A/N: Hope you all like this chapter and I have to thank my beta Bad Voodoo. You rock hard core dude :). Thank you to all of you who have reviewed so far and remember toLet me know what you all think andcheck out my group at yahoo groups, just click the homepage link on my bio page.

Chapter 3: Diagon Alley

Mrs. Weasley had everyone up at dawn so that they could have the whole day at Diagon Alley. Fred and George decided to open their store to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Eric so they could stock up early. Hermione was very vocal about not having any intention of buying anything from them but the others were making a mental list of all the supplies they would be purchasing from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezies. Missy on the other hand was replaying the night before wondering what she was going to say to Charlie when he came down. Dumbledore showed up, as they were about to leave.

"Missy here is your key as well as a letter from your parents I was to give you in the event of their death. Once you read it you will understand why I waited until now to give it to you, it would have been no use to you while in hiding. I also have this." It was a list of supplies.

"What is this for?"

"It is a few things that you may need this year. Missy I would like you to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts this year. If you decide you are up to the challenge these supplies will come in handy."

"From the looks of it they will come in handy anyways, The New and Improved Jinxes for the Jinxed, Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charms, The Dark Arts Outsmarted, A Compendium of Common Curses and Their Counter-Actions, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed, Self-Defensive Spellwork, Practical Defensive Magic and Its Use Against the Dark Arts, How to Tell a Dark Wizard When You See One by Madox Bullsing, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble, Curses and Counter-curses (Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying, and Much, Much More) by Professor Vindictus Viridian, Top One Hundred Tips for Teaching Dueling By Madeline Swardsbee. I could freshen up on dueling myself, it's the one thing I couldn't really get away with doing with Muggles around, plus I didn't have anyone to duel with."

"So you are willing to take the post?"

"Of course, anything I can do to help."

"It will be important for the Order to protect the students not only from outside influences but inside influences as well. Not all our students are headed down the straight and narrow when it comes to Voldemort. I'll need your insight and expertise."

"Of course!" The list of books was quite extensive and she hoped it wouldn't clean out her vault. She couldn't remember how much she had in it.

"Alright everyone get your floo powder, Bill and Charlie have been waiting for us all morning long," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum how come they didn't wait for us here?" Ginny asked, disappointed that she had not even been aware of their absence, wondering if she was loosing her touch.

"They had some business to do for the order, never you mind about it. You will have all day to spend with them both because Bill's got the day off." At this they all cheered up a bit. Bill was the coolest Weasley and Harry and Ron wanted to get his opinion on the best defense supplies for this years DA meetings. He had, after all, worked as a spell breaker in Egypt and knew a lot about jinxes and spells. Ginny, however, was more interested in finding out whatever she could about the Order. Bill and Charlie, being absolutely smitten with their little sister, could rarely say no to anything she asked. This would be the perfect time to get the juice, as they wouldn't always be in close proximity to Mrs. Weasley. She always let them do most the shopping on their own while she picked up their books. "Ginny dear you still haven't told me what you want for making Prefect. Just tell me so I can pick it up for you today."

"Well I was thinking about those new dress robes they got in last month, the satin olive green ones. If they aren't too expensive I'd like those."

"I think we can manage. They will certainly be less expensive than that new broom you were eyeing last time we were there."

"Don't worry I have that covered," Ginny said under her breath, but not quietly enough because Harry heard her. He caught her eye and she gave him a little wink.

They all took their floo powder and one by one proceeded to Diagon Alley. Once there Fred, George, Bill and Charlie greeted them. Mrs. Weasley shooed them in the direction of Gringott's. Missy legged behind while reading the letter that had been left for her.

Dearest Artemis,

If you are reading this letter it is because something has happened to your father and me. We will leave this and your vault key in the capable hands of Albus Dumbledore who we have also chosen as the executer of our wills. Missy the house and all our possessions are left to you. We also asked that upon our death our fortune would be transferred to you. We have one request: if by any chance you are able and if there is a need please make our home open to The Order of the Phoenix. You know who to discuss the matter with and they will take the necessary precautions so that it will not be compromised. Remember we love you with all our hearts and we were so proud of our little girl.

Love Forever,

John and Maryanne Potter

Missy's face hardened with the memory of her parents' death. It had been a while since she had thought of that day. She had trained herself to remember the wonderful memories she had made with her parents instead of the horrible torture they had endured before her very eyes and there immediate death by the Avada Kadavra curse. The memory solidified her resolve to serve Dumbledore in the fight against Voldemort even more. It also made the desire to go into Auror training stronger than it had been in her entire life. She would grant her parents' one request and would do much more.

Harry had been eyeing Missy from the start of her reading to the finish of the

letter and had seen the countenance on her face change so drastically that he was shocked. There must have been something in that letter that was unpleasant. He knew she was in bad shape after eavesdropping on her the night before, which he was now feeling extremely guilty for, and wanted to see if he could offer some comfort. He knew what it was to not have parents and for the first time felt somewhat lucky. He was too young to ever really know what he had missed out on. With Sirius' death he did however, and knew that she probably didn't feel much different about her parents' death than he did about Sirius. He just hoped she wouldn't hate him once she found out the details. He fell instep with her and asked if she was okay.

"I'm fine Harry."

She was so short with him that he figured now was not the time to try starting a casual conversation and went back to walking along side Eric and Ron who were discussing the wizard banking system.

"Harry why don't you try and explain the conversion I have no idea how muggle money works?"

"Well it's kind of confusing for me too Ron, I've never had to convert muggle money," At this Harry felt his cheeks flush. He always tried to downplay how much money he had inherited around the Weasley's but Ron seemed unfazed. "It's okay though Eric we'll just give it to one of the goblins and he'll convert it for you."

They entered Gringott's, got Eric's money converted along with Hermione's and headed for the vaults in a couple of carts. They reached Missy's first. Harry could see that she had a pile of gold as big as his and wondered how his family had become so rich. He saw her pick up a large yellow papyrus envelope and a small parcel then she exited. They proceeded to Harry's vault next. He saw Eric's eyes were wide as galleons when he got back into the cart. Then they reached the Weasley vault and Mrs. Weasley extracted enough gold for Ron and Ginny's supplies. Harry noticed that it was not as empty as it had been in the past. Ron saw the expression on Harry's face and Harry turned red which was funny because it was usually the other way around when it came to them and money.

"Mum and Dad have three less mouths to feed, and after the whole You Know Who being in the Ministry of Magic thing everyone who was in league with Dumbledore got a bonus. Dad got promoted to Assistant to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement so he works with Susan Bones' aunt now." Harry was happy for Mr. Weasley to say the least, if anyone deserved a promotion it was he especially after the attack he sustained from Voldemort's snake last winter.

They all decided to look at brooms at Quality Quidditch Supplies so they headed in that direction while Mrs. Weasley went to get the books. Ron, Eric, Mark, Missy and Ginny went straight for the newest Nimbus 2002; it had all the features of the Firebolt but an optional speed enhancing spell and better maneuverability. This was the Broom the Chudley Cannons were using that year and they were the favorites to win the championship. Missy's mouth hung open as she admired the racing broom.

"This is the one I'm going to get for Quidditch this year," said Ginny matter-of-factly. Everyone jerked their heads around and stared at her now in amazement.

"What, are you bloody mad? You know very well even with Dad's promotion that we can't afford that broom Prefect or not, besides I thought you asked for those dress robes," said Ron.

"I never said Dad would have to afford it, I am going to buy it for myself."

"How in bloody hell are you going to do that?" Ron's voice was starting to carry through the store and the attendant at the counter was getting cross.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist! I got a job, saved up enough galleons to buy

it myself."

"What kind of job?" Ron asked accusingly.

"Nothing you would disapprove of. I took mail orders for Fred and George last year after they left school and they let me keep 75 profit of all I sold, their mark up is considerable. I did such a good job that they kept me on as their assistant this summer and I answered all their mail orders and organized it all so they would have everything good to go when the stock came in."

Now Ron was fuming. "How come they never asked me to do it? I could have used the money too!"

"You never showed much interest, besides all you had to do was ask. I did, when they first started their business, and they told me they would observe my skills and let me know. After the stunt with the fireplace in Umbridge's office they knew I had potential and said I was the perfect person for the job. They have a strict nepotism policy you know, so I had to go through the same process every other applicant did."

Ron's face was now beet red and everyone else was fighting off a severe fit of the sniggers. Now Missy wanted to get to know Ginny as much as she could. If she was going to be her teacher she knew she'd have to keep an eye on her, but Missy was also very impressed with her ingenuity. The Weasleys, at least the two she knew well, had always impressed her. She saw that Ginny demanded respect as well. After seeing that she was well off enough to afford the top of the line broom Missy had no qualms about making the purchase along with Ginny. Harry and Ron however, were adamantly swearing by their brooms. The shop attendant told them he had the brooms with the optional speed enhancing spell in stock so they would not have to wait. They all walked out of the shop toward Madam Malkin's so Ginny could get her robes fitted. They caught up with Hermione who was waiting outside with Bill and Charlie who had been in the shop earlier that morning.

Mrs. Weasley was not at the robe shop. Not wanting to wait, they headed toward the Magical Menagerie so Hermione could get Crookshanks some snacks. Harry was tempted to get some mice for Hedwig but she liked hunting her food better than having it served to her. Missy was distracted by a cage of baby kneazles in the shop window. The shopkeeper informed her that the license could be processed within minutes if she was interested. She picked up a female that was mostly white with brown and black specks. It started licking her fingers and Missy was in love. She filled out the paperwork while the others looked at the rats and toads. She hadn't owned a pet since the puffskein she had as a little girl.

"Wow, she's so cute. What are you going to name her?" Asked Hermione as they all left the shops

"I don't know. I'll have to get to know her before I can think of something."

They decided to duck into Ollivander's so Charlie could get some wand polish and Eric could purchase a wand. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were surprised to see Neville Longbottom in the shop with his grandmother who was finishing up a transaction with Ollivander.

"Neville! Harry called out as Neville had his back turned.

"Oh Hullo Harry. Ron, Ginny, Hermione how are you?"

"Good and you?"

"Fine, we came to get me a wand, needed a new one after what happened." His voice trailed off a bit. "Who are all these people?"

"This is my neighbor Eric Martin, and my cousin Missy Potter. Those two are Ron and Ginny's brothers Bill and Charlie."

At the mention of Missy's name Ollivander and Neville's Grandmother were distracted and turned to see if their ears had deceived them.

"Missy, Missy Potter?" Asked Ollivander.

"Why it couldn't be John and Maryanne's girl could it?" Asked Neville's grandmother.

"Last I heard you disappeared," she said as Missy gave a nod.

"I did for a few years."

"Well you certainly have grown, last I saw you, you were a wee little thing. Look at you now."

Missy blushed as everyone looked at her, Charlie looking as if he were the victim of a love potion.

"Well Neville we best be off, have lots more to do today, say goodbye to your friends. It was a pleasure seeing you all again but please try and stay out of trouble. I don't want to replace another wand."

Harry looked confused, she seemed to have taken the necessity of getting another wand for Neville very well. Neville whispered that he had convinced Dumbledore not to mention that he had been in the Ministry of Magic earlier that summer and he had told her it had broke while he was practicing dueling with his friends. She already had a bird fit and calmed down considerably since. By that time Eric had his wand and they were sure Mrs. Weasley would be at Madam Malkin's so they made their way back to the shop. She was there waiting for them with a load of books. Bill and Charlie took them from her and she took to helping Ginny. Harry, Eric and Ron decided to go back to Quality Quidditch Supplies along with Bill and Charlie.

"Missy do you think these look sophisticated?"

"Yes, very. After you're done I'm going to have you help me pick some out. I haven't worn robes in a long time, I don't think any of mine will fit."

Just then Mrs. Weasley noticed the second broom in the corner and looked at Ginny.

"Who, pray tell, does that broom belong to?"

"Well Mum, I bought it."

"With what?"

"With my earnings."

"Earnings! What earnings?"

"The earnings I got from working for Fred and George." Ginny was now getting nervous because of the furiously red face Mrs. Weasley was developing.

"I explicitly told those two not to get you or Ron involved with their shenanigans!"

Now Ginny got defensive. "They aren't shenanigans! You should be proud of them and me. I have been learning to be independent, you know, self-sustaining. It's because of them you are buying these robes rather than a new broom!"

"Calm down both of you please," Missy said.

Mrs. Weasley looked at her and back at Ginny. She seemed to yield.

"I'm sorry Ginny, I just don't want to see you drop out of school like Fred and George. You are so much like them, stubborn, and I know if you put your mind to it you would. I know they will do fine but Ginny you are so smart and talented, I want something more for you!" tears were now welling in her eyes now.

"Don't worry mum, I know what I want to do and I'll have to stay in school if I want to do it. I won't drop out like Fred and George but if I can make a little extra money I'll do so as long as I can, and stay in school at the same time, okay."

Mrs. Weasley relented. She didn't mind Ginny helping her brothers as long as she had Ginny's word she would stay in school and make something of herself.

"I am so glad we got out of there or we might have had to listen to them talk

about boys or something. I think I would have melted," said Ron before making an impression that reminded Harry of an American movie he saw while staying at Mrs. Figg's house earlier that summer called Wizard of Oz, it had a witch that melted when the girl threw water on her.

"Yeah next thing you know they would have had us trying on robes with them," Harry said still laughing at Ron who was now lying on the ground twitching.

"You guys come on, I saw a new broom care kit in there I wanted to get. Get off the ground Ron!" Charlie demanded.

Ron got up and started brushing off. "Fine! You don't have to take my head off. "

"Hey Ron isn't that Luna?" Asked Harry, pointing to a short girl with long, dirty blond hair."

"Urgh, your right! Come on before she seeeees us," Ron said sounding real dreamy with his eyes open wide.

It was too late, she started toward them as they tried to duck into Quality Quidditch Supplies.

"Hullo Harry, Ron. Who are your friends?" Luna didn't look away from them until quite a few seconds later.

"Oh, hiya Luna, this is my Eric, that is Bill and that over there is Charlie," answered Harry politely as Ron turned to act as if he were admiring some compasses while rolling his eyes. "How was your summer?"

"Dad and I didn't do much exploring; he had too much to do concerning the magazine. After your interview subscriptions went through the roof."

"Got that many, huh?"

"No, they went through the roof. Someone put a hex on the printing press so everything that went through it would fly through the roof. We think it was one of Fudge's minions," Luna said in her dreamy tone.

Ron started choking, trying to stifle the laugh that had almost escaped. Luna looked at him and said he should go see the Apothecary for something to ease his cough, which made Ron choke even worse with laughter. Harry gave him a hostile look and he moved over to where Charlie had settled himself. Harry chatted with Luna until she said she had to get back to her dad.

"Okay Luna, I'll see you on the train."

"Oh you'll see me sooner. If you are staying with the Weasley's you'll be at Fred and George's grand opening won't you?"

"Yeah, I forgot all about it so I guess we will see you then." Harry waved as she left the store.

Harry and Mark walked over to Charlie and Ron who were discussing the different broom care kits.

"Why are you getting another, you just got one last week? You aren't getting Ginny a present too are you?" Ron asked accusingly.

"It's for a friend."

"Ooooh, that look gives it away. It's for Missy. You've got it bad, man. Have you kissed her yet?"

"What…What the he…Ron where do you get these ideas. You have a one-track mind! Of course I haven't kissed her. We are just…friends."

"Yeah but you know you'd like to be more. I can't blame you she's a looker…"

"This is my cousin you're talking about, you know," said Harry, startling Ron who thought he was still talking to Luna Lovegood.

"Sorry mate. She is though. I can see why Charlie gets stupid around her. She was the reason you missed the snitch twice last night." Ron said turning on Charlie.

"Get off it, Ron, or I'll tell everyone who you've been mooning over all summer." Charlie was looking fierce and Ron looked completely scandalized.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, you think I wouldn't huh? Well I'll tell you this, you say one more word and I'll make you wish you were never born."

Harry knew this was just a brotherly squabble but he was positive Ron would never win. The sheer massiveness of Charlie would overwhelm Ron before they even got started had it actually got physical. Charlie wasn't huge like his cousin Dudley, Charlie was in serious shape. He and Ron had both secretly wished they could be like Charlie in that way, but they would have to work with dragons for about six years to get there. Trying to get a young one from Hagrid's hut to the tallest tower in Hogwarts for Charlie's friends to pick up was more than enough to discourage them from that. At that point Bill came over to see if he could get in on the action but by that time Ron had realized it was a loosing battle and backed down.

"Well boys, I'm going to meet Fleur for lunch. I'll meet up with you latter," he informed them winking and handing them the bags of books he had taken off Mrs. Weasley's hands.

"You mean your meeting Fleur for a snogging session," Harry heard Ron mutter under his breath.

"You do have a one track mind," Harry whispered to him.

After Charlie finally decided on the kit that had first caught his eye they decided to go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

Ginny was admiring the alterations that were made to her new robes as Hermione and Mrs. Weasley were helping pick out some for Missy.

"How about these?" The attendant asked. She had an arm full of rich jewel toned robes with flowing sheer fabric covering silky satin.

"Now that is more like it. Just because I'm going to be a teacher doesn't mean I have to dress like one."

Even Hermione was eyeing the fashions now. "I think I could use some new dress robes as well. Mum and Dad gave me some birthday money this year, How about this one?" She had picked an indigo one in the same cut as Ginny's.

"Ooooh! You'll have someone eating out of your hands in that!" said Ginny.

"Who?"

"Oh no one in particular. I was just saying that you'll for sure have one admirer in the least if you wear that." Ginny was trying to cover up a serious slip and Missy could sense it.

"I'm hungry, let's go get some ice cream," suggested Hermione.

Mrs. Weasley would normally have objected to eating sweets before lunch but she had gotten into the spirit of the day and even she was up for a sundae. Missy asked to have her purchases delivered and they set off.

Everyone was surprised to see each other, they had all arrived at the same time and sat together to enjoy ice cream sundaes. When they were done they made their way to the Leakey Cauldron to meet Arthur Weasley for lunch. Percey had decided not to join them as he said he had so much work to do. They weren't up for much after the sundaes so they spent most the hour chatting with Mr. Weasley about what was going on at the Ministry. Arthur had informed them that the trials had started to convict the Death Eaters who were seen in the Ministry the night Harry had gone there with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna. Harry wondered if Malfoy would have the audacity to show up at Hogwarts this year. He had hoped not but he knew it was a long shot; he would never be so lucky. At the end of the hour Arthur Weasley apparated back to his office and the rest of them made their way to Fred and George's new premises to check it out. When they arrived there was a huge display in the window of samples of all the different kinds of joke supplies they had invented. When the reached the door there was a sign that read: BE WARNED! SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS THREE HEADED GUARD DOG. DO NOT ENTER UNLESS DOOR IS OPEN! Harry, Ron, and Hermione sniggered, and Charlie banged the knocker.

"Who is it!" someone yelled.

"Come on George you know it's us!"

George opened the door and shooed them in. They all looked at him and Mrs. Weasley asked him why they were being so ridiculous. They had told everyone they would be expecting them after they were done having lunch when they left early.

"Well we can't be too careful. We have a few enemies, all those jealous types, you know. Come in I'll give you the tour. Fred is working on some prototypes for some new improved fireworks."

"The ones you had before worked just fine." Hermione said sarcastically, remembering all the commotion they had caused in her transfiguration class last year.

George conveniently ignored Hermione and showed them what was on every shelf. Ginny seemed to know where everything was already and went about picking all the supplies she had decided to buy. After the tour was done Harry, Ron and Mark filled their arms full and proceeded to the register. George graciously let them have a 50 discount and said they had a considerable mark up so it would not be a problem. They got away with it because they didn't deal with middlemen and got their supplies on their own. This, of course, made Mrs. Weasley very nervous.

"It's okay mum, we just make it all ourselves, we don't buy it and put our label on it, it's cheaper that way!"

She still didn't seem to be too sure about the whole thing. She remembered the consorting they did with Mungdungus Fletcher last summer and wondered if he had anything to do with the "no middleman" situation. They all stayed for some time getting familiar with the shop and its contents. Fred and George had spent a considerable amount of time and energy developing new products and making more of the old. Harry was impressed with their work and was now glad for the investment of his Triwizard Cup prize money. When they were ready to leave Hermione showed up, having gone to Flourish and Blotts to purchase some books. Fred and George advised them to get to the store before opening hour that Saturday for the grand opening or they may never get into the building. They made their way back to The Leakey Cauldron to use the fireplace. Once home Harry and Ron settled down to a game of wizards chess watched by a fascinated Eric, Charlie was helping Mrs. Weasley fix the clock which had stopped again, while Ginny and Missy sat in front of the fire playing with Missy's bandy legged kneazle, and Hermione sitting in an overstuffed arm chair with her nose in one of her new books.

"Missy, you never got the books Dumbledore said you should get if you are going to take the DADA job." Hermione said as she had been distracted by a yelp Missy had let out when the kneazle kitten started chewing on her finger affectionately.

"I thought I would go on Saturday after the grand opening."

"Oh, dear it will be packed, I dare say not as pack as the year Gilderoy Lockhart did a book signing for his autobiography though," said Mrs. Weasley

"The books might be out of stock by then, maybe you can send an owl and have them reserved," injected Hermione.

Missy thought a moment, fingering the letter from her mother in her pocket and remembered the extensive library of defensive magic books her parents kept. "I think I might make a trip back home before I do. We had quite a few books that might be on this list."

"Really, what did your parents do, I mean obviously they were in the Order, but what was their profession?" Asked Hermione.

"They were aurors."

With this Missy had Harry and Ron's attention too. "They were aurors, really?" Asked Ron.

"Yes, they taught me everything they knew. I had entered my first year of auror training when they died."

"Wow, you were in training. What was it like?" Asked Harry.

"Tough, but they say the first year is always hardest. They like to weed out those who are not dedicated enough."

"I'm going to be an auror," said Harry.

"You'd probably do well. We come from a long line of Dark Magic Fighters, Harry."

"We do?"

"Of course! Hasn't anyone told you about our family history?"

"Only bits and pieces. Mostly just that I look like my dad but have my mum's eyes and that they were good people, talented you know."

"Harry, James was studying to be an auror too, well he was before you all went into hiding."

"He was?" Harry looked as if he'd been hit by a truck. His dad had wanted to be an auror. Why had he never thought to ask. He thought about it, he had never really asked many questions about his parents at all. After he'd seen Snape's memory of his dad picking on him and his mom chastising James for it he'd asked Sirius and Lupin if he was really as mean as Snape's memory revealed him to be and why his mum didn't seem to like his dad much but that was about it. Ginny had kept quiet but when Harry caught a glance at her he could tell something was going on in her head and wondered what it was.

Just then there was a rap at the front door and Mrs. Weasley went to see who it was. Dumbledore had come to pay his second visit of the day.

"Good evening all, I see someone got a new pet," he said looking down at the kneazle kitten, that had bounded into his foot in it's excitement to meet someone new, with a little sparkle in his eye. He sat down at the table. "I came to call on Missy and Harry. I have some business to discuss with both of them."

"Kids, why don't you go up stairs," Mrs. Weasley instructed rather than requested.

They groaned as they made their way up to the bedrooms. Before Ginny reached the stairs, however, she pulled out her two way mirror and whispered Harry's name. Seeing this he pulled his out and answered while Mrs. Weasley offering tea and some biscuits distracted the others. He stuffed the mirror in his pocket and sat down next to Missy.

"Harry, as you know 12 Grimmauld Place is not an option for headquarters, Kreacher is too much a liability. I was thinking that we might use your house, Missy. It has not been compromised and I've kept it in good order in expectation of you joining the magical world again. Would that be acceptable to you?"

"Yes, I think that would be the perfect use for it while I am teaching. My mother and father wished me to make it available for the Order if there was a need."

"We will have to make it a little more secure but it is ideal for the Order, good location. I do have reason to believe we will need to set it up to house a permanent guard that will be accessible to those of us who are at Hogwarts.

"I was going to go have a look at it later this week. We could all stay for a few days to get it in order. That is if you want to," Missy said.

"We might as well. Best to have it ready as soon as possible," answered Mrs. Weasley.

It was settled, they would go see Missy's old house. The more she thought about it, it just seemed the right place for the Order to set up headquarters. Missy was not, however, looking forward to it all that much, as it was the place of her parents' death. It was necessary though, and she knew it was time to cross that bridge, to really face that demon head on. Dumbledore didn't stay much longer and when he had gone Missy and Harry made their way upstairs. They heard Bill apparate downstairs and he and Charlie start making their way up the stairs behind them. Missy lagged behind and Harry stopped on the landing just above when he heard Bill mention Mad Eye Moody.

"Ran into Moody after lunch with Fleur, He says there is rumor of a plot to get the Death Eaters out of Azkaban if they are convicted. He also has reason to believe that we will need to keep an eye on their kids, the ones that are students at Hogwarts. That'll probably be up to you two. He told me you took the DADA position Missy,"

"Amazing how fast news gets out!" Retorted Missy.

"We've got a new headquarters Bill, we'll be checking it out soon," informed Charlie.

"Not Grimmauld Place? Good that portrait was bloody annoying."

"No it's my old house outside London."

"Nice! It's big, I heard."

"Yeah, in fact it'll fit all of us nicely and then some."

"Good, the Order is expanding more everyday."

"We are going to have a meeting soon aren't we Bill? We haven't had one in a long time."

"I'd say so. We need one, Moody has got quite a bit of information we will need to act on soon. He wasn't too specific but by the sound of it the Dementors are on the loose, some have been spotted in Hogsmead. They had to place a few members there to keep an eye on their movements. I personally think You-Know-Who is planning to go after Harry again. The bastard is fool enough to get that close to Dumbledore! I'm not sure his brains were fully restored when the rest of his body was."

"I don't know, he seemed to have been in top form in the Ministry, I just hope he doesn't try using Harry again, but then again he doesn't have a prophesy to go after does he?"

"I suppose he was just trying to lie low, he's made his appearance and everyone knows he is back now. He's not going to hide anymore. What use will Harry be?"

"He's a Legilimens, he might try to use Harry to get information on our whereabouts, the information we do have about the Death Eaters movements and whatnot, which we share with him."

"Snape was supposed to have taught him some Occlumency last year."

"You know that never panned out. The fool got angry about something and quit teaching him you told me so yourself. If you ask me it's entirely his fault Harry was lured to the Ministry that night. The guy is impossible to learn anything from. There is no way he made it easy for Harry to learn Occlumency."

"So Snape was teaching Harry Occlumency," Missy said more to herself than to Bill and Charlie. "Did he try to teach him Legilimencey?"

"No, he didn't have a need for it. He just needed to keep You-Know-Who out of his head. I think Dumbledore is planning to take the lessons over this year so there is no chance of history repeating itself."

"We better get to our rooms," suggested Bill.

"Okay."

"Charlie, can you wait a minute?"

"What is it?"

"Can you, I mean…would it be possible for you to go with me tomorrow, I wanted to go see the house before everyone else does. I'm not sure it would be wise for me to go alone."

Harry was startled into action the moment he heard Bill suggest they get to their rooms and bounded up the stairs a quickly and quietly as he could. Just as he reached the third landing a hand reached out of the door and pulled him in.

"What the…"

"Don't worry, just get in here. Harry, what was that all about, why would Dumbledore include you in that kind of meeting if it had so little to do with you?"

Harry was a bit nervous because of this inquisition. He was not about to subject Ginny or Hermione to the realization that Harry was in deeper than any of them knew. The revelation of his connection to Voldemort through the prophecy last June, the fact that he would have to be the one to kill Voldemort, that no one else but he could, was not something he was ready to share with them. He credited his inclusion in the little conversation to the fact that Dumbledore could no longer shelter him from the truth anymore. Harry, however, had no intention of letting his friends know, not yet anyway.

"I…er…I don't know, maybe because the old headquarters belongs to me now," he said trying as best he could to make an excuse.

Ginny eyed him suspiciously. "Harry, out with it, if they have inducted you into the Order it would be nice if you were honest with us."

"Ginny, Missy is on her way up here and if she sees me in your room she's going to know something is up."

"Harry don't avoid the subject. Missy isn't going to know any better, now answer me. Did Dumbledore decide to let you be in the Order?"

"No Ginny, I'm not in the Order." He was telling the truth but he couldn't help feel like he was lying to her because there was so much he had not told them. At that moment Missy walked in.

Missy walked into Ginny's room to find Harry and Ginny staring at each other. She could tell Harry was feeling guilty about something and Ginny was not at all happy with him. They looked at her and she locked onto his eyes. She could see him in Dumbledore's office and Dumbledore was explaining something. She focused hard on his eyes for a few moments reading the memory. He was determined to keep this from Ginny, but why?

Harry looked at her as she entered the room further. Her gaze didn't falter and he got the same feeling he would get from Snape when he was reading his mind during Occlumency lessons but for some reason he didn't fight it. He didn't want to. She would find this information out from the other Order members anyways so he didn't feel the need to hide this particular memory.

"I'm sorry I'm I interrupting something?"

"No."

"Harry, may I speak with you a moment."

"Sure," he answered apprehensively.

They made there way downstairs, Harry following behind. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his two-way mirror to make sure it was not transmitting anything to Ginny's. He knew what this conversation would be about without having to ask. The mirror was not on and he stuffed it deep into his pants pocket. They stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"Harry I…"

"Outside, these walls have ears."

Missy looked at him confused but followed.

"Harry I'm sorry I…er…I know Legilimencey, you do know what that is don't you?"

"Yes, I am aware you saw my memories, its okay."

"I could tell you were both touching a nerve with each other. It's just second nature for me to use it, I was forced to check people out in the Muggle world so often I taught myself to automatically read people. I'm not even aware I'm doing it sometimes."

"Missy it's okay! I know you weren't trying to be intrusive or anything. Besides what you saw you would have found out about sooner or later better you find out from me."

"Why were you keeping it from Ginny then?"

"I've put my friends through enough. Last year at the end of summer term some hard things happened to me and I didn't want to talk to anyone. Now I just don't think it would be fair making my friends carry one more burden."

'That is what friends are for, and it's not really fair of you to keep something this huge from them. They have a right to know what could happen to you Harry. They will make up their own minds if they are going to carry any burdens or not. You can't do the same thing Dumbledore did to you, you have to tell them the truth so they can be prepared."

"You act as if I am going to die!"

"That's not what I'm getting at. I'm just trying to help you see that this prophesy about you and Voldemort does affect them too. There will be a final showdown Harry and it will probably involve more people than just you and Voldemort. They have a right to know what is coming so they can prepare themselves."

"You remind me of someone," Harry said with a sad smile.

"Who would that be?"

"Sirius, he wanted us…me to be informed, prepared you know."

"Sounds like him, he was a good man."

"Yeah, the best."

"So, are you going to be honest with your friends?"

"Yes, but I need time, I need to think about the best way to break it to them."

"Just be honest, that is all Ginny was asking of you. It'll be the best way to protect them."

They made there way back to the house. Harry felt like a great weight was lifted the moment he decided to tell Ron, Hermione, and Ginny about the prophesy. He wondered if that was the way Dumbledore had felt in June when he told Harry the truth. At Ginny's door he saw her looking out at him. She looked disappointed and it broke his heart. She had done so much to make sure he didn't feel left out unlike last summer and he had just shut her out in return. He knew he couldn't do that again.