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Chapter 7

Harry and Hermione stared wide-eyed at a fuming Mrs. Weasley who stood in the doorway and had an expression of shock and anger on her face. Her entrance was all but ruined by the fact that she was covered in white paint from head to toe.

Hermione had her mouth slightly open at the sight and Harry guessed that the twins had once again installed a trap in front of his room.

Harry resisted the urge to smirk when he saw Remus lurking behind her and grinning at him like a cat that had caught the canary.

"WELL?" demanded Mrs. Weasley angrily, her hands on her hips.

"What is it to you?" Harry asked rudely. "I hope you haven't already forgotten what I told you on my first day here."

"I… that… YOU!" she sputtered helplessly and Harry looked at Hermione who was still slightly wide-eyed but a small smile crept its way onto her face. "What are you doing here?"

"Molly, I believe those two didn't want to be disturbed," said Remus who winked at them.

Hermione blushed and Harry decided to change his position. He stood up but his hand still rested on Hermione's shoulder as he looked at Mrs. Weasley. She looked back at him and then sighed.

"Very well, like you said… I won't tell you what to do…"

"That will be an improvement," answered Harry dryly.

"But I don't want you two children to be… snogging on every occasion you get. Is that clear?"

Harry seemed to be thinking hard and Hermione, who seemed to have found her voice again, whacked him softly on the head. "Sorry Mrs. Weasley. We won't do that."

Harry pouted when Mrs. Weasley stormed out of the room and rubbed his head before he looked to Remus.

"Why did you two storm into the room anyway?" he asked.

Remus shrugged. "Lunch is ready. I wanted to get Padfoot but I can't find him. And also… what did you do to Ron? He was seething when he arrived in the kitchen!"

Harry snorted and crossed his arms. "If he can't accept that I'm not the same naïve and immature boy I was six weeks ago then I can't help him."

"Don't you think it would be best if you told your friends?" asked Remus and Hermione looked at him curiously.

He shook his head. "No… I already told Hermione that I want to be sure that they accept the truth before I tell them. I think you can understand that."

Remus nodded. "That I do."

They stood in uncomfortable silence and Harry turned to Hermione. "Can you go on ahead to the kitchen? I have to ask Remus something in private."

Hermione nodded hesitantly and he gave her a small kiss on the lips when she stood up. She gave him a quick hug in return.

When she reached the door she looked at him. "We have to talk about this… you know?"

He nodded and she smiled before she closed the door leaving him alone with Remus.

The Marauder looked at him in concern when Harry's expression darkened. "What is it cub?"

Harry grabbed the letter that had been lying on the floor and showed it to him silently. Just as his did, Remus' eyes widened with every line and he went deathly pale when he saw the name.

"This… can't be…," he whispered and looked at him with wide eyes. "He… he wants you to join him?"

Harry nodded briskly. "I think he must be growing old if he thinks I would say yes."

"I think… I think it's best if you stay after lunch," said Remus and handed the letter back to him. "We have to speak to Albus about that."

"No," said Harry.

"What?"

Harry shook his head. "I won't tell Dumbledore. He doesn't tell me anything important, so I won't tell him about the letter. It won't make a difference anyway."

"But Harry, we're talking about Voldemort here!" said Remus frowning.

"Do you think I don't know that Moony?" asked Harry and took his wand out. "Swear me a wizard's oath that you won't tell Dumbledore."

Remus hesitated but then took out his own wand. "I, Remus John Lupin, hereby swear by my magic that I won't reveal anything what Harry James Potter has told and shown me."

Harry nodded. "I, Harry James Potter, accept the oath with exception of Sirius Orion Black, who may be told about it."

A spike of magic lit the room and vanished into the tips of their wands.

"You can tell Sirius… I don't want to keep too many secrets from him. He… he won't like it after what Pettigrew did."

Remus smiled slightly. "You are right cub. Let's go and have lunch."

Harry just nodded and followed Remus down into the kitchen. Every member of the Weasley family was already there, with the exception of Bill, Charlie and Percy, and he saw that Mr. Weasley was finally there too.

He had last seen him for a short time a week ago, when he came back from working at the Ministry. He looked at the redheads and saw that they all looked very somber and had angry expressions and that Mrs. Weasley was crying while Mr. Weasley patted her comfortingly on the back.

"Um…," was all Harry could say before joining Hermione at the table but not before giving Ron, who sat next to her on the other side, a cold look. "What's going on here?"

She shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "I don't really know. But I think it has something to do with Percy."

"That git said he doesn't want anything to do with us!" spat Ron angrily.

Harry just raised his eyebrows and looked at Ginny who was sitting next to her mother. She sighed and decided to elaborate.

"He wrote a letter to dad today at work and said that he wouldn't associate with us any longer because we believe that 'rubbish' Dumbledore and you told us about You-Know-Who."

"Does that idiot have a death wish?" asked Harry in disbelief. "I always knew that he was dense… but is he that stupid?"

Hermione sighed and Ron glared at his plate. After nearly ten minutes in which they sat quietly Mrs. Weasley's sobs finally subsided and she swished her wand, sniffling. Harry didn't react when the food was served, he was thinking about the letter he had gotten from Voldemort.

Somehow he knew that this was a trap aimed at both sides. If he refused, Voldemort would target his friends. If he said yes, then Voldemort would surely kill him and then target his friends. He heard the door open and close many times, but was still too engrossed in his musings to give it much notice.

"Aren't you hungry?" Harry heard the familiar voice of his godfather.

He shook his head but didn't look at Sirius. "No… not really. My appetite is ruined for today."

Sirius sighed and grabbed a small sandwich. "I'm really sorry pup… I didn't mean what I said in the library. I was being stupid and… I talked with Regulus… as I said before; I really hope you can forgive me."

Harry looked at him. "I already told you that I forgive you. Listen… I've just got so much in my head and I can understand that I'm not the friendliest of all people at the moment." He looked at his empty plate and added quietly. "Maybe you have a point. Even Ron accused me of being a Death Eater…"

"What nonsense," threw in Remus, who wasn't aware of the argument the two other Marauders had before. "He sure knows how to piss someone off."

Sirius looked at his sandwich with a guilty expression while chewing and Harry burst out laughing.

"Sorry," he said when Remus and Sirius looked at him like he was crazy. "Padfoot you just looked like you were caught with your hand in the cookie jar."

Sirius grinned slightly and ruffled his already messed up hair. "I can't help it. But I'm glad our argument hasn't changed anything."

Harry nodded and ignored Remus' questioning gaze when he looked at him. "You can tell him what I showed you before."

The werewolf nodded and Harry looked over at Hermione who was telling Ron not to eat like a pig.

"Honestly Ron!" she scoffed. "That is just disgusting! Can't you eat like a normal human being?"

Ron looked up at her with a full mouth and shrugged. "Well... 'orry tha' I'm hug'y."

Hermione wrinkled her nose and Harry grinned. "Let him be Mione. He never learns. How many times have you already reprimanded him?"

She sighed and then looked him straight in the eye. "About before... can we talk about it?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure."

She seemed to struggle with her words. "You know Harry... I really like you. I mean I really, really like you."

He raised his eyebrows but took her hand to encourage her.

"You know... I changed my perspective about you when we rescued Sirius in third year," she said quietly. "But... I didn't want to destroy our friendship because of that... I assumed that you would never like me back..."

Harry raised her hand to his lips and placed a small kiss on it. "Hermione... I already told you that I was a dense idiot back then. I don't think I even realized what I had missed until you came down the stairs at the Yule Ball. You looked so beautiful... nothing can describe what I felt at that moment."

Hermione sniffed and looked at the floor.

"Come on... look at me," said Harry softly and her head snapped up. "You are the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen in my life, you know that?"

Hermione sighed. "But I'm just a bushy haired know-it-all! I can't rival someone as good looking as Lavender or even Parvati. And I'm not nearly as pretty as Cho Chang."

Harry grabbed one of her soft curls. "I don't see anything bushy here," he smiled and held her hair up to her eyes. "And Parvati and Lavender hide themselves under tons of makeup. That's not beautiful, that's disgusting! As for Cho Chang, where did you get the idea that she is prettier than you?"

She shrugged. "You have a crush on her, don't you?"

"That was over long ago," said Harry. He was right. It had been over a year for him since he had fawned all over the Chinese girl and now he didn't even know what he had seen in her. "Have you ever looked in the mirror these last few weeks?"

Hermione blushed and then sighed. "Harry... I really like you, but... what if this doesn't work out? I don't want to lose you..."

"Do you think that this won't work?" asked Harry and wiped away some tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. "I think it will work. We just have to give it a try."

She nodded slowly and then smiled at him. "Let's give it a try."

"Well then, let's make this official," said Harry smiling as he looked her in the eye. "Hermione Jean Granger, do you want to be my girlfriend?"

Hermione nodded. "I would love to be your girlfriend Harry James Potter."

Harry beamed at her and leaned forward to give her a long and tender kiss. He heard some whistles from the twins and Sirius and some chuckles from Remus and Mr. Weasley. When they separated again he saw Ron glaring daggers at him and raised an eyebrow while Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder.

"What?"

"Have you started snogging every girl you see now or what?" he spat.

"Ron, what the hell's wrong with you today?" asked Harry as Hermione frowned angrily.

"Nothing's wrong with me... it's just... you have changed so much and now you're snogging Hermione!" he said and slammed his fist down on the table.

"Ron. Listen to me. I may have changed, but that's because I have done some growing up over time. It can't just always be the same. Times change and so do people. We can't just suddenly stop growing and behave like eleven year olds for the rest of our lives," answered Harry.

"And what's it to you that Harry and I have decided to start a relationship?" asked Hermione, giving him a pointed look.

"But…," said Ron but was interrupted.

"Oh Ronald! Grow up damn it!" huffed Hermione.

Harry chuckled because it was very rare to hear Hermione swear. He smiled when the fact that she was his girlfriend washed over him and leaned back on his chair.

Suddenly the fireplace flared and Snape appeared in the kitchen. He wrinkled his nose in distaste when he saw that they were still eating lunch and just then Harry realized that several Order members were already present.

Tonks was there, as well as the black man whose name was Kingsley Shaklebolt. The small wizard with the silk hat Sturgis Podmore, Hestia Jones, and Neville's grandmother Augusta Longbottom were also present. The only ones missing from the inner circle of the Order were Moody, McGonagall and Dumbledore.

Harry didn't bother to even try and eat something, so he gave Hermione a quick kiss on the nose - which earned him another glare from Ron - stood up and went to Professor Snape who was slightly hidden in the shadows near the door.

"What do you want Potter?" he sneered when Harry approached him.

"Sorry for disturbing you, but I have a question," answered Harry in a relaxed tone, and Snape raised an eyebrow for him to continue.

"Has Voldemort said anything about new recruits or any plans to bring someone we all know over to his side?"

Snape glared at him. "How am I supposed to know that Potter? Ask Professor Dumbledore for information. The things in the Order are secret and I don't know anything about the Dark Lord's activities."

"Cut the crap Professor," said Harry and rolled his eyes when Snape's glare intensified. "I know that you are a spy for the Order and have the Dark Mark."

Snape automatically grabbed his right arm and looked at him. "How?"

"I was with Narcissa Malfoy, remember? She told me every name of known and hidden Death Eaters."

The Potions Professor nodded slowly. "What brought on your question?"

Harry looked at him. "Can I trust you Professor? I mean really trust that you won't tell anybody? Not even Dumbledore?"

Snape seemed to consider his answer carefully, and then nodded. "Proceed."

"Follow me, Sir," said Harry and he caught Sirius' eye as he left the kitchen with Snape.

His godfather seemingly wanted to protest at first, but then nodded and went back to eating. Harry led Snape down the hallway and stopped in front of the hidden door. He ignored the Professor's gasp when he entered the hidden library and sat down on one of the chairs located near the entrance.

Snape followed him slowly and Harry looked at Regulus' ghost that was looking at him and the Potions Master oddly. "Sorry Regulus, but can we have some time to talk privately please?"

"Severus Snape…," sneered Regulus dangerously and looked at the Professor. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to sit down," said Snape and Harry might have laughed if the situation hadn't been so serious. He looked at Harry. "What is the ghost of Regulus Black doing here?"

"It's a long story, Sir. Please Regulus?"

Regulus nodded briskly and disappeared between the bookshelves. Harry looked at Snape who seemed to be deep in thought and waited for him to clear his thoughts.

"So Potter… what is this all about?" he asked. "Why do you think you can trust me?"

Harry didn't look at him. "Because Draco and Mrs. Malfoy do."

He looked up and could see that Snape's eyes had softened. "I hope they do… so? What have you done this time that you can't let Albus know?"

Harry smirked softly. "It's not always me, you know?" Snape snorted and rolled his eyes. "Okay, maybe not always, but most of the time. But we're drifting off. I got a very interesting letter today and I want to know if you had any knowledge that this would happen."

"What letter?" asked the Professor and leaned forward.

Harry quietly gave him the letter and Snape looked at him before he carefully read it. There was no visible sign on his face that he was surprised, but his skin color had gone paler. When he had finished reading, Snape looked at him and leaned back in his chair.

"I had no idea that the Dark Lord was planning this and it's… interesting I must say."

Harry raised an eyebrow questioningly. "It is, isn't it? I had hoped that you would be able to tell me if he was planning something. My options regarding this letter are rather limited as you can see. I doubt that he just needed something to kill time."

"Indeed," answered Snape. "But I still wonder why you of all people would ask me for advice. I was under the impression that you held a grudge against me, Potter. Do you hope to gain something out of it?"

Harry snorted. "Please Sir, with all due respect, but you are the one who hates my guts even if I don't have a clue why."

Snape was silent and Harry folded the letter and put it back into his pocket.

"I don't want to gain anything out of it. I rather hope you can give me a hint about what to do. Draco says you're rather experienced with that."

"Does he now?" sneered Snape. "Very well then. What have you got in mind for yourself?"

Harry shrugged. "You're the spy here. I'm still trying to sort out if Voldy's finally lost it completely or if he's serious with his offer."

"What if he is serious? What would you do Potter?" Snape wanted to know.

He was silent for a moment and formulated his answer carefully. "It's… hard to tell. Both options have their pros and cons." Snape threw him a disbelieving look. "I know what you think, but take a closer look at it. If I refuse to join him he will surely target my friends and kill them if he has the chance, on the other side I wouldn't be in any more danger than I am now. If I join him… well… we would have a second spy and the chance for more information about him and his cronies. That... or he kills me on the spot."

Snape looked at him like he had grown a second head. "You would actually consider joining him? You would risk being at his mercy and that you might get caught by the Ministry when they see the Dark Mark."

Harry shook his head. "You read the letter. I doubt that he would give me the Mark if I join him. He blabbered something about me being his equal and as his equal I wouldn't have his mark."

Snape's eyes widened. "He will mark him as his equal…," he whispered more to himself.

"What?" asked Harry and narrowed his eyes.

"Potter?" asked Snape. "Has Albus told you anything about… something the Dark Lord wishes to find?"

Harry shook his head. "You were there when I asked him. I only know that this thing Voldemort must be looking for is in the Ministry."

"So it is," said Snape and seemed to struggle with himself. "Potter… do you know why the Dark Lord came after you in the first place?"

Now Harry was at a loss. He had asked himself this question often when he had been training with Draco, Fleur and Mrs. Malfoy, but he hadn't come up with an answer. His eyes met Snape's and he knew that he knew the answer, even if he seemed to be really uncomfortable with his current position in this conversation.

"I have no clue," he said then. "But I assume that the rest of the Order knows why."

Snape nodded hesitantly. "That they do, and if I'm honest, I don't understand why Albus hasn't told you already. He told me that your Occlumency shields are unbreakable, so he doesn't need to worry about the Dark Lord gaining information through you…"

"Professor…," asked Harry quietly. "If Dumbledore doesn't want to tell me… will you?"

Snape looked him in the eyes for a long time and Harry could feel that he was testing his shields while doing so. Then he nodded and sat up straight.

"Before you were born… there was a prophecy made. I don't know the full content of this prophecy, no one except Albus does. The Dark Lord himself only knows the beginning, but only because of a foolish mistake I made."

Snape stopped, and a bad feeling started to rise in Harry's abdomen and he rested his head on his hands.

"I was there when the prophecy was made," he said and Harry's guess was confirmed. "I am sure that Narcissa told you that I really was working for the Dark Lord in the first war. I heard a part of the prophecy until I was discovered and ran. Foolish as I was, I went straight to the Dark Lord and told him what I could gather… this was what cost your parents their lives. I still regret having betrayed Lily…"

Harry's head snapped up. "My mother? So it is true then? You really were friends with her? Mrs. Malfoy didn't just tell me that to tease me?"

Snape remained silent.

Harry sighed. "What… what did you hear of this prophecy? What does Voldemort know?"

Snape took a deep breath. "It went like this: 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born as the seven month dies. Born to those who thrice defeated him. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal…' This is all I heard and the only part that he knows."

Harry was silent for a moment as this sunk in. "So… he believes that when I'm his equal… that he will have a better chance if I'm on his side?"

"Apparently so," answered Snape and seemed suddenly very tired. "As I said before, I don't understand why Albus hasn't told you."

Harry sighed disdainfully. "He probably believes that I'm too young and not ready. That would fit."

"So what are you going to do, if I may ask?"

"First you swear an oath that you won't tell anybody about our conversation."

Snape hesitated, then swore the oath and Harry nodded when the door opened and Sirius, followed by Remus, entered the library.

Remus' eyes were wide when he saw some of the books on the shelves and Harry grinned slightly.

"Hey kiddo," said Sirius who ignored Snape. "Moony told me 'bout the letter."

Harry nodded. "And your opinion?"

Sirius shrugged and sat down next to him. "Both options have their pros and cons."

"Are you serious?" asked Snape. "You think so too?"

Sirius grinned and twirled his wand in his fingers. "Why Snivellus? I believe I am."

"Padfoot…," warned Remus quietly when Snape glared at him.

"So pup… what are you gonna do?" asked Sirius and looked at him. "Remus and I had a little chat about it and we both will back you up, no matter what you do."

Harry looked at each person in the room and then at Regulus who came floating through the shelves. "Well… I think I might just send a quick reply."

"So you'll do it?" asked Snape.

He shrugged. "I hope to receive a reply from him as soon as he gets my answer. I'll tell you then. But as I said… it would be very good to gather more information." He frowned slightly. "On the other hand..." he shook his head and looked at the Potions Master. "No offence Professor Snape, but I don't think he tells you everything."

"None taken," answered Snape briskly. "I know that he doesn't quite trust me."

Remus chuckled. "If somebody finds out that Harry has taken matters in his own hands they are going to flip!"

Sirius looked at Snape. "So you have told him what you know?"

"I have told him the part of the prophecy if that is that what you mean Black."

"Guys?" asked Harry.

Sirius suddenly laughed. "Somehow we are a little Order in the Order at the moment when you think about it."

"Yeah…," mused Remus. "But is it wise not to tell Albus…"

Snape snorted. "He will find out soon enough."

"Guys?" asked Harry again but they ignored him.

Remus rubbed his temples. "What are we going to tell him about why we suddenly disappeared from the meeting?"

"Don't know… we had a bad sandwich?" suggested Sirius.

"GUYS!" screamed Harry who now was seriously annoyed. Remus and Sirius looked at him startled while Snape smirked slightly.

"What is it pup?" asked Sirius who rubbed his ears.

Harry looked at them. "How do you write a letter to a Dark Lord without getting killed immediately?"

Well then, I hope you liked it!

Dark Pheonix of Slytherin