A/N Thank you all for reviewing the last chapter once again, especially those who have been reviewing faithfully. I am finding several of your questions and suggestions rather helpful and they have been really keeping me on my toes.
This chapter will be another long one and will have some action that I hope is kind of funny. So please review and let me know if you like it and what you think of the action. I promise that the action will pick up and be more detailed. I just have a hard time writing action scenes.
Sirius chased after the wolf trying to catch up as the wolf's legs were longer it had a definite advantage when it came to running. He had no idea where they were headed as he ran through forests, the highlands, and even parts of small villages. He was just glad that they had yet to come across any people out strolling on a beautiful night.
Remus' own mind sat on the edge of the wolf's fearful that the damn creature inside of him was going to do something that would get him into more trouble then he ever wanted or could even fathom. The worse was that his mid could feel the anger that poured off the wolf's mind
Sirius soon fell back a ways as he watched his friend pick up even more speed as it weaved in out of the trees of yet another forest. He was forced to stop as his tongue was hanging out and he was panting heavily. He was having a hard time catching his breath and even in his dog form could feel his ribs hurting from the exertion.
The only thing Sirius could do was change back to his normal self and tried to think of where Moony was going. The only thing he could think of was that the wolf was headed for some place that they both knew. But the only places he could even think of were his ancestral home and Hogwarts. Suddenly his eyes widen and he muttered an "oh shit" and apparated away hoping that his tiredness didn't get him splinched.
Sirius sat outside the home on the steps thankful that he had made it in one piece. He knew Moony would be here soon, especially since he had done the Tempus spell and saw that it was all ready two in the morning. His mind was mulling over different plans to stop the Werewolf from harming anyone.
The only kink that kept coming up was that he didn't know if he could do it. He remembered Harry's third year when Remus had forgotten to take his potion and he ended up getting injured from trying to stop his friend from harming the kids and corral him into going into the Forbidden Forest. This was just like that time but there was one thing that was different and that was he wasn't as weak as he been since he hadn't recently escaped Azkaban. It was then that he heard the howl and knew immediately that Remus was close by.
Standing up quickly he changed into Padfoot and waited patiently for Moony to appear. He didn't have to wait long as he saw the wolf appear in front of him having bounded up the street.
Moony stopped and stared at the black dog that was blocking his way. He tilted is head slightly and sniffed the air trying to get a smell from the dog. The wolf got the smell he was searching for and instantly knew that the dog who was barring his way was another member of his pack.
Giving the dog a growl as his now golden eyes seem to glow with what looked like pure fury he stepped closer to the dog. Remus could only think Oh Merlin help me as the wolf drew closer. Sirius on the other hand did not back down nor become submissive to the wolf and growled right back at him.
Then without any warning the wolf lunged for the dog and slammed across the lawn. Sirius landed in a heap from the impact and felt a trickle of blood and pain from his left side. Sirius realized that the wolf even though saw him as a pack member was not going to allow anyone or anything get in its way of revenge.
He made it back to his four paws quickly and tried to ignore the pain from his side. He gave a loud bark at the wolf. It was a warning not to do anything. This however he saw made the wolf angry as it jumped off the porch and stalked over to him. Sirius stood up on his back legs and slammed himself against the wolf, trying to get him mildly injured so that he would flee. This however was one of the stupidest things he could have done as instead of actually pushing the wolf an inch, he found him sailing through the air once again. And once again he landed hard on the ground, except instead of landing on the grass, he landed on the sidewalk and his breath was knocked out of him.
Sirius should have known that he couldn't fight with the wolf in this manner. The wolf was the Alpha Male of the pack and was seeing Sirius as a threat to his position. Alpha Males who see another male as a threat or challenging their position will immediately take a defensive position and battle the other from domination. It is the way of wolves as the leader is challenged from time to time for their position by other male pack members. This however was far worse as not only did the wolf see the dog as challenging his position but also blocking him from his intended duty.
Wolves take their duty extremely serious and are loyal to their pack. If they befriend a human for various reasons such as they are injured and the human gains their trust enough to help them, they will become loyal and a fierce protector even willing to die for the human. They will also leave shortly to bring their entire pack to the human and they all pledge their loyalty and allegiance as their Alpha or Leader has done.
Moony seeing that Padfoot was not moving at the moment turned and leapt up onto the porch once again. Standing on it's hind legs he slammed his whole body in the door causing it to quiver and shake and give a resounding bang that echoed the inside of the house.
Vernon Dursley heard the barking and howling earlier, which had awakened him from his sleep. He muttered to himself that he would have to do something about those blasted dogs in the neighborhood. Suddenly he heard the sound of a loud banging on his front door, only it didn't sound as if someone was knocking.
He climbed out of bed and put on his slippers and grabbed the robe that was hanging on the door.
"Vernon what was that noise," his wife asked in scared voice.
"I don't know dear but I'm going to go and find out," he replied angrily.
Opening the door he stormed out of it and flipped on the hall light before descending the stairs. Then the band was heard again and it shook the whole house. He grabbed a hold of the railing to steady himself. His own eyes had widened at this but he kept going. His entire face was purpling in anger as he reached the first floor and the sound came again.
'Whoever the hell it was I'm going to give them a piece of my mind,' he thought angrily to himself.
He heard his wife and son at the top of the stairs as they asked him again what was going on. This time he didn't answer as he angrily stomped towards the door. He was just about to open it when another bang came and the door came crashing in.
Vernon soon found that he was trapped under the weight of the door and in the darkness saw a shadow of something large bound on top of him. He let a loud grunt of pain and tried to yell at the intruder but soon stopped and his eyes grew in fear.
There standing on top of him were gold eyes staring down at him. He could feel the drool from whatever it was as it splashed down on his face. There was a deep feral growl also coming from above him. He started struggling to get the beast and the door off him but it was to no avail as there was just too much wait on him.
Petunia and Dudley who had been huddled and cowering at the top of the stars heard the door come crashing in and a loud grunt and a deep howl. They looked at one another before rushing down the steps. Petunia hit the switch to the light that would flood the area with bright light. Dudley clinging to her back for dear life as they turned the corner to see the most terrifying thing that they had ever seen and would ever see.
The light at first had blinded Moony but he shield his eyes and now were looking directly at the two other Dursleys. The wolf's eyes were still glowing even in the now lit room. He lowered his head a little and gave a feral growl that came from with in the depths of him. He took a step towards them as the growling kept up.
Petunia and Dudley's eyes grew wide in fear just as Vernon's did. Petunia's eyes soon rolled up in the back of her head and she fell backwards in a dead faint, no screaming, no yelling, nothing at all.
Dudley squealed like a pig, grabbed his rear and ran for the kitchen. Not being able to think as he was terrified for his life he ran for the refrigerator and started trying to get behind it. All he wanted to do was run and hide from the beast that was out there in the living room. Only, with no real brain he ended up getting stuck and he began to squeal and keep pushing trying to get behind it.
Padfoot moved a little and felt his entire body hurt as he did. He knew somehow that he had possibly broken a rib or two from the impact. But the animagus was a little confused as to where he was and what was going on, especially why he was in pain. Soon the fog cleared as he heard a deep howl from the house that he knew was his friends' Carefully he got to his legs and shook his shaggy head to make sure all of the cobwebs were cleared. He also made sure that he wasn't in too much pain to get into the house. He had to stop Remus from doing any damage to the Dursley even though he felt the same way. He didn't want to see his friend being killed as a werewolf would be if he killed a muggle or anyone for that matter.
He made it into the house and saw Moony standing over the body of Petunia Dursley. He gave a bark and jumped in; landing on the door and hearing a grunt come from under it. He didn't pay any mind to it as he kept barking and heading for the wolf. The wolf turned back with only its head and gave a low feral growl at the dog.
It was at that point when Petunia woke up from her faint and saw the Werewolf standing directly above her. She scrambled to her feet and ran towards the stairs. This was however a mistake as she let out another scream as she felt herself being picked up by the monster. She screamed as loud as she could as she began to be shaken in every direction before being turned around to face the monster that had her in its claws.
The only thought that ran through her mind was, 'Oh God its going to eat me.'
Sirius seeing this began barking louder and ran towards the back of his friend, slamming as hard as he could into it. He hoped the impact would cause him to drop the woman. Unfortunately that did happen and instead he was for the third time sailing through the air. This time he ended up landing on the broken door. He heard the grunt once again from underneath him. Quickly getting back up he looked down and saw the wide cheeks of Vernon Dursley. He knew he should help the man but he had no remorse whatsoever for this and so ran off the door and once again tried slamming into the wolf. This time it worked and Moony dropped Petunia who went crashing down on the floor and hitting the back of her head on one of the steps.
Moony turned around and gave the black dog a feral growl. It was one that Sirius knew all to well and it was not good. Stealing a glance back towards the outside he noticed the moon was beginning to set. He gave another bark at the wolf, slammed into him again and took off out of the door, once again hitting the door and pushing it in to Vernon.
With the moon setting he had to get Remus out of there before he changed back. He was going to do everything he could to protect the one last true friend that he had, saved for Harry.
Moony growling and giving another howl leapt on top of the door and took off after the dog.
Sirius ran as fast as his poor legs would carry him but after the fight he had with Remus they weren't that steady and he was feeling pain everywhere even in his eyebrows. He knew of the park down the street so that was where he was headed. He knew from things that Harry had said previously that there was a small forest in the back off. He just hoped fervently that they would make there on time or that at least Moony was following. After all he didn't have the time to glance back and see if he was.
The two dogs made it to the forest and Sirius was trying to dodge the Wolf the best he could as he knew it was furious with him. He had to keep doing this until the transformation back started, but it was getting hard as he was hurt and the wolf was not.
Just as Sirius made a dash to the right the wolf stopped and howled as it fell to the ground. Sirius, the dog watched as the change back started for his friend. Assured that everything was all right he changed back to his human self and collapsed on the ground and immediately fell asleep.
The two friends awoke later to the sounds of sirens blaring. Remus tried to sit up but he was extremely weak like always after the full moon and was in pain. There was something else though; it was more in his mind. He remembered and saw everything that he Wolf had done. His amber eyes dimmed in sadness as he realized that he could have killed someone the night before. And it was all because he had forgotten to get his potion.
Sirius slowly sat up, wincing in pain as his ribs protested the move. 'Well at least I'm still alive,' he thought wryly.
"Sirius, are you all right," Remus asked tentatively.
"Yea I will be after I get checked out and get a healing potion or two," Sirius wheezed out.
"Oh Merlin, I'm so, so sorry for what I did to you," Remus said as tears formed in his amber eyes and he looked down at the ground. He didn't want to look into the face of his friend, afraid he'd see anger and betrayal in them. He also felt ashamed for what took place.
"It's all right Moony. I'll be all right in awhile. Besides cheer up you didn't kill any of them. Though they would have deserved it for what they did to Harry."
"Thanks Padfoot but I still feel sorry for having hurt you. I'm so scared though; last night was almost my biggest fear come true. I…I…I don't know what I would have done if I'd killed them," Remus said his voice breaking with shame and anger at himself.
Sirius tried to stand but found his legs just too weak and so he crawled over to Remus. He slung an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Remus, you did not and that is what matters. As for me, well I've been through worse and you know it. So don't go blaming yourself. There was nothing you could have done."
"I felt so helpless, trapped in the back of my own mind watching everything that was transpiring. I tried… I really tried Sirius to stop it all but I couldn't," Remus sniffled a little.
"It's going to be all right. It's all over and you only injured them. Besides cheer up, who's going to accept what they say about being attacked by a werewolf. People will think they're crazy. And don't forget you didn't kill them and you got a little bit of revenge for all of the things that they did to Harry," Sirius replied trying to cheer his friend up.
"When I was running I knew where the wolf was headed. I could just feel its anger and need for revenge. You know Harry is a part of the pack and he is the youngest. The wolf feels a great need to protect him from anything that it can. I guess yesterday when Harry was telling us about his life at the Dursley, the wolf felt the need for blood, for revenge."
"I felt the same way and wanted revenge too but not this way. I guess we should have waited and got him to open up on a day when there was a full moon. I forgot that the wolf was right at the surface on that day, just waiting to break free. So this whole thing is my fault too."
"I guess. It still doesn't make up for the guilt and shame I feel," Remus replied sadly.
"No it never will. You know I still feel guilty for Lily and James' death."
"Huh, but that wasn't you fault they had been attacked and it certainly isn't your fault that they are alive."
"I know that but it doesn't change the fact that if I hadn't suggested Peter to be there Secret Keeper, they wouldn't have been attacked. Besides Harry would probably have lived with them," Sirius replied sounding very melancholy.
"Sirius you listen to me right now. We don't know why they did what they did to Harry, to us. They never really explained it. And who says they may not have done it anyway," Remus said sternly, forgetting his own feelings of pity and guilt.
"I know. I guess I didn't give them the chance to explain when I saw them."
"None of us did. I don't think I could actually sit down in room and ask though. I'm just so angry for what they did. Still I would like to know the entire reason."
"Me too Remus," Sirius replied. "You know when I talked to them, well argued with them James acted like he did before him and Lily got together."
"I know what you're saying. He was that way too when Harry came barging in on the Order meeting that day. James was so full himself and I wanted to knock him across the room for it. I thought we had all grown up. Well, you didn't really now did you," Remus laughed at what he had just said and the indignant look that appeared on his friend's face.
"I will have you know I can be mature, it's just that I don't want to."
Remus gave a small laugh as that was he could manage as he was exhausted and like Sirius hurt from the transformation.
"Moony I think we should head back to the house. We left Harry there all alone."
A dawning realization came over Remus and he gave his friend another sad look.
"Now don't you go pitying or feeling guilt again. We can just apparate back," Sirius said, cutting Remus off from once again his self loathing.
"I don't think I can Padfoot. I'm to sore and tired."
"Then we'll just have to call the Knight Bus," Sirius said and carefully stood up.
Remus did the same and the two men made their way out of the forest and the park to the sidewalk. There Sirius used his wand to call the crazy purple bus. Soon they were on their way back to Harry.
Little did they know that the events of the prior night were being shown on every television channel and discussed on the radio even every paper were scrambling to get their articles ready for an extra edition as this had turned out to be such an incredible and newsworthy story.
One of the neighbors who had gone to work the night before as he worked the graveyard saw the emergency vehicles at the Dursley's residence and couldn't help but smile at this.
He hated the family lived there as they were constantly gossiping or butting their nose into other peoples business. Getting out he made his way into the house and sat down. Reaching over for the remote he pointed at his television and turned on. He figured he'd relax a little and watch some of the early news before trying to get some sleep as he had to work again that night.
The commercial that had been on went off and the news came back on. The man who was sitting back in his plush blue chair sat up straight and leaned forward intent on listening to the broadcaster as he saw the Dursley's home in small window to the side of the blond woman.
"This is Candace Hamil and we have just received breaking news out of Surrey. I now send you to Mark Hammond for the report." The small picture now filled the entire picture.
"Thank you Candace. This is Mark Hammond reporting to you live from Surrey at number four Privet Drive where a strange occurrence has taken place.
Two hours ago a next door neighbor who stepped out of his home to go to work and happen to notice that the door to the Dursley's home had mysteriously vanished. He hurried across the street to see if they were all right only to find the door collapsed in and lying on one Vernon Dursley. Not stepping inside he hurried back to his own home and called the local Constable.
From what we have been told Mr. Dursley was found unconscious with severe bruising and injuries to his chest and abdomen. He awoke when they were putting him on a stretcher and he began or tried to shout about some monster that attacked them and something about freaks. From what one of the medical professionals told us it sounded as if the man was delusional. As of yet we do not have any word on his condition as he was taken to the local Hospital for treatment.
In their investigation of the home they found one Mrs. Petunia Dursley lying at the bottom of the stairs. She was unconscious and had various lacerations on her face and bruising around the neck pointing to her having been severely choked.
There was also another victim in the home and that was their sixteen year old son, Dudley Dursley. Who was found trapped in between the refrigerator and the wall. They are still currently extricating him from it as he somehow got one of his feet stuck in the back of the refrigerator.
We have been informed that when there is any new information we will be given and that the investigation is now starting into what could have happened to a family that was and is considered a very upstanding, law abiding family.
This is Mark Hammond sending it back to you Candace in the studio.
Thank you for the report Mark. We here at the studio hope the family is all right.
We will bring further news on sad and tragic event that has taken place and as well as the family's' condition when we have more. And now we will take a station break and then we will check the weather for today with Stephen Larskey.
The neighbor fell back in his chair with gleeful smile on his face. 'Whatever it was that happened to them, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving family.'
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Harry had awoken earlier then he had expected as he found that it was only six in the morning. Climbing out of his bed he made his way to the large private bathroom that he had. Deciding to take a nice warm bath instead of a shower as he never got to take one at the Dursleys he quickly ran the bath and stepped in. Sinking down into the warm water he allowed his eyes to close and just relaxed in the warm and soothing water.
It was over a half an hour later before he finally climbed out and brushed his teeth before getting ready for the day. He assumed that Sirius and Remus were in their rooms sleeping after the night before. So when he was done instead of going to check on them he headed down to the kitchen have some breakfast.
Stepping into the kitchen he was nearly bowled over when a blur hit him in the legs. He steadied himself and looked down to see Dobby tightly holding him around the legs.
"Master Harry Potter is awake. I'se cooked your breakfast," the exuberant house-elf cried.
"Thank you Dobby but could let me go so I can go and sit down. I can't eat it if I don't sit down," Harry answered, smiling as he looked down at the elf.
"Dobbys sorry, Dobby should know better, Dobby bad House Elf," the elf said releasing Harry and running towards the stove.
"Dobby stop, you didn't do anything wrong. You will not hurt yourself. We agreed on that. Why don't your bring over your wonderful food," Harry said as he went and sat down at the table.
"Master Harry Potter is a wonderful Wizard," Dobby said as he grabbed a plate of food and levitated over to Harry."
"Dobby I didn't know you could so much magic. I know I saw what you did to Malfoy. Still I didn't know you could levitate things too," Harry said as Dobby put the food in front of him before going back and bringing a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"We House Elves can do many magic's.," Dobby replied proudly.
"Dobby can you tell me what else you can do," Harry asked as he took a sip of his juice.
"Master Harry Potter wants to know house elf magic," Dobby stated surprised that a wizard would want to know about these things.
"Yes Dobby I would like too know. But first you must stop calling me Master. I do not like it and would rather you call me Harry. I am not your Master and never will be. You are my friend and friends don't say those things."
Dobby who was standing there by Harry lunged forward and wrapped his arms around what he could of Harry and cried. "Harry Potter is a good wizard."
"Enough of that Dobby, you don't need to cry. Now why don't you sit down and tell me all about your magic."
Dobby let go and looked up at Harry. "Master Harry want me to sit with him," Harry asked sounding as if he hadn't heard correctly.
"Yes Dobby I do. I told you we are friends."
Dobby was about to cry again but didn't and just gave a nod instead. He hoped up in the chair next to Harry and looked at him with unshed tears in his large eyes.
"What Harry Potter want to know," Dobby asked.
"All of what you can do."
"We House Elves can do magic to clean. We can use some wizard spells too. But not like a wizard and not learn them like that. We can pop anywhere if our master want us too."
"I know about the cleaning magic and the popping but what about the wizard magic," Harry asked as he took a bit of his toast.
"We House Elves know how to float things. We can take things from people. We can open things and make holes as you say."
"Is that what you did to Malfoy," Harry asked.
Dobby gave him a nod. "I used a blast spell or I'm not sure how else to say it," Dobby replied a little uncertain of himself.
"Ah, I understand Dobby. How do you learn this magic?"
"We House Elves born with it and parents teach us," Dobby explained.
"Is it possible for a wizard to learn how to use your magic," Harry asked a strange thought running through his mind at the moment.
"No Harry Potter. Wizards can't learn House Elf magic."
"Oh I see. That's all right Dobby."
"Would Harry Potter like more food," Dobby asked.
"No I'm full Dobby. Thank you anyway."
"Harry Potter need to eat more," Suddenly the House Elf scolded him.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at this as it reminded him of how Mrs. Weasley treated him. "Dobby I know I need to eat more but I'm not hungry."
"Dobby make a snack later before lunch," the House Elf said sternly. "Harry Potter need to eat more."
Harry couldn't say anything in the negative as he didn't want to hurt his friends' feelings and knew he was right. "Okay Dobby," Harry said.
It was just as they finished their conversation when Harry heard the front door opened. His brow furrowed in confusion and he quickly headed for the door. His wand held tightly by his side in case he needed.
It was as he reached the entrance that he saw Remus and Sirius coming in, leaning against one another for support. Harry took in their appearance and other then knowing why Remus was looking the way he did he didn't know why Sirius was.
"Sirius, Moony what happened? I thought the two of you would be asleep in your rooms," Harry asked sounding concerned.
"Harry pup it's a long story and I don't feel too good," Sirius replied.
It was then that Harry's grew wide and concern filled them as he saw the blood trickling down from Sirius' side. Rushing over to them he stepped in between them and helped them to the study. He was going to call Madam Pomfrey as soon as he got them situated and comfortable.
An hour later Sirius and Remus were sleeping comfortably on the couches. They had both been yelled at from Madam Pomfrey for their carelessness. Remus for having not taken the Wolf's Bane potion and Sirius for getting into an argument with the Werewolf as he knew better not to do those things. She told him he wasn't there to fight with his friend but to be a companion. The only reason why she had scolded Sirius like a little child was of the half truth that they had told her.
Harry who had sat silently by listening to everything that they said and what Madam Pomfrey told them wasn't convinced that was all that happened to them. He was sure that the two men were hiding something and he didn't like it. Once Madam Pomfrey left and he was sure the two men were sleeping comfortably he quietly made his way out and headed to the library. He was going to have a talk with them later and by Merlin's name he was going to make them tell him everything.
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Meanwhile at Hogwarts Albus was sitting in his office stroking his beard lost in thought. He was in need of another DADA Professor and surprisingly a Muggle Studies one as well. He was trying to come up with possible candidates when a thought struck him. Soon a strange smirk came over the old man as he figured out just who the two new Professors would be.
With a nod he stood up and headed out of his office. The two new Professors would be perfect he thought. They would be right there and help him with all of his plans and not question him in the slightest.
Albus was walking down the halls towards where an apartment had been set up for the perfect couple. He turned a corner and spotted Severus stalking towards him, the man's black robe billowing behind him.
"Good morning Severus, and how are you this fine morning," Albus greeted the sour man.
"Albus it is as usual," Severus replied with his trademark sneer.
"I was wondering if you have heard any more information on our missing boy."
"I have no news to give," Severus replied dryly and becoming more alert.
"Ah, well I guess we must keep looking. He is not safe if he is not he or at his relatives' home. Well good day Severus," He said and started on his journey once again.
Snape stood there staring at the retreating form of the Headmaster a strange puzzled expression on his face. He was now more then ever certain that there was something going on. He wasn't stupid and new that Potter would not be safe at his relatives, especially since there would be no blood wards to protect him. And that was something else that bothered him. If the Potters had been alive along as Albus had told them, then there were never any blood protection or the like protecting the brat. Deciding not to dwell on it any longer he chose to observe and see what he could learn. After all, he hadn't survived this long a spy for the lack of trying. Turning around once again he headed towards the infirmary, his robes billowing behind him as he needed to get the list of potions that the Poppy needed.
Reaching the infirmary he pushed the doors open and stalked in. To his utter astonishment he didn't she the stern woman anywhere. He stalked back to where her room and office were. Throwing the door open in his usual trademark way he was surprised to see that she not there either.
Now there was definitely something peculiar going on. He knew that Poppy didn't go anywhere other then either to her sisters' or to the Order Headquarters if called. The woman like him always stayed here for summer. Well she stayed longer then he did as he usually went back to Spinner's End until now every year. It was his retreat away from all of the children.
Spinning on his heel he stormed back out and to the Great Hall thinking that she may just be in there. He was talking to himself about how irresponsible the woman was for disappearing when she surely knew he would be coming to get the list today.
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While all of these events were transpiring another one was as well. In Voldemort's lair, he was sitting on his throne as usual with Nagini at his feet. His red eyes were glowing eerily at the man in front of him.
"It's good to have you back Lucius. However you have failed me yet again," the vile man hissed out and pointed his wand at the man.
Lucius who was kneeling in front of his Master soon found himself on the ground screaming at the top of his lungs and writhing in pain. He could feel every nerve, every muscle scream in pain as the Crucio continued. It felt like ages when it was finally lifted. However he was still unable to move as his entire body shook and trembled.
"You are aware that I do not tolerate failure," Voldemort hissed.
"Yes My Lord," the blond aristocrat wheezed out as he struggled back to a bowing position.
"I did not get you out of Azkaban for you to continue to fail. I have a mission for you and this time you had better succeed," Voldemort said.
"I will not fail you again My Lord. What is this mission," Lucius asked his words laced heavily with pain.
"You are to lead the hunt to find where Harry Potter is hiding and bring him to me.
"My Lord I thought he was somewhere we couldn't find him," Lucius asked and once again found himself under the throws of the spell.
"You are an imbecile like that fool of a Dumbledore or you're a fool Lucius in believing that. I received some rather startling but welcoming news the other day. It happens that he is no longer where Dumbledore put him and is indeed now on his own. I want him found and brought to me," Voldemort shouted and then put the curse on him once again.
"As you wish My Lord," Lucius replied shakily. "My Lord begging your leniency may I ask a question?"
"Do you know why the boy is not with Dumbledore or why he left his home," Lucius asked and steeled himself the best he could for another round of being under the Crucio.
"Ah Lucius my old friend, you have actually used that brain of yours for once. I am quite pleased to see that it hasn't been destroyed or dulled in the many years since I've been gone. As to your question that blasted boy disappeared when he found out the Dumbledore was using him and that his parents wee still alive," Voldemort replied his voice hissing the last part dangerously.
"My Lord, I thought that you killed the Potters?" The next thing Lucius heard was the curse being cast and finding once again on the ground writhing in pain.
"Do not ask a question unless you have permission too. And yes I too thought that I had killed them. But somehow how they did not die like the traitors they are and were in hiding all of this time," Voldemort said hissing still after he'd taken the curse off of a member of his inner circle.
"Yes my Lord I will not ask again without permission," the blond aristocrat said numbly, getting back to his kneeling position. "If you will, may I go and start on your plan?"
"You may but it had better be a good one or I will punish you yet again," the Dark Lord hissed and his red eyes glowed.
"As you wish My Lord," Lucius replied. "I will not fail you again." The blond gave a bow the best he could with his entire body shaking and aching from having been subjected to so many of the Crucios.
"Good get out of my sight. And you had better not fail me yet again. If you do then I will not be so lenient."
Knowing a dismissal when he heard it Lucius stood the best he could and gave his Master one final bow before slowly making his way out.
Voldemort leaned back in his chair and sneered as a thought struck him. He knew a way he could hurt Harry and now that he was stronger since his encounter with the blasted boy and Dumbledore even though he wasn't back to the level he had been at the beginning of the night he was by no means as weak as he had been when he fled. That night he would use his ability to weaken the boy, the bane of his existence. He'd make the boy weaker for Lucius and his fellow Death Eaters to capture him and then he would have his vengeance on the boy and all those who oppose him. A cold hissing laugh rang out in the room as he finished his plans and petted the head of his favorite and loyal servant Nagini.
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Over at the Burrow the day had turned out to be rather a nice one as the sky was blue with white clouds in it. The weather itself wasn't as hot as the previous day had been. Hermione, Ron and Ginny were out in the garden sitting and talking about what had transpired the other day when they saw Harry.
"I don't know about you guys but I wish I could living in an actual alive house like Harry," Ginny said wistfully.
"Yea I know what you mean. Things always happen to Harry," Ron said trying to keep his voice even.
"Ron don't be jealous. You know as well as we do that it's the best place for Harry to be," Hermione scolded the red head.
"I know Hermione but sometimes it's so hard and I can't help thinking about how everything happens to him."
"We should just be happy for him and be there to help him whenever we can," Ginny said.
"Ginny's right Ron and you know it. Last year we all made a pact to help one another and not get jealous."
"Your right and I'll try harder but it can hard," Ron answered now looking down at the grass. He absentmindedly played with some of it.
"So what do you guys think about Sirius being back," Ron asked changing the subject.
"I think its great, especially for Harry. We all saw how upset he was after that night. Now he has someone else he can go to," Hermione replied.
"I feel the same way. What about the way he did it," Ginny piped in.
"That was bloody brilliant. It sounds like something the twins would do," Ron said and he was beaming at what the man had done.
"Ron watch your language," Hermione scolded him. "I do have to agree that it was brilliant. It juts shows that he is still a marauder."
"There is one thing that is bothering me," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"What is it Ginny," Ron asked.
"Well we still don't why Harry's parents went into hiding without him. They never did say and I don't understand why they would have left him behind."
"I know what you mean Ginny, I feel the same way. There's just something wrong with the whole thing. I mean everything that Harry was told and told us his parents loved him a lot and died protecting him," Hermione replied.
"It just doesn't make any sense. Maybe we can find out," Ron added.
"Oh and how do you propose to do that," Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Ron said suddenly a little embarrassed that he didn't have any idea.
"Still I think it's a good idea. We just have to figure out how," Hermione replied absently as her mind was all ready going over ways that they could find out.
"There is still another problem."
"What's that Ginny?"
"Well Ron, we all know that they are going to try and get Harry back and he wants nothing to do with them."
"You're right Ginny, we should have thought about that sooner."
"We can't let that happen," Ron cried indignantly. "He's my best mate and I'd do anything to help them.
The two girls smirked lightly at one another knowing that they had been successful in getting the red head out of his funk about the way Harry was living and all.
"No Ron we can't but we don't even know how they're going to do it. There's just so many ways that they could go about it," Hermione calmly said.
"I guess we just have another thing that we have to work on," Ron added gloomily.
"What about his magic? "
"I know Ginny his magic is getting powerful. There's something wrong about it though," Hermione answered her friend.
"There's nothing wrong with it Hermione. He's just growing in to it and is coming into his inheritance a little early," Ron said.
"I know all about magic inheritances but his seems to be more then that."
"Did you read every book on it," Ron asked sarcastically. He had quickly duck as she leaned over to hit him upside the head. "Hey watch it."
"Children you need to come in here now," Molly shouted from the kitchen.
Their conversation was now cutoff as they quickly stood and brushed off their clothes and headed for the house lost in their own thoughts.
They had just stepped in when they heard the floo fire up and a crashing sound come from the living room. They ran out there along with Molly to see what all the commotion was about. They all began laughing even Molly when they reached the living room.
Tonks had heard about what had transpired the day before and she hurriedly left and flooed over to the Weasley's first. She didn't want to go to Harry and the others first as she knew she needed more help in what was going on, especially on how to inform Harry before the Owl got to him.
When the floo stopped instead of a graceful step out of the fireplace she ended up caught in her own robes and fell out falling over and taking the small table that was a little a ways from her. She crashed onto the floor with her robe pulled up to her waist and the table laying on her.
She heard the laughing and glared up at the four people in the door frame. She gave them a scowl. "All right that's enough, you all know that I'm a klutz," she said. "Could one of you help me here?"
Hermione and Ginny stopped their laughing and went over to help the young Auror untangle herself and stand up.
The five of them returned to the kitchen and sat down. Molly however didn't right away as she brought the sandwiches she had made for lunch to the table along with five goblets of juice for them.
"What brings you here Tonks," Molly asked as she sat down.
"Yea I thought you were still at work," Ginny asked before taking a bit of her sandwich.
"I'm at lunch at the moment and I have some bad news to tell all of you," Tonks said.
"Bad news, what's happened, is Arthur all right," Molly babbled afraid that her husband had been hurt.
"No Molly he's perfectly fine. This news has to do with Harry."
"What is it about Harry," Hermione asked afraid of what may have happened to her friend.
"I found earlier to day that there's to be a trial."
"A trial for what," Ron cried.
"Calm down Ronald and let Tonks tell us," Molly scolded her son.
"It seems that yesterday Dumbledore and the Potters convinced Fudge to have a trial in regards to Harry's custody."
"What! He's an adult thanks to Sirius," Ron shouted as he jumped to his feet.
Instead of reprimanding him this time, Molly gave him one of nasty glares and he quickly sat back down.
"That's just it," Tonks replied. "They somehow were able to convince the idiot that with Harry's parents back and Sirius alive his emancipation is no longer legal."
"How can they do that? I mean thought when he signed those papers nothing could void them," Hermione asked, her brow raised in a question manner.
"It's supposed to be that way Hermione. But somehow Fudge has found a way to get around it. I don't know how he did but he did," Tonks answered the girl.
It was then that Molly spoke up; her face had paled at the implications of what she had just been told. "This is not good, Tonks you remember what Harry said at the meeting."
"Yea Molly I do."
The three kids shared a look as if the suspected what they were hinting at. They had after all heard most of what was said or shouted but not everything.
"Mum, what did Harry say," Ginny asked.
Molly was about to tell them it was none of their business but saw their looks of determination and Tonks' nod that they should know. She shrugged her shoulders and gave a sigh before telling them. "He said that if anyone tried anything to force him back to the Potters he would leave and not go back to Hogwarts. He said he would leave and not help in the war at all.
The three friends all paled at what they were just told. Various Horrors were racing through their minds about Harry leaving them and the Wizarding world to fight against Voldemort.
None of them liked the idea of it having to come down to Harry and Voldemort but knew there was nothing they could after he had told them the prophecy before they left to come home. They all silently agreed to help him and be there by his side when that day came. Now however that day may come sooner then they wanted and not in the way they expected it to.
"He can't leave us," Ginny suddenly cried out.
"Ginny, you know he can and he probably will after this," Ron said.
"Then we just have to make him see that he is important enough to stray with us," Hermione replied calmly but there was a steely edge to her voice.
"Molly you do know what else he said don't you," Tonks asked.
"Yes I do and I know that that will probably happen more then him leaving."
The kids once again glanced at one another but decided they didn't want anymore bad news.
"Does Harry know," Hermione asked Tonks.
"No not yet. But an owl has been sent to him," Tonks replied with a shake of her head. "I don't know about you all but we should tell him before then. I'd hate to think what he's going to do when he receives it. Only thing is I'm a little worried with how his magic gets," Tonks replied and gave a shudder as if a memory of what happened the other day replayed in her mind.
"Tonks it doesn't matter, we have to be there. We have to tell him first. If he were to find out that we knew before him and didn't say anything he'd think we were on their side," Hermione said.
"I agree with you Hermione. We should go now. Do you still have time Tonks," Molly asked.
"Yes and I can just call my boss and tell him that I spotted a Death Eater and am trailing them,' Tonks replied with a mischievous smile forming on her lips and her hair changing from pink to neon blue.
With that all decided the five headed outside to catch the Knight Bus as the kids couldn't apparate yet. All three of the kids groaned about having to take the bus as they never wanted to be on that thing ever again after their first trip. Molly quickly shut them up and nearly had to drag Ron with them.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHHPHPHPHPHP
Earlier around eleven Remus and Sirius awoke in the study and looked around. They both stretched and yawned as they were just waking up. Neither one had really slept much but both had felt something lightly poke and prod them until they were awake. Remus was still very sore and weak from the night before. Sirius was as well but now it was just more from his muscles as he had overworked them and of course he still had pain in his side.
"Um, Moony where do you think Harry is?"
"I don't know Padfoot," Remus replied as he slowly tried to push himself into a full sitting position instead of stretching on the couch.
"Then I think we should go and find him," Sirius stood up but ended up sitting right back down as a wave of dizziness hit him. "Merlin, my head hurts."
"Pomfrey said that you would have some after effects of all those potions she gave you and she said you had hit your head pretty hard," Remus calmly replied.
"I know she did, but I didn't think it would be this bad. I feel like Buckbeak ran wild and trampled over me," Sirius moaned.
Just nodding his head in agreement Remus lay back down and closed his eyes.
A soft pop was heard and the two men turned to see Dobby standing in between them, a huge smile on his face. "Would Harry's dogs like some food," he asked the two men.
Both men's eyebrows shot up in question at what the House Elf had just asked them and said about them.
"Um yea that would be nice," Sirius asked. "Where is Harry," he asked almost as an after thought.
"Harry Potter, sir is in the library reading. Does dog want his Harry Potter," Dobby asked.
Sirius didn't know what to say and jaw dropped open at this. He could hear Remus lightly snickering over on the other couch. "Oh shut up you old wolf. It's not that funny and you're one of his dogs too." That did it; Remus shut up and mockingly glared at Sirius. "Yes Dobby could you tell him that we are awake.
"Yes I will do that and I will bring food," Dobby said before popping back out.
"You know Moony that is the craziest House elf I have ever met. He's so much better then Kreacher and funnier too."
"Yes he is that Sirius. And you know he adores Harry and would do anything for him," Remus replied calmly.
Soon they heard foot steps at the door and looked over to see Harry smiling at them as he walked in. They watched him as he took a seat in one of the chairs.
"So would one of you guys like to tell me what happened last," Harry asked. "I know you both should have been in your beds earlier then when you came staggering like you'd drank three bottles of Fire Whiskey each before you got here."
The two men looked uncomfortable to say the least at what Harry had just said to them. They looked at one silently communicating whether or not to tell him about what had transpired. Neither one wanted to do this as they were afraid he'd blow up at them for what they did, well at least what Moony did. Finally after several minutes they both nodded at one another before turning to look at Harry the best that could as he was sitting and they were still lying down. Before they could start to tell him of the events that had happened, Dobby popped back in with a tray laden with sandwiches and cups filled with tea. He laid it on the table between the men and asked if that was all they needed. With three nods and three thank yous, Dobby smiling brightly popped back out and to the kitchen.
The two men feeling their stomachs grumble slowly sat up and reached for a sandwich. Sirius took a bite of his first before starting the tale. Remus picked up a little ways in as he knew most of what happened as he witnessed it trapped in the back of his mind helpless to do anything but watch.
"Let me get this straight, you guys went from here in the highlands all the way to England last night," Harry said, his voice holding a little edge to it once he'd heard the tale. The two men could sense that he wasn't at all thrilled or happy about them having gone there.
"That's right Harry," Sirius answered his Godson, now looking down at his feet and finding them rather interesting to look at.
"How in bloody hell could the two of you do something so stupid," Harry snapped at the two men who were both looking down and feeling ashamed of what they had done. "Don't the two of you have any sense not to get yourselves in trouble or am I going to be forced to be the adult here."
"Cub we had no choice, the wolf was the one that did it. He considers you a pack member and was angry that they had treated you that way. You had never told either one of us the details about living with them. And since I had no control this month, he was in full control and went where he wanted," Remus tried to explain as calmly as he could. That was hard as even though he knew it wasn't actually his fault, he couldn't help but blame himself for it, especially as it had been his fault for not having gone to Snape for his potion like he always did every month.
"I know that, I'm not stupid after all. But I just can't understand how Sirius could have let you do it. He's there to help you with the transformation and keep you out of trouble," Harry anger evident in his voice but not enough to cause his magic to go wild.
"Harry I tried to stop him. I really did but the damn wolf wouldn't stop," Sirius said trying to get his Godson to understand exactly what he had done. It was then that he saw Remus' face fall in sorrow and new that he had said the wrong thing again. Groaning a little he turned to look at his friend. "Remus I didn't mean it that way it came out. It's just that when you don't have your mind and the wolf is angry, it's like trying to stop a brick wall from hitting you. And before you ask it's a strange muggle saying I think." This seemed to do the trick as Remus didn't look as hurt.
"I will admit that the wolf is and would probably be hard to control. At least that is the way it sounds from what you and the others have said," Remus stated knowing not to mention James or Peter with Harry there.
"Okay so the two of you went to my relatives. Did anyone see you? Did you kill them," Harry asked afraid of the answer. He wasn't sure if he'd be happy or sad if Moony had done something like that after the way he had been forced to live. Yet, at the same time he knew that killing for any reason was wrong.
"No kiddo we didn't. I was finally able to get Moony away from there and down to that park that I knew of and into the woods. The wolf scared the hell out of them though. But I do think your uncle was hurt pretty bad, he was trapped under the door and well," Sirius paused for a moment as he or Remus had yet to tell him this part. "Moony and I both did kind of jump on top of him a few times," he finally said.
"At least no one was killed and you weren't seen. I don't what I'd have done if one or both of you been killed or sent to Azkaban," Harry replied now the anger was seeping out of him
"Hey Kiddo you're taking this easier then we thought. We thought you'd be screaming at us for having gone to the Dursley's house," Sirius asked confused at Harry's attitude over this, especially as it seemed like the boys; anger was gone completely.
"Yes I am a little mad at the two of you for doing something so stupid like that, but you didn't kill them and didn't get caught, so why should I yell at you," Harry asked, a smile cracked on his face. Then suddenly he was able to clearly see Vernon trapped underneath the door and began to laugh. He had been trying to picture it ever since they told him about. The more he pictured it the harder he laughed.
They watched as Harry laughed harder and harder before he grasped his sides and effectively fell out of the chair when he doubled over. The two men were now looking between themselves and Harry trying to silently figure out what was so funny.
The two men shared a confused look as they tried to come up with a reason why Harry would be laughing about the situation. It wasn't a funny situation at all and someone could have been killed. Moony could have been killed if he'd been seen or caught.
"Harry what is so funny," Remus asked, turning back to look at the laughing Harry, laugh his head off. They watched as he laughed so hard he ended up doubling over and falling onto the floor.
""My uncle….You standing on him…..Trapped under door," Harry answered trying to rein in his laughter.
The two men just looked at one another and chose not to say anything. They looked back at Harry and saw that he was still laughing.
"Harry it's not that funny. He was badly hurt you know," Sirius replied dryly.
"I...I…Know Sirius but between picturing that and what you said about Aunt Petunia I can help myself. I wish I could have been there to see it," and with that said he kept on laughing.
Soon however his laughter stopped abruptly as Elsie spoke to him in his mind.
'Master, you have visitors at the door.'
'Who are they,' Harry asked, his thoughts clearly showing his wariness.
'Some of your visitors from the other day, Master. There are three of the red heads, the brown head that's bushy and the pink one but now it's blue. Is she a Metamorphmagus?"
"Yes she is. That you for letting me know.'
'Master if you'd like you can key anyone to that you want to have full permission to enter when you are unable to greet them.'
'That is a great idea. Before I do I want to know more about that,'
"Guys we have visitors, I will be right back," Harry told the others as he got up off the floor and headed out to the front door.
A couple of minutes later he had reached the door and opened to see Tonks, Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, Ginny and Ron all standing there. He saw Mrs. Weasley had been just about to knock when he opened it.
"It's great to see you all," he exclaimed happy to see his friends and the one woman who did consider a mother to him. "Why don't you guys come in?"
They all nodded and stepped in one by one. Harry closed the door as Tonks was the last one in and ushered them down to the study where Remus and Sirius were.
They all had sat down, Remus carefully sitting up so Tonks could sit by him as well as Ginny. Sirius did the same for Molly, Hermione and Ron.
"So what brings you guys here? I thought you'd be working Tonks. And I didn't expect a visit from the rest of until next week when it's my birthday," Harry replied.
On their way over they decided that Tonks should be the one to explain what was happening to Harry and the others as she new the full story. They just hoped that Harry wouldn't lose it again, but that hope was very little as they knew that the news would surely set him off.
Tonks was about to start when a large regal brown owl appeared in the room and flew towards Harry. He saw that it had a letter tied to one of its legs but he still slunk back not wanting to take it. At the same time Elsie spoke to him once again.
'Do not fear Master the owl means you know harm.'
'I know the owl wouldn't but what about the letter,' Harry asked unsure if he should take it.
'The letter is perfectly safe,' Elsie replied. If a house could sound bore then she would be at this conversation.
'Okay the letter is safe but how did it get in.'
'If an owl comes around me I can sense if it has any package or letter. If it means no harm and the item it is carrying is safe then I allow a window to appear for to come in.'
Harry didn't know what to think about this. So he decided to not think anything to the house and instead settled with a thank you.
He waved his hand slightly in a gesturing to the owl that it could come over to him. Once it had he carefully untied the letter before thinking the bird. The bird gave a hoot in reply and took off. Harry assumed that it was leaving.
He turned the letter over and a puzzled look came over his face.
"What is it," Sirius asked.
"It's from the Ministry," Harry replied still not taking his eyes off the letter.
He didn't see the others pale at hearing that. He also didn't hear the sharp intakes of breath either.
"What do they want," Sirius asked now suspicious.
"I don't know Sirius, but it's probably my O.W.L. results."
"They don't come out until next week," Hermione replied absentmindedly. As soon as the words left her mouth she clamped a hand over it and her eyes grew. She noticed that now all of the occupants in the room were looking. There were three there were giving incredulous looks and four giving angry glares. She knew that she had just screwed up.
Now curious more then ever at the letter, if not a little fearful as he hadn't received an owl from the ministry since last year when he used underage magic to protect him and Dudley from the Dementors. He was just about to open it when he heard a loud stop and did just that before looking up to see how had told him stop.
"How do you know what it is Tonks," Harry asked suspiciously.
Tonks gulped loudly as she saw Harry, Sirius and Remus' eyes on her. She could see the others all looking away trying to be inconspicuous.
"Yea cousin how do you know," Sirius echoed Harry's words.
"Um, well, I found out something today at the Ministry," the young Metamorphmagus replied a little cautiously knowing what she was about to tell the three men would undoubtedly cause an explosion.
"What about the Ministry," Harry asked a little afraid what he was about to be told.
"Harry before you do or say anything please let me say everything all right," she asked him as her hair began changing colors at rapid pace to show her growing nervousness.
"I'll try but no promises," Harry answered.
Seeing that was all she would get from the young boy sitting to her left she gave another gulp before starting in on her news.
So there you have it another chapter. I really do hope you liked it.
Note: The trial will be coming up in a few chapters. It's going to be one of those extremely explosive ones and may end up being two chapters.
Note #2: we will be seeing some of Harry training very, very soon. Also his Birthday will be coming soon. It will be a wonderful birthday but one for the history books. It's going to be a birthday for the ages or at least I hope it will be.
So please review and let me know what you thought.