Seven Strong

A/N: WoW, this is record time for nina, I sent her this chappie this morning and HERE IT IS ALREADY. Enjoy it.

~Seven Strong~

Tonks, Ginny and Hermione came back to Grimmauld Place soon after sun down to find Mr. Weasley home early from work.

“I was starting to worry about you girls,” said Mr. Weasley.

“Oh, hello Arthur, sorry you got worried we just lost track of time,” said Tonks in response.

“Ginny, Hermione the boys are upstairs. Please go and stay with them until I call for dinner,” said Mrs. Weasley pulling the girls by the elbows and pushing them up a couple of steps.

“Mum, what’s going on?” asked Ginny breaking free from her mother’s grip.

“No questions, upstairs now,” said Mrs. Weasley urgently.

“But mum…”

“No buts young lady, go now,” said Mrs. Weasley a bit aggravated now. Ginny knew she wasn’t going to win this argument, so she grabbed Hermione by the hand and pulled her along. They knocked on the boys’ room but there was no answer, so they assumed that the boys would be in their room. And they assumed right.

“Ronald Weasley read that and I’ll murder you,” yelled Ginny just as Ron was about to open her journal.

“It’s not like you have any secret crushes, I know you’ve fancied Harry forever now. So the only thing that could be in here would be some mushy girl stuff,” he said looking at the journal as if it was about to contaminate him. Ginny chanced a look on Harry’s way, she giggled at how uncomfortable he was looking.

“Accio journal,” said Ginny and her journal flew into her open hand.

“I told him not to touch it,” said Draco smirking at her.

“Next time Ron, listen to Malfoy and don’t touch my journal or I’ll hex you until the next day,” Ginny threatened.

“I’ll teach you some charms for protection later, now change of subject. Why did Mrs. Weasley shoo us from downstairs?” asked Hermione wanting to make sure her assumptions were right.

“Because they are about to have a meeting,” said Draco simply.

‘I knew it’ she thought to herself.

“Than we should be there and not up here,” piped Ron getting to his feet.

“This feels like fifth year all over again,” said Hermione.

“But we are older now, we should be able to attend the meetings,” said Harry sulkily.

“Being older doesn’t mean you’ve matured-”

“Oh really Ferret, why don’t you shut your face until someone calls your name,” said Ron getting on Draco’s face.

“Down mate,” said Harry placing a hand on Ron’s shoulder.

“Well, we are stuck up here for a while, let’s try not to kill each other,” said Hermione.

“Ron, did you write to Luna?” asked Ginny changing the subject.

“Yeah, but I’ve got no answer,” he shrugged.

Mean while downstairs, Mrs. Weasley walked into the living room followed closely by Tonks.

“Where’s Minerva and the girl?” she asked the room.

“They should be here soon,” said Moody, his magical eyes turning in every direction. “As a matter of fact they are here now,” no sooner did he finish his sentence that the doorbell rang twice. Arthur Weasley went to get the door.

“Minerva, we’re all here, we were just awaiting your arrival,” he greeted.

“Good evening Arthur, wait no longer,” said Professor McGonagall walking into the living room. “Hello everyone,” she greeted the crowd, they nodded in return. “Molly where are the children?”

“I told them to stay upstairs,” answered Mrs. Weasley avoiding eye contact with the new Headmistress.

“Molly you know we need them to be here,” said Moody, Mrs. Weasley left mumbling something that sounded something like ‘too young for this whole mess.’ About ten minutes later she came back into the room followed closely by Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Draco and Ron.

“Luna. Hi,” said Ginny giving her friend a hug.

“Hello everybody,” she greeted them with a smile.

“I sent you an owl, did you get it?” asked Ron.

“No, I’m sorry I must’ve missed it,” she smiled at him.

Professor McGonagall looked around the room to ensure that they were all there, and in fact she couldn’t see them but she could feel the presence of the newcomers, they had walked in with her and Luna. The newcomers were under a disillusionment charm so they wouldn’t be seen until it was time.

“Okay, now that we are all here, let us begin,” called Professor McGonagall.

They moved to the dinning room. There were fifteen order members around the dinning table with McGonagall on the head of the table, plus Luna, Ginny, Draco and the golden trio. There were also two empty seats.

“Good evening everyone. Let us begin,” said Professor McGonagall. With a wave of her hand twenty one mugs filled with butterbeer appeared in front of each person.

“I called this meeting, due to certain discoveries that were made, to announce that Mr. Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape were truly on our side,” she paused.

“But how can you be sure Professor?” asked Fred.

“Because, Mr. Weasley and everyone else who might have the same question, Albus left me with solid proof,” she said with a stern look on her face. At that moment two cloaked figures came into view; they were tall and by the build appeared to be men, but who could tell, being that they were wearing long black cloaks and had hoods that covered their faces.

“Welcome,” greeted Professor McGonagall.

“Thank you,” said one of them lowering his hood. Once his face was revealed there was a loud collective gasp around the room.

“Severus Snape?” called Arthur.

“Yes Arthur, Severus is here to conduct the meeting,” said Professor McGonagall, leaving no room for argument.

“Thank you, Minerva,” said Snape with a curt bow. “After the events of that night-”

“Why did you flee?” interrupted Harry.

“Yeah Harry’s right, if you are so innocent, why did you flee?” asked Bill.

“Because it was part of Dumbledore’s plan,” he said with a shrug. “Now please let me proceed for matters are urgent,” he took a deep breath than pressed on. “As I was saying after that night we took Draco into hiding and I returned to the Dark Lord, once he learned of what had happened, he made me his right hand man. I have managed to talk him out of killing Draco. I don’t know much for he trusts no one, but I’m here to pass on the little I do know,” he paused and took a look around to everyone’s face, he could care less if they liked him but he needed them to believe him, he needed them to listen to him. “The Dark Lord is planning his last attack; he is going to attack Hogwarts-”

“Well, that much is obvious,” added Hermione.

“Yes miss. Granger that much is obvious. He thinks that without Dumbledore there that the school is unprotected, I did not tell him otherwise, if he wants to think that than by all means let him. He plans on attacking soon after New Years; he wants to make the castle his own personal headquarters. I don’t know what he’s going to use but he said that he’ll not be using his Death Eaters to fight his last battle.”
“What do you mean, sir?” asked Draco getting to the edge of his seat.

“I mean that he’s forming an army, and the Death Eaters are not a part of it.”

“Professor we saw all the memories, but honestly how are they supposed to help us?” asked Ginny.

“Miss Weasley I thought we’ve been through this already,” said Professor McGonagall.

“No I agree with Ginny, those memories made no sense what so ever and-”

“Miss Granger we’ll finish this another time,” said Professor McGonagall.

“I thought that the memories would lead us to the rest of the Horecruxes,” said Harry.

“I’m afraid that I have bad news,” said the hooded figure standing at Snape’s right.

“Show yourself,” demanded Harry.

“Not yet Mr. Potter,” said the man. “When the time is right, you’ll know who I am.”

“Fine,” Harry said with a scowl, he’s temper clearly rising. “What’s your bad news?”

“Calm yourself Potter,” sneered Snape. “The bad news we have is that the Dark Lord found out that some of his Horecruxes went missing, so he retrieved the rest and is now the keeper of them.”

“So how are we supposed to kill him for good then?” asked Ron.

“The Seven Strong…” mumbled Hermione.

“That’s correct miss Granger, the Seven Strong is now our only hope,” said Professor McGonagall.

“But Headmistress, what is the Seven Strong?” asked Lupin.

“The Seven Strong was the name given by Merlin to his apprentices, three girls, three boys and himself as their protector-” started McGonagall.

“-Merlin took six of the brightest and most powerful witches and wizards to teach and instruct. They were very powerful; history calls them the Seven Strong. It has never happened before, but for the sake of our lives, it seems that history is repeating itself,” finished the hooded man.

“I’m sorry but I’m confused,” said Arthur Weasley.

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

“Around the time that the prophecy was made about Voldemort, a seer came to me and told me she had a vision of the future. A vision that announced hope. It stated that three wizards and a witch were born and two witches soon to be born, would bring light and peace back into our world. And that like in Merlin’s era a wizard would teach and lead these young ones into victory,” said the hooded man.

“Much good that’ll do us,” said Ron.

“And why do you say that Mr. Weasley?” asked Professor McGonagall.

“Why, it’s simple really. Dumbledore’s dead,” said Ron with mock seriousness.

“But you see that’s where you are wrong,” said a woman that Ron had never seen before.

“What? You’re telling us that Dumbledore’s not dead? Who are you anyway?” asked Ron.

“My name is Carmen Traviz and no that’s not what I’m saying, but from what I know of this legend, I think it refers to Severus Snape and not Professor Dumbledore.”

“Thank you Mrs. Traviz,” said Professor McGonagall. “I’ll take it from here. Harry, Ron, Draco, Ginny, Luna and Hermione,” she said each name taking her time to look at each one. “We are here tonight to ask if you would like to join us?” she paused again. “If so tonight shall be your initiation.”

When she got the nods she was waiting for, she stood up and motioned for every one to do the same. She waved the table away with her wand.

“Now, it must be your wish or this will not work. As I call your name, come to me. Let’s start than. Ginevra Molly Weasley,” Ginny moved over and stood right in front of Professor McGonagall.

“Ginevra Molly Weasley, is it your wish to join us?”

“Yes,” when Ginny answered, Professor McGonagall raised her wand and tapped Ginny’s head twice. A bright ball of fire surrounded Ginny; just as it had started it was gone in a matter of seconds.

“Where is it?” asked Professor McGonagall.

“My thigh,” said Ginny raising her skirt to show the burning phoenix.

“Harry James Potter is it your wish to join us?”

“Hell yeah.”

She raised her wand and performed the ceremony, she did the same for Hermione, Luna and Ron. The three girls had been marked in the same place, right above the knee. Harry and Ron had taken their mark on their right upper arm.

“Now Mr. Draco Malfoy do you wish to officially join us?” she asked.

“Professor you know I do but I can’t,” he answered.

“Why not?”

“Because, as you know, I carry his mark,” he said pulling up his sleeve to show her his dark mark.

“If it is your choice, your wish, the phoenix will clear your arm,” she said looking him dead in the eyes.

“Yes I do, please.”

“This could hurt a little,” she said.

“I’ve probably had worse,” he shrugged.

She tapped her wand twice on his head, the ball of fire that ha engulfed the others also surrounded Draco. But unlike the others, Draco looked to be in pain, a lot of pain. The fire moved so that now it was only surrounding his left arm, a great hiss was heard and he fell to his knees. Finally about five minutes later the fire was gone and Draco fell face first to the ground. In seconds Snape was by his side.

“Professor McGonagall what happened to him?” asked Ron.

“Severus check his left arm,” instructed professor McGonagall.

Snape rolled Draco’s sleeve up and held up his limp arm. “It’s gone.”

“His right arm?” she asked. Now holding Draco to his lap, Snape lowered the side of his rope to show the burning phoenix.

“He’ll be okay Mr. Weasley,” she answered him finally.

“What happened?” asked Draco a bit groggy coming around moments later.

“Your mark is gone,” said Hermione kneeling next to him. “How are you feeling?” she asked taking his hand in hers.

He looked down at his bare arms, than at their joined hands, “much better now.”

“Welcome you are now the new members of the Order Of The Phoenix. I think that it is clear that the Seven Strong is now present in this room. But in order for you to fight as one to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, you must bond,” she said.

“Bond?” asked Luna.

“Yes miss Lovegood, bond,” said Snape.

“There’s a ceremonial bonding but you must also bond in love and in friendship,” added professor McGonagall.

“What if we don’t bond?” asked Ginny.

“I’m afraid you must bond,” said the hooded man.

“But Ginny’s right, what if we don’t? Malfoy isn’t exactly friend material and Snape isn’t quit the fatherly figure, evil stepfather maybe but not a father,” said Ron.

“Your powers depend on it… hell, our lives depend on you bonding,” said Mrs. Traviz.

“No pressure there,” Hermione mumbled.

“I’m being called, we’ll continue this some other time,” said Snape getting to his feet and helping Draco up with him.

“Thank you Severus, do take care,” said Professor McGonagall before calling off the meeting. She left with the others, and Mrs. Weasley went to bed. The adults had their own business to deal with leaving Harry, Ginny, Luna, Ron, Draco and Hermione alone in the living room. They sat around the fireplace, each lost in their own thoughts. The silence in the room was becoming unbearable for Harry.

“How was that for entertainment?” he said sarcastically.

“Yes, that was something alright,” agreed Ginny. “How do you feel Malfoy?” she asked with concern in her voice.

“Clean,” he answered looking deeply inside his butterbeer mug.

“How did it feel to have his mark on you?” asked Ron.

At the sound of Ron’s voice without any harshness behind his words, Draco raised his head and looked him straight in the eyes and said: “I don’t know… it was… weird. Like having some kind of disease…” he paused, rolled up his sleeve and stared at it as if it was the first time he was looking at his pale arm. “It just didn’t belong there.”

“Why did you do it?” asked Ron.

“What do you mean?”

“He said ‘why did you do it?’” said Luna dreamily.

“I heard him, thank you. You mean to tell me that you don’t know,” he said.

“Well, we saw the memories, but we just wanted to know your real reason to go through with all this,” said Harry.

“My main reason to get his mark…” Draco paused, pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes tight. He looked to be thinking about something he liked better to forget than to talk about it.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to,” said Ginny.

“Father said he’d kill my mother and someone else. I couldn’t tell him I had turned sides, so I was left with no other option but to take the mark and play the role of a puppet,” he sighed.

“Do you think he would’ve kept his word?” asked Ginny.

“Malfoys do not make threats they can’t deliver, Lucius has earned his reputation, so I wasn’t about to wait and see,” he shrugged.

“I can’t blame you,” said Ginny sympathetically.

“Why I think this is a first,” said Draco changing the subject. He no longer wanted to talk about him.

“The six of us are sitting in the same room and so far no insults were thrown around and what’s even more weird is that Granger hasn’t said a word,” he said trying to get her attention, but she was lost on her own mind.

“Earth to Hermione, hello???” called Ginny waving a hand in front of Hermione’s face.

“What? Oh, I’m sorry Ginny, what was that again?” asked Hermione.

“A knut for your thoughts,” said Ron.

“My thoughts are worth more than that Ronald,” she snapped.

“Merlin’s beard Hermione, what’s got your knickers in a knot?” said Ron defensively.

She paused and took a deep breath before speaking again. “I’m sorry Ron. I’m just tired, I think I’ll just go to bed,” she apologized.

“You okay ‘mione?” asked Ginny.

“Yeah like I said, I’m just tired,” said Hermione getting to her feet and making a bee line for the door.

“Wait, we’ll come too,” said Ginny grabbing Luna by the arm and dragging her out of the living room.

“I’m off too, coming Harry?” called Ron.

“In a bit.”

Harry watched as Ron left the room. Once Ron was out of ear shot Harry spoke.

“Malfoy we need to talk.”

“Well that depends Potter.”

“When you said your father would kill your mother and someone else, it was Hermione you were talking about, wasn’t it?”

“Maybe.”

“You really care for her don’t you?”

“That’s none of your concern Potter.”

“Fine, we need to talk about that memory you left for me. Why me?”

“Dumbledore said that would be the first thing you would like to talk about as soon as we were alone. Guess he was wrong,” said Draco thoughtfully.

“Did you talk to him a lot?”

“Look Potter the thing is…” he said running a hand through his hair. “The Headmaster wanted to keep me on the light side, you know for this whole Seven Strong mess.”

“You talk as if he forced you.”

“No. I chose to switch sides. It was my decision not to go through with that whole prophecy thing.”

“Yeah that much I know.”

“As I was saying, the Headmaster wants to keep me on the light side and he thinks that by you accepting me than everyone else will follow. I still think he’s an old fool.”

“Was, you mean he was, he wanted, he thought. Dumbledore is no longer.”

“Look Potter, this whole fireside chat is nice and all, but you see I’ve been hiding and haven’t had any contact with anyone out in the wizarding world. So forgive me, but I’ve had enough talk for one day.”

“Malfoy I just wanted you to know that I understand.”

“What do you understand Potter?”

“You know, growing up and not really having a say in your future.”

“What are you on about?”

“I’m sorry that came out wrong. What I meant to say was that I know how it feels to find out that your future was already told by someone else.”

“You’re talking about the prophecy. Look I’ve always known, father never missed an opportunity to tell all his friends about it. I was never a son, all I was to him was the means to please his stupid Lord. But I really don’t want to talk anymore so I’ll answer your first question. The reason why I picked you for that memory was because I always wanted to be your friend. And I knew that after all the foul things I did to you and your friends, you would never speak to me willingly, and I knew that somehow you could relate to me. I don’t expect you to be my friend but I would like to call a truce and keep things civil between us.”

“You know you babble when you are nervous.”

“I do no such thing Potter. I am a Malfoy and Malfoys don’t babble-”

“You’re doing it again,” interrupted Harry.

“Shut up Potter,” said Draco his face a little warmer than he liked it.

“Anyway, that wasn’t my first question.”

“Really, and what was it?”

“I asked if you really cared for Hermione.”

“And I said that wasn’t any concern of yours.”

“But you see, that’s where you are wrong. Hermione is my best friend, she’s like a sister to me. So I’d like to know.”

“Yes I care for her. But it’s not like she would ever give me the time of day.”

“She’s very unpredictable that one.”

“So you say. Are we done Potter?”

“You know, I don’t like my last name much.”

“And why not? Doesn’t it remind you of your family?”

“As you should know, I never knew my family. The only thing that name reminds me of is Voldemort.”

“I admire that.”

“What? That my name reminds me of Voldemort?”

“No, that you say his name with such ease.”

“And why shouldn’t I? That bastard has done nothing but hurt me and the ones around me, so why shouldn’t I say his name?”

“I don’t know, I was raised-”

“There, that’s the problem. You were raised wrong. You should try it.”

“Say the Dark Lord’s name, no I can’t.”

“Come on try it,” Harry urged him.

“Okay, but if I die I’m haunting you for eternity…” he paused, took a deep breath. “Vol… Voldem…”

“Come on, spill it.”

“Voldemort,” he said shutting his eyes tight.

“It’s okay, you’re still alive,” laughed Harry.

“I just got something in my eye.”

“Right, must have been the Dark Bug,” he laughed.

“Whatever Potter. Where do I sleep?”

“My name is Harry, and you sleep with me.”

“Whoa, I wanted to be your friend not your lover.” Draco freaked.

“Okay, you can sleep with Kreacher, one less snore to keep me awake.”

“I don't snore. You have three beds in your room Potter?” Said Draco knowing fully well who Kreacher was.

“Come on Malfoy. My girlfriend’s name is Ginny, if I have to share a bed with anyone it would be her not you.”

“Thank Merlin for small favors,” mumbled Draco.

“What was that Malfoy?”

“My name is Draco, and that was nothing.”

Draco followed Harry to the bedroom, when they got there Ron was already snoring. Harry got ready for bed and soon followed Ron into dream land. But Draco just couldn’t fall asleep, and now even Harry’s breathing was bothering him. He put his shirt on and went back down stairs, ‘maybe I just got used to silence’ he told himself. He walked quietly, he didn’t want to disturb anyone’s sleep. When he got back to the living room the fire in the fireplace was almost out, he walked closer to it so that he could revive the fire and did not notice the person laying on the sofa.

“Couldn’t sleep?” the voice was soft but it startle him never the less, after all he thought he was alone in the room.

“Wow you startled me,” he said a bit jumpy. “Sorry I didn’t expect anyone to be up. I’m just going to go back up than-”

“Nonsense, you started the fire, by all means enjoy it,” she cut him off.

“So you want me stay?” he asked.

“I can’t sleep, if you can’t sleep either please keep me company,” she smiled.

“Granger are you feeling alright?” he asked concerned.

“I am tired, but my brain won’t stop working so I can’t fall asleep. But yes, I’m feeling alright,” she sat up. “Are you going to sit or are you just going to stand there?”

He took a seat in the couch facing her. “So what’s on your mind that has your brain working full speed?”

“Lots actually.”

“Want to talk about it? Despite what you know me as, I’m a great listener,” he smiled. She knew that smile, it was the same smile from her dream, ‘you’ve just had a long day, that’s it’ said the little voice in her head.

“Long day, try a long year,” whispered Hermione.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, can I ask you a couple of questions?”

“Sure, shoot,” he said getting comfortable in his seat, it looked to him like he was in for a long night, which he did not mind at all.

“Are you and your mum close?”

He had mentally prepared himself for her questions, but he was not expecting her to ask about his mother. “As much as it is possible under father’s eyes,” he shrugged.

“You mean he didn’t let your mum get close to you?” she asked a bit disgusted.

“No. He’d always say it would make me soft.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“For what?” he asked simply.

“Well I can’t help but think that it was my fault,” She said lowering her head.

“It was nobody’s fault,” he assured her.

“So you say, ever since I saw that memory, it's been troubling me. Malfoy he was cursing you because of me,” she sighed.

“Can we please change the subject?” he asked.

“Why didn’t you let her?”

“Sorry?”

“Why didn’t you let your mum take me out of your mind?”

“Because thinking of you gives me peace,” he whispered.

“Why me?” she asked him honestly.

“I don’t know, believe me I couldn’t help it or change it.”

“Oh,” she said curtly.

“No that’s not what I meant. Don’t get me wrong, but I would’ve rather have fallen for someone who would at least return my feelings, someone I could have a relationship with.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“I wish you'd stop saying that, you’ve done nothing to be sorry for,” he told her.

“How come I still feel like apologizing?”

“I don’t know, how about that change of subject?”

“Fine. Congratulations.”

“For what?”

“For making Head Boy.”

“It wasn’t mine you know.”

“What?”

“The Head position wasn’t mine. It was meant for Ernie.”

“But if it was meant for him, how come you got it?”

“Because Dumbledore thinks that my whole house will be trying to kill me for a prize with the Dark Lord.”

“So I guess we get to share rooms than.”

“Yes, I guess we do.”

“I’m sorry I don’t feel the same way about you,” she told him.

He lowered his head but said nothing. He had come to terms that they could never be, but actually hearing the words come out of her mouth, was not what he had planed for his night.

“I think I should go now,” she told him.

“Nice dreams,” he grinned.

“What did you say?” she asked, it hit her now. Somehow she knew what he had insinuated.

“Nothing, all I said was ‘nice dreams’,” he smiled at her.

“How did you do it?” she asked a bit loud.

“Magic.”

“You invaded my privacy, and manipulated my dream,” she said through clenched teeth.

“No you see, I can’t walk into your dream unless you allow me entrance, and all I did was get into your dream your subconscious did the rest,” he said simply.

“Why should I believe you anyway,” she said getting to her feet.

“Because I’ve never lied to you before.”

“Whatever, good night Malfoy.”

“Wait, just one question.”

“What?” she snapped.

“Were you going to go home just because of me?”

“No, I really want to go see my family. You’re just a small reason for it.”

“Just so you know, those ‘pajamas’ you wearing the other day looked really good on you,” he winked.

“Good night Malfoy,” she stormed off but not before he caught a glimpse of her blushing cheeks.