Harry felt the autumn air around him. He thought of Buckbeak and Hagrid, and how much he wanted to wonder down to the hut and drink some awful concoction sharing jokes. It was a shame; he was surrounded by his loved ones but had never felt so lonely. This was it, enough sulking around. He was going to get Ron back on his side. In order to do it he needed to convince the others so they did not exclude Ron.

For now he had advised that they keep the Hogwarts Common room a secret. However, Hermione has pointed out that that left them with nowhere to meet up with this group without getting discovered. Harry had grinned and showed them about the Room of Requirements, which of course ensued in a tug-of-war. Several times they walked into a library, a seaside, a library, and a seaside, until Harry settled on an interior similar to their common room.

In that time, Harry also got to know Luna, who was not really all that different. She was funnier to watch since she clearly had an effect on Blaise that was not missed by Harry and Hermione. One evening, as they were sitting around a crackling fire with marshmallows (Hermione's idea for once), Harry told them that Ron would make good company, they. He stressed that there was something about him. Hermione eyed him suspiciously. Harry emphasised that he was a Weasley so he could very well support them in their battle against the twins. Blaise had no problem, and Luna, well, was Luna. He left the Room of Requirements and headed towards Gryffindor Common Room.

/

Ron was surrounded by paper, "Want some fresh air mate, I hear the Chudley Cannons were upstaged the other day?" An expression of outrage transformed Ron's face.

"What are you talking about?" Ron exclaimed, scandalised by the thought.

"Well I've got proof, but you'll have to tear yourself away from your beloved homework."

Ron grinned, reminiscent of the old Ron ever ready to defend his beloved team, "Let me pack away." He returned from the dorm room.

"So, why so much homework? I swear I've never seen you work so much…" Harry said conversationally as they walked out into the corridors.

Ron mumbled, "I was just trying to impress-"

"Hermione."

They both stopped/ "Look Potter-"

"No you look Ron, I do not like, as in have any more feelings towards Hermione than a brother would have of his sister. That is all she is to me, a sister."

"Well, but, I never said anything about Hermione."

"It's written over your face, would you really hate me so much if I weren't friends with her? I know that you care for her, I really do, but mate, you are an idiot! You would probably confess to her by insulting her, or something like that. So get your act together, think of me as her brother, and how much you do not want to face my wrath by hurting her."

Ron shrugged in defeat, "I understand that you are being protective, I get where you're coming from with the whole don't hurt my sister thing, but I don't feel that way."

Harry gave up; however Ron had grown up and whoever he was, one thing was sure, he was a delusional idiot. He was still suppressing his feelings for Hermione and then taking it out on Harry. He sighed.

They reached the Room of Requirements. Harry got it over and out with:

"Ron, so I bought you here on the pretext of quidditch, but, for now -and I know it's hard to believe- but we are here for something more important than quidditch." Ron stared at him like he was crazy. "Ron, what you are about to see could change everything. Please don't question now, just swear that you won't show this room to anyone else." The door materialised. Ron hid his surprise.

"I swear I won't without you saying so . . .?"

They entered the room, and something went pop. Above their heads was a banner with the words 'Welcome to the Marauders' flashing across it. Hermione was the first to greet them.

"Hi Ron, welcome to the Marauders: I am not entirely sure why either us have been given such a great honour in accompanying these students in their pranks."

"Yes, 'tis a grave day indeed, first a teacher's pet, and now a commoner. Oh commoner, join us, we extend our hand to you, brother of the despised Weasley twins from whom we intend to steal the crown." Blaise then clapped his hands as confetti fell from the ceiling.

"Welcome, Ronald, we are quite the bunch of misfits are we not?" asked Luna.

"Indeed, Madame Lovegood," Harry said "Ron, it has come to our attention that you and your brothers have a beautiful familial animosity and we were hoping that you would join us in our venture in making them wave a set of white undies in defeat. What do you say?"

"We have cake!" Luna piped in.

Ron grinned; for once in this life he was part of something, and a warm feeling rose inside of him. He was finally in the company of people he could possibly call friends, rather than acquaintances. It wasn't a bad feeling. Perhaps, just perhaps, Potter wasn't that bad. That night, in the Room of Requirement, cake was cut, and evil schemes were hatched. Harry felt like he had come one step closer to home, surrounded by his two closest friends, who were actually in the same place with him, sharing laughter, unaware of the oncoming danger.

/

Saturday morning Harry sat in his mother's chambers. Classes had been rather abysmal, but that was mostly because Harry felt no need to apply himself. After all, he had taken his NEWTS. Harry wasn't brilliant of course. But he remembered everything; he knew spells, he'd completed the practise, he was just two years ahead of his class, instead of trying to hide his knowledge he just didn't put it on show. Lily walked in, followed by James. His father being here was not a surprise since he had mentioned he was attending Hogwarts for a purpose that exceeded his occupation as an auror. However, he was not planning to reveal this until Monday apparently. Harry waited as his parents joined him before opening the newspaper and pointing towards the articles relating to Voldemort. "Can I join the Order?" he asked. His mum tensed, "surely, Mum, you can't say no. Voldemort's out there, and he is killing more and more people, if you don't accept me, how am I supposed to protect myself?" The kettle (which Harry had turned on) whistled and Lily left the room without replying.

"There shouldn't be a situation where you would need to protect yourself." James replied in place of Lily.

"But dad, you are an auror." He hadn't expected so much opposition from his father.

"Exactly, so I know how dangerous it is."

"But, surely there is some way I can help."

"Case closed Harry," said Lily walking in with tea and croissants, "you know how I feel, we need not talk of this anymore."

Overprotective parents, Harry thought. Or just cautious. It then occurred to Harry that they might well have been protecting him more so since he was named in the prophecy. A part of him forgave them; surely he would be the same if he had children. However, the most logical side thought he was still their best hope.

/

Later that day Harry met up with Blaise and they cajoled Ron into joining them for a trip into Hogsmeade. The three boys had fun purchasing necessary items for a prank that Blaise had planned for later that week, Ron and Blaise were particularly animated, but Harry followed along, the strangest feeling following him. They eventually met up with Hermione and Luna, and they all walked across the wild path leading towards the castle having finished their impromptu picnic.

Something had felt not quite right the whole time they had been in Hogsmeade and he had finally put his finger on it. He furtively glanced towards the group and saw Blaise examining him. He walked towards him and whispered, "Someone is following us, do you have those BubbleBursts?" Blaise nodded.

Hermione looked back at them, Harry tried to express urgency, ushering them to hurry up. Harry and Blaise fell behind as Hermione led Ron and Luna away from them. As soon as he was sure he knew where their pursuer was he signalled Blaise who set of the BubbleBurst which caused a ruckus akin to a dozen balloons popping at the same time.

In that moment Harry snuck up behind the pursuer and let out a vicious kick and pulled out his wand. Sparks flew from the pursuer's wand as his invisibility cloak dropped from his shoulders. "Remus?" Harry said bewildered as Remus looked up at him in shock. James apparrated onto the scene to witness Harry and Blaise pointing a wand at Remus who was nursing quite the bloody leg.

"Harry what have you done?" His father asked him angrily. Harry looked back at him to answer, but a moan from Remus startled them both into action. They lifted up Remus.

"Quite the kick you have there Harry?" Blaise said.

"Um," Harry looked at Remus, "Sorry, I hadn't realised it was you. I heard you a while back, following us, and I thought you were a Death Eater," Harry finished off lamely.

"It's okay Harry" croaked Remus. James lent down and waved his wand over Remus' leg. Harry recognised the pain-killing charm.

"Blaise, can you accompany Remus back to Hogwarts and get him admitted into the hospital."

"Err, okay sir." Blaise and Remus left them.

His father looked at him. "Harry, if you thought you had a stalker then you should have informed someone instead of tackling him on your own."

"The question isn't what I should do if I have a stalker," Harry waved his arms a the empty space, exasperated, "but why Remus was following me in the first place."

"I had Remus assigned to be your guard for this trip."

His anger bubbling up, Harry accused "Why do I need guards, especially invisible ones, shouldn't your Order be protecting Neville? As for me, in case you hadn't noticed, I am sixteen years old I can take care of myself just fine thanks. I'm heading back to Hogsmeade." Harry picked up the invisibility cloak and passed it to his father, "I am sure you can find better uses for this?"

Harry walked away from his father towards the village and straight into Ron.

"What are you doing, didn't you guys head back?"

"Yeah well we did, but I forgot something from one of the shops, and then I happened to see what just happened. Although I am not entirely sure what just happened, Potter"

Harry laughed bitterly, "It seems my parents are a little bit over protective. I'll tell you later. Oh, and quit with the Potter thing Ron, the name's Harry."

"Sorry Harry." That was easy Harry thought. Ron continued: "I, ah, saw the beautiful trail of blood on Remus' leg; don't reckon it would be smart to make you angry at the moment. Anyway, I was going back to Zonkos…" Ron motioned Harry to join him.

/

When Harry and Ron arrived back at Hogwarts he received an Owl holding a rather unpleasant red envelope. "Infirmary, right now" it shrieked. Ron shrugged at Harry (a shadow of a smile playing on his face) and headed off towards the dorms.

"Oi, Ron," Harry shouted after him, "Meet me at 7.45 in the common room okay?" Ron nodded back at him and disappeared. Harry turned towards the hospital wing. Remus was all right, surely… Harry started to walk faster and reached the door. Walking in, he stared at the room's occupants as they turned around to look at him. Sirius, Lily, and James were there.

Sirius gave a low whistle. "Where'd you learn to kick like that, our dear Poppy is having a hard time to fix his leg."

Harry headed straight to Remus and started, "I'm sorry uncle Remus but you shouldn't have been following me in the first place." Remus just nodded. "Why single me out for protection, I am not the only student at the school," he turned towards his parents, "Mum, Dad, I am your son."

Lily sighed, "Oh Harry, you should have been more careful."

"Mum, I had a stalker, if you hadn't realised, I was being careful. If I wasn't I wouldn't have even noticed he was there." Harry argued.

"Point taken Harry, but you're still in trouble for taking off like that and using that tone with us," berated his mother.

Remus interjected: "I am fine Harry, but I must know, how did you know that I was following you after all I was using James' invisibility cloak.

"Err, I heard you trip up earlier on and er…" Harry started a convoluted explanation: "I dunno but you know when you have that feeling when you feel as though someone's watching you and you get goosebumps, I just followed it from there" Harry trailed off uneasy with the questions. "I suppose it's easy to tell if someone's watching you when their gaze bores into the back of your head like Professor Moody's."

"Right you are lad! Constant Vigilance. If you had been followed by a Death Eater you'd be dead if it weren't for that skill of yours, aye, at least you're not going to be as defenceless as I'd thought you were two years ago kid." Harry nodded, smirking at the fact everyone else had jumped at Moody's unexpected arrival. "Now James, Lily, Sirius, there's news of an attack, we need you." At this the adults departed with Moody, his parent's giving Harry pointed looks as if to talk to him later about this newfound skill of his. Madame Pomfrey had also left for her office.

/

Harry finally had a chance to be alone with Remus. "Look Uncle Remus this, I truly am sorry, but I just don't like the idea of being followed, imagine how you would feel if they kept tags on all your whereabouts." Harry said indicating the werewolf legislation.

"Yes, sorry Harry, I've learnt the painful way not to do that again. Lets call it quits shall we? But don't be too angry with your parents Harry, they are just doing their best too protect you, since Voldemort's return."

"So why protect me, shouldn't they be extending their hand at helping Neville, goodness knows that with the right training, he'd be ready for Voldemort." Harry said angered that his parents were trying to protect him in without actually explaining why.

"I know how you feel Harry, but I wished they would tell you why they were worried more so about you then you might think necessary," Remus said, shadowing his thoughts. This was good then Harry thought, at least Remus wanted Harry to know about the damn prophecy. Harry had said those last two words under his breath.

"Harry if my lupine ears heard what I thought they'd just heard I would like you to explain how exactly you know."

"Look Uncle Remus, I trust you with my life but some things we cannot talk of without appropriate privacy measures, I swear though any odd behaviour of mine I'll share with you in time, but promise to me that you won't tell my father anything I may have just let slip, please."

"You know I don't like keeping secrets from my friends Harry especially with what all they've done for me, but something in my heart is telling me to trust you and promise, so I wont tell him anything as long as it does not put you in danger. Does that sound reasonable?"

"Yes, thanks Uncle Remus, now if you excuse me I must be going, I hope that leg cures soon."

"Yeah, thanks for that Harry!" Remus replies sarkily.

A/N: 06.05.13: Thanks for reading :) Feel free to point out any mistakes on this and previous chapters, I do plan to edit and edit again.

Also, I have forgotten how to do line breaks on the formatting thing on here so sorry for this mass of text. I have used these "/" to break things up a little.

Disclaimer: HP and its world belong to JK, this is only a fanfic.