FROM HEREAFTER

A/N: This will be a PG-13 rating, swearing and the like (not so much in this chapter but it will definitely come). If you are susceptible to offence in those areas do not read this as I would prefer to avoid abusive and negative reviews. There will be spoilers from all books. Can I take this opportunity to say that the proceedings in this Fan Fiction (people that hook up, etc) is a direct result of both my findings and beliefs about the books, and my own imagination. If you do not agree with certain "events" that occur, that's fine but I'm not changing it. However, constructive criticism and valid suggestions will always be welcome.Ahem ... I do not own the characters, themes, locations, etc; associated with J.K Rowling's Harry Potter. I do own all the new characters, themes, locations, etc.

CHAPTER ONE: SUSSEX RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE


Psychiatrist Daniel Buoy gripped his clip board to his chest nervously, his final test had come. He had managed to avoid everything but a forbidding scowl in the last few months; however, failure now would result in something much worse.

He was in a small research room inside Sussex Research and Development Centre – a place where nothing studied was ordinary. White was everywhere, even his clip board. It had often reminded him of a hospital, only that no life saving happened here.

Daniel remembered when he had been offered the job. He had rejoiced at what he thought was tremendous good fortune. The money was excellent, his future career held infinite possibilities once his research ended. But Daniel had soon found out that riches and grand aspirations tended to come at a cost. In hindsight, Daniel could now easily say that he would prefer poverty to the anguish that had become his life. He was trapped.

The doctor looked through the one sided mirror into the occupant on the other side. He had spent the last six months studying this individual, and was yet to make any great feat or discovery of both their condition, and their purpose. Nevertheless, ready or not the researchers had grown impatient. Daniel shuddered and tried to push his fear from his mind - he needed to concentrate. One of the more callous researchers smirked at his shudder, "Are you ready?"

"Ye-yes," he choked.

Another smirk. "Then go in. You have ten minutes."

The doctor stumbled toward the door.

"Oh, and Mr. Buoy?" Daniel turned around. "Do not disappoint us."

He gulped loudly and walked toward the door. His hands were sweaty and the first time he tried to turn the door knob it slipped out of his hand. He took a deep breath and hunted inside himself for at least a scrap of courage. It did not come, but he went through anyway.

He kept his eyes at his feet and moved forward. He stopped when he estimated he was roughly a metre from the large brass bed. Following the regular routine he slowly looked up, first at her small feet, then knees, elbows, shoulders, her face ... her eyes.

He threw his head away instantly as her piercing aqua eyes split through him. He felt her filling his head, trying to grab his thoughts. Terrible childhood memories began filtering through his head; she stopped at one she hadn't seen. He was twelve; his uncle was smiling at him in a covetousness manner. No ... concentrate, he pushed himself. He did not want to relive those memories. Not now.

Daniel felt her leave his mind and he breathed a sigh of relief. He looked back up tentatively; she was looking at her hands. Good, he thought, she's willing to co-operate today.

"How are you today, Delilah?"

She said nothing, as always. He continued, "Today is going to be slightly different."

She gave a little smile but it didn't reach her eyes.

"You see, Delilah-"

"When they took me from my mother," her soft, eerie voice floated through the air, "she sang; not a happy song, no. A sad song - a song for the lonely and wronged."

He looked at her quizzically. She often spoke in conundrums and he was about to disregard it when she added, "When they kill you, what song will your mother sing?"

A feeling of cold dread ran through Daniel and the white clipboard fell to the floor. He opened his mouth to say something but it felt rusty and dry all of a sudden.

"You are a good man, so I will give you a chance," Delilah looked up at him and he was spared the normal pain associated with her gaze, "in fact two chances."

"Wh-what do ... what do you mean?" he stuttered in absolute terror, partly at what he was being told and partly at the fact that she was saying so much. He considered himself a success if he managed a five word sentence from her.

"I will let you ask me two questions. If you ask the right ones, they might let you go." She looked at the mirror, knowing they were on the other side.

She never lied. She always knew. They were going to kill him. Daniel's mind was buzzing. He had to choose his words carefully. He had to ask questions that had not been answered yet. Something valuable, so he in turn would be considered valuable. Yes, he thought, I know one! He quickly structured how he was going to ask her, "keep it simple, Daniel, you always overcomplicate things," that's what his father had always said.

"Umm ... alright. In your nightmares ... ah ... you always scream about powerful peoples, creatures ... I mean are they real? No! No! I mean, who, what are they?"

Her face showed a little apprehension, she composed herself quickly and a disturbing gleam broke out in her eye.

"They are everything," she slid off the bed and took a small step toward him, "every horror you ever dreamt was under your bed at night but told yourself couldn't be by the very light of day - it's all real." She had a spiteful smile on her face. Not to be cruel, but to place emphasis on her words.

Daniel was shaking; she took another step toward him so he could see the fading freckles on her young face. And as he looked into her eyes an image of what she once was flashed in his mind. He could see her as clearly then as he did now. She was a happy girl, with pigtails and a pink bathing suit playing at the beach under the sun. At that moment, he felt more pity for her than he had ever felt for anyone in his life. She was only a little girl when they took her, and now, almost an adult.

He was pulled out of his silent reverie by the movement on the other side of the mirror. Chairs racking quickly, keys clinking together. The researchers were coming in for him. If Delilah heard the movement, she was ignoring it.

"They are coming," she whispered.

"I know … they're coming inside now!"

"No Doctor, not the researchers … when they come, you'll know. And let's hope He's ready." She walked back to the bed and slid herself back on.

"Who is 'He'?" Daniel asked.

"Is that your second question?"

"I ... well, I'm not sure."

"Be sure. There are no second chances after this."

The door was shaking now, the researchers were trying to open the door but for some reason - unsuccessfully. Delilah was stopping them. He looked at her desperately, he did not want to die. "Please ... help me! I have a little girl, she needs me! My wife!"

"I am helping you, Doctor. Now, is that your final question?"

There was screaming on the other side now. He looked at her, "What did I do wrong? I don't understand! I did everything right, didn't I?"

"You asked the wrong question," Delilah said, her eyebrows raised.

"But I don't understand, what-"

"Doctor, is that your final question?"

There was a loud bang and a hole was put through the door, splinters shattered everywhere. Delilah flew her hand up and the door stood still as hands tried to grope for the handle through the hole. Daniel fell to the ground sobbing. She looked at him half pityingly, half disgustedly. She walked over to him and pulled him to his feet.

"I will help you, but there is only one way."

"O-okay," Daniel said through terrified sobs.

"You must go to Him. He lives in Privet Drive, Surrey."

"Who is 'Him'? How am I meant to get out of here!?"

The door splintered another hole and for the first time Delilah looked scared.

"Give Him this," she handed him a thick envelope from under her night gown, "do not attempt to read it. You must give it to Him."

"How did you get this?" She scowled at his enquiry.

"What house number? What does He look like?" Daniel tried.

"They will hide Him, you will not see Him at first … they will hide Him! But you must find Him! Are you ready? You'll have to run!"

Daniel was petrified. At that moment, he doubted if he would be able to move his legs. Delilah closed her eyes as if bracing herself for a tidal wave, the door finally broke off its hinges and there was a flash of light and thunder and the researchers were thrown back through the air against the wall on the other side, there was several loud crunches as their bones broke on impact.

"Run!" Delilah screamed.

Daniel forced his legs to move. He ran past the broken researchers but then quickly turned back again, "You didn't answer my last question, who is He?"

It was too late, the guards had come and she had been shot with a sedative. He ran for his life. Through corridors, down stair wells, vaguely aware of the loud sirens and shouts coming from levels above him.

He smashed into two security guards that were blocking the customer enquiry entrance. He fell to the ground but quickly pulled himself back to his feet and ran on before they had a chance to realise it was he who had caused the current havoc in the building. He kept running until he was out of the building, safely in his car and doing 100 miles down the freeway.

He then allowed his mind to stop for a moment. He pulled over quickly to be sick on the side of the road. He had escaped death ... just. Daniel gagged again when he realised they would come looking for him. It wasn't over. He knew too much about them.

Once Daniel had calmed himself, he pulled out his map directory to look for the best road to Surrey. Once driving along he allowed himself to ask his last question one more time to the night air, "Who is He?" While back at Sussex Research and Development Centre a child seer was whispering the same four words over and over, drifting in and out of a restless sleep - "the boy who lived ..."


Harry Potter had been awake all night. He hadn't had a decent sleep for what felt like years now. Night always seemed to be the time when his mind became the most dangerously creative – unsavory concepts and images running through his mind. Mysterious events that would only end at daybreak when reality came back into his bedroom.

He feared sleep now. In the past he had hated it, but never feared it. But before, he hadn't had his Godfather's death to deal with. Sirius Black's face flashed through Harry's mind whenever he shut his eyes. So Harry didn't shut them - when he could help it. He leant over to turn on the lamp and looked at his watch - three am. He would fall asleep soon; his body wouldn't last much longer. The lack of sleep made him even more temperamental than usual. He was constantly going off at his uncle. Sometimes it frightened him, the things that came out of his mouth in his tired rage. A single tear ran down his face as he grieved over what was coming. Adding a silent prayer to never offend his cousin, Dudley, again if he was spared dreams tonight.


"What on Earth are you on about man!?" Vernon Dursley's voice boomed through the street.

"I told you sir, I am from Sussex Research and Development Centre and am required to gather all registry information of each member of the household for a census," Doctor Daniel Buoy lied.

"But we're not bloody with-"

"I know sir, but we must do it anyway. It is the law."

"Oh come in for Christ sake the neighbors are staring. I expect you'll be pestering them next?" Mr. Dursley complained.

"Ah ... yes sir."

"Well sit in here, don't touch anything, and I'll fetch the family."

Mr. Dursley left the doctor in the lounge. Daniel had been to the three previous houses and had failed to meet anybody who appeared to be connected in anyway to Delilah. He looked at the mantle and saw family pictures of Mr. Dursley, what appeared to be his wife and a large blonde headed boy who could only be their son.

"Alright, let's get this over with," the ruffled Mr. Dursley said coming back into the room with his tall, thin wife and extremely thickset son.

"Wonderful! Firstly, your name and date of birth on these pieces of paper," Daniel explained in his practiced, psychiatrist voice. "Then, under that you will see questions such as "occupation", "hobbies", and some questions of your past. Nothing too difficult."

The son humphed. It was quiet for a couple of minutes and only the scratching of pencils from the Dursley's could be heard - aside from the boy occasionally looking at his mother for help, "Not 'conscious' darling, 'conscientious'."

Then Daniel felt someone's eyes on the back of his head. He turned around and saw a tall, burly looking teenage boy with messy jet black hair, striking green eyes and small lightning shaped scar on his forehead. He had just woken up, Daniel could tell by the boy's attire. Daniel looked over at the clock on the wall, it was noon.

"What are you doing here boy?!" Mr. Dursley boomed.

The boy simply raised his eyebrows, "I live here."

Mr. Dursley began to turn an interesting shade of purple. "Get in the damn kitchen! Sorry Doctor, just my nephew, very disturbed, doesn't like meeting strangers, ha-ha!"

The boy just shook his head and walked off down the hall with Mr. Dursley walking backwards trying to hide him.

They'll hide him ... "Wait! Mr. Dursley, everyone must do the questionnaire," Daniel said.

Mr. Dursley stopped in his spot and began spluttering. "But - well I mean ... he's disturbed," claimed Mr. Dursley, tapping his head for effect.

The boy walked in front of his uncle and held out his hand for the questionnaire. Daniel quickly handed it over and the boy went into the lounge to join his aunt and cousin. The Dursley's son looked up at the black haired boy with loathing, but quickly hid it behind his questionnaire when his cousin looked down to meet his eyes.

Mr. Dursley reluctantly walked back into the room but kept throwing suspicious looks at his nephew. The scratching of pencils continued. After a couple of minutes Daniel dared himself to look at the strange boy. He was looking at the questionnaire with a frown. The doctor caught a look at the paper. The boy hadn't written anything.

"Is there something wrong … ? Sorry, what's your name?"

The boy looked at him suspiciously, "Harry."

Daniel could see the boy's reserve, and so did not press for a last name. He put on his best psychiatrist voice, "Well what is the problem, Harry?"

"Most of these questions the government would already know. And the rest ... how exactly are they important?"

"Don't be smart boy or-" Mr. Dursley was cut of by a sharp glare from Harry. They're all scared senseless of him. They hide it behind indifferent facial expressions, but I can tell. And this Harry, he's a clever boy, Daniel thought.

He didn't need to dance around it anymore. He needed to get back to his family and run away to Belgium or Luxembourg. This was the one. This was 'Him'.

"This is for you," the doctor reached into his jacket and handed over the envelope.

Harry's eyebrows rose and he shot an apprehensive glance at Daniel when he saw the crest imprinted on the envelope. "Guard it with your life," Daniel said.

"What is this?" Mr. Dursley demanded.

"I must go now, thank you for your time," Daniel leapt for the door and was out before Mr. Dursley could even hand him the questionnaires. Harry made for the stairs before his uncle could demand to see the envelope.

"Come down here boy! Was he one of your lot? I don't want more weirdos and freaks in this house than there-"

"Oh, just bugger off." Harry slammed his bedroom door behind him.


"C'mon Dad," Ronald Weasley grumbled. "We haven't heard from in days, let's go out and get him!"

"Ron, I won't hear of it," Arthur Weasley said. "There are people keeping an eye on him, and it's only been three days."

"Yeah, but he's got no one to talk to! If he doesn't talk to a normal person he'll go bonkers!"

"Then we better keep you away from him," Fred cheeked.

"Your father's right Ron, Hedwig isn't a machine you know, she can't just go back and forth between everyone," Molly Weasley added.

"But Hermione's gonna be here tomorrow-"

"So you'll have company and won't need Harry!" Mrs. Weasley snapped.

"It won't be the same," Ron said in a quiet voice.

"Don't worry about Harry, like I said - there are people keeping an eye on him," Mr. Weasley said.

"Yeah, 'cause he really liked that last time," Ron muttered sarcastically.

"Things are different now, he understands."

"Yeah, easy for you to say! He was dark on me and Hermione for days."

"It won't be like that this time."

"Whatever," Ron mumbled. "But if he hasn't written back by Friday then we go get him, agreed?"

"If he hasn't replied by Friday we will send an owl to Dumbledore and see what he says," Mr. Weasley said.

Ron sighed loudly in defeat and headed for the back door of The Burrow.

It was a nice day. The sun was shinning brightly and there was a slow cool breeze. Perfect Quidditch conditions.

Ron made a beeline for his younger sister, Ginny. She was trying to convince the garden gnomes into trying a Snackbox, a creation of Fred and George's. She was sitting amongst several large planting pots that had holes in them. The gnomes were sticking their heads out of the pots to blow raspberries at Ginny, and then quickly huddling back down in a fit of giggles.

She looked up when Ron reached her, "Any luck?"

"Nup, they're being all reasonable and stuff."

"Well," Ginny said with mock indignation, "you get the axe and I'll find a nice big hole-"

"Yeah, thanks I get it. They just don't understand," Ron said shaking his head.

"Don't understand what?"

"Every time Harry comes back from that place ... it's just ... he's different. All quiet and stuff. It's not good for him especially since Sirius died."

"Ron, Harry won't be the person he was six months ago ever again."

"Yeah I know, but he's the best friend I've ever had. He's the only person that actually values my opinion."

Ginny rolled her eyes at his melodrama.

"I just feel like this is the last time that me and Harry are gonna get to be ... well, kids." Ginny looked at her brother in surprise at his voicing his despair.

Ginny clasped her hand on her brother's shoulder, "Don't worry. He always ends up with us."

"Yeah..."

"But hey, your girlfriend's coming tomorrow, right? That's gotta count for something," Ginny teased in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Ron's ears went pink. "She's not my girlfriend! She's ... she's ... I mean she's Hermione!"

Ginny rolled her eyes, "How many times a day do you have to tell yourself that?"


"Fred, she's just my friend!" a very irritated Ron shouted.

"Mm-hm, yeah that's why you actually brushed your hair today," Fred said.

"Why you're going all red?" George added.

"Oh, will you two stop goading your brother!" Mrs. Weasley yelled closing the front door behind her.

"Who's goading who?" Hermione Granger walked into the Weasley lounge looking very alluring in a denim skirt and white tank top.

Ron went even redder than before and cursed at her bad timing. Fred and George looked as though Christmas had come six months early. "Wonderful to see you Hermione."

"Yes, just magnificent to se-"

"Alright boys we're not playing that game today," Mrs. Weasley intervened. "Don't you have to get to your shop?"

"Right you are mum, be back about eight." With that Fred apparated out of the lounge, but not before throwing a beguiling smile at Hermione.

George looked around at Ron mischievously. "Be a good boy, Ronnikins," he said.

George apparated quickly after his twin before the photo frame thrown by Ron could hit him. Mrs. Weasley caught it with her wand. "Ron!" She placed it back on the mantel and turned to Hermione;

"Well Ginny's out with her father but Ron can help you with your stuff. I've got get to the Ministry to meet Percy." Mrs. Weasley looked elated at this, but Ron scowled. Mrs. Weasley buffed her hair up before walking out with a smile on her face.

Once they were alone Hermione threw her arms around Ron. "Oh Ron, I've been practically dying."

"Wh-what?"

"I mean, not knowing what's going on with V-Voldemort."

Ron cringed but Hermione ignored it. "And poor Harry! He's coming isn't he? It won't be the same if he doesn't."

"Yeah, I know. Mum and Dad are being gits. I've been trying to bait Fred and George into just going to get him themselves after work," said Ron.

Hermione laughed as if he hadn't been being serious. Ron just grabbed her luggage and headed up the stairs. She followed quickly behind, talking a mile a minute.

"Oh I want to know what I got on my O.W.Ls! You know we can't pick our subjects 'till we get the results. I hope I get into Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, I mean, it looks great on your ... oh wow, Ginny painted the room. Lilac though. Don't know about that."

"Yeah well, it could be worse," Ron observed. "She gets bored easily."

Hermione sat on the spare bed and looked up at Ron cautiously, "So has Percy changed his mind about you all again?"

"Don't know, but I reckon so. He sent Hermes with a note saying "he wished to speak to his mother in regards to Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore" as if he was a stranger or something, git."

"Well your mum seems happy about it."

"Yeah, they've all been crawling back. The ministry members and all those old family friends that called us fools. No apologies though, you see that would be beneath them. Mum and Dad put up with so much s-"

"Well at least things are settling down now," Hermione said quickly.

"Yeah," Ron wanted to change the subject, "Do you want to go play Quidditch? You can borrow one of Fred or George's old brooms from school. They never use them anymore - too busy."

"Umm ... actually, I was wondering if I could borrow Pig."

Ron looked at her suspiciously. "Why?"

"Well, I need to send a letter to Viktor. He's coming to England for Christmas and I asked your mum on the way here if I could stay at The Burrow so I can see him," Hermione said very quickly.

"Yeah, yeah I'll go get him," said Ron looking quite obviously dejected.

"He's bringing his girlfriend with him," Hermione added. Ron turned around quickly.

"But I thought ... I mean he writes to you all the time."

"Yeah I know, I don't think he gets on with his parents' real well," Hermione said offhandedly. Ron let a relieved smile escape his lips, and was pleased when it was returned.


Harry had been pacing his room all day waiting for Hedwig to come back from hunting. He had to send an owl to Dumbledore at once. He threw a nervous look over to the envelope on his desk. He new better than to open it but curiosity was beginning to get the better of him. Harry couldn't believe a muggle had got a hold of something like that. If it was genuine that is. It could be fake. He didn't know.

There was a low growl from Harry's stomach. It was the third in half an hour and he decided to take the hint and headed downstairs to see if his Aunt had made dinner yet. Besides, he needed a distraction. There was no one in the house but Dudley and his rat faced friend Piers who were sitting in the kitchen smoking. Harry thought this was very stupid as his Aunt and Uncle were sure to smell it the moment they got home. But then, Dudley was never the brightest crayon in the box.

"Where are your parents?" Harry asked.

"Out," Dudley reluctantly answered.

"Do you know when they'll be back?"

"No."

Harry held his cousin's gaze in a silent duel until Dudley dropped his head in defeat. Harry headed for the fridge and saw some chocolate biscuits. He pulled them out and headed for the lounge.

"Dad'll crack his nut when he sees you've taken his biscuits," Dudley said with a little more confidence than he had had these last couple of days, perhaps because Piers was there.

"Well," Harry said indifferently, "we can only hope."

Dudley muttered something under his breath and Piers laughed appreciatively. Harry ignored it and flicked the television on. He went through the channels before stopping at Eastenders.

He'd been watching for a few minutes when he heard Dudley and Piers moving in the kitchen. He faintly heard their whispers.

"Don't be a whimp Big D," Piers was saying, "Bloody hell Dud, you used to get into him more than anyone."

"Yeah ... but ... but ... Mum'll get pissed."

"Since when have they cared about him? C'mon..."

Harry slowly put the biscuits down. Although he wasn't afraid of Dudley, he knew that Dudley's fear of Harry's wand would lose out to his desire to not look weak in front of his friends. Particularly Piers.

Harry listened and waited for Dudley to give into Piers. A part of Harry wanted a chance to really get Dudley for all the things he had done to him over the years. But another part of him was ringing alarm bells. He couldn't afford to have another strike against his name; otherwise they would expel him for sure. After a couple of minutes Harry heard the floor boards creak under Dudley's massive weight as he headed for him.

"Hey Potter."

Harry stood up but was careful to keep himself a good distance from Dudley's beefy arms.

"Me and Piers have been talking, and we think-"

"Wow," Harry said in mock awe.

Dudley looked confused. "What?"

"You had a logical thought? Was it your first?"

Dudley went red and in his silence, Piers stepped forward. "You got guts Potter!" Piers spitted out.

"Yeah! Just like Dad always says, bloody ungrateful! We should throw you out!" Dudley added furiously.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"And why is that?"

"This place would lose all it's worth," Harry said, his voice dripping with venom.

"Gee, arrogant much." Dudley and Piers turned around looking for the owner to that comment. Fred and George appeared from behind the door.

"Well haven't you got a hug for your heroes," Fred said smiling at Harry.

"Obviously not, you know being Dumbledore's Golden Boy - thinks himself above the rest of us mere mortals," George added.

Fred looked at Dudley knowingly, "It goes to their head power does."

Harry beamed at them. "I'll get my stuff."

"Whoa, he's presumptuous too," Fred said.

"Not a good mix," George said.

"Well ... you came to get me, right?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't stop you from being presumptuous."

Harry laughed, "Fine, so I'll go get my stuff. Are we going to The Burrow?"

"Sure are!" George yelled up the stairs after Harry. Dudley and Piers cowered in the corner ("Who the hell are they, Dud?") and Dudley bit his tongue hard. The twins noticed.

"Hungry?"


"Fred and George are running late tonight," Mrs. Weasley commented. "Ginny dear, go look at the clock to see where they are."

Ginny stood up from the dinner table and headed for the lounge, "They're traveling."

"Good, so Hermione dear. How are your parents?"

"Better than Harry's cousin I'd wager," Fred said as he apparated into the kitchen.

"Fred! Will. You. Stop. Doing. That." Mrs. Weasley said a hand over her heart.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked.

"Now mum don't get annoyed but we-"

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed, running to him and throwing her arms around his neck, hiding Harry's face in a bush of hair.

"- saved Harry." Fred finished.

"Fred and George Weasley! We said no! Dumbledore is going to be furious! You two apparate to your father at the Ministry this instant and tell him what you've done!"

"Yes mum."

"Okay mum," They both said timidly and left with a resounding pop.

"I ... I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, I can go back," Harry said a little dolefully.

Harry wasn't ready for what happened next. Mrs. Weasley burst into loud retching tears, ripped Hermione off him and took him into her arms. Harry was terrified.

"Oh you poor hiccup boy! I've been so worried hiccup about you!" She pulled away from him a little to look up at him. "Oh you poor, poor, poor beautiful boy! You're so brave!"

"Mum you're freaking him out," Ron said. "Shit, you're freaking me out."

"Language Ronald!"

"I'm okay Mrs. Weasley, honest," Harry lied. He wasn't totally okay, but a life threatening bear hug from Mrs. Weasley sure as hell wouldn't help the situation. Ron, fortunately, came up and peeled his mum off Harry and led her sobbing, into the lounge room.

"Oh Harry, I'm so glad you're here! We really have been worried you know," Hermione said.

"Well don't worry, I'm surviving," Harry said. A part of Harry resented all that worry everyone had for him. He wasn't keen to be wrapped in cotton wool again. But then he was appreciative of their concern.

Ron came back into the kitchen beaming at Harry, "I've missed you mate. No one to play Quidditch with."

Harry laughed at Ron's minimalism as Hermione glared. That was what always drew Ron to Harry, he never fussed - just appreciated the little things and let the big things happen naturally.

"I've missed you guys too."


A black haired woman stood in a dark, dim room - waiting. She wore an apathetic look, but those that were familiar with this room new better. A brave face was necessary … vital.

All of a sudden one of the doors to the woman's right opened and a small mouse like man with grey, watery eyes came out.

"He-he's r-ready," he said.

The woman stepped forward through the door. It was ridiculously hot in this small room. The fire was blazing despite the fact it was the middle of summer. A large snake was curled up on a fluffy green rug by the fire, it luckily, ignored her presence.

"Have you found it Bella," a cold, bodiless voice sliced through the air.

"No, my lord."

"And why is that?"

"The muggle researcher we have under the Imperious Curse saw the seer give it to the new psychiatrist. We can't find him."

All of a sudden the air became very crisp and cool. Bellatrix Lestrange knew that wasn't a good thing.

"If that muggle-loving-fool gets those documents Bella..."

"I-I know m-my lord. We wi-will find him. We could use the seer?"

"No, leave her there for now."

"But my lord, surely she would be more useful here?"

He laughed at her ignorance, "In theory, yes. But it would be more trouble than she's worth to try and steal her. Dumbledore is aware of her existence now. He watches, and waits for us to go to her."

"My, lord," Bellatrix mumbled softly, "What of the boy?"

"He'll die soon enough."


Harry woke the next morning in a slightly better mood. Being at The Burrow had always made him feel happy, like he was apart of a family. Harry and Ron headed down to breakfast late and Hermione and Ginny were in deep conversation that ended abruptly as the girls saw them. Hermione avoided Ron's eye and went slightly red when Ginny let out a few giggles.

"Sleep well Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, best for a while."

"Have you been having dreams again?" Hermione asked in a concerned voice.

"No," Harry lied. He wanted to enjoy his stay here and too much talk of Voldemort, he knew, would change the mood significantly. The look in Hermione's eyes though, were indicating an investigation was about to take place. Harry was saved however, by the arrival of three large barn owls landing on the table from the open window.

"There from Hogwarts!" Hermione squeaked. "It must be our O.W.L. results."

A rush of cold blood ran through Harry, he hadn't been looking forward to this. Although he was confident about his Defense Against the Dark Arts mark, he had little confidence in the others.

"Oh God, I can't read mine," Ron said holding his envelope up in a similar way you would a Howler. Like it was going to bite your arm off.

"Harry you read mine, I'll read yours Ron and Harry give yours to Ron," Hermione said.

"Okay," Harry choked.

He looked at the envelope addressed to Hermione at The Burrow as Hermione looked at Ron's.

"Wait! We'll go one at a time. Harry you read Hermione's first, okay?" Ron said.

Harry opened the envelope. Hermione was as pale as the moon. He pulled the pieces of paper apart until he got to the relevant one.

"Okay ... Charms first. Theory," Harry smiled at her, "Outstanding." Hermione paled a little less and let out a small smile.

"Keep going," she said.

"Practical, Outstanding."

"That's tops Hermione," said Ron shaking his head.

"Keep going!" Hermione said, smiling brightly now.

"Potions - Theory, Outstanding; Practical, Outstanding."

"Oh yay!" Hermione squealed gleefully, "I was worried about that one."

"Astronomy - Exceeds Expectations advanced to Outstanding. What does that mean?"

"I thought they'd do that," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Take the marks up, because we were interrupted remember? Umbridge tried to get Hagrid?"

"Oh yeah," Ron said, "Cool. I might pass now."

"Keep going Harry," Hermione said.

"Arithmancy - Theory, Outstanding; Practical, Outstanding. Transfiguration - Theory, Outstanding, Practical, Exceeds Expectations ("Oh no!"). History of Magic - Outstanding. Care of Magical Creatures – Outstanding. Herbology – Outstanding. Last one," Harry said. "Defense Against the Dark Arts - Theory, Outstanding; Practical, Outstanding."

"Jesus Hermione, that was better than Percy!" Ron said.

Hermione was beaming.

"Wait there's more," Harry said. "It says: Congratulations, you have received a total of 12 O.W.L's. You must now select your subjects for 6th Year. Remember that you can only do up to five subjects for your two years of NEWT's. So if you have been accepted into more than 5, you must decide which ones you would like. Congratulations Miss Granger, you have been accepted into NEWT Level Charms, NEWT Level Potions, NEWT Level Astronomy, NEWT Level Arithmancy, NEWT Level Transfiguration, NEWT Level Herbology, NEWT Level Care of Magical Creatures, NEWT Level History of Magic & NEWT Level Defense Against the Dark Arts. You are also one of 20 students who have been offered a place in the NEWT Level Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. Well Hermione you got into everything, what are you gonna do?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," she said ecstatically and slightly overwhelmed. "I can't wait to tell my parents!"

"Tell them later! Read mine," Ron demanded impatiently.

"Okay," Hermione ripped open Ron's letter. "Charms - Theory, Outstanding; Practical, Outstanding. Potions - Theory, Acceptable; Practical, Acceptable."

At this Ron did a little leap and "Whoo-hoo!" in the air. Harry laughed appreciatively.

"Astronomy - Acceptable advanced to Exceeds Expectations. Divination - Theory, Acceptable, Practical, Exceeds Expectations."

"An "E"," Ron exclaimed. "Yes!"

"Transfiguration - Theory, Acceptable, Practical, Exceeds Expectations. History of Magic - Poor. Ron! Didn't you study!?"

"Well, no."

Hermione was about to lecture but obviously changed her mind.

With a scorn on her face she continued. "Defense Against the Dark Arts - Theory, Outstanding; Practical, Outstanding. Herbology – Outstanding ("God, that was the easiest subject ever."). Care of Magical Creatures – Outstanding. "Congratulations, you have received a total of 6 O.W.L's. You must now select your subjects for 6th Year. Remember that you can only do up to five subjects for your two years of NEWT's. So if you have been accepted into more than 5, you must decide which ones you would like. Congratulations Mr. Weasley, you have been accepted into NEWT Level Charms, NEWT Level Astronomy, NEWT Level Divination, NEWT Level Transfiguration, NEWT Level Herbology, NEWT Level Care of Magical Creatures & NEWT Level Defense Against the Dark Arts. You are also one of 20 students who have been offered a place in the NEWT Level Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Wow, that was pretty good ... I doubled Fred and George! Yep, I'm happy with that. Hey at least I got into ADADA. Okay Harry, your turn.'

Harry groaned. "Mate, if I can do it so can you," Ron said.

"Alright. Charms - Theory, Exceeds Expectations; Practical, Outstanding. Good job, Harry! Okay what's next ... right. Potions - Theory, Outstanding ... WHAT! I studied way more than you for Potions! I even sacrificed History of Magic!"

"Ron, I'm just as surprised as you," Harry said in sincerity hardly believing it. How on Earth did that happen? Harry thought.

"Keep going Ron!" Hermione ordered, looking a little resentful.

"Practical - Acceptable," Ron said a little bitterly. 'You know, you're going to get into Potions now, you've only gotta get an "O" for one of the exams and Snape puts you through."

"Ron just keep going!" Hermione shouted.

"Okay, okay. Astronomy - Acceptable advanced to Exceeds Expectations. Divination - Theory, Acceptable; Practical, Acceptable. Transfiguration – Theory, Exceeds Expectations; Practical, Exceeds Expectations. History of Magic - HUH! You got a Poor too! See Hermione, it was a crap exam!"

"Actually, I left earlier ... but yeah crap exam," Harry said quickly at the look on Ron's face.

"Moving on," Ron said glaring at Harry, but only half seriously. "Defense Against the Dark Arts - Oh mate this is yours ... Theory, Outstanding; Practical, Outstanding. Herbology – Outstanding ("So easy."). Care of Magical Creatures – Outstanding. "Congratulations, you have received a total of 6 O.W.L's. You must now select your subjects for 6th Year. Remember that you can only do up to five subjects for your two years of NEWT's. So if you have been accepted into more than 5, you must decide which ones you would like. Congratulations Mr. Potter, you have been accepted into NEWT Level Charms, NEWT Level Astronomy, NEWT Level Potions … see I told you! Yeah Hermione I know! Keep going … NEWT Level Divination, NEWT Level Transfiguration, NEWT Level Herbology, NEWT Level Care of Magical Creatures & NEWT Level Defense Against the Dark Arts. You are also one of 20 students who have been offered a place in the NEWT Level Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Well done Harry, especially considering-"

"Wait there's more," Ron said. "Oh Mary, Jesus and Joseph ... I'm surrounded by nerds."

"What?" Hermione said.

"Congratulations Mr. Potter," Ron recited. "You are the first person in the history of O.W.L's to receive a perfect score on The Defense Against the Dark Arts Examination."


A/N: So that's Chapter One, hope you liked it. Obviously I'm just setting up the story's foundations, but don't worry there will be more about our favourite characters soon. If you have any requests or questions, review please! I need encouragement!

AbundantFear :-)