Harry Potter and the Siege of Hogwarts
Okay, this is my first fanfic and any comments, good or bad, are welcome. Just as long as you aren't rude, that's the rule! J
I know I have to say this so here goes; I am not J.K.Rowling, nor do I own any of her characters. The plot is all mine and the same goes for the new characters. Any similarities between this any other Harry story is purely coincidental, if there is then all I can say is that great minds think alike!
While I have the chance I would like to dedicate this story to Sara, the only person I know who can be a pain in the backside and a best friend at the exact same time! Also to Robert, sorry about the jelly babies! By the way how is that diet of yours going? J And lastly to Tony, a great friend with great advice. You said I should never try to be anyone else and always be me. Thanks for everything!
Now, on with the story! (Please review when you're done! Ta very muchly!)
Chapter One: Holiday Blues
Most teenagers love the summer holidays. Several, seemingly endless weeks to do anything and everything they can do to have fun, without having to worry about school lurking at the end of every week.
But Harry James Potter wasn't like most teenagers. He hated the way the summer dragged on, plus the fact that he had to go and stay with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley.
The Dursleys were Harry's only living relatives and they were the most obnoxious people he knew. (Apart from Draco Malfoy and Professor Severus Snape of course.)
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was more of a home to Harry than number four Privet Drive had ever been. Harry Potter was a wizard-in-training soon to begin his fifth year at Hogwarts. His two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, also attended, both in Gryffindor house with Harry.
Ron was a pureblood wizard and had grown up with eight other witches and wizards. Hermione on the other hand, was muggleborn and had only learnt that she was a witch four years ago.
Now Harry was pureblood even though his mother Lily was muggleborn. Lily Evans had met James Potter during their own school days at Hogwarts; they later got married and then had Harry.
Unfortunately, when Harry was only a year old, a powerful Dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort (You-know-who to the magical community) descended upon their home and murdered Lily and James, leaving Harry an orphan. Voldemort had then tried to kill Harry using the same curse. 'Tried' being the operative word. Somehow, the curse had bounced off Harry and struck Voldemort instead, robbing him of his powers and body. Reduced to almost nothing more than a mere shadow of his former self, the Dark Lord had fled. The terror in which the magical community had lived in for eleven years ended that night. Harry Potter was hailed as a hero, becoming instantly famous throughout the whole of Europe.
Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, arranged for Harry to live with his mothers' sister Petunia and her family. Sadly they were all Muggles (non-magic people) and never told Harry about his background or his parents. They feared magic and anything else that didn't fit into their perfectly ordered little world.
But Harry found out eventually when Hogwarts wrote to him informing him that he was in fact a wizard and had a place at the school. This provided an explanation for why odd things seemed to happen around him and how he had really got a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. (The Dursleys had told him that his parents had been killed in a car crash while Harry had survived with only the scar.) This scar was the only visible mark that Voldemorts curse had left on him.
Once the truth had been revealed, Harry had taken his place at Hogwarts to learn magic. Of course it was only at school that Harry was allowed to do magic of any kind. Being underage, he was forbidden by wizard law to perform magic that risked being noticed by muggles.
Not that that had stopped him from doing some by accident.
Harry had only returned to Privet Drive a week ago and already he was in trouble.
Vernon Dursley had organised a large garden party for some rather important business people. Uncle Vernon was hoping to get his company Grunnings (which made drills) associated with some larger well-known companies.
Aunt Petunia had bought an expensive new dress for the occasion and had managed to persuade Dudley into dressing up in what must have been a very uncomfortable suit.
'Oh, doesn't Dudley look so handsome?' Aunt Petunia had sighed lovingly once Dudley had squeezed his massive form into the hideous clothes.
Dudley scowled darkly.
His sleeves didn't quite reach his hands, the jacket couldn't stretch far enough around his bulging stomach to be buttoned up and the trousers were threatening to split apart and allow the blubber within to flow out in disgusting waves in all directions.
Clearly the diet that Dudley had been on last year either hadn't worked or Dudley had not been following it at all. The latter was the most obvious reason but Vernon and Petunia were adamant that the good-for-nothing diet had done nothing more than depress their perfect little angel who should thus be fawned over more that ever to make up for it.
So Dudley had proceeded to gorge himself stupid whenever he wasn't asleep. He was now so wide that he kept banging into doorframes, no matter how he tried to manoeuvre his waistline through them.
Harry wasn't forced into wearing a suit because he had been ordered to just stay out of the way. The Dursleys didn't want anyone to find out about Harry or that they were connected to people like him.
This didn't bother Harry. He'd put up with this sort of treatment for years and their attitude towards him were unlikely to ever change in the slightest. So Harry was shut in his bedroom for the afternoon, which was fine since he had a lot of studying to do.
Fifth year students at Hogwarts had to take their O.W.Ls at the end of the year. (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and Harry felt that he better concentrate on some of his worst subjects to try and get his grades up.
Harry was sat at his desk, skimming the pages of Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, scribbling down notes on poisons and their antidotes, when a loud high-pitched scream rent the air.
Dropping his eagle-feather quill and blotting his parchment, Harry leapt up and hurried to the window. In the garden below was rather an amusing sight.
Aunt Petunia was shrieking at the top of her lungs as two owls circled just over her head, hooting loudly. Uncle Vernon was flapping his arms like a demented chicken, trying to shoo the birds away. Dudley had obviously been taken by surprise with the birds sudden appearance because he was lying on his back (having fallen out of his chair), waving his arms and legs around in a feeble attempt to get up.
The six or seven smartly dressed guests were backing away rather quickly from the scene of madness that was playing out before their eyes. Many of them had looks mingled with fear, horror and disbelief on their faces.
One of the owls was a beautiful snowy female named Hedwig. She was Harry's own post-owl and was clearly agitated that she couldn't deliver Harry's post, due to the fact that the window was locked.
The other owl was small, dark and zooming round and round in tight circles hooting and screeching madly. This owl went by the name of 'Pig' and belonged to Ron Weasley.
Harry, deciding that he better do something quick, grabbed a wire coat hanger, bent it out of shape and began to pick the window lock. Ron's elder twin brothers, Fred and George, had taught him how to pick locks a few years ago, after the Dursleys had locked him in his room for several days, unable to escape.
Chancing a glance at the mayhem below, Harry's heart leapt up into his throat.
Uncle Vernon had made a wild snatch and grabbed Hedwig out of the air. She shrieked in fear as Uncle Vernon held her tight, almost choking her!
Harry felt a surge of anger course though him and almost immediately Uncle Vernon gave a startled yell, releasing Hedwig, who took flight. The reason he had let the owl go was the fact that the table bearing all of Aunt Petunias beautifully prepared food, had just shot several feet up into the air, spinning madly.
Harry gulped.
Bowls of salad, mini trifles, ice cream and several other dishes flew off the table and hurled themselves at the terrified guests as they raced into the house.
Aunt Petunia screamed louder than ever, that is until a large slice of melon shot into her mouth, effectively silencing her.
Dudley, still stuck on his back like a turtle, torn between fright and his compulsive desire to eat, opened his mouth as wide as possible in the hopes of catching some of the flying food while it pelted him mercilessly.
Harry stared as Uncle Vernon, plastered with food from head to toe, ran to Aunt Petunia, pulled her over to Dudley who they hauled to his feet, then ran for the safety and shelter of the house.
Once they had gone inside, the floating food and table dropped onto the ground with a thud. Hedwig and Pig had settled in the branches of next-doors apple tree when the food fight had begun and where now peering through the leaves at Harry's window.
Harry gave the wire a last twist, heard the lock click and shoved open the window.
Hedwig spread her wings and glided silently through the window, followed by Pig. They dropped two parchment envelopes onto Harry's bed. Pig flew to Hedwig's cage to gulp down some water. Hedwig settled herself on Harry's shoulder and rubbed against him lovingly.
'Are you alright, Hedwig?' Harry asked, stroking her soft feathers. 'Did my uncle hurt you?'
Hedwig hooted in response.
Next moment, Uncle Vernon flung open the door so violently it bounced off the wall with a deafening bang. He looked furious, to put it mildly. He was breathing like a winded rhino, his hands were clenching and unclenching in a dangerous unsteady rhythm and his bloodshot eyes were bulging out of his puce coloured face.
He was so mad that he couldn't quite find the words to express exactly how he felt at that moment. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, forming silent words.
Uncle Vernon stormed over to Harry. Hedwig flared her wings and let out a threatening hiss, daring him to come nearer.
Casting a wary eye over the large owl, Uncle Vernon somehow managed to find his voice.
'WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?!' he roared, spit flying from his mouth. 'IF YOU OR THAT RUDDY OWL PUT EVEN ONE MORE TOE OUT OF LINE, I'LL…'
He continued yelling for maybe twenty more minutes, threatening Harry with numerous punishments ranging from locking him up in the cupboard under the stairs for the rest of the summer, down to plucking out all of Hedwig's feathers one-by-one.
Harry stood there quite calmly. He knew that his uncle wouldn't follow through with these punishments because Harry had some useful contacts that could turn up at any time and transform all the Dursleys into warty toads if they thought that Harry was being mistreated, and Uncle Vernon knew that very well.
Once he had yelled himself almost hoarse, Uncle Vernon marched out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him.
'I wonder if he can still do business with those people?' Harry said aloud. Hedwig hooted and shook her head. Harry grinned. 'Didn't think so.'
Harry reached for one of his letters. This had Ron's untidy scribble on it. He slit it open and pulled out the parchment.
Dear Harry,
I know Dumbledore wanted you to go back to the muggles for a while but a week with those gits is one week too long! You should come and stay with us for the summer. I've asked Mum and Dad already and they really want you to come.
I've asked Hermione to come as well but she's going to Bulgaria for a fortnight. You know, with Krum!
Harry knew. Viktor Krum was an international Quidditch player and played Seeker for Bulgaria's National team. He also fancied Hermione a lot. Earlier that year, Krum had asked her to come and visit him over the summer. Clearly she had taken him up on the offer.
Let me knew when you can come and we'll figure out a way to get you here.
See you soon I hope!
Ron
Harry's spirits lifted considerably. He would give anything to stay with the Weasley family for the whole summer. Besides the Dursleys would probably be glad to get rid of him, considering what had just happened with the garden party.
Turning to the other envelope, he knew immediately that it was from Hermione. No one else he knew had such small, neat writing.
Dear Harry,
I do hope you're o.k. You did still seem rather down when I last saw you. Anyway Ron's invited me to stay but I'm in Bulgaria right now. It's really amazing here and believe it or not, but I haven't touched a single text book for nearly a week!'
Harry laughed. That had to be a world record!
I should be able to stay with Ron when I get back. Hope to see you there but until then don't let the Dursleys get you down!
Have a good holiday!
From Hermione.
P.S Have you heard from Sirius?
Harry sank onto the bed.
Sirius Black was Harry's godfather. He was also an escaped convicted murderer on the run unable to prove that he was, in fact, innocent. He had been framed for the murder of twelve muggles and a fellow wizard named Peter Pettigrew. Not to mention the fact that nearly everyone believed that Sirius had betrayed the Potters whereabouts to Lord Voldemort as a loyal follower of the Dark Side.
Pettigrew was actually the one responsible for those crimes and had gone into hiding as a rat for twelve years, leaving everyone but Sirius believing that he was dead.
Just over two years ago, Sirius used his Animagus abilities to escape Azkaban, the wizard prison, to track down Peter and protect Harry.
After a lot of explaining and presented proof that Peter was alive, Harry, Ron and Hermione believed that Sirius was innocent. But Peter escaped that same night, forcing Sirius to go on the run. Only Professor Dumbledore and Remus Lupin (an old friend of Sirius) believed them.
Since then Harry and Sirius had kept in contact with each other via owl-post but he hadn't heard anything from him at all. They were together briefly at the end of the last school year some weeks ago but had to separate almost straight away because Lord Voldemort had arisen.
Using a potion with the bone of his father, flesh of a servant (Peter) and Harry's own blood, the Dark Lord had been restored to his body.
Nearly every night Harry had nightmares about it. Reliving every detail in his mind, over and over. Thankfully, he had been getting fewer and fewer of them as time went by, but he'd never forget any of it.
Ever.
Harry had escaped and Dumbledore began to take immediate action. Sirius had been asked to contact 'the old crowd', whoever they were. He'd left straight away and hadn't been in contact since.
Hedwig, sensing that Harry was feeling pretty down, hooted softly and settled down on his lap. Harry gently stroked her, wondering. None of Harry's letters to Sirius had made it to him. Hedwig had brought each one back, seemingly ashamed of herself that she hadn't been able to locate him.
What was going on?
Where was Sirius?
Chapter Two Mrs Figg
The following morning, Harry got up early. He dressed quickly and left the house before any of the Dursleys were likely to wake up. After yesterdays 'incident' Harry figured that it would be a good idea to stay out of their way and give them time to cool down.
Wandering down the street, Harry cast his mind back to that night, when Voldemort returned. Sirius had revealed himself in front of Snape and Mrs Weasley. Harry wondered if Ron had explained the situation to his mum by now, about Sirius being innocent and everything.
Dumbledore had orders for both Sirius and Snape, but what he had asked Snape to do was completely unknown to Harry. Snape had seemed almost scared when Dumbledore said that he knew what he was going to ask. But Snape seemed determined just the same to do….whatever it was.
Harry hadn't really given much thought as to what Snape might be up to or exactly why Dumbledore even trusted him. He was more concerned about his godfather.
Where was he now? Was he alright? He hadn't been caught, had he? Of course not! Harry shook his head disbelievingly. Sirius was much too smart to get caught. He was an Animagus after all.
But what if….
'Harry!'
Harry looked up from the pavement. Mrs Figg, an elderly lady who lived a few streets away from the Dursleys, was waving at him from her front garden.
'Good morning, Mrs Figg.' Harry called, waving back politely.
Mrs Figg smiled and beckoned him over. Harry crossed the road and walked up the garden path, stepping carefully over one of Mrs Figgs many cats.
'Well, young Potter, what are you doing out this early?' she asked as she bent over to pick up her milk bottles.
'Oh, I was just walking around . . . thinking.' Harry replied evasively.
He wasn't exactly fond of his neighbour. Until he had started at Hogwarts, he had often been shunted into Mrs Figgs care whenever the Dursleys went out somewhere. She wasn't a bad person, but she owned numerous cats and always made Harry sit in her cabbage-smelling living room and look at photo albums of all the cats she had ever owned.
'Why don't you come in?' she offered. 'I'm just about to make breakfast, I'd appreciate the company.' She smiled kindly at him.
Harry accepted her offer graciously. He didn't particularly fancy going back to the Dursleys any time soon.
Mrs Figg led Harry through to her kitchen. Harry found a seat that wasn't occupied by a cat and sat down.
'Would you like a cup of tea, Harry, dear?'
'Yes please.' Harry watched as a large black and white cat jumped up onto the counter and promptly snatched up a flowery tea cosy in its mouth.
'Why, thank you, Tibbles!' Mrs Figg took the tea cosy from the cats' mouth and slipped it over the teapot. She turned to Harry. 'He's normally such a nuisance in the kitchen, getting under my feet and tripping me up, you know.'
Harry nodded. He always thought that Mrs Figg was a little off in the head and especially weird about her beloved feline companions.
Suddenly, Harry became aware of a noise upstairs. Soft and haunting music was playing just overhead.
Mrs Figg stopped to listen.
'Beautiful.' She murmured, closing her eyes.
Harry cocked his head to the side, listening intently. He had rarely heard anyone play music like that. Whoever it was though, was certainly quite talented.
'Who is that?' he asked.
'My lodger, dear.' Mrs Figg said, turning back to the teapot. 'He plays every morning before breakfast. Very talented young man I must say!'
She brought over a plate of toast for Harry and sat down. She jumped up extremely quickly, having just sat on another of her cats.
'Wellington! What were you doing there? Go on now, shoo!'
A disgruntled looking silver tabby leapt off the chair and streaked out of the kitchen.
Mrs Figg settled back down again.
'Now then, Harry how's school?' she asked.
'It's fine.' He said, munching on a slightly burnt slice of toast.
'Been enjoying yourself there, have you?'
Harry looked at her, puzzled.
The Dursleys had told anyone who asked, that Harry attended St Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys. It did seem rather far-fetched that even Mrs Figg would think that anyone could have fun in a place with a name like that!
'Um, yes,' he said after a moment. 'It's been alright.'
'That's good to hear.' Mrs Figg stood up to pour the tea. 'I really enjoyed my time at school, you know. Had lots of friends, did well in my lessons and I was made a Prefect as well!' She sighed. 'But, I was never any good at sports, didn't have the balance, wasn't too fond of heights either come to that!'
Harry looked at her in surprise. Balance and heights? What sport was she talking about? She wasn't talking about . . . could she?
At that moment, someone entered the kitchen.
'Good morning Bella.' he said.
Harry froze in shock. He stared at the young man standing in the doorway.
He was tall and thin with light brown hair, flecked with grey. His pale grey face split into a kind smile as he spotted Harry. Even in muggle clothing, he was impossible not to recognise.
'Harry! How nice to see you again!'
It was Remus Lupin.
Chapter Three; Threes Company
'Professor Lupin!'
Lupin laughed.
'You're welcome to call me Remus, Harry,' he chuckled. 'Or Lupin if you prefer. I'm no longer your teacher, remember?'
Harry sat almost numb in his chair. This had to be a dream. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Lupin was still there.
'Surprised to see me?' he asked.
'Very!' Harry had found his voice again. 'What are you doing here? How long have you been here? Where have you been?'
Lupin grinned.
'Nice to know that I've been missed!' He turned to Mrs Figg. 'Bella, do you need a hand?'
'Not at all, Remus. You sit down, I won't be long. Oh, I keep forgetting, do you take sugar with your tea?'
'Yes, two lumps, please.'
'Right you are.'
Lupin picked a sleek Siamese cat off a chair, sat down and placed the cat in his lap. It purred loudly as he tickled it behind the ears.
Harry gaped at him.
Lupin had been Harrys favourite Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and had been quite upset when he had resigned at the end of Harrys third year.
He was also a werewolf.
Harry had a sudden flashback to the night Voldemort returned. Dumbledore was speaking to Sirius.
'I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher - the old crowd - Lie low at Lupins for a while, I will contact you there.'
Arabella Figg.
Mrs Figg?
Harrys eyes darted from Remus to Mrs Figg and back again. Several times. Lupin smiled with amusement.
'Hasn't she told you?' he asked.
'Haven't told him what?' Mrs Figg glanced over her shoulder at Lupin.
'That you're a witch, of course!'
'I was getting around to it young man, just as you interrupted.' She said sternly.
'Why did you never say before now?' Harry asked in astonishment.
'Well, I doubted that you would have believed me. Besides,' she sat down with a cup of tea, handing one to Lupin. 'I haven't seen you since you started at Hogwarts. In any case, I promised Albus that I wouldn't reveal myself unless an emergency cropped up. And I think Voldemort getting back on his feet certainly qualifies, don't you?'
*
Harry spent the whole morning with Lupin and Bella. (She insisted that Arabella sounded much too fancy.)
Bella explained that Professor Dumbledore needed someone close to where Harry was staying in case of emergencies, such as Voldemorts supporters finding out where he was.
'Moved in a few days after you arrived at your aunts house. Hasn't been easy acting like a muggle all this time. I even had to get my cats to hide my wand somewhere in the house so I wouldn't be tempted to use it!'
But what Harry really wanted to talk to Lupin about was his godfather.
'You don't have to worry about him, Harry.' Lupin assured him. 'Sirius is more than capable of looking after himself. He turned up with that Hippogriff of his about a month ago, told me what had happened and once Dumbledore had told us what he wanted us to do, we set off as soon as we could.'
'To do what?'
' 'Fraid I can't tell you that, Harry, because I don't know myself exactly. We've had to collect a few, um, items and contact some old school friends. Then we had to separate. Sirius has gone north somewhere, said there was some 'unfinished business' he needed to attend to.'
Harry felt better and immensely relived. Sirius was fine. He hadn't been caught. But still-
'I tried to write to him, but Hedwig kept bringing my letters back. Do you have any idea why?' Asked Harry.
Lupin looked thoughtful.
'Now, that's probably a result of the 'Disorientation' charm he's using.' Then off Harrys puzzled look he added, 'It creates a bubble-like field around someone which disorientates anyone who deliberately comes near it. We've both been using them in case someone followed us. It's temporary, lasts for a few hours at a time unless reinforced regularly. That's why Hedwig can't find him, she's been confused by the field.'
'So I can't write to him then.' Harry slumped in his chair.
'There's no need for the long face, Harry.' Lupin said. 'As soon as he can, he'll write to you. You'll just have to be patient.'
'So, how long have you been here and why are you here anyway?' Harry asked curiously.
'Well, I only arrived the other day and beside,' Lupin took a sip of his tea. 'The full moon's coming and I need access to a Wolfsbane Potion. Bella is quite skilled with potions, so she offered me a place to stay for a while.'
'What! You're not staying long?' Harry felt more than a little disappointed that Lupin was going to leave again.
Lupin looked at him, amused at Harrys reaction.
'Once the full moon has passed I'll need to track down Sirius. We still have a lot of work to do. But until then, I'm staying right here.'
'That's great,' said Harry. 'I'm not sure I could stand being with the Dursleys much longer without anyone to talk to!'
'Considering what you did yesterday, I'm not surprised!' Bella chuckled.
'That was an accident!' Harry insisted. 'And how do you know about that?'
'I have eyes and ears everywhere, Harry.' Bella indicated the cats milling around the kitchen and the Siamese curled up in Lupins lap, purring softly.
'Is that why you have so many cats?' Harry asked.
'That's not the only reason.' She said with a mysterious smile.
Harry was quite keen for an explanation, Lupin interrupted.
'Harry, I think you should be getting back to your uncles' house now. You've been here all morning. They'll be wondering where you are.'
Harry doubted that the Dursleys had ever spared him a split second thought, but he agreed that it was time to go. Just as he reached the front door, Bella called after him.
'You're welcome here anytime, Harry. Just pop round whenever!'
'Thanks Bella!' Harry called back. 'I'll remember that!'
Harry walked slowly back to Privet Drive, thinking. He was feeling much better now that he knew Sirius was safe and that he had a friendly witch and wizard staying just a few streets away from him.
Then he remembered Rons invitation to stay at the Burrow for the summer. Hard as it was to resist asking the Weasleys to come and 'rescue' him from the Dursleys as soon as possible, he really wanted to hang around with Lupin and Bella for a while too. At least until Lupin had to leave.
Sneaking back into number four wasn't difficult. Uncle Vernon had left for work and Aunt Petunia was busy ironing in the kitchen with the radio on. Dudley was sitting in the living room, spreading his bulk out on the sofa, his piggy eyes glued to the television screen as he shovelled great spoonfuls of mint chocolate-chip ice cream (straight out of the tub,) into his mouth.
Easing his bedroom door shut, Harry looked over at Hedwig and Pig. Both owls were asleep with their heads under their wings.
Carefully, so as not to wake them up, Harry dug through his trunk for some fresh parchment and a bottle of ink. Finding some, Harry sat down at his desk and grabbed his quill.
Ron,
Thanks for the invite, but I can't leave just yet. You are not going to believe who showed up at my neighbours' house! Lupin!
He's staying around for a while because the full moon coming. As far as I know, Sirius is alright. He's up north somewhere.
I'll let you know when I can come and stay.
Have a great holiday!
Harry.
Harry scribbled a similar letter to Hermione then roused the sleepy owls. Pig wouldn't sit still for Harry to tie Rons letter to his leg. It took Hedwig flaring her wings and hissing at him, before Pig would sit properly.
Harry opened the window to let them out. As they flapped and soared out of sight, Harry couldn't help feeling that this year, he was going to enjoy his summer holiday.
Okay, this is my first fanfic and any comments, good or bad, are welcome. Just as long as you aren't rude, that's the rule! J
I know I have to say this so here goes; I am not J.K.Rowling, nor do I own any of her characters. The plot is all mine and the same goes for the new characters. Any similarities between this any other Harry story is purely coincidental, if there is then all I can say is that great minds think alike!
While I have the chance I would like to dedicate this story to Sara, the only person I know who can be a pain in the backside and a best friend at the exact same time! Also to Robert, sorry about the jelly babies! By the way how is that diet of yours going? J And lastly to Tony, a great friend with great advice. You said I should never try to be anyone else and always be me. Thanks for everything!
Now, on with the story! (Please review when you're done! Ta very muchly!)
Chapter One: Holiday Blues
Most teenagers love the summer holidays. Several, seemingly endless weeks to do anything and everything they can do to have fun, without having to worry about school lurking at the end of every week.
But Harry James Potter wasn't like most teenagers. He hated the way the summer dragged on, plus the fact that he had to go and stay with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley.
The Dursleys were Harry's only living relatives and they were the most obnoxious people he knew. (Apart from Draco Malfoy and Professor Severus Snape of course.)
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was more of a home to Harry than number four Privet Drive had ever been. Harry Potter was a wizard-in-training soon to begin his fifth year at Hogwarts. His two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, also attended, both in Gryffindor house with Harry.
Ron was a pureblood wizard and had grown up with eight other witches and wizards. Hermione on the other hand, was muggleborn and had only learnt that she was a witch four years ago.
Now Harry was pureblood even though his mother Lily was muggleborn. Lily Evans had met James Potter during their own school days at Hogwarts; they later got married and then had Harry.
Unfortunately, when Harry was only a year old, a powerful Dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort (You-know-who to the magical community) descended upon their home and murdered Lily and James, leaving Harry an orphan. Voldemort had then tried to kill Harry using the same curse. 'Tried' being the operative word. Somehow, the curse had bounced off Harry and struck Voldemort instead, robbing him of his powers and body. Reduced to almost nothing more than a mere shadow of his former self, the Dark Lord had fled. The terror in which the magical community had lived in for eleven years ended that night. Harry Potter was hailed as a hero, becoming instantly famous throughout the whole of Europe.
Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, arranged for Harry to live with his mothers' sister Petunia and her family. Sadly they were all Muggles (non-magic people) and never told Harry about his background or his parents. They feared magic and anything else that didn't fit into their perfectly ordered little world.
But Harry found out eventually when Hogwarts wrote to him informing him that he was in fact a wizard and had a place at the school. This provided an explanation for why odd things seemed to happen around him and how he had really got a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. (The Dursleys had told him that his parents had been killed in a car crash while Harry had survived with only the scar.) This scar was the only visible mark that Voldemorts curse had left on him.
Once the truth had been revealed, Harry had taken his place at Hogwarts to learn magic. Of course it was only at school that Harry was allowed to do magic of any kind. Being underage, he was forbidden by wizard law to perform magic that risked being noticed by muggles.
Not that that had stopped him from doing some by accident.
Harry had only returned to Privet Drive a week ago and already he was in trouble.
Vernon Dursley had organised a large garden party for some rather important business people. Uncle Vernon was hoping to get his company Grunnings (which made drills) associated with some larger well-known companies.
Aunt Petunia had bought an expensive new dress for the occasion and had managed to persuade Dudley into dressing up in what must have been a very uncomfortable suit.
'Oh, doesn't Dudley look so handsome?' Aunt Petunia had sighed lovingly once Dudley had squeezed his massive form into the hideous clothes.
Dudley scowled darkly.
His sleeves didn't quite reach his hands, the jacket couldn't stretch far enough around his bulging stomach to be buttoned up and the trousers were threatening to split apart and allow the blubber within to flow out in disgusting waves in all directions.
Clearly the diet that Dudley had been on last year either hadn't worked or Dudley had not been following it at all. The latter was the most obvious reason but Vernon and Petunia were adamant that the good-for-nothing diet had done nothing more than depress their perfect little angel who should thus be fawned over more that ever to make up for it.
So Dudley had proceeded to gorge himself stupid whenever he wasn't asleep. He was now so wide that he kept banging into doorframes, no matter how he tried to manoeuvre his waistline through them.
Harry wasn't forced into wearing a suit because he had been ordered to just stay out of the way. The Dursleys didn't want anyone to find out about Harry or that they were connected to people like him.
This didn't bother Harry. He'd put up with this sort of treatment for years and their attitude towards him were unlikely to ever change in the slightest. So Harry was shut in his bedroom for the afternoon, which was fine since he had a lot of studying to do.
Fifth year students at Hogwarts had to take their O.W.Ls at the end of the year. (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and Harry felt that he better concentrate on some of his worst subjects to try and get his grades up.
Harry was sat at his desk, skimming the pages of Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, scribbling down notes on poisons and their antidotes, when a loud high-pitched scream rent the air.
Dropping his eagle-feather quill and blotting his parchment, Harry leapt up and hurried to the window. In the garden below was rather an amusing sight.
Aunt Petunia was shrieking at the top of her lungs as two owls circled just over her head, hooting loudly. Uncle Vernon was flapping his arms like a demented chicken, trying to shoo the birds away. Dudley had obviously been taken by surprise with the birds sudden appearance because he was lying on his back (having fallen out of his chair), waving his arms and legs around in a feeble attempt to get up.
The six or seven smartly dressed guests were backing away rather quickly from the scene of madness that was playing out before their eyes. Many of them had looks mingled with fear, horror and disbelief on their faces.
One of the owls was a beautiful snowy female named Hedwig. She was Harry's own post-owl and was clearly agitated that she couldn't deliver Harry's post, due to the fact that the window was locked.
The other owl was small, dark and zooming round and round in tight circles hooting and screeching madly. This owl went by the name of 'Pig' and belonged to Ron Weasley.
Harry, deciding that he better do something quick, grabbed a wire coat hanger, bent it out of shape and began to pick the window lock. Ron's elder twin brothers, Fred and George, had taught him how to pick locks a few years ago, after the Dursleys had locked him in his room for several days, unable to escape.
Chancing a glance at the mayhem below, Harry's heart leapt up into his throat.
Uncle Vernon had made a wild snatch and grabbed Hedwig out of the air. She shrieked in fear as Uncle Vernon held her tight, almost choking her!
Harry felt a surge of anger course though him and almost immediately Uncle Vernon gave a startled yell, releasing Hedwig, who took flight. The reason he had let the owl go was the fact that the table bearing all of Aunt Petunias beautifully prepared food, had just shot several feet up into the air, spinning madly.
Harry gulped.
Bowls of salad, mini trifles, ice cream and several other dishes flew off the table and hurled themselves at the terrified guests as they raced into the house.
Aunt Petunia screamed louder than ever, that is until a large slice of melon shot into her mouth, effectively silencing her.
Dudley, still stuck on his back like a turtle, torn between fright and his compulsive desire to eat, opened his mouth as wide as possible in the hopes of catching some of the flying food while it pelted him mercilessly.
Harry stared as Uncle Vernon, plastered with food from head to toe, ran to Aunt Petunia, pulled her over to Dudley who they hauled to his feet, then ran for the safety and shelter of the house.
Once they had gone inside, the floating food and table dropped onto the ground with a thud. Hedwig and Pig had settled in the branches of next-doors apple tree when the food fight had begun and where now peering through the leaves at Harry's window.
Harry gave the wire a last twist, heard the lock click and shoved open the window.
Hedwig spread her wings and glided silently through the window, followed by Pig. They dropped two parchment envelopes onto Harry's bed. Pig flew to Hedwig's cage to gulp down some water. Hedwig settled herself on Harry's shoulder and rubbed against him lovingly.
'Are you alright, Hedwig?' Harry asked, stroking her soft feathers. 'Did my uncle hurt you?'
Hedwig hooted in response.
Next moment, Uncle Vernon flung open the door so violently it bounced off the wall with a deafening bang. He looked furious, to put it mildly. He was breathing like a winded rhino, his hands were clenching and unclenching in a dangerous unsteady rhythm and his bloodshot eyes were bulging out of his puce coloured face.
He was so mad that he couldn't quite find the words to express exactly how he felt at that moment. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, forming silent words.
Uncle Vernon stormed over to Harry. Hedwig flared her wings and let out a threatening hiss, daring him to come nearer.
Casting a wary eye over the large owl, Uncle Vernon somehow managed to find his voice.
'WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?!' he roared, spit flying from his mouth. 'IF YOU OR THAT RUDDY OWL PUT EVEN ONE MORE TOE OUT OF LINE, I'LL…'
He continued yelling for maybe twenty more minutes, threatening Harry with numerous punishments ranging from locking him up in the cupboard under the stairs for the rest of the summer, down to plucking out all of Hedwig's feathers one-by-one.
Harry stood there quite calmly. He knew that his uncle wouldn't follow through with these punishments because Harry had some useful contacts that could turn up at any time and transform all the Dursleys into warty toads if they thought that Harry was being mistreated, and Uncle Vernon knew that very well.
Once he had yelled himself almost hoarse, Uncle Vernon marched out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him.
'I wonder if he can still do business with those people?' Harry said aloud. Hedwig hooted and shook her head. Harry grinned. 'Didn't think so.'
Harry reached for one of his letters. This had Ron's untidy scribble on it. He slit it open and pulled out the parchment.
Dear Harry,
I know Dumbledore wanted you to go back to the muggles for a while but a week with those gits is one week too long! You should come and stay with us for the summer. I've asked Mum and Dad already and they really want you to come.
I've asked Hermione to come as well but she's going to Bulgaria for a fortnight. You know, with Krum!
Harry knew. Viktor Krum was an international Quidditch player and played Seeker for Bulgaria's National team. He also fancied Hermione a lot. Earlier that year, Krum had asked her to come and visit him over the summer. Clearly she had taken him up on the offer.
Let me knew when you can come and we'll figure out a way to get you here.
See you soon I hope!
Ron
Harry's spirits lifted considerably. He would give anything to stay with the Weasley family for the whole summer. Besides the Dursleys would probably be glad to get rid of him, considering what had just happened with the garden party.
Turning to the other envelope, he knew immediately that it was from Hermione. No one else he knew had such small, neat writing.
Dear Harry,
I do hope you're o.k. You did still seem rather down when I last saw you. Anyway Ron's invited me to stay but I'm in Bulgaria right now. It's really amazing here and believe it or not, but I haven't touched a single text book for nearly a week!'
Harry laughed. That had to be a world record!
I should be able to stay with Ron when I get back. Hope to see you there but until then don't let the Dursleys get you down!
Have a good holiday!
From Hermione.
P.S Have you heard from Sirius?
Harry sank onto the bed.
Sirius Black was Harry's godfather. He was also an escaped convicted murderer on the run unable to prove that he was, in fact, innocent. He had been framed for the murder of twelve muggles and a fellow wizard named Peter Pettigrew. Not to mention the fact that nearly everyone believed that Sirius had betrayed the Potters whereabouts to Lord Voldemort as a loyal follower of the Dark Side.
Pettigrew was actually the one responsible for those crimes and had gone into hiding as a rat for twelve years, leaving everyone but Sirius believing that he was dead.
Just over two years ago, Sirius used his Animagus abilities to escape Azkaban, the wizard prison, to track down Peter and protect Harry.
After a lot of explaining and presented proof that Peter was alive, Harry, Ron and Hermione believed that Sirius was innocent. But Peter escaped that same night, forcing Sirius to go on the run. Only Professor Dumbledore and Remus Lupin (an old friend of Sirius) believed them.
Since then Harry and Sirius had kept in contact with each other via owl-post but he hadn't heard anything from him at all. They were together briefly at the end of the last school year some weeks ago but had to separate almost straight away because Lord Voldemort had arisen.
Using a potion with the bone of his father, flesh of a servant (Peter) and Harry's own blood, the Dark Lord had been restored to his body.
Nearly every night Harry had nightmares about it. Reliving every detail in his mind, over and over. Thankfully, he had been getting fewer and fewer of them as time went by, but he'd never forget any of it.
Ever.
Harry had escaped and Dumbledore began to take immediate action. Sirius had been asked to contact 'the old crowd', whoever they were. He'd left straight away and hadn't been in contact since.
Hedwig, sensing that Harry was feeling pretty down, hooted softly and settled down on his lap. Harry gently stroked her, wondering. None of Harry's letters to Sirius had made it to him. Hedwig had brought each one back, seemingly ashamed of herself that she hadn't been able to locate him.
What was going on?
Where was Sirius?
Chapter Two Mrs Figg
The following morning, Harry got up early. He dressed quickly and left the house before any of the Dursleys were likely to wake up. After yesterdays 'incident' Harry figured that it would be a good idea to stay out of their way and give them time to cool down.
Wandering down the street, Harry cast his mind back to that night, when Voldemort returned. Sirius had revealed himself in front of Snape and Mrs Weasley. Harry wondered if Ron had explained the situation to his mum by now, about Sirius being innocent and everything.
Dumbledore had orders for both Sirius and Snape, but what he had asked Snape to do was completely unknown to Harry. Snape had seemed almost scared when Dumbledore said that he knew what he was going to ask. But Snape seemed determined just the same to do….whatever it was.
Harry hadn't really given much thought as to what Snape might be up to or exactly why Dumbledore even trusted him. He was more concerned about his godfather.
Where was he now? Was he alright? He hadn't been caught, had he? Of course not! Harry shook his head disbelievingly. Sirius was much too smart to get caught. He was an Animagus after all.
But what if….
'Harry!'
Harry looked up from the pavement. Mrs Figg, an elderly lady who lived a few streets away from the Dursleys, was waving at him from her front garden.
'Good morning, Mrs Figg.' Harry called, waving back politely.
Mrs Figg smiled and beckoned him over. Harry crossed the road and walked up the garden path, stepping carefully over one of Mrs Figgs many cats.
'Well, young Potter, what are you doing out this early?' she asked as she bent over to pick up her milk bottles.
'Oh, I was just walking around . . . thinking.' Harry replied evasively.
He wasn't exactly fond of his neighbour. Until he had started at Hogwarts, he had often been shunted into Mrs Figgs care whenever the Dursleys went out somewhere. She wasn't a bad person, but she owned numerous cats and always made Harry sit in her cabbage-smelling living room and look at photo albums of all the cats she had ever owned.
'Why don't you come in?' she offered. 'I'm just about to make breakfast, I'd appreciate the company.' She smiled kindly at him.
Harry accepted her offer graciously. He didn't particularly fancy going back to the Dursleys any time soon.
Mrs Figg led Harry through to her kitchen. Harry found a seat that wasn't occupied by a cat and sat down.
'Would you like a cup of tea, Harry, dear?'
'Yes please.' Harry watched as a large black and white cat jumped up onto the counter and promptly snatched up a flowery tea cosy in its mouth.
'Why, thank you, Tibbles!' Mrs Figg took the tea cosy from the cats' mouth and slipped it over the teapot. She turned to Harry. 'He's normally such a nuisance in the kitchen, getting under my feet and tripping me up, you know.'
Harry nodded. He always thought that Mrs Figg was a little off in the head and especially weird about her beloved feline companions.
Suddenly, Harry became aware of a noise upstairs. Soft and haunting music was playing just overhead.
Mrs Figg stopped to listen.
'Beautiful.' She murmured, closing her eyes.
Harry cocked his head to the side, listening intently. He had rarely heard anyone play music like that. Whoever it was though, was certainly quite talented.
'Who is that?' he asked.
'My lodger, dear.' Mrs Figg said, turning back to the teapot. 'He plays every morning before breakfast. Very talented young man I must say!'
She brought over a plate of toast for Harry and sat down. She jumped up extremely quickly, having just sat on another of her cats.
'Wellington! What were you doing there? Go on now, shoo!'
A disgruntled looking silver tabby leapt off the chair and streaked out of the kitchen.
Mrs Figg settled back down again.
'Now then, Harry how's school?' she asked.
'It's fine.' He said, munching on a slightly burnt slice of toast.
'Been enjoying yourself there, have you?'
Harry looked at her, puzzled.
The Dursleys had told anyone who asked, that Harry attended St Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys. It did seem rather far-fetched that even Mrs Figg would think that anyone could have fun in a place with a name like that!
'Um, yes,' he said after a moment. 'It's been alright.'
'That's good to hear.' Mrs Figg stood up to pour the tea. 'I really enjoyed my time at school, you know. Had lots of friends, did well in my lessons and I was made a Prefect as well!' She sighed. 'But, I was never any good at sports, didn't have the balance, wasn't too fond of heights either come to that!'
Harry looked at her in surprise. Balance and heights? What sport was she talking about? She wasn't talking about . . . could she?
At that moment, someone entered the kitchen.
'Good morning Bella.' he said.
Harry froze in shock. He stared at the young man standing in the doorway.
He was tall and thin with light brown hair, flecked with grey. His pale grey face split into a kind smile as he spotted Harry. Even in muggle clothing, he was impossible not to recognise.
'Harry! How nice to see you again!'
It was Remus Lupin.
Chapter Three; Threes Company
'Professor Lupin!'
Lupin laughed.
'You're welcome to call me Remus, Harry,' he chuckled. 'Or Lupin if you prefer. I'm no longer your teacher, remember?'
Harry sat almost numb in his chair. This had to be a dream. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Lupin was still there.
'Surprised to see me?' he asked.
'Very!' Harry had found his voice again. 'What are you doing here? How long have you been here? Where have you been?'
Lupin grinned.
'Nice to know that I've been missed!' He turned to Mrs Figg. 'Bella, do you need a hand?'
'Not at all, Remus. You sit down, I won't be long. Oh, I keep forgetting, do you take sugar with your tea?'
'Yes, two lumps, please.'
'Right you are.'
Lupin picked a sleek Siamese cat off a chair, sat down and placed the cat in his lap. It purred loudly as he tickled it behind the ears.
Harry gaped at him.
Lupin had been Harrys favourite Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and had been quite upset when he had resigned at the end of Harrys third year.
He was also a werewolf.
Harry had a sudden flashback to the night Voldemort returned. Dumbledore was speaking to Sirius.
'I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher - the old crowd - Lie low at Lupins for a while, I will contact you there.'
Arabella Figg.
Mrs Figg?
Harrys eyes darted from Remus to Mrs Figg and back again. Several times. Lupin smiled with amusement.
'Hasn't she told you?' he asked.
'Haven't told him what?' Mrs Figg glanced over her shoulder at Lupin.
'That you're a witch, of course!'
'I was getting around to it young man, just as you interrupted.' She said sternly.
'Why did you never say before now?' Harry asked in astonishment.
'Well, I doubted that you would have believed me. Besides,' she sat down with a cup of tea, handing one to Lupin. 'I haven't seen you since you started at Hogwarts. In any case, I promised Albus that I wouldn't reveal myself unless an emergency cropped up. And I think Voldemort getting back on his feet certainly qualifies, don't you?'
*
Harry spent the whole morning with Lupin and Bella. (She insisted that Arabella sounded much too fancy.)
Bella explained that Professor Dumbledore needed someone close to where Harry was staying in case of emergencies, such as Voldemorts supporters finding out where he was.
'Moved in a few days after you arrived at your aunts house. Hasn't been easy acting like a muggle all this time. I even had to get my cats to hide my wand somewhere in the house so I wouldn't be tempted to use it!'
But what Harry really wanted to talk to Lupin about was his godfather.
'You don't have to worry about him, Harry.' Lupin assured him. 'Sirius is more than capable of looking after himself. He turned up with that Hippogriff of his about a month ago, told me what had happened and once Dumbledore had told us what he wanted us to do, we set off as soon as we could.'
'To do what?'
' 'Fraid I can't tell you that, Harry, because I don't know myself exactly. We've had to collect a few, um, items and contact some old school friends. Then we had to separate. Sirius has gone north somewhere, said there was some 'unfinished business' he needed to attend to.'
Harry felt better and immensely relived. Sirius was fine. He hadn't been caught. But still-
'I tried to write to him, but Hedwig kept bringing my letters back. Do you have any idea why?' Asked Harry.
Lupin looked thoughtful.
'Now, that's probably a result of the 'Disorientation' charm he's using.' Then off Harrys puzzled look he added, 'It creates a bubble-like field around someone which disorientates anyone who deliberately comes near it. We've both been using them in case someone followed us. It's temporary, lasts for a few hours at a time unless reinforced regularly. That's why Hedwig can't find him, she's been confused by the field.'
'So I can't write to him then.' Harry slumped in his chair.
'There's no need for the long face, Harry.' Lupin said. 'As soon as he can, he'll write to you. You'll just have to be patient.'
'So, how long have you been here and why are you here anyway?' Harry asked curiously.
'Well, I only arrived the other day and beside,' Lupin took a sip of his tea. 'The full moon's coming and I need access to a Wolfsbane Potion. Bella is quite skilled with potions, so she offered me a place to stay for a while.'
'What! You're not staying long?' Harry felt more than a little disappointed that Lupin was going to leave again.
Lupin looked at him, amused at Harrys reaction.
'Once the full moon has passed I'll need to track down Sirius. We still have a lot of work to do. But until then, I'm staying right here.'
'That's great,' said Harry. 'I'm not sure I could stand being with the Dursleys much longer without anyone to talk to!'
'Considering what you did yesterday, I'm not surprised!' Bella chuckled.
'That was an accident!' Harry insisted. 'And how do you know about that?'
'I have eyes and ears everywhere, Harry.' Bella indicated the cats milling around the kitchen and the Siamese curled up in Lupins lap, purring softly.
'Is that why you have so many cats?' Harry asked.
'That's not the only reason.' She said with a mysterious smile.
Harry was quite keen for an explanation, Lupin interrupted.
'Harry, I think you should be getting back to your uncles' house now. You've been here all morning. They'll be wondering where you are.'
Harry doubted that the Dursleys had ever spared him a split second thought, but he agreed that it was time to go. Just as he reached the front door, Bella called after him.
'You're welcome here anytime, Harry. Just pop round whenever!'
'Thanks Bella!' Harry called back. 'I'll remember that!'
Harry walked slowly back to Privet Drive, thinking. He was feeling much better now that he knew Sirius was safe and that he had a friendly witch and wizard staying just a few streets away from him.
Then he remembered Rons invitation to stay at the Burrow for the summer. Hard as it was to resist asking the Weasleys to come and 'rescue' him from the Dursleys as soon as possible, he really wanted to hang around with Lupin and Bella for a while too. At least until Lupin had to leave.
Sneaking back into number four wasn't difficult. Uncle Vernon had left for work and Aunt Petunia was busy ironing in the kitchen with the radio on. Dudley was sitting in the living room, spreading his bulk out on the sofa, his piggy eyes glued to the television screen as he shovelled great spoonfuls of mint chocolate-chip ice cream (straight out of the tub,) into his mouth.
Easing his bedroom door shut, Harry looked over at Hedwig and Pig. Both owls were asleep with their heads under their wings.
Carefully, so as not to wake them up, Harry dug through his trunk for some fresh parchment and a bottle of ink. Finding some, Harry sat down at his desk and grabbed his quill.
Ron,
Thanks for the invite, but I can't leave just yet. You are not going to believe who showed up at my neighbours' house! Lupin!
He's staying around for a while because the full moon coming. As far as I know, Sirius is alright. He's up north somewhere.
I'll let you know when I can come and stay.
Have a great holiday!
Harry.
Harry scribbled a similar letter to Hermione then roused the sleepy owls. Pig wouldn't sit still for Harry to tie Rons letter to his leg. It took Hedwig flaring her wings and hissing at him, before Pig would sit properly.
Harry opened the window to let them out. As they flapped and soared out of sight, Harry couldn't help feeling that this year, he was going to enjoy his summer holiday.