Disclaimer: I do not and have never owned the characters from either Harry Potter or Highlander. I am just borrowing them for a little bit.
There Can be Only One…
Chapter 10: Why We Fight
August 7, 1996
It was a warm August afternoon that most people were enjoying despite the current events that plagued the country the last couple of days. Couples and families were out and about in Hyde Park trying to take their minds off of what the government and the news agencies were calling a string of tragic terrorists' attacks that claimed the lives of several families in isolated communities. There was even a report of an outbreak of bird flu that had wiped out two northern Scottish towns. The last time something like that had happened was back in 1959 and most hoped that the isolation and quarantine of the two villages would contain a possible outbreak.
That was what most of the couples and families were thinking that afternoon. However, there was another couple that while walking amongst them knew more of what was going on. One had brilliant green eyes and a mop of messy black hair, the other had long bushy brown hair and deep rich chocolate eyes. They knew the truth about the attacks and the only thing they could agree on was that it was terrorists that were doing the dirty deeds, though they thought they knew why only certain families were targeted. The last time something like this had happened was back in the seventies and only ended on a dark Halloween night.
"What are you thinking Harry?" Hermione asked finally after each had been silent for the past thirty minutes.
"I am just wondering what this next year is going to be like." Was Harry's reply, "I just have a feeling that whatever Voldemort is going to try might just destroy the Wizarding world. Look at the attacks already. The Aurors have not even been able to stop them, and most of the people are clamoring for me to do something about it just like that night." Harry ranted pointing down to an article in the Daily Prophet that Hermione had brought to show him.
It listed all the dead that could be accounted for in the surprise Death Eater attacks that happened earlier in the week. Prominent among the dead were Amelia Bones, and Amos Diggory; Two members of the Ministry that had advocated for a more proactive approach to the current situation. Even the two muggle towns were listed as attacks by Dementors that Voldemort or one of his Death Eaters had ordered. The latter was troubling news the Prophet was saying because it seemed most of the townsfolk were not only killed but had been used to create Inferi; it seemed the paper was saying that Voldemort was creating an army.
"I know." Was all Hermione could say as she put her arm around Harry as they continued to walk and enjoy the afternoon.
"I don't even know what happened that night Hermione." Harry said, "So how can I even defeat Voldemort?"
"What about the Headmaster?" Hermione asked him, "He has got to be able to help you after all he knew all this time that Voldemort could be reborn."
"Yes he knew and did nothing Hermione?" Harry rasped in frustration, "I asked him right after the fiasco that was our first year and he did not answer me then. Now when everything has come to a head it just seems that we are behind the curve. I am sure the Headmaster will want to see me the minute I am at school."
"That is a good thing right though?" Hermione said.
"I think it depends on his motives." Harry mused. "In the past he seemed to just sit back and let things happen. This year that is not going to happen. Either he will do something or I will."
Again the duo lapsed into a companionable silence enjoying the scenery and each others company. They walked on both watching the other people in park.
"Have you heard from Ron since you have been back?" Harry finally asked.
"Only every other day it seems," Hermione sighed as if exasperated by her other male friend. "He wants me to go to the Burrowfor the rest of the holidays, but I don't think I am going to go at all." Hermione finished looking at Harry with a twinkle in her eye.
Harry smiled back at her saying, "If you want to go there, then go. You don't have to hang around here just because of me, besides I am sure that Ginny would want to see you."
"You are not the only reason I do not want to go Harry." Hermione told him a little forcefully. "It has more to do with the fact that for the past four years I have not really spent time with my parents or even my other friends in the muggle world, what few there are. Besides I am actually having fun this summer."
Harry smiled at what she just said and added, "I am actually having fun as well, and I doubt that I would be this happy if I was back at Privet Drive or even at the Burrow."
"I finally heard back from the Goblins yesterday." Harry started to tell her. "It seems that Professor Lupin finally got around to signing all the paperwork for Sirius's will. He finally has…"
It was then that a lone jogger bumped into Hermione and Harry knocking both to the ground. After apologizing for their clumsiness, the jogger helped Harry to his feet and looking over him rather closely grabbed his hand and it was then that Harry felt something wrong as the person grabbed his wrists and closing their eyes and saying sorry engulfed both of them in darkness.
- - -
Consciousness slowly returned to Harry. As his eyes slowly opened, Harry took in his surroundings and immediately swore. He was lying in a bed at No. Twelve Grimmauld Place and that meant the Order had kidnapped him. Getting up Harry fetched his glasses off of the side table and opened the door only to be greeted by a sound he knew so well. His two friends were arguing with each other as Ron's little sister Ginny watch on, over what Harry could only imagine.
As he got to the landing he was greeted to a rare site of Hermione slapping Ron right in the face for something he said that Harry could not make out. Taken aback Ron just blushed and looking up and said. "Harry, about time you woke up."
When Ron said that, Hermione looked up as well and screamed Harry as she bolted up the stairs to engulf him in a Hug. She still had a death grip on Harry's hand as they made their way down to greet the two red headed siblings.
Seeing the way they were holding hands Ron scowled and started to say, "So. That is why you did not want to come to visit over the summer. Figures, it was that and not some idiotic idea to stay in the muggle world."
"Grow up Ron," Hermione said simply, "What I told you was the truth whether you want to believe it or not is your choice."
"Guys, not now." Harry diplomatically stated. "Where is the Order at?"
"The kitchen, though Mom warded the door." Ginny said before her idiotic brother could say something else that would ruin a long standing friendship.
"So why did you not write Harry?" Ron asked as the group made their way down to the first floor.
"Because Ron I didn't want something like this to happen to me this summer." Harry replied waving his arm around. "There are things I had to do and I did not need to be stuck in this house."
Taken aback by Harry's' tone Ron started to reply, "Well I would have been with you if you needed help with something."
"Though I appreciate it Ron this was something you could not help me with." Harry said.
Ron was quite a moment and then looking at both Harry and Hermione spouted out, "Oh, I see how it is. Hermione can help you but poor little old Ron Weasley is not good enough."
Harry immediately stopped and letting go of Hermione's hand whirled on the young red head faster than the eye can see, and looking him in the eye coldly said, "Damit Ron not everything is about you. Grow up and for once in your life act your age and not like a spoiled little kid."
With that said Harry took Hermione's hand again and continued on his way down to the first floor. As Ron stood there Harry heard Ginny tell her brother, "You really did it this time."
The group arrived down on the first floor with Ron trailing behind. Harry immediately started for the kitchen to confront Dumbledore and the Order.
"Mom warded the door." Ginny said again.
"They will open it for me unless they really want a fight." Harry angrily said. And getting to the door indeed found it warded and locked. He started to bang on the door to get the attention of those inside. By the fifth knock with no answer Harry started to get really mad. Looking around he spotted the trolls foot umbrella stand, and deciding to use that as a battering ram picked it up and headed back to the kitchen door. He was about to start pounding on the door again when there was a click and the door opened.
Setting the foot down, Harry was greeted by the raised voices of the Orderand the imposing presence of Mrs. Weasley.
"Ah Harry dear, you are awake. Lets get you settled back upstairs to rest some more." She started to say as she tried to lead Harry away from the kitchen.
Harry would not be led anywhere and heading past Mrs. Weasley Harry strode into the kitchen and when he spotted the Headmaster headed to the space that was right across from him.
"Really Harry you should not be here, you need to let the adults handle this." Mrs. Weasley started to say to Harry and again tried to get him to leave the kitchen.
At the same time Mrs. Weasley was trying to get Harry to leave the kitchen, a snarky voice added to the commotion, "So the prodigal son returns." Severus Snape said to Harry, "I am sure do you not realize the trouble you put us through in your little snit."
"Mrs. Weasley you are not my mother and as I told the Headmaster in June he nor you do not have any say in what I do." Harry said calmly and then looking right at Snape continued on, "And stuff it Snivellus, or I might just finish what I started last time we ran into each other."
Snape was about the respond when Dumbledore raised his had to warn him to be quiet and said "You are looking well Harry."
"Yes well that is what happens when someone eats a proper diet and is not being a treated like a slave or being beaten. Now are we going to trade pleasantries or can we discuss why I was kidnapped?"
"You need to be kept safe Harry." The Headmaster started to say.
"If you are going to spout that then I will be leaving and never return." Harry told the Headmaster as he started to leave.
"See Headmaster," Snape started to say, "His head is as big as ever. Potter is not even capable of following simple instructions."
Everything happened so quickly that most could not be sure what was happening till after it had ended. Dumbledore was trying to tell Snape to calm down, Mrs. Weasley was still trying to lead all the teens including Harry out of the kitchen, and Harry was telling them good by and asking Hermione to accompany him to Duncan's when the curse struck Harry forcing him to the floor.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed.
Getting up Harry looked at the Ordermembers and seeing the smirk on Snape's face, struck back by vaulting over the table. His left foot connected with the head of the man that had attacked him. Continuing whit his momentum, Harry landed in front of the man that had tormented him for five years. All that pent up frustration was now released. Harry struck out again, breaking the arm that held the wand that had attacked him and wrenching it behind the hated Professor forced him to the floor.
"If you ever raise a wand to me again Snivellus," Harry whispered into the man's ear, "It better to be to save my life. If not then I then I would run because there will be nothing anyone can do to stop me from killing you."
With that Harry shoved the man fully to the floor and raised up to face the other members of the Order. He heard Mrs. Weasley gasp, other members started to chuckle, and Dumbledore started to admonish him for attacking the raven haired man.
Looking directly at the Headmaster, Harry said coolly, "I did not hear you admonish him for attacking me behind my back."
"Severus can be trusted Harry." Dumbledore started to say, "I am sure he did not mean to harm you."
"He may be trusted by you but not by me." Harry told him. "Plus he has been nothing but an ass to me and anyone else that is not in Slytherin house at Hogwarts for years. I am telling you now it ends, if not by you then by me. Now are we going to have a civilized conversation or do I leave and never come back?"
Looking defeated again, the Headmaster simply asked, "What do you want Harry?"
"Harry really you should let the adults," Mrs. Weasley started to say as she again tried to usher the teens out of the kitchen.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ..." Harry said, "That is the first part of the prophecy that was heard sixteen years ago. There is a second part but that is neither here nor there. And that Mrs. Weasley is why I should have been told things from the beginning."
A shocked looking Mrs. Weasley started to usher her children and Hermione out of the meeting but was stopped by both Dumbledore and Harry. After all what Harry knew he would surely share with his friends. She started to argue the point that her children and Hermione did not need to be put in danger but was finally forced to agree when Harry point blankly told her that Voldemort would not stop killing anyone just because she cares for them, and besides Harry told her point blankly, they each had been fighting against Voldemort for years so either she could accept it or just go back home and let those that want to fight in the war fight.
Ron was a little taken aback. First he wanted to take Harry on for the perceived insult to his mother, but noticed how Harry had shrugged off that curse from Snape, as well as attacking and threatening his life. Second he wanted to stay in the kitchen to finally hear what the secrets the Orderwas keeping. So he wisely stayed silent, hoping that Harry would share more of what he was doing this summer with him.
Ginny on the other hand, had been listening to all that was going on. She understood more than anyone what was at stake. Her experience with the diary in her first year had changed her. She like Harry needed to see Voldemort dead, so with that she decided to stay no matter what.
After everything was said and done, the Orderplus the teens sat down and were told what exactly was going on after of course the wounds that Harry had inflicted on the potions professor had been looked at. They were told of the attacks that had happened and those that were being kept from the public so a true panic would be averted. Dumbledore even mentioned that a vote of no confidence in the Minister was about to come about and he hoped to try and get someone that could be worked with installed in the office. After what seemed like hours of inane trivialities to Harry the conversation was directed to what he felt was the heart of the matter. What special training was Harry to receive. After another short round of arguing with Mrs. Weasley again bringing up the fact he was too young to worry about such things. Harry put his foot down and point blank asked the Headmaster to start training him this coming year.
When everything had be said and done the Order started to break up. Most left immediately, though Remus Lupin, the Weasleys', and Hermione stuck around to make sure Harry was ok. When the Headmaster saw that they were waiting, asked to have a couple of minutes with Harry.
With the door closed so they could not be overheard the Headmaster sat down heavily in his chair and stared at Harry.
"Why has it come to this Harry?" The Headmaster finally asked.
"Because you kept too many secrets in regards to my life. If you had answered me my first year then things would have been different." Harry replied calmly, before adding, "Is that all?"
"Harry this muggle you have stayed with worries me." Dumbledore started to say.
"It is none of your concern, and has nothing to do with Voldemort." Harry said. "He is a friend and I trust him with my life."
Feeling yet again the he had lost another battle with Harry, asked, "What do you intend to do now?"
"I will probably go and talk with Remus and Ron and Ginny for a little bit then head back to where I was staying." Harry told the Headmaster calmly.
"Would you really kill Professor Snape Harry?" Dumbledore asked finally.
"Ah now I think we are getting to the point of you asking me to stay behind." Harry smiled as he continued. "Yes I would not have a problem killing him if he tried to harm me or my friends. The man has spent the last five years belittle me, my friends, and anyone not of Slytherin house. Why you tolerate his teaching at Hogwarts I will never understand, but know this, if he tries anything I will finish it. I am tired of people trying to control my life and treat me like a child that does not know any better. Sirius tried to give me the information that I needed, but was stopped by you. We can play what if games from now till the end of the world, but it will not change the fact that I am far from normal. This scar and other things I have found out is proof of that as you well know."
"What about your friends?" Was the next question the Headmaster asked him.
"I have already told Hermione a lot of what has been said here and other things." Harry said. "The rest of my friends well we will have to see. Though I do think Ron won't like things, but I have learned that you cannot control what others think no matter how hard you try Headmaster."
Knowing what Harry was trying to get at, the Headmaster tried to deflect the question. "I trust Severus with my life."
"You have said that before, and I say again that may be good enough for you but not for me. I want the truth why do you trust that Death Eater." Harry told the Headmaster calmly.
Sighing more about the situation than to himself; the Headmaster started his tale. "As I am sure you have figured out, Severus overheard the first part of the prophecy. After he overheard it he went immediately to Voldemort to report what he had over heard. When he thought about what he had done and saw Voldemort making plans to kill both your parents and the Longbottoms he immediately came to me and confessed. He owed your father a debt as you well know and believe it or not he also cared very deeply about your Mother." The Headmaster finished his tale.
Thinking over what the Headmaster said Harry finally told him, "Now I see everything. Though when he told you this he was not thinking of either me or my Father, he just wanted to make sure my mother survived. I will tell you this right now Headmaster things are changing. I will not tolerate him or his little vendetta against me. Either you make him change or I will." Harry left the threat unfinished. "Now if that is all?"
When the Headmaster made no move to stop him Harry exited the kitchen to the anxious faces of Remus Lupin, Molly Weasley and Hermione waiting for him. If truth be said Harry thought that Mrs. Weasley looked a little put out by the fact that Hermione was there. Resolving to finally put the matronly woman in her place Harry went to Hermione and holding on to her tightly.
"Dinner will be ready shortly you to." She told Harry and Hermione, "Why don't you two head upstairs to get reacquainted with Ron and Ginny."
"Mrs. Weasley," Harry began. "While I really appreciate your kindness I have other things I need to do." With that said Harry led Hermione and Remus away from the matriarch of the Weasley clan and into the sitting room off the way for a discussion that Harry knew was forthcoming.
After an hour alone with Remus and Hermione, Harry emerged from the sitting room to see the expectant face of Mrs. Weasley, but was surprised to see the hallway deserted.
"Well if you are sure Harry." Remus Lupin told the son of his best friend. "There will always be a place here for you. Sirius would have wanted it."
"I know Professor." Was Harry reply. When Remus started to protest about not being a professor Harry interrupted him with, "You were a good teacher sir, and it will take time to not call you Professor."
Both Harry and Hermione gave the man a hug as he led them to the front door. Making sure not to disturb the portrait of Sirius's deranged mother. Remus opened the front door and bade them a good night. Before they could exit though all three heard from behind.
"Harry?" Ron had asked looking down from the landing.
"Later Ron, I promise." Harry told his friend as he exited the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenixand walked out into the night.