Disclaimer: Another reminder that I own nothing.
Chapter Four
Harry ran as quickly as he could down the street. He didn't even stop as he burst open Mrs. Figg's door. He was a little excited though, and sent the door flying into the opposite wall. He saw nothing that there didn't seem to be any immediate danger, but Mrs. Figg was nowhere to be seen. Just then Albus Dumbledore appeared surveying the scene with weary, sad eyes. When he saw Harry he immediately drew his wand and aimed it at him.
"Professor?" Harry said startled and taken aback. He couldn't remember having done anything that would make Dumbledore react like that at first sight. Then he remembered how different he looked, and mutely pointed to his scar.
"Harry!" he said in a relieved tone. "I'm sorry about that, but you look much different than when we last spoke, and I was a little jumpy. I'm sure you've noticed that the Dark Mark is hovering over the house as we speak," he said sadly, without the usual sparkle in his eyes.
Harry nodded, and asked something he had been thinking about since the third task, "Professor, Mrs. Figg is the Arbrella Figg you mentioned last year isn't she?" He was already fairly certain that he was correct, especially since Death Eaters attacked her.
Dumbledore was about to reply when a large group of people suddenly appararated around them with there wands drawn. Dumbledore looked like he was about to blast them all to the moon before he noticed they were from the Ministry of Magic.
Arthur Weasly was with the group, and ordered them to lower their wands. "Hello Albus," said Mr. Weasly gravely. "We arrived to late didn't we?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Dumbledore nodded glumly, "Yes, but I suggest you run a search through the house. Arbrella's body doesn't seem to be here so she may still be alive. Then once you finish you'll need to take down the Dark Mark. Then there are muggles who will need there memories oblivviated," he said wearily gesturing to a group of muggles gathering outside.
Arthur nodded, "We would have been here sooner if it wasn't for that damn Cornelius Fudge! He's still denying Voldemort's return! How are we supposed to fight Voldemort if nobody knows he's there? But Fudge just says that we're determined to create chaos, and that he'll send us all to Azkaban if we say anything."
"That is most unfortunate. I was hoping that Fudge would have acknowledged his return by now," Dumbledore said shaking his head sadly. "But we will talk more about that later. Right now you all have work to do, so you best get to it."
As soon as he said that the crew from the ministry split up, and got to work. Some were busily searching the house for clues while others were erasing the memories of the muggles. The Dark Mark quickly disappeared.
"We'll have to move you somewhere else Harry. It's no longer safe now that Arbrella is gone, because she was you're Secret Keeper," Dumbledore said tiredly.
At that moment Remus Lupin appeared with a large black dog. "We came as soon as we could," he panted. "Arbrella's dead isn't she?" he asked grimly.
"I don't know Remus, all I know is that she was captured by a group of Death Eater. We still have hope that she maybe alive, however if she is she would probably rather be dead. I already have Severus trying to find out, but he may have trouble."
"What about Harry?" Remus asked obviously not recognizing the teenager next to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled and for a moment the sparkle returned to his eyes, "He's right here in front of you Remus, as a matter of fact we were just discussing what to do with him right now. Perhaps we should talk about this somewhere a little more private though," he said looking meaningfully at the dog at Remus's side.
Remus mutely nodded still staring at the remarkable change Harry had gone through, and they all followed Dumbledore inside. When they were inside Sirius transformed into a human, and enveloped Harry in a bear hug. "You look…different than last time I saw you," he noted looking at Harry.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Harry said dryly. "But seriously, I'm glad that you're here, and Remus too."
"Now then Harry, what are we to do with you. Since Arbrella's been taken, and possibly killed, it's obviously unsafe for you to be here," said Dumbledore. Sirius and Remus to busy gathering old friends to help us fight against Voldemort, so they can't take care of you either. I suppose Hogwarts is the only place where you're really safe… yes. It's the only way; you'll be staying at Hogwarts."
Harry couldn't think of anything that would make him happier. "Yes sir. Hogwarts is my real home anyway, and I wasn't thinking of going back to the Dursleys. I already have all my stuff with me and the Dursleys will be there's no point in talking to the Dursleys, as they'll be overjoyed that I'm not going to stay with them anymore."
At this Sirius frowned, "Harry, why do you have all of your things packed, and in your pocket? Who performed the magic that would shrink your trunk and lighten the weight?"
Harry wasn't sure what to say about his trunk, but he could tell about the Dursleys.
"Vernon called my mother, a bitch, so I decided I had enough." Answered Harry truthfully, but not telling the whole story.
When Harry said this both Remus's and Sirius's eyes flashed dangerously. "Could you excuse me for a moment?" they said flatly, they're voices one. They walked into the kitchen, and Harry saw to fists come out of the wall, and several explicatives muttered. Harry made a mental note never to make either Sirius, or Remus angry. Then they returned looking like people yearning to kill someone, but using all of their will to control themselves.
Dumbledore's eyes were glittering dangerously, but he wasn't making any holes in the wall with his fist. He was just a statue. Finally he seemed have control of himself, and the sparkle returned to his eyes.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten about his trunk in there anger, which Harry was very grateful for. He had a feeling that it just wasn't time to let anybody know yet, though he figured that he'd probably be telling Dumbledore soon. It wasn't Harry's nature to lie, but he also had learned to listen to his instinct, and it apparently didn't think it was time to say anything yet.
"All right," said Dumbledore, snapping every one out of their angry thoughts. "Harry and I will return to Hogwarts and Sirius and Remus will go back to their task. I expect that I will see you both within the next couple of days." He threw some floo powder into the power, and said "Hogwarts."
Then Harry went to follow suit. Waving goodbye to his parents old friends he stepped inside and said "Hogwarts."
Harry hated traveling by flu powder. He kept his elbows to his eyes watching the fireplaces zooming by, and spinning faster, and faster. He finally reached his destination, and succeeded at staying on his feet. He stepped out into the Great Hall, which was eerily empty and quiet without all of the students.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, Harry" Dumbledore said placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry grinned as a reply. It was good to be home.
"I suppose you'll be staying in you're dorm room so you should probably go unpack you're things. The password is Gryffindor. When you're ready for lunch just go to the kitchens, and I'm sure the house elves can cook something up for you. I trust you know a way into the kitchens," asked Dumbledore his blue eyes twinkling merrily.
Harry blushed and mumbled, "Yes, sir."
"That reminds me!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "I believe this is yours." He said handing Harry a piece of parchment that he recognized as the Marauders' Map.
"Now if you'll excuse me Harry I have a lot of work to due after this morning's tragedy," he said suddenly looking every one of his many years.. "I trust that you'll stay on the grounds of course." He added before leaving."
After a couple of days at Hogwarts Harry was beginning to become bored. He didn't really feel like flying, which is what he had spent most of his time doing since he arrived, and Hagrid was on some mission for Dumbledore. Harry wasn't supposed to know what it was, but was pretty sure that he was with Madame Maxine trying to convince the Giants to go against Voldemort.
Harry finally decided to go outside, and practice some of his power. He walked to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and transformed into a large silver wolf with green eyes, and a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Harry had become partial to the wolf. It was Harry's favorite animigus form. The wolf was a dignified, independent creature. He could run like the wind, and had a virtually inexhaustible stamina.
Harry ran for a long time just enjoying himself. He ran quickly with his paws barely touching the ground. It gave him a feeling of freedom, and he let all of his troubles fall off him. When he returned he reluctantly resumed his human form, and walked back up to the castle.
When he returned to the castle he decided to go to the library. He hadn't been there since he came back, but he felt that it was his responsibility. Harry wanted to study on Defense Against The Dark Arts. He was amazed at how easily he could perform whatever he read. After a while he became totally self absorbed in his books, he skipped dinner, and went on reading in various subjects through the night. He didn't realize how long he had been in the library until Dumbledore came in.
"Good morning Harry!" he said cheerfully.
"Morning!" Harry exclaimed looking at his watch, and realizing what he'd done. Suddenly he heard his stomach growling loudly, obviously angry about being ignored for so long. "Excuse me Professor," Harry said blushing and hurried toward the kitchen.
Harry ate ravenously until he was content. "Excellent!" he praised the house elves whom looked very pleased with themselves. Harry was now very tire from not having slept at all last night and went to the dorm to sleep. However his slumber was a restless one.
Harry found himself in a cold stone room decorated in silver and green. Harry could sense a foreboding presence. What he saw confirmed his fears. Only a few yards away from him was none other than Lord Voldemort. He was seated upon a stone throne carved like a serpent.
Two masked figures in black robes entered the room bowing almost to the ground. Harry could sense their fear, but felt no pity for them.
"My Lord," said one of the figures. "We have come to inform you that a large group of Death Eaters are prepared to begin the attack on the Chang residence. They are only waiting for your permission to attack.
Lord Voldemort's eyes narrowed with what Harry assumed was some kind of perverted glee. "The Chang family has defied me for far to long. They are very powerful Aurors, and have great influence in the ministry. They have put many of my servants into Azkaban, and will pay the price. Permission granted! I want the entire Chang family dead ere the night's end. Go now!"
The Death Eaters bowed low, and backed slowly out of the room.
Harry woke up. There was no time to spare. He knew what was about to happen. He didn't have anytime to tell anybody what was happening. He ruled out of bed, and summoned his Firebolt. He quickly mounted the broom, and flew out of the window. As soon as he reached the end of Hogwart's grounds he focused on Cho Chang. He immediately disappeared. (He had learned from Gryffindor how to apararate to a person.)
A/N: This fic is a little extreme; don't you think so? Oh well, that's the kind of person I am. I want to thank everyone who reviewed! I got a lot more than I deserved, and will try to get the next chapter out within a couple of days. I got a lot of helpful suggestions, about the ring and am seriously considering some of them. A few more would be helpful though!
Dark Defeater
Chapter Four
Harry ran as quickly as he could down the street. He didn't even stop as he burst open Mrs. Figg's door. He was a little excited though, and sent the door flying into the opposite wall. He saw nothing that there didn't seem to be any immediate danger, but Mrs. Figg was nowhere to be seen. Just then Albus Dumbledore appeared surveying the scene with weary, sad eyes. When he saw Harry he immediately drew his wand and aimed it at him.
"Professor?" Harry said startled and taken aback. He couldn't remember having done anything that would make Dumbledore react like that at first sight. Then he remembered how different he looked, and mutely pointed to his scar.
"Harry!" he said in a relieved tone. "I'm sorry about that, but you look much different than when we last spoke, and I was a little jumpy. I'm sure you've noticed that the Dark Mark is hovering over the house as we speak," he said sadly, without the usual sparkle in his eyes.
Harry nodded, and asked something he had been thinking about since the third task, "Professor, Mrs. Figg is the Arbrella Figg you mentioned last year isn't she?" He was already fairly certain that he was correct, especially since Death Eaters attacked her.
Dumbledore was about to reply when a large group of people suddenly appararated around them with there wands drawn. Dumbledore looked like he was about to blast them all to the moon before he noticed they were from the Ministry of Magic.
Arthur Weasly was with the group, and ordered them to lower their wands. "Hello Albus," said Mr. Weasly gravely. "We arrived to late didn't we?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Dumbledore nodded glumly, "Yes, but I suggest you run a search through the house. Arbrella's body doesn't seem to be here so she may still be alive. Then once you finish you'll need to take down the Dark Mark. Then there are muggles who will need there memories oblivviated," he said wearily gesturing to a group of muggles gathering outside.
Arthur nodded, "We would have been here sooner if it wasn't for that damn Cornelius Fudge! He's still denying Voldemort's return! How are we supposed to fight Voldemort if nobody knows he's there? But Fudge just says that we're determined to create chaos, and that he'll send us all to Azkaban if we say anything."
"That is most unfortunate. I was hoping that Fudge would have acknowledged his return by now," Dumbledore said shaking his head sadly. "But we will talk more about that later. Right now you all have work to do, so you best get to it."
As soon as he said that the crew from the ministry split up, and got to work. Some were busily searching the house for clues while others were erasing the memories of the muggles. The Dark Mark quickly disappeared.
"We'll have to move you somewhere else Harry. It's no longer safe now that Arbrella is gone, because she was you're Secret Keeper," Dumbledore said tiredly.
At that moment Remus Lupin appeared with a large black dog. "We came as soon as we could," he panted. "Arbrella's dead isn't she?" he asked grimly.
"I don't know Remus, all I know is that she was captured by a group of Death Eater. We still have hope that she maybe alive, however if she is she would probably rather be dead. I already have Severus trying to find out, but he may have trouble."
"What about Harry?" Remus asked obviously not recognizing the teenager next to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled and for a moment the sparkle returned to his eyes, "He's right here in front of you Remus, as a matter of fact we were just discussing what to do with him right now. Perhaps we should talk about this somewhere a little more private though," he said looking meaningfully at the dog at Remus's side.
Remus mutely nodded still staring at the remarkable change Harry had gone through, and they all followed Dumbledore inside. When they were inside Sirius transformed into a human, and enveloped Harry in a bear hug. "You look…different than last time I saw you," he noted looking at Harry.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Harry said dryly. "But seriously, I'm glad that you're here, and Remus too."
"Now then Harry, what are we to do with you. Since Arbrella's been taken, and possibly killed, it's obviously unsafe for you to be here," said Dumbledore. Sirius and Remus to busy gathering old friends to help us fight against Voldemort, so they can't take care of you either. I suppose Hogwarts is the only place where you're really safe… yes. It's the only way; you'll be staying at Hogwarts."
Harry couldn't think of anything that would make him happier. "Yes sir. Hogwarts is my real home anyway, and I wasn't thinking of going back to the Dursleys. I already have all my stuff with me and the Dursleys will be there's no point in talking to the Dursleys, as they'll be overjoyed that I'm not going to stay with them anymore."
At this Sirius frowned, "Harry, why do you have all of your things packed, and in your pocket? Who performed the magic that would shrink your trunk and lighten the weight?"
Harry wasn't sure what to say about his trunk, but he could tell about the Dursleys.
"Vernon called my mother, a bitch, so I decided I had enough." Answered Harry truthfully, but not telling the whole story.
When Harry said this both Remus's and Sirius's eyes flashed dangerously. "Could you excuse me for a moment?" they said flatly, they're voices one. They walked into the kitchen, and Harry saw to fists come out of the wall, and several explicatives muttered. Harry made a mental note never to make either Sirius, or Remus angry. Then they returned looking like people yearning to kill someone, but using all of their will to control themselves.
Dumbledore's eyes were glittering dangerously, but he wasn't making any holes in the wall with his fist. He was just a statue. Finally he seemed have control of himself, and the sparkle returned to his eyes.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten about his trunk in there anger, which Harry was very grateful for. He had a feeling that it just wasn't time to let anybody know yet, though he figured that he'd probably be telling Dumbledore soon. It wasn't Harry's nature to lie, but he also had learned to listen to his instinct, and it apparently didn't think it was time to say anything yet.
"All right," said Dumbledore, snapping every one out of their angry thoughts. "Harry and I will return to Hogwarts and Sirius and Remus will go back to their task. I expect that I will see you both within the next couple of days." He threw some floo powder into the power, and said "Hogwarts."
Then Harry went to follow suit. Waving goodbye to his parents old friends he stepped inside and said "Hogwarts."
Harry hated traveling by flu powder. He kept his elbows to his eyes watching the fireplaces zooming by, and spinning faster, and faster. He finally reached his destination, and succeeded at staying on his feet. He stepped out into the Great Hall, which was eerily empty and quiet without all of the students.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, Harry" Dumbledore said placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry grinned as a reply. It was good to be home.
"I suppose you'll be staying in you're dorm room so you should probably go unpack you're things. The password is Gryffindor. When you're ready for lunch just go to the kitchens, and I'm sure the house elves can cook something up for you. I trust you know a way into the kitchens," asked Dumbledore his blue eyes twinkling merrily.
Harry blushed and mumbled, "Yes, sir."
"That reminds me!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "I believe this is yours." He said handing Harry a piece of parchment that he recognized as the Marauders' Map.
"Now if you'll excuse me Harry I have a lot of work to due after this morning's tragedy," he said suddenly looking every one of his many years.. "I trust that you'll stay on the grounds of course." He added before leaving."
After a couple of days at Hogwarts Harry was beginning to become bored. He didn't really feel like flying, which is what he had spent most of his time doing since he arrived, and Hagrid was on some mission for Dumbledore. Harry wasn't supposed to know what it was, but was pretty sure that he was with Madame Maxine trying to convince the Giants to go against Voldemort.
Harry finally decided to go outside, and practice some of his power. He walked to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and transformed into a large silver wolf with green eyes, and a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Harry had become partial to the wolf. It was Harry's favorite animigus form. The wolf was a dignified, independent creature. He could run like the wind, and had a virtually inexhaustible stamina.
Harry ran for a long time just enjoying himself. He ran quickly with his paws barely touching the ground. It gave him a feeling of freedom, and he let all of his troubles fall off him. When he returned he reluctantly resumed his human form, and walked back up to the castle.
When he returned to the castle he decided to go to the library. He hadn't been there since he came back, but he felt that it was his responsibility. Harry wanted to study on Defense Against The Dark Arts. He was amazed at how easily he could perform whatever he read. After a while he became totally self absorbed in his books, he skipped dinner, and went on reading in various subjects through the night. He didn't realize how long he had been in the library until Dumbledore came in.
"Good morning Harry!" he said cheerfully.
"Morning!" Harry exclaimed looking at his watch, and realizing what he'd done. Suddenly he heard his stomach growling loudly, obviously angry about being ignored for so long. "Excuse me Professor," Harry said blushing and hurried toward the kitchen.
Harry ate ravenously until he was content. "Excellent!" he praised the house elves whom looked very pleased with themselves. Harry was now very tire from not having slept at all last night and went to the dorm to sleep. However his slumber was a restless one.
Harry found himself in a cold stone room decorated in silver and green. Harry could sense a foreboding presence. What he saw confirmed his fears. Only a few yards away from him was none other than Lord Voldemort. He was seated upon a stone throne carved like a serpent.
Two masked figures in black robes entered the room bowing almost to the ground. Harry could sense their fear, but felt no pity for them.
"My Lord," said one of the figures. "We have come to inform you that a large group of Death Eaters are prepared to begin the attack on the Chang residence. They are only waiting for your permission to attack.
Lord Voldemort's eyes narrowed with what Harry assumed was some kind of perverted glee. "The Chang family has defied me for far to long. They are very powerful Aurors, and have great influence in the ministry. They have put many of my servants into Azkaban, and will pay the price. Permission granted! I want the entire Chang family dead ere the night's end. Go now!"
The Death Eaters bowed low, and backed slowly out of the room.
Harry woke up. There was no time to spare. He knew what was about to happen. He didn't have anytime to tell anybody what was happening. He ruled out of bed, and summoned his Firebolt. He quickly mounted the broom, and flew out of the window. As soon as he reached the end of Hogwart's grounds he focused on Cho Chang. He immediately disappeared. (He had learned from Gryffindor how to apararate to a person.)
A/N: This fic is a little extreme; don't you think so? Oh well, that's the kind of person I am. I want to thank everyone who reviewed! I got a lot more than I deserved, and will try to get the next chapter out within a couple of days. I got a lot of helpful suggestions, about the ring and am seriously considering some of them. A few more would be helpful though!
Dark Defeater