A/N: Alas, the crazy author that is myself returns with chapter 3. I also shall answer to reviewers this time too (actually I plan to do that from now on...)
Disclaimer: Alas, the wonderful J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and the characters. All I own are my copies of the books and my ideas that I shall be putting forth into this piece of fiction. (Checks Ebay to see if J. K. Rowling is selling Harry Potter to anybody and only sees the books.) And now to all of my reviewers from chapters one and two.
Miatzu: Thanks for your review on chapter one and correcting my spelling. (I'm such an idiot for messing up Ginny's name.)
Sweet Poison: Don't worry, I don't plan to do a lusty fic, it'll be love and maybe even fluff... (I'm not perfect in the romance area so forgive me if I totally suck at portraying it... I've never been in love or had a boyfriend so I'm not sure how it all works...) Also, at the beginning I do plan to do some love stuff the way J. K. Rowling seems to be planning it...
likecrisis: I don't know who R. A. B. is, though I believe it's a trio of people. I believe that the A stands for Albus (Dumbledore)... Perhaps R is Remus (Lupin) or perhaps some other character... But I do think Dumbledore is a part of it since he told Madam Rosemerta that he was going for a drink and he told Harry what should happen to him once he drank the liquid and was sure that it wasn't poison. (And also because he knew where to look, how to get there, how directly to get to the horcrux, exct...
Miss Extraordinary: First, I'm really surprised that you read my fic, only because I kinda look at you as above that... (Because you're so good and such.) I'm sorry that the beginning is sorta like that of yours, though the whole story will be different. (The reason the beginning is sorta the same is because that remains my ideas on what would happen. Mostly Harry is with the Dursley's because he isn't yet 17. He turns 17 over the summer and Dumbledore wanted him to return for his protection. And yes, very risky letter, but let's remember that Harry's kinda a risky person... As for Draco and Snape returning to the Lord Voldemort, I kinda think that's what Snape would make Draco do... since they leave Hogwarts quickly and Snape is practically pushing Draco the whole way, and since the killing of Dumbledore is done where else have they to go. Neither are going to go to the Ministry for sure... And as for the Cruciatus Curse, I kinda thought that that's what Lord Voldemort would do to Draco right off. (My older sister just said that she thought so also... why's she always reading what I'm typing over my back, it makes me nervous... but I do like it when she occasionally reads and reviews my stories.) Lord Voldemort's not exactly known for mercy and he decided to do that to Harry before trying to kill him in the fourth book. I think that he would want to hurt Draco before killing him and such, and then Narcissa would be indirectly hurt too. And she's a sobbing wreck because she is at the beginning of book six and it seems with Lucius in jail and Draco facing death that she'd be like that. As for why Draco's not insane or dead due to the Cruciatus Curse... Well it wasn't Avada Kedavara so it wouldn't kill him... and I don't think that he was under it long enough to go insane, besides that would ruin the plot if that happened. And as for Dumbledore being the Secret-Keeper that seemed right since Dumbledore was the only wizard that Lord Voldemort actually feared. (And also he was the strongest wizard too...) Well onto the chapter now that I've spent 1 1/5 pages on answering reviews!
Chapter 3: Short Lived Celebration
Harry smiled, he had just finished packing and was ready to return to the burrow. He listened and grinned even wider when he heard the doorbell ring. He ran down the stairs and lingered near the door as Uncle Vernon made ready to open it.
"Harry, you'll never believe it, earlier this week Moody caught Malfoy! Isn't it great, Harry, Malfoy's in Azkaban!" exclaimed an overly excited Ron as he ran through the door.
"Just think about it, we'll never have to listen to him bothering us ever again!" smiled Hermione with glee while running over to hug Harry. "Oh, and Hedwig's at Ron's waiting for you with a letter from McGonagall. It seems important though we didn't open it or bring it. Actually I haven't been to Ron's yet, he just told me. My parents are taking us. I was on my way and so Ron came to my house through Flu Powder and then we set off for here. My parents are going to take us to The Burrow, of what I hear Mr. Weasley is ecstatic because he'll get to meet them again."
Uncle Vernon stood transfixed with his mouth hanging open as the two teens raced through the door and over to Harry. Though his expression did change when he saw what looked like two civilized ordinary people walking towards him.
"Oh, Uncle Vernon, I'm leaving with Hermione's parents now. They'll take me back to Ho- school," Harry quickly changed his word, he'd almost said Hogwarts, and that would have made Uncle Vernon very mad.
"That's Dudley, isn't it?" asked Hermione while glancing towards Dudley who stood in the doorway with his hands clenched over his overly fat bottom and his mouth tight shut, he still remembered the pig's tail that Hagrid had given him before Harry's first year and the long tongue that he had gotten back in Harry's fourth year when he ate one of Fred and George's candies.
"So then, you're Vernon Dursley. I'm very pleased to meet you, I'm Hermione's mother. You must be so proud of your nephew, since he's a wizard and is attending Hogwarts."
Harry barely managed to contain his look of amusement as Uncle Vernon heard what Hermione's mother said. Uncle Vernon's face was now turning various shades of red and purple in his anger that he was trying to control.
"Yes, yes, very proud of him," he heard Uncle Vernon mutter.
"Well then, Harry, if you're ready, we'll be off," said Ron.
The three teens ran up to Harry's room and carried down his stuff, Harry took the trunk, Hermione took Hedwig, and Ron, taking special care to make sure that his wand was sticking half-way out of his pocket to make the Dursley's scared, carried Harry's Firebolt.
"Hello, you must be Harry, Hermione's told us all about you. Well then, Harry, are you ready, shall we be off!" asked Hermione's father.
"Yes, we're ready, thank you, Mr. Granger," said Harry, who already liked Hermione's parents.
It hadn't taken them too long and before he knew it they were in The Burrow. It wasn't quite supper time yet and so while Hermione's parents talked with Ron's mum (his dad was still at the Ministry working), Harry, Hermione and Ginny went up to Ron's room, which Harry was also going to be staying in.
Hedwig was waiting in Ron's room and nipped affectionately on Harry's finger when he entered into the room. She then stuck out her leg, waiting for Harry to take his letter.
Harry took the letter, opened it, and began to slowly read it, a smile spreading rapidly over his face.
"Well, read it," urged Ron, "we want to know what McGonagall says too!"
"Here, I'll read it aloud," said Hermione and Harry handed her the letter.
"Harry,
Concerning number twelve Grimmauld Place, we shall arrange for a new Secret-Keeper, though it would be unwise to begin meetings there again right away. I shall meet you soon and then we shall discuss who the Secret-Keeper shall be. According to Mr. Malfoy Snape hadn't told Lord Voldemort anything when he was there. Mr. Malfoy seemed to stir-up quite the bit commotion between Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters leaving Snape no time to tell anything concerning headquarters to Lord Voldemort. We believe that Snape has not seen Lord Voldemort since then due to many aurors that we've had chasing after him.
As for Hogwarts, it shall be reopening it's doors, letters saying that shall be sent to the students later this month. I do plan to have a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher by then, though I feel that the DA would be a very great thing to continue. You have my full permission to assemble it's members and anyone else who wishes to join. I think even perhaps a few teachers may wish to join in a few meetings if that's alright.
Also, with or without Ministry permission, we shall do as the fake Moody (Crouch) did and put students under the Imperius Curse so that they may fend off any Death Eaters that may try to put them under it.
As for Kreacher, tell him that he's not to tell anyone, outside of a select few in the Order that you trust, about the Order and it's doings. Have a wonderful summer. Oh, and try not to send such risky letters from now on, it would be bad if they fell into the wrong hands. I shall see you shortly to discuss other matters.
Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall,
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Now then," said Ron merrily while grabbing four bottles of butterbeer from underneath his bed, "let's celebrate shall we! I begged Fred and George until I convinced them to bring these while we were gone and store them under my bed."
Harry grinned as he grabbed the warm bottle of butterbeer.
"To our happy reunion here," said Ron while lifting his bottle into the air.
"Cheers," said Harry, Ginny and Hermione at the same time while they lifted their bottles in the air and all four clunked off of each other.
"To a Malfoy-free year at Hogwarts!" exclaimed Ron merrily, lifting his bottle again while Harry grinned, Hermione smiled and Ginny jumped up and down with glee.
"Cheers!" exclaimed Hermione while high-fiving with Ginny.
"Definitely cheers!" nodded Ginny excitedly.
"Cheers!" finished Harry and then the quartet clanged their bottles together and then drank deeply from them laughing and remembering fun times at Hogwarts making fun of Malfoy, sneaking into Hogsmead, and pulling stuff past Filch.
Ginny sat by Harry. "You know," she said, "that since Lord V-Voldemort isn't here right now and we are celebrating... well... just once more could... never mind..."
Harry looked over, he knew what Ginny wanted, and just this once would be fine, just to make the day better. He submitted into his desire and leaned over, his lips meeting Ginny's.
Ron looked away, he didn't want to ruin the moment for his sister and best friend. After all, with Voldemort at large, this would be the last time that they'd share a moment like that for a long, long time, if not forever.
"Come on, let's head downstairs, I can hear you're mum calling for us, it's supper time," said Hermione suddenly.
Harry and Ginny broke their kiss, the both of them blushing and looking at their feet as they headed down towards the kitchen.
The group sat around the table, Harry noticed that Fred and George were there, as were Charlie, Bill and Fleur. Percy was missing, he must still be avoiding Mrs. Weasley. Looking around, Harry also noticed that Mr. Weasley also wasn't there.
"Hello, sorry I'm late. The horror of it all! I can't believe it!" raged Mr. Weasley as he entered through the door into the house.
"Umm, what's wrong?" asked Hermione timidly.
"Hermione! You're here! I didn't notice, I'm so sorry! And Harry, you're here too!" exclaimed Mr. Weasley, his mood suddenly starting to improve.
"So then, what's wrong? What happened?" inquired Harry, now more curious then ever, if something was really wrong Professor McGonagall would have told him, right?"
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy! At his hearing he was found to be innocent! INNOCENT! Can you believe that! The Ministry found no trace of the Dark Mark on either of his arms and it seems that Professor McGonagall convinced them that the boy was acting under the force of Lord V-V-... oh Lord Thingy! She convinced them that Dumbledore would have forgiven him and they under the same pressure would have done the same thing! And that it wasn't really him that killed Dumbledore so he really did no harm other than letting Death Eaters into the school and disarming Dumbledore. The ministry can't yell at a student over a disarming charm and as for the Death Eaters it goes back into the category of force."
"I thought McGonagall was on our side!" exclaimed Ron.
"You mean to say that that git got himself out of Azkaban, Dad!" exclaimed Fred and George at the same time.
"Yes, and now McGonagall's devising a way to keep him "safe" seeing as Lord Thingy is after his life," muttered Mr. Weasley.
"No, Dad, it's 'U Know Poo'," said Fred while he and George grinned.
"Do you think that perhaps Malfoy might be able to tell the Ministry anything about Lord Voldemort's whereabouts? Or what his Death Eaters are planing?" asked Hermione.
"Be realistic, Hermione, do you really think that Malfoy would help out in the fight against Lor- I mean, 'U Know Poo'. That git probably won't do a thing," said Ron.
"Under force he may, remember, he's a complete coward," said Hermione matter-of-factly.
Ginny listened to what everyone was saying, her cheer from earlier now gone.
"Enough now kids, it's time to eat before your food gets cold," said Mrs. Weasley. "I'm sure that Professor McGonagall knows what she's doing."
"I wonder where she's gonna hide Malfoy if Lord V-Voldemort and his Death Eaters are after him," said Hermione, she still had trouble saying the name "Voldemort", though she was getting better.
"Darn, that means that Hogwarts won't be Malfoy-free," said Ginny suddenly, her face falling. "Remind me to hex him later." Neither Mrs. Weasley or Mr. Weasley scolded her, both pretended not to hear, giving her all permission to.
"Though according to Malfoy, who had taken Veritaserum, both Crabe and Goyle are Death Eaters and have the Dark Mark. They have been since the day before the attack. Apparently after further questioning from McGonagall after the hearing was over the two of them left through the vanishing cabinets and went to meet Lord Thingy," said Mr. Weasley.
"Dad, how many times do we have to tell you, it's 'You Know Poo'!" exclaimed George.
"Honesty, the both of you, you're going to be killed in you sleep with that sign up!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley suddenly while Fred and George grinned at her.
"Don't worry, Mum, we've got special protections around our room," said Fred.
"Yeah, anyone with the read Dark Mark who comes near is gonna end up in a mess of hexes," added George.
"Mrs. Weasley this food is wonderful!" exclaimed Harry as he began his second helping of food. "Really, it's so much better than what the Dursley's have been giving me. It actually tastes like food!"
"What exactly have the Dursley's been giving you, Harry, because thinking of it you do look rather thin," said Hermione worriedly.
"Well Dudley's been into boxing since the beginning of our fifth year so Aunt Petunia wants him on a good diet of healthy food. She's been giving him stuff like fruit and sandwiches and so on but on special occasions making him stuff like bacon or cake and such. I've been only getting one fifth of a piece of grapefruit for ever meal.
"Eat up then, Harry dear, you'll need your strength this year. And even if it was only for a week, one fifth of a piece of grapefruit isn't very much," smiled Mrs. Weasley.
Harry smiled, he loved staying in The Burrow.
"Oh, and Harry, after the wedding, you're welcome to stay here if you don't want to return to the Dursley's or do something like go to Grimmauld Place. I know that you'll be of age by then, but if you'd like to stay here for a bit... well... We do have a Secret-Keeper now, so Voldemort couldn't get you here..."
Harry grinned while hearing Mrs. Weasley's words and jumped up and hugged her.
"I'd love to stay! That is, if you don't mind. It'd be wonderful!" he exclaimed. He hadn't really though of what he'd do once he was of age and where he'd live, the Dursley's would kick him out immediately for sure (that's why he took all of his stuff that he wanted with him). He could return to number twelve Grimmauld Place once they, no, once he got a Secret-Keeper, but even then it wouldn't be entirely safe since Snape knew of it. But The Burrow had always felt like home to him. Harry grinned.
A/N: Hey, I didn't reveal where Draco's gonna stay, three points for me! (Three guesses where, really... it's gonna be good!) Well review and I'll update as soon as I can. I would have updated sooner but I was busy all weekend and yesterday too. And I've also been kinda caught up in stuff through out Monday and Tuesday also... Well review please! I know that this chapter is kinda dull, but I'll try to make the next one better (and I'll let you know where Draco ends up in the end!)
Nanie-san