MetaFic

As the OWLs drew closer, Harry and Ron worked to keep their girlfriends separated.

Neither knew who was the most likely to go mental; Hermione, who was becoming almost as frantic in her efforts to assist Ginny and Luna with their OWLs as she had been when taking her own, or Ginny, who was starting to feel the pressure as the approaching tests. They had taken to snapping at each other over the last week, though they continued to work together. Luna seemed to be moving in a dream state, which frustrated Hermione greatly, but the young blonde girl refused to be ruffled.

Harry kept his plan to inform Voldemort of the contents of the prophecy to himself. He didn't feel the need to burden his friends with this until after Ginny and Luna finished their OWLs. He didn't want the two younger women distracted at this crucial stage. He would wait and tell them a day or two after exams. He also didn't want to stress Hermione any more, as he knew she wouldn't approve of his plan. Ron had just won his third Quidditch match as Captain after a brilliantly played game at Keeper against a surprisingly strong Slytherin team. Harry wanted Ron to bask in the victory a little longer. He did consider talking Neville about it, but decided to wait until he could share his plans with the entire group.

On the morning of the first OWLs, Harry kissed his girlfriend deeply and wished her luck. He promised to be ready with food, drink, and a comforting shoulder, should she need any of the above. Ginny, for her part, looked as if she had discovered that she had been condemned to the gallows, and the long hard walk to the rope was starting.

Ron made a point of keeping Hermione distracted so that she wouldn't ambush Ginny after each test demanding to know how she thought her tests had gone. Harry refused to think about what Ron might be doing to keep Hermione occupied, but he didn't see them the entire day. Neville patiently checked in on Luna from time to time, but the blonde girl appeared serene, smiling as she left each test.

Harry made sure Ginny ate and drank between exams and last minute revisions, going so far as to take away her notes during meals, which earned him a small hiss of annoyance. He simply smiled and continued to shovel food on her plate. He promised to wait for her in the common room after her final exam, Astronomy.

By the end of the night, Ginny returned to the Gryffindor common room exhausted and pale. When Hermione, who had insisted on waiting up with Harry, tried to pry out of Ginny how she felt she had done, Ginny, still in human form, growled menacingly. Hermione gulped, and decided the interrogation could wait until morning, after Ginny had rested.

Ginny stretched out on the longest couch in the common room and placed her head in Harry's lap. Harry idly stroked her cheek and played with her hair as she quietly told him that she was pretty sure she had blown up in everything, would be told not to come back next year, and would probably have her wand confiscated for being such a disgrace to the name witch. Harry allowed her to rant and moan, holding his peace as she got her frustrations out of her system. Finally, with a small sigh, she dropped off into an exhausted sleep.

In the morning when Harry awoke, Ginny was changed into her cat form, and curled up on Harry's back, sleeping soundly. He made a small grunting noise, and she awoke with a yawn and stretch. Ginny walked up Harry's back and made wuffling noise into his ear before jumping down. She looked around the room for other students and finding none, changed back into her human form.

"Good morning," Harry said.

Ginny smiled. "Good morning to you."

"Feeling better now?"

"Yes," she said with a smile. Ginny started to open her mouth, when her stomach rumbled in a very un-lady like manner. She grinned sheepishly. "I think I'll just go shower and meet you for breakfast."

Harry nodded agreement, "You might watch for Hermione. She's probably lying in ambush somewhere."

Ginny started up the girl's staircase. "That's okay, I should probably be nice to her today. She helped me with revisions, and I've been snappy with her the last couple of days. I wouldn't want to seem ungrateful." She blew Harry a kiss, and flounced up the stairs.

***

"So, if you could, tell Luna I'd like to meet in the Room of Requirement tonight after dinner," Harry said to Neville.

Neville nodded solemnly then made his way over to the Ravenclaw table.

Ron looked at Harry curiously. "Are you sure you want to wait until tonight? Because once you tell Hermione you've got something important to discuss, she'll be on you all day trying to worry it out of you."

Harry smiled at his oldest friend. "That's why you're going to tell her, in private."

Ron shook his head. "No. I ran interference for Ginny all day yesterday. I pretty much burned up all my boyfriend points, so if you want Hermione to know about this, then you tell her."

As Harry considered what to say next, Fawkes glided into the Great Hall, carrying Harry's mail. He landed next to Harry and sang out in his beautiful voice before launching himself and leaving the room. Harry looked around sheepishly as all eyes watched him for a moment longer. Fawkes' rare appearances in the school always caused curiosity. Usually Fawkes stayed up in Harry's room, where the novelty of his being there had worn off after a few weeks. In fact, few of the Gryffindors bothered to look up when Fawkes flew into the room.

"Well?" Ron asked, pointing to Harry's letter.

Harry opened the envelope and scanned the contents. "There's an Order meeting at Grimmauld after breakfast. We're supposed to meet in McGonagall's office and take portkeys to and from the mansion."

Ron nodded and shoved the last of his breakfast into his mouth. "Right, I'll just step over and get Neville and Luna while you tell those two." He pointed at the door as Ginny and Hermione entered the room, giggling and nearly skipping.

The girls settled on either side of Harry. He smiled at them both. "Morning, ladies."

Ginny kissed her boyfriend on the cheek, then turned to filling her plate. "What a beautiful day. No OWLs, no exams, no classes. I just love Saturday."

Harry cleared his throat. "Yes, well, we have an Order meeting this morning." He passed the letter first to Hermione, who read it over carefully.

"Do you know what it's about?" Hermione asked, passing it across Harry to Ginny, who looked at it curiously as she chewed her eggs.

"Not a clue. Ron's telling Neville and Luna," Harry nodded toward Ron at the Ravenclaw table. Ron, Neville, and Luna started toward the Gryffindor table.

Ginny read the letter again as she finished her toast. She shrugged and tossed the letter on the table. "We'll find out when we get there."

"I just hope nothing terrible has happened," Hermione said, distractedly nibbling at her muffin.

"I doubt it has," Harry said. "If something catastrophic was going on, we would have been told straight away, I suspect."

"It's Voldemort," Luna whispered settling in across from Ginny and picking up the letter.

"Why would you say that?" Hermione asked.

"Because it stands to reason. It's near the end of term. Something awful always happens at end of term. What's the most awful thing we can all think of?" Luna asked. "Besides, the Snorkacks are being restless."

"Snorkacks?" Ginny asked.

Luna nodded solemnly. "Yes. They're in the forest, waiting for whatever's going to happen."

"Well, maybe they'll come in on our side when things get dicey," Ron said.

"We should go," Neville pointed out, looking at his watch.

"Okay, just one thing real quick, and I'll met you at McGonagall's office," Harry said.

Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna started for the office while Harry moved down the table where Susan Bones and Blaise Zabini were talking to Seamus Finnigan and Lavender Brown. Ginny turned back to her breakfast and waited for Harry to finish his business.

"Hey," Harry interjected into the conversation the four were having.

Susan looked up and smiled. "Hello, Harry."

Harry settled next to Susan. "I need a favor."

The blonde Hufflepuff nodded. "Sure, what can I do."

"I want you to gather up the D.A. and tell them to get ready. I think there's going to an attack in the next few days. I need you and some of the older students to start thinking about how to defend the castle."

"Won't the Professors do that?" Blaise asked.

"I'm sure they will, but there are only a handful of them," Harry said. "If the Death Eaters attack in force, it won't be enough."

Susan took a deep breath. "Why me? I'd think that would be something you, Ron, or Hermione would do."

Harry nodded. "Normally we would, but I have a feeling that when the fighting starts, and you know it will sooner or later, that we will have different parts to play. I know what I'm going to have to do when Voldemort comes. I need someone to coordinate the D.A. so I don't have to worry. I'm trusting you to take command when things go downhill. Get anyone you want to help."

Susan shivered slightly at the Dark Lord's name, but didn't flinch. "So you're telling me to put the students on a wartime footing?"

"Yes," Harry told her evenly. "Draw up a list of students who you think will be worthwhile in a fight, and let me have it tomorrow. Keep in mind that we may be fighting Dementors, Giants, and other dark creatures, as well as Death Eaters."

Susan swallowed. "All right, I'll do it. But Harry, why me?" she asked again.

Harry stood and smiled down at her. "Your family were members of the Order of the Phoenix during the first war, same as mine and Neville's. You Aunt is a brilliant witch and a steady leader. The Bones family has always risen to the occasion in times of trouble. I've watched you in the D.A. and in classes. You've stepped up and taken charge when needed." Harry placed a hand on her shoulder. "I need you to lead them Susan, because I may be too busy with Voldemort when the attack comes."

Susan Bones gave Harry a long look before answering. "Okay, I'll take care of everything."

"Thanks, Susan," Harry said.

***

"The Ministry has received reliable intelligence showing that the Dark Lord is planning to attack Diagon Alley, and more properly, the Ministry of Magic, sometime within the next two weeks." Arthur Weasley looked around the table at the various Order members. "Minister Bones believes the intelligence to be accurate, so we're planning accordingly."

Severus Snape cleared his throat. "I am concerned about this. My own sources have reported nothing of the kind."

"Perhaps the Dark Lord is playing it closer this time," Bill said.

"No, I agree with Severus, Voldemort doesn't have the personnel for a full assault on Diagon Alley," Lupin said, glancing toward Snape.

Arthur Weasley cleared his throat. "The report states that Voldemort will be using Dementors, Giants, and Trolls to act as shock troops. Everyone at the Ministry thinks that Voldemort is trying to take power by a direct assault and coup d’état."

"Everyone?" Emmeline Vance asked.

Arthur Weasley chuckled. "Well, not everyone." His expression sobered. "I've been ordered to plan a defense and counter attack."

"That's not where the main attack is going to come," Neville Longbottom stated with conviction.

Everyone in the room turned toward him. "And where do you think the main attack will happen Mr. Longbottom?" Snape asked.

"Hogwarts. V-V-Voldemort wants Harry, even more than he wants to take power. He wants to kill Harry," Neville said.

"It does stand to reason," Lupin added. "Harry has been a thorn in his side since infancy. Destroy Harry, destroy the will of the opposition."

"So we hide Harry," Hermione Granger and Molly Weasley said simultaneously. They looked at each other across the table.

"No," Harry stated flatly. "I'm not going to disappear while everyone else stays and fights."

"Harry--" Lupin said.

"This isn't even open to discussion," Harry said in a tense voice.

"Mr. Potter, we fully expect it take several of us working together in order to stop Voldemort, we simply won't have the time and resources to protect you," Kingsley Shacklebolt said.

"You can't defeat Voldemort," Harry said softly. "None of you can."

Lupin smiled. "Look, Harry, we know that none of us can replace Dumbledore, and we know that you're the key to all this somehow, but–"

The eerily calm sing-song voice of Luna Lovegood interrupted the werewolf. "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...And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have Power the Dark Lord knows not...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 will be born as the seventh month dies...

Everyone was very quiet.

Harry cleared his throat. "Trelawney gave this prophecy to Dumbledore. She might be a big fraud in divination class, but she has given the occasional true prophecy. This is the real thing. This why Dumbledore was so intent on protecting me for as long as possible. But in the end, I have to face Voldemort. I have to kill him, or be killed."

The room remained silent for three heartbeats, then erupted into chaos.

Molly Weasley fainted into her husband's arms. Bill and Charlie started arguing with Percy about whether the Ministry should know, while Fleur babbled in an agitated way at Arthur Weasley, mostly in French. Remus Lupin sat in shock, while Tonks put her arms around him, tears streaking her face. Minerva McGonagall demanded that Harry be kept under guard at Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione began having a row about how to protect Harry until after Voldemort's attack. Snape took the position that Harry should fight Voldemort, since he was the only one who could win. Fred and George, suddenly very serious, questioned the validity of the prophecy. Luna quietly joined Ron in arguing with Hermione, telling the brown haired Gryffindor that Harry had to battle Voldemort. Neville gave Harry a looked that said sorry this is happening to you. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on what to do with Harry.

"We have to hide Harry until he's ready," Shacklebolt was telling Vance, who had her hands on her hips, while shaking her head no.

Ginny Weasley jumped up on the table, changed into a lion, and roared. The voices stopped arguing. She turned back into herself. "Now, if everyone has finished panicking, let's ask Harry what he plans to do."

"I plan to destroy Voldemort," Harry said simply.

"Listen, Potter," Shacklebolt said, "I like you a lot, and you're damn good in a fight, especially for someone so young. But you'll need years, maybe decades of training before you're going to be ready to face the Dark Lord."

"This isn't about training and curses and technique," Lupin said softly. "This is about the power the Dark Lord knows not."

"Yes," Luna whispered.

"Harry," Lupin said, rising from his chair and walking over to Harry. "Do you know what this power is?"

Harry nodded. "It's the thing that saved me when he tried to kill me. It's the thing that kept him from possessing me completely in the Ministry."

Lupin nodded, understanding. "But can you use it defeat him?"

"Yes. Voldemort showed me what I needed to know himself. I can stop him," Harry said.

Remus Lupin stood up straight. "As Harry's guardian, I support Harry's decision." Tonks walked over and joined him, adding her support.

"Look, Lupin, I don't know about any mystery powers Harry might have, but I do know what Voldemort can do," Shacklebolt said.

"There are things," Severus Snape said softly, "that the Dark Lord cannot ever understand. And what he cannot understand, he cannot fight." Snape stood and joined Lupin.

"Severus?" Lupin asked, surprised.

The potions master turned to the werewolf. "I believe the prophecy. I've always trusted in Dumbledore. Dumbledore believed in Harry. Harry believes in himself. It is enough."

That seemed to settle the matter for everyone else. Plans were drawn up. Arthur Weasley would command the forces that Minister Bones wanted to protect Diagon Alley. The Order of the Phoenix would join the Hogwarts professors in defending the school. Dumbledore's Army would be activated if Voldemort attacked the school with an overwhelming force, at least until the Ministry could send aid.

The meeting broke up, and Harry and his friends portkeyed back to Hogwarts, where Harry told them his plan.