A/N Mwahahaha! My first fic, so don't flame quite yet. Sorry it's so long. It'll get better. And there'll be SLASH! Review, please. Please please please! I'm begging.
It was midnight, and Harry Potter stood poised on the brink of insanity. He needed to get out of the house. Hermione was already at Ron's, her family hoping that the protection of a wizarding family would keep her safe. He couldn't imagine what sort of fun he was not in on. He rubbed his scar in frustration and silently cursed the man who had given it to him. It was because of him, and his new arising that Harry was forced to be at the Dursley's for an indefinite period of time. He couldn't imagine what he was missing. A knock came on his window. As a wizard, he was used to such things occurring and he peered outside. A great, glowing pair of eyes met him and he saw Dobby, the house-elf riding on the back of the largest owl Harry had ever seen. He threw open his window. DOBBY! What are you doing here?
Dobby came to deliver a message to Harry Potter, sir. Dumbledore says that Harry Potter must return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Dumbledore also sends a letter to further explain matters, Harry Potter.
Harry stood, or rather leaned, dumbfounded. Hogwarts? He had only been away from there for a few weeks! It was confusing, but a dream come true.
but Dobby had flown away on the owl leaving Harry with a thick letter. Goodbye Harry Potter! his voice came, faintly. Harry looked at the letter and ripped into it without a moment's hesitation.
Dear Harry, it read
Happy Birthday! Harry smiled, realizing that, indeed it was his birthday. He was 16.
I know this is rather sudden, but you must come back to Hogwarts. Unforeseen circumstances have arisen and I need to talk with you, as well as some others, in person. I am dreadfully sorry that you will be parted from your dear aunt and uncle for the rest of the summer... Harry laughed out loud at this. He hated the Dursleys and would love to see the looks on their faces when he turned up missing. Only joking, of course, Harry. Floo powder is out of the question, so I will be magicing you here tomorrow, 31 July. Today was 31 July, his birthday. Obviously Dobby had been delayed. Just be in your room at 9 AM sharp with all of your things. I'll take care of the rest.
Yours Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry reread the letter several times, grinning. If he couldn't be with his friends, Hogwarts was the next best place. Setting his alarm for 7, Harry fell into bed, asleep almost as his head hit the pillow.
***
Albus Dumbledore paced his office, occasionally putting his wand tip to his temple and depositing the most recent thought into his Pensieve. He was worried. Voldemort was on the rise for the first time for 13 years, and Cornelius Fudge was being-there was no other word for it-an ass. He was cooperating, but only just. Dumbledore hated the feeling of doing things behind Cornelius's back, but this time it was necessary. He glanced at his watch, remembered that it didn't tell time, and glanced at the mahogany grandfather clock on the other side of his office. 8:56. Remembering that it ran a minute fast, Albus waved his wand, banishing things from the of the room, leaving a large empty space in the middle of it. Peering anxiously at the clock, he stood still for a minute and strode off to one side of his office. He waved his wand and there was a huge BANG. When the smoke cleared, there was a large group of people looking around confusedly. Mr and Mrs Weasley, their children Bill, Charlie, Fred, George and Ron were there, as well as Hermione Granger looking fit and tan in Muggle clothing. Neville Longbottom stood looking scared clutching his toad. Harry stood in the midst of everyone peering around in shock.
Ron! Hermione! He said, poking them in the backs.
They whipped around. HARRY! YOU'RE HERE! Hermione hugged him, and she was followed by Ron who made to hug him but pulled away and offered his hand. His ears were pink. Oh, stuff it, Harry said and pulled him into a tight hug.
Good to see you, Harry said Bill, offering his hand. Charlie did the same. Gred! Forge! yelled Harry, grinning mischievously.
Harry, old prune!
Good to see you old wombat! laughed the twins, bowing and elbowing each other to be the first to shake Harry's hand.
Mr Weasley came over and said hello, and Harry went over to Neville, wondering to himself what he was doing there.
Harry, dear. Good to see you. Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a surprisingly strong hug and didn't release him til Fred said
Honestly, Mum, we won't win the war against You-Know-Who if you strangle the Boy Who Lived to death! The room fell silent. Everyone looked at Dumbledore.
Thank you, Fred. Because, of course, this is why we're all here. but I will say no more until everyone else gets here. If we'd all like to follow me? The rather large group made their way down the revolving staircase and out into the empty corridor. Dumbledore led them into a large, airy room with a huge table set for tea. If you'll sit down, the others will be here soon.
The others? Ron whispered Harry. Wonder who they- His question was cut short, as the huge oak doors swung open. In marched Professor Minerva McGonnagal, Remus Lupin with a large black dog in tow, Professor Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy and a woman Harry recognized. Mrs FIGG!? Harry jumped to his feet. What? Why? How?
Dumbledore cleared his throat. If I might explain why I have brought you here? he trailed off politely. Instantly the talking stopped. Harry sat down, staring at his shoes in embarrassment. Dumbledore obviously noticed this and his first words were directed at Harry.
No need to be embarrassed. I get excited when I see Mrs Figg too! Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and Fred and George made catcalls. Mrs Figg blushed.
I'm sure you all are wondering why I brought you here today. He looked around as if expecting an answer and continued. It's simple, really. You all know that Voldemort is on the rise. He has started to make very subtle attacks here and there, and we must all be prepared. You 16 are some of the most important witches and wizards I can trust, and we need to start working immediately. He glanced at the dog by Lupin's side. Suddenly a man stood by Lupin. Harry's godfather. His black hair was shorter than the last time Harry had seen him and he looked less gaunt. Harry grinned at him. Snape was shooting alternate death glares at Sirius and Harry. Mrs Weasley looked tense. Draco Malfoy looked confused. That's SIRIUS BLACK! he shouted suddenly, light finally dawning. WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE? He sprang to his feet, his wand pointed at Sirius...
Mr Malfoy. Sirius is here at my invitation, as are you. Please sit down. Dumbledore said this in a kind voice but Draco as well as everyone else in the room heard the edge in the request. He sat.
You are all here at my invitation, and I would very much appreciate it if you all could try to be civil towards one another. His eyes were twinkling once more as he looked at Snape and Sirius, Remus and Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Snape, Fred, George, and Draco, Fred, George and Snape, Mrs Weasley and Sirius, and Bill and Snape. Such enimnity he thought. But it'll all straighten out...or I'll know why. His eyes gave an extra twinkly twinkle at this un-Dumbledoreish thought and resumed his speech.
Also, you'll all be sleeping in one of the dormitories together. Seperate rooms for the adults, he added as he saw panicked looks on Mr & Mrs Weasley's faces as they looked at Snape and Sirius.
bellowed Ron. You don't mean we'll have to share a room with THAT git? He pointed at Malfoy, who looked utterly horrified at the thought as well.
hissed Hermione and Mrs Weasley in unison.
Sorry Professor. Ron whispered, becoming very interested in his own shoes.
I quite understand. Perhaps you'd prefer rooming with Professor Snape?Snape looked disgusted and horrified; Ron looked positivley sick.
Er, not really...
I was only joking, Ron. Now- Yes, Hermione? She had timidly raised her hand, not knowing if she should or just speak out.
Er, Professor, does that mean we'll be rooming with the boys, then? She blushed.
Not directly. You and Ginny will have a room and Harry, Ron, and Draco shall share another. However, both rooms open into one bathroom. An eveil voice in his head said Hmmm. This will be very...interesting. He quelled that thought and stood up.
And now, I'm sure you all are weary and would like a nice ot bath to rejuvinate yourselves. Goodnight, all!
Professor? You never told us why we're all here exclaimed Neville. Others nodded.
I know. It can wait, I think, until morning. We wll all be refreshed and ready for anything. Goodnight! He walked out the door, supressing a laugh at the sight of the expression on Snape's face at his disgustingly cheerful mood. House elves lead them to their respective rooms, ones that members of the younger set had never seen before. Ron and Harry stepped into their room, Draco close behind them. Ron uttered a low whistle, Harry gave a gasp. Malfoy looked unimpressed. The room was large and had a huge window overlooking the lake. There were three enormous four-poster beds each with thick comforters (royal purple, orange and black) and lots and lots of pillows. A door to the right led to the bathroom. Harry opened it and peered inside.
Hey, Ron! Come look at this! The bathroom was spacious with large back bathtub in the middle of it. There seemed to be a sauna in the corner.
Ron and Malfoy looked over his shoulder. Again Ron whistled, and again Malfoy looked unimpressed.
I bet that bathtub is bigger than your whole room, eh Weasel? he sneered, his upper lip curling unpleasantly. Ron lunged for him and Harry grasped Ron's robes before he could punch Malfoy.
Harry said in a calm voice. Take that back. You at least might try to be civil...or don't you know what that means? Ferret boy.
Malfoy went pink. And then turned away.
I'm sorry.
Ron and Harry stared at one another in shock.
Ron asked, staring very hard at Malfoy.
Dammit, Weasley, I said I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've been such a goddamn asshole. I'm sorry that I make fun of your family, I'm sorry I make nasty cracks about you, Potter. I'm sorry.
His face was flushed and his eyes looked suspiciously wet.
Er, Malfoy?Are you feeling alright? Whatever happened to the I-am-Slytherin-hear-me-roar-cos-I'm-better-than-everyone-else-in-the-whole- goddamn-world-and-my-sole-purpose-in life-is to-make-everyone-else's- life-a-living-hell Malfoy of, oh what was it...LAST YEAR? Harry yelled, his temper getting the better of him.
POTTER! DAMN YOU! I'VE CHANGED. I DON'T want to talk about it. Malfoy screamed. Suddenly he sat down on the purple bed, his head in his hands.
Just go away he whispered.
Ron and Harry stared at one another and quickly walked out of the room.
Harry broke into a run and Ron followed him, marvelling at how well Harry knew his way around. After abot 5 minutes of sprinting, Harry collapsed against afamiliar statue, panting.
What the bloody hell just happened?
'I dunno, but we're going to find out.
With this he turned to the stone gargoyle and said the first candy name that popped into his mind.
Fizzing Whizbees
THe gargoyle hopped aside.
Damn I'm good Harry muttered to Ron as they stepped onto the staircase leading to quite a few confusing questions that they wanted answers to.
