s/k: Hey! So this is the beginning to our first HP fiction, it's kind of being renovated by me because I've nothing better to do and I really can't stop writing. ' We constitutes myself (shadowkitty a.k.a Kaleb) Starr as herself, and our good friend Tara as Hazel. So yeah… we inserted ourselves and other new characters, and the fic is pre-H-BP. We pull ideas and characters from H-BP, so don't be surprised if you find spoilers. (ie: that document down there written by the ministry? Yeah, that'd be Ms. Rowlings, and definitely not written by us, from H-BP)

WE DON'T OWN HARRY OR THE OTHERS, unfortunately, they are all in the capable hands of Ms. Rowling and we'll leave them there. R&R

Ch. 1

It was a dark, gloomy atmosphere, charged with both anticipation and fear. To the side stood a black-robed figure, awaiting the arrival of the others. The graveyard they were to assemble in was vast, covered in a thick layer of fog and mist that muffled sound. The silence was beginning to press on her ears, so quiet in the mist. The circular area of grass, clear of graves, was to be a meeting point, a silent, hidden area to assemble the most dangerous witches and wizards of their time. At one end of the circle was a tall headstone shaped as a small cathedral, the grave of someone who had clearly been important in the Muggle society. Now, with the mist around it, it merely looked eerie and forsaken. The slight robed figure stepped forward into place, and a light drizzle began to fall. Around the clearing there were soft pops as other black-robed figures apparited.

Their numbers had swelled since the breakout in Azkaban, but tonight was reserved for those about to be given an assignment; she was to be part of the task, and she was nervous. She recognized most of the Deatheaters as they appeared around her, Parkinson, Narcissa Malfoy and a slim figure beside her, another taller man, and one other, small person, whom she didn't recognize at all. Once all were present, a tense silence settled over the figures; they had apparited perfectly into a circle with a large gap left between two of the robed figures she didn't recognize. Then, from the mist emerged the Dark Lord. His skin was white, taunt against the fine bones of his face, with red eyes that always seemed to be narrowed into slits regardless of his ever-changing mood. The long, supple and bony fingers were hidden by the billowing sleeves of his dark navy robes, just like his feet. He seemed to glide smoothly into place, and took stock of his followers. The robed figures bowed in unison to their lord, and silently awaited his word. Nagini slithered up beside her master, she rose up enough for Voldemort to run his hand over her head, like some sort of perverse dog.

"My loyal Deatheaters," he began, his was voice high, clear, and dangerous; slithering out from between thin, bloodless lips. "I have a great honour to bestow upon a select few of you." He smiled, they waited. "Malfoy. Kolbe Come forward."

The clipped orders brought two youths towards their Lord, and then smoothly to one knee with their hoods drawn back to reveal their similar faces, an unusual proceeding, but most everyone here, aside from her, knew each other. Slim features, small, almost identical noses, and pale complexions that seemed to glow slightly in the minimal light reflected back at them by the fog. The most outstanding difference was their hair, he had hair that was almost white, slicked back against his skull, hers was like loose strands of a black spiders' web, short and hiding her eyes. "Yes, my lord." They uttered together.

Above them, Voldemort smiled tautly. "Yes, you shall be perfect for this task…"

The figures stayed bowed, staring resolutely at the colourless grass as they awaited their orders.

---

The summer was only halfway over and already it was wet and dreary. The heavy clouds above threatened to rain given the slightest prompting. Either ignoring or enjoying the stormy conditions, a 16-year-old girl wandered down Magnolia Crescent. If she'd walked past in the street, it's doubtful anyone would have taken real notice of her. Her trainers were well worn, jeans slightly baggy and comfortable, black T-shirt printed with a swirling white design that fell from the back of her right shoulder to her left hip. Around her hips she had tied a black zip-up jacket, as if she'd planned on being out for a while, and had thought she may need it if the weather turned on her properly. As she reached the play park, Kaleb headed straight to the swings and dropped into one of the two that wasn't broken. Snaking her arm around the chain, she gazed up at the fading daylight; clouds slowly turning shades of purple and red, until they had faded into the same blue-black as her short cut hair.

In a pensive mood unusual for herself, she let her stormy grey eyes take in the equipment, most of it covered in graffiti or torn apart by the local gang. Her thoughts drifted back to the beginning of the summer, when her stepfather had ordered her off to Little Winging, with her aunt Arabella. She'd expressed very clearly that the last place on earth she wanted to be was with: "... a batty old cat-loving Squib living half way across the bloody country!" Naturally, that's exactly where she'd ended up.

The move hadn't bothered her quite so much as she'd thought it would, the community was clean and neatly arranged; a far fetch from her last residence, to say the least. Where she had come from, it wouldn't have been unusual for those living there to have their windows boarded up, and keep their lights low, so as the house would appear to have been deserted.

Attention drifting, she glanced at the sky again, judging that she'd spent perhaps an hour watching the sun set fully, just thinking. She pulled herself off the swing and started winding her way back in the general direction of her aunts' house. However, instead of turning at Magnolia Crescent, Kaleb continued on, deciding to keep up her quiet exploration of the area. She turned onto Privet Drive, silently observing the closed curtains, the lights turning on or off, leaving multi-colored squares of light in their place. Continuing on, she padded silently along the rows of houses, letting the numbers slip by her. 10... 8... 6...

At number 4, she stopped. There was only a single, second floor light on, with the silhouette of a person leaning on the sill of the window, blocking part of the warm glow the light made. She stopped and turned, untying her sweater and shrugging it on as she watched the person in the window.

The zipper on her jacket seemed much too loud as she zipped it up in the still night, and it was this sound that caught the attention of the figure in the window. The head turned slightly to look at her, if it hadn't been quite so dark, they would have been looking one another in the eye. She could feel herself being scrutinized, and merely gazed back at the person. At her side, the soft double beep of her watch informed her that 9 o'clock had rolled around.

The sound of the watch seemed to break her from her pause, and she turned slowly around, starting to head back the way she came. When she reached the end of the block, she turned and glanced briefly over her shoulder, there was the figure, softly closing the front door and padding down the sidewalk across from her. Kaleb raised one eyebrow, but kept walking. Brushing the inside of her left arm on her waist, checking to make sure her wand was there.

---

He had spent the day in his room, reading, and re-reading the Daily Prophet, Quibbler and letters from Ron and Hermione. The floor was amply strewn with sweets wrappers and crumpled-up bits of parchment he'd started writing on, and then discarded for one reason or another. His hair, jet-black and messy as always, was being ruffled by the breeze that was filtering through his open window. Harry Potter sat at his window quietly, waiting for Hedwig to return from hunting so he could send off another letter. Under her cage, the headline on the Daily Prophet read in large, bold lettering: He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Returns! Beneath it was a long, extraneous article describing a rather fabricated and fictitious version of the raid on the Ministry by Deatheaters. The raid Harry and some other DA members had interfered with to the best of their ability. On top of his bed was deep purple pamphlet that he had received perhaps two weeks ago, listing some precautions the magical community should take.

Issued on Behalf of the Ministry of Magic
PROTECTING YOUR HOME AND FAMILY
AGAINST DARK FORCES

The wizarding community is currently under threat from and organization calling itself the Death Eaters. Observing the following simple security guidelines will help protect you, your family and your home from attack.

1. You are advised not to leave the house alone.

2. Particular care should be taken during the hours of darkness. Whenever possible, arrange to complete journeys before night has fallen

3. Review the security arrangements around your house, making sure that all family members are aware of emergency measures such as Shield and Disillusionment Charms and, in the case of under-age family members, Side-Along-Apparition.

4. Agree security questions with close family and friends so as to detect Death Eaters masquerading as others by use of Polyjuice Potion (see page 2)

5. Should you feel that a family member, colleague or friend is acting in a strange manner, contact the Magical Law Enforcement Squad at once. They may have been put under the Imperious Curse (see page 4)

6. Should the Dark Mark appear over any dwelling place or other building, DO NOT ENTER, but contact the Auror Office immediately.

7. Unconfirmed sightings suggest that the Death Eaters may be using Inferi (see page 10). Any sighting of an Inferius, or encounter with the same, should be reported to the Ministry IMMEDIATLEY

Harry sighed, turning the smooth roll of parchment over in his hands over and over again. In the street below, he thought he heard a sound similar to someone zipping up a jacket. His gaze dropped curiously from the dark sky to the figure standing on the sidewalk. By the size and way it was standing, the person seemed to be female, hands held behind her back, head tilted up to look at him. She looked close to his age, and after a moment, she turned and sauntered back down the street. There was something about her that intrigued him, maybe it was nothing more then the odd idea of someone wandering around on their own in the poor weather, be they a Muggle or a member of the magical community.

He thought a moment, and then let his curiosity get the better of him. He picked his wand up from where it had been previously discarded on his bed. He tucked it into his back pocket, and quietly opened his door. The house was silent. He slid out of his room and padded softly down the hall, when he reached the front door, he stuffed his feet into his trainers, and paused to listen once more. Dudley grunted loudly in his sleep, making Harry freeze. When a minute or so had passed without another sound, he opened the front door, and stepped out into the cool darkness of the night.

---

He was following her. She couldn't believe it, just what kind of luck was that? Hardly her third night, and she was being followed. Kaleb took a quick, sidelong glance at her follower as she turned a corner, changing her course so she was once again pointed at the play park. If he was a Muggle, all the better, and she wouldn't need to use her wand. However, incase he wasn't, she wasn't going to lead him back to her aunts' house, Arabella would only be in the way, and probably end up dead if something went wrong, in the worst case scenario.

The walk to the park seemed to take much longer then she knew it was, but he was getting closer, and she could see the swing set rearing up into the sky not far ahead. She continued walking until she was in the at least 30 feet onto the grass, and then whipped around, glaring fiercely at the person who had followed her.

He stopped short, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. She eyed him critically. His hair was as black as hers, but incredibly messy, and in the glowing orange light of the street lamp she could just make out his resiliently green eyes, glaring back at her defiantly. In the back of her memory something tried to flicker up. She didn't say anything, daring him silently to try something. He didn't' say anything. He didn't move at all.

She raised an eyebrow slowly, as if asking him to get on with whatever it was he was going to do. What does he want?

---

Now that he was there, Harry had to admit that he was at a bit of a loss. What was he to say? 'Hi, I'm Harry, and I was just curious as to why you were standing outside my aunt and uncles house?' It sounded stupid, even in his head. He settled instead on a simple: "Hello."

The girl just stared, she stared at him blankly, as if he'd just created the most amazing anti-climax in wizarding history. Which really, he had. " 'Hello' ?" She repeated back flatly. "That's all you've got to say after following me all the way out here?"

Harry rolled his eyes, and shuffled his feet a little. "Well, what am I supposed to say?"

"You tell me," she snorted. "You followed me out here, do you have any idea how creepy that was? For all I knew you were a rapist, or a murderer, or a Death… liking criminal." Her sentence faltered, and she was quick to recover. There was little she could do to save the poor grammar though, and that was what truly caught Harry's attention.

"Is a death-liking criminal the same thing as a Deatheater?" He asked, raising his eyebrow critically, calmly waiting for her answer.

So he is a wizard, she thought to herself, damn, and here I thought I might get off easy. Well, let's find out if I'm guessing right. "Perhaps," she said quietly. "Only if you're who I think you might be."

Interested, Harry played her game. "… and who do you think I am?"

She smirked. "A magician of sorts, with green eyes and a famous childhood."

Immediately he was more alert, more wary of the girl in front of him. "Who's asking?" His gaze swept the park behind her, little more then faint outlines of equipment in the dark night.

"A friend." She answered carefully. "A friend of the Order." She was standing straight, looking directly at him, almost no trace of the former agitation in her stance.

Still cautious, Harry didn't answer at first. "A friend of the Order." He repeated slowly. "Do you have a name then?"

"Kaleb." She said, nodding. "As bad as this will sound, I heard about you through my aunt; Ms. Arabella Figg, on Magnolia Crescent. She said that if I mentioned her name you might take to the idea of a new friend a little better."

He nodded, and pondered for a second what to do next. For once, he tried to determine the most foolproof and safe way to go. "Well, if you're what you say, then you won't mind if I ask for better proof of some sort. Anyone could walk up and say what you've just said."

She chuckled, the light reflecting off the merriment in her eyes. "You're exactly like Dumbledore said you'd be."

"What?" The mention of Dumbledore had caught him totally by surprise. "What do you mean?"

She took a few steps forward, so that they weren't standing quiet so far apart, and didn't have to speak so loud to be heard clearly. "New students have been let into Hogwarts, because of the panic that You-Know-Who has caused. Dumbledore personally spoke to all the new students and their families. When he saw where I would be spending my summer, he mentioned that there was another young wizard in the area, and that if I was interested, I should look him up." She grinned. "It's always nice to go into a new school knowing someone. I wasn't expecting to meet you quite like this though."

Harry was still standing very stiffly, but it was hard to stay on guard when his 'opponent' was smiling and inquisitive. "So…" He started, "how do you know Ms. Figg?"

"I'm her distant relation, great niece, or second niece or something." She shrugged. "We're related, and I'm more like her niece then anyone else in the family."

Harry nodded, touching on the raw area where Sirius had been; he knew the feeling. "I see."

The night was cool, and the dark British sky began to throw the first drops of the storm down on the two teens. Kaleb wrinkled her nose as an offending drop landed, and took a moment to zip her jacket up all the way, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "It's going to storm properly in a minute." She commented, waiting for Harry to say something.

He nodded. "Yes, I think it's time we go home, before it really starts to pour and we're soaked." Even as he said it, he didn't really believe it. The rain was coming down harder, and in less then 5 minutes the storm would be in full swing, and dumping buckets. Regardless, they turned and began to stride quickly back to the sidewalk, and towards home.

Their feet carried them through the building puddles and the splashes of lamplight until they reached the turnoff for Magnolia Crescent. Kaleb stopped, and it only took Harry a moment to notice. He took a few quick steps back to her, standing beside a lamppost, not quite in the rays of light. They really looked at one another in the pale light, two drowned rats with black hair in the rain. Kaleb began to giggle, turning her giggle into a little cough when Harry looked at her indignantly, it only lasted a moment until he cracked a smile as well. "I can't look that stupid." He said, taking his glasses off his nose and using his wet sleeve to wipe away the drops and condensation.

Kaleb smiled. "I don't know, I'd say we both look ridiculous. We're a couple of wet loony's out for a stroll and pseudo-dual in a storm."

Harry laughed, and set his glasses back on his nose. "Will you come round tomorrow then? We loony's need company." He asked, unable to hide his obvious hope.

She nodded. "Yes, I think I definitely will. You're a far fetch more interesting then the other boys I met, yesterday. Looked like a pig in a blonde wig leading a heard of trolls."

"You mean Dudley?" Harry stuttered. "You ran into Dudley's gang?"

She looked a little confused, but nodded. "Could've been, they were pretty cocky if it means anything to you."

Harry laughed again. "I can't tell you how good it is to hear a familiar opinion about him." He grinned. "He's my cousin."

Kaleb's jaw dropped. "Seriously? But… you're so… different…" Harry scratched the back or his wet head and nodded. "He's not a wizard, is he? Someone that ridiculous couldn't be a wizard."

"No, it's alright." He assured her. "He's about as far from a wizard as they come."

She smiled. "Good, because I don't think I could abide going to the same school as him for the next two years."

They stood just a moment and shivered in the storm, before Kaleb broke the sound of the rain and said goodbye. He waited while she jogged a little ways down the road and let herself in to Arabella Figgs' house, waving back to her when she did from the step.

"Kaleb." He said to himself with a smile, and started to saunter back to number 4, Privet Drive. "I think this summer just got better."