Part 7
Disclaimer: All people you recognise from the books belong to JK Rowling. I own this plotline, Rosie Potter, Aurora Black and Brad and Lucas Lupin.
Author's Note: You people are in luck. I'm gonna be posting these things pretty quickly now. Whee. I got a couple of new CDs today. I got Savage Garden, Three Doors Down [Kryptonite kicks ass!], Bon Jovi [I love the song, "It's my Life". I'm listening to it now :)], and a couple of mixed CDs. Hah! I only have a half-day of school on Monday. *grins* Then, Hallowe'en! Yay! How many of you are going out as witches or wizards. I am! :) Anyway, n-joy dis part. :) Also, I have ideas for a sequel to this. ;)
Dumbledore....dead...the words barely registered in Harry's shock-numbed mind. Hardly anything was registering. Voldemort...it's his fault...the words ran through his mind. But....it's my fault too...he thought, if I have 'defeated' Voldemort, then this wouldn't be happening.
"Harry?" Draco's voice jolted him back to his senses. "Shouldn't we tell someone?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Harry swallowed and nodded, "Get Professor McGonagall." he said.
Aurora merely sobbed into his shoulder.
"Right." Draco said. He looked paler than usual as he raced out of the office to find McGonagall.
"How...how could he be dead?" Aurora sniffled.
"This is all my fault." Harry said softly to himself.
"What is?" Aurora asked, "Dumbledore's death?"
Harry nodded.
"How could it be? Why" Aurora asked, wiping away her tears.
"Voldemort." Harry said, "He's after me and my family."
"He is? Oh, Harry..." Aurora said sadly.
"See, Professor?' Draco had returned with McGonagall.
"Oh my Lord..." McGonagall said softly, raising a hand to her mouth and closing her eyes for a moment. Then she took a deep breath and stiffened, "Potter, go send an owl to the Ministry and wait for them to Apparate at the gate. Black, you and Malfoy go get the other teachers. It's urgent."
"Right, Professor." Harry nodded. He, Aurora and Draco hurried out of the office and down the stairs.
"I'll get the teachers on the third floor down. You get the rest." Draco instructed Aurora, still paler than usual. Aurora nodded and Draco took off.
"I'll go send the owl." Harry said to Aurora. He started down the hall, but she caught his sleeve.
"Harry, be careful." she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears again.
"I will." Harry promised.
Aurora then hugged him fiercly, "I love you...I would die if anything happened to you..."
"I'll try my best to be carefull." Harry said, gently breaking the embrace and heading off to the owlry. He broke into a run as soon as he left the castle, running all the way to the small stone building.
"Hedwig, I need you to take a letter to the Ministry, very quickly." Harry said to his owl, scribbling a note to the Ministry, explaining what had happened. He attached the parchement to his owl's leg.
Hedwig hooted and took off. Wasting no time, Harry sped out of the owlry and to the edge of Hogwarts grounds. He soon reached them, thanking the Sages for being in good shape from playing Quidditch.
He glanced around the area. There was forest surrounding the large stone gate and the road leading to Hogsmeade. Harry took out his wand. Suddenly, there was a pop behind him. He whirled around, wand held tightly in hand, to see a figure in a hooded cloak.
A Death Eater! he recognised one of Voldemort's henchmen.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't a Potter." the man in the cloak said. He had a icy voice with a drawl to it, much like Draco's. Harry's first assumption was that it was Lucius Malfoy, Draco's dad.
"I'm not afraid of you." Harry said defiantly. He had faced dragons, giant chess sets, mermen, grindylows, Dementors, Boggarts and a whole slew of other Dark creatures.
"You should be." Lucius laughed, pointing his wand at Harry's heart.
"The Ministry is on it's way." Harry said, ready to duel if necessary.
"Really?" Lucius laughed again.
"Yes, they are." Harry said, his temper rising.
"Crucio." Lucius said suddenly. Harry suddenly dropped to the ground, every atom in his body screaming in agony. But he concentrated on trying to break the curse.
Harry gritted his teeth to keep from crying out as burning pain coursed through his body.
"I don't see why the Dark Lord wants to kill a hapless teenager. But I suppose he has his reasons." Lucius said, his voice filled with sadistic amusement.
Break it, Harry! a voice inside Harry's head ordered. Harry concentrated every bit of his being on trying to break the curse. He managed to get to his knees. Up, get up! the voice commanded. Harry somehow, even though he was being put through intense agony, managed to get to his feet and point his wand at Lucius.
"Maybe the Dark Lord does see something ins you, after all, Potter." Lucius said, a bit surprised at Harry's strength. He removed the curse finally, eyeing Harry thoughtfully. Then he grinned evilly, "Expelliarmus." he said and Harry's wand went flying into the forest.
Damn. Harry cursed. This was the absoloute worst time to lose his wand. But...he had been able to use magic before...when he didn't have his wand!
It might work. Harry thought. Maybe if he concentrated hard enough. He held out his right hand towards Lucius.
"What on earth are you doing now, Potter?" Lucius's voice had a hint of amusement.
Concentrate. Harry ordered himself. To his surprise, he felt a warmth in his hand, "STUPEFY!!!!" he yelled, power flowing from his hand to hit Lucius Malfoy.
The Death Eater fell back, Stunned. Suddenly, more popping noises were heard. Ministry members and Aurors were Apparating. Harry just stood there, his hand outstreched.
"Harry, what's going on?" James asked, "Where's your wand? How did Lucius Malfoy get Stunned?"
"He attacked me...Cruciatus Curse...then Disarmed me...my wand is in the bushes...I Stunned him without my wand...Dumbeldore's dead..." Harry said dazedly.
"We'll go." Sirius most of the Aurors.
"Right. I'll stay here with Peter." James nodded. The rest of the Aurors [minus Pettigrew] hurried across the Hogwarts grounds.
"Are you all right?" Peter asked Harry, fake concern on his face.
"Fine." Harry said tightly.
"You're a bit shaken." James said to his son, worried. "Maybe you should get checked over at the Infirmary?" he suggested. Harry nodded and let his father lead him from the Stunned Malfoy and the rat-man.
Harry kept glancing suspicously back at Pettigrew and Malfoy until he could see them no more.
"The Dark Lord isn't gonna like this at all." Pettigrew muttered, wringing his hands, "Not at all."
-------------------------------
When Harry and his dad arrived at Dumbledore's office, it was a zoo. There were Aurors every where, questioning teachers, Aurora and Draco.
Suddenly, a familiar reporter that Harry knew all too well made a beeline for him, "Harry Potter, is it true that you predicted Dumbledore's death?" Rita Skeeter asked excitedly, holding a piece of parchement and her Quick-Notes Quill.
"No comment." James said sharply and let Harry away from the nosy reporter who was looking disappointed. "Never tell her anything. She'll blow it way out of proportion." he advised Harry.
I know that all too well. Harry thought ruefully.
"James Potter." Professor McGonagall hurried over to them, "Remus told me that Harry Stunned a Death Eater with his bare hands." she looked pale and anxious, "Please tell me that's not true."
"It is." James said tightly, "As if only to add to the trouble..."
"That about doubles your chances of him being after you and your family..." McGonagall said softly, as if trying to keep Harry from listening.
"Don't try to talk as if I'm not here." Harry said, a bit ticked, "I know that Voldemort is after us." he said.
"You do?" James and McGonagall stared at him.
"How?" McGonagall asked.
"Great. Lily didn't want me worrying you. Now she'll think I told you." James ran a hand distractedly through his unruly hair.
"James, I suggest you get a Secret Keeper." McGonagall said anxiously.
"Use Sirius or Remus." Harry said immediately.
"But they're too obvious." James said. "I should use Peter. Voldemort would never go after him."
"Don't!" Harry shouted, "Don't use Peter!"
"Why?" McGonagall asked, surprised.
"Hey! You can't come in here!" an Auror suddenly shouted.
Suddenly, a small blur came flying at Harry and James.
"Daddy!" Rosie flung her arms around her father.
"Hey! What're you doing here? Students aren't allowed." the Auror who had shouted earlier cmae running over.
"It's okay, Will. It's just my daughter." James said reassuringly.
"She's not supposed to be here." Will said angrily.
"Relax. Focus on the problems." James said.
Will just rolled his eyes and walked off, muttering about 'children who clould get their parents to do anything'.
"Rosie, why don't you go with Sirius for a few moments?" James suggested, trying to make his voice sound cheerful.
"Okay." Rosie left and made a beeline for Sirius.
"Secret Keeper?" James asked McGonagall.
"Yes. You need one." McGonagall replied, glancing at Rosie.
"Harry, why don't you want to use Peter?" James recalled what Harry had said before Rosie had interuppted them.
"Dad, just don't." Harry pleaded, he'll never believe me if I tell him the truth...he thought ruefully.
"James, why don't you take Harry and Rosie home and I'll send their things." McGonagall said, heading off.
"Why?" Harry cried, "I don't want to leave!"
"Harry, this is more serious than you think." James snapped. He then stalked off to where Sirius was talking to Rosie.
Why does everything have to happen to me? Harry sighed.
Author's Note: Poor Harry. I feel sorry for him. Well, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! :)