Title: Harry Potter and the Return of the Dark Side

Rating: PG-13

Genre: General/Action/Adventure

Summary: Harry Potter faces his 6th Year at Hogwarts with much more to tackle. He's faced with bigger responsibilities, spells to defend himself against the rise of the Death Eaters (and their increasing attacks that affect many around him), and the lingering pain of Sirius's absence. Besides continuing the dreaded Occlumency lessons and discovering much more about his parents past, Luna's theory of the veil at the Ministry has bore deep in his thoughts… The Second War is beginning and history is about to repeat itself.

A/N: Here is my amateurish attempt (up to Rowling of course!) to writing Harry's 6th year. I know the 6th book is going to be titled 'HP and the Half Blood Prince' (WOOT!), but I don't want to base my story on who's the HBP. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my rendition of Harry's 6th year and there will be a 7th year story coming from me too…

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Chapter One: Owls and O.W.L.S.

On Privet Drive in Little Whinging, nothing was out of place from where it should be, and if anything that matched the neighbors' definition of 'unusual' definitely did not belong there. Unfortunately for them, there were many odd things around them everyday.

Of course, the people that lived there were too busy to notice these things most of the time. They did not stop to watch Mrs. Figg's cat pacing over the Dursley's lawn twice a day. They did not stop to think that the blur of a bird going by overhead might just be an owl. And most of all, they never looked twice at the tiny articles in the newspaper headlined with titles such as: 'House Break-in; Two Dead'. Never in their lives would they had thought it was more than just an attempted burglary and the residents met an ill fate with the escaped criminal. They would have never of dreamed that it had been a murder planned by the darkest wizard of all time.

So, according to them, the neighbors lived a perfectly normal life. The only thing that had been slightly unusual for that time of summer was the downpour of rain. It was somewhat welcoming since the previous drought last summer. The rainstorms left the air thick and muggy when they stopped, but just as they had, the clouds would get dark once again and the rain would come down harder. Everyone kept themselves and their nice cars from going outside, but even if it was the clearest summer day Privet Drive had ever seen, a black-haired boy living in number four would have skipped the opportunity of enjoying it.

Harry Potter watched the rain come down against his small window as the lighting flashed dangerously. He had stubbornly untidy hair and glasses that sat on his nose just in front of his bright green eyes. He sat in bed on his side, staring blankly at the raindrops rolling down the dark window with the stars twinkling outside.

It was nearly midnight but Harry was not going to bed; in fact, he was wide-awake, still in his day clothes. He had been there in bed nearly all day. He didn't know if the Dursleys noticed, or even cared, but Harry kept himself inside unless it was necessary to come out.

This was his usual summer schedule. He would stay up until the early hours, wake up past noon, stagger downstairs to get a bite to eat, and repeat the whole process. He had let Hedwig's cage open all day, along with the window when it wasn't raining, so she could come and go when she pleased. Today, she was cooped up in the room with Harry perched on top of his dresser preening her feathers, and occasionally she would swoop down and nibble his ear to make sure he was still breathing.

The pelting rain droned on against the roof into the dark night and finally Harry managed to get himself out of bed. He sat until his eyes started to focus and his mind came back to reality. The reality was that Harry had no idea what day it was. He hadn't glanced at a calendar for days and he looked over at Hedwig. I might as well send a message out now, he thought wearily. He mustered all his strength to stretch under his bed for a scrap piece of parchment and his quill and inkbottle and wrote carelessly: Doing fine, I'll write again. Harry.

He called Hedwig over to him and started to tie the piece of parchment to her leg when he looked outside. He didn't see the use now with all the rain; it would make his message unreadable. But none the less, they would see Hedwig with a soggy piece of message clamped in her talon and get the picture. He opened the window and rain blew in his face.

"You know where to send it," Harry said dully as he stroked her. Usually, she would have nipped him hard for making her fly out in the pouring rain, but she gave a disgruntled hoot and flew off.

Harry hated to see her fly away in these weather conditions but he had to. He still hadn't forgotten what Mad-Eye Moody and the rest of them told him off the train. They expected a message at least every other day from him just to make sure he was treated right. Harry had cut it close this time. The last thing he wanted was for the entire Order bursting into the Dursley's home thinking he had been missing or killed.

Harry kept the window open for a little while longer until he realized he was soaking the floor and snapped it shut quietly. The clock in his room glowed 2:18 AM and he lay back down. Earlier that summer he had welcomed sleep. He hoped he'd just sleep the summer days away until Hogwarts… and to sleep away the pain of the previous year. He bit his tongue down hard just thinking about it. The constant silence made everything worse.

Harry had thought that if more time had gone by, the suffering of Sirius's death would lessen, perhaps the same way it had with Cedric. But on the contrary, it seemed to grow. Subconsciously, he learned to except it, although he would never admit it for now. He realized the real weight of it when an enormous emotional blow hit him right around mid-July and since then he spent the rest of his summer days in his room. He didn't know why it had suddenly hit him so hard. He felt extreme guilt, then anger, and then complete sadness. Now he felt almost nothing: a jumble of feelings all together where it didn't feel like anything. He had tried not to think about it, tried not to raise his temper… Sirius was the first thing he thought of, and the last thing before he slept.

However, the buildup of holding back his pain burst and one morning he woke up to the worst dream he had in months and his pillow being completely soaked. He now forced himself to staying up late every night until he fell asleep from being too exhausted to think about anything. He would not have himself cry in his sleep again.

That was the last time it happened, but the dreams never went away. It was almost the same every night: a replay of Sirius's death, along with past memories. He would keep falling and falling as everything stood still as he vanished behind the veil. Even lately, dreams of his parents' murder had come back, but louder and clearer…

He sat a few moments longer, wondering what Ron and Hermione were up to. Probably down at the headquarters with the Order, he thought, finding out more about what Voldemort was up to…

He gave a short laugh. Last year, it meant everything to him that they were off having fun without him.

The room was dark and Harry staggered over to the door. His foot hit something as he reached the doorknob and he bent down. It was the dinner Aunt Petunia had slipped through hours ago, now stone cold. Harry pushed it aside with his foot and opened the door quietly. Dudley's snores was a usual sound at night and Harry made his way down the hall. He groped for the bathroom door handle and locked himself inside.

The brightness of the lights as he turned them on made him blind for a moment but his eyes adjusted to what was around him: one of the Dursleys spot-free, porcelain bathrooms. A mirror was hung exactly in front of him and Harry stood in front of it.

He watched as he ran his hand through his hair, which was difficult after never caring to comb it lately. His scar glowed between his black fringe. His scar always burned dully now, but he had learned to ignore it most of the time. It was enflamed from the constant throbbing and Harry took off his glasses. He wet a washcloth under the faucet and pressed it against his face. His forehead felt much better.

After some time, Harry went to leave the washroom, but he stopped in front of the mirror one last time. How was it that nearly five years had gone by? He remembered his eleven-year-old self well, but felt as if he had forgotten a major part of himself at the same time. He felt too big for his body now, and his green eyes stared back. His mother's eyes…

THUD.

Harry jumped and hastily turned the light off and felt his way back to his room. He didn't have his wand with him… and then Harry thought of Hedwig.

I'm beginning to get as jumpy as Moody, he thought aggravated as his head throbbed from his growing headache. But then, Hedwig couldn't have delivered the message that fast, could she? Was she expecting his window to be open? Never before had she collided with his window--- and then a light went on inside him. He turned on the lamp in his room that shined faintly, opened his window, and stuck his head out the subsiding storm.

A large, clumsy owl flapped its way into Harry's room and collapsed on Harry's bed with two parcels and a card. Harry shut his window and the owl flapped its wings dry. It was Errol, the Weasley's owl.

Harry untied the parcels from Errol's feet and took the card from his beak. He hopped into Hedwig's cage and drank hungrily. Harry started to unwrap the boxes instinctively when it hit him. It must be my birthday, he thought. He was sixteen years old.

He grabbed a large, lumpy package first and found a large piece of parchment inside written by none other than his best friend, Ron.

Harry,

Hope things are going well for you with the Muggles. I hope I'll be seeing you soon and from what I've been hearing from Dad and the Order, it shouldn't be too long. There's a situation they need to get sorted out and I'm not sure if it has to do with you coming over or not.

Fred and George's place has made LOADS of money. I heard Mum was upset with them leaving school before their N.E.W.T.'s and opening a place in Diagon Alley for their inventions (and by upset I mean a good bit of yelling and pulling at their ears… bit of a show for us after he got home from the Express). But the Fred and George made it up with her by giving the whole family half their earnings so far and splurging on Mum by buying her a whole new kitchen set. She seems quite content with their career now, although she mumbles here and there about "respectable" careers.

Hermione's over and Dad offered to send her gift with Errol as well. He put a Water-Repellent charm on it just in case it was raining over there too. He also might have put a Locking charm on it too so only you could read what's inside or something of that sort. Everyone keeps reminding us that the owl post is being watched more than ever and who knows who might read it. Well, if you're not Harry, enjoy the treats.

It might take Errol a while to get there with the weather and his state. I think Dad also sent a card of Hagrid's with him too. His owl had a message for Dad and he had a card for you just in case you were over here with us at the Burrow. Mum's going mad with the Order here all the time.

Keep in touch and we'll see you real soon, mate.

Ron

P.S: Percy came back a while ago and apologized… somewhat. Oh yeah, best not to try some of the peanut brittle I sent over at the Muggles place.

It had been a while since Harry smiled, even if it was just slightly. He could just imagine Fred and George with their new shop. He also couldn't help wondering what Percy had said to apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Errol hooted sleepily in Hedwig's cage. He wasn't surprised it took Errol well into the early hours of the morning to get his presents to him. But what had Ron meant by the Order being at the Burrow all the time when they had Number 12, Grimmauld's Place? Was Ron right about something there was dealing with him?

Harry shook it off. There was always something that invovled him. He pulled the half-ripped paper aside and found a heap of Ron's usual sweets he sent. There was Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's, and Honeydukes's Best Chocolate… a lot more than previous years and Harry could give one guess why he was being so generous. Also in the pile, he found some sort of kit containing what looked like Extendible Ears, a large colorful box, and an odd bar of peanut brittle Ron had mentioned. The box read:

Fred and George Weasley Presents: Whimsical Wizardry Whatnots

Extendible Ears, Skiving Snackboxes, & Bellowing Brittle

(For All Your Mischievous Needs!)

A quick note was stuck on top reading: Just a bit of fun for you at school and around the Muggles. Thanks for getting us where we are-- it's free for you anytime. Your unworthy admirers, - F&G

Harry set the gift to the end of his bed and took the next parcel from Hermione, and from his judgement, it felt oddly familiar to a book. She too had a note.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! I really can't wait to see you again. How many O.W.L.'s did you get? I got eight! I was a bit upset that I managed to receive just an A for Ancient Runes, but other than that, I'm very pleased with myself.

I suppose they'll be contacting you soon to come over. I hate to admit it, but Fred and George's Extendible Ears have been handy to have, but Ron, Ginny, and I have only caught parts of their conversation before someone opens the door suddenly. It has to do about the Order's headquarters I'm sure, but I'll keep you updated if you're not informed.

Have you been getting mine and Ron's letters? Anyway, I do hope you find some use from my presents. You can't have too many books!

The Order sends their love with mine,

Hermione

Harry knew he was right and he pulled the brown paper away to reveal not one large book, but two small books. One read 'Techniques, History, and Everything Else to Know about Quidditch' and the other, 'Potions and Potions!' with a written note inside: Hope this helps! But Harry doubted it, not with Snape as his teacher, and his blood boiled with anger for a second as he thought of him.

Harry dropped the books at the end with the treats from Ron. So they weren't at their usual headquarters but Harry couldn't think of a reason of why they were not. Perhaps Voldemort learned where it was hidden. No, he thought, the Black house had a secret keeper.

O.W.L.'s… he had forgotten about those. Hermione obviously hadn't and he suspected that schoolwork was the last thing Ron would mention in a letter. The thick envelope containing his scores was actually in a pile stashed in the loose floorboard with the rest of Ron and Hermione's letters he hadn't responded to. He hadn't been in the mood lately to learn what he had scored. He didn't need any more disappointments.

The last thing there was that Errol had brought was the card from Hagrid. He tore the envelope open to find a small card. It remained blank for a moment but when Harry touched it. a picture of Hagrid in the midst of the Forbidden Forest waving with Grawp beside him snapping logs in half happily. For the first time, Hagrid actually looked small. Harry now understood why a Locking charm was set on the parcels. It wouldn't be good if someone had stumbled across a card with a live giant on the front. Inside it read shortly:

Dear Harry,

Olympe managed to take a picture of Grawp and me. Ain't he gettin' bigger? Hope you're holding up well and write whenever you feel like talking. You'll be getting a present from me later, don't you worry.

Hagrid

The stack at the end of his bed sunk into the mattress and Harry lay down wearily on his back. A calm silence filled the room. Errol was barely awake and Harry had noticed it had stopped raining.

"You can sleep here for the night if you want," said Harry to Errol and the owl took that as a cue to fall right asleep.

Their letters had cheered him up a bit, being as socially deprived as he was, but there was still a gaping hole in his stomach. There was no letter from Sirius and there never will be ever. None of them had mentioned him, even though he felt a twinge of sympathy in Hagrid's, but he was glad they didn't.

The clock read after 3 AM and the streetlights down the road glowed dimly. Now that Hermione mentioned it, Harry's dreading curiosity started to build on his scores. It had been a good two weeks since the Hogwarts owl came to his window and the envelope still stayed unopened. Harry preferred it to stay that way, but the curiosity was killing him…

Suddenly, Harry reached down to the floorboard and pulled out the thick letter on top of the stack. Might as well get this over with, he thought drearily and he tore the letter open. He swallowed hard.

Dear Mr. Potter,

You have received the scores for your Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.) exams. Remember, these scores will decide your future classes for N.E.W.T.s and will remain with you after you leave Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for better and brighter things. Your following scores are as follows:

(O: Outstanding; E: Exceeds Expectations; A: Acceptable; P: Poor; D: Dreadful)

Transfiguration - E

Charms - E

Herbology - A

Defense Against the Dark Arts - O

Potions - E

Care of Magical Creatures - O

Divination - P

Astronomy - A

(Due to distractions during the Astronomy exam, which resulted in a shorten time period to complete exams, all students passed with what work they had completed.)

History of Magic - P

Total O.W.L.S Passed (above an Exceeds Expectations):

5

We hope your scores advance you to the needed classes of your choice for a bright future and career. You will be receiving your list of classes before the start of term.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts,

Head of Gryffindor House

Harry read the scores over several times. He understood his average scores for Herbology, Astronomy, but two O's and an actual E for Potions?! Oh well, he thought, so much for learning Potions for training to be an Auror. He knew Snape didn't accept anyone in his classes with below an O. He was pleased slightly that he also got an E for Transfiguration and Charms. At least he didn't have to take Divination and History of Magic anymore---

His stomach lurched horribly. He would have done badly otherwise for never taking notes like Hermione had for History of Magic, but he remembered what had happened during that last exam. He fell into a vision, he saw Voldemort torturing Sirius, and he believed it…

He reached over for a Chocolate Frog after leaving his scores on the floor and ate half of it to satisfy his empty stomach, although he tasted nothing with the thought of Sirius on his mind, as always. He flung the container across the room and Errol fluttered abruptly.

Dudley snorted nearby. He pressed his hands hard against his face as his headache pulsed in his temple. He was angry all the time, angry with himself and he hated it. He was trapped inside… inside famous Harry Potter, the boy with the scar. The boy that no one believed for a year. The boy who caused his own godfather's death…

The Famous Witches and Wizard Card tumbled out of the Chocolate Frog box face up with Albus Dumbledore was smiling up at him and his brain went numb with anger again and mixed emptiness.

Deep within the grief for Sirius and the worrying over O.W.L's and what else he had thought over the summer, the prophecy never left his mind for a day. Parts of it still rang in his head and haunted him whenever his mind was vulnerable for open thought… born as the seventh month dies… neither can live while the other survives…

He didn't want to think about what would happen or what might happen to him at the moment. He felt angry still; he had a terrible urge to throw something else or scream out its unfairness of why it had to be happening to him like so many times he wanted to do the past few months. However, suddenly he was too exhausted to want to do anything else…

It was his birthday but it didn't matter much. It had ended as miserably as any other day with those thoughts pounding on him. He flipped over on his stomach and without pulling any covers over him, he slept dreamlessly for the first time in weeks with his presents at his feet.

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TBC with Chapter Two: The Unexpected Auror

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