Chapter One: Nightmares
At the Ministry of Magic, escaped convict Sirius Black was dueling with his cousin, Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. Feeling extremely confident, Black began to taunt and bait his cousin. Growing over-confident, Black was caught off guard by a stunning spell, which knocked him backwards towards the Great Veil, whose purpose, to the young man watching in horror, was incomprehensible. Harry Potter, a fifteen year old wizard, watched as his godfather fell behind the Veil and was never seen again.
"SIRIUS!" screamed Harry as he awoke from his night mare. This, unfortunately, awoke his uncle.
"BOY! I'm warning you, if you can't keep quiet, you are out of my house!" roared Uncle Vernon from the other side of Harry's door.
Every night for the last three nights, Harry had the same nightmare. Every night, Harry awoke in a cold sweat. And ever night, Harry awoke with the deepest of guilt in his heart. For Harry, in his mind, was responsible for his godfather's death. 'Never again. Never again will people die because I was too weak. Never again will I put my loved ones at risk if I can't handle my responsibility. I'm gonna train and I'm gonna kill Voldemort and I'm gonna kill all his little Death Eaters. No more will they terrorize innocent people. No more…' thought Harry. Harry stood up and walked over to his desk, pulled out a quill and some parchment and began to write.
Dear Moony,
This morning I woke up after a nightmare, the same one I've been having for three nights straight… I still feel that it's my fault that Sirius is dead… If only I had practiced… Unfortunately, there are too many "If only's" too list, so I won't. The muggles have been okay so far. I would like to ask you to do me a favor, next time you see Professor Dumbledore, please tell him that I would really like to visit Diagon Alley, just so I can be amongst "normal" people. I hope that you are all safe and my dearest apologies to everyone.
Love,
Harry.
After waking his owl, Hedwig, he sent her off with the letter and walked back over to his bed. However, he didn't try to go back to sleep, for fear of having more nightmares. The next afternoon, he was surprised and pleased to see Hedwig on his windowsill with a letter back from the remaining connection he had to his parents, Remus Lupin, a.k.a. Moony.
Dear Harry,
I know that you feel that all the blame for Sirius' death lies upon your shoulders… However, that is not true… You have little, if, in my eyes, any, blame for his death. He died the way he wanted to, in battle defending his godson. I know it seems to you that you didn't help Sirius out at all… But you did… When he first escaped from Azkaban, he was a wreck of a man, living through hatred, without a shred of hope… But upon your rescue of him, you gave him that hope, for he now had a reason to live… That is to say, he could now watch over you and protect you… So please, I'm begging you, stop feeling guilty… Luckily your letter arrived at the perfect time… just as Professor Dumbledore walked into you-know-where for a meeting… I have told him your request and he has granted it… So, he will be picking you up himself at precisely nine o'clock tomorrow morning… Do try and be on time… All of your friends here say hello and wish you good health.
Love,
Moony
After Harry reread his letter, he was absolutely jumping for joy, on the inside that is. He didn't want the Dursleys to know he was excited, they would just run it out of him. So after reading his letter again, he went to sleep, afraid of more nightmares of ventures into the Department of Mysteries. However, tonight, Harry would have another type of nightmare…
"Well my faithful, can any of you tell me that you have completed your missions that I have put you on?" asked the high, cold voice of Lord Voldemort.
"My deepest apologies my lord… Unfortunately, we seem to have run out of options when it comes to getting near Potter. Dumbledore's damn Order seems to be aware of our every movement and is always there to counter us," said Lucius Malfoy.
"Well, it would appear that you need more motivation to complete your assignments. CRUCIO!" laughed Lord Voldemort as he watched his faithful Death Eaters writhe with pain.
A/N: Due to growing speculation about the origin, it has been asked that I place a disclaimer in my story. Having read 'Harry Potter and the Power of the Heart' after a number of people have told me that it is too close to be a coincidence, I concede to the possibility of reading it. I have read a great number of stories before writing this and it is indeed possible that I have read it. So, SmallvillePotter, here is your disclaimer.
