A/N: *does a dance as she has more reviews on this story than any other*

Disclaimer: I own the plot and Saerry Snape.  Everything else is JKR's.

Harry Potter and the Dark Defenses

Chapter 20 ***Plans***

"So Harry, what are you going to do now?"

"Mmm?"  Harry looked up from the game of Wizard's Chess he and Remus were playing to look at Sirius.  He had been concentrating on his next move and hadn't been listening.

"What was that Sirius?"

Sirius rolled his eyes and said again, "What are you going to do now?"

Harry looked back at the chessboard and made his move before turning back to Sirius and responding.  "I guess I'll just have to wait for Voldemort's first move."

"Speaking of moves, its your turn Harry," said Remus.

Harry turned back to the board and groaned.

"You took my rook!"

"I had the chance so I took it."

"Remus, your as bad as Ron."

The werewolf smiled and said, "Thank you."

Harry glowered at him and growled, "That wasn't a compliment."

"Really?"

"No."

Sirius laughed at the two of them as Harry moved a bishop, which Remus swiftly took with his queen.

"Not my bishop too!"

"You don't play this very well Harry."

"Well it has been seven years since I've had a go at it.  I never was good at it anyway."  Harry shrugged and carelessly moved a knight into a spot where Remus' bishop would easily take it.

Sirius shook his head at them and leaned back in his chair.  It almost seemed as if nothing had changed between them.  But it had and now that the whole world knew of Harry's going to Voldemort it would never be the same again.

Suddenly there was a knock on the front door and a voice called, "Remus Lupin?"

All three of them looked up and Remus replied, "Yes?"

"May I come in?"

"That would depend on who you are."

"Andrew Hampshire.  Minister Fudge sent me here to question you."

Remus looked at Harry and Sirius then at the door.  He asked, "About what?"

"The whereabouts of Harry Potter."

Harry rose silently from his chair, snatched up his wand and invisibility cloak, and vanished into the kitchen.  Sirius looked after him for a moment then became a great black dog.  Remus rose during all of this and headed for the door.  He waited until Sirius was transformed and he heard no noises from the kitchen before opening the door.

Andrew Hampshire blinked at Remus' gray patched brown hair and tattered robes before asking, "May I come in?"

"Of course."

Remus stepped aside and motioned Sirius out of the chair he was still sitting in.

"Mr. Lupin."

"Yes?"

"Do you know where Harry Potter is?"

"I'm afraid I don't.  What makes the Minister think I do?"

Andrew shrugged and replied, "Perhaps it is the fact that you were once Potter's teacher."

Remus nodded.

"I was.  But that doesn't mean he would come to me."

"The Minister thinks otherwise."

Remus snorted and growled, "The Minister thinks I'm a danger to society."

Andrew arched an eyebrow and Sirius laughed silently.  Apparently the man had no idea what Remus was.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, so you weren't told.  No matter."

"Mr. Lupin…"

"If that's all your questions I'd like you to leave.  I've had a long day and need some sleep."

"But…"

"Good day Mr. Hampshire."

Andrew glared at Remus then stalked out of the tiny house, Apparating away with a pop as soon as he was outside.

Remus shut the door and locked it, leaning against it with a sigh.

"That was almost too close."

Sirius transformed and nodded in agreement while Harry came out of the kitchen, looking flustered and a bit angry.  He snarled, "I'm beginning to really dislike Fudge."

Sirius laughed and joked, "Just beginning to?  Harry, where have you been?"

"Everywhere but here."

"Ah, that explains it."  Sirius threw up his hands, causing Harry and Remus to chuckle.

"I should leave."

"No!  You leave and then what?  You'll get caught and sent to Azkaban."

Harry looked at his godfather and said, "It seems your now in the position I was seven years ago."

"Mmmm?"

"I was always worried that I would wake up one morning and get news that you had been caught."

"Oh…"

Remus sighed and peered out of the drawn curtains on a window.  He said, "The sun is setting."

Sirius asked, "Your point Moony?"

"My point Padfoot is that the sun is setting.  Harry, why don't you stay here one more night then leave tomorrow?  We can send an owl to Dumbledore in the morning to tell him what we're doing."

Harry nodded.  "Alright.  Do you have anywhere to sleep that's more comfortable than the kitchen table?"

Remus chuckled and replied, "We have the couches.  That's pretty much it unless you'd rather have one of the chairs."

"Couch."

Sirius cried, "NO!  I GET THE COUCH!"

"Over my dead body," growled Harry."

Sirius grinned.

"I'm sure we can arrange that."

"PADFOOT!"

"Oh calm down Moony, I was just joking."

Remus scowled and stalked off into his room, shutting the door behind him.

"Grumpy fella ain't he?"

Harry shrugged and flopped down on one of the patched couches.  He closed his eyes and mumbled, "Probably because last night was a full moon."

"Good point."

"G'night Sirius."

"You're not going to sleep!"

"I most certainly am."

"Oh no your not!"

"Sirius, I swear if you try and keep me away until all hours of the night I'll hex you from here to next year."

"Touché."

"No, tired."

Sirius chuckled and flopped down on the other couch.  He yawned and mumbled, "G'night Harry."

"Oh now your going to sleep."

Sirius' reply was a snore.  Harry shook his head and huddled down into the couch.  In a few moments he too was asleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry ended up in the cemetery again, the crumpled bodies of the Death Eaters surrounding him.

"Oh no.  Not again."

"Yes, again Potter."

Harry turned and his scar burst into pain.  Voldemort stood not three feet away from him.

"Hello Harry.  Want to know who I'm going to kill first?"

Harry shoved the pain in his head out of his thoughts as he had done for seven years and snarled, "Yes."

Voldemort clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Mmm, sorry.  I can't tell you.  Must be a surprise.  Its so much better that way."

Harry howled, "Damn you!"

Voldemort threw back his head and laughed, forcing Harry to cover his ears from the horrid sound.

"Tsk tsk Potter.  You never were this outspoken under my hand.  Perhaps you'll return?"

"When hell freezes over will be the day I return to you Voldemort!"

"Such a pity.  CRUCIO!"

Pain ripped through Harry's body and he fought to get enough air in his lungs to scream.  Despite the fact that he had felt the curse at least a dozen or more times before, it still hurt like hell.

A moment later the spell was gone and Voldemort laughed again.  He leaned down and Harry's head felt like it would burst from the pain in his scar.

"I think I will tell you who will die first.  Your dear godfather Sirius Black."

Harry gasped, or tried to, and struck out at Voldemort.  But none of his limbs wanted to move.  All he could do was lay on the ground and listen to Voldemort and the splitting pain in his head.

Voldemort turned and began to walk away.  He stopped and called over his shoulder, "And don't bother trying to protect Black, Potter.  He'll be in my hands by the next full moon."

Harry clenched his fists as Voldemort began to laugh…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry shot up off the couch, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.  Frantically he looked around and saw Sirius half on the other couch and half on the floor.  His cheek was pressed against the carpet and his position didn't look comfortable but as he was still asleep Harry didn't dare move him.

Shivering, he pulled his robes tightly about him, recalling the dream he had just had.

Voldemort's laughter still rang in his ears…

An hour passed before Harry was able to sleep again and even then his recalling the dream awaked him.

A/N: Ah, that was fun.  Now Harry knows Sirius is to Voldie's first victim.  But what's he gonna do about it?  *shrugs*  I have no utter idea.  That's a very bad thing.  *looks around*  Where's Sâerwy?  SÂERWY!!  *growl*  Blasted muse.  Never around when you need um!  *stalks off to hunt down her muse*