Disclaimer: J.K.Rowling wrote Harry Potter, she also owns it. I neither wrote it nor own it, I just like it very much.

Notes: Some of the details necessary for this story I wasn't sure if they apply in the books. eg, I don't know whether occlumency is meant to stop just fake visions or all of them, but in this story it stops all of them.

The formatting went all funny when I uploaded my story on here. I had it all nicely spaced out and everything. Oh well :(

The beginning of the story will be quite angsty since it's post-OotP, but after that it won't be so much and will be more action/adventure etc. Please read and review and tell me your opinions.

Summary: When the Dursleys are killed, Harry has no magical protection left. He is launched into more danger, trouble and secrecy than ever before, and stays with Remus Lupin. NOT SLASH, post-OotP.

Summary2: When the Dursleys are killed, Harry has no magical protection left. He and Remus Lupin are pulled into danger beyond their comprehension. Explosions, Fidelius charm, kidnap, rescue missions, Death Eaters, Wormtail, full moon, action, discoveries + more.

CHAPTER ONE- THE BIG BANG

Not often would one encounter any strange happenings on Privet Drive. Only every now and then would something even remotely unexplainable take place on this otherwise notably ordinary street. Oddly enough, these things (rare as they were) would almost always take place some time in between the beginning of July and the end of August, and somewhere inside the radius of 20 feet from number 4 on the aforementioned street.

Such strange happenings would include the congregation of owls on neighboring rooftops, the young Dudley Dursley sprouting additional bodily appendages, oddly dressed individuals patrolling the street and the occasional appearance of that vulgar boy from St. Brutus'.

As memorable as these occasional happenings were, however; none were more so than the day number 4 Privet Drive exploded.

*****

Harry Potter was trying to keep himself occupied. He had all his homework done already, he would study from his Hogwarts books, write to his friends practically every day, and even offer to do chores for his aunt and uncle who would give him the occasional nasty look but were otherwise ignoring him (thankfully). Harry reasoned this was most likely because of the threats they had received from the order members at the train station. The point was that Harry kept himself busy- anything to keep his mind from wandering and remembering the events of the previous year. Every time he thought about it a fresh wave of pain would wash over him.

His scar had been hurting but he supposed that was inevitable. The second war had begun and Voldemort must be feeling a lot of hate. At least Harry wasn't getting visions. He had been practicing Occlumency- both because he could avoid such disasters as the one that had been the cause of his Godfather's death only two weeks before, and because it required he cleared his mind, which meant he didn't have to remember.

Right at that moment, however, Harry was writing a letter to Hermione. It didn't take long, since his letters in response to Ron and to Professor Lupin the previous day had been almost identical. He had to write to an order member every three days, and he had chosen without much difficulty to write to Professor Lupin because he supposed his old defense against the dark arts teacher would need someone to talk to too.

He looked over his letter to Hermione one last time.

            Dear Hermione,

I'm glad you're having a good time. I'm doing OK too, thanks for asking. The Dursleys are treating me well, I think they're afraid of what might happen to them if they don't (and who would blame them)!

Well done for your OWLs, that's great! I got an O in Defense, Charms and ... Potions! I got D in History of magic and Divination, and an A in Astrology (perhaps they raised the marks because of the disturbance). I got EE in care of magical creatures and Transfiguration. I'm surprised at my marks, I didn't think I'd do that well.

Yes, I've been practicing Occlumency. I think I'm getting pretty good at the clearing my mind part. It helps me to forget. In fact, I've been keeping myself very busy. I bet even you haven't done all your homework yet! I've been studying too.

Any idea how long Dumbledore's gonna keep me captive in this place?

            Hope I can see you soon,

            Harry.

Harry strapped his letter to Hedwig's leg. It was approaching nighttime and she had just woken up. He stroked her feathers and she nipped his finger before flying out the window into the darkening sky.

Harry went back to keeping himself occupied. He had set himself the task of trying to mend Dudley's broken toys that were lying about Harry's room because they had nowhere else to go. As it were he managed to set them out into three different categories: those that were broken, those that were bent, and the majority that were truly beyond repair. Harry had managed to crudely stick a few things together with the roll of sellotape he had kept in his drawer for repairing his glasses should he get into a fight with Dudley. He didn't have to worry about that this year since Dudley was still scared Harry would set Dementors on him to suck his brains out. Of course Harry had informed him he had nothing to worry about, because: A- that probably wouldn't make any difference anyway, and B- they suck your soul out not your brains, duh. At this Dudley had run off screaming and avoided Harry even more.

Generally Harry was left alone. This was an improvement over being hit with a smeltings stick or a frying pan, but it did get rather lonely. Just at that moment an owl flew through his window. He recognized it as Professor Lupin's owl and untied the letter that was strapped to its leg.

            Dear Harry,

Again, please call me Remus. I'm not your professor any more. Just a reminder. Can I still take credit for your Defense mark though? Your marks are absolutely fantastic! And I'm not surprised at all.

Glad you're getting on OK. If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here. I'd like to talk to you too. It would be easier if we didn't have to do this by post, but you need to stay in the house still- it's too risky.

About Occlumency, I've glad you've been practicing before you go to sleep but try not to use it as an escape in the waking hours. If you hide from your feelings you'll just end up cold. Your parents and Sirius did everything in their power to try and keep you in the warmth. Remind yourself that Snape is a master of Occlumency- look how he ended up.

I know how hard this is for you, but I'm going through this too and I went through this fourteen years ago. I was alone then but Harry you'll never be alone. I know you want not to remember, but it would be so much harder to forget. Don't forget Sirius.

            Write soon,

            Remus.

Harry held the letter in his hand long after he had finished reading. Don't forget Sirius. Of course he wouldn't forget Sirius. He could never... But wasn't that what he had been trying to do? Because whenever he thought about him he remembered the veil, and what had happened. Professor Lupin was right. He couldn't forget. He wouldn't. He wasn't the type of person just to run away from his problems.

Harry looked at all the sellotaped toys lying around and suddenly had an idea. He dragged over his trunk, which was mostly unpacked and threw it open. There were only a few things left lying in the bottom of the trunk because he hadn't known where to put them. The broken pieces of the mirror.

Sirius had given Harry the mirror so that he could always find him when he needed help. Why hadn't Harry remembered? How could he have been so dumb? It was dangerous to forget. Only a week beforehand Harry had looked into the mirror to find Sirius, to find help. He had only seen himself. Was that all he was left with? Harry you'll never be alone. Was that the truth?

Harry laid the pieces of the shattered mirror out on the floor, fitting them back together. It was like a jigsaw. He stuck the pieces together as he found their place in the puzzle. Finally he had an almost complete mirror. He guessed there was only one piece left. He reached inside the chest to get it, but there was nothing there. There was a piece missing. He looked again. It wasn't there. Harry grew still as he realized it was probably gone forever. Like Sirius. Harry allowed himself to think about him, about the veil and everything that happened. All his fault.

Harry drew his legs up to his chest and brought the mirror closer to his face, staring into it. He was suddenly reminded of the collectable wizarding cards that came free with chocolate frogs. He remembered the first day on the Hogwarts Express, being surprised when Dumbledore had walked off the card. Maybe if he watched for long enough, Sirius would just come strolling into the mirror like nothing had ever happened.

Harry didn't know how long he watched the mirror. It must have been a long time because the previously darkening sky had faded to black. Harry knew deep inside that Sirius was gone forever but as the thoughts entered his mind, for the first time he didn't push them away. Perhaps one day he would see Sirius again. But not yet. Until then he had his memories. Professor Lupin was right. Don't forget.

Harry slowly drifted off to sleep, the mirror still clutched tightly in his hand. It occurred to him as he finally lost consciousness that he had forgotten to clear his mind.

*****

Harry was dreaming. In his dream he was in a room in Hogwarts castle, looking into a mirror. The mirror of Erised. He saw his family, and right there beside his mum and dad was Sirius, smiling and waving. Harry smiled and waved back, for the first time in a while he felt happy.

Abruptly, the scene changed. Just as quickly, Harry's feeling of happiness turned into one of severe unease, but then suddenly he felt a great sense of anticipation.

"You are sure he doesn't know of our plans?" Harry said in a high, cold voice.

"Y-yes master. His mail was intercepted as you asked. He has been p-practicing Occlumency," replied a short, balding Death Eater.

"You have also informed the other Death Eaters? Do you remember your orders?"

"Yes master. We are to f-f-form outside number 4 Privet Drive tonight and wait until you give us a sign, if you do. Th-the protection round the house is blood related and now you share the b-boy's blood you should be able to walk straight in. Only you, my lord."

"Indeed," Harry sneered, "But it still puzzles me as to why is it that it took you so long to figure this out."

"S-s-sorry, we should have-" the man stuttered.

"Do not try to excuse yourself, Wormtail," Harry reached a long, bony hand for his wand and pointed it at the quivering Death Eater. "Crucio."

As the man screamed in agony, Harry laughed a cold, cruel laugh.

*****

Harry awoke screaming and clutching his forehead, where his scar was in searing pain. As the pain dulled to a steady ache, Harry realized that he was covered in a cold sweat and lying on the floor where he had fallen asleep the night before. No, it was still the night, midnight. That was when Harry bolted upright in panic. Voldemort, he was coming here.

Harry swiftly yet breathlessly stood up on slightly unsteady legs, wondering what he should do. He noted with some wonder that the Dursleys had either not heard him or were ignoring him. He needed to do something, tell someone. What if this was just another hoax? What if it wasn't? He definitely needed to talk to someone. But how? He could send an owl but Wormtail had said they were being intercepted. Besides, there probably wasn't enough time. Wormtail had said tonight. That could be as soon as now.

What could he do, what could he do? Harry was frantic now. If only he could talk to someone, anyone. Then it hit him. The order members. Someone would be keeping watch outside the house. Without another thought, Harry ran from his room, down the stairs and to the front door as fast as his legs would carry him. He didn't even have time to worry that the front door would be locked before it sprang open in front of him in a surge of unintentional magic and Harry ran out onto the street.

He looked around desperately, squinting through the darkness, for once hoping that someone would be there watching the house. He ran down the drive and looked some more, running about. He couldn't see anyone. How typical that the day this happened would be the one day nobody was watching the house. Harry felt hopeless. What now? He ran even further down the street, just in case he saw anybody.

At that moment Harry heard someone approaching swiftly from behind him. He spun around ready to attack, but then felt a surge of relief when he discerned the face through the dark of midnight.

"Harry! What are you doing out outside? It could be-" Remus Lupin started, but was cut off.

"Professor! I had a vision! Voldemort is coming here! And all the Death Eaters, tonight! Something about sharing my blood, Wormtail said he could just walk right in!" Harry said this very quickly and Remus had to take a moment to register what had just been said.

"Harry, calm down! It was probably just a dream. You've been clearing your mind so-"

"No! You don't understand, I- I forgot. I got your letter and I thought about Sirius and I fell asleep and I forgot! I needed to talk and I don't know what to do because last time..." Harry gulped. Now Remus was looking worried too.

"Are you sure? What if it's a hoax again, to try to get you out of the house?"

"I- I don't know. I really don't know," Harry admitted, feeling useless again. Suddenly he realized something. "It must have been real! Wormtail said they've been intercepting my mail, and they know I've been doing Occlumency. They couldn't have made that up. They didn't. And if they knew that then there was no point in making a hoax unless they knew I would forget, which they couldn't have-"

"It's OK Harry I understand. We can't take the chance. The only option is we run." Remus stated. Harry didn't like to run away, but Remus was right. Then Harry remembered something.

"I've got to warn them!" he said, turning back towards the direction of number 4 Privet Drive, where the Dursleys were tucked up not-so-safely in bed. Remus grabbed Harry's arm.

"Harry you can't! You don't know how much time we have!"

"I've got to! What if... and it's got nothing to do with them," Harry started, already walking back in the direction of the house. But suddenly Remus clapped a hand over his mouth and pulled him roughly behind the cover of the high hedgerow in front of number 10 Privet Drive. Harry was about to try to struggle away when Remus, still with his hand over Harry's mouth, pointed with wide eyes through a gap in the hedge to the end of the street, outside number 2. A black-robed Death Eater had just apparated to what must have been just outside the apparation boundaries. Harry stopped stock-still. Had the Death Eater heard them? He didn't have time to worry as another Death Eater apparated, and another, and another.

A black shape suddenly obscured the tiny gap in the hedge with a loud pop. A Death Eater had just apparated just outside the hedge not two feet from where Harry and Remus crouched, not daring to breathe. They couldn't move or speak for fear of being seen. If they were, then there was nothing Harry could do to defend himself against such odds, and he had left his wand in the house.

Harry heard more pops and he could only hope that no Death Eaters would apparate into the garden where they hid. Harry's heart was beating so loud and so fast that Harry thought it was a wonder the Death Eaters didn't hear it. He felt Remus grip his shoulder. Harry looked at him. He looked exactly the way Harry felt. The sound of popping was all they could hear now.

Suddenly the black obstruction moved from in front of the small chink in the hedge, not that they were any better off. Now they could see a sea of black cloaks, all moving towards number 4 Privet Drive and forming lines outside the house. It was a sinister sight; they were all standing, silent as Dementors, as if waiting for something (which of course they were). Just as Harry began hoping that the Dementors wouldn't come as well, someone else came that quelled those old thoughts and gave rise to entirely new ones. Voldemort.

The tall thin figure apparated behind the ranks of Death Eaters and Harry's scar was suddenly engulfed with pain. It was searing, unbearable, but he managed to stay silent. He clutched his head in agony and he felt Remus' grip tighten on his shoulder.

As Voldemort walked forwards the Death Eaters separated in front of him to let him past, towards number 4. Harry's scar was increasing in pain with every step. Harry knew this was nothing though, as to how it would feel when Voldemort didn't find what he was looking for.

Voldemort walked further forwards and then was beyond Harry and Remus' line of vision from behind number 10's hedgerow. All Harry had to go by now was the pain, as it steadily increased. Minutes seemed like hours, as the Death Eaters stood silent, watching; and Harry's scar increased in pain. Harry only gripped his head harder, and Remus only gripped his shoulder tighter, as if wordlessly telling him that everything would be OK.

Then there was an inhuman roar that filled the whole street as Voldemort stormed out of the house and unbelievable pain ripped down Harry's scar such as he'd never felt before. He tensed every muscle in his body and gripped his head with one hand and Remus' robes with the other, with all the strength he could muster- but he couldn't yell out.

Chaos had rung out among the Death Eaters, and some even seemed to be trying to escape- which judging by the amount of rage Voldemort was in to cause Harry to suffer such agony, was probably a good idea.

Then suddenly with a flick of Voldemort's wand and one deadly word, two explosions happened at the same time. Number 4 Privet Drive exploded in a shower of bricks and mortar, accompanied by a bang that rang throughout the whole of Surrey; and Harry's scar exploded with such pain that he was sure he would be dead. If his body was still capable of screaming by this point there would have been nothing he could have done to stop himself. But as it was he just managed to give a small gasp, and thankfully he had lost consciousness by the time Voldemort had started to punish his Death Eaters.