Harry Potter and the Unexpected Alliance

By Carol

And my esteemed colleague Lass Jr.

Disclaimer: I claim no right in owning or having any original idea of any of the Harry Potter books or characters. All rights go to J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Scholastic, Inc. AOL/Time Warner, Inc., among others. I make no claim, written or implied, upon Harry Potter. I am making no money in writing this fan-fiction.

Warnings: Characters may be portrayed as OOC, this is a slash story: male/male, contains mentions of abuse sexual, physical and mental, violence, cursing, may have sexual themes in parts, AU, character death, and there may be more not listed. There will be spoilers for all five of the Harry Potter books.

Rated: R

Parings: This will be a Draco/Harry story eventually. Other parings will be announced along the way. The story will contain slash, male/male, and het, male/female, relationships. Remus Lupin/Sirius Black is the only mentioned paring for this chapter.

Summary: This is an AU story. It begins shortly after the 5th book and will follow the students through their 6th year at Hogwarts. Another Order spy is revealed and his true alliance will be exposed to all; after the events in the Department of Mysteries. The Ministry of Magic is turned upside down after an inner struggle for power. New love will be found and new friendships will be formed, in hope that all of these changes will help win the war.

Prologue: Times Like These

We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance. --- Harrison Ford (1942 - ), quoted by Garry Jenkins in 'Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero'

Friday, 19 July 1996

Lucius Malfoy had been imprisoned in Azkaban for thirty-six days, fourteen hours, fifteen minutes, and forty-five seconds. The Dementors had left after the first day of his imprisonment, and so the Ministry had placed more precautions in some areas of the prison while ruthlessly cutting back in others: such as food and other basic necessities.

Bellatrix's, that sniveling dog, had escaped with the Dark Lord. It was of course Lucius's own fault that he allowed his emotions to momentarily cloud his judgment, and now thanks to his conscious his son and wife were in danger.

Although he knew that that meddlesome old fool would try to protect his family, the knowledge did little to ease his troubled mind. Lucius did not know why he still trusted Dumbledore; the man had proven himself incapable time and time again. First with his failure at protecting a fourteen-year-old-boy and then again with the Potters and their son; yet Lucius still believed that this man would come through for him. 'Greatest wizard in the world indeed,' he thought contemptuously.

Lucius was compelled to act not only for his wife's sake, to protect her favorite cousin from a cruel death, but also for that petulant boy who always ruined the Dark Lords plans. Lucius of course would never admit this to another soul but he could sympathize with the Boy Who Lived, for he acted without thinking of the consequences for his actions, 'like a stupid Gryffindor.' Now because he had acted out of pure stupidity the one person he loved most in this world was in danger. He was left with only a narrow-minded old fool to save him. The man owed him this much, at least, for his faithful service for the last twenty-six years, he could return the favor at least once.

Even in his magic dampened cell Lucius could feel the shift of power that signaled unrest and upset of power in the magical world. Everything was vibrating with the tension of unbalanced power. He did not need news to know that changes were occurring; it would be nice, however, to know which side these changes were coming from. He could feel that he would be needed soon as to what purpose he would serve, he did not know.

Sunday, 21 July 1996

Monday the 22nd was a day that had been in preparation for some time now, it would mark the fall of Fudge a man who had proven his incompetence one time to many. And he had made it all too easy for his removal; the beauty of it was that he had no idea that it was going to happen. He had let his ego and his incompetence blind him, so that he could not see the signs that his reign was over.

He had left to much evidence and let too many mistakes happen during his time in office, and they could no longer be ignored. He spent the first of his twelve years in office begging for advice from others, and now it was time for it all to end. Just one more day and power would change hands; hopefully for the better.

Tuesday, 2 July 1996

Hermione sat in her room reading the Daily Prophet, she could not believe the news that she was reading. She was in denial and she kept mumbling that 'it can't be true.' She could not understand how it was possible she had just received an owl from Ron the other day. There it was in black and white The Burrow Attacked: Death and Injuries Reported. Hermione kept reading the headline over and over trying to make sure that she was not a mistaken.

The Burrow Attacked: Death and Injuries Reported

It is with sad new that we report the first open attack has happened on a wizard family; the event occurred yesterday Monday, 1 July 1996. The Burrow, being the Weasleys home and residence, was ambushed while the family was asleep. Sources say that five unknown assailants dress in black robes and wearing white mask Apparated to the location around 3:00 AM and entered the residence. It is unclear as to the exact events that occurred. All we know is that four members of the family were taken to St. Mungos and three bodies were found in the rubble. The identities of all those involved are being withheld until further details can be established.

Hermione could not bring herself to read anymore of the article, tears were streaming down her face as she realized that she might never see her friends again. Ron the tall gangly, red head who she might some day marry. Ginny the beautiful and impetuous girl, Hermione had become to think of as her little sister. The twins with all their troublesome antics, who had just started to mature in her opinion. Mrs. Weasley the lady who was becoming a second mother to her. Mr. Weasley and all his off the wall questions about Muggles. Hermione could not remember if Bill and Charlie had been staying at the Burrow, she hoped to God that they had not.

They had all known the war was coming, but this was not supposed to happen. It was too soon! It was not fair! Her parents were at work and she was hoping that one of them would come home soon and take her to St. Mungos. She had to go and see her friends.

Unfortunately for her, Hermione heard a noise that made her heart stop the unforgettable sound of someone Apparating 'pop'. Her wand was in her trunk at the foot of the bed. She could hear several people moving around the lower level of her house. She could tell that someone was approaching her room by the creaking of the stairs. The only question going through her mind was if she could reach her wand before they opened the door, she was quickly running out of time. Franticly she pulled open the lid of her trunk just as the handle of her bedroom door had begun to turn. Her breath caught in her throat as it slowly opened, and she realized that her wand was caught in one of her robes.

Sunday, 21 July 1996

Harry could feel the tension building all around him. The pressure had started at the end of last term and had continued to increase. It was suffocating him. He had not slept through the night once since the Department of Mysteries, since Sirius. And the tension was not helping matters.

Uncle Vernon was not exceptionally pleased that a bunch of freaks with sticks had the nerve to threaten him and his family. Harry had realized that Uncle Vernon was not going to take the warning seriously; this became a reality when Aunt Petunia was sent away on a month's vacation at the spa.

Harry was left to take care of Vernon and Dudley. His mail was being closely monitored by Vernon, his school items had been moved to the new shed in the backyard. Harry had lost about 20 lbs of weight that he could not afford to lose. And Dudley had a new practice partner for his position on the boxing team: Harry.

And the worst part of all was that Harry no longer cared. His godfather had been murdered, Voldemort was back and killing again and he could not lift a finger because he was an underage wizard stuck with his Muggle relatives for the summer. He had received no word on when he'd be allowed to leave; he was becoming aphetic towards his own situation.

Harry still did not know how to do Occlumency properly, because of Snape. So every night he would see Muggles and magical folk dying. Voldemort knew he had this power over Harry and therefore he used it mercilessly. Harry could not act and further still he was afraid to act; because, what if he placed another innocent person in harms way, like Sirius; what if they were just dreams like the last time with Sirius.

Saturday, 20 July 1996

Remus Lupin was hiding in a cave near the outskirts of Botevgrad, Sofiya, Bulgaria. He had been tracking a pack of werewolves that had recently moved out of the Transylvanian Alps in Romania.

It was known throughout the magical world that any non-human creature was looked down upon, and because of this the packs were some of the first to join sides with Voldemort. Voldemort at least offered the werewolves dignity and power when he won; however Albus and Lupin were trying to changes things for them, by trying to change the Ministry's laws.

This particular pack had fought on the light side in the previous war and Dumbledore hoped they would join them again. Lupin was chosen to go because he had a special bond with the Alpha. The Alpha was the one that sired Lupin when he was six-years-old. He hoped their bond would still be strong enough to sway their mistrust of the Ministry officials, which they inevitably would be introduced to.

That was not the only reason he was here Dumbledore hoped that this mission would help him work through his resent loss; his best-friend for the last twenty-three years and his lover for the last two. Life had not been kind to Lupin, he had been turned into a werewolf by the age of six, betrayed by one of his good friends, the brutal murder of two of his best friends, and now most recently the death of his lover. He was the only one left to watch after Harry, a boy he looked upon as his own flesh and blood, but instead of staying in England to comfort the boy he had jumped at the first chance to get away from it all, like a coward.

But now he had worked through most of his grief and in two days he would return home and take over the responsibility of helping Harry cope. The werewolves had agreed to help. His bond-brother would soon be taking the role of Alpha and they would all prepare for war. The werewolves had always wanted to be treated as equals in the magic and non-magic communities, some inevitably would side with Voldemort, but others such as his pack did not agree with Voldemort's vision of the future.

They had been restless for the past several days; they could all feel the magical unrest. There would soon be a major change in the world, they knew not what it meant for them, but it would happen soon. Hopefully it would change things for the better.

Friday, 19 July 1996

Draco and his mother had been taking care of him non-stop at Malfoy Manor for the last thirty-six days. When Narcissa did not pick Draco up at Kings Cross Station on the 17th of June, he immediately understood that something was very wrong. Usually his father or his mother would pick him up from the station, he knew his father could not and he was worried why his mother did not. Instead of his mother it had been one of the servants that had taken him home.

When he arrived he found his mother in one of the hidden guest-rooms, taking care of him. Narcissa explained that he was still touch and go, but he was on the path of recovery. Apparently on the night of the 13th of June he just Apparated in the drawing room, he was unresponsive when she found him and he had a streak of snow white hair down the center of his bangs. She realized that something must have gone wrong at the Ministry, so she hid him in the special guest quarters.

So far he had yet to regain consciousness; but Narcissa and Draco remained hopeful. Draco was hoping for his mother's sake that he would live; he knew how much her cousin meant to her. He had heard stories about when they had attended Hogwarts together. How he would always make time just for her and be there for her when she was upset. He was like her brother and sadly enough life interrupted their relationship.

Due to their choices in life they had been separated for the last seventeen years. She married a Death Eater and he had been falsely imprisoned for twelve years and on the run for the last three. Draco knew that his mother wanted to make amends for their separation, and hopefully they would become friends again.

Draco was once again wiping down his first-cousin once removed's forehead when he noticed that the man's eyelids began to flutter.

Sunday, 21 July 1996

Albus Dumbledore was in his office preparing for the upcoming events that would occur this week. Power would change hands, new allies would come out and new dangers would be faced.

On Monday the most surprising upset would happen in wizarding parliament, it took three years in the making. First he had to get someone on the inside and as close to the Minster as possible. Then he needed them to collect evidence on all of the Minster's actions until they had a solid case against him. In Albus's opinion Fudge was as incompetent and egotistical as Gilderoy Lockhart.

Times were changing and promises had been made. Dumbledore hoped that he could keep the promises he had made. One thing that he knew for sure was that he had to keep his main players safe, until the dust settled. One more week and things would change for both sides, hopefully weakening Voldemort for a bit.

Saturday, 20 July 1996

Neville Longbottom had not received one owl so far for from any of his school mates, but he never expected he would. Because so far no one from school had ever written him, yet he kept up his hope that someday someone would send him letter.

He spent every summer with his Gran, and they would visit his parents weekly. He knew his Gran did this for him as much as she did it for herself. It was just so hard visiting his parents, especially since he knew they did not know him. It was one of the worst feelings in the world having your parents not know who you were.

To Neville's surprise his Gran did not punish him as severely for breaking his father's wand as he thought she would. She just smiled at him with tears in her eyes saying "I should have known just like your Father."

Neville was pulled out of his musings by the sound of someone Apparating downstairs. He heard his Gran talking to the unknown person, being curious he went to check what was going on.

When he arrived on the bottom step he spied his Gran talking to a pink haired lady, and he noticed that his Gran was becoming agitated. "Hello, Gran. What's wrong?"

"Neville go up stairs and pack we need to leave here soon. Go on hurry up I'll tell you later." And with that Neville ran up stairs to his room, only tripping up a couple of times. He quickly threw everything he could find into his trunk and grabbed his plants.

When he made it downstairs with his trunk the pink haired lady and his Gran had finished packing up the house. "Do you have everything Neville?"

"I forgot Trevor."

"Stay here with Tonks and I'll be down in a second." When his Gran came downstairs she was holding his toad, his new wand and several other items he had missed. "I swear you'd forget your head if it was not screwed on."

Gran, Tonks and Neville grabbed all of their things and took hold of an animal shaped pack. Tonks began counting down the seconds for travel just when an explosion occurred right outside the front door.

Monday, 15 July 1996

Pansy hated being the daughter of a Death Eater, her father could be unbearable at times. 'Now Pansy dear, I want the best for you in life and that means marring a "GOOD" man that supports the "RIGHT" ideas. There are several options at Hogwarts: Malfoy would be a good catch, if not him there is always his roommate's Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, and Nott. If these gentlemen are not to your liking anyone from Durmstrang will be suitable. Do I make myself clear young lady.'

'Of course father,' Merlin he made her sick. Malfoy a good choice if she were male, but you didn't hear her say that. Draco was more of a big brother than a love interest. Sure she had a crush on him when they were younger, but she liked to think that she had at least grownup since then.

Apparently her only purpose in life was to reproduce and let all the big strong men take care of poor, incapable, little old her. Sure she didn't have top marks, Draco didn't even have top marks and he was the smartest person she knew. Well, if she did have top marks her father would be livid: 'no "PROPER" lady would waste their time, trying to be as smart as a man.'

Lucky for her she was at least female so her father would not force her to get the dark mark. Women should know their place; it's the home taking care of their man and their children. At least her father's sexism saved her from something's. Luckily Pansy only had six weeks and six days more until she could go back to Hogwarts.

Friday, 19 July 1996

Lord Voldemort sat on his throne in Riddle Manor, with the sniveling rodent sitting at his heals. "Any news for me Wormtail?"

"Not yet, milord. Bellatrix should be back shortly with news for you."

"Indeed, and Lucius any word from him."

"No milord, we are still planning the raid to set free your loyal followers."

"And the boy?"

"He is still at the Manor, no one has seen him since the Station at Kings Cross."

"Perfect, send Bellatrix to me as soon as she's found."

"Of course, milord."

Sunday, 21 July 1996

Bellatrix stood at the edge of the forest looking at an empty field where Malfoy Manor should have been. "What have you done dear sister? You should know that this won't keep me out. Just wait until I tell the Dark Lord what your up to, you pathetic traitor."

Shortly after the Department of Mysteries events Bellatrix and Lord Voldemort split company. Bellatrix was certain that she saw her blood-traitor of a cousin Apparate away before falling through the veil. Only that was impossible because she stunted him. The interesting thing, she remembered, was that Lucius Malfoy, her brother-in-law, had his wand pointed towards the falling blood-traitor.

Her devious mind told her that strange things were afoot, and all was not well in the inner circle. She always expected Snape to be the traitor, but the events were pointing to something much more intriguing. And now that she could not find her sister's house made her realize that there was perhaps more than one blood-traitor in the family. It would be another day or so before she could make it back to Riddle Manor and tell her Lord what was occurring.

Saturday, 20 July 1996

Severus Snape was livid he spent most of the year trying teaching ungrateful brats, who had intelligence comparable to a rock. And then he spent his free time bowing to a madman and his goons who had less intelligence than a rock.

The Dark Lord and his followers were planning on an attack of Azkaban in a week. It had taken them slightly longer this time because the Dementors had left and their information well had dried up. No the Dementors could not have broken the prisoners out when they left, that would make sense. So now Severus and a bunch of morons were ordered to break into the most feared prison of all time. Potter planned more than this group, and that's saying something.

One would think with all the pure bloods in the group one of them would be able to make a decent plan, but it was obvious that all the inbreeding and hits with the Cruciatus Cursefried what little brains they had, or would have had.

To make matters worse the Order was planning something big, which was affecting the magical atmosphere so everyone could feel that something was coming. Way to keep a secret. Lucius was in prison and that left Draco, his Godson, and Narcissa, his best friend, in danger. So needless to say Snape was having a bad summer holiday.

Monday, 1 July 1996

Luna and her father had left for Sweden to find the elusive Crumple-Horned Snorkacks for the rest of the summer holidays. She was excited that she could spend more time with her father, after the death of her mother he was never quite right. But she ended up humoring him, because it was easier on both of them this way. Who was she to say that there was no such thing as a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, they could exist. Stranger things have been known to happen.

Sure the kids at school made fun of her, but they did not understand. This last year she made some real friends. It was the first time at school she felt, she truly belonged. For the first time in Luna's life she could not wait till the holidays were over so she could be with her friends again. Luna truly felt like she belonged with this group, they were stranger then everyone thought she was.

Friday, 19 July 1996

Viktor Krum was troubled, he finished school two years ago and now he was a full time Quidditch star. Yet he missed his freedom, he missed the challenges that school had given him and he missed the witty remarks of a bushy haired Muggleborn witch. He was tired of the endless Quidditch matches and traveling from place to place, Viktor wanted a purpose and stability.

He never knew that Hermione would come to mean so much to him she was intelligent, beautiful in her own right, and she had held his interest for the past two years. She never droned endlessly about how wonderful he was, or how lucky he was to have her. No for the most part she talked about her education and wanted to know more about him than just Quidditch. She was full of interesting facts, she stuck by her friends, and in short Krum was infatuated with Hermione. He'd do anything to make her smile, for it was her smile that lit up his world.

These were the motivating forces that caused him to contact Dumbledore. He just hoped that it was the right choice.

TBC…

Notes: The quote at the beginning was found at .

If you have any questions, comments or complaints please review. Any mistakes found in the story so far are Lass Juniors fault, although she protests this claim. I will try to update this story as fast as is possible, however, Lass Jr. and I are both in school and school will be our first concern.

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