An observer high above Privet drive will observe symmetry in everything below. So ordered, that it was unnerving. But every symmetry has its own share of chaos. Currently the chaos was mowing the lawn in front of no4 privet drive. Uncle Vernon wanted Harry to stay inside the house and stay put, but Harry insisted saying it would take his mind off things. And his mind has many things like Sirius, the prophecy and his friend's safety. Every year he wanted to get out dursley's as quickly as he can but this year he wanted to stay "Home" not because of safety but because he hated to get those sympathic glances, advices. He missed Sirius badly; he knew his only chance for a real family has passed to the other realm. The word family reminded him of the weasley's, Hermione, Prof Lupin, Hagrid and Dumbledore. He knew they meant good for him and would give up anything for him. But everyone had their own problems and it would be unfair if he dumps his problem on them. He was so lost in these thoughts that he overshot his lawn and was about to enter no 5. But a snicker from behind jolted him to senses, he turned around.

"I thought work was about keeping mind off things" said Tonks" you should have 'constant vigilance'".

"My problems are too simple to ignore" Harry said sarcastically. "Why are you here anyway, is it guard duty" added Harry indignantly.

"I am here to deliver a message, there is another guard not me" Tonks answered "and you need the protection anyway".

"I can take care of myself" Harry answered.

"This muggle neighborhood prevents me from testing how good you are at taking care of yourself" Tonks answered "anyway you are going to be shifted to the new headquarters' tomorrow".

"New headquarters'? What about grimauld place" asked Harry.

Tonks looked away and answered "After Sirius's death, the property is in dispute. So we moved out until that is resolved"

Harry looked down downcast and said "It's my fault isn't it"

Tonks held Harry's hand and said lightly "No one blames you for his death, Harry"

"I should have listened to Hermione" said Harry ruefully.

"We often act illogically if our loved ones are in trouble" Tonks said "time will heal everything"

Harry looked skeptical but said nothing

"Right, Dumbledore is coming to take you in a day or two. So my job here is over, let's go somewhere to eat before I leave"

"I don't want to be a burden" Harry said hesitantly.

Tonks laughed and dragged him towards magnolia crescent. They sat at a diner and Tonks ordered for both of them. She looked at Harry who was looking at her quizzically.

"Muggle and magical restaurants are similar, so why are you looking like that; moreover my dad is a muggleborn".

Harry looked gratified.

"So what owl results are you expecting?" Tonks asked.

"Except for history, I wrote everything else acceptably well. Defense was particularly good. I hope to become an auror like you but I am afraid that my potion score might be a problem"

"I don't expect that to be a problem for you. The auror crops will be more than willing to accommodate 'the boy who lived'" answered Tonks impishly "anyway you can always become a hit wizard if you are good at defense, they are a little below aurors but are heavily used for battles"

"How is Professor Lupin coping" asked Harry.

"He spends a lot of his time locked up in Buckbeak's room. He hardly speaks to anyone." Tonks answered sadly.

"Don't worry he will come around" she added without conviction.

"What is Voldemort doing" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore will tell you everything, Harry" Tonks answered evasively.

"Hiding information does nothing" Harry said angrily.

"I am under strict orders not to tell you anything"

"Whose"

"Molly"

"Mrs. Weasley!"

"Yes, she says you need rest before all this and I agree with her" concluded Tonks.

Harry grumbled but didn't say anything. After a quick pat on his back, Tonks disapparated. Harry walked home filled with thoughts. The moment he entered the house, aunt petunia called him for dinner, he declined and said he ate outside with a friend. He entered his bedroom ignoring his aunt's rants of wasting her work. He saw Hedwig was not in her perch.

Must be on a hunting expedition, mused Harry. He picked up the daily prophet lying on his bed and started rereading it. It was full of articles about fudge's incompetence and the corruption in the ministry. The editorials were all about how a change of leadership is needed at this critical juncture. He was mentioned in one or two articles, mainly as a victim of fudge's power tactics. He tossed the paper on the table and yawned. As he was about to lie down, Hedwig flew in, holding an envelope in her beak. He took the envelope from Hedwig and placed it on the table. He placed her on the perch and returned to the table. As He slit the envelope open, three letters fell out. He picked them up and read the first one.

Dear Harry,

How are you? Stupid question isn't it .My sources say that you have been deep in thought lately. Don't brood about Sirius too much. He wouldn't want you to be sad and depressed. Anyway to the good stuff, Hermione arrived at the burrow yesterday (her parents are attending a conference in New York). Ron is being a git as always. I am having fun with him by riling him about dean. Hermione is reading books as usual. And yes the BIG news, bill proposed to fleur yesterday. The wedding might be in the next month. I can't wait for it. I will see you soon. Eat well.

Bye

Ginny

Typical Ginny, short and sweet, Harry concluded. He went on the next one.

Dear Harry,

Are the muggles treating you well? We are moving to the new headquarters tomorrow. Dad said that you will also be coming tomorrow, so we can have a good time there. The twins are doing extremely well; they were even telling something about opening a branch in hogsmeade. They were inducted in the order, something about weapon development. Bill proposed to fleur. The wedding is in the next month. Mom is hyperactive and is thinking about names for babies already. Hermione came home yesterday, her folks went somewhere. I will be waiting for you tomorrow.

See you soon

Ron

Harry moved on to the next letter, he knew it would be from Hermione.

Dear Harry,

How are you doing? Are you still depressed? Please snap out of it Harry. Being depressed will not make life easier than it is. We want you to be happy for yourself. As for myself I am staying at the burrow. My parents have gone to New York to attend a medical conference. They wanted me to join them but I felt I would be more useful here, after all we have war on hands and I want to do my bit. I have some information about our new headquarters, It happens to be a mansion or villa with large grounds (there are planning a padlock for Buckbeak, so the grounds must be huge). I am reviewing for the next term, a little preparation before doesn't hurt. Ginny is having fun with Ron. Bill proposed to Fleur yesterday, I think the wedding is in the next month. I hope our new headquarters is good.

Take care

Love

Hermione

Harry put down the letter and stared into the ceiling as thoughts swirled in his mind. He thanked god for giving such good friends who cared for him deeply. He knew he had to defeat Voldemort for giving them a chance to lead life peacefully. As he fell into sleep, his thoughts were about how to defeat Voldemort.

HEADMASTERS OFFICE, HOGWARTS

Dumbledore was lost in thoughts as he stared into the fire. His thoughts were all on how Harry might be; he knew that he was pivotal in this second war. He even knew that this war will be short and bloody as Voldemort will move quickly to take out his only adversary. He knew preparing Harry as quickly he can is the only way to prevent this war to end as a disaster to the light. He feared for Harry because he knew Harry is brave but is no match to Voldemort in terms of power or knowledge. He cared for Harry as his own grandson. He vowed to protect Harry with his life. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Severus Snape entered his room looking tired and weary.

"Are you alright Severus, you look very tired" Dumbledore asked.

"I have been through worse before headmaster" replied Snape with a sneer.

"What happened at the meeting" asked Dumbledore.

"The dark lord was furious for some reason. He cursed every one present at the meeting; he said everyone was getting sloppy. He wanted the recruiting to happen quicker. He sent envoys to the vampires. He wanted me to prepare a potion which will render him immune to magical damage at least for time. He sent Bellatrix and a team of death eaters for an attack somewhere.

He is planning to test potter's defenses in a few days. He is assembling a team mostly consisting of new recruits and expendable death eaters."

Dumbledore was thinking furiously about what to do, he can place a strike team and take out the attack but they were in a position where Voldemort can lose a whole team but they cannot afford to lose even one member. He hit upon an idea and was pleased by it; he can kill two birds with a single stone. He will have to visit Cornelius later this night. His thoughts were broken by a cough; he totally forgot Severus was still here.

"Is there anything I can do for you Severus?" asked Dumbledore.

"You remember our talk before about that potter brat" Severus asked viciously.

"Yes, I remember about our talk about 'Harry' and I am still bent on teaching Harry myself" Dumbledore said

"You can ask that werewolf or moody to teach that brat, why do you want to do it" Severus asked.

"The magic I am going to teach Harry is advanced like occlumency and you what happened the last time I assigned someone else to teach him" Dumbledore replied.

Snape winced but didn't say anything and got up to leave, he glanced at the headmaster who was lost in thought again. He shook his head and left for his dungeons. The headmaster sat like that for sometime and then got and stepped into the fire and shouted "The ministry of magic".

OFFICE OF MINISTER OF MAGIC

Cornelius fudge was a nervous man these days. All that he feared had come true. He knew the public's confidence in him has plummeted to rock bottom. He alienated key figures opposed to Voldemort. The public knew nothing about the large donations he received from Lucius Malfoy, the moment they come to know of this he knew they will be after his head. He was waiting for an opportunity to improve his rating.

The opportunity was currently walking towards him in long striding steps. Dumbledore entered the room without knocking as he was sure that Cornelius will be more than willing to listen to him. As he saw Cornelius worried face that he was thinking about the predicament he was facing.

"Good evening Cornelius"

"Dumbledore how are you? Do you want me to do anything for you or Harry" fudge asked eagerly.

"Thank you, but your help is not needed right now for us. I am here to tell you something important. I have come to know from my sources that Voldemort is planning to attack Harry's house and I want the ministry's help to guard it."

"I will ask the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to post aurors around his house. Is there anything more I can do for you Dumbledore?" fudge asked. "That will be all Cornelius. I will see you later. Thank you"

As Dumbledore got up to leave, frantic person came barging into the room and shouted "Sir there has been an attack on Amelia bones". It took less than a second for Dumbledore to realize that it was Percy. Percy avoided making eye contact with Dumbledore and looked straight past him towards minister fudge.

"Is she alright?" fudge asked anxiously

"She was able to port key away to safety. None of the other family members were there but the house was destroyed. She contacted us and asked for auror reinforcements as her family might return home."

"Send a dozen aurors to the site. I will come later to inspect the site."

Percy turned on the heel and walked out of the room.

Dumbledore shook his head and apparated away

A/N : how is this story, this is my first fanfic so reviews are most welcome, flames are also welcome. i will update soon