Life As A Phoenix

Life As A Phoenix            By Sirius Sidekick

Chapter 2

Ron had just gotten off of the bus when he got a really good look at the house. It seemed the closer they got, the better it looked. It was a rusty green color. It had dark green shades and a white outline of wood. Even though it reminded him of a house someone in Slytherin would like, it made him feel comfortable. Maybe it was just the fact that being anywhere with Hermione would've made him feel comfortable.

Remus nodded. "Home sweet home. It's not much, but I think you'll like it. We have some pretty good people around here. The local witches and wizards are all very nice. Not really any trouble around here. Except an occasional howl every month that sounds like a werewolf." He winked.

He continued to talk, but Ron couldn't have actually cared less about what he was talking about. He had took up Hermione's hand and was holding it again. It was good. Really good. He wanted to do more. He wanted to hold her. Her wanted to be with her and not just around her. So he spoke up. Remus was still talking.

"... Of course, I'll give you the outside tour later, because there are some very-"

"Remus, I love everything you're saying," Ron lied, "but this stuff is heavy. Could we go in the house or are we camping out here?"

He looked at Ron for a minute and then laughed.

"Come on. I'll show you your rooms."

Ron sighed and walked behind Remus and Harry. Hermione whispered "Thank you," and walked in with Ron.

As they walked in Ron realized that he wasn't the only one who didn't have glory. Remus' house looked just like his. Not the same objects, but bright, and a bit cluttered. He had many used things, and even the same kind of huge fireplace in the dining room. He felt at home, but not as trapped as he usually did.

"It's not much, but I think you'll have a good time."

"Don't worry," said Ron. "We will."

He looked at Hermione, and she looked back. They looked at each other an awful lot. And Ron liked it. He wouldn't rather look at anyone else. Remus took them up the stairs.

"Two of you will have to share a room," he said. "Even though you are now adults, and it doesn't really matter to me, I think your parents would think it best if you two shared a room, and Hermione took the other."

Harry nodded, but Ron didn't. He knew he was right. He wasn't trying to take this so fast, but he wanted to spend as much time as possible with Hermione. But this was just one thorn in their path. They still had the whole bed of roses to go. As he and Harry settled in, Remus went to his room and changed. Ron and Harry did the same. Then they unpacked. He liked the furniture in the room. It was mostly red and brown. No doubt, this had been Lupin's room growing up. It had the Gryffindor colors. When everything he had was put away, (the dresser just kept giving more room every time you opened the drawer,) he walked across the hall where Hermione's room was. She was done everything too.

He said, "Hi," and walked over towards her.

She smiled and they sat down on her bed.

"So, um... like I was saying, I really wanna be with you this summer," Ron said dreamily.

"You didn't say that," she said smiling.

"I don't care," he said staring at her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she put hers around his neck. Her pulled her closer and their noses were almost touching. His lips were calling and as soon as he leaned in...

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"If something else interrupts us again..." Hermione said stomping towards the door.

It was Harry and Remus. They had come to get them.

"Come on you two. We're going to go down to the dining room. Someone you should see," said Harry.

"Yeah. You two can do that when we're asleep. Hurry up," said Remus.

"Remus..." said Ron. "No offense, but if you hadn't said someONE, I would've shut the door in your face."

"I understand completely."

"Okay."

So Ron and Hermione got up, and followed Harry and Remus down the stairs. When they reached the dining room, Ron got annoyed.

"Where is this person? I don't see anyone. We won't be talking to a painting will we?"

"No. Now shut up and turn around please," said a deep gravely voice.

Ron nearly jumped to the ceiling. He turned around and Mad Eye Moody's head was in the fire.

"Su-Sure thing, Moody," he said.

They all laughed except Ron, who didn't appreciate it. They sat down in four different chairs all facing the fire. Moody looked like he was fiddling with something out of sight. For a moment there was silence and then Remus broke it.

"Did you actually want something, Alastor, or are we just going to sit and be good little boys and girls?" he asked.

"Be patient Remus. I'm fixing my trunk. Damn think wont open... There! Got it. Okay. Did you see todays Daily prophet?"

Remus shook his head. "No."

"How about you three?" Moody asked.

They all shook their heads also.

Moody sighed. "Well look at this."

He held the paper close to the fire so they could read it. Remus got out of his chair and read it aloud.

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HOGWARTS 7'TH YEARS GRADUATE: WILL YOU-KNOW-WHO STRIKE?

The Ministry of Magic reports that since Harry Potter, the boy who lived, has graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, they believe that You-Know-Who will have a better chance to strike against him. The Ministry is worried for his life, but even more worried that he will also claim the lives of others while in the proccess of trying to kill the boy.

"We will take all precautions neccassary to protect the lives of innocents," reports Lucious Malfoy, high Ministry official. "We are not any closer to catching The Dark Lord then we were three years ago, but we do know that new circumstances and ones that are yet to arise will help our odds in the fight."

But meanwhile, some at the Ministry are not as convinced as Mr. Malfoy.

"We must play it safe and use all the help we can get," says Ministry employee Arthur Weasley. "Yes, it is true now that the school year is over, it would be easier for You-Know-Who to kill people, especially his rival Harry Potter. But the fact that they are missing, is that it would have been just as easy to attack during the summer holidays for the past few years."

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge had no comment on this subject. He has not said anything for a long time and that is not earning him any trust in the wizarding community.

(Cont. on page 7)

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Harry just sat there. All this talk about him dying, and he didn't even know? It was pitiful.

"Why didn't you contact me sooner, Alastor? We need to know things like this. Just because school has ended doesn't mean that the Order is disbanded!" said Remus.

"Yes. I know. I am terribly sorry. I was out of town all day. Or else I would have been at graduation. I'm sorry you three."

"That's fine," said Ron. "How could they interview dad? He already has enough people hating him as it is. And everytime he disagrees with Lucious Malfoy, it doesn't help his popularity."

"That's probably why. So many people dislike him now. It's very serious," said Moody.

"And did you hear what Lucious said?" asked Hermione. "He said ' but we do know that new circumstances and ones that are yet to arise...', He's planning to do something. We know he's not talking about catching Voldemort! Ron stop shivering!"

"True Hermione," said Remus "But what could he be planning?"

"On getting someone out of the way," said Harry quietly. "Someone who could bring him in."

"...Who?" asked Moody.

"Me," said Harry.

"Harry, I hate to put it like this," said Hermione, "but Lucious wouldn't kill you. He has to save that for Voldemort."

"She's right you know. That son of a bitch wont harm you," said Ron

"Yeah..."

"Well, if you can get the paper, I suggest you read the whole article. Nothing else you must know, but there are some good points in there, Remus."

"I'll try. But it might be too late in the day. It's night for goodness sake."

"Fine. Well, I've got to be going. Dumbledore wanted to speak to me about this also. If anything else arises, I'll let you know, Remus," said Moody.

"Okay then. Bye, Alastor."

They all said bye. Then with a *POOF*, his head disapeared and there was silence.

"I don't believe this. And now Cornelius isn't speaking. Could it have something to do with Malfoy, I wonder?" pondered Remus. "Could he be manipulating the Ministry so he can get away with anything?"

"I don't know. And I don't want to know tonight. I'm going to bed." And with a quick run, Harry was off to sleep.

Remus, Ron, and Hermione stayed up for a little while longer and talked about the new situation. Once they had talked it to death, Remus turned in and it was just Ron and Hermione left in the dining room. They got up and moved into the living room. It was more comfortable on the couch.

"I don't want to talk about that anymore. I feel bad enough for dad and Harry already," said Ron.

"I know. Me too. You know, I think I'll turn in too," said Hermione getting up.

"Wait!" said Ron. "Just stay... For a minute..."

She sat back down. They looked into each others eyes and started once again. He put his arms around her waist and she put hers around his neck. He pulled her closer once again, and leaned in. This time, no interuptions. She leaned in, and he put his lips to hers and kissed her. He kissed her and she kissed him back. It was the single best feeling he ever had. And she had fallen to him. She put all she could into it. He began to move his hands up through her hair, and all the while kissing her. She had soft lips and her hair was just as soft. She had already put her tongue in his mouth, and he did the same. They both pulled back a few seconds later. They looked into each others eyes. They did it all the time. Then she got up and he with her. They walked up the stairs together and he walked to her door.

He lifted her chin up, and she stood on her tip-toes. He still had to bend down, but he kissed her again. And the thing for her was that it wasn't weird. She thought for sure it would be. But it was exactly different. It was natural. And for Ron. Ron was in heaven. It made him forget about his fathers problems, and Percy. It made him...strong. They both pulled out again, and she smiled and walked into her room and shut the door. She fell back on her bed and sighed dreamily. Ron went to his room. The lights were all off, and he didn't bother getting undressed. He too fell on his bed. Harry sat up.

"How'd it go?"

Ron sat in silence for a moment.

"Perfect."

"Perfect?" Harry asked.

"Perfect."

"It's still kind of weird to me to think of you two like that. But then again, I guess there were a lot of clues. You two bickered like crazy all the time. That's a big hint."

"That's the weird thing though. It's not weird. It's natural. Like we were meant to be like this, Harry."

"That's because you were. I saw they way you two look into each others eyes. I would give anything to have that with someone. You are... truly lucky, Ron Weasley."

"Yeah. Yeah I am."

"Well I'll let you think about her. I'm going to sleep."

"Ok," said Ron. And then he began to impersonate Stan.

"Get some sleep 'Arry. Tomorrow we'll try tuh get those thoughts out uv your 'ead!"

"Shut up and go to bed."

Ron laughed and pulled the covers over him. He thought about Hermione until his eyes started to get heavy. He didn't want to fall asleep. In the next room, Hermione was thinking about Ron. But out loud in a way. She was writing a letter about what happened to her best friend. Ginny Weasley.

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Dear Ginny,

It happened! What we were talking about! It finally happened. Your brother and I are together. At long last... And yes. We kissed. It was great. Beautiful. He had his hands wrapped around my waist, and then slid them up through my hair. I was terrified, but wanting it at the same time. I mean we're moving past that stage. It's US. Oh my god. Don't go and tell anyone. Only Harry, Remus, and you know now. I don't think your family needs to know yet. Nor does mine. They'd become too overprotective. But enough of that. I'll talk to you more when I see you in July. (It has to do with Remus's transformations. We'll be over there twice this summer.) But I can't wait to tell you all of the details. I'll just say, it was... perfect.

Sincerely,

Hermione

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And with the letter in hand, she was going to go and get Remus's owl. But she was tired. So she decided to wait until morning. She put it on the night stand next to her bed. And turned off the light. She pulled the covers up to her neck. It was quite chilly for the middle of June. And at the exact same time, in separate rooms, Ron and Hermione both said one word.

"Perfect."