Bum bum bum! My first relative attempt at a Harry Potter fan fiction, and I hope it goes well, seeing as I came up with the general idea back when I read the first book. However, I need to add some things so you'll understand what in the heck is going on.

First off, the original character who shows up a little later in the fic. He is much like Ron and Hermione in the fact that they were all friends with Harry and each other from the beginning. A lot of stuff that had happened in previous books will be "flash backed" in which it will explain how the original character had acted during that situation. Hope that makes sense.

Secondly, I'm trying to add "romance" into this, mainly because, well I've never written a romance before, so I figured I'd give it a shot. However, there will still be plenty of action.

Third, unlike Rowling's writing which only took place from Harry's perspective, this will focus on Harry, Hermione, and Janus (the original character). Sorry Ron lovers, he doesn't play much of a part in this fiction. I however, will try very hard to make the change in perspective very clear, most likely at the beginning of chapters. I will not be changing event. If an event in the fiction has started, it will end in that perspective.

Fourth, I hope to explain everything throughout the story, so if there's something you don't get, finish reading what I had, or even wait for an update, chances are something will be explained. If you still don't understand, you can ask me personally. My e-mail is readily available.

Well that's it for now; I hope you enjoy what I write. I'll probably think of something else, but oh well.

Oh, and The Black Gate isn't mentioned in this chapter, and probably won't be for awhile, so don't go wondering.

I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters created by JK Rowling. I do not intend to profit by this in anyway, and am only writing for fun. Don't sue me…

Harry Potter and the Black Gate

Chapter One - Back to Hogwarts

Harry sat upright, finally giving up on trying to sleep. He glanced over at his clock, squinting for he wasn't wearing his glasses. It was three o'clock in the morning. He laid back down, hoping to get at least some sleep.

Harry Potter was no ordinary boy. Sure, during the summer holidays, he spent most of his time moping around his Aunt and Uncle's house on Privet Drive, trying to avoid his cousin Dudley, but once summer ended, he would go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Yes, Harry was a wizard, a very good one at that. He couldn't wait to get back to school, and see his friends again, that and get away from his Muggle (non-magic folk) relatives. Harry's parents were killed by a very powerful and very evil Dark Wizard when he was very young, and he was placed in the care of his closest living relatives. They, however, hated anything to do with him and his kind, and Harry was treated horribly even in his youth.

He rolled over again, trying hopelessly to drift off into slumber, but his excitement was getting the best of him again. He wanted to see his friends, he wanted to see Hagrid the Hogwarts Gamekeeper, and he wanted to play Quidditch. For the entire summer Harry had longed to hop on his broomstick and chase down the Golden Snitch. For he was the Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and it was his duty to chase down a very small and very fast golden ball, and if he caught it, it would award his team one hundred and fifty points and it would end the game. Harry imagined himself high above the Quidditch field, the wind blowing through his untidy black hair. He smiled in his fake sleep, and rolled over again, this time glancing at the clock. Three fifteen. Harry growled and sat back up. He put his glasses on and looked around the room. He wasn't going to fall asleep, so he decided to glance over his books, before going to school.

Harry climbed out of bed, and walked over to his desk where he had placed his new school books weeks before. Harry had gone to Diagon Ally almost immediately after he received his Hogwarts letter. It was his only taste of the wizarding world he had managed to receive all summer, and it was hard enough to get the Order to allow him to go.

The Order of the Phoenix was a group formed by the great wizard Albus Dumbledore during Voldemort's (the wizard who killed Harry's parents) first rise to power. After Voldemort failed to kill Harry and was thought to be destroyed, the Order was no longer needed. However, during Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, Voldemort rose again, more powerful than ever, and the Order of the Phoenix was brought back. The Order now spent all their effort into finding information about Voldemort and dealing with it accordingly. They also were protecting Harry, for he was believed to be a target. So Harry was shunned from the wizarding world during his summer holidays, and now he wasn't even allowed to keep in contact with his friends.

Harry's green eyes flicked through the pages of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 hoping to pass the time. He kept glancing over at the clock, hopeful that maybe more time had passed than he had thought.

Three thirty two.

Harry began reading through One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.

Three forty six.

He picked up Flying with the Cannons and browsed through it.

Four twelve.

Harry sighed, and plopped onto his back. He stayed there for quite awhile, avoiding the clock, thinking maybe if he didn't look more time would come to pass. He began hoping dearly for any contact with his friends or maybe even the Order. The Order was his only contact, but they had only sent him a few letters, not even revealing any information to the on-goings of his world.

Last year, this would have made Harry very angry and frustrated, but he had decided to play it cool. He'd learn everything once he returned to Hogwarts, and he knew that the Order was just looking out for him.

"They could at least give me an idea as to what is going on" muttered Harry, but as if his words had been heard, a large tawny owl came screeching through his window, and dropped a small folded piece of parchment into his hands. Before Harry could thank the bird, it had flapped its way out his window and into the night sky. Harry flipped open the parchment and perused its contents quickly.

We will arrive at 10:00 AM to bring you

to the train. Go to sleep Harry.

It wasn't signed, but Harry knew that the note was from the Order. Curious however, that they knew he was awake. Harry stood up and peered out his window onto Privet Drive. The dull orange glow from the streets lights gave an eerie appearance to the empty street. Harry shrugged away the thought that somebody from the Order would have been out there, and returned to the bed.

Five sixteen.

Surprisingly, Harry fell asleep rather quickly, despite his excitement. He had a dreamless sleep, which was shocking, because Harry had been experiencing nightmares all summer. He kept seeing his godfather, Sirius Black, alive and well, and then suddenly get torn away into darkness. He also dreamt of his friends being killed by Voldemort as he watched in horror from the distance, unable to do anything. Harry would wake up panting, but as his scar wouldn't burn, he knew they were only dreams.

The sixteen year old boy awoke with a jump. He fell out of his bed, banging his elbow hard on the floor. Sitting there dazed for a bit, he finally realized what had startled him.

Harry's Uncle Vernon was screaming at him from the floor below.

"POTTER, HOW DARE YOU TELL THESE…THESE PEOPLE TO COME TO MY HOUSE?"

Harry gave a perplexed look, and shifted his eyes over to his clock.

"Ten o'clock!" He shouted, as he changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt as fast as he could. Uncle Vernon was still screaming, but Harry wasn't listening, he was far too busy trying to pack up his school supplies and clothes. He heard a low murmur and Uncle Vernon's screaming had stopped. Harry assumed that somebody from the Order had told him to shut up. He scrambled around his room, throwing everything he thought he'd need into his trunk, and fluttered out the door, trunk in hand.

"GWAH!!!" In his excitement, Harry tripped over his second-hand clothes and rolled loudly down the stairs, the large trunk clunking its way behind him. Harry landed with a loud thump, rubbing his head furiously; he stood up, only to be clobbered by his trunk.

"You alright Potter?" came a grisly voice from the den. Harry recognized it immediately as that of the ex-Auror Alastor Moody.

Clump. Clump. Clump.

Moody's wooden leg banged across the den floor, and his chiseled face popped it's way into the hallway where Harry laid on the floor, his trunk on top of him.

"Locomotor Trunk!" Moody had his wand pointed at Harry's trunk, and as he finished speaking, it lifted off the ground, and began to hover near him.

"Come on Harry, get up," came another voice, this one slightly hoarse.

Harry pulled himself up, and brushed off his clothes.

Moody growled at Harry, "Come on boy, we're running late as it is."

Harry look down at his watch, it was twenty past ten and the Hogwarts train would be leaving in only forty minutes. Harry looked back at Moody who was beckoning him to follow.

"I feel like I'm forgetting something."

"If you've forgotten anything, one of us will return for it later, iafter/i we've safely brought you to the train." The second voice from before now revealed itself as Remus Lupin, who had just stepped into the hallway, looking impatient. Both Moody and Lupin ignored the noise Uncle Vernon made at this idea. "Come on Harry."

"How are we getting there?" Harry questioned, but nobody seemed to want to answer questions, so Harry obediently followed Moody, out of Number 4 Privet Drive and into the street. It was a cloudy day, and it was beginning to rain. Harry hoped their journey wouldn't be like the last time he rode with the Advance Guard, in which they flew on broomsticks. To his delight, however, Moody had his wand out, and the all familiar bang of the Knight Bus rang through Harry's ears. The three story triple-decker bus shot into view, and was now rumbling quietly in front of them.

"'Ello 'Arry," came Stan Shunpike's voice from the front door of the bus. The about twenty year old conductor, wearing a purple uniform, stepped out into the street, eyeing the Advance Guard, but smiling brightly at Harry., "Sixth year eh?"

Harry went to say something, but only nodded; catching the impatient glare Moody was giving him.

"Take the boy's stuff, Shunpike, we're in a hurry." Moody spat at the conductor, his magical eye swirling around the bus, making sure there would be no danger.

Stan looked slightly taken a back, but grabbed Harry's trunk nonetheless, and carried it aboard. Harry and the rest of the guard climbed into the bus, and before they could even sit down, it let out a load bang and they were speeding away.

Harry was used to the Bus making sharp turns and nearly hitting things on the road, he had been on the bus a few times before. Harry smiled, looking back at his first time, on the bus, but was brought back to reality when the bus came to a very sudden stop.

"Kings Cross Station, London!" yelled the driver Ernie Prang, an elderly wizard wearing very thick glasses.

Harry gasped. "Wow that quickly?"

Stan Shunpike was beaming, still holding Harry's trunk. "We've added some additions." He winked at Harry, and carried his luggage off the bus.

The Advance Guard, and then Harry followed.

Stan put down the trunk, and then turned to Moody, "That'll be eleven sickles, Alastor." He seemed to be getting over his speech problems.

Moody handed Stan several silver coins, and eyed him carefully as he disappeared back into the bus. "Come on Harry."

Harry nodded, and followed Moody as he lifted the trunk, complaining about not being able to use magic in front of Muggles. Harry looked around expectantly as they passed platform eight.

"Their already on the train, arrived very early this morning. God knows why," came Lupin's voice from behind, sounding like he could read Harry's mind.

Harry and the Guard hurried their way to the hidden wall which leads to platform nine and three quarters, and just as quickly as they got there, they vanished through the wall and were now facing the beautiful scarlet Hogwarts Express.

Harry sighed, "I'm home."

Moody was already loading Harry's trunk onto the train, and as he finished, he turned to Harry. "Get on now." Moody was smiling, which looked extremely odd. Harry hurried himself onto the train, and began moving through the corridor looking into each of the compartment's hoping to find at least somebody he knew. Finally, at the end of the train, Harry spotted the familiar flaming red hair of his best friend, Ronald Weasley.

"Is he…asleep?" Harry pondered out loud, peering through the compartment window. "Odd, maybe they did get here really early."

Harry fumbled his way in and sat down, next to Ron, hoping to maybe get some more sleep himself. Sitting across from him, were his other two friends, Hermione Granger and Janus Xethe. Janus was sitting straight up and not moving, however, due to the fact that he wasn't responding to Harry's entrance, Harry assumed he was asleep as well. Janus had his arm around Hermione, who was lying up against him, with her head on his chest, she too fast asleep.

All of his friends had changed so much over the summer. Janus' untidy spiky hair was no much longer, but still looked like it wasn't supposed to be spiked like that. It bent down covering part of his face and ears. He wore his usual sun glasses, shielding his comforting black eyes. Janus' eyes almost always full of caring and warmth, which surprised Harry, for they were so coldly dark. Janus looked much older than he had the year before, but that wasn't very astonishing, for he always had a knack for acting and looking much older and mature than he really was. However, his usually clear face, now a dark goatee on his chin, and a very light shadow of facial hair that moved up to his ears. He also a light mustache, but it was barely visible.

Hermione let out slight groan in her sleep, and shifted herself, putting herself deeper into Janus' loving grasp.

Harry smiled.

Janus had practically fallen in love with Hermione the moment he saw her. Harry remembered perfectly that day on the Hogwarts Express, when she burst in, looking for Neville Longbottom's toad. He had blurted out "Wow, she's absolutely beautiful" under his breath, and was staring at her with a look of absolute affection. Hermione wasn't as quick to take onto Janus as he was to her however. He, unlike most of the Hogwarts students wanted and tried to be her friend, but Harry wasn't sure whether that was because he liked her so much, or if he was just being the extremely friendly person he was. They quickly became friends, mainly because he had the same look on education as she did, and was probably just as smart as her. However, it wasn't until he had gone after her when she overheard Ron insulting her that she began to show the same affection. They had never told Harry what happened before the troll showed up. Over the years, Janus showed even more devotion to her. He had stayed with her almost day and night when she had been petrified their second year and he had comforted and supported during her troubles with the Time Turner in their third year. Oddly, Janus had vanished for most of the fourth year, which wouldn't have been so unusual, seeing as he would frequently disappear for short periods of time, but he was gone for almost half of fourth year. He had turned up at the Yule Ball, looking like nothing happened, with the same goofy smile had always wore, at least when he wasn't with Hermione. He didn't even take offense to Viktor Krum and Hermione going to the ball together, and he let them deal with it themselves, only to swoop in and steal Hermione's heart once again after Krum had left. Fifth year was relatively uneventful for their relationship, minus the fact that they had grown even closer.

Hermione let out another light grown, which had brought his attention to her, and getting a closer look, he nearly gasped. He almost immediately thought of the night of the Yule Ball, when she had looked so pretty and so different that he didn't even realize it was her until closer inspection. However, she looked absolutely gorgeous now. She was no longer the bushy haired, slightly bucked toothed girl who acted and even gave off the appearance of a very stuck up bossy snob, but in her place was a girl with straight silky her that ran down her back. Her teeth had been fixed in their fourth year, but the changed seemed to be now taking an even greater affect, adding more to her beauty. She even dressed herself differently, now wearing a pair of (as Harry noted, several times) very tight jeans, and an even (as Harry noted even more times) a very tight pink shirt, which bore a glittery heart across her torso. Harry nearly slapped himself as he found himself staring at her chest, which had well, grown considerably larger from the previous year. She had all the right curves in all the right places, she had gotten herself a light tan over the summer, and Harry found himself gawking at her even when he didn't want to. Just by looking at her Harry could tell she wasn't the "schoolwork is everything-don't break rules" girl anymore. She actually looked rebellious. For a split moment, Harry found himself extremely jealous of Janus, wanting to have Hermione to himself, but he shook that out of his mind very quickly.

Ron was the only one had hadn't changed, he did grow taller, and looked more lanky, but that was about it. Harry wondered if he had changed radically over the summer. He was partially right. Harry had grown a lot taller, and his height probably rivaled Ron's. His face was much fuller too, now that he had been getting proper meals from the Dursleys. (The Order had threatened them into it) However, as with Ron, Harry's changes were totally dwarfed by Janus' and Hermione's.

Harry sighed. He sat there staring out the window, watching the country side go by, losing himself in his own little world. The witch with her tea cart showed up shortly after Harry had settled himself, and poked her head into the compartment.

"Care for some treats off the cart" She said loudly.

Harry glared at her.

"Oh, sorry." She whispered. She had turned to leave, but Harry jumped up and stopped her (catching another glimpse of Hermione's chest), he had realized he was rather hungry. He bought the lot, which had normally did, a bit of everything, and brought it back to his seat. He quietly ate a few Chocolate Frogs and drank some pumpkin juice, quite pleased with himself. It was very quiet, which was rather abnormal, but he was at peace.

"Did you enjoy you vacation Harry?"

Harry jumped, not expecting anybody to speak. He looked outside expecting to see one of his school mates, but the corridors were empty. Harry turned back around, and jumped again. Janus was beaming at him from the other side of the compartment. He had taken off his sun glasses revealing his warm, confident eyes. They reminded Harry of Dumbledore.

"Did you enjoy you vacation Harry?" He asked again, acting as though he hadn't asked it once before.

Harry nodded, and smiled back. It was good to be talking with friends again.

"Ah, that's great. Mine was a bit hectic. Finally met Hermione's parents, great bunch they are, for Muggles." He beamed at Hermione, who was still asleep in his arms. "Watched a few local Quidditch matches, and did some work with the Order." His voice sounded almost the same as his eyes looked. It was very soft, and very calm. He smiled at Harry again.

Harry felt a surge of jealousy, he had spent his entire summer with the Dursley's, which he was sure even Janus, as kind hearted as he was, could find enjoyable.

Harry started to mention this, but was cut out by Janus. "But I shouldn't be talking about all the fun I had, I'd start to feel bad, what with you spending all that time with your Muggle relatives, shut off from your world." He saw the look of gratitude on Harry's face. "Don't worry Harry, you're with friends now. We'll make sure you have as much fun as possible this year."

Harry couldn't help but smile, it was probably the most he'd done it all summer, first time in a long while in which he was truly happy.

Hermione stirred, apparently hearing Harry and Janus' conversation, and opened her eyes. For a few seconds, she still left herself in Janus' hold, and appeared as though she was going to go back to sleep, but she groggily sat herself upright. She yawned, stretching her arms, which incidentally tightened her shirt even more, which forced Harry to look frantically around compartment. It took a couple seconds, but she suddenly noticed Harry was there, and jumped back into awareness.

"Oh, Harry, how are you?" She was smiling brightly. Harry couldn't help but notice that her smile lit up her entire face, and accentuated her brown eyes. Harry noticed from the moment she had opened them that they were more bright and exuberant than ever, and (as he was beginning to think was impossible) added even more to her exquisiteness.

"I'm doing fine now that I'm back with friends." Harry replied to her, Hermione blushing slightly. "Summer was horrible with the Dursleys as usual."

Hermione gave him a sympathetic look. "Oh, I almost forgot." She blurted out, as she stood out and rushed out of the door.

"What's got into her?" Harry asked, eyeing Janus profusely.

Janus shrugged. "Dunno." He yawned, still apparently feeling the after effects of his nap, and stretched his arms, causing a small square box that was hanging from his neck slide into view.

Harry glanced at it quickly, and recognized it as Janus' "Card-Box." Harry smirked slightly, remembering the first time he learned why Janus had it and who he really was, although he wasn't sure why he was smirking.

Janus was probably as extraordinary, if not more as Harry Potter. He was born into a very rare group of wizards, who at birth retained knowledge and usage of all of the most powerful spells known to the wizarding world. He was extremely knowledgeable in the world of magic, and knew far more than most fully grown wizards. Most of the wizards in this group also held control of what were normally long forgotten wizard abilities. These ancient abilities were extremely powerful, and only a few people in the entire world knew about them. Janus had retained the power of "Card Controlling" and he was bestowed with a group of cards at birth, each one holding powerful and useful spells. Janus is the only wizard alive who can use this magic, and it's the same with the other wizards like him. Each of their special powers is unique to them, and Dark Wizards would kill anybody in their path for that kind of power. That's why the group was a complete secret, and very few people had ever heard of them.

Janus had arrived at Hogwarts as a normal wizard, and quickly became friends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It wasn't until later in the year that they found out who he actually was, Hermione had pieced together many random tidbits she had found, and had discovered his true identify. Impressed at her findings, Janus had revealed to her, Harry, and Ron, who he was and any information Hermione had missed out on. However, he made them swear they wouldn't tell anybody else, and that the only other person who knew was Dumbledore himself. Upon asking why such a powerful wizard would need Hogwarts schooling, Janus told them that he may know very powerful spells, but he wasn't born with the basics that were taught at Hogwarts, such at the Summoning Charm. They didn't believe him, and they were right. During their fourth year, Harry had forced Dumbledore to tell him why Janus was actually at Hogwarts. He had been sent as requested by Dumbledore, to keep an eye on Harry, but he got too involved, and was removed from the project. However, Janus had become so attached to Hermione and his other friends that he refused to leave, and incidentally, remained at the school.

Harry looked back at the "Card-Box." He had only seen it used a few times, and Janus had only made use of a weaker spells. They did come in handy nonetheless, especially one card, that created an impenetrable barrier at the cost of the users energy. Harry wondered occasionally about what powerful spells lay hidden in that box. Harry idid/i get to see Janus use all the cards at once, which summon a menacing beast with great power. Janus had used it in attempts to stop Voldemort in the previous year, but failed. Even Janus wasn't sure why Voldemort was able to overcome his summoning.

Harry adverted his eyes from the box, feeling like Janus would get angry if he started too long. He knew that would never happen, given Janus' nature, but he had seen him become very serious, and then angry, which was something he wished to never see again. It was something else that reminded him of Dumbledore; Janus became a different person when he became serious or angry. His normally warm and caring face became cold and stern, concentrated, he became somebody else, somebody Harry didn't like.

Harry's random thoughts about Janus were interrupted as Hermione returned, now sporting her Hogwarts robes, which covered her body very well. Harry was glad at this, he didn't feel like constantly forcing himself to look around to prevent himself from gawking at her chest and body. She was also carrying a lightly wrapped package.

"This is for you Harry. We couldn't send you a birthday present over the holidays, so I figured I'd give yours to you on the train." She handed him the package, and sat back down next Janus (He put his arm around her again).

Harry opened it, trying not to seem overexcited. He smiled when he saw the several Quidditch accessories she had given him, including new gloves, ("Dragons hide!" Hermione added) more Broom polish, and various other contraptions. She had also given him several Chocolate Frogs. "Wow thanks Hermione!"

She beamed at him, jumping up and giving him hug, to his surprise. "It's so good to have you here again Harry."

She was right, Harry couldn't have been happier, sitting there, being with his friends. Hermione sat back down, and Harry noticed that she had clipped her prefect badge onto her robes.

"Hermione…" She looked up at him. "Shouldn't you be up in the Prefect car?"

"I thought so too. Ron and I had gone to the car, expecting to have to patrol the corridors, but the Head Boy and Girl just told us to go into a compartment and that they'd contact us if they needed us."

"Odd." Harry noted.

"Yeah, I thought so too at first, but it just doesn't seem like anything too severe. I figure we should just forget about it." Hermione whispered, catching Harry by surprise. He had never heard her talk like that. Normally, she'd be overly curious at why they weren't following normal Hogwarts procedures.

Harry pondered the idea for a short while, and finally came to an agreement with Hermione. It wasn't a big deal. Still, something hovered at the back of his mind. Something just wasn't right. Harry shrugged it off again, nothing was ever perfectly normal in the wizarding world.

"Wha…ah…what's going on? Oh, Harry, when did you get here?" Ron had finally woken up.

"Ron, seriously, we've been on the train for hours." Hermione shot at him.

"I got here shortly before the train left. Advance Guard was running a bit late, which is normal." Harry added.

Ron shrugged, and it wasn't long before the four of them were discussing their summer, and all the events that had happened. Harry was thoroughly enjoying himself, and was glad none of them had brought up Voldemort or Sirius. He hadn't been this happy in months, and he didn't want it ruined. After a few games of Exploding Snap, a game of wizards chess, and a run in with Malfoy, the train finally began to slow down.

Harry's heart leapt. It was finally time, he was there. He was going back to Hogwarts.

Note: Yeah okay, Janus' "Card-Power" is a little lame and cliché, but oh well, that was the original idea I came up with and I'm not about the change it. I hope you enjoyed it.