Chapter 28: The Destiny Of Others

For the past couple of months Hogwarts had become a strange place. After the ritual Harry had woken up in the hospital wing along with Ron, Hermione and Julia. Once everyone was up Dumbledore did a few tests to see if the spell had worked. He sent Harry to the lake and had Moody attack him. As soon as Harry felt the fear Dumbledore could see the glow appear in Ron, Julia and Hermione's eyes. This new bond made things a little more interesting. They weren't telepathic but the trio and Julia could pick up on things and communicate them with unbelievable speed. The best example was when Ron would slip away and try to meet with Luna. Every time they began to snog, Luna would comment that Ron's eyes would glow for a moment. Ron would come back to the common room and try to act as if he just went to the library but every time he walked in Harry and Hermione would make kissing noises just to poke fun. But the fun would only last for a little while until they remembered why they had the bond in the first place.

Every Saturday the DA would meet to train and become more efficient and it was beginning to show. They had recently begun to create mock scenarios and make the groups figure out how to handle them. Harry's group had some how become surrounded by Death Eaters and the other four groups in his row had to figure out how to help him but not break they're line. Luna in the next row stepped her group up to fill the gap where Harry's group should have been then started focusing completely on hitting the attackers until Harry and his group could retreat back. They didn't always do physical training, one of their meetings was about defense for the castle and the army. Dumbledore decided to have Order Robes made up for everyone. But instead of the deep blue Order color, Dumbledore instructed the house elves to create them by house colors and then make all the teachers and adults silver. They also ordered extra brooms in case ones were destroyed during the battle. Moody and Ron insisted that the air squadron was key to a victory. All these things continued while the students tried to focus on their studies but as the end of term began to slowly approach all anyone could think of was the battle. The only break came when Gryffindor played Ravenclaw for the Quidditch Cup.

"You feeling alright mate? You look a bit peekish," asked Ron as he stuffed his mouth with eggs.

"I didn't get much sleep last night," Harry whispered as he played with his food.

"You were having some type of dream weren't you?" Hermione asked.

"I can't explain it. It was like that dream I had in the fall but different. There were people fighting all around me but I was flying around and dodging most of it. Then I saw myself standing in front of Voldemort," Harry paused for a moment. "You two were standing behind me and we each were glowing a little bit. Then somehow I'm knocked off the broom and I look up to see that blinding light again."

"Sounds like Julia had another vision," whispered Hermione.

"I thought so too but have either of you felt her today? I can't," Harry said in a worried tone. He looked up at the teacher's table and didn't see her there.

"She's probably getting some extra rest before the game Harry. Don't forget how tired seers get after a vision," said Hermione trying to calm Harry down.

"Yeah maybe you're right," Harry said in a more relaxed tone. Hermione always did know how to calm his fears if only for a moment.

"Come on Harry, grab some toast we should start to head down to the pitch," said Ron as he went over to the Ravenclaw table to talk with Luna.

"Here," Hermione said as she handed Harry a napkin with a little breakfast sandwich in side. "You play better when you've eaten," she smiled at him.

"Thanks," he whispered softly. Hermione had been nothing short of amazing this whole year and Harry felt bad he couldn't do more to show her how much he appreciated all her support.

"Hey," Hermione placed her hand on his cheek and a faint glow accented her eyes. "Lets just focus on quidditch for the moment," she took out a piece of paper that had some notes on it. "Cho is probably the best seeker at shadowing. She's a very good flyer but isn't quick enough to spot the snitch but she makes up for it by watching the other seeker –"

"Wait a minute, when did you become a quidditch buff?" Harry laughed.

"I'm not," she said with dead seriousness. "But," a smile began to form "you are and if I can watch the game for tactical reason to help you then it makes the game more fun for me."

"Well then what else do you have for me?"

"Cho also gives a sign to the beaters to start going after the seeker once she's spotted the snitch. So I think what you should do is what Viktor did in the World Cup."

"Go into a dive and fake her into following?" asked Harry.

"Yes but you'll have to really sell it," said Hermione.

"I think I can do that," Harry gave her a wicked smile before kissing her and heading down to the pitch. An hour later Harry was flying about the stadium trying to shake Cho. He looked down at Hermione and gave her a wink.

"Hermione? Did Harry just give yer a wink?" asked Hagrid who was standing behind the girl.

"He's gonna try and fake Cho on a dive," Hermione clasped her hands and held them as tight as she could. Harry decided he was going to need a little more altitude to get to the speed he needed. So he causally floated a little higher and waited. Sure enough Cho followed several moments later.

"Here goes nothing," Harry said under his breath. He faked as if he saw the snitch then immediately went into a dive. The crowd screamed as they saw the two seekers head straight for the ground. Hermione's knuckles were white as a ghost as she saw Harry getting closer to the ground. Screams of "pull up" could be heard all around the stadium and just as it looked like Harry was in trouble he pulled out and skidded along the ground. It looked at though Cho might make it out of the dive too but as she pulled out her foot clipped the ground causing her to crash. But Harry didn't notices because he had seen the snitch by little Padraig's head and was heading straight for the Slytherin bleacher.

"HARRY POTTER HAS COUGHT THE GOLDEN SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS THE QUIDDITCH CUP!" screamed Colin in to the mic as the crowd roared. All of Gryffindor house came rushing onto the field. Harry soon found himself on the shoulders of fifth year students while Ron and the rest of the team also began to get hoisted into the air. Harry began to look around to see where Julia was sitting, but couldn't find her. As Harry continued to search the bleachers, McGonagall and Dumbledore approached the team with the quidditch cup. Unlike previous years McGonagall didn't look happy. Something was wrong and it was written all over Dumbledore's face. Thirty minutes later Harry, still in quidditch gear, Ron and Hermione were sitting in Dumbledore's office along with Rosie and most of the Order.

"I asked you all here because one of our members has left us," Dumbledore said in a low tone.

"It's Julia," Harry whispered.

"Julia," huffed Moody. "Doesn't that girl listen to anything I say?"

"Where has she gone?" asked a worried Lupin.

"Every Death Eater in Europe will be after her," whispered Tonks.

"Why don't we read the letter and we'll all find out what she's up too," Snape said in a condescending tone.

"Good idea Professor Snape," said Dumbledore as he took out the letter and handed it to Harry. Harry looked at it for a moment then walked over to Rosie.

"Would you read it in her voice Rosie," Harry asked.

"Of course," said Rosie.

Dear Harry,

I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person to talk with you but I didn't want to worry you before the big game. By the way, nice fake dive.

Harry smiled with pride for a moment. At least he knew she had been watching.

I have no doubt you saw part of the vision I had last night. The reason I say part is because I worked hard on keeping the other part from you, and it's in this other part of the vision that I must go. I cannot tell you where I'm going because I don't want any members of the Order to follow. I know what they must think. Moody must be mad because I didn't listen to him, Tonks must be worried that every Death Eater in this hemisphere will be after me, and Dumbledore will question why I must go. Please tell Remus I'm sorry for not telling him, but you need him there and I hope he understands.

The journey I am about to take will help us in are cause. I hope you all can forgive me for my secrecy and my unwillingness to trust you but it's for everyone's protection. If I get caught they wont be able to get any information from me. All I ask is this . . . Harry, do not encage the Death Eaters until I get there. I have no doubt you'll face several things before that, but whatever you do don't start that battle with the Death Eaters until I'm there. I promise to return!

Love,

Julia

The familiar sound of silence filled the room. No one looked at each other. One of their great champions had left them and there was no telling if she would truly make it back. Harry folded the letter and put it in his back pocket.

"Typical Potter, always running off trying to play hero," snapped Snape.

"Shut your mouth Severus," growled Lupin.

"She has put us all in danger," Snape raised his voice.

"She's putting her life in danger to save us," Lupin said in a treating tone.

"Knock it off," Hagrid said as he stepped between them.

"Remus is right Severus," said a calm Dumbledore. "Julia didn't say anything important for a reason. But I fear that whatever she is trying to accomplish might come too late," Dumbledore sat down in his chair and began to tap his fingers against each other.

"Albus, you don't think she's trying to call on the Last Alliance do you?" McGonagall asked.

"I'm afraid that's exactly what she is doing. When she first described her vision in the fall I was almost certain that was what she was seeing and now that she's had another vision, part of which we don't know, I can say with utmost certainty that is what she is doing," Dumbledore sighed. Hermione slowly stepped forward and cleared her throat.

"Professor, the Last Alliance was never called upon. How could Julia hope to figure out who had sworn the oath?"

"Miss. Grainger, you're resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me and if you're not a Headmistress at this school someday I will be very disappointed," Dumbledore winked. Hermione turned a slight red at Dumbledore compliment.

"The Last Alliance was a group of wizards from around the world that swore an oath to raise as one and destroy Voldemort if he ever tried to raise an army. Well word spread that Voldemort was close to doing so until that night he meet you Harry," Dumbledore paused for a moment.

"Professor, if no one knows who took the oath then how did they know to call them for help?" Harry asked.

"That I do not know," said Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall, you and the children should go back to your house and celebrate. If anything comes up Professor Lupin will come and get you." The group did as Dumbledore instructed and left the office.

"You three go on ahead. I'm going to stop by the kitchen and instructed the house elves that all Gryffindor students will be allowed as much butter beer and food, as they want. The Headmaster is right, a little relaxing would do everyone some good," and with that McGonagall headed for the kitchen.

"Well I'm always up for a party," smiled Ron.

"You're always up for eating," Harry joked back. Soon the Gryffindor common room was full celebration. Even Professor McGonagall was having a good time. The butterbeer was flowing and the kids were all enjoying themselves. Harry took a moment and watched as his friends would retell stories of old quidditch games or tell of this past one. It was a moment all kids have in their youth and Harry just sat there drinking a butterbeer and letting everyone else be the center of attention. But as with most moments like these they always have to end.

"We need another butterbeer run," yelled Dean. McGonagall walked over to a listed and started talking out loud.

"The Chaser went first and the Beaters were the last to do it that means it's the Keeper and Seekers turn," she smiled. Chants of Keeper and Seeker started to fill the common room as Harry and Ron made their way over to the empty cart. Hermione followed and the trio wheeled the carts out of the common room and into the hall wall.

"What a party," smiled Hermione.

"To bad Fred and George aren't here," Ron said. "They always knew how to have a good time." The group continued to head towards the kitchen when they saw two students making out in a corner.

"What should we do?" whispered Ron who was pulling out his wand.

"Leave them alone," Hermione hissed. But as they got closer they noticed the girl's red hair.

"Hey, that girl has the same color hair as Ginny," Ron muttered. As they got closer Ron's face began to get redder.

"Ron, keep your cool," Harry said.

"She has the right to make her own choice Ron," Hermione added.

"GINNY!" Ron yelled out. And as Ginny pulled away from the boy she was kissing a new look eclipsed Ron's face because the boy she was kissing was none other then Draco Malfoy. For a moment no one knew what to do, Ginny and Draco stood their holding each other while Hermione and Harry slowly positioned themselves to get in front of Ron if he decided to attack. To everyone's surprise Ron did nothing. He simple kept pushing the cart and headed to the kitchen with a completely shocked look. Draco was the first to act.

"Weasley wait," he jogged after him, along with everyone else. "Wealsey!" But Ron wouldn't respond.

"We have to do something?" said a panicked Ginny.

"You should talk with him Ginny. You're his sister," Harry said in a serious tone. Ginny nodded her head and slowly approached Ron.

"Ron," she said softly. Ron stood looking at the portrait of the pair. "Ron, please talk to me." For a moment nothing happened until Ron slowly turned his head, the look of shock gone and the pain of deception now lingered.

"How long have you been seeing him?" whispered Ron.

"Right before winter break," muttered Ginny. Ron went back to staring at the pear.

"What has he ever done to deserve you?" Ron said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"He's not the same person Ron," a small plea in her voice.

"How do you know?" Ron turned back to Ginny and slowly took a step forward. "What if we don't win this battle, how do you know he wont go running back to his father," venom in Ron's voice.

"My father is dead Weasley," Draco said. "He died the day he allowed the Death Eaters to kill my mother."

"How can any of us trust you?" Ron yelled.

"He's been helping you guys all year," Ginny interjected.

"Really! Every time he has information it seems like it comes too late. He tells Harry at the quidditch match something bad is going to happen, after Hermione already had been taken. He doesn't even tell Harry about the escaped prisoners that tried to attack him, and what about when Dad was attacked Ginny," Ron continued to lash out. "Where were the Slytherin spies then?"

"What do you want me to do Weasley? How can I prove that I'm NOT the enemy," Draco was beginning to get upset.

"Stand up in front of the school and tell everyone you love Ginny," Ron blurted out.

"Ron you know he can't do that," Hermione said in a calm voice.

"But I know something he can do," said Harry.

"NO Harry absolutely not," Lupin said as he paced Julia's office. He and Dumbedore had been taking turns teaching her classes.

"You're just going to talk with Firenze, we're just asking that you take Draco with you," Harry pleaded. Lupin lead Harry away from the group.

"What is this about Harry?" whispered Lupin.

"Let's just say when Firenze meets Draco you'll understand." Something in Harry's eyes told Lupin everything would be ok. He took a deep breath and turned to the rest of the group.

"Meet here tomorrow night after dinner."

"Thank you professor," Draco smiled. The group began to leave when Lupin called out.

"Draco . . . make sure you bring your wand."