This is the 3rd time I have started this story again, but this time I know where it is going. Forgive me to those who've read both beginnings before, this one suits better then the other two. Also I felt that the following chapters were rushed so I've revised them. I'm putting up Chap 1 and Chap 2.
Please do me a tremendous favour in giving me feedback on what you think of the new beginning: It'll help me decide whether I should really continue this piece of fiction as I have major doubts over it.
Harry Potter and the Door Under the Veil
By Leela
PG – could rise
Disclaimer: I do not own any HP characters whatsoever. I make no money from this what so ever.
Summary: The beginning of another year brings Harry's magical abilities to bear as he struggles to comprehend the terms of the Prophecy, whilst dealing with Sirius' death. Yet things take an unpleasant turn when he begins receiving mysterious messages from an unknown person.
Characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid and many other people, including various teachers and members of the Order of the Phoenix and a few OCs.
Chapter 1: Back at Privet Drive
Fifteen-yearold Harry Potter stepped out of the Dursley's car feeling miserable. He didn't want to be back here, not after what had happened, though it was a welcome change from the atmosphere of Hogwarts, where everyone was praising him for what he had done, by alerting the world to the return of Voldemort, yet the only thing Harry had succeeded in doing was lead his Godfather to his death. It pained him considerably that he had caused it through his own stupidity.
He stood on the drive looking round, remembering what Dumbledore had said about why he had to return there each summer, and though it was for his own good, Harry did not care anymore. He did not want to be Harry Potter; he'd prefer that he could be a normal boy. He didn't even want to go back, but part of him knew he had to, and he loved Hogwarts when he was there, even though the previous year had not been one of his best.
"Come on boy!" Uncle Vernon called, "bring your stuff in!"
Harry grudgingly opened the boot, lifted up his trunk with difficulty, pulling it slowly into the house, and then up the stairs into his room. He went back outside and brought out the rest of his stuff and then shut himself in his room, closed his eyes, laying on the bed, and thought of nothing but what he had done.
Hours later when the Dursleys had gone to bed Harry at last sat up, cautiously opened his door, crept out into the hall, slipped down the stairs (missing the bottom one as it creaked) and went into the kitchen, opened the fridge pulling out a yoghurt, a bar of chocolate and a bit of celery. He nipped back up stairs and into his room, sitting down on his bed, eating, filling his stomach, then laying down and falling asleep.
The sun climbed to midday. Still Harry remained in his room, miserable and unresponsive. His aunt and uncle had noticed something was wrong and had even tried to talk to him through his shut door, yet Harry did not feel like talking. When had the Dursley's ever cared about him? Never. Even if Moody had threatened Vernon at the station, Harry hardly dared to believe they cared a damn about him.
As the afternoon sun rose high into the sky, Harry decided that perhaps a walk would do him good. He carefully opened his door so that he would not be heard. He didn't want to be spoken to, not by anyone, least of all his uncle or aunt. Slipping down the stairs, he opened the front door, shut it as quietly as possible and bolted from the house, down the road and into a side street. Once there he carried on walking.
He spent the rest of the day musing around the neighbourhood, not having a care in the world. He kept one hand in his pocket, held tightly on his wand, just in case, keeping an eye out for anyone who might wish to harm in, as the Dementors had tried to do the previous summer.
Finally he decided to return to Privet Drive. Opening the front door, Harry felt a rough hand grab him, hauling him inside. Panic ran through him as he struggled against the tight grip but he couldn't escape, then he heard Uncle Vernon's voice harshly in his ear: "Boy, where have you been?"
Harry could not speak so his uncle released him. Gasping for breath he spoke, "Out."
"I know, but where?"
"Walking." Harry replied.
"Where?" Vernon demanded again.
"Around the neighbourhood."
"I don't like your attitude boy! Tell me, you haven't been getting in trouble, have you?"
"No. I told you I've been WALKING!" Harry's temper had risen quickly. Why didn't anyone ever believe him? He was starting to hate it. He was trembling from head to foot.
Vernon, obviously sensing danger, declined from questioning Harry further and let him go. Harry rushed upstairs, slammed his bedroom door and lay back on his bed, trembling from anger. Finally sleep overtook him and he slept away his anger and fears. For the first time in months his dreams were not dominated by the Department of Mysteries.
The following day Harry woke in the morning, feeling hungry and decided to join the breakfast table with the Dursley's, no matter how much he didn't want to.
"Good morning, Harry," Aunt Petunia said, as kindly as she could, as he stepped into the kitchen.
Surprised, Harry proceeded to sit down. His aunt placed toast in front of him. He ate it slowly, his stomach protesting. Now he was here, he didn't feel like eating. He wished he was back in his room.
"So, what are you doing today?" Petunia asked, as sweetly as possible.
Harry looked up startled. "Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? Is it because of what Moody said?"
Aunt Petunia's mouth pursued but she answered. Harry knew that the Dursley's didn't like him asking questions. "We just feel that you need a better summer then the last one. We've been a bit rough with you. You're growing up, its time to treat you like a proper adult."
Harry didn't believe a word of it, but he remained stone silent, continuing his breakfast. When he had finished he excused himself, took the stairs two at a time, and shut himself in his room. He went over to his desk, took out a roll of parchment and began to write a letter to Lupin. After all, they wanted him to write every three days, he'd promised he would.
He wrote:
Dear Lupin,
I hope you're feeling okay and that the Order is keeping you busy. The Dursley's are behaving strangely since Mad-Eye spoke to them. It's not right. I'm fine for the moment. I've been wandering around Little Whinging but that's it. Hope everything is okay, and that I'll be away from here soon,
With love,
Harry
He rolled the parchment up. Hedwig was not in her cage. She was out hunting. He'd have to send the letter when she came back.
The day rolled by. Harry remained in his room, reading Quidditch Through the Ages and then laying on his bed. He had no homework this year as he'd taken his OWLs and he had no clue as to what subjects he was taking next year. He would have welcomed a bit of homework to keep him occupied. It was better then laying here by himself, depressed and lonely.
Sighing, he rolled over, undressed, got into bed, and fell asleep instantly. His dreams were mixed of happy and sad memories, and then they shifted into what he wanted to forget so badly:
He was running through a field with a black dog galloping at his heels, barking with joy, Harry's face was a picture of happiness, then his dream shifted so suddenly that he didn't know what hit him, until he saw, the Veil in the center of a dark room, hanging from an arch. He felt his stomach flip, and then two people, he saw battling beside it. On a second glance he realized it was Bellatrix and Sirius duelling. Then it happened, Sirius fell through the Veil, but this time, Harry followed, running through the Veil and finding himself in a dark place. He shouted out Sirius' name but no where did his Godfather appear. Movement caught his eye and he spotted, finally, off to the right, Sirius being dragged back by a figure all in black. From here it looked like a Death Eater, but Harry couldn't care less. Rushing forward, he found himself too late, Sirius was gone through a black door. He was gone.
Harry woke shaking, tears in his eyes. He lay there thinking about what he had seen, his mind whirring about different possibilities. Why did I have that dream? What if that is truly what happened that night at the Department of Mysteries? What if Sirius really is alive? As soon as he thought that, Harry realized he was going mad. How could Sirius possibly be alive when he had seen him fall through the Veil and die? Even Lupin seemed to be shocked about his friend dying, but then, was it possible that Lupin knew something about the Veil that he didn't want Harry to know about?
The sun was just rising as he pulled himself out of bed and Hedwig was sitting in her cage waiting patiently. He picked up Lupin's letter and walked up to her cage. "Can you take this to Lupin for me?" he asked, as he tied the letter to her legs so it wouldn't fall in flight. He stepped back as she let out her snowy wings and flew out of the window and into the sky. He watched her fade away before he got dressed and went down for breakfast.
As the first week of the summer holiday faded, Harry found that he was more and more bored by the minute. Unlike Dudley, who had got a job at his father's company, he was unable to face getting a job. He didn't fancy the company just yet, but he felt lonely too.
At the end of the week Hedwig returned with a bunch of letters: one each from Lupin, Ron and Hermione. He opened Ron's first and was surprised that the letter was so short:
Harry,
Professor Dumbledore has been here recently. He's coming to get you personally very soon. He's very worried about you. Keep a close eye out on anyone that seems suspicious.
See you soon,
Ron
Hermione's letter was the same but with just a few more words.
Dear Harry,
Mum and Dad have been invited to the Headquarters of the Order so that they can spend time with me through the summer. When I go back to Hogwarts they'll go back home. They use Floo powder to get to work each morning and come back here for the evening – they really don't like the twisting and turning, but it's the best way for non-magical people to get to one place to another in a matter of seconds. They're finding out a lot about the magical community here as well, and they are finding it interesting! Also, Dumbledore's told them that someone of my family years ago was a Wizard, but then no one until me was magical enough to come to Hogwarts! I'm really pleased that I am a Witch, though!
Ron's probably told you, but Professor Dumbledore was here recently. He told us you'd be joining us soon, probably before your birthday, so that'll be fun, we'll get to spend your special day together for a change! However, I believe something may be happening very soon, something that Voldemort may be planning. He's stayed quiet since the Ministry realized he was still alive and in this country. Professor Dumbledore thinks that he'll show himself before long. So, please, Harry, stay safe with the Muggles, even though they can be a pain.
With love and kisses,
Hermione
-XXX-
Finally Harry finished the letter then he picked up Lupin's, opened it and began to read.
Harry,
Thanks for the letter. It's nice to see that you are well. Dumbledore is making arrangements for you to be removed to Headquarters within the next couple of weeks. Keep writing, and I'll inform you when we mean to collect you.
Moony
Plus, don't dwell too much on the past, its not good for you, such as I found out a couple of weeks ago.
Harry folded the letters and sat back on his bed. So, Voldemort wasn't causing any trouble at the moment, the Ministry of Magic were, well, just being jerks, though they knew now that Voldemort was operating against them once more, and Harry was stuck in Privet Drive, powerless to do anything.
He wished he could do something for the Order, anything would be better then sitting here. Harry sat back, feeling miserable. He closed his eyes, falling asleep instantly, and waking up hours later, sweating and shaking, the same dream he had about Sirius stirring within his memory once more. Tears fell silently down his cheeks as the dream replayed throughout his head.
TBC
