Chapter 2
Groaning Harry turned over in his bed and opened his eyes as sunlight flooded in through the partially closed curtains before the memories of the previous day flooded his mind. Tears threatening to fall as he remembered the betrayal of his mentor and first friend. Swinging his legs over the side of his bed Harry rubbed his face still slightly shocked at the changes to his body. Luckily all his clothes were Dudley's hand me downs so they were able to fit the new him. Harry scrabbled for his glasses before realising once more that he didn't need them. Shaking his head he stood up and began to get dressed and prepare for the day still stumbling over his own feat slightly as he adjusted to his new height.
Although one event to note was when he accidentally picked up the desk when he was searching the room and it felt incredibly light like a feather to him. He shrugged and chalked it up to the changes the Crystal had done to him. He decided he would look into it with Hermione at a later date.
Once he was dressed and ready with the Flushing Potion in a vile in his pocket Harry checked out of his window and saw the foot of someone lying behind the hedge under an Invisibility cloak. Knowing that it was Mundungus Fletcher who was guarding this week meant that he knew he wouldn't be bothered.
Calling out to Dobby who removed any tracking charms on Harry and his clothes finding a surprisingly large number he grabbed hold of the little elf's hand and with a pop they were gone.
Reappearing in an alleyway Harry looked around as Dobby apparated away. Composing himself he walked out of the alley and found Hermione's house which was a rather large house located in a much more affluent neighbourhood than the Dursley's.
Walking up the drive Harry pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. Harry heard the noise of someone rushing down the stairs and wrenching the door open as a brown haired missile it him with a shout of Harry. Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry before freezing as she felt that the body she was hugging was much more muscular than her friend. Jumping back in fright that she had hugged the wrong person she began to blubber out apologies as she flushed crimson in embarrassment before looking at the persons face finding familiar green eyes filled with love and warmth her mouth closed with a audible click as her brain shut down.
"Ha...Harry?" she stuttered out.
Giving her his lopsided grin which caused her to go even redder he said "Hey Hermione. "
"You... what... what happened to you your... glasses, your hair..." she stuttered.
Laughing gently Harry said "Why don't you invite me in and I'll explain everything."
Sighing she just smiled and said okay as she let Harry through the door and into the kitchen finding the other three occupants of the house sitting around at the table.
Daphne looked up to see a young man walk through the door, he was lean with well defined muscles and black hair with shiny grey strands running through it that stuck out untamed. He had slightly chiselled features which drew attention to his shinning green eyes that seemed to glow. He walked with an aura of restrained power like a coiled spring as he gave off the air of an alpha predator almost unconsciously which caused Daphne to flush as it was both enticing and intimidating although Hermione didn't seem to notice it. Her sapphire blue eyes widened ad she recognised who this was, it was Potter!
"Well you have already met my Mum, Emma and my dad, Dan" said Hermione as Harry shook hands with both of them and said hello. "This is Daphne Greengrass my friend from Arithmancy and Ancient Runes we don't hang out at school obviously because of the house rivalry but she has been my friend since third year."
"It's a pleasure Miss Greengrass. Thank you for being Hermiones friend and I hope you will be mine as well?"
"What not afraid Potter? That a snake like me will corrupt a lion like Granger?" She said with a raised eyebrow.
"No nor really I don't hold prejudice towards Slytherin as a whole only those who work with the Dark Lord."
"Really but I thought with you hanging around with Weasley you would hold the same views." Daphne said but she was rather surprised to see the brief look of complete and utter hatred at the mention of the youngest Weasley male although no one else in the room saw it.
"No I just hate Malfoy."
Shrugging her shoulders with a slight smile on her face Daphne returned to her breakfast.
Hermione turned back to Harry and said "You were going to tell me about how you have changed your look?"
Harry debated in his head for a moment before settling on a decision. Looking to the elder Grangers he said. "You may want to cancel your appointments for today. Your daughter is going to need you for this."
Frowning slightly the Granger parents turned to look at each other before turning back to Harry and Dan asked "Is whatever you have to say that important?"
With a face of complete seriousness Harry replied "It is"
Unwilling to leave their daughter without them Dan stood up and made his way to the phone and began to cancel their appointments for the day.
Daphne looked between everyone in the room before settling on Harry "Do you want me to leave the room?"
Harry turned to Hermione who was looking incredibly confused and said "Do you trust her?"
"Well... yes but Harry what is going on here?" asked Hermione.
Holding up his hand Harry said "Wait until Dan has returned then I'll explain."
Nodding her head in reply although rather reluctantly Hermione sat down to wait.
Once Dan had returned and said "Alright all our appointments for the day have been cancelled what is that is so important?"
Harry simply replied by pulling out a vile and said whilst looking at both Hermione and Daphne "Do you know what this is?"
"That's Flushing Potion but why would you..."said Daphne her eyes widening in shock as she realised something before turning to look at Hermione. "You think she is under the effect of potions?"
Shaking his head he replied "No I know she is under the effect's of not only potions but also compulsion charms and oblivations."
"And how would you know that?" said Emma, although she did not understand everything about magic she had read enough of Hermiones books to recognise those terms.
"Because I was under all three. This potion will remove the effects of any love or loyalty potions and any memory's that have been obliviated will be recovered but it will make her violently ill that's why I asked you to stay because she is going to need you." And much quitter he said "She'll need all of us when she recovers her memories."
"Is it really that bad?" Hermione said with a small quiver in her voice.
With a solemn nod he said. "It is."
Knowing that she was not going to be a pretty site when she drank the potion she took it from Harry's hand and walked out of the room and Harry said to Emma and Daphne " Go with her she is going to need you." Both nodded and left the room one worried about her daughter the other her friend.
Dan looked as if he was going to follow then appeared to think better of it and sighed before sitting back into his chair and looked at Harry "What sick bastard would drug a child and manipulate them like this?"
"Don't worry Mr Granger you'll find out soon enough." Harry replied.
Both turned to look at the kitchen door as they heard the sound of retching as the potion took effect.
"How long is she going to be like that?"
Frowning Harry said "An hour."
Dan just nodded sat back and closed his eyes as he began to digest the knowledge that his little princess had been drugged and manipulated, he didn't like it but he knew that there was nothing he could do about it and that angered him immensely but it wasn't his world although he felt immense gratitude to the young man who had found out and warned them before it was too late. "Thank you Harry... just thank you."
Harry just nodded absentmindedly as the two lapsed into silence waiting for the flushing to finish.
After an hour Hermione had gone silent and a bedraggled Emma and Daphne walked back into the kitchen and practical fell into their seats. Harry looked up worry clear in his eyes. "How is she?"
Daphne turned to him and shrugged. "She's fine just sleeping it took a lot out of her she'll probably wake up in a few hours. Alright talk Potter what is going on." Both parents looked over at Harry clearly wanting answers.
Looking into the distance Harry addressed Dan and Emma. "It would seem that both Hermione and I are being manipulated by our Headmaster and the Weasley's."
Emma's eyes hardened and she asked."what do you mean?"
And so Harry launched into his tail about his early life in the cupboard, meeting the Weasley's at King's Cross on the other side of the platform where a pureblood family like theirs had no place being. The fact that Ron hadn't been there to help save Hermione from the troll but the headmaster had modified their memories to make it seem like he had. Giving the Headmaster warning about Quirell and having the memory deleted. Telling Ron about the abuse he had suffered as a child only for the red haired git to take him to Dumbledore to have the memory of doing so removed and compulsions placed to make sure he was loyal to the two of them. He told the three of them about Sirius and him being wrongly imprisoned on Dumbledore''s orders. He spoke about Dumbledore's inaction to save the school or its students. He talked about his growing feelings for Ginny only to realise that they disappeared after he had manged to flush the potions. And many more examples of manipulation and lies as the Web Dumbledore had weaved was laid bare to all three listeners.
Daphne, Emma and Dan had sat there in mounting horror as they listened to Harry talk. By the end of his monologue all three were sitting there in a complete state. Emma had her head buried in her husbands chest as she wept openly. Dan was shaking with barely suppressed rage at the thought of what he wanted to do the bearded old man and the red haired prick for manipulating the lives of his daughter and the young man sitting in front of him. Daphne sat there in shock her 'Ice Queen' mask long forgotten she shivered at the thought of what Dumbledore had done and vowed to stay as far away from him as possible.
"So you see Hermione is going to need all of us by her side when she wakes." Harry said.
Emma just got up and enveloped Harry in a hug and said "I can't imagine that this any easier for you than it will be for Hermione. Just know that we're there for you if you need us okay?"
"Thank you Mrs Granger I appreciate it." He smiled weakly.
Hermione awoke to the feeling of four people sitting on her bed seeing her parents, Daphne and a familiar pair of green eyes she groaned "ugh what happened." Then it came rushing back to her. Harry's letter, his arrival the next day and the flushing potion.
Did it work?
She closed her eyes and began to examine her memories. Instantly she found discrepancy's in what she thought was true and her actual memories. Questions she had been made not to think about ran through her mind like why were the traps around the stone so easy that three first years could pass them? Why was the DMLE not called in at any time to tackle the debacles at school especially during the events of the Chamber of Secrets. Ron. Sigh. Why had she ever thought she fancied him? Oh yes potions of course she thought with a snarl. He hadn't even been there to help her from the troll it was all Harry, the whole 'Golden Trio' was a farce for it was that event which had supposedly brought them together!
Her blood ran cold at the thought of the Headmaster and Ron had done. All the time at Hogwarts they had manipulated her and Harry but why? What was necessary to go to such lengths?
The four watchers two observers watched the brown haired girl scrunch her face up in concentration as she tried to manage the new memories. Then tears began to fall down her face as she grabbed hold of the nearest person just to anchor herself which happened to be Harry. Initially shocked he froze but got over it quickly and began to run his hand through her hair whispering words of comfort.
"How...how could they? What did we ever do Harry. I...I don't understand." Hermione said between sobs. " It was all a lie then with Ron? From the start?" Nodding his head absentmindedly he too lost in the memories of his first friend. "How could those bastards to you... to me." She said as the other three people in the room who were struggling and failing to hold back tears came over and offered comfort to the distraught girl as she cried into the shirt of her only best friend.
Dan, Emma and even Daphne who had their arms wrapped around the two vowed that they would help them any way they could.
It had been a week since Harry had arrived at the Grangers. He had been offered the sofa although he had initially declined Emma had put her foot down and said that he was staying even if they had to kidnap him and he was pretty sure she was only half joking and somehow staying the one night had turned into a week with no indication of him going back to Privet Drive.
It had been rather difficult to get through to Hermione in the first few days as she had been almost robotic in nature, barely responding to anything or anyone but a combination of Harry and Daphne who had quickly became friends and verbal sparing partners had managed to drag her out of her funk and they seemed to just click the three of them in a way better than Harry or Hermione ever had with Ron.
So it was whilst all five were sitting down for dinner Hermione turned to Harry with an exasperated sigh. Alright I have held off long enough. What was it that brought about these changes?"
Harry froze at that question a mouthful of food halfway to his mouth, putting his fork down Harry turned to her and said with a raised eyebrow. "Honestly I expected Daphne to ask that question on the first day and I am impressed you have manged to hold off long enough."
Dan spat out his drink and Emma began to giggle as both had been waiting for their ever inquisitive daughter to ask that question themselves. Meanwhile Daphne just smirked and said "Well i would have asked first but it was Hermione's right to ask since you two are best friends."
Hermione just huffed and pretended to pout which just set everyone off into full scale fits of laughter eventually she just smiled and joined in.
Recovering from her fit of laughter "Seriously though Harry what was that made you well..." Hermione trailed off with a blush.
"Hot." Daphne finished her cheeks slightly pink.
"Daphne!" Hermione scalded with her face still crimson.
"What! Its true I mean look at him!" said Daphne
Harry felt his cheeks begin to go red in embarrassment and so to distract them he began to tell his tail. He told them about the box and how he opened it. He showed them the letter from his mother which brought a tear to the eye from everyone in the room. He explained to them about the Crystal and described what it looked like as he told them about the changes to his magic core. When he reached the part about feeling as if seals on his core had been broken both witches were frowning.
Daphne spoke up and said. "It sounds like Dumbledore left the seals on your magic intact." Getting questioning looks from everyone at the table she explained. "For Pureblood or Halfblood children it in not uncommon for their parents to bind a portion of their magic when they are a child in order to reduce the amount of damage powerful magical children do when they perform accidental magic but those seals are supposed to be removed when the child goes to Hogwarts, it seems our Esteemed Headmaster decided you were easier to manipulate if you were weaker." Everyone scowled at that thought.
As Harry described the expansion of his magic core and the Twelve Beings residing in it both Hermione and Daphne got thoughtful looks on their faces. "I'm not sure about what the things in your core are we will have to research them one we get back to school but the 'pushing' on your magic core suggests that you are now even stronger than Voldemort or Dumbledore." Hermione said as everyone looked at her in surprise.
Rolling her eyes she looked back at Harry "Oh don't give me that look we have seen instance where your seal has come undone and the amazing feats of magic you've performed. Not even Dumbledore can cast a Patronus strong enough to drive off two hundred Dementors it is in my belief that your seal partially came undone during that time due to the paradox of existing in two places at the same time. So it suggests that with your now unsealed and expanded core your far stronger than either Dumbledore or Voldemort or perhaps even Merlin as the letter from your mother suggested."
Daphne just starred at Hermione in shock the idea that someone could be stronger than the Greatest Wizard in History seemed ludicrous. Harry less so because although he doubted that it was possible to be stronger than them after witnessing the duel in the Atrium his magic seemed to pulse and sing in agreement with Hermione's words so he couldn't quite bring himself to disagree.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked tentatively.
"Yes I believe so but just because you have more raw power does not mean you'll win easily especially against Voldemort who is a specialist in the Dark Arts and has decades of continues duelling experience wielding his massive power unlike you who has not even cast after having your magic unsealed. You'll have to train properly in order to beat him." Harry nodded in response understanding the truth of that statement.
As he talked about the changes to his body, the improved hearing and fixed vision as well as super human strength which Hermione asked him to demonstrate which he did by picking up the solid dining wood table with one arm. Saying Hermione was surprised was like saying she liked books. True but an understatement of major proportions.
After the discussion about his new found power the five began to discuss who they could trust. Surprisingly it boiled down to only Remus, the Twins, Bill and Fluer in the Order. They weren't sure how many of the Weasley's were in on Dumbledore's plan but they highly doubted the Twins or Bill were in on the plan, they were too honourable to do so.
The students they could place absolute trust in were Neville and Luna, the other members of the DA would have to be checked when they returned to school.
It was halfway through July when Harry was lying on the sofa sleeping that he felt the connection between him and Voldemort flair before he was dragged into a vision. Unlike the previous visions though it was not accompanied by the familiar pain in his scar.
Harry stood in the dimly lit Throne Room at Malfoy Manor where he could see the entire Inner Circle of Death Eaters kneeling in front of their Master who sat upon his gold and black throne.
Harry listened to the hissing voice of the Dark Lord. "Draco."
Harry saw the the young blond haired scion of House Malfoy move to the centre of the room before kneeling once again. "Yes, My Lord?"
"I Have heard that Potter has started a little 'club' at school. I want you to tell me the name of all the Mudbloods and Blood Traitors that belong to it so we may remove their stain from the world." The man formerly known as Tom Riddle seemed to slither over the words as he hissed them out.
"As you wish My Lord." Draco seemed to be positively giddy at the prospect of what the Dark Lord had planned and so began to list off the names of all the students who had been caught when the DA was uncovered by Umbridge and the Inquisitorial Squad. Harry watched his face getting paler and paler in mounting horror as he listened to the ferret list off name after name.
Voldemort sat back in his throne deep in thought he would have wanted to go after the students who had been at the Ministry but he was sure that they were either under powerful wards like the Lovegoods or Longbottoms or hidden away by Dumbledore like the Blood traitor Weasley's, the Mudblood Granger or his arch enemy Potter and although he knew he could breach such powerful wards especially since he had boosted his power after reabsorbing the Horcruxes he had left with Bella and had Draco recover the Diadem at Hogwarts at the end of term. He didn't want to make such a move so early in the game and risk alienating the Neutrals by killing Pureblood families.
So the Dark Lord opened his mouth and hissed "We will go after the mudbloods and Blood Traitors. Give the task to the Outer Circle members. Bella we will head to Bones Manor to kill Madam Bones, she can not be allowed to make Minister, we will kill her first. Yaxley has already removed her Auror guard. The rest of you will cause disturbances all over the country in order to distract the Aurors at the Ministry."
Voldemort started to list off a few members of the DA to the Death Eaters who began to prep raiding parties. As the Death Eaters moved off to complete their task the vision ended.
Harry sat bolt upright panting in air as he rolled off the couch and quickly scrabbled for his wand and began to pull his clothes back on. He was already walking towards the stairs to wake Hermione as he pulled his t-shirt on. Rushing up the stairs Harry burst into her room to find both Hermione and Daphne awake.
Surprised Hermione turned to the door only to see Harry in a rather panicked state."What is it Harry? Another vision?" She almost asked if they should tell Dumbledore but managed to hold her tongue.
Harry just nodded and said. "He's going after members of the DA." This caused Hermione to pale as Harry continued. "He's going after the Creevey brothers, Corner, Katie and the Patils as well as Susan." Hermione bit her lip thinking about what they could do a million thoughts running through her head. She opened her mouth "We cant contact Dumbledore, we already know he his off doing something separate from the Order though what I don't know. Reaching the Order will take too long..." She trailed off.
Harry just stood there as a plan formulated itself in his head "Hermione do you have your DA badge?" Getting a nod in return he said. "Send a warning through it and I can use it to find their locations?" Hermione narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean you?" He just shrugged and grinned. "Well you were the one who said I am untested with my new found power so I thought I would put them to good use."
Hermione just huffed and said "Fine but i'm coming with you."
Harry just shook his head. "No Dobby and I are going to go. You two and Dan and Emma are going to be needed when I bring them back here. They will need first aid before we send them off to St Mungos." He turned around not even waiting for a reply.
Daphne just watched the exchange and addressed Hermione as she was about to explode at Harry's retreating back. "He is right you know." Hermione turned her glare at her friend. "Hey don't look at me like that. Its true he was the best fighter in the school before the changes and now after until we can catch up to him in knowledge and skill we are a liability to him."
Hermione just slumped her shoulders and said. "I know that but my place should be watching his back." She made a silent vow to herself to get stronger and learn more battle magic in the coming year. Springing into action she grabbed hold of her wand and walked over to her desk and rummaged around for an old looking Galleon. Throwing caution to the wind knowing if she wanted to save lives she would have to risk getting a warning from the Ministry. She pointed her wand at the Galleon thinking of what she wanted to be shown on it as it began to heat up as the protean charm on it activated displaying the script around the outside of the coin.
LV targeting DA. Be on alert. Keep Galleon on person for further info. Constant Vigilance!
She let out a sigh of relief as she knew all over the British Isles members of the DA would be prepared for the attack. Daphne had already walked out of the room to wake the Granger parents to warn them of the incoming guests. Hermione got up and rushed down the stairs to go check on Harry.
She got down the stairs with her parents and Daphne hot on her heals only to find Harry calling out to Dobby. "Dobby we are going to go and save some people I want you to use this Galleon to track certain people and then apperate us to them. Can you do that?" Getting a nod in reply Harry turned to the rest of the people in the house. "Sorry about this Emma and Dan but could we use your house?"
Dan spoke up. "Sure Harry we have first aid kits already here and well go and get extra beds from the loft."
Suddenly both Hermione and Daphne ran at Harry and hugged him. Both had tears in his eyes and Daohne spoke up "Don't you dare die on us Potter!"
Laughing Harry hugged them both and said. "Don't worry I wasn't planning on it."
Stepping back Harry held his wand in one hand and grabbed hold of Dobby's hand with the other. Smiling at everyone the two apperated away with a small pop. As Hermione, Emma and Daphne broke down and cried.
