Bones, Flesh and Blood

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling. Not me. (Unfortunately)

Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Sirius/OC, Samantha/OC, Ron/OC.

After Dumbledore's death, Harry starts receiving mysterious clues, supposedly set by Dumbledore himself. They help him shed light on his past and Hogwarts for that matter. How will that help Harry face Voldemort?

(-X-)

Luna Lovegood crept down the stairs as thunder crashed outside. Lightning flashed through the windows. She'd been woken up by loud voices. It was an argument, to be exact. As she got closer to the stair landing she could make out light. Whatever it was, the two figures she could just, make out were arguing furiously. She edged closer to the railing.

In her effort to hear what they were saying, she missed a step and tripped down the stairs. She hit the ground with a thud. That was all she could remember before she blacked out.

-X-

Far away, at No.4 Privet Drive, Harry sat, staring out of his window. School had ended a couple of days ago. He had returned as per Dumbledore's wish. He missed his old mentor. The scene of his death kept replaying in his head. Again and again and again.

There was something not right, he could feel it. He'd always thought that Dumbledore would be there to advise him. There was so much more he had to learn before he could face Voldemort.

As he went over the scene one again, the hurt of Snape's betrayal stung. Dumbledore had trusted that . . . Harry refused to even think the words he had wanted to use, in respect to Dumbledore. He wouldn't have wanted it.

He thought of Draco's face as he was about to do what Voldemort had ordered him to. He saw the guilt and the pain that flashed against his nemesis's face. He even remembered the way he had cried before it. That's how Harry saw Draco's 'task'. He just said it as 'it'. He couldn't bear to say death. He'd lost yet another guardian to death. And Voldemort.

He knew if he were in that position he'd not be able to do 'it' either. Especially if his 'victim' had spoken to him as Dumbledore had. His old mentor, whom he had always seen as invincible and full of power had fallen. All the while trying to help Draco and give him hope.

He knew how it felt, knowing that your family was going to get hurt unless you did something about it. He'd felt that way in the Chamber of Secrets, when it had been Ginny. He'd felt that way when Dumbledore died. He was constantly worried about his friends.

Harry thought of his friends as his family. And for the first time ever, Harry stopped hating Draco and sympathised with his nemesis. He mentally forgave him.

He'd been forced to do something even though he had not wished to. Harry was in the same position. He was supposed to kill Voldemort. A wizard with much more experience and power, but unlike Dumbledore, Voldemort was not going to try and talk Harry out of it. No. Instead he was going to kill him without second thought.

He thought back to the prophecy and everything that Dumbledore had taught him about Riddle. He knew about the horcruxes. He knew how many there were. He knew about the cup, the ring, the diary and Nagini. The locket had been one. But someone had gotten there first. 'R.A.B' that's all he knew about them, whoever they were. It was their fault Dumbledore had died.

As his eyes swept around his room he noticed the black dress robes. Bill and Fleur's wedding would take place soon after his birthday. He thought about Ginny. She would be there.

He missed her. he just wished that she could be here. If only wishes were horses . . .

He didn't know why that phrase came to mind, but it did.

As his gaze continued to sweep the room he saw his open trunk, with his belongings sticking out of it. His 'Firebolt'. He didn't think he would be playing quiditch in a while. He saw the pile of letters from Hermione and Ron near a sleeping Hedwig. He even had one from Hagrid.

Hermione was heading to the Weasley's house tonight. She'd have to say good-bye to her parents before heading there. She was worried it might be the last time she would be there. Ron was bored. All anyone in at the burrow ever talked about was the upcoming wedding. He also filled him in about who was added to the already long guest list. So far it was Lupin, Tonks, Mcgonagall, Flitwick and some other people Harry knew only by name. Luna Lovegood's father, Neville's grandmother being a few of them. The there were people who sounded familiar but whom Harry had never met.

Hagrid updated him on Grawp and Buckbeak about where they were and how they were doing. He informed him about Hogwarts as well. Mcgongall was to take over as headmistress. There was to be new proffessors for both Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Ginny sent him a few as well. Things were hectic at the Burrow. But whenever she got the time to write to him she would. Apparently there was a member of the Order there with their daughter. She told him of all the happenings at the Ministry that the Prophet did not reveal. Arthur Weasley informed her of everything. He knew she would convey it to him. Maybe something would be useful to Harry. Anything that could help him would be important.

Just then, he was startled as he saw a figure appear in his room. He jumped and whipped out his wand. He put it down once he saw who was in front of him.

-X-

Ronald Weasley was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter. The Burrow was frantic with wedding plans. He was waiting for Hermione to get here already. He looked at the clock. All hands were pointed at danger. Even the make-do ones his mother had made for Harry, Hermione and Fleur.

He sighed and put his head down to rest on his folded arms which lay on the counter. He needed a date for the wedding. He was thinking of asking Hermione. He'd kind of had a small crush on her lately. But he just felt content around her. Not like how he was with other girls. Sure they had their fights, but she had always made up for it. Though a nudge from Harry did come every time they fought.

Anyways, he was still worried about her. Why was she taking so long? He helped himself to some of the freshly-baked cookies his mother had placed on the kitchen counter to cool. He sighed once more and checked the clock once more.

-X-

Hermione Granger was packing her trunk. She had said good-bye to her parents before they had left for work. As she put the last dress robe into it, she heard tapping. She looked at her window expecting Hedwig to be there. Instead she could make out an orange glow. There had been only once she had seen that glow. And she would never forget it.

(?) Fawkes? (?) Hermione wondered.

She rushed to the window. Her suspicions were confirmed. There, flying outside, was none other than Dumbledore's phoenix. It had something tied to its leg. She opened her window. Who or what could it be? It was a note . . .

(?)Harry? . . .(?) she wondered.

She unravelled the piece of parchment. It was damp. Was that a blade of grass stuff to the corner of the note. She gasped. There was only one message on the note.

"Help me . . ."

(-X-)

A/N: Sorry I kept on going on about Dumbledore's death. It's my way of giving tribute to him. Hope you like it. R/R.