Voldemort's Strongest Weakness
Viopathartic
Disclaimer: (Used from another author) Roses are red; Violets are blue, I write stories and you don't sue.
A/N: Hello readers! Hmph, I didn't get many reviews for the last chapter and it happened to be my longest one! I'm sad ;)
Anywho, I have to say that my interest in the fanfiction world of Harry Potter is slowly disinergrating, meaning my next chapter might be posted in a year. JK! No, it might be just a few months, but you never know, I might get into it again next week. So my next chapter will be spontaneous.
Also, if you are aware of my other story, Love, then you've read my responses to the flamers. Most of you might be older than me (14) but no one messes with me and calls me names. I like to speak what I believe and I hope you understand.
The people who do leave me some criticism that are actually good, thank you. I don't take offense to that; I appreciate it. Don't be scared to give me a rebuke once in a while.
I'd like to thank QuidditchGirl30 for her advice and her editing this chapter. You totally rock!
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Previous Chapter:
When they arrived, Harry felt a bit odd, like something was terribly wrong. All the rooms in the house were dark except for the kitchen and living room. He saw the silhouettes of various people but no exact identifications.
"Hermione…do you think the Weasleys' are back right now?"
"I…think so. Harry, what's wrong?" answered Hermione. She made a move to go in front of him but he halted her with his right arm.
"Mione…stay behind me, okay?" commanded Harry, crouching low and approaching the Burrow. Hermione nodded mutely. He withdrew his wand, pointing it ahead.
The chickens clucked at them as they past, the trees swayed from the breeze. Harry heard voices, muffled from the outside.
Should I?
He reached for the door handle and pulled open. Harry looked back at Hermione who gave him a small nod. He grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly as he quickly rounded the corner. What Harry saw nearly made him fall over.
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Harry's first coherent thought when he came around the corner was, "Why the hell are they here?"
He wouldn't have been so surprised if the Weasleys were the ones sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea, but these people were not the Weasleys.
Neville Longbottom, Lavender Brown, Luna Lovegood, and Cho Chang sat around the kitchen table, obviously not bothering to bring up a conversation with each other. Neville was nervously fidgeting with his hands, occasionally looking up to stare at the two girls in front of him. Cho Chang idly traced the rim of her cup with her finger, sighing dramatically. Luna Lovegood was amusing herself with a copy of the Quibbler. Lavender looked just plain bored. Other people, probably the Order, stood scattered around the room, chatting about this and that.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?" boomed Harry, his wand still up. The four at the table looked up in surprise, obviously not expecting Harry to be there.
"Harry!" shrieked Cho, excitedly.
"Hey Harry," stammered Neville.
"Hi," Lavender said flatly. Luna continued on with her reading.
Everyone realized that the person they've been waiting for had finally arrived. Suddenly, there was a flash, confetti was released and all shouted, "Surprise!"
"Damn right. What are you guys doing in the Weasley's house?" Harry angrily directed the question to the people he knew.
"Well, obviously, Potter, we are here for your surprise party. But you don't seem to like it," explained Lavender.
"A surprise party? Then why…" He found his answer when all the lights turned off and the door to the kitchen swung open. Mrs. Weasley walked out slowly, carrying a rectangular shaped cake, prepared with burning sparklers and had the text "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" on the front. The Weasley housewife had a bright smile on her face as she stopped in front of Harry, whose eyes were bulging. A surprise party? For me?
As if he wasn't more surprised, the rest of the Weasleys came out of the same room, bringing an identical cake. This time, these words were embedded on the top layer:
HAPPY INDUCTION THE ORDER OF PHOENIX
HARRY
HERMIONE
RON
NEVILLE
Hermione squealed in delight, yanking Harry's arm to snap in out of this dream. Harry smiled weakly at her and then focused on the Weasleys.
"Mrs. Weasley...everyone….what?" he managed.
"Harry, you've been like a son to me for seven years. After all you've been through with the Dursleys and You-Know-Who, you deserve a time to remember the bests of your life and not just your worst. We thought a surprise party would be a great occasion for you to just be Harry and not the Boy-Who-Lived. So, Happy Birthday my son," said Mrs. Weasley tearfully and she thrust the cake into Hermione's hands, throwing her arms around Harry and pulling him into the famous Weasley hug.
Once she let go, Harry turned to Hermione and asked, "Did you know about this?"
She shook her head and smiled coyly, "Even so, I think you deserve this." She stood on the tip of her toes and planted a soft kiss (sorry, readers, not yet!) on his left cheek. Harry felt the spot with his hand. Harry was sure he was blushing by the burning in his cheeks.
"What was that for?"
She smirked. "I thought it was only right to repay you for that kiss earlier at Diagon Alley." and then she walked away. Harry stood for a moment, stunned, and went after her. He didn't notice the narrowed eyes of a Weasley and a disgruntled scoff from the Chinese girl.
"I don't think that kiss was enough…"Harry teased as he got drinks for the two of them. Am I flirting with Hermione? Flirting! Does she realize it? Merlin, what am I doing?
Hermione raised an eyebrow, taking the drink her friend offered. "Oh is a kiss on the cheek not enough to repay the Chosen One's kiss?"
"Definitely not." The two of them laughed. Both knew they were implying for more.
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After a chorus of the Happy Birthday song to Harry was finished, he paused for a moment, thinking of his wish. He smiled faintly and blew out all seventeen candles. The room filled with shouts of approval, rousing applause, and some laughter.
Bill, Fleur, George, and Fred approached Harry a minute later. Fred slapped Harry on the back, asking. "So, what did the famous Boy-Who-Lived wish for his seventeenth birthday?"
Harry tried to look discreet as he caught a glance at Hermione who was talking to Ginny. She noticed his eyes and waved at him. Obviously, Bill and the others noticed and they all smirked.
"Oh, her, eh?" teased George. Fleur giggled knowingly. Harry looked back at the four and blushed for the third time today.
"What?" he asked innocently. The twins just shook their identical heads and left, finding some more trouble to cause. Hermione came over to join the remaining people.
"Hey Harry, having a good time?"
"The best, but why are Cho, Luna, and Neville here?"
"You know I asked Ginny that but she just smiled that mischievous I-have-a-secret-plan smile."
"I'll ask her…oh no, she's coming," groaned Harry. "That woman!"
"Who-oh…hi Cho," said Hermione, rather disappointedly.
"Hi Harry. Congratulations to the soon to be newly-weds!" said Cho, giddily. Hermione's smile was frozen in place. Harry clenched his teeth, wanting nothing to do with Cho Chang. Sure, she was pretty with her long, black, and silky hair hiked up into a ponytail and the dress she was wearing fit her curves perfectly, but…she wasn't Hermione. Get away from me, you psycho bitch.
"Hey Cho….what are you-,"
"Glad you asked Harry! Ginny invited me and she told me that –," The Chinese girl stepped closer to Harry, "You wanted me here. So I came," she smiled and slipped her hand through Harry's arm. "Are you glad I came?"
"She did, did she?" Harry asked with false politeness. He slowly removed himself from her grasp.
"You guys, have you seen your dear little sister?" Harry asked through clenched teeth, faking politeness. The Weasley brothers were aware of the famous Potter temper so all they gave was a slight nod in the direction of their sister, leaving her to receive the end of Harry.
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She was having quite an enjoyable time, gossiping with Lavender Brown until she caught sight of a black-haired boy, heading her way with an intense expression of fury.
"Uh-oh," she managed. Lavender snickered. "Looks like you're in trouble with your boyfriend!"
"He is not my boyfriend." snapped Ginny, panicking for the time when he finds out what she had done. Harry didn't say anything as he grabbed her elbow and pulled her to a desolate corner.
"Ginny Weasley, if you don't tell me the reason why Cho Chang is here, thinking that I wanted her here, then I swear I will hex you and –-,"
"Okay, okay," said an exasperated Ginny. "I'll tell you," she suddenly looked timid, a look that had suited her some couple of years ago but not now. "It's part of my plan."
"And what exactly is your plan?" he pressed.
"Look, I know that Ron and Hermione will never be a good match for each other. I also know that you like her now…possibly love her. I invited Lavender so she can somehow distract Ron from Hermione just like she did last year. Cho Chang is here because I just wanted to spruce it up alittle…"
"Spruce it-what? Ginny, you're about to cause a catastrophe. Cho Chang with Hermione Granger…it's the start of World War III. They hate each other!"
"And why do you think that?"
"I don't know, maybe because Cho is the complete opposite of her. She's a ditz, a snob, and…"
"She happens to like you," added Ginny, smugly. Harry looked at her, standing there with her arms crossed over her chest and an eyebrow arched. He breathed loudly, running a hand through his mass of hair, a sign of stress.
"Why's Neville here?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Well, he's a friend and I just wanted him around," Ginny answered in an uneasy tone. Harry grinned wickedly, knowing that Neville will no longer be just a friend to Ginerva Weasley.
"You know that once you get together with Neville, there's only Seamus Finnigan left until you dated all of our dormitory bunkmates."
"Harry!" shrieked Ginny, scandalized by such a comment. But it was true. She had dated Dean Thomas, him, soon enough Neville Longbottom, and then Seamus Finnigan. Of course she couldn't date Ron because that'd be just too sick to even process in one's mind.
"And Luna?"
Ginny smiled at this. "What's a party without Loony Lovegood?" They both looked over, where Luna stood in the center of the room, a butterbeer in one hand and the other hand snatching at something very invisible in the air. The Order members backed away, wary at the teenage girl in their presence. Harry couldn't help but laugh.
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After finding out about Ginny's plan, Harry had to admit that it will be quite enjoyable to watch how things will work out. The way Ron would flinch every time Lavender Brown giggled at him or brushed a hand on his shoulder made Harry sure that Ron had another thing listed under his "Things I Fear" list other than spiders. And the way Order members would nervously glance behind their shoulders for a distraction while Luna Lovegood discussed very odd things left Harry doubled over from laughing while Hermione looked at him questionably.
But, even though there are amusing times, there were torturous times as well. Like the times (six in fact) in which Cho Chang would attempt to pull Harry away into a quiet corner to "talk". He had to use all of his will to fight back the compulsion to stun her. He knew Hermione felt the same way.
The birthday party for Harry was done by eight but the induction had not even started. Hermione was ecstatic when they were ushered into the family living room, temporarily enlarged to fit all of the people. All except one light in the front was turned off and the respected Order members seated themselves. Hermione, Harry, Neville and Ron were asked to stand in front. Remus Lupin, sitting in the seat closest to the four stood up, straightening his jumper. His eyes gleamed with pride at the sight off his four extraordinary former students, one being his late best friend's only son.
"Harry James Potter, Hermione Jane Granger, Ronald Bilius Weasley, and Neville Alden Longbottom, welcome to the Order of Phoenix. Since the former head, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, is now deceased, it is my bestowed duty to have you acknowledge the dangers of becoming members of the Order of the Phoenix. Our main purpose is to prevent You-Know-Who from causing destructions to both the wizardry world and muggle world (which you haven't done very well, thought Harry). Please repeat what I say back to me," Lupin gestured for Harry to step up while Hermione, a very nervous Neville (poor Neville!), and Ron stepped back.
Remus took Harry's hand in his and pointed his wand at it.
"Harry James Potter, do you promise to preserve your dedication and loyalty to the Order of the Phoenix under every possible circumstance dealing with Lord Voldemort, his death eaters, and etcetera," Remus Lupin smiled a little, encouraging Harry.
Harry knew this was a very significant moment in his life. Even though he has "defeated" Voldemort once as a baby, risked his life going against him numerous times by himself, Harry realized that being in the Order gave him back up. Everyone in the Order joined to fulfill one unanimous goal. To defeat Lord Voldemort and place order and peace back in everyone's lives. He realized for the first time that this was not his war. It was everyone's.
Harry swallowed and cleared his throat. "I, Harry James Potter, promise to preserve my dedication and loyalty to the Order of the Phoenix."
"And are you aware of the dangers that lie ahead of you, that you are risking your life to fight against You-Know-Who?"
"Professor, I think I've been aware of that for quite some time," Harry said before he could stop himself. A few members chuckled; some nodded in agreement.
"Then, is there is left to say is, 'Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix'," A wisp of blue flew from the wand, rising above Harry and encircled his body. Harry suddenly felt important; he had a purpose. Then it struck him. He was no longer a child. But a man. And ready to fight a war.
Hermione was next and she went through similar events as Harry, except when she was finally inducted, colors of gray and yellow appeared. Neville's color was white and Ron's color was orange. Hermione launched herself into Harry's arms after, whispering over and over about how she never thought this would happen and how she was so proud of all of them. Harry was content having her in his arms while he stroked her cheek lovingly. But that was never meant to last for Ron interrupted them.
"You guys!" Hermione jumped and pulled away from Harry. Ron looked disgruntled at the pair but he didn't say anything else other than, "Remus and Tonks wants to see all of us in Ginny's room."
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Harry just thought Remus and Tonks wanted to give them their congratulations. They did, of course, but more came after. Weapons. They give us weapons, thought Harry, incredulously.
In front of the Trio, on a coffee table, sat three Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power pistols. They were similar to the gun Harry had discovered earlier but were slightly larger. Next to the gun laid three swords, unsheathed, with curved single edges, and six holsters, with three for wands and the other for the guns, rested beside them. Remus looked expectedly at Harry as he analyzed the weapons, wondering how his former professor had gotten these.
"Whoa," exclaimed Ron, unsurprisingly. "Remus, how did you get these gins?"
"What? Oh, Ron, don't you mean guns?" giggled Hermione.
"That's what I said. Dad said only the "please-men" in the Muggle world had these."
"Well, your Dad should have researched more, Ron," scolded Hermione, launching into bookworm mode. "As stated or said in the unwritten law of the United Kingdom's Constitution, similar to the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights in the United States of America, it is given to common people the right to keep and bear arms for their own protection purposes."
Ron stared blankly at her. Harry only stared at the brilliant girl before him, not believing she can memorize such things. The red-head of the group asked once again, "Where did you get these?"
"Harry's vault," stated Tonks, promptly.
"What?"
"What? They were just lying around. I thought you guys could put some use in them," protested the energetic witch.
Remus smiled fondly. "Tonks might be clumsy but she can be quite sneaky and deadly silent some times."
Tonks giggled, latching her arms through her boyfriend, "Remember the time when we were in my apartment and I –,"
Harry cleared his throat, not wanting to hear about his professor and girlfriend's activities away from the kids.
"Oh and the swords, Remus got from his friend in a muggle-born friend of his living in the muggle world. His father was a martial arts master and since he died, Remus' friend didn't have any use of them. The wand holsters are courtesies of moi—see I've learned some French from Fleur- at the Auror department; they supplied us with tons of supplies. These are just a few of my own collection. The gun holsters I stole from your vault as well."
Harry was stuck between being angry at Tonks for taking stuff of his without permission, surprised at her sneakiness, and grateful for the new weapons that could possibly be used against the Death Eaters. But in the end, he just settled with a simple "Thanks."
"No problem, Harry," said Tonks, happily. "Call it a present from me and Remus."
"Speaking of presents," Harry turned to his best friends. "Where are yours?"
"Cocky, are you?" Ron said but with a smile. He summoned a very large wrapped box and placed it into Harry's lap. He grinned widely and looked at Hermione expectedly.
She caught his look and rolled her eyes.
"Honestly."
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It turned out that Ron's gift was a combination of the whole Weasley family. They didn't even need to give a present, Harry thought to himself. Planning a surprise birthday party and an Order induction was enough for him. But still, Harry appreciated the present very much. From Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, he received a basket of homemade goods such as pumpkin pie pastries and a pack of butterbeer.
Ginny gave him a new broomstick polishing gift and Ron gave him a month's worth of chocolate frogs.
Bill and Fleur bought him a book on defensive spells which Harry thought would be brilliant for the upcoming war.
Charlie gave Harry his own snitch, saying it was for practice.
Fred and George however did not give their presents to Harry in public, but later on as everyone left, they showed him their most current new line in business. Although it was not considered to be something sold in a joke shop, the twins referred to them as toys. Harry was very impressed. They displayed things such as medallions called Reflectors and does exactly as it was titled. It's able to reflect off a variety of jinks and charms towards the caster. Another item of the Weasley twins was ninja stars. Fred said his brother and him couldn't find a decent name. Similar to Fang Frisbees, it is thrown and can return back to the thrower. Only used on battle fields, it can not be played with since when it is thrown, it automatically targets itself towards the enemy's heart. Death is guaranteed instant. Harry didn't ask how the twins knew this.
Hermione gave him an album she had put together, containing a series of pictures of his parents, Sirius, and the Trio. Instead if a gift which destroys, Hermione gave him something to reminisce. Harry looked at it in awe and hugged her tightly.
That night, Harry went to bed, thinking that this was the greatest birthday party he ever had. About to go to sleep, he put his glasses on the side table besides the bed, but Ron interrupted him.
"Harry?" His voice sounded uncertain.
"Yeah?"
"Are you and Hermione, you know, together?"
Harry was very tempted to see how he would react if he said "yeah, so what?" but knew it would really make Ron mad.
So instead, he said as casual as he could, "What if we were?"
Ron's face turned expressionless. He said nothing as he fluffed his pillow with exaggerated vigor. Harry had a feeling he was the pillow in his friend's mind.
With a sigh, Harry let his head fall back against the pillow. Although feeling alittle guilty, he went to sleep, dreaming about the wedding; the wedding of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
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A/N: Kay, whatcha think? Good, bad, or something? Flames are welcomed but it they are too...hmmm offensive then you're guarenteed a response. If you're anonymous or whatever, the next chapter is just for you!
Understand? If you want to flame someone who actually deserves it then check out Ma Bootey is Bigga's Tradegy of Love.
It is an actual tradegy itself.
Vio
