Harry Potter

The Fight for Survival

By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx


Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Rating: K

Pairing: Marcus/OC - Fred/OC - Harry/Ginny

Genre: Adventure/Friendship/Romance

Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.

Summary: In order to deal with the future, one must understand the past. As the final battle approches the safety of Hogwarts is called into question. But as danger looms, the fight for magic...may come with a price.

Author's Note: Chapter dedicated too: Razmend, NewFanFictionFan, BamaRose, Selena Moonshine, Forever Dreaming Grace, Itzkevin97 and Matt-hardy-lover-101. Argh, I love how you guys manage to review without fail, whatever the time I update. I love it!


Relocating


Jack Baker scowled.

Jack Baker never scowled, at least not over something as pathetic and pointless as the reason he was scowling now. But he couldnt help this reason. He was sitting on the wall outside his home, waiting for the rest of his friends to finish their breakfast and join him, they were going to patrol the neighbourhood for a bit to watch out for the usual troublemakers that caused trouble on the streets of River Terrace and Spinner's End, there were so many new kids appearing on the two streets that Jack wanted them to be aware that there were actually kids out there that cared about their safety and well-being when t came to the bullies of the two streets. Not to mention, he had missed seeing the looks on the faces of the likes of Matthew Harley when he came around.

No, but the reason for his seemingly bad mood this morning was the two new comers he had met yesterday, Adrian Pucey and Marcus Flint; had just appeared out of Severus Snape's domain and was now crossing the road and heading towards Jennifer Carmichael's home. What's this? Jack frowned, as he watched the two boys interact, obviously they had known one another for a long time because they acted more like brothers than they did friends, childhood friends, maybe? the older boy mused as he watched the door to the Carmichael household open and Jennifer ushered the two boys inside, closing the door with a snap.

"Snap out of it!" whispered a voice in his left ear, causing Jack to jump at the sudden invasion of personal space and look to the left to see Greg Forts standing beside him. He had come home from Manchester late last night after visiting his grandparents "Dude," he chuckled "What's on your mind, that you didnt hear me coming?" he asked

Jack smirked and rolled his eyes "Sorry, dude" he responded

"So what's up?" Greg asked "Who's the rich kids, in Jenn's?" he asked motioning across the road

Jack glanced sideways "Adrian Pucey and Marcus Flint," he answered "their friends of Riley and Charlie's. The latter is Charlie's boyfriend" he told him angrily.

Greg frowned "Im drowning in your happiness, Jack" looking his older friend open "Call me crazy, but you're not jealous are you?"

Jack's gaze hardened and he turned it onto the younger lad beside "What? Hell no!" he defended

With a smirk, Greg spoke "Huh-uh," he nodded "Its okay, if you are, I mean you've known Charlie how long now? She is the only girl around here who isnt afraid to get down and dirty, she isnt afraid to defend what she believes in and she can pack a punch as well as the next guy," he explained "So its understandable if you are a little jealous..."

"I. Am. Not. Jelaous!" Jack bit out

"Who's not jealous?" Nick York questioned, as he approached the two with his younger brother Josh

Greg looked up and ignoring the death glare he was receiving from Jack answered his friend "Jack" he nodded at the older boy in question "He's been giving that Marcus Flint death glares nearly all morning, I asked him if he was jealous and he got all defensive"

"Why would he be jealous?" Josh asked

Nick hit is brother across the back of the head "Because Flint is dating Charlie, idiot" he retorted "and Jack is jealous"

Jack groaned and rubbed his hand over his face. He wasnt jealous. Charlie was nothing more than a friend to him, a little sister at the most. "I am not jealous!" he repeated himself "Charlie is...a sister to me. I look out for her, okay?"

"Oh, so its brotherly affection, then?" Nick questioned "Your worried he's going to hurt her, because she is sister material?"

"Yes!" Jack nodded, in agreement "Thats it!"

The three other boys exchanged smirks, and Jack groaned once more. "There is no winning with you guys!" he complained, as the sound of a door opening and upon inspection Charlie stepped out of Jenn's house closely followed by Marcus who was looking slightly angry.

"Oh...what's going on here?" Greg asked, as he watched Marcus and Charlie converse angrily across the street. Their voices were too loud, so the boys couldnt hear what was being said; but the look on both Marcus and Charlie's faces told them a different story.

Jack, Nick and Josh shrugged as they looked away as Charlie turned angrily away from Marcus and disappeared down the road towards River Terrace. Marcus shouted after her "Professor Snape wants you ready by midnight!" he called after her

"Im not going!" Charlie shouted back, from the corner of the street, before disappearing onto River Terrace. Where Riley lived.

Across the street Marcus sighed, watching the corner for a few moments, before turning toe and disappearing back into Jenn's home. The door closed with a snap.

"Wonder what that was all about?" Jack questioned, glancing sideways at his friends

The other boys shrugged. Neither of them had a clue as to what had just happened, but it seemed that Snape and Marcus wanted Charlie to go somewhere, but the sixteen year old was determined not to be moved from Spinner's End.

Jack smirked Same old stubborn Charlie he mused, before setting off with the boys. They would catch up with Charlie later...you know...after she had calmed down.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Riley swore.

Today was laundry day, which was why after breakfast with her mother, and watching as Carol headed back into work for her day shift; Riley had proceeded to collect all the dirty washing from the top of the stairs, and inside the bedrooms of her's and her mother's, and then proceeded to put them through the washer and drier in hopes of them airing out by the time her mother came home, that way Carol could iron what she needed to tomorrow when it was her day off and Riley could have the day off to spend it however, she pleased. Of course, that didnt mean she liked having to do the laundry, in fact she hated this particular day! It always fell on the one day that her mother werent home and usually there was always a large pile of dirty clothes to be washed, which meant she had to do at least three or four washes before she could do anything else.

But, of course, today just wasnt her day. On the fourth wash, the young Gryffindor had been out hanging most of the washing on the line in the backgarden so that they would dry in the mild air of the summer sun, while the rest of the clothes washed and dried in the laundry room; it was only when she had re-entered her kitchen did she realize something was wrong, as a spluttering sound was coming from the laundry room. When she had gone to investigate she found the washer splutter and die Great she thought now im going to have to wash them by hand! and she turned toe, stomped back into the kitchen and run a basin full of hot soapy water, pulled up a chair before trapsing back into the laundry room to extract the waiting pile of clothes from the laundry basket, and carried the half soppy clothes from the washer into the kitchen and into basin, she was mid way through washing her she was mid-way through washing her school robes when there came a pecking on the window in front of her, she looked up to see a handsome golden barn owl fluttering outside her window, holding a letter in its beak.

Grabbing the dish-towel from the side, Riley dried her hands and reached across to open the window as the owl flew in and landed on the table. She offered it some bacon rinds from the left over breakfast that her mother hadnt eaten, and a fresh supply of water before the owl took off through the window once more. Clearly whoever had written to her didnt want a reply. Slamming the kitchen window, Riley locked it and then turned to the letter in her hand, she flipped it over and checked the seal something she had grown accustom to doing, it was easier to tell her who was writing rather than inspecting the handwriting on the front. Sadly this letter didnt have any writing on the front so the seal was all she could go by.

"Thats the Hogwarts seal," she frowned, spotting the Hogwarts crest emblemed onto a tack red seal on the back of the envelope "They cant be my school supplies. Their early," she mused, before opening the envelope and pulling out its contents. It was a letter from Dumbledore.

Dear Miss. Spirit,

If it is convenient to you, I shall be calling upon you at Professor Snape's home in Spinners End, this evening, to escort you and Miss. Hunter to The Burrow where you will be spending the rest of the summer. As you are most likely aware, the Muggle world is no longer safe for Miss Hunter, the Death Eaters have managed to locate her whereabouts and I fear that they will arrive at Spinners End to collect her. It will not be safe for you to stay while Charlie is relocated for safety.

If you are agreeable, I should also be glad of your assistance in a matter to which I hope to attend on the way to The Burrow. I shall explain this more fully when I see you. Be at Professor Snape's before midnight, and myself and Mr. Potter shall be along to collect you.

I am, yours most sincerely

Albus Dumbledore

Riley re-read the letter three or four times to make sure she had read collectly. She had. Tonight at Midnight, she and Charlie were being re-located to the Burrow to spend the rest of the summer holidays. They were returning to the Wizarding world three weeks ahead of schedule. What had changed to make them do this? the Death Eaters have managed to locate Charlie's whereabouts, and will be comng to collect her that was why! Charlie was in danger; but how had the Death Eaters managed to find her? She was supposed to be safe at Spinner's End!

The front door opened jarred the Gryffindor from her thoughts and seconds later Charlie entered the kitchen "I hate him!" the Slytherin growled, throwing herself down at the kitchen table and burying her head in arms "Why did he have to go and do something stupid like that?"

"Who?" Riley asked

"Professor Snape!" Charlie answered

"What did he do?"

Charlie glanced up "Agreed to make an Unbreakable Vow..."

"No way," Riley's eyes few wide "Who did he agree to do that with?"

"Carmen Malcolm!" the Slytherin spat the surname of the woman she had witnessed last night in her godfather's home

Riley frowned "Do we know her?

"She's Alex's mother," Charlie explained "and get this...Alex will be returning to Hogwarts this year, he will be taking a different name and identity. He has become a Death Eater like his father and has been presented with completing a task...his reward...my hand in marriage"

Riley, who had turned back to the basin to finish hand washing her school robes, froze and turned back to her friend "Get out..." she mumured "Seriously? Your hand in marriage?"

"I know," Charlie complained "talk about living nightmare!" she finally spotted the letter "What's that?"

"Oh, Dumbledore just wrote to me," she answered, passing the letter across to her friend "Apparently we are spending the rest of the summer at the Burrow. He and Harry are picking us up tonight, because the Death Eaters know where you are living now, and you are not safe here anymore"

Charlie read through the letter, before realizing it was the same thing Marcus had told her when he had arrived at Jenn's earlier "Im not going," she told her Riley "if the Death Eaters are coming, then let them come...it was only a matter of time before they found me," and she buried her head in her arms once more.

Riley stared at her friend for a long time "What do you mean?" she finally asked "What do you mean 'Let them come?' Charlie, they'll take you back to Voldemort!"

"It was bound to happen one day," Charlie answered "Rils, im tired of running. Why cant we just face the Death Eaters head on? Its not like we havent done it before!"

Riley inclined her head slightly, that was true "Would it kill you, to just once, let someone else carry the burden of the rest of the world?"

"I can't," Charlie answered "The prophecy said -"

"Prophecies don't always come true!" Riley cut across her, "it is your choice whether or not the prophecy comes true. If you believe in it then fine, but that doesnt mean everything is within your decision. You can only do so much!"

Charlie lowered her head again "What about Nikki and Marcus?" she asked "They just got here..."

"Well, I doubt Mrs. Weasley will stop them from visiting," Riley pointed out "that and we can meet them in Diagon Alley when we go get our school things...and you never know, maybe Madam Pomfrey will relocate Nikki to the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, you know, so she can keep an eye on her when Professor Snape and Jenn return to the castle for the start of term"

Charlie nodded her head slowly; before a sigh escaped her lips "I just don't get why we have to go!" she spoke "We've been safe for the past couple of weeks..."

"I'll settle for knowing how they know where you live," Riley turned away, but not before eyeing her friend curiously, as she bit her lower lip "What did you do?" she accused

"Why do you automatically think I did something?" she asked

Riley glared

"Fine!" Charlie huffed "It was my fault!"

And she told Riley everything that had happened last night, from Adrian coming to tell her and Marcus about the arrival of Bellatrix Lestrange, right up to the moment of where she was escaping through the alley, and across into her own home.

By the end Riley, could understand how the Death Eaters had found Charlie "You idiot!" she cried "You should have gone around to your back door, not used your front door!"

"Im sorry, I didnt think," Charlie stated "How was I to know that they would piece things together and realize that it was me, hiding in the hallway, and entering a random house on Spinner's End?"

"Uh...they could have seen you?" Rley asked "Come on Charlie, the Death Eaters, their not stupid!"

Charlie groaned and buried her head once more in her arms; willingly admitting that she had screwed up the night before.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

At exactly midnight, that night, Charlie sat cross-legged on Severus Snape's sofa alongside Riley who was staring reading through one of the books that she had taken down from the shelves lining the walls, the Gryffindor was always welcome in Snape's house because she was quiet and enjoyed books, but then again Charlie was always welcome there and she was the total opposite of her friend, but the young Slytherin perferred to be out on the street rather had cooped up inside all day. Curled up on the window sill facing the front garden of Snape's home was Scamp, his soft purring was the only sound in the room as he snoozed lightly in the illuminated rays of the moon.

The atmosphere inside the room was tense; Charlie was glaring at Snape, as Snape glared directly back. Jenn sat in one of the armchairs, as Marcus sat on Charlie's left side silently. The young Slytherin was seemingly not on speaking terms with her Godfather, having openly accused him of not thinking through his plan to make the Unbreakable Vow the previous night; and betraying her by lying about his alliance with the Dark Lord. She knew he was a spy, she just hoped that he was a spy for Dumbledore...and not the other way around, clearly she had been wrong.

"I trusted you!" she had snapped, when Snape had asked her why she was acting the way she was "and you lied to me!"

After that no words were passed between Godfather and Daughter...after that no words were spoken between anyone.

The clock struck midnight; and on the third strike there was a crack from outside. Scamp hissed as he was rudely awoken from his slumber and streaked off through the house to find a quieter place to rest. Striding to the window, Snape peered out onto the street to make sure that it was in fact Dumbledore and not an unwelcoming visit from anymore Death Eaters. With a passive look on his face the Potions Master opened the front door of his home

"Evening Severus," came Professor Dumbledore's voice

"Headmaster," Snape responded, standing aside and allowing Dumbledore into his home. Behind Dumbledore...came Harry.

Charlie glanced up and jumped instantly to her feet "Harry!" she cried, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. This had been the first time she had seen him since they had finished school, no letters had been sent between them in fear that they would go astray; after peeling herself off of the boy Charlie allowed him to hug Riley as Dumbledore conversed with Jenn and Snape in the corner of the room, occasionally glancing in the students direction.

But the students weren't the only ones subjected to stares, Dumbledore was receving quite a few from the students. His right had was awfully blackened, and if they had been asked, Charlie and Riley would have honestly said that it was dead. It looked dead. "Excuse me, Professor" Charlie interrupted the conversation between the three professors "What happened to your hand?"

"Rather unpleasant to behold, isnt it?" Dumbledore answered, with his own question "The tale is thrilling, if I say so myself. But now is not the time to tell it" he finally answered her question "You've been reckless this summer, Charlie"

The Slytherin lowered her gaze "I know, I get it," she groaned "I screwed up last night!"

Harry frowned, as Riley shook her head and gave him a look that clearly stated that she was tell him later.

"I should have planned my escape better," Charlie continued "Shouldnt have made it so obvious. But I didnt realize that they'd automatically jump straight to the conclusion that it was me! I mean, it could have been anyone!"

"But they know you are Severus's Goddaughter," Jenn pointed out "Even if he is not blood related, he is still family. When he took you from your home, fifteen years ago, he instated the protection bond that you have around you to this day...it would only seem fitting that you and he be kept in close contact for the bond to be fully impenetrable..."

Riley frowned "But if that is true, then how can the touch her, if she is here at Spinner's End?"

"Because they couldnt find her through normal methods," Jenn answered "But Charlie openly showed herself last night, which caused Bellatrix and Carmen to rethink the protection bonds"

"In other words, I screwed up," Charlie repeated "You know, all this information would have been helpful beforehand! Maybe if I actually knew about these protecion bonds...or whatever, I would have known not to stupid and/or reckless. Especially when Death Eaters are involved"

Snape glared at her "You were not supposed to have been listening, at all!" he snapped

"You invited Death Eaters into your home!" Charlie spat "You knew I was here! Five years of me running around and getting into trouble, both here and in the Wizarding world, and you still didnt think that one through!"

Riley grabbed Charlie's arm and pulled her back "Okay, Charlie, enough!" she scolded

"I agree," Jenn nodded, placing her hand tentatively on Snape's "Charlie, the point remains, is that until you become of age, which will be on your next birthday -"

"Actually I become of age in two years," Charlie interrupted "eighteen not seventeen,"

Dumbledore chuckled in amusement "In the Wizarding world, we come of age at seventeen"

Riley quirked a curious eyebrow "Cool," she commented

"Anyway," Jenn continued "the magic that Severus envoked fifteen years ago, when he took you from the Wizarding world and brought you here means that you have a powerful protection while you can still called Spinner's End home. However, this protection will break as soon as you turn seventeen..."

Charlie frowned as she thought over what Jenn was trying to tell her, she didnt understand.

"So, until Charlie is turns seventeen," Riley spoke up, processing the information quicker than her friend "She is protected here at Spinner's End. But as soon as she is of age, the protection will break and she'll be vulnerable?"

Dumbledore nodded "Correct. Miss. Spirit"

"So, its like Harry and his family," Riley pointed

Dumbledore nodded once more "Although Harry's protection is stronger still because of the blood relation his mother had with his aunt."

Riley nodded in understanding.

"Well, then," Dumbledore started once more "Harry, Charlie and Riley...I think it is time for us to be off"

And gathering their jackets; Charlie and Riley bid goodbye to Marcus, Jenn and Snape; before following Dumbledore and Harry out into the cool nights air.

The four walked to the end of Snape's garden path; stepped out onto the pavement beyond the gate and Charlie and Riley held one another tightly as Dumbledore placed his hands on Charlie and Harry's shoulders before disapparating with the three of them.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

After leaving Spinner's end, Dumbledore and the three students reappeared in the middle of what appeared to a deserted villiage square, in the centre of which stood an old war memorial and a few benches. Without warning, Dumbledore turned and walked down the street away from the memorial, as the three friends turned and hurried to catch up with him; still waitiing for their senses and organs to join them from Spinner's End. Apparaition was clearly not their favourite form of transportations.

"Excuse me, Headmaster" Riley spoke, as they walked "but where are we?"

Dumbledore surveyed her calmly "Welcome to the charming village of Budleigh Babberton," he answered "I assume, right about now, one of you is wondering why I have brough you here" he turned back to his students "Am I, right?"

Harry shook his head "Actually, Professor, after all these years, I just stort of go with it"

"I am," Charlie answered "confused..."

"I appreciate your honesty, Charlie," Dumbledore nodded "therefore allow me to explain. Well, I have lost count of the number of times I have said this in recent years, but we are, once again, one member of staff short. We are here to persuade an old colleague of mine to come out of retirement and return to Hogwarts"

Charlie frowned "How can we be of help?" she asked curiously

"Oh, I think we'll find a use for you," said Dumbledore, he turned left, the students followed.

They proceeded up a steep, narrow street lined with houses. All the windows were dark, and an odd chill had settled around them; causing the friends to reach for their wands upon instinct. Each clearly thinking the same thing: Dementors.

Soon they came to an halt outside a detached house, the gate was wide open and at the top of the well tendered foot path stood a gruesome sight; the front door was hanging off its hinges.

"Oh no," Riley squeaked

"Wands out, please" Dumbledore told the three studnts beside him, as he reached for his own wand. While the friends re-doubled their grip on their own wands. They walked swiftly up the garden path and pushed the front door silently, Dumbledore raised his wand and muttered "Lumos!" as the tip of his wand ignited in a faint glow.

A scene of total devastation met their gaze as they entered the living room, "Horace?" Dumbledore called in a faint whisper "Horace?"

"This is bad..." Riley whispered "...very, very bad!"

Charlie nodded, as she looked around the totally trashed room. She raised her wand even higher as she muttered "Lumos!" and watched as the light spread out over the walls around her, a smudge on the wall beside her caught her attention, as the faint dripping of water also met her senses; just before something sticky and cold landed on her hand. She glanced down "Uh...Professor..." she called to Dumbledore.

He turned in her direction. She held up her hand "Blood!"

Above them, rafters have been ripped away to reveal a blood soaked ceiling. Moving back towards the Slytherin, Dumbledore wiped the blood from her hand and tasted it with the tip of his tongue. Charlie cringed and turned away in disgust. Behind her, Dumbledore glanced suspiciously around the room, before spotting the only chair that hadnt be destroyed over turned, he reached out and prodded the armchair with his wand.

"Merlin's beard!" shouted a male voice, as a head appeared at the top of the armchair. Riley squeaked in surprise, as she jumped and clutched Harry's arm. Charlie whipped around and watched as the man stood, and disfigured out of his disguise. "No need to disfigure me, Albus" the man said

Dumbledore smiled in amusement "Well, I must say you make a very convincing armchair, Horace"

"It's all in the upholstery," the man named Horace responded "I come by the stuffing naturally. What gave me away?" he enquired

Charlie moved closer to Harry and Riley, as she peered over Harry's shoulder at the man.

"Dragon's blood," Dumbledore answered, pointing his wand at the rafters of the ceiling and bathing the three students in the light of his wand. Harry and Charlie, mostly.

Horace's eyes buldged as he spotted the students "Oh,"

"Oh, yes, introductions," Dumbledore smiled pleasantly "Harry, Charlie, Riley," he smiled at each in turn "I would like you to meet an old friend and colleage of mine...Horace Slughorn." he turned back to the man, who had just turned out to be an armchair "Horace...well, you know who two of these three are." he smiled, before pointing at Riley "but allow me to introduce, Riley Spirit...also known as the Gryffindor Genius, amongst her friends"

Charlie smirked. Riley glared at the Slytherin.

"Serenity Riddle and Harry Potter," Slughorn breathed in amazement

Charlie tensed "Excuse me, sir," she spoke politely "My name is Charlie Hunter, Muggleborn Slytherin"

"Oh," Slughorn turned to Dumbledore, before chuckling.

"What's with all the theatrics, Horace?" Dumbledore asked "You werent, by any chance waiting for someone else?"

"Someone else? I'm sure I don't know what you mean"

Dumbledore levelled him with a disbelieving looks.

Horace sighed "All right, the Death Eaters have been trying to recruit me for over a year," he answered "Do you know what that's like?" he glanced towards the window "You can only say no so many times, so I never stay anywhere more than a week" he glanced around the living room "The Muggles who own this are in the Canary Islands"

"Well, I think we should put it back in order for them," Dumbledore noded "Don't you?"

"Yes,"

"Mind" Dumbledore reminded him, before waving his wand in a sweeping motion. The furniture flew back to its original place; ornaments re-formed to midair, feathers zoomed into their cushions, torn books repaired themselves as they landed upon their shelves; oil lanterns sored on to side tables and re-ignite, a vast collection of splintered silver picture frames flew glittering across the room, cracks and holes healed everywhere, and the walls wiped themselves clean.

The friends exchanged looks and grinned "Sweet!" Charlie nodded "I could use that to clean my room, would be so easy!"

"Your lazy," Riley commented

"Point?" her friend asked

Dumbledore smiled at the two girls "That was fun," he commented "Do you mind if I use the loo?" he asked, turning to Slughorn

"No, of course" Slughorn nodded "Don't think I don't know why you're here, Albus" he added "the answer's still no. Absolutely and unequivocally, no"

The friends re-store their wands inside their jackets, as Slughorn's gaze fell upon them once more, after Dumbledore had left the room.

"You're very like your father, Harry" he grinned "Except the eyes. You have your -"

"My mother's eyes," Harry interrupted "Yeah"

"Lily. Lovely Lily. She was exceedingly bright, your mother" Slughorn smiled "Even more impressive when one considers she was Muggleborn"

Charlie frowned "Well, Riley is a Muggleborn," she pointed at her best friend "and she's a mini Genius. And then there's our other friend Hermione, and she's a total bookworm and braniac when it comes to school work, and she's also a Muggleborn"

"Oh, please don't think I'm prejudiced," Slughorn stepped forward "No, no. Lily was one of my absolute favourites. Look, there she is..." he pointed, towards a collection of framed photo's standing on a sidetable "All mine. Each and every one...Ex-students, I mean"

In one picture, a group of students raised their glasses as they stared at the camera.

"You recognize Barnabes Cuffe, editor of The Daily Prophet," Slughorn explained "Always takes my owl, should I want to register an opinion on the news of the day." he pointed at another picture, one of a quidditch player "Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies. Free tickets whenever I want them..." he trailed off "Of course, I havent been to a match in some time"

But Charlie wasnt listening, instead she had lifted up a picture of a team of Quidditch players. She recognized the crest on their chests. It was of Slytherin.

"Ah, yes," Slughorn smiled "Regulus Black. You no doubt know of his older brother Sirius. Died a few weeks ago"

Riley glanced at Harry and squeezed his hand.

"I taught the whole Black family, except for Sirius" Slughorn continued "It's a shame. Talented boy. I got Regulus when he came alone, of course, but 'd have liked the set"

Silence fell, before Dumbledore broke it as he returned "Horace?" he questioned "Do you mind if I take this?" he held up a magazine "I do love knitting patterns"

Placing the picture back onto the table, Charlie returned to Dumbledore's side with her friends.

"Yes, of course," Slughorn waved his hand "But you're not leaving, are you?"

"I think I know a lost cause when I see one," Dumbledore sighed "Regrettable. I would have considered it a personal triumph had you consented to return to Hogwarts. Oh, well." he shrugged "You are like my friends here," he nodded at the students "One of a kind" he smiled "Well, bye-bye, Horace"

He led the way out of the room

"Bye," Charlie and Riley waved, as they followed.

As they walk down the path, away from the front door; it opens behind them "All right," he called "I'll do it. But I want Professor Merrythought's old office, not the water closet I had before. And I expect a raise. These are mad times we live in. Mad!" he stepped back inside his home.

"They are indeed." Dumbledore mumured to the students, and humming led them down the street.

For a while they walked in silence, before Harry broke it "Sir, exactly what was that all about?"

"Talent. Fame and power, is everything Horace values," Dumbledore answered "It just so happens, between the three of you, you each have at least one aspect of the three. Riley you are the talent; you are a minor genius in the eyes of your friends. Harry you are the fame; you defeated Voldemort at the mere age of 1-years-old and grew famous upon the defeat of a great wizard as an infant, and Charlie, you are the power...whether you consider yourself it or not, you are Voldemort's daughter. You have the power of the Dark Lord, a worthy student that Horace had the pleasure of teaching while he was at Hogwarts many years ago..." Dumbledore explained "Professor Slughorn is going to try and collect each of you. Charlie and yourself, Harry, would be his crowning jewels. That is why he's returning to Hogwarts. And it's crucial he should return"

The three friends exchanged looks at the explanation, but silently decided to try and dechiper it another time.

"Are we going home now?" Charlie asked "I mean...are we going to the Burrow now?"

Dumbledore nodded "You will find that your things are already waiting for you" he touched Harry's shoulder, and proceeded to touch Charlie's as Riley clung to the Slytherin tightly. And in a whisp of air...they had gone.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

SPLASH!

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Charlie complained, as she, Harry and Riley landed in a small stream outside a rickety house in the distance. Splashing their way towards the banking the three clambered up onto dry land, and the two girls followed Harry through the long grass, seeing as neither of them had ever been to the burrow before.

"Look, its Ginny," Riley pointed at an upstairs window, where a familiar red head was sitting

Harry looked up and smiled.

Charlie spotted the smile and grinned, poking her friend in the ribs. Before leading the way towards the side door, and pushing it open. The three friends enter, as Ginny appeared from around the corner, her face wide with excitement as she run towards her friends and embraced them tightly. "Oh, look at her Rils," the Slytherin grinned, as she parted from the red head "She's all grown up!"

"I know," Riley grinned, as Ginny moved on to hug Harry. They parted and gazed admirably at one another. The two best friends exchanged grins.

"Riley!" Hermione squealed, as she appeared from around the corner, and spotted her friends "Charlie!" she threw her arms around the two of them, as the three muggleborns hugged tightly, while Ron greeted Harry, before swapping.

Molly chuckled "What a lovely surprise," she smiled, hugging the three of them also "Why didnt you let us know you were coming?" she asked

"Dumbledore," Riley answered "We only learned today that we would be coming. Charlie, run into a spot of trouble last night, with a couple of Death Eaters. Gave away her home."

Molly frowned and shook her head "Oh dear," she said, pulling Charlie into another hug.

Charlie squeaked, but hugged back nonetheless, frowning over Molly's shoulder as they parted. Ron had touched Hermione's cheek "Got a bit of toothpaste," he mumured, slightly embarrassed

Hermione chuckled, as her friends regarded her and Ron with interest.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Later that evening, the six friends, finally back together sat on the floor in Ron's attic bedroom. A crumpled up copy of the Daily Prophet was suspended in mid-air and burning between them. "So when did you get here?" Harry asked, turning to Hermione

"A few days ago," Hermione answered "Though for a while, I wasnt sure I was coming" she glanced at Ron

"Why?" Riley asked, noticing the look

"Mum sort of lost it last week," Ron started, uneasily "Said Ginny and I had no business going back to Hogwarts. That it's too dangerous"

Charlie frowned, as she glanced at the youngest Weasley who sat beside her "Oh, come on!" she groaned

"She's not alone," Hermione jumped in "Even my parents, and they're Muggles, know something bad's happening. Im sure your mother's know too"

"Of course they do!" Riley answered "But their not stopping us from going back to Hogwarts"

"Anyway, Dad stepped in, told her she was being barmy," Ron continued "and it took a few days, but she came around"

Harry hesitated "But...this is Hogwarts we're talking about. It's Dumbledore. What could be safer?"

"There's been alot of talk recently that..." Ginny started, causing attention to shift to her "Dumbledore's got a bit old"

"Rubbish!" Harry stated, defensively "Well, he's only..." he trailed "What is he?"

Charlie looked thoughtful "Hundred and fifty?" she suggested "You know...give or take a few years..."

Her friends gave her looks of disbelief, before bursting into laughter.

And although, for one fleeting moment when Charlie hadnt wanted to return...she was glad now that she had.


A/N: Late night/Early morning update.

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~*Kara*~

All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Chapter updated 19/03/2011 at 05:48AM