Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the books and movies of Harry Potter they are property of J K Rowling. This is merely a fan having fun with the world she has created.
Chapter 1: New beginnings
Silence. Complete and utter silence. The calm before the storm. A calm cloudless night, the full moon shone bright in all its glory, glimmering stars shining in the distance. Everything in sync, the scenery and its inhabitants holding their breath; in the presence of an unseen foe. The eerie silence only earned by the impending destruction and number four Privet Drive its focal point. Horrifically vivid nightmares raging wild and overwhelming one of its inhabitants.
Harry James Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, thrashed and fought in his bed, a battle against guilt waged in his mind. Pain and grief paving the way for rage, he woke up with a start, leaping out of his bed landing into a heap on the cold dusty wooden floor. A deep rumbling sound escaped his lips, as he shakily got to his feet. His head hung low; his mind blazing from the inferno that was his rage. He was sick and tired of it all, his hopelessness feeding his anger, allowing it seep into every fibre of his being. His magic soaking in his fury, giving it life, an opportunity to break free. The magic with in him surging, running wild and free, an emerald aura shimmering into existence covering the entirety of his body, thickening with every passing second. The air burning under the release of magic, becoming oppressive, coalescing into a storm. His arms flowing in autopilot, his hands shooting forward, blinding white bursts of energy lashing out at his dark meagre bedroom, passing through the protective storm he'd created to wreak havoc all in its path.
A few moments prior
Nymphadora Tonks sat by on guard duty at number four Privet Drive, the most important yet simplest task for the Order. This night however felt different. Nymphadora Tonks, protégé of the greatest Auror in history, was not taught to sit by unaware of her surroundings. The unnatural quiet of this beautiful chilly night put her on edge. CONSTANT VIGILANCE. The perfectly still night waving red flags to her, bringing Moody's bark to the forefront of her mind. Tonks pushed herself up to her feet, deciding it was time to survey the rest of the property. She managed to take all of two steps before blinding flashes of light escaping through a bedroom window caught her peripheral vision. A sharp lashing of a whip that accompanied every burst rang in her ears.
Tonks dove into action, allowing instinct to take over, immediately covering herself with the silencing, scent covering and disillusionment charms. Moving like a ghost in the night, she swiftly threw a silencing charm on what she now knew to be Harry's bedroom. Running at full tilt towards the back entrance. She intoned a quick "Alohomora," as she slipped through the barely opened door open. Rolling into the kitchen, taking cover behind the section in the middle. Taking a moment to gauge her surroundings, everything seemed too perfect. Her path clear, she carefully crept through the kitchen towards the stair case. Seeing the house devoid of life, she carefully made her way up the many steps towards the last bedroom of the hallway. Occasional flashes of white light streamed through the gap at the bottom of the door. Cautiously she threw the door open, hexes on the top of her tongue, only to come to a dead stop at what she saw inside.
Harry stood rigidly in the centre of the cramped bedroom. The air thick with magical discharge, a storm swirling around the very present aura, an extremely thick emerald green aura. His uncharacteristic dull eyes seemed to shine bright with rage, the fire in them visible, a typical to the usual warmth and compassion they exude. His face and body dripping sweat, no doubt from the sheer exertion of magic. What stopped Tonks dead in her tracks was the lightning strikes that Harry was using to destroy what little belongings there were in the room. Burnt marks spanned the length of the room, covering half the floor walls and ceiling. Burnt broken objects lay around the room, victims of Harry's assault. As fast as it seemed to have started, it ended even quicker. The aura dimmed and faded out of existence, the storm which had picked up debris deflated. Harry's knees buckled as he collapsed to the ground; too fast for Tonks to catch his fall.
Tonks snapped out of her stupor, ignoring the mangled state of the bed room, rushing forward to help him. Gently she rolled him over onto his back, checking for a pulse. Finding one, she started weaving through all the medical scans she knew.
"Harry? Can you hear me?" She asked urgently. Harry lay there, no response other than a weak groan. "Harry? I need you to wake up." She implored, hoping to keep him conscious.
"Tonks? Is that you?" Hoarsely whispered back Harry. Slowly coming back to his senses, his eyes fluttered open, confusion evident in them. His head throbbed, muscles ached in protest, his energy sapped and non-existent. "What's going on Tonks?" He questioned in a daze.
"I don't exactly know, Harry. I was on guard duty when I saw flashes of white light being released in your bedroom. I feared you were under attack, only to stumble across you tearing the room apart with your magic." She answered.
Harry rubbed his eyes attempting to clear the haze covering his mind. Clutching at straws to remember the last thing he was certain had happened. Flashes of his nightmare played across his eyes. The deaths of his parents, Cedric, Remus, his very own hell. Repeated over and over; the guilt becoming overwhelming. Hitting him at the force of a thousand tidal waves.
"I couldn't save them Tonks; they keep dying over and over. I can't stop it. Every time I close my eyes, I see their faces, I see them die, I'm forced stand by and watch." Whispered Harry, his eyes stung with unshed tears.
"I'm so sorry Harry, there's nothing you could have done. This was all their fault, the You-Know-Who and his death eaters caused their deaths, they're responsible. Never forget that, remember those that we've lost, mourn them and cherish them. Never for a second blame yourself for the actions of those monsters." Informed Tonks. Harry gave a weak nod in response. She finished her scans; deciding to switch topics to lighter topics.
"When was the last time you ate?" She asked worriedly, breaking the silence.
"I don't know." He replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
"Bear with me a moment, I'll be right back." Tonks stood up and swiftly made her way out of Harry's bedroom and down to the kitchen. Filling two glasses up with cold water, she made her way back up to Harry. Placing the glasses down on the unharmed bedside cabinet. Harry leaned back against the footrest of the bed. Crouching down, Tonks draped Harry's left arm over her shoulder, holding him across his back to help him stand. Harry staggered to his feet, practically carried by Tonks onto his bed, shifting so he could sit back against the Headboard. Tonks offered him a glass of water, which he gulped down in a few seconds, offering a sheepish smile in return, before taking the proffered second glass. Tonks set about repairing the damage in the room, multiple reparation charms and excellent use of her impressive transfiguration managed to remove any traces of tonight's activities.
"You've spent a lot of energy tonight, draining almost all of your magical core, you'll be feeling extremely fatigued for a few days. So, try to get plenty of rest." Instructed Tonks as she opened a compartment attached to her belt. A small silver box popped up, opening the box brought out various different coloured vials. She withdrew two vials, one murky yellow and the other thick blood red.
"Here, take these." Handing him the first potion. "The yellow one is a nutrient potion. It'll give your body exactly what it needs, you won't need to eat tonight. The red one is a pain-relieving potion, that'll help take care of any aches and pains, it'll wear off in the morning, but it should help you get some rest." He uncorked the first one, pinched his nose and downed it in one. Handing the empty vial back and taking the second one before repeating the process.
"Thank you, Tonks." Smiling a little as the potions settled in and started to work. Gently easing himself down on his bed to get comfortable.
"You're welcome," beamed Tonks. "Now, you get some sleep. I'll come by in the morning." Tonks patted him on the arm gently as he closed his eyes. It only took a few moments for him to drift off. She settled for watching over him from the chair seated by the desk at the window. Finally getting a chance to take in Harry's state, he looked terrible at the least. It was clear he wasn't handling Remus's death well, his face in its unconscious state showing the young sixteen-year-old teen he was supposed to be. None of the burdens of the war weighing him down.
Harry slept peacefully for the next ten hours, his extreme fatigue keeping him down and out. Stopping any potential chance of nightmares. He started to come into consciousness at 11:30 am. Letting out a groan, as he stretched his overworked limbs, clicks and pops being released from his joints. He sighed in content. Opening his eyes and moving to lean against the headboard once again. Getting his glasses on, he spotted Tonks reading at his desk. The groan of the shabby worn-out bed alerted Tonks of his waking.
"Wotcher Harry," she greeted merrily.
"Wotcher Tonks," her bubbly excitement setting Harry's mood, causing an unconscious smile to play across his face.
"How're you feeling?" she asked, looking at him intently, taking him in properly.
"Tired but I feel better, thank you." He replied honestly, getting up to stretch and to check the time.
"Harry, we need to talk about last night," she started slowly. "You could have harmed yourself fatally, you managed to do magic without your wand, it was similar accidental magic. It seemed your magical core tried to release the anger you were feeling. I can only assume it stemmed from your nightmare; you almost completely drained your magical core." She informed him.
"I don't know how it happened; I don't remember doing anything and I can't stop the nightmares." He breathed out in frustration. After a moment of thinking Tonks spoke up.
"Have you ever heard of occlumency?" She asked him.
"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore recommended I learn it. He had Professor Snape attempt to teach me." Tonks nodded in understanding.
"I see, well occlumency can be very helpful in protecting your mind and helping deal with any nightmares." She paused for a moment, something stuck out to her. "What do you mean attempt to teach you?" She asked, confused as she seemed to be missing something.
"See Snape was supposed to teach me occlumency but like potions he was useless. I've heard of occlumency but I have no understand of what it is. His lessons consisted of his one piece of advice and instruction, 'clear your mind', and also him attacking my mind constantly. Forcing me to relive every bad moment, over and over. Eventually he gave up on me and Voldemort had no issue in screwing with my mind." He told her. During his speech, Tonks's face darkened the more she heard, her face showing how appalled, annoyed and angry she was.
"That's not how you teach or learn occlumency," she replied icily, frustration and anger dripping in her tone. "That greasy git couldn't teach potions if a teaching for dummies guide smacked him across the face, never mind occlumency." Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she ran a few ideas through her mind. "Harry? How would you feel about me teaching you occlumency? I promise that it won't be anything like what Snape tortured you with. You see, Auror training requires a respectable amount of occlumency, and I still have my manuals at home. I could bring them over for you to look through, whilst helping you as an instructor, if you like?" She offered.
Harry was a little taken back, unlike many of the decisions concerning his life, this was wholly his choice.
"I'd like that, I'd like that a lot." He was silent for a minute. "When do you think we could start?" He asked excitedly. Her expression softened and she smiled in response.
"My shift ends in fifteen minutes, after that I'll head to my flat and bring the manuals over. You can read through those whenever you get the chance, I'd like you to try and get through the book before we attempt anything." He nodded in understanding.
"Right, I need to head out for the shift change. Try to get some rest and something to eat. I'll be back in a little." She told him as she made her way outside. Handing over guard duty to Mundungus Fletcher, she made her way to her flat thumbing through the stacks of books piled by the bedside. Picking out the various Auror manuals, she set them aside, taking out the books on occlumency and legilimency she made her way back to Privet Drive. Dropping off both books, she departed to Hogwarts.
Lime green flames roared to life as Nymphadora Tonks's face started to form in Albus Dumbledore's office. The scratching of quills came to a stop as paper work was shuffled aside. Dumbledore's head popped up, looking towards the sparkling flame as the face became more pronounced.
"Professor Dumbledore, are you there?" Called Tonks.
"Yes, I'm here. How can I help you miss Tonks?" He replied warmly.
"Sir, I need to report about my last shift at Privet Drive. Could I come through?" Dumbledore gracefully made his way to his feet, his cyan blue robes billowed as he strode towards the floo, allowing access through the wards to Tonks.
"Yes, please come on through." He stood patiently as the fire died down before coming to life once more. Spitting out Tonks as she stumbled through the fireplace. Managing to right herself before she fell to the floor, she cleared off the soot on her robes.
Dumbledore lead them over to the desk, standing behind his throne like chair, he motioned for Tonks to take her seat before easing himself into his own.
"Lemon drop, dear?" He offered as he cleared his desk a little. Tonks took one of the proffered sweets.
"Thank you, sir." Dumbledore merely nodded in response. "Sir, there was an incident last night with Harry. If you wouldn't mind using a pensive, it would make this easier to explain." He nodded in response, rising to his feet and moving around to a mahogany cabinet to the side. Opening the bottom compartment an ancient silver pensieve slid out, growing in size to reach waist height. Tonks withdrew the silvery strands of memory from her temples and dropped them in. They each put a finger to the swirling clear liquid diving into last night's memories and today's conversation. It was a serious and stern Dumbledore that appeared out of the pensieve.
"Thank you miss Tonks. You handled yourself exceptionally both last night and this morning. You did not need my blessing to offer young Harry help but you have my blessing nonetheless." He let out a deep sigh in frustration. "I was not aware of Severus's method in teaching; I must apologise to Harry and I shall be having words with Serverus." He stated as they made their way back to their seats. "Please keep me informed of his progress, if you need anything, anything at all to help Harry, don't hesitate to contact me." He offered with his grandfatherly smile. "Was there anything else you needed to discuss, dear?" He asked.
"No sir, that was all, I'll keep you updated and let you know if we need anything." She replied, standing to take her leave. He stood also, accompanying her to the floo.
"Have a good day miss Tonks."
"You too, sir." she replied as she threw a pinch of floo powder down and stepped through flames to her Flat.
Back at Privet Drive Harry sat aside his finished breakfast plate and started on the occlumency book. The book itself was three hundred pages, with the amount of free time he currently had, he'd get through the book in no time. The introduction went as follows: Occlumency one of the two mind arts. Occlumency focuses on synchronising one's magic with their mind, allowing for greater control and defence of the mind. Occlumency can be broken down into two different aspects that go hand in hand. The first being control of the mind, this part of occlumency allows for users to tap into their mind, creating what is known as a mind scape. A mind scape is a place familiar to an individual, the use of a mindscape is to store memories and emotions, occlumency can be used to organise them and store them as you wish. Allowing total control, essentially the individual has access to any memory they've experienced. A great example is storing books in your own personal library. The second use of occlumency is to protect the mind, with using your magic in sync with your brain, your magic will create natural defences to outside intrusion and attacks. These defences can be greatly improved with time and effort. Allowing for practitioners to fortify their minds, keeping their secrets to themselves. This manual will go on to explain both parts in depth, in the aims to help you master occlumency. Captivated by the introduction, Harry eagerly read through as much as possible. Taking occasional food breaks to rest a little. By 7pm he was finishing up the last few pages of the book.
Tonks arrived at 8pm two hours into her guard duty, deciding to have a little fun she knocked on the front door. Changing her appearance to appear more muggle-like, her spiky bubble gum hair straightened out to rest at shoulder length, taking on a matt black colour. Almost a minute later the door was answered by a skeleton of a woman. Her horse face, coupled with a sneer, telling much about the petty woman that was Petunia Dursley. This was one stuck-up woman.
"Yes, what do you want?" Petunia asked in a rude shrill tone. The lack of manners spurring Tonks on even further.
"Hi, I'm here to see my boyfriend." Tonks spoke sweetly putting on a faux innocent expression that Petunia bought. Petunia stepped back, shouting out to Dudley to inform him that his girlfriend was at the door. Inwardly she was surprised at the extremely beautiful woman he was dating. Turning back to the door she spoke out.
"He'll be a moment."
"Oh Mrs Dursley, Dudley isn't my man, my lover is Harry." Tonks beamed at her. As the words left her lips, Petunia let out a scream and fainted dead on the spot, her brain seemingly switched off, as she hit the floor with a loud thud. Harry ran out of his room at the sound of his aunt screaming, wand in hand, only to see an extremely happy Tonks skipping past his unconscious aunt. The sight had him confused.
"Wotcher Harry," she happily greeted him.
"Wotcher Tonks, what happened to my aunt Petunia?" He asked, somewhat amused by Tonks jovial mood and actions, as he led her back to his room. Narrowly avoiding Dudley and Vernon spotting them.
"I figured I'd have a little fun coming in but your aunt was quite rude, so I figured I'd have a lot of fun. When she opened the door, I told her I came to see my boyfriend, I let her believe it was Dudley. Before springing it on her that I was actually here to see you." At this Harry burst out laughing, there was no love lost between him and the Dursleys and he could appreciate a good prank. "I figured I'd make myself seem as 'normal' as possible to freak them out more." She joined in on the laughter. Unconsciously switching back to her spiky bubble gum hair.
"That's awesome, it actually makes sense." Still lightly chuckling at Petunia's confusion.
"So, darling how you doing?" She spoke huskily, batting her eyelashes at him. His face turned a fantastic shade of crimson as he lost the ability to talk. The mirth in her eyes and her laughter let him know she was only teasing him. It was a few moments before he actually responded.
"I'm feeling good, I didn't do much today other than read and eat. I've managed to get through the book for the first time. I finally understand what clearing the mind means, I'll get around to reading the second book. I finished the occlumency one, so I could start working on it as soon as possible." he answered still a little flustered. Tonks simply nodded in response.
"Excellent. Have you had anything to eat for dinner?" She asked him, seeing no signs of dinner in his bedroom.
"No, not yet." He mumbled.
"How about some pizza?" she offered.
"That'd be lovely." He replied hastily; the thought of tasty food was mouth-watering.
"Right, I'll only be a few minutes." She told him as she popped out to a takeout she regularly ate from. She returned a few minutes later after placing an order. Moving over to Harry's bed, they got comfortable. "The pizza will take about 30 minutes, I got us fries for the meanwhile." She said as she placed the box down in front of them. They ate in companionable silence. "How have the Dursleys been since we had to warn them?" she asked curiously.
"They've been better, they've taken to simply ignoring me over harassing me. We simply pretend that the other doesn't exist." Pausing for a moment before coming to some conclusion. "I'm just being careful not to start them off again by risking too much." He told her honestly.
"I see." She took a moment to look him over, thankfully being at Hogwarts for the majority of the year was doing him good. No longer was he the scrawny little boy, he was much healthier now. "Try to eat properly, if there are any issues, we'll sort them out. Anyways, did you have any questions about occlumency?" She swiftly moved to more a pleasant conversation.
"Actually, I did, when the book speaks about a mindscape, does the place have to be an actual location?" He asked.
"No, not really, the mindscape just needs to be something you're familiar with. It could be something you wish to happen or dream of. It could be this very room made with whatever changes you wish; it just needs to be something you're familiar and comfortable with." She left him to ponder on what his mindscape was. Heading out to collect the pizza, returning a few minutes later. As they both tucked in to the Italian masterpiece.
A/N: To clear up some of the questions this AU may have.
The power scaling for Dumbledore and Voldemort will be such that Dumbledore is a shade better than Grindelwald, who will be a shade better than Voldemort. Voldemort will have used various dark rituals to slightly surpass Grindelwald. However Dumbledore will still be a shade better without including the elder wand.
The prophecy will still matter, the view i will take is that its in play, meaning aslong as either Harry or Voldemort live, they won't die to others. If Harry were to die, Dumbledore would be able to take Voldemort out. So brings the challenge, does Dumbledore die before harry fulfills the prophecy? or will Harry die first, letting Dumbledore finish it? The possibilities are endless. Harry will be powerful but will take a lot to get him there, since the prophecy has him as Voldemort's equal, hes going to be so in far less time than Voldemort. There won't be any stupidity, as in having him out class Voldemort; He will simply have an impressive amount of potential.
Harry will be paired with Tonks, expect a long build up before they get together. Harry will be less forgiving, Hermione and Ron will not be as close because of what happened in the Goblet of Fire. Expect bashing for both and other Weasleys. Good Dumbledore. I hope to add a bunch of important fights.
This is my first story, any constructive criticism would be very much appreciated.