I don't know how Draco did it, but here we were at Diagon Alley. He wasn't with me, that had been what I had traded for a good word for him.
I was waiting for the DA now. Didn't have to wait long. I stared. "What are you guys doing here? You graduated."
"Yeah, well DA calls." Lee said.
"We don't-" Fred said.
"-plan on defecting-" George said.
"-or deserting." Fred said.
"Good to hear." I smiled at George, Fred, and Lee. "Anyone know where to start?"
"Anyone lose someone they loved at the overthrowing of the Ministry? I was lucky my parents got away scott free." Ron suggested.
"Me." Cried Hermione. "Not at the Ministry, but it happened before I got home. They did it because I'm Muggle-born." I put my hand on her back.
"I'm so sorry Hermione." Colin and Justin also lost their parents. But Hannah, Susan, Michael, Seamus, Anthony, and Dean lost their Muggle parent. The air seemed to become somber. "If it's any consolation, I heard Voldemort's hunting the Durselys down. They're the people I lived with."
"Sorry Harry. Does anyone have something else to add?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, I do. I'm sorry you guys lost your parents but I think we should know where your living? Getting food? All that stuff. We all need to survive."
"I moved in with the Weasleys." Hermione replied.
"I'm working, with my brother. We don't have a home but we have food and bath. We have enough jobs for an apartment." Colin replied, sad.
"I've moved in with my friend also. What about you Harry?" I froze. I kind of forgot I had to answer too…
"Here and there. Taking what I can."
"Oh! Harry!" Ginny frowned. "You can come live with us." I shook my head.
"No, I won't. I am The Boy Who Lived. Anyone caught housing me will be severely punished and I can't take you all down with me. There are too many Death Eaters around now. I will find a way to take down Voldemort, even if I die trying. That's what Dumbledore has wanted ever since I was eleven years old. I'm sorry but it's the hard truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing." I tried to quote Dumbledore as best I could.
"That's not fair Harry! You shouldn't have to bear it all alone."
"Life's not fair. I've been picked to do just that since I was one year old by You-Know-Who. The name has a taboo on it. Just remembered. Shouldn't be testing my luck since what happened last time."
"So… Dumbledore's been throwing you at Him, hoping you die?" Ron asked, angry.
"He had to. I'm a… I'm a horcrux. Again, since I was only one year old. Dumbledore said He had to kill me himself."
"Harry… I never knew, why didn't you tell us?"
"I just did learned that right before the battle for Hogwarts."
"Yeah, but like, when you found out mate."
"Because I thought I could just go up to Him and He'd kill me. I was wrong. So I've been running. I just now got the chance."
It was quiet after that. We just sat there, thinking until Colin spoke up.
"Guys, I have to go. Otherwise I'm not going to make it to my job on time."
"Before anyone leaves, they should display their coin. So we know we can contact for the next meeting." He showed his coin before leaving.
Eventually everyone left saying goodbye until it was just Ginny, Hermione, and Ron. Hermione hugged me, Ron too. Ginny gave me a kiss. It was like a goodbye kiss.
"We'll meet again soon. I promise."
"Harry be careful. Don't get caught by Death Eaters. I'll be hoping for another meeting, another chance to see you. I'll miss you until then Harry." She started crying before they all Disapparated.
This all seemed hopeless… I had to stay, to give a good word like I promised. I bet if I ran, Tom would punish them for losing me if I did try to run. Would I regret giving them that information?