THE PUREST POWER

A/N: Hey Guys! I'm Back! I have no clue how this is going to go… I took a LONG break from writing (and reading for that matter). But I've started to get sparked by inspiration again so let's give this a go. I'm not JK Rowling by any means. This story starts pretty cliché but we'll work our way up as we go.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Harry Potter

Summary: Mourning the loss of Cedric Diggory, Harry wonders what challenges will stand in his way next. Will he even survive his fifth year at Hogwarts? Will he ever defeat Voldemort? And more importantly, how? Join him as he discovers the purest power and how it can change everything. AU

Chapter 1:

Harry James Potter, student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sat solemnly in his tiny bedroom. It was July 30th. In two hours, he would be fifteen years old. But what was the point in celebrating when he had no one to spend it with? What was the point when he'd caused the death of his fellow student, Cedric Diggory? How was he supposed to continue?

Outside the window, there was a flicker of movement on the darkened street below. Who or what was out there? Suddenly aware of the change, Harry rose from his place on his creaky bed – a castoff from Dudley, who was clearly too heavy for it – and grabbing his wand from the bedside table, crept silently to the edge of it, giving him enough space to peer down and yet not be seen by possible onlookers.

From where he was, he could see nothing, but the sound of whispered voices sparked his attention.

"No! Don't do that. He'll see you!"

"Of course he won't love"

"Don't you LOVE me, Dung"

"At least I'm not the clumsy one."

The last comment was followed by a loud huff as the person stalked away from Dung, whoever that was. Harry watched as a shoe appeared and quickly disappeared. What was happening out there? Was he still safe? He shook his head and walked back to the bed to think again. Laying down he drifted off to sleep.

He walked down a darkened hallway, drawn by a black door….

Fingers reaching out. Touching the door knob. A flash.

The dream changed.

Harry felt his feet slam onto the cold ground below him. He and Cedric had decided to take the cup together and call it a Hogwarts Victory. The instant Harry's hand touched the handle, he felt a jerk behind his navel and the sensation of being pulled sideways.

Looking around, Harry realised where they were. Little Hangleton. The Graveyard that had haunted his dreams during the year. He turned to Cedric, "we have to get back to the cup. Now!"

Cedric turned to Harry, confused. "Why? What's going on? What are you talking about?"

A rush of flames alerted the boys and slowly they turned to see a bulky figure carrying a bundle, wrapped carefully in a blanket. As they stared ahead, the figure locked eyes with Harry. He dropped to his knees, clutching his scar with both hands as blood-curdling pain ripped through it.

Cedric, with eyes full of fear yelled "Harry, what is it? Talk to me!"

"Cedric, get back to the cup! When you get to Hogwarts, tell Dumbledore that I'm here in a graveyard – he'll know what you mean. Please. Go back to the cup. NOW!" Harry replied urgently.

"Harry, I'm not leaving you. This is a Hogwarts victory!" Cedric argued, rising from his knees, wand at the ready.

"No, Cedric, you have to go back or you'll die!"

"No I won't. I'm not leaving. I am a Hufflepuff to the end"

Harry sighed and watched as Cedric turned to face the figure. "Who are you and what do you want?" Evil laughter filed the air and a voice echoed from the bundle, "KILL THE SPARE!"

Harry's eyes widened in horror as he realised it was Peter Pettigrew, the cowardly Gryffindor who'd betrayed Harry's parents and framed his godfather Sirius Black. He moved to guard Cedric, but it was too late. Green light streamed from Pettigrew's wand as the man screamed "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Harry screamed as Cedric dropped to the ground, lifeless eyes staring up in fear.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry awoke with a start. The words "KILL THE SPARE" haunted him. Breathing slowly, he looked around the darkened room. He was alright. There was red glow beside his bed and for a moment he thought it was Voldemort - but there was no way. Dumbledore had promised Tom wasn't there. He swiveled to the right and founf that it was just the red numbers on the clock glowing. 11:59. Breathe in. Breathe Out. Breathe In. Breathe Out. 12:00. He was fifteen.

It was at that moment that owls flooded in through the small gap in the window. Among them he noticed his snowy owl, Hedwig, and his best friend Ron's owl Pigwidgeon. A tropical bird with bright colourful feathers also adorned the desk. All were laden down with gifts, cards, and letters. He'd been at Hogwarts four years now and it still surprise him when he received anything. Harry gathered the various gifts and picked up the first letter. Best to start with the most boring letter – his Hogwarts one.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

Dear Mr Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have passed your 4th year at Hogwarts. Congratulations! As always, this year will hold more difficulty than previous year but I have no doubt you'll manage.

On another note, I am pleased to tell you that I have made you quidditch captain and a fifth year prefect for Gryffindor House. You were most definitely the best choice.

Please find enclosed your results for your fourth-year exams and the booklist for the coming term.

Kind Regards

Minerva

Harry smiled and pulled the booklist out, glancing over it. There was nothing particularly exciting, so he set it down quietly and moved onto the next one.

Hey Harry,

Happy 15th birthday mate! I can't believe it! I hope this letter finds you well. How are the muggles treating you? Are you doing alright? I still can't believe Cedric's gone. By the way, I really am sorry for the way I treated you. I should never have even thought for a second that you would have wanted to put your name in the cup. I don't know what came over me but I'm hoping that in time, you'll be able to fully forgive me. All is quiet here… well, as quiet as it can be with the twins around. Always blowing SOMETHING up! Hermione is staying with us as her parents are away on business. I love the girl like a sister but boy, she's been nagging me like a mother hen. "Ron you must do your summer homework" "Ron, have you done your potions essay yet?"

In other news, mum and dad have been acting very strangely… almost like they're hiding something, Ginny has been locking herself in her room crying (I have NO clue what the heck is up with her) and um, well, I don't know how to say this but I think I might be in love.

Anyway, I'd better go. I'm thinking of you.

Your best mate,

Ron

Ps. I hope you enjoy the gift. There's a few sweets, mum has sent a cake and some pastries, and I've also left the latest Quidditch book for you.

Harry grinned as he finished reading his best mate's letter and looked over at the selection of gifts. It looked as though he really was in love. Maybe he would finally grow up a little. Who was it though? He tried to think. Luna? Well it certainly wouldn't be Ginny, nor would it be a Slytherin. Hmm, maybe Padma? No, definitely not. Parvati? Maybe a bit gossipy. Lavender?

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Harry moved onto the next letter. Hermione.

Hi Harry!

How are you getting on? I hope you're doing well. I've just returned from visiting Viktor in Bulgaria and honestly, he's a nice guy but he's not suitable for me in THAT way. We have agreed to be pen pals though. For your gift, I've given you a planner. It's been charmed to recognise your magic only and comes with a complimentary self-inking quill. The storekeeper said that one has been his most popular. I've also bought one for Ronald, although I highly doubt he'll make use of it. If he does, it will be a miracle indeed. That boy is one the least bookish people I know. Wonders will never cease. Have you completed your summer homework yet? I've done all but the herbology. I must admit, I'm a little stuck. Maybe I should ask Neville for some help…he's good at isn't he?

I've rambled long enough.

Happy Birthday my friend

Much Love,
Hermione

Harry set the letter down, smiling. It was just like Hermione to buy him something so practical. He was surprised at the lack of a book. Maybe for Christmas? He couldn't help but chuckle at her question of the homework. Of course she would have done it. The girl basically consumed anything academic. Rolling his eyes and opening her gift, Harry moved onto the letter from the colourful bird. It was from Sirius.

Prongs Jr.

I must admit, I'm surprised this day has come already. I remember the day you were born. Your parents were totally in love with you from the moment you came into being. We all were. Even Peter, the traitor. Happy Birthday Prongslet. Moony and I are safely secluded in my old family home and both thinking of you. I'll try and find some way of getting you out of that hellhole. How are the muggles treating you anyway?

I hope you like the bird. As Moony says, I always did have a flair for bold colours.

Much love

Snuffles

Ps. Remus hopes you like the Defense book we've sent you.

He sighed. He really didn't want to be. He wanted to be there with Sirius and Remus, hearing tales of the good old days. That answered the question of why Hermione hadn't given him a book though. Curiosity got the best of him and he pulled it out. Defending Yourself, 9th edition by Farris Backslide and Ruming Lingery. It sure looked interesting.

Moving onto the final letter, Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was from Ginny.

Hi Harry!

I'm not going to bother asking if you're alright. I've been where you are. But still, I hope the nightmares haven't been as bad as what I experienced.

Harry paused. He'd never even considered the after effects of the Chamber for Ginny. He'd only thought of himself. Reading over the sentence again, he was filled with compassion. She wasn't just Ron's little sister. She was a strong, independent young woman with more fire than anyone gave her credit for. He continued.

All is well here. I'm not going to keep in you in the dark like everyone else has. You don't deserve it, even if they are just following orders. We're all trapped here at Sirius' place because Dumbledore seems to think that nowhere is safe right now except there. Please Harry, don't be mad at the others. The only way I was even able to get this letter out was to disguise it as a gift for another boy. They don't even know I've sent this… they're under the impression that I'm too enamoured with you to think of anything other than something like 'you're cute'. I must admit, it definitely works to my advantage. Enough about my Slytherin qualities though. I know we don't know each other all that well, but I wanted to send you a gift. As you'll find, it's a journal. It has two modes. One allows you to record your thoughts without worrying about the wrong eyes seeing it, and well, the other one I will leave you to figure out. But once you know, you'll never forget.

Much love,

Ginny

Harry moved now to his gifts. True to his friends letters, he found piles upon piles of snacks from Mrs Weasley (including her famous fruit mince pies), the latest quidditch book and 5 chocolate frogs from Ron, the planner from Hermione and the journal from Ginny.

Drawn to the journal, he grabbed it and opened it immediately. It was basically vibrating with magic. Inside the front cover was another note from Ginny. It read

Harry

I found after my experience in the chamber that writing down my thoughts really helped me release a lot of the pain. I thought it might help you too, considering what happened this year. As for the journal itself, only your Godfather knows this… but I made it myself.

I'll give you one hint for the second mode: talk.

Love

Ginny

Talk… what did that mean. He lay down again to sleep, thinking on it as he relaxed into a dreamless sleep.

A/N: Soooo, my first time writing in over a year. I've let doubt that I'm good enough stop me, but I decided to be brave and try again. I'm now 20 so I'm hoping my writing has improved. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, its longer than my university assignments (I'm really not sure how its so easy to write 2000 words of fiction and yet I get a migraine doing a 1500 word report. If there's any particular plot bunnies (other than ones I already have planned) that you want to see, let me know. I really like the pairings I've chosen! See you next time.