Disclaimer: Most characters belong to J. K. Rowling, a few are my own. ;) This story takes place after the first five in the series; making it sixth year. The plot is my own, but is based on J. K. Rowling's work. I DO NOT own Harry Potter. I might borrow details from other fan fiction, but nothing major; don't get mad. I hope this is what I need to say to keep out of trouble. :)
Was Titled: Harry Potter and the School Founders
A Big thanks to MistyMossFlower for betaing this chapter;P
The Power of Four: Chapter 1: Rash Decisions
A young couple stood in the doorway of the nursery in their home watching what lay inside sleeping peacefully. There was a dull thud downstairs. "I'll go check. It's probably just that damn cat again," the young man groaned to his wife.
"James, be nice you know Harry loves her." she scolded him.
He waved his hand in the air as he walked away to show he would be nice. Lily leaned back against the door and smiled. "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!!" James bellowed. Lily's heart froze. She ran to the stairs but stopped horrified of the scene at the bottom. Six Death Eaters had James Surrounded with their wands trained on him. However, James stared straight past them to the figure standing by the door. James raised his wand and yelled, "GET OUT!!" even fiercer than the first time.
"Do not tell me what to do boy!" Voldemort hissed.
James glanced up the stairs; upon finding Lily there he mouthed, "Go," before turning back to Voldemort. Lily ran back to the nursery. She locked the door and with wand in hand stood in front of the large crib. There were a few deafening crashes from downstairs causing the whole house to shake. She heard footsteps coming down the hall.
The door burst open, the lock and the wards had done nothing. Voldemort and three Death Eaters stepped in. Two Death Eaters were holding up an unconscious James.
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Miles away and years later a fifteen-year-old boy woke with a start. He was drenched in sweat, but was shivering and shaking uncontrollably. He put on his glasses finally recognizing where he was. Absent-mindedly rubbing the lightning bolt scar on his forehead, with a shaking hand, he tried to remember why he woke up. Then it hit him like a freight train, Voldemort. He thought a little harder than in sudden realization he whispered "Lestrange….and….Lucius…….and…and…..Snape" to the darkness. Harry Potter jumped out of bed grabbed his wand, invisibility cloak, and Firebolt. Harry scrawled a quick note on a scrap peace of parchment before flying off into the night.
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Ron woke up early bursting with excitement. Harry and Hermione were going to come over today. He quickly got dressed and ran down stairs, almost running Ginny over in the process. Ignoring her angry protests, he quickly ran to the kitchen. Before he got there, he found himself lying on the floor out of breath. Fred and George did a high five before they burst out laughing. "Dammit do you always have to do that." Ron shouted as he got up.
"You're the one not watching if there are ropes in your way as you run through the House." Fred said turning serious.
"They were invisible!!" Ron half shouted, half whined.
"A minor inconvenience," George said dismissively.
"You shouldn't even be running through the house in the first place," Fred scolded.
"You deserved it. You almost killed me back there," Ginny put in.
Ron looked around pissed, but helpless.
"Breakfast!!" came Mrs. Weasley's shrill voice from the kitchen.
"Good, we're starving," the twins shouted back in unison. The four youngest Weasley's sat down at the table and started eating. Ron finished quickly then sat fidgeting in his chair.
"Stop that; they'll be here soon enough." Mrs. Weasley scolded Ron. There was a sharp knock on the door; Mrs. Weasley opened the door, wand in hand. "Bill, Charlie, you know you don't have to knock", Mrs. Weasley said ushering them to the table.
"I thought you were on a mission for the order," Mr. Weasley alleged over The Daily Prophet.
"We're done; actually we're here on order business," Bill informed his father, bringing a plate closer.
"Really?" Mr. Weasley set the paper down.
"Dumbledore doesn't think it wise to go to headquarters this summer. He thinks it would be bad for Harry." At Charlie's words, the table was quiet. "He wants to set up a watch with the Order members and for me and Bill to stay here. After all, this place is almost as safe," Charlie finished.
"That will be perfect. The party will be much more enjoyable," Mrs. Weasley beamed. "Of course a lot will have to be done…," She trailed off.
"Can we go yet?" Ron was getting impatient.
"Hey, would you two mind taking Ron to pick up Harry. Hermione's parents are dropping her off." Mr. Weasley pointed at Bill and Charlie.
"Sure, where's the car." Bill stood up getting ready to leave.
"Out front," Mr. Weasley pointed nonchalantly at the front door.
"Let's go then." Charlie grabbed the keys from the counter. Ron practically ran to the car. The car rumbled to life and they were off.
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Hermione was running around her room franticly making sure she had everything. She looked at her trunk, everything was neatly stacked inside. She then turned back to her room, to find that it was almost bare, it didn't even feel like it was hers anymore. She was more comfortable at the dorm, in Hogwarts, or even Ginny's room felt more like home. Then a wave of guiltiness passed over, ever since finding out that she was a witch she hadn't spent very much time at home.
"You ready yet, we've got to get going," her dad's voice came from downstairs.
"Yeah, just one more minute," she hollered back. She dragged her trunk to the top of the stairs, where her dad met her. They each grabbed an end and headed for their car that was parked in the driveway. They were about to put the trunk in the car when a Black sedan came to a screeching halt in front of the house.
"What the …," her dad was confused and started walking to the car. A tall redheaded teenage boy stepped out.
"Ron, I thought…," Hermione stopped when she saw the worried look in his eyes.
Ron walked right past Mr. Granger straight to Hermione. "Harry's missing," Ron handed her a small scrap of parchment.
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Dumbledore sat at his desk in Hogwarts looking at a small piece of parchment. Harry had done what Dumbledore feared the most. He went after Voldemort on his own, most likely in the wrong state of mind and without a plan. Dumbledore and the Order had been looking for Harry since early that morning; it was now almost midnight. He sighed heavily and tried to think where Harry was; hell, at this point he would have settled for Voldemort's position. He was absently stroking Fawkes when the door flew open.
Snape slammed the door shut and put at least eight locking spells on it. Dumbledore looked inquisitively at the frazzled, beaten state of Snape. "I found Harry, and he's not happy," Snape notified Dumbledore, before he ducked behind him.
Dumbledore stared at Snape crouching behind him then at the door, confused. "What is going…?" However, Dumbledore was cut off by a loud humming. The door began to shake causing Dumbledore's attention to turn to it. Then the door shattered into large chunks, regardless of the spells on it.
Harry calmly walked through the wreckage clearly pissed. "Won't you come out and play Severus, it will be fun," Harry's voice was high and evil.
This deeply concerned Dumbledore had Harry's breaking point come after all these years. Dumbledore slowly stood and spoke in his cool, calm voice, "Harry please calm…" He was cut off again as his large desk shattered; Dumbledore did not move.
"I know your there," Harry spoke in the same voice.
Dumbledore grew stony and grim, a sight that stopped every wizard in their tracks, even Voldemort, but not Harry, not this time. "Harry! It is not his fault that Sirius is dead," Dumbledore said commandingly.
Harry's eyes turned back to their normal green, not the dangerous fluorescent green they were moments before. His hair and clothes were even more messed up than usual, but his face also softened for a second, sadness evident in his eyes. Seeing this made Dumbledore sigh to himself, not all was lost the Harry he knew was still there. "Your right that was my fault, he is responsible for my parents' deaths," Harry said in a voice like a small child, but then his evil demeanor returned.
"Voldemort killed your parents, not…."
"That bastard was there; THEY WILL ALL PAY!" Harry's voice went low and menacing. Magic began to twist around Harry, moving his robes slightly, and his eyes glowed with even more hatred.
Dumbledore's and Harry's eyes met for a moment, Dumbledore found hatred fiercer and more pure than anything Voldemort could ever have, but there was something hidden behind it. Dumbledore raised his wand and muttered, "Stupefy" the red jet hit Harry in the chest making him fly back a few feet, before falling to the ground. Not even turning around Dumbledore asked Snape, "What happened?"
Snape sat quiet thinking it over while watching Harry in the doorway. Dumbledore turned around to see why Snape wasn't answering. Snape looked up at Dumbledore, before collapsing himself. Dumbledore looked at his office that had chunks off wood scattered everywhere, then his eyes fell on the stunned body of Harry Potter, "Tom, Merlin help you when he decides it's your time…."
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Harry slowly woke up. He had a throbbing headache and was very confused. He was in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. But why? He looked around with blurry vision. He saw a few figures standing around the bed across from him, which had the curtains pulled. He noticed two sleeping figures in the bed next to him. Then he noticed the tall, old figure sitting next to him. "Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
The old wizard handed Harry his black-framed glasses, but said nothing. Harry subsequently saw Dumbledore clearly; he did not have his usual calm cheery demeanor. Instead, his face was stern and stony. "You should not have run away. It is not safe, especially for you."
"That's just it. I'm sick of always being cooped up, not being able to do what I want. It's bullshit," Harry fumed, ignoring Dumbledore's stern disappointed gaze.
"Harry, please, calm down," Hermione pleaded while grabbing his arm.
"NO! Just because of that psychotic bastard, I'm such a fucking danger, you shouldn't even be near me…it…it...it's not safe for you," Harry shouted at her.
"Harry, don't say that," Hermione choked through tears.
"Mione you know you and Ron are the best friends I've ever had and that's why I must leave," Harry said in a softer voice.
"Harry you thick headed jackass, you don't understand," Ron almost shouted.
"Yes I do, more than anyone else ever could," Harry said stubbornly.
"Harry, we are doing everything possible to ensure all of your safety," Dumbledore said calmly.
"Where the fuck were you at the Tri-wizard Tournament, a fucking Death Eater was at Hogwarts the entire damn year, right under your old crooked nose. Cedric died because you didn't see it." Harry was getting angrier by the second. "My parents are dead, Sirius is dead, and countless other people are dead because of me. So fuck the Orders slow asses. It's my life, and I'm not going to sit around and watch everyone around me die. Now get out of my way," Harry's voice was low and commanding. His hospital gown stirred slightly as he stood defiantly in front of Dumbledore.
"You are not ready Harry, you are only fifteen," Dumbledore didn't budge.
"I'm aware of that, now let me go," Harry said through gritted teeth; his gown began to move more fiercely.
"I cannot let you do this; it is for your own safety." Dumbledore stood like a rock barrier in front of Harry.
"Safety? Fuck my safety, worry about theirs." Harry waved an arm in the direction of his friends, but stared straight into Dumbledore's blue eyes, his eyes fluorescent and dangerous. "Fine, if you won't get out of my way I'll find another." Harry turned around, but was met by Moody and Remus.
"Harry, this is for your own good," Remus said with an authoritative voice, but a pleading look in his eyes.
Harry's heart dropped when he saw Remus, he remembered the night he found out Sirius was innocent. "Remus I must do this," Harry said quietly.
"This is not what they died for," Remus' voice was gentle.
"No... they died for me and now I will die for my friends, instead of watching anyone else die; now let me go do what I have to," Harry said, his face growing stern and unreadable.
"There are better ways," Remus pleaded.
"They are too slow," Harry stated simply, and vanished.
"Stop right there Potter!" a stern cold voice bellowed.
Harry reappeared at the doorway, in pitch-black robes. He stood stock-still staring into the mirror that hung beside the door. At the sight of the figure in the mirror, his eyes started to glow an even more poisonous green. His robes started to twist around him more violently; then with a deafening clap, the mirror was replaced by a black curtain. The only thing that even came close to its emptiness was the veil at the ministry. Harry turned on his heel to look at the figure. "Snape," Harry said his voice like ice.
"Very observant, Potter," Snape sneered, his left arm was bandaged, as was his chest.
"I was just going to find you and all your Death Eater buddies," Harry's voice seemed almost as cold as a dementor's breath.
"You should know I will never, nor can I ever go to any of them again, even for The Order," Snape yelled, anger flashing across his black eyes along with something undefined. He secretly gripped his wand.
Harry laughed hollowly. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, but now you must die." Harry threw a black jet from his wand at Snape, it was met by a chorus of other spells; they exploded in the middle of the room, knocking everyone, except Dumbledore and Harry, over.
"This is not you Harry," Ron said as he pushed himself up.
Harry looked at him; all the coldness left him, he was helpless and seemed like a small child. "I'm doing this for you," he said, and collapsed.
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"Will somebody tell me what is going on?" Hermione yelled at the silent room. Remus had laid Harry back on his bed and Madam Pomfrey was fussing over him again.
"Yeah, what the hell happened to Harry?" Ron agreed.
"I think we would all like to know that," Remus put in.
"This is not good," Moody grumbled from by the doorway. The room went quiet, all attention on Moody. "I believe young Mr. Potter has gone dark." He continued.
"That's not true!" Hermione screamed through her tears. "It can't be," she added in a whisper.
"How else do you explain this?" Moody pointed at the small black curtain that replaced the mirror. Everyone stared at it.
"Is that what I think it is?" Remus asked uncertain and scared.
"I believe so." Dumbledore said with worry in his eyes. "We should continue this discussion elsewhere." He motioned towards the door.
"What about the boy?" Moody looked at Harry suspiciously.
"He should be asleep for about another ten hours or so. We should go to my office." Dumbledore ushered them out the door. Hermione cried into Ron's shoulder as they left. He didn't say anything, just obediently followed the others, mind reeling.
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The small group sat in Dumbledore's office. Remus was the one to break the silence, "What is happening to Harry?"
"I do not believe that we were dealing solely with Harry…"
"No shit!" Ron blurted out interrupting Dumbledore.
"However, before jumping to conclusions, I would like Severus to explain what happened from the time you found Harry to the time you showed up in my office," Dumbledore finished.
All attention turned to Snape, who was standing in the dark corner. "Actually Harry found me," Snape clarified. "I should start my story earlier in the day though …,"
(flashback)
Snape woke up early in the morning. He was drinking tea in his small study when there was a swift knocking on the door. Snape opened the door to find Bellatrix Lestrange. "Hello Severus." She brushed past him into his small house.
"And to what do I owe this visit," Snape greeted overly kind.
"Forget about false kindness it just aggravates me," she said waving a dismissive hand.
"I, Lord Voldemort's most faithful servant, have come to inform you that he wishes to see you."
"When and where?" Snape replied cool and calm.
"Today, here; so I suggest you do not leave. The consequences would be most severe, especially if you go running to Dumbledore." With that, she was gone.
'Well that was awkward,' Snape thought. Snape went back into his study, where he found a small piece of parchment on his desk it read:
Notice to all Order members Harry Potter is missing, must find him.
'Shit! Not now that stupid little bastard should just listen and stay put for once'. Snape thought as he watched the letter burst into flames.
There were several loud pops in the kitchen. Snape turned quickly, pulling out his wand. 'At least six people had apparated into his home,' he thought.
Six Death Eaters filed into the study followed by Voldemort. With a flick of Voldemort's wand Snape was disarmed and thrown painfully against the wall. "I am disappointed Severus, you showed such promise. You're pathetic; running to Dumbledore when things got a little rough." Voldemort gave another flick of his wand and Snape was chained against the wall. "You didn't think I knew? Everything I told you was intended to lead up to this point."
Snape's head felt like it was in a vise and what Voldemort had just said made him very scared and confused. A red jet soon hit him in the chest knocking him out.
"Snape, oh Severus…," a wicked voice called. Snape groaned. His head hurt like hell, he was chained to the wall, and someone he didn't recognize was after him.
A figure appeared in the doorway, "What the Hell Happened?" it yelled in a familiar voice.
Snape squinted, "Potter?"
"Yeah, Professor…"
"You shouldn't be here it's not safe. Why are you here?"
"Truth? To kill you, but I wanted it fair, unlike what you and your lot gave my parents." Harry was now trying to free Snape.
Snape shook his head to try and get rid of the confusion, "What?"
"I know you were involved in my parents' deaths." Harry was grim and depressed as he got one arm free. Snape rubbed his forehead and it all made sense. It was a trap.
(end flashback)
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Author's Note: This is the end of Chapter 1, my first chapter ever. Thanks, hope you liked it. Please Review.