Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter. I hope you enjoy.
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As Harry, Ron and Hermione reviewed wandered the streets of Diagon Alley with Mrs. Weasley close behind, they reviewed their owl results and discussed what classes they were each taking.
"Of Course Hermione would have to pass every single owl," complained Ron. "What classes are you concentrating on, Hermione? You can't possibly be taking all of them – or are you going to be trying that trick with the time turner again?" Ron added disdainfully.
"I think I learned my lesson on that one, Ron. I will not be using the time turner. I will of course be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration, and Charms. In addition to those, I'm going to take the animagus class as well as ancient runes and healing techniques. I figure with us fighting Voldemort, that last one could come in handy."
"Bloody 'ell Hermione, how are you going to handle all that?" Ron asked.
"What do you mean? I considered keeping on with Care of Magical Creatures, but decided that that wasn't really practical anyway. What about you Harry?"
"Well, I discussed my classes with my fa – Snape this morning and I'm just taking Charms, Transfiguration, DADA, potions, and animagus. They think that this will prepare me for my fight with Voldemort. Plus I'm taking a few extra lessons with Snape and Dumbledore."
"You mean I'm going to be the only one in Care of Magical Creatures? Good thing we could finally drop Divination, huh Harry? It looks like we'll all be in most of the same classes together again. I'm going to be becoming an animagus as well. I'm so excited. I wonder what I'll become? How long do you think it'll take to fully transform?"
"Well, you know with padfoot and the marauders it took quite a while. Maybe with the benefit of us having a teacher we can learn it before the year is up." Hermione said knowingly.
"Let's go in the bookstore and see if we can get our books." Said Ron.
Just as they are getting ready to walk in the door, out walks the Malfoys. Ron, not paying attention bumps right into Draco. "Watch where you're going, Weasel."
"So, Potter, I see that you are back for another year at Hogwarts? I'm surprised that you are still attending. I would think that Dumbledore would have you locked up somewhere safe." The elder Malfoy simpered. "What is it that I heard about some kind of fight at the ministry? Tsk. Tsk, Potter. We ought to be more careful. Next time you won't get away so easily." Whispered Malfoy. "Who was it that protected you this time, Potter? Dumbledore placed wards around you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you'll excuse me, I must buy my books." Said Harry coldly.
"Of course, of course, but you just remember. This luck won't last forever."
As Harry slipped past The Malfoys into the store, he noticed Draco smirking at them. "Mugblood" mumbled Draco as Hermione passed. "Ignore him," whispered Ron. "He'll get his when we defeat the Dark Lord."
The rest of the afternoon passed uneventfully as the three friends went around gathering books, supplies, and robes that they would need for the coming year. Seeing that they had purchased everything, Mrs. Weasley met up with Lupin who was to take Harry back to Hogwarts. The three friends parted again knowing that the welcoming feast was coming soon and was in fact less than a week away. Thinking about the food and fun that awaited them at this banquet, they parted.
As soon as Harry and Lupin stepped into the entranceway, Snape immediately accosted them. "Harry, I'm glad your back. I was just heading up to make my report to Dumbledore. A large part of it concerns you, so I thought that you would like to accompany me."
Surprised, Harry replied, "Yes, I would like to know what has happened, sir."
Together they made their way to Dumbledore's office. Harry contemplated what could involve him so much that Snape would actually ask for him to be there when he reports. "Every Flavor Beans"
"Ah, Severus. I expected that you would be coming to see me today. Harry, how are you getting along?"
"Good thank you, Professor."
"I'm here to report to you what has happened. As you know I was summoned last night. It seems that Voldemort is furious that Harry has escaped him yet again. He has demanded that we find out why. On top of that he specifically sought me out to not only get close to Harry to find out how to defeat him, but he also wants me to deliver Harry to him at the end of this term." Harry gasped as he heard this information. It was not wholly unexpected, however, Harry didn't think it would be coming so soon.
"I had already expected as much. This is why you are taking the classes that you are this term. You will be prepared by the end of the term to face down Voldemort." Dumbledore stated with the twinkle still in his eye. "I think that this will all be coming to an end, soon."
Harry merely sat in stunned silence at the thought of facing Voldemort at the end of the term. 'Will I be ready? How can the fate of the entire wizard world rest on my shoulders? It's not fair! I want to be a normal boy like everyone else. I just found Severus.' "What if I won't do it? What if I refuse? What if I go into hiding?"
"Harry, I know that there has been a lot that has happened to you in your short life. But you are more than capable of such a task. Your mother was a Gryffindor, your father is a Slytherin, and you have acquired the best of both houses. You have all the courage needed to stand up to Voldemort once and for all. You have all the cunning needed to defeat him. Your powers are stronger now than they have ever been. I have no doubt that you will come out of this on top. Fear not, for fear clouds the mind and makes us weaker. Be strong and remember your one true weapon. Love. Love is what Voldemort sees in you and hates. Love is what will conquer."
"Now I know what Malfoy was trying to do in Diagon Alley today."
"Malfoy Sr.? At Diagon Alley today? What did he say to you?"
"He was discussing the fight at the ministry, and I think that he was trying to find out what had kept me from dying. It makes sense with what you said, sir."
"Yes, I suppose that he was doing a little information gathering. What did you tell him?"
"I told him nothing because I know nothing. Professor Dumbledore, why is it that I escaped Voldemort yet again at the ministry? Why is it that I am not dead?"
"My boy, you haven't figured it out, Harry? I too was baffled as to why the curse did not work until it was revealed that you were Snape's son. While, it was Lily's love that protected you the first time, this time it was her charms on you. The magic she used counteracted the magic of the curse. And because hers were cast out of love, they are more powerful than those cast out of fear. Voldemort will never understand this."
"Voldemort also stated to me that he was going to lie low for a while and let everyone think that he has gone into hiding."
"Well, at least that's good news. Less muggle raids to worry about. I think that closer to the end of the term we will need to come up with a plan of how to deliver Harry, yet set up a battle on our own turf. We will need all our aurors, order members, and supporters helping us if we hope to not only defeat Voldemort, but also the deatheaters."
"I agree. It is time that this came to an end. We can no longer let the Dark Lord control our lives. He has even indirectly controlled what we teach here at Hogwarts. This is no longer acceptable." Snape stated. Noticing that Harry was tired from the day of shopping he brought the meeting to a close. "Come Harry, you've had a long day. Let's go eat some dinner, and then I'd like to show you some of the books in the library of the chest that I gave you, if you'd like to see them." Snape said covering the emotion he felt at all that was placed on this one boy's shoulders. 'I do believe that I'm beginning to not despise this boy.' He thought.