(A/N: I don't have an April Fool's joke for you, but I do have another chapter.)

Disclaimer: I own nothing; no this isn't an April Fool's joke.

Chapter 16: Suspicions, Worries, and Danger

The weeks went by and not a sign of the New Dark Lord was discovered, besides a few mysterious deaths every now and then. Whoever this new Dark Lord was, was very careful not to be discovered. People were afraid. They never knew when he would strike and he never left any trace of identity. Though the Order spent long hours trying to discover who he was, they had absolutely no leads.

"So Harry, when is the next meeting?" asked Ron.

"This weekend. Same as always." Harry replied. "Things aren't going so well. Whoever this New Dark Lord is, he good at remaining hidden."

"He's a bloody coward if you ask me." said Ron.

"Don't mistake cowardliness for intelligence." said Hermione. "You have to remember, he doesn't have many followers, unlike Voldemort did. He's biding his time. He strikes when no one expects it, then disappears again. He's smart. He knows he doesn't have the power Voldemort had. So he's playing off people's fears, by keeping them in the dark of who he is and when he's going to attack.

"Voldemort had the advantage of power and followers. He didn't have to worry about staying hidden, but this New Dark Lord doesn't have this advantage. So he's staying hidden until he does."

Ron was astounded at how much thought Hermione put into this. "Hermione, even now you never cease to amaze me."

Hermione blushed. "Oh Ron really, it's not that hard to figure out."

Harry decided it was time to go. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Ok, say hi to Ginny and Michelle for us." said Ron.

"I will." said Harry, and he headed for the fireplace.

Ron and Hermione stood in silence for a bit.

"Ron, I'm worried." said Hermione.

"About what?" asked Ron.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Sometimes Ron could be so thick. "About Harry, about this New Dark Lord, about everything."

Ron sighed. "Yeah, I am too. This whole thing has gotten me all shook up. I just wish I knew who this New Dark Lord was. I'd kill them with my bare hands. I wonder, could it be-"

"Not here." Hermione interrupted him.

She looked around. There were still several students hanging around. Anything talked about in the Order was top secret.

"Lets go to our room." she said.

They made their way to their room, careful to make sure no one followed, in case any students overheard and got curious enough to follow them, to eavesdrop.

Once safely in their room, Hermione put up a Silencing Charm.

"So who do you think it might be?" Hermione asked.

"Maybe Peter Pettigrew." said Ron.

Hermione thought about it. "No, I doubt it."

"Why not? He was in Voldemort's inner circle. And he was the one to revive him."

"Yes, but he was too much of a coward. He only returned to Voldemort out of fear. He wouldn't have the guts to lead the Death Eaters."

"Hmm, I guess you're right. Oh, what about Bellatrix's husband, Rodolphus?" suggested Ron.

Hermione shook her head. "He's in Azkaban. Plus he's missing an arm, thanks to you."

Ron blushed. "Well, he deserved it. Darn, I thought I had it that time."

"Well he might have been a possible candidate, if he wasn't locked away."

"How about Draco Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"Malfoy?" exclaimed Hermione.

"Why not?" asked Ron.

"Ron, seriously." said Hermione. "I mean sure he was a prejudice creep, and he used to be a Death Eater, but no, I don't think it's him."

"Why not?"

"Ron, have you forgotten. He was forced to join the Death Eaters. He didn't want to. And he was the one that killed Nagini. Right in front of Voldemort too. He risked his life to help us."

"Ok, ok. So it's not him." said Ron, knowing it was useless to continue. "I'm stumped then. Do you have any ideas?"

Hermione thought about it. "Well, looking at the list of the Death Eaters, none of them seem to be a likely suspect. And all those that do, are in Azkaban, or dead. What I think is that it's someone that wasn't in league with Voldemort when he was in power. Hmm, I wonder, did he have any kids?"

Ron shook his head. "The ministry keeps track of all witches and wizards who are born and who their parents are. They would have picked up any children that belonged to Voldemort, even if Voldemort himself didn't know about them."

Hermione looked a little embarrassed at not realizing this. Ron noticed this and said in a mischievous voice. "Looks like Little Miss Know-It-All was wrong."

Hermione playfully hit him. "Don't call me that." she said.

Ron smirked. "But you are my Little Miss Know-It-All."

He started kissing her all over her face.

"Ron stop it." she laughed.

Ron shook his head. "Make me."

Hermione laughed some more and wrapped her arms around him and began kissing him back. The two laid down on the bed and began snogging each other senseless.

Suddenly Hermione gasped.

"What's wrong?" asked Ron in concerned voice.

Hermione didn't answer. She just continued to stare behind Ron.

Ron turned around and gasped too. Outside the window, floating up in the sky, was the Dark Mark.

(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)

Harry came back into the living room.

"Michelle is asleep." he said, coming up behind Ginny and wrapping his arms around her, while he kissed her neck.

Ginny didn't say anything. She seemed to be lost deep in thought. Harry sensed something was wrong.

"Ginny, you ok?"

She nodded. "Yes… it's just…"

"What? You can tell me."

Ginny sighed. "I'm worried."

"About the New Dark Lord?"

She nodded again. "I'm afraid of what might happen. I'm worried about you, about the kids, about everything. Don't you see what's happening? He's trying to draw you out. He's already killed the Dursleys, I'm afraid of what else he's going to do."

Harry sighed. "I'm worried to, Gin. It's so unfair for us all. Having to live in fear like this. But we can't let this interfere with our happiness. We can't let fear rule our lives. That's what the New Dark Lord wants." He turned her around to face him. "Ginny, listen to me, you, Danny, and Michelle are the world to me. I love you all so much, and I promise to do everything I can to protect you. I won't let anything happen to you."

Ginny smiled, but her eyes were wet with tears. "Oh, I know that Harry. I'm worried about you. As far as the New Dark Lord is concerned, we are just ways to get to you. You're the one he really wants. I'm afraid I'm going to lose you."

Harry pulled her into a tight embrace. "Ginny, you guys are the only ones I care about. I'll die for you. I'll do anything to protect you. Even if that means sacrificing myself."

Ginny wiped away a tear. "I just don't want to lose you."

"You'll never loose me. I will always be there for you and the kids."

The two of them just stood there holding each other for awhile.

"Now lets stop this worrying. We'll stop them. I won't rest until they're caught."

Ginny smiled and nodded. "You're right Harry. I'm sorry. I should have more faith in you. You are after all, the most powerful wizard in the world. I believe in you. You're my hero who concurred the Dark Lord."

Harry laughed. "Oh no, don't you bring that up. That was so embarrassing"

Ginny laughed too. "I was only 11 when I wrote it. And I wasn't planning on you to receive it in front of everyone."

Harry kissed her. "Shall we go to bed?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty tired."

Harry put on a sad face. "Oh, my poor Ginny is tired. I'll fix that."

Ginny laughed as he scooped her up in his arms. They were heading for the bedroom when a fire erupted in the fireplace. Ron's head was floating in the flames.

"HARRY!" he called.

"Ron? What's wrong?" asked Harry.

"Harry, come quickly. Death Eaters, in Hogwarts." cried Ron.

Harry's mouth dropped open. "What?! In Hogwarts?"

"Yes! Hurry up!" Ron cried, and vanished.

Harry pulled out his wand and ran to the fireplace.

"Harry, I'm coming with you!" cried Ginny.

Harry turned to her. "No, you stay here. Take care of Michelle. Call your dad. Tell him to send Aurors to Hogwarts."

Ginny looked very scared. "Oh Harry, be careful."

"I will." said Harry.

He kissed her and threw some Floo Powder into the fire.

"Hogwarts!" he cried, vanishing in as flash of green flames.

(A/N: Death Eaters are attacking! Death Eaters are attacking! Danger! Danger! You know nothing good will come out of this, but you'll have to wait until next time to see the damage.)