, just enough to cause a stir."

"What happened?" Harry asked, he looked very interested all of a sudden. "Did someone try to get into the Department of Mysteries again?"

Mr. Weasley hesitated, "As a matter of fact, they did," he said. "How did you know?"

"I can still sense Voldemort's emotions, remember?" said Harry, "I felt that he was happy about something all afternoon."

"Well he should be," Mr. Weasley said, he still looked unnerved. "Someone managed to get in and steal some important documents about.......someone."

Ron's eyebrows rose at the statement; Mr. Weasley clearly didn't want them knowing who that someone was but Ron had a feeling he knew all too well. He also could've sworn that he saw his father's eyes flick in Harry's direction.

"You mean the ministry keeps records about everyone?" asked Hermione, looking shocked. "I thought that was just a myth!"

"No, it's true," Mr. Weasley said. "Well, partially at least."

"Who did they steal information about then?" asked Ginny.

"It wasn't just one person," Mr. Weasley said slowly, "They stole information about a few people actually."

"Anyone we know?" Ron asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

Mr. Weasley hesitated and looked down the table at his wife, who sighed and nodded for him to continue.

"I'm sure you've already guessed that they stole information regarding Harry," he said, "But they also stole information about Sirius-"

Ron noticed Harry started in surprise at this and he knew why. Why would someone want information about someone who was already dead?

"-Tonks," continued Mr. Weasley, "Remus, Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Fillus Flitwick, Sybill Trewlawny-"

Ron heard Hermione snort at the last name and had to smile.

"-a few other members of the Order, Neville Longbottom-"

Ron frowned, why would anyone want information about Neville?

"-and all of the rest of us here tonight," Mr. Weasley finished slowly.

"WHAT?!" Ron yelled.

"Shush Ron!" Mrs. Weasley said frantically, "Keep it down!"

"Why would anyone want to know about us?" Ginny asked, she looked nervous.

"Well we are Harry's friends," Hermione said slowly, "I suppose that would be the main reason for it."

Ron looked over at Harry who had become intensely fascinated with the his food. Ron frowned, he had a feeling that Harry didn't too great at the moment.

It's all his fault, a nasty little voice said in Ron's head. He's the one Voldemort's after so why not just hand him over and settle it that way?

It's more then that and you know it! argued Ron, Even if we did hand him over to Voldemort, which we would never do, that wouldn't stop him. Voldemort won't stop until someone kills him or he takes control of the world.

"Maybe I should leave," Harry said as he looked up. "It's me he's after, if I'm not here he wouldn't have a reason to come looking for you."

"Don't be stupid Harry," said Ron. He'd recognized that look in Harry's eye; it was the same look he'd had after Sirius had died-a look of guilt.

"You're going to stay right here," Mrs. Weasley said, "And you don't need to worry about a thing."

"Yeah," said Charlie, "It's not like Voldemort's going to come busting through the door at any second."

There was some uneasy laughter, but Ron saw that he wasn't the only one who looked uneasily at the door.

"Besides," Bill added, "Even if he did come here we'd beat him."

"I talked to Dumbledore today," Mr. Weasley said, "He said that you are to remain with us until school starts or something big comes up so don't worry about it."

"What about everyone else?" asked Harry.

"They will be given warning so you needn't concern yourself with that," Mrs. Weasley reassured him. "See?" she said rounding on he elder sons, "This is exactly why I didn't want to tell them!"

"Yes, but now they won't do anything stupid," said Fred.

"Well," George said, "They probably will, but at least they'll have a better understanding of the risks."

"Don't even joke about that you two," Mrs. Weasley said furiously. "I have enough to deal with without you two egging Harry and Ron on to do something stupid. At least they have Hermione to talk some sense into them."

Ron grinned and looked at Harry who rolled his eyes and grinned back. Little did Mrs. Weasley realize that Hermione wasn't always the cautious one. Hermione gave the two a warning look and they stopped smiling, realizing this was neither the time nor the place for such foolishness.

The rest of the dinner was a rather subdued affair, which didn't surprise Ron one bit. It was only when they were clearing the dishes away that he thought of something.

"Did the take informaiton on Percy?" he asked Mr. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley looked surprised, "Why do you ask?" he said.

"Just curious," Ron replied casually.

"No, as a matter of fact they didn't," Mr. Weasley replied neutrally. "But our family rift is a well known affair, particulary inside the ministry."

"Oh," Ron said. He looked over and saw that Hermione was watching with interest and had obviously heard the answer. She frowned and Ron could see the gears were already turning in her head.

Once the remnants of dinner had been cleared away, Ron, Harry and Hermione retreated up into Ron's room. Ron opened the door and was greeted by Pig's shrill hooting as the tiny owl zoomed about in his cage.

"Stupid owl," Ron said as he rolled his eyes and walked over. He pulled a bag of Owl Treats out of the cupboard and shoved some between the bars before flopping down on his bed.

Harry followed suit and flopped down on his own bed while Hermione settled herself on Ron's desk chair.

"So that was definitely interesting, to say the least," Hermione said slowly, and Ron noticed she cast a nervous look in Harry's direction.

"Yep," Harry agreed, and Ron noticed a hint of what sounded like bitterness in his friends voice.

"At least they trusted us enough to tell us something this time," Ron said, "Only took them a couple of years."

Harry snorted, "No kidding," he agreed.

"I wonder why they took information on Neville," Hermione said, her brow furrowed in thought. "It doesn't make any sense that if they're going to take information on our school friends why he would be the only one."

"Actually it makes perfect sense," Harry said.

"How so?" asked Ron with raised eyebrows as he sat up straight. He had suspected that Dumbledore had told Harry more than his friend had let on but hadn't wanted to press for more information.

Harry sat up to look at his two friends, and for a fleeting moments Ron could've sworn that someone else looked at him from behind Harry's bright green eyes. He shrugged it off though, figuring he'd just imagined it.

"Well I guess I should tell you what the prophecy said first of all," Harry said.

"Harry, the prophecy smashed," Hermione said slwoly. "How would you know what it said?"

"Dumbledore heard the prophecy when Trewlawny said it," Harry replied.

"Trewlawny?" Ron said dubiously.

"Yep," Harry said with a strained smile, "Believe it or not she's actually made two real prophecies."

"So what did it say then?" Hermione asked delicately.

Harry cleared his throat and thought a minute before he spoke. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have a power the Dark Lord knows not.." Harry recited. He hesitated and then continued but he had lowered his voice so that Ron and Hermione had to strain to hear it, "and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..." his voice trailed off.

"Harry..." Hermione said quietly, "But I don't understand, how does Neville fit into it?"

"Neville's birthday is at the end of July too," Harry explained. "And his parents, like mine, defied Voldemort three times."

"So Neville could really be the one who will get rid of Voldemort?" Ron said with a frown. It was true Neville had greatly improved his skills in the past year thanks to the DA, but the thought that he was the only one who could save the world was a bit unnerving.

"That's what I thought at first too," Harry said. "But Voldemort thought I was more of a threat so he marked me 'as his equal' and in doing so made it clear that I was the one the prophecy refered to. One of his spies heard the beginning of the prophecy but they were discovered and thrown out before it was finished. Dumbledore used his Pensieve and showed me the prophecy."

"Bloody hell," muttered Ron.

Hermione bit her lip and looked up at Harry. "What does it mean when it says 'and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives'?" she asked looking concerned.

Ron breathed in sharply, he hadn't been listening closely enough and had somehow missed that bit of information.

Harry smiled slightly, but it was not a happy smile, "Ah yes, of course you would remember word for word," he said, and something about about the way he said it made the hair on the back of Ron's neck prickle. Harry sighed and his shoulders slumped, "It means that in the end I'll either become a murderer or........ I'll be killed."

Ron wanted to laugh because it sounded so absurd but he knew that Harry wouldn't make up something this serious. Hermione had gasped in shock and looked rather pale, almost as if she would faint at any second.

"Oh Harry..." Hermione said as she got up and moved so that she was seated beside Harry. "No wonder you were so depressed at end of term! I thought it was only because of Sirius but this.....oh god, this is horrible! But don't worry, Ron and I will help you as much as we can and you can always talk to us about anything, right Ron?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Ron said.

"Don't you understand?" Harry yelled suddenly as he stood up. "You guys can't help! I'm the only one who cans top him! No one else can! Not you, not the Order, not even Dumbledore! Only I can!"

"And you will," Hermione said, her voice a soothing calm. "We'll help as much as we can but you're right, it will come down to just you. We can help you prepare though and we can give you moral support that will give you the strength you need to make it."

Harry's fury visibly began to drain away as Hermione continued.

"We understand that there's only so much we can do," she said, "But let us do what we can, don't push us away, OK Harry?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah," he said, "You guys can help, I think I'll be needing a lot of help actually." He smiled slightly, and this time it was genuine. "It will be like when you guys helped me get ready for the Triwizard Tournament."

"Yeah," Hermione said with a laugh, "I guess so."

Only this time it's even more serious, Ron thought. And not just some stupid competition.

Although, in truth, the Triwizard Tournament had turned into more than just a 'stupid competition' when, at the final task, Harry had been transported to the graveyard where Voldemort regained his body. Ron knew this, but he still felt that it would be harder to prepare for the final battle knowing that only one of the people involved would walk away alive.

"Just don't do anything stupid, alright?" Ron said, "And don't think you have to 'protect' us or anything, we get enough of that from everyone else."

Harry grinned, "Alright," he said, "But only if you promise not to anything stupid either."

"I won't if you won't," Ron said with a smile.

"So it's agreed," Hermione said, she was smiling now too. "No one can act stupid otherwise it entitles the other two to act stupid as well."

"I guess so," said Harry.

There was a long awkward silence.

"So..." Ron said casually, "What do we do now?" He noticed Harry grinned.

"Well, have your brothers told you anything else about what's going on in the Order lately?" asked Hermione. "I get the feeling Fred and George might have let some things slip that weren't safe to put in a letter."

Ron nodded, "Yeah, a few things accidently slipped out," he said.

"Such as...?" prompted Harry.

"Well the ministry decided to get rid of the Dementors right?" Ron said.

"Yeah, it was in the Prophet," said Hermione.

"Well, people from the ministry went and did all sorts of spells all over Azkaban to make it impenetrable to Voldemort's forces," said Ron. "The only problem is they still need to have guards and they're very leery about trusting people and creatures."

"Well all the have to do is check for the Dark Mark," said Harry.

"Not anymore," Ron said, "Voldemort did something to the marks that makes them less obvious or something."

"How do they know that?" asked Hermione.

"Well they have all those Death Eaters in Azkaban don't they?" said Ron. "Apparently even the Dark Marks on imprisioned Death Eaters have disappeared."

"So who's guarding Azkaban then?" asked Hermione.

Ron shrugged, "I'm not sure," he said, "But it's been a big mess."

"Well no wonder," Hermione said. "Dumbledore's right, they should've never trusted the Dementors."

"They say anything else?" asked Harry.

Ron shrugged, "Not really," he said, "Voldemort's still lying low so not much has been going on."

"I find that interesting," Hermione said. "I would've thought that with his cover blown Voldemort would be out rampaging all over the country."

"Same," said Ron.

"It makes sense though," Harry said thoughtfully, "I mean, he still doesn't have all his strength back and his forces are rather lacking in numbers. He's probably going to try and recruit people first, maybe that's why he stole information on people."

"He didn't take information on Percy," Ron said.

Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really?" he said, "I thought you guys reconciled with him."

"We did," said Ron. "Dad said it was probably because everyone pretty much knows about the fight but I think there might be something else to it."

"You think your own brother might join Voldemort?" Hermione asked, she looked sceptical.

"All I'm saying is that it's possible," said Ron. "I don't know, Percy's ambitious and he's always seemed kind of....well, odd."

"Yes but evil?" Hermione said. "I'm sorry Ron but I just don't see it."

Harry looked thoughtful, "I know this is going to sound egotistical, but did he mention me perhaps?" he asked.

Ron frowned, "Yeah actually, well sort of anyway," Ron said. "He came over for dinner last week and I think Charlie said something about you and Percy didn't seem to pleased."

"What'd he say?" asked Harry.

"I don't think he said anything," Ron said, "He just kind of sat there looking mad about something. At the time I thought he was just being typical Percy with a pole up his-"

"Ron!" Hermione interupted.

"What? It's true," Ron said defensively. "I could just be imagining it though. After all, he's always been a bit of a git."

Harry laughed, "I'll have to agree with you there," he said. "Out of all your brothers I like him the...." but he didn't finish his sentence because suddenly he gripped his scar and fell to the floor convulsing and screaming in pain.

Yes, I know, I'm evil for writing a cliffie but I've never done that before and this seemed like the perfect time to have one. Well anyway, this was a nice little foreshadowing chapter and yes I am aware that I drifted away from the Ron/Hermione plot-line but this isn't just some cute little fluffy story because it does take place the summer after their fifth year. I don't like the beginning of this chapter much but all in all I'm pretty happy with it. Anywho, please review and hopefully I'll update soon!

-Megan