Disclaimer : I'll only say this once, I do not own Harry Potter or any other copyrighted material. Is that plain enough? I will not be posting disclaimers in future chapters.
Chapter 1, Strange Happenings
Location: #4 Privet Drive, Sunday, July 7 1996, night
From an outsiders view, number four Privet Drive is one of the most ordinary houses you could come across. In reality it is one of the strangest in the neighborhood. The reason for this is the youngest occupant. Harry Potter had been living at number four since he was a year old, when his parents died. Most of Privet Drive was under the impression the Potter boy was a juvenile delinquent who went to a boarding school specifically for such boys.
They couldn't have been more wrong. Harry Potter was anything but a delinquent. He was a bright teenager, quiet, and usually polite. He had unruly black hair, pale skin, and clear emerald eyes. He was shorter then most teens his age. What drew the most attention was the curiously shaped scar that marked his forehead, right above his left eyebrow. A lightning bolt shaped scar.
Harry now sat at the window of his room, starring blankly at the stars thinking about that interesting scar and his life in general. You see Harry Potter was no ordinary boy. No, Harry was a wizard. The-Boy-Who-Lived to be precise. He attended Hogwarts, a wizarding school somewhere in Scotland. There he spent most of his year and learned various form of magic, some useful and others not so useful.
Harry cursed the muggle street lights. It made it so much harder to see the stars. After a few minutes of searching he found the constellation he had been seeking. Canis Major, and there at the base of it's neck was Sirius. Harry smiled weakly. Ever since arriving back at Privet Drive, when it was late enough he would open the window, remove the screen and search until he found the dog star. It didn't take the pain away but it gave him something to focus on. Something other then the prophecy.
Looking down at the the fence separating the Dursley's lawn from the neighbor's Harry could see the shadowy form of his watcher. He didn't know the man's name but mentally called him The Sixth. Within the first week back, Harry had started keeping watch on his watchers. He found he could soon find and tell the difference between the different guards. He had counted twelve. They didn't seem so intent on concealing themselves from him ever since he made it clear he was aware of their presence.
The Sixth was one of the few guards Harry didn't mind. The Sixth never tried to draw him into conversation when ever he went outside. The Eighth would be showing up before to long. He was always a bit late for his shift. Harry wasn't certain but he thought the others got rather irritated with The Eighth for every time he was late.
The grandfather clock in the dining room down stairs started to chime.
Harry frowned, pulling himself back into the room. Glancing at his own clock on the bedside table he realized it was quarter of ten. This made no sense. The Dursleys should have been home fifteen minutes ago.
Earlier in the evening his Aunt Petunia had told him they were attending the annual neighborhood summer festival. They used to attend when Harry was younger, but ever since he started going to Hogwarts the Dursleys almost seemed afraid to go. They had probably been worried someone might find out about the 'freak' living in the same household as them. Harry didn't mind that they were late. Aunt Petunia was a gossip, she would be talking to anyone who would listen until her throat gave out.
Harry walked over to the window, glancing out at Sixth. He smiled at the man's irritated scowl, Eighth was late again, as usual.
Harry was just about to return the window screen to it's rightful place when a loud crack filled the air, and the house rumbled as if it was in an earthquake. Harry dropped the screen in shock. He hadn't been looking directly at the sky right outside his window; but he could have sworn he saw something remarkably like spider webs. It had been shaped in a dome that spread up over the house and out of view.
Searching the ground Harry caught sight of Sixth. He was cornered by four black robed figures, his back against the Dursley's garden fence. Harry rushed to his bedside table and yanked open the top drawer. Reaching in he pulled out his wand and spinning around nearly flew to the window.
Harry reached the opening in time to see Sixth dodge a flash of green light. Before Harry could take aim his guard spun on his heel and, with a pop, disappeared.
Harry blinked. Did Sixth just abandon him? Part of him was upset he had just been left alone to deal with four adult Death Eaters. Another part argued that at least no more innocent people were going to die protecting him.
It was just as the four turned around that Harry saw his chance. Taking quick aim at the largest of them he shot off a stunner. The spell hadn't even hit the man when Harry sent a powerful sleep spell at the one in the center. The first went down, but the second spell was off and hit the ground at the Death Eaters' feet.
The fifteen year old didn't get a chance to cast another spell as a cry of "Crucio" split the night. He pulled himself back through the window and placed himself at the bottom corner, where he wouldn't be an easy target.
Harry was just about chance a quick look out the window to fire at one of the robed men when suddenly there was another loud crack, but this time it was followed by a shattering sound. Harry glanced at the sky and saw the spider web like dome appear once more before it was shredded.
'The wards!'
A crash rumbled through the house and then sounds of people entering the front door. Harry swung around and ran for his door. He managed to drag his trunk in front of the entrance, glad it opened inwards, just as the first Death Eater reached the top of the steps.
Harry started casting locking spells and other wards but before he could finish the door was blasted open, throwing him across the room. He hit the wall below the window and a soft crack was heard.
As he was hugging his pained rib, Harry looked up to see Lord Voldemort, himself standing in the doorway.
"Well, well Harry Potter, getting to you was far easier then I expected," The Dark Lord smirked, "I thought that the old fool would have more then a blood ward in place, there really not that difficult to get rid of once the blood relative used to sustain it is killed."
Harry gasped, "No! Aunt Petunia can't be..."
Voldemort laughed, his serpentine face appearing even less human as he did so.
He raised his wand and aimed it strait at Harry's heart, still grinning broadly. "Not just her."
Harry stared at the inhuman thing in front of him. He clenched his jaw. His parents had been stolen from him, Sirius, and now what little remained of his family was gone. A pressure was building behind the bridge of his nose. No one hurt his family.
There was a loud bang and Voldemort was thrown off his feet through the open doorway and into the wall across the hall. Two Death Eaters ran into sight to check on their lord. One of them pulled his wand and hit Harry with a Cruciatus Curse. Harry screamed. His very blood felt like it was on fire.
"Enough, Johnston!"
The curse was lifted and Harry found himself on his side under the window, his cheek stinging from were it had been rubbing against a rough floorboards. He attempted to draw a breath only to gasp in pain coming from his chest. He couldn't remember ever being in so much agony before, not even at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
Voldemort, his eyes blazing strode across the room to Harry and gave him a swift kick in the ribs. Harry cried out as he heard another one of his ribs crack. There was blood in his mouth where he had bitten his tongue.
Voldemort placed his wand against Harry's shoulder, and before the boy could move out of the way the Dark Lord muttered a spell.
"Lacrimae Carnis."
Harry screamed as the flesh, from the base of his neck to the tip of his elbow was torn, leaving long gashes from witch blood flowed freely. Just before Harry passed out from pain, another spell was cast, keeping the boy awake.
"You won't be escaping so easily this time Harry Potter. Oh no, I'm going to make you suffer for all the trouble you made me go through."
Harry existed in a world of pain. He wasn't sure how long Voldemort had been torturing him but he knew it wasn't going to stop.
Opening his eyes he looked up at the serpentine man above him, his vision blurry. He couldn't tell if this was because of all the spells cast on him or if he had lost his glasses. If it wasn't for the pain he wouldn't have been able to tell if he was alive or not.
'Perhaps I did die and am now in Hell. It certainly feels like it, though I don't know why I'd be there. Maybe I'm being punished for not saving Cedric and Sirius.'
"Whats the matter Potter? No defiance? No quick come backs?" Voldemort taunted, the smirk on his face could be heard. "You're not as powerful as everyone thought, are you? I had never believed you had any sort of real power or you would have seen the truth and joined me when you had the chance."
Harry grimaced as a flare of fire seemed to go through his veins before glaring at the man, "Oh really," He countered, his voice hardly resembling what it used to be after all his screaming."Then why did you bring a dozen of your obnoxious death munchers just to take out poor, little, defenseless me? Doesn't sound like you were very confident, does it Tom. Whats the matter? Afraid that since my blood is purer then yours you won't be able to defeat me on your own?"
Before Voldemort could articulate a reply there was crack, similar to the one the wards made as they were battered followed by a flash of light. When the light had cleared five cloaked strangers were standing in the small, cramped room. The figure that appeared to be the leader knelt down next to Harry, shooting a voiceless spell at the Dark Lord as his knees touched the floor.
With that one spell all hell broke lose. Harry tried to keep track of who was hit with what spell but after the Death Eater Johnston was glued to the ceiling he started to feel rather light headed. Just before he lost conciseness he saw Voldemort back out of the room chanting a long stream of Latin phrases Harry couldn't make any sense out of. Then all was black.
'No. How could I let this happen?' Albus Dumbledore thought as he watched #4 Privet Drive go up in flames, the paint of the blue shutters peeling and turning black.
The Order of the Phoenix had arrived nearly half an hour ago, just after the drop of the original wards to find a new powerful and hostile set in its place. These wards were designed to keep out all outside forces, not even Albus, with all his experience and wisdom could so much as put a dent in them.
Within minutes of their arrival there had come a horrible scream from the second floor.
'No!' Albus attempted to once again break through the wards.
Eventually the screams had stopped. For several moments there had been silence, then they started again sounding like his throat could give out at any time.
For some time this went on until suddenly the screams ended and didn't start again. There had been along pause, then the wards had given a tremendous jolt. The Order, seeing their chance launched a set of ward weakeners toward the house. The spells hit the barrier but had no more affect then they did when they first arrived.
Another pause. The Order had been about to try again when Voldemort strode out the front door followed by a handful of his Death Eaters. Seeing Albus he had laughed.
"You're too late old man. Potter will be dead soon," With that the Dark Lord had apparated away. His servants snickered and followed their master's example.
Just then Remus Lupin had let loose a cry and pointed at a window on the second floor. Swinging around Albus saw flame licking at the window's frame.
They watched in horror as the house burned. The fire spread unnaturally fast; it only took a few minutes before the entire house was in flames. Not long after the walls inside the first floor collapsed and #4 caved in on itself. In less than fifteen minutes the house had burned to the ground.
Remus fell to his knees and sobbed. Various other Order members did the same, others just stood there in shock. Alastor Moody seemed to be unable to get enough oxygen and had to sit down on the very same lawn bench Harry had sat on four years before when he had told Dudley he was going to set one of the bushes on fire. They watched the house smolder.
"Albus?" The Headmaster turned and looked at Kingsley. "What happens now?"
Albus looked around as most of the Order watched, some echoing the same question. For the first time in many years me was at a loss for words. These people depended on him for guidance yet he couldn't truly give them any.
Before he could answer there was the pop of someone apparating in. Several Order members leveled their wands at the intruder, without realizing who it was, but Albus recognized him immediately.
"Severus," He greeted tiredly. "What has happened to you?"
What indeed for Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts was as pale as fresh snow and his breathing was rugged as though he had run a great distance.
Instead of responding to the Headmaster's question he leaned against the trunk of a tree and looked like he was going to pass out.
The Order just stared at him. The Headmaster approached him and gently laid his hand on the younger man's shoulder, "Severus," he tried again,"What happened?"
The man glanced up into the Headmaster's worried blue eyes before looking away his gaze coming to rest on the burning smolders of #4.
"I'm sorry," Severus whispered quietly, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to warn you of the attack. I... I didn't know... not until He came back claiming to have finished it. I'm sorry."
Everyone watched silently as he gave his apology, wondering at the fact that it was Snape doing the apologizing.
Remus stumbled to his feet and strode over to Severus, grabbed a hold of his robes and slammed him against the tree with all the force his werewolf muscles could muster. "Don't act like you care Snape 'cause I know you don't. You hated James and now the last true connection to him you had to deal with is gone, so don't even pretend to care, you bastard."
Several people gasped at the menace behind Remus's words, he had never been one to easily lose control. Albus stepped forward and pulled the werewolf's hands away from Severus's robes. "That's enough, Remus. Severus may not have liked the boy but he knows how important he is."
The potions master managed to glare at Remus, "If I had wanted the brat to die I would have let him during his first year," he stopped to rub his shoulders where they had connected with the tree. Remus growled, frightening half the order into backing away.
Albus stepped between the two, halting whatever action Remus might have done. "Severus, why are you here?" the Headmaster asked. "You could blow your cover."
Snape laughed harshly, "It doesn't matter anyway."
Albus blinked, he hadn't expected that. "Explain, Severus."
"He's searching for someone, Albus. Someone who, if sided with him, could give him the power to crush any opposition," Snape took a shuddering breath, "I think we should continue this somewhere else," He nodded toward the charred remains of the house."The muggles will be showing up any time now."
Albus nods and signals for everyone to apparate out.
The night was split by several resounding pops and the lawn of #4 Privet Drive was once again empty till the sound of the fire-engines came around the corner waking many of the streets inhabitants.
Location: #12 Grimmauld Place, same night.
The Order's inner circle sat around the kitchen table. All the members and the teens currently staying in the household had been given the devastating news of Harry James Potter's death. Now the most trusted awaited the information their spy, Severus Snape had gathered.
"Severus," Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, glanced at the man sitting three seats from his left. "You said Voldemort has found a new ally?"
The man shook his head. "No he hasn't, at least not yet. He has found out about the existence of a young man with powers that could rival his own, and instead of destroying him as he normally would he is going to attempt to gain the man's loyalty," Here Severus paused not certain how to continue. "This young man is not entirely human."
Several people around him gasped. Albus merely blinked. "Mind explaining that, Severus?"
Severus took a deep breath and nodded. "As I said he isn't quite human. He is half demon-"
"What!" Alastor bellowed interrupting him. "Don't yank our chain, Snape. Everyone who's been taught any real bit of history knows the demon race died out hundreds of years ago. There ain't no way the boy's a demon, part or whole. It's just not possible."
"That's where you're wrong, Moody," Severus snapped. "I have far more knowledge on that particular subject than you ever could."
Albus sat forward in his chair and gazed intently at the younger man. "You know something about this boy everyone else is unaware of, correct?"
Severus shifted uneasily in his chair before replying. "Yes... I've known of the boy's existence since the time of his conception," He stopped speaking to allow the information to sink in.
Even Albus stared at him in shock. "You don't mean...?"
"Yes, I do," Severus ground out keeping his eye sight fixed of his hands as they clenched themselves into fists on the surface of the rough wooden table. "All I knew about the mother is her appearance, the fact she was a pure demon, and her name; Jamilia. Demon women are very assertive. If they chose a human male to mate with, the human rarely, if ever, has any choice."
There was silence until Tonks asked why Voldemort wanted the boy.
Severus nearly growled in frustration, his already stretched patience coming to an end. "Because having someone with any amount of demon blood allied with him would make him unstoppable, that's why."
Alastor glared at Snape showing all his hatred for any and everyone with a connection to the Dark Lord. "You said Voldemort hasn't received the brat's loyalty yet? Why is that?"
The potions master glared back just as fiercely. "One, the Dark Lord doesn't know where my son is. Two, I take offense at the fact you automatically assume he would join Voldemort just because he is part demon, or was it because he's my son?"
Both men were about to fly at each others throats when Albus stepped in. "Enough," They sat back as the Headmaster continued. "Severus, what do you know of you son?"
"More then you would think never having met the boy myself," Snape leaned forward slightly in his seat. "His name is Raven and he turned sixteen three days ago. He lives at a temple in the deserts of Egypt. He is skilled in the art of wizardry. I am sent letters every two to three weeks on his progress from the head monk, Teldrom," he sighed before continuing. "The first letter I received was the fifth of July in '80, the day after he was born. It told me of my son's birth and Jamilia's death only an hour later. They had wished to know what they should do with the child and whether or not I would claim him as my own.
"At the time I was spying on the Dark Lord and there was no sign of the end of the war or that I would even come out alive, a child would be in far to much danger living with me. I wrote Kamen, who was the head of the temple at the time and explained I was in no condition to raise a child and asked them to take care of him, or failing that place him in a family that would do so. Kamen responded saying they would do what they could for the child, he was understanding of my hesitance of taking my son in," He scowled at a stain on the table that was probably from one of the twins' pranks. "But after that one letter I haven't been able to send any others, they all come back unopened. It is... frustrating..." He trailed off.
Albus watched as his younger colleague collected himself. After several seconds of silence had passed Severus continued. "I don't even know if the boy is aware of my existence. All the letters I receive are from Teldrom, and he never passes on any messages or any sign that Raven knows about me. He might believe I care nothing for him and wishes to have nothing to do with me," He sat back in his seat before stating, "That's all I can tell you without intruding on Raven's personal information which you do not need to know.
"Now, what are you going to do about it?"
The Headmaster stood and walked over to Snape and, laying his hand on the younger man's shoulder asked, "Do you wish to see your son?" the man nodded. "Then I believe it is time to go find him. You say you know the location of this temple?" He waited for another nod. "We will leave on the fourteenth, one week from now. After Harry's funeral," Everyone in the room shuddered as though a frigged wind had blown through the room.
"Albus," Moody got to his feet. "Who shall go?"
The Headmaster glanced around at all the faces of the Order members present, "I think the best choices are Remus," The werewolf's head shot up from where it had settled in his hands at the mention of the funeral, "Arther, myself and of course Severus. That will be all, if we bring to many they might feel threatened," He turned as the clock hanging on the kitchen chimed mid-night. "Believe it is time this meeting ended, and I must now tell the new Minister, Rufus Scrimgeour of the night's events."
And with that Albus quietly exited the house to apparate to the ministry, and after several moments had passed the majority of the Order rose out of their chairs and left as well, leaving only Remus Lupin and Severus Snape.
Another moment had passed when Severus arose and walked over to the sink. Filling a tea pot he set it on the stove to boil. He then summoned two china cups and placed a tea bag from one of his pockets in each one. As he waited for the water to heat he watched the werewolf as he stared at the table in front of him. He had always hated the mutt and his brat of a godson but he couldn't deny their deaths had hit the man in front of him hard. He wouldn't be surprised if Lupin gave up completely on life after all that had happened. Even though he had never liked the werewolf he was too important to the Order for him to just break down.
The tea pot whistled and Severus took it off the burner and filled both cups, watching as the herb packet turned the water a soft brick red, almost the color of blood. He set the pot upon the cooling stove and brought the tea cups over to the table. Placing one on the table before the other man he sat across from him and sipped from his own.
Lupin, for nearly a minute, seemed to not know anyone else was in the room, but then he reached out and gripped the handle of the cup, brought it to his mouth and took a large, almost desperate gulp. Setting it on the table once more, the man leaned back and allowed the tea's calming properties seep into him.
Looking at him the werewolf nodded his thanks and Severus was reminded of the night after Black had died when he had given Lupin the exact same mixture of herbs, knowing the man had almost reached the limits of his endurance. It had had a similar affect then as it did now.
Severus may not have liked him but he understood the wolf. Understood he didn't want words, that they wouldn't change things. He quickly drained the rest of his own calming tea and silently thanked himself for always carrying around a few of his herb mixes, he would often sit in this same kitchen and drink the tea after one of the Dark Lord's meetings. Rising out of his chair he returned the werewolf's nod and placed the china in the sink before striding through the open door.
He knew the werewolf understood as well the small kindness would change nothing between them.
Now all he had to do is prepare to meet his son.
A/N: To those who have read my other stories; I am sorry there has not been any updates but I seem to have hit a snag in the story layouts, such as not having any. Black Bird has 27 pages of notes written for it and I write more at school every day. Most of the typing takes place when I have the patience to sit down and allow my fingers to feel like they want to fall off.
With the chapter word count being more than all three chapters of EtD put together I feel proud of myself but I wish to know what you readers think, would you like longer chapters like this that will take longer to update or shorter chapters that don't take as long?
Flamers will be ignored.