A Note from the author:

I have changed the 'Character 1' as Harry Potter and 'Character 2' as Voldemort, for this story.

By the way,

On checking the reviews, I did get a BIG SURPRISE.

BELOVED READERS, THANKS A LOT to

srivatsa, Qool, Darkmoon Fleur, KMN03, AJ Gryffindor, Katiekins, ParanoiaIn2005, R, zemba56, john, dmmason03, wait a second, Mystic Dragonfire, Magelin Elensar and

Snakey Snape for their reviews.

A bold typeface indicates a fanfiction member and nothing more.

Well, you probably liked the previous two chapters, do tell me how this one is.

Chapter 3. Safe

"Dumbledore" drawled Voldemort irritatingly, answering his thoughts. Noticing the other Order members, he continued sneering, "So it seems the other members of the circus troupe have arrived too". Dumbledore simply scanned the room and caught sight of Harry now standing looking back at him, with Dudley supporting him. However, this had given precious instants to Voldemort, who simply sent a crimson light at Harry and his cousin and disapparated with a final 'crack'.

His cousin somehow dodged the curse cast at him. "Astonishing performance Dudders!!" thought a smirking Harry. He looked around to see a relieved looking Remus rushing towards him, Moody and Tonks looking at him with a mixture of pride and awe, followed by the Dursleys. At that precise moment Voldemort's curse found Harry's chest and he dropped to the ground without any sound.

Harry opened his eyes, half hoping that he was alive. He thought of looking around but immediately dropped the idea, since all he could see was a blurry mist. He was lying down on something soft, a bed.

"My glasses" thought Harry, slightly uneasy. The room was eerily silent. Besides Ron and Hermione, who were his best friends, his glasses were his most faithful companion but Harry did not have the strength to reminisce about his friends or anything else leave alone even talk. He was feeling tremendously weak, as if any strength in him had been pulled out.

He wished Ron or Hermione were there near him. At that moment the faces of his uncle and aunt flashed across his eyes.

"THE DURSLEYS". Harry tried to reason with his unsettled mind, "They did seem alive, Dumbledore and the Order were present". Even as this thought entered his mind, Harry's frustration began to resurface. Though he hated the Dursleys, he felt somewhat sympathetic towards them.

"They are strict … and do act a bit (rather quite) oddly …" pondered Harry. "… I even know why. Still, that does not make them liable to suffer at the hands of Voldemort". The Dursleys led a life which was totally different than what Harry would call normal. Having heard a prophecy about him the previous year, Harry was quite sure that Voldemort had come to Privet Drive for killing him, but the Dursleys had to suffer for no fault of theirs, too. Carrying on with his thoughts Harry realized something worse. Innocent people, wizards and Muggles (non–magic folk) alike would be subjected to painful torture, on the whims of a lunatic, just like it had happened to him and the Dursleys.

A mental image of a cruel, emotionless, brain dead murderer had begun to form in Harry's mind.

It slowly took on the shape of Voldemort.

"Curse him" spat Harry, effectively shattering the Voldemort in his thoughts, to a million pieces.

"Since I can't see, I may well say something, hope someone hears me" thought Harry fighting against the weakness that threatened to engulf him. Harry opened his mouth to say something, anything so that someone would hear him but his weak body did not back him up. Refusing to be outdone, he focused all his strength and had barely begun to speak when he heard a sound in the vicinity. In moments, Harry sensed movement near his feet.

"Oh Mr. Potter, you are awake." exclaimed a chirpy feminine voice, in a low voice. Harry simply blinked. His head was buzzing with questions, "Where am I? Who is this lady in white?" His instincts told him that he most likely was in some hospital, "Mungo's?" or in a worst case, in some graveyard awaiting death, probably seeing a ghost. "Mungos was most likely". He blinked again.

The same person now had strolled up near his head. For a brief moment, just as his glasses were replaced tactfully on his person, Harry closed his eyes. "You may open your eyes now" The same feminine voice prompted him.

Harry opened his eyes and saw a bright looking girl (or probably lady) looking down at him with a lively smile playing on her lips. Harry, having noticed the robes, she was wearing, deduced that he was in some hospital, probably St Mungos, after all. He arched his brows questioningly. "She would be…, quite young" thought Harry.

"I'm your nurse, Mr. Potter" answered the girl, looking at him slightly amused. "You are in St. Mungos, fourth floor SPELL DAMAGE". If Harry was surprised, to see a nice looking young black haired girl gazing at him, now he was perplexed. "When did I get here?" "Hope, she knows her job" Harry was concerned for himself. His nurse had probably noticed this as she let out a small laugh. "Don't worry". "I do have enough experience to back me up".

"By the way my name is Sylvia Crawford". Harry simply moved his eyes around searchingly and gave her a look.

"You were brought here a couple of hours back". A slight pause followed.

Having glanced at a particular direction, which Harry figured could be a door to his room, she continued in a lower tone, bending towards his face, "You were in a sordid state, Mr. Potter".

Straightening up again, her voice taking the previously low tone, she continued further, "Thank your stars, the treatment proved successful".

"One more thing, just don't let the matron know that I told you so. She will have my head" said the nurse almost pleadingly. Harry smiled and tried to reply an "OK" and instantly repented.

He felt as if boiling hot water had been poured into his throat forcibly, and a spear had been thrust into his chest. Yelling aloud, so as to ease the pain was absolutely out of question. The pain lasted for not more than an instant but the result was devastating.

Two hot tears formed in Harry's eyes and rolled of his cheeks.

A brief silence passed.

The nurse said hastily, "Mr. Potter, don't bother to exert yourself anymore. I just remembered something. I'll be back quickly, so don't worry" and she was gone.

"Thankfully I'm alive" thought Harry miserably.

The brief exercise had however taken its toll on him. Harry had tired himself enough in addition to his weak constitution. As a result, even when sleep slowly enveloped him, he didn't even resist and gave in. He also didn't know that his nurse had arrived with the matron, she had even taken his glasses off and kept it on the desk, by his side.

'HARRY' cried Lupin as Harry was hit by the curse. Except Dumbledore, the other Members were standing in total shock. Dumbledore had already started taking brisk steps over to Harry, which quickened as Harry slowly and steadily crumpled to the ground. He was trying to ascertain the damage. Meanwhile, having recovered their senses, the others quickly trooped over to Harry's form which now showed no form of life.

"Is he dead?". It was Aunt Petunia. According to Harry, she was always strict and probably a teensy bit soft inside but now she was shaking horribly. Dudley was staring at Harry in complete shock and disbelief. Even Vernon Dursley looked pallid, slightly shaking.

It was Vernon Dursley who recovered first, he spoke slowly, his voice shaking partly due to the effects of the Cruciatus curse, which had nearly worn off and mostly due to anger. "The boy was real furious and was using … MAGIC" Vernon Dursley was roaring in anger, managing to get out the 'm' word with great efforts. "He did put in a good attempt at fighting off Volda … Voldi … whoever that accursed ba-".

"Voldemort", Petunia Dursley completed it, slightly afraid half-expecting the 'scum' to be lurking nearby.

"Dudley, managed to get that scum down, didn't you son?" continued Vernon hardly able to suppress his happiness, with a distinct look of pride, while looking at his son. Turning around, he saw Moody's magical eye fixed onto Dudley and the other eye on himself. That promptly shut Vernon up.

Dudley spoke up, looking a bit off color, "He isn't dead, is he?" and added "I had seen our neighbour snooping around."

"I'm here", answered a voice. Mrs. Figg was standing beside Dumbledore, white as a ghost. She had sneaked in silently just after Voldemort had disapparated. Out of fear, she probably hadn't heard Dudley properly.

This attitude from the Dursleys was totally unexpected, by Kingsley. But Arthur, Moody, Tonks and Lupin having met the Dursleys previously at Kings Cross, weren't a tad bit surprised. A whisper arose amongst the Order Members, which settled down as all the people saw Dumbledore standing up.

Vernon Dursley was muttering something, "… boy … You-Know-What … scum … if not for Dudley …"

"Is Potter in trouble?" asked a worried looking Moody. Kingsley was still staring at Harry in awe.

"That curse was probably a Reductor, if I'm not mistaken" replied Dumbledore solemnly and turned towards Lupin. Lupin had easily noticed the troubled look the professor was giving him, it promptly set off his alarm signals. Peering behind him, Lupin also saw that Harry was firmly bound in something that looked an awful lot like …

"Plaster" exclaimed Lupin and Tonks together. This could only mean one thing. They had to be headed towards a hospital … St Mungos and doubly quick at that. The Dursleys were forgotten.

Lupin and Tonks had thought correctly for Dumbledore had nodded his head knowingly. Albus Dumbledore motioned the Dursleys to move over to Figg's house, where they would get some relief from the Cruciatus curse. After a very short and quick discussion all the members were ready. Lupin, Tonks and Moody took out their Cleansweeps, from the insides of their robes and enlarged it to the actual size.

Next, Moody performed the Disillusionment charm on himself, Tonks, Harry and Lupin.

Lupin, Moody and Tonks were now headed towards St Mungos on their brooms with a motionless Harry in tow.

Dumbledore, Kingsley and Arthur had already apparated at Mungos, a room was booked for a Muggle girl called Maria Densington.

While on their journey towards Mungos, Lupin, Tonks and Moody hardly ever talked to each other. Moody was on the sharp lookout for any Death Eaters, in case they decided to drop by, occasionally stealing a glance at the other three. Tonks on the other hand, was thinking about Lupin's odd behaviour at Grimmauld Place. Lupin was on the lookout for trouble too, however most of the time he was casting glances at Harry, hoping that Harry would at least open his eyes.

"Remus" that was Tonks, noticing that Lupin was gazing at Harry, looking lost.

"Yes" replied Lupin.

"He'll be fine".

"What? Hmm. Yes". Lupin returned to gazing at Harry again. He had lost Sirius, got him back all thanks to Harry and had again lost Sirius forever but he had never even thought that he would have to lose Harry too.

"Calm down Remus, he's been through similar incidents before. He will emerge victorious. You and Harry will be together at Grimmauld". "Hope so". Lupin was having a difficult time thinking straight. He didn't want to lose Harry. On prodding his mind further Lupin realized that Harry was quite close to his heart, indeed. Meanwhile, neither Lupin nor Tonks had known that Moody's magical eye had been watching the proceedings.

"Remus" This time it was a soft sort of growl, unmistakably Moody's.

"Yes, Alastor" replied Lupin, in a tone barely audible.

"We all do want Harry to be fit as a fiddle … he will be fine" interrupted Tonks in a soft voice, a bit of concern for Lupin showing in her voice. She had sensed his thoughts. Actually, even she was worried for the young Potter, more so for Remus as he seemed deep in a mental tussle. Her worry was confirmed when Lupin did not reply.

Moody decided to play it straight.

He turned around facing Lupin, his magical eye on Harry, "Keep you mind off Potter for now. He stays alive if we reach Mungos".

That statement jerked Lupin out of his reverie, in an instant. Lupin swallowed hard as the words sank deeply into his head and turned up to look at Moody. That statement was brief, to the point and true. Lupin returned a curt nod, Moody acknowledged it by returning an expression, which Lupin interpreted as a smile. Moody then turned away and with that the three concentrated all their thoughts on getting Harry Potter to St Mungos.

After a few minutes, the trio landed at a location, predetermined during their discussion just some time back. "There you are". Turning towards the trio noticed Dumbledore, Kingsley and Arthur walking quickly towards them. "How is he?" asked Kingsley as Dumbledore lifted the Disillusionment charm. Further, the aged professor stepped back and performed a seemingly complicated charm.

After a few seconds, Harry's figure had morphed into another person's, a girl's. "This will probably keep her-er-him out of harm's way" muttered Kingsley.

"Alastor, Kingsley could you take Maria Densington into the hospital, fourth floor, spell damage." It was Arthur Weasley who had spoken as he had received the go-ahead from the Headmaster. Moody and Kingsley nodded and were beginning to move. He continued "and Dumbledore …".

Dumbledore had turned towards Lupin and placed his arm on Lupin's shoulder reassuringly. "The others have to be informed".

One question was on everybody's mind. Why had Voldemort not killed Harry?

Lupin had an extra thought too, How did the Dursleys know about Voldemort?

However, this seemed a wrong time to ask.

"Fine, I'll go" replied Lupin staring at the ground.

Meanwhile, Moody was motioning something to Tonks. Tonks blurted out "Can I go with him?"

Albus Dumbledore turned towards Tonks, his eyes displaying a certain sparkle, "If Lupin has no problem".

"I don't" replied Lupin reflexively.

"Good. Arthur, will you lead the way". Arthur turned towards Mungos and they were gone.

Tonks turned towards Lupin, they exchanged a silent look, shrunk their brooms, placed it in their robes and disapparated to Grimmauld's.

Meanwhile, at 12, Grimmauld Place, the place was very silent, except for some chatter coming from a group of kids who were sitting in the living room, near the fireplace. Except for a girl who was bushy haired, the others were redheads and all of them were conversing in low voices.

"Lunch is being served, all of you can come now" Mrs. Weasley's voice floated through the living room.

"I am not hungry" muttered Ron, as his stomach rumbled.

"Of course you are, we are too" cut in Hermione.

"No we aren't" Fred and George replied together. "Yeah" added Ginny. George looked at Ron coaxingly and added "Or perhaps not". All of them got up slowly and marched towards the dinner table, with Ron following behind grumbling.

The plates were topped with food, Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley took up one side of the table. Fred, George and Ron took the other. Apparently, they were quite hungry, it could be concluded easily from the speed at which the plates were being emptied. Hermione as usual was lagging far behind.

"Aren't you hungry?" Mrs. Weasley looked a bit concerned. Hermione simply pushed her plate aside.

"Mrs. Weasley, what had happened? Why are we here?" asked Hermione. At this all the others had stopped eating and were looking at their mother. Molly Weasley gave a small sigh and replied

"You eat your food first".

"Tell us now mom" That was either Fred or George, it didn't matter anyway.

"Please eat the food first".

The five looked at each other, she had said "Please". That definitely meant something.

All of them, even Hermione gobbled up their food quickly, washed and sat back in the chairs expectantly.

"Alright" said Molly Weasley resignedly. She took in a deep breath and started off, "There was supposed to be an attack at home". The effect was instantaneous, though expected.

Her audience was struck dumb. It was after a long time that Ron managed to find his voice.

"So that's why we are stuck up here". "Yes".

"Mom, why didn't you tell us before?" That was Ginny. The redhead was quite shocked but even angry.

"You all were worried about Harry, I did not want to add some more".

"Think of a better excuse next time, Mum?" Evidently, Fred was angry too. His family was a target and even they weren't informed.

"My parents are still at home and they know nothing about Voldemort" exclaimed Hermione. She was quite pale and had not even noticed that everybody except Ron had winced on hearing the name.

"No dear, they are in no danger for now" said Mrs. Weasley comfortingly.

Hermione bit her lip. The words For now echoed in her mind.

"Did they find anything now?" blurted Ginny and George together.

As if on cue, a knock was heard on the door. Lupin and Tonks made their way in. Lupin looked rather stiff. Tonks had a face clear of all expression.

"Out with it now", thought Hermione. What she didn't know, was that all the others including Molly Weasley were sharing the same thought.

Lupin had noticed that the occupants of the house were eyeing him and Tonks suspiciously. He quietly walked over to a chair and took a seat. Tonks flopped on the sofa, looking away.

After a moment which seemed to pass for an hour, Lupin decided to let the bad news out first.

"Harry is in St Mungos, he was attacked by Voldemort at Privet Drive".

This statement had a very pronounced effect on the audience. Fred and George looked totally crushed. Ginny was sobbing. Ron and Hermione simply sank onto the floor. It had hit both of them very hard. Harry was always the centre of the trio. Hermione was struggling to speak. Ron looked totally lifeless. If Mrs. Weasley had not been resting her hands on the table, she would have most certainly fallen from the chair. She was simply gaping at Lupin, lost for words.

"Harry is not dead, he is badly injured" Tonks continued, a bit irritated at the fact that Lupin was keeping shut.

Ginny was the first to speak up, amidst tears. "What the hell do you mean?"

Lupin continued, "She meant that Voldemort attacked Harry in Privet Drive, while the Death Eaters stormed St Mungos". Tonks urged him to go on. Lupin nodded and spoke further while his audience listened in shock.

"There was a confrontation between Harry and Voldemort".

These words brought about a positive change in the room, all the people looked up at Lupin telling him to go on. Ron seemed to have been jerked alive as he was listening curiously. Even Ginny seemed to have lost her senses as she didn't even feel Fred and George using her shoulder for support. Even Mrs. Weasley was staring at Lupin in utter disbelief.

As Lupin continued, the group was OOHing, AHing and even smirking when their ex-professor recounted the episode when Voldemort conjured a snake which turned back on him, most likely on some directions from Harry.

Ron yelled out loud, thumping his hand on the ground, "Serves that son of a -" and stopped abruptly, when he received sharp slaps from the rest, for the uncalled for interruption.

When the narration ended, the whole crowd looked just like Lupin. Awed, frightened, amazed, and shocked all at the same time.

"Wow" That was all Fred and George could manage. Ginny seemed to be in her own thoughts.

Ron seemed to be in a very good mood, a devilish grin was playing on his lips.

However, Hermione spoke up, her voice quivering.

"How is he now?"

"Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Weasley, Shacklebolt and Moody were with him. They would know." Lupin stopped his speech. Everyone was silent.

"You must be hungry and tired, Remus? Tonks?" Molly Weasley spoke up.

"NO", came the reply from both of them.

"You sure are looking tired, Mrs. Weasley. Hope you didn't fast today? If not, you had better catch up on sleep", said Lupin. She gave an odd grunting reply. Lupin smiled. She didn't want to sleep either.

A half hour passed. A sound came from the fireplace.

As everybody turned, Arthur Weasley emerged out of the fireplace, a relieved smile on his face.

Kingsley, Dumbledore and Moody followed him, the stroke of happiness on their tired faces clearly visible.

"Waiting for us" grinned Arthur Weasley. He turned towards his wife, "We're looking forward to some food, I'm famished".

Satisfied, with the news and the look on her husband's face, Mrs. Weasley gave her husband a quick kiss and went over to ready the table. The pack of five, including Lupin and Tonks were not to be outdone. They were happy to see them but news about Harry was what they wanted now and were gazing intently at the four newcomers in turn.

After all were seated, Moody started off. "Potter is unconscious and still at Mungos". Ignoring the muttering he continued on "He took the brunt of a Reductor directly in the chest". "The doctor has told us that Harry had gained consciousness, but since some off his ribs are broken …".

A loud groan issued from his audience.

Dumbledore raised his hand, after the din had stopped, Moody continued, "… he lapsed into unconsciousness". Everyone was looking at each other.

At this moment, Mrs. Weasley gave the call for food and the audience followed Moody like hungry dogs waiting to pounce on him if he kept his mouth shut. Seeing them Dumbledore continued smiling, "He is expected to recover in a couple of days and then you may meet er-him."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore, who was smiling. Wasn't Harry out of danger? Why that extra effort? Probably, she was imagining it, so thinking Hermione resigned herself to a chair.

A brief quiet passed.

Hermione was muttering softly, "Hope Harry is fine". Not soft enough because Ron was muttering too, "Harry is fine, except for a couple of ribs which are broken or probably non-existent".

A small laugh echoed across the width of the room. Dumbledore continued, "I would better go back to my school, I hear the elfs have been making …" he continued, earning a disapproving glare from Hermione. Ron had probably noticed it as he let out a very audible snort.

Hermione was about to retort when Lupin whispered something in her ear that managed to keep her quiet, but she was casting a furious glare across the table at Ron who was absolutely in higher spirits now, since his best friend was alive after all.

After all the kids had gone away, Dumbledore motioned the Members to pull aside. With one swish of the wand the door closed and a silencing charm descended upon the Room. As Kingsley, Arthur, Tonks, Moody, Lupin and Dumbledore took their seats. Lupin decided to clear the thoughts in his mind. He stood up and Dumbledore answered his thoughts.

"They know enough and were never in the dark".

"Well, that accounts for the odd behavior" thought Lupin as he discarded that thought, expecting no more for an answer.

"Why didn't Voldemort kill Harry? He could have easily done away with him." That was another interesting question. As the other members listened intently, Dumbledore spoke up. "I do not know but my experience tells me that he was simply trying to judge how much Harry's capacity is".

"It is also possible that Harry may have been very difficult to subdue".

Lupin looked clearly worried. Looking towards his feet he was thinking, "If this was true then Voldemort was probably thinking of Harry as a worthy opponent. If this was so then there had to be something special about Harry. If not, still the past attacks on Harry did not seem coincidental they seemed a part of a plan. Voldemort was probably after Harry for some reason. There was surely something amiss. … Was Dumbledore hiding something?"

He turned towards his left and found that he wasn't the only one in deep thought. Moody too looked quite skeptical but his magical eye was looking elsewhere.

Looking upwards Lupin realized that Dumbledore had already left.

Lupin and the others came out of the living room, sharing the same thought. With a last parting reply Kingsley and Moody took their leave. Tonks decided to help Mrs. Weasley, knocking down a candlestand as she walked around a corner.

The table was cleared of all the plates, all the kids had retired to their respective rooms, probably asleep. Lupin sat on the sofa, waiting for tomorrow to arrive. Little did he realize that he wasn't alone in his wait.

NOTE:

Whewwwwww.

This cha … chapter is over, AT LAST.

(Before I answer nature's call, a few words (as usual)).

Was the stuff OK, perhaps a bit long.

I really tired out writing this chapter.

Only you can infuse some strength into me, to continue this story.

HOW??

Come on now. It is darn simple.

Just below you will see a button called 'Go' beside 'Submit Review'.

Go on click it and you are on you way.

If you do tell others about my story, I will consider myself HONOURED.

Did I say that the next chapter comes in a week?

;)

(Uh-oh)

See you soon.

(Nature's call is quite loud and clear now, I BETTER RUSH)