**New Reader**
So far very good, can't wait for another post from you.
^^Love it^^

me to can't ait too see what happens when the rest of the house sees him! hehe guess what? no more school for three months *ddddddddddddddddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss*

Hey JulieAnn! That was a terrific post, but it was short because i'm still sitting on the edge of my seat in suspence! lol
Well, can you please please, *Puppy face* write more? Just for me?? *pleading face*
-Shirel

P.S. ^^Hey OMG! your soooo lucky your done with school, I end next tuesday! *Groan*

Has Julie left us forever????

she is having major problems getiing online

Hello everyone!! No I didn't leave you forever, I wouldn't dream of doing that!! I really apologize for my lack of posting, as Mich said, I was having a very hard time signing on to SS. I am not sure if it is SS or my computer, but from the sounds of some of the posts and bulletins, I am not the only one.

As you may remember, I set the goal for myself to finish this fic before the 7th book is released, since that happens in exactly 10 days, I really don't see that happening, but I will definitely try!

I have missed you all so much, and computer allowing, I won't leave again you all.

Continuing Chapter 39: Rehabilitation

Harry rose slowly, and made his way out of the room, intent on finding someone, anyone really, who could relieve the throbbing in his nose.

As he exited the room he crashed into something hard, causing him to slam back against the wall before dropping to the floor. Tears of pain came to his eyes, and threatened to overflow as he struggled to raise himself to his knees.

He looked up to see what had blocked his path and met the troubled eyes of Hagrid.

As Hagrid began stammering an apology, he felt arms lift him up. He looked into the laughing eyes of both Sirius and Lupin and his mood grew even worse. He had to struggle to resist the urge to hex them both.

“Dout laugh at be!!” He yelled at them, causing the twins who had been shielded from his view by Hargid’s large frame to burst into giggles.

“Leeb be alone!” He yelled stomping away.

Because his head was tilted back to help stop the blood flow, Harry missed a step and crashed on to the floor, unable to continue to control his tears.

A soft touch on his arms caused him to almost lose his temper, when he realized it was Ginny, who threw the others a scowling look that gave the promise of bat bogey hexes to any who continued laughing.

“Come on Harry.” She gently helped him off the floor and led him into a room, where she conjured a couch. She helped him lay down and handed him a towel to hold over his nose.

“I will be right back, Harry.” She said softly, her hand lingering on his.

“Thank you.” He whispered, not realizing that she had already left the room.

A few minutes later he heard her return, “Dank you, Ginny.” He began as he struggled to sit up, he was gently shushed and pushed back down.

He opened his eyes as the towel covering his face was removed, surprised to be looking into the face of his mother.

“Who did this to you?” She asked softly, her voice low and angry. She held his face in her hands as she examined his crushed nose and black eyes.

“Draco Malfoy.” Harry said darkly, scowling.

“Episkey” Lily muttered, pointing her wand at Harry’s bloody face.

Harry felt a strange sensation as he felt the cartilage in his nose knit back together. “I am going to have to remember that one.” He thought to himself wiggling his nose to see if it still caused him pain. He looked up at Ginny’s laughter, and held her gaze for several seconds.

Lily, noticing the look, excused herself and backed out of the room, a pleased smile on her face.

“Thanks mum.” Harry said absently as quickly walked over to were Ginny was standing.

He slowly took her hands in his, “Thank you, Ginny.” He said softly, leaning into the girl.

“For what?” She asked, looking up at him.

“ For not laughing at me.” He responded truthfully, “and for getting my mom.” He added.

“Of course.” Ginny said, blushing slightly, “what else would you have excepted –“ Harry interrupted her by pressing his lips against hers.

Ginny, caught off guard stood there for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck and returning his kiss with fervor.

Harry felt like the sun had burst upon his head and the world spun as he held Ginny in his arms, she his only thought.

“hem hem.” A voice coughed from the door, so similar to Umbridge that both he and Ginny instantly jumped away from each other, explanations on their lips, until they heard the laughter from the hallway.
“What are you doing with my sister?” Ron asked his face red.

“Oh shove off Ron!” Hermione exclaimed, shoving him out of the way as she made her way into the room and embraced her two friends. “I am so glad you have made up!” She whispered as she led them out of the room, past the stammering Ron.

“Hate to interrupt.” Sirius began, the smirk on his face said the exact opposite “But Minerva needs you all to go down to the meeting room.

Harry, remembering his last encounter with her, grudgingly and muttering under his breath followed the others down the stairs.

OMG, I so that chapter!! He finally got her back she must have admitted . I your writing and cannot wait for the next chapter!! To we go!!

Yay!!! Youve posted!!
Im so happy you got back on. *s you for it*
Ah Harry and Ginny are so cute. And Ron imintating Umbridge. That made me laugh I wonder what McGonagall wants with them now...
Great post!! Cant wait for more!!!


*Steph*

i love the ginny/harry moment

Im so glad you finaly got online here, and even if your still writing this when the book ocmes out i promise ill pop in to check for updates

Great story, I love it! Keep up the great posts please.

PS: I'm actually a few behind, but I'll read as quickly as I can

Does anyone else seem to be having problems with the multi quote buttons? Or the spead of SS? , k, we are going to do this the semi generic way, and hopefully it will let me do it

Zephan: I am so glad that you are here on SS and reading my story, your imput, thoughts and opinions mean so very much to me, as do you of course my sister from another mister....and mother.....

Steph: Yup, I am back but with as slow as SS is going lately, I don't know how long that will last Not by my own choice of course!! And you don't have long to wait, becuase I am posting next!!

Mich: You are so awesome and you make me smile!! Yay!! I will have one person reading my story even after book 7 comes out!! This next post is so dedicated to you

Sharguar: I am glad that you like my story and don't worry if you are behind in reading, I am behind in posting, so that makes us even

OK, and now with out further ado, the compeltion of Chapter 39!!

Harry led the way, holding the hand of a beaming Ginny. The couple was followed by Hermione, who had so much bounce in her step, it seemed as though she was jumping with each step. She was dragging Ron, who looked as though he were having an argument with himself, and from the looks of it, losing. The Twins came after Ron, and were having fun mimicking Ron as the followed the group down the stairs.

Minerva beamed as she saw Harry and Ginny walking through the door, hand and hand.

“This is splendid!” She exclaimed, clasping her hands together, a smile spread across her face.

Embarrassed by the attention, Harry and Ginny instantly dropped hands, although each had a near goofy smile still lingering on their face.

Every hint of a smile left Harry’s face however as his eyes rested on the face of Draco Malfoy.

While he was attempting his usual sneer, it didn’t quite have the same affect coming from the sunken eyes and grayish tinged skin that came from weeks of deprivation and near starvation.

Harry once again felt the tinge of sorrow for the boy, and struggled to rid him self of it, over compensating by bellowing, “Ah, I see he is still here then, too bad he didn’t have the decency to just up and die.

The smile on Minerva’s face was snatched away by Harry’s words almost faster than the people in the room could comprehend.

“Harry Potter.” She whispered in a dangerous voice. “That is uncalled for.” She silenced Harry as he began to open his mouth.
“I care not what has transpired between you too, children,” she paused, emphasizing the word to the anger of both parties, “but it ends right now!” She yelled the last word, that combined with the lights suddenly flickering caused everyone in the room to jump.

“Now,” she said after a moment, regaining her composer, “I have a task for you.” This statement left no room for complaint.

“What is it Professor?” Hermione asked quietly

“I need you all to rehabilitate Draco here, who in turn will begin teaching you all Occlumency.” She stopped waiting for their reaction.

“Draco…knows…occlumency?” Harry struggled to keep his voice calm, terrified of setting Minerva off again.

“Yes, Harry, he does. He was taught by the best as well, a fact that I can assure you he regrets now.” A sardonic smile slowly spread across the older woman’s face. “You will start in the morning,” she continued after pausing to see if anyone would have a lapse in their manners, “now you all must go to bed, it is late and you have a lot to do in a very short period of time.”

i love the way this story is going

You have such a great talent which is being wasted in your 9-5 job

Malfoy is going to teach them occlumency?
How come i have a bad feeling about this???
Awsome post Julie!!!!
And I will definitly still be here even when book 7 comes out
If you have the chance you can come read my FF. If you dont want to its ok...
If you do click the link in my siggie
Cant wait for your next Awsome post!!
PAMSOID!!!!PAMS!!!!

*Steph*

I know really!!! I am thinking of actually going back to school to be an elementary teacher, maybe I will try my hand at writing children's books, there is a lot that goies into it though, they have to follow certain sandards....* ponders challenge:

I didn't know that you have a fic!! I will definitely come check it out!! the lessons begin next post!! Not to much longer to wait, for I am editing now!!

I checked yesterday and never saw your story come up on here! Bugger me to pieces. The story is coming along so well! I'm so excited to see more. Mich is right, what are you doing in a 9-5 job. Start writing some of your own stories!! well you know...some of your own....you know what I mean!!

I know what you mean, although you do this to me all the time!! "Oh I'm sorry I thought you were busy today." You are the awesomness I will have to show you and Mich some ideas I have been having lately.....one of these days....when this fic is done....if it gets done....

still great!!! I haven't been able to catch up yet, because I've been working on my three fan fics, or well, I've been trying too lol. The second two haven't been "approved yet, so I have to wait before updating those, but my An Empire, A Dragon one I've been working fairly hard on. Well, I hope to definately catch up on your wonderful story.

PAMS!!!

Malfoy teachong them occlumency?!????????!!!!!
That's crazy!
teriffiv post!!
I'm soo sorry I haven't been reading lately, i was in camp, then I worked... but now i am FREE!
I love LOVE your posts! The just get better and better!
Funny, at one point the site was also extremly slow for me but that was only for a couple of days...!
Love you, you awsome writer!!!
PAMS!
-*~ Shirel ~*-

OOhhh!!! i started reading you fic, An Empire, A Dragon, and I really enjoyed it, I am not caught up either i don't think so I guess we are even

Isn't it though I hope you are having a good summer, it sounds like it, with camp and all I guess a lot of people have been having problems with the site, it took me almost 15 minutes just to get to this page You are so fantastically sweet!!

Before I post the first part of this next chapter, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am NOT letting my story be influenced by the 7th book (unless that was already my idea to begin with ) So you don't have to worry about being spoiled for the 7th book if you havn't read it already!! I just wanted to make that announcment, and let everyone know.

also, this entire post and most of this chapter is a dream (actually a memory-for the most part)
Chapter 40: Nightmares and Dreamscapes

It was a dark and cold night marred only by the swift series of cracks that to the trained ear announced the arrival of several witches and wizards. To the muggles of the small town, it sounded more like the rapid firing of a silenced gun.

Harry could see Moody standing in front of him, hunkered down low his magically eye whirling about his head trying to detect if they had been detected. After several tense moments Moody motioned that the cost was clear and the group silently slid up the dark road.

The clouds in the night sky allowed for no light from the stars or the moon to shine through. As the group silently made their way through the empty streets of Little Hangelton, Harry couldn’t help but wonder what the muggles sleeping unawares in their homes would do if they knew about the battle that was about to take place.

As the derelict Riddle House rose out of the darkness before them a light drizzle began.

“Why is it,” Harry mused quietly to himself, “that every time something bad happens, nature decides to let loose and rain, as if this situation needed anything to make it worse.”
“Right you are mate” Ron murmured in response.

“Come on!” Harry said, raising his face to the sky, “Either rain or don’t rain, but don’t do this in between drizzle! Let the rain come down!!”

As if in response to Harry’s plea, the sky opened up in earnest, soaking the crouching figures within a matter of moments.

Hermione turned and gave Harry a dirty look, who shrugged in response.

“Impervius.” Harry took off his glasses and cast the spell on them, pausing for a moment from his forward advances. He quickened his pace to catch up.

They were almost to the front door of the old mansion when Moody stopped the group. “Harry, get in the back of the group.” He gruffly whispered.

Harry began to protest but realized the validity of his argument. He sighed, slumped his shoulders, hating the feeling of being protected and made his way to the back of the group.

He pulled his wand to the ready, and tried to mentally prepare his mind for the ensuing battle. He was slightly surprised that the Dark Lord had not sensed their arrival. He suddenly panicked, thinking that it might be a possible trap. He was about to raise his point to the group when the door was quietly opened and the Order silently slinked into the old house.

Harry could feel the hairs standing up on the back of his neck with anticipation, and knew that most of the others in this group felt the same. He wondered what the outcome would be, but quickly but those thoughts to the back of his mind, realizing the need to focus on the now.

They had reached the landing and still remained undetected. Harry marveled at their luck, hoping it would last.

He could hear voices in the room up ahead and knew that no trap had been set. These voices were calm and confident, not strained with deceit.

He hung back from the group and stayed near the top of the stairs, and began, as he had been instructed, to attempt to fill Voldemort’s mind with random images, mostly from muggle movies and TV shows: Die Hard, Monty Python, Survivor, Love Boat, MASH. He increased the intensity until he could hear the voice of the Dark Lord become strained. Gone with the Wind, Dances with Wolves, Bonanza, Dr. Quinn Medicine woman. Voldemort still hadn’t mentioned anything, but Harry could imagine his long pointy fingers rubbing the top of his slimy bald snakelike head. He tried to think of every Horror movie he had ever sneaked a peak at through Dudley’s room. Anaconda, Arachnophobia, Chucky, Jason, Friday the Thirteenth, Children of the Corn, Poltergeist, Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Finally Harry heard a chair slide back hard and fast.

“What, is the meaning of this?!” He heard the exasperated voice of Tom Riddle. At a motion from Moody he shut down the images as quickly as he had begun.

“Which…one of you, dares, to think of filthy muggle movies while I am talking to you?” He could hear the stammering of the Death Eaters

At that moment, the door to the room was thrown wide and the members of the Order swarmed in.

Ron, Hermione, the Twins, Ginny, Neville and Luna hung back against all of Harry’s protestations, and began throwing spells at Death Eaters that made it past the order.

Harry slid back against the wall in the corner, as far in the shadows as he could, hoping to avoid detection.

He watched as his classmates and Order member’s chased Death Eaters down the stairs and into the night.

He looked up as a smug Voldemort walked past him, completely unawares of his presence.

“Hello Tom.” Harry said stepping out of the shadows as Voldemort began his decent down the stairs.

The Dark Lord paused, he back to Harry, and then turned slowly to face him. Harry was surprised at how drawn he looked, and realized that the chore of recruiting alleys was obviously as difficult for him as it had been for the Order.

“You look awfully tired.” Harry began, unable to stop himself, “why don’t you sit done.”

Voldermort stared at him for a moment before giving him a half bow and sitting on the step.

Harry, his wand still at the ready, assumed a more comfortable stance. “It looks like recruiting was hard on you as well.” Harry began, “However it looks like you had a harder time of it than we did, then again, people don’t want to ally themselves with someone who was defeated by a mere baby.” He smirked slightly.
He could see Voldermort’s face lose it’s knowing smile, and jumped back in fear as he leapt of the stairs.

How dare you attempt to bate me boy!” he roared, rushing Harry.

Harry slipped out under his arm and ran down the stairs, weaving in attempts to dodge the tirade of curses being thrown at him.

“Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!” He said to himself as he ran into the night. He could hear shouts and yells, and could see flashes of light from other battles going on throughout the graveyard. He couldn’t help but think that there couldn’t be a more fitting place than this for the final battle. At least he hoped it was the Final Battle.

He ran blindly, until he heard cold laughter behind him. He stopped suddenly and turned around, instantly realizing where he had run to.

He turned back around, desperately searching for an escape, but realizing that he was backed into the same corner he had been three years prior

Unbidden, the image of Cedric’s lifeless face flashed before his eyes. Over come with grief Harry dropped to his knees.

Some where behind him he heard a laugh; a cold hard laugh that gave no indication of happiness or even amusement.

“How quant,” The Dark Lord began, the sarcasm apparent in his voice, “that you lead us here Harry. Here of all places.” He slowly pulled his wand out of his robes.

Harry could here him moving about, but just didn’t care. He remained on his hands and knees, he forehead buried in the mud, the rain refusing to no showing any signs of mercy, chilled him to the bone.

im so happy you posted
Cant wait to see what happens next, ive missed coming here to read your fan fic.

I'm like, four posts away from catching up, this is getting very good, even though I've read the 7th book. It's still amazing!!!

PAMS!

Great post!! Very intense
I need to know what happened!!!!!!
PAMS!!!!!

*Steph*

Ooooooh! You dropped us a cliffie!
Why did he go to the graveyard???
IT was such a gr8 post!!
PAMS!!
-*~ shirel ~*-

So, I come in here for a few seconds, just to see what it's about, not intending to read it...

I've just spent about three hours reading your story.

You.Are.Amazing.

'Nuff said.

I to your mad skills!!

Can't wait for your next post!!!!!

You are awesomeness Mich Thanks for all of the excellent advice!! You have been instrumental in getting this last chapter out!! Thanks for being my muse


Almost there!! I'm glad that you like my story, even though it is not nearly as cool as book 7 's to book 7 and JK Rowling




Hi Steph!! Glad to see you are still here and didnt get driven away from my lack of posting. I am going to do some writing this weekend, I have a few chapters in the wings, but I need to finish this chapter and the next on before I can post those. Don't worry I am on it!! If I don't post more today or this weekend, I am going to post a big one on Monday!!

What is funny is that I didn't mean to leave a cliffie, that is just were my writers block hit. I am taking three writing classes this next semester, so hopefully that will help, although, hopefully I am not still writing this when the semester ends!!


You are the sweetest!! I am glad that you enjoyed my story so far!! I hope you continue to enjoy it


Well everyone....I missed my goal for myself of having this all finished by the time the 7th book came out. I set that goal because I wanted to see if any of my theories were accurate. So we are pretty close to being done, so I am really hoping to get it all finished this month. I have some lose ends to tie up and the plot to finish but other than that I hope you guys stick around till the end, I did not intend for it to last this long, but you know how it goes You are all the bestest