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Tangled Relations

Chapter 2 - Black Cloaks

As the sun rose over Privet Dr. on July 31, Harry awoke to Uncle Vernon pounding on the door. "Boy, get down here and start breakfast and don't burn it. We're taking Dudley to an amusement park for having to put up with you for the summer. You, boy, are not going. And if you burn breakfast your gonna be locked in your room for the day."

Harry got up, threw on some clothes, and walked downstairs. Uncle Vernon gave him a slap on the back of the head as he entered the room and a glare to rival Snape's as he carefully cooked the calorie laden food, Dudley's diet long forgotten. Breakfast was uneventful after that. As soon as they were done eating, the Dursleys left for the park, leaving Harry alone for the day.

The day past quickly with Harry getting as much homework done as he could without having to worry about the Dursleys. Harry looked at the clock and sighed, his relatives would be home in 2 short hours. So much for peace and quiet. He carefully packed his books away and started reading a muggle book that Dudley got for his birthday, but would never read himself. If Vernon came home and saw him still reading his schoolbooks, he might lock them up better then they already are. Harry was lucky to have had Fred and George teach him muggle lock picking. He smiled to himself as he continued reading the book. Harry was just starting the second chapter of the muggle book when he heard the popping sound of several people apparating.

Harry gasped aloud as his hand went immediately to his forehead, his scar burning like crazy. He looked out his window to see several wizards in black cloaks walking towards his house; the white masks made them unmistakably death eaters. A tall figure stood with them apparently ordering them inside.

Harry quickly retrieved his wand from the loose floorboard and started towards the stairs. He had no intentions in getting trapped in his room. Just as he descended the stairs he saw a second group of wizards in black cloaks starting towards him from the front door. He was standing in between the two groups with a curse on his lips when suddenly a hand reached out of one of the cloaks grabbing him and taking him out the front door, across the street, and behind a tree.

The sounds of curse after curse being fired went through the house. It seemed there was a fierce battle raging inside. Harry struggled to free himself, but stopped when he heard a familiar unpleasant voice. "Potter. Stop struggling. We are here to help you."

"Professor? What's going on? I want to help."

The unmistakable voice replied "stupid gryffindor, have some sense, those are death eaters in there. Let the order handle them."

"But Voldemort is here too, they could be killed."

"Potter, just shut up for once or they will know where we are."

After a few more minutes the curses died down and a few unmasked wizards exited the house while others were heard apparating away. "Hey Harry, you OK?" "Hi Tonks, I'm fine. It's great to see you. Are you OK?" Noticing the several burns and rips in her cloak from the battle. "Yeh, I'm just a little tired. Nothing to worry about. Old Voldy apparated away when the battle started and the rest of the death eaters followed shortly. There are only a couple of them left in there stunned. We'll get 'em locked up all right."

Another lowered his hood to reveal his disfigured face with the magic eye. "We had better get Potter out of here. The ministry will be here soon. Tonks pack all of his things in his trunk and get it to Hogwarts. Snape, take him straight to Hogwarts now. I don't know why the wards failed to keep Voldemort out so Potter will be safest there."

Snape removed a quill from inside his robe. "Potter grab a hold, it's a portkey to Hogwarts."

Harry's eyes grew wide, and his face paled. " ...a portkey?" He whispered.

"Potter grab on Now. I don't have time for this." Snape yelled. Followed by an almost inaudible "if it weren't for promising Lily"

Harry grabbed the quill, Snape said something in another language, and the portkey activated. Harry felt the tug behind his navel and glued his eyes shut. He didn't realize when he was on solid ground again.

Snape looked around to see himself in the great hall of Hogwarts. Looking down, he saw Harry sitting on the floor with his eyes firmly shut and his fists clenched. "Potter ... Potter! Harry!!" Harry finally looked up and saw the scowl he was so accustomed to.

"Sorry Professor, I just don't like portkeys since..." He trailed off.

"Well Potter get up. You're safe now."

"Professor Snape, what did you promise my mom?"

Snape's face went paler then usual and he said in a forced calm voice. "Don't mention her to me ever again. Follow me."

Snape led Harry towards the gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office. "Fizzing Wizbies" They went up the stairs and entered the office. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, the twinkle missing from his eyes.

"Harry, I'm sorry, I don't know what happened. The wards fell easily when Voldemort attacked. Your relative's protection should have made them indestructible even though they were out at the time. Therefore I would like you to stay at Hogwarts for the rest of the summer."

Harry couldn't help but smile at the thought of being "home" for the rest of the summer holiday instead of with his relatives. "Thank you headmaster."

"Harry there is a room down the hall from here that is guarded by a picture of a forest scene. There is a creature in there that you can discuss the password with. I'm sure you'll find him amusing. Tonks should be here soon with your things."

Harry said his thanks and exited the room, leaving professor Snape with the headmaster. He descended the stairs and walked down the hall, stopping in front of a painting of a beautiful forest scene. He had scene this painting before, but never paid attention to it. It seemed as if everything in the painting was alive. The tall trees, including what looked like a womping willow seemed to be staring at him. There were various pairs of blinking eyes in the bushes following him. "Hello, I need to set my password." After hearing this some of the eyes disappeared, but one pair remained.

Harry had to stifle a laugh as he heard someone cursing in the painting. "I'm sorry to bother you, but you are guarding my room." It wasn't until a shimmering black snake with green eyes slithered into view that Harry realized his last statement came out in parseltongue. ~Finally, someone who speaks to me. Master, tell me what you would like for a password.~

~Slithering Snakes~ Not that anyone else in Hogwarts is a parslemouth, he thought to himself. ~But, even if someone knows the password, don't let them in. If you meet anyone else that can speak your language, tell me immediately.~

~Yes, master, I will do so.~

~You don't have to call me master, call me Harry.~ With that the painting swung open to reveal a large bedroom. About the size of his room in gryffindor tower, with four less beds and a sitting area instead all in blue and silver colors. A door in the back must lead to the bathroom, he assumed, and his belongings were already situated at the foot of his bed. Harry walked around taking in all the details of his temporary home before laying across the bed for a well-deserved rest.

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