Disclaimer-I don't own Harry Potter
The Attack
Harry stared at the letter in his hands. It was from the Wizarding Examination Authority. These were his O.W.L grades, the ones he had been waiting a month for.
How appropriate that they came on the day before his 16th birthday. Nice early birthday gift.
His eyes scanned the letter again.
Dear Harry James Potter,
Enclosed, please find your Ordinary Wizarding Levels results.
Astronomy: Theory-E. Practical-P. Overall: A. Ability to Continue Course: Permitted.
Care of Magical Creatures: Theory-O. Practical-O. Overall-O. Ability to Continue Course: Strongly Advised.
Charms: Theory-O. Practical-E. Overall-O. Ability to Continue Course: Strongly Advised.
Defense Against The Dark Arts: Theory-O. Practical-O. Overall-O. Ability to Continue Course: Strongly Advised.
Divination: Theory-T. Practical-T. Overall: T. Ability to Continue Course: Not permitted.
Herbology: Theory-O. Practical-E. Overall-O. Ability to Continue Course: Strongly Advised.
History of Magic: Theory/Practical-T. Overall-T. Ability to Continue Course: Not permitted.
Potions: Theory-A. Practical-E. Overall-E. Ability to Continue Course: Not permitted.
Transfiguration: Theory-E. Practical-O. Overall-O. Ability to Continue Course: Strongly Advised.
Your complete student average is E. Good luck in your next year of Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
Professor Griselda Marchbanks
Head of Wizarding Education Authority
Harry still couldn't believe he had managed to land an E in Potions. He could only assume he had some friends in high places, even though it wasn't enough to land him a spot in the N.E.W.T class. Apart from that, he wasn't quite surprised with the grades he got, especially in Defense Against The Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures.
Suddenly, he thought of how Sirius would've reacted upon seeing his report card. He would've shrugged off History of Magic and Divination, calling them the two most useless divisions of magic. He would've commended Harry as a chip of the old block, landing an O in Transfiguration, which was what James was known for, and another O in Charms, which was Lily's best subject. He would've laughed about Harry putting one over on Snape, attaining a pass but not attending his class either. He would've been so proud of Harry's Overall E.
He thought of the Durselys, eating dinner downstairs. Vernon would be drinking and spluttering about his company, Petunia would be right across the table, eyes shining and nodding her bony head up and down until she bore a hole in her collar bone, and Dudley would be eating everything, even right off his mother's plate.
These people he had lived with for 15 years. When had they ever shown the kind of interest in his life that Sirius had, the man that Harry had accused of killing his parents the instant he met him? When had Petunia, Lily's own blood sister, shown the kind of concern that Sirius, an outsider from a pro-Voldemort family, had showered him with? Why did he have to live here year after year, when he could have gone with Sirius? Maybe he would've realized that Sirius had not been in any danger; that he hadn't needed to go to the Department of Mysteries.
He knew the reason. Life here kept him alive. Because of Petunia, he was still alive. Voldemort wouldn't dare come near here. Voldemort could only kill him physically, as in beating him to death. He still couldn't kill him magically, as long as Petunia was alive.
Harry turned his eyes to the other letter. This one was from Minerva McGonagall.
Dear Harry James Potter,
Enclosed, please find your list of school books for your 6th year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, according to the O.W.L result you received. Kindly send a list of classes that you are willing to pursue to Hogwarts.
Also, due to the current world situation, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions have become mandatory classes, regardless of O.W.L. results.
The list is as follows:
Reading The Stars by Andromeda Tonks
Lifestyles of Fantastic Creatures by Philip Wolfgang
Practical and Extraordinary Charms by Grace Meir
Defensive and Offensive Magic by Osbourn Bailey
Salts of the Earth by Jasmine Noam
Moste Potente Potions by Thorpe Everett
Shape-Shifting of Magical Objects by Julia Grant
Harry reread the list. Moste Potente Potions, eh? He wondered if they'd be brewing some Polyjuice Potion. God knows that he, Hermione, and Ron would pass Potions this year. All of them, even Ron, had practically memorized that book.
He looked at the author of his Astronomy book. Andromeda Tonks. Nymphadora's mother and Sirius's favorite cousin.
He might as well take it, he thought, just out of respect for Sirius. After all, Sirius's entire family was named after stars. It really wasn't surprising that Andromeda had written a book about it.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a loud hoot from Hedwig and the furious beating of wings. He whirled around in the tattered, revolving chair he had inherited from Dudley to see another owl practically breaking the glass at his window.
"Pigwidgeon?" he said out loud, recognizing Ron's owl. He unlatched his window and allowed the breathless owl to flop into his room.
He took the letter from the slot on Pigwidgeon's ankle. It was a Howler. As he wondered what he possibly could've done wrong, he noticed a dark red splotch on it, different than the color of the Howler. It looked like blood.
His stomach dropped out as he tore open the letter. Hermione's panic-stricken voice yelled:
"Harry, get away from there now! The Death Eaters are coming to kill your aunt! They found the Order's HQ and blew it apart, but they got Sirius's mother's portrait to tell them were you are first! Get your family and run NOW, or you'll all be dead! They'll get here right after Pigwidgeon does! GO! NOW!!"
Harry shoved the letter in his pocket and immediately went for Hedwig.
"Hedwig, take Pig and get to Diagon Alley. Don't leave once you get there."
Hedwig clipped her beak. She floated across the room, picked Pig up by the back with her talons, and soared out the open window. She disappeared into the night.
He snatched up his wand, muttering "Accio Broomstick! Accio Cloak! Accio photo album!"
Once the Firebolt, that Invisibility Cloak, and photo album of his family were in his hand, he muttered a shrinking charm and shoved them all in his pocket. He swiped his two letters and shoved them in his other pocket.
Then he ran.
He thundered down the stairs, nearly tripping as he took them two at a time. He rounded the banister, through the living room, and burst into the kitchen.
"What are you doing, boy?" Vernon snapped, seeing him come in. "Thought you weren't hungry! Well, it's too late if you want food now."
"It's Voldemort!" Harry yelled.
All talk ceased. Petunia stared at him, her eyes nearly falling out of her head. Only she and Harry among the four in this house knew what Voldemort truly meant. Her mind was flashing to the letter Dumbledore had left her.
Your sister is dead…as long as you're alive, Harry will live…
"He's sent his followers! They know where we are, and they're going to kill Aunt Petunia to get to me!"
Vernon only understood "kill Aunt Petunia". He stood up, his chair falling backwards. "Get out, boy! Your freaky kind won't kill my wife!"
"Vernon, you don't understand!" Petunia yelled suddenly. "If Harry leaves my side, he'll die!"
"And the world's better off without him!" Vernon yelled, masking his surprise at Petunia's outburst.
"Look, if you won't do it for me, then I suppose you might want to do it for the fact that Voldemort's supporters have absolutely no problem in killing all of you!" Harry exploded. "They'll think it's nice practice to kill a couple of Muggles!"
At this, Petunia let out a terrified squeak. "Vernon, Dudley, you two run. I'll take Harry and get away from here!"
"No!" Vernon was turning purple. "Let the boy run alone, I won't risk having you—"
"I'M NOT LETTING HARRY DIE!!"
There was absolute silence, as Harry, Vernon, and Dudley stared at Petunia. Instead of looking ashamed or horrified, there was an air of determined control about her that none of the men wanted to defy.
"Vernon, Dudley, get out of this house now. Go to Marge's." she said. "Harry, you're coming with me."
There was a loud explosion just outside. The glass in the living room shattered.
"Quickly! Now!"
She spun around to the counter and grabbed something. And without a further glance in her son and husband's direction, she sped around the table and grabbed Harry's arm. She gave him a sharp tug that knocked the wind out of him and sped out the back door.
She stopped in the middle of the backyard and turned to face Harry.
"Your broomstick," she said shortly. "Get it out."
"How'd you know—"
"I'm not stupid and neither are you. I know you have it, and I recognize a shrinking charm."
"How—"
"Never mind that now, boy. Just get it out."
Harry fumbled in his jeans pocket for the shape of the Firebolt. He finally felt bristles, like those on a toothbrush, and pulled it out. He held the mini-broom by the stick and muttered the Engorgement Charm. It immediately expanded into its normal size.
"Did Dumbledore give you that Invisibility Cloak of your father's? And don't even bother asking how I know, just answer me."
"Yes."
"Get it out." Harry felt around for a piece of cloth, pulled it out, and enlarged it.
"Get on the broom."
Harry positioned himself on the broom, and felt the weight of his aunt as she settled herself behind him. She grabbed and edge of the Invisibility Clock and threw it over herself as Harry tugged his end over his own head.
"Now, go."
Harry braced his feet on the ground and went to kick off.
Nothing.
"Harry!" Petunia screeched.
He turned around. Holding onto the tail of the Firebolt, the only visible part, was a Death Eater. He couldn't see who it was, since his face was covered, but he had a sinking suspicion it was Lucius Malfoy.
Petunia grabbed up what she had taken from the counter. To Harry's amazement, it was a wooden stirring spoon.
'Oh my God,' he thought wildly. 'Does she honestly believe she can scare off—'
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Harry was once again wrenched from his thoughts as the Death Eater suddenly froze up. Even his eyes were still behind the slits in his mask.
Petunia kicked him off the broom and he fell with a thud onto the lawn. Petunia turned back to Harry.
"What are you waiting for, fool?! GO! NOW!"
Too amazed to say anything, Harry kicked off from the ground and the Firebolt, seemingly unaware of the extra weight, took off from the Dursely's backyard.
Loud explosions and terrified screams were heard behind them, but neither of them looked back as they disappeared into the night sky clouds.
