Harry Potter and company all belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter One

Back to Grimmauld Place

Perhaps the reason he wanted to be alone was because he had felt isolated from everybody since his talk with Dumbledore. An invisible barrier separated him from the rest of the world. He was— he had always been—a marked man. It was just that he had never really understood what that had meant.

- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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In an ordinary house, on an ordinary street, in an ordinary town; an extraordinary boy was staring blanking at his ceiling, wishing for time to speed up, yet dreading the expected event.

Harry Potter pushed his unruly black hair from his face and looked towards the window from where he was lying on his bed, checking for what seemed to be the hundredth time, that the window was wide open and that there were no owls flying outside.

He sighed and sat up. Today was July 30th, the day before his birthday AND the day he was expecting his O.W.L.S. results. He tapped his fingers nervously. Everything depended on this. If he ever wanted to be an Auror, he needed to do extremely well on these tests. Although maybe he shouldn't even worry about that. After all, apparently there was a fifty-fifty chance he'd be too dead to worry about a career in the future.

He quickly pushed that thought from his mind. I refuse to think about the prophecy right now, he told himself. He didn't want to be reminded of anything that had happened last spring.

His thoughts were suddenly and mercifully interrupted by the graceful landing of a regal looking great horned owl, bearing an enormous thick envelope with the Hogwarts crest. The bird dropped the envelope on his lap. It glared at him before slowly raising its majestic golden wings to take off.

Harry ripped open the envelope with shaking hands. Eight smaller envelopes and a two letters spilled out. The name of each one of his classes was written in elegant gold scrawl on the jet black envelopes. He grabbed the one that labeled Defense against the Dark Arts.

Inside was a small certificate with the Hogwarts crest and the O.W.L.S. test trademark.

In elegant writing, it read:

The esteemed student Harry Potter has received an Ordinary Wizarding Level of Outstanding in the subject of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Signed

Professor Tofty

Test Examiner

A rare smile broke across Harry's face and he imagined his fellow members of Dumbledore's Army receiving the same score.

He picked up the next envelope labeled Charms and tore into it. Another Outstanding. Harry started to feel more optimistic and excited. He received another Outstanding in Care of Magical Creatures and then opened his Divinations envelope. There was no certificate inside. Just a small notice on yellow parchment informing him that he failed with a "P" Poor.

Harry didn't even care. Failing this exam hadn't mattered to him at all. He had even expected it. He tossed the notice aside and picked up the next few.

He earned an Acceptable in both Herbology and Astronomy. He merely shook his head at the other P in History of Magic. Apparently passing out during the examination hadn't done much for his score.

Only the envelopes marked Transfigurations and Potions were left. Harry stared at the two envelopes, replaying his conversations with Professor McGonagall about his desire to become an Auror. He remembered Umbridge's laugh of derision. 'This boy will never become an Auror!'

Forget her! He told himself. Just open the envelope. He ripped open his Transfigurations scores and pulled out the certificate.

The esteemed student Harry Potter has received an Ordinary Wizarding Level of Exceeded Expectations in the subject of Transfigurations.

He sighed a huge sigh of relief. The grade would be enough to get him into McGonagall's N.E.W.T. class.

The Potions envelope stood out, unopened next to the remains of the other envelopes he had hastily torn into. He picked it up, dreading and hoping at the same time.

'Poisons and antidotes are essential study for Aurors. And I must tell you that Professor Snape absolutely refuses to take students who get anything other than "Outstanding" in their O.W.L.S....'

With McGonagall's voice in his head, he slowly opened the envelope and pulled out what was inside. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Please, please, let me pass...." He opened his eyes.

The esteemed student Harry Potter has received an Ordinary Wizarding Level of Exceeded Expectations in the subject of Potions.

Harry blinked. He couldn't be seeing that grade. He would never score that high. It couldn't be, but........

"Oh thank you," he said out loud to no one in particular. The grade wouldn't get him into Snape's class, but he hadn't really expected that. Maybe he could substitute that class for something else that would make him a good candidate for Auror training......

But he refused to let his spirits fall. He had done it. He had earned seven O.W.L.S. Seven! He had only needed five for Auror training.

He felt about ready to burst with pride and jumped off his bed. He grabbed some parchment from his desk and scrambled for a quill. I've got to tell Hermione, she helped me and she'll be so happy. Oh and Sirius. I have to write him. He'll be so proud.......

A cold feeling suddenly crashed over Harry, taking away his momentary happiness. He dropped the parchment.

Sirius would never know. Harry would never get to tell him because Sirius was dead. Gone forever, just like his parents.

Harry slowly exhaled, making a sound similar to the hiss of balloon deflating. What did stupid O.W.L.S. grades mean when they were compared to the fact that his godfather was dead?

The now familiar knot of grief formed in his stomach, making him feel physically ill. He sat back down on his bed and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. Sirius would have been proud. He could practically imagine his energetic response back, telling him how well he did, how he had his father's magical ability......

The corner of his eye began to sting and he wiped his face angrily. No, he wouldn't sit here and cry like a baby. He refused to cry.

He picked up the other two letters that had come with his package and tried to ignore the sick, empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. The first letter had the N.E.W.T. courses he was eligible for next year.

Dear Mr. Harry Potter,

            The following is a list of N.E.W.T. classes that you have the prerequisites to

attend. While a minimum of four classes are required, students are encouraged to take more. Simply tap your wand against the class name and you shall be registered for it. Students should note that this is a magical agreement and they may be held to it for the first few months of school.

Harry's eyes almost went blurry at the sight of so many "Advanced's" and he felt slightly unsure.

Advanced Transfigurations and Introduction to Human Transformation

Advanced Herbology and Careers in Magical Plants

Advanced Defense against the Dark Arts

Advanced Charms

Advanced Care for Magical Creatures

Advanced Astronomy and Introduction to Planetary Charting

Introduction to Practical Dueling

Advanced Potions

Advanced WHAT? No way. Harry reread the list. There it was. Advanced Potions. How had he gotten into THAT? Snape would never take him, besides he hadn't even gotten the grade he needed to continue in that class.

So what had happened? Harry wondered. He eyed his wand lying on his desk. Should he even bother to tap it? Did he WANT to take that class? He wasn't sure he had any chance of passing. Besides, he had been looking forward to being Snape-free.

But still, the dream of being an Auror loomed over him. He needed that class if he wanted to join the "best of the best." And he could not see himself doing anything different with his life.

He crossed the small room and went to his desk. He grabbed his wand from among the mess of parchment, ink, books, and homework that littered its dusty wooden surface.

He picked up the letter and without another thought tapped Potions. Then he selected Advanced Transfigurations, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense against the Dark Arts.

He looked thoughtfully at Practical Dueling. He had never heard of that class; it must be new. A memory of the infamous dueling club run by Lockhart came into his mind and he shuddered it away. Dueling would be a useful skill, actually he realized, it would be pretty essential since he was now signed up for a winner-really-takes-all future duel with Voldemort, he though sarcastically.

He tapped his wand against the class name and put the letter down. He looked at the final piece of parchment. It was blank. He started to turn it over, confused, but was stopped when the paper suddenly shone like gold, as if illuminated by fire. Words started scrolling down the page in elegant green script.

Harry looked closer and realized it was his new book list. He scanned it briefly, and then tossed it on the desk. He had more mail to wait for. The Daily Prophet should have been here hours ago. He eyed yesterday's paper angrily. He wanted to read more about yesterday's jailbreak at Azkaban. Cold fury descended over his entire body at the thought.

Although he ought to have known Voldemort would try to free his followers, Harry was still extremely upset. He had been asked to testify at the future trial of the imprisoned Death Eaters and relished the thought of them at Azkaban. No suffering would be enough for those responsible for Sirius's death- no, not his death, his murder.

Harry sighed. No matter how much he told himself he wasn't going to think about it, thoughts of Sirius continued to creep into his mind all the time.

It was the absence that was most noticeable and hurtful. Sirius usually constantly wrote him during the school year and summer. Harry would give anything for one last letter, just to say goodbye.

"STOP IT," he said out loud, disgusted with himself. Sirius would have wanted him to be braver.

Harry got up again and decided to leave the house for a little while. It would give him something to do at least, instead of sitting around and moping.

He pulled open his door and headed downstairs. He tried to leave quietly, hoping to ignore the Dursley's. He needn't worried. His aunt and uncle were huddled together near the kitchen window, staring out and whispering. Harry caught snatches of their conversation.

"Ooooo.......having problems with that son of theirs again........look at that girlfriend of his....."

Harry rolled his eyes as he left the house. Nothing pleased the Dursley's more than gossiping about their neighbors. Of course, they STILL had the audacity to take offence when their household was the subject of neighborhood ridicule.

He hopped the low garden wall and swore under his breath as he trampled some dying begonias. Aunt Petunia would be out for blood now.

Harry jammed his hands in his pockets and started down the street

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July 31st dawned, bright and sunny. Harry was awakened by heavy knocking on the door downstairs.

A loud crash and an angry bellow from the living room stopped any thought about his birthday. Harry stood up quickly, pulling out his wand as he did.

"WHA- WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING HERE?"

Harry recognized Uncle Vernon's livid voice and his curiosity piqued. He peered down the stair railing and his bright green eyes widened with surprise. He quickly hurried downstairs.

"Oh, hullo there, Harry. We have a bit of birthday surprise for you," Lupin said, his eyes twinkling. Behind him stood Mad-Eye, Tonks, and Kingsley.

Harry gaped, "Wha- what are you all doing here?" he asked surprised, practically repeating his uncle's enraged question.

Lupin took a moment to free himself from Uncle Vernon's heavy grip on his cloak. His uncle's face was now turning a gruesome combination of purple and red, and his mouth was opening and closing like a fish; apparently he was too enraged to speak. Aunt Petunia and Dudley flanked him, wearing identical looks of fear and loathing.

"Well, we're here to pick you up a bit early. Sorry we couldn't give you an exact date, but we...."

"Were afraid the mail might be intercepted, I know," Harry finished his sentence. Lupin nodded apologetically. Harry noticed his former Professor looked worse than usual. There was a bit more gray in his light brown hair and dark shadows behind his eyes. Although Harry knew Lupin would be mourning Sirius as well, it was a bit disconcerting to see the same echo of loss in Lupin's face.

"I just have to get my stuff together. It'll take a minute," Harry stammered, trying not to think of the huge mess in his room.

Moody banged his heavy walking stick against the floor and the Dursley's jumped. "Well, don't take all day. We don't have much time," he warned, peering out the window, as if expecting Death Eaters to swarm Privet Drive any minute.

"Right then," Harry said and turned to jog back upstairs.

"Wait, Harry. I'll help you," Lupin offered and followed him.

Harry pushed open the door of his room and felt slightly embarrassed at the state of his room. It was fair to say it resembled the result of several natural disasters.

"Er, this just might take a few minutes."

Lupin smiled slightly. "I can do it a bit faster." He waved his wand and Harry's trunk popped open. Clothes and books raced into the open trunk. The loose floorboards even flew up and released their stash. Then the trunk slammed shut with a resounding THUD.

Harry meanwhile was rummaging in his closet for his Firebolt. He found it and ran a hand down the gleaming wooden handle. Another reminder of Sirius. Harry shook his head and pulled the broom out. Then he gathered up Hedwig's cage and supplies.

Lupin was watching him and seemed like he wanted to say something, but wasn't sure if he should. "So. Harry, uh, how are you?" he asked.

"I'm just great," Harry answered, trying to keep most of the sarcasm out of his voice. He knew Lupin meant well. His former professor had written to him a few times as well this summer, checking up on him.

"I'm sorry we couldn't come get you earlier, Dumbledore was waiting for....."

"It's fine," Harry cut him off. "I'm ready. So are we going to......," Harry remembered he was still supposed to be discreet," the same place as last time?"

Lupin nodded, understanding his need for privacy, and they left his room.

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The flight was long and uneventful, unless boredom counted as an event. Harry felt his heart jump when they reached the peeling, black door of 12 Grimmauld Place and steeled himself for the next few hours of sympathetic gazes and questions about his well-being.

Sure enough, as soon as he lifted the silver serpentine knocker, he was enveloped in a tight hug from Mrs. Weasley.

"Harry, dear! Oh, it's so wonderful to see you! Happy Birthday!" She led him down the long hallway, which Harry noticed seemed much cleaner than last year. The row of stuffed elf heads and the umbrella made from a troll leg were gone. He had to struggle to keep his footing. It felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. Sirius's memory pratically echoed off the wall here. Mrs. Weasley didn't notice his distress and pushed open the door to the spacious stone kitchen and beamed at him. "Go on in."

Harry stepped through the door warily and was greeted by the smiling faces of nearly a dozen people.

"Happy Birthday!" Harry blinked in surprise at the sight of all the people gathered in the room. The entire Weasley family (with the notable exception of Percy) and Hermione were there, as well as Lupin, Moody, and Tonks, who filed into the room after Harry. He spotted a large chocolate cake on the table, with "Happy Birthday, Harry" written on it in white icing.

He felt a strange feeling in his throat. He hadn't been expecting anything like this at all. He smiled slightly when he realized this was the first time he had celebrated his birthday with other people. He seriously doubted the Dursley's even knew what day he was born.

"Wow, thanks," he muttered as Mrs. Weasley started cutting the cake and handing out slices. They all stuffed their faces and sipped butterbeer. Tonks, Moody, and Kingsley excused themselves after about an hour and left.

Harry yawned, feeling his exhaustion from the flight starting to catch up with him. He was pretty sure not only had the trip tired him out. Everyone asking how he was and trying to look super cheery didn't help. His sleepiness didn't escape Mrs. Weasley's watchful eye however, and she started clearing the table.

"Well, it's getting late. You lot best be getting to bed," she said, eyeing them fiercely to let them know this wasn't a mere suggestion. "Harry's had a long trip."

"Nah, I'm fine," Harry said, but even he heard the weary tone in his voice.

Mr. Weasley and Lupin stood up as well. Lupin disappeared for a few minutes, then came back dressed in torn jeans and a shabby leather jacket.

Harry eyed him. "Where are you going?"

Lupin looked uncomfortable. "Ah, just an errand for Dumbledore," he said nonchalantly. He pulled a small package and held it out awkwardly to Harry. "Er, here. For your birthday," he added hastily. Harry looked at him curiously, but Lupin didn't meet his eyes, instead he was looking at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "I'll be going now."

"Good luck," Mr. Weasley said darkly and Mrs. Weasley's eyes crinkled slightly in worry.

"I'll be seeing you, Harry," Lupin added and then turned to leave. Harry turned over the package in his hands, wondering what it was. Everyone else had given him their gifts at the table. Perhaps Lupin hadn't wanted him to open it at the table.

Everyone else said their good nights and started upstairs. Hermione followed Ron and Harry into their room. Harry had started opening Hedwig's cage to let her out when Hermione threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.

Slightly shocked, Harry looked at Hermione. She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

"Er, Hermione, all right?"

She smiled brightly, but eyes still glistened with unshed tears. "I'm just so glad you're finally here. We were all so worried about you. After everything that happened, and then you were stuck with the Dursley's for a month." She bit her lip uncertainly. "I remember you hated being there last summer and not knowing anything. But after......after Sir- after last June, we hated the thought of you being there."

Harry tried to avoid her worried, warm brown eyes. "No, it was fine. The Dursley's weren't as bad as usual.

He tried to ignore the fleeting look that Hermione and Ron exchanged, by messing around in his trunk.

"So, you're doing alright, mate?" Ron asked tentatively.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm great," Harry tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. Although he was happy to see his friends, part of him sincerely wanted to be left alone. His world had been destroyed last June. Harry was starting to feel like a different person. He was living a different life. A life which Sirius was no longer a part of, and in which Harry was given a clear purpose. The now familiar feeling of a heavy cloak over his shoulders descended upon him. Dumbledore had been right. Knowing about the prophecy did change everything.

He stole a backward glance at Ron and Hermione. He hadn't told them about it; he wasn't sure if he wanted anyone else to know. He remembered when a tear had slid down Dumbledore's cheek after he told Harry. Harry didn't want his friends' pity, and he didn't want to see their shocked and worried faces.

Eager to change the subject, Harry asked, "So, what's been going on here?"

"Not much. Mum's been making us clean. There are still places in the house we haven't gotten to! Oh, and as usual, she's trying to make sure we don't hear anything that goes on downstairs," Ron scowled.

Hermione was sitting on Ron's bed, stroking Crookshanks, who had darted into the room. "But thanks to the combined eavesdropping of Fred, George, Ginny, Ron, and myself," she said somewhat proudly, "we've been able to pull a few thing together."

Harry took a seat on his musty comforter and drew his knees up and looking at his two friends with an avid expression on his face. "Like what?" he asked anxiously, eager for news about the going-ons of the Order.

"Well, for one thing, Dumbledore's been having a lot of trouble finding a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher." Ron shrugged.

Harry snorted. "You think we'll ever get someone who lasts more than a year?"

"I don't know, but hopefully they won't be as sadistic as Umbridge," Hermione said darkly. "The position really does seem to be cursed."

"Maybe Dumbledore will make Lupin come back," Harry suggested hopefully. Hermione shook her head.

"I don't think so. He's always leaving to do "his errands" for Dumbledore. I'd say he's pretty busy."

"Oh, another thing!" Ron said excitedly and jumped slightly as if he'd been struck by lightning. "They got a Death Eater to go turn-coat!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked pained with her characteristic annoyance. "We don't know that, Ron. You're exaggerating," she said in a teacherly tone. "They didn't say anything like that. But we think they might, MIGHT," she repeated with a glare at Ron, "......have convinced one of Voldemort's supporters to join them."

"Really? Well, I guess that's always good. I mean, if whoever it is, is being honest," Harry said with a trace of suspicion. He thought fleetingly of Snape.

Ron nodded in agreement, but Hermione frowned. "I'm sure if the Order believes them, then they're reliable."

"We can't hear what goes on when they have meeting, but when they come out into the hall and are preparing to leave, Fred and George's Spy Senses work wonders."

Harry looked confused. "Spy Senses? What happened to Extendable Ears?"

Ron waved his hand dismissively. "C'mon, they were only to first model! Nah, Fred and George added vision to 'em and the audio's a lot better to."

Duly impressed, Harry smiled. Then a thought struck him. "How did your mum take their skiving off school and starting a joke shop in Diagon Alley?" he asked anxiously.

Ron laughed. "Well, she was beyond furious at first, thought they had ruined their lives for sure. But she's been coming around, 'specially since they've been pulling in more money weekly than Dad's monthly salary," he added in a hushed voice. "They bought Ginny a new broom, and got Mum a bunch of new cooking equipment." He snorted. "It was pretty hard for her to be displeased at the sight of all those new cauldrons and recipe books."

"Oh and O.W.L.S.!" Hermione nearly shouted and then covered her mouth in embarrassment. "I'd nearly forgotten! How'd you do, Harry?" she asked, completely uncaring about whether or not this might have been a private issue.

Harry couldn't stop the grin that broke out across his face. "I got seven," he said proudly. Hermione shrieked and gave him another hug. Ron beamed.

"Nice, mate. Seven here too, although I have no idea how I managed to get that many. Fred and George were furious. Said I wasn't allowed to be their brother again."

Harry noticed that Hermione was unsuccessfully trying to hide the fact that she wanted to say something very badly. He decided to let her. "How many did you get, Hermione?"

She smiled broadly, happy to repeat her scores. "I got eleven Outstandings," she said breathlessly, relishing the sentence.

Harry stared at her awestruck. "Wow.......but.... how...... Hermione, you didn't even take that many classes!"

"Oh, I know that," she said matter-of-factly. "I decided to try my luck on the Muggle Studies exam."

He was still looking at her in disbelief, when a loud yell from downstairs made them all jump.

Mrs. Weasley, probably alerted by Hermione's shrieks, had shouted up the stairs. "I heard something! Why aren't you asleep!? Harry's had a long trip and if I find that you lot are keeping him from getting a good night's rest......!"

Hermione looked terrified at the sound of Mrs. Weasley's approaching steps on the creaky, wooden stairs. "Quick! Hurry!" They ushered her out of the room and dove under the covers in the nick of time.

In the rush to sneak Hermione upstairs and then to pretend to be asleep, Harry had forgotten all about Lupin's present. The neatly wrapped package had been absentmindedly kicked off the bed by Harry and now lay underneath the cracked, ancient headboard. If he had stuck his head under the bed however, he would have seen a soft gold and violet glow, shimmering underneath the wrapping.

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I hope you've been enjoying my story. Please, please review. Thanks!