CHAPTER 3

With the first day done, things went by fairly quickly for the first week. DADA was spent doing practice duels using spells they'd learned only from third year down, as well as a few simple excercises. The point was to build up speed. Splikvin showed an example by levitating Harry's robes so he couldn't see, then dissarming him.

In charms, they had succesfully cast the permantent sticking charm on the pictures, and were now practicing on smaller objects.

Neville grew more confident in Potions, and he now didn't need Harry to sing the phoenix song in his head. When the week ended, their potion was top-notch.

They had finaly began to learn something new in Trasnsfiguration. Turning tables into snails was their assignment for the week. For Harry, it was harder not to beat Hermione in succeding than it was for him to actually do it. Although Dumbldore suspected Harry had been practicing actual magic, Harry wasn't sure if the Headmaster had told the other professors his suspicions.

Everyone was dissapointed to see the sprites leave, especially Ron. So after they left, Hagrid brought in some over-sized turtles called 'Guarnots'. The Guarnots were vegitarians, but they did try to take a bite out of several students. Hagrid promised to teach them how to ride on a Guarnot at the following lesson.

A week into the school year brought a pale, nervous-looking Ron into the common room with it. "Ron, are you okay?" Hermione asked, dropping her book on the couch she was seated in.

He nodded, "I- I'm fine, just…surprised is all."

Harry saw what looked like a sign-up sheet in Ron's hand, "What's that?" he asked.

Ron colored and hastily put it behind his back, "Nothin'."

Harry gave a mock-sigh, "You're a bad liar Ron; spit it out."

Ron gulped, "McGonagall, she- she named me quidditch captain."

Harry frozed, then his face split into a wide grin, "That's brilliant Ron!"

"You're not angry?" Ron asked.

Harry laughed, "Of course not! Why would I be?"

Ron was clearly relieved, "Well, you've always been the better player, and you've been on the team longer than I have…" he mummbled.

"And who's the prefect?" Harry cut in with a smile. "You are Ron. Who's played quidditch for more of their life? You have. You've earned it Ron. Besides, you were made to be a quidditch captain."

Ron's ears turned red at the praised, "Thanks mate. Your ban's been lifted you know."

Harry smiled wider, "Then put my name on that try-out list." Ron did so immediately while Hedwig delivered Alex's letter to Harry. "Thanks Hedwig," Harry said, then tickled her under the chin before giving her some fish and then heopened the letter.

Alex told Harry that the crazy man who hated everyone at Blurnof's Eyestore was there again, and that she'd gotten further on the Beater brom. She asked how his classes were going, if Snape was still a git, or if Selena's return had changed him at all.

Harry penned his reply before doing homework, saying that Snape was pretty much ignoring him, which was more than he could ask for. Harry described his classes, and ended the letter by asking if she wanted to go to lunch with him on Sunday if she could get out. He didn't give the letter to Hedwig just yet, since she was being admired by the first year Gryffindors. The Gryffindors had almost gotten used to Hedwig, but many still didn't believe that she use to be Harry's snowy owl.

Another uneventful week passed for Harry, seeing as the only thing of interest to happen was to be able to hop on a Guarnot's shell and go for a bumpy ride. Alex had responded that next week she could go, and that was why Harry wanted the rest of the week to hurry up and finish. After breakfast on the eargly awaited Saturday, Harry told Remus about his plans with Alex. "Be careful Harry," Remus said, "But have fun." Remus told him, "I'll tell Dumbledore only if he asks."

Harry thanked him and left for the common room to do his potions homework. When he walked in, he noticed Ron and Hermione sitting next to each other and holding hands, also doing homework. Harry grinned inwardly. It's about time they got together, he thought as he went upstairs to get his extra bottle of ink.

Since not everyone went to lunch on weekends, Harry wasn't missed when he teleported to Blufnof's Eyestore—after going to The Hideaway of course. It was good to see Alex again, and they went to the deli after she got off work. They talked for half an hour about Harry's classes and friends, and then Alex took him to see the new store that had opened in Hogsmede, via the floo network in the eyestore. Harry started to laugh when he saw it.

The building was a two story, and bright orange with a blue roof and doors. In bold, black letter was a sign saying: 'Weasleys' Wizarding Weezes.' The display windows were crowded with merchendise, and Harry could see even more inside. Through the top windows, he saw boxes and boxes of more items.

"Want to go in?" Alex asked, amused by his reaction.

"Ladies first," Harry replied with a slight bow. She laughed, and entered the twins' shop.

"Welcome to our humble joke shop-" George began, then stopped, smiling, "Oi, Fred! It's our sponsor!"

"Look out below!" Fred called, and slid down a pole that was in a corner of a room.

Harry looked at it, "Interesting replacement for stairs." he commented.

"Takes up less room," George agreed. He then spotted Alex. "What's this? Tell me good lady, are you with our most generous sponsor?"

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Well, I don't know..." Harry looked at her in shock, she grinned, "I think he's with me."

Fred and George laughed, and Alex kissed Harry on the the cheek as he relaxed. "A lady with humor! Few and far between they are!" George exclaimed.

"Few indeed! Tell me, what brings you to our home away from home?" Fred asked.

"We were having lunch, and Alex brought me here," Harry explained, "How's buisness?"

"Booming!" began Fred.

"Stupendous!" added George.

"Couldn't be better!"

"Couldn't be more marvelous!"

"Absolutely-"

"Okay, okay, I think I got it!" Harry interupted, they smiled. Suddenly, his scar exploded. He fell to his knees, clutching his forehead as Voldemort tried to invade his mind. Harry quickly used Occlumency to cover his inner and outer thoughts. Unfortunately, Harry hadn't put his current location in with them, and that's what Voldemort saw. The pain vanished, and Harry heard the crack of apperating wizards. "Death Eaters," he growled, getting out his wand.

"I'll contact Mum," George said, and hurriedly climbed up a ladder to the next floor.

"Alex, get out of here," Harry said.

In response, she got out her own wand. "No Harry, I'm not leaving."

"Never refuse a lady," Fred said with forced humor. Harry noticed Alex's breath forming clouds in the air. "Damn! They brought dementors!" he cursed. At that moment, three of the things entered the shop. "Expecto Patronum!" Alex yelled, a silver dragon emerged from her wand, and charged at the former guardians of Azkaban. "I've got these," she told him, "Go get those scum."

Harry nodded, and cast a concealment charm on himself then slipped out the back.

Seven Death Eaters were standing outside, lazily twirling their wands. Two of them harry recognized as Crabbe and Goyle Sr., and another that had to be Bellatrix. At the sight of Sirius' cousin and murdered, Harry's blood began to boil. He pocketed his wand, and transformed into a werewolf. Still concealed, Harry silently pounced on the nearest Death Eater, knocking him unconcious as he did so. None of the dark-robed figures heard, and Harry chose his next victim. He'd dispatched a total of three when Bellatrix finally noticed some of her comrads on the ground. "Keep you guard up!" she snapped, wand firmly in hand.

Harry sniffed the air and tensed, then pounced on the last unknown Death Eater. Bellatrix fired a stunner at him, but Harry lept out of the way, skidding to a stop on the ground. "Finite Incantantem!" Bellatrix shrieked, and Harry's concealment charm vanished.

He snarled, and lept for Crabbe or Goyle—they were so much alize in mass he couldn't tell which was which. The large man punched Harry, but it was only as if a twig had been poked in his side. Meanwhile, the other gorilla-like man snuck inside the store along with Bellatrix. Harry growled his frustration and tackled the Death Eater, knocking him out with a blow to the side of his head.

Harry resumed human form and rushed into the store. Fred and Georgre were fighting the Death Eaters while Alex continued to keep the dementors at bay.

"Rebas Occurta!" Bellatrix shouted, and an acid-green curse hit Fred in the shoulder, opening a large gash.

"Stupefy!" Harry yelled; his stunner hit Crabbe/Goyle in the back. George knelt beside his twin while Harry dueled with Bellatrix. Her eyes were wide behind her mask, she clearly hadn't been expecting him to be so fast. Eventually Hary pushed her outside with his spells, then cast a Parsloz stunner. Before it could hit her, Bellatrix grbbed the wrists of two unconcious Death Eaters and dissaperated. Harry cursed and went ot help Alex. To his surprise, the dementors were gone.

"Is he alright?" Harry asked George breathlessly.

"He needs a healer," George replied.

Harry nodded, "Alex, are you okay?"

"Just tired," she replied.

"Okay, I'm getting us back to Hogwarts." Harry said, and put a hand on Alex and the other on George, who was holding Fred's hand. Taking a breath, Harry double-teleported to the Hogwarts Infimary.

"Madame Pomfrey!" He called, helping George to put Fred on a bed.

The nurse rushed out of her office, face going pale when she spotted Fred. Instantly, she went into action. "Mr.Potter, get the blue bottle from that counter and some bandages. Miss, tell me what happened."

Harry obeyed while Alex explained. "Seven Death Eaters attacked the store we were in. They sent three dementors in first, I held them off while Harry went after the Death Eaters. After five of them were knocked out, the last two entered. I was still busy with the dementors, and Mr.Weasley got hit by a poison-slicing curse. Harry knocked the second remaing Death Eater out, and then drove the last one outside. When he came back, we came here."

"Oh dear, a poison slicing curse?" Mme. Pomfrey muttered, "Are you sure?"

Alex nodded, "I recognized the incantation. I've been hit by it before."

"Is it fatal?" George whispered, clearly not thinking straight.

"It can be, but I was saved by phoenix tears," Alex replied.

"Is the Headmaster here?" Harry asked, thinking of Fawkes while carrying the bandages over to George.

Mme.Pomfrey shook her head, "He was called away by the Ministers."

Hedwig, I need you girl, Harry called silently, I need your help. A flare of gold flames brought Hedwig to his side. "Hedwig, please, I need you to help Fred. He's been hurt, badly; he need your tears." Harry explained sadly, quietly, "I keep getting my friends hurt, please, save him." He finished his plea in a whisper.

Singing notes of comfort, Hedwig fluttered over to where the injured twin lay as the entire Weasley family burst into the infirmary. Hedwig sang sadly, pearly tears formed in her eyes. Gracefully, she let them drip onto Fred's wound. They watched as the wound stopped bleeding, then began to close; color returned to his face.

Fred's parents were instantly at his side, and his brothers and Ginny came right after; even Percy was there. Hedwig flew back to Harry, perching on his shoulder. "Harry, I should go now." Alex whispered. Harry nodded, and did a double teleportation to Blurnof's Eyestore.

"Be careful Harry," Alex told him, and kissed him gently on the cheek, then went upstairs.

Harry returned to the hospital wind with Hedwig, and stood mutely in a corner, overcome by anger at himself. It was because of him the store was attacked. It was because of him that people were getting hurt or killed. It was because of him that Voldemort had returned.

Mrs.Weasley saw him standing in the shadows, head bowed. "Harry dear, it isn't your fault," she whispered tearfully, "You did your best. He'll live Harry, because of you."

Harry looked at the pale, sad faces and couldn't bring himself to believe her words. "It is my fault," he said quietly, his voice hoarse, furious, and sad. "This wouldn't of happened if it wasn't for me." Tears of fury welled up in his eyes, and Harry couldn't take it any longer. Blinded by self-anger, Harry left the infirmary as storm clouds began to rapidly appear outside.


Coming Up:

Return of the Sprites

The fate of Fred Weasley

The new quidditch team

Then:

First lesson

A thought of Peace


Review Response:

Egyption Flame: Don't worry, Harry will never end up with Ginny or Hermione in my stories; I find that too...original. (response to review of ch.2)

WildRaven: Malfoy shall remain a mystery, for now. The Hogwarts proffesors will eventually learn the extent of Harry's knowledge, of course, it may or may not be in a pleasent manner. The rude awakening was in Red Bolt of Lightning. (response to review of chs. 1 &2)

HeWhoComesWithTheDawn: Instead of having different classes every day, i decided that, since they are NEWT level, they would all be on the same day. Here is his Schedule: DADA, Charms, Potions and 'Free Time'. Following Lunch he has Transfiguration then CoMC. I hope that makes things less confusing. (response to review of ch.2)

(A/N: As always, and always will be,thank you to ALL reviewers for your contributions, and those who read my story. A.S.Leif)