Harry Potter and the Hand of Gryffindor by Alice I

[Plep]

Regarding Alice's part 6, the length of the text is normally no problem (a post can be up to 65535 characters in length (just under 64 kilobytes)). The only thing I'd advise though is that if she's posted it anywhere else online, then rather than post the whole text here again, it's better really if she just posts a link to where she originally posted it. This saves "duplicating the internet".

So, i guess you can go ahead and post it here

[Amon Rê]

YAY...whoopie I'm excited

[Alice I]

Here is chapter three:

Chapter Three
Home to the Burrow

Hermione and her parents arrived at St. Mungos the next day. Hermione was shocked when she saw Harry because he was so thin. She went to his bed and sat down. “Oh Harry, I’m so sorry, are you all right?” She looked just as worried as everyone else. Harry was starting to get a little embarrassed about all the fuss people were making over him. He smiled brightly and said “I’m fine Hermione. I think I’ll be leaving today. I do feel a lot better.” She looked unconvinced. “What happened Harry, why did Dudley beat you up?” Harry’s smile faded and he looked uncomfortable. He wasn’t ready to talk about this yet. Hermione realized at once and wished she hadn’t asked “Never mind Harry, I’m just glad you’re ok now.” She pulled out a stack of photos she and her parents had taken on holiday. Hermione had visited Drumstrung and had seen Victor Krum who was now a full time professional Quidditch player for Bulgaria. They were still looking over the photographs when Ron, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came in. Mrs. Weasley came over and kissed them both. “Hello dear” she said to Hermione. “We just saw your parents and have asked them if you could stay with us for the rest of the holiday.” Hermione looked up “I’d love to Mrs. Weasley if Ginny doesn’t mind having a room mate again.”
“You must be joking” Ginny chimed in “It’ll be great!” Hermione and Ginny looked excited and Hermione got up “I’ll go tell them; be right back.” and she gathered up her pictures and headed for the door. Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry “How are you feeling today dear?”
“I feel much better thanks.” Harry smiled up at her but his eyes still seemed troubled. Mrs. Weasley knew this was not going to be a quick recovery for Harry and smiled at him encouragingly. Ron sat down and said “Well all your stuff is at home. You wait; the rest of the summer is going to be great.” Ron was trying to sound cheerful. He had privately decided that he was going to make sure Harry never had to worry about the Dursleys or Dudley again. He didn’t know how this was going to happen but the first step was to get Harry out of hospital and having fun the last few weeks of the holiday. Harry felt awful about all the worry and trouble he had caused everyone. He put a big smile on his face and said “I’m looking forward to it Ron.” Ginny and Mrs. Weasley noticed that Harry’s smile did not extend to his eyes. They exchanged a knowing look that neither of the boys noticed.
Madam Tosh stepped into the room and crossed over to Harry’s bed. She smiled warmly at Harry and his visitors. “Well you look better today. Could everyone give me a few minutes with Harry?”
“Of course” said Mrs. Weasley and started shooing Ron, Ginny and Mr. Weasley out of the room as though they had been causing some sort of ruckus. When they stepped out into the corridor Hermione was still talking with her parents and she came over to join Ron and Ginny while their parents spoke to the Grangers. “Thank you for allowing Hermione stay with us.” said Mrs. Weasley “Harry has been through a terrible ordeal and he needs his friends now more than ever.”
“We quiet understand.” said Mrs. Granger “How is Harry doing now? Ron’s letter sounded like he had been beaten and left to die by his own family. Surely he exaggerated?”
Mr. Weasley looked very grim. “I found Harry and brought him here. Ron did not exaggerate.” he said. Mrs. Granger’s eyes opened wide in shock. “Is there anything we can do?” Mrs. Weasley took her by the hands and said “Allowing Hermione to stay with us is the best help you could have given. With people who love him around, Harry will be fine.”

After a through examination of Harry; Madam Tosh sat down in a straight backed chair facing him. “You grew up in the muggle world.” It was a statement rather than a question “Yes ma’am.”
“It is very important that you understand a particular distinction. I am not your doctor, I am your healer. This means that I am charged with healing you from this experience and not just from your physical wounds which are for the most part healed. Molly Weasley will be able to help you gain some weight; which Harry you MUST do. I am going to release you from hospital but I am not willing to declare you healed yet; which means you are still my charge even after you leave here. In the muggle world there are Medical Doctors to heal the wounds of the body, Physiatrists to heal the wounds of the mind and Clergy to heal the wounds of the heart and soul. As your healer it is my responsibility to serve as all of those things for you. Do you understand?” Harry looked at her for a long moment. Something about this woman was different from almost everyone else he knew. She never looked at his scar; it was as though it were invisible to her. She obviously knew who he was but she treated him like anyone else and it was genuine. Finally he said “I will have to talk to you about what happened.” Harry felt a tight knot of fear clench his stomach. He liked Madam Tosh, she inspired trust like Professor Dumbledore, but he didn’t even want to think about what had happened with Dudley let alone talk about it. He did not want to face the fact that he was now terrified of his cousin.
The internal battle that Harry was fighting with fear did not go unnoticed by Madam Tosh. “You know Harry, coming from the muggle world you may not realize how truly remarkable Hedwig is. She came to see me after you were attacked. After she told me what had happened I headed straight for the Lobby to arrange a car and that is when I first met Molly Weasley.” Harry was staring at Madam Tosh astonished, the fear he had just been feeling forgotten with the impact of what she had just said. “What do you mean she told you what happened?” Madam Tosh smiled brightly “I am an animagus; I transform into an owl. Harry, I am your healer because Hedwig chose me for you.” Harry looked over at Hedwig perched on top of the cabinet against the wall. She gave a reassuring hoot and turned her gaze to Madam Tosh who was smiling broadly at her. Harry was too stunned to say anything about the obvious relationship between Hedwig and this enigmatic healer. “Harry in the chest at the end of your bed is a small bag of your personal belongings and your clothes. They have been washed and folded but I really don’t think you should were them, they are far too big for you. You will also find jeans and a shirt that will fit you.” Harry had a puzzled look on his face “What personal belongings?” Madam Tosh smiled “Your wand, a book and your saxulmens. These things were in your pockets when you came here. Except for your wand that was brought here by Mr. Weasley, it was on the ground when he found you. Go ahead and get dressed. I’m going to step out and let Mrs. Weasley know when I will be stopping by to see you. In the meantime if you need anything and Harry I do mean ANYTHING; send Hedwig and I will come to you, where ever you are.” Madam Tosh got up and crossed to the end of the ward, pulled out a screen and set it up so that Harry could have some privacy. Before she left Harry said “Er, Madam Tosh?”
“Yes Harry?”
“Er, Thanks” She smiled at him again and left the room. Harry got dressed and was sitting on his bed stroking Hedwig’s tail feathers when everyone came in. “Are you ready to go Harry dear?” Mrs. Weasley asked. As Harry didn’t come to St. Mungos with anything; he was holding his book, and had pocketed his wand and saxulmens he was indeed ready to go. He left his old clothes in the chest at the end of the bed and Hedwig gave a loud hoot before soaring out the open window which, to Harry’s surprise, closed itself after she had flown out. Even though Harry was entering his sixth year at Hogwarts and was very used to the wizarding world some things still would take him by surprise. Once the whole group had entered the lobby Hermione said good bye to her parents. The Grangers came over to Harry to greet him. Mrs. Granger was appalled at Harry’s condition. Even though he was wearing clothing that fit him he looked gaunt and fragile. Being a dentist she had practice keeping her face neutral as that is the part of her that all of her patients stared at so Harry was unaware of how he looked to her. “Harry, you enjoy the rest of your summer.” Harry smiled up at Mrs. Granger and said “Thanks, I will.”
Mr. Granger turned to Mr. Weasley and said “We’ll have Hermione’s school trunk and belongings sent along to your home.” Mr. Weasley smiled and said “I have a better idea. I’ll come round to you and you can show me some of those fascinating tools you were telling me about.” Mr. Weasley couldn’t hide the gleam in his eyes, like a kid in a candy shop. Mr. Granger laughed and clapped Arthur on the shoulder. “You do love our gadgets don’t you? Here is my card. Stop by the office about four o’clock this afternoon and I’ll give you a tour.” The prospect of investigating a muggle dentist office put a huge smile on Mr. Weasley’s face and he said “I’m looking forward to it.”
Mr. Weasley had called for a taxi to take them back home to the Burrow but everything was delayed when they realized that four teenagers and two adults were not going to fit in a muggle taxi so they had to wait for a second car to come. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley and Ginny rode in the first car and Ron, Harry and Hermione rode in the second. Harry was quiet on the trip back preferring to listen to Hermione fill Ron in about her trip to Bulgaria with her parents. Hermione was careful not to mention Victor Krum at all. She went into animated detail about Durmstrang Academy. The castle was smaller and less comfortable than Hogwarts but the grounds were absolutely enormous. There were so many spectacular views it was an artists dream.
Harry stopped really paying attention to Ron and Hermione after awhile as he stared blankly out the window thinking about nothing when he got a flash of memory from Dudley’s beating and shuddered. This happened twice more during the long car ride to the Burrow. The odd sense of distance from those around was still with him. He wondered briefly if this is what Nearly Headless Nick feels like most of the time. There but not really there.
“Harry! You all right mate?” Harry seemed to come out of a trance “What?” he said then noticed that the cars had stopped; they were at the Burrow. “Sorry must have been daydreaming.” Ron and Hermione who had called his name twice before Ron yelled looked unconvinced and worried. Harry looked out at the house and smiled “This is my favorite place in the world.” he said to himself in a whisper but Ron and Hermione heard him and the worried looks slowly left their eyes.
When the taxi arrived at the Burrow; Fred and George were waiting at the end of the front walk. “Oy Harry you’re looking loads better!” said Fred with a smile. Harry didn’t really look that much better but the twins had decided that they would do everything they could to get Harry’s mind off his troubles. He would be staying in the Burrow and never have to worry about Dudley or his Aunt and Uncle again. They were going to make sure of that one way or the other. Like Ron they had privately decided that raising Harry’s spirits was the best remedy for him right now. “Mum guess who’s here?” said George with a big grin. Mrs. Weasley, who was trying to help her husband pay the taxi drivers, looked up distractedly “What? George I… Just a minute.” She gave up trying to sort out the muggle money and Hermione stepped over to assist Mr. Weasley. “Now what were you saying dear?” Fred and George smiled and said “you’ll see.” George turned to Harry and said “How you feelin’ mate?”
“I’m fine thanks.” Harry said with a big smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Fancy a quick game of Quidditch?”
“For heavens sake George, Harry has just come home from hospital. Don’t you think he’d rather not be…” and she stopped abruptly. One of the taxi drivers had not left yet and she had been about to say fifty feet in the air on a broomstick. Harry, wanting to end this awkward moment said “Actually George maybe later. I need to write a letter just now, but thanks.” Harry didn’t know who he was supposed to be writing to he just knew that he didn’t really want to be fifty feet up in the air on a broomstick and his face went bright red. ‘What’s the matter with me? Why don’t I want to play quidditch?’ he thought desperately. What he did know, was the thought of being that high up on a skinny little broomstick made his stomach tighten in a knot of fear and he turned and walked up to the house not waiting for Ron or Hermione, feeling the need to be alone to figure this out. Fred and George exchanged confused looks. They had both seen what was unmistakably fear, run across Harry’s features but that simply made no sense. Mrs. Weasley watched Harry’s back as he walked to the house with a very worried expression. The taxi driver was pulling away when everyone else seemed to realize that Harry wasn’t there. “Where did Harry go?” asked Ron and Ginny together.
Harry was barely aware of anything around him as he stepped through the kitchen door and headed straight for the stairs and up to Ron’s room. His mind was in turmoil, a knot of fear having nothing to do with flying was smoldering like a hot coal in his stomach. Harry didn’t see or hear Bill and Charlie as they greeted him from the kitchen table. He climbed to the top of the stairs and entered Ron’s room. Hedwig was perched in her cage, the door of which was open as well as Ron’s window. He sank down on the cot and Hedwig flew down from her perch and landed on Harry’s knee gazing up into his eyes. Harry absently stroked her feathers, his mind repeating ‘What is wrong with me? Has Voldemort won? Have I lost my nerve?’ The only thing Harry was sure of was this was a scared as he had ever been in his life.

Bill and Charlie sat stunned for a moment as they listened to Harry climb the stairs. Bill and Charlie Weasley were Ron’s oldest brothers. Bill was the oldest of the Weasley children and had long red hair pulled back into a ponytail and he was wearing and earring sporting a fang. He had been a curse breaker for Gringotts wizarding bank and had spent the last few years in Egypt but now he worked out of London having taken a desk job last year when he became heavily involved with the Order of the Phoenix. Bill had spent the last two weeks in America on business for the Order and had returned last evening to his office to find an urgent note with a Phoenix feather attached to it from Professor Dumbledore.

Charlie also had the Weasley red hair but was shorter, thicker and year younger than Bill. He worked in Romania studying and raising dragons. They looked at each other got up and headed for the door as the rest of the family came in.
“Bill your back; Charlie!” Mrs. Weasley rushed over to hug her sons. “What are you doing here?” “I came as soon as I got word of what had happened to Harry” said Charlie.
“He looks terrible mum, what did those muggles do to him?!” Bill asked angrily.
“But Charlie how did you get time off?”
Charlie simply said “Family emergency.”
“Where did Harry go?” Ron asked “Up to your room I think” said Charlie.
“He didn’t even realize we were here. He just walked right passed us and headed upstairs. We said hello to him but I don’t think he heard us.” said Bill.
“And why is he so thin? Are they still starving him?” Charlie demanded starting to get angry.

“Calm down everyone.” Mr. Weasley said. “Harry has been dealing with more than his situation with the Dursleys. His cousin’s attack came to Harry’s aunt and uncle as much of a surprise as it did to us. He needs time to get over the ordeal at the Ministry last June, Sirius’ death, the extent of that prophecy made about him as well as what Dudley did to him.”

“Mum what did happen? Professor Dumbledore sent me word that Harry had been injured, was in hospital and would be spending the rest of the summer here. I came home immediately, but that is really all I know. Bill wasn’t able to fill me in at all as he has just gotten back from America.” Charlie said as he sat down at the table and began pouring tea for everyone. So the Weasleys sat down with their children and Hermione and told them everything that had happened; what Harry had told Professor Dumbledore as well as the reactions of the Dursleys.

Fred and George gave their perspective of the interview between Aunt Petunia and Dumbledore. They mentioned how surprised they were by Aunt Petunia.
“I mean she seemed really upset but she also never offered him any comfort or condolence. They just loaded him up with chores so he would be too tired to wake them up with nightmares.” George said working himself up. Fred interrupted “Well, she did seem truly sorry and that’s why we only left the exploding snap deck and a few enchanted candies behind.”

Mrs. Weasley eyed the boys and said “You didn’t mention anything about candies. It wasn’t those horrible tongue toffees was it!? I mean really boys he would never touch them after what happened last time.” George looked at his mother with an almost bemused look on his face. She seemed torn between delight in causing Dudley discomfort and the desire to scold them for doing something like this again. “We left puking pastilles wrapped up to look like muggle candies.” Fred replied hesitantly. Molly seemed to think about his answer then said “Well!” she said very matter-of-factly “That’s alright then.” and turned her attention back to her husband who was trying to stifle his laughter at the remarkable turn-a-round in his wife’s attitude about the boy’s chosen trade.

When the whole story had been told however Bill and Charlie looked somber. Bill was the first to speak. “If I were Harry I’d be depressed too. I never really thought about how alone he must feel, and with that lot for a family in all. Don’t worry about work, things have been fine lately and I only go into the office a couple of times a week now. I brought some things from my flat and plan on staying for awhile.” Charlie looked up at his parents with a troubled face and said “I have also taken two weeks Mum. I want to help if I can.” Molly and Arthur beamed at their children. “This is exactly what Harry needs.” said Mrs. Weasley. “Speaking of Harry; I want to check on him.” said Ron as he got up from the table and headed for the stairs.

Harry didn’t notice Ron come into the room; he was staring out the window stroking Hedwig who was still perched on his knee. “Er. Harry?” said Ron tentatively. Harry started slightly. “Oh hi; Sorry, I guess I just wanted to be alone for a bit. I didn’t mean to be rude or anything.” Harry still felt that odd sort of distance from Ron. “Don’t worry about that mate. Are you ok?” Ron looked worried. Harry shrugged “Yeah, I’m ok; a bit tired actually. Maybe I’ll take a nap.” Harry didn’t really know why he told Ron he wanted to sleep; that was the last thing he wanted to do. Ron took the hint though and got up. “Yeah, ok I’ll come and get you when dinner is ready.”

Fred and George left for the shop as they needed to meet Dumbledore and Moody there to look over the new space for headquarters and Hermione and Ginny went up to Ginny’s room while Bill and Charlie talked quietly with their parents.
Ron didn’t want to disturb Harry but he was worried about his odd behavior in the car so he came back to the kitchen and sat down at the table with his parents and oldest brothers. “Mum, Dad; I think there is more going on with Harry than you think. In the taxi he sort of went away… I mean his eyes were glazed over and unfocused like he was in some kind of trance or something. It took Hermione and me a bit to get his attention and just now he said he was going to take a nap but I know he doesn’t really want to sleep.” They all looked concerned by this news but Mrs. Weasley patted Ron’s hand reassuringly “Try not to worry too much dear. Harry probably just needs some time to adjust.” but she looked unconvinced by her own words. Mr. Weasley looked at his watch and said “I have to go and meet Mr. Granger.” He got up and kissed Molly then with a loud pop he disapparated.

Fred and George arrived at Weasley Wizard Wheezes before Moody and Dumbledore. Fred was actually a little nervous wondering whether the three interlocking charms that they had chosen would indeed fool Mad Eye Moody’s magical eye. They didn’t have long to wait for both had just walked in through the front door. Moody’s eye swung around wildly in its socket. “This is quite some place you have here boys.” said Moody in a gruff voice. The twins led them down to the basement of the shop and watched Moody closely. He was scanning all the walls with both his eyes but could not see the hidden room apparently because when George reached over to the wall and pushed the bricks there in a particular order the wall opened up to a large chamber. Moody stood there eyes fixed on the now revealed chamber with his mouth open. Dumbledore chuckled softly “Trade Secrets” Moody turned to him “Pardon me?”

“Let us take a look at this room shall we?” Dumbledore replied and stepped through the threshold. The “work space” that the twins had created was easily half the size of a quidditch field with a ceiling that raised fifteen feet above them. The room had been sectioned into three areas separated by four inch thick stone walls that nearly extended to the ceiling. These two walls extended from the rear wall of the chamber and ended ten feet before the door so that from the entrance you could see down the long central area as well as the first part of the right and left side areas of the chamber. There was a fireplace at the rear of the center section and one halfway down the area on the right against the outer chamber wall. The fireplaces were not registered with the floo network so they were private as well. The section of the room to the far left showed scorch marks on the walls and floor and was referred to as the blast zone, for this is where the boys tested new products.

The middle section of the room had shelves on the left with various size cauldrons and a cabinet full of potion ingredients. On the right wall were two stone basins with taps. A work table running the length of this section was littered with various objects and notes strewn all over the place. Fred and George began to straighten up. “Er… we are not always neat and we did leave in a hurry” Fred started to explain but Dumbledore held up his hand “That is quite alright.” George led them to the third section of the room on the right which was smaller in comparison than the other two areas.

This section had an oval table in the middle surrounded by chairs. There was an icebox in the corner and a small oven and stove top. There was a line of cupboards on the right side of this room filled with food and teas and another cupboard with cups, plates and silver. “We added this area after we spoke with you Professor. We figured that it would make long stays more comfortable.” Fred said with a smug smile. “And look at this” added George as he tapped the wall separating the right side chamber with the middle area and a hidden door opened to reveal a small room with two cots blankets and a small dresser with a basin and water jug on top. Dumbledore was very impressed as was Mad Eye. “You have done fine job here boys and to fool me is quite a trick.” Moody growled.

The twins beamed with pride at his words for Mad Eye Moody did not often dole out praise. Dumbledore was also amply impressed with the room and the concealment charm that they had used. “This will make a perfect headquarters for the Order gentlemen and I thank you for offering this space. I am somewhat concerned, however about the cost of adding this space for the Order. Is the shop doing that well, for this must have cost a fair amount of gold?” The twin’s faces reddened. “The shop is doing quite well sir but to be honest most of this stuff we picked up second hand.”

Moody surveyed the table and chairs, the cots in the hidden bedroom and the appliances. They did all look second hand. The bedding on the cots was slightly frayed on the edges, the table had some large nicks in it and it looked like at least two of the chairs had been repaired a couple of times. The space however was warm, well lit by several torches in brackets on the wall and quite comfortable. “When did you have time to do all of this?” Dumbledore inquired. “After we brought Harry’s trunk home we went shopping and spent the rest of the day fixing up this place.” said George. Dumbledore appraised them thoughtfully for a moment. “When did you sleep?”
“After we got back from having dinner with Harry at St. Mungos.” Fred replied. “It did make for a bit of a long day but we didn’t mind.” George added

Bill and Charlie set up tables on the lawn for dinner just like the evening before the world cup two years ago. Unlike then, the mood was almost solemn. Charlie and Bill were talking quietly about how appalling Harry looked. “According to Ron, Harry has never been treated well by those people Charlie but this is worse than I had imagined.” Bill was not shouting but an edge of anger was clear in his voice. “I know Bill, but Dad said they didn’t know.” Bill turned so fast that the table he was levitating hit the ground with a loud thud “They have eyes don’t they! Charlie how could anyone not realize that he was suffering; not eating, not sleeping. What did his so called ‘family’ do to help him? It makes me sick Charlie.”

Charlie placed a calloused hand on his brother’s shoulder and looked at him “Bill, I doubt weather Harry will ever have to see those muggles again. When he finishes school this year he will be nearly seventeen and he won’t have to go back there again. I’m angry too, but right now that last thing he needs are angry recriminations about the Dursleys. We all have to help him put this behind him” Bill knew that Charlie was right of course but that didn’t help the anger he felt about the Dursleys.

Mrs. Weasley was busy in the kitchen making dinner while Ron, Ginny and Hermione got together plates and silver for the table. Fred and George were at the shop and would be returning shortly. Mr. Weasley who had just returned stopped into the kitchen to tell his wife that he was going to tell Harry that dinner would be ready shortly. “If he is sleeping don’t wake him Arthur.”

Harry wasn’t sleeping. He had sat alone in Ron’s room listening to the ghoul in the attic roaming around and thinking. He missed Sirius so much that it hurt. A small voice in his head reminded him that he was not alone, he was at the Burrow surrounded by people who cared about him but they all felt so far away like he was merely a ghost among the living.

Harry looked up when Mr. Weasley opened the door and poked his head in to see if Harry was awake. Mr. Weasley was struck again at how small Harry looked. He came in and sat down on the cot next to him and placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder he asked “How are you doing?” Mr. Weasley looked so concerned that Harry felt a sharp stab of guilt. He had caused so much trouble and worry for this family. He looked down at his hands and a single tear dropped into them. He closed his fist quickly and said “I’m alright” and he hoped that Mr. Weasley hadn’t seen that. He found that he was angry with himself though he wasn’t entirely sure why. Harry stood up abruptly and walked over to the window. With his back to Mr. Weasley he dried his face. “Thanks for coming to get me and letting me stay here.” Mr. Weasley moved up behind Harry and put his hands on his shoulders and turned Harry around. “Harry, you will always be welcome in this home.” Mr. Weasley looked at Harry trying to read his eyes willing him to understand that he is loved by this family. “Dinner is almost ready, why don’t we go down?” Harry smiled and nodded not trusting himself to speak; he followed Mr. Weasley quietly down to the kitchen.

Bill and Charlie came in through the back door just as Harry entered the kitchen. They were smiling at Harry and said together “Hello Harry!” Harry’s eyes opened wide “Bill, Charlie; Hi. When did you get here?” Bill stepped over to Harry and shook his hand “We got here this morning.” Charlie shook his hand next “Good to see you Harry.” Harry fervently hoped that their visit was a mere happy circumstance rather than Bill or Charlie loosing time from their jobs because of him and he felt another great pang of guilt. Ron had just come into the house to get napkins and cups. When he saw Harry he said “Harry; great you’re up, here take these cups.” Ron handed Harry a bunch of cups and turned to the cupboard for more. Harry was very glad that Ron hadn’t asked him how he was feeling.

Once the table was set and the food was brought out everyone sat down. Mrs. Weasley served Harry far more than he could ever eat, but he smiled up at her and said “Thank you.” Fred and George had arrived a few minutes earlier and were deep into conversation telling Bill and Charlie all about the joke shop and the new headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix which everyone listened to.
Harry listened quietly to the various conversations going on around the table but found himself starting at normal noises in the garden and surrounding field. He actually jumped and looked around when two pigeons took flight about ten feet away. Ron had been noticing how jumpy and on edge Harry seemed and said “Harry, you’ll stay here from now on, you’ll never have to see those muggles again, ok? I understand how you feel mate.” but before Ron could continue Harry interrupted him

“No you don’t.” Ron sat back with a surprised look on his face and the rest of the conversations around the table died away and everyone turned to look at Harry. Looking around at the Weasleys he said “Please don’t misunderstand me. I love it here at the Burrow. The happiest times of my whole life have been spent here with all of you, but ….
but I’m still just a guest.”

“Ron, you hate being poor, but I would gladly give every gallon I own to have what you’ve got. Voldemort has murdered every member of my family who ever loved me. I have no one and all the money in Gringotts will never change that.”

He looked at those gathered then back at the best friend he has ever had and said “You have a mum and a dad who love you; you have a home and a family.”
Harry took a steadying breath and continued “Ron you and Hermione are my best friends but you don’t understand how I feel…
…and I hope you never do.” Harry’s voice was husky with these last words as though trying to keep it under control. “I’m sorry” he whispered and got up from the table. He walked away from the Weasley family feeling a torrent of emotions whirling around in his head and heart.

There was a stunned silence at the table. Ginny and Hermione had tears in their eyes “But we love him.” Ginny said almost to herself. Bill took her hands and looked at her. “Ginny; Harry has been through so much and he is hurting. He knows that we all love him, but he is in so much pain he can’t feel that right now. He needs us to give him time and support.” Ginny knew that Bill was quite right but the lost look Harry seemed to have acquired since June scared her a little. She had long since gotten over her childhood crush on Harry so she was a little confused to find herself having stirrings of something new that she couldn’t quite describe even to herself. What she was sure of was that Harry needed her as much as Ron or Hermione. This thought seemed absurd to say aloud but her heart told her it was true, and she had learned the hard way to follow her heart. Ginny’s first year at Hogwarts brought her face to face with the boy who became Voldemort. A boy named Tom Riddle. She had been slipped Riddle’s diary by Lucius Malfoy and through this enchanted diary Riddle was able to possess Ginny and get her to open the Chamber of Secrets. Harry had fought and killed a Basilisk; the creature that had been attacking students throughout the year, and saved Ginny from Riddle. Her heart told her there was something wrong with that diary but, Tom was so understanding, that she ignored it. After nearly dieing she had learned to follow her heart even when it didn’t make much sense or she didn’t like what it told her.

Mrs. Weasley got up from the table “Arthur I’m going to go talk to him” Mr. Weasley nodded and started to clean up the dishes. No one was very hungry anymore so in a matter of minutes the table had been completely cleared. Mrs. Weasley headed off to the hill behind the shed. Harry had wandered that way after entering the field on the other side of the garden. Molly was able to keep an eye on Harry while Ginny and Bill talked. Her youngest son Ron looked horror stricken and she wanted to comfort him but Harry was her focus now.

Harry walked up to the crest of the hill looking down over the river. He stared out over the peaceful landscape without seeing it. Tears welled up and fell down his face but he took no notice of them for he felt like his heart was being torn asunder. Mrs. Weasley came up beside him and pulled him into a tight embrace and it was like a dam breaking inside of him; all of the pain, fear and sorrow he had bottled up all summer came flooding out in a great wave of tears that he was powerless to stem. He sank to his knees and cried out his pain while Mrs. Weasley cradled him in her arms. His scar burned red hot but he never noticed over the torrent of suppressed grief and guilt pouring out of him.

Harry didn’t know how long he had been kneeling on the ground weeping in Mrs. Weasley’s arms, but he became aware that his cheek was sore from where his glasses had been pressed into his face as he buried his head in her embrace. He sat up and took his glasses off. He was totally drained but he felt a little better. He looked up at Mrs. Weasley. “No one has ever done that for me… ever.”

Mrs. Weasley looked at him for a moment before saying “Harry dear, I will always be here for you, ALWAYS. I could not love you more if you were my own child.” Harry didn’t know what to say, he felt so grateful to her and embarrassed by his comments earlier. “I’m sorry about what I said back there, I know you don’t see me as just a guest, I just… I miss him so much.” Fresh tears welled up in Harry’s eyes as he continued. “I finally had somebody who has always cared about me, even before I had this.” He pointed angrily at his forehead. “Sirius knew me, Harry Potter before there was The Boy Who Lived and now he’s gone too.” Harry stared at the slowly darkening sky for a moment his tears had dried up now.

“It’s like when the dementors are near, sometimes I feel like I’ll never be happy again.” Mrs. Weasley brushed hair out of his eyes and said “I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but it will get better. You’re going to have to trust me on this Harry.” She smiled at him and pulled out her wand. She pointed it at Harry’s face and said “Lacrymivela” Harry’s red and swollen eyes dried up and shrank back and his red stuffy nose returned to normal. Harry looked at her amazed.

“There are some advantages to reading Witch Weekly. I picked up that handy little charm under the Mother’s Secrets section a couple of years ago.” She looked at him critically then asked him “How do you feel now dear?”

Harry felt better than he had since last June. He wanted to stay on that hill top with Mrs. Weasley forever but he said “Actually I’m kind of hungry and tired.” Mrs. Weasley’s face broke into a broad smile “Well a spot of dinner and bed are the answer to that. Come on dear up we get.” Mrs. Weasley held Harry’s hand to get up and didn’t let go until they came in sight of the house. The walk had fully stimulated Harry’s appetite and his stomach growled loudly. Ron, Ginny, Hermione and the twins had all gone up to bed. It had been a long day and Harry and Mrs. Weasley had not returned for nearly two hours.

Harry was famished when he took a seat at the scrubbed wooden table in the center of the kitchen where he could hear Charlie and Bill playing a rousing game of wizard chess in the living room. Charlie had brought his own set that used dragons for the pieces. Charlie had acquired the set In Romania after he returned from the first event of the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts two years ago. All of the pieces were made of dragons and this particular set was an heirloom of an old and rich Romanian dragon keeper who took an enormous liking to Charlie.
He and Charlie played chess on this set every other week for the four years that Charlie knew him and the aging wizard left the chess set to him when he died. The pieces acted in every way that their real dragon counterparts would act when fighting each other and consequently the set had a tendency to leave scorch marks on the table it was being played on. Charlie loved this set and carried it with him even when he traveled. Mrs. Weasley hated this particular chess set because as she put it the first time Charlie had brought it home “Dragons are entirely too brutal, and to think Harry had to fight one of those horrible beasts!” Charlie had given up trying to explain to his mother that Harry didn’t have to actually fight the dragon and put the chess set away.

Harry managed to eat almost all of the stew, salad and mince pie that Mrs. Weasley had served him while she busied herself about the kitchen. When Harry finished he automatically got up and started to clean up after his meal when Mrs. Weasley bustled over with a cup of tea for him and sent him off into the living room.

Bill and Charlie were still playing and it looked like Bill had Charlie on the defensive. They were sitting near the fire on the left side of the hearth while Mr. Weasley was pouring over a stack of parchment in the large arm chair on the right. Harry took a seat on the couch near Charlie to watch the match. Harry felt comfortable sitting there on the couch watching the game. When he lived with the Dursley’s he could never have sat down in the family room and simply enjoyed the company of other people. They hated him and didn’t want him around and he pretty much felt the same which made for a very lonely existence. But here at the Burrow everything felt right and comfortable and relaxed. He felt a sharp stab of emotion and he couldn’t figure out whether it was jealousy, or longing or luck or what. He just wished at that moment that he could be Harry Weasley instead of Harry Potter. As soon as this thought formed in his mind he felt another pang of emotion but this time it was clearly guilt. ‘I am Harry Potter. My mother and father died saving my life’ Harry told himself firmly.

Mrs. Weasley came out to the living room a few minutes later carrying a tray with tea and cookies and set it down. She took a seat on the other side of the couch near Mr. Weasley who was neatly stacking the parchments he was reading. One of Bill’s knights a Hungarian Horntail burned up Charlie’s Queen a Chinese Fireball spectacularly while Mrs. Weasley looked on disapprovingly. In two more moves Bill had taken the king and the game. Harry couldn’t imagine how a set like this could hold up to what it did to itself while playing but sure enough the pieces magically came together or repaired the fire damage to themselves beautifully until a gleaming new chess set sat on the board.

Mr. Weasley set his tea cup down and regarded Harry for a moment as if carefully deciding what he wanted to say. “Harry; you were quite right about something you said tonight. None of us here can really understand what it feels like to have no living family who loves us. We have each other even if we sometimes take that for granted. But Harry, you were wrong about something else you said. You do not have ‘no one’. Look who you are related to. Blood does not make family, love does. Molly and I love you as much as Bill or Charlie here. You are, and always will be, a member of this family in our hearts and that, Harry, is the only family that counts.”

Charlie looked over at Harry and said “Dad is right you know. When Dumbledore sent word that something had happened to you I came home right away. It’s like Dad said; family isn’t in the blood; it’s in here” he said this last with one calloused hand over his own heart. Then he reached out and touched Harry’s chest “and here”.

Harry was overwhelmed and did not have the slightest idea what to say. He put a trembling hand on top of Charlie’s hand still resting on his chest. Bill crossed over to Harry and put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed slightly and said “When you’re here your home Harry, even after you move out.” and Bill winked at his mother. Mrs. Weasley stood up and said “Well Harry its bed for you, it has been a very long day and you need your rest. Off you go now dear.” They all said good night to Harry as he got up and headed for the stairs. Before he started up he turned to them and said “I’m really glad I’m here. Good night.” Then exhausted he climbed the stairs to the top of the house and Ron’s room.

Ron was still awake talking with Hermione and they both looked up when Harry stepped into the room. Hermione stood up and crossed the room to Harry. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Harry, you won’t ever be alone because Ron and I will always be your friends and you’re never alone when you have friends.”
“Thanks Hermione” Hermione took his hand and gave it a squeeze “Good night Harry.” Then she turned to Ron and said good night and left the room.

After the door had closed behind her, Ron and Harry looked at each other a bit awkwardly. Harry didn’t know what to say to Ron, he was feeling churlish about his outburst at dinner. “Er, hi…” but before Harry could say anything else Ron said “We’d better get undressed before mum finds out I’m still up.” Harry smiled, thankful for the opportunity to do something while he thought about what he wanted to say to Ron. As the boys changed Ron turned to say something to Harry but stopped with a horrified look on his face.

Harry had his back turned to Ron and had just taken off his shirt. The ribs were clearly visible on the right side of his back but he turned to reach for his pajamas and Ron could see his left side which was covered in blue and purple bruises and though the ribs were now healed Ron could tell where they had been broken. He turned away quickly so that Harry wouldn’t see. Ron finished getting ready for bed with a determined look and had come to two conclusions. The first was to tell Harry exactly what he was feeling and the second was that Dudley was going to pay for what he had done to Harry.

After they had crawled into bed Ron turned over to face Harry his head propped up on his hand. Before Ron could say anything Harry spoke first. “Ron, I’m sorry for sounding like such a prat tonight. I’m very glad I’m here now, I really am.” Ron still wore that determined look and said “Harry you’re not the prat, I am. All these years I’ve been complaining to you about being poor. You must have thought I was such a git.”

“No way! Ron, I understand how it feels to have no money. Before I found out about being a wizard, and having wizard gold I never had any money; ever. The Dursleys saw to that. I never thought you were a git for complaining about being poor. God Ron I’d give you half the money in my vault if I thought you’d take it. That money means nothing to me, it’s just a way for me to go to school and …” Harry stopped abruptly and seemed surprised by something. Harry had almost said “…and train to kill Voldemort.” He had no idea where that thought came from. His scar didn’t feel like anything right now so it wasn’t something connected to Voldemort but he had no idea why he was about to say that and a deep fear began to creep in Harry’s middle.

Ron was looking puzzled at Harry “What is it?” Harry shook his head and said “Oh nothing” Ron didn’t want to press right now so he took a deep breath and said “Harry, I owe you.” Now it was Harry’s turn to look puzzled. “You see Harry I have never really looked at everything from your perspective. I thought I had but I hadn’t. If I had lost my family and had to live with people like the Dursleys it wouldn’t matter if I had tons of money. I’ve been thinking about this and its weird but I don’t actually feel poor anymore. I mean I still don’t have any money but I feel bloody lucky, thanks Harry.” Harry smiled at Ron “Glad to help mate.” Harry took off his glasses and put them on the bedside. Ron thought he saw a slight shake in Harry’s hand. “Good night Harry. I’m really glad you’re here now too.” Ron said as he turned out the light.

Harry was flying on a thestral soaring high above Little Whinging. He felt a sense of urgency because he needed to get home before Dudley or he would be in trouble. The thestral landed on Privet Drive and Harry slid off his back. When he turned around he was standing at the foot of freshly disturbed grave. The head stone read Tom Riddle. Molten fear coursed through Harry as he took out his wand and spun around.

The graveyard was dark and silent. Harry peered around looking for any sign of movement, straining his ears for the slightest sound. The thestral was gone, he was totally alone. Then he heard a sound that made his insides freeze, the swish of a cloak and a high pitched laugh. Harry wheeled around to come face to face with Lord Voldemort. Those red snake eyes bored into him and his scar burned painfully. “Now you die” Voldemort raised his wand and bellowed “Avada Kedavra” just as Harry shouted “Expelliarmus”

The spells collided and formed a golden strand connecting the two wands. Small beads formed on the strand and began sliding up and down. The beads came closer to the tip of Harry’s wand and Voldemort started laughing again. Harry’s scar exploded in pain as the first bead touched the tip of Harry’s wand. A silvery form emerged from the tip of Harry’s wand and formed itself into Sirius Black. This echo of Sirius looked more like he had when he first escaped Azkaban than the last time Harry had seen him.

“It’s your fault Harry. Why did you have to go there?”
“Sirius NO! I was trying to save you.” Harry cried to the shimmering form of his Godfather. “You’re a fool Harry; you are not at all like your father.” Sirius said in a faraway voice. “No Sirius please! I’m sorry!”
Another bead touched Harry’s wand and another shimmering form came out. This time the echo was of Cedric Diggory. “Why didn’t you take the cup yourself? It’s your fault I’m dead! You wanted Cho for your self!”

“NOOOO!!” Harry was screaming his head was splitting apart and he could hear Voldemort’s shrill laughter.

“Harry! Harry wake up! Harry!” Ron was shaking Harry trying to wake him. Harry was covered in sweat, his hands were pressed to his forehead and he was thrashing about still screaming. Ron grabbed both of Harry’s wrists pulling his hands away from his head and shouted “HARRY!” Harry’s eyes snapped open; he stopped screaming but was panting hard. Ron’s parents came into the room just as Harry leaned over and threw up at Ron’s feet. Mrs. Weasley took out her wand and cleaned up the mess as she moved over to Harry’s cot. He was shaking badly. Harry looked up at her with a glazed and panicked look in his eyes. “Harry dear, what is it? What were you dreaming?”

“It’s my fault; they said it’s my fault. They died because of ME!” Harry was shaking so violently that his teeth chattered when he spoke while the rest of the family crammed themselves into Ron’s small room. Mr. Weasley stepped over to the cot and took Harry by the shoulders firmly. He turned Harry so that they were looking at each other. “Harry you are not responsible for anyone’s death. Not Sirius, Not Cedric, Not your parents. You must understand that.”

Mr. Weasley had hold of Harry tightly and gave him a slight shake to punctuate his words; then Harry suddenly stopped shaking. He was still breathing hard but he was blinking and looking around; confusion etched all over his face. Mr. Weasley gave Harry another slight shake. “Harry, are you awake now?” Harry looked at Mr. Weasley then at everyone else staring at him full of concern. “I er…yes. Can I have some water?”

Ron got Harry a glass of water from the pitcher on the dresser. Mr. Weasley let go of Harry so he could drink but he slopped water down the front of his pajamas because while the rest of him had stopped shaking his hands hadn’t, though it hardly mattered as his clothes were already soaked with sweat. “Harry, dear has this been happening all summer?” Mrs. Weasley asked concerned. Harry nodded his head. “What were you dreaming about dear?”

Harry had to think about it for a minute then he said “I was riding a thestral to Privet Drive but when I got off and turned around I was in the graveyard near Tom Riddle’s house.” Harry shuddered but continued “Voldemort came up from behind Riddle’s grave and I fought him.” Everyone flinched at the name but no one interrupted the tale.

“Sirius and Cedric came out of my wand. They blamed me for their deaths!” Harry was starting to sound a bit frantic as though retelling it took him back to the panic he was feeling while trapped inside the dream.

“Sirius said I was a fool and Cedric said I wanted Cho for myself!” Harry looked around at the faces of the entire Weasley family and it had a calming effect on him. He took a deep breath and continued in a steadier tone. “I know that they wouldn’t say those things it was just a dream, that’s all.” Mr. Weasley was still looking at him with concern in his eyes “Really I don’t feel responsible for them dieing. The dream just seemed so real. I’m sorry I woke all of you up.” Harry finished weakly.

Mrs. Weasley put a hand on Harry’s forehead and he shivered. He felt clammy and was cold in the wet bedclothes. “Well dear it’s over now and don’t worry about waking anyone up.” Everyone in the room told Harry it was ok or not to worry about waking them. Mrs. Weasley got up “Harry you need to get out of those” she said indicating his wet pajamas “put a pair of Ron’s on and the rest of you off to bed now.”

Everyone filed out of the room along with Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Weasley stayed behind to change the linins on Harry’s cot and when Harry got undressed Mr. Weasley had to stop himself saying anything when he saw Harry’s chest and back. He suspected that the beating that Harry took was haunting him and it may be making his dreams worse. Once the boys had settled down again Harry turned to Mr. Weasley “This sort of thing was driving the Dursley’s crazy. I don’t want to disturb everyone’s sleep all the time. I know that you don’t mind but I do.”

Mr. Weasley looked at Harry and said “Harry now that you are here, in a place where you can grieve properly I think you will find that the nightmares subside.” Mr. Weasley picked up the dirty linins and bedclothes and tossed them over by the door then he turned back to Harry and said “Harry it took a bit to wake you. Your eyes were open and you were talking but I don’t think you were awake. Has that ever happened before? Have you ever walked in your sleep or anything like that?”

Harry shook his head, just then Ron said “Harry when I first tried to wake you, you were holding your head like your scar was really hurting.” Harry frowned and said “I was? I don’t remember it hurting.” Ron and Mr. Weasley exchanged a confused look. Just then Mrs. Weasley came back into the room carrying a cup of liquid in her hands. She sat down on Harry’s cot. “Now Harry sleeping without dreams is not something you can do continually but one more night won’t hurt. Madam Tosh gave me some of the sleeping draught in case something like this were to happen. Go ahead and drink this all down dear.” She handed him the cup which he drank down in three gulps. He lay down and started dropping off to sleep. Mrs. Weasley took the cup from his slack hands and kissed him goodnight and he was asleep before she stood up from his cot. Mr. Weasley stepped over to Harry and laying a hand on his forehead said “Sleep well” and left the room. Mrs. Weasley then came over to Ron to kiss him goodnight. “Don’t wake him up in the morning dear.”
“I won’t mum, goodnight.” She left and closed the door quietly behind her while Mr. Weasley waited for her in the hallway.

They went back to their room but stayed up talking. “Arthur; that was no ordinary nightmare. We need to speak to Albus.” Molly looked very worried and was pacing the floor at the end of their bed. “Well Molly he has been through so much that it isn’t surprising that he is having nightmares.” Molly’s eyes flashed at her husband who hurriedly continued “But I agree with you that Dumbledore needs to be told about this. This goes beyond the mistreatment of the Dursley’s; Ron said that Harry’s scar was hurting him while he was having the nightmare, but Harry says he doesn’t remember that. And the look in his eyes before he really woke up was pure panic. I will go and see Albus tomorrow. When will Madam Tosh be coming?” Molly climbed into bed and turned to her husband “She will be coming at four o’clock tomorrow which is good but I just don’t know how much more he can take.” Arthur hugged her and said “Harry is a very strong young man and he is here now with people who love him. Molly, he will be alright I promise you that.” Arthur sounded confident which helped to calm Molly down but he really wasn’t so sure Harry would be alright. Tonight was the first time Arthur had gotten a good look at Harry’s injuries and a fresh wave of anger surged in him as he silently resolved to himself that somehow Harry would never have to go back to Privet Drive.

[Alice I]

According to Paul I can only post up to 64 KB per post and Chapter 4 is 81 KB so I will have to post it in two parts.

I have gotten some very useful feedback that has allowed me to change things in my story for the better. Please post your opinions, feedback or constructive criticisms, it is helping me to write a better story.

I will post part two of chapter four later on.


Chapter Four - Part 1
Escape from Azkaban

Harry didn’t wake up until nearly nine o’clock the next morning. He felt better than he had in so long that it seemed like a lifetime. Hedwig was sitting on her perch in her cage, the door of which was open. “Good morning Hedwig. How would you feel about delivering a letter?” She hooted happily and glided down to his cot. Harry got up and rummaged through his trunk for parchment, ink and a quill then hastily scrawled a note to Madam Tosh.


Dear Madam Tosh,
Thanks for sending the sleeping draught home with Mrs. Weasley. I had a nightmare last night, but it wasn’t about Dudley. I feel much better today. Mrs. Weasley helped me a lot last night. I think things will get back to normal now. Thanks again
Harry Potter

Harry rolled up the note and tied it to Hedwig’s outstretched leg. “Would you mind taking this to Madam Tosh?” Hedwig gave him an affectionate peck on his ear and took off out the open window. Harry watched her soar off into the bright morning light when a rumbling in his stomach reminded him that he had actually woke up hungry so he got dressed quickly and headed down stairs.

Mr. Weasley had long since left for work but the rest of the family was still sitting around the table finishing their breakfast. Fred and George were just getting ready to leave for Diagon Ally when Harry stepped into the kitchen.
Mornin’ Harry” called Fred brightly. “Mornin’” Harry replied. “Fred its past nine.” said George looking at his wrist watch. “Ouch, well got to go” said Fred as he gave Harry a pat on the shoulder. The twins kissed their mother and with a loud pop they disapparated. The rest of the family greeted Harry but all the varied conversations had stopped when he showed up.

Mrs. Weasley got a plate out for Harry. “Come and sit down Harry dear and have a spot of breakfast.” Harry sat down next to Ron but everyone seemed a little nervous. They didn’t want to make Harry feel badly about last night, though no one had slept very well after his nightmare. Harry wanted to ease the tension that everyone was trying very hard to hide.

“Ron, fancy a go on the Firebolt today?” That did the trick, it was like ice breaking. Ron dropped his fork and said “Could I?” Harry smiled a very genuine smile that did reach his eyes. Charlie and Bill returned to their animated discussion on the merits and risks of having dragons replace the dementors to guard Azkaban Prison. Ginny and Hermione put their heads together giggling about something, Ron started talking about trying out the Wronski Feint and Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen making fresh eggs and sausage for Harry.

Harry felt wonderful; this is what a family breakfast should be like. Harry decided from this point forward there would be no more drama, no more tears, no more worried looks directed at him. He attacked the sausages and eggs on his plate with vigor which made Mrs. Weasley very happy. He would gain all of his weight back so that no one would think he had been starving all summer. Harry realized that he was exactly where he wanted to be and nothing else was going to spoil the rest of the summer holiday.

After breakfast Ron, Harry, Bill, Charlie and Ginny went out to the back field to play quidditch. Ginny had a Cleansweep like Ron’s that Fred and George had bought for her. They were please to see her playing Quidditch and the shop was doing well enough that they were able to spend the gallons on a fairly good used broom. Hermione having no interest in playing watched with Mrs. Weasley on two chairs she had conjured along the garden edging one side of the field.

True to his word Harry passed his Firebolt to Ron while he picked up Ron’s cleansweep. It was a beautiful day and fairly still; perfect conditions to fly in yet Harry found his hands shaking when it came time to mount and kick into the air. A fear had gripped him as he took hold of the broomstick. “Hang on” he yelled to the others “I’ll be right back” and with the excuse of having to use the bathroom he hurried back to the house.

When he got into the kitchen Harry was panting hard and sweating. He grabbed the edge of the scrubbed wooden table in the center of the room as his legs had gone all rubbery. “What is wrong with me?” Harry shouted at the empty house. He looked out the window toward the field. Ron had taken off and was doing a good job of keeping ahead of Bill and Charlie. Harry took a steadying breath and said “Ok; get a grip Harry!” He shook himself, squared his shoulders and walked purposefully back out to the field.

When he reached the field he took hold of the cleansweep firmly even though his hands were still shaking, threw his leg over and kicked off with determination. His heart was pounding madly in his chest. Ron’s broom didn’t come close to the Firebolt’s responsiveness, and Harry was finding it hard to find a good seat. He was so much lighter that he found himself having to exaggerate his body movements to get the kind of response that he was accustomed to on the Firebolt.

Charlie had pulled out a set of very old balls that he had also acquired second hand in Romania. Normally Quidditch is played with four balls. The largest red ball called a quaffle is used to score points by being thrown through one of three hoops that stood fifty feet high at either end of the pitch. Two slightly smaller and much heaver black balls called bludgers zoom around the field trying to knock players off their brooms. The beaters on the team use clubs to hit the bludgers toward their opponents or to deflect them away from their own players. The fourth ball is small, about the size of a large walnut. It is gold and has feathery wings. This ball is called the golden snitch. It is hard to see and very fast. The seeker on a quidditch team must catch the golden snitch to end the game.

The quaffle was dented in several places, the one bludger was rather sluggish as if too old to give a real go at any of the players, and the golden snitch had frayed wings and was also somewhat slow. The game they had decided to play was an extremely abbreviated version of the real thing as there were only five of them. Ron was to play keeper and defend an old muggle basketball hoop magically suspended near the far end of the field. Bill was going to try and score with the quaffle while Charlie hit the old bludger at the various players. Harry and Ginny were to both try for the snitch.

Harry was flying very tentatively and nearly fell off when he over compensated to dodge the bludger. “All right there Harry?” called Charlie. Harry gave him a thumbs up, but he didn’t feel alright as he had nearly lost his grip on the handle. Harry was defiantly feeling weaker than he should but you cannot loose ten kilos without loosing muscle. Harry’s chest muscles were still sore from the fight and his back was tightening up in response making him stiffer than he should be for flying. All together Harry felt unsteady and vulnerable.

A tingling in his stomach that always seemed to be there at some level grew stronger and Harry realized that he was afraid. Ron was putting up a good fight against Bill who had not yet managed to score. Ginny was flying very well also and did a tight spiral around the bludger that Charlie had just sent at her. She looked totally at ease in the air but when she dived suddenly Harry felt a shock of fear for her and almost dived after her when she spiraled upward sharply. She was laughing and her hair was flying wildly around her face. Harry was startled at how pretty and confident she seemed up in the air. He felt a little better watching her.

Harry decided to fly a circuit around the field to try and shake out the tension and the, now duller, fear he was still feeling when he spotted something glinting in the sun. The snitch was about ten feet from the ground twenty yards ahead of him. Ginny came zooming past him, she had seen it too. Harry took off after her but she was focused so intently on the snitch and flying as fast as her broom would carry her that she got to it before Harry and he had to pull up hard to avoid crashing into her. He over compensated again this time falling off his broom.

Ginny had soared thirty feet into the air when she caught the snitch and looked down to show Harry but he had just fallen. “Harry!” she screamed and let go of the snitch. She flew down after him trying to catch him but didn’t get to him in time and he hit the ground hard. Harry had only fallen fifteen feet but the impact jarred him as he hit the dry packed earth. Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were running across the field and the Ron, Bill and Charlie flew over as soon as they saw Harry fall. Ginny got to him first jumping off her broom she yelled “Harry are you alright?!” A few moments later the others all came running up saying “Are you ok? What happened? Alright there Harry?” all at the same time. Harry was sitting up rubbing his shoulder. Mrs. Weasley cried “Harry, oh Harry are you hurt dear?!”

“I’m ok; a bit off my game though.” He looked up into their concerned faces “Really I’m fine just a bit sore and maybe a little embarrassed.” Mrs. Weasley was trying to look him over for broken bones. “I’m fine! I promise you.” Harry said looking at her. There was something else in Harry’s expression that Mrs. Weasley couldn’t quite place and said “Well I think that is enough flying for today” Her tone left no room for argument so Charlie said “Ok mum, Bill and I’ll go and collect the balls.”

Once they were out of earshot Charlie turned to Bill “There is something wrong. I’ve seen Harry fly and he is loads better than that. I can’t believe he fell off.” Bill had never really seen Harry fly the way Charlie had. Charlie had watched Harry out fly a Hungarian Horntail and what he had seen this afternoon was not even close to the skill level he knew Harry possessed. Bill went after the bludger lazily flying around while Charlie easily spotted and caught the snitch.

Harry, Ron and Ginny took the brooms back to the shed while Hermione and Mrs. Weasley went back to the house to get lunch started. Ginny turned to Harry and said “I’m going to head back to the house, are you sure you’re alright Harry?”
“Yeah, I’m fine Ginny. Honestly, I’ve fallen more than fifteen feet before. I’m just a bit sore.” She smiled at him but her eyes still looked unconvinced. She turned for the house and Harry just stared at her back as she left. “Let’s take a walk” Ron said. He and Harry started up the hill behind the shed and after about ten minutes Harry found himself overlooking the same view as the previous evening.

“What’s up Harry?” Ron asked him. He had stopped walking and was facing him and Harry remembered what Ron and Ginny had said in hospital. Ron really was his best friend; he should talk to him about this. “I don’t know. Something is wrong but I can’t figure out what it is.” Harry stopped and looked directly at Ron and said “I’m afraid.” Ron looked puzzled for a moment. “What do you mean you’re afraid, afraid of what?”

Harry thought about it for a minute. What was he afraid of? He had wanted Mrs. Weasley to stay with him while he slept and Hedwig too. He didn’t want to talk or even think about Dudley, the thought of eventually facing Voldemort and murdering him or being murdered terrified him and now he was afraid to fly. “I’m just afraid of everything.” Harry started to look a little panicked. “Ron, I’ve lost my nerve.” Harry sounded so defeated that Ron just stared at him. Finally he said “Harry, I have known you for six years and you are the bravest person I have ever met. I mean it Harry, you have faced Voldemort four times now, you drove off a hundred dementors, you flew a thestral hundreds of miles and fought dozens of Death Eaters with only your wand, you out flew a dragon, you killed a basilisk, you saved me from the merpeople, God Harry I could go on and on.” Ron paused and put both hands on Harry’s shoulders. “Harry someone like you doesn’t just loose their nerve.”

Harry was stunned. “Ron, most of those things I did were luck, or I had help, you have helped me. I’m no hero; I’m just the guy all this stuff keeps happening to.” Ron was undaunted “Look mate, you may have had help or luck or done it all on your own, the fact is no one has ever done what you have, not even fully grown wizards. You dueled with You Know Who and survived.” Harry could not argue with this so he sighed and said “So how come I’m afraid to fly?” Ron shook his head. “I don’t know Harry, but we’ll figure it out together ok?”

Harry was more happy and thankful in that moment than he had ever been in his life that Ron Weasley was his best friend. Harry looked at Ron and said “Ron, until we figure this out please keep this between us?”

“You can trust me mate.” Ron said clapping a hand on Harry’s shoulder and smiling. Harry felt better than he had when he woke up this morning. Somehow telling Ron about his fear allowed him a little more control over it? “Come on” he said “Lets go get some lunch.”
By the time the boys stepped through the kitchen door they were both smiling and laughing. Everyone looked startled for a split second then they too smiled at the boys and each other. What ever was going on with Harry out on the field seems to have passed. Mrs. Weasley had heated up some left over stew and made corn bread to go with it.

Lunch was positively merry in comparison to the last two months for Harry. He complimented Ginny again on her flying skills. Harry had only seen Ginny fly once before but he was paying more attention to Ron at the time and he was very impressed with her abilities. “You’re a good seeker Ginny. Gryffindor will do well this year.” Ginny choked on her milk and sputtered “What!? Harry you are the Gryffindor seeker. I’m trying out for chaser this year.” Harry blushed slightly but looked resolute just the same. “Ginny the ban that Umbridge imposed is still legally binding. Fudge signed it and he is still Minister of Magic.” Harry thought about it for a moment then added “Right now Professor Dumbledore needs to work with Fudge if any of us is to have hope. Fudge is not what he appears; he is power hungry and stubborn, and will not easily admit he is or was wrong about anything. It’s like the professor said when Voldemort first returned. We have to stick together. I am NOT going to let playing quidditch jeopardize any of that. It just isn’t important enough. So forget about being a chaser Ginny. YOU are the Gryffindor seeker.”

You could have heard a pin drop out in the garden it was so quiet around the table. Everyone seemed to be trying to absorb what Harry had just said. Mrs. Weasley personally agreed with Harry’s assessment of Cornelius Fudge but she would never have expected Harry to realize this about the Minister of Magic let alone voice it so openly. Bill and Charlie were eyeing Harry with a mixture of shock and respect. Ron looked less surprised than anyone else but he also suspected that some of Harry’s objection to playing seeker had nothing to do with the Minister of Magic. Hermione looked thoughtful, almost like she was trying to puzzle something out, but it was Ginny’s expression that held Harry’s focus. She was staring into his eyes as if trying to see what was hidden behind his words. Harry felt a twinge of worry; could she see what was buried deep in his heart? How could she, but a small voice in his mind told him that she just might. Harry found himself looking at Ginny as if for the first time and what he saw was a very pretty girl who was strong, intelligent and insightful.

“Harry, you are a much better seeker than I am and you know it. If Fudge tears up that decree then YOU are the Gryffindor seeker agreed?” Harry could think of nothing to say to this so he said “alright.” Ron looked between Harry and Ginny, something had changed about the way they were looking at each other but he wasn’t sure what.

Just then Errol, the Weasley family owl, came swooping into the kitchen and landed in a heap in the middle of the table. Harry and Ginny who were still staring at each other started and looked at Errol. “Bloody menace” Ron was mumbling as he took the letters the old bird had delivered. “It’s our Hogwarts letters.” said Ron as he passed Harry, Ginny and Hermione their letters. “Well” said Mrs. Weasley brightly “It’s Diagon Alley this afternoon then.” Ron and Harry grinned at each other “We can go see Fred and George and see what they have cooked up lately for the joke shop.” said Ron excitedly. Harry smiled a broad smile and said “Can’t wait.” and he immediately dived into his stew. Mrs. Weasley regarded Harry and Ron for a minute. She was happy and relieved to see Harry smiling and eating but she still had the distinct feeling that this was far from over for him.

Arthur was right there is more to this than Dudley beating him up. By all accounts including Harry’s the starvation he did to himself, but she knew this boy better than anyone else and Harry simply wouldn’t become self destructive. There was dark magic going on; she knew it, but she couldn’t figure out how it was happening. She would speak with Albus this evening and see what he thought. She also noticed her daughter who kept looking at Harry and saw confusion in her eyes. Ginny had a crush on Harry a few years ago when she attended her first year at Hogwarts but she had long since gotten over that so this was something new. She made a mental note to herself to make sure she and Ginny had some private time together later in case Ginny wanted to talk.

The trip to Diagon Alley was the first uneventful trip by floo powder that Harry had ever taken. He remembered to say Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes very clearly; he kept his elbows tucked in and had taken his glasses off and put them in his pocket before stepping into the emerald flames. He was still a bit rough on the landings and was glad he had taken his glasses off as he fell roughly to his hands and knees when coming out of the whirling floo system. He stood up and stepped aside quickly as Ron was following right behind him.

Harry put his glasses back on and looked around. The fireplace was in the back of the shop behind the counter. As Harry looked out beyond the counter he was smiling brightly because the shop was incredible. There were rows and rows of fantastic joke items like Fake Wands, Never Ending Gift Wrap where you never get to the actual gift, Walking Cauldrons that left when your back was turned, Belch Powder, Tripping Shoes, Headless Hats, Slapping Gloves and Ultra Slapping Gloves. Harry thought of getting a set of these and slipping them to Draco Malfoy.
The middle rows in the shop were devoted to selections of Weasleys’ Wildfire Whiz-Bangs; the Basic Blaze Box for five galleons, and the Deflagration Deluxe for twenty. There was a sweets section full of Fred and George’s favorite inventions such as Canary Creams, Hiccup Sweets, Fainting Fancies, Ton-Tongue Toffees, Foaming Red Blood Sweets, Nosebleed Nougat, Fever Fudge, Puking Pastilles and three shelves packed with Skiving Snackboxes filled with a variety of these sweets.
Fred was no where to be seen and George was speaking in quiet tones with a hooded man in the far left corner of the shop.

Harry and the others started looking around until George had finished and came over to them. “Welcome to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes Harry. Everything the modern wizard needs to liven up a dull day.” Harry smiled brightly “This place is great! How much for the Ultra Slapping Gloves?” Harry asked with a mischievous grin. Mrs. Weasley said “Just never you mind, we have school shopping to do today.” George said “Five galleons Harry, and this is school shopping, Right Harry?” Harry grew red in the face and did not reply. After Mrs. Weasley headed for the front door Harry said quietly to George, “I’ll take three pairs George. Just bring them home later and I’ll pay you then.” George grinned broadly “Gee I wonder who you are shopping for?” Harry laughed and said “See you later then.” and headed for the front door as well.

Mrs. Weasley said “All right everyone it’s Gringotts first, then Flourish and Blotts.” Bill looked the other way and said “I’ll catch up with you at Flourish and Blotts. I think I’ll stop down to the Leaky Cauldron.”
“I’ll go with you.” said Charlie. “I haven’t see Tom in an age.” And they headed in the opposite direction as Mrs. Weasley and the rest. Bill was interested in the local talk. With Voldemort back and no one really knowing who was a Death Eater and who was not there was always a buzzing of gossip; gossip that held patterns; patterns that can be recognized. Bill had a lot of experience with this sort of clue finding as a curse breaker. He would seek out all the local stories about a cursed place; listen to the local legends and gossip. He nearly always found a pattern in the tales that pointed to the spell or combination of spells guarding the place. Bill wanted to make sure there was no local activity with Harry being so vulnerable right now.

When they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron Bill and Charlie took a seat at the bar and Tom came over. “Well if it isn’t Bill and Charlie Weasley! Whater’ you two doing here?” They both smiled and ordered a beer. “I work in London now” said Bill. “And I’m visiting for a couple of weeks” said Charlie. “You still in Romania then?” Tom asked. Charlie smiled “Oh yes, and I love it.” Bill looked around a little then said “So how is business Tom?” Tom started nervously cleaning a glass and said “Just grand, just grand.”
Bill looked hard at Tom and said “How are you feeling about what was reported in June about the Dark Lord’s return?” Tom now looked decidedly uncomfortable “That’s a right mess that is…. So how is the wizarding bank treatin’ yeah Bill?”

“Not too bad. I miss working in the tombs but here I can keep a closer eye on Death Eater activity from London.” Bill watched Tom closely to see his reaction to this statement. Tom nearly dropped the glass he was washing and looked around then lowered his voice “Er, Bill don’t be talking so openly about that sort of thing now, that’s a good lad. No one rightly knows who’s who these days an’ I want to keep it that way least wise in here.” He glanced nervously toward the far corner of the room at a wizard that Bill had noticed when they first entered the bar. “Tom; is something wrong?” Bill asked very quietly. Tom put the glass he was wiping down on the counter with a slightly shaky hand. “I don’t know, lots of hooded folk commin round lately, meetin’ other hooded folk and leavin’. I think I’m just a bit off since the Ministry announced You Know Who’s return. That little Harry Potter was right all along and it’s got folks thinking;…
…it’s got folks scared. I’m not keen on strangers in my place so much any more.” Tom said this last while looking with a steely gaze past Bill and Charlie.

They both turned around and Bill opened his eyes wide in surprise “Max!” he said and he got up and led Charlie over to a table with a wizard that Charlie had never seen. He was tall and solid and had a look of someone with great strength. His sandy hair was long and pulled back into a pony tail and he had two very distinctive tattoos on his forearms. The right was of an eagle and the left a hawk, both forms in flight with their talons protruding as if about to catch their prey. “Bill! I wondered if I might run into you.”

“You decided to come after all then?” Bill said with a big grin. Max smiled broadly and said “Actually I’m here on business. This is where my mark went after I spoke with you in New York.” Charlie was looking curiously at this man and asked “Your mark?” Bill said “Oh; Max this is my brother Charlie.” Bill said indicating that Charlie should sit down. “This is Maxamillian Barnstodt, but every one just calls him Max.” Charlie offered his hand and found that Max had an incredibly strong grip. “Nice to meet ya Charlie.” Max lowered his voice and said “My mark, refers to the man I am looking for.” Charlie looked shocked by this pronouncement but Max paid it no mind. He turned to Bill and said “I gotta tell ya Bill, it is kinda weird drivin’ around London. The steering wheels are on the wrong side of the cars and everyone drives on the wrong side of the street. It’s kinda like being in a reflection.”

“You have been driving around muggle London?” Charlie asked recovering from his surprise. “Well yes, you see I’m a bounty hunter tracking down a rouge wizard who is on the run. He flew to London and I followed him here. He’s been using muggle transportation to try and make it harder to track his movements.”
“Does it make it harder?” Charlie asked curiously. “Not for me, I am muggle born but that is more unusual in America than it is here so it really is an advantage to me as a hunter.”

“So how do you know Bill?” Charlie found this man very fascinating and couldn’t help asking so many questions. Bill was smiling and enjoying seeing his brother so flummoxed by his American friend. “I met Bill chasing down a mark who fled to Egypt two years ago. Bill here came to see my guild a couple of weeks ago. He wants to convert me I think.” Charlie frowned “Covert you into what?” Max smiled and said “We have some bad wizards state side and Aurors are all well and good, but The Hunters get the job done more effectively. We are not strictly speaking, well liked, by the establishment but if a bad one gets loose the AWC has called on us to fetch them back.”

“What is the AWC?” Charlie asked “That would be the American Wizards Confederation. It’s kinda’ like your Ministry of Magic. They don’t like The Hunters, that’s the name of my guild, because we don’t exactly follow the rules. I figure that when it comes to some of wizards and witches we chase down who cares about rules. We get them any way we can. Some of the worst mass-murdering wizards have been caught by The Hunters and I am proud of that.” Charlie set his beer down hard and said “Mass-murdering wizards? What are you talking about? Is it that bad in America?” Max smiled slightly and shook his head “Look, don’t get me wrong, America is full of good decent wizards just like here, but we have our bad ones too, just like here. The mass-murders I spoke of usually are muggles and the wizards killin’ them are doing it for fun, but their ain’t nothing fun about blowing up a school full of muggle kids, or setting fire to a factory full of muggles. When magic is used to kill lots of people The Hunters usually get called in to find the wizard or wizards responsible and bring them in.”

Bill looked at Charlie “The Order thought that maybe The Hunters or at least Max here would be interested in a trip over seas.” Max looked up smiled and clapped Bill on the shoulder “Bill thinks he’s gonna make me respectable.” Tom came over to the table just then and addressed Max. “Beggin’ yer pardon sir, but I want to apologize if I seemed standoffish. If yer with the Weasleys then yer ok in my book.” Max smiled and said “Glad to hear it. Would you mind if I stopped by later and we had a chat?’ Tom suddenly looked very worried again, but agreed to speak with Max later that day then left the table. Max glanced down at his watch and said “Look I gotta jet, but uh….” he leaned closer to Bill and Charlie “I got a hinky feeling about that guy in the back. He hasn’t moved a muscle. He is waiting for a signal or a sign. I’m sure of it.”

A hooded figure was sitting quietly and very still in the far corner of the bar and was the wizard that Bill had noticed him when they first came in; not by any attention he drew to himself but by the mere fact that his position had not changed from the moment Bill first saw him. He had not so much as scratched his nose. Bill could tell that he was awake and watching but the hood was drawn far enough over his face that it was impossible to tell what the man watched. “Bill, keep your eyes peeled buddy.” then Max handed a note to him “While I am in the country messages to this address will get to me. I’m glad I ran into ya and I’ll let ya know if I have to leave suddenly.” “Thanks Max, keep in touch.” Bill stood and shook Max’s hand and he left the table then he went out into muggle London.

The wizard that Max had mentioned made Bill uncomfortable and he discreetly pointed him out to Charlie. Charlie got up to fetch more beer and on his return trip to the table Charlie was able to get a good look at the stranger. “How long has he been sitting there?” asked Charlie. He had not noticed the hooded figure but he was also not trained in the same skill set as his brother. Now if you needed to control a dragon Charlie is the person you would call. “Since before we came in. Something is up Charlie, there is a tension in the air, something big is going to happen.” Charlie looked at his older brother with a quizzical look. Bill had always been a bit dramatic but he did know his Dark Arts. If Bill was sensing that something big was going to happen Charlie would bet his last galleon that his brother was right. “What do you think it is?”

“I don’t know Charlie but there are signs that point to it. Our mystery friend in the corner, Tom’s nervous and kept changing the subject away from anything to do with Death Eaters; people are tense, and I trust Max’s instincts. If he thinks something is up; it is. But the absence of local activity suggests something big. What I wouldn’t give for a seer and a crystal ball right now.” Charlie guffawed “Come on Bill, crystal balls?” Bill laughed and said “Actually there is an Egyptian seer named Isabel who can use a crystal ball quite accurately. It is kind of spooky, nothing like Trelawney.” Charlie raised his eye brows and shrugged “What ever you say, but I’ll believe in divination when I see it.”

As if in response to that statement a loud pop issued from the front of the bar. Two ministry wizards had just apparated and were looking around. The person they were looking for walked up to them and exchanged curt but quiet words. Then with another loud pop all three disapparated. “I hate being some times, come on Charlie lets go find the others.” Bill threw some money down on the bar and they left through the back into Diagon Alley and headed straight for Gringotts. When they came in sight of the joke shop Bill said “Go find mum and tell her something’s up. I’ll tell Fred and George and we’ll contact dad.” Charlie nodded and continued on to Gringotts.

[Plep]

all right i see you posted more!

i don't have the time to read it right now though...i'm to sleepy and i have to work tomorrow....i'll post my comments as soon as i read it!

[Alice I]

Chapter Four - Part 2
Escape from Azkaban

Bill entered the shop at a run and dashed back behind the counter without a word to Fred and George who stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Bill knelt down in front of the fire and grabbed a handful of floo powder. “Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office” he shouted as he threw the handful of power into the flames. He stuck his head through the emerald flames and looked out at his father’s office. “Dad!” Arthur Weasley shot his head into his office “Bill?”
“Dad something is afoot. What’s the buzz at the office?”
“Bill there has been an escape from Azkaban. Lucius Malfoy; and he murdered two wizards during the break out.”
“darn it. I knew something was wrong. Everybody’s here. Mum and the rest are still at Gringotts. I sent Charlie to tell mum that something was happening.”
Arthur was not happy to hear this. He did not want Harry to find out this way. “Meet me at Gringotts.” and with a loud pop he disapparated. “What is it Bill, what’s going on?” asked Fred and George. Bill stood up “Malfoy escaped and killed two people. Dad’s already gone to Gringotts.”
“Who did Malfoy kill?” Fred asked anxiously. “I don’t know we need to get to Mum.” The three of them left the shop at took off for Gringotts running. Charlie didn’t have much trouble locating his family waiting in line to make a withdrawal.

Charlie walked up to his mother and whispered “Something is going on mum. Bill is talking to dad to see if something has happened but ministry wizards are apparating all over the place. We saw two at the Cauldron and I saw three more on my way here. They are all looking for other wizards out shopping or on errands, telling them something then they all leave.” Molly looked around concerned. She had noticed something like that a few minutes ago but that sort of activity is not so unusual for the busy wizarding bank. Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny were all paying attention now.

“What does Bill think is going on?” asked Ron. “He doesn’t know, just that it’s big and it’s got the ministry worried.” Arthur Weasley stepped over to his family. “Look everyone something has happened but I don’t want to talk about it here. Let’s go to Florean Fortescue’s and I’ll explain everything.”

Once everyone had sat down Mr. Weasley said “Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban early this morning.” The shock that registered on everyone’s face was what he had expected but he was watching Harry. Did he see fear in Harry’s eyes? He didn’t want to say what he had to next. “Harry, Mundungus Fletcher is dead.” Harry’s eyes opened wide. Mundungus was one of Harry’s bodyguards last summer and he was with Mr. Weasley on the night of his birthday. The news of his death affected Harry surprisingly hard and it showed in his eyes. Turning to his wife Arthur continued “Albert Finnigan was also killed.” Molly raised her hands to her mouth “No. Dear God Arthur; Ruby, does she know yet, who is with her?”

“Remus went to see her. Everyone is being recalled to find Malfoy. Harry; Hermione; kids why don’t you do your school shopping another day. Until there is some word as to his where-abouts, I would be more comfortable knowing that you are all home. It’s not that I don’t think any of you can handle yourselves because you have already proven that you can. I just don’t see any sense in buying trouble. Malfoy is not afraid to kill openly, and he has had many shady contacts here and in Knockturn Alley so please go home for now.”

Molly was clearly frightened. “Is their really any hope of catching him?” Arthur hung his head for a moment. “There is always hope Molly, but in truth Malfoy is very clever and he will not be recaptured easily. I will not be home until late. Albus was going to come tonight but now he will be calling the Wizengamot to meet for certain at this point. Bill, get to headquarters and help to organize the search as other members get there, then come to me. I’ll be at the ministry unless I leave word otherwise with your mother, so check with her if I’m not there. Fred and George keep your eyes open and carry one as normal. With Malfoy out we need to make sure that our new headquarters are kept secret.”
Arthur looked at Harry for a long moment and saw shock and sadness in his eyes. He put his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “I know that you didn’t know Mundungus very well but it is still ok to feel what you are feeling. Harry if it is at all possible we will find Malfoy; I promise I will not stop searching until he is found.”

Harry looked up at him not really knowing what he was feeling. “I’m alright sir; I guess we had to expect this anyway. I mean now that the dementors have gone back to Voldemort; Azkaban would be a lot easier to break out of. Did any one else escape or try to?” Arthur sized up Harry with new respect. His question was very intuitive and he did seem to be handling the news of Malfoy’s escape much better than he had feared.

“No one else seemed to be involved with the breakout, that’s the funny part; there are no signs of outside or inside assistance. It’s as if Finnigan opened the cell and allowed himself to be killed. Mind, our information is still a bit sketchy but Albert was not someone you could simply coerce or even kill easily. He could completely throw off the Imperious Curse so coercion becomes next to impossible. We think Mundungus stumbled onto the scene of the breakout and tried to stop Malfoy. We have too many questions and too few answers and I have to get back to the ministry. Molly, try not to worry until there is something to worry about.” Mr. Weasley got up from the table and said good buy to the rest of the family, then disapparated.

Bill and the twins headed back to the shop and Charlie decided to join them as the Order might need someone to run messages right now. If the ministry had any real hope of recapturing Malfoy it would be within the first day or two of the escape. The rest of the family headed back home and when they got back to the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley went to the kitchen to make tea. Madam Tosh was due in two hours and she wanted to make sure that Harry was alright with everything that had been going on.

Once everyone sat down at the table Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry and asked him quietly “How are you feeling with all of this?” Harry looked at her and thought about it for a minute. “I’m ok. I mean I feel bad about two more people dieing but I don’t feel responsible if that’s what you’re thinking.” Molly patted his hand “I’m glad you don’t feel responsible. I just wanted to be sure you were alright.” Harry smiled at her “I’m alright, really.”

Harry, Ron and Hermione went up to Ron’s room to talk while Ginny stayed in the kitchen with her mother. “Harry dear, don’t forget that you have a meeting this afternoon.” Mrs. Weasley called after them as they began to climb the stairs. “Thanks Mrs. Weasley, I won’t forget.” Ginny had gone to the far corner of the kitchen and was reorganizing the cupboard of pots and pans. Mrs. Weasley knew that Ginny wanted to talk because she always did busy work while she was trying to figure out what she wanted to say, so Mrs. Weasley pulled out her yarn basket and sat down at the table knitting a Weasley sweater while Ginny pondered what she wanted to say.

After she had taken every pot out of the cupboard and replaced it again she closed up the door and came to join her mother at the table. “Mum, when did you know that dad was the one?” Mrs. Weasley set her knitting down and looked at her daughter. “Well, I had liked your father for a very long time and we had been on a few dates but I didn’t really know that he was the one until the first time we kissed. I had kissed other boys before but your father was different.” Ginny frowned “What was different?”

Molly smiled at her daughter “Everything about your father was different. He was much more passionate than any of the other boys but it never seemed to bother him when he was teased or made fun of by his classmates. He always asked me for my opinion which is somewhat uncommon for young men but when he kissed me …” she lowered her voice “He would close his eyes;… and even though our first kiss was very gentle it was charged with the same passion he showed for everything else. It was an extraordinary first kiss.”

Molly was watching her daughter and knew that this wasn’t helping her. “You know love is not always clear to the receiver or even to the person feeling it. The first time I started to feel real love for your father I also felt real fear. What if he didn’t love me? What if it wasn’t meant to be? I was afraid of loving him too much or not loving him enough. I knew that he could break my heart and he had that power because I gave it to him by falling in love with him. You see Ginny dear; love can be dangerous, but it is worth it.”

Ginny sat quietly looking out the window at the back field for a few minutes then she said “Mum, what does it feel like to fall in love?”
“It’s different for everybody. Sometimes people loose their appetite or have trouble sleeping. Sometimes people feel happy about everything they see. I knew a girl in school who fell madly in love with a fellow Gryffindor and she broke out in hives for a week. Once the hives were gone she calmed down and started dating the boy. They have four children now. Love does odd things to people, sometimes it will leave you on top of the world and sometimes it will leave you with unanswerable questions running around in your head. What I can tell you; is that when you do fall in love your heart will tell you and you won’t be able to deny it.”

Harry was sitting on his cot listening to Ron and Hermione trying to figure out how Malfoy had gotten out of prison with some interest but his mind kept straying to the meeting he was going to have with Madam Tosh in a little while. After talking in circles for nearly an hour on the subject Harry was starting to get a headache and his scar was prickling slightly. “He must have gotten a wand somehow.” Ron was saying. “You need a wand to perform the killing curse.”
“That’s true” agreed Hermione “But how did he get one? I mean the prisoners are not allowed packages and all the mail would be searched so there really isn’t any way for someone to smuggle one in to him is there?”

Harry shook his head “He obviously had outside help even if there is no evidence of it.” Ron turned and said “I’ll bet his wife did it. She could just apparate…” Ron stopped and sat down “Don’t say it Hermione, ok?” Harry uttered a harsh laugh “Yeah maybe she baked him a cake with a file in it.” Harry’s voice suddenly sounded hollow and monotone and he was absent mindedly rubbing his forehead. Ron and Hermione looked sharply at him. Harry noticed their looks put his hand down quickly and said “Look I didn’t know Finnigan but Mundungus was alright even if he was a bit odd.” Harry looked down but Ron and Hermione could tell he wasn’t finished and they waited. “He helped save me on my birthday.” Harry said quietly “I never said thank you to him, I’ll never see him again. It all comes back to Voldemort. He got Malfoy out, I know it, I just don’t know how.”

Harry looked at his watch and realized that Madam Tosh was due in a few minutes. “I’d better get down stairs.” He said and got up. Ron and Hermione were both still looking at him with worried expressions. “I am ok you know, so you can stop looking at me like that.” Harry didn’t wait for a reply and walked out of the room.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other shocked. They had both noticed Harry rubbing his scar and wincing. “Ron, we need to talk to Professor Dumbledore.”
“I know; Harry keeps saying that his dreams are coming from him but I don’t think so Hermione. I think that’s why his scar keeps hurting; it is like last year even if he won’t admit it.” Hermione pulled a piece of parchment and a quill out of Harry’s open trunk. “Let’s write to him. He won’t be coming here tonight because of the escape but he needs to know this now. We can send Pigwidgeon.”
“Alright, but don’t tell Harry that we sent the letter.” Hermione nodded and began to write.

When Harry came down to the kitchen Mrs. Weasley said “Harry dear, Madam Tosh should be here in a few minutes. I have set up tea and cookies for you in the living room.” Harry smiled at her and said “Thanks.” He went into the living room feeling nervous. He had never spoken to someone like a physiatrist or therapist before and was not sure what to expect. The only thing he could picture was having to lie down on the couch and talk all about his childhood and that sort of stuff you see in movies. He didn’t have long to muse though, because in a few minutes time Hedwig soared into the living room and perched on the mantel of the hearth followed by a handsome brown Great Horned owl that came to rest on the armchair that Mr. Weasley usually sat in on the right side of the hearth. Harry was looking curiously at the large owl when with a pop the owl transformed into Madam Tosh.

Harry opened his eyes wide with surprise. He knew that Madam Tosh was an animagus but he hadn’t thought of that while he was staring at the strange owl that seemed to have followed Hedwig home. “Hello Harry.” she said with a smile. “Er, hello” Harry was still looking at her in awe which was a bit unusual as he had seen Sirius transform many times as well as Professor McGonagall twice. “I do like to make an entrance.” Madam Tosh said lightly. Harry smiled and said “That was brilliant.”

Madam Tosh poured tea for herself and Harry and he took a seat on the couch not sure what he was supposed to do. Madam Tosh sat back in her chair and looked at Harry for a moment before asking “How are you feeling today?”
“Pretty good” Harry said automatically but felt guilty immediately. “Actually that’s not really true. When I woke up this morning I felt great, but now I’m not so sure. Did you know that Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban this morning?” Madam Tosh set her tea cup down and sat forward. “Professor Dumbledore sent word to me about that. He said that someone whom you knew had been killed in that escape.”

Harry looked down “Mundungus Fletcher was killed, and another wizard named Finnigan. I didn’t know him but I know he has a family who is missing him.” Before Harry could think about it he just started talking. “I don’t really know what I’m feeling, only that it hurts. I wasn’t close or anything with Mundungus but he was there on my birthday, he helped to save me. I never got to talk to him, to thank him. Voldemort has taken that away from me too. Mundungus was a bit odd but still he was ok and I know that Finnigan was a decent man too.”

Harry looked up at Madam Tosh with steely eyes and anger surging through him “Voldemort got Malfoy out; more people have died because of him, maybe even on his orders. It’s not fair; none of this is fair!” Harry’s scar started burning and he pressed his hand to his forehead and rubbed furiously. Madam Tosh stood up and came over to Harry quickly. She assumed a sharp voice and said “Harry I want you to clear your mind of all thought.” Harry looked up at her startled then his scar exploded in pain and he grabbed his head and rocked back on the couch. “Clear your mind Harry” she knelt down in front of him and took his shoulders firmly with a look of concentration on her face. A wave of calm slowly seeped over Harry and he tried to make his mind completely blank and the pain in his scar subsided. He was panting slightly but closed his eyes and tried to picture a dark quiet place where there was no sight or sound. “Take slow deep breaths Harry” Madam Tosh instructed him in a whisper. Harry slowed down his breathing and after a couple of minutes of this he opened his eyes and looked at Madam Tosh who had been staring at him intently.

“I think Voldemort was angry just now. When he tried to kill me when I was a baby and I got this scar, somehow we became connected to each other. Ever since Voldemort came back, the connection has gotten stronger. I can feel when he’s angry or happy. Just now I felt anger but that doesn’t make sense. Malfoy escaped from Azkaban today he should be happy not angry.” Madam Tosh had let go of Harry but she remained kneeling facing him. “Harry, the anger you felt came from you, I could feel it clearly.” Harry looked at her puzzled. “Harry I am an empath. I can feel the emotions of the people around me. When you were talking about Mundungus you became angry, very angry then your scar began to hurt.” Harry was thinking back “Your right and when you told me to clear my mind it hurt much worse. I don’t understand. I am making my scar hurt? How am I doing that? Why would I do that?”

Harry was very confused and he was starting to feel queasy. He had simply had too many emotional highs and lows in the last 72 hours. Madam Tosh could sense this also and wanted to stop the interview. “Harry you have had enough for today. I want you to take a sleeping draught one more night. If you feel pain in your scar again I want you to stop what ever you are doing and concentrate on clearing your mind of all thought. Slow deep breathing will help you to accomplish this.” Harry looked up at her “When you touched me I felt much calmer and I was able to clear my mind.” Madam Tosh said “Harry you have to practice. You will be able to do this on your own. I was able to help you just now but you would have gotten there as long as you knew what to do. You must trust in yourself, you are stronger than you think.” Harry nodded and said “Ok.”

“Harry could you do me one small favor?”
“Sure.”
“Could you help me get up, my old knees have locked up.” she said with a smirk.
“Oh, of course” Harry said and took Madam Tosh’s hands and helped her to her feet. Once she was standing she looked down at Harry and smiled very warmly. “Thank you Harry, I am not very good at kneeling for extended periods of time. It is a shame really, that as we get older and wiser our body becomes frailer and weaker.” She looked again intently at Harry for a moment and Harry had the distinct impression that she was reading his emotions.

“Harry, how often do you use your saxulmens?” Harry looked at her blankly for a second then he remembered the stone Hagrid sent. “I have only used it twice. Hagrid sent it to me for me for my birthday. He said he thought I might have some use for it and I tried it right away. I thought of something happy and the stone got warm and turned blue. I felt happy all over for a while.” Harry smiled slightly at the memory of the warm sensation that filled him when he first used the stone then his face fell as remembered how angry the stone made him feel later that day.

“What happened the second time you used the stone?” Madam Tosh asked. “I was reading and Dudley took my book away from me. I got it back from him but I was very irritated. I must have pulled the stone out of my pocket because I felt really angry all of the sudden and the stone went hot in my hand and turned red then I threw it down. I was so angry I kicked a tree and stubbed my toe so I picked up the stone again and tried to think of something happy but it was really hard because I was still so mad. I did make it work and the angry feeling went away.” Madam Tosh raised an eyebrow “When that happened what color did the stone turn?” Harry had to think about it for a minute. “It was green. I haven’t used it since. I don’t want to accidentally get really mad again because my toe still hurts a lot.”

Madam Tosh raised both eyebrows. “That was a wise choice Harry. I don’t think you should use it for now. This Hagrid must think very highly of you though; Saxulmens' are very rare and quite valuable.” Harry was quite surprised by this information and Madam Tosh smiled at him and asked “May I see your toe?” Harry shrugged and said “Yeah, ok.” He never complained about his toe because he was so used to small injuries and hardly ever noticed them himself. He sat down on the couch to take off his shoe and sock and sure enough his right big toe was black and blue and slightly swollen. “Good heavens, how on earth did I miss this?” she said to herself. “It didn’t get that color until the morning I came here.” Harry said. Madam Tosh took out her wand and gave Harry’s toe a tap and the bruising faded and the swelling and pain went away completely. “Wow, thanks that feels much better.”
“You are very welcome Harry. Do you have any other bumps or bruises I don’t know about?” Harry blushed and said “No ma’am.”
“I must leave now but please send Hedwig if you have sever pain in your scar again.” Harry said he would and he walked with her out to the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was making dinner.

Madam Tosh told Molly to give Harry the sleeping draught one more night and thanked her for the tea and cookies. Then with a smile for Harry she disapparated with a loud pop. Harry suddenly felt very tired and turned to Mrs. Weasley “Do I have time to take a nap before dinner?” Molly looked a little concerned. She did not eavesdrop on Harry’s meeting with Madam Tosh but she heard Madam Tosh tell Harry to clear his mind in a sharp and loud voice. “Of course you do dear. I’ll send Ron up to get you in about an hour. Harry smiled at her gratefully and climbed the stairs for Ron’s room.

[Alice I]

OK Folks here is chapter Five.

Let me know what you are thinking about this story so far. I have gone back and altered some things based on comments by you fine folks here in the forum, so please be sure to post a reply to what you have read thus far.
The next chapter has been undergoing some rather ratical changes so I will wait for some feed back befor I post it so that I can get it right.
Thanks for the feed back thus far.

[Amon Rê]

OMG Alice this is soooo good, when the 6th one actually comes out, I'm gonna be like, OMG were is so and so, why is that not the same...it's gonna confuse me

[Alice I]

Chapter Five
Occlumency Training

The Wizengamot did meet the evening of Malfoy’s escape to discus the situation. Cornelius Fudge attended this meeting with Percy Weasley who was still acting as the minister’s personal assistant. The minister used this meeting to try and force the Wizengamot to approve a continued Ministry presence at Hogwarts. “I understand that Delores Umbridge may have been a poor choice but in these terrible times we must have a presence if only to…” but Fudge never finished this sentence as Albus Dumbledore rose with a look of confined rage on his face and was emanating such an aura of power that the minister’s words died away in his own throat.

“Delores Umbridge was not just a poor choice Minister. She sent two Dementors into a muggle neighborhood to kill Harry Potter or at the very least force him to defend himself, giving you an excuse to expel him from Hogwarts. She physically tortured the students under her charge; she attempted to use the Cruciatus Curse on a student to gain information concerning my where-abouts and she began a campaign of Martial Law at the finest school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in all of Great Brittan.” Professor Dumbledore had not raised his voice at all but Fudge flinched with each statement as though Dumbledore were shouting. There were several nods of agreement and many were muttering that the Ministry has no business interfering with Hogwarts. “I will tolerate no more Ministry interference at MY school.”

Fudge who was worried about the coming days persisted undaunted. “YOUR School” he cried, an edge of panic in his voice. “Until the Board of Governors sees fit to replace me, yes Cornelius, MY School.” Dumbledore replied in a mild tone. Fudge was spinning his bowler hat in his hands as was his habit when he was nervous. “With … well with You Know Who back we need more Aurors! Your Potions Master will only take students into his N.E.W.T. level potions classes if they received perfect marks on their O.W.L.s and your Transfiguration Teacher will only take E or higher. Aurors need both of those subjects in N.E.W.T. level to begin training! There isn’t time for your teachers to be so selective. As the students graduating from Hogwarts over the next couple of years will be our Aurors of tomorrow the ministry must foster their growth even unto the disapproval of your teachers. A ministry presence at Hogwarts is warranted during these troubled times.”

There was much murmuring throughout the Wizengamot but Dumbledore held his ground. “As the one who has been trying to sound the alarm for the past year; I am fully aware of the climate and circumstances surrounding the need for more Aurors. I have already spoken to my staff regarding the standards they require of their students and both Transfiguration and Potions as well as Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taught to any student with an Acceptable or higher qualification in their O.W.L. results. When the O.W.L. results arrived logistical considerations had to be taken into account and that is why they were sent later than usual to the students.”

Dumbledore fixed Fudge with a sharp stare and said “As I said before; I will tolerate no more Ministry interference at my school. In the interests of keeping communication open with the Ministry and its future employees I will be happy to send a report as to which students have expressed an interest in Auror training after they leave Hogwarts, but that is all.” Dumbledore turned to face the congregation and continued “The teaching of our young is a responsibility that is not now, nor should it ever be, a burden of government.” Dumbledore finished in a tone that left no room for argument and sat down. Fudge did not look happy but he also took his seat.

The meeting lasted until nearly three in the morning as they wrestled with the issues of working with the Giants, Trolls and Goblins. Fudge was so ridged in his views of partial or non humans that it was hard to come to common ground without numerous verbal battles.

By the time Percy had reached his flat he was exhausted and slept fitfully, plagued by dreams of Voldemort killing his family and taking over the world, then turning to Percy and thanking him for making it all possible.

Cornelius Fudge was pacing his office floor highly agitated while Percy was busy setting the Minister’s office up for an afternoon meeting with the International Federation of Wizards. The reason for the minister’s agitation had to do with being accosted by Daily Prophet reporters demanding to know what the Ministry was doing to recapture Malfoy, find the escaped Death Eaters and to stop the return of Lord Voldemort to power. Fudge was not in the mood to deal with the same reporters who continually asked him how he felt about what he had done to Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore over the course of the last year.

Percy had actually stood up to the pack of reporters and shouted over their questions “Are you seriously expecting the Minister of Magic to divulge to the general public the Ministry’s plans to defeat the Dark Lord?! These questions you are asking are wholly inappropriate and you should know better than to ask them. Perhaps you all feel that the Minister should take out a pamphlet outlining our complete straightly to put an end to this situation. I am sure that all of the freed Death Eaters would find it a very interesting read!” The reporters had skulked off stung by Percy’s words as they naturally made perfect sense, but not pleased to have nothing to report regarding what actions the Ministry was taking.

Once Percy had the Minister’s reception lounge set with tea and biscuits Fudge stopped pacing and turned to him. “You showed true loyalty back there Percy. You got me off the hook very nicely as a matter of fact; Thank you.” Percy blushed red at the praise that he was receiving from the Minister of Magic himself. Percy looked directly at the Minister and said “May I speak plainly sir?”

The Minister registered shock for a brief moment then said “Yes, please do Percy.”
“The meeting of the Wizengamot did not go well and I am concerned about our progress in the upcoming months in the fight against You Know Who. What else are we doing to ensure our success in stopping his return to power sir?” Rather than answer his question the Minister asked Percy if he had heard about Harry Potter. Percy looked completely nonplussed. “What about Harry Potter sir?” This was not what Percy was expecting to hear and was somewhat taken aback. He had gone over this conversation hundreds of times trying to anticipate every response that the Minister might have come up with but a question about Harry Potter had simply never occurred to him. He felt quite badly about all of the nasty things that had been written about Harry and for his part in Harry’s struggles last year.

The Minister was looking at Percy intently as if trying to see a lie which had Percy completely flummoxed. The Minister seemed to come to a decision and said “Young Potter has just gone to live with your family; that is, now that he is out of hospital.” Percy just stared at the Minister his mouth hanging open. “What!?” Percy stood stunned for only another moment then his brain clicked into gear again “What happened, was it Dementors again…” Fudge took on a fatherly air and invited Percy to sit down. “No, No nothing like that. His cousin, a rather large boy, beat him up from what I am told. Then he went home and didn’t tell his parents what had happened and they never went looking for him.”

Percy had gone white! “How did this happen, I thought that Dumbledore was having Harry watched? Who found him?” Fudge nodded “You know I must ask Dumbledore about that. I had forgotten that he was having the boy watched. No; as it is young Potter has an owl that drove his cousin off then went to your family’s home. It was your father and poor old Mundungus Fletcher who found Potter and brought him to St. Mungos.” Percy’s eyes already wide grew wider still. Fudge then said in an almost off hand way “But I thought you would have heard about all of this. Are in not in contact with at least one member of your family?”

Percy grew very red in the face, but looked resolutely at the Minister of Magic “I am estranged from my family and had no idea that anything had happened. I do hope that he will be alright?” he added with a touch of genuine concern. Cornelius Fudge put a hand on Percy’s shoulder. “Son we all make mistakes, it’s what we do afterward that shows the measure of us all. You have shown yourself to be loyal to the Ministry and a friend to the wizarding community. You will always have a place here at the Ministry.” Percy was shocked by the informality with which the Minister was speaking to him and stunned by the news of Harry, then felt hurt that no one had told him about it. He realized at once that he should not feel hurt as he is the one who estranged himself from his own family in the first place.

Five days after Malfoy’s escape from Azkaban Professor Dumbledore sent word to Harry that he would be coming to see him that evening and Harry was hoping that Professor Dumbledore might be able to tell him a little more about Malfoy’s escape. Mr. Weasley had spent very little time at home leaving very early every morning and not returning until quite late. Harry had seen him when he came down to breakfast the morning Hedwig brought Dumbledore’s note and he looked dreadful. He had large circles under his eyes and looked pale and stressed even though he tried to sound cheerful when he said good morning to Harry and Ron. Harry didn’t ask him about the investigation of the escape because of how he looked and he doubted that Mrs. Weasley would have wanted to have this discussed with him.

Harry really loved Mrs. Weasley; she was the closest thing to a mother that he had ever known; but she was very protective and still treated him like a child. For most teenagers this would have been a source of great irritation but Harry didn’t really mind. He had never had anyone care about him that much and being babied a little too often was a small price to pay for the kind of care and comfort that she openly gave him. He made up his mind that he would ask Professor Dumbledore about it when he arrived tonight. Everyone had gone to Diagon Alley yesterday to get their school things but they did not linger and shop. Mrs. Weasley was still very shaken about the escape and the deaths at the prison. She often spoke of Mundungus in a disapproving way but never the less she felt saddened by his death and Albert Finnigan and his wife Ruby were good friends of the Weasley’s. The whole family had attended the funeral ceremony on Sunday and Harry found it to be emotionally draining.

The day seemed to drag by slowly for Harry even though he and Ron went to the back field to try and work out Harry’s fear of flying. Harry used his own Firebolt and felt a bit more comfortable than he felt on Ron’s broom but he was still over compensating and flying very tentatively. Ron kept up a constant dialog of encouragement while Harry tried to practice dives. Normally they were a specialty of Harry’s but every time he started to dive toward the ground his insides would freeze and he would pull up no closer to the ground than ten feet or so. Harry was determined to master this though and they kept at it for over three hours when Ron called a halt. “Harry, I’m getting soar lets stop for awhile.” Harry was feeling very queasy by this time but he insisted on one more dive.

Harry rose up nearly fifty feet in the air then circled. ‘I’m going to do it this time.’ He told himself firmly then gripped the handle of his Firebolt and dived. His heart was hammering madly in his chest but he wouldn’t pull up yet. ‘Not yet… Not yet’ he kept telling himself but the fear he was feeling was mounting as he came closer to the earth. Suddenly his scar burned so painfully that his eyes watered so he could not see. “HARRY PULL UP!” Ron screamed as he flew as fast as he could to intercept him.

Harry’s heart was hammering with fear while his head felt like it was splitting open. He could hear high pitched laughter that turned his insides to ice. Then far away as if from another world he heard Ron’s voice, panic stricken, telling him to pull up. Harry had never heard Ron sound so scared and he let go of his broom with his left hand which he pressed on his forehead and pulled up hard with his right hand and missed crashing into the ground by mere inches. Harry still couldn’t see through his watering eyes but through the haze of pain and fear Harry managed to come to a stop in midair. He leaned over on the handle of his broom holding his head as a fresh wave of searing pain swept over him and this time he could feel Voldemort; he knew it was Voldemort and that he was angry. Ron pulled up next to him calling “Harry, Harry are you alright?” Ron touched Harry’s shoulder just as he passed out and slipped off his broom. “HARRY!” Ron reached out and caught Harry by his shirt collar and flew him down to the ground. Harry was pale and clammy and Ron shook him but he was unconscious. Ron didn’t know what to do. Should he leave him and go get help? He decided to pick him up around the waist and fly him back to the house. It only took a couple of minutes to fly back to the Burrow and as soon as Ron came in sight of the house he started hollering for help.

Mrs. Weasley heard Ron’s cries and came out the back door. She ran toward them as they landed in the back yard. “Dear God what happened? Did he fall?” Ron was panting hard “No… mum, it’s… his… scar.” he said between gasps. Just then Harry’s eyes opened and he looked up at Mrs. Weasley bending over him with a frightened look on her face. “Harry dear, can you hear me?” “Yes. I... wait how did I get here?” He sat up looking around bewildered. Ron was white and panting hard and Mrs. Weasley was fussing over him. “I remember diving then … then my head started to hurt a lot and...” Harry tried to think. “I don’t remember.”
Ron had caught his breath and was kneeling on the ground next to Harry. “Harry you fell of your broom. You were holding your head and almost crashed into the ground but you pulled up just before you hit and stopped. I came up beside you and you just fell, I caught you and then brought you home.”

Harry got to his feet and looked around. “I don’t remember falling Ron. Madam Tosh told me to send Hedwig to her if this ever happened again but she is off hunting right now.”
“You can use Pig Harry.” Ron offered. Mrs. Weasley was still fussing over Harry and ushered both boys into the house. “Mum wait, I want to go back and get Harry’s broom, it’s still out in the back field.”
“Alright, but you” she said to Harry “are going inside and having a strong cup of tea.” Harry was feeling a bit unsteady just at the moment and didn’t refuse.
When they came into the kitchen Hermione and Ginny were just coming down from upstairs. When Ginny saw Harry she knew at once that something had happened but with a sharp look from her mother she didn’t ask him about it. Harry sat at the kitchen table trying to breathe slowly and clear his mind of all thought. The exercise calmed him down a bit and eased the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Mrs. Weasley set a large strong cup of tea in front of him and Harry was surprised to taste Fire Whisky in it but the tea warmed his throat and belly so he didn’t complain.

Hermione and Ginny sat down at the table and waited for someone to tell them what was going on. Harry saw their pensive faces and told them what had happened. “Oh Harry this is bad. You’ve got to tell Professor Dumbledore and Madam Tosh right away.” Hermione said. “Professor Dumbledore is coming here tonight and Ron said I could use Pigwidgeon to send a note to Madam Tosh.” Harry replied.
“Where is Ron” Ginny asked. “I’m right here” Ron called from the back door. “I just put the brooms away Harry. How are you feeling mate?”
“I’m ok Ron.” Hermione had left the table and came back with a piece of parchment a quill and an ink bottle and slid them in front of Harry. Ron got up to go get Pigwidgeon while Harry wrote a note to Madam Tosh.

Dear Madam Tosh,
You wanted to know if my scar ever hurt again. Today while I was flying it hurt so much I fell off my broom. I am ok; I didn’t hit the ground because Ron caught me. I don’t remember much but Ron said I pulled out of the dive I was in and came to a stop. I don’t remember doing that. Professor Dumbledore is coming to see me tonight and I’ll tell him about it. Hedwig is out hunting at the moment. This is Ron’s owl. His name is Pigwidgeon.
Thanks
Harry Potter

Harry had briefly debated telling her about being afraid to fly but that was something he was sure he could work out with Ron’s help. The fact that he was afraid to fly was a source of deep embarrassment for him. Flying was the one thing that came naturally to Harry and he had a lot of pride in his flying abilities. Harry rolled up the parchment tightly. Ron was just coming into the kitchen holding a very excited Pigwidgeon and it took Harry a moment to get the note tied on to his leg. “Hold still you stupid git!” Ron muttered at the excited little owl. He took off out the open window hooting happily.

Mrs. Weasley was still very concerned about Harry but he had written to Madam Tosh and Dumbledore was coming later and there wasn’t anything else that could be done so she made some more tea for him. Harry found that he didn’t have much of an appetite for dinner but he tried to eat a healthy size portion anyway. He was going to do what ever it took to get back the weight he had lost, loose his fear of flying and get back to normal. He really didn’t think there was much he could do about his scar hurting. Ever since Voldemort had returned he had had pain in varying degrees. If he understood what Madam Tosh had said to him, he may have cause this himself. His scar hurt very badly when he was feeling angry and while he was in that dive he was feeling scared. The fear he was feeling was coming from him, that he knew. He just didn’t know why he was afraid. At least the nightmares seemed to have stopped. He had not had one since his first night back from hospital.

When Professor Dumbledore arrived the rest of the family went into the living room to give them some privacy but Dumbledore asked Ron to remain. Once they were seated Dumbledore first asked “Harry please tell me everything that you can remember when you fell off your broom today.”
“How did you know about that?” Harry asked startled. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and said “Madam Tosh spoke with me before I came this evening.” Harry sat back in his chair and tried to recall exactly what had happened. “I was circling at about fifty feet then went into a dive. My scar started burning…” he paused thinking hard. “I couldn’t see…
That’s right it burned so much my eyes started to water.” He paused again but after a minute he shook his head “The next thing I remember is lying on the ground out back with Mrs. Weasley bending over me.” Dumbledore nodded then turned to Ron. “Ron, please try to recount what happened after Harry began his dive and remember the smallest detail could prove to be the most important.”

Ron cleared his throat and said “It’s like Harry said he was about fifty feet up and then he dove. Something was wrong though he wasn’t coming out of the dive he was going to fly right into the ground. I yelled at him to pull up and I tried to get to him before he crashed. I thought he was a goner then he grabbed his head and pulled up hard. He missed crashing by maybe two or three inches.” Harry looked at Ron stunned. He knew that Ron would not exaggerate when it was this important. “He pulled up to about twenty feet and stopped. I was almost to him when he kind of lay down on his broom handle still holding his head. When I got up beside him he went limp and fell off. I caught him by his shirt and got him back to the ground. He was white as a ghost and all clammy and he wouldn’t wake up. I didn’t want to just leave him there so I picked him up and flew home. I started hollering as soon as I came over the hill and mum came out. After we landed and mum came over he woke up.”

Dumbledore nodded. “Thank you Ron. Harry, did anything Ron just say spark your memory?” Harry shook his head “No sir, I can’t believe it.” He said in an awed voice. Harry turned to Ron “Was it like Lynch’s dive at the World Cup?”
“Steeper and faster Harry. I really thought you’d had it. I knew I wasn’t going to get to you in time. Lucky really, that your scar started to hurt just then or you probably wouldn’t have pulled out of that dive.” Harry looked at Ron puzzled. “Wait that doesn’t fit with what I remember Ron. I was still close to forty feet when my scar started to hurt. You said I put my hand on my head only inches from the ground. Why can’t I remember any of this? I mean it couldn’t have been more than 2 or 3 seconds but I still don’t remember.”

Professor Dumbledore regarded Harry for a moment. “Can you think of any other times where you have a loss of memory Harry?” Harry shrugged “I don’t think so.” Ron said “The night you got here Harry when you had the nightmare.” Harry nodded “I’d forgotten about that.” Harry smirked and said “Er no pun intended.”

Professor Dumbledore looked from one to the other “I know that you had a bad night the first night here. Can you tell me about it?” Harry shrugged and said “I had a nightmare and Ron said that I was hollering and holding my head like my scar hurt. Then Mr. Weasley said that I had my eyes open and was talking but that I wasn’t awake, kind of like I was sleep walking only I wasn’t walking. I don’t remember any of that. I remember the dream alright but that’s all.”
“What was the dream about?” Harry recounted the dream and how Cedric and Sirius had come out of his wand and blamed him for their deaths. “Very well. Ron thank you for you help. Would you now excuse us for awhile?” Ron put a hand on Harry’s shoulder “We’ll figure it out mate.” and he got up and headed for the living room.

Professor Dumbledore turned to Harry. “Please take a few minutes to think about the time you spent with the Dursley’s this summer and what kinds of things you were feeling; whether or not you had any other periods of memory loss.” Harry took a deep breath and thought about it for a minute. “When I arrived at Privet Drive it was like every other summer except that the Dursley’s were going out of their way to be polite to me. Mad Eye persuaded Uncle Vernon to be nice to me at Kings Cross when they came to pick me up. I was glad that I wasn’t being yelled at or threatened for a change but their weird behavior actually made me feel worse. I had no one to talk to, and nothing to look forward to and I kind of just stopped caring about anything. That’s when I went off food. I was tired all of the time because of the nightmares but if my scar hurt and I don’t remember it I would have no way of knowing. The Dursley’s hate me and they wouldn’t talk to me about anything that connects me to the wizarding world. Any mention of my “abnormality” is forbidden at Privet Drive.”

Dumbledore’s eyes flashed at this statement. “Ron and Hermione wrote to me but I didn’t even seem to care about that. It was kinda’ like I didn’t care enough to spend what little energy I had to write proper letters back to them. I felt like a ghost. I always mark off the days until September 1st on a calendar but when the owls brought me presents from my friends I didn’t even realize that it was my birthday. I hadn’t marked off any days in a while.” Harry looked at his headmaster and saw such concern in his eyes that he felt a little guilty for complaining so much and continued in a brighter tone “But that’s loads better now. I haven’t had a nightmare since the first night out of hospital and even though I still miss Sirius more than anything I’m not so depressed about it anymore.”

Harry glanced in the direction of the living room and said more quietly “Mrs. Weasley helped me more than she will ever know my first night here. She comforted me like…
well like my mum would have. I actually have an appetite most of the time now but even when I don’t, I make myself eat. Madam Tosh said that I have to gain the weight I lost back before she will declare me healed. I’m trying to do everything I can to get back to normal…”

Harry stopped talking and stared down at his hands on the table. Dumbledore had the distinct impression that Harry was holding something back. He fixed Harry with a piercing stare and asked in a very gentle voice “Is there something that you are not telling me Harry?” Harry stared into Dumbledore blue eyes and felt like his headmaster was seeing right through him into his heart. Harry could no more lie to this man than cut off his own arm.

“Do you remember when I told you that I was afraid?” he said in a quiet voice. Dumbledore nodded. “Well, I still am. When Madam Tosh came to see me the day Malfoy escaped from Azkaban, my scar hurt pretty bad. I thought it was Voldemort feeling angry but I was wrong. Madam Tosh said that the anger was coming from me. I have been making my scar hurt only I don’t know how. I think maybe she’s right because I thought about it and right before the pain I was angry about Mundungus being killed. It’s like I’ve gone barking, but I don’t feel mad. None of this makes any sense. Ever since the fight with Dudley I’m afraid of everything. I…”

Harry stopped for a moment. Why was it so hard for him to tell anyone that he was afraid to fly? In a firm voice Harry continued “I am afraid to fly.” Harry took a deep breath and looked into Dumbledore’s eyes not knowing what he would see there. He couldn’t read his headmasters expression so he continued “Ron was helping me to work this out and that’s why I was practicing diving. Right before the pain I was scared, really scared.” Harry started to feel frustrated by all of this and pounded the table in irritation “How can I stop doing something when I don't have any idea how I’m doing it in the first place?”

“Harry I do not believe that you are causing pain in your scar. Ever since Voldemort’s returned the connection between you has grown stronger. There is no proof or indeed any kind of history that Voldemort is causing these problems for you however I also have no doubt whatsoever that he is behind the pain and memory loss. The connection between you and Lord Voldemort has never occurred before between wizards so it is impossible know what Voldemort is capable of until it happens. While he can not physically find you at your relations home he can still affect you. That was proven the summer before his return.” Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry for a moment. His eyes had lost that haunted look but there was still something barren in his gaze. After a week in the Burrow, Harry looked far less gaunt, he had color in his face and Dumbledore knew that it wouldn’t take long for him to regain some weight and Harry was obviously trying to overcome the fear he was feeling.

“Harry I fear that I should not have sent you to Privet Drive in June. The loss of Sirius was too heavy of a burden for you with no one to support you or care for you. I have seriously underestimated the level of mistreatment you have lived with through the years and I am truly sorry. You have been in a loving environment for only one week and the change in you is remarkable. You are showing real signs of recovery but the memory loss associated with your scar hurting needs to be addressed. I want you to begin occlumency training right away. Now more than ever, this is a skill I feel you must master and master quickly.”

Harry heart twisted in a knot. The prospect of more sessions one-on-one with Snape frightened Harry even more than flying did at the moment. Something of Harry’s misgivings must have shown on his face for Dumbledore continued “I will be teaching you myself Harry.” At these words Harry’s features relaxed and he let out the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. “We will meet three times a week for one hour starting tomorrow. You must practice the exercises that I give you Harry.” Harry nodded and vowed to himself that he would practice all day every day if he had to. Harry knew that he wasn’t the best student in the world and he didn’t want to let Professor Dumbledore down not to mention if Voldemort was doing this then he defiantly wanted it to stop.

Harry still had misgivings about this theory however. He had thought about it and every time that he can remember his scar really burning he was angry or scared. When he was angry about Mundungus, Voldemort didn’t make him feel that anger. The fact that someone had died and Harry would never be able to see him again is what made him angry. Harry felt a tingling deep in his stomach. ‘Voldemort is NOT controlling my mind’ Harry told himself firmly. Then Harry remembered that he wanted to ask about Malfoy.

“Professor Dumbledore, how is the search for Malfoy coming along?” Dumbledore sighed and said “Lucius Malfoy is very clever and will not be easily caught again. There has been no sign of him anywhere.”
“How do you reckon he escaped?” Dumbledore smiled slightly. Harry had always been extremely curious and was always keen to solve a mystery. “Malfoy used his own wand to kill Mundungus Fletcher and Albert Finnigan. I do not know how he got it or how he left the island. There are several possibilities of course but thus far we have found no evidence that can point us in the right direction. I believe that now we must determine what Voldemort is planning next. Finding Lucius Malfoy is important but it is more important that we do not loose focus on the real issue of stopping Voldemort from regaining power.”

Once Harry and Professor Dumbledore worked out a schedule they joined the rest of the family in the living room. Ron and Hermione were playing chess on Charlie’s board. Ginny was on the couch working on her summer homework and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were talking quietly by the fire. Bill, Charlie and the twins were still at headquarters. The activity was never ending since the escape from Azkaban and both Mundungus and Albert were members of the Order as well as friends. Finding Malfoy and making him pay for their murders was keeping most of the Order very busy. Professor Dumbledore only stayed for a few minutes as he had to meet with Mad Eye at headquarters that night.

Harry was roused by Mrs. Weasley at six thirty the next morning. “Harry dear, time to get up.” she whispered as she shook him gently. Harry rolled over and put his glasses on. “I am making you some breakfast so get dressed and come down to the kitchen.” Harry nodded sleepily and got out of bed and dressed quietly so as not to wake Ron. He and Harry had stayed up late last night talking about the ways Lucius Malfoy could have gotten his wand from the prison lock hold, each theory more fantastic than the last. By one in the morning they had finally dropped off to sleep and Harry now wished he had gotten to sleep a little earlier. When he came down to the kitchen Mr. Weasley was already there having coffee and toast. There were three places set; one for Harry and two more for the twins who had not come down to breakfast yet.

Harry felt much more awake after two eggs, several sausages and a large glass of orange juice. Fred and George joined Harry at the table and polished off four eggs and five sausages a piece. Harry felt a little guilty for a moment. The Weasley’s were very poor and the amount of food a family this size went through was staggering. Harry had never really worried about how much food he consumed at Privet Drive as he was never offered very much to begin with, but here Mrs. Weasley fed him more than he could eat at every meal. He still had an egg and three sausages left on his plate. He was too full to eat them and he felt badly about wasting food in this house with so many mouths to feed. George saw Harry looking uncertainly at his plate and exchanged a look with Fred. “Hay Harry, if you’re not going to eat that, pass it over.” Fred called in a light voice. Harry smiled and pushed the plate over so that Fred and George could finish it off. Harry resolved that he would find some way to help this family with out them finding out it was him.

Harry and the twins traveled by floo powder to Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. Fred and George led Harry down to the basement and showed him how to enter the chamber that was now headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Harry felt a twinge of worry deep in his stomach when Fred showed him the secret entrance and how to open it. For some inexplicable reason Harry felt that he shouldn’t know how to do this. He shook his head to dispel his sense of unease and stepped through the threshold and his worry about knowing how to get in disappeared with the sight before him. He had entered a room that was easily as large as the Great Hall at Hogwarts and sectioned into three areas.

Fred and George delighted in showing Harry all of the extra features they had worked out for the Order and he was very impressed with the hidden sleeping chamber. He decided he would look through the book Hermione had sent him for his birthday to figure out how they had put this room into a four inch thick wall. Fred and George had lit fires in the hearths and were sitting at the table in the living area with Harry when Professor Dumbledore appeared with a loud pop. “Good morning” he greeted them pleasantly. Fred and George stood up and gave Harry a pat on the shoulder. “Well mate, we’ll leave you to it.” said George and they disappeared through the entrance at the end of the chamber.

Professor Dumbledore sat down across from Harry. “Harry the object to Occlumency is to shield the mind against invasion. Legilimency is the ability to see into someone else’s memories and feelings.” Harry nodded “That’s what Professor Snape told me last year. It still sounds like mind reading to me.” Dumbledore smiled “Well Harry that is a term that doesn’t really apply. Madam Tosh can read your emotions can she not?” Harry stared up at his headmaster stunned. “Yes sir.” he said with a slight frown. “Madam Tosh being an empath can read your emotions but you would not call her a mind reader would you?” Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore for a long moment then he said “So being able to see memories that are random is just a different kind of sensing, like she can sense what I am feeling.” Harry took on a tone as if he were talking to himself and had completely forgotten that Professor Dumbledore was there. “So it follows that just seeing random stuff is not going to help much unless you can put feelings with the images and know what it’s all about.” Harry looked up expectantly but couldn’t read his headmaster’s eyes. Dumbledore was looking at him with an expression that seemed to express amusement, confusion and surprise all at the same time.

“You are beginning to understand. You are essentially correct but there is more to it than that.” Harry stared hard at Professor Dumbledore. “Can you use it against the invader?” Dumbledore frowned “I am not sure I understand your question.” Harry took a deep breath and tried to phrase himself very clearly, almost as if he were trying to explain his question to himself as well as Professor Dumbledore. “If you are trying to see my memories and I knew that you were trying to do that; could I change what you see so that you get the wrong idea? Can I trick you?”

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and took a deep breath. “Harry for you to be able to do that successfully you would need to be able to completely block me first. Any attempt to alter your memories is impossible unless you can first deny all access to the legilimens first. Harry you must understand this; it is essential. I believe that Voldemort is using his skills in legilimency and the connection that exists between you to attack you through your dreams. I know that you believe that these dreams are being fashioned by your own mind Harry, but it is possible that while your fears are being realized in your dreams, Voldemort may be twisting them to achieve his own ends. Legilimency is not mind control but it takes great control of the mind to block someone with skill from seeing into your memories and feelings. This is what I must teach you to do.”
Dumbledore gave Harry a moment to absorb his words before he continued.

“Before every session I want you to first clear your mind of all thought and emotion. This is harder than it sounds for stray thoughts will flit across our minds without us even realizing it. These are the thoughts that can be captured and seen by a skilled legilimens. An exercise that you can do to help you clear your mind of thought is to picture a snowflake.” Harry furrowed his brow in confusion. “Picturing a snowflake will clear my mind of thought?” Dumbledore smiled slightly “Well you have to picture this snowflake in minute detail. Picture in your mind its small circular center like a coil with spokes radiating outward. Then picture these spokes branching off into countless other tributaries of crystal finer still until you can clearly see the intricate pattern of the snowflake in your minds eye.” Harry was picturing this image in his mind when he looked up at Professor Dumbledore. “How will picturing a snowflake help me to keep you from seeing my memories?”

“Harry this exercise is designed to train your mind; not to shield it. You will be able to shield your own mind when you have gained enough skill. Picturing the snowflake in great detail pushes all other thoughts out while you try to form this image in your mind. The exercise is a tool Harry; one that you must practice to master. The other key to success in Occlumency is to mask your emotions. Emotions and feelings are the keys that unlock your memories. Clearing your mind of thought will be easier than clearing your heart of emotion but you must learn to do this.” Harry nodded and took a deep breath. He pictured a small snowflake in his mind’s eye. He followed the pattern of its crystalline branches and pictured the way sunlight would reflect off of the crystal making it glimmer and sparkle. With this picture firmly in his mind Harry looked up at Professor Dumbledore ready to begin the lesson.

Professor Dumbledore took out his wand and pointed it at Harry and said “Legilimens!” The room began to swirl and then disappear as flashes of memories began to play across his vision. The first flash of memory was being chased up a tree at the age of nine by a bulldog named Ripper and the Dursley’s laughing at him. Harry frowned and tried to picture his snowflake but the memory had filled him with a mixture of anger and fear opening the way for Dumbledore to access more memories. He was sitting in Professor Umbridge’s office writing lines that were simultaneously being etched in the skin on the back of his hand. Then he was asking Aunt Petunia about his scar. She looked down at him with disgust on her face. “In the car crash when your parent’s died, and don’t ask questions.” Harry small and dejected turned away from her. ‘it has a small center with branches’ Harry told himself concentrating hard. He saw a dim outline of Professor Dumbledore; he was muttering something when yet another memory flashed across his mind. Harry was running away from Dudley and his gang and ended up on the roof of the school kitchens. ‘the sun reflecting makes a prism of red and orange and yellow’ but then the memory of Dudley on Harry’s birthday came forward. Harry was standing in the alley talking to Dudley and his heart froze in fear. He was not ready to see this but then he saw Dudley punch him hard in the chest. Harry fell back against the wall and his scar burned red hot.

“NO! STOP IT!” Harry was shouting he was suddenly very angry and stood up so quickly that the chair he had been sitting in toppled over backward. He had pressed his hands over his scar and stumbled backward into the wall. Professor Dumbledore lowered his wand and got up quickly and crossed to Harry, but before he could reach him there was a loud crack and Harry was gone.

Harry’s scar was burning so badly that his eyes were watering. He blinked furiously and when he looked up he saw the stunned faces of Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley. He was at the Burrow but he had no recollection of getting there. He was shaking and his head felt like it was splitting in two. “Harry! How did you…” but that was all Harry heard before he passed out. “Harry!” Mrs. Weasley was close to Harry and grabbed him before he hit the floor. There was another loud pop and Dumbledore appeared with a very worried look on his face. He helped Mrs. Weasley get Harry onto the couch in the living room. “Get some water Molly.”

Professor Dumbledore knelt down beside Harry and shook him slightly. “Harry, wake up. Can you hear me?” Harry opened his eyes and sat up abruptly. “How did I get here? What happened?” Mrs. Weasley came into the living room followed by Ginny, Hermione and Ron who had joined them after hearing his mother’s shouts. She handed a glass of water to Harry who drank it without complaint. Professor Dumbledore got up and sat down facing Harry. “What do you remember Harry?” he asked in a calm voice.

Harry thought for a moment “I was trying to picture the snowflake. Then you made me remember Dudley. I was very angry with you… no wait I was scared first, but then it turned into anger. I didn’t want to think about that, I wanted you to stop. I wanted you to go away but I remember being afraid of hurting you. When Snape… er Professor Snape saw something I didn’t want him to, I hurt him with a stinging curse. I didn’t even know I had. Then I thought; I just want to go home. Then you were shaking me telling me to wake up.”
“Harry do you remember your scar hurting?” Harry shook his head “I don’t remember that. How did I get here?” Dumbledore looked at Harry and said “You apparated” Harry’s jaw dropped. “I what?! But I don’t know how to apparate, how could I have?”

“I must admit I was quite surprised when you did. You are very lucky that you ended up here in one piece. Apparation can be dangerous and that is why wizards and witches are not allowed to do this until they come of age.” Harry’s face went white. He had broken a very important wizarding law right in front of Albus Dumbledore. He had been nearly thrown out of school last year for defending himself with magic in front of his cousin, a muggle, and thereby breaking an equally important wizarding law. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to, I didn’t even know I could.” Harry sounded panicky and had a stricken, almost terrified look on his face.

“Harry you are not in trouble, I am more concerned about your scar hurting. You were holding your hands to your forehead when you disapparated.” Harry frowned and tried to remember. “And as soon as you arrived here, you looked like you were in terrible pain and then… and then you passed out.” Hermione added in a hesitant voice. She remembered clearly how upsetting it was for Harry to faint when the dementors got close to him and this was bound to make him feel even worse. Harry was looking around at everyone and felt a flash of anger.

“darn it! When is this going to stop? I don’t remember my scar hurting, I don’t remember apparating or how to do it, and I sure don’t remember fainting. What is wrong with me!” Harry pounded his fist into his hand to vent some of the anger he was feeling. Professor Dumbledore took Harry by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “I believe that Voldemort can feel strong emotion in you Harry just as you can feel it in him. There is no doubt now that the connection between you is growing stronger. I do not know why you pass out when this happens or why you do not remember it afterwards. I do know that you must learn to fight these attacks for that is what they are Harry. Occlumency is the best weapon I can arm you with so you must practice often.”

Harry hung his head. If his scar was hurting it must have something to do with Voldemort, and if Harry could sense his strong emotions then it followed that Voldemort could do the same. Was Voldemort behind everything he had been going through all summer long? Was Voldemort making him not eat and get sick all the time? Was Voldemort causing his depression and his fear? The thought that Voldemort had been controlling him all summer, and was still at it, frightened Harry more than when he thought that he was about to die at the hands of the Dark Lord two years ago. ‘I won’t let him beat me.’ Harry told himself firmly. He would practice and become so good at occlumency that even Professor Dumbledore wouldn’t be able to pry any memories from him.

[Alice I]

OMG Alice this is soooo good, when the 6th one actually comes out, I'm gonna be like, OMG were is so and so, why is that not the same...it's gonna confuse me

Not to worry my friend. That is why I am taking so long to post the chapters. I have sixteen of them fully written.
As I am getting around the forum and seeing different theories and ideas I am adjusting the story. I don't think anything really major has changed that has already been addressed in chapters 1-5, except that I think I have finally setteled on a set name for the feeling stone that Hagrid sent Harry.

Well I am really glad you like the story.

[Alice I]

OMG Alice this is soooo good, when the 6th one actually comes out, I'm gonna be like, OMG were is so and so, why is that not the same...it's gonna confuse me

Then I wrote:

Not to worry my friend. That is why I am taking so long to post the chapters. I have sixteen of them fully written.
As I am getting around the forum and seeing different theories and ideas I am adjusting the story. I don't think anything really major has changed that has already been addressed in chapters 1-5, except that I think I have finally setteled on a set name for the feeling stone that Hagrid sent Harry.

Well I am really glad you like the story.

I just realized that when you said when the 6th one comes out you were talking about JKR's boook NOT Chapter six

But golly gee that makes it such a wonderful compliment
Thanks Amon Rê

PS: while I was driving around seven counties working yeaterday I figured out what to do with the rest of the story!!

I have been plot stuck for so long and that is one of the reasons I found this forum in the first place. I was out scrolling around for ideas.

The name of my book will be:

Harry Potter and the Hand of Gryffindor
Do you like?

[Amon Rê]

Sounds interesting...and mysterious....hmmm...I'm still waiting, is anyone else except me???

[Alice I]

Chapter Six - Part 1
The Hogwarts Express

The rest of the summer went by quickly for Harry. The training sessions with Professor Dumbledore were grueling and Harry scar burned nearly all the time. He was definitely having a hard time keeping his mind clear against Professor Dumbledore’s intrusions. When a memory came to the surface he would try with all of his might to dispel the memory as well as remaining emotionally indifferent but it was turning out to be a very tall order indeed. Harry’s forehead knotted in concentration with sweat running down the back of his neck as he tried to do this when the memory of a particularly nasty Potions lesson was being brought to the surface. He was finding it difficult to not get angry at the memory playing vividly across his mind’s eye, but as with anything else, he became more proficient at keeping his memories hidden by practicing several times a day. He had even enlisted the help of his friends. Ron, Hermione and Ginny would keep up a running conversation in the same room while he tried to clear his mind of all thought.
One of the things that pushed Harry harder than ever was a hushed conversation that he had overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Bill one evening. They were in the kitchen while Harry and the others were in the living room playing chess or doing home work.

Harry was sitting on the couch working on his concentration exercises which allowed him to focus better and he ended up hearing the conversation going on in the kitchen over the ambient noise in the living room. He didn’t mean to eaves drop but when Bill mentioned Death Eaters he couldn’t stop himself from listening to what was being said.
“It’s definitely Death Eater activity dad.” Bill was saying “Professor Dumbledore reckons that Max’s man is responsible for the deaths of the three muggles. Max agrees that his mark may in fact be a Death Eater and has called for more members of the guild to come here.”

“Why does this Max think that it is the wizard he is tracking that killed those people?” asked Arthur. “And why do they think it is Death Eater activity?” Molly asked in a strained voice. Bill said “The people that were killed died in a very specific manner…” he said and Harry heard the rustling of a paper, “and this wizard has killed people in the US like this. Each one of the muggles killed had family members in the ministry. Cuthbert Mockridge is muggle born and one of the victims was his aunt, the little boy was the nephew of Arnold Peasgood and the older gentleman was the father-in-law of Bernie Matheson.”
Arthur sighed deeply “It’s starting again. Cuthbert is the goblin liaison, I’ll speak with him tomorrow and see how he is doing. Matheson works in the department of mysteries so I don’t really know him but I’m sure Peasgood won’t be scared off too easily, he is one of the best obliviators in the ministry.”

“Oh really!” Molly said in a loud whisper and Harry heard the sound of rustling paper again as though she was pushing a newspaper at Arthur. There was a moment of silence and then a sharp intake of breath “Good heavens, this is terrible. The muggles think it is a serial killer? I hate to think of this happening to a child.” Arthur had started to speak more loudly and Molly said “Shhh, the kids will hear.”

Just then Ron nudged Harry sharply and said “Harry, It’s your turn mate; Hermione lost again.” Harry looked around at Ron and said “What?” Ron looked slightly puzzled “Chess; it’s your turn.” With his concentration broken Harry couldn’t make out what was being said in the kitchen anymore so he turned and took Hermione’s seat in front of Ron. Harry wore a slight frown and kept glancing toward the kitchen. Hermione noticed how preoccupied Harry seemed and asked “What’s up Harry?” Harry looked over at Ginny who seemed immersed in her book and leaned close to Ron and Hermione. “I was listening to your mum and dad talking to Bill. There have been some deaths and they think it’s Death Eaters.” Ron and Hermione looked shocked by this “Who was killed?” Hermione asked in a strained whisper. “I don’t know, three muggles who had relatives in the ministry. Bill was showing your folks a newspaper I think. The muggles think it is some sort of serial killer, and Bill knows someone named Max who is trying to find the wizard responsible, says he has done it before in the United States.”

“Oh my goodness, this is bad Harry” Hermione whispered “I’ll write to mum and dad and see what has been reported in the papers about these killings.” but further discussion was cut off by Mrs. Weasley coming into the living room. “Ginny dear could you give me a hand in the kitchen?” She looked over at Ron and noticed the chess set they were playing with was Charlie’s and with a frown realized that Ron had done nothing but play chess all afternoon and had not done any homework.

“Ron, I think that has been enough chess for today, you need to get your transfiguration essay finished.” Ron rolled his eyes and said “But mum Harry and I were about to…”
“Ronald Weasley; do not argue with me, I am sure that Harry has some homework that he could finish as well” she said giving him a pointed look. Harry turned red in the face and said “Yeah ok Mrs. Weasley.” and he and Ron headed upstairs to get their books.

Harry met again with Madam Tosh one week before start of term. He had gained almost all of the weight back that he had lost. His face had lost its sunken appearance and his chest and back looked perfectly normal. Harry decided it was time to talk to her about the attack on his birthday. Reliving Dudley’s beating was stressful for Harry but after he had talked himself out he did feel better. He would still get flashes of memory at odd times and every time this happened his scar would begin to prickle, but Harry would immediately picture his snowflake and clear his mind of all thought or emotion. One time when he did this Ron got a little concerned when Harry’s eyes seemed to glaze over and he shook him “Harry, what’s up?” Harry’s eyes came back into focus and he said “Sorry just practicing.” Ron shook his head “Oy mate, warn a guy next time ok?”

Harry insisted on spending at least one hour a day in the air much to the dismay of Mrs. Weasley, so Ron, Ginny and even Hermione all flew with him. Harry was flying even more tentatively now; worried that if he felt fear too strongly Voldemort would be able sense it and attack him. Dumbledore had finally convinced Harry that Voldemort was using Harry’s strong emotions as a catalyst to attack him through their connection but never the less he was determined to overcome this fear and forcing himself to fly was the only way he could think of to accomplish this. Harry also had to finish up his holiday homework. While at Privet Drive he may have spent a lot of time in his room with his homework but had managed to accomplish very little, so now he had to work hard to make sure he got it all finished before the start of term.

The twins were keeping extremely busy and had ended up partnering with Mad Eye Moody to produce various useful dark detectors and other spying devices. They had ended up creating several cases of the extendable ears along with their own versions of some of the more popular dark detectors such as a silent sneakoscope, and a tiny secrecy sensor that fits in the ear that instead of vibrating when detecting concealment and lies, it emits a very soft beep that only the wearer can hear. The twins were exhaustive in their trials of these new products and Mad Eye having used so many of these devices throughout his career became a sort of expert consultant for the boys. With his advice, comments and charm expertise Fred and George were able to make many useful improvements and the three of them could often times be found working late in the blast zone. Charlie had gone back to Romania but Bill had decided to say on in the Burrow at least until the start of term.

Hermione had received word from her parents that indeed there was a serial killer on the loose and sent her a clipping from the London Herald.

[font=Times]A New and Deadly Ripper Plagues England[/font]
[font=Times]The remains of three people were found mutilated with satanic type symbols carved into their bodies. Police believe that this is the work of a methodical serial killer or killers.
Mrs. Doreen Winifred; 53 years old was found outside her home in Coventry on the evening of August 15th around 6:00 pm. The body of a seven year old boy Marcus Falcor was found in a play park near his home just outside of Plymouth at nearly the same time also on the 15th . Three days later the morning of August19th the body of Reginald Barker; 71 years old was found in his home in Manchester by the maid. Police have determined that Mr. Barker was murdered on the same day as the other two victims.
This has left authorities in a quandary for the mutilation of the three victims was identical indicating that the same person killed each victim on the same day around the same time over an area covering a couple hundred kilometers.
Out side of the mutilation on the victims bodies no cause of death can be determined. Doctor Garret Karos chief medical examiner at Horse Ferry Road mortuary in London states “The mutilation of the bodies would certainly have been painful but; it in itself, would not have been enough to kill any of the victims including the little boy. After extensive autopsies of all three victims we can determine no actual cause of death.”
Scotland Yard can find no apparent connection between the victims and can not determine how the deaths occurred so far apart when all other indicators point to a soul perpetrator of these monstrous acts. People are warned to stay close to home and to keep a close watch over children.
The death of young Mr. Falcor has rattled the Plymouth area and parents are urged to keep children indoors until the culprit or culprits are found.
Unlike the Ripper cases of old, these victims have no apparent connection. Mrs. Winifred was a housewife, Yong Marcus was a “sweet little boy” as quoted by a neighbor and Mr. Falcor was a retired tool and die maker. None of these victims knew each other and have no apparent association to one another.
“This is obviously the work of minimally two people working together.” said Inspector John Forsythe of Scotland Yard “There is simply no other way these murders could have occurred in these locations by one man.” The case has authorities mystified and the people frightened. Any suspicious characters should be reported to the police at once. Authorities are strongly urging people to be cautious but not to panic.[/font]

Ron and Harry read the clipping white faced. “You said that each of these people had relatives in the Ministry of Magic?” Hermione asked Harry. “Yeah, the woman from Coventry was the aunt of someone named Mockridge.”
“Mockridge?” Ron interrupted “Dad knows him, he’s the goblin liaison. Dad said that he has been working closely with the goblins trying to get them together to help fight You Know Who.” Harry nodded, “Well that makes sense; the little boy was Peasgood’s nephew and he’s an obliviator with the ministry, then the elderly man was the father-in-law of someone named Bernie Matheson, and he works in the department of mysteries.”

Hermione got up and paced the room then turned and said “It is obvious that You Know Who is trying to frighten these people into either not acting against him or to work for him. Mockridge being the goblin liaison would be an ideal target for the Death Eaters, and they wouldn’t want to kill him, because he would just be replaced and they would have accomplished nothing. They want to intimidate him into doing what they want. Matheson would be able to get them all kinds of information and possibly even a weapon from the Department of Mysteries, but why do you think they targeted Peasgood? I mean as an obliviator he wipes the memories of muggles who have seen dragons or had magic displayed in front of them, that sort of thing. How could he be useful to the dark side?” Harry shook his head “I don’t know Hermione but one thing is certain…” He looked up at her and Ron “this is only the beginning.”

On the afternoon August 31st Mr. Weasley came home at lunch time from work and beckoned Mrs. Weasley to the backdoor and out onto the lawn. Everyone else was in the living room finishing up homework and getting ready for tomorrow’s train ride. Once outside and out of earshot of the others Mr. Weasley turned to his wife and said “I am going to go see Percy.” Mrs. Weasley’s eyes shot open. “Arthur, you said…”

“Molly ever since Harry got here I have been thinking about this. Percy is our son, he is a member of this family and unconditional love is well… unconditional. It is time to heal these wounds.” Molly didn’t know what to say to her husband. She had been hoping for this day to come for over a year now and tears of happiness welled up in her eyes. “What if he won’t… what if he slams the door in your face?” Arthur knew that Molly had never really gotten over Percy doing that to her last year and she wept about it still when she thought no one was around. “I’ll be asking Percy to come to dinner tonight but don’t tell the kids yet, in case something goes wrong. I’ll send you an owl to let you know how it goes.” He gave her a kiss and with a pop disappeared.

When Molly came back into the house Ginny noticed the pensive look on her mother’s face. “Mum, is everything ok?”
“Everything is fine dear” she said and went to the kitchen and started making preparations for dinner. She had intended on making a simple meal that evening but now with the prospect of her family becoming whole again she decided to make something special.

Mr. Weasley stood outside Percy’s office door for a few minutes before knocking. He was feeling considerably nervous. His anger had ebbed away over the last few months and the conversation with Harry his first night at home was still ringing in his ears. He had told Harry that he would always be a member of their family in their hearts and he could not; and would not; turn away from one of his own children.

Percy was shocked to see his father standing there when he answered his door. “Hello son. May I come in?” A speechless Percy stepped back to allow his father to enter the office. Then he quickly shut the door and pulled the blinds. It was very awkward as neither of them knew how to start. “How is the job coming along?” Mr. Weasley asked. “Quite well thank you. The Minister relies on me quite a lot.” Percy said in a voice not at all like his usually pompous tone. Arthur took a deep breath and said “Percy there are some things I want to say to you and I want you to hear me out before you say anything.” Percy sat down at his desk with a look of resignation. Arthur sat down on the edge of the desk and took a deep breath before he spoke.

“Percy the argument between us isn’t really about Albus Dumbledore or Harry Potter or who was right and who was wrong. It’s about you and me understanding each other.” Percy looked up into his father’s eyes. “I know that it was not easy growing up poor, and the more children that we had the farther the money had to stretch. Your mother and I were advised by our friends a few times to stop having children but that is not the choice that we made. We wanted to have children and we do not regret having any of you.”
“The job that I have at the Ministry does not pay very well but I love what I do. I won’t apologize to you son, or to anyone else for my choices in a career. I am happy with what I am doing and I have never seen the need to change positions even though opportunities have come up over the years for advancement.”
“Ambition is not a bad thing Percy, but if unchecked it can be disastrous. Look at Barty Crouch. His ambition robbed him of his family, his child and eventually his very life. I worry that something like that could happen to you and I couldn’t bear to see that.”
“Son there are certain constants in life; one of them is that you are my son and I will always love you. My life isn’t whole without you in it. I want to mend the rift between us…”
“I want my son back.” Arthur stood up facing Percy not really aware that he was holding his breath waiting for Percy’s reply.

“I… I…” then Percy hung his head and began to cry. “I’m so sorry dad. I miss you and mum and the family. I thought I was doing the right thing, and working with the Minister and… and….oh I am such a fool!” Mr. Weasley came around the desk and pulled his son into a hug and let him vent his emotions. After a few moments Percy broke away from his father and opened his desk drawer. He pulled out a letter that was all sealed up and handed it to his father. “I have wanted to send this to you and mum for a long time now. I wrote this after the fiasco in June with ‘You Know Who’…
…with Voldemort.”
“Don’t read it now; wait until you are with mum it is for her too.” Percy sniffled and straightened up trying to look dignified after crying like a baby to his father. Mr. Weasley took the letter and pocketed it. “Will you come to dinner this evening?” Percy looked up disbelieving, he had wanted to hear words like these for so long that he was unsure whether or not he could believe them. He had completely turned his back on his family and more importantly his own father. Percy was almost afraid to believe that his father was forgiving him.
“I will come.”

“Good. By the way; Harry is staying with us now. He has had a pretty rough time of it this summer but he is alright now that he is away from his Aunt and Uncle.” Percy’s face grew red. He remembered all too clearly how he had turned against Harry and counseled his brother Ron to abandon his friendship with him. “I heard that he was hurt by his family, the muggles he lives with, and was at St. Mungos.” Mr. Weasley sighed and said “Harry was suffering from sever neglect and depression during his time there. Then his cousin beat him up badly on his birthday and left him out on the street. Hedwig saw what was happening and drove Dudley off then she came to us. Mundungus Fletcher and I found him, in an alley three blocks from his house.” Percy stared in shock. “Why did his cousin do this? Why didn’t his Aunt and Uncle go looking for him?”

“I do not know how anyone can be as cruel and uncaring as these people are. His cousin was drunk at the time, but he has been beating up Harry their whole lives. Dudley is not a small boy and Harry was no match for him. When I found him that night… Percy he was so small and so hurt I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It has been a long hard struggle for him but he is recovering now that he is around people who care about him.”

There was a moment of silence between father and son. Arthur was very glad that Percy hadn’t slammed the door in his face when he came to see him. Somehow all of the angry words no longer seemed to matter to him. “Look Percy, everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes we say things that we wish we could take back but none of that is important any more.” Arthur took his son’s shoulders “You are my son, my family, my life.” He gave Percy’s shoulder a squeeze. “I have to go now but I will see you tonight?” Percy just nodded not trusting himself as the emotions welled up inside of him again.

Mr. Weasley turned and left the office shutting the door quietly behind him. Percy was shaking slightly and sat down. He had felt ashamed and remorseful after Voldemort showed up at the Ministry itself in June. He had rallied against Dumbledore and Harry Potter along with the Minister of Magic and had turned on his father and moved out of the house. The estrangement between his father and him seemed irreversible and when Percy found out that Dumbledore and his father were right all along and that Harry wasn’t some attention seeking liar he felt horrible.

Percy continued to work for the Minister of Magic but was much less vocal. He did what he was told to do and until the day after Malfoy escaped from Azkaban, he never volunteered any kind of opinion. This would normally have been considered very odd behavior indeed from Percy but he had lost all confidence in himself when Voldemort’s return became widely known. He vowed to himself that he would make up for his behavior; he would prove to his family and himself that he wasn’t an abysmal failure.

When Arthur left Percy’s office he headed straight for Diagon Alley and Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. He told Fred and George to be sure they were at the house by five o’clock and they promised to be there. After their father left George looked at Fred and said “What’s that all about?” Fred shrugged “Dunno but dad looked sort of … er, not excited really but… something is up anyway.”

Mrs. Weasley had made stuffed hens, roasted potatoes, new peas and biscuits for dinner. Mr. Weasley came home as soon as he could to talk to the family about his visit with Percy. A few minutes after five, he called the whole family into the living room. Once everyone was seated he pulled a parchment out of his pocket and addressed his gathered family. “I went to see Percy today and asked him to join us for dinner tonight.”

There was a stunned silence that followed this statement. None of them thought that the rift between Percy and his father could be repaired as some very horrible words had been exchanged between the two of them and Mr. Weasley refused to even speak Percy’s name let alone talk of reconciliation.

Mr. Weasley looked at Harry before he continued. “We are a family, all of us here, and Percy is a member of this family. Harry you actually helped me to see that clearly.” Harry sat back stunned. “This is a letter that Percy wrote but had not worked up the nerve to send yet. Now while this letter is addressed to your mother and me, I think you should all hear it before Percy gets here.” Mr. Weasley unrolled the parchment and read:

Dear Mother and Father,
I have no excuse for my behavior over the last year. After my abysmal failure with Mr. Crouch, to his end, I was lost. When an opportunity to work for the Minister himself came up, I allowed my ambition to blind me to the truth of You Know Who Voldemort’s return; to the detriment of the entire wizarding world, but more importantly, for ambition’s sake I turned my back on the most important thing in my life;

my family;
my father.

For that I am truly ashamed.
Mother, I know how much pain I have caused you and I can only say that I am truly sorry. I will continue to work for the Minister and seek absolution through deeds and work that will lead to the end of the Dark Lord’s return to power.
I hope someday that you can forgive me.
Your son
Percy

Mr. Weasley rolled up the parchment and slipped it back into his pocket. “Percy will be here in a bit and I am hoping that his family can give him a warm reception. Now is the time to put aside grievances and recriminations, now is our time to heal.”
Complete silence followed this as everyone was trying to absorb the stunning change in Mr. Weasley’s attitude toward Percy. George was the first to speak in a jaunty voice. “Well then, what’s for dinner mum?” and everyone laughed. “Would all of you boys please get the tables put up outside and get them set. Hermione and Ginny I need you two out in the kitchen.”

Mrs. Weasley started barking out orders and everything seemed perfect in the world for a while. Percy arrived at precisely six o’clock and received a very warm welcome from everyone. At heart they all loved each other and Percy felt very badly about his actions. When he saw Harry he walked right up to him standing stiffly, said “I would like to apologize to you Harry. I don’t know if Ron ever told you this but I wrote him a letter advising him to stop being your friend. I am quite glad he chose to ignore that counsel.” Then he shook Harry’s hand rather formally as though he were bestowing some ceremonial honor oh Harry who stood straight faced trying not to smirk. “Er, well thanks Percy.”

Harry doubted for a second that Ron would scoff at such advice and indeed he did more than scoff, Ron was quite angry about it and thought that Ron deserved the apology more than he did. Percy found it hard to keep up his formal act for long around his brothers. They poked fun at him until he relented and laughed then he began to relax a little. Harry felt wonderful watching this family reunite just like that, after such a long and angry hurt. He felt incredibly grateful to be able to be with a family like this when he suddenly realized something. When he had accidentally apparated he told Professor Dumbledore that he just wanted to go home and this is where he ended up. This thought spread a warm feeling through his whole body almost as though he was holding the saxulmens. He looked around at the yard, the house, the fields, and the people laughing and eating a wonderful meal together. ‘I am home’ Harry thought and started in on the chicken and potatoes Mrs. Weasley had piled high on his plate.

The sun was setting and everyone was still sitting at the table drinking tea and eating cookies that Mrs. Weasley had baked that afternoon. No one seemed to want this evening to end in case it was all just a dream and would fade with morning’s first light.

“Dad, Everyone, I would like to suggest that we don’t let on that we are speaking again.” Percy said rather suddenly. His tone which had been light most of the evening had turned nervous and almost conspiratorial. “What!” cried Mrs. Weasley “Why on earth not?” Percy looked at both her and his father then said “The Minister of Magic held much against Professor Dumbledore and those associated with him.” Percy gave his parents an apologetic look but continued “Ever since our falling out, he has spoken more freely around me than I think he normally would have. I just think that with the fact that Voldemort has returned, and Malfoy escaping from Azkaban it would be… er better to let him think that nothing has changed.”

Mr. Weasley looked at his son and nodded. “You have a good point son. I agree that our reunion should not be discussed outside of the family at least for now.” Mrs. Weasley shook her head resignedly “I suppose you are right, but I don’t have to like it.” She looked up at the slowly darkening sky and saw storm clouds moving in and said “Well, we had better get all of this cleaned up before those weather comes in.”

Mrs. Weasley packed Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny off to bed. “Make sure you are completely packed and ready to go for tomorrow morning.”
“Right mum.” Ron called down the stairs as they climbed to the top. Ginny and Hermione had finished their packing and were in pajamas when they knocked on Ron’s door. Ron was nearly finished but Harry still had stuff strewn all over. He was sitting on the end of his cot stroking Hedwig’s feathers while Ron packed and they discussed Percy and the sudden reunion between father and son. “I still don’t believe it. I mean Percy was acting humble! Percy and humble are not two words I’da’ ever thought you could use in a sentence together. I’m actually kind of proud of him.” Ron was saying as he closed up his trunk. Hermione sat down on Ron’s bed while Ginny started folding Harry’s clothes and tossing them in his trunk. “You should be proud of Percy. It takes a lot of integrity to admit being wrong and then try to make up for it.” Hermione said.

Harry noticed what Ginny was doing and said “Ginny, I can do that.” He got up suddenly making Hedwig fall off of his knee, where she had been perched, with an angry hoot. “Sorry Hedwig.” he said to her as she hopped up to her cage. She glared at him for a moment then settled her self down on her perch. Harry grabbed up his clothes and books and threw them in a heap inside his trunk and kicked the lid closed. He sat down on his cot feeling a little embarrassed and a bit on edge. They all noticed his mood swing. “What’s up Harry?” Ron asked in a tone that meant spill it or I won’t leave you alone until you do.

Harry shrugged. “I don’t really know. I have a bad feeling about school this year.” He looked around at his friends then plunged on “Maybe it’s everything that has happened this summer, with Dudley, the occlumency training, the flying problem… It’s just that for the first time since I found out about being a wizard I’m not really looking forward to going back to Hogwarts. It’s not that I don’t want to go to school, I just have this feeling that it’s not going to be a very good year.”

Ginny who was sitting on Harry’s cot next to him said “When has it ever been good to go back to school after summer holiday Harry.” Then she winked and said “You have us, and you know how much misery loves company.” Ron stepped over to Harry and clapped him on the shoulder “Yeah mate, what ever happens this year you’d better not let Trelawney here you talking like that.” Harry smiled at his friends. “Thanks guys. Look we had better get to bed before we get in trouble.” He got up and the girls left for Ginny’s room.

As Harry and Ron pulled on their pajamas Ron turned to him and asked “Are you worried about anything else Harry?” Harry climbed into bed but sat up propped on the pillow. “It’s not something I can describe Ron. There always seems to be some part of me that feels unsure of myself. I have worked so hard with Professor Dumbledore but Voldemort can still get to me if I feel something too strongly. I feel like I have to be sort of… er flat so he can’t sense any emotion from me.” Ron sighed for there really wasn’t anything he could do to help hid friend. “Harry you are doing very well, I heard Professor Dumbledore say that to mum, and occlumency is not an easy thing to learn. Keep your chin up mate school will be fine and just think no more potions with Snape.” Harry lay down and stared up at the ceiling. “I know you’re right Ron...
...Well good night then.” Ron wondered about Harry’s sudden case of nerves but thought it better not to talk more about it so he said good night to Harry and turned out the light.

[Alice I]

Chapter Six - Part 2
The Hogwarts Express

Mrs. Weasley got everyone up by six am the next morning. Even though everyone was packed many years experience had told her to get things started early especially when you have so many people going to the platform all at once. The morning progressed in a sort of ordered cacophony. Mrs. Weasley was in her element and called out orders like a drill sergeant interspersed with loving comments to all of her children. They had called for muggle taxis to drive them to the train station and they had made it to Platform 9 ¾ with nearly twenty minutes to spare.

After going through the barrier in pairs Mrs. Weasley pulled Harry aside and said “You will be alright won’t you dear?” She looked concerned but not overly so. “I’ll be fine; I’ve got Ron, Hermione and Ginny.” Harry looked into her eyes and lowered his voice “Where ever my mum is, I know that she is happy that I have you.” Harry looked down at his feet then back up to Mrs. Weasley “and so am I.” Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a tight hug and blinked away tears. She stepped back and started rooting around in her bag for the sandwiches that she had made for everyone for the trip. After kissing all of her children at least twice Mrs. Weasley stood back to wave to her then boarding the shiny red steam engine bearing the Hogwarts crest.

As the train rounded the bend and out of sight Harry and the others closed the window and sat back in their seats. They had managed to get a car halfway down the train to themselves. After a few minutes the door to their compartment slid open and Neville Longbottom, a very forgetful boy also in his 6th year, stood in the threshold looking rather upset. “Hello Neville” Ginny said “What’s wrong?”
“Hi… erm, everywhere else if full, can I come in with you?” Harry and Ginny moved over so that Neville could haul his trunk and himself into the compartment and the boys got Neville’s trunk stowed for him on the rack above the seats. With Neville, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry all in the compartment it was a little cramped. “Don’t worry Neville, Ron and I will have to go up front in a bit and there will be plenty of room to stretch out.” Hermione said misreading Neville’s furtive looks around. “It’s not that Hermione; it’s Trevor he’s gone.”

Trevor was Neville’s toad. The first time Harry had ever taken the Hogwarts Express he remembered Neville was frantically searching the train for his pet toad. He always seemed to loose him or something else at the beginning of term. “Cheer up Neville, we’ll find him.” Ron said but Neville didn’t cheer up. Rather he hung his head and sighed. “I haven’t lost him like that. He died over the summer. It was an accident, my uncle was given a car by a muggle friend of his and he ran Trevor over with it.” Ginny and Hermione gasped and Ron and Harry winced at the thought of Trevor squashed all over the road. “Oh Neville, I am so sorry” Ginny said coming over to sit next to Neville who kept glancing awkwardly around at Harry. “Gran said that if I could pull my grades up in Potions I could get something else like a cat or an owl, but it’s no use, I’ll never get a good grade in Potions so long as Professor Snape is teaching.”

Harry understood Neville’s concern over Potions lessons for it was easily his worst subject and Professor Snape was almost as dreadful to poor old Neville as he was to Harry. Snape was ridiculously unfair toward him and Neville and favored students from his own house, Slytherin, which he was the head of.

Then something occurred to Harry “Neville, you are taking Potions this year?” Neville looked nervously up at Harry and said “Yeah, I have to. Gran wants me to go onto Auror training.” Harry frowned and said “So you got an O in your Potions O.W.L.? Professor McGonagall told me Snape only takes students who get an O in their O.W.L. year.” Neville smiled weakly. “Well that has all changed with You Know Who coming back.” Neville seemed even more nervous now but continued “Professor Marchbanks was over and talking to Gran about it. The big reason that the grades came out so late is that Professor Dumbledore talked with all of the teachers and he is making them take any student who got a passing grade in their O.W.L.s into their N.E.W.T. level training because we need more Aurors and he wants as many people trained as are willing to, even if they don’t have perfect grades.”

Harry felt his heart skip a beat. “Are you sure about this Neville? Why didn’t they attach notes to the grades?” Neville shrugged “Dunno, maybe it is because there were so many who didn’t get perfect scores.” Neville kept casting nervous looks at Harry until Harry said “What’s up Neville?” Neville said in a low voice “I was just wondering how you were doing, I mean after what happened, loosing Sirius and the prophecy?” Neville hung his head “I feel awful about breaking it Harry; because it’s gone now forever and you will never know what it said. It’s all my fault; then with what happened to Sirius, I guess I just figured you might not really want me around much.” Harry looked at Neville and understood why he kept looking so nervous around him and made a decision “Neville I am not upset with you about that prophecy. It isn’t gone forever; I heard it in June…
…the whole thing.”

Everyone looked at Harry stunned. “Professor Trelawney is the one who made that prediction. It was infront of Professor Dumbledore. He told me the whole thing, well actually he took the memory from his pensive and it played out, just like the orb did when you broke it Neville.” Harry paused for a moment while the others waited with bated breath. They were all very interested in what the prophecy actually was and why Voldemort was so anxious to get his hands on it.

“It said that the one with the power to defeat… no wait, to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… something like born to those who have defied him three times, born as the seventh month dies.” Neville looked up sharply but waited for Harry to continue. “It said that the Dark Lord will mark him as an equal.” and Harry pointed to his scar. “It said that he will have a power that the Dark Lord doesn’t know… then well then it says that either I have to kill him or be killed by him because we can’t both live.” Ginny and Hermione gasped and Ron looked white faced at Harry “Blimey mate are you sure?” Harry didn’t seem to hear Ron and was looking directly at Neville “Then it repeated that the one with the power to vanquish him will be born as the seventh month dies. Professor Dumbledore said that because Voldemort gave me this scar that the prophecy was about me and not you. I’m not mad at you Neville, and I don’t blame you for anything...
...I kinda wish I was you.”

Neville was staring at Harry with an unreadable expression on his face. Neville took a deep breath “What if he got it wrong Harry? What if the prophecy was not about you?” Harry shook his head “I asked the same question but Professor Dumbledore said that because Voldemort chose me, a half blood wizard rather than you a pure blood wizard that it sort of sealed the thing. By doing that he made the prophecy about me.”

Harry sighed and said “I don’t really want to talk about this any more, let’s play some exploding snap ok?” Neville played with Ron and Harry while Ginny and Hermione read, but the atmosphere in the compartment was strained as Harry tried not to notice that his friends were steeling sideways glances at him. He understood their shock at what he had told them, his stomach still tightened into a knot every time he thought about that prophecy.

When the witch with the food cart rolled down the corridor, Harry bought a huge stack of cauldron cakes and sweets for everyone. The sandwiches that Mrs. Weasley had made were left forgotten in the far corner of the seat as everyone plowed through the sweets Harry had purchased. The door to the compartment slid open again and the three people outside of Professor Snape that Harry detested the most stood in the doorway.

Draco Malfoy flanked, as ever, by Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle his two thuggish sidekicks. They had grown even larger over the summer and were clenching and unclenching their fists as if ready to fight at Malfoy’s whim. Goyle kept moving his right fist up and into view as if to make it clear that he had no problem with a little brawl before start of term. He was wearing a shiny silver ring in the form of a snake that encircled his finger eating its own tail. It was revolting and made an impression on Harry and the others. “Time is short for your mudblood and blood traitor friends Potter. Did you hear about the stupid muggles that got the dark mark etched into their backs? You will be next Granger, or maybe your parents.” Hermione gasped and the color drained from her face. “Shut it you filthy…” Ron shouted red faced as he advanced on Malfoy, but Goyle moved forward and gripped Ron by the collar and pushed him back into the seat. Harry, Neville, Ginny and Hermione had drawn their wands and were pointing them at the threesome. Goyle stopped his advance on Ron who was drawing out his own wand now. He evidently remembered the last time Harry and his friends had drawn wands on them. Harry angry about Malfoy’s threat to Hermione said “You’re wrong Malfoy and when Voldemort is defeated I will be very happy to see the look on your face from behind bars at Azkaban.”

“Ha! Azkaban couldn’t hold my father, it will never hold me. I told you that he would get out and it is only a matter of time before all of the loyal supporters of the Dark Lord are set free to do his bidding.” Malfoy smiled wickedly and looked Harry over. “So how was your summer Potter? You look a bit thin, been staying with the Weasley’s have you?” Crabbe and Goyle snickered at this while Ron’s face grew even redder with anger. “Get out Malfoy unless you want to arrive at school with tentacles coming out of your ears.” It was Neville who spoke in a strong and quite forceful voice. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked over at him in surprise. “You heard him Malfoy, push off!” Harry called in a deadly tone. Malfoy smirked but backed into the corridor all the same. “I’d watch my back if I were you Potter… really.” He said as they turned toward the back of the train.

Harry stepped over and slid the compartment door closed. “I’ll bet he was involved with his father’s escape.” Harry said bitterly. “Boy would I love to be able to prove that and watch him thrown into Azkaban!” Neville said with so much venom that everyone looked sharply at him. “Well he will get his comeuppance, you’ll see.” said Hermione in a shaky voice. She was still pale as Malfoy’s comments had clearly frightened her. “Don’t worry Hermione,” Harry said “he was just trying to get to you. Hurting your folks won’t accomplish anything; you know that.” Hermione tried to smile but it was wholly unconvincing. She looked down at her watch then tugged on Ron’s sleeve. “We’d better get going Ron.” Ron looking concerned for her nodded then they both slipped out of the compartment.

“What are you all talking about?” Ginny demanded as soon as Ron and Hermione had left. Harry realized that Ginny didn’t know about the conversation that he had over heard and the clipping that Hermione’s parents had sent her. Harry sat down with Ginny and Neville and told them everything that they knew. “I guess the mutilation that the muggle newspaper mentioned was the dark mark.”

Just as Harry said this the door slid open and Luna Lovegood stood in the doorway facing them with a dreamy look on her face. “Oh sorry, I was walking down the corridor and couldn’t help but hear what you were saying about the muggle killings.” She said. No one spoke so she stepped inside the compartment and slid the door closed “The door was slightly ajar as I was passing you see.” Then she pulled out a copy of the quibbler opened to the middle and handed it to Harry. “My father does not usually get too involved with muggle news but as all three of the muggles killed have relatives on the Dark Lord’s hit list he ran and article detailing why the muggles relatives of all Ministry wizards and witches should be very concerned.”

The article talked about all of the faithful Death Eaters still on the loose, many of those names were given by Harry in his interview with Rita Skeeter last year. The article detailed graphically the way the Dark Mark was cut into the bodies of the victims and listed the Ministry of Magic employee’s related to the victims. “Luna isn’t your father concerned that he is publishing information that will make it easier for Voldemort’s Death Eaters to harm people? I mean; maybe these people don’t want the wizarding community to know about their muggle relatives.” Harry was looking irritated at Luna for her composure in the light of what he considered very irresponsible reporting.

Luna smiled slightly and said “The Daily Prophet will not release any information about these muggle deaths even though it is clearly the work of one or more Death Eaters. The Quibbler is trying to force the Profit into reporting responsibly. My father is concerned that the Ministry will ignore these deaths and not investigate their correlation to the rise of the Dark Lord. If writing an article about something that the wizarding community does not know but the dark side does then there has been no harm done at all. Rather the eyes of the wizarding world will be opened to the misuse of authority in the Ministry itself.” Harry handed the article back to Luna and said “I still don’t think your father should have printed this Luna. What you and your father don’t know is that these murders are not being ignored and your father’s article may make it harder for the right people to get the answers that they need.” Luna raised an eyebrow at Harry but said nothing.

Neville looked up at Harry and said “What do you suppose Malfoy meant just then, you know when he told you to watch your back?” “He’s just trying to start trouble Neville.” Ginny said soothingly but she had doubts about that. She felt sure that Malfoy either knew something or had something planned for Harry. His comment left her uneasy as well as Neville. “Draco Malfoy told you to watch your back Harry?” Luna asked with mild curiosity. Harry shrugged and said Malfoy has been coming into what ever compartment I am in and starting trouble ever since I started school here. It is just his way of saying hello” Harry said looking straight at Luna. “Now if you don’t mind, Neville and I were just about to play a game of exploding snap. Luna looked completely nonplussed “Oh I don’t mind at all.” And she sat back and opened the quibbler and began to read.

The rest of the train ride to Hogsmead station passed without incident and both Neville and Ginny relaxed a little. Ron and Hermione had come back to their compartment ten minutes before they arrived at the station. The weather was crisp and cool but no clouds obscured the brightly shining moon as they stepped out onto the platform. Harry instinctively looked toward the front of the train looking for Hagrid and he was there as usual towering over everyone calling “Firs yers this way. All firs yers come this way.” He looked up and waved “All right you three?” Harry, Ron and Hermione smiled and waved then they turned and headed for the carriages that took all of the other students to the castle.

Colin and Dennis Creevey came bounding over to Harry and Ron “Hello Harry” Colin called breathlessly. “Hello Colin.” Harry called back and tried to get quickly onto the carriage so that Colin couldn’t drag him into an endless triad of his summer vacation but the Creevey brothers were too quick for him. “Harry, guess what, we have another brother starting today! I can’t wait to see what house he is put in.” “That’s nice Colin.” was all Harry could think of to say. “Maybe not.” came the muted reply from Dennis.

Dennis and Colin were both very small and Harry had rarely heard Dennis address him so he stopped and turned to the small brothers standing there. “What do you mean Dennis?” Dennis blushed furiously at being addressed by the great Harry Potter but said “It’s just… well we didn’t think he would turn out to be magical too. He is a bit of a… well he is a good chap but… you see Stewart can be wee bit of a problem sometimes.” he finished lamely. “Dennis, you know we are supposed to look out for him, and telling Harry that he is a wee bit of a problem is not looking out for him is it?” Colin scolded his younger brother, but Harry and Ron could both see that Colin never-the-less agreed with his brother’s statement. That was the most forceful thing that Harry, Ron or Hermione had ever heard Colin utter. He and his brother Dennis were usually very excitable and cheery. They never spoke ill of anyone at least not that they had ever heard so it was quite surprising to hear Colin and Dennis speak this way about their own brother. Hermione spoke up, “Look it’s time to go, Dennis and Colin you’d better get yourselves to a carriage. Look they are already starting out toward the castle. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny stepped onto the carriage in front of them as the thestral pulling it began to slowly move up the road to the castle. Neville had climbed onto the carriage behind them with the Creevey brothers.

“I wonder why Colin and Dennis said those things about their brother. I never would have expected it from them of all people.” Harry mused. “Well this Stewart shouldn’t be too hard to spot, just look for the smallest and most excited kid in the lot and it should be him.” Ron said jokingly. Ron could not have been more mistaken as they found out at the sorting ceremony.

They all entered the Great Hall with its four long house tables set with golden plates and goblets. Ron was starving and couldn’t wait to begin the feast. Harry looked up at the staff table and saw Professor Dumbledore sitting at the center. He winked at Harry when he caught his eye. Harry smiled back then continued looking down the table. Harry’s eyes flew open when he saw Tonks sitting in the seat where the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would sit and he elbowed Ron and pointed. Tonks was dressed in bright orange robes and her hair was long sleek and pitch black pulled up into a bun on the top of her head with a long wavy plait hanging from the bun. “Wow, this is going to be an interesting year.” Ron didn’t need to nudge Hermione as she was already looking at Tonks with surprise on her face. Hagrid’s seat was empty of course as he was bringing the first years across the lake in boats. Professor McGonagall was also not present as she would be leading the terrified first years into the Great Hall to begin the sorting ceremony.

Filtch the care taker had brought out a short stool and an old tattered hat and placed them at the front of the hall in front of the teacher’s table as a long line of frightened looking first years were lead into the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall. They all looked so small to Harry now, all except one boy who had the face of someone very young but he was easily as large as Goyle; tall and muscular. He towered over the other first years and looked excited rather than scared of the unknown test that would determine which house each new student would belong to. Silence fell over the hall as the tattered old hat on the stool moved. A rip at the base of the hat opened like a mouth and the sorting hat began to sing.

All new faces come to me and sit down right here
Put me on your head and I’ll whisper in your ear
The house that you belong to will very soon be shown
For you are about to be sorted to the place that is your own

You might be bold and brave and belong to Gryffindor
Perhaps you be sly and shrewd for Slytherins always want more
Or is your mind sharp and keen best suiting you to Ravenclaw
Or true and faithful, never swaying then Hufflepuff you must draw

For a thousand years or more I have sorted you
Into the houses set up by our founders brave and true
Look now to your neighbors for you must not feel divided
They are your brothers and sisters and you must stand united

The nameless one comes in our midst and tries to break us apart
We must be true to each other and feel it in our hearts.
For if we bicker and divide, our ties of friendship forsaking
Then death may come to our hallowed halls on wings of our own making

So put me on your head and I’ll tell you where to turn
But forget not from whence you came least you can’t return
Stand true and valiant beside each other and we may yet win
The battle fated to be laid before us, Let the sorting now begin.

The applause that usually followed the sorting hat’s song was somewhat muted. Its song seemed to leave many of the students a little edgy. The sorting began with Professor McGonagall calling “Abernathy, Angela.” A small girl with long brown hair walked up to the stool where the hat stood and with shaking hands placed it on her head. After only a moment the hat cried out “HUFFLEPUFF!” and Angela stepped down to join the Hufflepuff table.

Harry looked across the Great Hall to the Slytherin table and Malfoy. He was staring at Harry with an evil grin on his face and when Harry looked at him he nudged Goyle who also looked at Harry with an evil smirk. Harry knew that they were trying to intimidate him and he stared right back at them hoping that the uneasy feeling he had in his stomach didn’t show on his face.

When Professor McGonagall called out “Creevey, Stewart” Harry’s attention was drawn back to the sorting ceremony. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were very surprised to see the very large boy with the excited face step forward. “He can’t be a Creevey!” said Ron aghast. The sorting hat cried out “GRYFFINDOR!” and Stewart shot down to the Gryffindor table as excitable as both Colin and Dennis had been. “He may not look much like Dennis and Colin but he acts the same.” Harry mumbled to Ron. “Dingle, Sally” “GRYFFINDOR!” Once the sorting had finished silence fell again on the Great Hall as Professor Dumbledore stood.

“Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I would like to announce that we will have three new Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers.” There was a mad buzzing that followed this statement. “May I introduce Professor Nymphadora Tonks” he said indicating Tonks sitting beside him. “Professor Tonks will begin your year and will rotate this duty with Professor’s Moody and Lupin. All of these teachers will be able to bring their unique talents and skills to you and I do believe it promises to be a very interesting year. Anyone who had thought of continuing Potions, Transfiguration and Charms into N.E.W.T. level please see your head of house as there have been some changes made in acceptable entrance grades for these level courses.”

Harry Ron and Hermione noticed a dark and sour look on Professor Snape’s features. He clearly was not impressed by being told that he had to teach students with less than perfect scores in O.W.L. level Potions.
“I must also remind all you that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students and Mr. Filtch, our caretaker, has posted a new and complete list of forbidden items on his office door for your perusal. Now without further ado let us tuck in!” and he sat down.

The golden plates filled with mounds of wonderful food and they began immediately to eat with relish. Harry wasn’t feeling very hungry as an uneasy feeling had settled somewhere down in the pit of his stomach. He was only picking at his food when Ron nudged him. “What’s up Harry?” Harry realized immediately that Ron was worried about him not eating. “Oh nothing, I’m just not very hungry right now.” This seemed like a terrible lie as Harry stomach growled loudly at that precise moment. Harry remembered Malfoy’s comment about him looking thin and speared a potato and stuffed it in his mouth.

Ron could see that Harry was upset about something and decided not to push. After the feast Harry was looking forward to getting up to the dormitory and climbing into bed. He had actually eaten a fair amount of food. He just had to keep looking at Malfoy to make himself eat. The sorting hat’s song was still ringing in his head and it left him feeling even more uneasy. The ‘bad’ feeling that he had about this year was still with him and the hat’s song only intensified that feeling.

Ron and Hermione had called the first years over to them and were leading the way up the marble staircase toward Gryffindor Tower when Professor McGonagall caught up with them. “Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, please kindly talk to the rest of the sixth year students to find out who needs to speak with me about Potions, Transfiguration and Charms this year. If they are interested in taking these courses it is being allowed only for students interested in pursuing Auror Training after they leave Hogwarts. Make a list for me tonight so that I can adjust the schedules accordingly.”
“Yes ma’am” Ron and Hermione said. “Blimey, do you reckon it’s because of…”
“Ron! We will discuss this later.” Hermione said with a pointed look at the first years crowded around. When Harry entered their old dormitory with it’s five four posters he felt good for the first time that evening. He quickly changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed and was fast asleep by the time any of his dorm mates had come up.

[Alice I]

Sounds interesting...and mysterious....hmmm...I'm still waiting, is anyone else except me???

I don't know because no one else is writing any comments.

But I'll keep posting for you honey

Anyone else reading
(and there must be one or two as this topic has like 170 views)
Post your comments please

OK here is Chapter Seven and it is only 69kb so I can post it as a whole. Yea!