DISCLAIMER: Do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form...*weeps into a corner*
This is my first H.P fic and this idea has been torturing me for quite sometime. I'm going to give it a go and see what happens.
Background info on my version of the world of Harry Potter: Peter Pettigrew was caught on Harry's third year, thus allowing Sirius to become a free man (YAY!). Harry now lives with him, but is currently (at the start of the story anyway) staying with the Weasley's due to them gaining tickets to the Quidditch World Cup.
Tonks is going to be round the same age as Remus and Sirius, as well as her and Remus already being married and having Teddy a few years early. Sorry if you object to the idea, but for me it makes the story much easier, plus I think Teddy deserves sometime with his parents!
Majority of the book characters, well the main ones, shall be in the story. Any names you don't recognise are my own.
Summary: It is the summer before 4th year and the story starts after the World Cup match. Death Eaters have unexpectedly arrived and are scaring wizards and tormenting muggles; Harry, Hermione and Ron hide deep in the woods. Suddenly the Dark Mark has been branded in the sky...
Terrified screams echoed mind numbingly throughout the woods as the heart-stopping vision of The Dark Mark glittered menacingly high in the sky.
The green skull, with a serpent for a tongue, taunted and chilled Harry. He doesn't understand what the sign signifies, but from hearing the reaction and seeing the vastness the evil green brings, he's alarmingly aware it's anything but good.
Pulling his eyes away from the skull Harry tried scanning the darkness; the green neon sign being the only main, steady source of light which, unfortunately, doesn't cast much.
"Who's there?" he called; becoming suddenly and fearfully aware that he is infact wandless.
"Harry move!" Hermione grabbed his arm, dragging him determinedly.
"What's the matter?" Ron asked, startled at seeing her face so white and scared.
Hermione hurriedly tried to lead Harry and Ron out of the forest; the branches of the trees scratching their arms and faces like whips due to the fervent speed Hermione is directing them.
"That's the Dark Mark; it's You-Know-Who's sign!"
"Voldemort's sign?" Harry gasped, wide eyed; Ron instantly became paler than Hermione.
"Come on!" Hermione practically cried, giving another earnest tug on Harry's arm.
They only took a few hassled steps when a defiant command stopped their tracks:
"STOP!"
Harry was the first to turn; his heart thudding manically in his chest when he saw a person wearing a black hooded cloak coming after them on horseback.
The great horse stopped just infront of the trio, blocking their way. The person slid off the horse; Harry could just barely see the persons face but could tell that the mysterious horse-rider is a woman. She wasn't facing them however, her covered head was constantly on the move; looking around herself; as if trying to see and sense things in the darkness.
"Sorry if I've startled you," the woman whispered fervently, "but as you can probably tell this forest isn't exactly safe."
"Who are you?" said Harry; not liking the fact the woman has yet to show her face.
"Just a person trying to find out who conjured old Voldy's mark," she answered casually; ignoring the startled reactions of the teenagers before her. "It's not him of course, I would knowthat," she added with a slight chuckle, "And I doubt it's any of the Death Eaters up there," the cloaked head indicated towards the stadium, "Seeing as they are scarpering as I speak from the very sight of the mark. No, it must be someone else entirely, but who I do not know..."
None of the three could speak or infact think of anything to say. This woman just referred to the greatest dark wizard of all time as 'old Voldy', so casually like she personally knows him.
Maybe she does.
"You haven't properly answered my question, whoare you?" Harry asked once he gained the function to speak; only this time more pressingly.
The woman, at last, faced him. Lowering her hood, she at last exposes her face.
Young and tired was the first thought that came to Harry's mind. She looks in her early thirties, and appears as if she hasn't properly slept in a very long time. From what Harry can see her skin is flawless, her hair dark, and her eyes green; a different shade to Harry's own emeralds, this woman's are darker; not menacing, warm looking.
A small smile came to her lips witnessing Harry sussing her intently;
"Call me Mia."
It was then that the somewhat relaxing atmosphere changed.
Everything happened all at once; a series of popping noises declared the arrival of twenty-so wizards appearing from thin air; wands drawn, surrounding and each pointing directly to the group.
Without pausing to think Harry yelled "DUCK!" seizing Ron and Hermione by the scruffs of their collars, pulling them down onto the ground.
"STUPEFY!" roared the twenty-so voices and the sounds of banging and flashes of red light taunted Harry's very skin.
Expecting one of them to get struck he closed his eyes tight, preparing himself for the inevitable of at least one spell making contact, especially to the horse.
But none arrived.
No cries or neighing of pain. Not even the sound of the woman named Mia fighting back or screaming in surprise.
"S'alright guys, you're fine."
The sounds of banging and flashes of light continuing, Harry timidly raises his head on hearing Mia's announcement and became instantly stunned from what he can describe a giant bubble shielding them all from every jet of fiery red lights aimed at them.
Mia stands with both arms raised either side, producing this shield from her very palms. Harry wasn't sure whether to be impressed or frightened that this woman can do magic without the need for a wand.
Looking through the bubble the trio can just make out the stern yet anxious faces of the wizards trying to stun spells at them, obviously not yet realising that their efforts seem to be worthless-
"STOP!" yelled a voice the three instantly recognised, even catching the horses attentions, "STOP! THAT'S MY SON!"
The sounds and flashes of the stunning spell ceased, but none of the wizards turn to the call of Mr Weasley who came bounding through the leaves, trees and twigs.
All eyes were on Mia; wide, stunned, petrified eyes.
Mia's shield remained, and she cast a quick check to the others and her horse.
"Ron-Harry-Hermione-" Mr Weasley started shakily, relieved eyes raking every one of their faces, but when they landed on Mia, as if to say thanks, he mirrored the same expressions as the rest of the wizards, halting a couple of inches away from the bubble shield.
"Well, well, well...it seems we have found the conjurer of the Dark Mark..." The curt, hushed voice of Mr Crouch sounded, cautiously coming to stand beside a stunned Mr Weasley; his statement was to everyone, but his unreadable eyes lay only on the woman wearing the black cloak.
Though he is dressed in muggle attire, he can still hold his personal sense authority. He seems only aware of Mia; his facial expression only slightly different from the other wizards, his held a minimum of wonder on seeing her before him.
"And I even considered the possibility you died..."
"Sorry to disappoint you." Mia apologised with little sympathy.
Wait; died? thought Harry, what does he mean?
"You decided to return after a Quidditch game of all things...I wasn't aware you were such a fan of the sport Ms Dashwood..."
Upon the sound of her name Harry heard Hermione give off a small gasp as well as feeling Ron stiffen beside him. Obviously the name means something to them both.
"It wasn't my idea to return," said Mia, a hint of amusement in her low, primed tone.
"One of your Death Eater friends, was it?" Mr Crouch snapped waspishly; his shaky wand hand clenched white-knuckled tight.
"I would hardly refer to them as my friends Barty-" Mia lazily began but was immediately cut off.
"Your associatesthen!" Mr Crouch corrected loudly, angrily; his neat moustache quivering madly, "Did you all have a get together and decide how and when to return? Form a plan to scare the wizard community? To torment the muggles? Re-enacting old times were you?"
Harry saw Mia's stance tense,
"I'm as much of a Death Eater as you are."
"Don't compare yourself to me Ms Dashwood," Mr Crouch snarled, "Unlike you, I didn't personally know the Dark Lord."
It was Harry's turn to gasp.
So the woman did know Voldemort.
Could that be why Hermione and Ron reacted to the sound of her surname? Are they aware who this woman is? Is she well known to the wizarding world just as much as Voldemort?
But if that were true surely Harry would've heard about her before now?
"We can handle this the easy way or the hard way, Amelia," Mr Crouch continued testily; his nostrils flaring; the bubble shield being the only divide from him getting anywhere near Mia and the others. "Either remove this barrier and quietly come with us to the Ministry, or prepare to have a single battle on your hands."
"Wouldn't be much of a battle if your spells can't get past my shield though, would it?" Mia stated; her tone lower and now dark. "I want no trouble Barty, the reason why I came to the forest is only to find who conjured the Dark Mark."
"And you just so happened to run into Harry Potterof all people?" Mr Crouch countered harshly.
"It was a coincidence." Mia replied tersely, "I didn't even know he was here. I was in the forests and stumbled into an unconscious elf. I then heard noises of people and found Harry and his friends; of course I cam concerned for their safety."
"An elf?" Mr Weasley repeated gapingly; his light hazel eyes and expression flummoxed.
"I found it not long after the Mark appeared. A wand is also by its side."
"An unconscious elf with a wand, a likely story," Mr Crouch scorned spitefully.
"I'm not saying the elf performed the mark, but something or someone harmed the creature. If you don't believe me send one of your chums back there and prove me wrong." Mia challenged.
After a pause that consisted of Mr Crouch and Mia staring daggers at one another, Mr Crouch broke the silence.
"Diggory!" he barked, causing a man with a bushy beard and a tartan suit to jump to attention, "Go and see if what Ms Dashwood says is valid."
Mr Diggory ran hastily deeper into the forest; his wand lighting the way. Mr Crouch's eyes never once strayed from Mia.
"What made you return after all these years Ms Dashwood?" Mr Crouch asked abruptly, severely.
"Why Barty, I missed you of course!" Mia taunted in cruel sarcasm.
"You knew Potter would be here didn't you?" Mr Crouch ignored Mia's answer but his face got redder in anger. "You've probably been tailing the boy for months- yearsperhaps, just waiting for an opportunity to act!"
"If you believe me to be in league with Voldemort wouldn't I have either kidnapped or killed Harry by now and not wait for thirteen years?" Mia angrily demanded as a delicate shudder rippled her body; her once warm green eyes now slits of rage on the man before her; her steady palms now shook.
Turning her voice to a deadly whisper she added, "You know how powerful I am Barty, your smart enough to realise I could've fulfilled the callous deed multiple times. And unlike Voldemort I wouldn't have failed."
The hairs on the back of Harry's neck painfully stood up; who is this woman? Is he in danger? Are all of them?
"Barty! Barty! She was right!" sounded the astonished call of Mr Diggory, coming into view with the unconscious elf levitating beside him, "Here's the elf and here's the wand!" his left hand displaying the found wand; the green light above caught the magic wood's sight.
Harry instantly recognised it, whereas Mr Crouch instantly recognised the elf; his red face turned sickeningly pale.
"That's mine!" Harry said, unthinkingly taking a step forward but shot back from the shock of the barrier blocking his path.
All eyes, minus Mia's who remained on Crouch, looked to him.
"Are you saying that this is your wand?" Mr Diggory asked, almost accusingly.
"Yes, I dropped it!" answered Harry.
"You droppedit?" Mr Diggory repeated disbelievingly.
"If you're about to accuse Harry Potter in conjuring the Dark Mark, I think you should keep your mouth shut." said Mr Crouch; his tone more quiet than ever before.
Mr Diggory, in bafflement, complied. It was then Harry realised that Mr Crouch had his sights on the elf.
"Recognise her Barty?" the voice of Mia slyly taunted. "I wonder how she came to be there..."
Tremor's were seen rippling Mr Crouch's white, haggard face. Darting his eyes back to Mia, viewing the knowing glint in her eye, he stated,
"The wizarding world has managed thirteen years without you Ms Dashwood, I think the pattern should be kept."
A flicker of hurt flashed her beautiful face before being masked by anger. "For now I'll leave Crouch, but I'll not completely disappear. Declare the wizarding world of my return if you wish, hell you can even tell the muggles, but I'm sending you a warning, and do please tell the lovely Fudge," disgust lingered her tone, "The revived arrival of the Dark Mark means that things are starting to happen, tonight is only the beginning." Her arms slowly lowered yet the shield maintained as she side stepped towards the horse; everyone's attention completely on her subtle movements and haunting words, "Prepare yourselves Barty, for I feel that this occurrence isn't going to be like last time."
And with a mocking farewell nod of her head, Ms Amelia Dashwood evaporated out of thin air, taking away her shield along with her horse.
It was quickly found that the house-elf is Winky. Unfortunately, little loyalty towards Mr Crouch and his elf was held as upon her revival Mr Crouch immediately blamed her for casting the Dark Mark, much to the distress of Hermione.
Mr Crouch blatantly ignored Hermione and Winky's passionate and tearful declaration of her innocence, and thus fired her from being his house-elf.
Of course the matter of a elf producing such strong, dangerous dark magic by using a wizard's wand seemed unlikely to many there, but Mr Crouch was adamant and refused to hear any suggestions.
The scene was a rather upsetting sight but Harry could not forget about Mia Dashwood.
The careless way she talked about Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and the shocked, scared reactions on everyone's faces upon her appearance; Harry found it impossible to distinguish if she is friend or foe. After only spending not even a minute in her company, Harry couldn't even form his own opinion about her. She seemed friendly, if not a tad abrupt, but she also seems threatening, conniving, powerful...
Harry also thought she knew more about house-elf's unconscious form than she was letting on, the unpleasant expression on Mr Crouch's pale face told him that.
Upon arrival to the tent where they were staying, after double checking his reacquainted wand is safely stored in his pocket, they found Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George and Ginny waiting worriedly inside for them. Mr Weasley explained to them what occurred in the forest, their reactions, even Ginny's, matching to the wizards who witnessed the whole exchange.
Of course when explaining about Winky being fired Percy whole heartedly agreed his hero's decision, disgruntling an already upset Hermione even more.
When the first chance of silence arrived, Harry voiced the question that has been bothering his mind ever since he found out her name:
"Who is this Mia Dashwood?"
"You saying you never heard of her Harry?" said Mr Weasley in a mixture of surprise and horror by the cushioned chair he sat.
Harry shook his head, "Should I?"
"Suppose there hasn't been a need for you to know seeing as she's been missing presumed dead for thirteen years," said Bill reasonably; elbows on the table, "but I'm very surprised that you of all people haven't Harry."
"Why's that?" questioned Harry alarmingly.
"Well, some say she is even more powerful than Dumbledore and You-Know-Who put together," explained Charlie on the floor beside Ginny, "The spells she's able to perform without a wand is stuff of legend."
Wide eyed Harry asked, "Is she one of Voldemort's followers?" he ignored the shudders of fear made by the Weasley's and Hermione on hearing the dark Lord's name.
"Let's just say," Mr Weasley answered wearingly, "It has not been proven that she is or if she isn't. I think its best, however, that a conversation about Ms Dashwood shall be discussed until we return to the Burrow." And with that steady answer, Mr Weasley brought an end to the discussion.
Now, after getting only a few hours of sleep and catching the earliest available Portkey, they were tiredly rounding the corner of the lane that lead to The Burrow. All were thinking longingly of their breakfast, even Harry who somehow managed to push the thoughts of Mia away.
A cry sounded the damp lane causing all heads to shoot up and view a much frazzled Mrs Weasley running towards them; her bedroom slippers in place and an anxious expression on her plumped, kind face.
Harry's heart almost dropped on viewing Sirius running towards them also; his shoulder length hair tied hastily back displaying his strained handsome face, more anxious looking than Mrs Weasley.
"Thank God you're alright," he whispered gratefully in relief, pulling Harry in an overwhelming hug, "My God, Harry, I was worried!" Sirius pulled back a distance, his grey-blue eyes searching every part of his godson making sure he is unharmed and well; while Mrs Weasley practically sobbed into her husbands shoulder while somehow able to embrace the twins on either arm.
Remus and Tonks also came into view with baby Teddy, their faces showing nearly as much worry as Sirius's. Teddy squealed in delight on seeing Harry; his chubby arms and legs flinging excitedly. Tonks however beat her son passing him to Remus, and grabbed Harry after shoving Sirius away.
Harry noticed a scrunched up copy of the Daily Prophet in Lupin's hand over Tonk's shoulder; Mr Weasley too noticed for he asked after Mrs Weasley moved from him and the twins and set her hands onto gathering a startled Ron, Hermione and Ginny, into her clingy embrace,
"Can I see that, Remus?"
Remus unfolded the paper allowing Harry time to read the headline:
SCENES OF TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP AS THE RETURN OF AMELIA DASHWOOD JOINS THE ARRIVAL OF THE DARK MARK
Below on one side shows a black and white photograph of the Dark Mark hanging over the forest's tree tops, and on the other a photograph of a very young, not tired looking Mia, smiling happily up at them; her youth in the picture emphasising more of the beauty she has.
Harry felt Sirius's fingertips pressing painfully onto his shoulder, "Let's go inside and get something to eat," his raspy voice encourages; pulling him away from Tonks and leading himself and Harry the way inside the Burrow; Lupin watching concernly behind.
Everyone gathered and sat around the table while a red-eyed Mrs Weasley, with the help of Tonks, prepared the breakfast: Mr Weasley on one end reading the paper intently, a nosey Percy looking over his shoulder; Lupin and Sirius sat side by side at the far end, Teddy bouncing happily on his father's knee blabbering away to himself, while Sirius slouched somewhat bleakly on his chair, his eyes staring vacantly on the wooden table, his face masked with so many emotions; Harry sat on the other side of Sirius, with Bill to his left beside Mr Weasley, sending the occasional curious, concerned look towards his godfather, while Ron and Hermione sat opposite from Harry; Hermione mirroring Harry's actions. Charlie was to Ron's right, reading the front cover of the Prophet, while Fred, George and Ginny sat on the other side of Hermione talking only half-heartedly in order to fill in the silence, minus the sounds of cooking and the odd crash of china made by Tonks, about the Quidditch match.
"Ministry blunders...culprits not apprehended...lax security...Dark wizards running unchecked...national disgrace...Who wrote this? Ah...of course, Rita Skeeter..." heavily mumbled Mr Weasley.
"That woman's got it in for the ministry!" Percy declared furiously.
"Her and the majority of the wizard community I'd imagine." Bill yawned; tiredly rubbing his face.
"And why should they?" Percy barked accusingly at his eldest brother, "Mr Crouch set up every security measure possible; not one section of the match or the area was left abandoned!"
"Yet the place was filled with Ministry Officials and not one Death Eater was caught?" Bill countered in dark amusement.
Percy's face became beetroot much to the amusement of Fred and George. "Mr Crouch was obviously distracted by the appearance of that Dashwood woman!" stated Percy hotly, "He was trying to catch the culprit who made that Mark-!"
"But it wasn't her that did it," said Charlie; his eyes still on the front of the paper.
"I know that!" said Percy now positively flustered, "But Mr Crouch didn't know that at the time and doing what any courageous wizard does when faced with a dark wizard or witch, he tried to seize her!"
"And failed, miserably." said Ron, "He'd have nochance in fighting her anyway Perce, she had this protective shield around us; if countless stunning spells couldn't have broken through it then no spell would have-!"
The air in the kitchen raptly turned tense; Sirius straightened alertly while Tonks and Mrs Weasley landed the plates full of food with a clatter on the table.
"Did you meet her?" Lupin demanded incredulously; his eyes alarmingly darting from all the kids infront of him.
Ron, surprised by the sudden change, nodded, "Only me, Hermione and Harry before dad and the Ministry wizards arrived."
"Harry met her too?" Tonks whispered; aghast pale blue eyes wide on Harry.
"Did she do anything on you Harry?" asked Lupin urgently; startling even Teddy who became un-normally quiet; no longer chewing his hand, "Did she harm you or say anything at all life-threatening-?"
"No!" said Harry, stunned by the way Lupin is talking to him as well as the way he, Tonks and Sirius are looking at him; as if feared for his very life.
"She didn't really say much to us," Harry continued, looking to Ron and Hermione for support; who both nodded adamantly in agreement.
"She cast a shield charm over us when the Ministry officials arrived," said Hermione, "Stunning spells were cast everywhere from them in their hopes in catching the person who cast the Dark Mark."
"So she just randomly bumped into three teenagers in a forest, one just happening to be Harry Potter?" said Tonks sceptically.
"She said it was a coincidence." said Ron almost feebly due to the dark expressions the adults before him wore.
Tonks laughed without any humour, "Aye right, of course she would say that! After all this time hiding and then somehow she returns when the Dark Mark is sent once more? That'smore of a coincidence!"
"But the house-elf did the mark-" said Ron confusedly.
"Ron, how many times do I have to tell you? Winky couldn't have done that mark!" snapped Hermione irritably.
"Then who else could've done it?" said Ron heatedly.
"Shecould've done it." spat Tonks in disgust.
"The elf was near us on the balcony during the match; she could've taken Harry's wand sometime then." said Ron, "We didn't see Dashwood until later that night, how could she have taken Harry's wand when he only noticed it was gone before we entered the forest?"
"Amelia Dashwood is a very skilled, immensely powerful witch Ron," informed Remus quietly, carefully. "For all we know she could've made herself invisible and followed you lot the whole time you were there."
"So you think she sent the Dark Mark?" asked Harry.
"It's likely, she could've framed the house-elf." said Remus.
"I don't think she did it." said Hermione, shaking her head.
Ron groaned exasperatedly, "Will you make up your mind? It's either the elf that did it or Dashwood! One of them has to have done it!"
"But she said she came to the woods to find the person that did it, Ron! She was the one that found Winky unconscious! Remember when she found us she said she thought it wasn't any of the Death Eaters, that she believed it was someone else."
"She could've easily lied." said Tonks, not even considering a millisecond of the possibility that Mia could be telling the truth.
"Then why would she have gotten so upset when Mr Crouch questioned her wanting to harm Harry? She's been missing for years, if she wanted Harry sent to You-Know-Who or dead she would've done it by now!" cried Hermione. "It just doesn't make sense that she would send the Dark Mark in support for You-Know-Who, frame a house-elf, then protect the one person that You-Know-Who hates the most!"
After a silence that wasn't uncomfortable yet wasn't content, it took a minute before anyone spoke. All lost in their thoughts; especially Tonks, Remus and mainly Sirius.
Hermione had a point, they concluded, but they have reasons to be sceptical about the well-known Dashwood.
"Amelia is the type of person that likes to keep you on your toes," informed Sirius bitterly; his eyes back to being vacant on the table; his expression hard; more downcast than before. "You believe you know her and then suddenly she turns against you."
A shocked pause hung in the air after Sirius's resentful statement. Every Weasley, Hermione and Harry establishing the same thing, yet Harry spoke it.
"You knew her?" he asked, baffled yet intrigued.
"'Course I did," Sirius answered bluntly; his hands balling into clenched fists, "She's my wife."
For 'Dreaming Reality' fans I am still writing that story, I have not abandoned it, it's just this H.P idea has been tormenting me for months and I've just decided to give it a go. If it doesn't go well, then at least I tried and I know I am better writing about vampires than wizards.
Info about 'Dreaming Reality' my story is loosely based on Brams Stokers Dracula with Phantom of The Opera character names: no half white masks or pitch perfect singing is part of the story.
It's about a young woman named Christine, and every night, ever since she could remember, keeps on having the same dreams, in the same pattern, and somehow her dreams are starting to become her reality; the people and places she dreams about are actually real. How does she handle this?
If interested go through my profile if interested or go straight to the Movies section on fanfic, click Dracula and find it there.
P.S.
Anyone loved eurovision? I have to say, I was impressed by Jedward though I did cringe multiple times lol