Disclaimer: Yes, Harry Potter belongs to me! Really??? NO! (So, don't sue me.)
A/N I'm sorry I didn't update for so long. So much stuff happened. My friend had to do the green belt exam and I was the sparring partner (that was… fun?!). I had to fight with the virus to save the life of my computer (I won!!!). And to top it all I had so many papers due and so many exams to prepare for. But everything is over now and I'm on vacation (YAY) Here's the new chapter. I hope you like it…
^_~
It is not the way it is!?
How did he manage to get himself into these situations all the time? Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, continued to wonder as he was forced to duck an unfriendly spell heading his way. What was he? A trouble magnet?
Harry managed to avoid being hit by a spell and threw one of his own in return.
Everything seemed to be getting better. He survived the green torture world; he lived through it with nothing but a little scar and a couple of nightmares. Then there was that fight with his foster parents and the death of Dudley, too bad he didn't make it a permanent death. Then, Harry's new powers reveled themselves, and about time too. But, unfortunately, to use the lightning-hands power, Harry had to touch the creature and it wasn't always an option. Not an acceptable one, like now.
Harry Potter was surrounded by at least five Death Eaters. There may be more, but only five were visible now. Harry tried to count the spells and the directions they were coming from, but then it became rather difficult to count and duck at the same time so Harry just concentrated on not being hit.
He was currently crouching down behind one of the fallen trees. If he wasn't so concerned with his… health problems, that were currently trying to come around and get him from the other side, Harry would have just enjoyed the beautiful view. And it was beautiful, alright.
This little battle was taking place somewhere that looked like Dark Forest, with ought the Dark part. The trees were green and tall, grass was shiny and the place was full of little cute, harmless creatures that were making little sounds all over the place. Everything looked so alive and happy.
And unfortunately Harry Potter did not have time to even think about it. He was in trouble, as usual.
Three of five Death Eaters were hiding in the trees to Harry's left while the rest of them were directly in front of Harry, behind a big and moldy boulder. There was probably more of them hidden in the trees, but these five were the immediate threat ones.
Now, Harry was grateful to his godfather for that "training" he made his godson go through. It definitely helped. Even though Harry wasn't winning, he wasn't losing, either. He managed to hold his own in this battle of spells.
That was the good news.
And the bad news was that, he probably would not be able to hold out for long, especially if the reinforcement arrives. Oh, the help will come, Harry had no doubts about that, but it will come to Death Eater.
Harry had to do something and do something fast.
How DID he manage to get himself into these situations?
***
After seeing terrified Dudley run back towards the house Harry was truly happy for the first time since Twizards tournament.
His happiness quickly changed to shock as he turned around and came face to face with… Ron Weazly.
"What are you doing here?" Harry was almost yelling from surprise and happiness at seeing his best friend again. "How did you get here?"
"I flew" was Ron's nervous reply "Aren't you happy to see me, mate?"
"You mean you flew all the way here," after receiving a tight little nod from Ron Harry continued "on your broom? What about muggles?"
Ron looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. "Well, it wasn't that far, the headquarters of Order of Phoenix I mean. Didn't I tell you about it in my letters."
Now Harry was too angry to notice how uncertain Ron became.
"Your letters? YOUR LETTERS??? What Letters? I didn't get a single one from you or Hermione. Those little notes don't count."
Harry's anger was building as he continued to yell at his friend.
"So, what were you doing this whole summer. Having a good time at Order of Phoenix, wherever that is. Sorry I don't know where it is. Probably because NO ONE TOLD ME. No one told me anything. Do you think I enjoy my life with Dursleys? Your letters are the only thing that keeps me going So, how hard can it be to send me a little Owl once in a while to fill me in on the latest Voldemort news. Chances are I'm going to be the one fighting him. I deserve to know what's happening. I earned it"
Ron Weazly looked like he was about to choke. Harry did not know the exact reason for it, he hoped it was guilt. He wanted to make his friend feel guilty.
"I… hmm… well, err… it's like this… eh…" was all that Ron could get out.
"I'm sorry…" started Ron after apparently getting his thoughts together "it's just…"
"Save it." Was all that Harry said. He really did not need to hear his friend apologizing. Ron probably did feel guilty. And Harry was in no mood to listen to his friend now. Maybe later he'll get an explanation out of him.
"Why are you here?" asked calmer, but still a little angry, Harry.
Ron immediately looked happier. "I'm here to take you to the headquarters. They were going to leave you with the Dursleys, but I overheard that you were in danger and came to get you myself."
"Who are 'they'?"
Now Ron looked a little uncertain again.
"Dumbledore and hmm… and the rest of them Phoenix people"
If Harry didn't feel so betrayed at the moment he would have realized that there is something wrong with Ron. "Dumbledore!!! I thought he trusted me?!"
"So, I decided to come and get you. Now we can fly back." A somewhat delighted Ron continued "get your broom and let's go. We don't have much time."
Potter looked a little unhappy with the thought of going back to the Dursleys, but than realizing that it would be just to get the Firebolt his mood significantly improved.
He was already turning to go to 'his' house when Ron stopped him "Use magic, it will be faster".
Now Harry was incredulous. "What do you mean 'Use magic'. You know we're under age. I really like Hogwarts and I would like to come back to it some time."
"Oh, I didn't tell you about magic conceiver, did I?" nor Ron looked skeptical.
"Magic WHAT?"
"Oh! It's a little bracelet that allows you to use your magic regardless of age limit." Was Ron's explanation "Here, put it on. It is also good for protection."
Harry took the offered bracelet and examined it carefully. It looked just like any other little, loose, golden bracelet. Harry couldn't help being suspicious. Something wasn't right with all this and Ron was acting weird.
"Come on, put it on. I have one myself." And Ron showed Harry his hand with the same gold bracelet, just tighter.
Hesitating for only a moment Harry put the bracelet on. It immediately tightened around his wrist, not enough to cut off the blood circulation but enough to feel uncomfortable.
"Good" Ron looked delighted with himself. "Now you can use magic with ought getting in to trouble"
"Now summon your broom and let's get going" Ron continued happily "we have a long way to go"
Harry got the notion that something wasn't right. He did not know why he felt this way. It was just a little sensation in his gut that told him not to go anywhere, just forget about his best fiend and live his life with Dursleys.
That thought sobbed Harry up. Why was he hesitating? What could be worse than Dursleys. And isn't that what he wanted? For his friends to come and take him away for the summer?
So shutting the annoying feeling of doom to the back of his mind Harry Potter somewhat nervously took out his wand and said the spell that called Firebolt to him.
In couple of minutes that it took for the broom to get here Harry managed to calm his nerves a little more seeing as no threats of expulsion came, nor did anyone show up to break his wand.
Ron was quietly standing by Harry's side all this time. The redhead looked delighted, as if he just won the lottery or better yet – a quidich cup.
"Are you ready?" asked Ron and made a motion to mount his broom that Harry had not noticed him having before.
"Come on, Harry, we have to get to headquarters before we get into trouble" said Ron, a little impatiently now, floating in the air.
Harry thought about his school trunks that they were apparently leaving behind. Unfortunately, he couldn't just summon them considering that his books were scattered all over the floor in his room. One thing he wasn't worried about was Hedwig. She wasn't in her cage now, meaning that she could find Harry later.
Sighing, Harry mounted his broom, kicked his feet of the ground and turned to look Ron in the eyes.
"Follow me, mate" Ron was looking unusually happy again "we have to fly above the clouds so that" Harry's best friend paused for a couple of seconds "Muggles won't notice us"
After saying the Ronald Weazly rose high in the air without turning to look if Harry followed him or not, which he did.
***
They have been flying for two-something hours and Harry Potter was tired and freezing cold. He was used to extensive flying during his quidich practices, but this was too much, even for him. They were forced to fly high to avoid being seen and one thing that Harry found out was that the increase in altitude brought on a noticeable decrease in temperature. So, now after being exposed to such extreme conditions Harry had a hard time just staying on his broom, his hands were frozen and he couldn't feel his feet.
"How much longer?" Harry asked his best friend "How much more...?"
Without looking around from his position in the lead Ron carelessly yelled back "We're almost here" and began his descent.
Now Harry's bad feeling came back double. They were coming towards the ground, alright. But there was nothing on the ground. They were coming closer to what seemed to be an endless field of trees. There was nothing visible, no castle, no hut and definitely no camp fire. But the thing that was bothering Harry the most was that there was no empty space to hold any of these things. The trees were just too close together. In case if the headquarters were magically hidden. Harry really hoped he was wrong about this.
A couple moments later Harry's feet touched the ground and he felt the cold numbness going away to be replaced by pain. He was stiff all over.
It did not seem to affect Ron. Well, he probably had time to prepare for the trip, thought Harry bitterly.
There was something wrong with Ron. It took Harry Potter some time to notice it and even more time to acknowledge it, but there was definitely something wrong with Ron.
He couldn't put his finger on it, but now he was sure of it, Ron changed.
"Ron" hearing his name called he visibly flinched and turned to face Harry.
"Yes" he said slowly, and than continued "we have to go, or we'll be in even more trouble than we already are"
"Where is Hermione? You did not once mention her." ignoring Ron's last comment Harry continued "is she ok?"
Ron's expression became unreadable for second immediately being replaced by a bright smile.
"Oh! She's fine. She went to visit Victor Krum over the summer and she's really happy about it too."
"But, where is she now?" Harry was becoming more and more suspicious.
"She's… hmm… waiting for us in the headquarters, so we better hurry up." was Ron's answer. "She's waiting for us."
"You're not Ron, are you?" Harry was almost sure of it himself "Who are you?"
"So, you figured it out, did you? I wonder, what gave me away? Well, no use pretending, I guess" Ron started to change before Harry's shocked eyes "It doesn't matter now. I got you exactly where I want you and I'm sure Lord Voldemort will be very happy when I bring him your head"
"WORMTAIL!!!!"
***
He really hoped it was all a dream. Very bad, and ugly, but still a dream. He was really an unlucky person, Cedric's death, his foster family, the Green World and now this. If his luck did not change, he will be dead in a couple of month. Unless he died now. Which was a not an unlikely outcome.
After Harry found out that his best friend was impersonated by one of his worst enemies it ended in the usual exchange. The evil laughter, the I'm-going-to-torture-you-before-I-kill-you threats from both sides and the disclosure of the very evil plans were present.
Well, at least now Harry new what the bracelet was for. It was made to hide him, so that his friends will have to look for Harry the old fashioned way.
Harry also found out how Ministry of Magic managed to know about the underage wizards using magic and why he was blamed for the cake incident. They came up with spells that showed where each wizard was, it was legally used on underage wizards but it was usable only by Ministry of Magic, so that if magic was detected they could se right away who was in the area. And it was easy to catch and criminals with it, if they did not hide themselves from it.
Only select few new about the system and Harry was now among them.
After Wormtail told him what the bracelet was for and said not to expect help from anyone, especially the Ministry, as if they would want to, he proceeded to colorfully describe how painful Harry's death will be.
Harry guessed that Voldy was not happy with his humble servant, so Wormtail decided do something to get on his master's good side, as if he had one.
Wormtail was in the process of taking out his wand when Harry jumped him. The boy-who-lived didn't even bother taking out his wand. He just ran straight for the bastard who betrayed his parents and knocked him down with his body weight and the added bonus of momentum.
To say that rat-face was surprised is to say nothing. He was appalled. No self respecting wizard, underage or otherwise would use brute force if magic was available! He expected Harry Potter to be the same and now he was paying for his mistake.
Harry wanted to kill the little slime ball. He wanted him dead. Then he thought about Sirus. If he killed this traitor now his god father will never be able to clear his name. So after hesitating for a moment and considering all his options Harry hit Wormtail in the face, hard, knocking him out cold. Harry could kill him now. He certainly had opportunity to do it, but then he will have to carry this lifeless body with him to civilization and it was definitely something that Harry could live without. But, unfortunately his muscles were still under the influence of cold so it was doubtful if he could move Wormtail anywhere. Not even if he wanted to. Harry though of placing the feather light spell on the bastard but then changed his mind. He will leave him here, for now. When they meet again Harry will kill him, but it will be a fair fight. Potter had no doubts that he could do it.
Now, he had to get out of this forest.
He considered just flying out of here, but then decided against it. It would be much better if he could get away on foot. He was in enough trouble already. Dumbledore was doing to kill him and if any muggles saw him flying the Ministry of Magic will be also on his case. And his muscles will be much happier with some movement.
***
He should have just flown away. Now it was too late. There were Death Eater out there and he would place himself in very real danger if he tried to fly away now.
Wormtail probably called for back up.
Why didn't I think of it before?
Harry was silently cursing to himself. He should have just killed the bastard or at least tied him up.
Now he was in another tight spot.
He had to fight…
…or die…
…again…
A/N Thank you very much for reading this story. I appreciate all the responses I get and if you have any questions and/or suggestions e-mail me.
Special thanks to:
Tara6
Mella deRanged
Lois Lane
Born to Fire
and thanks to everybody else who reviewed this or previous chapters
Thanks for reading my story!!! It means a lot to me!!!
A/N By the way, did I tell you that I appreciate all the reviews that I can get?! *hint, hint* ^_^
