A/N ~ just saying, uhh, your welcome.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

'Dear Harry,

Dumbledore made me promise to not write more than fifty words in one letter. Trust me, I want to write to you, but this stupid rule is stopping me from doing so. I'll see you very soon, I promise. And I'm doing fine.

Love you (not),

Y/N'

"That sounds awful." Y/N said anxiously, as Hermione proof read her letter she was sending to Harry. "I've been here for three days and this is only the second letter I've written to him."

"I don't think your letter's awful." Hermione shrugged, handing Y/N back the letter. "He'll understand."

"Really? Because he was really bothered when you and Ron barely wrote him ." Said Y/N, but handed her letter to her brown owl. "Take this to Harry- and give him those puppy eyes you give me when you want treats." She said quietly.

Bamboo seemed to have let out a sigh, before batting his wings and heading out the window. Y/N turned back to Hermione and gave her a worried look.

"You know Harry overthinks." She said to the bushy-haired girl breathlessly. "And it's his birthday tomorrow, damn it! I can't even wish him a proper happy birthday."

"Y/N, I think you're the one that's overthinking right now." Hermione said gently, guiding Y/N to sit down on her bed. "Really. It'll be fine. It's just another month, and we all will see him again back at Hogwarts."

Y/N didn't show any sign of cheering up. She knew how much Harry hated the Dursleys- and the only thing that was keeping him alright with them were her daily letters.

"Let me read the letter he sent you this morning, again." Hermione said firmly- it wasn't a question.

Y/N nodded and pulled out the letter Harry had sent her earlier that morning.

She had kept on rereading it over and over, but it was no use. Harry was probably already upset.

'Y/N,

I'm assuming you're with Ron and Hermione, since you've developed their frustrating writing style, but thanks for at least telling me that you're alright. That's all I'm worried about. I really am confused as of why everyone decided to leave me here alone.

Love you (not),

Harry'

"Tell me that doesn't sound like he's pissed." Y/N said impatiently.

"No, I don't think he's mad at you- he sent Hedwig to attack me and Ron, but not you." Hermione said grimly, holding up her bandages fingers.

Apparently, Hedwig had started to peck her and Ron that morning for not writing long enough letters back to Harry.

"I still think it was petty of him to do that to you two," Y/N said with a sigh. "but just what if-"

"Y/N, forget about it." Hermione said firmly, handing Harry's letter back to her. "Let's just find something to do. You want to play chess with the others in Ron's room?"

"No."

"You wanna study?"

"No."

"I can teach you how to knit?"

"Yes, but not now." Y/N said tiredly, leaning back and falling onto Hermione's bed, pulling her heavy blanket over her head. Hermione gave her a look and pulled away the blanket.

"We can go bake pancakes?" She suggested. "If your dinner already digested?"

Y/N's eyes lit up and she immediately shot up from Hermione's bed.

"Let's do it."

Hermione chuckled and extended her hands, before pulling Y/N up from her bed, heading out of her and Ginny's room.

The two girls smiled and walked down the stairs of number twelve Grimmauld Place, passing the old paintings and creepy decorations.

It'd been nice living with the Weasleys and some of the Order members, for the past few days. The kids spent their time playing board games and talking- sometimes Y/N would join Fred and George in pranking the others.

But it was nothing like being back at Hogwarts. Nothing like being with Harry.

"Race you to the kitchen-" Y/N suddenly challenged, before leaping down the last flight of stairs, laughing uncontrollably. Hermione scoffed loudly, before breaking into a run.

"You're a cheat!" She scowled, jogging after Y/N down the dark hallway.

"And you're slow!" Y/N grinned triumphantly, reaching the door handle of the kitchen and pushing the door open. "I win-!" Her voice trailed away as her mouth fell open.

She suddenly stopped by the doorway, making Hermione crash into her back violently.

"Ouch!"

About fifteen adults were sitting on the dining table, all in formal robes- some were in their Auror uniform.

They had all stopped talking and turned their heads to Y/N and Hermione's direction.

The two had walked- ran into the Order's meeting... at eleven in the evening. Both Y/N and Hermione were in their pajamas, their hair messy and their eyes wide.

"Y/N, what are you doing!" Remus hissed, trying not to move his lips, throwing her a look.

Y/N's eyes went wide, as she recognized some people in the room- Professor McGonagall, Snape, Kingsley, Mad-eye Moody (the real one), Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill, Tonks, Sirius, Remus and about ten more she didn't recognize.

"I er- we were um-" Y/N gulped, eying Hermione desperately.

"We were going to make pancakes, but-" Hermione hesitated and turned red, as people started to furrow their eyebrows. "Haha... we'll just leave, now-"

"It's alright, Miss Granger," McGonagall said grimly, her lips slightly pursed. She looked exactly like how she did back at Hogwarts- in her emerald robes and pointy hat. "The meeting just ended. The kitchen is all yours."

Hermione laughed weakly, earning several confused glances from the members of the Order and a glare from Y/N.

"Thank you, Professor." The Muggle-born said nervously. "We'll... wait here."

Y/N and Hermione waited in the corner of the room, while the witches and wizards gathered their papers and muttered to each other in a low volume, slowly exiting the room, one by one.

"What are you two doing?" Sirius asked the two of them with a frown as he approached the door.

"We told you- we're making pancakes." Y/N said with a cheeky grin.

"Alright." Sirius chuckled, ruffling Y/N's already messy hair and grinning kindly at Hermione, before exiting the room with Tonks and Remus.

Y/N nodded politely at the people she kind of knew, as they walked past the two girls.

Snape, in his usual black robes, gave her and Hermione a cold stare as he waited for his turn to exit the kitchen.

"Hello, Professor Snape." Y/N said, a little too sharply.

"Miss Scamander," Snape mumbled back, staring straight into her soul.

Y/N had a really weird feeling that he was actually in her soul and reading her mind- but she was probably imagining it.

Snape final broke his state and headed out of the kitchen.

"Don't burn the kitchen- constant vigilance," Moody said in a low growl, giving Y/N a rough pat on the shoulder as he staggered by, creating loud clunks with his cane.

"At least you weren't spying on us," Mrs Weasley grinned warmly, with Mr Weasley's arm around her shoulder. "I caught Fred and George using one of their inventions to eavesdrop our meeting, the other day."

"You girls clean after yourselves, alright?" Mr Weasley grinned at the two. "I'll cast the Muffliato charm so you don't wake the others."

Y/N chuckled weakly, knowing perfectly well that Fred and George were probably wide awake, in Ron and Rolf's room playing chess, and probably Ginny, too.

Mr Weasley casted the Muffliatoo charm around the kitchen and exited the room, leaving Y/N and Hermione alone.

"That was so embarrassing." Hermione whispered, her face turning as pink as her shirt. "Ugh, I'll never recover from that... anyway, should we ask Fred and George for help, since they can do magic?"

"No!" Y/N said sharply, already going through the cupboard to find the ingredients. "No using magic in the kitchen unless you catch your buttocks on fire!"

"I'm sorry, what?" Hermione exclaimed in horror.

"Remus' rule," Y/N replied briskly. "Basically means no using magic in the kitchen no matter what. Because... no one really catches their arse on fire, do they?"

"Right." Hermione mumbled. "You know, sometimes I feel like I should have adopted you and Rolf."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

The next day was Harry's birthday. Y/N hated herself, but mostly, she hated Dumbledore. For making her swear to obey his stupid rule.

Y/N, Ron and Hermione each sent a load of Honeyduke's sweets and chocolates for Harry, along with three birthday cards. But it didn't satisfy Y/N in the slightest.

The day became worse, when Y/N's mother's name appeared on Ron's copy of the Daily Prophet.

Her death, along with three other Aurora, were officially announced as a 'tragic accident', as there were no 'physical evidence' that she was murdered by death eaters.

"It's not Rita Skeeter," Ron said slowly. "Hermione blackmailed her, mind you. Threatened to report her illegal animagus transfiguration. I don't know what this is."

"It's propaganda, that's what it is." Y/N said stiffly. "The Ministry sugar-coating the death eater attacks and all... and everyone's just too stubborn to believe that You-Know-Who's back."

She felt slightly better, though, that evening, when she won a game of chess with Ron. Or rather- Ron let her win a game of chess with him. But Y/N didn't know that.

"This is my greatest success!" She exclaimed, laughing maniacally. Luckily, no one was in the living room except for Ron to see her odd celebration.

But her mood quickly switched right back when she caught sight of her mother's beaming face on the cover of the Daily Prophet.

Ron gave her a small smile and patted her on the pack gently. He was always best at expressing his emotions and thoughts without words. Perhaps it was just the brotherly bond he had with Y/N.

"They still don't allow you to visit your dad?" He asked quietly.

"No... he's still in the healing process." Y/N said, looking into Ron's green eyes for comfort. "and I don't want to." She added, when he gave her a sympathetic look. "Seriously. By the way- where's Hermione?"

"I expect she'll be down here with her knitted bladders soon." Her said quietly.

"They're hats, Ron," Y/N said sternly. "For house-elves."

"Whatever."

"Y/N, dear-" Mrs Weasley popped into the room, giving Y/N a warm smile, with her wand and apron in each of her hands. "Tonks is here. In the kitchen."

"She is? HELL YES-! Sorry." Y/N quickly said shamefully, when Mrs Weasley threw her a look, but even so, she couldn't even contain her happiness.

She bounced off the sofa from the living room and practically sprinted down the hall way, causing Walburga Black's portrait to scream.

"MUDBLOOD! FILTH! SCUM-!"

"Shut up!" Mrs Weasley hissed, closing the blinds back over the painting with her wand, following Y/N to the kitchen.

"What's happening?" Ron asked his mother. "Why's she excited to see Tonks?"

"Tonks knows some information about Y/N's Gifted power." Mrs Weasley replied, grinning and clapping her hands excitedly.

"That's brilliant," Ron smiled, following his mother into the kitchen down the hallway.

Tonks was standing in the kitchen, talking to Sirius casually. The purple-haired witch turned to the doorway when Y/N let out an excited gasp.

"Tonks, Tonks, Tonks!" Y/N exclaimed brightly, running into the kitchen and giving the metamorphmagus a big hug.

"Woah, there!" Tonks chuckled, hugging Y/N back tightly. Sirius raised his eyebrows as he watched Y/N jump around in front of Tonks.

"Someone's excited their boyfriend is turning fifteen." He sneered teasingly.

Y/N stopped and gave him a look.

"Harry isn't my boyfriend," she said stiffly, earning three scoffs from Tonks, Sirius and Ron. "and there's nothing exciting happening on his birthday this year, thanks to dumb-old-door."

"Whatever, sit down." Tonks said with an eye roll. "I'm telling you- I've got some info that's more exciting than you'd ever expect."

Y/N quickly threw herself onto a chair by the dining table, not breaking her eyes from Tonks.

Ron, Sirius and Mrs Weasley raised their eyebrows and sat around, eager to know the news.

"Are there others?" Tonks asked, looking around.

"As in Remus? No, it's his moon day today. He's staying at the cottage." Y/N said sadly. Tonks nodded and cleared her throat.

"Alright, I need to ask you all something first." she announced. Everyone nodded robotically. "So all of you know Malleah Gryffindor, right?"

Everyone nodded, once again.

Malleah the poet- the only known witch with the last name Gryffindor.

She was rumored to be Godric Gryffindor's grandson's secret daughter- though, some believed she was just a time traveler. Her existence seemed unreal.

"You mean Godric Gryffindor's only known female descendant?" Mrs Weasley frowned. "The poet, right?"

"How many Malleah Gryffindors do you know, Mum?" Ron asked.

"I'm just making sure," Mrs Weasley said. "My poor brain can sometimes be inaccurate."

"Yes, Molly, Malleah the poet." Tonks said patiently, shaking her legs excitedly. "Now, straight forward, Y/N, you are a gifted exitiumagus."

"Y/N has the ability to turn things into dust." Sirius explained to Mrs Weasley.

"So basically, she can perform the reducto curse without a wand?" Mrs Weasley questioned.

"Yes, basically." Tonks nodded. "But it's much more complicated than that. I don't have much information about it except for the name, but-"

"The name is so ugly, though." Y/N said grimly. "Exitiumagus... I like metamorphmagus more-"

"But the thing is," Tonks continued loudly. "from the records I've went through, the only known exitiumagus apart from you is Malleah Gryffindor, herself. And she's been dead for Merlin knows how long."

"What?" Y/N frowned. "So I'm the only person, alive, who's an exitiumagus? I thought you said there were many people like me."

"I was wrong." Tonks shrugged.

"Wait, wait-" Ron said loudly. "Mum, when I was little you wouldn't read me one of her poems we had in our library. I remember you saying it was too graphic. I don't remember the title-"

"'The Ashes of Saoirse Levinson'," Mrs Weasley nodded. "Well, you were seven, and it was too graphic. It was about a girl killing her friend by-"

"-accidentally turning her heart into dust." Tonks finished, smiling in satisfaction. "See the connections?"

"But her poems are fiction," Mrs Weasley said stiffly.

"But she is an exitiumagus," Tonks said cooly. "And there must be a reason why her identity is such a mystery."

"Y/N can't explode people's hearts though, can she?" Ron said, looking slightly concerned. "Only cauldrons and snowmen, from what I've seen."

"But listen, Ron," Tonks said sternly. "If my theory's right, when Y/N fully develops her powers, she will be able to turn hearts into dust."

Y/N gulped slightly, feeling slightly sick.

"It's dangerous, yes, but it also makes her useful for..." Tonks paused and shifted slightly in her seat. "for You-Know-Who."

Mrs Weasley clapped a hand around her mouth, Ron's jaw dropped, and Sirius looked furious.

"You're telling me Voldemort knows about her ability?" Sirius demanded.

"Yes. Or at least the death eaters at the World Cup, last year, did." Tonks said swiftly. Y/N felt horrible shivers shooting down her spine.

"They did?" She felt herself exclaim breathlessly.

"That's right," Tonks continued smoothly. "Alexis was confused, at first, why they seemed like they were trying to target- not only Harry, but also Y/N. But we didn't have time to think much about it."

"You're telling me that they're trying to take her?" Sirius shot angrily, his brows becoming more knitted.

"This is all just a wild guess, Sirius." Tonks said sternly. "Y/N's of course not their main target, but it would be way easier for them to have her on their side."

"Why?" Ron frowned.

"Well, when she fully develops her powers, she could kill people, by looking at them from afar, if she simply- wanted to." Tonks said casually, as the other gaped at her. "Just Imperio her and they'll have a whole weapon."

A weapon? Her? Just the thought of herself turning her worst enemy into dust scared her. And to think that the death eaters might use her against her own friends, made Y/N feel sick to the stomach.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆ (two days later...)

'Y/N,

I've just been attacked by dementors and I might be expelled from Hogwarts. I want to know what's going on and when I'm going to get out of here.

Harry'

Y/N was practically running around Ginny and Hermione's room, pacing back and forth anxiously.

"He didn't even write 'love you (not),' this isn't good!" Y/N fussed, pulling her hair in frustration.

"He's been attacked by dementors, Y/N." Hermione said seriously, before eying Ginny and whispering, "she needs to sort out her priorities."

"Y/N, you're giving me a headache, stop pacing." Ginny said, frowning at the letter in Hermione's hand.

Hermione was as anxious as Y/N, but was positive that there was no way they would expel Harry, if he used magic to protect himself.

Suddenly, there were two loud crack in the room, and Fred and George appeared right in front of Y/N, causing her to shriek and stumble backwards, exploding a mini vase on Hermione's nightstand out of fright.

"Some Order people just took off to go get him," George said brightly.

"Get him?" Y/N exclaimed, still catching her breath. "Get him- here? With us? Grimmauld Place?"

"Yes, he's staying here for the rest of summer break." Fred said, wiggling his eyebrows at Y/N teasingly.

"Thank Merlin." Y/N sighed loudly. "Well is there going to be a trial? Or at least, I don't know, anything!"

"I heard dad say that they'll have a trial." George shrugged.

"OK, good." Y/N took a breath in slowly, trying to calm herself down, as Hermione and Ginny started asking Fred and George more questions.

When they all calmed down, Hermione and the twins left the room to go talk to Ron, while Y/N stayed behind with Ginny.

They sat still, asking each other questions out of curiosity, and waited, as time slowly moved by...

"What were dementors doing in Little Whinging, anyway?" Y/N questioned, as Ginny brushed through her flaming red hair on her bed patiently.

"My guess? The Ministry." Ginny said, "on purpose or not, we'll never know. But all the dementors belong to the Ministry, only."

"How long have they been gone for?" Y/N groaned, tracing the seems of the mini sofa in Hermione and Ginny's room. "The Order people, I mean."

"Er- almost an hour." Ginny said with no emotion. "But why'd they have to take a dozen Aurors with them?"

"'Cause it's Harry." Y/N said flatly, looking out the window, even though she couldn't see anything but the color black.

"I wish I knew why You-Know-Who wants Harry dead so badly." Ginny said curiously, finally putting her hairbrush away.

"I guess we'll never know..."

"We know."

"We do?" Y/N furrowed her eyebrows and eyed Ginny in disbelief.

"At least one of our people has to." Ginny said seriously. "dumb-old-door probably does."

"Probably," Y/N nodded in agreement. "I swear he knows everything and just let's the bad things... happen. For entertainment. Do you know what I mean?"

"Very much, yes." Ginny said, impressed, with a grin on her face. "I absolutely do."

Y/N chuckled, only to stop abruptly. She felt her body go still as she heard mumbles- no... loud, furious, muffled yells.

It was from downstairs- Ron and Rolf's room.

"I really think he could be a time-traveler or something-"

"Wait, Gin- d'you hear that?" Y/N asked Ginny quietly.

Ginny's smile fell and she listened to the air carefully. Yes, there were definitely shouts coming from downstairs.

"Is that-"

"Harry." Y/N breathed. The two girls widened their eyes in panic and quickly jumped out of their comfortable positions.

They gave each other uneasy looks and headed out of the room immediately, following Harry's voice, to Ron and Rolf's room.

Y/N felt her heart rate increase as Harry's became clearer and louder. She could already picture Ron and Hermione's fearful and guilty expressions.

"I SUPPOSE YOU'VE BEEN HAVING A REAL LAUGH, HAVEN'T YOU, ALL HOLED UP HERE TOGETHER-"

Y/N grabbed the door handle of Ron and Rolf's room and pushed the door open abruptly.

Harry froze mid-sentence and whipped his head around. Y/N looked over at Ron, Hermione and Rolf in the back.

They were all quiet and bunched up in the corner of the room, with guilty expressions plastered on their faces.

"We'll let Y/N talk to you." Ron piped quietly, before taking Hermione's wrist and leading both her and Rolf out of the room.

"Don't leave me," Ginny said, following the others out the door and closing it shut behind her.

Y/N was left in the room with Harry. Harry. Who had grown taller again. His hair was now cut short- similar to what he had in their third year. His features, especially is jaw, were more defined.

He was avoiding her eye contact- staring at the floor of the room, breathing quite heavily, from all the shouting.

"Hey, Harry, listen," Y/N started hesitantly. "Dumbledore made me swear not to tell you any information about this place- and he gave me a fifty word limit for my letters. I really wanted to write to you-"

"And why would Dumbledore not want me to know anything?" Harry asked through gritted teeth, his knuckles turning white from the tight fist he made. "I'm the miraculous boy who lived, after all! I'm the one Voldemort wants dead!"

Y/N stared at the boy and blinked blankly. She had never seen him like this- not with her, not with anyone.

"I don't know, alright?" She shot back, her town just as harsh as Harry's. "We don't even get to join any of the meetings, and we-"

"OH, BUT THAT'S JUST SO UNFORTUNATE-" Harry bellowed, his voice making Y/N flinch unintentionally. His eyes finally met hers. "I LIVE WITH A FAMILY THAT HATES MY GUTS- THE WORLD THINKS I'M A LIAR, AND I WAS IGNORED BY ALL MY FRIENDS!"

"WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?" Y/N clapped back, not letting herself look vulnerable. "YOU THINK I DIDN'T WANT TO WRITE TO YOU? I DID, MIND YOU! Every day, poor Ginny and Hermione had to tolerate me, babbling about how much I wanted to kidnap your arse here, and how worried I was about you-!"

"You seem completely fine without me-!"

"No! I'm not completely fine without you!" Y/N said, gritting her teeth in frustration. "Not when you're the only person, alive, who I feel genuinely safe and happy with, Harry! I'm sorry, alright?"

Y/N felt herself blubber out the last sentence without a second thought.

She felt her face become hotter, as she clenched her jaw to stop herself from saying anything else.

Harry seemed to have come to his senses. His expression softened, and he let go of the tight fist in both of his hands.

He looked at Y/N in the eye and felt his chest pain with guilt and hatred towards himself.

Without further thinking, Harry stalked across the room, wrapped his arms around her waist and crushed her with a tight hug, catching Y/N off guard.

Harry felt his body shiver as he felt all his true emotions rush back.

It wasn't anger- it wasn't annoyance- it was care. The anger he'd felt, seconds ago, wasn't his.

Y/N was so surprised by his sudden action that she pushed him away unintentionally.

"What're you-?"

"I'm sorry," Harry said shamefully. "I didn't mean to yell at you like that, I swear, Y/N, I'm just angry that-"

"Don't say another word." Y/N said firmly, her expression softening. "It's alright. It's good to just let it out, sometimes, and I deserved that... but I would appreciate it if you'd yell at Dumbledore instead of me." She added quietly, slowly grinning.

Harry simply shook his head and closed his eyes, grabbing her hands in his.

"I'm really sorry- Y/N." He repeated. "I- yelled at you and you flinched-"

"I'm just a bit jumpy, honestly." Y/N said, frowning at Harry's frustrated expression. "Harry- stop that. I don't like when you're mad at yourself."

As though it was intuition, Y/N wrapped her arms around him again, nestling the side of her face between his shoulder and neck, leaning into his embrace comfortingly.

Harry closed his eyes and tucked her waist in slightly, planting an apologetic kiss on her forehead.

"Have you met Sirius yet?" She whispered gently into his ear, sending shivers down his left arm.

"Yeah, I have." Harry answered. "And Mrs Weasley, Tonks and Moony."

"Did you yell at them?"

"I didn't..." Harry chuckled. "just- seeing Ron, Rolf and Hermione together made me feel left out, so I kind of-"

"I understand." Y/N said firmly.

Harry nodded and tightened his hug, feeling a nostalgic rush of comfort flooding him.

It was the scent of her shampoo- cranberry, perhaps? Mixed with a warm autumn-like smell of bakery... whatever specific smell it was, Harry decided that it was his favourite smell in the world.

"Harry? Y/N, dear, are you in there?" Mrs Weasley's voice muffled from the other side of the door.

Y/N and Harry broke apart by instinct, but the woman didn't barge in.

"Yes, Mrs Weasley?" Y/N called, opening the door for her. Mrs Weasley beamed at the two, as they came out came out of the room.

"I have some food for you, Harry Dear," she said lovingly. "Y/N, you already ate dinner, but you can join Harry and Sirius?"

"I'll just sit with them, thank you, Mrs Weasley." Y/N grinned at the redhead mother gratefully. Mrs Weasley nodded and led Y/N and Harry down the stairs.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Harry had just started eating peacefully for a minute, but was interrupted by a heated argument between Mrs Weasley and Sirius.

They were, of course, arguing about whether or not Harry should have access to the Order meetings.

Y/N, Rolf, Tonks, Remus and the Weasleys' eyes darted back and forth from one side of the table to the other, as if they were watching tennis.

"He's not James, Sirius!" Mrs Weasley bellowed.

"I'm perfectly aware-"

"Oh, I'm not sure you are!" Mrs Weasley whisper-yelled. "When you talk about him, it's like you're talking to your best friend!"

"What's wrong with that?" Said Harry, quietly, from his seat, munching on his bread.

"What's wrong, Harry, is that you're not your father!" said Mrs Weasley. "You are fifteen- and adults responsible for you should know that-"

"So you're saying I'm an irresponsible godfather?" Sirius demanded, his voice rising.

"I'm saying, you're known to act rashly, Sirius- that's why Dumbledore doesn't want you out of this place!"

"Don't bring one of Dumbledore's stupid rules into this!"

"Arthur, back me up, here!" Mrs Weasley turned to her husband.

Mr Weasley's eyes widened slightly. He cleared his throat and took a breath.

"Molly listen," he started quietly. "I- I think Harry's position had changed and I think he should- yes, he should be filled in, to a certain extent."

"I personally agree with Arthur." Remus chimed in. "It's better if Harry gets the facts, not all the facts, Molly, but the general picture. And he's certainly not just a boy."

Harry grinned gratefully at Remus, and Y/N felt a warm smile spread on her lips.

"He's not your son, Molly." Sirius reminded.

"He's as good as!" Mrs Weasley said fiercely.

Like mother, like son, Y/N thought, glancing over at Ron.

"I think Harry should be allowed to have a say in this." Remus said loudly, "he's old enough for this."

The three adults turned their heads at Harry, who had just finished his meal.

"I want to know what's going on." said Harry confidently, not looking at Mrs Weasley.

He was touched by what she said about him being as good as a son to her, but Remus was right. Harry was old enough for this.

"Very well." Mrs Weasley said, pursing her lips. "Ginny- Ron- Y/N- Rolf- Hermione- Fred- George- I want you out of this kitchen, now."

The seven broke into desperate protests.

"We're of age!" Fred and George bellowed.

"How am I any different to Harry?" Ron complained.

"Please Mrs Weasley," Rolf chimed in.

"I want to hear!" Ginny wailed.

"NO!" Mrs Weasley shouted. "I absolutely forbid-"

"Molly, you can't stop Fred and George." Mr Weasley said gently. "They are of age, even though they're still at school. They're legal adults."

Mrs Weasley furrowed her eyebrows and thought for a second.

"Alright," she muttered clearly. "Fred and George, you can stay. But the rest-"

"Harry will tell us everything you say anyway," said Ron. "Won't- won't you, Harry?"

For a full five seconds, Harry hesitated, as he considered getting back at the three and telling Mrs Weasley he wouldn't say a word.

Y/N turned to him, meeting his eye, making his nasty impulse vanished.

"'Course I will." Harry shrugged. Y/N beamed at him gratefully.

"Fine!" Mrs Weasley shouted. "Fine! Ginny- Rolf- bed!"

Rolf scowled and abruptly took off, out of the kitchen, returning to his bedroom.

But Ginny didn't go quietly. She stormed out of the kitchen and stomped loudly on her way up the stairs, making Mrs Black's painting shriek.

"BLOOD-TRATOR! FILTH! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE-"

Remus quickly got up and went down the hall to restore the charm.

"So what's happening on Voldemort's side?" Harry asked immediately, when Remus returned and sat back into his chair.

"We don't know exactly," Sirius said. "but Dumbledore has his guesses."

"And what are these- guesses?" Harry asked, trying to hide his impatient tone.

"Well, firstly, he's trying to build up his army of death eaters again." said Sirius. "He had a huge number of them, back in the days. They were mostly locked up, after Voldemort was defeated fourteen year ago, but they'll find their way out, eventually."

"Right, and why is the Ministry not helping us at all?" Harry questioned furiously. "Does- does Fudge not believe me?"

"We don't know what he believes," Tonks said. "but we certainly know that he's frightened of Dumbledore."

"More like he's afraid of him overthrowing the Ministry." Sirius scoffed. "Fudge reckons Dumbledore wants to be the Minister of Magic."

"That's a load of rubbish," Harry huffed.

"Correct. Just like Fudge, himself." Sirius said cooly.

Y/N blurted out a snort of laughter, before quickly pursing her lips shut, when Hermione threw a stern look at her.

"Back to the death eaters," Harry continued, grinning slightly, as he caught Y/N's eye. "what are they going to do, after they've all gathered?"

"Again, we're just guessing here," Sirius said quietly. "But we're positive that Voldemort is back with what he didn't have last time."

"Like- like a weapon?" Harry frowned.

"Possibly," Tonks nodded.

"But what kind of weapon?" Harry asked curiously. "Like something that's even worse than the Killing Curse-?"

"That's enough!" Mrs Weasley said sternly. Her arms were crossed and she looked furious. "I want you in bed, now, all of you!"

"You can't boss us around!" Fred complained.

"Watch me." Mrs Weasley snarled, making the Weasleys gulp.

"You're right, Molly." Remus said tiredly. "We've said enough, Sirius."

Sirius half shrugged, but didn't argue. With a disappointed sigh, the Weasleys slowly stood, one by one, and headed out the kitchen.

"Your trunk is already in your room, by the way, Harry." Mrs Weasley said flatly.

"Er... where is my room?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Oh, right- Y/N, show him to your room." Mrs Weasley said casually.

The twins and Ron stopped by the door and whipped their heads around- they weren't the only ones.

"What?" Remus demanded, standing from his chair, which screeched loudly against the floor.

"Well, unless you want him to sleep on the couch," Mrs Weasley said stiffly. Remus simply gaped at her, as Tonks sniggered beside him. "What is it, Remus?"

"But you-" Remus stammered. "you can't! See, you don't know what kind of relationship these two have-"

"He won't do anything, Remus." Mrs Weasley said with a sigh. "If it was another boy, I would've hesitated, but this is Harry- he won't do anything."

Harry's face went red, as he stared firmly at the ground. Y/N felt the smirking pressure from the twins, and Ron's glowing red face from beside them.

"Do you not trust Harry?" Sirius asked Remus almost threateningly.

"I do! I really do, it's just- they're both teenagers and I don't think it's a good idea-"

"My bedroom's right down their hall, Remus, I'll keep an eye." Sirius said with an eye roll, before turning to Y/N and Harry. "And you are not allowed to lock the door, by the way."

"Of course." Harry said flatly.

Remus eyed Harry for a good ten seconds, before sitting back down and mumbling a quiet 'fine'.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Y/N was curled up in her bed and reading a Muggle book her uncle had sent to her.

It was about a kid- who was apparently a prince- who lived on a star, with a Rose.

Not intriguing, but definitely interesting.

Harry had just came into the room, changed into his bedclothes. He smiled weakly at Y/N, who smiled back from behind her 'The Little Prince' book.

"So what do you think?" Harry asked in a monotone, climbing into his bed and tucking himself in.

"About the meeting?" Y/N asked, placing her book next to the lamp on her nightstand. Harry nodded, turning to his side, so he was facing her. "I think the weapon Sirius was talking about might be more of a... piece of information."

"What makes you think that?" Harry asked, watching Y/N throw a second blanket over herself.

"I don't think they need anything physically worse than the three Unforgivable Curses." Y/N said with a shrug.

"That's a good point." Harry replied.

"Mhm..."

"Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we just going to pretend that we don't miss each other?" He asked, admiring Y/N dreamily from across the room, grinning slightly. "Or pretend that we- or at least I- have feelings for you- different from what I have for Hermione or Ginny."

"Harry, I thought you already knew." Y/N said guiltily. "I do care for you. And not in the same way as I do for Ron."

Even after the rough day he had, Harry still managed to feel an outburst of butterflies, and slowly smiled.

He got a good look at her. Y/N would sometimes complain about her looks, which made him extremely confused and almost furious. She wasn't perfect, no one was, but she was beautiful. Her features she complained about were beautiful. Her existence was beautiful.

"I want to talk to you." Harry said, still smiling uncontrollably. "Cant really hear you from across the room. Do you want to move here?"

Y/N blushed as Harry scooted to the left side of his bed, to leave some space for her. He angled his fluffy pillow upright and sat up slightly.

"Alright." Y/N grinned and kicked off her blankets, before moving across the room and onto Harry's bed. "Just for a talk, though."

Y/N crawled underneath his blanket and slowly moved into his warm embrace.

He had changed- quite a lot- from the last time she'd seen him... in a good way, though. Y/N blushed uncontrollably, as she moved closer to him.

She rested the side of her head on his chest, hugging his torso with her left arm, resting her leg on his. Harry pulled her in and wrapped both of his arms around her protectively.

"I've missed you so much." Harry whispered, meaning every word.

"Me too." said Y/N, giving him a gentle squeeze. Harry smiled in relief and peace, before kissing the top of her head gently. Y/N sighed. "I'm lucky." She whispered happily.

"Not as much as me," Harry grinned, making Y/N's cheeks grow hot. "I've survived Voldemort two times- beat that."

Y/N tilted her head up to glare at him.

Harry chuckled and shook his head. "and I have you as a cuddling partner."

"You never miss the chance to joke around, don't you?" Y/N asked grimly, staring up at Harry's cheeky grin. "Thought you said I meant a lot to you."

"You do mean a lot to me. More than anything." Harry replied. Seriously, this time. "And you should know that, by now."

"Alright, tell me about the dementor attack." She said quietly, burying her face back into chest, to hide the wide smile that had sprouted on her face.

They laid in their comfortable position for over an hour, as Harry told Y/N all about the dementor attack back at Little Whinging, and all the letters he received from the Ministry. He was to attend a hearing, in three days.

Y/N also educated Harry on the new information she'd received from Tonks, about her powers.

About the poet, Malleah Gryffindor, about her unsettling poem, and about how useful her exitiumagus powers could be for Voldemort.

"So that was why your mother said the death eaters were looking for you, back at the World Cup, last year." Harry said quietly, his face becoming slightly pale.

"That's what Tonks said, too." Y/N said, shrugging slightly.

What Y/N didn't know, was that Harry already knew. He already knew Voldemort was targeting her, some how.

In his dreams- that surely couldn't be just dreams- he had seen flashes of Y/N and her family. He knew Voldemort wanted her on his side.

It won't happen. Harry wouldn't let it happen. They weren't going to take her away from him. His stomach churned at the thought, and his blood boiled dangerously.

Why was he feeling these random and sudden bursts of anger?

"Harry, I can literally hear your heart beating faster." Y/N said with a chuckle, snatching Harry out of his thoughts.

His anger disappeared when he heard her welcoming voice. "I won't turn you into dust, I promise."

"That's not what I'm worrying about, Niff." Harry said with a tiny chuckle, rubbing his thumb on her back gently.

"You're overthinking, I can tell."

"I know. I'll stop." Harry said, his mind working faster than ever.

He pulled the dark thoughts out of his head his head and filled it, instead, with her- Y/N.

Her quiet and gentle breaths and her comforting scent. Her touch and her embrace- everything about her...

His feelings were clear- she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, no matter how short it was going to be. She was part of him. And he needed her.

"Niff... I wanted to ask you something..." Harry said- finally making up his mind... after years of fancying her, and after months of figuring it was more than a pathetic crush.

"You stopped." Y/N frowned up at his face.

"Right- I wanted to ask you..." Harry didn't know how. Ron would educate him about asking a girl out, sometimes, but Harry didn't have any of the props Ron told him about.

"Harry..." Y/N hesitated, and wiggled free from his embrace, before sitting upright.

She turned to face him so she was hovering over him slightly. "I don't how many times I have to tell you this- but you can tell me anything."

"Merlin, I really like you." Harry said breathlessly, gazing right back into her eyes. Y/N laughed slightly.

"I know. And I, you." Y/N replied, smiling at him warmly, meeting his green eyes that sat behind his round glasses.

Harry took a deep breath and sat up on his bed, so he was fully facing her. He felt his heart actually beat faster, as he continued.

"Will you... will you be my girlfriend?" He asked, feeling himself blush furiously. Y/N's eyes widened and she felt her heart hammer inside her chest. "I've fancied you since our second year, and- completely fell for you, that day- that day in third year when we were in the snow... look- I know I don't have any flowers, or- or chocolate- or any gifts Ron told me about, but I-"

"Harry- yes, I'll be your girlfriend." Y/N said, slightly chuckling, with a hand on the side of his face, and looking firmly into his eyes.

"You... will?" Harry froze, feeling his stomach do an entertaining backflip.

"I've always had a thing for you, too." Y/N said quietly. "Since our second year. Hermione knows all about it. But I realized, later on last year, that you... Merlin, when you asked Cho to the ball I was crushed-"

"Y/N-"

"But the thing is, Harry," Y/N continued. "I was ready to let go of you, just so you could be happy with her. And that's not- that's not something I would usually do. That's... it's-"

"-love, isn't it?" Harry asked quietly. Y/N felt herself slowly nod her head.

"Yes. It sure the hell is." She said quietly.

"You would really be my girlfriend?" Harry asked unbelievably. Ron really exaggerated everything about asking someone out. "Even without- like- a firework display?"

"Even without the fireworks." Y/N said firmly, feeling her cheeks ache from smiling. "Ron needs to stop telling you this stuff."

Harry felt as though his whole body had stopped functioning.

His cheeks were pink from the blood that had rushed to his face. And before even realizing it, he leaned forwards and crashed his lips onto hers.

His hands found her waist, as she kissed him back and slowly snaked her arms around his neck. He made sure to move slowly, but lovingly, feeling her soft lips and short but gentle breaths.

Y/N finally felt like she could fully kiss him back- without any doubt that he just thought of her as a friend, or that he wasn't hers, or that Ron or Rolf would burst in any second.

And to answer Ginny's question- yes, Harry was a good kisser.

Y/N knew that if this was going to continue, she would never get used to his touch. The way he kissed her like it was all he wanted to do- the way his hands caressed her back gently...

"I love you too, by the way." Harry said breathlessly, pulling away for a second.

"I know." Y/N grinned, running her hand through his hair and feeling all the butterflies return to her stomach when Harry chuckled hoarsely and dived in for another long and meaningful kiss.

When they finally broke apart, minutes later, they sank back into their cuddling position, and Y/N was fast asleep within a few minutes, with Harry's arms protectively wrapped around her body.

Harry grinned to himself and fell asleep, feeling- knowing- that in that moment, he was the luckiest person in the world.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ I can't wait to write the next chapters with Y/N and Harry as an official couple. Feel free to leave your thoughts and questions, I love reading and answering them!<3

ISTG if one more person mentions Fred and Hermione-

- ScribblingQuills