Harry Potter and the Legacy of Godric Gryffindor

1. Letters and the Unwelcome Visitor

Harry sat in his room at number 4 Privet Dr. and gazed at a picture that Hermione had sent him. It was a picture of him and Sirius from their stay at Grimmauld Place. Harry and Sirius were sitting in the drawing room playing chess, Ron stood near by giving Harry pointers. He lowered the picture and then looked over at the letter that she'd sent him. His thoughts were thrown back to that night in the Department of Mysteries. The events of the night flashed through his mind, everything from stepping on her foot to alert her of his plan, to seeing his godfather fall through the arch. He eyes started the tear and he realized that he would never see Sirius again.

He remembered chasing Bellatrix through the Ministry of Magic and stopping in the Atrium. He heard words resound in his mind that he never thought himself capable of saying, "Crucio!" It echoed disgustingly in his mind and the thought that he'd used an Unforgivable Curse sickened him. Just then Hedwig flew in and dropped a letter on his bed, shaking him from his thoughts. He picked up the letter and noticed that it had Albus Dumbledore's neat handwriting on it. Harry's eyes lit up as he turned it over to see the Hogwarts crest on the back, he tore open the envelop and read the letter.

Dear Harry,

I am happy to inform you that you will be leaving for headquarters at the end of the week, I have informed Miss. Granger and Mr. Weasley and they will be joining you shortly after your arrival. Voldemort has not surfaced since that night at the Ministry. The Order is on alert and most of us are very worried that he's planning something most terrible. Remus, Tonks, and Mad Eye will be coming to collect you, they'll be using a portkey, so be ready with you things. I shall see you when you arrive.

Albus Dumbledore

Harry finished the letter and said to Hedwig, "We're leaving soon, girl. We'll get to see the others soon, it'll be nice to see Hermione and Ron again. Even though it's only been two weeks since school let out, it seems so long." He walked over to his desk and took out two pieces of parchment and started writing. "I'll write to Hermione first, I want you to take this to her straight away. I want her to know first, alright?" He said looking at Hedwig as she sipped at her water.

Dear Mione,

I just got a letter from Dumbledore, he's letting me leave the Dursley's early. I'm going to owl Ron and tell him the good news. Do you think your parents will let you leave so early? Send Hedwig back as soon as you can. Look forward to hearing from you.

Ever yours

Harry

Hedwig hopped from her cage and sat on his desk while he wrote, her amber eyes blinking at him as he wrote. "It'll be nice to see Remus and Tonks again. I even missed Mad Eye a little; I'll be glad when we never have to come back here again, Hedwig." He said stroking her head lightly. "You know girl, I should probably write a letter to Professor Dumbledore too, asking him if Hermione and Ron can come as well." She hooted in acknowledgement, he smiled and ran his hand down her feathers smoothing them out. She nipped him affectionately and he took out another piece of parchment.

Ron,

I just got a letter from Dumbledore and he's letting me leave the Dursley's early! Hope to hear from you soon.

Your mate

Harry

"I wonder how he's doing, I'm surprised I haven't gotten an owl from him yet. He's usually sent Pig by now. "He folded the parchments up and set them aside, he dipped his quill back in the ink again an wrote his letter to Dumbledore.

Professor Dumbledore,

I just wanted to say thank you for letting me leave early. I wanted to ask if it would be ok if Hermione and Ron came early too, they could meet me there. What with Ron's mum and dad in the Order and all I thought it would be easy for them to stay there with him instead of flooing back and forth or Apparating. I'll understand if it's dangerous for them to be there, and I'll try not to be disappointed. I understand that it's for my own safety if they can't.

Harry

Harry attached the letters to Hedwig's leg and she flew off. He rested his elbows on the windowsill and watched her shrink into the night. He stayed there for a while thinking of how nice it would be to see his friends again, especially his voice of reason. After he'd watched Hedwig vanish from sight he went down stairs to the kitchen. The Dursley's had pretty much left him alone this summer, not asked him to too much for fear Mad Eye would hold true to his word. As Harry walked into the kitchen his aunt was just sitting down at the table with a cup of tea. "Harry, is there anything I can get for you?" She said with a fake smile on her face, that was more of a combination of fear and loathing.

Harry smiled at her and said, "That's alright, Aunt Petunia. I can manage." He walked over to the refrigerator and took out some of the left over roast from the night before. As he made himself a sandwich he heard something coming from the hall outside the kitchen. It almost sounded like someone knocking on the door.

"You keep making your sandwich, dear. I'll get the door." His aunt said, he voice trembling a little. She stood up and walked out of the kitchen, a few minutes passed and she hadn't returned. Harry started to get an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hurriedly finished his sandwich and opened the door slightly, he saw Petunia standing there not moving. His eyes jumped to the front door, it was opened as if someone was standing there. He walked out of the kitchen completely now and stood behind his aunt, he looked around her shoulder to see a snake curled up in front of her. He looked up slowly and saw something that made his blood run cold.

Lord Voldemort stood in the door, flanked by no less than three Death Eaters all with their wands pointed at Petunia. At that moment he wish for nothing more than to have Remus, Tonks, and Mad Eye show up. He slowly reached into his pocket and took out his wand. Since last summer he'd started carrying it with him all the time. Cornelius Fudge had granted him special permission to use magic outside of school as a defense for just such an occasion. He held up his wand ready to jump out from behind Petunia when he heard Voldemort say, "Find him and bring him to me, unharmed. I want that pleasure to be mine." He turned to Petunia and said, "Close your mouth, muggle, unless you want to die like your fool sister." Petunia shuddered and did as she was told.

The Death Eaters fanned out and started looking for Harry. He took his wand and cast the Disillusionment charm on himself and stood in the corner. The snake in front of his aunt stirred and lifted it's head, it's cold lidless eyes looked at where Harry was and then back at it's master. He heard the snake say something, but it was so low he couldn't make it out. He started to shake and wished more than anything that someone would come. How had Voldemort found him? Why wasn't the ancient magic working? And why had he brought that ruddy snake, so it would be able to find him if he used any means of concealment?

All these questions flooded Harry's mind as the Death Eaters came back to the hall. Then a voice he recognized said, "My lord, he's not here. We've checked everywhere."

"Crucio!" Voldemort said pointing he wand at her. She fell to the ground and writhed in agony. "He is here, Nagini can feeling something about. Look again, and this time turn the house upside down if you have to but I want Potter found!" He shouted in his high cruel voice. The Death Eaters cringed and ran in all directions to find Harry. Voldemort walked towards Petunia as Nagini started to coil around him and make her way up to his shoulders. "Where are you hiding him, muggle? I know what magic Dumbledore used on this house to keep him safe from me, but nothing will stand in my way this night. I will only ask you once more...where is he?" He pointed his wand at her and she shook violently.

"He was in the kitchen last I saw him." She said he voice trembling and tears streaming down her face. He threw her to the side and blasted the kitchen door off it's hinges. He walked into the room and surveyed it, not seeing anyone he turned and said almost growling, "You would dare lie to me." She shook her head and he pointed his wand at her and said, "There is a price all who lie to Lord Voldemort pay. Crucio!" Harry watched in horror as she fell to the floor screaming and writhing in pain.

Not even Vernon deserved that kind of torture. He had to put an end to this, he jumped out from the corner and broke the charm and said, "Let her go, Voldemort, I'm the one you want."

"Indeed you are boy." He said raising his wand from Petunia, she continued to twitch and whimper in pain. "I see you care more for this muggle than I originally thought."

"That's the difference between you and I. I care for those who hurt me, even if they don't deserve it." He said as he dropped to his knees to check on her. "Are you alright, Aunt Petunia?" He asked in a quiet voice. She nodded and started to stand, but fell. Harry caught her before she fell back to the ground. "Leave her alone, you want me you can have me, but leave my aunt alone."

Voldemort let out a high cruel bellowing laugh and said, "The only thing I'll leave her to is death." He said pointing his wand at her again. "And this time, that old fool isn't here to stop me. I'll kill her and then take you."

"I think not, Tom!" Albus Dumbledore said from the stairs.

"Professor!" Harry said as he looked behind him.

"Harry, take this portkey and go at once. Take your aunt with you, I'll explain to your uncle where you are and send him and your cousin along after I've finished here." Albus said tossing Harry an old book. Harry caught it and he and Petunia where instantly taken to Grimmauld Place. "It's just you and me now, Tom." Albus said calmly.

Voldemort laughed slightly then said, "Do you really think I would come with only three Death Eaters? You must be getting on in years, Dumbledore." He took out a small whistle and blew it. A deafening sound filled the house and almost six more Death Eaters filled the hall and encircled Albus. "This is far from over, and when I'm done you'll be dead and your precious Harry will vulnerable."

Albus smiled merrily at him and said, "You must think I'm getting old if you thought I wouldn't have people here watching the house." Just then Fawkes flew in and vanished in a blinding flash leaving only a red fiery feather behind. The Death Eaters were surrounded by about twenty Aurors, all with their wands trained on two or more Death Eaters. "What's the muggle term...ah yes, 'the jig is up'. You've lost Tom." Albus said as he made his way towards Voldemort.

"No, it's not." A women said from behind him. Bellatrix came stumbling down the stairs with her wand pointed at Albus. "Avada Kedavra!" One of the Aurors threw a table in front of him and it exploded blocking the curse. There were a few small pops and Bellatrix was surrounded.

"We shall finish this another day, Dumbledore." Voldemort said as he Apparated from the house.

Remus stepped towards Albus and said with slight panic in his voice, "Where's Harry?"

"Fear not, Remus. I've sent him to headquarters, he's most safe. Right now I think we have a few Death Eaters to take to Azkaban." Albus said. The sound of popping came to his ears and the Aurors and Death Eaters Disappartated from the house. Albus asked Remus and Mad Eye to stay behind while he waited for Vernon, and Dudley to come home. Not but an hour after all the excitement they walked into the house, Albus and Remus had fixed everything that was destroyed and were sitting in the living room talking.

"What the bloody hell is this all about!, Who are you and what are you doing my house!" Vernon bellowed, his face turning an utterly unattractive puce.

Albus stepped forward and said, "I am Albus Dumbledore, this is Remus Lupin, I believe you've met him before. And this is Alastor Moody, I know you've met him before. There was an incident this evening that you should be aware of, please Mr. Dursley, sit down."

Vernon shook angrily, but sat down anyways. Trying to control his anger and be civil with the men in front of him he said, "Will one of you tell me why you're here?"

Albus sat back down and cleared his throat and said, "You know fully well why Harry was brought to live with you, and you also know of the person that took his parents from him. That person came here tonight and tried to take him, your wife stood in his way so he used a very nasty spell on her." Seeing the worry on Vernon's face Albus added, "She's doing better now, she's received medical attention to help with the pain but the mental strain will remain for a while. I've sent her and Harry to our headquarters and would ask that you and your son willingly go there. We shall provide you with normal transportation there and some of your things will be brought to you. I would ask that you remain there until things are calmed down a bit."

Vernon looked as though someone had just told him that he possessed magical abilities, he went from puce to green in a matter of minutes. "I am an understanding man by all means, Albus was it, but I am most certainly not going anywhere with you, and demand that you return my wife at once." Vernon said with a hint anger in his voice.

"Vernon, if I may. I am afraid that it is far to dangerous to return her here, I must insist that you come with us. You and your family will be safer, there are several wards that I can use to ensure that your family is safe, but I would feel much better setting them after you've arrived at headquarters. It won't be for very long, at least a few days."

Vernon shook uncontrollably and shouted, jumping to his feet, "Get out of my house and take your crackpot ways with you! Then you'll bring my wife back here and never come back, and you'll keep that boy away from here too."

Remus shot up and stood nose to nose with the man four times his size, in all directions. "How dare you, talk about Harry like that." Remus said through clenched teeth. "I would hex you into the next life if you were worth wasting a spell on. You've all been nothing but horrid to that boy since the day he came here, don't think I don't know. I see it in his eyes, you are the worst people I've ever had the misfortune of meeting." He turned to Albus and said, "Do you really think they'll come with us? Why should we take them in the first place when they treat Harry the way they do?"

Moody stood up and growled, "I warned you, Dursley that we'd come and check on Harry to see if you'd been mistreating him." His magic eye whirling maliciously. "Albus, lets just Transfigure him into a pig and leave." He added with distain.

"No, Alastor. We will just return Mrs. Dursley and leave them alone as Vernon has asked." He looked back at Vernon and said, "I will however set a few rules for the way you treat Harry when he comes back for his final stay. You will treat him like family, because he is your nephew whether you would have it or not. Secondly, you will allow his friends to visit. He will have open contact with our world. And finally he will be given whatever he asks for. He will be coming of age in our world next year and then he will be leaving you, so you will only have a short time with him. Do you understand all of this?" Albus finished, he light blue eyes boring through Vernon.

"Yes, everything is more than clear." Vernon said nervously.

"Wonderful," Albus said placing his hand on Vernon's shoulder. "Now I will do as you asked and bring your wife back. Remus, will you and Alastor come with me please. I will need you to stay with Harry while I bring Petunia back." They nodded and the three men Apparated out of the living room.

When they arrived at Grimmauld Place they found Harry and Petunia in the drawing room. Harry had gotten her a cup of tea and was sitting with her talking. "Harry, I know your uncle and I have been horrid to you most of your life. But what you did for me, the way you stood up to him..." She trailed off and sipped her tea. "I know you have the strength your mother had, and that stubborn streak of your fathers. You will overcome this, Harry. I just hope you can forgive Vernon and I for all the horrible things we've done and said to you over the years." A pained look crossed her face as she recalled a few occasions. She looked down at her tea cup and then back at Harry to see him crying.

"Thank you. I forgive you, I do. I knew, in the back of my mind that you never meant for me to go through all that. But sometimes I wondered why you all hated me so."

"Jealousy has a way of doing that to a person, Harry" Albus said as he walked into the drawing room. "Petunia, how are you feeling?"

"Much better, thank you. Where are Vernon and Dudley?" She asked with a hint of worry in her voice.

"They're fine, they came home an hour after we'd sent the Death Eaters to prison." He said.

"So Voldemort escaped again?" Harry asked.

Albus nodded and cast his eyes back to Petunia. "I'm going to send you back home. You'll be fine, I've cast Anti-Apparating wards on your home. Everything is just as you had it before the events that took place. Accio book." The old book he'd made into a portkey flew to his hand and he said, "This will take you back home, just take hold of it." He said handing her the book. Petunia handed her cup to Harry and took the book, as soon as she did she was whisked back to Privet Drive.

Harry stood in front of Albus and the others and said, "How did he find me, I thought he couldn't because of the magic that was used to protect me."

"I would like to know the myself." Albus said. "But until we find out you'll be staying the remainder of the summer here, Remus is living here now and he'll be around most of the time make sure you stay out of trouble." He said as he looked over his half moon glasses with a knowing smile on his face. "I received your letter and not soon after that I felt that you were in danger. I told Fawkes to alert the Order member and have them ready if the Aurors needed help. I also had a few of them at your house already, using the Disillusionment Charm as you saw. Voldemort is getting restless. The loss of the Prophecy made him angry, and now he'll stop at nothing to get his hands on you. Harry, I fear that you're in more danger now than you ever have been in your six years at Hogwarts."