Two weeks had passed at Hogwarts, and the students were beginning to return to their normal selves, except for those still hurting over the loss of the great Dumbledore. Hagrid had sent a letter to Harry, Ron, and Hermione to join him for tea and crumpets one morning, and since they all had a short day, they decided to take up Hagrid on that offer. After Ancient Runes, Harry walked with Hermione down the hallway, waiting to pick up Ron from Charms.
"Hermione, I have a secret, but I don't want to tell everyone, because, well, it might sound silly, maybe even crazy." Harry said.
"Harry, if you don't want to tell anyone, I think you should just keep it to yourself," Hermione said, feeling a bit uneasy.
"But I want to tell you, because I think you are the only one who will take me seriously," Harry insisted.
Hermione looked at him, unable to say no. Hermione was curious, and concerned for Harry.
"You can't tell Ron though, or anyone. I'm serious, not even McGonnagall," Harry warned Hermione.
Hermione held up her pinky. "This will fall off if I'm lying," Hermione said, smiling.
"I have seen you with whiskers Hermione," Harry said kiddingly. "It better be worse than a pinky falling off," he added.
Hermione laughed and they crossed their pinkies. Harry showed her the thin key and the note. Hermione let out a soft gasp.
"This was in the mirror?" she said. "Like Siri- I mean, Padfoot, left that for you to read when the time came for it?" she said.
"I don't know, Hermione," he said. "It's crazy, but I think he still is alive," he said, smiling, hopeful. He wanted him to be alive and ready to give him a hug more than anything. Harry just looked off. Hermione touched his arm.
"If you want to look for him, I'll be there. I won't let you get yourself killed, you hear me?" Hermione said.
"Thanks," Harry said, turning to see Ron with his arms wrapped around two Hufflepuff girls.
"Oi, 'Arry!" Ron exclaimed. "These two were willing to bet me that I can't kiss them both at the same time, tell them I can do it!" Ron said. Harry and Hermione pulled him away from the two girls, with a struggling, "Oi, whats the meaning of this!" coming out of Ron's mouth.
Hagrids cabin lay at the far end of the grounds, but nothing had changed. It was still the same cabin as it had been years ago, when Harry first met Hagrid as a young wizard. Fang was eager to great them at the front door, and it took about five minutes before they could make it to the door, with Hagrid greeting them with open arms when they finally saw the door swing wide open.
"How are you enjoying me classes, guys?" Hagrid said, really excited to hear the answer. His classes were very good, with many introductions to different wizards telling stories about their encounters with dark creatures. I think that is why Harry enjoyed the classes so much.
"I think our favorite classe was when Lupin was there, don't you think guys?" Harry said. The other two nodded, but Hermione knew where Harry was going with this. Another interrogating session she sensed. Hagrid was the easiest to get at, because Hagrid had a soft spot for the three of them.
"So Hagrid, how is the Order doing?" Harry asked casually. Hagird eyed him down for a second.
"Harry, we don't need to discuss that right now," said Hagrid. "We have already witnessed to much these last few months, just know that the Order is still in full effect." he added.
"I was just wondering," Harry said. "I just wanted to know if you had any info on Voldemort yet." he added.
Hagrid shuddered at the thought of the name. "Harry, I really wish you wouldn't use his name in front of me. You are much braver than me, granted, but it still creeps me a 'bit." Hagrid said.
"I just want to be there when you find him finally, thats all." Harry said.
"Harry, what are you saying," Ron said, knowing the answer.
"Harry, don't you be go starting trouble, this year, you 'ear?" Hagrid said. "Your time will come, you just don't worry." he added.
"My time?" Harry said. "What do you mean?"
Hagrid looked at his watch. "I'm sorry lads, but I believe my lesson with the first 'ears starts in a few, talk to you all later," Hagrid rushed out of the cabin, with the three of them following. Harry was eager to try to crack Hagrid, but for the first time in seven years, he believed he wouldn't be able to crack him this time.
A week later the houses were all in a frenzy. It was Quidditch season, with Gryffindor facing Hufflepuff. A lot of students were eager to see this first game, as Harry was still captain, but more so that Hermione Granger would be riding on a broomstick. To think how many of those Hufflepuffs wanted to hit her with a bludger for all of the House Points she's taken from them. As the students all rushed to the stands, Harry walked in after everyone had changed. "First game, people. Just remember that we have the best team out there, and with the talent we have, the Cup will be ours." "Ginny, Hermione, lets keep that Quaffle moving, and Ron, lets save some this time, yea?" Ron turned red, but smiled. "You got it, captain" he said. They all brought it in and headed off to the pitch. Ginny was walking besides Hermione, who was beaming at playing her first Quidditch match. Ginny turned to look at her, giving her a look that said, "You don't belong here."
Madam Hootch asked the captains to shake hands. The Hufflepuff captain refused to shake, but leaned in to Harry's ear. "Watch out for the nerd with the Quaffle." he said. Harry leaned even closer. "If I were you, I'd hope we don't have to see your face if something like that happens." The Hufflepuff captain bulged his eyes out a bit, a trail of sweat down the side of his face. Madaam Hootch blew the whistle, and the players all lifted off of their broomsticks into play. The Quaffle seemed to go up in the air back and forth between the Hufflepuff Chasers, who were trying to throw the two Beaters from Gryffindor off guard.
"It seems the Hufflepuff players are cheating, I mean to me it seems," said Luna Lovegood, who again, was commentating on this match. Headmistress McGonnagall turned to her.
"Luna, please don't say things like that," she said.
"Well Headmistress," she said, the microphone still on, "They should just play fair and let a coin decide who wins." The crowd laughed a bit, except for Hufflepuff who watched Ginny throw a Quaffle threw the post.
Gryffindor 10, Hufflepuff 0.
Ginny flew over to give a Beater a high five, ignoring Hermione on the assist. Harry was feinting on looking for the snitch, he had no competition with seeking the snitch. The Seeker for Hufflepuff was new, a third year who couldnt find the snitch if it was on his nose. Instead, he watched as Ginny kept hogging the Quaffle from Hermione. A Hufflepuff Beater saw that Ginny was hogging and his buddy both threw two bludgers at Ginny at once. Ginny miraculously dodged both and scored again. Hermione let out a big sigh. This went on for about another hour, with Hufflepuff slowly taking the advantage of the one sided play.
Gryffindor 40, Hufflepuff 90.
Harry finally saw the snitch, but ignored it. Ginny was playing great, there was no doubt about it. But she was keeping the Quaffle from Hermione for some reason. Hermione then took it upon herself to play her own way. She took the Quaffle from a Hufflepuff chaser and dodged a bludger to score for Gryffindor.
Gryffindor 50, Hufflepuff 90.
Harry gave a wink to Hermione, which she responded by smiling. Ginny looked irate. Hermione scored two more times for Gryffindor, cutting the lead to twenty points. Hermione was gaining some confidence. Hermione again stole the Quaffle from the Chaser, but this time both Beaters for Hufflepuff threw the bludgers at Ginny, who was begging for the Quaffle, Hermione saw this and wacked one bludger from Ginny, by jumping in front of it, but as the second bludger was about to hit Ginny, she grinned as she swung it out of her way with her broomstick, smacking Hermione dead in the arm, Hermione almost fell off, had it not been for her good arm, and a bit of magic. The two Beaters laughed, but then cursed as Ginny still scored with the Quaffle she had.
Gryffindor 80, Hufflepuff 90.
"Sometimes that Ginny Weasley can be such a -" Luna began to say. McGonnagall used her magic to make a bleep sound.
Harry called time out, and helped Hermione to the ground. Harry was furious, jumping off of his broomstick before it even hit the ground, marching towards Ginny. "This is a team sport!" he exclaimed, seeing Ginny grinning. "She needs to learn how to dodge bludgers better." she said slyly. "Well, we will see how many more Quaffles you get before this game ends." he said threatingly, as Ginny's smile when upside down. Harry jumped back on his broomstick and sprinted toward the snitch that was hovering. The second Hootch blew the whistle, Harry caught the snitch and smacked a bludger with his broomstick, smacking the captain in the face. He flew down, slammed the snitch on the ground, and walked into the locker room, broomstick tight around his hand.
Gryffindor 230, Hufflepuff 90.
Noobody said a word in the locker room. Harry was in the captains office, thinking. "This is Quidditch," he said to himself. "Why is she doing this in a Quidditch match?" he looked up and saw Ginny in the his office. "Look Harry, I'm sorry for what I did out there, I guess I got a little jealous." she said. He stood up, "Look, its okay to be a little threatened by a new player," Harry said. "But we have the best team. Let's not try to mess it up again, okay?" Ginny looked down. "I just, well I kinda miss you, you know?" she said. Harry looked at her, but then looked off to the side, as he saw Ron towel whipping the two Hufflepuff Beaters. "Aw get back here, you little pansies!" he exclaimed. He turned back. "I'm sorry, what was that?" he said. She looked at him, turned around and walked out. Harry heard what she said. He just didn't want anything to do with her anymore.
Two weeks after the match, it was time for a Hogsmeade trip. Harry and Ron spent most of their time together, as Hermione said she had something to handle. Harry and Ron walked inside of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and loaded up on a bunch of free stuff, thanks to Fred and George.
"So, little brother, we heard you are the 'pimp' at Hogwarts, is that not right, brother George?" Fred said.
"You absolutely right, Fred," said George. "Oi, would you like a 'bling-bling' chain instead of these things," he added.
Ron punched him and the arm and motioned Harry out with him.
"Hey, you can't blame him, Ron, you have changed," Harry said outside.
"I'm just living life to the fullest," he said in defense.
Inside the three broomsticks, Ron and Harry drank some butterbeer and talked about the times at Hogwarts and what they would miss. Harry wasn't really involved in the conversation. It was winter, it was Sirius's favorite time of year. It was also Dumbledores, as he last remembered. Harry wondered what Hagrid meant earlier. He had no idea what that meant. But he drifted away and Ron was nudging at him, "Oi Harry, look who it is." Harry turned around and saw Tonks and Lupin walking toward him.
"Harry, we need you right now," Lupin said.
"Don't ask why, lets just go," Tonks added.
"Wait right here," Harry said,
Harry walked out with Lupin and Tonks, confused about what happened. They rounded a corner and Lupin touched Harry's arm. "Don't worry Harry, this is good news." Harry smiled. And they Apparated.
They were inside Grimwauld Place. Harry knew, because he saw the whole order in the Dining Room, in a circle.
"He's here," Lupin said. Everyone turned around, letting out some small grins. "We have two people I think you would be very pleased to meet," Mr. Weasley said. "These two people will give us some information, but we thought it would mean more if you were here to ask some of your own questions, Harry." Harry looked over the crowd and saw Wormtail and Draco Malfoy tied up in the center of the Dining room, Malfoy holding a piece of parchment in his mouth. Harry charged at Malfoy, but Tonks held him back.
"No Harry, not right now. I know you have a lot to give to him, but lets be civil first." Tonks said. Harry calmed down.
"Wormtail, Malfoy, what were you doing, here, and how were you let in? Kreacher is not to obey you, his duty is only to serve Harry Potter." Mr. Weasley said. Wormtail said nothing. But it was Draco that felt like talking.
"That elf will serve anyone who worships the Dark Lord." Malfoy said. His voice had deepened turning cold. "And I will do anything to avenge my fathers death in Azkaban. It's because of Potter that my father is there in the first place."
Harry threw a jinxing spell at Draco, which Lupin deflected. "Harry, its okay." he said. Harry held his ground breathing hard.
"Its good Severus took care of Dumbledore," Malfoy said. "Now that Dumbledore is gone, the Dark Lord will now have his opportunity to kill Potter, and all mudbloods and followers of Dumbledore as well. He holds me in high regard to the death of Dumbledore," he added. He was getting at Harry's last nerve. "You didn't even have the nerve to touch him," Harry said. "And if we ever see eye to eye again, you better hope you go down first." he added.
"Potter, with the power I have now, nothing will keep you safe anymore." Malfoy said, looking at Harry's scar. "You don't get lucky twice," he added.
"Where is the You-Know-Who hiding?" Tonks said, watching as Draco and Harry's eyes never left each other. Draco, still having his eyes on Harry, said, "He is very close, but I will never say, even if you take my life. my job is done, I have done everything planned so far." "He will come to finish a eighteen year old job when the time comes," he added.
"We will keep you somewhere, until you tell us, and we have ways, of getting you to say where you are, starting with your mother," said Lupin coldly, even Tonks shivered. Draco shot at Lupin, eyes turning cold. "If you so much as look at my mother, your death will be my top priority," he snarled. Lupin grinned. "You may have gotten me once at Hogwarts with a spell, but you don't get lucky twice," he said, shooting his eyes toward Harry, who smiled.
Draco had enough. "Do you think threats will scare me? This is all planned, everything. You will all meet your ultimate end. The lies that have been flooding your head. Even those about Potter, and the 'Boy Who Lived' stories," he continued. "He's lost his parents, his god-father and his mentor, and now hes supposed to single-handedly take down the most powerful wizard of all time!" he chuckled.
"We will fight to do the death if we have to for Harry," Mr. Weasley said, wrapping his arms around Harry. Harry smiled.
"You believe too much of what you hear," Draco said. "And most of the truth you hear is just a mistold lie, like the Avada Kadava curse, that has no counterattack," he added.
"There is one," Lupin said. "Your staring at it." he added looking at Harry.
"That's one, but the Dark Lord has found another, one that cannot be known, and it lies with the Horcuxes." Tonks and Lupin stared at each other. "All these years, Harry, and you have thought that you are alone, that you have lost everyone, I can't wait to see you dead," he said coldly.
"I have lost everyone because of you Malfoy, and Voldemort," he said. "His death will be a rejoice for all wizards and witches alike, and I will save whoever is under his spells," he said, colder.
"One thing the Dark Lord lacks is to finish the job quickly, and dragging it on," Malfoy said, grinning. "He also has compassion for you Potter, playing games with you, even as we speak," he said grinning wider.
"What are you getting at," Mr. Weasley said.
"To think, James and Lily are still alive all these years thanks to Lord Voldemort," looking right into the eyes of Harry Potter.