Disclaimer: I realized that I left this out on the first chapter. Basically, your standard thing. I own nothing related to HP and his friends, enemies, and acquaintances. The only things I claim are Julian and Z. Most of the plot is mine, but if you recognize something from another fanfics (hopefully not), it means I respected that author enough that I thought it was good enough to put it in, even if it was on accident.
Chapter Two: Spinner's End
A small light shone out of the window of the smallest room in the Dursley household. It provided the only additional light on the street. The light came from a small bedside lamp, which was currently lit, as the occupant of the room was very much awake, unlike the rest of the neighborhood.
Harry James Potter sat propped up in his bed, holding a piece of parchment and a quill on his lap, the ink for the quill on the table, while a book lay open next to him on the bed. Harry briefly scanned through the page, hoping to find some information that would help him with his Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. He had been assigned to do an essay on the various magical species that were considered dangerous by the Ministry of Magic.
So far, he had covered hags, ogres, trolls, giants, and vampires in his essay. The remainder of the list had werewolves and ghouls on it. Harry planned on talking to Remus Lupin about werewolves, as the former professor suffered from lycanthropy. He skimmed the passage again, looking for information on ghouls.
Ghouls are often mistaken as ghosts, but they are not the same. While ghosts are both good and evil, ghouls are almost always considered evil. They thwart the plans of wizards and witches, and if they are encountered, they can cause the wizard to become very sick, where the most extreme cases have sent victims into comas, and even death on three different occasions. Ghouls cannot be killed by spells. The only way to successfully defeat a ghoul is to conjure a vortex, and banish the ghoul into it. Ghouls were used in many different ways during the first war with You-Know-Who, ranging from spies to front rank soldiers.
Harry sank back into the bed, close to tears. The vortex needed to banish the ghouls sounded much like the veil that Sirius had disappeared into less than a month ago. Harry could vividly picture Sirius falling backwards into the curtain, a look of surprise on his face as Bellatrix Lestrange laughed.
Harry had been told time and time again that Sirius' death wasn't his fault, and that the only people to blame were Voldemort and Bellatrix, but Harry still felt guilt. If only he hadn't acted upon the vision, Sirius wouldn't have had to rush off to save Harry and his friends from the Death Eaters. Because of Harry's rash belief in the false vision Harry had received from Voldemort, Sirius had lost his life. Harry had researched the veil upon his return to the Dursley's after term. He had learned that the veil was known as the Veil of No Return.
The Veil had been discovered in the Swiss Alps back in the late eighteenth century by a wizard archaeology team that had been led to believe that Alps was the final resting place of Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the Founders of Hogwarts. Instead of finding the grave, they had discovered the Veil. One of the younger members of the team walked into the veil, and never returned. When they called out for him, they only heard the soundless voices coming out. They had grabbed a rat that had been scuttling around the cave they were in, and tied a small string around its waist. It scurried into the veil, and they quickly pulled back on the string. The mouse had returned dead, it's white fur scorched in numerous places, exposing a gray color of skin underneath, rather than the normal pink.
Harry harbored no doubts that Sirius was dead, and had joined Harry's parents in the realm of the dead. However, he still harbored some guilt about it, and knew that it would always be a part of him. Harry fought back the tears again, and scribbled the information he had read into his essay. Setting down the quill and parchment and closing the book, Harry set them down on the side of his bed.
He was preparing to turn off the light when he heard a flutter of wings. He had expected to see his snowy owl, Hedwig, returning to her cage in the room. However, Hedwig was accompanied by three other owls. This surprised him. This past summer, the Dursleys had moved off of Privet Drive, onto one of the most exclusive streets in Surrey, Spinner's End.
One of the owls was Pig, Ron's owl. A second was a barn owl that Harry recognized as a Hogwarts owl. The third owl was unfamiliar to him. It was black, except for a white stripe that flashed down the length of his back onto his tail.
Harry grabbed the letters tied to each of the owls' legs. The Hogwarts owl turned around and flew back out into the night. Hedwig nestled into her cage after enjoying a drink. Pig continued to flutter around the room, thankfully not hooting his excitement, because that would wake the Dursleys. While they had been scared of the Order members, they had allowed Harry to continue to send letters. Harry was virtually ignored by the Dursley family these days, which was fine with Harry. They fed him his meals, and then let him do whatever he wanted, within reason.
The third owl, the one Harry didn't recognize, just fixed him with a steady gaze, sitting perched on the windowsill.
Harry tore open the first letter that had come from Hermione. Hermione was the smartest witch in Harry's year at Hogwarts, and one of his best friends. He opened up the letter.
Dear Harry,
How are you? I hope that things are going okay at your relatives' home this summer. I know how much you hate being there, but Dumbledore continues to assure us it is for your own good. We all miss you so much, and wish that you could be here with us, rather than all alone. Hopefully, you won't be away from us for too long.
Harry, I know you have already heard this from people, but you really shouldn't blame yourself for Sirius' death. He died protecting you, and from what Lupin has said, that is how he would have wanted to die. Harry, Sirius' death was the fault of Bellatrix. That vile witch is no better than her master, if not worse. If anyone should be blamed, it's her. Please don't take this out on yourself. I know it hurts now, but you need to let go, and remember the good times that you had with Sirius. When you remember those times, you'll see that it wasn't your fault Harry.
Please write me back. I was surprised when Hedwig showed up at my house. She knew you needed to hear from us, so please send her back, so we can continue to correspond between each other.
Love,
Hermione
Harry blinked back tears. Hermione was right. It was time for him to let go of the pain, and move on. Sirius wouldn't want him to mope around over his death. Harry resolved that the healing process had to begin. He turned to Ron's letter.
Harry,
Hey mate, how you doing? I know that this probably a pretty rough patch right now, but you can't beat yourself up about it Harry. I know Hermione's saying something about this too, so I don't see why you need to hear it again. Just remember that we're ready to talk to you if you need us.
In better news, the Chudley Cannons are finally starting to get somewhere in the Quidditch league standings. They're currently ranked fourth in the league, and if they continue winning at this rate, they could play in the championship! I can't wait. I'm sure my entire family is tired of my talking about Quidditch all the time, but I'm going nuts right now.
Sometimes, I think that I'm the only person who is happy these days. Fred and George moved out, and are living in an apartment above their shop in Diagon Alley. Mum's still worked up over Percy being a git, even after the Minister admitted he was wrong about You-Know-Who. Dad's hardly ever home, because the entire Ministry is working eighteen to twenty hour days trying to hunt down the Death Eaters. And Ginny won't stop crying. Dean wrote her last week, and said that he didn't think he could handle a long distance relationship, or a relationship with a younger girl. In truth, I think it's because he still has feelings for Parvati. I'd cut his arms off for what he did to Ginny, but in honesty, I'm glad. He wasn't right for her anyways. But of course, she won't stop crying, and when she does, she stills gets upset at the littlest things.
Well, I guess I'm rambling. Remember, you've got to move on. Hope to see you sometime later this summer.
RON
Harry folded up Ron's letter, and set it next to Hermione's. That was typical Ron. He was to the point, but he wasn't harsh. And of course, he always had to talk about Quidditch. Harry smiled as he thought about the adventures the three of them had had together in the past five years. Turning back to the remaining letters, he grabbed the Hogwarts letter, which felt rather heavy. He opened it to find two pieces of paper, plus a smaller envelope. He opened the first letter, and read it.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that term this year once again starts on September 1st. The Hogwarts Express will leave promptly at 10:30, so please be ready to go at that time. Upon arrival on the train, I would like you to meet with the rest of your "friends" in one of the forward compartments, where you will be briefed by one of the Headmaster's contacts.
Furthermore, I am pleased to inform you that your lifetime Quidditch ban has been removed, and I have talked with both Madam Hooch and Professor Dumbledore, and both feel that you are fully capable of taking on the position of Captain of the Gryffindor team. Your broomstick will be returned to you upon your arrival at Hogwarts.
Included in this letter are your Ordinary Wizarding Level results. Please mark the classes you wish to take on the list, and send it back to me, so I can issue you a book list for the upcoming semester.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Harry pulled out the other piece of paper, and started to read it.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Potter, Harry James
Total Number of O.W.L.s available: 14
(In exams with out a practical, only 1 grade is given)
Astronomy: Practical: D
Defense Against the Dark Arts: Practical: O, Theory: O
Herbology: Practical: E, Theory: E
Potions: Practical: E, Theory: O
Divination: Practical: D, Theory: A
Care of Magical Creatures: Practical: O, Theory: O
History of Magic: Theory: D
Charms: Practical: E, Theory: O
Congratulations Mr. Potter. You have received bonus points in both Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions, which count for a half point each. Therefore, you have received 12 of the possible 14 O.W.L.s. Congratulations once again, and good luck with your N.E.W.T.s!
Harry looked down in shock. While he had received excellent marks in most of his classes, he wasn't sure if his grade in Potions would be enough. He was close to the O for both parts, but would the E+ hold him back? If so, it was possible that Harry wouldn't be able to continue in his career path as an Auror. He scribbled a note to Professor McGonagall, asking about this, and then sealed it, before pulling out the Quidditch captain badge he had seen pinned on Wood's and Angelina's chests. He placed it on top of the clothes in his trunk, and turned to the last letter, the one carried by the mysterious owl that Harry now realized was an eagle owl. He broke the seal, and read the contents.
Harry Potter,
You do not know me, but I know of you. I know that you are the Boy-Who-Lived, and that you have survived against the Dark Lord five times before. I must warn you that the man plans your downfall still, and that he will stop at nothing until you are dead. I know of a man who can be trusted, who will train you to fight against Voldemort. Your Headmaster knows how to contact him. Just tell him that you have been told to find Julian McClaggan. He can train you in the art of weaponry, which will be helpful to you in your battle with him. In time, you will be ready to fight him. Seek out McClaggan, and remember, trust your friends.
Sincerely,
Z
Harry folded up the letter to look up as the black owl slowly guided out the window. Harry puzzled over the letter again, and then fell into a fitful sleep, still wondering about Sirius, Potions, and this mysterious Z person.
A/N: This was originally meant to be chapter one, but I read that JKR was originally going to use the beginning chapter HBP as the beginning of SS, so I turned this into the second chapter. Please review. I'll try to add at least one chapter every three days, but right now, I'm in a creative mood, so hopefully, there'll be a new chapter every day for a while. Eventually, I'm hoping to get into some heavier issues, and maybe even explore some relationships, if I can write them correctly. Please review. Thanks.
The Fifth Marauder
