Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I should.
Harry fell onto the bed; a disgusting layer of dust flew up into the air as his weight hit the blanket. He sighed, I can't wait until I can do magic whenever I want. He rolled off the bed, and stretched. He heard a knock at the door and turned to see Ginny peeking in through the slightly ajar door.
"Ginny, can I help you?" He was nervous; despite his resolve to not get involved with her again it was still a very real temptation. He watched Ginny's eyes lower to the floor while her fingers nervously drummed the doorframe.
"Mum wanted me to tell you supper was ready."
Harry felt his hope, that he did not even know was there, dissipate.
"Oh, thank you."
There was a pause, both trying desperately to avoid the obvious tension that hung in the air.
"Ginny-"
"Harry-"
Both laughed sheepishly. Ginny's eyes finally rose to meet Harry's. Harry suppressed his laughter; he had really grown the last couple years. Ginny used to be nearly as tall as him, whereas now he actually had to look down at her. Harry coughed and looked away.
"Ginny, I think we need to talk."
Ginny nodded.
"How about after supper?"
Ginny nodded once more before turning and walking away. Harry stood, staring at the door. He sighed and glared at his trunk. Sod it. I'll have to unpack later.
Harry left his room, maneuvering around the piles of junk still piled up in the narrow hallway, he reached the stairs. He could already here the horde of people, setting places on the table, scrambling to retrieve enough chairs, and arguing the whole way. He smiled and took the stairs two at a time.
Dinner was a chaotic affair. Mad Eye, Tonks, and Kingsley Shacklebot had joined the group, making it even more difficult to fit them all in the already cramped kitchen area. They sat down as Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Tonks placed large quantities of food on the table. Harry was glad to see everyone together. They had ten days before he, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron would be heading back to Hogwarts.
Harry glanced around the table. The Weasleys, a family he would give anything to have been a part of. Hermione and Ron, two of the best friends he could ever have imagined. Mad Eye, Tonks, Lupin, and Kingsley, four of the greatest role-models he could follow. Lastly, his gaze landed on Ginny. He quickly turned to his food. What am I supposed to be to her? At first I thought she was the sister I never had, but then it…changed. Suddenly here I am, unable to think clearly if she's involved at all. I can't even keep my decision to stay away.
He shook his head, turning when he heard Lupin say his name. He pushed his dilemma to the back of his mind until he had to face it, and responded to Lupin's query.
He offered to help Mrs. Weasley with the dishes, but she simply shooed him away and told him to look over his Hogwarts' shopping list. When he walked back to his room he felt the impending doom. Why do I have to talk to her? We spoke already; she's completely fine with what I told her. He opened his door to see Ginny sitting on his bed, arms wrapped around her legs, looking dejected. She looked up and he realized why they had to talk, because of that awful shining light of hope that he could see when she looked at him. He sighed and began.
"Ginny-"
But Ginny cut him off.
"Harry, please let me say this. I know I said I was fine with it. I told you I understood and I do, I do understand, but…we don't have to be apart yet. I know you want to keep me safe. But I'm 16, and I think that I know when I feel that I'm willing to take that risk. Harry, I've liked you for six years, and I have to admit, I'm not willing to give up just yet."
Harry stood there gaping, not quite sure what to make of what he had just been told. As the words finally processed he made his decision.
"Ginny, there's honestly nothing I would love more than to be with you. But I can't do that to you. I'm sorry."
He watched as a myriad of emotions flashed over her face. First, a hurt he desperately wanted to fix, then came shock. Anger became prominent, though it was mixed with something that seemed like resolve. She got off the bed and walked to the door, carefully avoiding contact with Harry. She stopped just before she came to the hall.
"Alright, Harry, if that's your choice."
Harry heard her close the door, and finally allowed himself to break down. Grabbing the nearest item he hurled it against the wall. The book landed with a heavy thud, muffled slightly by the dust, an indent on the wall where it had connected. He quickly got into his bed, took his glasses off and attempted to fall asleep.
---
The next morning began with a bang. He awoke to someone shaking him. He turned slightly; quite ready to tell them to bugger off, when a loud roll of thunder caused him to jump up. His head connected with the figure looming above him. Harry snatched his glasses from the nightstand and put them on, grateful to have his focused world back.
"Geez, Harry, if anyone ever accused you of being thickheaded I'd definitely have to agree with them" Ron stood, rubbing his bruising chin. "You made me bite my tongue."
Harry grinned cheekily, "A lesson even Hermione never managed to teach you."
Harry realized his mistake as a look of embarrassed rage overcame his friend's face. He attempted to dodge the attack he knew was coming, but it seems Bludger instincts existed in Weasleys other than the twins. Harry felt his pillow smack the back of his head.
"Ow! Ron, come off it."
"Who do you think you are? Going around talking about tongue biting lessons. You're lucky I won't tell Hermione what you said."
Harry rolled his eyes. "You know, Ron, I was referring to your inability to not say stupid things at inopportune times. However, if you're so keen to talk about your little…activities with Hermione, I may just have to go find Lavender and Parvati, I'm sure they'd love to discuss it."
Ron flushed even deeper before shaking his head. He looked back up at Harry, "You're supposed to be ready in about half an hour. We're heading in groups of three to Diagon Alley to do the shopping." Harry nodded to show he understood and Ron left him to get ready.
Harry quickly dressed, throwing his Gryffindor cloak over his Muggle clothing. He raced down the stairs to see everyone else standing around.
"Sorry for making you all wait." He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Mr. Weasley standing beside him.
"Not at all. We're right on schedule. Now, I need you all to get in your groups. Ginny you will me with your mum and I. Ron, you will be with Fred and George. Hermione…ah, yes, Tonks and Charlie. Harry, you will go with Alastor and Remus. Bill, Fleur, Kingsley, you three will be the patrol group. Keep a sharp eye."
The moved to their respective groups, and waited until Mr. Weasley spoke up again.
"Remember now, Floo to the Hog's Head and from there Apparate to Diagon Alley."
One by one they stepped up to the fireplace. Harry followed Lupin, and was followed by Mad Eye.
Harry stepped out of the fireplace in the dimly lit bar, thankful that Moody was close behind. He felt a hand on his shoulder and the unsettling feeling of being torn across space. He squinted when the sunlight hit his eyes. He followed the two Aurors to a predetermined rendezvous point, Harry smiled as Weasley's Wizard Wheezes came into view. They saw all but Bill, Fleur, and Kingsley standing around the depressingly abandoned shop. Harry glanced at the twins, the reminiscent gleam in their eyes told him they were as irritated by this as anyone else. The door opened once more to reveal the scouting group. Kingsley nodded to Mr. Weasley who once again took charge.
"Right, we have a little over two hours before we are to meet back here. Remember: keep a close watch. Don't forget to ask the ID questions."
Harry and Hermione were left with their "guards," while the Weasleys quickly headed off. Harry turned to Hermione.
"I suppose you want to get books first." He stated with a taunting tone, he smiled as Hermione turned pink, her eyes narrowing.
"And I suppose you want to go see if they have any new broomsticks." A cross look formed on Harry's face. He opened his mouth to retort when Lupin cleared his throat.
"Well I for one would appreciate if we could get our primary needs taken care of first. And, once that's completed, I suggest some ice cream. What do you say?"
"Ice cream sounds lovely." Harry looked at Tonks like she was mad. She seemed to realize what she'd said and began to blush. Hermione intervened.
"Of course it does, but we don't have very long. We need to be smart about how we manage our time, and silly frivolities like ice cream are not a necessary commodity." She briskly turned toward the door, walking past Moody, who looked just as confused as the rest. Harry felt a nudge on his upper arm and looked to see Charlie elbowing him.
"She always like that?" There were trace amounts of terror storming behind Charlie's hazel eyes.
Harry shook his head.
"No, she must be having a bad day."
It suddenly hit him. He followed Hermione, the Order members following him. He was glad she had waited next to the door.
He gently grabbed her upper arm.
"Hermione, you never told me…what happened with your parents?"
Hermione tensed. Harry watched tears come to her eyes and her bottom lip quiver. She surprised him by latching onto his waist, burying her face in his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her, gently rubbing her back until she calmed down.
"Harry, they found me." Harry pulled back and looked down at her. Her eyes were red and puffy and her face was pale. "The Death Eaters, Harry. I don't know how they found out where I live but they came. About a month ago, I was getting ready to meet everyone at the Burrow. There was a loud noise downstairs and I went…Harry they tortured them." Harry's grip tightened.
"I'm sorry Hermione."
"They were taken to St. Mungo's, I managed to contact them before muggle authorities were notified. They…" she began to cry again. Harry tried to calm her but she just shook as she sobbed.
"They what?"
"They don't remember me Harry. They don't remember anything." Harry sighed, he had hoped that she would never have to deal with the war at her home.
"I'm so sorry Hermione. I can't imagine what that was like for you." He pulled away slightly, looking down at the bushy head of hair. She looked up, Harry saw that she stopped crying and smiled.
"Come on, let's get you your books for the year, I hear they have an updated edition of Hogwarts: A History, we can call it a congrats for making Head Girl present. What do you say?" Hermione let out a small laugh and wiped her eyes.
"Yes, we're already behind." Together they walked ahead of the group, a solemn silence lingered over them.
They had just left Flourish and Blotts, each carrying half a dozen thick tomes. Hermione had quickly opened her smallest one and began to read as they walked down the street. One second, Harry was watching her walk around the corner and the next she lay on the ground. He hurried to help her, when he saw a look of righteous fury shadow her face. She quickly stood and began shouting.
"Why don't you watch where you're going? You could have hurt someone!" Harry just reached her when the unknown culprit spoke.
"You know Granger, usually when someone is reading their vision is impaired, so I believe I should be telling you to watch where you're going." Harry froze as the sight of the Slytherin. Blonde hair, pale skin, and smoky grey eyes were Draco Malfoy's usual trademarks. Harry was immediately on guard. He whipped out his wand and pointed it directly at Malfoy's heart.
"Malfoy," he spat, venom seething in his words. He watched Malfoy's eyes widen.
"What do you think you're doing, Potter?" His words were unsteady, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm going to give you exactly what you deserve. How could you do that Professor Dumbledore? Are you really that desperate to prove your worth to Voldemort?" Harry watched Malfoy grow even paler.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, Potter. I had no choice." Harry could barely see straight he was so angry. Hate boiled up inside him and those two powerful words floated across his mind. Hermione noticed his wand shaking and stepped between them.
"Harry, he's right. He didn't kill Dumbledore, Snape did. But you," She rounded on Malfoy, the fire in her eyes causing him to take a step back, even Harry moved back a bit. "Get out of my sight. You may not have performed the killing curse but his death is still on your head. Don't pretend to be a saint simply because you didn't say those awful words."
Harry watched amazed as guilt seemed to overcome Malfoy. I doubt the pathetic git has ever felt sorry for something in his entire life. He watched Malfoy turn to walk away, he paused a few feet away and turned to look directly at Hermione.
"Be careful what you say, Granger. Wouldn't want you making anyone angry now, would we?" And with that he disappeared into an unknown shop. Harry was outraged. 'I had my chance, I could have made Malfoy pay for what he did to Professor Dumbledore.' Harry turned to Hermione.
"Why did you stop me? He deserved whatever I would have given to him." He watched fury reenter Hermione's eyes. He hadn't seen her this angry since the Yule Ball. She spoke in a calm voice the belied her obvious rage.
"Harry, who are you fighting against?" Harry's eyebrow rose, she sighed in exasperation. "Who's the man who killed your parents?" Harry, still very confused, answered blankly.
"Voldemort." She nodded.
"And what is it he does to muggles and innocents who stand in his way?" Harry narrowed his eyes, still unsure of what point she was trying to make.
"He kills them."
"That's right. Now I want you to listen Harry. Are you listening?" Harry nodded, eyes fixed on hers. "Draco Malfoy is not your enemy. He may be a prat, and he may be evil to the bone, but he is not who you are fighting against. Be careful. Don't become the man you hate Harry. Because just a minute ago you came dangerously close." With that she walked away, meeting the group of Order members that had been around the corner.
Harry stood rooted to the spot. I'm nothing like Voldemort…am I? Harry thought back to all his encounters with him, those cold, unfeeling eyes that had made him feel as though the man had never been human. All the horrible things Voldemort had done in his life, killing and torturing innocent people, wizards and muggles alike. Harry shook his head furiously. No! I'm nothing like him!
He turned and walked towards the rest of the group. He glanced at Hermione, meeting her eyes for a brief moment. He saw the question behind her blank façade and nodded. She smiled briefly before suggesting they quickly get their new robes. Harry followed, the Order members trailed closely behind.
'Don't become the man you hate…you came dangerously close.' As they walked, Harry found her words haunting him. Don't worry Hermione. I won't ever become like him.
Until next week then!