AN: Well now that I'm back writing again I'll try to improve as I go. I won't respond to all reviews but if you are genuinely confused and need clarification I'll do my best to include clarification in a chapter or an authors note to help. I know im not a professional writer so I don't expect everyone to like my style or for my writing to be perfect.
In response to DeliaDee thanks for your support and yeah I'm glad I included it too. The part about Ginny though I would like to clear up something that's always bothered me. I feel like shes written a little over the top in most stories. But that specific situation was meant to push her buttons to the point she would be that angry. She was raised with six brothers. I can't speak for anyone but my own experience but growing up as a guy generally violence is just fun for us. We wrestle and screw around. It doesn't always end well but thats how you learn your own strength. Being raised with boys she would pick up that kind of thing. The reason I've always felt people focus on it so much is because shes a girl and its less normal. I'm trying to write her as a person and be loyal to her character, and not take my own expectations to the character. In my opinion she's never seemed overly violent. She hit Harry because he was being an ass in that situation. Could she have handled it differently? Absolutely but its Ginny in that situation so her reaction is much closer to a masculine reaction than if it was Hermione in that situation. Sometimes as guys we need a good smack to get us on track. I hope that clears up some of my thought process for you at least. Again thanks for your support.
As always I own nothing you recognize and only my imagination.
Chapter 12: The Beginning of the End
The rest of the summer passed in a blur for everyone staying at the Potter House. They were mostly cut off from the outside world except for those whose jobs were at the Ministry. September the first started exceptionally early for Harry. His eyes snapped open and he hummed with magical energy. One of the alarm wards had tripped alerting him to the presence of intruders near the boundary. Harry leapt out of bed throwing on jeans and his trainers. He grabbed his broom then and launched himself out the window speeding towards the section of wards that had alerted him. The only noise that could betray his presence to anyone on the ground was a slight whistling whooshing sound that accompanied the brooms flight at speed. He pulled up hard circling higher until he was nearing the upper limit of the wards at least this far out. He took a breath and closed his eyes concentrating. Upon opening them he could now see the twisting and flowing magic around him. Only the strongest of which were visible to him. He could still only see the magic inside other people and on rare occasions extremely powerful magical remnants like wards or where one the Unforgivables had struck. A bright spark of acid green drew his eyes immediately. Harry's eyes narrowed, the speck was far too small to be a wizard or witch. Then it dawned on him. Harry dove after the speck catching it and taking the beetle in his hand before turning towards the house. "Hello Rita. I thought you were going to leave us alone?" His voice dripped with derision and anger. The beetle glowed and swelled then shrunk back to a normal beetle. "No none of that now. As long as you're inside this property you'll need permission before transforming and I don't think i want you to be human again just yet. Also don't ask me how it works. I have no idea either."
Harry flew back to the house and grabbed a jar from the kitchen. He cast several spells of binding and containing on the jar before placing Rita Skeeter inside. Harry sent the jar to sit in one of the closets along the main hallway then looked around. "Well I'm awake. Might as well make myself useful." He began to make breakfast for all of those who currently lived with him. Bacon, eggs, toast, sausages, and more the smell of pancakes was wafting through the house when a crack sounded behind Harry and a frantic pair of voices sounded behind him.
"We is sorry Harry why is you cooking breakfast this is a house elfs job!" Both elves tugged at his T-shirt.
"No problem I actually enjoy cooking. You can can clean up though if you insist on helping." Harry laughed at the relieved expressions on their faces.
Less than five minutes later Ron stumbled into the kitchen bleary eyed but clearly following his nose. "Morning mum I..." Ron stopped when he saw Harry. "What are you...wait did you cook Harry?" The perplexed expression on Ron's face drew a soft chuckle from Harry.
"Yeah. I did Ron. I've been able to cook for awhile. This isn't new."
"True but you're almost as hard to get out of bed as I am. Why are you up already?" Ron's expression grew more serious as he finished his question. He knew only a few things would get Harry up that early. To Ron's surprise however Harry grinned evilly.
"Well lets say a friends of ours decided to 'BUG' us again." Harry raised his eyebrows as he said bug. Just in case Ron's sleepy brain didn't catch his meaning immediately.
"Ohhh shall we go wake Hermione?" Ron asked as his face grew into an identical evil grin to Harry's.
"Why would you wanna wake Hermione?" Ginny asked as she strode through the still open door making both boys jump about a foot in the air. She made her way over to Harry giving him a kiss before starting to grab food. She looked expectantly at them both waiting for an answer.
"Well remember those articles during the Triwizard tournament that made no sense how Skeeter found out?" Harry looked at Ginny who nodded in confirmation so Harry continued. "Well lets say Hermione figured out how and the rest I will explain later."
Ginny shrugged and smiled. "Sounds good to me." She then began wolfing down the food as only a Weasley could.
Over the next half hour or so the rest of the household made their way to the kitchen. Arthur and Kingsley only briefly to grab food and explain the plan. "...and the lot of you are simply flooing to Dumbledore's study. We aren't going to mess with the train this year." Arthur finished before stepping into the fire after Kingsley.
The rest of the morning was spent getting belongings together. That is until the two house elves had finally had enough. They pulled Harry aside. "Harry please let us take care of everyones things. It will be so much easier, please?"
Seeing the looks of genuine concern and stress on their faces Harry relented. "Of course. Just tell everyone before you take their things."
Each elf hugged one of his legs before snapping their fingers and vanishing with nearly identical cries. "Thank you very much Harry sir."
Harry shook his head before going to find Ron, Hermione and Ginny. After dragging the three of them to the closet he grabbed the jar showing them all. Ron guffawed, Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed exasperatedly, and Ginny looked around at them all like they were crazy. "Whats a beetle..." Ginny began before Hermione interrupted her.
"Its Rita. Shes an Animagus." Hermione's eyes narrowed angrily at the beetle who buzzed angrily at her.
"You're joking right?" Ginny looked at each of them in turn ending with Hermione.
"Nope." Harry stepped back and vanished the glass before casting a bright blue spell at the beetle. Rita Skeeter expanded before them sprouting from the beetle in an instant. "Hello Rita I thought..." Harry looked closer at her then stepped back. "She's been Imperiused." The other three drew their wands warily watching Rita. Harry stunned her a moment later. "We need to get her to Hogwarts. It must have been Voldemort. I couldn't even budge the curse on her."
"But you didn't..." Ron began to say before trailing off looking solumn. "Can Dumbledore break it?"
"I don't know Ron. Perhaps the two of us together can. But... I really don't know." Harry shook his head sadly.
Less than ten minutes later everyone who was returning to Hogwarts was already there. Harry, Dumbledore and an unconscious Rita were all that remained in the headmasters study.
"Imperiused you say Harry?"
"Yes sir. Its unmistakable sir."
"You are quite right Harry but what makes you think it was Voldemort?" Dumbledore watched Harry over his steepled fingers.
"Because sir aside from yourself I have yet to come across an example of magic I cannot at least bend. Modern human magic at least. I can only sense the strongest of magic so far."
"That is to be expected. Your ability will advance with time. As to your first point it seems Voldemort is growing more cautious."
Harry looked over at the cot Dumbledore had conjured for Rita then back to Dumbledore. "How is this more cautious sir?"
"Can you think of nothing Harry?" Dumbledore sighed the sound seeming equal parts disappointed and tired.
Harry felt his face grow warm. "Wait..." Harry thought furiously and like finally finding the piece of a puzzle he was looking for it clicked. "We are the only ones who can tell it was him."
"Partially correct Harry. Using the method we can use to its semi-limited scope yes we are the only ones I am as of yet aware of. However there are other methods. More importantly Harry is that not only is he using methods that cannot be definitively traced he is using puppets that are much more intelligent choices. Tell me Harry why would Rita be a better choice for Voldemort than any random witch or wizard?"
Harry's answer was much quicker this time as the answer was obvious. "Because of her public status?"
"Again partially correct. Her public status is helpful. But more helpful is her established relationship with you and your friends. It is common knowledge you do not get along. If she were to go missing while digging into something related to you or your friends much suspicion could easily be directed at you and your friends." Dumbledore was now pacing behind his chair glancing at Rita occasionally.
"So either we have to break the curse or just let her go, don't we?"
"Indeed Harry. So let's get to work before the day grows any older."
The next few hours passed in a blur for Harry. The magical strain and the stress blending the midday hours into an unreadable span of time. Afternoon came before both men, young and old, collapsed in their chairs exhausted. Harry reached out and pushed some of his magic into his mentors body. As he did so the black stain that had been growing in Dumbledore's magic receded somewhat. Dumbledore straightened slightly his body no longer appearing quite so crumpled, his posture improved. "Harry, what exactly did you just do?"
"I'm not sure but it felt like what happened with Tonks." Harry replied
Dumbledore looked at him quizzically for a moment before speaking. "When the time comes Harry you have to be ready to let me go." The tone of his voice conveying sadness, compassion and resignation.
Harry locked eyes with the older man, electric blue meeting emerald green. "But sir..."
Dumbledore interrupted before Harry could continue. "No Harry. It will not be easy but you will have to let me go. Death is but another path. One that we all must take."
Harrys throat constricted slightly and he looked out the window. The sun was beginning its decent to the horizon. "Do you think we managed to break the curse professor? I'm too exhausted to even feel the magic anymore."
Dumbledore accepted the change of topic with equanimity. "I believe so but let us wake her. That will be the truest test. First Harry drink this." Dumbledore reached into his desk handing Harry a tiny flask. "Its an Invigorating Draught, of my own design."
Harry swallowed the liquid in a single gulp and he nearly choked. The liquid seemed to blaze down his throat, but it was not the fiery burn of alcohol. It seemed to fill his insides with ice as it passed. The sensation seemed to wake him up and he felt his energy return. As soon as it came the icy chill faded. Leaving only a slightly bitter aftertaste and fading buzz like tv static. "That was...strange?" Harry handed the flask back to Dumbledore who vanished it with a wave.
"A most peculiar sensation to be sure. Now to the task at hand." Dumbledore stood waving his wand again and Rita jolted awake scrambling back in terror. "Ms. Skeeter it is quite alright you are safe."
The look of panic was washed away as she realized where she was and who was actually there. A moment later she simply collapsed in a dead faint. "Well Harry I suppose I will see her to the Hospital Wing. You should go join your friends it should only be two or three hours before the train arrives."
"Yes sir!" Harry was glad to have been able to help but all the same less contact with Rita Skeeter the better in his experience.
Only about three hours later Harry and the others found themselves at the Gryffindor dining table in the Great Hall. As the first years made their way to the front of the hall following Professor McGonagall Harry was studying the crowded students already at tables. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary he relaxed. There was something wrong though, and it kept bothering Harry for the next few minutes. As the final names were being read for the sorting Harry realized what was wrong. Neville hadn't returned for the year.
Seeing the sudden sadness on Harry's face, no matter how fast he hid it, Ginny leaned in and hugged him. "I miss him too. We'll see him again."
Harry didn't question how she knew what had bothered him. At this point she seemed to know him better than even he did. Harry leaned into Ginny sliding his arm around her waist and gently resting his chin on top of her head. They stayed that way for only a few moments but for Harry it was more than enough. It reminded him what he still had, and why he was fighting. After Ginny straightened to continue eating Harry looked around the room again. This time looking at the people around him, and not the potential threats. He saw smiles aplenty but belying the cheerful atmosphere was a tension that he was all too familiar with. Harry returned to his food once more ready to face the world.
As the puddings were appearing Harry felt somewhat ill at ease and he looked up at Dumbledore. To Harry's surprise and alarm the Headmaster was looking at him then glancing at the main doors. The message was clear. 'Seal the door behind you.'
Dumbledore stood facing the outer wall of the Hogwarts grounds. His eyes were closed but he was by no means blind to the world. No just like the young man next to him he was attempting to 'see' the magic around them. When Harry gasped it was only a second before Dumbledore knew why. The wards around the castle were under attack.
Harry felt he was flying as he sprinted towards the property line on the far side of the Quidditch stadium. There were now visible flashes of light, but to Harry's eyes there were far too few. "Whats Voldemort playing at?" He growled aloud to himself. As Harry drew within range he fired a volley of stunning spells into the group of what were now clearly Death Eaters. He saw three unconscious bodies fall. He kept moving hoping his silent casting and continued movement would throw them off his location, if only for a moment. However the Death Eaters vanished seconds later, and were replaced by a creeping chill. Harry felt the all too familiar cold creeping over him as his breath began to fog. He skidded to a halt as he tried to decide what to do. A flicker of movement to his left caused him to glance back towards the castle. Harry's blood ran cold. The Dementors weren't coming for him. No they were almost to the castle doors. Harry took off immediately. Moving faster than he ever had before. The thought of anyone suffering from the Dementors driving him forward. A blaze of silver drew his attention, the beautiful silver phoenix soared across the grounds. Harry once again slid to a stop and delved deep inside himself dragging out all his best memories. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry bellowed pushing his magic as hard as he could. The stag seemed to gallop into existence already charging the mass of shadowy figures. Caught between the hammer and anvil of the two powerful patronus' they seemed momentarily confused and broke, scattering towards the boundary. Something was different this time. Harry's stag continued after the fleeing dementors, continuing far beyond its normal range from Harry. It remained galloping back and forth in front of the castle until the last vestiges of cold melted away, and then it turned. Walking up to Harry and bowing its head as it had that night in his third year before it too dissipated into the now comfortably warm air. Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore and his smile faded. The older wizard was leaning heavily on the castle wall and the blackened skin of his hand was now visible, and stretched to past his wrist disappearing into his sleeve.
A soft wheezing voice came from Dumbledore. "Remember Harry. You need to let..."
Harry moved forward. Knowing what Dumbledore was talking about and knowing he didn't care. He wasn't going to watch his mentor die before his eyes. Not if he could help it. Harry raised his hand and rested it on Dumbledore's shoulder before concentrating. He felt his magic deep inside. More clearly than he ever had before, a deep resonant pool that hummed with energy. Then he willed it to change the world. He willed it to wash away the dark stain spreading through Dumbledore's magic as well as his flesh. The last thing Harry knew was the sensation of a coursing river of energy pouring through him, and yet the black did not recede.
AN: We aren't to the war yet but I figured it was about time to see the world through some of its darker angles. I enjoyed writing all the story so far but its about time to get to some slightly darker moments. Without them the bright moments become duller and less vibrant. Thank you all for reading!