Disclaimer:

            All characters, locations, miscellaneous items, and anything else that you recognise belongs to J.K. Rowling and various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Book, and Warner Bros. I am making no money or any other form of profit on this work.

            To any other fan fiction writers out there who recognise their work within these pages, please be proud, I only borrow from the best (it is fan fiction after all).

Summery:

            This story takes place after J.K. Rowling's fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry comes to terms with his losses and, determined that no one else should suffer as he has, he takes matters into his own hands.

            This story will involve some romance, with pairings of Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione.

* * * * * *

Chapter 1

Harry Potter, the boy who lived, was in shock.

He had only just got back to number four Privet Drive the day before, and so far, his summer was shaping up to be the most uninteresting of his life.

It seemed that his aunt and uncle had taken the Order's warnings about Harry very seriously, and so they were avoiding him like the plague. Now they just ignored him.

No one would talk to him, for fear of upsetting him. They didn't even stay in the same room with him. They would make the poorest excuse to get away.

Not only that, but now they decided that getting Harry to do all the chores would not be beneficial to their health. The first time Harry was disappointed about not having anything to do.

So instead Harry sat alone, in the smallest bedroom of number four Privet Drive, and cried.

This was a fairly new feeling for Harry. He hadn't cried since before receiving his first Hogwarts letter, so for the first time in five years, Harry cried.

He was morning the loss of his godfather, but Sirius was not just a godfather, he had also been a good friend, and the only real father figure Harry had ever known.

As he sat there, Harry came across a striking revelation. Although he blamed himself for Sirius's death, just like he had for Cedric's, he realised that he didn't feel just guilt.

More than guilt, there was an overpowering sense of hatred, and a desire for revenge.

The more Harry thought about it, the more he came to realise that the only way, the only good way, to remember Sirius, was to avenge him, and to make sure no more suffered as he had.

With this insight, Harry jumped up off his bed and moved over to the desk. Finding a fresh piece of parchment, Harry wrote a letter.

Dear Remus.

My reason for writing to you is three fold.

Firstly to let you know that I am well, and that the Dursley's are leaving me alone. The threat you and the rest of the Order made at Kings Cross must have had an effect, for now they seem content to simply ignore me, which is the best that could really be expected.

Secondly, I wish to apologise. I am well aware of the fact that at the end of the last school year, I said many things that I did not mean. I was, understandably, very traumatised by Sirius's death, as I am sure you are, and also the incident at the Department Of Mystery's. Although this is not an excuse, it is the reason. I hope you can forgive me for my behaviour towards you and others.

Lastly, I was wondering if it was possible to perhaps spend some time at 'Sirius's house'? I have spent the last year reading up on many new spells and things, mainly for the DA. I was hoping that I might have somewhere to practise, as I know that 'Sirius's house' is unplotable, and there for exempt from Ministry scans.

Please write back soon.

Harry

He looked the letter over, finding it in order, and then moved over to the birdcage by the window.

"Hedwig, you up for a flight girl?"

Hedwig hooted her assurance before holding her leg out for the letter. Harry attached it firmly, before giving her a soft stroke and opening the window. He watched as the snowy owl flew off into the distance.

He looked over to the clock beside the bed, and saw it showing almost midnight. Harry moved back over to the bed, lying down on top of the covers, and drifted of into oblivion.

* * * * *

Harry awoke the next morning to the sound of his uncle's car pulling out of the driveway. Deciding it was about time to get up, he stumbled into the bathroom.

After a shower and getting dressed, Harry went downstairs and into the kitchen. His aunt threw him a piercing look, before turning back to her magazine. Harry poured himself out a bowl of cereal, which he ate as quickly as he could, before washing up the bowl and spoon. Although the Dursleys were ignoring him, he didn't want to press his luck.

Once finished with breakfast he went back to his room, where he proceeded to pull out various rolls of parchment out of his trunk. Finally fining the roll he was looking for, Harry went and sat at his desk, before unrolling the parchment.

Harry looked down at the list he summer homework that he had been set. There was quite a bit of work, from every subject, but the students had been told that they only needed to complete the homework for the subjects they would be taking on to NEWT level.

Harry decided that the best place to start would be on the subject he was sure to carry on into his last two years. He figured that Charms was a sure thing, as was Defence Against the Dark Arts, and possibly Transfiguration.

Deciding to start with Charms, he opened a new roll of parchment and wrote down the title.

'Describe the means and uses of applying charms to objects in the mean of using said object in combat'

Harry thought that professor Flitwick was taking the current crisis with Voldemort seriously. At least someone was.

Harry was about halfway though his essay, (to be at least two and a half feet in length), and had just written a paragraph about using various levitation charms, remembering back to the troll in their first year, when Hedwig flew in through the open window.

Harry stood and removed the letter attached to Hedwig's leg, before handing her a few owl treats and allowing her to go to her cage for a rest.

He took the letter and sat back down at his desk. Unrolling the letter atop his homework, Harry saw that it was Remus's reply to his letter.

Dear Bambi.

You know that's what Sirius and James used to call you? Lily never really took to the name, but I think that was just because of the fact that Prongs was a mischief-maker and she didn't want her son to follow in his footsteps. Too late!

As for your letter, I am happy to hear that you are doing well, and am glad to know that the Dursley's are treating you well.

I just want you to know that I don't hold anything against you for what you said last month. Nor, I think you will find, does anyone else. Every one understands that you were under a lot of stress, and it was a trying time for us all.

As for your request, I am afraid to say that 'Sirius's house' is unavailable at the present time, though hopefully that should be sorted soon. There is another way however, and Tonks and myself will come and see you tomorrow about it.

Expect us at half past eleven tomorrow morning.

See you soon Bambi

Remus

Harry smiled at the way Remus had addressed him. It sounded right somehow.

He was glad to know that no one was holding his many outbursts against him. He was slightly confused about Remus's references to Grimmauld place however. He hoped there was no trouble going on.

'Oh well, sure I will find out tomorrow' Harry thought.

With that he rolled the letter back up, set it to one side, and went back to work on his homework.

* * * * *

That night, Harry awoke in a cold sweat. He had been dreaming again. Yet another nightmare. He seemed to have them about once every three days, not as bad as last year, but still enough to disturb his sleep.

Harry remembered the dream with frightening clarity.

He had been back in the Department Of Mystery's. Himself, along with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna.

They had been battling Death Eaters when suddenly Sirius seemed to appear out of nowhere. He took down hundreds of Death Eaters. Without so much as a pause he took out the entire army of black robed wizards.

Finally he turned to Harry, and that's when it happened. Bellatrix Lestrange appeared, and shot off a curse at Sirius. The curse took him off his feet, and he was laughing as he flew backwards, that's until he hit the veil.

At that Point Harry awoke, sweat pouring off of him. Turning over to look at the clock, Harry saw that it was only just half three in the morning.

Knowing that he wouldn't get any more sleep regardless of how much he lay there, Harry got up, and headed for the bathroom.

After washing out the last traces of sleep from his eyes, Harry softly padded back to his room. Deciding that he might as well use his time efficiently, Harry moved over to his desk, where he continued to work on his homework.

By the time the sun had risen, Harry had completed his Charms essay, having written four feet on the use of Charms. A foot and a half more than was necessary.

Harry went down for a quick breakfast, determined to eat and return to his room before the rest of the house was up and about. After his plate of bacon and eggs, Harry went back to work on his homework.

Harry decided that he would work next on his Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall had set two pieces, the first, a foot long essay on the basic concept behind the Animagus Transformation.

The other was to be at least a foot and a half, on the uses of Transfiguration during a duel. Harry decided that perhaps more people had actually taken stock of the current situation with the dark lord.

Harry decided to work on the Animagus paper first, and after digging through his trunk for a few minuets, he returned to his desk with two books. The first was a book from the school library on the Animagus Transformation, the other was a book that he had been given last summer, but had forgotten completely about. It was 'The Complete Guide To Becoming An Animagus' by Padfoot, Prongs and Wormtail.'

Harry had written just over a foot for his essay, and was still going strong, when he heard the doorbell ring. He listened as his aunt answered the door, and bent back to his essay.

He was broken out of his study a few minutes later when his door burst open. Harry spun to face the door, his wand out in front of him, knowing that the Dursley's would never come to see him. He relaxed when he caught sight of a mass of bubble-gum pink hair.

"Its good to see you're sharp, Harry." Tonks said teasingly.

Harry scowled at her, before replying wittingly "Don't you forget it, Nymph"

Harry heard Remus laugh at his comment, which only increased when he caught sight of the look of horror on Tonks's face.

"Well, it seems that its Harry one," Remus paused for effect "Nymph nil!"

Tonks scowled at Remus. "The next person who calls me that will wake up in St. Mungo's."

Harry just grinned at them.

"Well, anyway, how are you Harry? Keeping well?" Tonks asked as she moved over to sit on the edge of his bed.

"Yeah, not too bad. At least the Dursley's are ignoring me rather than trying to drive me mad" Remus went over to sit on the bed next to Tonks.

"How bout you, Moony? How are you doing?" Harry asked.

Remus looked over at him, before smiling faintly.

"As well as can be expected, considering the full moon was two nights ago."

Harry just grimaced at that.

"Anyway, we did come for a reason" Tonks told the other two.

Harry smiled, remembering why they did come. "Yeah, about me practising?"

Remus looked up at him, before standing and moving over to the window.

"That's right. Well, as I said in my letter, unfortunately Grimmauld Place is not an option at the moment." He turned back to Harry and held up is hand to forestall any questions.

"Unfortunately I can't say anymore at the moment, but on your birthday, both Tonks and I will be back to pick you up, and hopefully all will be explained."

Harry grinned at the thought of getting away from Privet Drive. Although the Dursley's were leaving him in peace, it was not nearly as good as being with people who he really knew.

"Anyway, until then, Professor Dumbledore has agreed to your request to practise, so we have come to set up a temporary place for you to practise."

Harry could have jumped for joy. The thought of being able to do magic during the summer made him feel so much better.

Tonks took over at this point.

"Right, we had better go downstairs, I think we need to explain a few things to that women who you call an aunt."

The three of them walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where aunt Petunia was in the process of making a casserole.

Tonks lead Harry out into the back garden while Moony sat down at the kitchen table, much to his aunt's horror.

"Right then Harry, what we are going to do is", Tonks took a quick look around the garden, before heading down to the far end.

"We're going to build a little garden shed," with a quick wave of her wand, a new shed was sitting in the corner of the garden.

She waved her want at the shed a few more times, while uttering a few spells, a few of which Harry knew, including what sounded a bit like an Enlargement charm.

When she had finished, Tonks opened the door, and lead the way inside.

Harry looked around in amazement. What seemed like a small garden shed from the outside, no bigger than two meters by four, was in fact a large hall.

It still looked like a garden shed, but it must have been a good ten meters wide, and about twenty long.

Tonks cast a few more charms, the last of which cased the walls to glow blue, before turning red and finally a light gold, before fading back to there original pine colour.

She turned back to Harry, to see him staring wide-eyed around the inside of the shed.

"Listen Harry, I have cast a few charms. Firstly, the entire building is soundproof, secondly I have cast an indestructible charm on the walls and ceiling, and also a charm to mask any magical signature."

Harry grinned when he heard this. "So I can practise and no one will know?" he asked.

"That's right. The Ministry wont detect any magic cast in here. Now, the charms are only temporary, but they should last till your birthday. After that it won't matter anyway, and Remus or I will take the shed apart." Harry nodded his understanding as he ran his mind over all the things he could try now.

"This is the most important thing Harry. If notice the walls glow a silver, at any time, immediately stop what ever your doing. That will mean that the charms have failed, so you would then be picked up by the Ministry."

Harry quickly pulled Tonks into a hug, before exclaiming "Thank you Tonks. Thank you so much!" Tonks was a little bit shocked by Harry's embrace, but smiled warmly down at him.

"Don't mention it kid, just use it well. Come on, let's head back to the house, Remus and I need to head off soon."

Harry nodded, before opening the door for Tonks and leading the way back to the house. He realised that Moony must have been explaining what was happening to his aunt. When they got into the kitchen, they found Remus looking at his watch, before back at them.

"Ah, there you are. I am afraid we need to go now." He turned to address Harry. "Take care of yourself Bambi, I will be back on your birthday."

Harry ran to Remus and gave him a hug, shocking Remus beyond belief. "Take care Moony. Will see you soon."

He then moved over and embraced Tonks, who smiled at Remus's shocked face over Harry's head.

"Take care Harry, and don't forget to write." Tonks told Harry, before she and Remus headed out through the front door and down the street.

Harry watched them reach the end of Privet drive, before quickly looking around. Then they both disappeared.

Harry went back into the house, quietly closing the front door. Harry walked slowly up the stairs to his room, thinking over the last half hour.

Magic. He could now do magic, out side of school, without fear of expulsion. Harry was determined to put this opportunity to the best possible use.

After five years of school at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry realised that when an opportunity presented itself he had to make the best of it.

But, Harry thought, he couldn't use this new ability to the detriment of anything else. He still had summer homework to complete.

So Harry went back to his desk, opened up 'The Complete Guide To Becoming An Animagus' and went back to work on his essay.

Harry finally finished his essay, and set down his quill.  He took a quick look at the clock. The digital display was flashing ten minuets passed one.

He looked back to essay, and taking out a ruler, proceeded to measure the length. Harry was astounded to discover that he had written just under three and a half feet, instead of the required one.

Harry smiled when he thought about the shook Hermione would have when she found out. He then proceeded to roll up the parchment, putting it into his trunk along with the reference books he had used.

He then proceeded to pick up a couple of books from beside his bed, his wand, and headed down stairs and into the back garden.

He spent the afternoon trying to perfect one spell that he had read. Called 'Statua', the spell was designed to conjure a mannequin of sorts, designed to allow practising casting spells at a target.

By the time it grew dark, around eight pm, Harry was able to successfully create and animate a mannequin. So tomorrow he could start to practise spells.

On his way back to his room, he picked up an apple and a banana from the fruit dish on the table, determined to eat them in the quite of his room.

When he got back to his room, Harry noticed that there was a letter on his desk, looking at the handwriting Harry realised it was from his best friend Ron.

Harry picked up the letter and sat on his bed. Taking a bite from his apple, Harry started to read.

Dear Harry.

How are you mate? Hope your not suffering too much,

especially about last month.

I know many people will tell you this, but you're not to blame.

What happened was not your fault.

Well, on to cheerier things, mum asked Professor Dumbledore

about you staying here this summer, and apparently he said

that you needed to stay with your relatives for the time

being, and that you understood this.

Though he did say that from your birthday you might

not be at the Dursleys, though you wont be here.

I didn't understand that, hope it means something to you.

Even if you don't stay here, we will meet up to go to Diagon ally.

Speak to you soon mate.

Ron.

Harry smiled at that. Well, it seemed that he really was leaving the Dursley's on his birthday, though were he was going, was anyone's guess.

Harry picked up a blank piece of parchment and wrote a reply. He told Ron about Tonks and Moony visiting, and the fact that they hinted at him leaving on his birthday.

Harry didn't mention the new means of practising magic over the summer, hoping to surprise his friends when they next saw him.

After sending his letter off to Ron with Hedwig, Harry decided to call it a night. Picking up one of the books on curses and counter curses, Harry climbed under the covers on his bed.

He read for about an hour before sleep claimed him for its own.