Title: Choosing a side

Author: JordieFan

Rating: PG-15

Summary: AU sixth year. Begins summer after fifth year. Harry is devastated over the loss of his Godfather and he places the blame on Dumbledore and his manipulations. He decides to take the war into his own hands. Dark independent Harry.

Pairings: Harry/Tonks (main) Harry/multiple pairing

Warnings: Slightly AU, language, violence, angst, DarkHarry

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It is the property of JK Rowling and various publishers.

Chapter 1: Happy Holidays

Harry Potter sat on his bed, staring blankly at the plain white walls of his small bedroom. He had barely left his room at all since arriving back at the Dursley's after the disastrous ending to his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mainly, he spent his time paging disinterestedly through his various schoolbooks or, more commonly, wallowing in despair about the loss of Sirius.

Throughout this brooding, however, Harry had found himself reflecting seriously on the cause of his Godfathers death. He thought about the previous year and how stupid he'd been to blindly rush off to the ministry despite all of his friend's warnings. He thought about Snape and how the bastard had constantly taunted Sirius about being useless, which had indirectly led to him leaving the house. And how when Harry had told Snape that Voldemort had Sirius, the greasy bastard had taken hours to alert the Order. And he thought about Dumbledore. Dumbledore, who in Harry's opinion was just as much at fault in Sirius death as Voldemort himself. Had the old man not left Harry in the dark about the prophecy, none of this would have happened!

Anger quickly began surfacing in Harry and he stood up, picking up the transfiguration book that had lay beside him on the bed and hurled it at the wall. It made a satisfying bang that echoed throughout the entire house. He distantly heard Uncle Vernon swearing downstairs, but thankfully, the fat idiot didn't come up. None of the Dursley's dared to punish him for fear that Mad Eye Moody would pay a house call.

The anger was gone a moment later though, replaced by the more familiar bone deep sadness that threatened to bring tears to his eyes. But he refused to cry anymore. He had shed enough tears over the last couple of weeks to last him a lifetime. And besides, Harry did not think that Sirius would want him to spend all of his time grieving.

With a sigh he sat down on his bed and prepared to start staring listlessly at his wall again, but the swish of wings and a loud hoot distracted him. He turned to the window in time to see Hedwig swoop in from her evening hunt and managed a small smile when she landed next to him.

"Hey girl," he murmured softly, gently stroking her brilliant white feathers. She hooted again, this time in a sort of questioning manner as though to enquire if he was alright. "Don't worry about me Hedwig, I'll be fine. I just need some more time I think."

Hedwig hooted softly in understanding and Harry smiled again. His friends had always thought it a bit odd that he spoke to his owl as though she could understand him, but to Harry it was the most natural thing in the world. She was, after all, the only living creature that could stand the sight of him when he was at the Dursley's.

He was broken out of his reverie when Hedwig pecked at his arm and held out her leg. Looking down, Harry finally noticed the letters that she held. Relieving them from Hedwig he gave her a couple of owl treats before studying them. It seemed that there was one each from Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins.

For the first time since getting back to the Dursley's two weeks ago, Harry felt a small amount of happiness stirring in his chest. Deciding to open the letter from his best mate first, Harry grabbed Ron's letter from the pile and eagerly ripped open the envelope.

Hey mate,

How are you, Harry? I hope those Muggles are leaving you alone. If their not, just write to Moody. If he can't set them straight, then nothing can. Anyway, sorry that this is the first time I've sent you a letter mate, but Dumbledore forbid us from sending you any mail. He said something about the owl's being tracked. But then Hedwig showed up and wouldn't stop pecking us until we had all wrote you something. Bloody smart owl, that one.

I've been getting on mum's case about getting you away from those Muggles but she says that Dumbledore will get you out of there when it's safe. Hopefully it won't be too long, yeah? Hermione sent me an owl a few days ago as well and it sounds like she's worked herself up into quite a state worrying about you. I told her to give you a break but I don't think that she'll listen. Mental, that one is.

See you soon.

Ron

Harry crumpled Ron's letter up in his fist, his happiness evaporating quickly to be replaced by the same anger at Dumbledore as before. So he had forbid everyone from writing to him had he?That old bastard! What right did he have to keep on controlling every aspect of Harry's life like this? Hadn't he learnt anything from last year?

His breathing was coming raggedly and his fists were clenched at his sides. Slowly, Harry began to control his breathing and unclenched his fists. Putting his head in his hands, he continued to breathe deeply until the anger was at a controllable level. He couldn't do anything about the growing resentment though. Not that he wanted to do anything about it, to be honest. Dumbledore deserved his resentment after everything that he had put Harry through. A bitter laugh escaped his throat. And the old man wanted Harry to trust him! For someone as intelligent as Dumbledore, the man sure didn't know how to engender trust.

Glancing down at the letters still laying next to him, he picked up the one sent by Hermione. Ripping it open he began to read.

Dear Harry,

Boy was I surprised when Hedwig showed up at my window and half pecked me to death until I wrote you! I was ever so glad though. I've been desperately worried about you. How are you? Are you eating okay? I know that you must be feeling dreadful but I read somewhere that when you're depressed, talking to someone can help. You know that I'll always be available if you need a friend to talk to Harry.

Before you get angry at me, just think about it okay? You can't do this alone. You need your friends by your side. Anyway, I'll see about sending you a copy of a self help guide so that you can get through this if you like.

Please write back soon. I would love to hear from you.

Love, from

Hermione

Harry snorted in disbelief after he had finished reading. A self help guide? Really? Hermione desperately needed to learn that some things just couldn't be solved by opening a book.

And the constant nudges to talk did not help either. How could she possibly understand what he was feeling right now? She hadn't just lost the only parental figure that she had ever known. Still, Harry knew that it was just her way of showing that she cared about him and he couldn't fault her for that.

Glancing at the last two letters Harry shook his head. He was no longer in the mood to read any more letters from anyone.

Sighing softly he made his way across the small, bare room and kicked open his trunk. Grabbing some parchment and a quill along with his old charms text, he decided he may as well get started on some of his essays. It wasn't like he had anything better to do.

He had progressed halfway through the introduction on the relative fluidity of cheering charms when a great ball of fire exploded in the air beside him.

Harry yelled in shock and tumbled backwards off his chair, to land with a thump on the hard floorboards of his room. Cursing violently he scrambled to his feet, eyes roving around for the source of the attack when he suddenly realized that a letter had dropped out of the fireball. For several seconds he stared in uncomprehending silence at the letter, before he recognized the slanted handwriting as being Dumbledore's.

Realizing that the old man had sent him a letter via phoenix, his face heated in embarrassment at his undignified reaction. Hoping that it was not Moody currently on "Potter watch" as he called it, he picked up the letter and read it warily.

Ah, Harry, it has come to my attention that your friends have sent you several letters thanks to your rather remarkable owl. While I'm sure that your owl and friends had only the best of intentions, I'm afraid that this cannot happen again. It simply is not safe I'm afraid.

Now, I trust that you will understand, Harry that I am not to be disobeyed on this point. I have only your best interests at heart and this truly is for the best. Do not worry about your friends, my dear boy, I will send them similar letters explaining to them why you were unable to respond. I'm sure they will understand.

And now, onto other matters. I will be paying your home a visit tomorrow at around 2.00 o'clock. We have some serious issues to discuss, no pun intended of course. I will also inform you of the arrangements for the remainder of your summer then.

Sincerely,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Harry felt a strange mixture of emotions as he finished reading Dumbledore's letter. There was definitely more anger as the old man had just banned any contact from his friends. But Harry also felt some hope. Dumbledore had said that when he came over tomorrow they would discuss his summer arrangements. Maybe, Harry thought hopefully, he would be able to spend the rest of the summer at the Burrow.

One thing was for sure. Harry was not going to let Dumbledore control every aspect of his life anymore. He would not be manipulated into being the old man's good little golden boy! He would have to be subtle, though. As last year had proven, yelling and raging did no good. If Dumbledore tried to manipulate him, he would play along and act the part, then when he left Harry would consider his options carefully and make his own choice.

With that decided, Harry got into bed. He would need to be well rested and have a clear mind to see through the old man's schemes. His last thought before sleep was that Dumbledore would learn not to mess with him!

Authors note:

Well there's the first chapter. I know that it was a slow start but it will get better soon I promise. Also the later chapters will be longer as this one was really just an introduction more than anything.

Next chapter will be the meeting with Dumbledore! Till next time!

JordieFan