Chapter 2

Author's Note- Thanks to Slate_One for bringing to my attention that my story is AU. Sorry, but Lucius has such a big part in this story that I can't rewrite his part. I will try to stay as close as I can to the original series. Keep the reviews coming.

It was a steamy, cloudy summer afternoon on Privet Drive. Distant thunder had driven the inhabitants of the neatly kept homes indoors. At Number 4 Vernon Dursley looked up from the evening news. "BOY" he yelled, "Get down here right now!" "Yes, Uncle Vernon, what can I do for you?"Said a dark haired slight boy of about sixteen as he rushed into the room. Although his treatment this summer had been much better due to the Order's warning to Vernon at King's Cross at the end of last term, Harry Potter could not forget the way his relatives had treated him before, and he did not wish to revert to the way things had been.

"Boy, do you know anything at all about this?" said Vernon gruffly, pointing to the television news, where the newscaster was saying, "A strange occurrence happened today in Wales. Eleven people are dead, and four injured, after eight people attacked a group of students on a summer field trip. The attack occurred near the village of Caern, where according to witnesses, the unsuspecting students were viciously attacked by maniacs who cannibalized their victims." "It was like a scene from a horror movie," said one survivor, "There we were, minding our own business when these bloody things, these maniacs started attacking us like zombies." "Authorities are at a loss as to why the students were set upon so suddenly, but according to PC Andrews-White of the local constabulary, there has been no escape from the nearby Bartelby Asylum. The only clues left behind are the bodies of the victims and the survivors, who claim that there was no way these people could have been walking. "They looked like auto accident victims, clothes torn, skin lacerated, but they moved very quickly, and they are very strong," said one of the survivors. The bodies have been transported to Kent where a detailed forensic investigation will be performed. The injured have been taken to Mercy Hospital where they are listed in guarded condition. We will be watching to bring you updates as they occur ."

"Were those things Dementoes? Are they all over the country? Is there anything that 'normal' people can do to fight them off ?" The questions rushed from Harry's relatives faster than he could answer them. "No, they couldn't have been Dementors. Mug- 'normal' people can't see them. Besides they don't eat their victims, they just suck the souls from them. They also only leave Azkaban with the Ministry's permission. I don't know of anything you could do against them anyway, the only thing that works against them is the Patronus charm and only few wi- of us can perform it. I don't know of anything in the Wiza- in my world that does anything like this except werewolves and they only act like that on full-moon nights" Harry explained. Hastily making an excuse to leave, Harry rushed upstairs.

Once he was safely in his room, Harry pulled out a piece of parchment and quickly scribbled out a note to his best friend, Ron Weasley.
Ron,
How are things? I hope you all are well.
Have you heard about the attack near Caern?
Is there anything that could do this type of attack?
The muggles are treating me alright. Hope to see you soon.
Tell all your family I said hello. Awaiting your reply.

Harry
"Are you feeling up to a delivery girl?" Harry stroked Hedwig's feathers lightly. She nipped his finger lightly by way of reply. Attaching the note to her leg he said, "This goes to Ron, okay, be careful." With that Harry opened the window and released Hedwig, then stood and watched her as she flew out of sight.

As the summer went by news of these types of attacks began to come in along with the news that the wounded victims became insane as well and began to attack people. These maniacs could not be killed by any means save incineration. As the summer wore on Harry finally received a reply from Ron.

Harry
Sorry it took so long to reply but it's been a madhouse here.
Dad says that the creatures radiate magic and the only spells that
will have an effect on them are Incendio, The Patronus Charm, and Stupefy.
Of the three only Incendio will work for all wizards and witches, while
Stupefy, and the Patronus Charm will only work for those with powerful magic.
The Ministry thinks they were deliberately created, but for what purpose?
They are spreading and Dad says Dumbledore will be recalling all students
to Hogwarts soon. He asked if you could come to stay the remainder of
the summer and Dumbledore said yes. Moony and Tonks will be picking
you upon Friday at 5:00. We'll be at The Burrow for one week then back
to Hogwarts on the seventh of August. Can't wait to see you. Ginny's
been wanting to write so I'll let her. Your friend. Ron

Harry
I've got to talk to you about something when you get to The Burrow.
Please don't tell Fred, George, or Ron because they're insufferable
already. It's very important (to me anyway) so please meet me in the
garden after dinner on Friday.
Love
Ginny

Harry carefully folded up the note. He thought about Ginny's cryptic message more than Ron's information. He had been thinking of Ginny a lot lately, and not as just Ron's little sister. She obviously wanted to say something and now that he thought about it, he had something to tell her as well.

On Friday, Harry's birthday, no parcels or notes arrived. Harry assumed that everyone had forgotten his birthday due to the excitement of their early return to Hogwarts, but to Harry he was getting a gift today anyway, he would get to return to the wizarding world a full month earlier than expected. All day he was nervous about tonight even though he looked forward to it immensely. Harry planned to tell Ginny he liked her, not just as a friend, but as a girlfriend, tonight in the garden at The Burrow. At 5:00 a knock sounded and Harry rushed to open the door. There he saw the nervous faces of Nymphadora Tonks, and Remus Lupin. They came in and quickly closed the door behind them. "It's good to see you Harry, are you all packed?" said Remus. "Wotcher Harry" said Tonks "we need to hurry they're expecting us at The Burrow As soon as possible." "How are we getting there?" said Harry. "We'll floo from Mrs. Figg's, the order has had her attached to the network for the day" said Remus, "are you ready?" Nodding to Remus Harry picked up his trunk and the trio slipped out the door and down the street to Arabella Figg's house. "Remus, Tonks, Harry it's good to see you. Come in , come in" said Arabella as she opened the door to greet them. "Hate to rush , Figgy" said Tonks ,"but they're expecting us ASAP." Harry took a pinch of the offered floo powder, flung it into the fire and said loudly, "The Burrow."