Title: Leopard and Wolf.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing's: H/G and R/Hr.
Summary: The summer after fifth year Harry is angry at everyone and pushes everyone away. Until someone manages to convince him it isn't his fault. With a new guardian, a love interest, new powers, and Death Eaters. Oh and of course who could forget Voldemort! The summer will be quiet an interesting one...
Authors Notes: Here is chapter 4 earlier than expected. This time you get to see a bit of his new powers.
Reviewers: -
Lunawolf: Thank you for reviewing I didn't expect you to. Who me torture Moony never MWHAHAHAHA. Oops would be a good way to explain that mistake away, never mind I don't think too many people picked up on the anyway. Here is your next update, and keep reviewing.
Starlollie: Did it make a change to see Harry's animagus form as a leopard? Thank you for the review.
Sunnysparkles: Ten points to you for the correct guess; yes that is what the title means.
Chapter 4- Hunting, Friends and Results.
Harry was sat at the desk in his bedroom writing out three letters to each of his friends; Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley.
After the incident in the Department of Mysteries Harry came to realize that Ginny wasn't just the scared little first year he had rescued in his second year but a determined, strong willed young lady and it was that person he wanted to get to know better.
Finishing off the letters he slid them into separate envelopes and sealed them with a wax stamp that had a lightening bolt in the middle of it. He called for Hedwig and began tiding his desk up; Hedwig came in through the window minute later.
"Here you are girl take these to Ron, Ginny, and Hermione," instructed Harry tying the letters to her legs, "Please be careful Hedwig there Death Eaters all over the place."
Hedwig gave a hoot to let Harry know that she'd be careful then she took off out the open window.
Harry watched as Hedwig got smaller as she flew further into the distance, turning his gaze to the clock on the wall he the time as 11:30 pm.
Rubbing his eyes Harry got up, stretched then stumbled to his bed and climbed in, took his glasses off then waving his hand to turn out the light he tried to sleep.
Half an hour later and Harry still wasn't asleep, sitting back up he cast out his mind to see what Voldemort was up to, not surprisingly he was instantly engulfed in a vision.
"Has anyone found where the Potter boy is?" questioned Voldemort.
A new recruit Death Eater stepped forward and answered, "My Lord we have searched and tortured his relatives they seem to think a man came for him other than that we don't know,"
"You don't know?" asked Voldemort as the woman nodded, "My, my, my I did not realize that you were all a useless bunch of idiots!"
Just as Lord Voldemort finished his little speech the doors opened and Snape walked in without making a sound. Coming to a stop at Voldemorts feet's he bowed before waiting for Voldemort to give him some sort of punishment for being late.
"Why is my most trusted follower late?" spat Voldemort
"I'm sorry my Lord," apologized Snape, "The headmaster had called an Order meeting and he wouldn't let me leave,"
"Severus you better give me a bloody good reason why I shouldn't hex you from here back to that muggle loving fool?" sneered Voldemort pointing his wand at Snape.
"My Lord I know where Potter is," answered Snape praying that what he was about to say didn't cost him his life.
"Where is he?" asked Voldemort his face pulled back in a grotesque smile.
"He is living with the werewolf; Lupin. But my Lord there is a ward protecting the house no one with the Dark Mark can enter," explained Snape.
"Hmmm..." replied Voldemort sitting back on his chair, "Well that is good that I can brake these wards then I will brake the potter boy, I will get him and kill him in front of all of Hogwarts then nothing else will stand in my way. Tell me Snape how did you come across this information?"
"I went to give the werewolf the wolfsbane potion on Dumbledore's orders, they let the wards down so I could enter," explained Snape, "Also the Potter boy told me to tell you something my Lord,"
"Well what is it?" questioned Lord Voldemort in a bored tone.
"He said; Tell Voldemort that if he thought emotions were weak then he doesn't know how powerful I am," recited Snape.
Voldemorts red eyes burned with fury taking his wand he stood up pointed at the young women Death Eater.
"Avada Kedavra!" shouted Voldemort.
The Death Eater hit the floor with a 'THUMP' she was dead.
"HOW DARE HE MOCK ME!" screamed Voldemort outraged, "I WILL MAKE HIM REALIZE THAT I AM THE MOST POWERUFLIST WIZARD ALIVE. I WILL MAKE HIM COWER AT MY FEET I WILL MAKE HIM WATCH AS I KILL ALL OF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY! HE WILL BE KILLED BY MY HAND AND MY HAND ONLY!"
The Death Eaters were watching as Voldemort started ranting on and on most of the Death Eaters were use to it by now but they weren't prepared for a voice to reply.
"Well Tom I got to hand it to you, you know how to bore a crowd to death," spoke up Harry, "I will come for you Tom!"
"Is that a threat Potter?" spat Voldemort.
"Nope I don't do threats that was a promise, now I need a good nights sleep," answered Harry.
Just before he pulled his mind back he heard Voldemort say.
"You are all to search for that brat!" spat Voldemort, nodding towards the new recruits before turning to Snape, "Severus you will tell me exactly how to get to this house,"
"I can't my Lord," answered Snape.
In a fit of rage Voldemort cursed, "CRUCIO! DON'T FAIL ME!"
Harry blinked his eyes several times to get rid of professor. Snape being tortured, great now I owe a curse to a Death Eater for Snape, thought Harry sarcastically.
It was only then that Harry noticed the sun light shining in the room, glancing at the wall clock again it read 9:30am.
Sighing Harry got out of bed and began getting dressed the trouble with him not protecting his mind- if on purpose or not- he always ended up in Tom's mind and he never managed to get any rest.
After getting dressed Harry left his bedroom and went downstairs, entering the kitchen he found Remus reading the Daily Prophet.
"Morning Harry," greeted Remus from behind his newspaper.
"M-m-morning," yawned Harry.
Putting the paper down Remus replied, "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"If you call listening to Voldemort 'sleep' then yes I did," answered Harry.
"Anything we should worry about?" questioned Remus worriedly.
"Nope, look I'm going for a run, I won't be long and yes I'll be careful," answered Harry, answering the next question Remus was bound to ask him.
"Okay and don't go looking for trouble," called Remus.
"I won't," Harry called back.
Opening the front door Harry stepped out into the warm morning sunshine, closing the door behind him self Harry quickly cast a invisibility charm and then instead of going for his usual running route he took the path that led from the house and past the apparation wards.
Once he had gone past the non-apparation site he focused on where some Death Eaters were and apparated about six feet from them in silence.
"So do you think the Lord will get into the Potter's little hideaway?" asked one of the Death Eater obviously a women.
"Julian the Potter boy will perish at the hands of our Lord," answered a second Death Eater, a man.
"Shut up the pair of you!" hissed non other than Lucius Malfoy, "If you want to keep your lives you'll shut up!"
"Sorry," mumbled Julian.
"Oh and another thing Death Eaters don't apologize," spat Malfoy.
"I told you Julian," taunted the other Death Eater.
"Chris shut up!" snapped Lucius, "I will be reporting you both to our Lord for not shutting up,"
"Come now Mr. Malfoy there will be no need for that," called Harry taking the charm off.
"Well, well, well, Mr. Potter we meet again," sneered Lucius, "but this time there will be no mutt here to save you"
"How dare you? You have no idea what I can do to you," spat Harry.
Laughing Lucius answered, "Oh I'm so scared the Potter boy is scaring me. Tell me Mr. Potter did seeing your godfather die make you cry?"
"My godfather was a fantastic man, anyone whose lost such a person would. Unfortunately you aren't a man so you wouldn't understand," explained Harry nobly.
"Julian, Chris get that brat now!" ordered Lucius angrily.
As the two Death Eaters strode up to Harry menacingly, Harry stood there with a smile on his face. Oh Merlin Lucius Malfoy gets newbie's to do his dirty work, thought Harry sighing.
Just as they were about to shout out there curses Harry brought up his hands and then quickly brought them down. A flash was seen then where the flash had struck lay two dead Death Eaters.
"Potter?!" shouted Lucius.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy?" questioned Harry innocently.
"What did you do to them?" asked Lucius backing away, as Harry advanced forwards.
"Well what do you know it looks as if lightening struck them," replied Harry smirking still walking towards Malfoy, "Are you scared yet?"
"N-No," stuttered Malfoy.
"Well you should be," replied Harry, "Now I know you can't go to the Ministry but you can warn all of your little Ministry Death Eater friends that Harry potter is back and you better all watch your backs. Now take these two and dump them on Tom's lap," instructed Harry sternly.
In two seconds flat Lucius had side stepped Harry grabbed the two dead bodies and disapparated presumably back to the Dark Lord.
Sighing Harry just shook his head and then also disapparated back to his summer house, and then walked back up to Remus' house.
Entering the house Harry was surprised to see Snape, Dumbledore and Remus all sitting in the living room.
"Good morning Harry and how are you?" asked Dumbledore kindly.
"Fine thank you," answered Harry curtly, "May I ask what you're all doing here?"
"Oh please Potter you know exactly what we're here for," sneered Snape, "You and the Dark Lord?"
"Oh that I am sorry about your curse professor but really telling Tom where I was living," replied Harry.
"Harry what is Severus on about?" questioned Remus.
Sighing Harry moved from the doorway over to the stairs and he sat down on the bottom step and explained what had happened with out looking at anyone.
"I couldn't sleep last night," began Harry, "I knew no matter what Tom couldn't break my mind defences so I purposely let them down. I was immediately engulfed in a vision; Tom was there he was asking a new Death Eater where I was. The Death Eater said they hadn't found me yet, they had tortured my relatives before Tom spoke again Professor. Snape came in. I must ask though Snape what were you thinking when you told him about where I was?" questioned Harry.
"I told him only that you were living with Lupin I never said where you were," replied Snape evenly.
"Very well. Well after the professor explained that no one with the Dark Mark could enter Tom decided to break me or so he said. Professor Snape did exceptionally well delivering my little message, thank you," explained Harry, "Well after that he killed a young lady Death Eater, before placing the professor under the Crucio curse and that's about it,"
"Mr. Potter as usual you leave something out do you not want to let everyone know how brave you were?" questioned Snape tauntingly.
Snapping his head you Harry snapped, "My bravery got Sirius killed, my bravery caused me to end up writing in a blood quill, and my bravery nearly lost me my friends so excuse me if I don't jump for joy!"
"Harry you didn't kill Sirius," replied Remus gently.
"Now exactly what happened?" cut in Dumbledore.
"I spoke to Tom mocking him," answered Harry extremely quietly, "No excuse me headmaster, Professor. Snape, Remus but I have things to do."
With that said Harry got up and left the living room and went back up to his bedroom. It had been the first time since he had come back from 'The Plain' that he had said he had killed Sirius.
Closing the door Harry looked over to his window to see Hedwig perched on the windowsill asleep in the warm sunshine. Smiling at his pet Harry went over and very quietly and gently un-tied the one letter from the owls leg.
Opening the letter he found three sheets of parchment, picking up the first sheet he read Ron's response.
Hiya Mate.
I'm glad to hear that you aren't with the Dursleys they never did really understand you especially with what happened at the Department of Mysteries.
Yeah sure we'll come round there are sure Professor. Lupin doesn't mind? We'll be there around four tomorrow evening.
See you soon
Ron.
Putting Ron's letter down Harry picked up the second sheet and noticed it was in Ginny's handwriting.
Hello Harry.
It was nice for you to write to me and invite me to stay with you and Professor. Lupin for the rest of the summer.
I'm glad you are with someone that can help you with your grief, what!? Did you really think that all your vague replies of 'I'm fine' could fool me?
Love
Ginny.
Harry smiled at Ginny's response and he felt an odd sort of twisting feeling in his stomach shaking his head he just put it down to what he'd done to the Death Eaters. Finally he picked up the last sheet and noticed it was from his other best friend Hermione.
Hi Harry.
See that wasn't so hard to write a long letter to us was it? Anyway I'm happy to hear that you are dealing with Sirius death, although I think you are still hurting just not as much as before.
You invited Ginny!? Do I suspect something more than just friendship here? Of course I'll come over although what about on the full moon? We'll see you and Professor Lupin tomorrow at four.
Love
Hermione.
Harry felt heat on his cheeks at the mention of more than friendship for one Ginny Weasley. I do not like Ginny that way, thought Harry determinedly, she's Ron younger sister I do not like her how-
He was brought out of his thoughts by a tapping on his door; Harry told who ever it was to enter.
"Harry are you alright?" asked Remus from the doorway.
"I'm fine why shouldn't I be?" replied Harry praying he wasn't still red in the face.
Closing the door Remus went over and sat next to Harry on the bed, "Because what you said about Sirius downstairs," pointed out Remus.
Sighing Harry replied, "It's funny really Remus. I haven't accused myself of murdering Sirius for a long time,"
"Harry you know you didn't, though don't you?" asked Remus carefully.
"I asked Sykes why Sirius had to die," began Harry talking around the lump in his throat, "Sykes explained that there needed to be sacrifices made, I just wish it hadn't been Sirius,"
"Harry, Sirius died doing what he had promised to do the day you were born," explained Remus wrapping Harry up in a one armed hug, "To protect you. Sirius was a fantastic man, he was a best friend to me and a father to you no matter what had happened Sirius stayed strong and loyal to the end,"
"I miss him," admitted Harry growing sleepy.
"As do I Harry, every day. All we can do is take it one day at a time, the feeling won't go away but it doesn't feel as strong after a while," replied Remus.
When he didn't get a reply Remus looked down to see Harry had fallen to sleep. Smiling at his charge Remus took Harry's glasses off then gently eased him back so he was resting against his pillows.
Getting up Remus stepped on some parchments scanning the letter he let a smile spread across his face at Harry's friend's enthusiasm at spending the rest of summer here rather than at Grimmauld Place.
Putting the sheets of parchments on the desk Remus left Harry's bedroom and carried on with extending his house-with magic- so that all the teens could have a room of their own for their own space and privacy.
Harry was currently pacing back and forth between the kitchen door and fireplace it was ten minutes to four and he was nervously waiting for his friends to turn up.
Remus was sitting in his favourite chair a mug of tea in his hands he was quietly watching Harry pace back and forth. It was quiet amusing as Harry had never really had any friends over to his house before and it was unnerving him.
"Harry do sit down you're wearing the carpet out," commented Remus.
"I can't what if they changed there minds and decided not to come?" asked Harry nervously.
"Harry they are your best friends they will come believe me," answered Remus.
No sooner had Remus finished his sentence than there was the sound of someone ports keying in and there on the floor in a tangled heap were Ron, Ginny, and Hermione.
Going over Harry helped the three of them to stand up. It was only then that he realized how much he would have hurt his friends by pushing them away.
He was pulled from his musing when he was engulfed into a hug by Hermione.
"It's so good to see you," greeted Hermione, "I'm sorry for your lost though,"
"Hermione its okay," answered Harry.
Pulling away Hermione discreetly wiped her eyes. Harry was pulled into another hug this time by Ginny.
"Hey Gin, how you bin?" asked Harry hoping he wasn't blushing.
"Fine thank you for inviting me," replied Ginny.
After Ginny pulled away Harry turned to Ron and pulled him into a manly one armed hug before letting him go.
"Well you all know Remus," commented Harry, going over to sit down.
"Hello professor. Lupin," greeted Hermione cheerfully.
"Please Hermione call me Remus as I'm no longer your teacher," replied Remus, "Same goes for you Ron and Ginny,"
"So Harry have you got your O.W.L scores yet?" asked Hermione.
"Not yet, although I think I know I failed History of Magic," answered Harry.
It was only then that he noticed the sombre expressions on his friend's faces and he immediately knew what they were all thinking.
"Hey you all don't have to walk on eggshells around me especially if it involves Sirius or the Department of Mysteries," answered Harry.
"Sorry mate, we just didn't know what to expect" apologized Ron.
"Well I can say Harry has got his grief under control as well as his emotions," put in Remus.
Harry just nodded his head, it wasn't that he didn't want his friends knowing about his new abilities it's just he needed to know they would be safe with the knowledge first.
"Right I think we should have some dinner?" suggested Harry.
The five of them moved from the living room to the kitchen where Harry made a dinner much to Remus' disapproval.
They spent the evening talking about anything and everything and it wasn't till about half past ten at night did everyone notice how late it was.
Harry showed everyone to their rooms before going back to his own room and getting settled in bed and falling to sleep.
"Morning Ron," greeted Harry as Ron stumbled into the kitchen at ten the next morning.
"So what do you all want for breakfast?" asked Remus.
The three late arrivals all shrugged whilst Harry just smiled and shook his head, they were interrupted from their musings by one owl carrying three letters come in.
Picking up his letter Harry slit it open and began reading: -
O.W.L results for Harry James Potter are as follows: -
DADA=O
Transfiguration=O
Charms=O
Divination=P
Astronomy=A
History of Magic=A
Potions=O
Care of Magical Creatures=O
(A/N: If there are any subjects I missed out then sorry I just don't have any of my books with me at the moment)
Please note that your score for Astronomy was taken into account by the happenings of that night.
Miranda Goshawk.
Chief examiner
Total O.W.L=4 out of a possible of 7
Harry let a smile come across his face before passing the letter over to Remus who read it then enveloped Harry into a hug.
"What did you get Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Four out standings," answered Harry.
"That's brilliant mate I got three," replied Ron.
"I got six," put in Hermione.
"No surprise there," commented Ron.
"Well if you had studied harder maybe you would have a higher mark," retorted Hermione.
"Before everyone starts arguing," cut in Harry, "let's just eat breakfast."
Sending a glare at Ron, Hermione sat back down, they spent the rest of the morning in silence.
By dinner time Harry and Remus were sitting in the garden in silence they had left the other three to do there homework. The back door opened and Ginny walked out.
"Hey Gin what's up?" asked Harry.
"Ron and Hermione," answered Ginny sitting next to Harry.
"What about them?" queried Remus curiously.
"Arguing again I just wish they'd admit that they like each other," sighed Ginny.
"Well sometimes arguing is a way to show someone they like them," explained Remus.
"Its just frustrating to listen to all the time," replied Ginny before changing the subject, "Anyway what are you both doing out here?"
"We were just going over the plans for next week," answered Harry.
"Oh I completely forgot," replied Ginny, realizing what they were on about.
"Don't worry most people forgot, besides you won't have anything to worry about," responded Remus.
Frowning Harry asked, "Why?"
"Because I am planning on putting up some pretty strong wards on the stairs so no one can come down or get up them," explained Remus.
The three of them carried on talking till it was dinner time and the arguing pair-as they had been dubbed- came in search of them.
