AN: I think this is the last chapter, but like I said things have a way of
getting out of hand and this may be one of those times. PS, I have a lot of
people to thank, but I won't do it this chappie, expect a NOTES chappie
soon.
It took a while for Mrs Weasley to calm down. Harry explained everything to her, and had just finished when the door was banged rather loudly into the silence. Harry glanced at Mrs Weasley, saw from the surprise on her face that this was an unexpected visit and pulled out his wand.
When they opened the door Valence (who harry hadn't seen much since she arrived at his place with Lupin and Moody last year) fell through the door, clutching her shoulder.
"Good Grief! Harry, send Dumbledore a message telling him that Agent V has been put out of business almost permanently." Commanded Mrs Weasley, bending over the prone woman.
Harry did as he was bid and when he returned he found Mrs Weasley struggling to hold the woman up while carrying her upstairs. Not sure whether using magic as a levitating spell would be good for the old woman Harry ran forwards to help without magical aide. Together they managed to get the old lady upstairs.
No sooner than they had settled her in Harry's old room was there a pounding on the door again. Harry ran to answer it this time.
That's how it was for then next couple of hours. Wounded order members would appear on the door step, many of whom Harry recognised, and he and Mrs Weasley would do what they could, Harry sending Hedwig with letters every time she returned form the last bout. The owl was more exhausted than he at then end of the night, but Harry was more mentally tired than physically. There was no more room upstairs in beds so they had to leave the members where they fell. Harry remembered seeing Dumbledore conjure sleeping bags, and tried it out. They weren't the bright purple that Dumbledore's had been, actually they were a yucky brown colour and were quite lumpy and the zips stuck but Harry was proud of them. He just didn't advertise the fact that he made them. They wrapped the order personnel in the bags, bandaging and magicing where possible. Mrs Weasley even had Harry write to ST Mungo's asking for help, and when the five nurses arrived (including the real Madame Pomfrey) Harry and Mrs Weasley took a rest.
It was morning when Harry awoke, there was sunlight shafting through the dusty windows. He as still for a second, still upright in the chair where he had fallen asleep, and then remembering what had happened last night, jumped up and ran into the hall, which was now empty.
"Oh, there you are Harry, we sent everyone to St Mungo's, but thankyou for your help. Breakfast will be ready in a second."
Mrs Weasley bustled past, and Harry followed her to the kitchen, "Mrs Weasley, why was everyone like that? Even Lupin and Moody!"
Mrs Weasley sighed, "I think that you had best ask Dumbledore that one Harry."
Harry sighed, this woman would always be like this, he would just have to get use to it.
"Why can't you tell me?"
"Because i...Because I'm not sure I know all the details."
"Huh?"
"Look, Harry, just ask Dumbledore, OK?" Mrs Weasley's face was tight, and Harry wondered after everything else that happened what was wrong NOW.
He sighed and thought of anything else, deliberately not looking at Mrs Weasley as he ate. Instead his thought turned to his birthday next year, he would be of age, meaning that the Weasley's would have to LOOK OUT. He smiled at that one, startling Mrs Weasley a little. It was the first real smile of his she had seen in quite a long time. Then he remembered that he had only one more year left at Hogwarts. The smile fell away like lead.
Five Hours later Harry walked up the steps into the main hall at Hogwarts, and from the sound of it it was lunch time. The hall was full, and Harry snuck past, up to the dormitory because he was so sick of people staring at his scar that the next person that did it would have blue hair for the rest of his life. He sat down in the common room and wondered what to do. A pain in his scar stopped him and he decided to see if the era Madame Pomfrey was around. Then he wondered who the other one had been, and then who the Death Eater that had come into school was. There were so many loose ends to tie up, but before he could something always happened, and now was no exception.
He ran into Ron and Hermione.
"Harry!!" squeaked Hermione, and gave him a hug. "Where the hell have you been? There's been so much happening! Lavender and her slytherin friend are back and they say that you." she trailed off, and Harry raised an eyebrow, "they keep saying that I'm insane? That's gratitude."
"How did you know?"
Harry opened his mouth to reply and then realising he didn't knw, frowned and shrugged. "What else has been happening while I was at the ministry?" he asked, quite deliberately changing the subject.
"At the ministry? Why were you there? And why aren't you in uniform??"
"Long story and not one that you mother wants you to hear Ron."
Harry watched his friends face go red for a second before adding, "But I'll tell you later."
"Mr Potter!" Minerva McGonagall hurried down the hall, "follow me if you please, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, outside please, it's a lovely day."
Harry followed McGonagall to her office, where she handed him two pieces of parchment.
He unrolled the first. His owl results.
History of Magic---------E Defence against the Dark Arts---------O Divination-------------A
(AN; help! What marks should I put?)
It continued in that way for a little while and Harry smiled when he realised that, magically, he had managed 8 OWLS.
"Wow."
"Next parchment Mr Potter."
It was a letter from the Headmaster. It stated simply and clearly that Severus Snape had acted rashly and that Harry was re enrolled for next year.
"Phew."
McGonagall looked up. "I suppose you have some questions about the last few days Mr Potter?"
"Yes Professor, I do. Who was the Death Eater that came into the school?"
"Lunverles Lagnetha. A recent addition to the hordes. He attended here and must have known about the passage since then. As I'm sure your next question will be why, we don't know, but we, that is the Order, are working on it."
"Who was the other Madame Pomfrey?"
"Sanfry Sungt. Another recent addition."
"What happened last night? All the order members?"
The professor sighed, "If I tell you Harry you must not tell anyone."
Harry nodded, surprised by the use of his name and the witch continued, "for a while we have been aware that The Dark Lord and his cohorts knew of certain order members. Last night he attacked those order members, who promptly called for help. The Order members that answered the calls were ambushed and 'warned' too." There was a wry twist to the professor's mouth as she said it.
"Where's Professor Dumbledore?"
"Making statements to the press. Oh! I almost forgot."
She handed Harry and envelope. "As we don't know where you are staying these Holidays I was supposed to give this to you now. It's your book list."
There was something else in the envelope. Harry pulled it out. It was a badge. His first thought was 'cool, I finally get to be a prefect.' Then he actually read the badge.
HEAD BOY.
(AN; I'd end it there but I'd get hate mail so..)
"Potter! Are you ok?"
Harry blinked. For a second his body had seemed to forget to breathe.
"yes." he croaked and the professor smiled at him, "you will have to get used to it. Don't tell anyone yet."
"Who's head girl?"
The professor seemed very please with herself as she answered, "Miss Granger. She doesn't know yet."
"Yes ma'am."
"And Potter?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Don't disappoint Gryffindor." This was actually her way of saying 'don't disappoint me!'
"I won't ma'am!"
"Good luck in the Quidditch final tomorrow. Of you go now."
Harry stuffed the badge in his pocket grinned at the professor and went outside.
He saw Ron and Hermione before they saw him. They were sitting wit Neville and Ginny and Luna. He stood and watched them for a minute before smiling and heading over. He was lucky to have friends like them. They didn't deserve to be kept in the dark any longer though, and he resolved to tell them about the prophecy.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey Harry! What did McGonagall want?"
"Oh book lists for next year cus no one knows where I'll be living over the holidays."
He was immediately overwhelmed with 'you can stay at my place's.
"Actually, guys." they were all watching him rather curiously.
"I don't know whether I'll actually spend all that much time anywhere in the hols. Dumbledore says he might send me on some missions."
There was immediate uproar.
"What?! No fair!" from Ron,
"He can't do that! You're too young!!" form Hermione.
"Good luck." From Neville.
*squeak* from Ginny.
"You'll have to tell me all about it for the Quibbler." Murmured Luna.
"Excuse me." Said Harry stiffly, "I will be 17, of age, soon. I can do what I want."
"Anyway, it's safer for me to move around." He added, leading up to the dreaded topic.
"How so?" asked Ron, puzzled.
"Voldemort knows that I know about the secret weapon, and what the prophecy Saud."
"What?!"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"I don't believe this!"
"SHUT UP! What do you reckon I'm doing now? Sit down Ron."
Ron, who had jumped to his feet in anger, sat down again huffily.
"Dumbledore told me about the Prophecy the night we returned from the Ministry. There are only two people who knows what it said, and that is me and Dumbledore, and shortly you guys,"
"This sounds serious Harry." Commented Neville.
"Deadly so. If it tell you, you will probably be in more danger than ever."
"Ginny, mom doesn't want you to be in danger. Go away." Said Ron immediately.
Ginny didn't move, and Harry said quietly, its up to her Ron. She knows the risks, perhaps better than some." He added, remembering the chamber of secrets.
Ginny stuck her tongue out at Ron, he flushed red.
"Professor Trelawney made the prediction, in Hogsmeade sixteen years ago on a cold, wet night."
"Professor Trelwney? Well it can't be all that important then!" said Hermione, sounding relived. Harry laughed sarcastically.
"You couldn't be more wrong, Hermione." He crossed his legs and lent his elbows on his knees. He was silent for a second, and Ron opened his mouth to say something but Ginny shushed him.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies."
"Harry, what are you on about?" asked Ron, apparently thinking his friend was bonkers. Hermione hit him. She was listening intently with a worried loo on her face.
"And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not."
"Harry." began Neville, "SHUSH!" demanded Hermione franticly, beginning to piece things together,
"And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.born as the seventh month dies."
Harry stopped talking and came out of his little trance and looked around at his friends.
Hermione was pale and shivering. The other simply looked puzzled.
"What have you figured out, Hermione?" asked Harry quietly, staring at the lake.
"Born as the seventh month dies. Late July? Thrice defied the dark lord..Harry, how many times did your parents get away from he who must not be named before he found them?"
"Three."
The others were beginning to realise now too.
"The dark lord will mark him as his equal." Her eyes searched Harry's hair line and he nodded for her to continue.
"Power the Dark Lord knows not..come back to that."
"Hang on a sec here," interrupted Ron, and Hermione hit him again, her brow furrowed with thought. Ginny, Neville and Luna where watching Hermione anxiously now, waiting.
"And either must die at the hand of the other.oh, Harry, die? For neither can live while the other survives? oh Harry."
"What? WHAT???" demandedRon.
"Oh Ron, don't you see? Born in July! From parents who escaped Voldemort THREE time? THRICE! Marked, SCARED as an equal! Neither can live while the other survives! Don't you get it? Harry has to kill the Dark Lord or the Dark Lord will kill him!"
Ron's face went colourless, matching Ginny's, Nevilles, Hermione's and even Luna's.
Harry chuckled, their reactions had been just as he had expected. "The funny thing is, that it might not have been me at all." He glanced at Neville. "Your parents thrice defied him too."
"So it could be Neville and not you?" asked Hermione.
Neville went even lighter.
"No. I'm marked as equal." Harry showed them the open scar, earning gasps of surprise.
"But Voldemort could have chosen wrong!" squeaked Neville, surprisingly. "He might have marked the wrong person!"
Harry had a flash back. Last year, sitting in Dumbldore's office, saying those exact words. Harry remembered how angry he had been, how miserable. He laughed a little, a throaty chuckle that set his friends hair on end.
"He chose the boy he thought most likely to be a danger to him, and, "Harry was echoing Dumbledore's words a year previous, "he chose, not the pureblood (which according to his creed is the only kind of wizard worth knowing) but the half blood, like himself."
"Is that important?"
"It allowed me to escape him three times, and gave me the knowledge to run a further two. It s important."
There was silence, and then Ron said shakily, "so does that mean that .*gulp*.that one of you has got to kill the other.in the end?"
"Yes."
"are you ok with that Harry?" asked Ginny.
"I don't have much of a choice, besides hiding under my bed and never coming out, but yeah, I think so. Of course I'm not very pleased with the fact that my future contains murder."
"Its Voldemort, Harry," said Ron, shocked at such sentiments.
"And who am I to hand out Death on a silver platter?" asked Harry quietly, and then continued, "Besides, whether it is his murder or mine remains to be seen."
There was silence. Harry looked around at the beautiful grounds around him. They contrasted badly with his mood, with the deep well of despair that was threatening to engulf him in again. He searched for a subject, and then remembered what else he had been going to tell them.
"There's another thing."
From the looks on their faces Harry could tell that the last thing they wanted was more bad news so he said, "on a lighter note, I am now classed as a double animagi."
"Huh?"
"How can you be a double animagi?" asked Hermione puzzled, this obviously contrary to her readings.
"My very small amount of metamorphagus talent, I assume."
"You're a metmamorphagus? Since when?"
"A little while ago. Follow me and I'll show you."
He led the to the DA room, where they had rebelled against Umbridge last year.
"Oh, I keep forgetting to ask, how did everyone go with their DA exam?" Harry asked as he opened the door.
Instead of the mats for fighting there had been last time he had seen the room, there was now a smaller version of the Gryffindor Common room, with a roaring fire and six large armchairs.
Hermione chuckled, "I wish I had seen Umbridge's face. We all got top marks."
"And Chang's friend still has scars from Hermione's hexing," said Ron proudly, making Hermione flush. Ginny giggled, "She still wears that funny balaclava."
Harry nodded and changed into the Stag.
"Prongs!" hooted Ron joyfully, earning looks of puzzlement from Ginny, Ron and Luna.
Hermione explained that Harry's dad had been an animagi.
There was another crack and Harry the human was standing in front of them again, and then another crack and a black and silver phoenix rose from the floor and circled them, trilling its phoenix song. Harry landed on the back of one of the armchairs and changed back into Harry the human.
"wow." Breathed Ron.
"cool." Whispered Neville.
Harry smiled. "You guys really need to learn some more. It won't do to have me outstripping you."
He missed the glances the others gave each other. He continued, "I suppose I could teach you if you wanted, but first.."
"GET HIM!!"
the five friends attacked Harry with hexes of all sorts, blowing him back of the chair,
"HEY! Not fair!" Harry was laughing so hard that he could barely breathe.
When they finally let him go he sat up and muttered, "Sorry I opened my trap."
"That reminds me," said Ron, perched on his chair, "where were you last night?"
"Talking to Voldemort." Said Harry as he sat down in his bouncy leather chair.
He told them he story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry circled the pitch, keeping his eyes peeled for the snitch, wishing for a better day. It was overcast and grey, and Harry had to find the Snitch soon. Gryffindor were leading forty to zero and Harry knew things would get rough if he didn't.
Then he saw it, opposite him, zooming in the opposite direction. He took of after it, only to be jerked backwards and almost roll off is broom when Malfoy grabbed it.
"FOUL TO THE GRYFFINDOR SEEKER!" bellowed Madame Hooch angrily and Angelina took the shot, getting it in no problem.
From the look on Malfoy's face Harry could see that his nemesis was going to get him back for the hair incident at all costs. ^_^ Lucky he had his wand tucked down the front of his robes. ^_^ The next time Malfoy went past Harry sent a spell his way. The hair changed into its swirling mass of colour again.
Malfoy didn't notice at first, but the jeering crowd soon drew his attention to it, just in time for Harry to go after the Snitch again.
He followed the flying gold ball straight down the pitch, earning 'ooh's and 'ahh's from the crowd. Suddenly the Snitch changed directions, going straight up. Harry followed, gripping his broom hard so as not to fall. Up, up, up, up. He glanced down and immediately wished he hadn't. To his utter astonishment the Snitch went through the clouds, and Harry had to shut his eyes to stop from being blinded by the sunlight above the clouds.
The Snitch was mere meters away, and Harry levelled out for it an almost had reached it when Malfoy burst through the clouds a few meters away, his face livid. He didn't bother with the Snitch, but went straight for Harry, who ducked sideways. Malfoy tried again and Harry rolled right around on his broom to avoid the fist, but came up in time to receive a right hook in the face.
He reeled, and clutched his broom grimly, knowing if he fell that he wouldn't have a chance. When he blinked the water out of his eyes he saw Malfoy going for the Snitch.
The Firebolt outstripped the Nimbus. Harry sneered at Malfoy through the blood from his nose and then ducked through the clouds so fast that they actually created a tail behind him for a second, a spectacular show for the crowd below.
Gryffindor went wild. They had won the Quidditch cup. Suddenly all the Slytherin's had hair hat matched Malfoy's, and most of the Gryffindor's found the new fashion appealing too.
All in all it was a good end to the year. The Exams Harry found easy, which annoyed Ron no end. When they got the exams back Harry tried not to laugh when Hermione saw his History of Magic marks, a shade higher than hers.
He found it hard not to tell anyone that he was Head Boy. Ron and Hermione discussed who they thought were candidates, and Harry knew they were both hoping it was them. He wondered how disappointed Ron would be. At least he was a Prefect. Thinking of Prefects reminded him of Perrcy and Harry asked Ron about him,
"Hey, Ron, what's up with Percy these days?"
Ron's face darkened. "Git."
"Still?"
"He still says he doesn't want to know us. Like he is ashamed of us, and he keeps writing to me to tell me to not be friends with you." Rons face was red with anger and Harry didn't persue the subject but commented,
"I think its time I had a word with him."
"What're you gonna say?"
"Nothing."
"Harry," began Hermione warningly and he gave her his best 'what-have-I- done-now-it-wasn't-me' look.
"I'll have a chat to him in the Hol's."
"Just don't make it worse. Mom's upset as it is."
"I wont."
When the day finally came for them to catch the Hogwarts Express Harry wasn't sure what to do, so he asked Professor McGonagall who said that the Durlsey's would meet him at the station, and would take him back to the now refurbished Privet Drive.
"It's odd to be going home." Commented Hermione as the countryside sped past.
"Define 'home'." Grumbled Ron and Harry together, neither looking forward to the summer holidays. They looked at each other and grinned, and Harry said, "Hogwarts is home."
AN; well, that's it for BoE. I hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for the sequel, it shoul be up next week.
SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ANSWER!!!!
1. Did I miss anything out in this chappie? . 2. Should I create a new story or just add to this one? . 3. If I wrote a sequel, would you read it? . 4. Should I keep Percy estranged from his family (stupid git that he is) ? . 5. Should Harry have a quiet summer, or another big one like his last?
See you in the sequel!!!! (Or not). REVIEW!!!
It took a while for Mrs Weasley to calm down. Harry explained everything to her, and had just finished when the door was banged rather loudly into the silence. Harry glanced at Mrs Weasley, saw from the surprise on her face that this was an unexpected visit and pulled out his wand.
When they opened the door Valence (who harry hadn't seen much since she arrived at his place with Lupin and Moody last year) fell through the door, clutching her shoulder.
"Good Grief! Harry, send Dumbledore a message telling him that Agent V has been put out of business almost permanently." Commanded Mrs Weasley, bending over the prone woman.
Harry did as he was bid and when he returned he found Mrs Weasley struggling to hold the woman up while carrying her upstairs. Not sure whether using magic as a levitating spell would be good for the old woman Harry ran forwards to help without magical aide. Together they managed to get the old lady upstairs.
No sooner than they had settled her in Harry's old room was there a pounding on the door again. Harry ran to answer it this time.
That's how it was for then next couple of hours. Wounded order members would appear on the door step, many of whom Harry recognised, and he and Mrs Weasley would do what they could, Harry sending Hedwig with letters every time she returned form the last bout. The owl was more exhausted than he at then end of the night, but Harry was more mentally tired than physically. There was no more room upstairs in beds so they had to leave the members where they fell. Harry remembered seeing Dumbledore conjure sleeping bags, and tried it out. They weren't the bright purple that Dumbledore's had been, actually they were a yucky brown colour and were quite lumpy and the zips stuck but Harry was proud of them. He just didn't advertise the fact that he made them. They wrapped the order personnel in the bags, bandaging and magicing where possible. Mrs Weasley even had Harry write to ST Mungo's asking for help, and when the five nurses arrived (including the real Madame Pomfrey) Harry and Mrs Weasley took a rest.
It was morning when Harry awoke, there was sunlight shafting through the dusty windows. He as still for a second, still upright in the chair where he had fallen asleep, and then remembering what had happened last night, jumped up and ran into the hall, which was now empty.
"Oh, there you are Harry, we sent everyone to St Mungo's, but thankyou for your help. Breakfast will be ready in a second."
Mrs Weasley bustled past, and Harry followed her to the kitchen, "Mrs Weasley, why was everyone like that? Even Lupin and Moody!"
Mrs Weasley sighed, "I think that you had best ask Dumbledore that one Harry."
Harry sighed, this woman would always be like this, he would just have to get use to it.
"Why can't you tell me?"
"Because i...Because I'm not sure I know all the details."
"Huh?"
"Look, Harry, just ask Dumbledore, OK?" Mrs Weasley's face was tight, and Harry wondered after everything else that happened what was wrong NOW.
He sighed and thought of anything else, deliberately not looking at Mrs Weasley as he ate. Instead his thought turned to his birthday next year, he would be of age, meaning that the Weasley's would have to LOOK OUT. He smiled at that one, startling Mrs Weasley a little. It was the first real smile of his she had seen in quite a long time. Then he remembered that he had only one more year left at Hogwarts. The smile fell away like lead.
Five Hours later Harry walked up the steps into the main hall at Hogwarts, and from the sound of it it was lunch time. The hall was full, and Harry snuck past, up to the dormitory because he was so sick of people staring at his scar that the next person that did it would have blue hair for the rest of his life. He sat down in the common room and wondered what to do. A pain in his scar stopped him and he decided to see if the era Madame Pomfrey was around. Then he wondered who the other one had been, and then who the Death Eater that had come into school was. There were so many loose ends to tie up, but before he could something always happened, and now was no exception.
He ran into Ron and Hermione.
"Harry!!" squeaked Hermione, and gave him a hug. "Where the hell have you been? There's been so much happening! Lavender and her slytherin friend are back and they say that you." she trailed off, and Harry raised an eyebrow, "they keep saying that I'm insane? That's gratitude."
"How did you know?"
Harry opened his mouth to reply and then realising he didn't knw, frowned and shrugged. "What else has been happening while I was at the ministry?" he asked, quite deliberately changing the subject.
"At the ministry? Why were you there? And why aren't you in uniform??"
"Long story and not one that you mother wants you to hear Ron."
Harry watched his friends face go red for a second before adding, "But I'll tell you later."
"Mr Potter!" Minerva McGonagall hurried down the hall, "follow me if you please, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, outside please, it's a lovely day."
Harry followed McGonagall to her office, where she handed him two pieces of parchment.
He unrolled the first. His owl results.
History of Magic---------E Defence against the Dark Arts---------O Divination-------------A
(AN; help! What marks should I put?)
It continued in that way for a little while and Harry smiled when he realised that, magically, he had managed 8 OWLS.
"Wow."
"Next parchment Mr Potter."
It was a letter from the Headmaster. It stated simply and clearly that Severus Snape had acted rashly and that Harry was re enrolled for next year.
"Phew."
McGonagall looked up. "I suppose you have some questions about the last few days Mr Potter?"
"Yes Professor, I do. Who was the Death Eater that came into the school?"
"Lunverles Lagnetha. A recent addition to the hordes. He attended here and must have known about the passage since then. As I'm sure your next question will be why, we don't know, but we, that is the Order, are working on it."
"Who was the other Madame Pomfrey?"
"Sanfry Sungt. Another recent addition."
"What happened last night? All the order members?"
The professor sighed, "If I tell you Harry you must not tell anyone."
Harry nodded, surprised by the use of his name and the witch continued, "for a while we have been aware that The Dark Lord and his cohorts knew of certain order members. Last night he attacked those order members, who promptly called for help. The Order members that answered the calls were ambushed and 'warned' too." There was a wry twist to the professor's mouth as she said it.
"Where's Professor Dumbledore?"
"Making statements to the press. Oh! I almost forgot."
She handed Harry and envelope. "As we don't know where you are staying these Holidays I was supposed to give this to you now. It's your book list."
There was something else in the envelope. Harry pulled it out. It was a badge. His first thought was 'cool, I finally get to be a prefect.' Then he actually read the badge.
HEAD BOY.
(AN; I'd end it there but I'd get hate mail so..)
"Potter! Are you ok?"
Harry blinked. For a second his body had seemed to forget to breathe.
"yes." he croaked and the professor smiled at him, "you will have to get used to it. Don't tell anyone yet."
"Who's head girl?"
The professor seemed very please with herself as she answered, "Miss Granger. She doesn't know yet."
"Yes ma'am."
"And Potter?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Don't disappoint Gryffindor." This was actually her way of saying 'don't disappoint me!'
"I won't ma'am!"
"Good luck in the Quidditch final tomorrow. Of you go now."
Harry stuffed the badge in his pocket grinned at the professor and went outside.
He saw Ron and Hermione before they saw him. They were sitting wit Neville and Ginny and Luna. He stood and watched them for a minute before smiling and heading over. He was lucky to have friends like them. They didn't deserve to be kept in the dark any longer though, and he resolved to tell them about the prophecy.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey Harry! What did McGonagall want?"
"Oh book lists for next year cus no one knows where I'll be living over the holidays."
He was immediately overwhelmed with 'you can stay at my place's.
"Actually, guys." they were all watching him rather curiously.
"I don't know whether I'll actually spend all that much time anywhere in the hols. Dumbledore says he might send me on some missions."
There was immediate uproar.
"What?! No fair!" from Ron,
"He can't do that! You're too young!!" form Hermione.
"Good luck." From Neville.
*squeak* from Ginny.
"You'll have to tell me all about it for the Quibbler." Murmured Luna.
"Excuse me." Said Harry stiffly, "I will be 17, of age, soon. I can do what I want."
"Anyway, it's safer for me to move around." He added, leading up to the dreaded topic.
"How so?" asked Ron, puzzled.
"Voldemort knows that I know about the secret weapon, and what the prophecy Saud."
"What?!"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"I don't believe this!"
"SHUT UP! What do you reckon I'm doing now? Sit down Ron."
Ron, who had jumped to his feet in anger, sat down again huffily.
"Dumbledore told me about the Prophecy the night we returned from the Ministry. There are only two people who knows what it said, and that is me and Dumbledore, and shortly you guys,"
"This sounds serious Harry." Commented Neville.
"Deadly so. If it tell you, you will probably be in more danger than ever."
"Ginny, mom doesn't want you to be in danger. Go away." Said Ron immediately.
Ginny didn't move, and Harry said quietly, its up to her Ron. She knows the risks, perhaps better than some." He added, remembering the chamber of secrets.
Ginny stuck her tongue out at Ron, he flushed red.
"Professor Trelawney made the prediction, in Hogsmeade sixteen years ago on a cold, wet night."
"Professor Trelwney? Well it can't be all that important then!" said Hermione, sounding relived. Harry laughed sarcastically.
"You couldn't be more wrong, Hermione." He crossed his legs and lent his elbows on his knees. He was silent for a second, and Ron opened his mouth to say something but Ginny shushed him.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies."
"Harry, what are you on about?" asked Ron, apparently thinking his friend was bonkers. Hermione hit him. She was listening intently with a worried loo on her face.
"And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not."
"Harry." began Neville, "SHUSH!" demanded Hermione franticly, beginning to piece things together,
"And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.born as the seventh month dies."
Harry stopped talking and came out of his little trance and looked around at his friends.
Hermione was pale and shivering. The other simply looked puzzled.
"What have you figured out, Hermione?" asked Harry quietly, staring at the lake.
"Born as the seventh month dies. Late July? Thrice defied the dark lord..Harry, how many times did your parents get away from he who must not be named before he found them?"
"Three."
The others were beginning to realise now too.
"The dark lord will mark him as his equal." Her eyes searched Harry's hair line and he nodded for her to continue.
"Power the Dark Lord knows not..come back to that."
"Hang on a sec here," interrupted Ron, and Hermione hit him again, her brow furrowed with thought. Ginny, Neville and Luna where watching Hermione anxiously now, waiting.
"And either must die at the hand of the other.oh, Harry, die? For neither can live while the other survives? oh Harry."
"What? WHAT???" demandedRon.
"Oh Ron, don't you see? Born in July! From parents who escaped Voldemort THREE time? THRICE! Marked, SCARED as an equal! Neither can live while the other survives! Don't you get it? Harry has to kill the Dark Lord or the Dark Lord will kill him!"
Ron's face went colourless, matching Ginny's, Nevilles, Hermione's and even Luna's.
Harry chuckled, their reactions had been just as he had expected. "The funny thing is, that it might not have been me at all." He glanced at Neville. "Your parents thrice defied him too."
"So it could be Neville and not you?" asked Hermione.
Neville went even lighter.
"No. I'm marked as equal." Harry showed them the open scar, earning gasps of surprise.
"But Voldemort could have chosen wrong!" squeaked Neville, surprisingly. "He might have marked the wrong person!"
Harry had a flash back. Last year, sitting in Dumbldore's office, saying those exact words. Harry remembered how angry he had been, how miserable. He laughed a little, a throaty chuckle that set his friends hair on end.
"He chose the boy he thought most likely to be a danger to him, and, "Harry was echoing Dumbledore's words a year previous, "he chose, not the pureblood (which according to his creed is the only kind of wizard worth knowing) but the half blood, like himself."
"Is that important?"
"It allowed me to escape him three times, and gave me the knowledge to run a further two. It s important."
There was silence, and then Ron said shakily, "so does that mean that .*gulp*.that one of you has got to kill the other.in the end?"
"Yes."
"are you ok with that Harry?" asked Ginny.
"I don't have much of a choice, besides hiding under my bed and never coming out, but yeah, I think so. Of course I'm not very pleased with the fact that my future contains murder."
"Its Voldemort, Harry," said Ron, shocked at such sentiments.
"And who am I to hand out Death on a silver platter?" asked Harry quietly, and then continued, "Besides, whether it is his murder or mine remains to be seen."
There was silence. Harry looked around at the beautiful grounds around him. They contrasted badly with his mood, with the deep well of despair that was threatening to engulf him in again. He searched for a subject, and then remembered what else he had been going to tell them.
"There's another thing."
From the looks on their faces Harry could tell that the last thing they wanted was more bad news so he said, "on a lighter note, I am now classed as a double animagi."
"Huh?"
"How can you be a double animagi?" asked Hermione puzzled, this obviously contrary to her readings.
"My very small amount of metamorphagus talent, I assume."
"You're a metmamorphagus? Since when?"
"A little while ago. Follow me and I'll show you."
He led the to the DA room, where they had rebelled against Umbridge last year.
"Oh, I keep forgetting to ask, how did everyone go with their DA exam?" Harry asked as he opened the door.
Instead of the mats for fighting there had been last time he had seen the room, there was now a smaller version of the Gryffindor Common room, with a roaring fire and six large armchairs.
Hermione chuckled, "I wish I had seen Umbridge's face. We all got top marks."
"And Chang's friend still has scars from Hermione's hexing," said Ron proudly, making Hermione flush. Ginny giggled, "She still wears that funny balaclava."
Harry nodded and changed into the Stag.
"Prongs!" hooted Ron joyfully, earning looks of puzzlement from Ginny, Ron and Luna.
Hermione explained that Harry's dad had been an animagi.
There was another crack and Harry the human was standing in front of them again, and then another crack and a black and silver phoenix rose from the floor and circled them, trilling its phoenix song. Harry landed on the back of one of the armchairs and changed back into Harry the human.
"wow." Breathed Ron.
"cool." Whispered Neville.
Harry smiled. "You guys really need to learn some more. It won't do to have me outstripping you."
He missed the glances the others gave each other. He continued, "I suppose I could teach you if you wanted, but first.."
"GET HIM!!"
the five friends attacked Harry with hexes of all sorts, blowing him back of the chair,
"HEY! Not fair!" Harry was laughing so hard that he could barely breathe.
When they finally let him go he sat up and muttered, "Sorry I opened my trap."
"That reminds me," said Ron, perched on his chair, "where were you last night?"
"Talking to Voldemort." Said Harry as he sat down in his bouncy leather chair.
He told them he story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry circled the pitch, keeping his eyes peeled for the snitch, wishing for a better day. It was overcast and grey, and Harry had to find the Snitch soon. Gryffindor were leading forty to zero and Harry knew things would get rough if he didn't.
Then he saw it, opposite him, zooming in the opposite direction. He took of after it, only to be jerked backwards and almost roll off is broom when Malfoy grabbed it.
"FOUL TO THE GRYFFINDOR SEEKER!" bellowed Madame Hooch angrily and Angelina took the shot, getting it in no problem.
From the look on Malfoy's face Harry could see that his nemesis was going to get him back for the hair incident at all costs. ^_^ Lucky he had his wand tucked down the front of his robes. ^_^ The next time Malfoy went past Harry sent a spell his way. The hair changed into its swirling mass of colour again.
Malfoy didn't notice at first, but the jeering crowd soon drew his attention to it, just in time for Harry to go after the Snitch again.
He followed the flying gold ball straight down the pitch, earning 'ooh's and 'ahh's from the crowd. Suddenly the Snitch changed directions, going straight up. Harry followed, gripping his broom hard so as not to fall. Up, up, up, up. He glanced down and immediately wished he hadn't. To his utter astonishment the Snitch went through the clouds, and Harry had to shut his eyes to stop from being blinded by the sunlight above the clouds.
The Snitch was mere meters away, and Harry levelled out for it an almost had reached it when Malfoy burst through the clouds a few meters away, his face livid. He didn't bother with the Snitch, but went straight for Harry, who ducked sideways. Malfoy tried again and Harry rolled right around on his broom to avoid the fist, but came up in time to receive a right hook in the face.
He reeled, and clutched his broom grimly, knowing if he fell that he wouldn't have a chance. When he blinked the water out of his eyes he saw Malfoy going for the Snitch.
The Firebolt outstripped the Nimbus. Harry sneered at Malfoy through the blood from his nose and then ducked through the clouds so fast that they actually created a tail behind him for a second, a spectacular show for the crowd below.
Gryffindor went wild. They had won the Quidditch cup. Suddenly all the Slytherin's had hair hat matched Malfoy's, and most of the Gryffindor's found the new fashion appealing too.
All in all it was a good end to the year. The Exams Harry found easy, which annoyed Ron no end. When they got the exams back Harry tried not to laugh when Hermione saw his History of Magic marks, a shade higher than hers.
He found it hard not to tell anyone that he was Head Boy. Ron and Hermione discussed who they thought were candidates, and Harry knew they were both hoping it was them. He wondered how disappointed Ron would be. At least he was a Prefect. Thinking of Prefects reminded him of Perrcy and Harry asked Ron about him,
"Hey, Ron, what's up with Percy these days?"
Ron's face darkened. "Git."
"Still?"
"He still says he doesn't want to know us. Like he is ashamed of us, and he keeps writing to me to tell me to not be friends with you." Rons face was red with anger and Harry didn't persue the subject but commented,
"I think its time I had a word with him."
"What're you gonna say?"
"Nothing."
"Harry," began Hermione warningly and he gave her his best 'what-have-I- done-now-it-wasn't-me' look.
"I'll have a chat to him in the Hol's."
"Just don't make it worse. Mom's upset as it is."
"I wont."
When the day finally came for them to catch the Hogwarts Express Harry wasn't sure what to do, so he asked Professor McGonagall who said that the Durlsey's would meet him at the station, and would take him back to the now refurbished Privet Drive.
"It's odd to be going home." Commented Hermione as the countryside sped past.
"Define 'home'." Grumbled Ron and Harry together, neither looking forward to the summer holidays. They looked at each other and grinned, and Harry said, "Hogwarts is home."
AN; well, that's it for BoE. I hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for the sequel, it shoul be up next week.
SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ANSWER!!!!
1. Did I miss anything out in this chappie? . 2. Should I create a new story or just add to this one? . 3. If I wrote a sequel, would you read it? . 4. Should I keep Percy estranged from his family (stupid git that he is) ? . 5. Should Harry have a quiet summer, or another big one like his last?
See you in the sequel!!!! (Or not). REVIEW!!!