A/N: Sadly, soon this story will become AU(though not too sadly because that means the 5th book has come out. Yay!!!) I just want to write this here before I forget....This story has already been planned and plotted out, and will continue on in the course I've set, no matter what happens in the next book.

That said, thanks to JerseyGirl03; jas; sara; and jul!

Okay, I've written this chapter in many different ways, but I can't seem to get the first part to sound right. Oh well. I'm not very happy with it and hope I won't have so much trouble with the next one.

******** = journal entries

CH: Alley Days

~.....[Harry] did wish he knew what Voldemort meant by, 'what you learn.' He sighed and laid down to bed for a hopefully dreamless sleep.~

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It was the day after Harry's birthday, August 1st. Yesterday, Amy and Fiona had thrown him a small party, his first ever. And to make it up to them, he agreed to take the girls to Diagon Alley. Something he wish he hadn't done now.

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Why did I do agree to this?!? It's Diagon Alley! It'll be filled with witches and wizards! How can I face them after all that has happened? And what will they say? Between Rita Skeeter's articles, the Tournament, and the rumors going around, who knows how they'll react to me! And I don't want to bring Amy and Fiona into that.

I've read the recent Daily Prophets. I know the political struggle going on between the Ministry, Dumbledore, and Voldemort. AND I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE! I just want to be a normal 15 year old who can enjoy a day out with his friends.

But, I won't get that will I? Because I'm the Boy Who Bloody Lived. And, I've got to get used to it. And, no matter what people believe, you only live once.

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Harry, dressed in a new, green, polo-shirt and jeans, arrived at the Tristian house. He rang the bell.

"Harry!" Fiona wrapped her arms around him as soon as the door opened. "I can't wait to see Diagon Alley! Where will we go first? Will I get my wand at - what was that place you told me about - Olivanders? Can I get an owl like Hedwig?"

Harry smiled down at the small girl. Over the time they spent together, he began to see her as the little sister he never had. "Whoa, one question at a time."

Amy came out and shut the door behind her. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she said quietly to Harry. He nodded as Fiona grabbed onto his arm and dragged him along.

"Let's go then!" the eleven year old chirped excitedly. The teenagers laughed as they set off down the road.

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When they reached the Leaky Cauldron, Harry and Amy both took one of Fiona's hands and tried to sneak to the back door unnoticed. Harry could hear snippets of conversations as they passed.

"Did you hear? There saying the person behind all the attacks lately is You- Know-Who!"

"But if he was really back, the ministry would tell us, right?"

"I think they're just as scared as we are about what that means. They won't tell us unless they're sure."

"But, I heard You-Know-Who is the one who killed the Diggory boy during the Triwizard Tournament. And if they're waiting for another sign, are they waiting for more people to die?"

'These people aren't that far off,' Harry thought sadistically.

They had almost managed to slip out when Tom, the bartender, called out "Why, Hello Mr. Potter."

The whole place went deathly quiet as everyone turned to look at Harry.

"Hello Tom", he called back and the group rushed out the backdoor to enter Diagon Alley.

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Fiona did end up getting what she wanted most. Her new wand was 7 inches long, containing a dragon heartstring, and made of oak. And, on further deliberation, both girls decided their parents would definitely want to see the Alley, so they'd have to wait to get the rest of Fiona's supplies.

Now really wanting to travel back through the pub so soon, Harry decided to stay and shop for awhile and bid the girls good-bye. 'And,' he thought, 'it'll be easier handling any problems that come up by myself.'

Harry rambled down the cobblestone streets up to Gringotts, the wizarding bank. After filling his money bag, he set off towards Flourish and Blotts. Although he hadn't received his school list yet, he wanted to get a couple of books for background reading. He pick up The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Curses and Counter Curses, The History of Wizarding War, and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. He was about to leave when a small, red book caught his eye. A Guide to Protect Yourself from the Worst was emblazed in gold against it's leather cover. He added that to the pile as well.

He walked up to the counter to pay for his purchases. The clerk eyed his pile suspiciously.

"A bit paranoid, aren't we?" she asked as he totaled up the items.

"Not paranoid, realistic," Harry replied.

At this the clerk started going slower, as if to keep Harry there longer.

"Why? Do you know anything about what's going on lately?"

"Enough," he answered, vaguely.

The clerk finally finished and bowed Harry from his shop. Since, he didn't have anything else to buy until he got his supply list, he decided to brave the Leaky Cauldron and have lunch.

When Harry entered the L.C. again, he went straight over to Tom and ordered a buterbeer.

"So, got something on your mind young Harry," questioned Tom as Harry sat down at the bar.

"A lot of things," said Harry.

"Do you know what has been going on lately?"

"Why do people keep asking me that," he sighed.

"Well, because you're... you," was the reply.

He chuckled. "Yes, it's about what's happened. And I do know what is going on."

Now, the whole restaurant went quiet again, waiting for the Boy Who Lived's answer.

"So, is..." Tom's voiced dropped to a whisper."You-Know-Who involved?"

Before Harry could answer, the fire in the corner turned green and the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, walked out.

"Good afternoon Tom, do make a pot of tea, will y..." Fudge trailed off when he caught sight of Harry. "Ah, Harry, you're here."

"Hello to you too, Mr. Minister," Harry drawled, sarcastically. Ever since the way Fudge had acted after the task, he had a very low opinion of the Minister.

"Well, Harry can I talk to you. Alone. In one of the private parlors please, Tom."

"Of course, Minister," the bartender replied. And, before Harry could protest, he was led to a small room behind the kitchens.

"So, what were you telling them before I arrived," Fudge questioned as soon as they were alone.

"Nothing. Yet," Harry added as an afterthought.

"Don't say any of your lies here. You'll create a mass panic!"

"Do you want Voldemort to take over and have those people know nothing about it?"

The Minister flinched at the name, but brushed it off.

"You-Know-Who is not back! There is no proof!"

"I was there! I saw it happen! Isn't Cedric enough proof for you?" Harry was starting to get angry and was sure things would start exploding if he didn't calm down soon.

Fudge's eyes hardened."You will say nothing if you know what's good for you. Just get out of the Leaky Cauldron and go home. And if anyone else asks you what you know, you will simply say 'We do not know the source of the attacks yet, but I know the ministry is looking into it.' Okay?"

Harry mumbled his assent.

When they left to go back into the main area, everyone was looking at Harry expectantly.

Harry calmly stated "We do not know the source of the attacks yet, but I know the ministry is looking into it," although his eyes flashed dangerously at Fudge. He went and paid Tom for the drink, picked up his bag, and left without another word.

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The next day, Harry spent the morning looking over his new books. He figured if there was going to be a war coming up, he should learn all he could about past wars and how to protect himself. Sometime, in the middle of Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century, his stomach started to rumble. He looked over at the clock and realized it was almost lunchtime. Since the Dursley's weren't home and Harry didn't feel like cooking, he decided to go back to the Leaky Cauldron and just hoped there wasn't a repeat of yesterday's events.

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Although everyone stared at Harry when he arrived, he ignored them and went to the bar to order lunch. He had just started eating when a voice called his name.

"Harry?"

Harry turned around to see who the speaker was. He immediately recognized her. It was Parvati Patil, another Gryffindor 5th year. She was surveying Harry with interest.

"Hey, Parvati," he said back. She pulled her chair up to Harry's table.

"Someone's had a productive summer," she cooed and Harry turned a light crimson.

"Growth Spurt," he shrugged and went back to eating."How's your summer going?"

"The usual. Went shopping in Paris for a week and then stayed at the Willmount Magical Resort."

Harry merely nodded. He knew the Patils were rich, so her massive vacations didn't surprise him.

"That sounds nice. Unfortunately," he checked his watch, "I've gotta be at work in another 10 minutes, so I should be leaving."

"Oh." Parvati pouted. "I hope to see you again soon, Harry."

"Likewise." And with that he paid for lunch and left.

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The next week past uneventfully. He went to work and lessons. He didn't have any visions and there wasn't even any new attacks in the Daily Prophet. Though the silence made Harry more uneasy than relieved. Just as Harry was about to go down for breakfast, an owl flew in. Harry took the letter off and immediately saw that it was from Hogwarts. Inside he found, not only his supply list, but another letter as well. As he pulled it out, a silver badge fell onto his bed. Harry read the paper:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as one of the Gryffindor 5th year Prefects, along with Hermione Granger. This is an honor that should not be taken lightly. I'm sure you'll do a fine job.

Congratulations,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

P.S. You're parents would have been proud. They were both made prefect in their 5th year, too.

Harry's breath caught in his throat. 'I'm a prefect like my parents,' he thought. He set the letter and badge on his bedside table before bounding happily to breakfast.

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That day Harry set off to Diagon Alley to buy his supplies for the year. He waved a hello to Tom as he passed through the Leaky Cauldron and entered Diagon Alley. After filling his moneybag at Gringotts again he set off to Madame Malkin to buy new robes. It seemed like an eternity of measuring before she was finally done and she kept asking him questions while she pinned him up. It took all Harry self control to refrain from commenting on the Death Eater situation. Then he went to restock his potion ingredients and parchment and quills. All he had left was to go to Flourish and Blotts. He had finished reading the books he bought last time and wanted to get some more while he was there.

'I'm turning into a regular Hermione,' he thought wryly as he browsed the selves. He had already picked up a standard book of spells grade 5, a book on dueling, and one on phoenixes and their healing powers. As searched settled on the biographies on Godric Gryffindor and Merlin, Warding off Dark Creatures, and an interesting looking one on ghosts and poltergeists. As he rounded the corner to pay for them, he ran smack into someone, and Harry and the books went flying.

Harry pulled the biography of Merlin off his head to see who he ran into. Lying there, in the mist the books was a girl with long blond hair and big brown eyes. It took Harry a minute to place her while she wasn't in her Hogwarts uniform. Her name was Lisa Turpin and she was a 5th year Ravenclaw. Harry stood up and held out his hand.

"Sorry, Lisa. I wasn't looking where I was going." He helped her up.

"That's okay, neither was I." She looked up and met his eyes. "Harry?" Her eyes widened in surprise. Harry nodded. "Wow, you sure changed," she stated.

"Everyone keeps saying that." He shot her a lopsided grin. "I have no idea why."

Lisa giggled as Harry bent down to sort out the books. When they finally got the piles straightened out, Lisa commented on his.

"And I thought I read a lot."

"Oh, I don't read them. I donate them to a dwarf colony for them to sit on."

Lisa stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter. When she finally calmed down she asked "How come we never sat and talked before, Harry? It seems like we have a lot in common"

"Good question. But you're suppose to be the smart Ravenclaw who knows all the answers."

"Yeah, and you're suppose to be the loyal Gryffindor who is such a good friend. Shouldn't you know the answers to questions pertaining to friendship?"

Harry though for a moment."Good point."

"Say, Harry, do you live around here?"

"Just down the block. Why?"

"I live near here as well. How about we meet for lunch tomorrow at Florean Fortescues. That is, if you're not busy, Oh Great Popular One."

"I'd love to. And it's Mr. Popular One to you."

They laughed as they went to pay for their books.

"See ya tomorrow, Lisa."

"Bye, Harry."

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The next morning, Harry slept in. He dressed in white, cotton shirt and a pair of black jeans, and absentmindedly tried to flatten his hair, even though he knew it was hopeless. At 11:45, he left for Diagon Alley. He passed through the Leaky Cauldron and wandered up the Alley, to Florean Fortescues, where Lisa was already waiting.

"Hello. I wasn't late was I?" he asked when he sat down at the table across from her.

"No, I'm just early. Actually, I tend to be early for everything. It drives Snape nuts because you can't take points for NOT being late to class."

Harry laughed at this."I should try that sometime. Snape already hates me, so this will just irritate him."

"Why does he hate you so much?"

So Harry launched into the story of the Marauders and Lisa told him that her younger brother was starting Hogwarts that year and how he was a terrible prankster.

"It's gonna be hard taking points from him because he's related and all that, but I know I'll have to."

"You're a prefect?" asked Harry. Lisa blushed and nodded. "Me, too."

Then they started talking about prefect responsibilities, their friends, and even their favorite foods. Before they knew it, it was already three in the afternoon.

Harry and Lisa started walking to the other end of Diagon Alley. Lisa lived in one of the houses there, over an antique shop her mother ran. Her father on the other hand, worked for the department of Magical Games and Sports. This made her a die-hard Quidditch fan. They had just started on a discussion of the possible outcomes for the World Cup that year when they heard a scream.

They turned around. Coming up the middle of the Alley were 5 Death Eaters flanked by 2 dementors. Harry didn't give it a second though. He reached into his robes and shouted "Expecto Patronum!" The Dementors fled and Harry was left with only the five Death Eaters to deal with. One shot a stunning spell straight at Lisa. She hit the ground with a thud.

"Now, we have some business to deal with Potter. You're coming with us," came a low voice from under the hood.

"And if I don't," Harry whispered, threateningly. His grip on his wand tightened.

Just then, they all attacked. Harry hit one with a stunning spell, another with the body bind, and the last with a sleeping spell he got out of one of his new books.

"Impressive, Potter. But how do you handle this." With that he shot the Cruciatus Curse at Harry. Quickly, Harry conjured up the strongest shield he knew. "Protegia!" The curse was absorbed by the shield and the Death Eater looked shocked. Unfortunately, the other wasn't. He hit Harry with the Cruciatus from behind and Harry didn't have enough time to create another shield. While under Crucio, the first Death Eater shot a stunning spell at him and the world went dark.

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Lisa Turpin was confused. She had just been chatting with Harry and now she was....floating in darkness. That couldn't be right. Somewhere above her, a voice was chanting 'Wake up, wake up.' The voice mumbled something else and, finally, light broke through.

"Miss, are you alright?" a man about thirty asked her.

Lisa was dazed. "Huh?" She was sitting on the ground, just outside of Madame Malkin's, and there were swarms of Aurors everywhere. They seemed to be questioning people. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" She shook her head. "Nothing?"

"Well," Lisa began. "I had just eaten lunch with Harry and he was walking back with me..." She looked around. "Where's Harry?"

"You better come with me." The man led her over to where a few more Aurors were interrogating a middle-aged couple.

"The boy shot a Patronus at the Dementors," the woman shuddered. "It looked like some kind of deer or horse."

"A stag," Lisa whispered. The other Aurors turned to her.

"You're awake, Miss...." one started.

"Turpin. Lisa Turpin."

"Right, Miss Turpin. We're just trying to figure out what happened here. After we've finished talking with the Harts" he motioned to the couple "we need to ask you a few questions. Is that all right." Lisa nodded her head and Mrs. Hart began again.

"Then they stunned Lisa." She shot the girl a sympathetic glance. "And the boy and the Death Eaters started talking."

Mr. Hart took over. "We were to far away to hear, but they looked like they were arguing. Then, the boy knocked out three of them."

"He was very good," interjected Mrs. Hart. "And, he even blocked the Crutatious Curse with some kind of silvery shield." The Aurors had quizzical looks on their faces. "At least, he did the first time."

"He was hit the second?" a female Auror asked.

"Yes," said Mr. Hart. "By the other one. And the first stunned him. They took him away by Portkey."

The man who woke her up spoke next. "Thank you for cooperation in this." The Harts nodded and walked away. He turned back to Lisa. "Miss Turpin, could you tell us who your friend was?"

Lisa looked down at her feet and said softly, "Harry. Harry Potter."