First off I would just like to say that this is my first time picking up the old fanfiction notebook in nearly seven years. I have no idea how far this story will go or how often I will update it. I guess that simply depends on my inspiration.

In other news I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or their identities as they have been built, all that is mine is this simple idea for this story.

This story follows the canon through the first five books of the Harry Potter series. Our story begins with Harry returning from his fifth year of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry where Harry attempts to begin the process of coping with the loss of one Sirius Black…

A Light in the Dark
Chapter 1: Rain

Rain. It suited Harry's feelings the best at the moment as he lay listlessly on his bed watching the rain pour down outside his bedroom window. It had already been two weeks since he had returned from school but to him it could have been two days or even two months. Time didn't seem to matter when his thoughts were consumed with the mistakes he had made and the choices that he could have and should have made.

All he had to do was talk to Snape. That's it. Find Snape, be responsible, and let the adults figure it out. But no he was Harry freaking Potter and had to do it his own way. Despite this logical thinking Harry couldn't help but blame Snape for not doing something more to stop what was happening with Umbridge. This justification to blame Snape was all that really kept him sane during these past two weeks. Even if he knew subconsciously it was his fault; having someone to blame made him feel the smallest of fractions better.

"Oi, you!" came a shout from downstairs. After 15 years of being addressed as such Harry knew that his Uncle was shouting at him but Harry's reaction was to simply roll over and continue to stare out the window.

"BOY! Get down here NOW!" Harry sighed and figured it would be best not to make his Uncle more irate than he seemingly already was. Harry collected his glasses from the bedside stand and heaved himself out of bed. After making his way into the kitchen he found that all the Dursleys had gathered in the kitchen and were waiting on him.

"Sit." Uncle Vernon said while point at the last chair. Harry simply raised an eyebrow, "please." He added with a grimace. Harry decided to indulge his Uncle and sit down. "Now, it has come to my attention that Mrs. Figg's great niece is coming to live with her for the remainder of the summer due to family issues. Let me make this clear so even you can understand boy, she will never, ever know about your abnormality while she is here. She isn't a freak like you. If it is ever brought up you go to St. Brutus for Criminally Incurable Boys still."

"Really?" Harry asked incredulously. "You're still going with that one?" Harry watched in amusement as his Uncle's face turned an admirable beetroot red.

"It is what everyone in this neighborhood believes and you will keep it that way." His uncle snarled in response.

"Right, whatever. I'm going for a walk." Without waiting for a response Harry got up from the table and walked into the hallway as he grabbed his tennis shoes only to see Dudley standing in the doorway having followed him. Harry wasn't exactly sure what to make of his cousin anymore. Dudley was still the spoiled rotten prat like he was when they were kids but his attitude seemed to have changed towards Harry.

"What?" Harry asked, puzzled as to why his cousin followed him to the hallway.

"This chick, Victoria, or Tori, or whatever. I heard she is really pretty and our age too." Harry looked at him skeptically. "Sorry Dudders," Harry said as he clapped a hand on his shoulder, "I don't think she's too interested in pigs in wigs."

"Funny guy." Dudley muttered darkly and walked away grumbling under his breath. Chuckling to himself at his cousin's expense Harry got up and walked out into the rain that had slowed to a drizzle and headed for one of his favorite haunts; a park just a couple blocks away.

As Harry headed to the park Mrs. Figg's house was on the way and he glanced at it as he walked past and noticed a light on upstairs that was never on as Mrs. Figg rarely went upstairs due to a bad hip. He could see the outline of someone that clearly wasn't Mrs. Figg behind the curtain. Just as he was about to turn away the curtains were pulled open and he saw this girl that his Uncle was talking about, and Dudley wasn't kidding, even from a distance Harry could tell that there was something different about this girl who must have seen Harry looking at her and waved at him. Harry waved back before continuing on his way.

The next week passed more or else the same way for Harry. Harry did little but lay in his bedroom and brood or walk around the neighborhood with no particular destination in mind. He typically did manage to wind up at his favorite park where one swing remained unbroken from Dudley's old gang.

It was on one of these nights that a gentle tap came from Harry's window and an owl that he recognized as an official Hogwarts owl showed up. Harry was puzzled, official letters regarding books and such didn't come for at least another month. He took the letter from the owl and opened it up.

Harry,

If it is to your convenience I would like to come to visit two weeks from now to discuss certain subjects of importance and hope that you will assist me in one of these issues.

Best,

Professor Dumbledore

Harry immediately responded yes and sent the owl on its way immediately before sitting back on his bed. Naturally this is when the second thoughts hit. Did he even really want to see Dumbledore? Did he want to see anyone from the wizarding world at this point? Harry had nearly lead five of his friends to their deaths and he couldn't help but blame himself for that. Then there was Dumbledore. Harry had destroyed half his office the last time they were face to face and Harry didn't quite think he could face him at this point either.

Harry stood up and began to pace out of frustration. He didn't know what to do or what he even wanted right now. All he did want was to be alone so he left his room, grabbed his trainers and headed to the park yet again. As Harry walked to the park he again glanced at the upstairs of Mrs. Figg's house to see the light on again but just as he looked the light switched off and he thought little of it as he continued his walk to the park.

As he walked it started to sprinkle. 'Of course' he thought, 'I leave the house and it's decent out, I almost get to the park and it is about to rain.'

Harry found his way to the last remaining swing and sat down heavily and put his pounding head in his hands. A headache had formed as his thoughts continued to race. He sat there for a long time, simply ignoring the rain as it drenched his t-shirt and swam in cold rivulets down his neck. It was only when he opened his eyes through his fingers that he noticed that a shadow from the streetlamp was being cast over him. He looked up to lock eyes with what had to be one of the most beautiful young women he had ever seen in his life.

"It's nice to finally meet you Harry Potter," the girl said as she extended a hand. "My name is Victoria Figg, but please, call me Tori."

Wellllll that's all for now chaps, a bit of a slow and short start but I knew it would be difficult as the main plot is more so where my ideas formed. At the moment, I do have inspiration so the next chapter will definitely be up within a couple days.

-Steve