CHAPTER THREE

A REUNION OF FRIENDS

Lupin stepped inside. Following him were members of the Order: McGonagall, Shacklebolt, Tonks, Moody, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and –- to Harry's astonishment –- Ginny, Neville and Luna.

The Death eaters turned to face them.

"Familiar faces" drawled Lucius. "I think you might remember me from the Hall of Prophecy?" he said to Ginny, Neville and Luna. They ignored him, and instead were looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione, who nearly sank to the ground in relief.

"Please, don't speak of that to my daughter, Lucius" said Mrs. Weasley, stepping forward. Lucius turned his gaze to Mrs. Weasley.

"Ah, I assumed you would be Molly. I made this assumption, of course, because of your appalling red hair and filthy robes."

Mrs. Weasley flushed a violent shade of crimson.

Mr. Weasley stepped forward. "Do not talk to my wife like that, Malfoy!"

"Arthur! What a pleasure…"

"You know why we are here, Lucius" he said.

"Yes, of course I do, Arthur" said Lucius, bored. "But I'm rather tired of fighting, it gets a little old after a while."

Kreacher and Dobby were still dueling.

"Ah, my dear old house-elf" said Lucius sarcastically. "I see he is not getting along well with his kind."

A jet of red light flashed from his wand, hitting Dobby in the face. With a whimper of pain, Dobby fell backwards, his huge green eyes closed.

"DOBBY!"

Kreacher smirked.

Harry was infuriated.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Kreacher was blasted backwards into the wall. He fell with a thud to the floor where he lay motionless.

"YOU!" Harry shouted. "Petrif"

Lucius instantly deflected it.

"Kill them!" shrieked Bellatrix.

The room was full of shouts and bangs as hexes flew in all directions. Harry, Hermione and Ron got through unscathed, joining up with Ginny, Neville and Luna, who were still standing behind the others.

"Are you alright, Harry?" asked Neville nervously.

"I'm fine" muttered Harry.

"No you're not" said Luna. "I can tell."

Harry looked up at her and smiled. He loved how she was so blunt with things.

"Well, I have been attacked by Death eaters" said Harry, who ducked as a jet of light flew over him.

Luna smiled.

"I think we ought to help" she said in an almost bored fashion as she watched Tonks and Narcissa duel viciously.

"I surmised as much" said Ginny, whirling around to face the fight, her flaming red hair flashing like fire. Harry smiled.

"Are you with me?" he said.

Hermione, Ron, Neville, Luna and Ginny turned to him.

"To the death, mate" said Ron.

Hermione's eyes sparkled with tears as she said, "I love you, Harry."

Before Harry knew what was happening, Hermione had thrown her arms around his neck and was sobbing onto his shoulder.

"Hermione" he gasped, putting his arm around her. "It's alright…"

"Harry, what if you don't make it?" she sobbed.

A tear rolled down his cheek as he said, "I love you too, Hermione."

Ginny and Luna were wiping their eyes on their sleeves.

"I'm with you, Harry." said Neville bravely, "All the way."

Harry sniffed, grasping Neville's shoulder.

"Thank you, Neville." He said. "Thank you all…" he muttered, turning to face everyone "…so much… you don't know really know what it means…"

Everyone nodded, including Hermione, who was sniffing furiously and kept wiping her eyes.

"After you, Harry" said Ginny, smiling.

Harry smiled, and took the plunge.