Hi!

I am terribly sorry for delaying this chapter for so long, but I had two things getting in my way. 1, the Chinese Professor at the University I'm in became really ill a few weeks back, so we have a substitute teacher, who is from China. Well, due to cultural school differences between Sweden and China he doesn't seem to get we have more than studying to do, so he load us with work. I've been head over heels trying to catch up on as much as I could.

Secondly, I got ill a few days ago so like many of you know, you are not really good at concentrating on writing when you are struggling to stay on your two feet due to dizziness.

Chapter 8 Mayhem in Diagon Alley

(Hogwarts)

The sun shone outside through moss green leaves, birds drilled in the sky however Cassandra was still asleep. Suddenly, with a small pop a house elf appeared poking her by the side.

"Miss Ridgeback cannot sleep in this late hour, no, no. Wakey, wakey Miss. Today is a big day. "

Cassandra looked up and mumbled sleepily.

"Why did you have to wake me up in this early hour, elf." She looked at her clock that said 11 am. "It's not even... Oh my, did I sleep that long."

"Yes miss. Master Dumbledore wanted you to get dressed now. He said you'd leave for Diagon Alley in ten minutes. "

"TEN MINUTES!!!!" Cassandra said horror-struck.

"Yes, now if it's no problem, Dobby has to cook lunch for the staff. "

The house elf named Dobby disappeared.

"Can a day get worse?! " she complained while starting to get dressed.

(Number twelve, Grimmauld Place)

"Harry, Hurry up, we're leaving."

The voice of Remus Lupin echoed from the kitchen, in the whole house, making the portrait of Mrs Black wake up screaming her usual insults. While Moody and another witch ran over trying to seal her curtains Harry ran down the stairs to be greeted by the mess of morning leave. It had been a hectic morning.

"There you are. "Moody said after that they at last managed to close the curtains. "I was starting to wonder if you might have gotten attacked by a Death Eater." The man said, his blue eye swirled around to look for any possible attacker.

"Honestly Moody" Tonks said. A Death Eater here at Grimmauld Place? What's next! A Dementor in your trousers? "

"Very funny Tonks. By the way, how did it go with the Fairy- thing so far? "

"It looks good, but they are still a bit unsure what side to pick. Let us just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. "

"I guess you're right. Can't understand though what Dumbledore wants with them. Nasty little creatures."

Professor Lupin took a pinch of Floo powder and tossed it at the flames, which immediately turned green.

"I'll go first, then you'll come after Harry just make sure you spell the direction right. "

"Where's Hermione"

"She went a bit earlier in order to get her money changed.

The ex- professor stepped into the flames.

"Diagon Alley"

"Alright Harry, it's your turn." Tonks said offering him the box, which contained the Floo powder.

"Can't believe were travelling like this. You never know where you end up, and the Floo Network is famous for being corrupted."Moody mumbled.

Harry took a small pinch of the powder. Remembering the time, at Ron's house he had done it and ended up in Knockturn Alley, he stepped in and said, as clear as he could. Trying not to get ash in his mouth. "DIAGON ALLEY"

He disappeared in a hurl of flames.

"Why did he have to shout" Tonks asked holding her hands over her ears.

"Who knows. "? Moody answered.

(Diagon Alley)

Many rooms and fireplaces flashed past him. Feeling slightly dizzy he stepped out at the Leaky Cauldron. 'I did it' he thought.

The rest of the members of the Order soon appeared behind him.

"Everybody's here?! " Lupin said. "Okay, then let's go."

"Wait a minute" Moody said. "Where's Tonks. Don't say she's landed up in Knockturn Alley again."

"Don't worry Moody, she'll appear sooner or later. "A very short witch from the Order said.

Diagon Alley was as crowded as always and the group of members had it difficult to remain together. Still the only person who they always seemed to have their eyes on was Harry.

He felt as if he was protected by a hundred bodyguards. The boy-who-lived didn't have so much freedom as they passed the different shops. The school supply list was checked over and over again by Professor Lupin to make sure nothing was forgotten. When he entered a shop, at least half a dozen of members had to follow him. He wished that he just could be left alone for a while but because of Moody, he was forbidden to go anywhere without being watched.

He saw many of his Gryffindor mates. Neville was there with his grandmother. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan stood outside the Quidditch Supply shop admiring the new Firebolt 3000. Parvati and Padma Patil stood at the apothecary's, together with their Beaxbatons boyfriends they had met at the Yule ball in their Fourth year. Outside Flourish and Blotts they even met Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape. Harry wondered what in the world what was going on to see the three of them together, outside of school.

"Good day professors. Didn't think you'd ever leave the castle. "Moody joked.

"We are here on serious business, Moody. I thought that you of all people didn't laugh about those manners. "

"We are here to guide Miss Ridgeback in Diagon Alley, to get her Hogwarts' equipment before the term starts. "

"Who?!" Harry asked. He had not recognised the name.

"Miss Cassandra Ridgeback, Potter. She transferred from Rosengard School of Magical Illusions and Etc, it lies somewhere up in Scandinavia. "Professor McGonagall said. "Now, if I record it right, I believe she will be in Gryffindor, in your year, Potter."

He looked upon the girl Professor McGonagall meant. She was a pretty girl. Dark blue eyes and dark, almost black hair. She looked very wise and clever and she was wearing a blue robe and a sapphire necklace. She looked like a very healthy girl, and seemed to be studying him as he did her.

"Good day, Mr Potter" was all she said. Before disappearing with the other teachers.

The group went back to the Leaky Cauldron. On their way they met Tonks, who accidentally had Flooed to Knockturn Alley. She looked very pale, and her eyes were wide in fright.

"Hello Tonks, glad to have you back. "Lupin said.

She didn't reply, instead she turned to Moody.

"Alastor, the Dark Mark. It's the Dark Mark."

She pointed into the air, from the direction she had come from. People who saw it screamed. And the sky rumbled as Death Eaters appeared shooting a deadly green spell in every direction.

TBC