Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. HP is the property of J. K. Rowling and is not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Some of the dialogue is lifted directly from Order of the Phoenix, it's basically quoted word for word with small changes (most parts that include letters, Dudley, Dursleys and Mrs Figg). It should be contained to only this chapter.

This is my first attempt at fanfiction and additionally not in my native language. Hope you like it and I'm counting on constructive criticism. ENJOY.

.

Harry/OFC (A. A. Shade)

Hermione/ (Not Ron)

§Testing§ - parseltongue

'Testing' - talking

"Testing" - inner voice

.

1.

Lone witch stood marvelling in her finished work, dark clouds in the sky and sounds of thunder in the distance seemed ideal to frame the sight in front of her. Three enormous concentric circles of small and slightly glowing runes carved into the smooth onyx stone filled the clearing in the forest. The whole construct was over hundred feet wide. Carving the rune cluster alone took her a month and research to find the right way to do it cost her a year of her life. Finally, she could free herself of constant threat and disappear from this doomed world. Of course, the fact that by doing so, she also would prove that you could escape that arrogant Dark Arsehole was definitely a bonus. With a grin at that final thought, she began preparing for the travel.

§Mors, come here please§, she hissed softly. §It's time to go.§

She heard her familiar slithering behind her, and she turned to greet him. The over four feet long and two inches thick black Indian cobra with a V-shaped white pattern on its hood slowly travelled to his mistress.

§I fed so we can just as well go§, grumped Mors. §Just please tell me that this is the last time I will eat those slimy Toads§ he pleaded, finally coming to stop in front of her. §I can eat only so much of them, definitely need to expand my menu.§

§Know how you feel§ she answered with a grin. Life in the middle of the woods was safe, but not very luxurious. §And don't worry, where we are going we will be free to do as we please … I hope.§

There was, of course, a possibility that she could travel to the world with not so favourable conditions, but she had to take a risk. Staying here was suicide. Besides the conditions she set for destination ensured that it would be relatively safe for her… or at least that was the idea. As long as there was no version of her (she didn't fancy a meeting with a doppelganger), and there was no Dark Arsehole – she was more than happy. And ritual ensured that she will be dropped at closest "path" that fulfil those requirements. So she didn't have to worry about travelling to some kind of alien world. Besides, the more differences between the worlds, the more challenging the travel and energy requirements.

She stopped her musings about the ritual and allowed Mors to assume his tattoo form on her left arm. A little smile appeared on her face as her familiar "dived" in her skin using a special circular runic tattoo located about three inches from her wrist on the inside side of her forearm (the second identical was above her left collarbone). Alongside the intricate runic cluster carved on his scales, it allowed Mors to become basically part of her, and that coupled with the magical bond from familiar ritual, was why she was able to take him with her. The only things she could take where those bonded both to her magic and body. That meant that her travel kit was composed of her familiar, wand (that was bonded physically using half inch wide tattoo enclosing right wrist that consisted of small runes, with what looked like an inch long copy of her wand in tattoo form on the inside of her wrist) and her sword that she made with the help of her grandfather, that was not only deadly and beautiful weapon but also treasured memento. The sword was sealed just like her wand – but on her left wrist. She looked at small image representing her sword that was magically stored in her, tracing the tip of her finger on the black ink of the blade that when summoned was thirty inches long, with the silver coating and hundreds of runes that glowed when exposed to magic. The V-shaped guard resembled a raven with spread wings made with jet black metal, hand-and-a-half handle made from the same wood as her wand (Ebony), covered in black Horntail leather of a dragon that heartstring resided in her wand. At the end of a handle was a small ring from the same metal as the guard. She absolutely loved her sword, and name that was written in runes on the fuller of a blade near the guard was feared by her enemies – Mania.

'Aptly named indeed' she murmured with a smirk, remembering how many of the Knights fell from her personal god of death.

She felt the first drops of rain that would soon become a downpour, so she quickly removed her robe and all of her clothes (they would be destroyed anyway, and there was small possibility that they could disrupt the ritual) - revealing her perky breasts, hourglass figure, and long shapely legs that she knew that made any warm blooded male salivating. Adding to that her shoulder length raven hair, cute nose; small round face, full reddish lips and intense violet eyes - she was simply stunning. One could forget that she had the skill and strength to battle and win against multiple assailants.

She headed to the centre of the massive rune cluster. Part of the ritual was harnessing the power of the storm, so she needed to perform it now or wait until another came. Arriving at the centre of the rings she enjoyed the feel of rain on her skin for a moment, quite used to the coldness, and gathered her magic. She had only one chance for this to succeed, not only failure would kill her but ritual itself would draw That Tosser attention.

'Here goes nothing', she sighted. Summoning her smooth ebony wand with the flick of the wrist she pointed it at her left palm and made a small cut - the mosaic of tiny runes becoming briefly visible.

§Deep Sleep§, she incanted in parseltongue at Mors head near her collarbone to put him in a magical coma and spare him pain that she suspected would accompany her transition. With a mental command and a pull of magic, her wand returned to tattoo. Not wanting to prolong things she smeared her blood on a single symbol at her feet. All the runes of the cluster beamed with bright light as she began chanting in a language few understand - pleading with magic, time and space to grant her request. She felt the raw power rising around and with fascination looked at the whirlpool of clouds forming in the sky above her. Still chanting she willed raw magic around, now visible as light blue mist, to swirl in the direction opposite the clouds in the sky.

Suddenly there was a multitude of very familiar cracks and about hundred figures appeared just outside the confines of the massive runic cluster. Immediately they started firing spells at her, but to the surprise of many not one connected. They simply dissolve moments after entering the area of the ritual. She fought of desire to laugh and taunt them – none of them knew that they help power what will free her from their master. Some even started sending her way spells that were clearly lethal – and were immediately stopped by their commanders because the standing orders were to capture her alive. Those with even less intellect tried to enter the ritual area … their screams and burning corpses discourage the rest. Focusing on her task she ignored them and continued.

Almost at the end of the chant something else drawn her attention, she looked down to discover the reason for a sudden lack of spell firing. Luckily she did not stop chanting, but it was almost like her heart stop beating for a moment. Right in front of her stood the monster she was running from, the bane of her existence; the murderer of her family and destroyer of the magical world.

'What a nice surprise Miss Shade', came a smooth voice of the Dark Lord. 'I have been looking for you for quite some time.' Smile forming on his face he slowly approached the boundary of a ritual. 'I see you have been busy. Very interesting … ' he looked at the swirl of magic that now looked like blue metallic liquid so dense that you couldn't even see the runes underneath, with height right up to her belly. 'But we will get to that later, you have a wedding to plan after all. Not to mention your role in siring my heir.' He added with a leer at her naked body. She couldn't stop herself from shuddering slightly with disgust but defiantly continued the chant.

Intricate elder wood wand appeared in his hand and shoot a deep blood coloured spell at her. She seen him cast before but it still startled her slightly - his spellwork was simply inhuman. Spell travelled far deeper into the ritual area than those before, she was almost sure that this was the end when finally it started dissolving and disappeared mere inches from her torso. A clear surprise etched his face, but before he could even think of doing something different she screamed last words of the chant at the clouds above.

Everything started to slow down, it seemed eerily quiet as all but one sound stopped. Low buzz vibrated the space itself as it slowly grew in intensity. She looked around and view with fascination at everyone that looked as if slowly becoming unable to move. The raw blue magic that surrounded her started falling in her direction, before she could make sense of it a light drew her attention from above. Right from the centre of the whirlpool of clouds that was once a storm, enormous lightning travelled down faster than anything else nearby and she knew that she had only seconds left before it hit her. She looked at the Tosser himself and with immense satisfaction saw fear ever so slightly transforming his face.

Right before lightning struck all the raw magic gathered around rushed at her and her body glowed with bright light and just as bright pain. New sound arose around her and she realised that it was her own, but it was not a scream – only mad laughter. She laughed because there was another reason that she was in the middle of nowhere. She didn't want to kill innocent bystanders when her ritual sends her to another universe by destroying her body here and reconstructing it there. All energy stored in her would cause massive destruction, fortunately, most will be consumed by the transfer. But a little bit will bleed out, rendering impossible all magical travel and destroying everything in the 10-mile radius. With a grin on her face, she thought one last time in this world just as lightning struck.

"Sayonara, you piece of shite"

oOo

'He's killed Cedric! Dad, help me! He's going to …' high-pitched, whimpering voice of Dudley abruptly stopped. 'Don't you point that thing at me!' His cousin shouted suddenly releasing his situation.

Harry was pointing his holly wand directly at Dudley's heart.

'Don't ever talk about that again,' Harry snarled. 'Do you understand me?'

'Point that thing somewhere else!' Dudley screamed clearly freighted. 'GET THAT THING AWAY FROM...' shuddering gasp escaped his mouth, silencing him immediately.

Suddenly it turned pitch black and lightless - the stars, the moon, the misty streetlamps at either end of the alley had vanished. Harry noticed the complete lack of sound, broken only by a slight whimper from his cousin. The balmy evening was abruptly piercingly, bitingly cold. They were surrounded by an atmosphere of helplessness and misery. He knew immediately that feeling, already hearing the soft whisper of his mother pleas for his life - Dementors.

'W-what are you d-doing? St-stop it!' Dudley whimpered beside him. 'I'll t-tell Dad!'

'Shut up Dudley.' Harry hissed. 'I'm trying to find …' Drastic drop in temperature forced him to shut up. He felt a presence coming closer to them. He could already hear their raspy breaths. "Fuck. There are at least two of them." He thought, trying to focus on happy memories.

'C-cut it out! Stop doing it! I'll h-hit you, I swear I will!' Dudley pleaded to, and then threatened him as he desperately tried to prepare to cast his Patronus while fighting with increasing dread and screams of his mother.

'Dudley shut …'Harry didn't finish the sentence because his brain-dead cousin acted on his threat and hit him on the side of his head. The force of the punch actually lifted him from the ground, wand slipping from his grasp, and light show in front of his eyes along with accompanying pain dominated his awareness for few seconds.

'You moron, Dudley!' Harry yelled, his eyes watering with pain as he scrambled to his hands and knees, feeling around frantically in the blackness. 'Dudley, Come back! You're running right at it!' He heard Dudley blundering away, hitting the alley fence, stumbling.

'Wand!' Harry muttered hastily, his hands flying over the ground like spiders. 'Where's ... wand ... come on ... Lumos!'

He said the spell automatically, desperate for light to help him in his search - and to his disbelieving relief, a bright light flared inches from his right hand - the wand tip had ignited. Harry snatched it up, scrambled to his feet and turned around.

Right in front of him was Dementor, towering over him with its impossible ten-foot height. Before he could react it grabbed him by his throat and slammed into the nearby wall. Coldness emanated from Dementor, making him feel sluggish and hopeless. Not willing to give up he pointed the wand at it and tried to cast a spell, but a firm corpselike hand made it impossible to as much as whisper incantation.

Just as Dementor move in to administer its infamous Kiss, light of extreme brightness exploded from the side of the alley that Dudley ran into. Along with the almost painful light came thunder but with a strength of a small explosion. Harry immediately moved to cover his eyes, worrying that there was some kind of accident. He was released immediately by what could be only described as screaming and slightly charred corpse in a cloak. Realising that the coldness is gone he levelled his wand at the creature thinking about his friends.

'Expecto Patronum!' Harry bellowed and silver stag jumped from his wand, assaulting dementor and driving it instantly away.

He barely had time to move when another sound assaulted his ears, similar to the screams of the dementor but much louder and seemingly more desperate. Fearing for his cousin he turned around preparing to guide his Patronus to help him.

Harry froze not believing his eyes.

Dudley lay near the entrance to the alley, unconscious but alive. Beside him was dementor even more damaged than his own was, with a noticeable addition of a beam-like-blade of magic coming out from its torso. It was clearly destroying the dementor, and with a sudden pull upwards the creature disintegrated into ash leaving only its tattered cloak. Its destruction revealed the owner of a magical blade that already started disappearing from a long ebony wand.

Standing there was the most stunning woman that Harry had ever seen; she was clearly a few years older than him, with face and body of pure perfection. His eyes fell on shapely perky breasts, with small pink erected nipples. He shifted his gaze to her smoothly shaved long legs as if begging to trace his hands on them. Travelling upwards he noticed that her bikini area had no traces of any hair either, revealing for all (Harry) to see her privates. Right above was a tattoo of a red rose with long steam, bloody thorns visible as it travelled near her entrance almost to her left thigh. Managing to finally level his eyes with the mysterious beauty he was startled by pricing violet eyes staring right at him.

'Are you done?' She asked in a pleasant voice with traces of amusement. 'I can give a little pirouette if you want - for full experience.' Not waiting for his answer she did just that. He couldn't help himself but stare at her round bum and a delicious soft arc of her back. Perfection was broken only by a long red scar from the right shoulder to an upper part of the left buttock.

'Now, fun part is over – at least for you.' With a smirk and a motion of her wand, she conjured jet black one piece dress ending just above her knees. Close-fitting upper part ensured that it would stay there while rest danced freely with her every move. 'Stop gawking and tell me who I just saved. Also, your name would be nice to know.' She looked at his cousin with dispassionate eyes and curiously at his still lingering Patronus that started to disappear.

'Err …' stated Harry eloquently, still in shock. He felt the burn of blush and a strong beating of his heart. Trying to save face he spoke again.

'My cousin Dudley – muggle.' He pointed at the lump of meat near her. 'And I'm Harry Potter.' To his surprise, she didn't react at all to his name and looked with a small frown at the unconscious idiot.

'Well … he will probably need at the very least a week to fully recover. Even if I managed dementor before it kissed him, he is a muggle, so more vulnerable to its effects.' She spoke looking at Dudley, and then again at him. 'I'm new here and don't have anything to do at the moment, so I will help you with this … relative of yours. Besides, we still didn't discuss your payment for the performance you enjoyed.' She added with a smirk, startling Harry.

'I am really sorry…' He tried to apologise, but she waved him off.

'I don't mind being seen naked by you – it was an unusual situation so it couldn't be helped. But you clearly enjoyed the view more than necessary. I will collect my payment in due time.' She quipped with a smile. 'Maybe in few years I will have you return the favour.' She mused looking him over and making him blush even more.

As he was about to respond, he heard someone behind him so he turned around and saw Mrs Figg, he tried to hide his wand in the pocket but before he could …

'Don't put it away, idiot boy!' she shrieked. 'What if there are more of them around? Oh, I'm going to kill Mundungus Fletcher!'

Before Harry could show his surprise, that she even knew what a wand is, she let out a small startled shout noticing still nameless witch standing calmly near Dudley. Terror visible clearly on her face she stared, noticing a detail that Harry in his "haste" didn't note till he followed her line of sight. Her left arm was covered in a massive tattoo of a snake with a tail near a wrist and head visible above her left collarbone, small circular tattoo beside it – making him promptly tense up. The young woman noticed their reaction as she cast some kind of charm at her feet and raised her right thin eyebrow at them.

'And what got your knickers in a twist?' She asked without hostility, curiosity lacing her voice.

Remembering that she saved his cousin, and probably him as well, he pointed at her left arm.

'Snakes …' he started not wanting to offend her. 'Dark Wizard that hunts me is very fond of them, and his followers have a tattoo of a snake on their forearms.'

'Ooh … Sorry to hear that,' she said with understanding. 'But as long as you don't threaten me you have nothing to fear.' Then she promptly grinned. 'Besides it's not really a tattoo but a familiar.'

'Who are you?' Mrs Figg questioned before he could ask more, reminding them of her. 'And why are you here?' She inquired with fear still visible in her eyes.

'Right, didn't introduce myself - sorry. Aurora Shade' she simply stated. 'And I just came to England … well, a few minutes ago. The travel method I used is not very precise so don't know exactly where is this place.' She said looking around.

Before Harry, or Mrs Figg could respond owl flew in and dropped a letter in front of him. He recognised ministry seal and paled, with bile rising up his throat he opened the letter.

Dear Mr Potter,

We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm and an unknown spell at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle.

We also detected a high power magical event near your location that you will be questioned about.

The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.

As you have already received an official warning for a previous offence under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the twelfth of August.

Hoping you are well,

Yours sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic

'Bollocks.' he said with a mixture of fear and anger. 'Stupid ministry is trying to destroy my wand because I defended myself from creatures THEY supposed to control.' With anger, he approached his cousin and grabbed his collar, recognising that before he does anything else (like get the hell out of here, before Aurors come), his cousin needs to be home.

Aurora motioned at Dudley with her wand and he almost stumbled when his cousin became much lighter and that much easier to drag. Then she stepped closer to him and took ministry letter from his grasp and read it quickly.

'Ups ... I guess my grand entrance added to your troubles.' She commented with a small frown giving him his letter back. 'The least I can do is help you with this. When Aurors come I will explain what happened, you should be safe with two witnesses and clear victim of dementor influence.' A smile appeared on her face as she continued. 'Besides, I need a place to crash. Not to mention that I'm famished.' She motioned for him to lead and not knowing what else to do he headed to his relatives house.

Mrs Figg face clearly showed that she is not comfortable with the young witch but she said nothing about it.

'I'm going to contact Dumbledore' with a corner of an eye Harry noticed a small flash of surprise on Aurora's face. 'And send someone to you for protection ... stay in the house.' She glanced at them and quickly headed home before Harry could ask just how she knew about the Headmaster.

They swiftly pointed toward Privet Drive, Harry glancing occasionally at his companion and noticing mild curiosity as she scanned the area.

'So, are you a muggleborn? Or on vacation with the relatives?' She asked conversationally while they closed in on the Dursleys house. Harry noticed that she was slightly taller than him.

'Technically I'm half-blood. Not that it matters to me at all.' He added, wanting to see her reaction. 'But I'm muggle raised, so practically like a muggleborn.'

'I see ... Don't really care about that either, at least when it comes to blood.' A small nostalgic note could be heard in her voice. 'Main difference in my experience is an attitude towards magic, cultural quirks also tend to cause tensions - from both sides.' She said, now looking at him curiously. 'I'm asking because it's rare for muggleborn to know such advanced magic so young. Not to mention the power needed and difficulty of Patronus Charm.'

'I react ... strongly ... to a dementor presence, so Defence teacher in my third year helped me learn the charm.' He stated simply reaching the Dursleys front door, missing surprise on her face. 'My relatives don't like magic and may be aggressive. Threaten them a little if they annoy you - just don't hurt them.' He said with a grin, he may not be able to do magic - but his companion was another story. She raised an eyebrow at that and watched him as he rang the bell.

Aunt Petunia's outline grow larger and larger, oddly distorted by the rippling glass in the front door.

'Diddy! About time too, I was getting quite-quite- Diddy, what's the matter?' His aunt stopped in the doorframe and took second to process the sight that greeted her.

Harry was in front wand in his right hand and Dudley's collar in his left (he noticed that he become heavy again), on his left was Aurora. She still had her wand in right hand casually tracing back from pointing at his cousin to the ground, looking quite out of place with her dress and lack of footwear. The moment that his aunt noticed her son she shrilled.

'DIDDY! Diddy, what's the matter with you? Vernon? VERNON!' Immediately she moved to her son and Harry swiftly positioned himself near his companion.

Harry's uncle came galumphing out of the living room, walrus moustache blowing hither and thither as it always did when he was agitated. He hurried forwards to help Aunt Petunia move unconscious Dudley over the threshold while avoiding dropping their precious cargo.

'He's ill, Vernon!' Petunia informed her husband frantically. Her eyes fell on the wand in Harry's hand and she paled. 'You FREAK! What did you do to my Diddy!'

'I didn't do anything!' Harry said sharply, as Uncle Vernon raised his fists. 'It wasn't me, it was ...' Clearly, his uncle had enough information to judge he was guilty because he launched at him, fist aimed at his face.

He didn't go far as a bolt of red light hit him in the face making him fall in the heap just outside of the door. Second almost transparent spell hit his aunt, without any noticeable effect. Mystery soon solved itself as she tried to scream - but no voice came out of her.

'Well ... that was overly dramatic' he heard Her. 'Listen to me Horseface.' Aurora moved in front of Harry glaring at his aunt. Casually jumping over Vernon. 'Your son is fine, he will feel depressed and slightly under the weather for about a week. Nothing life threatening.' She was now standing over Petunia who was crouching near her son. 'Harry and Amazing Walking Pig here were attacked by dementors' his aunt stopped trying to scream and looked at her in terror. 'I see that you know about them. Good. Care to guess who saved your precious son from having his soul sucked by not so nice kiss?' Aurora quipped smirking a little and removing silencing charm from now mostly quiet woman. 'That would be me, and if I was late he would be as good as dead. So stop blaming Harry - who by the way, was about to save your spawn before he noticed me', at that she winked at him, making him blush and groan softly. 'In summary - you owe me. So Harry here is going to play my host while you tuck in your son.' Saying that, she moved into the house.

'What about my husband?' His aunt asked softly, startling Harry who was about to move inside as well.

'Right ... forgot about that. Will he behave if I wake him?' Asked Aurora coming back to the door. She must have deduced from a look on his face that that was highly unlikely because she charmed both Vernon and Dudley feather-light. 'I made them much lighter for you. They will wake up in the morning.' Harry joined her as she moved inside, soon zeroing in on the fridge.

'Hungry? I will make something if you like.' Harry proposed watching as she stared hungrily at the food inside.

'Couple sandwiches would be amazing, I didn't eat anything decent in over a month.' She was practically salivating so he started making them immediately.

Just as his guest started wolfing down her first sandwich (which included leftover turkey meat) groaning in pleasure, owl glided inside the kitchen thru open window and delivered a letter in front of him.

With a slight growl of annoyance, he opened it.

Harry

Dumbledore's just arrived at the Ministry and he's trying to sort it all out. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE'S HOUSE. DO NOT DO ANY MORE MAGIC. DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR WAND.

Arthur Weasley

A wave of hope washed over him, Dumbledore could probably fix all this. With all these fancy titles, he would at the very least give him a fair chance to explain things.

'Ministry again?' Asked raven beauty near him, having finished her food.

'No .. well ... not exactly. Mr Weasley - father of a friend, that work at the ministry just informed me to stay put.' She moved behind him and read the letter clearly curious about the contents. He probably shouldn't have let her read it but her scent with distinct smokey pine aroma distracted him.

'Hmm ... friends in high places I see.' She commented with a smile. 'Which Dumbledore does it refer to?'

'Which? There is more than one?' This was the first time he heard that piece of information. But he still answered not seeing the harm in doing so. 'Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.'

'Albus ...' she muttered as if trying to place the name. Finally, recognition flashed on her face. 'Interesting ...' She whispered to herself and seat on the counter.

'And just what is so interesting about that?' Harry inquired with burning curiosity. This girl seemed to be an enigma from the beginning, but only now he had the clarity to truly try to solve it.

She smiled at him coyly and inclined her head slightly to the left her violet eyes meeting his emerald green. He felt his heart skip a beat at the sight as she answered.

'Aren't you a curious one, hmm?' She said in a smoky voice that made him shiver. For a second he stared right into her eyes wondering just why she affect him so much.

Another owl interrupted his musings so he opened the letter delivered to him to distract himself from her violet eyes and satisfied smirk forming on her full lips.

Dear Mr Potter,

Further to our letter of approximate twenty-two minutes ago, the Ministry of Magic has revised its decision to destroy your wand forthwith. You may retain your wand until your disciplinary hearing on the twelfth of August, at which time an official decision will be taken.

Following discussions with the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Ministry has agreed that the question of your expulsion will also be decided at that time. You should, therefore, consider yourself suspended from school pending further enquiries.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic

Harry let a small relieved breath out as he finished reading the letter, now that he had a chance to explain to ministry his side of the story he was confident in the outcome of the hearing. Especially considering that his primary witness stood right beside him reading over his shoulder.

'Damn ... this headmaster of yours works fast, I'm impressed.' She commented with chin resting on his shoulder, making his heart rate double. 'Now that the drama is over be a dear and make me more sandwiches.' She stated happily and encouraged him with a slap on the arse.

Harry turned bright red and stared at her for a moment. He never met anyone that affected him in that way, that made him feel so outside of his comfort zone ... and yet it didn't bother him in the slightest. If he thought about it more deeply he would have noticed that from the moment of their meeting Cedric name didn't enter his mind, he didn't worry about the war - even Voldemort. All he could think at the moment where those violet eyes and quite bit more of Miss Shade bits. That in mind he moved towards the fridge.

Just as he finished making yet another sandwich, and nervously trying to find a solution for night accommodation of his guest he heard door bell and automatically moved to answer it. He started to open the door (absentmindedly noticing the lack of Dursleys) and was momentarily startled by the figure in front of him, or more precisely - figures.

'Professor Dumbledore, what are you doing here?' he exclaimed addressing old wizard clad in bright blue muggle suit. Right behind him where Professor Moody, Remus Lupin and a young witch with violet hair.

'Hello Harry, my boy' Dumbledore welcomed him with a smile, but strangely not meeting his eyes. 'Considering your adventure today we decided to ...' He trailed off suddenly, while his eyes focused on something behind him. Before he could react a familiar scent reached him.

'Friends of yours?' Asked Aurora moving to his side and curiously eyeing suddenly tense group, some of which (everyone besides Dumbledore) pointed their wands at her. With a raised eyebrow she continued. 'A little on edge are we? Well, you can lower your wands - I don't plan on hurting anyone, in fact, Harry here can attest to that.' Saying that she patted his right shoulder, revealing her snake tattoo and making everyone besides Harry tenser. Her reaction to that was an amused eye roll.

Harry quickly jumped in. 'Allow me to introduce you - Aurora Shade,' she inclined her head at the group. 'She saved Dudley from dementor and allowed me to banish the one attacking me. I invited her here as a thank you.' Suddenly witch in question looked sharply at the Headmaster.

'I would appreciate if you didn't try and read my mind old man.' Anger was clear in her voice but she spoke calmly. Then a dangerous smile appeared on her face. 'That is if you don't mind me shattering your mind like a piece of old china.' Confused Harry looked at Dumbledore looking for answers.

Surprise and a hint of worry laced his face for a brief moment but quickly he returned to his trademark grandfatherly look, motioning to the rest to lower their wands. Everyone besides Moody complied while the grizzly man looked ready to cast at a moment notice.

'Apologies Miss Shade, I meant no disrespect - but security is our main concern here.' He smiled softly trying to defuse the situation. 'Unfortunately with young Harry ... circumstances ... he is bound to be a target.' He motioned at the snake covering her arm. 'And your choice in tattoo design, as beautiful as it is - is concerning, taking current situation.' At that, she sighed annoyed.

'Yeah ... I heard from Harry that he is hunted by a wizard fond of snakes and that his followers had a tattoo of them.' She looked at him curiously for a moment and turned back to Dumbledore. 'Well ... I have nothing to do with that guy, and besides, it's not a tattoo at all - just my familiar, it's easier to transport him in this form.' A look of disbelief crossed everyone with Headmaster looking both guarded and curious. Noticing their reaction she added. 'I can wake him up if you want.'

'Are you trying to tell us that you don't know who Voldemort is or about his Death Eaters, missy?' Growled Moody suddenly, suspicion heavy in his voice and his wand pointed directly at the witch.

'Who?' Aurora asked with a snort of amusement. 'Voldemort?' Harry noted that violet-haired woman flinched a little at that, his companion noticed that too. 'Sounds more like a rock band than a fearsome wizard if you ask me. And never heard about those Death Eaters of yours.' Noticing, even more, disbelief she added. 'I just came to England today and was pretty much cut off from the civilisation most of my life before coming here.'

'I see.' Commented Dumbledore silently placing his hand on Moody wand and forcing it down earning in the process furious glare from the man, 'And what brings you, Miss Shade, to our beautiful, if slightly troubled at the moment, country?'

'Circumstances I rather not talk about forced me to leave my home, so at the moment I'm looking for a place to stay and a job.' She then grinned at Harry and winked. 'Harry graciously allowed me to crash at his place as a thank you for saving his cute arse ... and that pre-processed bacon he calls cousin.' At that, all eyes (and one of Moody's) turned to him, Lupin wearing a small smile on his face and young witch near him grinning knowingly made him blush a little. Not finding anything to say he simply shrugged and tried not to look into their eyes.

'And what kind of work are you trying to find?' Asked Headmaster suddenly with an almost predatory look on his face so unlike him.

Aurora looked at him weirdly but answered still. 'I have master level knowledge of Defence against Dark Arts and Ancient Runes. And while rune work is more profitable I prefer to do something with a focus on Defence - so probably Auror, Hit Witch or Curse Breaker.' That startled all of them, mastery at this age was unheard of and two of them was almost impossible, so suspicion arose anew. But old wizard didn't get fazed at all and smiled happily at her, with a mad twinkle in his eyes.

'How about teaching? Coincidently I'm looking for a Defence teacher.' That sudden proposition threw everyone off guard and made Harry look at her. He noticed a smile forming on her face and suddenly realised that he might be looking at his future Defence Professor.

oOo

A/N: Hope you liked it, more should come soon (no more than a week per chapter of similar size).