Oh! And occasionally, I'm going to stick a Ginny POV in. I think she deserves to share her thoughts.
Harry's POV
What do I do?
For as long as I can remember, Draco Malfoy has been someone to be hated and loathed, so how come I'm in such a muddle about him? How do we know if he's genuine? How do I know if he's lying? It's complicated, and I think I've finally begun to realise the difference between what's right and what's easy.
I get up, welcoming the light of mine and Ron's room. For the fun of it, I Disapparate and deliberately apparate on his legs. I laugh when I receive a punch to the head in his frenzy to see what it is that's just probably cracked both his kneecaps.
"Blimey, Harry; get off!"
"Just thought you might want a more efficient way of waking up than waiting till you start choking on one of your snores, as per usual.
"I do not snore!"
"Just get up, Ron!"
"What's the hurry?"
"Are you and Hermione an item?"
"What?"
Hah. That one got him. He goes red, and splutters; a sure sign that he is.
"Well… well, no…"
"Oh, go on, Ron. You'll save yourself a lot of grief if you tell me the truth. It's pretty obvious anyway…"
"Well, well, figuratively speaking, I didn't really ask her out…"
"So you are, though not technically?"
"Bloody hell, Harry; how come you're so awake?"
I shrug, but at last I've got what I want. They've finally admitted defeat: they've finally worn each other down so much they said yes. Hah! I knew it. I've known it all along, ever since my third year when they started arguing every second.
After getting dressed and cleaning my teeth (got to have shiny teeth…) I head down to breakfast, but not before I've done something very, very important. And conveniently, I bump into the red-haired importance as I climb down the stairs.
"Hey, Harry," Ginny says coolly.
"Ginny," I say; "want to go out with me, again?"
Her immediate look is surprised, and then unwillingly a smile creeps across her face. Then, predictably, she throws her self on me. "Finally come over to the sane side, have you? So what made you change your mind?"
"You," I laugh, but the rest of my sentence, about a dream, is cut off.
"Ginny! Get off Harry!" Says Mrs Weasley. "You look like you're suffocating him."
I grin at Ginny. Well, it's obviously a trait she's inherited from her mother. I don't dare say that in case I offend Mrs Weasley, but it's a thought I'll keep.
"I was intending to," says Ginny mischievously. "Then I could keep him under my bed"
For a moment Mrs Weasley's mouth hangs open in disbelief at what her daughter just implied, but a second later she bursts into hysterics. And unbelievably, she walks into the kitchen, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.
"Your mum…" I say, mouth hanging open.
"…Is unpredictable," says Ginny, smiling; and then her look hardens. "It's a family trait we Weasley girls possess," she says, and pounces on me.
XXX
"Didn't think much of the entertainment when we arrived," grins Fred.
"Very gruesome," nods George in agreement.
"But for once-"
"-We're not going to object -"
"-Because we've decided-"
"-Harry is acceptable."
I laugh, perplexed. "Thanks," I say, wondering what 'unacceptable' would be.
"And also seeing as it seemed Ginny was the one sucking his brains out."
Ginny looks evilly at Fred and George, a smile spreading across her face. "Don't think I'll ever try it on you. I like people with at least half a brain."
At that moment, most of the Order bundle into the kitchen.
Mundungus, Hagrid, Kingsley, Tonks, Lupin, Moody, Mr Weasley, McGonagall and half of the rest of those who work at the ministry are included.
"Goodness!" Says Mrs Weasley, particularly focusing on Hagrid. "Well, judging by the fact you've all come into this kitchen, I'll be guessing you want feeding."
Kingsley laughs. "No, Molly, don't worry. We're able to feed ourselves."
Hagrid centres on me.
"'Arry!" Says Hagrid, immediately coming down to sit next to me. I smile at him.
"Hey, Hagrid."
"Harry - where've yeh been?"
"I decided I didn't want to come back to Hogwarts this year."
For a moment, Hagrid looks stunned, and then he sighs. "I can't blame yeh, Harry. Hogwarts just isn' the same with Dumbledore there."
"Exactly," I say. "And besides, someone's got to contribute to all the things Dumbledore did while he was out of Hogwarts."
In that second, all of the Order's eyes are on me. I can especially feel the inquisitive gaze of Minerva McGonagall. I know they're waiting for me to spill Dumbledore's secret, but if they think I will, they're sadly mistaken. That's something I've kept secret to the world excepting Ron, Hermione, and now Ginny.
I leave the kitchen after what seems years of silence, knowing that it would not have been broken. I wave at Hagrid, who's looking at me with one of those confused expressions that always makes me want to tell him something.
Well, they'll get enough news tonight.
It's funny how things can bring my mood down so quickly.
XXX
Five thirty.
The Order is gathered in the Dining Room, and even outside, I can feel the tension. I can feel the curiosity. And Ron and Hermione wonder why I become so tetchy around here? It's 'cause the air I breathe is full of suspense, as if they're all holding their breath for me. I told them I was just going for a drink, but my throat is still dry. I couldn't even manage water, and I don't know why. It's not such a big deal, Malfoy… and us. I have a horrible feeling at the back of my throat, one that I don't know if they're capable of, but a suspicion I can't help feeling…
I walk in the room, and the buzzing voices halt.
"Hey," I say, waving.
Their eyes bore into me.
How to do this.
"Er, in half an hour, Draco Malfoy will be coming here…"
Mutters.
"A few nights ago… technically, you all know about my dreams… I met with him. He said he wanted to join the Order… and I said… well, at first, I said no. And then… well, I'm sure he can explain it better than me, but… I think we should give him a chance. I called this meeting, because… well, it's not up to me to put everyone in danger."
"Too right it isn't, Potter." Barks McGonagall. Then her glare softens. "It was a wise decision to call us here. It is a serious proposal, and it could mean our downfall or our victory"
I give an involuntary nod. I don't really know what to say, but I know what is coming next.
McGonagall looks at me seriously.
"And now we're all here, and I hate to put you on the spot, Potter, but I understand that Professor Dumbledore and you shared vital information before his demise. You were also there in the hours proceeding his… d-death. Harry, we need to know what happened that night"
She's doing this on purpose, because she knows I'll break in front of so many people who care for me. It's cruel, and she's not going to get what she wants.
"Professor, I've told you, and it doesn't matter how many people I have to tell, that was between myself and him. I'm not going to talk about it!"
"But surely, for the sake of all these people who care for you-!"
The fury wells. "I'm not saying anything," I say through gritted teeth, knowing it's not long till I explode.
"They're fighting him, too, Harry -!"
"I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING!"
And I storm from the room, slamming the door with a resounding crash. I just lost it in front of all the Order, and it's inevitable that one of them will come after me. I tear down the hallway, hearing the opening of a door behind me, run down the corridors, climb down the stairs, and before I know it, I've slammed the door of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place and am standing beneath the darkening skies. I saunter down the road, simmering, until finally I come to rest at the edge of a kerb. I slump down. Why won't they understand? I can't say anything. Not a word. My mouth has been sealed not forcefully, not by magic, but by some kind of loyalty that still longs for the guiding hand of Professor Dumbledore, one of the only people who can help me.
Seconds later, I feel a shape beside me. Ginny sits down on the kerb.
"Not the choicest place to sit, Harry," she says softly.
I shrug.
"Don't worry. I don't agree with them, Harry. McGonagall shouldn't have done that. It was cruel. But, Harry, they're people, too. We're living in a parent-dominated world," she says playfully, and I smile. She can always put a smile on my face.
"I just lost it. I've been doing that a lot recently."
"Not with me, you haven't. And today, you asked me out again. So… why'd you do that?"
I shrug. "I guess I realised I'd rather have someone with me and enjoy my time with them than wish I'd done so, right at the end."
Ginny frowns. "A bit of a grim perspective, but the principle's the same. And personally, I think that might be what… Draco's feeling right now."
I look up. "Yeah… you got a point. You always have a point!"
"Outgoing, and with far too big a mouth," she says, grinning back at me, and immediately she plants a kiss on my forehead.
XXX It must've been half an hour here, on the pavement, with me and Ginny, completely ignoring passers by as we're in our own little world. But then another figure pops into existence down the other side of the road, and Ginny and I look up to catch a sliver of platinum blond hair. Silently, as if we need caution, I realise that we could be in some kind of fatal trap. I've lead Draco Malfoy to the Headquarters. I guess I just have to trust him that he didn't hint to anyone that he might know our position. But no… I took the piece of paper away, and he can't speak of it…
Still, it's disconcerting.
Exchanging a wary glance with Ginny, we rush back to Grimmauld Place.
And there's Malfoy, outside the door, just like in the dream. His eyes are hollowed, the spirit has been sucked out of him. He looks exhausted, hollow even. And for some reason, I can't help but feel sorry for him.
And stiffly, through gritted teeth, I say to him:
"Welcome to the Order of The Phoenix Headquarters, Draco."
A/N: We see what happens next chapter.