Harry Potter and the green flame torch.
Chapter one- Everything is different
On a warm night half way through July, a fifteen-year-old boy could be seen walking the streets of Surrey. He walked into the park and sat on the swing looking out across the green grass around him, illuminated by the few street lamps that allowed light to fall through the trees. Harry stared at the path; his bright green eyes sparkling with unshed tears as he remembered the trials of the year before. Because this boy, as normal as he may seem, was not anything that people around here saw as normal. Harry was a wizard, one who has in past done unbelievable things. Things so unheard of among the wizarding population that not even adults could accomplish. He is the Boy Who lived.
Harry stood from the swing and began to walk back toward Privet drive. He looked at the houses around him, families in the windows watching television, eating dinner. Must be nice, he thought, to have a nice normal family. He walked down the street and round the corner into Privet drive, then he stopped and looked at Number four, the house he grew up in yet he was so unwelcome in it. He walked up the path and in the door, just as his Uncle came out of the Kitchen. "And where have you been?" Harry's uncle said gruffly "you should have been back over an hour ago." Harry glared at him then walked up the stairs. He didn't want to listen to this; he just wanted to be alone. "Well?" His uncle pushed on "What have you been up to?" Harry continued to walk up the stairs. "Fine, but don't expect any tea. Be home late you getting nothing." Harry's uncle sneered. But Harry didn't care, nothing mattered here. This was the Dursley household, as Dumbledore had said there were many precautions to keep him safe so what does it matter if Harry only comes here to be safe? He didn't want to be here but that did not matter, in doing this he had two danger free months a year, what more could he want.
***
Harry woke early the next morning to the sound of machinery. Harry's Aunt and uncle had decided that since Dudley loved boxing so much they would have a gym built for his birthday. Harry got changed and headed downstairs. "Bacons in the pan don't let it burn." Harry's Aunt sneered at him. Harry was used to this. Every morning he had spent in this house that he could remember he had been made to cook breakfast. After serving out the breakfast to his Aunt Uncle and cousin Harry heard the post flap click and he walked into the hall to collect the post. Harry was amazed when he stooped down to collect the mail that there was one addressed to him as well as his relative's usual bills and postcards. He put his letter in his pocket and returned to the kitchen. He put the mail on the table and ate a piece of toast before heading back up to his room. Once he was inside with the door shut Harry decided to open the letter.
Dear Harry, How are you? I am sending this letter by muggle post because I am again staying at the Order Headquarters and they thought it best if we did not send you owls, (Incase someone is reading your mail) because we have the feeling that the ministry is still quite suspicious to the fact that after everything has happened to you, your still alive. They actually put an article by Rita Skeeter in the daily prophet saying that there were suspicions that you were working with Voldemort, I mean please you of all people wouldn't do that.
Anyway I can't say too much here but I think we might be seeing you soon. Until we do, just hold on Harry. We will talk to you soon.
Love Hermione
P.S- Ron says hello.
Harry looked down at the letter. Great, these holidays are starting off the same as last year. Hermione and Ron together whilst he was stuck at Number four. Hopefully the order would come and collect him again this year. He didn't think he could survive here for much longer.
Harry spent the day doing homework in his room and again went for a walk that night. When he returned he found an owl waiting for him. When he approached it, it flew onto his shoulder sticking out his leg so that Harry could untie the letter. He looked at the parchment and didn't recognize the handwriting.
Dear Harry, How are you? Haven't heard from you since we left Hogwarts so we thought we would drop you a line. We were thinking that if you wanted a job and it was okay with the order you could come and work at our store, you practically own it so we think its only fair to offer. Anyway, mum said that the order were picking you up tomorrow so hopefully we will be able to see you soon, we have joined now so we sometimes hang around there after work. Don't worry this paper is charmed so that only you can read it.
See you soon, Gred and Forge.
Harry smiled and set about his room, packing things up. He would be leaving tomorrow and going to headquarters, this was the best thing he could wish for these holidays. Harry had recently lost his only father figure and felt like every time he tried to do what was right, everything was against him. But then last year that was not far from the truth, the ministry was destroying his reputation and Voldemort and his followers still wanted him dead. But this year things would be different, nothing was going to get to him because now he knew the truth. He was the only one who could defeat Voldemort and that is why he is who he is.
When Harry went downstairs he told his Aunt and Uncle what was happening and sat down in the lounge room to watch the news. After the first few stories Harry thought nothing else interesting would happen and rose to leave when the phone rang "Ill get it." He picked up the receiver and put it to his ear "Hello?" Harry heard loud breathing in the phone "Hello?" "We know where you are Harry Potter, Tonight's the night you die" Then dial tone. Harry hung up the receiver and ran through the door. Harry had to see an operative and Mrs. Figg was the closest one to number four Privet drive.
He ran across the quiet street and banged on the door. He heard scuttling from inside then the door opened "Why Harry how are you?" then she saw the look on his face. "What's wrong?" Harry caught his breath for a moment then told her about the phone call. Her face went white. "Quickly inside." She said simply. Harry walked into her house smelling of rotten cabbage and cat. He could not see why he hadn't realized it was possible she was in close relativity to a witch or wizard, her house smelled just like an apothecary. "Quickly Harry we need to contact Dumbledore and tell him what has happened." She walked over to the fireplace and threw some floo powder in yelling "twelve Grimauld place!" before putting her head in the flames. Harry crouched down beside her so he could hear what was being said. "Dumbledore, Harry just got a phone call. It said they know where he is and that he would die tonight." Harry heard a slight gasp from Dumbledore before he started to explain the course of action. "I will send operatives over to Harry's house for tonight then the ministry cars will pick him up in the morning. For now send him back to his relatives house and tell him to be cautious." Mrs. Figg pulled her head out of the fire and Harry nodded at her, thanking her for her help. "Oh, its fine Harry. I'm glad I could help." He nodded again and headed back over the road and down the street. When he arrived back his aunt and uncle called him into the kitchen demanding to know what was going on. When Harry told them they went a ghostly white and Dudley started to cower behind the table. "Its okay though some people are coming to protect us and I'm allowed to use my...abilities if someone is in danger so you will be fine. The people will be coming and will be here until tomorrow morning at which time I will leave." They all nodded slowly and Harry walked up the stairs and into his room. He dug through his trunk and pulled out the old sneakascope that Ron had given him in third year and placed it on his table. He then lay back on his bed and began to read some of his dark arts books that Sirius had gave him.
Once the operatives had arrived Harry spent the night sitting in the living room talking to them. They had set a security alarm on the house so that if anyone came in they would know. It turned out to be more of a good time catching up than anything. The operatives that Dumbledore had sent were all Harry's friends in a way. There was Lupin, Tonks, Moody and Bill Weasley. It was a good time and when Harry went to bed at two o'clock in the morning he felt the best he had all summer.
The next morning Lupin came in and woke him at nine saying the car was out front. Harry got out of bed and dressed quickly, eager to leave and see his friends again. The ministry car was large as a Limo and inside even bigger. All the operatives joined him in the ride back talking joyfully and just enjoying themselves. The ministry car wasn't quite like the knight bus, which he rode when he was in third year, but they did have their special abilities. Sometimes when the gap they wanted to go through was to small it would find a way, and they had a tendency to jump to the front of traffic lines. It did not take long to arrive and Harry felt a sudden rush of sadness as he looked at this house. This was Sirius's house. He was the last of the Blacks, Harry's godfather and now he was dead, all because Harry had thought Sirius was in trouble and had gone to save him. Harry moved toward the house as he felt Lupin's hand push on his back, urging him forward. Harry would have to face it. Sirius was gone and it was his fault.
When Harry was inside he was glad to see that the majority of the Weasley's were there to greet him, as well as Professor Dumbledore and Hermione. "Hello everyone, great to see you all" he said forcedly. Dumbledore looked at him down his nose and said "After you have had proper greetings with everyone, could I please talk to you in the kitchen Harry?" Harry nodded and Dumbledore left. After the door shut behind him Harry was surrounded in a blur of motion. Getting thumped on the back, being hugged and being told he was missed. Yes, he was with the closest thing he had to a family now. After finally pulling out of one of Mrs. Weasley's tight hugs Harry put his bag in the room that he and Ron would share and then went to the kitchen to see Dumbledore.
"Harry it is great to see you as always." He said jovially "But I can see that something is wrong. Is there anything I can help you with?" Harry looked into Dumbledore's sparkling eyes and shook his head. "Its just being here reminds me he's really gone, he's not coming back" Dumbledore nodded. "Alas that is true, but grief is something we all feel Harry. It is what makes us who we are." Harry nodded and decided he would ask Dumbledore something that he thought of after Sirius died. "Sir, what did you think of Dumbledore's army? I mean the class I ran." Dumbledore smiled gently down at him, his eyes giving off a bright sparkle. "I thought it was a brilliant idea Harry. I think you should continue to teach it this year." Harry nodded and got an idea. "Yeah its just Sirius said it was a good idea to, I was just wondering about your thoughts. But sir I have been thinking since I came out of the ministry. I saw you all duel and I realized how out of league we students were, I was wondering if there was any way we could start up a dueling club. You know teach the proper way of dueling." Dumbledore nodded "Another brilliant idea Harry. Anything else?" Harry nodded and decided to try this. "Sir is it possible I can get some dueling and advanced magic books from the restricted section? I was just wondering if they could help me. After finding out about the prophecy I just feel stronger and like I need to know what I am capable of." Dumbledore considered this and then looked at him sternly. "On one condition." Harry looked at him quietly waiting for the condition to be very high standard. "You agree to show me what you have learnt after the Christmas break." Harry nodded. "Is that all now Harry?" Harry nodded. "Well then I had better be off. I will see you soon." He walked out and left Harry alone.
Harry walked into the dining room to find all the Weasleys and Hermione sitting around the table eating breakfast. When she saw him enter Mrs. Weasley stood and started to dish some up for him saying, "Are you hungry Harry?" He nodded and sat down to eat, engaging in the conversation around him. He felt almost at home, though everything was different, everything was new. It was a new time and everything felt different.
After breakfast Harry walked upstairs with Hermione Ron and Ginny and they decided to play some exploding snap as they talked good-heartedly about everything that has happened over the past five years. When they were talking about what had happened in the chamber of secrets Harry noticed Ginny was looking at him funny and turned red when he looked back at her. She must have just been remembering something that had happened and frightened her. After a while they got to the point where they had just got back to Hogwarts after their fifth year and Harry decided it was time to tell them.
"I need to tell you all something. It is why Voldemort lured me to the Ministry and what it was all about." They all looked at him funny when he told them this so he leapt into the story. "You all know that ball had my name on it, well that ball held a prophecy in it that was seen by Dumbledore when it was made a little over sixteen years ago. The prophecy told of one that would possess power to defeat Voldemort" Ron and Ginny shuddered at the name "And he wanted to find out what the prophecy told so he would know what was likely to happen. I guess the easiest way to tell you about it is to tell you the prophecy itself, so ill try and get it as close to right as I can. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches, Born to those who have thrice defied him, as the seventh month dies, And the dark lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the dark lord knows not, And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives, The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies "The prophecy was told in the hogs head, it was partly overheard by a death eater who told Voldemort. What he didn't know was any of it after he will mark him because the person was thrown from the pub. But the weird thing about all this is that this prophecy was not about me until Voldemort attacked my family, killed my parents." Harry looked at them all and Hermione looked at him with a confused look on her face. "What do you mean Harry?" "Well at the time there were two young boys who it could have been. Me and Neville Longbottom, but Voldemort chose me, he came after me not Neville and he marked me as his equal," he pointed at his scar "And I had a power he did not know of. My mother died to save me and I survived. He knows nothing of love." When he finished they all stared at him like he was something weird. Then Ron asked him quietly "Does that mean that either you must destroy you-know-who or he destroy you?" Harry nodded. 'Neither of us can survive whilst the other survives. I must murder, or be murdered." He closed his eyes pushing back the unshed tears and rose saying he was going to the bathroom, but he really snuck up to Sirius' mothers room. He bowed to Buckbeak and sat next to him, patting his soft feathery mane and hard beak before he spotted it. The mirror that Sirius had used to contact Harry's father in detentions, the one he wanted Harry to use to contact him. Harry picked it up and broke down into tears; this was the last thing he had from his father and Sirius.
Harry walked out of the room in the late afternoon. He had fallen asleep and now felt quite rejuvenated. He walked down the stairs and into the dining room finding everyone sitting around the table eating afternoon tea. He avoided the eyes of Hermione, Ron and Ginny but took the tea and crumpets he was offered by Mrs. Weasley thankfully. He sat and ate in silence before he heard a scratching behind and he turned and saw Krecher "YOU!" He thundered over the elf. Harry was on his feet and moving towards him before he could think. Ron and Hermione jumped up and grabbed hold of him "Harry don't hurt him you know he is just lonely." Harry turned on Hermione (he was now a lot taller than her to.) "Just lonely? He was giving information to Voldemort last year. He helped them lure me there to get the prophecy and he practically tricked me into getting Sirius killed. And you think he is just lonely?" Hermione bit her lip and said. "Come on Harry, its not worth it. Killing him wont bring back Sirius, besides why rip his head off when that's just what he wants?" Harry stopped and glared at Krecher, no it wouldn't bring Sirius back so why even waste the strength on this good for nothing elf? He thought "your. Your right" Harry choked out sitting down again before another gush of silent tears poured down his face.
*** Harry's time at the headquarters was quite boring. It was now the day before his birthday and he was sitting in his room looking through his trunk for the rest of the pieces of his mirror. He was still missing one but he knew it was in there, it had poked him through a robe and he had a small cut to prove it. After a while he found it, he put it all in a container and took it downstairs. The twins were back from work and he was going to ask them to mend it for him as he knew they wouldn't ask to many questions about it. "George, Fred, how are you both?" Harry asked politely as Mrs. Weasley walked out of the room. They answered that they were okay and then Harry pulled out the container. "Um lads, do you think you could fix this for me?" they looked at the mirror and Fred pulled out his wand "Reparo" He muttered tapping it. It flew back together looking good as new and Harry pulled his out saying "Fred" then tilting it to see Fred's face in his own mirror, "Good it works." He said simply. "What is it? And why are there two the same?" Harry took the other one off Fred "They are looking glasses, you use them to contact each other." Fred nodded and Harry left the room. He wrapped both mirrors in a robe and put them back in his trunk. Those might come in handy.
*** Harry woke the next morning at ten o'clock. He climbed out of bed, put his dressing gown on to have breakfast but when he walked in the door to the dining room he was surprised to hear a large amount of the operatives yelling "Happy Birthday Harry!" then he was rushed inside and sat at one of the table to receive his presents and eat his breakfast. Harry received a large supply of jokes from the twins, a large cake from Mrs. Weasley, a chess set from Ron, a nice big book on jinxes from Hermione and a basilisk wand holster from Ginny. He thanked them all and ate his breakfast, talking happily with everyone around the table, enjoying his birthday for the first time ever.
About half way through the day everyone had to leave and Harry, the Weasleys and Hermione were on their own again. Harry played chess with Ron for a little while and read some of the book that Hermione gave him but he really felt a little weird that Sirius wasn't here. Even while he was on the run Sirius had sent him a card for his birthday. It just felt weird that he didn't have that this year. Not long after Harry finished his fourth game of chess with Ron and had just sat down in an armchair to have a cup of tea Dumbledore walked in. "Happy birthday Harry! I just thought I would drop by and give you the books you wanted, I got the best ones I could think of so I hope you make good use of them." He said with a wink. "I do hope your enjoying your birthday. All of the operatives were very keen on throwing you a party but there have been rumors of a death eater attack happening tonight so I'm sorry Harry." Harry shook it away taking the books. "Its fine professor, really I don't need a party, I have all my friends with me now, that's what matters." Dumbledore nodded and gave him a large smile. "Even so it is always nice to celebrate. Well I better be off, please read those books Harry and I will see you again soon." He nodded at Mrs. Weasley and walked out the door. Harry looked down at the books in his hands; there were four of them. Two were about the art of dueling and two were advanced magic books. He turned around to see Hermione and Ron looking at him. "So, what books did Dumbledore bring you?" Hermione said airily. "Um just some books on dueling." Hermione took them and started to look through them. "But Harry these are very advanced. You wouldn't find these in the library at school." Harry looked at the ground. "Yeah you would." Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. "These are out of the restricted section, aren't they?" Harry nodded and took them back "Dumbledore agreed to let me see what my limits are, we think if we are going to deal with Voldemort I should know what I can do." Harry walked upstairs and locked the books in his trunk. "Just pretend I never got them okay?" They all nodded and Harry sat in a seat. "So are you all going to come to the DA meetings this year?" Harry asked calmly. But he realized that might have been a mistake. "Harry, you are still running that even after what happened last year?" Mrs. Weasley said loudly. "I mean you were risking getting expelled and what for? Learning how to cast a few jinxes? I can't believe you could do something so ridiculous!" Harry looked up at her calmly. "Mrs. Weasley, you were alive in Voldemort's last reign. You remember what they used to do, wouldn't you rather your children to be able to defend themselves?" Ron's Mother looked at Harry like she was trying to sum him up. "Well id rather they could defend themselves but I didn't want them to risk something this big. I mean why would you risk your education to learn a few defensive spells." Harry didn't know what to say. "Mum Harry was teaching us he knows more than you think!" Harry turned to see Ginny bright red standing before her mother "Do you know how to summon a patronus? And I mean a real one not just a wisp of smoke." Her mother looked at her with her mouth open. "Well no I don't." she was now looking at Ginny with a look of surprise. "Well that is the kind of little defensive spell Harry has taught us, as well as the disarming spell, the impediment jinx and many other spells that you can use in self defense." Mrs. Weasley looked from Ron to Hermione to Ginny with a surprised look on her face. "You can all make a patronus?" they all nodded and she looked at them in amazement. "I, I didn't know. I thought you were just learning little things." Harry shook his head. "No I have been teaching them everything I have learnt. And considering everything that's happened I think I can say it is worth learning." She nodded and left the room to get some after noon tea. "Why did Dumbledore bring the books out of the restricted section for you?" Ginny asked him when she had sat back down. "Well because I have to know what I am capable of. I need to protect myself and all of you." They all sat quietly until Mrs. Weasley brought out afternoon tea and then they ate in silence. After they finished eating they all played exploding snap, laughing away the afternoon, Harry's birthday.
***
Harry rolled onto his back, unable to sleep. He looked at his watch. It was one o'clock. He got out of bed taking the books Dumbledore had given him and walked down stairs. He sat in an armchair in front of the fire and opened his book. He sat reading until he flipped a page and a note slipped out.
Harry, I want you to know all you can about dueling. This is the book I read when I was younger, it taught me all I know and I hope you will learn well in the ways of this book. The books I have given you hold powerful magic within them, everything in them has a way of doing and everything that has a way of doing is something to learn. Learn all you can. Dumbledore.
Harry looked at the letter, the books that Dumbledore learnt out of. He thought, must be pretty good magic I suppose. Harry looked back down at the book. Now that he looked at it, it had a picture of a wizard doing everything the book was talking about showing you how to do them. Harry continued to read the book, repeating important lines trying to remember it all, when he heard something behind him. He stood and turned looking at the door. Ginny was standing with her back to him, sneaking quietly into the dining room. "Ginny," He whispered, she jumped and turned around "What are you doing up?" she relaxed a little "Well I just came down for a drink. What are you doing?" he held up his book and sat back down. He heard her go into the kitchen then come back out. "Harry are you okay?" She asked softly. "Yeah I'm okay, what about you?" She nodded and sat on the arm of his chair. "Harry, I need to say something I have been wanting to say for a while now. I'm sorry about second year; I didn't know what I was doing. And all because of my little girl stupidity you had to kill a basilisk when you were twelve." Harry shushed her and looked up into her eyes. She had tears rolling down her face. "No don't say that. It wasn't your fault. No one could have seen that coming. And me killing the basilisk had nothing to do with your stupidity. I did it because it had to be done, because if I hadn't you wouldn't be here today. And I don't want to know what tom riddle would have done." He stood and wiped the tears from her eyes, "so don't worry about it, okay gin?" She nodded looking into his eyes. "I just feel so bad that's all. I killed the roosters, I wrote the messages on the wall. I was being used as a puppet but it was all me." He shook his head. "It wasn't you, over the past five years I have known you I have always known your not capable of that. You are kind and you do what you believe in. it runs through your family, Percy may have been a prat last year but he was doing what he believed in. you hurting and killing knowingly is just not possible." After he finished she started to cry freely, she threw her arms around him crying into his chest. "I'm so sorry Harry, so sorry." He kept patting her on her back and tried not to cry himself. That was what everyone had told him about Cedric but he knew it was his fault and nothing would change that.
***
Harry woke on the twenty first of August in the early morning. Today they would be going to Diagon Alley. He had wanted to go and see Weasley's wizard wheezes and go shopping in the alley, he had not been there since third year, and Dumbledore agreed saying that Lupin and Bill would accompany then. When Harry got downstairs Hermione ran up and jumped on top of him "I got fifteen!" She shouted. Harry looked at her and then at Ron with a look of confusion on his face. "O.W.L's just arrived and I got fifteen!" She told him in an excited voice before throwing her arms around him. "That's great Hermione, what about you Ron?" He said turning to his friend. "Thirteen." He said simply. Harry slapped him on the back. "That's Brilliant. More than Percy!" Harry walked to the table and picked his up. He looked at it and put it in his pocket. "Ill read it later." They all sat and ate breakfast talking about what they wanted to do in Diagon alley. Once they were finished they all gathered around bill and Lupin putting in a hand to touch the portkey they had got. "Okay everyone touch the portkey, on the count of three, one, two, Three!" Harry felt the familiar pull of the portkey beginning to take effect. It was as if a huge hook was pulling him forward through the back of his navel, after a few seconds he was spinning around the world a blur before they hit the ground.
Harry looked up off his stomach. They were in the leaky cauldron. Harry rolled over and pushed himself up, brushing the dust of his old jeans and tee shirt. After he and Ron helped Hermione and Ginny stand they continued out the back of the pub, greeting the old barman as they passed. Lupin tapped the stone to open the archway to Diagon Alley and they walked in. For Harry's fourth visit to Diagon alley since he had found out he was a wizard. They stepped into the busy alley and walked down the winding road to Gringgots, wizards bank. Harry walked into Gringgots, the marble floor shining under his feet. He approached one of the goblin tellers, explaining who he was and showing him his key. He was led into the carriage and down to his vault. He pulled out his leather bag and filled it with golden galleons and silver sickles before getting back in the cart for the trip back to the entrance. He emerged from the front door ready to buy his school needs. He met with the Weasleys and went to flourish and blotts to buy his books. He was looking through the shelves for the books on his list when something caught his eye, 'Advanced powers- how to reveal your hidden powers' he put it in with his other books and then went to pay. When he left he looked up the street trying to decide what to do next when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He turned and walked toward them, about fifty meter's up the road Draco Malfoy had his wand pointed at Hermione. "You filthy mudblood, you potter and that poor wretch Weasley will know soon enough why lord Voldemort is all powerful. My father may be in jail but he has other faithful followers. But right now all I can say is watch your back." Harry laughed out loud "I could say the same for you Malfoy." Harry had walked right up behind him, his wand pointed at Malfoy's head "It seems that you don't understand Malfoy, your precious lord will not win, Dumbledore will make sure of that." Malfoy glared at him "You will get yours potter, you will get yours soon." He walked away from them and headed off up the alley. "Are you ok Hermione?" She nodded. "He was just threatening me." Harry nodded "Think there was any truth behind what he was saying?" Hermione and Ron shook their heads. "He wouldn't know anything about Voldemort with his dad gone, would he?" Ron said sounding unsure. "I mean he wouldn't know anything that his dad doesn't tell him." Harry shook his head. "I don't know, but don't let him scare you. But just keep an eye out incase." They all nodded and continued shopping for their school supplies. Everything in Diagon alley was always a rush. People running around trying to get their school supplies or other needs. Harry made his way through the crowds, followed by operatives and the Weasleys. He always liked Diagon alley and nothing had changed. It was always the same. That's how things should be.
After they had got everything they needed they headed up the street again to a large yellow building marked above the door with two interlocking W's surrounded by a large circle. It was Weasleys wizard wheezes. Harry opened the door and there was a burst of sound as the interior was revealed. The place was packed and right up in front on a stage Fred and George were showing everyone in the store the various products that had or were developing. Harry and the others walked toward them, pushing through the crowds. When they reached the stage the twins climbed down to greet them. "Hello everyone, hope you all are well. Would you all like the tour?" They all nodded and were led around for half an hour looking at everything the twins had created and some in development. They showed them around their sleeping quarters upstairs and then came back to the shop. Whilst Fred and George did another demonstration Harry Ron and Ginny walked around choosing tricks and pranks to buy while Hermione tutted about the ridiculousness of each one. After they had all chosen what they fancied they walked out of the store with large yellow bags and money bags a fair bit lighter. The site to which they exited the shop was horrific.
Harry pulled out his wand. "Ginny get inside to your brothers and mother and tell them to lock everyone in there inside." She ran back inside and did as he said. "Ron Hermione, if you don't want to fight I understand just run inside." They both shook their heads and moved to his sides. "Okay then stick with me." Harry ran down the street as the screaming people ran past him, panicking and dropping shopping as they picked up small children and grabbed family members. Harry Hermione and Ron had left their shopping just inside wizard wheezes when they heard the screaming. Now as they ran down the street Harry saw why there was all the screaming. Death eaters were marching down the street, setting stores on fire and cursing people that weren't moving fast enough. Harry stopped as they walked toward him. "Ron, Hermione, this is important, you can fight but stay behind me, I will cast a shield on the three of us but if I start to shake or act weird just keep going, we must fight them now. It is hard to hold this spell but I can cast other spells at the same time, but it will drain my energy. Stay behind me no matter what." Harry raised his wand and waved it swiftly through the air as a sheet of silver came before them, glimmering in the sunlight. Harry raised his arm. "When I say start sending curses, and follow me." Harry kept his wand raised and walked toward the death eaters. "On the count of three. One...Two...THREE! Saratasus!" Harry screamed. A large stream of light left his wand, flying out and around the death eaters making a ring around them, just as Ron and Hermione shot stunners at the death eaters. "Okay they are held there, they can't leave the circle. But they can still duel. I can't cast spells I need to keep the circle and shield up. So you need defeat them yourselves now. Stay behind me and you wont get hurt. They start using unforgivable curses, run." They nodded, looking a little pale but began to start throwing jinxes and spells around trying to take out the death eaters. "Stupefy!" Ron yelled and immediately after dodged a spell thrown at him by a death eater before going again. The whole time Harry was concentrating on expanding the shield and closing the circle. He looked up and saw two death eaters fall, he had counted ten death eaters, there were now five still mobile. Harry used a burst of power to close the circle more leaving the unconscious death eaters out and squeezing in closer to the conscious ones. "Quick Ron, Hermione, use impedimenta on them and then stun them, I can't hold this much longer." They did as he said and the last few death eaters fell to the ground. He released the spells and fell to the ground. "Harry!" Hermione called loudly "Harry are you okay?" He nodded gingerly and tried to stand. He swayed and Ron and Hermione caught him under the arms to take him back to Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. They walked back in silence and just as Hermione reached for the door handle Harry felt it. "Get inside, fast" Hermione and Ron looked at him cautiously. "Now Get inside!" They quickly went inside and Harry closed the door turning around to see where they were. Dementors were everywhere, about fifty of them. Harry raised his wand wobbling on his legs unstably to face them. He thought of the happiest thought he could muster and screamed "Expecto Patronum!" A stag burst from the tip of his wand, flying around sending the dementors soaring off into the darkness. He held the patronus until the last one disappeared. The last site he saw as he passed out was Moody and Dumbledore apparating into the street.
*** Harry woke and looked around unsurely, he was back in his bed at headquarters, and everything was a blur. He reached out for his glasses and put them on, as the room came into focus he saw that his bags had been brought up and had been put at the end of his bed. He climbed out of bed and felt a little bit wobbly. He sat back down for a second and pulled on a dressing gown before he got up and walked to the door. When he went down the stairs (using the rail for support) he heard voices from the dining room. When he entered the whole Weasley family as well as Dumbledore Hermione, Lupin and Moody were talking about Diagon alley. He walked in the door keeping hold of the door frame so he didn't fall over) and listened as he waited to be noticed, "there were many casualties, luckily no one died. It seems the only places that were damaged were after the Weasley wizard wheezes store. Where did you say Harry Made the barrier Hermione?" Dumbledore asked slowly. "I don't know sir, all I know is that it was protecting us, we needed to dodge a few curses but they were unblockable ones so I'm really not sure." Harry moved and let the door shut. Everyone turned to see him leaning heavily against the wall. "Hello," He said quietly. "What time is it?" He wobbled over to a chair between Lupin and Ginny and sat down heavily. "Its four o'clock, you've been out for two hours." Harry nodded "The spells really took it out of me. But it was the only way I could fix it without people getting hurt." Dumbledore nodded "And thanks to you few did, and we have ten Death eaters in custody." Harry nodded 'Harry, tell me what happened and what you did." Harry looked around the table. "I have been studying those books you gave me a lot lately, I memorized the usage of many spells but the one I used were the silver shield spell and the entrapment circle. We walked out of the twins joke store and people were running around scared. I made Ginny stay inside and lock everyone in until we got back, I wasn't too sure I could protect more than two other people. We started to run up the street, but we met the Death eaters before we got to far. I made Hermione and Ron stay behind me and I cast the silver shield spell. I stretched it out and managed to get it across the street so that they couldn't damage the buildings behind me and then I cast the entrapment circle spell on them. Then Ron and Hermione finished them off." He nodded at them both and they both blushed profusely. "But Harry, what happened when you made us go inside? Nobody saw what happened we just found you unconscious." Hermione said in a slow whisper. "Well I sent you in because there were dementors coming. I could feel the cold coming over me. And by then I was so weak I wasn't sure I could repel them, so I sent you both inside because you cant perform a corporal patronus yet and I scared them off. It really drained me, the last thing I saw was professor Dumbledore and Moody apparating into view." They nodded and then moody spoke up "By the time we got there you had already had the fun, no dementors left, all the death eaters unconscious, we just had to check all the damage." Harry looked him in his strange eyes. "How bad was the damage?" Moody shook his head. "About half of Diagon alley is in ruins, there was about two hundred casualties, about seventy of them children and thirty of the seventy Hogwarts students." Harry nodded. "Well at least nobody died." They all nodded.
When everyone got up from the table and began to leave Harry said goodbye to Dumbledore and the operatives before taking a seat in an armchair in front of the fire. What a day, Harry thought, things are starting to happen, ill need to be on guard for now on. Then he thought of something. "Malfoy," He muttered, "That must have been what he meant by others are loyal, not just his father and that we will soon see." Hermione turned around "What Harry?" He thought for a second. He wouldn't tell them they might worry about him even more than usual this year. "Nothing, just a bit tired from this afternoon." They nodded and sat down in front of the fire to play some exploding snap.
Chapter one- Everything is different
On a warm night half way through July, a fifteen-year-old boy could be seen walking the streets of Surrey. He walked into the park and sat on the swing looking out across the green grass around him, illuminated by the few street lamps that allowed light to fall through the trees. Harry stared at the path; his bright green eyes sparkling with unshed tears as he remembered the trials of the year before. Because this boy, as normal as he may seem, was not anything that people around here saw as normal. Harry was a wizard, one who has in past done unbelievable things. Things so unheard of among the wizarding population that not even adults could accomplish. He is the Boy Who lived.
Harry stood from the swing and began to walk back toward Privet drive. He looked at the houses around him, families in the windows watching television, eating dinner. Must be nice, he thought, to have a nice normal family. He walked down the street and round the corner into Privet drive, then he stopped and looked at Number four, the house he grew up in yet he was so unwelcome in it. He walked up the path and in the door, just as his Uncle came out of the Kitchen. "And where have you been?" Harry's uncle said gruffly "you should have been back over an hour ago." Harry glared at him then walked up the stairs. He didn't want to listen to this; he just wanted to be alone. "Well?" His uncle pushed on "What have you been up to?" Harry continued to walk up the stairs. "Fine, but don't expect any tea. Be home late you getting nothing." Harry's uncle sneered. But Harry didn't care, nothing mattered here. This was the Dursley household, as Dumbledore had said there were many precautions to keep him safe so what does it matter if Harry only comes here to be safe? He didn't want to be here but that did not matter, in doing this he had two danger free months a year, what more could he want.
***
Harry woke early the next morning to the sound of machinery. Harry's Aunt and uncle had decided that since Dudley loved boxing so much they would have a gym built for his birthday. Harry got changed and headed downstairs. "Bacons in the pan don't let it burn." Harry's Aunt sneered at him. Harry was used to this. Every morning he had spent in this house that he could remember he had been made to cook breakfast. After serving out the breakfast to his Aunt Uncle and cousin Harry heard the post flap click and he walked into the hall to collect the post. Harry was amazed when he stooped down to collect the mail that there was one addressed to him as well as his relative's usual bills and postcards. He put his letter in his pocket and returned to the kitchen. He put the mail on the table and ate a piece of toast before heading back up to his room. Once he was inside with the door shut Harry decided to open the letter.
Dear Harry, How are you? I am sending this letter by muggle post because I am again staying at the Order Headquarters and they thought it best if we did not send you owls, (Incase someone is reading your mail) because we have the feeling that the ministry is still quite suspicious to the fact that after everything has happened to you, your still alive. They actually put an article by Rita Skeeter in the daily prophet saying that there were suspicions that you were working with Voldemort, I mean please you of all people wouldn't do that.
Anyway I can't say too much here but I think we might be seeing you soon. Until we do, just hold on Harry. We will talk to you soon.
Love Hermione
P.S- Ron says hello.
Harry looked down at the letter. Great, these holidays are starting off the same as last year. Hermione and Ron together whilst he was stuck at Number four. Hopefully the order would come and collect him again this year. He didn't think he could survive here for much longer.
Harry spent the day doing homework in his room and again went for a walk that night. When he returned he found an owl waiting for him. When he approached it, it flew onto his shoulder sticking out his leg so that Harry could untie the letter. He looked at the parchment and didn't recognize the handwriting.
Dear Harry, How are you? Haven't heard from you since we left Hogwarts so we thought we would drop you a line. We were thinking that if you wanted a job and it was okay with the order you could come and work at our store, you practically own it so we think its only fair to offer. Anyway, mum said that the order were picking you up tomorrow so hopefully we will be able to see you soon, we have joined now so we sometimes hang around there after work. Don't worry this paper is charmed so that only you can read it.
See you soon, Gred and Forge.
Harry smiled and set about his room, packing things up. He would be leaving tomorrow and going to headquarters, this was the best thing he could wish for these holidays. Harry had recently lost his only father figure and felt like every time he tried to do what was right, everything was against him. But then last year that was not far from the truth, the ministry was destroying his reputation and Voldemort and his followers still wanted him dead. But this year things would be different, nothing was going to get to him because now he knew the truth. He was the only one who could defeat Voldemort and that is why he is who he is.
When Harry went downstairs he told his Aunt and Uncle what was happening and sat down in the lounge room to watch the news. After the first few stories Harry thought nothing else interesting would happen and rose to leave when the phone rang "Ill get it." He picked up the receiver and put it to his ear "Hello?" Harry heard loud breathing in the phone "Hello?" "We know where you are Harry Potter, Tonight's the night you die" Then dial tone. Harry hung up the receiver and ran through the door. Harry had to see an operative and Mrs. Figg was the closest one to number four Privet drive.
He ran across the quiet street and banged on the door. He heard scuttling from inside then the door opened "Why Harry how are you?" then she saw the look on his face. "What's wrong?" Harry caught his breath for a moment then told her about the phone call. Her face went white. "Quickly inside." She said simply. Harry walked into her house smelling of rotten cabbage and cat. He could not see why he hadn't realized it was possible she was in close relativity to a witch or wizard, her house smelled just like an apothecary. "Quickly Harry we need to contact Dumbledore and tell him what has happened." She walked over to the fireplace and threw some floo powder in yelling "twelve Grimauld place!" before putting her head in the flames. Harry crouched down beside her so he could hear what was being said. "Dumbledore, Harry just got a phone call. It said they know where he is and that he would die tonight." Harry heard a slight gasp from Dumbledore before he started to explain the course of action. "I will send operatives over to Harry's house for tonight then the ministry cars will pick him up in the morning. For now send him back to his relatives house and tell him to be cautious." Mrs. Figg pulled her head out of the fire and Harry nodded at her, thanking her for her help. "Oh, its fine Harry. I'm glad I could help." He nodded again and headed back over the road and down the street. When he arrived back his aunt and uncle called him into the kitchen demanding to know what was going on. When Harry told them they went a ghostly white and Dudley started to cower behind the table. "Its okay though some people are coming to protect us and I'm allowed to use my...abilities if someone is in danger so you will be fine. The people will be coming and will be here until tomorrow morning at which time I will leave." They all nodded slowly and Harry walked up the stairs and into his room. He dug through his trunk and pulled out the old sneakascope that Ron had given him in third year and placed it on his table. He then lay back on his bed and began to read some of his dark arts books that Sirius had gave him.
Once the operatives had arrived Harry spent the night sitting in the living room talking to them. They had set a security alarm on the house so that if anyone came in they would know. It turned out to be more of a good time catching up than anything. The operatives that Dumbledore had sent were all Harry's friends in a way. There was Lupin, Tonks, Moody and Bill Weasley. It was a good time and when Harry went to bed at two o'clock in the morning he felt the best he had all summer.
The next morning Lupin came in and woke him at nine saying the car was out front. Harry got out of bed and dressed quickly, eager to leave and see his friends again. The ministry car was large as a Limo and inside even bigger. All the operatives joined him in the ride back talking joyfully and just enjoying themselves. The ministry car wasn't quite like the knight bus, which he rode when he was in third year, but they did have their special abilities. Sometimes when the gap they wanted to go through was to small it would find a way, and they had a tendency to jump to the front of traffic lines. It did not take long to arrive and Harry felt a sudden rush of sadness as he looked at this house. This was Sirius's house. He was the last of the Blacks, Harry's godfather and now he was dead, all because Harry had thought Sirius was in trouble and had gone to save him. Harry moved toward the house as he felt Lupin's hand push on his back, urging him forward. Harry would have to face it. Sirius was gone and it was his fault.
When Harry was inside he was glad to see that the majority of the Weasley's were there to greet him, as well as Professor Dumbledore and Hermione. "Hello everyone, great to see you all" he said forcedly. Dumbledore looked at him down his nose and said "After you have had proper greetings with everyone, could I please talk to you in the kitchen Harry?" Harry nodded and Dumbledore left. After the door shut behind him Harry was surrounded in a blur of motion. Getting thumped on the back, being hugged and being told he was missed. Yes, he was with the closest thing he had to a family now. After finally pulling out of one of Mrs. Weasley's tight hugs Harry put his bag in the room that he and Ron would share and then went to the kitchen to see Dumbledore.
"Harry it is great to see you as always." He said jovially "But I can see that something is wrong. Is there anything I can help you with?" Harry looked into Dumbledore's sparkling eyes and shook his head. "Its just being here reminds me he's really gone, he's not coming back" Dumbledore nodded. "Alas that is true, but grief is something we all feel Harry. It is what makes us who we are." Harry nodded and decided he would ask Dumbledore something that he thought of after Sirius died. "Sir, what did you think of Dumbledore's army? I mean the class I ran." Dumbledore smiled gently down at him, his eyes giving off a bright sparkle. "I thought it was a brilliant idea Harry. I think you should continue to teach it this year." Harry nodded and got an idea. "Yeah its just Sirius said it was a good idea to, I was just wondering about your thoughts. But sir I have been thinking since I came out of the ministry. I saw you all duel and I realized how out of league we students were, I was wondering if there was any way we could start up a dueling club. You know teach the proper way of dueling." Dumbledore nodded "Another brilliant idea Harry. Anything else?" Harry nodded and decided to try this. "Sir is it possible I can get some dueling and advanced magic books from the restricted section? I was just wondering if they could help me. After finding out about the prophecy I just feel stronger and like I need to know what I am capable of." Dumbledore considered this and then looked at him sternly. "On one condition." Harry looked at him quietly waiting for the condition to be very high standard. "You agree to show me what you have learnt after the Christmas break." Harry nodded. "Is that all now Harry?" Harry nodded. "Well then I had better be off. I will see you soon." He walked out and left Harry alone.
Harry walked into the dining room to find all the Weasleys and Hermione sitting around the table eating breakfast. When she saw him enter Mrs. Weasley stood and started to dish some up for him saying, "Are you hungry Harry?" He nodded and sat down to eat, engaging in the conversation around him. He felt almost at home, though everything was different, everything was new. It was a new time and everything felt different.
After breakfast Harry walked upstairs with Hermione Ron and Ginny and they decided to play some exploding snap as they talked good-heartedly about everything that has happened over the past five years. When they were talking about what had happened in the chamber of secrets Harry noticed Ginny was looking at him funny and turned red when he looked back at her. She must have just been remembering something that had happened and frightened her. After a while they got to the point where they had just got back to Hogwarts after their fifth year and Harry decided it was time to tell them.
"I need to tell you all something. It is why Voldemort lured me to the Ministry and what it was all about." They all looked at him funny when he told them this so he leapt into the story. "You all know that ball had my name on it, well that ball held a prophecy in it that was seen by Dumbledore when it was made a little over sixteen years ago. The prophecy told of one that would possess power to defeat Voldemort" Ron and Ginny shuddered at the name "And he wanted to find out what the prophecy told so he would know what was likely to happen. I guess the easiest way to tell you about it is to tell you the prophecy itself, so ill try and get it as close to right as I can. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches, Born to those who have thrice defied him, as the seventh month dies, And the dark lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the dark lord knows not, And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives, The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies "The prophecy was told in the hogs head, it was partly overheard by a death eater who told Voldemort. What he didn't know was any of it after he will mark him because the person was thrown from the pub. But the weird thing about all this is that this prophecy was not about me until Voldemort attacked my family, killed my parents." Harry looked at them all and Hermione looked at him with a confused look on her face. "What do you mean Harry?" "Well at the time there were two young boys who it could have been. Me and Neville Longbottom, but Voldemort chose me, he came after me not Neville and he marked me as his equal," he pointed at his scar "And I had a power he did not know of. My mother died to save me and I survived. He knows nothing of love." When he finished they all stared at him like he was something weird. Then Ron asked him quietly "Does that mean that either you must destroy you-know-who or he destroy you?" Harry nodded. 'Neither of us can survive whilst the other survives. I must murder, or be murdered." He closed his eyes pushing back the unshed tears and rose saying he was going to the bathroom, but he really snuck up to Sirius' mothers room. He bowed to Buckbeak and sat next to him, patting his soft feathery mane and hard beak before he spotted it. The mirror that Sirius had used to contact Harry's father in detentions, the one he wanted Harry to use to contact him. Harry picked it up and broke down into tears; this was the last thing he had from his father and Sirius.
Harry walked out of the room in the late afternoon. He had fallen asleep and now felt quite rejuvenated. He walked down the stairs and into the dining room finding everyone sitting around the table eating afternoon tea. He avoided the eyes of Hermione, Ron and Ginny but took the tea and crumpets he was offered by Mrs. Weasley thankfully. He sat and ate in silence before he heard a scratching behind and he turned and saw Krecher "YOU!" He thundered over the elf. Harry was on his feet and moving towards him before he could think. Ron and Hermione jumped up and grabbed hold of him "Harry don't hurt him you know he is just lonely." Harry turned on Hermione (he was now a lot taller than her to.) "Just lonely? He was giving information to Voldemort last year. He helped them lure me there to get the prophecy and he practically tricked me into getting Sirius killed. And you think he is just lonely?" Hermione bit her lip and said. "Come on Harry, its not worth it. Killing him wont bring back Sirius, besides why rip his head off when that's just what he wants?" Harry stopped and glared at Krecher, no it wouldn't bring Sirius back so why even waste the strength on this good for nothing elf? He thought "your. Your right" Harry choked out sitting down again before another gush of silent tears poured down his face.
*** Harry's time at the headquarters was quite boring. It was now the day before his birthday and he was sitting in his room looking through his trunk for the rest of the pieces of his mirror. He was still missing one but he knew it was in there, it had poked him through a robe and he had a small cut to prove it. After a while he found it, he put it all in a container and took it downstairs. The twins were back from work and he was going to ask them to mend it for him as he knew they wouldn't ask to many questions about it. "George, Fred, how are you both?" Harry asked politely as Mrs. Weasley walked out of the room. They answered that they were okay and then Harry pulled out the container. "Um lads, do you think you could fix this for me?" they looked at the mirror and Fred pulled out his wand "Reparo" He muttered tapping it. It flew back together looking good as new and Harry pulled his out saying "Fred" then tilting it to see Fred's face in his own mirror, "Good it works." He said simply. "What is it? And why are there two the same?" Harry took the other one off Fred "They are looking glasses, you use them to contact each other." Fred nodded and Harry left the room. He wrapped both mirrors in a robe and put them back in his trunk. Those might come in handy.
*** Harry woke the next morning at ten o'clock. He climbed out of bed, put his dressing gown on to have breakfast but when he walked in the door to the dining room he was surprised to hear a large amount of the operatives yelling "Happy Birthday Harry!" then he was rushed inside and sat at one of the table to receive his presents and eat his breakfast. Harry received a large supply of jokes from the twins, a large cake from Mrs. Weasley, a chess set from Ron, a nice big book on jinxes from Hermione and a basilisk wand holster from Ginny. He thanked them all and ate his breakfast, talking happily with everyone around the table, enjoying his birthday for the first time ever.
About half way through the day everyone had to leave and Harry, the Weasleys and Hermione were on their own again. Harry played chess with Ron for a little while and read some of the book that Hermione gave him but he really felt a little weird that Sirius wasn't here. Even while he was on the run Sirius had sent him a card for his birthday. It just felt weird that he didn't have that this year. Not long after Harry finished his fourth game of chess with Ron and had just sat down in an armchair to have a cup of tea Dumbledore walked in. "Happy birthday Harry! I just thought I would drop by and give you the books you wanted, I got the best ones I could think of so I hope you make good use of them." He said with a wink. "I do hope your enjoying your birthday. All of the operatives were very keen on throwing you a party but there have been rumors of a death eater attack happening tonight so I'm sorry Harry." Harry shook it away taking the books. "Its fine professor, really I don't need a party, I have all my friends with me now, that's what matters." Dumbledore nodded and gave him a large smile. "Even so it is always nice to celebrate. Well I better be off, please read those books Harry and I will see you again soon." He nodded at Mrs. Weasley and walked out the door. Harry looked down at the books in his hands; there were four of them. Two were about the art of dueling and two were advanced magic books. He turned around to see Hermione and Ron looking at him. "So, what books did Dumbledore bring you?" Hermione said airily. "Um just some books on dueling." Hermione took them and started to look through them. "But Harry these are very advanced. You wouldn't find these in the library at school." Harry looked at the ground. "Yeah you would." Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. "These are out of the restricted section, aren't they?" Harry nodded and took them back "Dumbledore agreed to let me see what my limits are, we think if we are going to deal with Voldemort I should know what I can do." Harry walked upstairs and locked the books in his trunk. "Just pretend I never got them okay?" They all nodded and Harry sat in a seat. "So are you all going to come to the DA meetings this year?" Harry asked calmly. But he realized that might have been a mistake. "Harry, you are still running that even after what happened last year?" Mrs. Weasley said loudly. "I mean you were risking getting expelled and what for? Learning how to cast a few jinxes? I can't believe you could do something so ridiculous!" Harry looked up at her calmly. "Mrs. Weasley, you were alive in Voldemort's last reign. You remember what they used to do, wouldn't you rather your children to be able to defend themselves?" Ron's Mother looked at Harry like she was trying to sum him up. "Well id rather they could defend themselves but I didn't want them to risk something this big. I mean why would you risk your education to learn a few defensive spells." Harry didn't know what to say. "Mum Harry was teaching us he knows more than you think!" Harry turned to see Ginny bright red standing before her mother "Do you know how to summon a patronus? And I mean a real one not just a wisp of smoke." Her mother looked at her with her mouth open. "Well no I don't." she was now looking at Ginny with a look of surprise. "Well that is the kind of little defensive spell Harry has taught us, as well as the disarming spell, the impediment jinx and many other spells that you can use in self defense." Mrs. Weasley looked from Ron to Hermione to Ginny with a surprised look on her face. "You can all make a patronus?" they all nodded and she looked at them in amazement. "I, I didn't know. I thought you were just learning little things." Harry shook his head. "No I have been teaching them everything I have learnt. And considering everything that's happened I think I can say it is worth learning." She nodded and left the room to get some after noon tea. "Why did Dumbledore bring the books out of the restricted section for you?" Ginny asked him when she had sat back down. "Well because I have to know what I am capable of. I need to protect myself and all of you." They all sat quietly until Mrs. Weasley brought out afternoon tea and then they ate in silence. After they finished eating they all played exploding snap, laughing away the afternoon, Harry's birthday.
***
Harry rolled onto his back, unable to sleep. He looked at his watch. It was one o'clock. He got out of bed taking the books Dumbledore had given him and walked down stairs. He sat in an armchair in front of the fire and opened his book. He sat reading until he flipped a page and a note slipped out.
Harry, I want you to know all you can about dueling. This is the book I read when I was younger, it taught me all I know and I hope you will learn well in the ways of this book. The books I have given you hold powerful magic within them, everything in them has a way of doing and everything that has a way of doing is something to learn. Learn all you can. Dumbledore.
Harry looked at the letter, the books that Dumbledore learnt out of. He thought, must be pretty good magic I suppose. Harry looked back down at the book. Now that he looked at it, it had a picture of a wizard doing everything the book was talking about showing you how to do them. Harry continued to read the book, repeating important lines trying to remember it all, when he heard something behind him. He stood and turned looking at the door. Ginny was standing with her back to him, sneaking quietly into the dining room. "Ginny," He whispered, she jumped and turned around "What are you doing up?" she relaxed a little "Well I just came down for a drink. What are you doing?" he held up his book and sat back down. He heard her go into the kitchen then come back out. "Harry are you okay?" She asked softly. "Yeah I'm okay, what about you?" She nodded and sat on the arm of his chair. "Harry, I need to say something I have been wanting to say for a while now. I'm sorry about second year; I didn't know what I was doing. And all because of my little girl stupidity you had to kill a basilisk when you were twelve." Harry shushed her and looked up into her eyes. She had tears rolling down her face. "No don't say that. It wasn't your fault. No one could have seen that coming. And me killing the basilisk had nothing to do with your stupidity. I did it because it had to be done, because if I hadn't you wouldn't be here today. And I don't want to know what tom riddle would have done." He stood and wiped the tears from her eyes, "so don't worry about it, okay gin?" She nodded looking into his eyes. "I just feel so bad that's all. I killed the roosters, I wrote the messages on the wall. I was being used as a puppet but it was all me." He shook his head. "It wasn't you, over the past five years I have known you I have always known your not capable of that. You are kind and you do what you believe in. it runs through your family, Percy may have been a prat last year but he was doing what he believed in. you hurting and killing knowingly is just not possible." After he finished she started to cry freely, she threw her arms around him crying into his chest. "I'm so sorry Harry, so sorry." He kept patting her on her back and tried not to cry himself. That was what everyone had told him about Cedric but he knew it was his fault and nothing would change that.
***
Harry woke on the twenty first of August in the early morning. Today they would be going to Diagon Alley. He had wanted to go and see Weasley's wizard wheezes and go shopping in the alley, he had not been there since third year, and Dumbledore agreed saying that Lupin and Bill would accompany then. When Harry got downstairs Hermione ran up and jumped on top of him "I got fifteen!" She shouted. Harry looked at her and then at Ron with a look of confusion on his face. "O.W.L's just arrived and I got fifteen!" She told him in an excited voice before throwing her arms around him. "That's great Hermione, what about you Ron?" He said turning to his friend. "Thirteen." He said simply. Harry slapped him on the back. "That's Brilliant. More than Percy!" Harry walked to the table and picked his up. He looked at it and put it in his pocket. "Ill read it later." They all sat and ate breakfast talking about what they wanted to do in Diagon alley. Once they were finished they all gathered around bill and Lupin putting in a hand to touch the portkey they had got. "Okay everyone touch the portkey, on the count of three, one, two, Three!" Harry felt the familiar pull of the portkey beginning to take effect. It was as if a huge hook was pulling him forward through the back of his navel, after a few seconds he was spinning around the world a blur before they hit the ground.
Harry looked up off his stomach. They were in the leaky cauldron. Harry rolled over and pushed himself up, brushing the dust of his old jeans and tee shirt. After he and Ron helped Hermione and Ginny stand they continued out the back of the pub, greeting the old barman as they passed. Lupin tapped the stone to open the archway to Diagon Alley and they walked in. For Harry's fourth visit to Diagon alley since he had found out he was a wizard. They stepped into the busy alley and walked down the winding road to Gringgots, wizards bank. Harry walked into Gringgots, the marble floor shining under his feet. He approached one of the goblin tellers, explaining who he was and showing him his key. He was led into the carriage and down to his vault. He pulled out his leather bag and filled it with golden galleons and silver sickles before getting back in the cart for the trip back to the entrance. He emerged from the front door ready to buy his school needs. He met with the Weasleys and went to flourish and blotts to buy his books. He was looking through the shelves for the books on his list when something caught his eye, 'Advanced powers- how to reveal your hidden powers' he put it in with his other books and then went to pay. When he left he looked up the street trying to decide what to do next when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He turned and walked toward them, about fifty meter's up the road Draco Malfoy had his wand pointed at Hermione. "You filthy mudblood, you potter and that poor wretch Weasley will know soon enough why lord Voldemort is all powerful. My father may be in jail but he has other faithful followers. But right now all I can say is watch your back." Harry laughed out loud "I could say the same for you Malfoy." Harry had walked right up behind him, his wand pointed at Malfoy's head "It seems that you don't understand Malfoy, your precious lord will not win, Dumbledore will make sure of that." Malfoy glared at him "You will get yours potter, you will get yours soon." He walked away from them and headed off up the alley. "Are you ok Hermione?" She nodded. "He was just threatening me." Harry nodded "Think there was any truth behind what he was saying?" Hermione and Ron shook their heads. "He wouldn't know anything about Voldemort with his dad gone, would he?" Ron said sounding unsure. "I mean he wouldn't know anything that his dad doesn't tell him." Harry shook his head. "I don't know, but don't let him scare you. But just keep an eye out incase." They all nodded and continued shopping for their school supplies. Everything in Diagon alley was always a rush. People running around trying to get their school supplies or other needs. Harry made his way through the crowds, followed by operatives and the Weasleys. He always liked Diagon alley and nothing had changed. It was always the same. That's how things should be.
After they had got everything they needed they headed up the street again to a large yellow building marked above the door with two interlocking W's surrounded by a large circle. It was Weasleys wizard wheezes. Harry opened the door and there was a burst of sound as the interior was revealed. The place was packed and right up in front on a stage Fred and George were showing everyone in the store the various products that had or were developing. Harry and the others walked toward them, pushing through the crowds. When they reached the stage the twins climbed down to greet them. "Hello everyone, hope you all are well. Would you all like the tour?" They all nodded and were led around for half an hour looking at everything the twins had created and some in development. They showed them around their sleeping quarters upstairs and then came back to the shop. Whilst Fred and George did another demonstration Harry Ron and Ginny walked around choosing tricks and pranks to buy while Hermione tutted about the ridiculousness of each one. After they had all chosen what they fancied they walked out of the store with large yellow bags and money bags a fair bit lighter. The site to which they exited the shop was horrific.
Harry pulled out his wand. "Ginny get inside to your brothers and mother and tell them to lock everyone in there inside." She ran back inside and did as he said. "Ron Hermione, if you don't want to fight I understand just run inside." They both shook their heads and moved to his sides. "Okay then stick with me." Harry ran down the street as the screaming people ran past him, panicking and dropping shopping as they picked up small children and grabbed family members. Harry Hermione and Ron had left their shopping just inside wizard wheezes when they heard the screaming. Now as they ran down the street Harry saw why there was all the screaming. Death eaters were marching down the street, setting stores on fire and cursing people that weren't moving fast enough. Harry stopped as they walked toward him. "Ron, Hermione, this is important, you can fight but stay behind me, I will cast a shield on the three of us but if I start to shake or act weird just keep going, we must fight them now. It is hard to hold this spell but I can cast other spells at the same time, but it will drain my energy. Stay behind me no matter what." Harry raised his wand and waved it swiftly through the air as a sheet of silver came before them, glimmering in the sunlight. Harry raised his arm. "When I say start sending curses, and follow me." Harry kept his wand raised and walked toward the death eaters. "On the count of three. One...Two...THREE! Saratasus!" Harry screamed. A large stream of light left his wand, flying out and around the death eaters making a ring around them, just as Ron and Hermione shot stunners at the death eaters. "Okay they are held there, they can't leave the circle. But they can still duel. I can't cast spells I need to keep the circle and shield up. So you need defeat them yourselves now. Stay behind me and you wont get hurt. They start using unforgivable curses, run." They nodded, looking a little pale but began to start throwing jinxes and spells around trying to take out the death eaters. "Stupefy!" Ron yelled and immediately after dodged a spell thrown at him by a death eater before going again. The whole time Harry was concentrating on expanding the shield and closing the circle. He looked up and saw two death eaters fall, he had counted ten death eaters, there were now five still mobile. Harry used a burst of power to close the circle more leaving the unconscious death eaters out and squeezing in closer to the conscious ones. "Quick Ron, Hermione, use impedimenta on them and then stun them, I can't hold this much longer." They did as he said and the last few death eaters fell to the ground. He released the spells and fell to the ground. "Harry!" Hermione called loudly "Harry are you okay?" He nodded gingerly and tried to stand. He swayed and Ron and Hermione caught him under the arms to take him back to Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. They walked back in silence and just as Hermione reached for the door handle Harry felt it. "Get inside, fast" Hermione and Ron looked at him cautiously. "Now Get inside!" They quickly went inside and Harry closed the door turning around to see where they were. Dementors were everywhere, about fifty of them. Harry raised his wand wobbling on his legs unstably to face them. He thought of the happiest thought he could muster and screamed "Expecto Patronum!" A stag burst from the tip of his wand, flying around sending the dementors soaring off into the darkness. He held the patronus until the last one disappeared. The last site he saw as he passed out was Moody and Dumbledore apparating into the street.
*** Harry woke and looked around unsurely, he was back in his bed at headquarters, and everything was a blur. He reached out for his glasses and put them on, as the room came into focus he saw that his bags had been brought up and had been put at the end of his bed. He climbed out of bed and felt a little bit wobbly. He sat back down for a second and pulled on a dressing gown before he got up and walked to the door. When he went down the stairs (using the rail for support) he heard voices from the dining room. When he entered the whole Weasley family as well as Dumbledore Hermione, Lupin and Moody were talking about Diagon alley. He walked in the door keeping hold of the door frame so he didn't fall over) and listened as he waited to be noticed, "there were many casualties, luckily no one died. It seems the only places that were damaged were after the Weasley wizard wheezes store. Where did you say Harry Made the barrier Hermione?" Dumbledore asked slowly. "I don't know sir, all I know is that it was protecting us, we needed to dodge a few curses but they were unblockable ones so I'm really not sure." Harry moved and let the door shut. Everyone turned to see him leaning heavily against the wall. "Hello," He said quietly. "What time is it?" He wobbled over to a chair between Lupin and Ginny and sat down heavily. "Its four o'clock, you've been out for two hours." Harry nodded "The spells really took it out of me. But it was the only way I could fix it without people getting hurt." Dumbledore nodded "And thanks to you few did, and we have ten Death eaters in custody." Harry nodded 'Harry, tell me what happened and what you did." Harry looked around the table. "I have been studying those books you gave me a lot lately, I memorized the usage of many spells but the one I used were the silver shield spell and the entrapment circle. We walked out of the twins joke store and people were running around scared. I made Ginny stay inside and lock everyone in until we got back, I wasn't too sure I could protect more than two other people. We started to run up the street, but we met the Death eaters before we got to far. I made Hermione and Ron stay behind me and I cast the silver shield spell. I stretched it out and managed to get it across the street so that they couldn't damage the buildings behind me and then I cast the entrapment circle spell on them. Then Ron and Hermione finished them off." He nodded at them both and they both blushed profusely. "But Harry, what happened when you made us go inside? Nobody saw what happened we just found you unconscious." Hermione said in a slow whisper. "Well I sent you in because there were dementors coming. I could feel the cold coming over me. And by then I was so weak I wasn't sure I could repel them, so I sent you both inside because you cant perform a corporal patronus yet and I scared them off. It really drained me, the last thing I saw was professor Dumbledore and Moody apparating into view." They nodded and then moody spoke up "By the time we got there you had already had the fun, no dementors left, all the death eaters unconscious, we just had to check all the damage." Harry looked him in his strange eyes. "How bad was the damage?" Moody shook his head. "About half of Diagon alley is in ruins, there was about two hundred casualties, about seventy of them children and thirty of the seventy Hogwarts students." Harry nodded. "Well at least nobody died." They all nodded.
When everyone got up from the table and began to leave Harry said goodbye to Dumbledore and the operatives before taking a seat in an armchair in front of the fire. What a day, Harry thought, things are starting to happen, ill need to be on guard for now on. Then he thought of something. "Malfoy," He muttered, "That must have been what he meant by others are loyal, not just his father and that we will soon see." Hermione turned around "What Harry?" He thought for a second. He wouldn't tell them they might worry about him even more than usual this year. "Nothing, just a bit tired from this afternoon." They nodded and sat down in front of the fire to play some exploding snap.