HP NOT MINE!!!

Chapter Five:  Of Predicaments and Plans

The walls were cracked and covered with moss but I could still see the golden phoenix statue standing in the front of the room along with a few remaining magical artifacts.

"A what?"

Ron and Hermione were standing together waiting for me to explain.

"Have either of you ever heard of the Order of the Phoenix?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah I heard my dad talking about it once."

Herm just stood there. "I read about it. Let me see if I can remember it. The Order is a very ancient group of powerful witches and wizards. They are only active when a great evil has arisen. They are pretty much the wizarding world's main defense against evil."

"Well, you are looking at a new member. Your dad is in it too Ron, along with most of our grown-up friends. That isn't even the kicker. You two might want to sit down for this. It turns out I am some sort of Lightning Child or something. Dumbledore read a prophesy from a really old book. I am also a descendant of Godric Gryffindor. I am guessing it's by my father's side of the family. I can control time now, and my spells are really powerful. I managed to knock Dumbledore out with a disarming charm! Dumbledore says it is my destiny to fight Voldemort, a prophesy said so... Problem is it doesn't say who will win! I also have this annoying voice in my head that is trying to instruct me on what to do. It turns out that it speaks through Lil."

I am not annoying.

"Yes you are."

I think you told them that a bit too fast.

"Oh? What would make you say that?"

Well they are just staring at you with their mouths hanging open.

"Bugger."

Isn't it though.

"Would you go away now?"

Oh you are no fun! Fine then whenever you need instruction just call for me.

"Not bloody likely..." I turned to my friends. "Umm guys?"

Ron blinked once then shook his head to clear it. Hermione stared at me for another moment then her eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted. Ron's hands darted out and caught her.

"Nice save Ron."

"Um... thanks? Are you gonna wake her up?"

I grimaced. "Well that is the thing. I am almost afraid to. My expelliarmus would have killed a normal wizard. Dumbledore is going to teach me how to make my spells gentile for the next two weeks. Until Professor Dumbledore clears me, I am afraid I would kill anyone I hexed or charmed."

"Blimey..."

"So I hold her and you enervate her, ok?"

"K."

I gathered Hermione in my arms and grinned at Ron's red face. "You like her don't you?"

Ron got even redder. "Hu? What do you mean, Harry?

I was having fun. "You. like. her. don't. you?"

By now Ron was about as red as his hair. "Wha... what would make you think that?!"

I grinned. "Oh just the way you look at her, and the way you reacted about Victor Krum. Also the fact that you are even redder than your hair, a feat that thought could never be achieved by you."

"Remind me to toss you in the lake when we get back."

"Oh I wouldn't try it."

"Why?"

"Here's why... Stop!"

Ron stood there completely frozen. I walked over to him and pulled his robes over his head and put a canary crème in his mouth.

"Start!"

I fell on the floor in giggles as a very confused looking bird struggled with the robes over his head and watched as the bird changed to a confused looking boy struggling with the robes over his head.

"Harry... how did you do that?"

I grinned. "I told you, I can control time. I predict this next school term will be very interesting. Now I believe you should awaken "sleeping beauty". Perhaps a kiss?"

"... Prat..."

I just grinned at him as he glared at me.

"Umm... Ron?"

"Yeah what is it you wanna make fun of me some more?"

"No..."

"Then what?"

"You gonna do it or what?"

"Fine! Enervate!"

I watched as she opened her eyes and looked at Ron and me.

"Guys, why am I on the floor?"

"Well you see Herm, scar head here has a new set of powers that we can never have and you fainted from the shock. He is in the Order of the Phoenix, and can control time too! Oh lets all have a party for him! Oh and look! He will probably make prefect and team captain too! Listen to everyone cheer for golden boy! Please excuse me while I go gag."

He didn't even look at me as he jumped into the return portal.

"Umm Harry?"

I bit my lip. "Yeah Herm?"

"What just happened? Ron is jealous again isn't he? Oh Harry..."

"I can't take another fight like that. I'm going after him. You didn't hurt yourself when you fell did you?"

"No I am just fine, why do you ask?"

"Good."

I jumped through the portal and ran after Ron full speed. I found him in his room with the door locked. I picked the lock and let myself in.

"Don't you know how to knock?"

"Ron we umm... need to talk."

"Oh really, about what?"

"Last year."

"Hu?"

I ran my hands through my hair as I always did when I was nervous. "Ron what happened with... the-Triwizard-Tournament, will probably happen again. If Voldemort ever finds out that I have my new powers he will do whatever he can to get at me. I am going to need you with me for this next term. Last year when I was forced into the tournament I was scared. I knew someone was trying to kill me... again, and well, I really needed you then. Herm did her best and she was great, but... you're the one who can usually cheer me up when I am scared or depressed. Please Ron, I... I don't think I could take another time like that. It's bad enough with Voldemort yapping at my heels, I am really gonna need your support. I hate being me, I really do! Do you know any other kid my age that has to take a dreamless sleep potion every night to keep from waking up screaming? I hate being the center of attention, everywhere I go all people do is stare at my forehead and gape, and now I can barely go to the loo without someone wanting to take me there and wipe my bottom when I am done! It SUCKS being me! Yes, the time thing is cool. I plan to have fun with it. But I would give anything ANYthing to have a family like yours. You think I am rich? I'm not. You are the one who has all the wealth and you don't even know it. Ron, you are my family. You, Herm, Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, even Percy... Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and now even Dudley, you guys are my family. I am gonna need every one of you this next term, especially you and Hermione. I am sorry if I embarrassed you. But please, don't push me away. I hate to say it but I really don't know if I will be here tomorrow so we can make it up. If Voldemort finds out about my new powers and that I know I am the Child of Thunder... I'm dead. Last year... it hurt so much. I really needed you then, but you, you just didn't seem to care."

His face turned into a cruel sneer. "Well Potter, the truth is I don't care about you. In fact I hate you."

I felt as if I had been punched in the gut. Ron would NEVER say that. I looked him straight in the eye. His eyes were glazed over. He was under the Imperious Curse the whole time. That meant Voldemort knew... "Oh...no... Finite Incantatem!"

Quick as a flash Ron's eyes cleared and he looked at me in horror. "Harry, he knows! I tried my best but I just couldn't fight him!"

"Ron... get your family. We are going to take a trip to Hogwarts. We should all be safe there. Pack up; I am going to get Herm."

"Be careful Harry."

That was all I heard before I shut the door and ran down the stairs. I met Hermione half-way.

"Herm, Ron was under Imperious, Voldemort knows, and we have to leave right NOW!" At the same time I said that my scar began to hurt. I grabbed her hand and yanked her towards the Burrow. "He's coming!"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

I whirled around and thrust out my hands. "STOP!"

The curse stopped in mid air. I was panting from fear and exhaustion. I quickly turned to Hermione. "Start." She snapped back to life and stumbled as I pulled her in the direction of safety.

"And where do you two think you are going?"

Ok that meant two things. One, I was so royally screwed it wasn't even funny, two, he was at least as powerful as me if he could unfreeze that quickly. Either way, this encounter was not going to be pleasant. I turned around, pushing Hermione behind me and looked him straight in the eye.

"You're not gonna win you know."

"Oh and exactly how is a fifteen year old kid gonna win?"

"I will hold him off. Get my dog snuffles. Right before you leave send up green sparks. If you get into trouble send up red sparks. Now GO!"

I pushed her towards the Burrow and listened to her retreating foot steps.

"You think I will let her go? AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"Expelliarmus!"

Once again our spells met in midair and the golden web formed. We were both lifted off the ground and the battle of the minds began. I had done some research and if I could manage to hold on until the last curse replayed, Voldemort would be weakened. I gritted my teeth and concentrated on getting the golden ball of light to the twin of my own wand. Finally it touched his wand. I watched once more as the ghostly images of a young woman in her twenties, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, Cedric, Frank Bryce, Bertha Jenkins, my parents, still encouraging me until they saw my Aunt and Uncle and got into a big argument with them, and lots of other people some who were encouraging me, some who were trying to get Voldemort, and some who were helping my parents beat up my aunt and uncle, all came out of his wand. I glanced over at the burrow and saw red sparks floating over the house. I bit my lip. Well it was worth a try.

"STOP!"

Everything froze leaving Voldemort trapped in the web. I carefully detached my wand from the web and hopped down. I grinned and waved at Voldemort.

"See you around!"

He growled as he snatched his wand away from the web and attempted to work his way through it. I turned around and began running in the direction of my friends. I didn't even hear Voldemort's parting curse I just collapsed screaming in pain. Boy was he ever a sore loser!

"Finite Incantatem!"

I lay gasping on the ground for a few seconds then felt strong arms encircling my waist. I looked up. It was Sirius.

"Thanks Sirius."

"You ok?"

"Yeah I will be ok. Come on we need to go. Herm sent up red sparks."

"Right."

Without another word the two of us ran to the Burrow. When we got there the sight that greeted us was not a happy one. There was blood on the floor and there was definite signs of a struggle. I didn't even need to look at the note on the door. The death eaters had my friends. From upstairs I heard a blood chilling scream. I knew that scream...

"GINNY!"

I raced upstairs with my wand in hand. Those scum were NOT going to get her too! I got to the top and kicked open the door to her room, not even noticing that there had been a strong lock charm in place. I stopped in my tracks, frozen in horror. A death eater had her on her bed and was in the process of ripping off her robes. An anger unlike anything I have ever felt boiled in my blood. I raised my wand.

"Get. Off. Her. Now." He ignored me and started laughing as he forced her mouth open and his tongue in.

"No more warnings. EXPELLIARMUS!"

The spell ripped out of my wand with a power stronger than I had ever felt. It hit him and he was thrown off her and made quite a nice crater in the wall. There was no doubt in my mind that he was dead. I had killed. The funny thing was at the time, I didn't care! I quickly took off the open robe I had been wearing and draped it around her. At first she didn't know quite what was going on and tried to fight me. I gently shushed her and held her in my arms. When she realized it was me holding her, she latched on to me in a death grip. The door opened and Sirius ran in.

"Oh no... Are you two alright? Harry? You... you..."

He then saw the state Ginny was in. I could tell by his intake of breath.

"He didn't... did he?"

I tightened my hold on Ginny a bit. "No, he didn't. I got here in time, and I thank whatever God there is in heaven for that." I felt just the tiniest twinge in my scar. Voldemort was free.

"Start. Come on; we should go. Ginny could probably use some dreamless sleep potion."

Sirius gave me a look. He knew what I was trying to do; I was trying to get us to Hogwarts without disturbing Ginny any more that she already was. Ginny was strong, I knew that, but she was at her limit. Anymore pressure and she would snap. I took out the portkey and Sirius put his hand on my shoulder. I heard a crash from downstairs and my scar flared up almost immediately.

"Transportus!"

"Oh I don't think so! Expugno!"

I felt his wand on the back of my neck and the slight dizzy sensation I had been feeling disappeared, my vision cleared, and the portkey flew out of my hands and landed on Ginny. At the same time I was thrown back away from the portkey and watched as my god-father and my friend were pulled to Hogwarts. I was trapped. On top of all that the door the Ginny's room slammed shut and I found myself suddenly wrapped in heavy chains.

"I wouldn't try to do any magic if I were you. Those chains are anti-magic. If you even attempt to do a spell they will sap all your magical power. The process is very painful and quite deadly I assure you."

I gave him a death glare and growled out. "What do you want snake face?"

"That is a very simple and difficult question. I want your power. But to get your power the transferee has to be willing, quite the predicament for me. So, I captured your friends. Cooperate and they will be fine. Resist and... well I don't think you want to know what will happen to them. You have three weeks to decide. That is also a requirement. Your friends will be in my care until then. Don't worry they will be treated well. After the three weeks you will receive a portkey. If you do not take the portkey you will receive a piece of one of your friends each day. I will see you in three weeks Harry Potter."

"Why the blasted chains then if all you wanted to do was talk?"

"I couldn't have you running about shooting of spells and freezing time could I? Have fun getting out of those chains." With that he apparated out.

"Great, just great! Me and my stupid questions!"

I knew now that above everything else Voldemort wanted to keep me alive. That, and if I stopped time I should be able to do whatever spell I wanted without repercussion. I quickly brought the time in that room to a screeching halt then finally managed to get out of the chains, blasting them to pieces in the process.

"I really need to learn to control my powers!"

Muttering an apology to the Weasleys, I obliterated the door with an opening charm. Then I made my way downstairs and used floo powder to get back to Hogwarts. When I got there I was almost crushed by a hysteric Sirius. I finally managed to get him off me then I was bustled off to the hospital wing. Ginny was there. She looked a lot better. Her bruises had been healed and there was a peaceful expression on her face. I allowed Madame Pomfrey to fuss over me until Dumbledore came in holding the letter that had been left for me.

"I trust Voldemort told you what he wants?"

"Yes sir."

"What do you plan to do?"

"Train like heck for the next three weeks and see where I end up. Maybe I will get a dream that will give me a clue of where they are. I do not, however, plan on giving up my powers to him. I can't put myself above the rest of the world, and there is no way I am gonna let him win. He has hurt too many people sir, he is going down."

"I quite agree. However, why don't you give Voldemort a turn for the worst instead?"

"Hu?" Dumbledore just smiled and waved a time turner in front of my face. His eyes had a positively mischievous look to them.

"Exactly what I said Harry. Let's give Voldemort a turn for the worst." He put the time turner around my neck and held out a bit of Floo Powder. "Shall we?"

I allowed a co spiriting smile to cross my face and took a pinch of floo powder from him. "Yes I believe we shall." I threw in the powder and shouted out "The Burrow!"

My head was whirling and I was covered with soot by the time I emerged. I quickly scrambled out of the way as a squeaky clean Dumbledore popped out of the fire place.

"How do you do that?" He winked at me and simply said,

"Practice."

While I dusted myself off and made my way outside, he explained how to work the time turner. One turn for each hour I wanted to go back. He said that one hour should do just fine. I nodded and held the time turner in my hands like he had instructed. Before I left he gave me one final tip.

"Harry, it wouldn't be a good idea to kill the death eaters that will be attacking your friends. Simply freeze time then take your friends to Hogwarts. I will take care of the death eaters."

I nodded and he put his hand on my shoulder. I took the time turner in my hands and carefully turned it over in my hands. I felt a sudden rush of air and found myself and Dumbledore standing in the exact same place. The only difference I could see was that the sun was a bit higher. I followed Professor Dumbledore into the shadows as my younger self ran into the house to speak with Ron. I heard a bit of yelling then silence. A few seconds later I watched myself running full tilt towards the lake and Hermione. I knew that it would be very long now. I saw Hermione running back into the house then I heard a scream and saw red sparks shoot up into the air. I took a deep breath.

"STOP!" I ran inside the house to find my two friends under some kind of curse. I quickly grabbed the death eater's wands and broke each one. Then I started time for them. Both Ron and Herm yelled out loud for a second then blinked at me.

"Oh Harry thank goodness!" Hermione threw herself at me and I wrapped her in an awkward hug. Ron was pretty worked up but managed to control himself.

"It was the Cruciatus curse wasn't it?"

Ron nodded and Herm buried herself further in my robes. "I never knew something could feel like that..."

I nodded as Hermione (somehow) hugged me even tighter and sobbed out "Oh Harry!"

I had a dangerous glint in my eye when I handed the still hysterical girl to Ron and walked over to the two death eaters that had done the deed. I punched both of them in the nose, a satisfied smirk crossing my face when I heard the snap of breaking bone. I turned back to my friends.

"Let's go." I smiled at Professor Dumbledore and held on to both Ron and Herm. I took out my Portkey and yelled out "Transportus!" I felt the usual sensation of dizziness and the hook in my stomach, found myself and my friends back in Dumbledore's office. I allowed the adrenaline to drain out of my system before standing up and fishing in my pocket for some left over chocolate which I gave to each of my companions then let them recover and rest for a bit before smiling and holding out the time turner. Both of their eyes grew wide in understanding as I walked over to the headmaster's desk and carefully placed the time turner on top of it. Ron found his tongue first.

"How far from in the future are you? And what about Ginny?"

I flopped down in a cushy chair and began my tale.

"I am actually only an hour ahead of you. I had come back from fighting Voldemort to find you two gone, blood on the floor, and a note, which I didn't bother to read, sticking in the door. I heard a scream from upstairs and rushed up to see what was wrong. It was Ginny. A death eater was on top of her. He was about to... Anyway I got there in time, thank goodness. The bad thing is... I am quite sure I killed him. Dumbledore told me not to cast a spell when I was angry... but I wasn't thinking too clearly... and I did warn the guy... I cast Expelliarmus on him and he almost flew through the wall. I don't think anything bad will happen to me though... Well I will put it this way... If they try I won't let them. I am not happy I killed him or anything but I don't regret it too much either. He probably would have just ended up questioned and kissed anyway. He is probably better off dead. Anyway Sirius came upstairs and saw the condition Ginny was in, I got them to hold on to me and the portkey and had just said the activation word when Voldemort came in and said... oh what was it? Expogo? Something like that... Anyway it bound me to the room while Ginny and Sirius were whisked away by the Portkey. Before I knew it I was wrapped up in chains and the door had slammed shut. Basically he told me that he had you guys, and I had three weeks to decide whether or not I was going to give him my powers, or let you die. He disappeared; I got out of the chains, uh Ron... I sort of blasted Ginny's door to smithereens. So… you need a new door... The sooner Dumbledore teaches me how to control my power the better."

Ron just stared at me. "Blimey Harry!"

"That's not all of it. I really thought that he had you guys... You have no idea how relieved I was when Professor Dumbledore pulled out that time turner. Heh, it was kinda funny watching myself run around. We waited until the red sparks were flying over the house... you know the rest."

Ron sighed and gave me a half exhausted half amused look. "We do have some adventures at that don't we?"

I smirked "And the award for the understatement of the century goes to..."

"Git. But about earlier, what you said to me... I won't let you down. You're my mate and you have always been a good one. I was terrible last year. I wasn't there when you needed me. I know you've forgiven me and everything, but I am not so sure I've forgiven my self. I guess I just wanted to thank you for saving me and Herm and tell you that from now on... you can depend on me. I won't let you down ever again Harry."

Before I could reply the fire turned green and the squeaky clean Dumbledore popped out of the fireplace.

"Ah good I see you all stayed here. It would have been quite a shock to the Harry of the past if himself and his friends ran past him. Good judgment you three. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, I saw what happened, are you alright?"

"Yes headmaster, it was only on us for about one second."

"Are you sure it was even that long?"

Dumbledore smiled and his eyes seemed to take on a life of their own with all their twinkling. "Even so, the Cruciatus curse is a very serious curse. I think that you two should go down to the hospital wing and get checked out by Madame Pomfrey. You will find Miss. Weasley there as well I shouldn't wonder."

"Um professor, isn't Harry coming to?"

"No Mr. Weasley he isn't, I do need to teach him to harness those new powers of his. We can't have him blowing young, promising Slytherins through the battlements can we?"

I grinned. "Now that might be interesting..."

We all laughed. Dumbledore gave Ron and Hermione a few more pieces of chocolate and sent them on their way.

Dumbledore then turned to me. "Now Harry, how shall we go about this? It has been so long since I have taught young eager minds... Ah yes I do believe it is coming back to me. First of all you will need a place to train... Ah! I have just the thing."

He walked over to a bookcase I hadn't noticed before and pulled out a red book with golden pages. The title was Caring for Flobber Worms.  He opened the book and waved his wand over a page somewhere in the middle. The bookcase faded away revealing a long hallway. Dumbledore closed the book with a snap.

"Well let's be off shall we?"

END CHAPTER

AN: Ah another chapter complete! ^_^

A few short comments… fooled ya didn't I! You thought that I was gonna let Herm and Ron get captured! HA! j/k Actually in the first version I DID let them get caught but while I was attempting to write I got the worlds WORST case of writers block and the entire fic was almost ruined. This chapter was almost PAINFUL to write for some reason. I had to force myself to do it! Luckily, the next chapter hasn't been so hard to write.

Ok, a short warning, I have, thus far managed to get the chapters out quickly, that isn't gonna be happening anymore. The next chapter should be out pretty quick as I only need about 300-500 more words on it, but I DO need to get my beta to go over it. Expect it sometime on Monday or possibly Tuesday. After that it's gonna be a LOT slower. It usually takes be two-three weeks to get a chapter ready for my beta and depending on if she feels like editing my chicken scratch, THAT can also take a few days. However, I promise when I get a chapter back all nice and edited for me I WILL post it the same day. (Unless I am sick.) Ok so post are gonna be slower from now on.

Nother little comment. I believe there are only two chapters left in THIS fic! *grins happily* It's been fun and all of my readers have been great! Not one flame or bad comment yet! I consider that a VERY good thing.

One more quick note, the new spell, expungo is… Latin, I believe, for bind, or hold down, it is pretty much self explanatory as far as what THAT does! ^_^

Ok! Time for the thank-yous!

Mnemosyne: I am glad you like it! And yeah isn't Lil kawaii! Hee hee I based her off a white ferret actually. I was playing with her and got a mental picture of Harry with a ferret like creature on his shoulder. I was like, awww!!! And rushed home to write it. I think my friend was a bit confused actually… ~_^

Seal: ^_^ Thanks! Glad you like it!

Tima: Thanks! And I plan to! And believe it or not I am actually scouting around for fifth year fics you might like. IM me (tonight) and I will give you one that I KNOW you will love! ^_^

Sara Minks: Hee hee I still think it's funny we have the same first name ^_^ Suspense? I will try not to keep you in too much of it. But I reserve the right for one evil cliffy per fic. Since it doesn't look like I will have one for this fic I get TWO in the next one! : )

*giggles* Ahhh THAT explains why you didn't understand at first. Hee hee When you first reviewed I scanned through the chapter about nine time trying to make sure I didn't leave something out. ^_^  Note to readers: Don't skip parts. Ya might get cofuzzeled ~_^ j/k