Chapter 3

Harry hurriedly pulled away from Ginny and tried to think of an answer, but he took one look at the anger on Ron's face, and his mind went completely blank.

Hermione was quick on her feet, though. She crossed the room and took Ginny's hand, and began pulling her out of the room. Ginny turned around and mouthed, "I'm sorry," as she was pulled through the doorway past Ron. Hermione closed the door behind them.

Ron glared at Harry, but Harry still couldn't think of anything to say.

"Well? Are you going to answer me or not?"

Harry stammered, "Ron, I…we…its just…"

Ron held up his hand to stop him. "Harry, just answer this one question – did you just snog her because you could or because you actually fancy her?"

Harry finally found words. "Ron, I fancy her. A lot."

Ron seemed to relax a little. "How long has this been going on?"

"We've just been writing about how we feel for about two weeks. That's the first time we've ever kissed."

Ron searched Harry's face. "I'm your best mate. Why didn't you tell me how you feel about her?"

"I didn't know if you'd approve. But I have never felt this way about anyone before, and I couldn't ignore it. Are you going to kill me now?"

Ron ran a hand through his hair before answering.

"How do you feel about her?"

"She's amazing. I can talk to her about anything. She makes me feel strong at times when I don't. She makes me look forward to the future, and honestly…after losing Sirius, I didn't think that was possible. I don't deserve her."

Ron smiled, "Well, you're right about that. But, if she's going to be with anyone, I'm glad it's you. And Harry, if you let that side of you out that we all had to suffer through last year and treat her badly…I swear I'll kill you myself. I'll miss you – but I won't hesitate if you hurt my baby sister."

Harry nodded. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to extend the same threat to you about Hermione."

Ron's eyes opened wide and he burst out, "What are you talking about?"

"You mean you still haven't told her how you feel?"

Ron blushed and looked at the floor. "No."

"What are you waiting for?"

"I think I'm waiting for some sign that she won't be revolted at the thought of being with me."

Harry grinned and said, "Here's your sign – I know that she won't be revolted."

"Did she tell you that?"

"No – but trust me, ok? Don't waste anymore time."

"I know. After almost losing her from that curse, I knew that I had to tell her in case something happened."

Harry nodded. "That day changed things for me and Ginny, too. But just remember that if you hurt Hermione, you'll have to answer to me, ok?"

Ron nodded. "Harry, why can't you talk to me or Hermione like you can talk to Ginny?"

Harry knew the answer but didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"I don't know. Aren't there things you can tell Hermione that you can't tell me?"

Ron nodded. "I guess that's true…"

Harry looked at the door. "You think the girls are listening?"

Ron looked horrified. "Holy shite! I didn't even think about that!"

Harry crossed to the door and opened it. The girls were nowhere to be found. Mrs. Weasley's voice came booming up the stairs.

"Boys! Dinner! I'm not calling you again!"

Harry turned. "You think they had someone cast a silencing charm on the door?"

Ron shrugged. "Maybe. I'm starved. Let's go down."

The two boys appeared in the kitchen and looked at the table. Mr. Weasley had come home, and Bill had also joined the family for dinner. There were two open spots at the table, one next to Ginny and one next to Hermione. Harry didn't hesitate, but walked straight to Ginny and plopped down. She looked worried.

The table was alive with conversation so she leaned toward him and said quietly, "You're not bleeding. That's a good sign."

Harry smiled and said, "No, it went fine. He wasn't mad – just surprised."

Ginny looked across the table at Ron and said, "Ok. I still think we should try and let people know one at a time. I couldn't bear an announcement at the table."

"Are you embarrassed to be with me?"

Ginny looked offended.

"Are you kidding? I want to shout from the Astronomy Tower that I'm with you. I just couldn't bear you hearing all the stuff my family would say. I'd rather bear the ridicule alone."

"Ridicule?"

"Harry, I've liked you since I was 10 years old. Do you really think Fred and George would let me off with congratulations?"

Harry finally understood.

"Ah. So, when we're back at Hogwarts are you really going to shout from the Astronomy Tower how you feel?"

Ginny giggled.

"What are you two talking about?" George looked at the pair of them curiously.

Ginny didn't miss a beat.

"Oh nothing… just telling Harry about those failed experiments of yours."

George frowned and waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, please. All the hair grew back, didn't it, Fred?"

Fred straightened his arms out in front of him and inspected them.

"Well, my arms are still a bit stubbly, but at least my eyebrows grew back!"

He wiggled them up and down as proof.

"No more talk of that rubbish at the table." Mrs. Weasley said loudly.

Mr. Weasley stood up and cleared his throat.

"I just want to say how wonderful it is to have so much of our family with us today, safe and sound. I also want to add that it is very nice to have our friends here as well: Remus, Tonks, Harry, Hermione…we are very pleased to have you here."

"Here, here!" Fred and George chimed in and banged their glasses on the table.

Ginny winked at Harry furtively. Mr. Weasley raised his glass.

"Here's to good food and great company. Cheers."

Everyone raised their glasses.

"Cheers."

"Now, tuck in!"

The table erupted with the sounds of clanging plates and utensils and about half a dozen conversations. With the cover of noise, Harry thought it safe to talk to Ginny again.

"Hey, how did you get a silencing charm on the door when Ron and I were talking?"

"Oh yeah! Lupin heard Ron yell and came up to make sure everything was ok. He ran into me and Hermione in the hall. I told him what was going on, and he said he thought you two might need some privacy so he cast the charm on the door and went downstairs."

"So you two didn't hear anything we said?"

"No, why?"

Harry shook his head as he took the passing bowl of roasted potatoes.

"Too bad – I got Ron to admit how he feels about Hermione."

Ginny's eyes grew large. "Really? Has he told her yet?"

"No…he's afraid she'll reject him."

Ginny sighed and heaped potatoes onto her plate. "He is such a prat. If he doesn't hurry up she may change her mind!"

"Has she admitted that she feels the same?"

"Not in so many words, but its pretty obvious to me that she does."

They looked up at Ron and Hermione across the table. They were deep in quiet conversation as well. Ron filled his glass and hers with pumpkin juice and then went back to talking. Ginny looked back at Harry.

"They are awfully sweet."

Harry gazed back at Ginny and felt almost a magnetic pull to reach out and brush the hair off her face. Then he remembered himself and looked back at his plate. Ginny took his hand under the table.

"Soon, Harry."

He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. He decided that no matter how silly it was, he was going to eat this dinner one-handed if he had to. He wasn't letting go.

"Harry?" Lupin spoke on Harry's right.

"Yes?"

"Do you think you and I could talk after dinner?"

"Sure! I'm glad you asked."

Lupin smiled and turned back to Tonks. Dinner carried on until every plate was scraped clean and everyone had their share of dessert. The conversation waned, and Arthur leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach contentedly.

"Bill, Remus – want to join me in the parlor?"

"In a moment, Arthur – Harry and I are going to catch up." Lupin put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Of course." Arthur and Bill smiled at Harry as they got up from the table and followed each other out of the room.

Tonks, Hermione, and Ginny disappeared together probably to Ginny's room to discuss all the romance in the air. Ron, Fred and George left to have a game of exploding snap, and Mrs. Weasley gave a flick of her wand and cleared the table.

Harry got up and followed Lupin out into the garden. They sat down on a bench and looked up at the rapidly approaching sunset.

"Are you glad to be here?"

Harry almost hurt himself as he whipped his head around to answer.

"Yes! Of course! Why would you ask me that?"

"Well, Dumbledore let me make the decision about where you would go. I didn't know if you were ready to see Grimmauld Place again…so I picked the Burrow. I just wanted to make sure I did the right thing."

Harry looked at the sky and took a moment before answering.

"I don't think I'm ready to see Grimmauld Place yet. I sorta feel like going there would make it more concrete that he's gone…I don't think I want to feel that yet."

Obviously Lupin didn't need to ask which 'he' Harry was referring to because he immediately answered.

"I understand. Going there for Order meetings felt awful. I think that's why Dumbledore let me spend so much time at Mrs. Figg's."

A comfortable silence fell between them until Harry quietly spoke.

"Do you think I could call you Remus?"

"Of course, Harry."

"Ok…Remus, I need to tell you something."

Lupin looked concerned. "Is everything alright?"

"Not really, no. Do you have any idea what the prophecy about me and Voldemort said?"

"No, I just know that it had something to do with your connection. It must have said something important for him to want it so badly. Too bad it got smashed…now we'll never know what it said."

"Actually, the person who originally heard the prophecy remembers it perfectly."

Lupin looked confused. "And who might that be?"

"Dumbledore."

Lupin took in a huge breath. "He told you what it said, didn't he?"

"Yes."

They sat in silence for a moment.

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Yes."

Harry looked up at the last connection to his family.

"I want you to know because you are my family now – and even though I don't want this to be a burden for you, I know you already worry about me. But please, keep it between us. I have to tell everyone else in my own time."

"Of course, Harry."

Harry closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he began speaking.

"Voldemort only heard the first part of the prophecy when it was given to Dumbledore. That's why he went after me 16 years ago. When he was destroyed he realized there must have been more to the prophecy. That's why he was so desperate to get his hands on it."

"That makes sense. What did it say?"

Harry looked into the sky, remembering the horrible words before repeating them slowly without looking back at Lupin.

"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 POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT…AND EITHER MUST DIE AT THE HAND OF THE OTHER FOR NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES…"

Harry turned to look at Remus. He was more pale than usual. But slowly he began to speak.

"Ok…so he only heard the part about your birth. Did he hear the part about marking you as his equal?"

"No – that's why he attacked me. He had no clue that trying to kill me would make me his…equal. Whatever that means."

"What was the next part?"

"He will have the power the Dark Lord knows not."

"What does that mean?"

"Dumbledore said it was my heart – something about how I possess extreme amounts of something in my heart that Voldemort can't stand."

"Love?" Remus looked at Harry, amazed.

"Yeah…I mean, that's what protected me for so long – my mother's love sacrifice. And the love I felt for Sirius is supposedly what prevented Voldemort from inhabiting my body when we were at the Ministry."

"Wait. You mean he tried to possess you?"

"Yeah. It was horrible. I've never felt pain like that in my life."

"The pain was because he and you are like opposites. He couldn't exist inside you because of all the love you possess."

Harry shrugged. "Basically."

"Wow. This is incredible." Then realization struck him. "Wait…what was the last part?"

"Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

Silence.

Then, "Does that mean what I think it means?"

"I'm the only one who can kill Voldemort – and I can't survive if he does. So basically he murders me, or I murder him. I have to die or become a killer. That's the part I just don't understand."

"Harry, killing Voldemort isn't like killing a normal wizard, I mean – you're not going to be a murderer like he is."

Harry huffed, "Have you ever killed anyone?"

Lupin looked very sad, and Harry suddenly realized that was a horrible thing to ask.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean…bloody hell."

"No, Harry…I suppose I should be able to tell you this. When Voldemort was around the first time and the Order was in full swing, there were a lot of deaths. I have only killed when I had to. It's not something most decent wizards would talk about. It's not something I like to dwell on, but I know that I only used deadly force when it was necessary. That doesn't make me a murderer. Do you understand that?"

"Yes."

"When you face Voldemort he is not going to be a helpless bystander. He will be going after you with everything he's got. It will be self-defense. No one will ever see that as murder."

"I guess you're right. I think I'm just trying to figure out how I could possibly defeat him. I've only told Dumbledore this, but I used the Crucio curse on Bellatrix after Sirius died."

"You did?"

"Yeah – only it didn't really work since I don't hate her."

"Yes, the Unforgivable Curses are very difficult for good wizards to use."

"So, if I can't use Crucio, how in the world am I going to use the Killing Curse?"

Remus looked at Harry thoughtfully. "You know, Harry – I think the fact that you are so different from Voldemort means that you won't be able to beat him with dark magic. You won't have to use Avada Kedavra. You have the power he knows not."

"But how can love beat him?"

"Harry, love is the single most powerful force in the world. Think about it – the simple act of your mother's love protected you for 14 years. That's amazing. Voldemort has learned all the tricks of dark magic but he has no understanding of love, and you are SO loved, Harry. How many people have died to protect you? And now you have me, and the entire Weasley family to love you. Plus, you have the love of Dumbledore."

Harry looked up, shocked. "Dumbledore doesn't love me."

"Oh yes, Harry, he does. He loves you very much. That is why he, like so many others, has tried to protect you from the evils in your future. He is the wisest man I know, and yet when it comes to you, he is just as vulnerable to mistakes as the rest of us."

Harry suddenly felt overwhelmed by how horribly he had treated the Headmaster. "You know, he tried to explain that to me, but I wasn't very understanding."

"Well, you have been through a lot. You do need to understand that Dumbledore has always been thinking of what's best for you first. He wants to see you succeed, and he wants to see you happy. Someday you'll be powerful enough to face Voldemort all on your own – but until then – trust Dumbledore."

Harry felt all the anger and childish resentment begin to fall away and for the first time he understood why Dumbledore had kept him in the dark.

"I think I owe him an apology."

Lupin put his arm around Harry, "I'm sure you'll get that chance. Don't worry."

"Thanks for being here. I missed talking to you."

"I missed it too. Why don't we go back inside – its getting chilly."

"Sure."

Harry walked back to the house feeling lighter than he had in weeks.