Chapter Seventeen

A Time Of Change

After that day, the Marauders became very much changed. They seemed to go from children to adults overnight. Everything was quiet in the castle, no more cheering for them, no more pranks, they weren't even seen outside of class and meals. Hermione and Ron began to worry about this, Ron mostly worried about his sister, who had withdrawn from everyone aside from Harry and Serena, Hermione worried because none seemed to have that happy look in their eyes anymore. They spoke to Dumbledore, who assured them they would be fine after they had gotten over what had happened in Hogsmeade. Hermione and Ron, scared for the three, wrote to Mrs. Weasley, asking how they could help the three. It appeared almost a month after the attack on Hogsmeade how big a mistake this was. Suddenly, the two were faced with a monumental problem as the three stormed up to them during lunch, all three glaring at them much the same way they glared at Draco Malfoy.

"How could you do this, Ron! You told Mum that I was 'hiding out with Harry'! Now she says I have to go home for Christmas!" Ginny screamed loudly, causing everyone, including teachers, to look at the scene. This was the most any of the three had spoken in a month, also showing the most emotion. "Do you have any idea how dumb that was! Do you know what you have really done?"

"Of course he doesn't know, Gin, he probably thinks that we are all three having a grand time when we are not around others! He doesn't even see now how idiotic his actions really were!" Serena screamed at Ron as well, causing Hermione to get involved. Her anger rising, causing her face to flush red, her eyes narrowed from the fury she had now.

"How dare you! You don't even know him!" She started, preparing for a long battle, actually putting her face inches away from Serena's face. "You showed up for a few days in summer, and suddenly you think you've known us as long as Harry! Just because you are Sirius Black's daughter, does not mean you will treat him this way! I WONT STAND FOR IT!"

"SHUT UP!" Harry bellowed. "ALL OF YOU! NOW!" Harry glared at his two best friends now, so much anger in his eyes they both shrank back in fear. "Neither of you two have thought about anything, have you! You are both acting as stupid as a Slytherin!" He pointed at Serena, "She may not know him that well, but I do! I know you too Hermione, in case you've forgotten! I cannot believe you two, who know that Voldemort just looks for a way to draw me out to kill me, went to the trouble to give him an OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT!" Harry said, as his anger rose the room began to tremble, "YOU TWO, YOU THINK YOU ARE SMART! PREFECTS, THE BOTH OF YOU! AND STILL TOO DAMNED IGNORANT TO SEE WHATS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE! WHAT WE FACE EVERY DAY!" At this the windows in the great hall shattered, along with plates, the doors to the great hall exploded, and tables began to crack and break under the force of Harry's power. Ron and Hermione huddled together, suddenly terrified of their best friend, who now looked nothing like the friend they met only five years earlier.

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore yelled, looking at the five young students who were now at the center of attention. Harry had not moved his eyes, continuing to glare heatedly at Ron and Hermione. "Miss Black, Miss Weasley, Now is the time." He said firmly, hoping they would understand. "Bring him to my office Now!" He ended firmly, and walked from the great hall, still looking at the two girls.

They walked up calmly to Harry, their anger seeming to have died with the Headmaster's words. They each grabbed one of Harry's arms, and they led him out of the great hall, everyone staring in shock of what happened. No one knew what to make of what they heard, but all knew that Harry had never spoken this way to his friends before. Ron and Hermione, still shocked, just stared as the three walked out of the great hall, then looked at each other.

"What do you think he meant by that?" Ron asked Hermione still obviously frightened. "About you-know-who having an opportunity to draw him out?"

"I'm not sure Ron, but I think that whatever we have done, it will be a long time before Harry ever talks to us again." Hermione said softly. "I may have an idea what the problem is, but I think we have to talk to your mum first, as she might want to know what happened."

Dumbledore sat at his desk, looking at the three, not knowing what to make of them. Neither betrayed any emotion on their face, and he could sense through his legilimency that they had all become oclumens, and very good ones at that. They puzzled him greatly, especially after the scene in the great hall. Finally he knew he had to find out what was happening with these three who used to be full of laughter, who now seemed to be full of worry. Sighing he began.

"Is there something that I should know, Harry?" He asked, referring to him mentioning Voldemort. "It seems since the attack, that you three are achieving quite a higher standard of learning. It almost seems you are trying to show up Miss Granger. I also notice that your jokes have stopped, which saddens me, almost as much as it saddens me to see the happiness no longer lighting up your eyes anymore." He said, looking sadly at them. "I know that you all feel that you failed to do what you set out to on Halloween, however, you must know that life can never always have a happy ending for all." He said calmly.

"I know that better than anyone!" Harry said, angrily, shocking Dumbledore, "I, who cant even think of marriage when I'm only two years away from leaving school, because my life isn't expected to last that long! I, who am the target of every dark wizard just so they can make Voldemort happy. I, who live in fear that my girlfriend might be taken prisoner, or worse killed, purely because I love her!" His face suddenly betrayed all the emotions he felt as tears began to fall from his eyes, "I can't even be free to be happy! Me and Ginny should be carefree, walking around the grounds, holding hands, laughing, joking, snogging at all hours! But are we? No! We are preparing ourselves, with Serena as well, so we can be ready when they decide to come for one or all of us! No happiness in our eyes! That is the least little thing you could worry about! Has no one noticed the fact that every bloody person in school knows I have a girlfriend that I love! No one thinks of this!"

Suddenly unable to take it anymore he collapsed on the floor, crying. He no longer had strength and anger in his voice when he spoke next. Dumbledore, looking at him, saw what scared him the most. Everyone treated this boy as a man for taking his responsibility to fight Voldemort, but he was not a man. Even he, Dumbledore, who had been trying to protect him for five years lost sight of this over the summer. He was a boy, a boy who seemed about to crack under the pressure that everyone put on him every day. Fighting to hear the boy's words now, he felt sorry for him.

"I don't want this responsibility anymore, sir. I have had it for far too long, never being allowed to live as a child. I survived being locked in a cupboard under the stairs for ten long years, I survived fighting Voldemort for the last five, but the price is getting to high to keep fighting sir. I'm scared, not necessarily for me, but for those I will leave behind if I die. I have a family now, I'm in love now, and suddenly I don't want to die." Harry finished quietly, looking at him sadly. He seemed more of a fragile child now than Dumbledore had ever seen him before.

"I don't want you to die either, Harry." Dumbledore said, tears filling his own eyes. "No one wants that for you. I wish, Harry, I really do, that I could take this responsibility from you. I never wanted this to have to fall onto anyone, let alone one who has been through so much. I cannot, however, take it from you. No one can. But, if it helps you, I will make sure people stop treating you as someone who must only live to defeat Voldemort." He said truthfully, then looking at Serena and Ginny he said carefully. "Could you leave us to talk for a moment? I will watch over him while he is here, and you can wait outside this office, but I would like to speak to Harry privately."

They looked at Harry cautiously, neither wanting to leave Harry in this condition. Harry looked up and them and smiled weakly. They beamed back at him, causing him to laugh. He nodded to them both, and they nodded back and headed to the door in silent agreement. When they walked out of the door, Harry knew they would be waiting at the bottom of the steps. Dumbledore offered him a seat, which he took, then looked sadly at his headmaster.

"I'm sorry sir," Harry started, "I did not mean to act that way. I have been holding all that in for quite some time, it seems. I'm just tired of what everyone keeps thinking I am. I am not the boy who lived, I'm Harry Potter. I'm not a man, though I appreciate that people respect me more. I am only a boy, a teenager. I just don't want to keep thinking 'this could be my last day' anymore."

"I understand, Harry. I do not take offense from you acting that way, so you have no need to apologize." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling as he began to smile, even though it faded quickly. "I must apologize to you, Harry. I feel that somewhere along the line I may have made it seem that you are merely a tool to defeating Voldemort, instead of a person. I have only ever thought of you as Harry Potter, never the boy who lived, and do not plan to ever do so. Through all these years, I always asked myself 'Is it right to cause a boy with so many troubles to take on one of such importance, to cause him more pain and suffering than any other?'. My answer was always no, of course. It was one reason I kept the prophecy from you. I am sorry that you feel as you do, but I could no longer hide it from you. I will, as I said, make sure no one looks at you the way you hate again. I promise you that. From now on, even the ministry will look on you as Harry Potter, the boy. Not the boy who lived who must destroy Voldemort. Can you accept an apology from an old man who made a mistake, Harry?" He finished sounding depressed at the actions he had caused. Looking at Harry, he was shocked to see the boy smiling now, the light returning to his eyes.

"Of course Professor. I can never really hold things against you, you know that." He said simply, still smiling. Dumbledore laughed at this response.

"Alright then, Harry, you may go. Look for an announcement today for something you may find interesting." Dumbledore said smiling.

Harry nodded at the man happily, then became serious for a moment. "Sir...Thank you, for what you said. It would mean a lot to me, to no longer be looked at differently." said Harry, who finally felt he was ready to face the world anew.

Harry walked down the stairs lightly, feeling happy again. He would not let the pressure destroy him, or let it destroy those around him. Now he knew that even when it seemed too much he had those who he could turn to. Dumbledore would listen. He wouldn't think Harry was just acting like a child when he wasn't supposed to. As he saw Serena and Ginny, his smile broadened and became arrogant, as was his new way.

"C'mon ladies, we have let this school rest for too long." He said smiling.

"What do you mean, Harry? I thought the jokes were over." Serena said, confused.

"That's what's destroying us, Black. It is time we smiled again. I can't forget that girl any better than you two, but I refuse to stop living because of it." Harry said, still smiling. "Besides, we are stronger now. We will not let it happen again. For now, it's time to talk because I," His eyes lit up again, "have a plan."

The girls stared at him for a second, trying to figure out what Dumbledore said to bring this change in him. They knew it wasn't the time to ask. His happiness seemed to flow off of him and into them as well. Soon they were all smiling, Harry arrogantly, Serena mischievously, and Ginny wickedly. They went to their classes that day lighter than ever, though still as serious as they ever were. No one knew what had happened, but they all knew something was happening.

Harry, Ginny, and Serena apologized to Ron and Hermione the next day at breakfast. They also decided it was time that all of them have a nice long talk about what was happening and why they were so angry. As Harry suggested, they were to show them everything that has happened in the last few months.

It took two weeks to get Hermione and Ron into Harry's trunk so they could tell the tale of all that happened to them, and all they knew was going to happen. Especially, everything that the Marauders knew was going to be imparted to Hermione and Ron. None of the five looked exactly comfortable as Harry began pacing back and forth, determining how to tell them. Finally, he waved his hand and the four behind him suddenly fell into chairs made for comfort, all in a half circle around one chair. Harry sat, looking over all of them.

"I am going to tell you what has been happening, some of this even you two don't know." He said looking at Serena and Ginny. "I'll start at the very beginning, which would be when we started school. You two know what was going on in the summer. Me and Ginny trained, while Serena was away. It was more of a way for me and Ginny to catch up to Serena, but I'm not sure if this is the time to talk about that right now." He nodded to Serena. "She will tell you when she feels it is time to do so.

"Anyway, when school started, everyone thought we were only playing all the time. Teachers thought we were taking after our fathers, and Ginny was taking after the twins. Then we managed to get suspended. Your Mum knows why we were suspended, Ron, and she forgave us all. Well, during our suspension we went into training. We trained almost all day for those three weeks we were gone. We learned things most can't even try. Dumbledore kept quiet what happened during the Hogsmeade trip, using a memory charm on the students who saw what happened, and asking the villagers not to mention it around students. More specifically, what students were involved in fighting the Death Eaters." Harry smiled at Ginny, "I think you should tell that part, I didn't really see much, as I was their target." Ginny nodded and started to tell them what happened.

"Well, while you guys were off snogging at the Shrieking Shack, we were busy fighting for the lives of everyone in Hogsmeade." Ginny said, causing Ron and Hermione to gasp, eyes widening. "We have been 'withdrawn' as you call us because a little girl died that day. We all had to see it and couldn't stop it. We had only a second to save her and that wasn't enough time, as the spell to stop it takes at least a second to say. All of us were torn up by it, Harry most of all. He threatened to kill all the aurors that appeared if they took the Death Eater responsible against the mothers will." She smiled lovingly at Harry, "After that we didn't feel like jokes were as important as training, so we started to train constantly. That's why you haven't seen us for a while."

"Okay, short and to the point." Harry said smiling at Ginny, "Now what I am going to tell you is very important, and no one knows. Voldemort is planning something big. He wants this war to end quickly, meaning he wants me dead. The problem is, he doesn't know any way to get to me. He can't get to me in Hogwarts because of Dumbledore, and can't get me away from Hogwarts cause I'm always either at Grimmauld place or at my aunts house. This is a large annoyance for him, and he needs some way to draw me out. Hermione, you cannot go to your home, at least not without protective wards on your house. I will tell Dumbledore that soon, within the week, as we leave in two.

"Ron, no matter what spells your family uses, you will not be safe in that house. Voldemort has a spy in the order, though I don't know who it is yet. I can't force the visions to come to me, but I have seen a lot recently. The biggest problem is, whoever is telling him things from Hogwarts, has let it be known that Ginny is my girlfriend. This is what we worried about all summer, that he would see her as a way to drag me into a battle with him.

"I'm not afraid of Voldemort, guys, you know that. I am afraid of what he will do to those closest to me to draw me out. He doesn't need Ginny alive, just to have me think she is. It is the same for the two of you. Serena will be safe only because she stays wherever I am, with Remus as our godfather and all. That is why we tried to keep everyone, including you two, with us for Christmas. Now your mum is forcing us all into separation. Remus said she tried to get me and Serena separated too. He refused, of course, telling her he was afraid to have two strong teenagers hexing him while they were angry.

"Hermione you are included in the split, even though you aren't included with us. Ginny's letter says it all. We are all going to our families for Christmas, and we all have to go home. She got Dumbledore to agree that we should not be here on Christmas. Hermione that leaves you in the most danger of all of us. You will be alone, and will have no wizards to watch you. Ron, Ginny, you two are next as they know where you live, and with someone in the order giving information a fidelius charm wont help you." He said all of this, yet at the end he was still smiling as happily as ever.

"Why are you so happy about this Harry?" Hermione asked, suddenly angry at the way he was acting.

"Yeah, its almost like you want us to get captured!" Ron said, also becoming angry.

"Don't be so thick!" Harry said, annoyed at them, "I don't want you captured, or killed. However, I have a secret weapon. It will remain secret until it is needed. But I have ways to make sure you three are safe, and of course Serena will be." He said, and began handing necklaces to everyone, including Serena. It was a modest design, silver with a large, clear jewel in a circular, silver holding. "This will tell us who is in trouble. All you have to do is touch it and think 'help' and it will turn to your color for everyone else's necklace. It will also grow cold as ice almost instantly, which should wake everyone up if they are asleep. Ron, yours turns dark blue, Hermione, yours is light blue, Ginny, you will turn red, Serena, Black of course, and mine will turn green.

"Hermione, you may be left out of the fighting if someone else needs help as you are the only one who doesn't have an immediate contact with the wizarding world. I will tell you what happened when it is over. The necklaces will stay the color of the person who used it till they are no longer in danger. Ron, you will be left if Hermione is in danger, because you will put the others at risk. You are always a good friend, and you love Hermione very much, but a foolish act in the middle of a battle can cause us all to die. Now aside from wanting to know my secret weapon and arguing with me about the reasons you must be somewhere to help someone, are there any questions?"

"Yes why is it Ginny was not mentioned in the being left if Hermione is in danger?" Ron said, remarkably angry.

"Because the three of us work as a team, Ron. Together we are strong, almost invincible. I need to be there to make sure everyone comes out alright. You can only be one more person we would have to save if they come in a large force." Ginny said simply. "No more questions for us unless you want to ask Serena about her past!"

"Sounds good to me, tell us Serena." Ron said.

"Yes even I have become curious about this. I really would like to know." Hermione said.

"Thanks a lot, Gin, you really know how to make a girl feel special!" Serena said, scowling at Ginny, "Fine I will tell you the easiest way possible, but you cannot tell anyone!" she looked at them both.

"We won't say a word." Hermione said.

"Yeah not a word." Ron said.

"Alright, well," She smiled at Harry suddenly, and Harry nodded. "I grew up in England. No one ever told me who my father was, trying to protect me from a young age. I was raised by muggles, like Harry, but mine were nice people. They let me know I was a witch from a very young age, but no one would tell me who my parents were. When I was 11, I was sent to Beaubetaunx, Dumbledore explained later that I was sent there to be kept away from Harry, because he worried that I might have tried to finish my fathers job if I found out who my dad was. When he found out Sirius was innocent, he sent me a letter telling me this and telling me who my father was.

"He found a way for me to meet him, and we instantly fell into a relationship. I was happier than I had ever been, but I still couldn't come to Hogwarts, because he was an escaped murderer according to the ministry. So, when my father..." She broke off and a tear fell down her cheek, "When he died, Dumbledore said there was someone who I must meet immediately. He brought me to Grimmauld Place and there was Harry Potter. I was amazed at first, thinking this was just a nicety because my father died. Then Dumbledore left me with him to talk about Dad. I found out that he knew my dad, loved him as a father, and we just sort of clicked right there. He became my brother, and I became his sister. He refused to talk about his past though, never talking about his adventures, which I had always heard so much about.

"Luckily, Ginny was there to tell me everything I wanted to know. I learned about you two, how you all met, and all the amazing things you did. I also learned about Harry attempting to be a joker and claiming to be the last Marauder, so I had to take him up on the offer to stand beside him. I was just as bad as I am now all my life. Ginny, who learned more than a thing or two from those twins she's always talking about joined with us quickly. That's my story, hope you liked it, I will be here all week! Goodnight." Serena said, jokingly, then headed to her room.

"Well now you know her story, or at least what she will tell of it for now. So I'm going to follow her footsteps and go to sleep myself. Night guys, Night Gin." Harry said walking from the room himself, Ginny following shortly after, leaving Ron and Hermione alone in the parlor in Harry's trunk.

The next week went quickly, Harry told Dumbledore about what he saw from Voldemort's mind, and Dumbledore promised to make sure that everyone stayed safe. The Marauders began their pranks again, to the excitement of the rest of the school, and the announcement Dumbledore promised Harry was a dance the night before everyone left for Winter Break. They were to go to Hogsmeade the day before to get dress robes. This proceeded without incident, and soon the time arrived to be prepared for the dance.

It was a beautiful dance, Ginny, who made Harry stand for what he thought was surely a thousand pictures, was forcing Harry to dance for almost every song. Harry didn't mind this however, until it was time to eat. Afterwards the dancing continued. During the last dance, Harry leaned down and kissed Ginny with all the love he could give. This annoyed Ron greatly, but he said nothing.

Serena actually had a date to this event, Neville, who could not have been more happy. Even though they were only going as friends, Serena made sure that the other boys in school were extremely jealous of him. By the end of the night, Neville was easily one of the most popular guys in school, being asked out by almost every girl in Gryffindor, as well as more than a few from the other houses.

Hermione and Ron enjoyed the festivities as much as possible, but being prefects, they had to also be chaperones. This was a great annoyance to the two, who wanted to be free from responsibility like the rest of their friends. They also knew they were supposed to keep an eye on their friends, who were the new troublemakers in school. After the last song, students began to file out and Harry ran to the stage suddenly, shocking his friends.

"Now that the party is over, it only seems fair to give all the prefects a chance to dance and be free. Only one song of course, as its almost curfew, but its better than nothing." Harry said, managing to grab a guitar from one of the singers, and he began to play a song that only a few of the muggle born students knew. The prefects began to dance slowly, gazing at their partners after quickly smiling at Harry. Ginny just stood by the stage smiling at him the whole time, while he never took his eyes off her as he sang.

I won't talk
I won't breathe
I won't move till you finally see
That you belong with me

Harry smiled looking over the people dancing in this room, especially Ron and Hermione. They caused him to continue with a new hope in his mind.

You might think
I don't look
But deep inside in the corner of my mind
I'm attached to you

Mesmerized by Ginny, He looked nowhere else as he finished the song.

I'm weak
It's true
Cause I'm afraid to know the answer
Do you want me too?

When he finished, he put down the guitar, walked off the stage, and holding Ginny's hand, walked out of the great hall, smiling happily as he looked at his best friends, Ron and Hermione, who were completely lost in each other. He nodded to them, causing Ginny to look, she smiled as well. Leaving the two of them alone, Harry felt he had finally gave them both one of the best presents in the world, time away from everyone and everything in the world.

"Happy Christmas, guys." Harry whispered to himself smiling.