-Chapter Three-

Protection Expired

MASS MUGGLE KILLING IN DERBYSHIRE

Last night, saw the deaths of over a hundred muggles in the Derbyshire area, writes Rita Skeeter Special Correspondent. You-Know-Who and his followers where reported at the scene on Friday night. Only one eyewitness saw terrible event.

"This man came," said Terry Simmonite, a traumatised Muggle boy, "he and his men barged into my house. I hid under the table. He took my parents and sister."

The boy's eyes glistened with the traumatised memories of the night, "I watched from the window as he lined up everyone in the neighbourhood and pointed a stick at them, a green flash of light came from the stick and they all died."

The boy is now in a Muggle Orphanage with his memories modified. After witnessing this terrible ordeal. Could this boy be the Muggle version of our own Harry Potter? This reporter doubts it very highly; one traumatised attention seeker is enough in one lifetime.

"Horrid! That's what she is?" Hermione said angrily, "how dare she say that after what happened to that boy? That's disgusting. I'm surprised the Editor didn't stop her from writing it."

"Would that really stop her?" Harry asked his eyebrow raised. The answer was 'no' it wouldn't have stopped Rita Skeeter from writing this article. Harry had had his own experiences of Rita Skeeter's articles all through his fourth year when he was entered into the Triwizard Tournament. The reason she was able to find out most of the information she did was because she was an unregistered Animagus, which Hermione discovered at the end the fourth year, in which she blackmailed Rita into not writing anything for a whole year. Hermione probably hoped this would make her change her ways, Harry thought, I guess some people never change.

He folded the paper and placed it down on his desk, as Errol the Weasley Family's aging owl collapsed through the window, his malting feathers billowing down to the ground. A small envelope was between his beak. Ron walked over and picked Errol up and placed him in Pigwidegeon's cage next to Ron's hyperactive owl. He took the envelope from his beak and opened it. "It's from dad."

He handed it to Harry. Harry unfolded it reading it as Hermione perched her bushy hair over Harry's shoulder to read the letter. It read:

Dear Harry, Ron and Hermione,

I am not sure what I should be writing just in case this is intercepted. Errol is too easily recognised.

Firstly, Bill and Fleur's wedding will be next week so be sure to order yourself some dress robes.

Secondly, Happy Birthday Harry from me and Molly and the rest of the Order. Sending Errol with this letter has probably tired him out enough so your presents will be waiting for you when we come and get you tomorrow at 12 O'clock sharp.

Yours Sincerely

Arthur Weasley

P.S. Ron mum says 'hi'.

Harry looked over at the calendar to see that it was the 30th July. Harry climbed of his bed throwing his case on to his bed almost clipping Hermione. He opened it, throwing all his stuff inside.

"Come on, the sooner we get packed the sooner we can leave," Harry said as he placed his books into his case.

"Why so eager?" Ron said sarcastically, pulling his trunk from under his bed.

The day dragged. It seemed like forever as Harry lay awake that night, until the sun shone over the horizon of the red sky illuminating the many rooftops across Little Whinging.

Harry got up at seven O'clock four more hours at the Dursleys' was long enough and he wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Harry woke Ron and Hermione (Ron taking much longer than Hermione).

It was only until they reached the Dursleys' kitchen at 10 0'Clock, that he saw all the Dursleys sitting at the table. Uncle Vernon sat reading the paper. Aunt Petunia was making the breakfast and Dudley was watching the television. Aunt Petunia gave Harry nervous glares as he walked in. Harry knew what she was nervous about but, never gave it any notice. "Well, we're leaving."

"Good," Uncle Vernon sniffed not looking at Harry only his paper. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

"Some Order Members will be coming for me at 12 O'clock," Harry said turning into the living room.

"What?!" Uncle Vernon barked, "I will not have any more of your lot in my house boy."

"Well, they're only coming to take me to Ron's house," Harry replied, "they're not actually coming in."

Uncle Vernon stood up so quickly and angrily his face went red and shrunken with anger. Harry flicked out his wand pointing it at Uncle Vernon's now terrified and white gaunt face.

"Don't you even think about it boy," he snarled meekly. Harry looked at Uncle Vernon's face. He isn't worth it, Harry thought turning and walking down the hallway, Uncle Vernon barked with laughter, "I thought so. You may be freaky like you parents and that crackpot old fool, but, you're still the weak scared little boy that dropped on our doorstep."

Harry breathed in rolling his eyes exasperated. He flicked his wand at Dudley and with a matter of seconds his teeth grew so long that they almost touched the floor, tears coming down his porky face. "Oh, my god! Dudley!" Aunt Petunia shrieked. Harry turned and walked down the hallway as Uncle Vernon screamed for him to come back.

"That was great mate," Ron chuckled.

"You shouldn't have done that Harry," Hermione replied looking back worriedly at them crying at Dudley worriedly. Obviously Hermione still hadn't recovered from the embarrassment of her experience with that curse, when Malfoy and Harry's spells rebounded on her and Crabbe.

"He deserved it," Harry said stubbornly walking into the living room. Harry sat with Ron and Hermione in the living room playing exploding snap with Ron as Hermione scoured through Dark Wizards and their followers again.

It was only until half past ten when Harry heard Aunt Petunia's ear-piercing screams from the kitchen. Harry boomed through the kitchen door to see her pointing out of the kitchen window were nearly twenty Death Eaters wearing their white skull masks stood surrounding the house. Harry took out his wand. "Get down!" he barked at the Dursley they did as nearly twenty curses and stunners were fired at Harry. He dived to the floor as the Dursleys' kitchen exploded as the spells crashed through Uncle Vernon's new double-glazed windows.

"Ron! Hermione!" Harry shouted, "GET DOWN DEATH EATERS!" Harry jumped up from the ground firing an Impediment Curse and Stunner at the Death Eaters who with a faint crack apparated away, Harry's spells hitting the unaware Death Eaters behind them.

Crack! Pop! Harry turned around to see two Death Eaters standing in front of him. "FLIPENDO!" Shouted the nearest one, firing Harry through the shattered window. Harry looked back to see Ron and Hermione hurrying into the kitchen.

SLAM! Harry's back hit the floor his wand flying a foot away from him. He looked up to see at least eighteen Death Eaters standing in front of him. A cold sweat filled Harry. He was defenceless and alone. Large explosions occurred from the house.

"The Dark Lord wishes to see you, Potter," came the cruel snide voice of someone Harry had been wanting to see since June. He looked up at the Death Eaters to see Severus Snape stood there with his wand pointed at him.

"You!" Growled Harry, anger sweeping his entire body.

"Yes, Potter, the Dark Lord has entrusted me with the task of bringing you to him," Snape replied snidely. "Though, I must say he thought you might have put up more of a fight."

Harry had to do something. He was surrounded and Hermione and Ron were in the house fighting with those Death Eaters and Harry had no idea who they were. Harry looked back as an explosion occurred along with a small scream. Hermione, Harry thought worriedly.

"Worried, potter," someone behind Snape said menacingly. Harry looked up to see that it was the white gaunt face of Bellatrix Lestrange. Sirius' killer. He hated her more than he hated Snape right now. But, Harry was no good angry. It made him sloppy as he remembered the battle he had with Snape in June. Snape dominated that fight because he was calm, emotionless. "I'm not surprised that Blood traitor and Mudblood will get their come upons once Avery and Draco are down with them."

Harry tried as hard as he could to clear his mind. "Clearing your mind won't help you Potter," Snape said, "your mind is weak and incapable of closing primitive emotions."

"Voldemort doesn't think so," Harry sneered, "he can't even enter my mind without feeling pain."

"HOW DARE YOU!" Bellatrix shouted, whipping out her wand, "HOW DARE YOU UTTER THE DARK LORD'S NAME WITH YOU UNWORTHY LIPS!"

"STOP!" Snape roared, "The Dark Lord wants him unharmed."

Harry used this to his advantage rolling over to his wand grabbing it and flicking it at one of the Death Eaters. The Death Eater flew back into the other two behind him. Harry turned to see Snape and Bellatrix fire a stunner at him. Harry rolled out of the way and thinking, Expelliarmus. Bellatrix dived out of the way. Snape flicked his wand at Harry. "Protego!" Harry shouted Snape's stunner rebounding and knocking him back at him. Snape flew back into Aunt Petunia aphrodisiacs.

Harry ducked as two stunners missed his head. He turned around to see fifteen other Death Eaters firing at him. "Lumos Maximus!" Harry shouted, a blinding light filled the garden blinding the Death Eaters.

"Where is he?" Barked one of the Death Eaters.

"I can't see!"

Harry knew that their blindness would only last a few minutes and he had to act quickly.

"Impedimenta! Stupefy! Expelliarmus!" Harry roared waving his wand as if duelling with a sword. A bombardment of green, yellow and red lights emitted from the tip of his wand. He heard the clumps from Death Eaters as they collapsed down to the floor.

"There he is!" Yelled Bellatrix as she started to see more clearly. Harry fired a few more stunners before pointing his wand toward a broken plant pot sat destroyed on the grass soil falling from the pot. He flicked his wand towards Bellatrix, the plant pot flew towards her smashing into her. The other Death Eaters continued to fire at Harry who dodged them diving behind one of Aunt Petunia's hedges firing a confounded charm.

Harry ran over to the Dursleys house as the confused Death Eater attacked his own men. Leaving only three left. Harry could see Snape starting to stir. Harry grabbed hold of the window sill jumping over into the kitchen collapsing into the fallen pots and pans. An Explosive battle could be heard in the living room.

Harry barged through the living room to see Ron and Hermione being bombarded by Malfoy and Avery's curses. "Rictoshempra!"

Malfoy's legs turned to jelly as he started to jiggle around the Dursleys living room. "Expelliarmus!" Ron shouted knocking Malfoy out.

Avery looked around to see that he was surrounded, "drop it," Harry said dangerously. Avery didn't as a sly grin filled his face. Harry spun around to see the three Death Eaters and Snape standing there.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape barked, Harry flew back knocking Avery over and colliding into his and Ron's trunks. He felt a pain in his back as he slammed into the wall looking over to behind the settee to see the Dursleys cowering behind him. Hermione and Ron fired charms and curses at Snape and the Death Eaters.

Harry picked up his wand and flicked it at the Death Eaters. They flew back crashing through the window some blocking the spells and rebounding on the Dursleys plastered ceiling. Plaster fell down on Harry sticking to his untamed tuft of hair.

ADVERTISTATIUM! Harry thought, firing the spell at the last Death Eater apart from Snape.

"You're surrounded, Snape," Harry said warningly, "drop your wand."

Harry flicked with wand, Snape flicked it lazily. Harry flew back crashing into the wall. Harry looked up stunned as Snape flicked his wand at Hermione. A red spark of light flying at her.

"Hermione! Look out!" Ron bellowed pushing her out of the way, allowing himself to be hit by Snape's curse. His head slammed against the sideboard.

"Ron!" Hermione cried, turning to Snape who waved his wand, making Hermione flip down to the ground next to Harry.

Harry tried with all his might to move. But, he couldn't. His wand was out of reach and out of bounds. And then he saw it...

One of the vials with the memories in lying on the carpet, just a few feet from Snape. Harry looked at it in horror. He looked around only to see five others lying next to Harry's case which lay open with his clothes scattered all over the place. Snape walked over to Harry knocking the vial away with his foot. Harry sighed in relief as Snape hadn't noticed them. Then, he saw something in Snape's eyes a look of both interest and triumph.

Did he read my mind? Harry thought, is he using Legilmency on me right now? Harry tried with all his might to close his mind.

Snape took out his wand looking around the room. The Death Eaters were unconscious. Suddenly, Harry felt himself able to move again. The spell must have worn off. Harry rolled over grabbing his wand as Snape fired a spell at where Harry once was. Harry pointed his wand at Snape.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The two spells collided together, a white streak of light from Harry and a Green light from Snape. Harry tried with all his might pushing the spell as hard as he could. They were both drawing with the conflict. Snape pushed harder as did Harry. Both of their wands started to shake and an explosion occurred between the two sending the two across the room. Snape and Harry got up a little dazed, his wand lying on the floor. Snape was finding it hard to move as the right side of his body was immobilised.

Suddenly, the living room door blew open. Remus Lupin, looking less ragged-looking but, still thin boomed through the door with 'Mad-Eye' Moody and Nymphadora Tonks wearing her usual pink all of them pointed their wand at Snape.

"This isn't the end, Potter," Snape growled, his right side muffled. And with a small crack he disapparated out of the Dursley house. Tonks, Moody and Lupin fired a spell at where Snape was just as he disapparated.

"Damn it," Moody growled. Harry lent against the couch. Moody bent down to Ron and Hermione, "Renevarate," Moody said.

"Arabella, was on guard. She called us after she heard the battle," Lupin said walking over to Harry. He looked out the window to see the bodies on the floor stunned. "Looks, like you lot finished them of before we got here."

"Yeah," Harry said. He turned to see Malfoy stirring. He whipped out his wand. Malfoy looked up terrified. Harry fired a stunner but was too late, he'd already disapparated out with a crack. "Damn it!"

"He'll be back to Voldemort," growled Moody hobbling over to Harry. "Good to see you again, Potter." Harry shook his hand.

"Not the best Birthday present you've ever had," Tonks said jokingly, as she helped Hermione and Ron up.

"Tonks," barked Moody, "you apparate to the Ministry and bring some Aurors and some Obliviators here. We'll take Potter, Weasley and Granger to the Burrow."

"And Tonks," said Lupin, "make sure Scrimogeur doesn't catch on about Harry. That fellows been poking his nose in Harry's business a lot lately, asking Arthur how Harry's doing."

"Probably, trying to get on my good side so he can make me his poster boy," Harry said. Tonks nodded and disapparated.

"Moody, you stay here and wait for the Aurors to come," Lupin said, "I'll take Harry, Ron and Hermione to the Burrow."

"Right, I'll place an anti-Apparation charm on the place so none of them get away. What about them?" He finished motioning to the cowering Dursleys.

"The Aurors will want to talk to them for a statement. They'll probably modify their memories along the witnesses in the neighbourhood," Lupin replied.

Harry bent down and picked up the vials hurriedly while, Lupin and Moody were talking, placing them in his trunk and closing it. "Ready, to go," Lupin said cheerfully. Harry nodded, "you'll have to hold onto my arm for Side-Along Apparation. Ron you'll have to apparate with Hermione."

Harry grabbed hold of Lupin's arm. Ron grabbed hold of Hermione's hand both of them going red, Ron's cheeks now matching his hair. Harry felt the horrible compression as they disapparated and appeared in front of lopsided pigsty-like house that is: the Burrow.