Harry Potter and the Veiled Archway

[Elisabeth36]

Hello. This is Elisabeth36. I had been planning to write a sixth book, but wasn't really sure since there are so many excellent fanfics out there. (And not just in this website.) But finally I decided it wouldn't do any harm to write one. So here it is. It will begin the summer after the end-of-term and end after Harry's sixth year. I will introduce a new character, but I will not reveal who she is. It is up to you to figure that out.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. J.K. Rowling does. The new character will be mine in the idea that I came up with her, but that's it.

Chapter One: At Privet Drive

Harry was sitting in his room at the Dursleys house. He had come just come back from the station. During the car ride, no one spoke, except his Uncle Vernon. He had informed Harry that he would leave him alone and let him dod what he wanted, as long as he wasn't a bother and didn't let the neighbours find out about his "oddness". Harry had nodded and Uncle Vernon had told him to make sure to write to his friends as he had no intention of those wizards showing up, saying Harry was being mistreated.

Now he was in his room, with his trunk on the floor and hedwig in her cage on his dresser. Harry could not stop thinking about Sirius. After Bellatrix Lestrange had hexed his godfather, Sirius had fallen through a veiled archway and presumably died. Harry felt it was his fault that Sirius had died. He had to go rushing to the Ministry, Sirius and other Order member went after him.... Harry knew in his mind that it wasn't quite his fault. Sirius had made the decsion to go the Ministry. No one had forced Sirius to. And since Bellatrix had been the one who killed him, it was more her fault, as well as Voldemort's. But Harry had a hard time convincing himself of the fact.

Just then, a strange owl flew in. It dropped a letter, took a drink from Hedwig's bowl, then flew away. Harry picked up the letter and opened it. It was from Professor Dumbledore.

"Dear Harry," it read. "I am very sorry for not explaining things sooner. Prehaps things would have turned out differently. I thought that you shouldn't know the truth until later. I was wrong. But I am not perfect. I had made mistakes when I was your age. And even though I becane great, I suffered under the same doubts you have. After all, history only record part of the story. They only mention important things and great things people did, like the Goblin Rebellions and my defeating Grindelwald. And keep in mind that chocolate frog cards tell even less. Just reading that I defeated Grindelwald, found twelve uses of dragon blood, and worked on alchemy with Nicolas Flamel makes you think I'm great and all powerful. I'm not. Even the great Merlin made mistakes. And Ptolemy believed the sun revolved around the earth.

Now, please don't blame yourself for Sirius's death. He was a good man and would do anything for you, no matter how reckless. If you must blame someone, blame Tom Riddle. He is the one responsible. Oh, and if you are angry at Kreacher, we have taken care of him. He remembers nothing and is locked up. The house that he lived in is shut up and will go to you when you are of age. Sirius left it to you in his will. He left other things, too, but you will hear about them later when the will is officially read. Meanwhile, Fawkes, my phoenix, is living elsewhere with me, as we are on vacation. Visit you friend near Magnolia Crescent for more details.

In the meantime, work at your spells and hexes and practise Defense work. The Ministry has decided to allow those over the age of fourteen to do magic as long as they don't do it in front of Muggles. (Well, Muggleborns can do it in front of their Muggle relatives if it isn't too flashy. A summoning charm or repairing charm is fine, but not something like jelly-legs.) The Ministry feels that the threat of Riddle warrants it.

Enjoy your summer the best you can, Harry. And please make sure to write to your friends and Remus Lupin. They will want to know how your doing. Just remeber to keep track of what you write. By the way, an old friend of you mother's turned up. She was temporarily disabled fromt he last war. She recovered eight years ago and after discovering Sirius was in Azkaban, went to stay with relatives in Canada. She just came back and Remus is staying with her in her house. You may visit her later. Yours truly, Albus Dumbledore."

Harry threw the letter to one side. He could do magic now out of school. Not that it helped over his feelings of Sirius's death. He was curious over meeting this old friend of his mothers. He wondered what she would be like. She certainly could tell him about his parents, since Sirius and Lupin hadn't told him too much. He decided to write tomorrow and ask for some information, after he visited Mrs. Figgs. It sounded as if they headquarters had been moved to this woman's house, but he wanted to be sure.

His thoughts then turned to the prophecy. Either he would have to kill Voldemort or Voldemort would have to kill him. Or there was the third possibility, both of them would die. Harry sincerely hoped that it would be Voldemort who died, not him, though he wasn't too keen on the idea of being a murderer, even if Voldemort deserved to die. He wasn't too keen on the third option, either, though it would be better than Voldemort winning.

Harry sighed and half-heartedly rifled through his trunk for his schoolbooks. If he was to defeat Voldemort, he might as well read his defense books. He grabbed the first one he found, which turned out to be Voyages with Vampires, by Gilderoy Lockhart. He din't particuarly care, since the stuff in the books had been done by real wizards. And if Voldemort got the vampires on his side, it would be useful to know how to fight back, and not just ward them off with garlic or crucifixes. (Even Muggles knew that!)

Harry read until Aunt Petunia called him down to dinner. Harry went down to the kitchen, where Aunt Petunia sat a heaping plate in front of him. The food was what Dudley had to eat, but the diet was a boxing one, so it wasn't limited to what Uncle Vernon called "rabbit food." Harry quickly ate and once he was done, Aunt Petunia dished out seconds. Harry was startled by this and she curtly said, "Eat. Your're getting to be too thin. I don't want those fre-I mean, friends of yours saying I starved you."

Harry finished the seconds and then Aunt Petunia served dessert of cherry cheesecake and strawberries. For once, Harry got a larger portion of dessert than Dudley. When Dudley complained, Aunt Petunia reminded him of his boxing diet and Uncle Vernon snapped, "Do you want those people at the station turning us into bats!?"

After dinner, Harry offered to wash the dishes, but Aunt Petunia waved him off. So harry went to the living room to watch the news. There were no mysterious deaths, so he knew that Voldemort and his Death Eaters were staying quiet for awhile. When the news was over, Dudley changed the channel to some boxing match and Harry went upstairs to his room to continue reading. By ten o'clock, he finished the book and got ready for bed.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter One continued

After breakfast the next morning, Harry began reading another one of his Defense books. He also practised some of his hexes, but he used a twig from the remains of his Nimbus so his wand wouldn't accidently set fire to his belongings. After awhile, he pulled out an old pillow and used that as a target to practise his spells, this time with his wand.

Aunt Petunia walked in on him. She was very surprised. Harry told her that the underage ban of magic had been lifted. She got worried, but Harry assured her that he had no intention of hexing them and that he wasn't allowed to do anything but the simplest spells, like repairing something, in front of non-magic relatives. Aunt Petunia had still looked a bit skeptical and had quickly left the room.

After lunch, Harry went down to see Mrs. Figgs. On the way, he had an impression someone was watching him. He turned back to look and thought he saw Mungundus Fletcher slip behind a tree. If it was Mungundus, Harry hoped that he wouldn't disappear like he did last year for a business deal. Harry had no intention of running into dementors again.

At Mrs. Figgs, Harry was served some tea and buscuits. She confirmed that the Order had moved headquarters. (Though she kept calling it the Phoenix fan club incase someone was listening in.) The new headquarters belonged to this woman named Wendy Rosen. The house was in a village just outside London. Miss Rosen was a very experienced witch. Her mother had been pureblood, like the Weasleys, but her father had been Muggleborn. She had been one of Lily's best friends at Hogwarts. (Alice Longbottom, Neville's mother, had been the other.) Finally, Miss Rosen had been in love with both Sirius and Remus. She had finally agreed to marry Sirius, since he had asked her first. But with Sirius gone now, she had decided to marry Remus.

Harry was very much saddened at the mention of Sirius, but was interested to find out that Remus was going to marry. Apparently Miss Rosen didn't mind that Remus was a werewolf. Mrs. Figgs then said that the wedding was to be in late August. It was to be a quiet wedding, with the members of the "Phoenix Fan Club" present and Dumbledore officiating.

Harry was even more interested. He finished his tea and cookies and after telling Mrs. Figgs good-bye, left. When got to his room, he found Ron's owl, Pig, there, with two letters. The first one was from Ron.

"Dear Harry, How are you mate? I hope you're well. At least the Muggles won't be treating you so bad this year. The Phoenix Fan Club changed headquarters. And this woman named Wendy Rosen wants you to visit her, She's an old friend of your Mum's. In fact, she and Neville's mum were your mum's best friends. And she's going to marry Remus Lupin! I'm to be a best man and Ginny and Hermione are to be bridesmaids. (If Hermione says yes. They've got to ask her. Ginny already said she'd love to.)

Don't blame yourself for Sirius's death. It's not your fault. You-know-who and Bellatix Lestrange are responsible. Oh, Percy came back and apolgised for being a git. (Weel he didn't call himself a git, but you know what I mean.) He says he should have sided wioth us and went on how he was so stupid as to not beleive Dumbledore. Then he made a bunch of excuses about how he didn't want to believe You-know-who was back and that's why he sided with Fudge.

Honsestly. Mum cried and Dad hugged Percy and they forgave him. Bill and Charlie forgave him too. Fred and George said they did, but I think they won't until after they've tried out some of their products on him. Ginny has forgiven Percy and I think I will after some tricks have been played on him.
Send a reply as soon as possible. I've got to write to Hermione now and tell her everything. Oh, and you can come visit on the twenty-fifth. Ron."

The second letter was from Wendy Rosen.

"Dear Harry, I am Wendy Rosen, an old friend of your mother's. (Alice Longbottom is the other.) I've been in the last war, spying for Dumbledore. Voldemort found out about me and temporarily disabled me. I did wake up eight years later and went to Canada to stay with some Jewish relatives. (My dad is Muggleborn, and his family was Jewish. The cousins survived the Holocaust and moved to Canada after World War Two. My dad's parents moved to Engalnd.)

I came back a couple of weeks ago to help Dumbledore. Since I am very skilled in Defense, I may end up being your new Defense of Dark Arts teacher. In fact, I think I will be as Dumbledore seems to be having a hard time finding someone else. The only other person who would do it is Remus, but I doubt some people would want a werewolf for a teacher. I really can't believe the prejudice. First the Jews in World War Two, them werewolves and half-giants and the rest. Considering what my grandparents went through, I never felt any prejudice to anyone.

Anyway, since I'm going to be married to Remus, we would like yyou to be one of the best men. (Ron is the other.) Ginny is one of the bridesmaids and we are asking your friend Hermione if she will be the other. I hope she says yes. If not, then we'll have to ask Tonks and I am not sure if she would be the best person. She'd drop her bouquet and trip over her dress. We're not having matrons of honors or anything else. It's just going to be a small quiet wedding, with freinds and fan club members. Dumbledore will officiate and there will be a small feast afterwards, with a cake and throwing of the bouquet. I caught the boquet at James and Lily's wedding, by the way. (lily caught the bouquet at the Longbottom's wedding. She was their bridesmaid like I was Lily's) My house-elf Iris will make the wedding cake, of course. She is an excellent cake-maker and a great dessert baker in general.

Oh, and if you're wondering, I treat my house-elves very well. Iris, and my other one, Pine, just love working for me. They are clothed, of course. (I can't bear teatowels or pillowcases.) I do give them a sickle a week so they can buy things and one day off a month, but that's it. Any more and they would probably die from the idea. When you visit me, treat Iris and Pine with respect, please. Ask them to things politely and thank them when they are done. That's all for now. Love, Wendy Rosen."

Harry folded Miss Rosen's letter. She had sounded very interested and seemed to havce a gift for writing long informative letters. He put the letter back in the envelope and noticed two picture. He took them out and saw the first one showed his mother, looking very radiant in a wedding dress. Next to her was a smiling witch in blue-dress robes, carrying a boquet of pink and blue flowers, and with long blonde hair with a touch of red and blue-green eyes. Both of the figures waved.

Harry turned the picture over and read, "Lily and me, Wendy, at Potters' wedding, after I caught the bouquet." The next picture was more recent one of Miss Rosen, in a black dress and with tears in her eyes. She was standinng in front of some sort of memorial and wiping her eyes. On the back it read, "Me visiting the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, last year."

Harry looked at both the pictures for awhile, then put them away in his photo album. Miss Rosen seemed very nice and pretty and looked as if she had been the perfect friend for his mother.

Aunt Petunia called him down to dinner, then, so he put his album away and went downstairs.

Another update later...

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Two: Visiting Friends

The next morning, Tonks apparated into Harry'r room. She did sealed the room, then told him that Ron's letter had a false date. "You won't be picked up on the 25th. You really will be picked up on the 20th. You see, your letter could have been intercepted and the Death Eaters may try to attack you and your friends. So we had Ron put down a false date. So they will plan an attack for the 25th. OF course, they soon realise that you have already left. So tell your aunt and uncle that you'll be leaving on the 20th. It will be by a Portkey. No one has a car, the Floo network is being watched so Death Eaters can't use it, and anyway, Arthur told us about the last time he tried to pick you up by Floo Powder."

Harry grinned, recalling that Dudley had fallen prey to the Weasley twins' ton-tongue toffee and the living room had gotten into disarray. Harry asked Tonks to send his congradulations to Lupin and Miss Rosen on their engagement. Tonks promised she would, unsealed the room,and disapparated. Harry righted a lamp she had knocked over and picked up Hedwig's cage, which also had been knocked over. Fortunately, Hedwig was out, deleivering a letter to Hermione.

Hedwig came back before lunchtime, with a letter from Hermione.

"Dear Harry, How are you? I know y9ou must be sad over Sirius' death. But please don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault. It was Voldemort's and that evil Lestrange's fault. Anyway, Ron wrote to me. he said Percy made up, though the twins plan to try some of their products on him before they fully forgive him. I don't think that's wise, but I do believe the way Percy treated his family was shocking. But at least he didn't do what Wormtail did.
I heard the Phoenix fan club moved. Also, the Weasleys and Professor Lupin are visiting Miss Wendy Rosen, that friend of your mother's. She asked me to be a bridesmaid at her and Lupin's wedding. I wrote a reply, telling her yes. She also says you and Ron are the best men and Ginny is the other bridesmaid. I think it will be fun and take her minds off the war for awhile. Oh, and Miss Rosen wants to know if you prefer dress robes or a tux. She knows that tuxes are what Muggle men wear to weddingds, but wondered if you prefer them. I think Ron would prefer dress robes, but you can decide on what you feel like wearing.
Oh, Harry, I can't wait for my O.W.L. results. I know I'll do well, of course, but I'm still nervous. But it will come out in a few weeks, so I guess I can wait. Enjoy your summer and I'll see you soon. Love, Hermione."

Harry finished the letter and put it away. Somehow, reading the letter made him think of his O.W.L. results and his summer homework. He decided to do them now so he wouldn't have to worry about it when he visited the Order. So after lunch and telling his uncle that he would be leaving on the 2oth, he got out his Potions books and began writing his essay.

For the next two and a half weeks, Harry spent his time doing his summer homework, reading all his Defense books, and practsing hexes and other spells. In between, he would sleep, eat his meals, and occasionally drop by Mrs. Figgs for tea. He also took the time to write to his frioends every two or three days. Professor Lupin wrote to Harry, insisting that he call him Remus. He and Miss Rosen also sent more wedding plans. Harry had said he preferred dress robes, so Miss Rosen would take everyone to get new ones for the wedding. Remus, being a man, didn't show much enthusiasim over new dress robes. Miss Rosen had quite a bit to say on the sublect. Harry was to wear dark green robes, Ron, navy blue, Ginny, light green, and Hermione, pale blue. Remus would wear dark grey and Miss Rosen would wear white with pink trim.


Finally the 20th came. At ten fifty, Mr. Weasley, Remus, and Miss Rosen arrived. They helped Harry with his things. Then Harry said good-bye to his relatives and went back to his room. Remus and Mr. Weasley were holding Harry's trunk. Harry picked up Hedwig's cage and Miss Rosen was holding Hary's Firebolt, which Dumbledore had returned. They clutched a length of rope and as soon as Harry's clock switched to eleven, they disappeared. Harry felt the normal pulling sesations and found himself in a parlour. He looked around and saw Tonks, Kingsley Shackklebolt, and Emmeline Vance appear with Hermione and her things. They also were clutching a rope and Harry realised that they had just portkeyed, also.

Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry and Hermione and Ron and Ginny were next to her, grinning. A house-elf in a black dress, white apron, and white cap was also there and talking to Miss Rosen. She looked a bit like an old-fashioned Muggle maid and Harry guessed that she was Iris. He found out that he was right when Miss Rosen introduced her.

"All right, Ron, show Harry upstairs," said Mrs. Weasley. "You and Ron will be sharing a room. Ginny, do the same with Hermione. The two of you will also be sharing a room. The bathroom is between both your rooms."

"If you nedd anything, " said Miss Rosen, "ask Iris or Pine. But remember to be polite to them. I don't want them to be mistreated."

Hermione had a very approving look. "I'm glad Miss Rosen treats her house-elves nicely." she said on their way up the stairs. "Of course, they still have to work, but it's not exactly slave labour. She said Iris and Pine want to work and that she pays them."

Harry nodded and the four reached the third floor. Hermione and Ginny went in a room and Ron led Harry into a room near them. Harry went inside and saw two beds at opposite sides. Next to each was a dresser with a lamp, a clock, and a mirror on top. In the space between the beds was a table with five chairs. By the wall across the beds were a bookcase, a closet, and a chest.

"Harry, " said Ron. ":You can hang your robes in the closet. I left room for you. And the top two drawers of the chest are yours. The top one has some Muggle clothes Miss Rosen bought. She said something about not liking you having to wear your cousin's old clothes. The other drawer is for your underwear and socks and such."

With Ron's help, Harry unpacked his clothes. He hung up his robes and put his other clothes in the drawer. Then he and Ron talked and caught up over the news. Voldemort(Ron had finally gotten around to saying his name since Ginny threatened to bat-bogey hex him) was not doing anything at the moment. If he planned anything, it would be for the 25th. But since Harry was gone, any planned attack would fail. Then they talked about Quidditch. Harry would obviously be allowed to paly agin as sekker. No one knew who the new Gryffindor Quidditch captain would be, but it would probably be Harry or Ron, since they were the oldest members of the team. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia had left, sio they would have to find new chasers. Of course, Ginny would probably end up as one of the new chasers. They would have to find two more, though. Also, they probably would have to find new beaters. The two who had replaced Fred and George, Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke had been horrible. And they were supposedly, according to Angelina, "better than the other idiots who showed up."

At twelve, Pine showed up, interrupting their. "Excuse me, Harry Potter and Ronald Whezzy, but Mistress, I mean Miss Rosen, wants you to come down for lunch." Harry and Ron got up and left the room, with Ron whisphering, "He can't get my name right like Dobby and he keeps forgetting and calling Miss Rosen 'Mistress' even though she doesn't like it. Of course, he remembers after and corrects himself, but Miss Rosen still doesn't like it. Iris does the same."

Harry chucked and the two followed Pine down to the dining room.

Another update later...

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Two continued

Harry entered the dining room and saw members of the Order were seated around the long table, including Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, a very grumpy-looking Snape, Professor Flitwick, the Weasley twins, who had just apparated from their shop for lunch, and Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. Harry remembered Ron writing that Fleur had joined the "fan club" and that she and Bill will dating.

Dumbledore, Professor Flitwick, and Professor McGonagall all greeted Harry and Snape muttered "hello" in a surly tone. Miss Rosen frowned and said, "Servus, couldn't you be more polite to my- I mean Harry?" Snape actually turned red and mumbled an apology. He looked very uncomfortable and Miss Rosen added, "Servus, eating here is no big deal. It's no different from being at the staff table at Hogwarts. Just put up with it since I'm not allowing you to eat in the kitchen. And Iris and Pine would bever allow it since they insist that only they and other servants can eat there."

Harry chuckled and sat down. Miss Rosen clapped her hands and said grace. "Dear God, we are about to eat. Please bless us and the food. May you see us through this war so that we may continue to have meals here. We love you and know that you will watch and protect us. Amen." Everyone repeated the amen and began lunch. Ginny explained to Harry that Miss Rosen was religious and therefore said grace before meals. She didn't try to force religion on anyone, but she did insist on everyone listening to grace, She did keep them short and basically asked for blessing and that God would protect them and see them through the war.

Iris came in and asked, "Is the food fine?"

Miss Rosen smiled and replied, "It's delicious. You are really a wonderful cook. Now, why don't you go back and eat you lunch, Iris?" Iris bowed and walked back to the kitchen, with Miss Rosen calling, "Iris, there is no need to bow. You aren't a slave!" Hermione smiled and nodded approvingly.

Bill and Professor Flitwick were talking about getting the goblins on their side. Professor Flitwick was part goblin, so Dumbledore had asked him to be a liason to the goblins in Gringotts. Harry realised that that was why Professor Flitwick was so short. Dumbledore was talking with Professor McGonagall and Miss Rosen over finding a new Defense teacher.

"It really is getting to find a good Defense teacher," commented Dumbledore. "No one is eager to take the position. And I really do not want another Umbridge. Remus would do it, except the Minisrty and parents aren't going to be very keen on having a werewolf for a teacher."

Miss Rosen suggested, "I could probably do it. You know I've been fighting Voldemort and that I considered being an auror. I have the experience. Also, it would be useful to have another teacher at your school that's an Order member. Besides, I would also get to know Harry and his friends better. And I am his-you know."

Professor McGonagall nodded. "That is a good idea, Wendy. You know Albus, it really would be helpful to have her. And she could keep another eye on Harry and when he isn't able to go to yo, he could go to Wendy."

"That is an excellent idea, "agreed Dumbledore. "you really are a perfect candidate. Remus can't, and while Servus is another good choice, I prefer having him remain as out Potions professor. Of course, if he did become Defense professor, we'd have to hire a new Potions master, which is easier to find candidates for. But he is an excellent Potions brewer and we do need one that is on our side and in the Order. So it looks as if you are our new Defense professor, Miss Rosen. Of course, you'll have to send in an application, but it will be just a formality."

Miss Rosen nodded. "So now I'll be known as Professor Rosen. Or will it be Professor Lupin, since I am going to be married by the time school starts? Then again, it will be confusing, so I guess I will either keep my maiden name or have the students call me Mrs. Lupin."

"I think you best had stick with Professor Rosen," said Dumbledore. "I don't think you want certain people knowing about your marriage. It would make either you or Remus a bigger target, depending on which one of you is wanted by Voldemort more."

Miss Rosen nodded consent. Harry brightened to hear that his mother's friend was going to be their new Defense teacher. He brightened up even more to hear Dumbledore tell him, "Even though you will have a compentent teacher, Harry, you do have permission to continue that Defense group. It was called Dumbledore's Army, was it not?"

Harry nodded and exclaimed, "Thanks, Professor Dumbleodre!"

"I'll be willing to help you with it," offered Miss Rosen. "I'll just help keep an eye on things and help you with demonstrating things and unhexing people. You'll do the teaching and everything else. I won't interfere, Harry."

"Thank you, Miss Rosen. I really appreciate it."

Once lunch was over, Miss Rosen and Remus led Harry to the parlour. "Here is a copy of Sirius' will," said Remus. "I want you to sign it. That way it will be fully legal. If you don't, then Sirius' property will go to his closest relatives. While Tonks and Andromeda would get some of it, a great deal would also go to Bellatrix and Narcissa."

Harry certainly did not want any of Sirius' property to go to the Malfoys or Lestranges, so signed the parchment. Then Miss Rosen read the will.

"First, the Weasleys get 5,000 galleons each and the twins get an extra 1,000 as an investment toward their store. Then Tonks and Andromeda get 5,000 galleons each. Hermione gets the Black family library and 5,000 galleons book fund. Wendy Rosen gets 5,000 galleons and Mungundus can have all the Black silver and other stuff that hasn't been thrown away. Each member of the Order not already listed get 100 galleons. Remus gets half of the money left and Harry gets the other half. Harry also gets the house and if Remus doesn't marry Wendy, Harry has to let him stay at the Black house. And remind Harry that some of the money is actually what my uncle left me, if he's reluctant to take what my parents' money. If he doesn't want it, then leave it in trust with his appointed guardians, Remus, Wendy, Dumbledore, and the Weasleys. And Harry, listen to Dumbledore, even though you don't always have to do what he says. And tell Snape that I apoligise for the tricks we played on him in school and tell Moony to watch after Harry, marry Wendy, [she doesn't care that you're a werewolf (and something else that shall remain private)], and tell George and Fred that they really are like the Mauraders."
Harry listened to the will, tears streaming down his face, When Miss Rosen was done, she put down the will and hugged Harry, whisphering, "Remus and I know how you feel." She sat down, keeping Harry in her embrace, letting him cry it out. Remus joined them and put his arms around them.

Remus said, "Sirius does not blame you. He never would. He loved you very much." Tears were also in his eyes, as well as in Miss Rosen's.

Harry calmed down a bit and said, "I really don't want his money."

"All right," said Miss Rosen, sniffling. "We'll leave the money in Sirius' vault and Remus and I will hold it trust for you. But you will be able to withdraw from it when you want to, and when and if you're ready, we will transfer it to you."

That was acceptable and Harry nodded. Miss Rosen produced three handkerscheifs from her sleeve and handed one each to Harry and Renus. They dried their eyes and Remus conjured some tissues to blow their noses. They soon recovered and left the parlour.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Three: O.W.L. Results

The next day, the O.W.L. results arrived. Harry picked up his letter and read it.

"Dear Mr. Potter,

Enclosed are your marks on your O.W.L.s. You did quite well and your Defense Against Dark Arts marks are the highest for your year. Also enclosed are the N.E.W.T.-level classes you are allowed to take. Please select at least five classes.
If you plan to be an auror, please select Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against Dark Arts, and Herbology. When you have made your selections, please send them to Professor McGonagall.

Yours sincerely,

Griselda Marchbanks"

The next page had his results.

" Grading Rubric
Outstanding: 90-100
Exceeds Expectations: 80-89
Acceptable: 70-79
Poor: 60-69
Dreadful: 50-59
Terrible: below 50

Transfiguration- Theoretical: E(85) Practical: E(89) Overall: E(87)
Charms: Theoretical- E(89) Practical: O(95) Overall:O(92)
Defense Against Dark Arts- Theoretical:O(100) Practical: O(105) Overall: O(103)
Herbology- Theoretical: E(86) Practical: O(90) Overall: E(88)
Potions- Theoretical: O(92) Practical: E(87) Overall: O (89.5, rounded to 90)
History of Magic- Theoretical: P (67) Overall: A(70) (Grace points added)
Care of Magical Creatures- Practical: O(97) Overall: O(97)
Astronomy- Theoretical: E(85) Practical: A(75) Overall: E(80)
Divination- Practical: T(48) Overall: D(50) (Grace Points added)

You have received eight O.W.L.s. Below are the classes you may take.

Potions- Accepts Outstanding
Transfiguration- Accepts Exceeds Expectations
Charms- Accepts Acceptable
Defense Against Dark Arts- Accepts Poor
Care of Magical Creatures- Accpets Acceptable
Herbology- Accepts Exceeds Expectations
Astronomy- Accepts Exceeds Expectations
Divination- Accepts all levels"

Harry was glad to see that he had passed his O.W.L.s and had gotten eight of them. And he was relieved to find out he had passed Potions, and could take N.E.W.T.-level Potions. It was essential since he did plan to be an auror. He showed Ron his scores and looked at Ron's. Ron's grades were similar, except his History of Magic grade was a 79, and that he had gotten an E in Charms. His Potions grade was exactly like Harry's, barely an Outstanding.

Hermione then showed her grades. She, as expected, got Outstandings on all her O.W.L.s. Her lowest grade was Astronomy, which was ninety. Her other grades were all 100 or 99 and she had the highest scores of the year, accept for Defense Against Dark Arts, where Harry surpassed her. She had gotten ten O.W.L.s and was very pleased. The first thing she did was borrow Hedwig so she could mail her results to her parents. They would be very pleased.

Mrs. Weasley was very pleased with Ron's scores. While he hadn't gotten twelve, eleven, or ten O.W.L.s like Bill, Charlie, or Percy, he had gotten more than the twins. Remus and Miss Rosen were very pleased with Harry's. They complimented Harry. As for Hermione's grades, they also complimented her and told her about their O.W.L.s. Miss Rosen and Lily had gotten the highest marks in Charms and James and Sirius had gotten the highest in Transfiguration. Remus had gotten the highest in Defense, with Servus Snape. Servus had also been at the top in Potions, along with Frank Longbottom. Alice and Peter Pettigrew had been at the top in Herbology. Miss Rosen and Lily had been near the top in Transfiguration, Defense, Herbology, and Potions. Alice had done the same, only instead of Herbology, it was Charms. The Mauraders had done well, except for Peter, who had only done very well in Potions and Herbology. His Charms score was barely an E, and he only got an A in Transfiguration.

Harry laughed, pleased to find out that the man who betrayed his parents had not done well on his O.W.L.s.

Another update later...

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Four: The Ministry

The next day, Harry received a letter from the Ministry. It read:

"Dear Mr. Potter

We are very sorry for not have believing you early about the return of You-know-who. Your actions last May in the Department of Mysteries were very heroic. Also, witnesses have said your godfather, Sirius Black, was there fighting against Death Eaters. Albus Dumbledore has spoken to us and combined with him and witnesses, we have cleared Sirius Black of Charges.

We at the Ministry are very sad to find out of Mr. Black's death. However, we are very proud of his and you heroic actions. Therefore, we plan to honor both of you with a ceremony. Mr. Black will receive an Order of Merlin, Second Class, and you will receive an Order of Merlin, First Class. In addition, the friends that accompanied you will also be honored at the ceremony and each one of them will receive an Order of Merlin, Second Class.

We hope that will make up for not believing you earlier. We know it will not make up for your godfather's death, but it might lessen the pain a little. The ceremony will be at three o'clock in the afternoon, on July 25th.

Yours sincerely,

Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic"

Harry tossed the letter aside angrily. So now the Ministry clears Sirius, when he's dead. Now the Ministry apoligises for not believing him about Voldemort's return and offers him an Order of Merlin. Harry turned and saw Ron, Hermione, and Ginny with angry or annoyed looks. He saw letters in their hands and knew they had gotten similar letters, informing them that they were to get Order of Merlins, Second Class.

"What good is it now!" snapped Ginny. "Sirius is dead! The idiots."

"They should have believed Harry the first time he said Voldemort habd returned," grumbled Hermione. "An Order of Merlin isn't going to help."

'It's nice getting an Order of Merlin," said Ron, "but what good is it? Fudge just wants to look good, so hands them out to us and Luna and Neville. Makes people think that Fudge did one thing right by honoring a group of teenagers that faced down Death Eaters. "

Miss Rosen came over. "I know it's not something you want, but it is an honor. And not many fifteen or sixteen year olds get an Order of Merlin. I think you're the first ones in at least a century. Besides, it will make certain annoying people at school jealous. I believe you are on unfriendly terms with Lucius Malfoy's son?"

Harry nodded. "See? Try to focus on the good effects of it. Besides, I think Neville Longbottom will be in somewhat excited at getting an Order of Merlin like his parents did. I know his grandmother will certainly be pleased. So try to show some excitement for Nevilles's sake, at least during the ceremony."

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny nodded with resigned looks on their faces. Remus took over, giving them more advice and telling them to put up with it. Meanwhile, Mrs. Weasley was very excited to find out that her two youngest children had received Order of Merlins and was bustling about with the house elf Iris to make a congradulatory dinner.

More later...

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Four continued

On the twenty-third, Miss Rosen and Remus took Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to Diagon Alley to purchase dress robes for the awards ceremony. Since their was danger of a Death Eater attack, Harry was disguised. Miss Rosen had Harry wear blue contacts to disguise his eyes. She also used her wand to change Harry's hair to a dark brown and used a charmed hairbrush to straighten out his hair. The brush didn't really work, but it did manage to flatten it out a little.

Finally some cream was rubbed on Harry's forehead to hide the scar. It would last for twelve hours or until washed off. Then they flooed to Diagon Alley. This time Harry ended up there, instead of accidently ending up in Knockturn Alley like he did the last time he flooed. At Madame Malkin's, they were measured and Miss Rosen and Remus helped Harry and his friends pick out robes.

Since Ron and Ginny had red hair, green suited them very well. Ginny had light green robes, Ron had dark green. They did not go for a medium shade, since it was too much like Slytherin's color. Hermione was given pale blue robes trimmed with pink and Harry got red robes trimmed in gold, Gryffindor's colors. When they were done, Miss Rosen bought the robes for the wedding. Ron had navy blue, Hermione had pale blue, Ginny had light green, and Harry had a green that would bring out the color of his eyes.

The robes were wrapped up and the group went to the Leaky Cauldron to Floo back to Headquarters. On the twenty-fifth, Miss Rosen, Remus, and Mr. Weasley took Harry and his friends to the Ministry after lunch. They were given bages, stating they were there for the awards ceremony. Mr. Weasley took them to his office and minutes later, Neville and his grandmother, as well as Luna and her father, showed up. Neville looked a bit uncomfortable, but Mrs. Longbottom was beaming and looked very proud of Neville. Mr. Lovegood was also pleased, but Luna, as usual didn't seem to notice.

Harry got into a converstaion with Luna and found out that she had just come back from Sweden. The Lovegoods had spotted a Crumple-horned Snorkack, but the pictures of it hadn't been developed yet. Harry then mentioned the veil, remembering that Luna had said she had also heard voices. Suddenly he said, "I have to go to the bathroom," and walked out.

However, he went to the Department of Mysteries instead. He looked at the time-turners and everything else there, the turned to the Veiled Archway. As drew near, he heard whispherings. As he came closer, the whispherings became intelligible. One sounded like Sirius, calling, "Harry, Harry," Then it said, "Your parents, here. See them, see them."

Harry paused, hearing another voice that sounded like his mother, calling to him to come closer. He listened for a few more minutes, then came to the veil. He then stopped in front of the archway and started to push aside the Veil. Just then, a voice screamed, "Harry!" and someone pulled him back.

It was Miss Rosen, looking furious. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Remus were behind her, looking concerned. Miss Rosen took a few deep breaths, and then went into a tirade.

"Harry James Potter! What were you doing, going to the veil like that? Were you trying to kill yourself?!? Why don't you just ask Servus for some poison to drink or throw yourself at Voldemort's feet and let it or him take care of it? Really, I thought you had more sense. What kind of idiot are you, to go off and do such a stupid thing!" Miss Rosen then slapped him on the cheek.

Harry was surprised and Miss Rosen loked apolegetic for a moment. "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry. I was just so furious at you for what you did." Then she said in a more severe tone, "But prehaps that slap has knocked some sense into you. Now come back to Mr. Weasley's office. You will do no more wandering. If you need to go someplace, either Remus or I will take you."

Miss Rosen dragged Harry back to Mr. Weasley's office by the arm, still scolding him and berating him for his idiocy. Ron looked slightly sympathetic, but Hermione, Ginny, and Remus had expressions identical to Miss Rosen's only not so furious.

Another update later...

[Elisabeth36]

I was visiting my grandparents, who live out of state, and hadn't time to post recently. But I am back again, so here's my post.

Chapter Four continued

A few minutes before three, everyone went to the room where the awards ceremony took place. Fudge shook Harry's hand, expressed his regrets that Sirius was dead, and congratulated Harry on receiving an Order of Merlin. Harry gave the Minister a very fake smile and muttered a polite response. He really thought Fudge looked even more like a bumbling idiot.

At three o'clock, Cornelius Fudge got up to the podium to make a speech. It was very long and boring and went on about how Sirius was a brave and good man. then he proceeded to talk about the bravery of Harry and his friends at the Department of Mysteries and how they had proved "You-know-who" had returned. Fudge could have gone on forever, but Amelia Bones leaned over and whisphered to him. He quickly cut his speech short and began presenting the Order of Merlin awards. Harry was called up first.

"Mr. Harry James Potter is a very fine young wizard." said Madam Bones. "He personally went to the Department of Mysteries to save his godfather, whom he thought was being held by You-know-who. He fought the numerous Death Eaters and escaped with only a few small injuries. The Ministry is quite proud of him and we are pleased to award him an Order of Merlin, First Class."

Fudge handed Harry an Order of Merlin. Then Madam Bones handed him Sirius' Order of Merlin, saying, "Since Mr. Sirius Black is dead, we give you his Order of Merlin for you to keep, Mr. Potter."

Next was Ron Weasley. "Mr. Ronald Weasley is also a fine wizard. he is one of Harry's best friends and went with him to the Ministry. He fought Death Eaters and did get attacked by some of the things in the Department of Mysteries, but he escaped. He is also very courageous and sticks to his friends. Therefore, we award him an Order of Merlin, Second Class."

After Ron was Hermione. "Miss Hermione Granger is a very talented witch. She is Harry's other best friend and helps him academically. She also insisted on going with to the Ministry. She fought well and escaped serious injury. Therefore, we award Miss Granger and Order of Merlin, Second Class."

Next was Neville. "Mr. Neville Longbottom is a good wizard and a friend to Harry. While he does not have his parents' talent, he does fairly well and does have the Gryffindor courage. He insisted on accomapnying Harry, though he did not know about Sirius and was not a close friend to Harry. He fought Bellatrix Lestrange and survived. For his courage and bravery, we award Mr. Longbottom this Order of Merlin, Second Class."

After Neville was Ginny. "Miss Ginerva Weasley is a talented witch. She is Ronald's younger sister and a friend to Harry, though not extremely close. She also insisted on going to the Ministry with Harry. She fought the Death Eaters and escaped with a hurt ankle. She did very well and for this we award Miss Weasley and Order of Merlin, Second Class."

Last was Luna. "Last but not least, we have Miss Luna Lovegood. She is a new friend of Harry's and a talented witch. She did not have to go to the ministry, but insisted on going anyway. She fought well and therfore we award Miss Lovegood and Order of Merlin, Second Class."

The ceremony was then over and Harry and his friends quickly escaped after posing for a few pictures for the Prophet.

More later...

Edit: I had to change Virginia to Ginerva since J.K. Rowling has said that Ginerva is Ginny's full first name.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Five: Harry's Birthday and the Truth

On July 31st, it was Harry's birthday. Neville and his grandmother, as well as the Lovegoods, had been invited and they showed up on the 30th. Mrs. Longbottom told Harry and his friends that tomorrow was also Neville's birthday. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna were surprised, but Harry already knew. When Hermione asked Harry why he wasn't surprised, Harry replied, "Oh, er, Dumbledore mentioned it once."

Later that day, Miss Rosen had a talk with Harry. "Harry, I really think you should tell your friends about the prophecy. They have a right to know. And before you ask, I already know what the prophecy is about. Dumbledore informed me after what happened in the Ministry. I simply asked him about it and since I'm your go-I mean guardian, he told me. Remus also knows since he's also your guardian. Now, I want you to think about what I told you and I hope you decide to tell our friends about the prophecy."

Harry thought long and hard for the rest of the afternoon and in the evening decided to tell his friends. After supper, they met in Hermione and Ginny's room and harry began. "You know the prophecy that got smashed in the Ministry? Well, that was only a copy. Dumbledore knows the whole thing. Trewlanley may be an old fraud, but she does occasionally come up with a true prophecy. She was interviewing for the Divination post and at the end, she made the prophecy. Dumbldore heard it. So did someone working for Voldemort, but he only got the first part before he was thrown out of Hog's Head." Harry then told them the prophecy.

Ron and Ginny gasped and Hermione exclaimed, "So that means you must kill Voldemort or you will be killed by him!"

"Yeah," replied Harry. "Be murdered or become a murderer."

"There's the chance that both of you could die, " said Luna.

Neville looked very pale and whisphered, "That part about someone being born at the end July and having parents that had defied Voldemort three times. That could fit me. My birthday is the same day as your's, Harry, and my parents has also defied Voldemort three times."

"I know," replied Harry. "That's how I know when your birthday was. Dumbldore told me that you also fit the prophecy. Luckily for you, Voldemort picked me as his equal and gave me the scar. I may not like having this burden on me, but I would never wish it on someone else, either. And yes, Luna, I realise there's the chance that Voldemort and I could both die."

Ron tried to comfort him. "Come on, mate, killing V-V-Voldemort isn't going to make you a murderer. You'd be doing the wizard world a service. Besides, it's self defense. If you didn't kill him, he would just kill you. Then people like Hermione and my family will die and there'd only be V-V-Voldemort and purebloods like the Malfoys and Lestranges."

Hermione, Luna, Ginny, and Neville agreed with Ron. Harry did feel a little better about it and so was much happier when his birthday arrived.

More later...

[Elisabeth36]

Harry woke up the next morning to Ron calling, "Happy Birthday, mate!" Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna came in and also wished Harry a happy birthday. Then they left so Harry could get dressed. Harry found at the foot of his bed red and gold robes and a note that read, "Happy Birthday, Harry! From Remus and Wendy."

When Harry went down to breakfast, he found the table set and platters ful of his favorite breakfast foods. Iris and Pine asked Harry anxiously if he found the breakfast suitable. They had heard that it was the great Harry Potter's birthday and had been up since five making the perfect breakfast. Harry assured them that the breakfast was fine and that they didn't need to go to all this trouble.

Iris and Pine blushed, said that it was no trouble, and then scurried into the kitchen. Everyone sat down to enjoy the good breakfast and Dumbledore complimented Harry on his new robes.

After breakfast, Harry and Ron went into the living and played a game of chess. Since it was Harry's birthday, Ron went easy and let Harry win. After that, there was a game of Exploding Snap, with cards that the twins had invented. Remus and Miss Rosen joined Harry and his friends in the game.

After lunch, there was a party. Iris and Pine wheeled in the birthday cake. Harry gaped when he saw it. It was a three-tiered chocolate cake with red and gold icing. The sides were decorated with snitches and broomsticks and the top tier had a Gryffindor lion, a snitch, and a wand shooting out sparks. He knew right away that Iris and Pine had made it and thanked them. The two blushed again and lit the sixteen candles.

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and George and Fred took pictures. Then Harry made a wish, which was to defeat Voldemort and then spend the rest of his life in peace, working as an auror. He blew out the candles and then cut the cake. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville had the top tier. Harry's slice had the candied snitch. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny got parts of the lion, Neville got most of the wand, and Luna got the tip and the sparks. The other two tiers were cut up and distributed to the Order members.

When the cake was eaten, it was time for presents. Hermione had given him a book on Aurors, Ron, a book about Quidditch, Luna, two free subscriptions to The Quibbler, Ginny, a minature snitch on a chain, and Neville, a box of sweets. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave him a wand cleaning kit and the twins a box of their products and a certificate entitling Harry to fifty galleons worth of products and twenty precent of all profits, since he had been their financial backer. Miss Rosen gave Harry a foe-seeker, Remus gave him Sirius's flying motorcycle, on the condition that he didn't fly it without an adult until he was of age, and Tonks gave him a self-playing record of the Wierd Sisters. Moody gave Harry a book on Defense that he had written and when Harry flipped through it, he noticed "Constant Viligence!" written every few paragraphs. Charlie and Bill had given Harry a magic wallet that could hold anything, Hagrid had sent a model of a Norwegian Ridgeback, and Dobby had sent Harry a wool hat and a painting that was supposed to be him flying on a broom. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall gave him a Pensieve, Percy had sent a set of Quill pens that could write without needing to be dipped in ink, and the rest of the Order collectively gave him another Defense book and a compainion broomstick servicing kit that contained an updated handbook, an updated compass, and two jars of polish. Iris and Pine gave Harry a knitted gold scarf with a pattern of red lions. They told him that the lions were charmed to roar in front of Slytherins and at Quidditch matches.

Harry loved all his presents and thanked everyone for them. He did feel a little sad when Remus gave him the motorcycle and said, "Harry, this was Sirius'. He wanted to give it to you for your birthday. But since he is gone, I'm giving it to you in his place."

Harry got over it and that evening went to bed, having enjoyed his first ever birthday party.

Update later...

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Six- Letters and Quidditch.

Two days after his birthday, Harry received his Hogwarts letter. It read:

"Dear Mr. Potter,

Enclosed are your booklist and list of other necessary school supplies for the N.E.W.T-level classes you are palnning to take. Please look over the list and make sure that the books assigned are correct for the classes you signed up to take.

Remember that the Hogwarts Express will be leaving on September 1st as usual. Be at King's Cross Station at 11:30. Also, the ban on your Quidditch playing has been lifted. Since you are the oldest member left on the team, you are offered the position as captain for Gryffindor. Since you are seeker, you may decide that you are not the best candidate for captain. In that case, you may pick someone, such as Mr. Weasley, to be your co-captain and have him or her work out the strategy. Good luck, Mr. Potter.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall"

The next page was his supplies list.

"Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk.
Advanced Transfiguration by Emeric Switch and Minerva McGonagall
N.E.W.T-level Potions by Persus Evans
Advanced Care of Magical Creatures by Professor Orion Kettleburn
N.E.W.T.-level Herbolgy by Professor Daffodil Sprout
Advanced Defense by Alastor Moody
Advanced Charms by Filius Flitwick

You will also need the necessary potions supplies, parchment and quills. Also, dress robes will be required as there will be another ball, either for Christmas or St. Valentine's Day."

Harry was surprised to see that his defense book was written by Moody and that his Herbology and Charms books were written by his teachers. The name Kettleburn also sounded familar. Finally he recalled that the Care of Magical Creatures teacher before Hagrid was named Kettleburn. Also, Professor McGonagall had collaborated on the Transfiguration book. He wondered why all the books were by his teachers or former teachers. The Standard Book of Spells and Potions one were the exceptions.

Just then Hermione said, "The name Persus Evans seems odd. Wait a minute!" Hermione grabbed a peice of parchment and scribbled something. Then she exclaimed, "If you rearranged the letters, you get Servus Snape! I wonder if Professor Snape also wrote the Potions book. Maybe he did and rearranged the letters of his name so no one would know that he wrote it."

Miss Rosen confirmed Hermione's guess. So now all the books except one was written by his teachers. Harry looked over the rest of the list and groaned when he read that dress robes were required. He was not that entusiastic about another ball. At least he didn't have to get new robes. The ones that were bought for the wedding and the Ministry ceremony would do.

More later...

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Six continued

Harry felt that he wouldn't make a very good Quidditch captain, so signed on Ron Weasley as co-captain. Ron was, to quote Hermione, "over the moon" about it. He started talking over strategies and other Quidditch stuff with Harry and Ginny. Hermione, who was not interested in Quidditch other than watching it, rolled her eyes and talked with Miss Rosen on defense.

The next week was time to get the school supplies. At first Dumbledore said that Harry should not go for security reasons. But Harry begged and pleaded and finally it was decided that he could go as long as he was in disguise. So Harry's hair was turned to a dark brown and he had to wear the blue contacts again. His scar was again hidden by the face cream and his friends were told to call him by his middle name, James.

Miss Rosen and Remus accompanied Harry and his friends to Diagon Alley while Tonks, Hestia Jones and Emmeline Vance followed at a discreet distance. First everyone went into Flourish and Blotts for the books. Then Miss Rosen took everyone into Ollivanders to get everyone a wand cleaning kit. Then they went into Madame Malkin's to get them new school robes. Then Miss Rosen insisted on buying Ginny an owl. Ginny made a token protest, but was quite happy to accept. She picked put a tawny brown owl.

After that, Miss Rosen got Ginny a Nimbus Two Thousand Three and talked Ron into accepting one also to use for games. Ron was very happy to get his new broom, but did protest that his Cleansweep was good enough. Miss Rosen smiled and had replied, "Yes, it is a very good broom, but I think you should keep it for practises. For a game, you will want a faster and better broom. I'd get you a Firebolt, but you really don't need one, as you're keeper, not seeker."

When the group left Quality Quidditch Supplies, they went to visit Fred and George at their store. Their friend, Lee Jordan, was at the counter and called Fred and George over. Remus had a whisphered converstaion with them. Then Fred, George, and Lee winked and said, "Hello, James." Then George and Fred proceeded to show Harry and his friends around the store.

After that, Harry took ten galleons of things off the certificate while the others were given a fifty percent discount. After their purchases, George handed Harry a cheque. The amount was one thousand galleons. Fred explained, "That's twenty precent of all the profits we've made. You just hand it in at Gringotts and the goblins will transfer that into your vault."

Harry handed the cheque to Remus, who went off to take care of it. When Remus came back, everyone had lunch at the Leaky Caudron, followed with ice cream from Florean Fortescues. Then they all went back to the Order Headquarters.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Seven: The Wedding

August 16th came and it was time for the wedding of Remus Lupin and Wendy Rosen. Harry and Ron got dressed in their dress robes after the wedding breakfast and then went to Remus's room. Remus was dressed in silver robes trimmed with dark blue. He looked very nervous and Ron and Harry had to calm him down.

"Oh, how can I marry Wendy? She is so beautiful and-Oh, she really deserves someone like Sirius. How can she marry me, a werewolf."

"Be sensible!'" snapped Harry. "She loves you. She doesn't care that you're a werewolf. Besides, it's only one night a month. You take your potion and lock yourself up. That's it. Then once it's over, you're fine."

"Harry is quite right, Remus," added Ron. "Now, calm down. You've got the pre-wedding jitters all grooms have. That's what Mum says, anyway."

Hestia Jones knocked on the door then and told them to go to the living room. Harry and Ron took Remus's arms and led him out. Remus stood next to the improvised altar and Harry and Ron stood next to it. The Order members sat around, with an aisle in between for the bride and bridesmaids to walk through. Professor McGonagall waved her wand and the music for the Wedding March came out from it.

The door opened and Wendy came in. She was wearing robes of a floaty white material. Little pink and blue flowers were scattered over the white background. A circlet of pink rosebuds and blue violets was on her head and a white veil floated down her back. She had on makeup and jewelry. Harry noticed that her necklace was one that he had seen her wearing before and that she had borrowed Luna's radish earrings. Wendy also carried a large bouquet of pink roses and blue violets.

Behind Wendy came Ginny and Hermione. They looked very pretty in their bridesmaid's robes. They wore make-up and jewelry. Hermione's hair had been twisted into an elegant knot and Ginny's red hair flowed free in soft curls. Hermione had a pink rose tucked in her hair and Ginny had a small cluster of violets in hers. Hermione carried a bouquet of roses, Ginny carried a boquet of violets.

The Wedding March ended when Wendy reached the altar. Remus looked dumbstruck and whisphered, "I can't do it." Harry hissed back, "Yes you can. You don't want to run off and jilt the bride at the altar!"

Wendy smiled and whisphered, "It's all right, Remus. Calm down."

Dumbledore picked up a little book and went through the wedding vows. Or he tried to. Unfortunately, instead of "For richer or poorer," it said, "For however much galleons you have," and instead of "Til death do you part," it said,"For the few measly years until you croak." Half the wedding guests burst into laughter while the other half looked angry. Harry suspected that the twins had changed the writing in the book. Remus and Wendy burst into laughter and then Wendy managed to say,"Fred, George, that was very amusing. Now could you change the writing back to the proper way?"

Mrs. Weasley looked angry, but managed to keep her temper in check. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as Fred and George came up and tapped the book. Then they sat down and the ceremony began again. This time the vows went through with no problems. Then Remus and Wendy said their "I do's", Neville stepped up with the rings, and Luna took the bride's boquet. Remus and Wendy exchanged rings and then they kissed. They were married!

Cheers rang out and rose petals and rice was flung into the air. Fred and George flung colored rice and let off a few small fireworks that spelled "Remus and Wendy Lupin. Just Married!"

Then everyone went into the dining room to have the wedding reception. It lasted for two hours. Then it was time to cut the wedding cake. Iris and Pine wheeled in the wedding cake. It was five-tiered with white frosting and pink roses. The top tier had the little figures of the bride and groom. Remus and Wendy shared the top teir and the rest was cut for the guests.

Harry asked about the radish earrings and Wensy replied, "Oh, you know the saying that brides must wear 'something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue'? Well, my dress was something new. My necklace was something old, I borrowed the earrings from Luna, and the sapphires on my bracelet was something blue."

Harry nodded and ate his slice of cake. Then it was time for the throwing of the boquet. All the unmarried people gathered in a corner and Wendy stepped onto a chair. She tossed the boquet over her shoulder and Bill caught it. George called, "It looks like you're going to have to ask Fleur to marry you soon, Bill!" Bill turned red and glared at George. Fred snickered and Harry remembered that Fleur had taken a job at Gringotts to "Improve her English." Obviously Bill was dating her.

The wedding and reception was over then and everyone left the dining room.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Eight: Back to Hogwarts

September 1st came around and it was time to board the Hogwarts Express to head back for school. Remus, the Weasleys, and others members of the Order saw Harry and friends off. Wendy, who would soon be called Professor Lupin, joined the teens in their compartment. Hermione and Ron headed for the prefects' meeting. Ginny had not been made a prefect, to Mrs. Weasley's disappointment. Luna had been offered the prefect position, but she had refused it. Apparently she had some story about it, such as the position was cursed or caused the people to become too obessed with power and abusing it.

When Hermione and Ron came back from the meeting, a girl was with them. She introduced herself as Fiona McGilrey and said she was the new Ravenclaw girl prefect. Fiona sat down next to Luna and continued, "I'm a friend of Luna's. In fact, I'm probably her only friend in Ravenclaw. The other girls just torment Luna. Our dormmates are absolutely horrible. They ignore Luna except when teasing her or taking her things. It's gotten so far that Luna actually needs to put her homework and books in my trunk to avoid them being taken. The other girls are no help. Padma Patil is the only one who defends Luna and that's mostly because she's a prefect. Before she was one, she never bothered Luna, but she never stood up for her, either. It's a good thing I got made a prefect, so I can have some power over my dormmates. If one of them was prefect, they'd probably give Luna a detention for being 'loony'."

Then Fiona turned to Luna and got into a long discussion over the existance of crumple-horned snorkacks and heliopaths. Wendy frowned and muttered something about speaking with Filius Flitwick. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville were shocked and Harry, who already knew about it, shook his head in disgust. Hermione then whisphered, "Of course, I already decided not to dispute with her any more after her going with us to the Ministry, but what Fiona said has made me even more certain not to. How can anyone be so mean to Luna just because she's a bit odd?"

Ron nodded in agreement and Ginny and Neville swore that they would do the same. Just then, Malfoy came in the compartment. He looked at Harry and said, "Harry, is it true that the Dark Lord is a halfblood?"
After Harry had recovered from the shock of Malfoy calling him by his first name, he replied, "Yes, Draco. Voldmort's father was a Muggle, his mother was a witch. His father left his mother after finding out his wife was a witch. Voldemort's real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, after his father. Riddle himself told me during my second year with the bailisk and the Chamber of Secrets."

Malfoy nodded. "So the rumors are right. Well, I'm not supporting him. Father has been trying to get me to join him as a Death Eater, but I won't do it. I've heard I have to kill people and I refuse to it. And I really don't think I'm up to torturing people, either. Mother wouldn't like it and she told me she never wants me to be like that. She mentioned something about how she hated Father, but didn't have the courage to do what her sister did and marry a mud-muggleborn." Malfoy paused and then said, "I'm going to speak to Dumbledore and see if I can't join him. As for you, Harry, in school I'll be annoying and all to you and your friends. We've got pretenmses to keep up. Everyone would be shocked if I didn't call you Potter and if I started being a friendly. But you'll know I'm on your side in the fight with, er... Riddle."

Malfoy then said, "Good day," and left the compartment. Harry and his friends looked shocked. Hermione and Ron exhanged incredulous looks. Wendy smiled and siad, "It looks like the Malfoy family isn't all bad. I'll talk with Albus tomorrow morning and tell you how Draco's interview went, if Draco talked with Albus tonight."

The train then pulled into the station and everyone got off.

[Elisabeth36]

Cahpter Eight continued

Harry and his friends entered the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table, except for Luna and Fiona, who went to the Ravenclaw table. The first years entered the hall, led by McGonagall, who was carrying the Sorting hat.
She set the hat on the stool Professor Filtwick had brought in and explained the sorting. Then the Hat began its song.

"Many years long ago
I was made for this
To be able to tell where
New pupils should go.

If you are brave and true
And are full of courage
Then maybe Gryffindor
Is the house for you.

If you are clever and wise
And love to read and study
Then I think Ravenclaw
Will be perfect for your size.

If you like to do hard work
And are loyal and true
Then Hufflepuff is where
You will not shirk.

If you have much ambition
And seek power and fame
Then pure Slytherin is
The house for your condition.

These houses are strong
But not if they're alone.
Together they are great
And they are never wrong.

We are in dark times now
Where there is danger
And a very Dark Lord
That wants us to bow.

We must plod along
And work together
To defeat him now
And I now end my song."

Everyone clapped when the song ended and Harry exchanged looks with Hermione. The last three stanzas had warned everyone like it did last year. It asked everyone to stick together to fight Voldemort and not be divided by differences. It would be easier now with Malfoy, or rather Draco, on their side.

The first student was called up.

"Adams, Gwendolyn." After a minute, the Hat called out, "Ravenclaw!" The Ravenclaw table burst into applause as Gwendolyn's twin sister, Gloriana Adams, took her turn. She was also sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Andrews, Jonathan. "HUFFLEPUFF!" (Applause from Hufflepuff table.)
"Bell, Daniel." "GRYFFINDOR!" (Applause from Gryffindor table.)
"Braddock, Caitlin." "RAVENCLAW!" (Applause from Ravencalw table.)
"Carter, Lionel." "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Davis. Miranda." "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Dellan, Bianca. "RAVENCLAW!"
"Elliot, Stuart." "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry then realised that no one one had been sorted into Slytherin yet. In the three that he had been present for, there had been at least one person by the time the hat got to the E's. He wondered over it until they got to "Goyle, Gearld." He appeared to be a brother of Gregory Goyle, one of Malfoy's henchmen. Gearld got sorted into Slytherin, the first one, and there was thunderous applause from that table.

A few students later, they got to a pair of twins. "Kent, Joyce." Joyce was sorted into Gryffindor. She took off the hat, but did not join the other Gryffindors. She instead waited to one side as her twin brother, Royal Kent, took his turn. The Sorting Hat also put him in Gryffindor and the two then walked over to the Gryffindor table. The two had auburn hair, blue eyes, and a mischievous and happy look on their faces. Harry wondered if they would be the next Weasley twins.

The Sorting Hat finished with "Zabini, Beatrice." (Slytherin!) Dumbledore stood up and said, "I have some announcements, but they can wait. For now, Bon Appetit!" Food appeared on the tables and everyone began eating.

Harry looked over at the twins, who were sitting across him. The girl smiled and leaned over, "I'm Joyce Kent, Joy for short. This is Royal, Roy for short."

Roy also leaned over, "We're twins. You must be Harry Potter."

Harry nodded and Joy contined, "We've read about you. And our sister Candice told us about you, too."

Candice is in Ravenclaw," said Roy. "She was so excited when she found out she was a witch three years ago and we hoped we would be ones, too."

"Do you know Fred and Goerge Weasley?" asked Joy.

Ron replied, "They're my brothers."

Roy looked excited and exclaimed, "You must be Ron, Harry's best friend!'

Ron nodded and Joy said, "Candice told us what they did to annoy a nasty teacher. We hope-"
"That we can live up to them," finished Roy. "We like to cause trouble, you see."

Joy continued, "That's right. We stopped at their joke shop and got lots of things. Fred and George were really pleased when they found out about us."

Harry laughed and knew that his prediction that they were the next Weasley twins were right. Hermione frowned a little, but recalling what the twins did last year, did not comment. Ron looked excited and promised to tell Joy and Roy some of the things Fred and George had done.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Eight continued

Soon dessert was eaten and the plates cleared of food. Dumbledore stood up for his customary speech.

"Now that we are all feed and watered, I will begin my announcement. First, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Please welcome Wendy Rosen Lupin." Wendy stood up and acknowledged the clapping. Then she sat down and Dumbledore continued, "As you older students may have guessed, she is indeed married to our former Defense professor, Remus Lupin. She is as compentent as he was and will do a good job teching. Rest assured that she is not another Dolores Umbridge." There were cheers to that staement and Dumbledore waited until everyone had quieted down. "Now, I would like to inform everyone that the Forbidden Forest, like its name, is forbidden to students. You will not be allowed to enter there except under certain circumstances. Also, the list of banned products have been extended to those sold by the fine establishment known as Weasley Wizards' Wheezes. For a complete listing, read the list that is in the office of our caretaker, Argus Filch. And finally, Quidditch tryouts will begin on September the sixteenth. All students may try out, but first years may only be accepted in reserve positions. That is all."

The students stood up to leave, Hermione, Ron, and the two new prefects, Amy Stuart and Christopher Johnson, gathered the first years together to take them to the Gryffindor common room. Harry followed Ginny and Neville out the hall, noticing that Draco was walking over to Dumbledore. He knew that Draco was probably going to have his talk and he made a note to mentally stop calling Draco 'Malfoy'. In public, he would say "Malfoy", but not in his mind.

When Harry reached the Fat Lady's portrait, Amy came out and said, "you guys, the password is 'mandrakes.'"

Harry nodded and Neville said, "Another password I can remember! It has to do with plants.' Ginny smiled and the three of them, plus Amy, went inside. Ginny took Amy aside to talk and Harry and Neville went up to their dorms.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Nine

The next morning, Harry went down to breakfast. Halfway to the Great Hall, he tripped over a puddle of water. He picked himself up and wondered if Peeves had done it. A few giggles proved that he wasn't and he saw a pair of auburn heads disappear around the corner. Harry suspected Joy and Roy were responsible for the puddle of water. He didn't say anything, though, since he didn't want to get them in trouble.

Once in the hall, Ginny looked up and said, "Part of your robe's wet."

Harry sighed and replied, "I know that. I fell over a puddle of water. I'm not quite sure who did it, but it wasn't Peeves. I heard some giggles and Peeves normally cackles."

Ron shook his head and said, "Maybe Joy and Roy did it. But of course, there's no proof. We'll just let it pass."

"You'll have to change after breakfast," said Hermione. "And here's your schedule."

Harry took his schedule and looked it over. Then he looked at Ron's and saw that it was the same as his. Then he checked Hermione's and saw that it was the same, except she also had Arithmacy and Ancient Runes.

Ginny began grumbling over her O.W.L.s year and Hermione promised tp help her. Then she nudged Ron and Harry and they also promised to help Ginny.

Harry then took a pitcher of syrup and poured it over the pancakes. A bite, however, proved that the syrup was really colored glue. Harry spat it out and hastily drank some juice. "Who put glue in the pitcher!?"

The first years began laughing. Hermione turned to Joy and Roy and asked, "Did you two switch the syrup with glue and spill water in the hall?"

Joy and Roy had innocent looks on their faces."'Someone spilled water on the floor?" asked Joy.

Why would we do a thing like that?" asked Roy.

"You better not be lying," said Hermione.

The two smiled and said together, "No, we're not. We never lie. Ask Candice."

Hermione frowned, but she had no proof of any wrongdoing. She sighed, said, "Make sure you don't," and continued with breakfast. Harry quickly served himself toast and checked the jam to make sure it wasn't tampered with.

After breakfast, Harry went up to change and when he came out, Roy said, "Sorry you slipped on the puddle."

Joy continued, "After all, who wants the great Harry Potter to fall?"

Harry asked them if they were the ones responsible for the tricks. Joy told him that they were and Roy made him promise not to tell Hermione. Harry promised. He did tell Ron, but not Hermione. Ron laughed and promised that he would not tell Hermione, either. The two then went to their first class, which was Transfiguration.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Nine continued

For Transfiguration class, they worked on Animagi. Professor McGonagall offered to give Animagi lessons for those who felt they could become Animagi. She looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione as she said this. After Transfiguration was Potions. The trio went down to the dungeons and saw a groups of first year students come out. They noticed Joy and Roy looking very happy about something.

Joy waved to Harry and said, "We won Gryffindor five points!"

Roy added, "We made perfect potions. Professor Snape looked displeased, but grudgingly awarded us five points!"

Harry and Ron exchanged surprised looks. Professor Snape had never awarded Gryffindor points before. Hermione called to Joy and Roy, "Keep up the good work!" The twins called back, "We will!" and waved good-bye.

The trio went inside and saw that Professor Snape looked very angry. He snapped, "Sit down!" and in a few minutes began class. The instructions for the potion were on the board. Professor Snape snapped, "The instructions are on the board. Get to work!" He then disappeared into his office. The class began working.

Draco gave Harry a wink from his table. Then when he walked by to get a bottle, he furtively dropped a note in Harry's lap. Harry opened it and read, "Talked with Dumbledore. He is pleased that I'm on his side. I offered to be a spy for him on Death Eaters, but he said no. He wants me to wait until I'm of age before he'll consider letting me join the Death Eaters and be his spy. Remember to be hostile in public. If you and your friends want to talk, then meet me in the room we found your group in at eight tonight. Draco"

Harry then showed the note to Ron and Hermione. The two exchanged looks, then Hermione whisphered, "I think we should." Harry then looked in Draco's direction and gave a small nod. Draco gave a nod back in return while Hermione quickly tucked the note in her bag.

Toward the end of class, Professor Snape came out to inspect the potions. he looked at Neville's and said, "Well, much better than usual, Longbottom. But then, you couldn't have acheived an Outstanding unless you really did have potions skill. I suppose you may earn Gryffindor five points."

Harry's potion was passable, but not very good as he had been distracted over the note. Professor Snape frowned and snapped, "Is this the best you could do, Potter? Even two first years produced perfect potions! How did you manage to acheive an Outstanding in Potions? If I didn't know that cheating was impossible... Five points from Gryffindor and do better next time."

Harry kept quiet and bottled up his potion. At the end of class, the trio walked out, Neville behind them. He was very excited to have won Gryffindor five points in potions. Harry knew that Snape not being in the room helped Neville acheive a good potion.

At lunch, Joy and Roy were all smiles. "We won Gryffindor fifty points in Transfiguration class!" exclaimed Joy.

"We were the only ones that were able to turn a match into a needle!" continued Roy. "That was ten points for each of us."

"And we each answered three questions," said Joy. "That was thirty points!"

Harry smiled and said, "That's great, Joy and Roy."

"Maybe reading Candice's schoolbooks when we were eight helped," said Roy.

"Yeah," added Joy. "We were so excited when she got her letter and Professor Flitwick came to assure us that it wasn't a joke."

"When Candice got her books, we read them," said Roy. "They were so fascinating. And so were the books we got to tell us about the wizarding world and Hogwarts. We couldn't wait until we got our letters."

Harry shook his head at the twin's enthusiasim. He remembered that he had been very excited when he found out about the wizarding world. But he wasn't sure if he had been like Joy and Roy. For one thing, he had only got the books on the booklist and had not gotten Hogwarts, a History or any other books for background reading. Joy and Roy definitely seemed like a combination of Hermione and Fred and George. They had the brains for Ravenclaw, but there sense of humor and their tricks had gotten them in Gryffindor instead.

Harry then shrugged and continued with his lunch.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Ten

After lunch was Defense Against Dark Arts class. Wendy Lupin was writing on the board as the trio entered. She smiled when they walked in an d paused long enough to say, "Hello, Harry, Ron, and Hermione." The three replied and then took desks near the front.

When the bell rang, Wendy began class. She was wearing pale green robes and her long red-gold hair was done in the severe bun that Professor McGonagall normally wore. She took off her reading glasses and said, "Good morning, class. I am Professor Wendy Lupin. I am teaching Defense Against of Dark Arts, N.E.W.T.-level. This class will be hard, no mistake. Those who misbehave will find themselves in detention, at least twenty points off from their house, and being asked to leave the class for the day. Is that quite clear?" After everyone nodded, she continued, "I have listed my requirements on the board. All of you should have copies of Advanced Defense, written by Alastor Moody. We will use that textbook only for homework or to look up theories. Class time will be spent on practical work, such as dueling each other, and occasionally a few, and I mean few, lectures where you will take notes. If you do well, you will be awarded points for your house. I am very fair and won't award or take points because I like or don't like you."

Her blue eyes, which normally had been laughing or warm, were now sharp and commanding. She obviously took her role of teacher very seriously. Then Wendy said, "I will now test you on what you should have learned. I know that your first two teachers didn't teach you anything much. Only my husband, Remus, and Crouch, disguised as Moody, taught you anything. And the teacher you had last year certainly didn't and many of you resorted to a much better teacher, Mr. Harry Potter."

Hse then went through a list of questions, from "What is a broggart?" to "What are the Unforgiveable Curses?" to "How would you fight as dementor?" Everyone person who answered a question correctly was rewarded five points for his or her house. After she was done with the questions, she saw that there wasn't much time to have a practical lesson. So instead she had everyone read the first chapter for himework and finish what they couldn't get to as homework. The next class they would have a practical lesson.

[Elisabeth36]

Chapter Ten continued

Soon Harry and Ron had the Quidditch tryouts. Ginny, Emma Dobbs, and Seamus Finnigan, Colin Creevy, and Daniel Bell tried out for chaser. Joy and Roy tried out for beaters, and Dennis Creevy tried out for reserve keeper. Ginny, Emma, and Seamus were very good chasers. Colin and Daniel weren't quite as good, but they would make a decent reserve chaser.

Joy and Roy were excellent beaters. They flew Nimbus 2001s, since their parents had refused to get them the more expensive Nimbus 2002's and 2003's and Firebolts. Unfortunately, Dumbledore had said first years could only be reserves. Harry decided to talk with McGonagall and see if an exception could be made for Joy and Roy.

Dennis was an okay keeper, but not as good as Ron. But since he was trying out for reserves, he would do. After the tryouts, Harry and Ron announced that Ginny, Emma, and Seamus would be chasers, Ginny also as reserve seeker, Colin and Daniel as reserve chaser, Dennis as reserve keeper, and that Joy and Roy could be beaters if McGonagall and Dumbledore would make an exception to the rules. Since they had made an exception for Harry, it was very likely they would do the same for Joy and Roy. In that case, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper would be the reserve beaters.

Harry and Ron were pleased with the results and everyone headed back inside to change. Harry went down to McGonagall's office and had a quick talk with her. She was very excited and told him that as far as she was concerned, Joy and Roy could be on the team. She then contacted Dumbledore, who said it was fine with him. So Harry went to the Gryffindor common room to tell Joy and Roy that they could be the beaters.