Growing up too fast

Ron and Hermione both agreed that with the stress of these tests were over they needed a break. There were many fifth and sixth years in town the next day. The seventh years were still taking their N.E.W.T.s so they were too busy to come. The friends ended up in the Three Broomsticks sitting with Ginny, and then later, Cho and a couple of her friends joined them. Everyone was talking about the O.W.L.s and congratulating Hermione on getting fifteen.

Harry had been sitting next to Cho and actually spent more time talking to her and her friends than he had talking to the Gryffindors. He felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Ron and Hermione looking at him sternly. "You do remember which common room you go back to at night don't you?" Ron said loud enough that the Ravenclaws overheard.

"That's ok Harry, we were just heading out anyway," Cho said. Harry watched them walk out and then turned back to Ron.

"Sure you made the right choice?" Ron asked with a smile.

Harry had just started to answer when they heard some loud explosions and screaming coming from outside. Harry pushed to the front and once outside saw why everyone was screaming. It was the Dark Mark and at least six Death Eaters.

"Harry!" He heard Cho screaming.

Turning he saw one of the Death Eaters holding her with his wand pointed straight at her head. The hand holding the wand was silver. Wormtail had Cho!

"Potter! My master wishes to speak with you. If you refuse, she dies now!" Wormtail said clearly.

Harry could hear Cho crying and see the terror in her eyes. He saw a sixth-year try to cast a spell at one of the Death Eaters but was blasted backwards before he got the first words out of his mouth.

"The next one who tries anything dies." Wormtail spat. "Potter! Now, what's your answer?"

Harry couldn't stand seeing Cho so scared. "Fine. Let her go and I'll come with you now."

He heard many people say "Harry!" and then singled out Hermione's voice. "No way, he'll kill you this time. Let's get Dumbledore."

Harry took a few steps toward Wormtail who backed up seeming a little afraid. "No tricks. You let her go and I'll go with you."

Wormtail smiled an evil smile and said, "You know it doesn't work like that. You have one minute until she's dead." The last thing he heard was Cho screaming, "Harry." Before they vanished.

He ran to the spot and drew his wand. One of the other Death Eaters said, "This medallion is a Portkey. It will take you to where she is. You don't have much time."

Harry turned and saw the other Ravenclaw girls crying hysterically. He saw the other Gryffindor students mouth's moving but really couldn't make anything out. Staring at Ginny directly Harry said, "What choice do I have?" before stunning one of the Death Eaters and then taking the Portkey and vanishing.

The first thing noticed upon arriving was a terrible, familiar cold feeling. Suddenly, someone said, "I'll take that," and quickly grabbed the Portkey away from him. Surveying his surroundings, he saw what was giving him the cold feeling. Standing a ways away were three different groups of Dementors. He couldn't tell how many were in each group but it looked like a lot. One group was standing inside the entrance to a cave, one was behind him and one was off to the right. They were far enough away that they weren't affecting him too much. Straight ahead he saw Wormtail and Cho.

"I'm here Wormtail, just like I said. Send Cho back now," Harry said coldly. He could tell Cho was even more terrified than before.

"I don't think so Potter. My master will want to decide her fate." Wormtail laughed. "You get over here next to her."

Harry quickly went to Cho as Wormtail went to where Harry was standing. Looking back at Wormtail, Harry could easily see the group of Dementors in the cave now. Reaching Cho, she grabbed onto him, "Harry, what's going to happen?" and continued crying.

Harry could feel the anger building in him but couldn't risk anything happening to Cho. He held her tight and said, "Don't worry, I'll figure something out." Looking around more, he realized that he recognized this place. They were in the Dark Forest. Why were they so close to the school? If Harry could get them away, he could run back to the school from here. The problem was he didn't know how many Death Eaters or Dementors were really around, and he really wanted to know why they were so close.

"Wormtail. If your master doesn't show up soon, I'm going to take my friend and leave," Harry said sounding as confident as he could. "You wouldn't do anything to stop us would you? Surely not after I'm the reason you're still alive."

Before Wormtail could answer Harry heard a familiar voice. "Glad you could make it Harry." Voldemort. Harry thought, and then he heard Nagini his snake. "Will I be fed tonight master?"

"Oh yes, you will eat well tonight Nagini, only not yet," Voldemort replied.

"Why don't you come with us Nagini. I can feed you tonight as well. And, I won't ever need to milk you," Harry said to the snake speaking Parslemouth.

"Don't talk to my snake boy!" Voldemort roared. Harry noticed the Death Eaters from town had now showed up. One came up to Voldemort and whispered something.

"So Nathan. You let yourself get stunned by this boy in front of the whole town," Voldemort said in disgust looking at the wizard Harry had stunned.

"Yes master. I'm sorry master he was too fast," the squirming wizard said.

"I hate making an example of you but we cannot seem weak. CRUCIO!" Voldemort said and the wizard fell to the ground rolling in pain.

Harry looked at Cho who seemed like she could pass out at any time. He quickly squeezed her hand and said, "I won't let anything happen to you." Glancing down at his hand, he noticed his ring was glowing bright green. This meant an 'Unspeakable' was here. Was one of the Death Eaters an unspeakable? Harry quickly turned the ring over so no one would notice. During the quiet after Voldemort released the spell, Harry thought he heard a familiar sound; one that still sent shivers down his spine.

The sound was masked by Voldemort talking again. "You should really consider joining me Harry. Think of the incredible things we could do together."

"Why don't you let Cho go so that we can talk about it?" Harry answered.

"That might be possible," Voldemort said while taking a couple steps toward Cho. Then he suddenly stopped and turned to Wormtail. "She's Muggle-born! You brought me a Muggle-born witch!"

Wormtail went white and started shaking. "I...I...I didn't know master. She was sitting with him at the table. How could I know?"

Harry knew Voldemort only considered pureblood wizards good for anything but didn't understand why he was so mad.

"Crucio" Voldemort shouted and Wormtail started screaming in pain.

Harry saw Cho turn away crying. This time Harry was sure he recognized the sound during the quiet moment after the spell. Harry whispered to Cho. "Cho. Listen to me carefully. Tell Dumbledore there's an Unspeakable here, many Dementors and some death eaters." She looked at him terrified and confused. "You're going to be ok Cho, make sure you tell him."

"Why do her parents make any difference? Let her go anyway, I'll still be here," Harry said loudly.

"You know me well enough by now Harry to realize that's not going to happen. She was going to be a messenger. To inform the others and to get them to come for you. We have other 'friends' waiting for that opportunity. I won't use a Muggle-born for such an important task. She's just a spare now."

There was that word, just like last year. "Kill the spare." Is what he had said then? Calmly, Harry said, "You let her go now, and I'll let you leave here tonight."

Voldemort just started at him for a minute and then started laughing. "You'll LET me leave? Don't you remember last time Harry?"

And then another voice rang out, "That's how he spoke to me earlier master. I told you about it." It was Lucius Malfoy. "Let me deal with him."

"Have it your way Lucius," Voldemort said in a strange tone.

"I've been waiting for this Potter," Malfoy spat.

Quickly Harry used the constricting curse and cut off Malfoy's breathing. Lucius started gasping for air. After a moment, Malfoy fell on his knees and had his hands near his throat trying to pry off the invisible force crushing his throat. Then Harry heard Voldemort say, "Release him or she dies now." Harry released Malfoy.

"I asked you then Lucius if you knew what I could do to you. Obviously you didn't," Harry spat at him. Cho was just staring at Harry in amazement.

"My, my Harry. Your extra-curricular work this summer seems to have paid off. Get back where you belong Lucius. I've been keeping tabs on you Harry. Can't have you running off now can I? I think you've forgotten how unpleasant disappointing me can be." Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry and yelled "Crucio".

For an instant the pain was terrible, and then Harry quickly blocked the pain but still fell, pretending to be in agony. He didn't want this secret to get out just yet. He could see the pain in Cho's eyes watching him go through this but couldn't hear her screaming his name. Harry looked up at her and gave her a little wink. Then he felt the spell stop. He clung to Cho while standing and whispered. "Don't worry, that doesn't hurt me. Tell Dumbledore it's a trap, not to come. Tell him I have friends and family here, he'll know." Cho didn't look like she understood.

Suddenly Harry heard clicking and screams. Hundreds of large spiders were attacking the Dementors and some of the Death Eaters. Then Harry heard hoofs and saw the centaurs jumping across at some of the other wizards. Harry quickly cast a patronus to slow down the Dementors, grabbed Cho's hand and ran into the forest before any spells could be cast at him. A short distance down the path they met Firenze the centaur who had helped Harry.

"Harry Potter. You must leave now. You cannot win this. Get on," Firenze said.

Cho was just muttering, "Who... What".

"Firenze, please get Cho out of her. Get her to the school," Harry pleaded.

"It is for you to go Harry, it is too important to lose you."

"I would die before I let something happen to her. With her gone, I can concentrate on what is important. Please before they get here."

Firenze grabbed Cho and was throwing her on his back when she said, "C'mon Harry, we can both go."

Harry looked at them and said, "Than you Firenze, for everything. Tell Aragog thanks as well."

Firenze quickly answered, "Goodbye Harry Potter. It has been a pleasure." And then the centaur sped off. Harry could hear Cho yelling after him.

Well, this was it, he though. He wasn't going to run. He walked back toward the caves. The screaming had died down by the time he got back. He heard Voldemort yelling at the Death Eaters and then suddenly stop and turn toward him. "Decided not to run away? Not what I expected Harry. This saves me the trouble of coming for you again." The group of Dementors in the cave started walking toward him. Harry cast another Patronus which chased them back, deeper into the cave.

"Not up for dueling this time? Not sure about the odds?" Harry was trying to provoke Voldemort into making a mistake.

"I just like the show you're putting on. Since it will be your last, I thought we would prolong it a bit."

Harry walked to the side a bit until he had a clear view of the cave, concentrated as hard as he could and quickly cast the reductor curse to blast away solid objects. Voldemort dodged as if he thought the curse was coming at him but it hit square on the top of the cave. With a loud rumble, the cave collapsed, either killing or trapping the Dementors and any wizards inside. He could hear the other Death Eaters mumbling between themselves.

"Silence you fools. Can't any of you even challenge a fifteen-year-old boy?" Voldemort screamed.

Two of the wizards cast spells at Harry but he was able to block them both. Then Harry saw another group of Dementors start to move up. Before he cast the patronus, he heard a yell and then saw a Dementor fall. Taking this opportunity he was able to use the Puncio spell on one Death Eater and stun another. Another scream and yet another Dementor fell. Then Harry saw her. R.J. was here! She was using her sword on the Dementors. Voldemort and the remaining Death Eaters started sending spells toward Harry and it was all he could do to dodge them. Suddenly he heard a different scream and then "STOP!"

-------------------------------

Back at the castle Dumbledore had ordered all the students into the Great Hall. The Headmaster had gathered the teachers near the entrance with the witnesses to the abduction to get the details on the incident. Dumbledore started off saying, "Ministry officials are at the scene now trying to get any more information. All I know at this point is that Miss Chang was abducted and Harry voluntarily went after her." Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Cho's friends all started talking at once. "One at a time please," Dumbledore asked calmly. "Miss Granger, if you would continue."

Hermione told the story of Cho and her friends leaving and then hearing screams and explosions. Then she mentioned about the wizard holding Cho. "He held his wand right at her head sir. It was strange, his hand was silver. Not like he was wearing a glove or anything."

Dumbledore didn't seem surprised by this. The other student's accounts were very similar. Only Ginny had also noticed the silver hand.

"Minerva. You and I will go to Hogsmeade to attempt to get more information. Severus, will you please go to the Ministry and see if they've gotten anything there."

Dumbledore was speaking but got interrupted by Hagrid crashing through the door. "Professor. A centaur is coming and has someone with him."

The group headed to the door when Dumbledore spoke, "Students, do NOT leave the castle for any reason." This came in a tone that they fully understood to mean business. "Teachers, do not leave on the errands yet, but please get Madame Pomfrey. Hagrid, please accompany me to meet the centaur."

They watched as Dumbledore and Hagrid swiftly made their way to the centaur. When Hagrid pulled the person off the centaur some of the students saw it was a petite girl and the Ravenclaw's yelled "It's Cho!" Hagrid and Cho were quickly walking back toward the castle but Dumbledore remained and talked to the centaur. After a moment, Dumbledore quickly arrived at the castle also. Cho was still terrified and shaking. They all moved into a quiet room off of the main hall.

"Are you all right Miss Chang? Are you hurt at all?" Dumbledore asked in a calming voice.

"N.n.No, I'm not hurt, just scared," she whimpered in response.

"Quite understandable." Madame Pomfrey entered with a glass of smoking liquid. "Drink this, it should calm you down. Do you mind if yours and Harry's friends stay while I ask a few questions about your ordeal?"

Cho looked up and saw the worry on the faces and said, "I don't mind." Then she remembered something and sat up straight. "Professor, Harry told me to tell you something, he made it sound important. He said to not leave the school, it's a trap. Don't come after him."

"We can't just leave him alone!" Ron yelled.

Dumbledore raised a hand and said, "Did Harry say anything else?"

"Yes, he said there are Dementors and Death Eaters. Oh, and an Unspeakable. I'm not sure what that is though."

"Was he sure about the Unspeakable? Did he say who?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, he only said an Unspeakable," Cho replied still obviously confused.

"How could Potter know an unspeakable? They take security very seriously," Snape asked.

"He's been training with them over the summer, let her finish," Hermione snapped.

There was a look of shock on everyone's face except Dumbledore and Hermione. "Miss Granger is correct Severus. Please, back to the matter at hand. Can you tell us the details now Miss Chang?"

"Spiders! Giant spiders! Harry said something about there being friends and family near and then giant spiders attacked. They didn't come after us though. That's when Harry pulled me away."

"Ah, those would be his friends, and you met his family already Miss Chang. The centaur which brought you back is Firenze. That clan of centaurs has kind of adopted Harry. I assure you the spiders won't harm him."

"How has Potter become friends with giant spiders? And what has he done with the centaurs?" Snape asked, looking totally confused.

"Aragog tried to eat Harry and me a couple years ago but we got loose and then Harry killed that giant snake which the spiders were afraid of. Aragog told Harry he was in his debt after that," Ron spat out.

Cho and her friends couldn't seem to grasp all of this.

"And as you know Severus, the centaurs normally don't like human contact but seem to have found reason to give counsel to Harry. They have done so on more than one occasion this year with positive results. That is how he met Miss R.J. by the way," Dumbledore said.

Ginny spoke up, "If Harry pulled you out of the area and got you to the centaur, then why didn't he come back as well? What happened to him?"

They all turned to look at Ginny who was standing very confidently and expecting an answer. "A reasonable question Miss Weasley. Miss Chang?" Dumbledore said.

"The centaur told Harry he had to leave, that he couldn't win but Harry said to just take me. Said he would die trying to protect me but could concentrate with me gone. Then Harry thanked the centaur for everything and told him to thank that Aragog. Then the centaur just said goodbye and brought me here."

Dumbledore suddenly looked very sad and tired.

"What is it sir? Harry's out in the forest, can't we go help him?" Ron pleaded.

"If we go to help Harry, the school will be attacked. I've always thought that one of the things that made Harry accomplish remarkable things was that things we in the wizarding world think are impossible is that he doesn't know better. He grew up not knowing anything about magic so he has no preconceived notions about what's possible and what's not. As long as he believes he can do something, he seems to find a way."

"But Hermione didn't grow up in the wizard world either," Ginny added.

"True Miss Weasley. Miss Granger is also remarkable but the difference is that Hermione bases most of her actions on logic and facts. If she has read or heard from reliable sources that something is expected, she believes that way. Harry doesn't seem to place the same emphasis on reading or researching. He just goes off and does things," Dumbledore said with a smile, then turned serious again. "Hearing his comments to the centaur has me concerned that maybe he doesn't truly believe this is winnable. Can you tell us the details now Miss Chang?"

Cho told the entire story. She was stopped at the point where Harry mentioned the name Lucius. "Are you sure that was the name?" Snape said sharply.

"Yes. The wizard said something like he'd been waiting for this and all of a sudden he was gasping for air and Harry was just pointing his wand at him. I hadn't heard Harry say any spell. The wizard fell to the ground and Harry dropped his wand then said something like 'I told you that you didn't know what I could do to you Lucius'. Then You-Know-Who just laughed and said 'Lucius get back where you belong' and then said something about keeping tabs on Harry over the summer."

"That would make sense with Harry's Unspeakable comment," Dumbledore said quietly.

Cho went on. "Then You-Know-Who did the Cruciatus curse on Harry." Professor McGonagall and even Snape flinched at the thought of it. "But it was strange. I thought Harry was in real pain but when he looked up at me, he just winked at me. And then when he stood up that's when he said not to worry because that doesn't hurt him and then mentioned friends and family. It didn't seem like the curse had bothered him at all."

"That's impossible Miss Chang. I personally know how powerful that spell is coming from Voldemort," Snape hissed.

"But she is an eye witness to just that fact Severus. I fully believe her," Dumbledore said kindly.

"That's all there is sir. Then we ran and met the centaur," Cho finished.

"Thank you Miss Chang. I know that was difficult. You have prevented us from making a mistake that could have caused further pain within the school. Why don't your friends escort you with Madame Pomfrey now? You could use a good nights sleep."

"What are you going to do about Harry sir? He's still out there," Cho pleaded.

"I'm going to wait Miss Chang. That is what Harry said to do. What choice do I have?"

"That's exactly what Harry said before going after Cho!" Ginny exclaimed. "He turned back toward us and said 'What choice do I have', stunned that wizard and took the Portkey. He had a choice. He could have stayed with us and been here now!" Ginny was glaring at Cho.

"Miss Weasley. I'm sure you don't mean that. Would you expect anything less of Harry? Remember he and your brother left the safety of friends and went into the Chamber of Secrets to rescue you. They both came back. Don't lose hope yet."

"Yes sir. I'm sorry Cho, I really didn't mean that," Ginny said crying.

Cho was crying again as well said, "I understand Ginny."

Just then they heard a distant roar, felt the ground shake and saw a blinding blue flash through the single window in the room. Then nothing, it had stopped as suddenly as it had started.

"What was that?" Ron yelled.

"Excellent question Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said while walking back to the entrance hall.

Looking up Harry saw Voldemort smiling. "Throw down your wand Harry or she dies," Confused Harry looked around and saw that a Dementor was holding R.J. off the ground by her throat. "A Dementor's kiss is worse to a vampire than to a wizard Harry. Throw you wand down and I'll let her come to you without her sword of course. The Dementors and Death Eaters won't harm her."

Without thinking it through, he threw his wand off to the side. Harry heard Voldemort make small laugh and the Dementor released R.J. and backed away. She slowly got up and ran to him.

"Harry, I'm sorry they stopped me. You shouldn't have thrown down your wand," She hugged him tightly.

"How touching. Harry, we are more alike than you think. We both appreciate the friendship from creatures of the night," Voldemort said with a gleam in his eyes.

Harry stepped forward and said, "What are you talking about, I'm nothing like you. Now, will you let us leave or do we have to fight again?" Harry was trying to sound confident, but inside he was terrified. He wanted to get out of here with R.J. as fast as he could.

Voldemort had a strange look in his eyes and then he heard it. A sudden 'woosh' and then the thump. Turning around he saw another older vampire standing with a sword in his hands and R.J. laying on the ground. The second vampire had cut off her head.

In a rage he turned to Voldemort and said, "You said she wouldn't be harmed!"

Calmly, Voldemort said, "No Harry, I said the Dementors and Death Eaters wouldn't harm her. I didn't mention my other friends. Meet your friend's companion before you came along."

Harry knelt down next to her body. The necklace he had given her had fallen off. He picked it up and held it tightly. Never before had he been so angry. He didn't care at all if he lived or died he only wanted revenge. Looking up at the second vampire, he suddenly became aware why people were terrified of them. This vampire just looked evil and his fangs were extended. Just the feeling he gave off was of death. Then Harry heard Voldemort say, "I had always planned on taking care of you myself, but my new friend's technique is just too enjoyable to watch. Good Bye Harry."

The vampire smiled and raised his sword. Before the vampire could swing it there was a sickening sound and a tree branch the size of Harry's leg came ripping out of the vampire's chest, covered with blood. Quickly Harry summoned his wand back and blasted the closest Death Eater; which happened to be Lucius Malfoy. One set of Dementors started coming closer, but Harry noticed the second set had never came any closer since the beginning. Harry sent a patronus to keep the approaching set back and just stood glaring at Voldemort who had a totally different look on his face now. Harry could sense fear.

"This is it Voldemort. I'm not afraid of you. You can't do anything else to me that will make me afraid."

"Is that so Harry? If not fear, what about pain? Crucio!" The evil wizard roared.

This was exactly what Harry had hoped for. Harry concentrated on letting in as much pain as he possibly could. When he felt like he would pass out from any more he pointed his wand and yelled as loud as he could, 'Totilla Desissa'. For a second, Harry saw Voldemort's eyes get huge and he saw the terror in Voldemort's face and then there was the blinding white flash from his wand. Instead of just blasting Voldemort back, there came a huge blue explosion. The last thing Harry remembered was being blown backwards very violently.

Everyone in the Great Hall was wondering what had just happened. Dumbledore came in and made an announcement that everything was fine and the students would be staying in that room for the evening. Prefects were standing around both entrances making sure no one left.

Cho and her friends, and Ron, Hermione and Ginny were still standing in the entrance Hall waiting with Professor McGonagall and the head of Ravenclaw house. "Hermione, what do you really think that was?" Ron asked quietly.

She had tears in her eyes and said, "I don't know, but it didn't sound good."

Professor McGonagall said, "Come now Miss Granger, we don't know that anything bad has happened?"

Cho spoke up quickly, "We do know something bad has happened; we just don't know if Harry is still alive!"

"Of course, I meant we don't know if that flash was something bad happening to Harry," McGonagall responded, trying to make everyone keep up hope.

"Let's see, there are Dementors, Death Eaters, You-Know-Who and Harry out there, how could it have been a good thing?" Ron asked sounded dejected. Ginny came over and hugged her brother.

After a few minutes Snape who had been standing outside stepped in and said, "Headmaster, a Dementor is coming."

Quickly Dumbledore stepped outside, quickly re-opened the door and said, "No one come out this door. Severus, please come with me."

Everyone inside the entrance hall looked very worried, even Professor McGonagall. After only a few moments, Snape came through the door in a hurry saying, "Please get out of the way." In his arms he was carrying a limp, bloody body. It was Harry. Harry had cuts and blood all over him and his arms were just hanging down limp. In his right hand, the necklace he had given R.J. had become tangled between his fingers and his wand was tangled in the chain. Harry's eyes were rolled back into his head and instead of showing white, they were totally yellow.

"Harry! Is he..." Hermione started to ask.

"I don't know Miss Granger," Snape said, not even slowing down, instead heading straight to the hospital wing.

Everyone in the entrance started crying; even Ron was having trouble holding back.

"He'll be ok. Madame Pomfrey can fix things," Hermione said, trying to sound like she believed it.

"Didn't you see him? Was he even alive then?" Ron said angrily.

"Mr. Weasley! Please let's get the facts before saying anything," McGonagall said holding back a tear. Cho was crying openly. The door opened again and Professor Dumbledore came in.

"I don't have much to say right now except that Harry's friend R.J. is dead. A Dementor brought Harry back and another Dementor carried Voldemort away. Voldemort is in at least as bad of shape as Harry. It seems not all Dementors are on Voldemort's side in this. Please return to the Great Hall for the evening. There will be no visitors tonight."

There had been no change in Harry's condition in the week left in the term. Madame Pomfrey had allowed visitors but Harry didn't change. Hermione had helped Ron pack up Harry's trunk on the day of the final feast and noticed his journal on the table. She opened it, expecting to see blank pages, but quite a few of the pages had extremely blurry text. Hermione couldn't read it but she could tell where he had written. "Ron, look at this," She showed him the journal.

"What do you think it means?" Ron asked.

"I don't know, let's take it up to the hospital with us."

Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Cho were all visiting Harry when Professor Dumbledore came in. "It's good to see his friends here. Madame Pomfrey doesn't think it makes any difference but this is where we disagree. I think he can tell when friends are near."

"Can't anything be done for him?" Cho asked solemnly.

"Maybe if we knew what was truly wrong with him. Madame Pomfrey has been perplexed about his condition from the start. With the injuries he sustained, he should really have died but as you see he hasn't. However he's not exactly normal either. You may have noticed his eyes when he came in. We can't explain why they are yellow or why his breathing is so rapid. The good news is he hasn't gotten any worse."

"Professor. This is Harry's journal I gave him for his birthday so he could record his adventures for his children," Hermione said

"And what would you be doing with it Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked slyly.

"Um... Harry had it charmed so that only he could read it unless he gave someone permission or until he died. Normally the pages had been totally blank, even just after he wrote something but now you can see which pages were written on. You can't make out any words it's too blurry. What do you think it means?"

Dumbledore studied the journal. "My guess would be the charm. Even though Harry isn't getting any worse, he's not in very good shape right now. Why do you think he put that particular charm on the diary?"

Ginny spoke up, "He doesn't expect to live long enough to fall in love and have a family. He told me that when he was staying at our house. He expects Voldemort to win one of these times."

"Well, it wasn't this time was it? So he was wrong on part of his prediction. You said Voldemort's name Miss Weasley. Why now?" Dumbledore asked.

"If Harry can say it, why shouldn't I?" she replied.

"Why indeed?" the Headmaster responded.

"What will happen to him over the summer?" Hermione asked.

"He will stay here until he wakes up. I have full confidence he will wake up whenever he is ready. I don't think the physical damage is the reason he is like this now. Harry and R.J. were getting very close. I know this from talking to R.J., not just from Harry. Voldemort killed Harry's parents and now he has killed someone Harry was falling in love with." Ginny and Cho both flinched at this. "I think the pain of that happening again is what he is currently battling with. Having said that; we are still unsure how he did survive the physical damage. Harry has healed remarkably well in a short amount of time. Go down and try to enjoy the feast. You all know that is what Harry would want you to do."

The mood in the hall was mixed. Everyone was down a little, even the Slytherins. The news of Voldemort being beaten again had hit Draco hard. The Ravenclaw table was worried about Cho and the Gryffindor table was worried about Harry. They heard Professor Dumbledore get everyone's attention and say. "Another year of learning out of the way. For some of you, this may have been your last year of learning as you are off to the real world now. For a year that had gone remarkably well, it has taken a sour turn at the end. Very similar to the events of last year. As you all have heard by now, Voldemort arranged the abduction of one of our students and planned on that being the first step in a surprise attack on the school. Thankfully that plan failed. Miss Chang was abducted in Hogsmeade to be used as lure for another student who was to be used as a lure for some of the teachers to rescue. Had we attempted this rescue, the school was to be attacked while we were gone. The plan started off well. Miss Chang was taken and the second student; Harry Potter did go after her. Thankfully Harry and Miss Chang were able to learn some details of this plot. With some help, Miss Chang was able to get back to the school and warn us. It wasn't meant to be that way for Harry. He had to contend with some dark wizards, Dementors and Voldemort himself. The bad news is that someone most of you have seen; our special self-defense instructor and Harry's guest to the Halloween ball; Miss R.J. has been killed and Harry is currently in the hospital. The good news is that our sources tell me that Voldemort is in worse shape than Harry. I have no other news on his condition other than that I expect him to recover. Please raise your glasses to Miss R.J. who gave her life helping to protect this school. Awarding the final points for the outstanding effort in keeping the teachers from making a terrible mistake has caused a tie for the house cup. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor will share the cup this year." There was clapping and some cheers but it was not a big celebration.

Boarding the train, Hermione and Ron were saying goodbye to Hagrid. "Don't ye' worry none. He'll come out of it. I'll be here with 'im every day. He's tuf'r than 'e looks."

"Wish we could stay too Hagrid," Hermione said and then boarded the train.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny had a compartment to themselves when they heard a knock. "If that's Draco, I shooting first and asking questions later," Ron scowled. Opening the door they found Cho instead. "Oh, it's you." Ron added.

"Sorry, I can leave if I'm bothering you," Cho said.

"No, we thought it might be Draco," Hermione quickly explained. "Come on in."

Cho sat down next to Ginny and asked, "Would you mind if I rode back with you? Right now, I have more in common with you than my other friends."

"Sure, fine by me," Ron said.

"Of course, we understand," Hermione added.

"Yeah," Ginny said rather coldly.

After some awkward small talk, Cho asked, "Ginny, would you mind telling me what happened in the Chamber of Secrets a few years ago? Dumbledore mentioned something about Harry and Ron coming for you and well you know the rest of the school doesn't ever hear the real stories. You guys have done so much and the rest of us sometimes don't believe or don't hear about it. I'd like to hear it from you if you don't mind."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other and gave a chuckle. Cho looked confused. "Sorry Cho but earlier this year Ron and I were complaining that Harry was keeping things from us too much and when he suggested that he just not tell us anything, we had a discussion on which would be better, not doing all these things with him and just hearing about them later or really being involved. It was an easy choice really, we'd rather be involved so I can understand you wanting to know."

"He still annoys us by keeping things from us. In fact he told Ginny long before us that he was an animagus and..." Ron was saying

"RON!" came the cry from both Ginny and Hermione.

"Harry's an animagus? Really?" Cho asked excitedly.

"Ron, you're as bad as Hagrid," Hermione said. "Cho, no offense but there are some things that only Harry should tell people. Right Ron."

"Um, yes Hermione. Sorry Cho. Go on with your story Ginny," Ron said meekly.

Ginny told the story and it was actually the first time Hermione had heard certain parts so she sat there listening closely also. At the end Cho said, "Thank you Ginny. That was beyond most of the rumors being said."

"Ok, my turn. You guys wouldn't believe how he talked to Mr. Malfoy. He was almost taunting him. And then he cursed him like it was nothing."

"Oh, we'd believe it. He stood up to Mr. Malfoy in Diagon alley when we were buying our books this year. We couldn't believe it. Thought he was mental," Ron added.

"He talked the same way to You-Know-Who. Harry wouldn't back down from anything that was said. It was scary. But, while you all are talking to me, what really happened with that flying car that year?" Cho asked.

Hermione got a stern look on her face but Ron lightened up. "Oh, that's at great one, let me tell it! Have you met Dobby yet?"

They spent the rest of the ride back telling Cho about the things they had done. It passed the time and really lifted their spirits.