Disclaimer: Sadly, I am a student, and therefore own nothing. Harry Potter and all associated trademarks are property of the great Mrs. Rowling. However the plot is 100 mine.
Chapter 1
"Sirius is dead," Harry said for the 100th time that day. "There was nothing I could do to stop it…" He seemed to be fighting inwardly about something, as he was jogging down Privet Drive.
Harry could almost be confused for any other teenager. His raven black hair was rarely combed, and his clothes looked just like anyone else's. He was somewhat muscular for his age, but that came with working out twice a day for a week now, and the quidditch training. To any casual passerby Harry would just seem like another depressed 16 year old.
But Harry was different. The first clue to this was the distinguishing scar on his forehead. It got stares from muggles and wizards both. To the muggles, it was an unusual scar. To the wizards, it marked him as "The Boy Who Lived". It is a simple lightning bolt, but the way it was attained was a different story.
It's different because it's what made Harry an orphan. It's what led to his godfather's recent death. And it was what gave him a connection to the last person in the world that he wanted to be connected to.
Voldemort.
The name that strikes fear in most wizards' hearts. The muggles, on the other hand, were completely oblivious.
When Harry was just a baby, Voldemort attacked his family. With his parents dead, the Dark Lord turned to the baby. But, when he touched the boy, he was instantly killed. The sacrifice of the mother had placed a mark of love on the boy, something not even he could withstand.
"He's found a way around that barrier already when he used my blood to resurrect himself," Harry mutters to himself as the memory of that night plays through his head. "That night was when this nightmare began."
Then, in his last year, he had finally found out what had driven Voldemort to attack the Potters. "That DAMN prophecy!" Harry let out a burst of anger.
The prophecy that led to the attack on his parents had only recently been revealed to Harry. On the same night he learned why Voldemort had come after him, his godfather had been killed by one of Voldemort's followers.
Voldemort had tricked Harry into believing that Sirius was in grave danger to lead Harry into a trap. Thanks to his friends, and some of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, Harry survived that night. Unfortunately, the closest thing to a father that he had ever known hadn't.
So Harry was alone again. "It's all because of Dumbledore, why didn't he just trust me?" Harry heard a small voice in the back of his head. Would you have trusted you?
Suddenly a loud pop announced to Harry that his "guard" was unable to keep up on foot, and instead had to apperate to stay with him. "Either keep up, or switch the guard, because this neighborhood already thinks I'm crazy. I'd prefer not to give them a reason to increase that belief."
Mundungus stepped out from behind a parked car. "You know you could always slow down." Harry shot him a glare. "Or I could get Tonks."
With that another loud pop sounded as Mundungus left to get Tonks.
Alone for the first time that summer, Harry stopped to catch his breath. He thought about everything that had happened since he got "home".
The first thing that happened was his hated aunt and uncle leaving him alone for the summer. He replayed that conversation over in his head.
"We're going away." Uncle Vernon stated the moment he closed the front door. "We would hate to have a repeat of last summer." The pudgy man pulled his only son, Dudley closer. "We've left you enough money to get by, don't waste it."
And with that Harry's summer got tons better, for about 10 minutes.
The next thing he knew, he saw a strange owl fly out of the fireplace, drop off a letter, and fly back out. He saw Dumbledore's scrawl on the front Harry.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry to be the one to break this news to you, but with your relatives' recent departure, I feel I must. You are not to leave the house. You will again be watched by many of the members of the Order, and I will provide you with a copy of the rotations.
If you feel something must be provided, simply ask your current guard, and it will be fetched.
This is not all bad. It will allow for us to continue your Occulmency lessons. I shall be around every Friday night promptly at 8:00 PM. Don't worry about the Ministry, after our recent events, they have already granted you your magic license. You are now a full fledged wizard Harry, do not abuse the privilege. I will arrange for you to also receive training in apparition and even allow you become an animagi, if you wish.
I will keep in touch.
Sincerest apologies,
Albus Dumbledore
Well did seem to be one good thing that had come out of the summer so far, Ginny. Dumbledore had agreed to allow the Weasley children to stay at his aunt and uncle's, for now. When he had heard about it, Harry had been overjoyed. It got even better when Hermione had agreed to come and keep Ginny company. Things went downhill fast.
The twins were always away, either at the Joke shop or with Angelina and Katie. To make matters worse, his two best friends "hooked up", and it seemed that only Harry was surprised about it. That was about the time he had started running. Of course that left him with only one person to hang out with, Ginny.
What a blessing in disguise she was. The only person who understood just how it felt to be taken over by Tom, she was the only one he confided in. Quickly he realized just what she had become in the last few years, and just how over him she was.
With the sound of another pop, Harry started to jog again.
"So, what are you going to do about Ginny?" Harry heard a man's voice say. He turned to see Remus Lupin standing there.
"I thought he was going to get Tonks," Harry said as he shot a quizzical look at the last Marauder.
"Well, I said I needed to talk to you about some things, and they let me take over. So, I repeat my question, what are you going to do about her?"
"I don't know. I mean I like her, she's been there for me for the past week, but she seems to have lost her interest. What would you do?"
"Are you asking me, James, or Sirius?"
"Which was the best with the ladies?" Harry smirked.
"That would be James. Well, since you are limited to the confines of your relatives' house, I suggest you talk to the other borders, and convince them to leave for the night. Cook something really nice for her, and then tell her how you feel. If that doesn't work, nothing will," Remus said in his best impression of Harry's father.
"Well, if it's guaranteed," Harry rolls his eyes, "then I guess I'll give it a shot." By this time they had gotten back to the house.
"If you need any help, Molly would be glad to help. She's also taken the liberty of speaking to the boys, all 6 of them, already, and you're safe…"
"Who hasn't figured it out?" Harry questioned.
"Luckily Ginny, for one," Remus shot back. "Now all you have left is the final conquest," Remus pats him on his back, "don't worry about it, you've got James's charm, and he could get any girl."
"Thanks," and with that Harry stepped into the house.
