CHAPTER 7

"Hurry dear. We should've been awake at least an hour ago. Come on Harry," I hear the voice of Mrs. Weasley. I sit up and realize that we are going Hogwarts today. I'm going home.

I roll out of bed and head to the bathroom. Luckily, I'm the first one there. I decide to take a shower this morning. I turn on the water and take off all my clothes. I step into the scalding water. It wakes me up immediately. I let the water beat on my back for a while. It feels so good. I grab some of my shampoo that I leave in their shower. It's the only kind I will use because of the scent: mango. I put a good size amount into my palm and lather it up. I rub it into my scalp thoroughly before stepping back into the water to wash it out. I put my mango conditioner in next. I have to leave it in for two minutes so I get some soap and a washcloth and wash my body. I rinse out the conditioner last and turn the water off. Stepping out of the bath, I grab a towel. I wrap it around my waist and head back to my room. On my way, I pass Ginny who blushes and looks away. I grin.

I grab a pair of boxers and slip them on and head to my trunk to pick out an outfit. I decide to wear my tightest pair of black jeans. I wear a red fishnet shirt and put the green and black shirt that Hermione got me for my birthday on over it. I also put on my belt and choker. Thinking it would add a nice touch I get out my spray in hair color and put in red and green highlights.

I walk over to the mirror and look at my reflection. I think it's missing something. I grab a needle from my trunk that I've been saving. Now seems as good as ever. I position the needle right on the right side of my lip. Squinting my eyes shut, I press the needle into my skin and try to keep from screaming. I feel the needle break skin and I let out a soft, strangled cry. It's bleeding so I grab a tissue and put hold it there. Knowing I have to get an earring in it soon, I get one from my trunk. It is a plain black hoop. I slip it in gently and clasp it. I take a step back and look at my new piercing. It's perfect, if a bit swollen.

Thinking I should hurry, I grab my trunk and Hedwig's cage. Hedwig hoots reproachfully at all my manhandling. I slowly make my way down to the living room.

"Harry, finally. We thought you went back to sleep. But…" Hermione starts and is startled to silence.

"Wow. I love it," Ginny exclaims.

I guess that they're talking about my lip ring. I grin.

"Yeah, me too," I say.

Mrs. Weasley calls us all into the kitchen to have some toast before we get there.

"Dad, how're we getting there?" Ron asks through a mouth full of food.

" I've gotten us a couple of Ministry cars this year," He says. I silently cheer. We had to take muggle taxi's last year, which weren't exactly comfortable.

We all finish in record time and go into the living room.

" Everyone have everything they'll need this year? Books? Wand? Pets?" Mr. Weasley asks. We all nod. "Alright let's head out,"

Ron, Hermione, and me take a car and Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, and Ginny take the other car. The twins had to work today. We put our things into the trunks and get into the backseat.

"I can't wait! I'm so excited to be back at Hogwarts," Hermione says. Ron and I nod. " This year should be great. We will have to study a lot harder but it'll all be worth it I mean…" I tune her out. I've heard this speech a million times this week. I just now remember my meeting with Dragon. I do hope he writes me soon. Coincidentally, I hear a slight tapping at the window behind us. Sure enough, it's Amity.

" What in the world?" I hear Ron say.

"Hey, Hermione, roll down your window," I say. She does and Amity comes soaring in. She goes straight to me and perches herself on my shoulder.

" Uh…Harry, do you know that bird?" Hermione asks.

I nod.

" Um… Who's bird is it?" she asks.

" I don't know," I say, trying not to laugh at the irony of it all.

" But I thought…" she begins.

I stop her by holding up my hand. I guess I have to tell them everything. I begin my story with the first letter and end it by pulling out the necklace.

" Oh Harry. It's beautiful. But writing to someone you don't know is very, very dangerous. Especially since it's a Slytherin,"

"I know. But once I started to learn a lot more about him I knew there was nothing to be afraid of,"

" Can I see that necklace, mate?" Ron asks and I hand it over.

" Hey, I've seen this in some catalog mum had! This guy must really like you. I remember it was like 500 galleons or something like that," He says.

I blink. "Are you serious?" He nods. I feel guilty. I only spent 50 on him.

Our conversation dies down after awhile and I open the letter.

Harry,

Can you wait? It's only 4am but I'm already awake. I haven't been able to sleep. I know I promised to tell you who I am but I think I should wait until we are on the train. I'm sorry; I know your frustrated but I think it's best to tell you face to face. I have the way back compartment reserved so you can meet me there whenever the need suits you. I also want to remind you to uphold your promise. I never doubted that you will but I am extremely nervous so don't mind me. I want to thank you for the watch. It's wonderful. I have to go and shower now. I will see you later.

-Dragon

I'm so excited. I smile. I reread the letter several times before sticking it in my pocket. Hermione looks over at me.

" Did you read it?" She asks.

"Yeah," I reply.

She waits.

"Well…what'd it say?" I can tell she's anxious.

I dig the letter out again and hand it to her. She and Ron read it. I blush slightly at letting them read it.

"Are you really gonna meet him?" Ron asks me.

"Yeah…why wouldn't I?"

" Harry, I don't know. What if it's some kind of trap or something," she says slowly.

"Oh come on. I've been talking to him for two months. I'm sure it's not a trap," I say stubbornly.

"Alright, I trust your judgment. Just be careful,"

I turn and look out the window. I'm positive it's not a trap but I'm still a little apprehensive. I let the feeling go and slowly fall into darkness.

"Wake up!" Ron shouts.

I jump and open my eyes. My neck is stiff and I remember that we're in the car.

" Finally. You know how long I've been trying to wake you up?" He says. "Come on. We're here,"

I stretch and open the door. I step out into the bright morning light. I walk over to the trunk and grab my things. I'm far behind so I jog to catch up. I finally do when they're all at the barrier already.

"We're not going with you so we better say our goodbyes here," Says Mr. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley runs over to Ginny and envelopes her in a body-crushing hug. She heads over to Ron next.

" Be good. Have fun. I love you," she says and kisses him on the cheek. He turns bright red.

She comes to me next. She grabs me and hugs the breath right out of me. "You be good too. Try to stay out of trouble. Hopefully, we'll see you at Christmas," she says before heading over to Hermione.

"Thank you for letting me stay with you for the summer," I say politely while shaking Mr. Weasley's hand.

"Oh it was fine. We love having you and Hermione,"

We all say our last goodbyes before turning to face Platform 9 ¾. Ron goes first and with a swish of cloak is running toward the wall. Right before he crashes he disappears into nothingness. Hermione and Ginny go next. I take a deep breath and speed walk to the wall. I close my eyes just as I'm going to hit and open them the next second and am face to face with a red, steaming engine; The Hogwarts Express. I spot Ron and Hermione waiting for me and head toward them. We haul our trunks up onto the train and look for an empty compartment. We eventually find one in about the middle of the train.

I collapse into the seat across from Ron and Hermione.

" Harry?"

" Mmm?"

" Aren't you supposed to go meet that Dragon guy?"

I nod into the seat.

"I am. I just think I should wait awhile," They nod. I roll over onto my back.

"I'm bored," I whine. Hermione giggles. I glare at her.

" Ron, let's play chess," I suggest. He jumps up and reaches to get the board. I knew that would get him. It's his favorite game.

" I want to go first," I say. I already know he is going to win no matter who goes first.

" Fine with me," He says smugly.

I put up a valiant effort and am checkmated after 7 moves. It's actually my new record against Ron.

We play about three more times and I lose in about 5 moves each time.

" Come and help me," I say to Hermione.

"But I'm no good either," She says.

" So, two minds are better than one" I say and scoot over so she can sit next to me.

I guess I was wrong. We lost in 11 moves.

" I hate this game," I say and sit back into the seat.

" Hey. Let's play again," Ron says.

" Nah. I think I'm gonna go and see him," I say. Hermione smiles at me and Ron nods.

I walk out of the compartment and into the bathroom. I check my appearance. My hair looks fine and so do my clothes. I guess I'm ready to go. Well, maybe not. I'm nervous out of my mind. I'm shaking.

I walk slowly to the end of the train. I stand right outside of the door my hand paused on the handle. I decide it would be polite to knock. I rap on the door twice. I hear a soft voice call out "Come in," I shut my eyes briefly as I turn the handle. I push the sliding door back and open my eyes…

"Oh. My. God,"