The Demon's Deal: Revised

I had just arrived home, well the Dursleys home anyway, for summer vacation. Sirius had just died such a short while ago. No one welcomed me, just went about their business as if I wasn't there.

I took my trunk upstairs, struggling with the weight but managing. I sat it down at the foot of my bed and released Hedwig. "Well girl, we're back in purgatory. Would you like to go out and hunt?" She bobbed up and down. I opened the window to let her out. I wished I could just fly away, just leave my troubles behind. Sighing, I laid down not bothering to unpack.

"I want another chance. I want to at least try and fix what is broken. I would be willing to sacrifice a great deal for it." With that said, I fell asleep.

I was floating in a void of some sort. At first I thought it was Voldemort, but no one came to attack me. A form, roughly like a fox, strode towards me.

"Did you mean what you said?" It was clearly a fox.

"What do you mean," I decided to find out what it knew first, then act.

"That you want another chance. I can give it to you, as we have similar goals."

I immediately became suspicious, "What goals are those?"

It sighed and laid down. "A wizard calling it's self Voldemort killed my mate, my children, and nearly killed me. I believe he has also attacked you as well."

I nodded, "My parents and my godfather are dead because of him."

It nodded, "Yes I felt their deaths. I can feel all who die because of him or his followers."

"So what's this deal you have?" I knew that this was the reason for the conversation, and decided to return to it.

"I can give you what you want and quite a bit more. What I want in return is to cause the death of the murderer of my family. I will lend you my power and whatever knowledge I have. I will also be going along with you, this would require you to let me reside somewhere within you."

I thought about it, "Can you defend my mind from outside attack?"

"Just tell me how much I'm allowed to harm the individual," it said viciously.

"How far can you send me back?"

"Depends how far you want to, though the father back you go, the less I'll be able to help you in a pinch. It will require most of my power to send you a year, anything more will kill me."

"Will I be separate from myself?"

"That would defeat the point wouldn't it?"

I nodded, "I suppose so. It's a deal."

"How far back do you want to go?"

I thought about it. There were so many places where I could go back to, so much I could change. "Send me back to my arrival at Grimauld Place."

"Hang on, where do you wish me to reside?"

"In my mind would be best I think, just don't go snooping around."

It chuckled. "This will hurt. My name's Kyuubi by the way."

I felt something hit me, then the sensation of being pulled along, much like a portkey. I hate portkeys. Suddenly I felt something hit me around the waist and saw a lot of bushy brown hair.

"Let him breath Hermione," Ron said.

"Why, she doesn't have to hurry on my account. I personally don't mind it," came my reply. Hermione got off me faster than I thought she could, blushing beat red. I laughed, "It's good to see you too Hermione."

I noticed Ron and Ginny sitting on the beds, obviously waiting on me to show. I held out my arm to Hedwig and began petting her as soon as she settled.

"Listen mate, were sorry we couldn't tell you," Ron began.

"I know, Dumbledore wouldn't allow you. I have learned a lot of thing this summer, while not all of them pleasant, all were necessary," I said darkly. I was back, and I would be getting what I needed, before anyone could be the wiser.

We waited in silence for dinner to be announced. Hermione sat next to me, still embarrassed by what I said. I continued petting Hedwig until Ron said, "You know your owl was pecking and scratching us when we couldn't send you anything." He held up his hand to show me.

"I'm sorry you had to bite him Hedwig, I know I shouldn't have asked you to do it." Ron and Hermione looked surprised. Turning to them I said, "At the time I believed you deserved it. While I now know better, I'm not sorry for feeling that way."

"Your right Harry, you did deserve to feel that way," Hermione said quietly, "But you understand the restraints we were placed under."

I nodded, "Yes I do, but that still won't make me feel sorry for feeling left out."

Mrs. Weasley came up and announced supper. We all left and arrived at the kitchen together. Mrs. Weasley came and tried to give me a hug, but I quickly sat next to Sirius to avoid it. She was shocked, as were Ron and Hermione. Though they were probably surprised that I went and sat next to Sirius so fast.

The meal got underway, there was much laughter about the various things that were good. I took comfort in the fact Sirius was right beside me. Once the meal was over, Sirius said, "I'm surprised Harry, you haven't asked what has been going on yet."

"That's not his concern," said Mrs. Weasley, "He's underage."

"It's more my concern than you would believe," I replied quietly. Turning to Sirius I said, "I have some information, but there are some things I would like to talk to you and Remus in private about." They both nodded. I gave a nod to Hermione and Ron saying, "I'll see you later."

Once we were away, Remus put up protection for eavesdropping. "What is it Harry," Sirius asked.

"I need some things, things I can't get. I also need you to hear me out on my reasons before you tell me no." They both nodded. I quickly told them about the year that was to come, including Sirius's demise and how I got here. They regarded me with suspicion, "How do you know that this Kyuubi is friendly," asked Remus.

"I wouldn't say friendly. I would say that its more 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' than him being on friendly terms. Either way, I know we can trust him as long as Voldemort's around."

Remus and Sirius looked at each other, discussing things without saying anything. "What do you need, and how many laws are we going to have to break," asked Remus.

I quickly told them the books I wanted. They were surprised when what I wanted wasn't illegal, but I told them, "I don't need anything that will get me sent to Azkaban, what I need is information on the things I don't know." I handed Remus my key and said, "Take what you need. And pick up some more robes for yourself and Padfoot." I raised a hand before he could object, "Consider this my way of repaying you." Turning to Sirius, "I'm going to need you to help me understand what I'm reading."

"Why me, Remus is the teacher."

"Because I asked. And because Remus is going to be helping if he's here." I noticed Sirius's expression, "I want to spend time with you, is that a bad thing?" He immediately brightened and said no.

We agreed to start tomorrow, as Remus would get the books as soon as he could in the morning. When I returned to the room I was sleeping in, I found Hermione and Ron waiting for me. I stretched theatrically, "I'm exhausted, I'll see you two in the morning. Try to keep your activities to a low roar." I climb in bed, upsetting Hermione's seat, closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. Unfortunately Hermione wasn't buying it.

"What did you talk to Sirius and Professor Lupin about Harry? And why didn't you take us along?"

I sighed, "Because it was between me and them. You two, while important to me, are not the only people I tell things to in private."

Hermione seemed mollified slightly. Ron said, "Come on mate, you can tell us."

With my eyes closed I replied, "I will tell you that I won't be able to help clean the house. Sirius, Remus and I have things that we will be doing."

"When are you going to do your homework Harry?" that was Hermione.

"It's already done. Goodnight." They finally decided to leave me alone. The lights dimmed and I fell into a deep slumber.