Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Semper Letteris Mandate
Lady Draculea
Chapter 2: Fronti nulla fides

"Wotcher!"

THUD!

"Ouch, you alright there? That looked like it hurt." Tonks poked in the general direction of a bump that was sure to appear on the back of Harry's head.

Wincing, Harry straitened from bending over the metal trunk that he had been going through. Glaring at the lid that had bashed him in the skull, Harry turned to face the metamorphagus."Hello, Tonks."

Tonks' appearance worried Harry. Order members had never bothered to come in contact with him, even though he knew that they regularly patrolled the Dursley's home during the summer ever since Voldmort's return.

"What are you doing here?" Harry wondered if it had to do with those letters that he hadn't been sending for the past two weeks. He could have been dead halfway across the world by now.

Tonks leaned back on a tower of haphazardly piled boxes, fiddling with a piece of pink hair, which confused Harry. The last time he had seen her, her hair had been less… violent shades. Was she really done mourning over her cousin? Harry frowned, but quickly tried to look innocent.

"Seems that we haven't received any letters lately, any particular reason why?"

Harry sighed, closing the lid to the trunk before sitting down. He really didn't feel like explaining himself, even to Tonks who he liked well enough, ever if she was a bit dense. It was this specific reason why he stopped sending letters in the first place. What good were his letters if all he could say that he was fine and that Voldemort had lain off sending him nightmares? The only reason he would send any letters would be to Hermione and Ron, except this summer was the same as last. Sparse words were exchanged that didn't say much of anything other than what a swell time they were having vacationing out of the country. Harry could barely stand reading any more of those letters; they kept reminding him of what a crappy life he had at the Dursley's.

"I forgot?" Real smooth Harry James Potter, now if he'd just stop fidgeting and actually keep his eyes on one spot, not moving everywhere but Tonks' own gaze.

"I know that it's tough Harry, but it's really important that you tell us that you're alright. There are Death Eaters out there, and you know fully well that you-know-who is too!"

Great, now she was going to lecture him. As Tonks continued with her speech, Harry sat on the trunk he was previously sifting through and studied Tonks. She was still leaning against the tower of boxes that would have normally fallen over by now, but were still in one piece. Her eyes were quite normal compared to her hair, an almost dullish blue. Certainly not a colour Harry thought that Tonks had on her colour palette.

"… and that's why you should never turn Death Eater robes bright colours, or any other colour. I couldn't get the acid stains out of my favourite set of robes for weeks!" She nodded to herself before casting a charm to check the time, it was already past noon. "Alright then, Harry. Remember what I said and do start sending those letters, please. You don't want Snape to come by and lecture you, do you?"

At Harry's horrified look she giggled and continued. "Thought as much, and before I forget." She stood up from leaning on the boxes and dug through a pocket in her robes. Pulling out a tightly wrapped package about the size of Harry' fist, she held it out to him. At his questioning look she explained. "Your birthday is tomorrow, isn't it? I thought I'd give this to you now, happy birthday." She smiled as Harry tentatively took the package.

"Well, I have to go. See you later Harry!" She waved before apparating away with a crack.

Harry stared at the space where Tonks disappeared before walking towards the house. He couldn't risk Dudley seeing it or else it was sure to be taken from him. For whatever reason Dudley hated seeing Harry own anything and made it his own person goal to destroy Harry's property. Which was why he hid most of his things under the loose floorboard in his room. His trunk was stashed under the stairs for the duration of the summer where it was relatively safe. Vernon couldn't stand the thought of anything magical so he did all he could to prevent Harry from coming in contact with his objects from the magical community. Harry found it amusing that Vernon even made an effort to walk down the stairs carefully, almost as if he was afraid that Harry's trunk would smash though the padlocked door and attack him.

Intending to wait to open his gift until after midnight, Harry stashed the package under his bed before returning to finish his work in the garage. Stepping out the door, he did a double-take as Tonks jogged towards him, stumbling over the garden hose and rubbing her head as if she had hit it.

"Tonks? What are you doing back here?" Harry was confused, Tonks this time looked like she did the last time he saw her. Her hair was a mousy brown and her eyes a normal chocolate colour.

Tonks groaned and held her face in her hands. "I guess that means what I think it means. Harry we have to get to headquarters. Get your stuff."

Taken back, Harry quickly figured that the first Tonks must have not been the real Tonks. "What happened?"

"I can't explain much now, but someone knocked me out during my rounds. I sent for the Order and they should be here soon. Now scoot! Where's your wand? Moody would have your head!"

At that, cracks were heard and various Order members surrounded Harry. 'Oh bother. If the impostor wanted to hurt me they would have done so already.'

Harry then remembered the package that the fake-Tonks had given him. Was it dangerous? Should he mention it? How did he even know that the impostor's intent was to harm him? Harry would think that it'd be less complicated if they had just kidnapped or killed him instead of chatting. Then again, they had just knocked Tonks out and didn't erase her memories. Was the Order supposed to have been summoned by a worried Tonks? The impostor must have either wanted the Order to arrive; either that or the plan wasn't very well thought out.

"Constant vigilance, Potter!" Harry jumped as Mad-eyed Moody boomed near his ear. The retired auror had his wand out in front of him; his magical eye trained on Dudley and Petunia who had come out to see the commotion. Petunia was ringing a dishtowel in her hands while Dudley was hiding behind her, his hands protectively holding his bum.

After not detecting anything dangerous, most of the Order apparated away, leaving Mad-eye, Tonks, and Remus to escort Harry to headquarters.

Remus clapped a hand on Harry's forearm and smiled weakly. "Everything's alright then?" At Harry's nod he continued. "Better get your trunk. You'll be staying at the Order for the rest of the summer."

"Come on Harry, Remus is getting Hedwig while Mad-eye talks to your relatives. Let's get your stuff," Tonks quipped as she dragged Harry inside the house.

Harry pointed to the cupboard under the stairs, "my trunk's in there." He then bounced quickly up the stairs to his room while Tonks puzzled at the padlocks and magicked them open.

Harry slid under his bed and pried open the floor board, grabbing his wand, and the package he was given earlier. He managed to stuff the package into his pocket just as Tonks came into the room, his trunk shrunk down to a more manageable size and floating along behind her.

She looked around the room. "All good, then? Alright, let's go. Your relatives are giving me the heebie jeebies."

Harry laughed as he followed her out of the room. "That's putting it mildly."

Glancing at the teenager behind him, Tonks gave him a grin. "Glad to get out of here?"

Harry smiled, "You have no idea.

Exiting through the back door into the backyard, Mad-eye and Remus were waiting for them, charms keeping the muggle neighbours from noticing their rather out-of-place appearance. Remus took Harry's arm and apparated them both away to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

TRHPTRHPTRHP

Throwing himself on his bed, Harry closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. It was well past midnight and he was exhausted. When he, Remus, Tonks, and Mad-eye had arrived Harry had been shuffled into the house. Dumbledore had been waiting, his face stern, but eyes were still contained that blasted twinkle. Harry had been careful not to make eye contact. He wasn't near confident enough to put up any sort of resistance if Dumbledore attempted to peek into his thoughts; Harry wouldn't put it past him to do just that.

Basically, Dumbledore explained what Tonks had already told him, adding nothing new. He then asked Harry about what happened to the minute detail. Harry, hesitating only a moment, kept the bit about the package out. His logic was that since the Order had cast various spells to detect dark magic or anything harmful on the entire house, Harry was certain that it contained nothing dangerous. Harry just hoped that his decision wouldn't end up blowing up in his face.

Dumbledore left soon after informing Harry that it was best if he remained at Grimmauld Place for the rest of the summer and that the Weasleys and Hermione would be arriving in a few weeks, returning from their vacation in Kenya.

Harry, though glad to be away from the Dursleys, was disappointed that he was stuck in the very house that had imprisoned his godfather for nearly two years with no say in the matter. A boon out of the situation was that he now had the chance to access information that he normally would never be able to look at.

The last time he was here he hadn't gotten a chance to explore much, either. Now with only Remus and an occasional Order member in the house he would be able to go where he pleased. Within reason, though, as there were many various dark and dangerous artifacts lying around the many rooms which were dirty from countless years disuse. Now that Kreacher was gone, the house-elf having killed himself after disobeying his Master's orders so severely, the house was slowly falling apart. The cleaning that was done didn't help much since it seemed as if it was the dirt that was holding things together.

By the time Harry started making his way to the room he normally shared with Ron, it felt as if his eyelids had been replaced with sandpaper. He didn't even remember that he was now sixteen. After stripping down to his boxers and snuggled under the newly cleaned linens, Harry was out like a light.

TRHPTRHPTRHP

The air smelled fresh with the light scent of flowers, just as it always did when he came here. Light from the moon spilled through the long windows, bathing everything in blue-silver, along the hall that Harry walked. He passed empty portraits, feeling as if he should know the people who were supposed to be there.

His footsteps slowed as he came to a set of wooden doors and felt his hands move to push the large doors open. Inside were rows and rows of books on every subject that Harry could possibly imagine.

Nestled between the shelves of books against a wall was a fire-place, a blazing fire enticing the shadows on the walls to dance. Rich coloured settees sat invitingly in front. Harry sat on one and closed his eyes, sighing and relaxing as the soothing crackle of the fire calmed him.

Harry.

The whispered hiss flowed through the air, causing him to shiver as the words caressed him. He opened his eyes, the emerald orbs grew cloudy as he watched as the flames evolved into familiar pictures: Dumbledore looking down on him, his eyes twinkling; Sirius falling through the veil, Bellatrix laughing; Ron and Hermione huddled together on the train, talking while shooting anxious glances towards Harry; strangers pointing at him; his uncle Vernon glaring hatefully at him, his fist ready to strike as Petunia and Dudley looked on, doing nothing.

Angrily, Harry tore his eyes from the fire, hot tears falling down his cheeks. Why? Why couldn't everyone see what they were doing to him? Pushing him one way or another, always expecting, always taking, never giving.

You are better then them.

They expected him to save a world that never gave him a reason to save. Why couldn't they save themselves rather than put all their hope on a single boy? A boy that barely knew left from right in the wizarding world, a boy that couldn't even stand up to his muggle uncle, a boy that barely survived the school year, a boy that didn't expect to survive.

You can be strong, fight them!

It was as if his life was planned from the very beginning. That damned prophecy doomed him from the start. Why did Dumbledore put so much faith into a simple prophecy? They were rarely fulfilled and always had loopholes, not to mention were easily annulled. Did Dumbledore lead him on a leash exactly for that reason? So the loopholes weren't found and used, so his pawn would do all his work for him? Defeating a dark lord hence defeating himself, leaving Dumbledore to do as he pleased with no competing power to deter him?

Break away.

Break away, how…? All this life he was shoved in one direction. Told what was evil and what was good, what to do and how to do it. He was never given a choice. If he had a choice he wouldn't be involved, not choosing a side. But now, he could start. He could find the part of him that made the sorting hat consider putting him in Slytherin. It was always there, just tied down by Dumbledore and his control.

Yes.

Harry shuddered again as the whisper washed over him, almost caressing his hair and sliding down his cheek, wiping away the tears that had fallen. Sudden warmth enveloped him and he gasped at the intensity. A phantom hand traced his jaw and down his neck, along his arm then picking up his hand. Slight pressure, like lips, ghosted his palm before disappearing. A wind blew out the fire, leaving him in darkness.

Harry woke up.