Title: Safe and Sound

Parings: Harry x Rabastan

Warnings: violence, mature themes, language, slash (main), hetero and femslash

Summary: post OofP AU. After Ron died at the Battle of the Ministry of Magic in 1996, Harry is once again left behind at Private Drive and at first it seems like nothing has changed. But when new fractions and organisations appear, opposing both the Order and Voldemort, the lines between friend and enemy becomes less clear. When allies turn on ally and the man that once was the enemy becomes a friend the world is truly upside down. Will Harry find his path through the labyrinth of chaos and manipulations or fall? In midst of it all a meeting by chance leads to a whole new perspective and perhaps something more.

English is not my first language, sorry for any mistakes. If you find any please be considerate and PM me so I can improve the story. Thanks.


Prologue: Farewell

Harry Potter looked into the mirror, slowly going through the last days in his mind. The mere thought of those events were painful, yet he felt that he owed it to his first friend. The realisation that he had lost someone that important, especially under his watch was heartbreaking. During the battle at the Department of Mysteries something horrible beyond belief, his best friend had died at the end of a Death Eaters wand. In a few hours Ron Weasley would rest in the cold ground, no longer a part of this world, nothing but a memory.

Nothing could be done to change what had happened, the time turners were no more than golden dust and a vain dream. Harry thought that he ought to have done something! Sirius had not been in danger to begin with, so it had all been in vain. He looked away in shame hating that he was still safe and sound, well at least alive. The entire Weasley family had all rights to hate him under these circumstances, while Harry had advised his friends against following him he had not forbidden them. If he had then Ron would have been alive. Sirius was well and the Ministry had finally realised that Voldemort was back, but the world was truly darker than it had been. The war could no longer be denied.

The young man left the gloomy sanctuary he had built for himself inside of Hogwarts thick wall. The sunshine greeting him felt out of place, as did the flowers blooming on the ground. This should not have been as on a summers day, but on an autumn eve surrounded by orange and red.

"Harry"

She said his name, nothing more and yet it seemed like something broke inside of him. In the presence of his friends and the Weasley's he might had been able to show weakness once upon a time, but not now. Was he truly like Voldemort refusing to acknowledge his emotions? Killing all that wasn't fury or shame, both that would keep him alive through the war and avenge his friend.

"You are nothing like him." her voice was soft and seemed to carry no hint of reproach. Luna Lovegood had been a surprisingly good friend and ally, over exceeding all expectations he had when he first meet the young woman. The always present mist that clouded her silver grey eyes seemed to have lost some of its light. It was at times like this that he wondered if she truly was a true Seer.

"Thanks Luna" she replied by simply taking his hand and quietly sharing both her sadness and strength with him. The funeral was about to begin.

-.-.-.-

Standing in front of so many that depended on him was terrifying, Harry had never been a great orator and the sense of his failure was already overwhelming. A quick, but forced smile from Sirius in the audience told him that he wasn't alone in feeling responsible for Ronald's death. There was something in it that comforted him though, Harry wasn't completely, The twins had neither smiles or trick up their sleeves and Ginny looked like she hadn't slept in days and yet she looked health compared to her parents. The guilt in his heart drained all his energy, but this was something he had to do. Ron deserved it.

A deep breath. "I am honoured to be able to talk here today..." another deep breath. "Ron was my closest and first friend. He introduced me to the wizarding world with all its splendour and failures. In the years I have known him he has showed true courage and friendship beyond any necessity or expectation." A traitorous voice in Harry's head whispered what about the Tournament last year, when he abandoned you without a second thought, all based on petty jealousy. The memory still hurt and he attempted to shove it back into the darkest space in his mind.

"He followed me into danger with me more than once and given me so much. Knowing that it won't bring my friend back and in no way ease the pain we all feel, I have been asked to present the decision to award Ron Weasley with the International Wizarding Order of Merit, due to his heroic actions during the Battle of the Ministry. I wish to thank my friend for all he has done and ask you all to remember that he died a hero."

The expressions on Mr and Mrs Weasley's faces as he wrapped up his speech would haunt Harry in the years to come. The entire clan naturally wished that their son was ordinary but alive, rather than a dead hero.

Passing Ron's coffin he laid a single flower on it, whispering a few words so personal and full of grief that they shouldn't be repeated. Only a mourning soul would understand the pain in his heart at that moment, and it was all his fault. Sitting down at the row were the DA members, sans the Weasley's, were seated the remains of the funeral passed in a blur. He remembered that he had embraced Ron's family, but spent most of his time with Sirius, Hermione and Luna. Both Hermione and Harry felt responsible for what happened to some degree, deep in his heart he feared that without Ron the remains of the Golden Trio would drift apart.

Towards the end Ginny had joined them seemingly unable to be with her family. The future promised little laughter, happiness and hope.

Dumbledore had few words to share and hence Harry was sent back to Private Drive four once more that summer.

-.-.-.-

Alone once again. Is it truly possible to be so alone when surrounded with others? The Dursely's was is possible worse than ever and he found little comfort in the events around him. Harry's trunk had been confiscated when he first arrived, but thanks to a brilliant spell given to him by Hermione his wands and some books where still in his possession. With the war and after the fiasco with his trial last year Harry doubted that the Ministry would dare to interfere with his actions to much. In any case he decided to lay low.

The summer wasn't as warm as last year, but he had decided to retreat to secluded spot in the shadows not to far from the house. He had his wand with him at all times, one never knew if some of the Death Eaters or Dudley would show up. After the Dementor's unexpected attack last year Harry would not be overwhelmed.

There was a mild breeze and the soft beauty of his surroundings felt so out of place. After the return and rise of Voldemort the world had felt black, like all the colour in Harry's world had disappeared. Here he was in the middle of a war, laying in a park, avoiding his cousin and writing letters to his friends like nothing had ever happened.

The moment he had sat foot at Private Drive Hedwig had been locked inside her cage, but being friends with a certain house elf called Dobby had its perks. Harry had been able to correspond with Sirius and some DA members, while Dobby's collection of socks had grown considerably. He read his letter to once more.

Dear Luna

How is the summer holiday treating you so far? I hope your travels are safe and enlightening.

My relatives are the same as always, hating magic and the mere hint of it. I am lucky I have Dobby to help me and Hedwig to keep me company, The isolation gives one time to think things though. My mind has set the battle on repeat, I see al the different choices I could have made and many possible outcomes. After your mother passed away, did you feel this empty? I truly don't mean to force you to relive those memories, it is just that while I always longed for my parents, I couldn't mourn them- just the idea of them. Ron is something else entirely...

Other than that I have read what books I have access to, made my summer homework like a dutiful student, partly since it keeps me distracted. Hermione would be proud of what I have managed to achieve so far. I have not yet started on the book on magical theory, but it does sound interesting. I have an idea, since you (and Ginny?) are reading the same book could we not discuss it chapter after chapter and give our opinions? I sound like Hermione now, am I slowly losing my mind? Anyway what do you think?

I have not more to say yet, except that I am still trying to persuade Sirius to coerce Dumbledore to let me stay at Grimauld Place 12. My only comfort is that I know that Sirius agrees with me, but I really miss him.

Your friend,

Harry.

P.S Send my greetings to your father.

Who could have known that Luna and he would become so close friends, under the year he had heard that he did not only belong to Dumbledore's Golden Trio, but the Loony Duo. At times the students at Hogwarts had extended the duo to a trio, including Ginny for a reason he could not really understand. The small voice inside inside his head pointed out that he spent more time staying in touch with the two girls, rather than Hermione. Why had she not answered his letter? Did she blame him as well, it had seemed like there was a blossoming romance between his two friends. The sense of loss and guilt had a firm grip around his heart.

Harry turned around so that he was resting on the grounds, while watching the sky with its endless secrets. Who knew how many riddles it held the secret answers to? Only very few where allowed to see the tiniest of glimpses after all.

-.-.-.-

Two more days had passed in silence.

Outside it was raining, like the skies had finally realised what horrors had taken place and decided to weep over the lost souls. More than one had died in the last few months after all, even people that wasn't on his side. Did the families of the Death Eaters mourn their dead or where they truly as insensitive as he had always believed. A dangerous thought. One that should not be spoken out loud. Nothing could shake his determination to win this war and while he did not wish to take lives, causalities in wars was impossible to avoid.

It is up there with constant vigilance, one of the many advice's preached by Moody. He was one man that certainly could take a life, something which Harry could not. With Voldemort as the exception, there was no way to avoid that.

A letter from Sirius had arrived with Dobby earlier that morning, now was as good a time as any to read it.

Harry!

We must find a Marauders name for you, just Harry won't do. That means that Moony and I could see a new generation raise, with everything that comes with it. I wonder which animal you would turn into?

Anyway- I hope your are as okay as you can be. Dumbledore still doesn't want you to stay with me, apparently it is safer with the Muggles, can't figure out why!? I am an excellent role model after all. Don't roll your eyes Harry James Potter! I must admit that it is hard to see you lose a friend like I lost James, knowing that nothing I can do will lessen the pain or fill the void left after him. But Harry, trust me when I say as time passes the freshness of the pain will ebb away and leave bitter sweet memories, that one is happy to have despite the pain. I have faith in you.

Don't blame yourself for what happened, it will lead nowhere good. You know that I understand what you are going through, how many nights did I not spend in Azkaban wishing that I had acted differently and hence saved my friends. Such thoughts lead nowhere good and will prevent you from living.

While I approve of you stetting foot outside of your room, I must warn you not only Death Eathers are out there, but new organisations has emerged amidst the chaos. These organisations covers the entire political spectrum, while we believe that some will ally with Voldemort, some might stand with us against him. The one that we are hoping on the most is the newly formed League of Muggleborn Rights, Hermione and Ted Tonks have been great help in the negotiations but things are far from settled. One of their head quarters are apparently not far from Private Drive, don't seek the out. They are aggressive, don't be fooled so be on your guard.

See you soon cub,

Padfoot.

The presence of new sides in the war certainly made things more complicated. The lines between us and them are already blurring and the war has barley started! Harry read the letter again and felt that despite Sirius warning he had to act. No more fooling around watching clouds flying by, perhaps he could aid the Order instead. At nightfall he would leave the house and hopefully there would be no battle and a Death Eater free evening.

-.-.-.-

Far away, later that day Luna Lovegood's soul came back to the physical plane and she whispered to her father that everything was about to change.

Nothing would ever be the same again.


A:N Hope you liked it :) Please review, it will lead to more frequent updates. The side parings will appear in time, hence I have a plane for them, but a times a story writes itself and due to this I won't tell.