Sorry about the length of this chapter it was written after the first two
chapters (which are regrettably now going to have to be rewritten), however
this chapter should fill in some of the holes. It means I now also have a
title for my story: - Harry potter and the Mirrors of Possibility
Prologue
It was Late August and the faintest auburn tints of late August had touched the trees on Privet Drive, it would be September soon, and Harry was hurriedly finishing work he should have done weeks ago. It was late and the sun had set some time ago, Uncle Vernon, determined to retain some authority over Harry had demanded that Harry turn his light of several hours previously. So Harry was working by moonlight, or rather he wasn't. That particular evening the night sky was dominated by the full moon and Harry was rather thinking about Remus Lupin, a werewolf who had been his Defence against the Dark Arts teacher a couple of years ago.
Tomorrow would be Harry's birthday; it was also the eve of the anniversary of the day when he had escaped the Dursley's continuous rule. Five years ago, Hagrid, keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, had literally smashed his way into Harry's life and told Harry he was a wizard. Ever since that day his life had been changed, he'd gone to Hogwarts where he'd met his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and had a myriad of adventures. He was sorely looking forward to going back.
Out on the street the street lamps shined brilliantly beneath the twinkling starscape. Being his birthday, Harry had released Hedwig to collect any post that his friends may be trying to send him. He was hoping to get a letter from Sirius Black, his Godfather, who hadn't sent him anything for weeks. Sirius Black had been his. Sirius had been on the run for two years, ever since he escaped wrongful incarceration in Azkaban, the prison for wizards. He had been Harry's father's best man when his father got married.
Harry's parents had been dead for fifteen years, they'd been killed by Tom Riddle, an but extremely powerful wizard who masqueraded as Lord Voldemort, but was known to most as 'He who must not be named', in their deaths they had saved Harry and defeated Voldemort. All Harry had to remind him of his Parents was a photo album.
He turned over and looked at the photo album on his bedside table, the photos inside had once reminded him of a time when he felt safe and secure in the arms of his parents, before Voldemort had destroyed them. Now though it only reminded of that night when Voldemort had returned, when Cedric Diggory had died. He had seen his parents that night. They had saved him again.
He was suddenly aware of how tired he was, it was very late and he'd done a lot of work, his eyelids felt heavy and he decided to fall asleep.
James and Lily Potter looked down at Harry, they picked him up, hugged him. Harry felt warm and safe; it was the greatest feeling Harry ever felt. He felt content and happy; he wanted to stay like this forever. He reached up and tugged on his Father's unkempt hair, which then passed him back to his mother. Her lips brushed against his forehead.
Then the Dream changed. It was always like this, for a long time the dream hadn't made any sense, it had seemed like a random nightmare.
It was always the same. A distant crashing noise, his father rushes from the room. Green light shines round the cracks in the door. His mother putting him down, then Voldemort enters the room. Except this time it was different, it was the resurrected Voldemort, his red eyes burrowing into Harry's skin, burning tormenting. Lily Potter pleads with Voldemort to spare Harry but she too is killed. This dream was different, normally this would be the point at which Harry would wake, the screams of his mother ringing in his ears. This time Voldemort simply stood over him, laughing. The Bedroom swirled and faded.
Harry now sat in a circle of Death Eaters; they surrounded him, their laughter piercing his soul as though they were Dementors. Then Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew, his parents' betrayer and personal servant of lord Voldemort, came into the circle dragging his friends, they were gagged and bound.
They were all there, Ron and Hermione, even Neville and Hagrid. The Death Eaters moved to torture them, his friends screams filled Harry's ears, it was even worse than the laughter. He tried to move to help them, but was held tight by some unseen force. Tom Riddle entered the circle; he circled the screaming victims, spat in the face of Hagrid. Then in front of Harry he rose up and transformed into his present disfigured state, he became Lord Voldemort.
Harry's friends screamed and screamed and called out to Harry for help, but he couldn't move. Voldemort Laughed. He taunted Harry, laughed and spat in his face.
Then he rose up even more until he filled the entire extent of the vision, his black cloak moving like a giant tide.
Harry was defeated, he couldn't win, and he couldn't save his friends. Lord Voldemort Laughed again and then like a Giant Tidal wave, he crashed down onto Harry.
Harry awoke panting, the scar on his forehead ached. It wasn't the first time his scar had ached after a nightmare, but this time the pain was intense. The pain was only this bad when Voldemort was close; the scar on Harry's arm also ached but not as much. The window had blown open while Harry was asleep, the wind outside was roaring with renewed frenzy. Harry's papers began to blow violently around the room, he rushed over to the window. Over the sound of the wind Harry could hear something even more sinister, the sound of men chanting. In the street Harry could see a group of black robed men constructing something, looking up he saw a great green skull with a snake lolling like a tongue out of the mouth.
"Oh no, the Dark Mark!!!"
He rushed over to his wardrobe and pulled on the warmest robes he could quickly grab, then he grabbed his wand from his desk and headed towards the door. He turned the handle and nearly fell over. The entire floor was shaking, outside his Uncle's car alarm had gone off. He rushed back over to the window, below him something very large was trying to break through the surface of the road.
Harry rushed out of his bedroom door, quickly remembered that some means of escape may be important and cried "Accio" His broomstick flew through the air, landing firmly in the palm of his hand.
Foregoing the stairs, Harry leapt over the banister and rushed outside. The Dursleys were already there, as were many of the other inhabitants of privet drive. A police car came roaring down the street, only to be flipped aside as a large rock protrusion flowed upwards from the ground. Uncle Vernon's car too had been the victim of a pillar of stone. Harry stood in the doorway to the house. The Death Eaters stopped their chanting and moved to one side; Lord Voldemort stepped forward and signalled for his Death Eaters to stay back. Lord Voldemort strode boldly towards the house, his cape billowing in the wind. Harry stood stunned, he knew he had to move, to go, but his feet were planted firmly to the ground.
"Harry Potter! We meet again, this time it is on different terms though I think. Welcome to the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega."
"What are you doing Voldemort, you know you can't win, the ministry will be on you in minutes." Harry cried defiantly at Voldemort.
"Ah yes, I can see our last encounter didn't destroy that streak of courage that seems to be part of the Potter package. You should be honoured; I've chosen your home as my home Potter. "
Lord Voldemort continued to approach, his great black robe billowed in the strong wind. But he didn't get very far. Uncle Vernon being a stubborn and difficult man was getting in his way. Uncle Vernon was dressed in his dressing gown and was holding a shotgun firmly in his mitts, the barrel of which he had pointed directly at Lord Voldemort.
"You Sir, will get off my driveway and you will pay for the damage you caused to my car"
"Pay for damage I caused. Ha. You stupid Muggle, who do you think you are talking to. I am Lord Voldemort, the most powerful force on this earth, I am so feared other wizards do not even dare to say my name, you will step out of my way or I will make sure that you end up looking like your car."
Lord Voldemort brushed him to one side.
Harry was amazed, Uncle Vernon deliberately got back in the way of Lord Voldemort. Harry was upset, his uncle was about to get fried. Harry had never liked his Uncle or any other member of his family but he'd never wished this kind of suffering upon them. Harry none-the-less saw this as his only chance to escape. He ran sideways from the house and mounted his broomstick, one of the Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, saw him take off. "Crucio" he cried, Harry's body filled with pain and his head blurred, the broomstick went straight into a tree, knocking him to the ground, his wand having been knocked clear by the force of the spell, but the collision had fortunately broken Malfoy's concentration, the spell and the pain fizzled. Malfoy advanced, Harry could see his face clearly now and knew he was defenceless against the powerful Death Eater. Malfoy lifted him by the arms and slammed him against the wall of the house. Lucius Malfoy hands were locked so tightly onto Harry's arms that Harry felt the ends of his fingers tingle and he swore the scar on his left arm split, the pain was excruciating, Malfoy was grinning inanely. "I have him Master," he shouted turning his head. Harry followed his gaze. In the background the remaining Death Eaters, worked to construct what looked like a giant mirror with no glass, in the void grey mist swirled and around it the large rock formations continued to grow. He thought he recognised some of the other Death Eaters, Crabbe, Goyle and Avery.
Uncle Vernon had the shotgun up so close to Lord Voldemort's face that Harry couldn't see Voldemort's expression. Voldemort's robes shifted and his giant serpent Nagini slid out from beneath it, quickly ensnaring Uncle Vernon.
"You weak and feeble fool, I warned you, and from me that's a gift more wonderful than you could possible imagine. Now it's you're turn to do something for me."
Harry could see from here that Uncle Vernon was sweating; the shotgun had fallen to the ground.
"You're going to entertain us, whilst I deal with young Potter over there"
Lord Voldemort began to hiss at the poor man, but Harry knew that he really talking to Nagini
"Release him, gently"
Lord Voldemort lifted his wand and lowered it at Uncle Vernon. Harry's Aunt and Dudley appeared at the door, they began to shout and scream. "Imperio" Voldemort said and immediately, Uncle Vernon began to dance uncontrollably; his body twisted and turned in time to music only uncle Vernon could hear. In the background Harry could see the death eaters laughing, Uncle Vernon was not a man built to dance the way Voldemort was making him. Voldemort was grinning sadistically as the dance continued, everyone else on Privet drive had fled or was standing in shocked horror.
"And now for the grand finally" Voldemort declared, Uncle Vernon ran straight towards the wall of his own house, mere feet away from where Lucius was holding Harry.
Harry's forehead was aching and the scar on his arm was also starting to burn, he imagined Uncle Vernon smashing into the wall at high velocity. He was quite surprised to see Vernon's not inconsiderable frame run up the wall and somersault.
"I tire of this." declared Voldemort releasing Vernon from his control, Uncle Vernon keeled over sideways and Aunt Petunia and Dudley rushed out to comfort him.
Voldemort raised his wand towards the slumping figure "Avada Kedavra"
A jet of green light burst forth from Voldemort's wand towards Uncle Vernon, but when it hit the fallen figure, a brilliant gold glow surrounded Uncle Vernon and the ray of light was reflected upwards. Voldemort Cursed, and left the figure alone, he was furious and now his attention was once again directed at Harry.
"Bring him here Lucius" Voldemort said. Malfoy lifted Harry from the wall and carried him over kicking and screaming; he dumped him on the ground at Voldemort's feet, Malfoy then to stand behind Voldemort. Harry lifted himself to run but was stopped quite quickly by Nagini.
"Wormtail, you miserable little runt, bring me his wand"
Wormtail ran out from amongst the Death Eaters, his silver hand shone in the light of the Dark Mark, which still hung ominously over the street. He gathered up the wand and brought it over to his master. Voldemort snatched it from him and dismissed Wormtail.
"Your Uncle is lucky Harry, he's protected from harm by the same ancient magic that protected you as a child. That's probably why that old fool Dumbeldore left you here where he knew you would be safe. Your Uncle can't save you for much longer and you will not be as lucky as him. No-one will be safe soon, it begins here."
From the shadows, a giant Black dog pounced and landed on Voldemort's back, Harry's wand was again sent flying and Harry grabbed it before collapsing again, the dog continued its fluid movement, grabbing Harry by the collar. It darted sideways, narrowly avoiding the poisonous bite of Nagini. Lucius Malfoy jumped to grab the beast but purchased only the ground.
"It's Black, stop that dog." Voldemort cried.
The Death Eaters left their construction and moved to grab the dog. Crabbe and Goyle fell over one another in an attempt to grab the dog and tripped up the rest of the Death Eater's.
The Dog carried Harry till they got to the end of the road, where it dropped Harry. In the distance the Death Eaters were picking themselves up, Wormtail was helping Voldemort to his feet.
"After them" Voldemort cried catching his breath.
The Darkly Robed figures prepared to give chase, but at that point more wizards started to apparate. The Death Eaters drew their wands; the Ministry of Magic had arrived.
Sirius Black changed back into Human form; Harry was lying at his feet, groaning softly. "Don't worry Harry, friends have arrived." Then he helped Harry to his feet, Harry hugged his Godfather tightly. "Sirius, the Death Eaters have come back and there building something to help them take over." Harry said, "I know, Harry but there's no time for that now Harry, we have to go. I'm going to take you to Hogwarts; you're not safe here anymore. Grab your broomstick and we'll get out of here" Sirius lifted Harry's arms from around him. "Accio", The broomstick hurtled into Harry's outstretched hand.
Harry and Sirius hurried off together into the darkness, in an alley not far from Privet Drive, BuckBeak the Hippogriff was waiting patiently. Mid- flight sometime later, Harry fell into a deep sleep, Sirius held him tightly whilst he slept.
Harry awoke in a familiar room, he knew it well because he kept ending up in there. It was Madam Pomfrey's ward at Hogwart's. He sat up and looked around, he couldn't see anyone else in the room with him.
He clutched his forehead, the pain had subsided but his arm still throbbed where Malfoy had gripped it, he looked down and saw that his clothes had been laid out on the chair next to the bed. The left arm was stained with blood. He hadn't imagined that then. He hadn't imagined any of it.
A tickling sensation in the back of his throat started him coughing uncontrollably and his head swam. Madam Pomfrey rushed into the room to see to Harry, Dumbeldore followed her in followed by Black in his animagus form.
"I hope you don't intend to keep that beast in here. This is a hospital wing, not a home for great big slobbering beasts, if you intend to keep it in the school get Hagrid to look after It." said Madam Pomfrey pointing to the dog.
Black leapt up onto the Bed and curled up at Harry's feet. Dumbeldore laughed lightly and said "Poppy, I don't think that the dog's going anywhere. Anyway I don't think it'll do any harm."
"He's my patient Headmaster, if I say the dog goes, then the dog goes." Madam Pomfrey had removed a large block of chocolate from her robes and handed it to Harry.
"Here you go master Potter, you just settle down and eat this. I'll send the Headmaster back in a bit, when your head has had time to settle. I'll wager you're pretty dizzy at the moment, you lost a lot of blood."
Harry grabbed his glasses and pulled them on. "If it's alright with you, I think I need to talk to the Headmaster immediately."
"This time Harry." Said Dumbeldore, "I think we will go with Madam Pomfrey's advice. Plus I think we should really wait for the arrival of Cornelius Fudge and the party of Wizards from the Ministry."
Madam Pomfrey looked startled, "Really. You mean you're not going to pull Harry out of bed to go on another one of those silly adventures."
"No Poppy, this time I think Harry really should rest." Said Dumbeldore.
Madam Pomfrey started to smile, "Of course I'm right, so you can leave my ward and I insist you take the dog with you." Making little shoo movements with her hand in the direction of the door.
"C'mon Padfoot" Dumbeldore, defeated, beckoned to the dog, "we better leave Harry in peace for now".
The pair of them reluctantly moved towards the door. Which swung open unexpectedly to reveal Professor Snape, "Another lost and wandering soul for me to look after?" He enquired, eyeing Harry suspiciously.
"No, Severus, I shall deal with young Potter personally. You have enough wards as it is." the Headmaster replied, "I assume you come bearing news of the ministry."
"I do, Headmaster. Cornelius Fudge sends his double-fold apology, firstly for not taking the Death Eaters threat seriously and secondly for not being able to come. Do you not know the extent of his attack, he has raised a tower with his command of the dark forces, he is still calling, I feel it stronger than ever!"
"I am more than aware of his present threat, it appears that he has found an artefact of great power to aid him, but you must not answer that call Severus, else you will be no more than his slave again."
Snape leaned over Dumbeldore's shoulder, and Harry saw him eye up the dog. "Headmaster, I think this is hardly to place to discuss such things."
"Of course, Severus. We shall retire to my study."
"Um, Headmaster, Where has that dog come from? I swear I remember it from somewhere."
"Oh this, he belongs to my sister. She's gone on an expedition to establish the number of remaining wild Golden Sniddgets. Except that she had nowhere to keep the dog, so I offered to house it here, after all we do have those impressive moors for it to enjoy itself on. When Hagrid gets back from London, he can look after it, but…"
Harry strained to hear the rest of the conversation but Madam Pomfrey closed the large oaken door. He quickly consumed the chocolate and settled back to sleep. Madam Pomfrey tucked him in and then wandered back to her office.
Harry gently drifted off to sleep.
"Is he awake, Poppy?" it was Hagrid's deep booming voice.
"Hagrid, I told the Headmaster and I'll tell you. Harry isn't awake yet."
Harry had been in fact awake for about half an hour, but had chosen not to share this with the rest of the world, his body still ached and he was tired.
"Hagrid" he moaned.
"Sounds like he's awake to me, Poppy."
"Oh alright Hagrid, you can have ten minutes, tops. I suspect Dumbeldore will want to talk to Harry too."
Harry saw Hagrid approaching through blurry eyes. He lifted himself onto one arm, put on his glasses and sat up to face Hagrid.
"Happy Birthday, Harry" His giant friend gave him a huge hug.
"Hagrid, It's surely not still my Birthday is it? Last time I was in here I was out cold for days."
"It is Harry, and what's more I've brought presents and a cake."
"Did I hear someone mention cake?"
Dumbeldore had stuck his head round the door. "That's right Headmaster, made it myself." Hagrid delved into his pockets and withdrew a large white parcel. Harry remembered the last time Hagrid had made him a cake. His cousin Dudley had eaten most of it, Hagrid had rewarded him with a pig tail to go with the personality. The box was opened and a cake with brilliant blue icing was revealed, in red letters across the top of the cake, Hagrid had written "Happy Birthday Harr".
"Sorry about that Harry, ran out of red icing." At least the spelling had improved, reflected Harry. The three of them made an odd scene as they munched on their cake, Hagrid, a giant with a beard large enough to hide the entire cake in; Dumbeldore, a tall, old and powerful wizard; Harry, a boy of fifteen.
Harry had been content up to this point to sit mainly in silence, but now he wanted to know.
"Sir," he addressed Dumbeldore, "What has happened to the Dursleys and Privet drive."
"Harry, your family is safe, they think they have won a trip to Hawaii and are waiting at the Airport. Mr Weasley, I believe it was, did a wonderful job of changing their memories. They don't remember a thing. Mr Dursley has a few inexplicable bruises but is otherwise unharmed, his blood tie to you saved him there."
"Blood tie?"
"Yes, Harry. Your entire family is protected by powerful and ancient magic, it is the same magic which saved you when you where but a baby. As you already know the power of your mothers' sacrifice far exceeded that of Voldemort's most powerful magic. The magic was so strong that it became emblazoned in your Prana or life force
Your Prana Harry is what differs you as an individual. However, inevitably living with the Dursley's has led to some overlapping of life forces and some of your mothers counter-curse now protects them."
"But, I'm no longer protected by that power? Why are they protected?"
"Harry, your own choices have given you other powers that give you far better defences. Often with the ancient and primal magic's of the blood, much is uncertain. You will study much of it this year under your new defence against the dark arts teacher. Understanding it is important for the study of such creatures as the vampire and the unicorn. You shall see it is unreliable, but terribly powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands."
"That reminds me Harry," the deep voice of Hagrid interrupted "Here you go, gifts from the entire faculty at Hogwarts. Now which one's where yours?" Hagrid patted down his pockets and withdrew a long piece of paper. He read from the paper, and put it back in his pocket.
"One copy of 'A defence in a world of darkness: It's all in the blood' by Count Vladimere, one copy of 'My Monster and Me: Care of large animals' by Hrolf Fargenmaster, that's for my lessons - I've got another surprise for you all this year, Harry", Hagrid winked, "One copy of 'Clearing the mists of clairvoyance', that ones written by Professor Trelawney, she's very proud of it…" Harry saw the look on Dumbeldore's face as he graciously accepted the book "… 'Higher transfiguration', and last but not least, 'The standard book of spells - grade five'" Harry frowned when he received the last book, "Hagrid, this isn't the standard book of spells - grade five, this is '101 more things to do with a dragons spleen'".
"Sorry Harry, that's Malfoy's", Hagrid quickly exchanged the books.
"Thank you Headmaster; thanks Hagrid. But I don't understand, this looks like my required reading list for this year."
"It is Harry, we, that is the Headmaster thinks… Well he just doesn't want you to get hurt; Harry…" started Hagrid, but Dumbeldore waved him into silence.
"Harry, I do have some serious things, very serious things to do discuss with you."
Dumbeldore turned to Hagrid "I am sorry but, I must ask you to leave Hagrid."
Hagrid stood "I understand, of course Dumbeldore, sir."
"Come and see me when you're up and about Harry."
"Ok, Hagrid" said Harry
Hagrid left the hospital ward, the door closed behind him with a snap. Harry was suddenly aware of the eerie nature of the room. The world outside through the window was dark and the wind shook the trees with malice, inside the room long dribbly candles threw dark and mysterious shadows against the wall.
"Harry" Dumbeldore's voice seemed larger than normal, not louder - it just had more presence, as though the great wizard was talking straight into Harry's mind without the interference of ears in-between.
"I must know one thing, and only you I think can tell me."
Harry gulped, he tried to prevent it, but his Adam's apple bobbed as though a yoyo on a string. He looked into Dumbeldore's eyes and saw power and fear.
"Voldemort has begun his assault, I warned the ministry and they listened not. Even now, Cornelius Fudge and the ministry fight the Death Eaters on the remains of Privet Drive. The muggle public has been told it is naught but a terrorist attack, but for you and me, and the thousands of wizards and witches around the world it is far more deadly and dangerous. For this reason, some of the more prominent wizards have been hushed away to safe locations. You, Harry would have been brought here eventually, luckily it seems though you were saved from Voldemort's clutches by Sirius Black, he of course brought you here.
Harry, the time may come when the tide of darkness that even now seeps further outwards may reach this school. This is a dark time. You though may have the one accurate answer that explains why the Dark Lord begins his assault, now.
Harry, Voldemort has built himself a fortress, at the heart of which lies an artefact of great power that he is channelling his energies through. If we but knew which artefact he had discovered then we might yet prevail against the darkness. Do you know what lies at the centre of his fortress? DO YOU KNOW?" The question repeated was not shouted but still it echoed around Harry's head as though it had been blasted into there. Dumbeldore had drawn himself up to his true height, his eyes shone brightly from behind the glasses, and the candles flickered.
Harry struggled to reach the answer. It came out weak and feeble "Yes, I know"
"DESCRIBE"
And Harry described, he described until his breath could carry no more.
Dumbeldore appeared to shrink, the candles came to rest and his eyes drew back to there normal warm sparkle. "I am sorry, Harry. Rarely do I use the full force of my powers against another, however you might just have saved us all."
Harry just nodded - he could no longer speak. Dumbeldore smiled at Harry, and Harry felt as though his mind had been released from a great vice-hold that he had not noticed before. "Rest now, Harry. Tomorrow, you may be required again. Sorry".
Days later, Harry was sitting in Dumbeldore's office. Black was helping him with his Holiday work, but neither of them could remember the correct order of ingredients for Harry's potion homework. All the other recalled students were getting private potions tuition with Snape, but Dumbeldore had agreed with Black that Harry should be kept separate from the others.
Harry was fine with this. The kind of people that Snape was looking after, where certainly no friend of Harry, they were mainly people in some way connected to the Death Eaters and their family's. People like Draco Malfoy, the son of Lucius Malfoy, who had played a significant part in the destruction of Harry's home only a few days previous.
"What exactly was this potion meant to do again Harry?" Black asked
"It's meant to make hair grow on anything" Said Harry.
"Hmm, I suppose that's why you never see a bald experimental alchemist, I always thought that was a bit odd, what with them blowing themselves up every five minutes."
"That reminds me. What were you doing on Privet drive when you saved me?
"I was coming to wish you a happy birthday, Harry. I am your Godfather. Only when I got close I saw the Dark Mark and I knew evil things were afoot. I settled and hid Buckbeak, then I changed into Padfoot, and well you know the rest of the story. I saved you from Voldemort and escaping narrowly both the Death Eaters and the Ministry, whom I must say are relentless in their man-hunt for me, and then I brought you here. Anyway, enough stories and distractions, you still have Homework to do. Come on I want to see at least another foot of parchment on that potion Harry."
"Okay, Okay, You're starting to sound a bit like Snape, Sirius." His Godfather frowned at this, but then they both burst out laughing. It wasn't long though until Harry settled back to his work.
"This book I got from the Library says that one of the ingredients is the skin of the furry trout, only I've never seen the skin of the furry trout, not even in Snape's personal cupboard."
"Harry, that's a fictional creature, what book is that?"
"One Thousand Hair related potions, spells and hexes by Ema Nymton"
"Let me look at that."
Harry picked up the slim book and gave it to Sirius. Sirius flipped it open and appeared to be in deep concentration. "This book has only been taken out once before 147 years ago" he said, "Hmm, I wonder…" Then he turned the book over and opened the back cover, he waved his hand over the apparently blank double page at the back "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good".
"Hmm, I thought so, look at this, Harry."
Harry stood and looked at the back page of the book. Where before there had been nothing there was now a message to any that knew how to reveal it.
To you who find this message, thank-you for taking your time to read this book we hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed cursing it.
Geoffrey and Melchio Weasley
Ps. don't make too much of a mess of the carpet.
"Geoffrey and Melchio were the original Weasley twins, they attended Hogwarts over a hundred and sixty years ago. They were the ones who invented the mischief spell to hide their mischief from their teachers, without them we could have never written the Marauder Map."
"Sirius, the message mentions a curse. Do you think we're in any danger?"
"I shouldn't think so, that curse was placed upon the book a hundred and sixty years ago. I should think the magic has nearly gone by now. I wonder what it was originally intended to do?"
As if on cue, Harry demonstrated exactly what the curse did - he started choking uncontrollably. Sirius caught him, and slapped him on the back. From Harry's mouth came hairball after hairball. 'Oh, I see.' Said Sirius, "Don't worry, I expect it'll wear off after a while".
"And if I don't?" said Harry coughing up some more hairballs, one of them was pink. "Um, then I think it's back up to Madam Pomfrey's for you Harry, give it a while. Geoffrey and Melchio's work turns up occasionally, their curses annoy but are never permanent."
For half an hour Harry coughed up hairballs. Sirius had carefully swept them into a pile and was preparing to dispose of them, when Dumbeldore came in.
"Quick Sirius, hide. Harry you'll have to go, the Ministry representatives have arrived, they've brought what they could recover from your house Harry, it's in the Gryffindor common room. Maybe you should take it up to your dormitory. Then you can change for Dinner, I don't know if you've forgotten but term starts tomorrow."
Dumbeldore rushed back out of the room, Sirius and Harry quickly tidied the room.
"I'm going to go hide with Hagrid, Harry. Don't expect to see me for a while. Sorry about this, but when the Ministry arrives Black must fly." Harry understood. Black, though proven an innocent man to a few, still remained an escape convict on the run from the ministry and the Dementors of Azkaban.
Sirius changed into his Animagus form, a large black dog and jumped out of Dumbeldore's office window to land on the battlements outside. Harry watched him run off till he could see him no longer and then reluctantly gathered up his belongings.
Harry wandered down the corridor towards the Gryffindor tower. As he walked he passed the Ministry party. Dumbeldore and Fudge talking at the head of the group, behind whom walked a series of ordinary looking ministry wizards.
At the back though was a sight that nearly chilled Harry to the bone. It was a tall wizard, wearing long black robes with a long dark blue coat over the top. His hair, which was black, was cropped short and smoothed forwards so that it hung over his eyes. The hair didn't disguise his eyes and Harry could see that they were a brilliant piercing blue. The man watched Harry as he passed, but didn't say a word.
The Man walked on and Harry didn't look back until he was more than ten meters away. Strapped across the Mans' back was a pair of large hunting crossbows, like the one that Hagrid carried with him on his excursions into the Forest.
Harry realised that the Man must be an Auror; he carried himself in the same way that Harry had seen before. He was there to protect the ministry wizards from Dark Magic and was therefore far more powerful than he seemed, and to Harry that seemed quite difficult to imagine.
Suddenly the remembered words of Dumbeldore filled Harry with joy; Term was to start tomorrow which meant that all of Harry's friends would be arriving by train that evening. This put a spring in Harry's step as he moved towards the Gryffindor Tower and a new term.
In a forgotten room off from the school library the air made a sound like the ripping of newspaper and a bright light cut the air. Through the tear left by the light, came the sounds of a pitched battle. Screams pierced the silence and the sound of spells hurled indiscriminately blasted the heavy stone walls.
"Go Harry! Our hope rests with you; you know what you must do!" the hole grew, blossomed with brilliant light and then spat a large figure into the room before collapsing.
The heap on the floor groaned and rolled over. It was blood stained and scarred, but unmistakeably it was Harry Potter. He huddled into a corner and drew a heavy cloak around himself.
He was there. It had worked.
He sat in the corner, nursing his wounded shoulder. Perspiration rolled off his brow and splattered onto the floor. He had lost his wand in the fight, but he knew he wouldn't need it. Harry Potter was here; or rather the other Potter was here. He had been watching, observing. The heavy, wooden oak door creaked slightly and he breathed in deeply and muttered a charm under his breath.
His training was perfect; he would be dead now if it hadn't been. It was a cat; more specifically it was Filch's cat. He remembered the cat from his time spent at Hogwarts.
Mrs Norris, yes that was the cats' name. It didn't matter though. He was superior to any cat, even Mrs Norris. He finished his charm and a gust of wind blew the door shut. He was sure the cat hadn't seen him, couldn't see him. He snuggled under the cloak, even ripped and damaged he felt secure in its warmth.
He slept that night on the floor of the room, no one would disturb him, and this room backed onto the library and was used for storing the various noisemakers and other confiscated magical artefacts that had been let off in the library over the years.
A lifetime he wouldn't, couldn't return to without Potter.
The floor was hard and cold, but he was used to much worse. Much, much worse. He slept for a long time and dreamt little. The fear of the nightmares was too much for him.
Prologue
It was Late August and the faintest auburn tints of late August had touched the trees on Privet Drive, it would be September soon, and Harry was hurriedly finishing work he should have done weeks ago. It was late and the sun had set some time ago, Uncle Vernon, determined to retain some authority over Harry had demanded that Harry turn his light of several hours previously. So Harry was working by moonlight, or rather he wasn't. That particular evening the night sky was dominated by the full moon and Harry was rather thinking about Remus Lupin, a werewolf who had been his Defence against the Dark Arts teacher a couple of years ago.
Tomorrow would be Harry's birthday; it was also the eve of the anniversary of the day when he had escaped the Dursley's continuous rule. Five years ago, Hagrid, keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, had literally smashed his way into Harry's life and told Harry he was a wizard. Ever since that day his life had been changed, he'd gone to Hogwarts where he'd met his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and had a myriad of adventures. He was sorely looking forward to going back.
Out on the street the street lamps shined brilliantly beneath the twinkling starscape. Being his birthday, Harry had released Hedwig to collect any post that his friends may be trying to send him. He was hoping to get a letter from Sirius Black, his Godfather, who hadn't sent him anything for weeks. Sirius Black had been his. Sirius had been on the run for two years, ever since he escaped wrongful incarceration in Azkaban, the prison for wizards. He had been Harry's father's best man when his father got married.
Harry's parents had been dead for fifteen years, they'd been killed by Tom Riddle, an but extremely powerful wizard who masqueraded as Lord Voldemort, but was known to most as 'He who must not be named', in their deaths they had saved Harry and defeated Voldemort. All Harry had to remind him of his Parents was a photo album.
He turned over and looked at the photo album on his bedside table, the photos inside had once reminded him of a time when he felt safe and secure in the arms of his parents, before Voldemort had destroyed them. Now though it only reminded of that night when Voldemort had returned, when Cedric Diggory had died. He had seen his parents that night. They had saved him again.
He was suddenly aware of how tired he was, it was very late and he'd done a lot of work, his eyelids felt heavy and he decided to fall asleep.
James and Lily Potter looked down at Harry, they picked him up, hugged him. Harry felt warm and safe; it was the greatest feeling Harry ever felt. He felt content and happy; he wanted to stay like this forever. He reached up and tugged on his Father's unkempt hair, which then passed him back to his mother. Her lips brushed against his forehead.
Then the Dream changed. It was always like this, for a long time the dream hadn't made any sense, it had seemed like a random nightmare.
It was always the same. A distant crashing noise, his father rushes from the room. Green light shines round the cracks in the door. His mother putting him down, then Voldemort enters the room. Except this time it was different, it was the resurrected Voldemort, his red eyes burrowing into Harry's skin, burning tormenting. Lily Potter pleads with Voldemort to spare Harry but she too is killed. This dream was different, normally this would be the point at which Harry would wake, the screams of his mother ringing in his ears. This time Voldemort simply stood over him, laughing. The Bedroom swirled and faded.
Harry now sat in a circle of Death Eaters; they surrounded him, their laughter piercing his soul as though they were Dementors. Then Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew, his parents' betrayer and personal servant of lord Voldemort, came into the circle dragging his friends, they were gagged and bound.
They were all there, Ron and Hermione, even Neville and Hagrid. The Death Eaters moved to torture them, his friends screams filled Harry's ears, it was even worse than the laughter. He tried to move to help them, but was held tight by some unseen force. Tom Riddle entered the circle; he circled the screaming victims, spat in the face of Hagrid. Then in front of Harry he rose up and transformed into his present disfigured state, he became Lord Voldemort.
Harry's friends screamed and screamed and called out to Harry for help, but he couldn't move. Voldemort Laughed. He taunted Harry, laughed and spat in his face.
Then he rose up even more until he filled the entire extent of the vision, his black cloak moving like a giant tide.
Harry was defeated, he couldn't win, and he couldn't save his friends. Lord Voldemort Laughed again and then like a Giant Tidal wave, he crashed down onto Harry.
Harry awoke panting, the scar on his forehead ached. It wasn't the first time his scar had ached after a nightmare, but this time the pain was intense. The pain was only this bad when Voldemort was close; the scar on Harry's arm also ached but not as much. The window had blown open while Harry was asleep, the wind outside was roaring with renewed frenzy. Harry's papers began to blow violently around the room, he rushed over to the window. Over the sound of the wind Harry could hear something even more sinister, the sound of men chanting. In the street Harry could see a group of black robed men constructing something, looking up he saw a great green skull with a snake lolling like a tongue out of the mouth.
"Oh no, the Dark Mark!!!"
He rushed over to his wardrobe and pulled on the warmest robes he could quickly grab, then he grabbed his wand from his desk and headed towards the door. He turned the handle and nearly fell over. The entire floor was shaking, outside his Uncle's car alarm had gone off. He rushed back over to the window, below him something very large was trying to break through the surface of the road.
Harry rushed out of his bedroom door, quickly remembered that some means of escape may be important and cried "Accio" His broomstick flew through the air, landing firmly in the palm of his hand.
Foregoing the stairs, Harry leapt over the banister and rushed outside. The Dursleys were already there, as were many of the other inhabitants of privet drive. A police car came roaring down the street, only to be flipped aside as a large rock protrusion flowed upwards from the ground. Uncle Vernon's car too had been the victim of a pillar of stone. Harry stood in the doorway to the house. The Death Eaters stopped their chanting and moved to one side; Lord Voldemort stepped forward and signalled for his Death Eaters to stay back. Lord Voldemort strode boldly towards the house, his cape billowing in the wind. Harry stood stunned, he knew he had to move, to go, but his feet were planted firmly to the ground.
"Harry Potter! We meet again, this time it is on different terms though I think. Welcome to the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega."
"What are you doing Voldemort, you know you can't win, the ministry will be on you in minutes." Harry cried defiantly at Voldemort.
"Ah yes, I can see our last encounter didn't destroy that streak of courage that seems to be part of the Potter package. You should be honoured; I've chosen your home as my home Potter. "
Lord Voldemort continued to approach, his great black robe billowed in the strong wind. But he didn't get very far. Uncle Vernon being a stubborn and difficult man was getting in his way. Uncle Vernon was dressed in his dressing gown and was holding a shotgun firmly in his mitts, the barrel of which he had pointed directly at Lord Voldemort.
"You Sir, will get off my driveway and you will pay for the damage you caused to my car"
"Pay for damage I caused. Ha. You stupid Muggle, who do you think you are talking to. I am Lord Voldemort, the most powerful force on this earth, I am so feared other wizards do not even dare to say my name, you will step out of my way or I will make sure that you end up looking like your car."
Lord Voldemort brushed him to one side.
Harry was amazed, Uncle Vernon deliberately got back in the way of Lord Voldemort. Harry was upset, his uncle was about to get fried. Harry had never liked his Uncle or any other member of his family but he'd never wished this kind of suffering upon them. Harry none-the-less saw this as his only chance to escape. He ran sideways from the house and mounted his broomstick, one of the Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, saw him take off. "Crucio" he cried, Harry's body filled with pain and his head blurred, the broomstick went straight into a tree, knocking him to the ground, his wand having been knocked clear by the force of the spell, but the collision had fortunately broken Malfoy's concentration, the spell and the pain fizzled. Malfoy advanced, Harry could see his face clearly now and knew he was defenceless against the powerful Death Eater. Malfoy lifted him by the arms and slammed him against the wall of the house. Lucius Malfoy hands were locked so tightly onto Harry's arms that Harry felt the ends of his fingers tingle and he swore the scar on his left arm split, the pain was excruciating, Malfoy was grinning inanely. "I have him Master," he shouted turning his head. Harry followed his gaze. In the background the remaining Death Eaters, worked to construct what looked like a giant mirror with no glass, in the void grey mist swirled and around it the large rock formations continued to grow. He thought he recognised some of the other Death Eaters, Crabbe, Goyle and Avery.
Uncle Vernon had the shotgun up so close to Lord Voldemort's face that Harry couldn't see Voldemort's expression. Voldemort's robes shifted and his giant serpent Nagini slid out from beneath it, quickly ensnaring Uncle Vernon.
"You weak and feeble fool, I warned you, and from me that's a gift more wonderful than you could possible imagine. Now it's you're turn to do something for me."
Harry could see from here that Uncle Vernon was sweating; the shotgun had fallen to the ground.
"You're going to entertain us, whilst I deal with young Potter over there"
Lord Voldemort began to hiss at the poor man, but Harry knew that he really talking to Nagini
"Release him, gently"
Lord Voldemort lifted his wand and lowered it at Uncle Vernon. Harry's Aunt and Dudley appeared at the door, they began to shout and scream. "Imperio" Voldemort said and immediately, Uncle Vernon began to dance uncontrollably; his body twisted and turned in time to music only uncle Vernon could hear. In the background Harry could see the death eaters laughing, Uncle Vernon was not a man built to dance the way Voldemort was making him. Voldemort was grinning sadistically as the dance continued, everyone else on Privet drive had fled or was standing in shocked horror.
"And now for the grand finally" Voldemort declared, Uncle Vernon ran straight towards the wall of his own house, mere feet away from where Lucius was holding Harry.
Harry's forehead was aching and the scar on his arm was also starting to burn, he imagined Uncle Vernon smashing into the wall at high velocity. He was quite surprised to see Vernon's not inconsiderable frame run up the wall and somersault.
"I tire of this." declared Voldemort releasing Vernon from his control, Uncle Vernon keeled over sideways and Aunt Petunia and Dudley rushed out to comfort him.
Voldemort raised his wand towards the slumping figure "Avada Kedavra"
A jet of green light burst forth from Voldemort's wand towards Uncle Vernon, but when it hit the fallen figure, a brilliant gold glow surrounded Uncle Vernon and the ray of light was reflected upwards. Voldemort Cursed, and left the figure alone, he was furious and now his attention was once again directed at Harry.
"Bring him here Lucius" Voldemort said. Malfoy lifted Harry from the wall and carried him over kicking and screaming; he dumped him on the ground at Voldemort's feet, Malfoy then to stand behind Voldemort. Harry lifted himself to run but was stopped quite quickly by Nagini.
"Wormtail, you miserable little runt, bring me his wand"
Wormtail ran out from amongst the Death Eaters, his silver hand shone in the light of the Dark Mark, which still hung ominously over the street. He gathered up the wand and brought it over to his master. Voldemort snatched it from him and dismissed Wormtail.
"Your Uncle is lucky Harry, he's protected from harm by the same ancient magic that protected you as a child. That's probably why that old fool Dumbeldore left you here where he knew you would be safe. Your Uncle can't save you for much longer and you will not be as lucky as him. No-one will be safe soon, it begins here."
From the shadows, a giant Black dog pounced and landed on Voldemort's back, Harry's wand was again sent flying and Harry grabbed it before collapsing again, the dog continued its fluid movement, grabbing Harry by the collar. It darted sideways, narrowly avoiding the poisonous bite of Nagini. Lucius Malfoy jumped to grab the beast but purchased only the ground.
"It's Black, stop that dog." Voldemort cried.
The Death Eaters left their construction and moved to grab the dog. Crabbe and Goyle fell over one another in an attempt to grab the dog and tripped up the rest of the Death Eater's.
The Dog carried Harry till they got to the end of the road, where it dropped Harry. In the distance the Death Eaters were picking themselves up, Wormtail was helping Voldemort to his feet.
"After them" Voldemort cried catching his breath.
The Darkly Robed figures prepared to give chase, but at that point more wizards started to apparate. The Death Eaters drew their wands; the Ministry of Magic had arrived.
Sirius Black changed back into Human form; Harry was lying at his feet, groaning softly. "Don't worry Harry, friends have arrived." Then he helped Harry to his feet, Harry hugged his Godfather tightly. "Sirius, the Death Eaters have come back and there building something to help them take over." Harry said, "I know, Harry but there's no time for that now Harry, we have to go. I'm going to take you to Hogwarts; you're not safe here anymore. Grab your broomstick and we'll get out of here" Sirius lifted Harry's arms from around him. "Accio", The broomstick hurtled into Harry's outstretched hand.
Harry and Sirius hurried off together into the darkness, in an alley not far from Privet Drive, BuckBeak the Hippogriff was waiting patiently. Mid- flight sometime later, Harry fell into a deep sleep, Sirius held him tightly whilst he slept.
Harry awoke in a familiar room, he knew it well because he kept ending up in there. It was Madam Pomfrey's ward at Hogwart's. He sat up and looked around, he couldn't see anyone else in the room with him.
He clutched his forehead, the pain had subsided but his arm still throbbed where Malfoy had gripped it, he looked down and saw that his clothes had been laid out on the chair next to the bed. The left arm was stained with blood. He hadn't imagined that then. He hadn't imagined any of it.
A tickling sensation in the back of his throat started him coughing uncontrollably and his head swam. Madam Pomfrey rushed into the room to see to Harry, Dumbeldore followed her in followed by Black in his animagus form.
"I hope you don't intend to keep that beast in here. This is a hospital wing, not a home for great big slobbering beasts, if you intend to keep it in the school get Hagrid to look after It." said Madam Pomfrey pointing to the dog.
Black leapt up onto the Bed and curled up at Harry's feet. Dumbeldore laughed lightly and said "Poppy, I don't think that the dog's going anywhere. Anyway I don't think it'll do any harm."
"He's my patient Headmaster, if I say the dog goes, then the dog goes." Madam Pomfrey had removed a large block of chocolate from her robes and handed it to Harry.
"Here you go master Potter, you just settle down and eat this. I'll send the Headmaster back in a bit, when your head has had time to settle. I'll wager you're pretty dizzy at the moment, you lost a lot of blood."
Harry grabbed his glasses and pulled them on. "If it's alright with you, I think I need to talk to the Headmaster immediately."
"This time Harry." Said Dumbeldore, "I think we will go with Madam Pomfrey's advice. Plus I think we should really wait for the arrival of Cornelius Fudge and the party of Wizards from the Ministry."
Madam Pomfrey looked startled, "Really. You mean you're not going to pull Harry out of bed to go on another one of those silly adventures."
"No Poppy, this time I think Harry really should rest." Said Dumbeldore.
Madam Pomfrey started to smile, "Of course I'm right, so you can leave my ward and I insist you take the dog with you." Making little shoo movements with her hand in the direction of the door.
"C'mon Padfoot" Dumbeldore, defeated, beckoned to the dog, "we better leave Harry in peace for now".
The pair of them reluctantly moved towards the door. Which swung open unexpectedly to reveal Professor Snape, "Another lost and wandering soul for me to look after?" He enquired, eyeing Harry suspiciously.
"No, Severus, I shall deal with young Potter personally. You have enough wards as it is." the Headmaster replied, "I assume you come bearing news of the ministry."
"I do, Headmaster. Cornelius Fudge sends his double-fold apology, firstly for not taking the Death Eaters threat seriously and secondly for not being able to come. Do you not know the extent of his attack, he has raised a tower with his command of the dark forces, he is still calling, I feel it stronger than ever!"
"I am more than aware of his present threat, it appears that he has found an artefact of great power to aid him, but you must not answer that call Severus, else you will be no more than his slave again."
Snape leaned over Dumbeldore's shoulder, and Harry saw him eye up the dog. "Headmaster, I think this is hardly to place to discuss such things."
"Of course, Severus. We shall retire to my study."
"Um, Headmaster, Where has that dog come from? I swear I remember it from somewhere."
"Oh this, he belongs to my sister. She's gone on an expedition to establish the number of remaining wild Golden Sniddgets. Except that she had nowhere to keep the dog, so I offered to house it here, after all we do have those impressive moors for it to enjoy itself on. When Hagrid gets back from London, he can look after it, but…"
Harry strained to hear the rest of the conversation but Madam Pomfrey closed the large oaken door. He quickly consumed the chocolate and settled back to sleep. Madam Pomfrey tucked him in and then wandered back to her office.
Harry gently drifted off to sleep.
"Is he awake, Poppy?" it was Hagrid's deep booming voice.
"Hagrid, I told the Headmaster and I'll tell you. Harry isn't awake yet."
Harry had been in fact awake for about half an hour, but had chosen not to share this with the rest of the world, his body still ached and he was tired.
"Hagrid" he moaned.
"Sounds like he's awake to me, Poppy."
"Oh alright Hagrid, you can have ten minutes, tops. I suspect Dumbeldore will want to talk to Harry too."
Harry saw Hagrid approaching through blurry eyes. He lifted himself onto one arm, put on his glasses and sat up to face Hagrid.
"Happy Birthday, Harry" His giant friend gave him a huge hug.
"Hagrid, It's surely not still my Birthday is it? Last time I was in here I was out cold for days."
"It is Harry, and what's more I've brought presents and a cake."
"Did I hear someone mention cake?"
Dumbeldore had stuck his head round the door. "That's right Headmaster, made it myself." Hagrid delved into his pockets and withdrew a large white parcel. Harry remembered the last time Hagrid had made him a cake. His cousin Dudley had eaten most of it, Hagrid had rewarded him with a pig tail to go with the personality. The box was opened and a cake with brilliant blue icing was revealed, in red letters across the top of the cake, Hagrid had written "Happy Birthday Harr".
"Sorry about that Harry, ran out of red icing." At least the spelling had improved, reflected Harry. The three of them made an odd scene as they munched on their cake, Hagrid, a giant with a beard large enough to hide the entire cake in; Dumbeldore, a tall, old and powerful wizard; Harry, a boy of fifteen.
Harry had been content up to this point to sit mainly in silence, but now he wanted to know.
"Sir," he addressed Dumbeldore, "What has happened to the Dursleys and Privet drive."
"Harry, your family is safe, they think they have won a trip to Hawaii and are waiting at the Airport. Mr Weasley, I believe it was, did a wonderful job of changing their memories. They don't remember a thing. Mr Dursley has a few inexplicable bruises but is otherwise unharmed, his blood tie to you saved him there."
"Blood tie?"
"Yes, Harry. Your entire family is protected by powerful and ancient magic, it is the same magic which saved you when you where but a baby. As you already know the power of your mothers' sacrifice far exceeded that of Voldemort's most powerful magic. The magic was so strong that it became emblazoned in your Prana or life force
Your Prana Harry is what differs you as an individual. However, inevitably living with the Dursley's has led to some overlapping of life forces and some of your mothers counter-curse now protects them."
"But, I'm no longer protected by that power? Why are they protected?"
"Harry, your own choices have given you other powers that give you far better defences. Often with the ancient and primal magic's of the blood, much is uncertain. You will study much of it this year under your new defence against the dark arts teacher. Understanding it is important for the study of such creatures as the vampire and the unicorn. You shall see it is unreliable, but terribly powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands."
"That reminds me Harry," the deep voice of Hagrid interrupted "Here you go, gifts from the entire faculty at Hogwarts. Now which one's where yours?" Hagrid patted down his pockets and withdrew a long piece of paper. He read from the paper, and put it back in his pocket.
"One copy of 'A defence in a world of darkness: It's all in the blood' by Count Vladimere, one copy of 'My Monster and Me: Care of large animals' by Hrolf Fargenmaster, that's for my lessons - I've got another surprise for you all this year, Harry", Hagrid winked, "One copy of 'Clearing the mists of clairvoyance', that ones written by Professor Trelawney, she's very proud of it…" Harry saw the look on Dumbeldore's face as he graciously accepted the book "… 'Higher transfiguration', and last but not least, 'The standard book of spells - grade five'" Harry frowned when he received the last book, "Hagrid, this isn't the standard book of spells - grade five, this is '101 more things to do with a dragons spleen'".
"Sorry Harry, that's Malfoy's", Hagrid quickly exchanged the books.
"Thank you Headmaster; thanks Hagrid. But I don't understand, this looks like my required reading list for this year."
"It is Harry, we, that is the Headmaster thinks… Well he just doesn't want you to get hurt; Harry…" started Hagrid, but Dumbeldore waved him into silence.
"Harry, I do have some serious things, very serious things to do discuss with you."
Dumbeldore turned to Hagrid "I am sorry but, I must ask you to leave Hagrid."
Hagrid stood "I understand, of course Dumbeldore, sir."
"Come and see me when you're up and about Harry."
"Ok, Hagrid" said Harry
Hagrid left the hospital ward, the door closed behind him with a snap. Harry was suddenly aware of the eerie nature of the room. The world outside through the window was dark and the wind shook the trees with malice, inside the room long dribbly candles threw dark and mysterious shadows against the wall.
"Harry" Dumbeldore's voice seemed larger than normal, not louder - it just had more presence, as though the great wizard was talking straight into Harry's mind without the interference of ears in-between.
"I must know one thing, and only you I think can tell me."
Harry gulped, he tried to prevent it, but his Adam's apple bobbed as though a yoyo on a string. He looked into Dumbeldore's eyes and saw power and fear.
"Voldemort has begun his assault, I warned the ministry and they listened not. Even now, Cornelius Fudge and the ministry fight the Death Eaters on the remains of Privet Drive. The muggle public has been told it is naught but a terrorist attack, but for you and me, and the thousands of wizards and witches around the world it is far more deadly and dangerous. For this reason, some of the more prominent wizards have been hushed away to safe locations. You, Harry would have been brought here eventually, luckily it seems though you were saved from Voldemort's clutches by Sirius Black, he of course brought you here.
Harry, the time may come when the tide of darkness that even now seeps further outwards may reach this school. This is a dark time. You though may have the one accurate answer that explains why the Dark Lord begins his assault, now.
Harry, Voldemort has built himself a fortress, at the heart of which lies an artefact of great power that he is channelling his energies through. If we but knew which artefact he had discovered then we might yet prevail against the darkness. Do you know what lies at the centre of his fortress? DO YOU KNOW?" The question repeated was not shouted but still it echoed around Harry's head as though it had been blasted into there. Dumbeldore had drawn himself up to his true height, his eyes shone brightly from behind the glasses, and the candles flickered.
Harry struggled to reach the answer. It came out weak and feeble "Yes, I know"
"DESCRIBE"
And Harry described, he described until his breath could carry no more.
Dumbeldore appeared to shrink, the candles came to rest and his eyes drew back to there normal warm sparkle. "I am sorry, Harry. Rarely do I use the full force of my powers against another, however you might just have saved us all."
Harry just nodded - he could no longer speak. Dumbeldore smiled at Harry, and Harry felt as though his mind had been released from a great vice-hold that he had not noticed before. "Rest now, Harry. Tomorrow, you may be required again. Sorry".
Days later, Harry was sitting in Dumbeldore's office. Black was helping him with his Holiday work, but neither of them could remember the correct order of ingredients for Harry's potion homework. All the other recalled students were getting private potions tuition with Snape, but Dumbeldore had agreed with Black that Harry should be kept separate from the others.
Harry was fine with this. The kind of people that Snape was looking after, where certainly no friend of Harry, they were mainly people in some way connected to the Death Eaters and their family's. People like Draco Malfoy, the son of Lucius Malfoy, who had played a significant part in the destruction of Harry's home only a few days previous.
"What exactly was this potion meant to do again Harry?" Black asked
"It's meant to make hair grow on anything" Said Harry.
"Hmm, I suppose that's why you never see a bald experimental alchemist, I always thought that was a bit odd, what with them blowing themselves up every five minutes."
"That reminds me. What were you doing on Privet drive when you saved me?
"I was coming to wish you a happy birthday, Harry. I am your Godfather. Only when I got close I saw the Dark Mark and I knew evil things were afoot. I settled and hid Buckbeak, then I changed into Padfoot, and well you know the rest of the story. I saved you from Voldemort and escaping narrowly both the Death Eaters and the Ministry, whom I must say are relentless in their man-hunt for me, and then I brought you here. Anyway, enough stories and distractions, you still have Homework to do. Come on I want to see at least another foot of parchment on that potion Harry."
"Okay, Okay, You're starting to sound a bit like Snape, Sirius." His Godfather frowned at this, but then they both burst out laughing. It wasn't long though until Harry settled back to his work.
"This book I got from the Library says that one of the ingredients is the skin of the furry trout, only I've never seen the skin of the furry trout, not even in Snape's personal cupboard."
"Harry, that's a fictional creature, what book is that?"
"One Thousand Hair related potions, spells and hexes by Ema Nymton"
"Let me look at that."
Harry picked up the slim book and gave it to Sirius. Sirius flipped it open and appeared to be in deep concentration. "This book has only been taken out once before 147 years ago" he said, "Hmm, I wonder…" Then he turned the book over and opened the back cover, he waved his hand over the apparently blank double page at the back "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good".
"Hmm, I thought so, look at this, Harry."
Harry stood and looked at the back page of the book. Where before there had been nothing there was now a message to any that knew how to reveal it.
To you who find this message, thank-you for taking your time to read this book we hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed cursing it.
Geoffrey and Melchio Weasley
Ps. don't make too much of a mess of the carpet.
"Geoffrey and Melchio were the original Weasley twins, they attended Hogwarts over a hundred and sixty years ago. They were the ones who invented the mischief spell to hide their mischief from their teachers, without them we could have never written the Marauder Map."
"Sirius, the message mentions a curse. Do you think we're in any danger?"
"I shouldn't think so, that curse was placed upon the book a hundred and sixty years ago. I should think the magic has nearly gone by now. I wonder what it was originally intended to do?"
As if on cue, Harry demonstrated exactly what the curse did - he started choking uncontrollably. Sirius caught him, and slapped him on the back. From Harry's mouth came hairball after hairball. 'Oh, I see.' Said Sirius, "Don't worry, I expect it'll wear off after a while".
"And if I don't?" said Harry coughing up some more hairballs, one of them was pink. "Um, then I think it's back up to Madam Pomfrey's for you Harry, give it a while. Geoffrey and Melchio's work turns up occasionally, their curses annoy but are never permanent."
For half an hour Harry coughed up hairballs. Sirius had carefully swept them into a pile and was preparing to dispose of them, when Dumbeldore came in.
"Quick Sirius, hide. Harry you'll have to go, the Ministry representatives have arrived, they've brought what they could recover from your house Harry, it's in the Gryffindor common room. Maybe you should take it up to your dormitory. Then you can change for Dinner, I don't know if you've forgotten but term starts tomorrow."
Dumbeldore rushed back out of the room, Sirius and Harry quickly tidied the room.
"I'm going to go hide with Hagrid, Harry. Don't expect to see me for a while. Sorry about this, but when the Ministry arrives Black must fly." Harry understood. Black, though proven an innocent man to a few, still remained an escape convict on the run from the ministry and the Dementors of Azkaban.
Sirius changed into his Animagus form, a large black dog and jumped out of Dumbeldore's office window to land on the battlements outside. Harry watched him run off till he could see him no longer and then reluctantly gathered up his belongings.
Harry wandered down the corridor towards the Gryffindor tower. As he walked he passed the Ministry party. Dumbeldore and Fudge talking at the head of the group, behind whom walked a series of ordinary looking ministry wizards.
At the back though was a sight that nearly chilled Harry to the bone. It was a tall wizard, wearing long black robes with a long dark blue coat over the top. His hair, which was black, was cropped short and smoothed forwards so that it hung over his eyes. The hair didn't disguise his eyes and Harry could see that they were a brilliant piercing blue. The man watched Harry as he passed, but didn't say a word.
The Man walked on and Harry didn't look back until he was more than ten meters away. Strapped across the Mans' back was a pair of large hunting crossbows, like the one that Hagrid carried with him on his excursions into the Forest.
Harry realised that the Man must be an Auror; he carried himself in the same way that Harry had seen before. He was there to protect the ministry wizards from Dark Magic and was therefore far more powerful than he seemed, and to Harry that seemed quite difficult to imagine.
Suddenly the remembered words of Dumbeldore filled Harry with joy; Term was to start tomorrow which meant that all of Harry's friends would be arriving by train that evening. This put a spring in Harry's step as he moved towards the Gryffindor Tower and a new term.
In a forgotten room off from the school library the air made a sound like the ripping of newspaper and a bright light cut the air. Through the tear left by the light, came the sounds of a pitched battle. Screams pierced the silence and the sound of spells hurled indiscriminately blasted the heavy stone walls.
"Go Harry! Our hope rests with you; you know what you must do!" the hole grew, blossomed with brilliant light and then spat a large figure into the room before collapsing.
The heap on the floor groaned and rolled over. It was blood stained and scarred, but unmistakeably it was Harry Potter. He huddled into a corner and drew a heavy cloak around himself.
He was there. It had worked.
He sat in the corner, nursing his wounded shoulder. Perspiration rolled off his brow and splattered onto the floor. He had lost his wand in the fight, but he knew he wouldn't need it. Harry Potter was here; or rather the other Potter was here. He had been watching, observing. The heavy, wooden oak door creaked slightly and he breathed in deeply and muttered a charm under his breath.
His training was perfect; he would be dead now if it hadn't been. It was a cat; more specifically it was Filch's cat. He remembered the cat from his time spent at Hogwarts.
Mrs Norris, yes that was the cats' name. It didn't matter though. He was superior to any cat, even Mrs Norris. He finished his charm and a gust of wind blew the door shut. He was sure the cat hadn't seen him, couldn't see him. He snuggled under the cloak, even ripped and damaged he felt secure in its warmth.
He slept that night on the floor of the room, no one would disturb him, and this room backed onto the library and was used for storing the various noisemakers and other confiscated magical artefacts that had been let off in the library over the years.
A lifetime he wouldn't, couldn't return to without Potter.
The floor was hard and cold, but he was used to much worse. Much, much worse. He slept for a long time and dreamt little. The fear of the nightmares was too much for him.