Disclaimer: I own no part of this story except for the plot and spell work. J. K. Rowling owns everything else, including dozens of hours of my life that I am dedicating to this story.

Chapter 19: Death Eaters and Diagon Alley

Here it was, December 22nd, and Harry still hadn't gotten Ginny anything for Christmas. Harry had gotten Hermione a book of course, Fred and George a few miscellaneous items that would be helpful in the creation of new joke products, Mrs. Weasley a large pie that Harry had seen in the window of a bakery and a few magical recipe books, Mr. Weasley a book telling about the evolution of Muggle technology, and Remus a new set of robes that would automatically adjust themselves once he put them on. Everyone else had been so easy to buy for. Why couldn't Harry find something that would suit Ginny? Sure there had been a few things that had caught Harry's eye, but when he thought of him giving them to Ginny, they just pale in comparison to what she meant to him.

Harry sighed as he walked out of yet another crowded store in Diagon Alley. Harry walked down the busy street just letting his feet keep moving, not really paying attention to where he was going. As he walked, Harry thought of all of the things that Ginny meant to him. She was everything to Harry; she was beautiful, smart, had an unbelievable good sense of humor, and always knew what Harry was thinking. She had been there for him, ever since he had met her, and had always treated Harry like a normal person, never like the famous boy in the eyes of so many.

"She means so much to me and I can't seem to find anything that will show her that."

Harry suddenly cried out in pain as he was shoved into the door of a nearby shop. An angry witch was scolding her children and hadn't paid any attention to Harry as she flew down the street. Harry winced as he rubbed his elbow, but his attention was quickly drawn to the sign outside of the shop.

"Joselynn's Jewelry for All Occasions. Sounds like it is worth a go."

Harry walked into the store and noticed that it was no where near as crowded as all of the rest had been. There were a few people browsing through the cabinets of jewelry, but, for the most part, the store was nearly empty. Harry walked up to the woman standing behind the counter.

"Hello, welcome to Joselynn's Jewelry. I'll be with you in just a second."

Harry nodded to the witch and she turned back to the couple she was helping.

Harry took the time to browse through the store, hoping to see something that would be perfect for Ginny. Harry stopped in front of a large case displaying many rings, but quickly moved on. Ginny had constantly complained about the ring her parents had given her last Christmas. It wasn't that she didn't like it, but that it got in the way no matter what she was doing. She would wear whatever he gave her, Harry was sure of that, but Harry wanted Ginny to enjoy what he got her. Harry continued on until he got to a cabinet full of necklaces.

"I can see Ginny wearing a necklace. Maybe I can find something here."

Harry looked over the many necklaces but saw nothing that he really liked. Harry was about to give up and leave the shop when he heard a voice behind him.

"Harry…Harry Potter?"

Every customer in the store turned to where Harry was standing. Harry quickly fought back a grimace and turned around with a smile on his face.

"Yes ma'am, that's me."

"Oh Harry! It's so nice to see you."

The next thing Harry knew, he was nearly tackled as a black haired witch hugged him tightly.

"Cho?" Harry was able to get out.

"Of course Harry. Who did you expect?"

Harry felt a real smile slide across his face. After Harry and Cho had broken up, the two had resolved their differences and remained friends throughout their years at Hogwarts. Ginny hadn't really liked Cho at all, but Harry was pretty sure that was because of how Cho had treated Harry during their brief relationship. Cho had used Harry as a means of getting out all of her emotions about Cedric's death and had broken up with Harry over a rather stupid fight. Harry still felt a little stupid for liking Cho in the first place, they had very little in common aside from Quidditch, but he was glad things turned out the way they did.

"So how are things Harry? Still with Ginny I take it?"

Harry smiled and replied easily, "Yeah, that's why I am here actually. I can't seem to find anything that really suits her."

"Trust me, I understand. Ben was really hard to buy for too. Took me weeks to finally get his gift."

Harry grinned, "You and Ben still together then?"

Cho's smile widened as she held out her hand. "We just got engaged," she said while showing the ring to Harry.

"That's great Cho, congratulations! When's the wedding?" Harry really was happy that Cho had found someone to be with. She had been so lost after Cedric's death.

"Not till next summer. I'll make sure you all get invitations."

"That'll be great. Looking forward to it."

Cho's smile brightened but turned to a frown as she checked her watch. "Sorry Harry, it's later than I thought it was. I've got to go and meet Ben for lunch. Make sure to send me an owl from time to time."

"Sure thing Cho, have a great day."

Cho gave Harry one last smile before heading out of the shop.

"Excuse me? Are you really Mr. Potter?"

Harry turned around and saw the witch who had been running the store behind him. Harry grinned at being called "Mr." by someone that was easily twice his age. "Yes ma'am, I am."

"Mr. Potter it's so good to see you. I knew you mother and father. They really were great people. We all mourned their passing, but knew that they did it for the right reason."

Harry's smile slightly dimmed, but he couldn't help but feel proud of his parents and their sacrifice.

"Thank you, that really means a lot to me."

"So Mr. Potter, what are you here for?"

"I'm looking for something for my girlfriend for Christmas."

"Well, I think that I may have just the thing. Come this way please."

Harry followed the witch out of the main room and into a small room that had a single display case at the back. As they neared the case, Harry realized that there was just one piece of jewelry in the entire case. The witch reached in and pulled out a necklace and handed it to Harry. Harry's eyes widened with shock as he looked at the unbelievable beautiful piece of jewelry lying in his hand.

"It's perfect, better than I could ever dream of."

Harry looked carefully at the gold necklace. It was in the shape of a heart with diamonds encrusted around the edges. The heart seemed to give off a strange light that mystified Harry. However, the thing that made the necklace perfect in his eyes was what was inside the heart. Written from one side to the other was a single word.

"Forever "

The word sparkled as the hundreds of diamonds it was comprised of reflected the light. Harry could ask for no better gift than what he had found today.

"Do you like it Mr. Potter?"

"Like it? I love it!"

"I thought so. This piece of jewelry was reserved for another customer who was never able to pick it up. I have held it for seventeen years, waiting for the right person to buy it, but I was hoping that someday you would come here Harry. After all, James had already paid for this necklace when the — when it happened."

Harry's voice caught in his throat as he realized that his dad must have bought this necklace for his mom right before they had died. He wanted to say something, but the words seemed trivial at this point. Harry tried unsuccessfully several times to thank the witch, but it was her that spoke first.

"I'm sure that Lily would have loved it, as will the young lady you are presenting it to."

Harry nodded and allowed the witch to steer him back to the front of the store. Harry pulled out his wallet to pay for the necklace but Joselynn wouldn't let him.

"Your father has already paid me for it and a day hasn't gone by where I wished that I could have given him this necklace sooner. Please take it, it does me no good just sitting in the back and I will not dishonor James' memory by selling it to someone else."

Harry nodded and accepted the gift wrapped box the witch pushed forward.

"Thank you Joselynn," Harry was finally able to get out.

"It's an honor to have you in my store Harry. Thank you for all you have already done and all that you will continue to do. Please come and visit again."

Harry walked back down Diagon Alley, deciding to grab a quick Butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron before heading back home. On the way, Harry silently thanked whatever twist of fate that had brought him to Joselynn's store. Not only had Harry found the perfect gift for Ginny, but he had also learned a bit more about his parents. The fact that Harry thought that the necklace his father had picked out was perfect only proved the words that he had heard so many times in his life; Harry would never truly know how much he was like his father.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted as a scream pierced the air. Harry looked up and saw a woman cradling a man's head in her arms. Harry's heart plummeted; the woman was Cho. Around her were several dark forms, all of their faces were covered by masks.

"Death Eaters in Diagon Alley. How were they able to get here and where are the Ministry guards?"

"Get out of the way fool; it's not you we want. Give us the Muggle fool and you will not be harmed."

"You will not touch him!"

Cho rose from the ground and pulled out her wand. The lead Death Eater just laughed and raised his own.

"Leave her alone."

Harry's voice echoed through the silent street and Harry was surprised at how strong and firm it was. Harry couldn't even consciously remember thinking the words, but knew that they had come from him.

The Death Eaters spun to face this new threat. As they saw Harry Potter standing alone in the alley, a few of the Death Eaters looked ready to run. However, the lead Death Eater just laughed and pulled off his mask. Lucius Malfoy stood sneering at Harry with a look of utter contempt on his face.

"Malfoy? But how did he get away from the Aurors?"

Suddenly the attack on the Ministry all made sense. Harry had known that something hadn't felt right about the attack in the first place, but now he know why Voldemort had made such a costly sacrifice. Lucius and the other captured Death Eaters had escaped and, in the hectic state the Ministry was in, during and after the battle, no one had even noticed. Harry felt like kicking himself for being so stupid.

"How could we not have noticed? Four Death Eaters missing…How could we have been so stupid?"

Harry's thoughts were interrupted as he heard Lucius' cruel and sneering voice.

"So Potter, here to save the day again are you?"

"Let them go Lucius, this is your last warning."

Lucius laughed and sent a bright red curse at Harry which Harry blocked with ease. Screams echoed through the crowded street as witches and wizards all attempted to get into nearby shops. Those who were unable to get into the now full shops sat against the walls, hoping to avoid the combat that was sure to come.

"Cho, take Ben and get out of here!" Harry cried while deflecting another hex.

"But Harry…"

"No! Cho this is my fight. Take Ben and run."

Cho nodded and unwillingly grabbed Ben and ran down the street.

Harry now stood alone, facing six Death Eaters who all looked ready to kill.

"This is it Malfoy, the last warning you will get. Leave now and tell Voldemort that there will be no more attacks if I am around. And have no doubts Lucius, I will be here to stop you."

While speaking, Harry had been gathering all of the magic he could. Harry then sent all of the stored magic to his right arm. Harry then practiced the incantation in his mind before using wandless magic to bind Lucius Malfoy's arm to his side.

Lucius laughed and attempted to bring up his wand. A look of disbelief crossed his face as he realized that something was preventing him from moving his arm. The other Death Eaters looked confused and looked to Lucius for what to do.

Lucius just let out a loud hiss and cried, "You five; kill Potter. Meet me back at Azkaban when you are done. This isn't over Potter, not by a long shot."

With a loud crack, Lucius was suddenly gone. Harry realized that the antiapparition wards that surrounded much of Diagon Alley must have been destroyed.

"So that explains how they got in, but who brought the wards down in the first place?"

Harry's thoughts were interrupted as he heard one of the Death Eaters fire a curse at him. Harry sidestepped it easily and used wandless magic to disarm the surprised Death Eater.

Harry snapped the captured wand and threw it to the side. "No one needs to die today. There has been enough killing in this war already. Voldemort will lose this war, I can assure you of that, and I think that you need to rethink your allegiances."

Two of the Death Eaters seemed unsure of what to do while the other three continued to look at Harry in disgust.

"Mr. Potter," one of the Death Eaters began, "do you really think that the Ministry would take us back after all we have done?"

"You cannot completely escape punishment for your actions, but I can assure you that if you come forward today it will not be near as harsh as it will be when this war is over."

The Death Eater nodded and began walking towards Harry. The other Death Eaters looked surprised at his actions and the other uneasy Death Eater whispered loudly.

"David, what are you doing? You know what the Dark Lord does to those who forsake him."

"I am doing what is right Kevin. I have strayed down the wrong path for far too long and it ends today."

David continued walking forward to Harry when a voice cried out.

"Avada Kedavra!"

David fell to the ground, shock on his face, as the Killing Curse took his life. One of the remaining Death Eaters was standing up straight, his wand pointed where David had been standing.

"Damn it Alex, you killed him! You killed David!" Kevin shouted.

Before Harry knew what was happening, Kevin had pulled his wand and cursed the other three Death Eaters. A triumphant look crossed his face, but was immediately replaced by horror as he clutched his chest. Harry stared at the gaping hole in the Kevin's chest and immediately felt guilty.

"It's my fault they're dead. Why did I even try to bring them back? I might have at least been able to stun them or something. "

At the same time another voice echoed in his head, "It was the right thing to do. At least they died knowing that they did the right thing in the end."

Harry woke up from his thoughts as he saw Fudge standing behind the piled up corpses of Death Eaters. Fudge was flanked by two Aurors and Harry knew that they had to have been the ones who killed Kevin. Harry's guilt was gone and replaced by anger at the smug look on Fudge's face.

"The idiot actually thinks that he did something right."

Harry strode towards Fudge and watched as the Minister of Magic took an involuntary step back

"What the hell was that about?"

Fudge seemed to try and gather himself to his full height, which was not much when compared to Harry's build, and responded easily. "I ordered my guards to kill the Death Eaters. They were a threat to me and everyone else in Diagon Alley."

"In case you didn't notice Minister Fudge, the Death Eater your men killed had already cursed the other three. He was going to surrender and pay for the crimes he had committed."

"Now Harry," Fudge said, his voice full of confidence. "Do you honestly believe that a Death Eater can see the error in his ways? Do you think that he can come back after all he has done?"

Harry's green eyes blazed with fury and took another step closer to the Minister.

"Yes Minister I do. I believe that we have all made wrong choices in our lives and should have the opportunity to make up for our mistakes," Harry said in a dangerously low voice. "Two people died today who didn't need to; two people that might have been the deciding factor in whether or not we win this war. I suggest that you think about that over the next few days. Try not to lose any sleep tonight as you try to go to bed and see those two men's faces as they died; betrayed by those they thought were on their side."

Fudge looked flustered and seemed to be trying to find a way out before he realized that he was the one in control. He was Potter's boss after all.

"Now you listen here Potter, I will not…"

"You two," Harry said pointing at Fudge's guards. "I want you two to report to Kingsley Shacklebolt's office tomorrow. We need to have a talk about what happened today."

"But Mr. Potter, we don't have work tomorrow. It's a holiday."

"I don't give a damn what day it is and I can assure you that the innocent man you killed today won't either. I'll see you two tomorrow, eight o'clock sharp."

With that, while still ignoring Fudge's loud protests, Harry disapparated with a crack.

Author's Note: Well that's another one for you and only four days left till HBP! There should be at least one more update before that glorious day so until then; Ciao!