A/N: I don't own this stuff. The stuff I write is a combination of my own theories/stories and stuff JKR has hinted at… so please, enjoy.
Chapter 1: The End of Privet Drive
Harry tried to keep the scratching of his quill on the paper as minimal as possible. But trying to write three separate letters as fast as he could was not an easy task. Harry had been cooped up at Four Privet Drive for four weeks now, and Lord Voldemort was still on the loose. Aunt Petunia knew what would happen if Harry left this house, however. Harry's mother, Lily, died protecting her son. Her blood, the same blood that runs through Aunt Petunia, is part of a powerful spell that has kept Harry safe for sixteen years. Harry paused, and quickly reread his letter. Harry couldn't tell Ron anything specific, or ask any specific questions, because Harry wasn't sure who might intercept the letter. He was also sending a letter to Hermione, which was nearly identical to Ron's. His last letter, however, was a bit different.
Normally this letter would be going to Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. But Sirius had died last June, fighting Death Eaters in the Ministry of Magic. This next letter Harry was sending to Professor Lupin. After Sirius had died, Lupin stepped in as Harry's unofficial guardian. Harry missed Sirius desperately, and couldn't help but blame himself for his death. If Harry hadn't been so keen and willing to break school rules to talk to him, maybe none of this would have happened.
But it did happen, Harry told himself. Tying the pieces of parchment to Hedwig's leg, he let her out and watched her soar into the moonlight. And now, all Harry could do was wait. Harry checked the clock on his bedside table. 12:05. Harry's heart jumped. He had been sixteen for nearly five minutes and he hadn't even known it. Humming the birthday song to himself, Harry picked the lock on his bedroom door and slowly crept downstairs, being careful not to step on the creaky step at the bottom of the stairs. Harry got himself a glass of water and a piece of cake from the fridge. It wasn't his cake, it was Dudley's. Dudley has just won the Super-Heavyweight title in boxing, and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon decided to celebrate this win as often as they could.
The bushes outside rustled, and Harry's ears perked up like a dog. He dropped his glass and plate into the sink, and moved towards the window. He looked out, and saw nothing. But he had heard something. Maybe all this talk of Lord Voldemort's return was turning Harry crazy, or even worse, just like Mad-Eye Moody. Harry sighed, figuring it was just the wind, and turned around. It was probably another member of the Order checking up on him. Harry had seen them everywhere since the end of the term. He saw Tonks wink at him while she walked by, pretending to walk a dog. Kingsley Shacklebolt came to the door pretending to be a door-to-door salesmen, and even asked Harry how he was doing before Aunt Petunia came to the door and shut it in Kinsley's face. Professor McGonagall came, even though she was in her Animagus form, a cat. Harry even thought he saw Professor Dumbledore himself, but the second Harry tried to do a double-take he was gone.
The bushes outside rustled again, but this time, Harry was positive it wasn't the wind. He took his wand out from his back pocket and was in ready position in case anyone unwanted showed up. Harry wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do if someone unwanted showed up. He couldn't perform any magic, he was still underage for another year. He had already broken the Decree for Underage Wizardry three times already, but he hadn't gone into any serious trouble. Harry yawned. Maybe it was time to get back to bed. No, he couldn't. Someone was outside, and he had to find out who. He crept up to the window again, and looked straight down. No one was there.
"What are you doing up?" Harry turned around at Aunt Petunia's voice. "And why on earth is your- your wand out? Your not allowed to use magic!"
Harry didn't feel like explaining jumpiness to Aunt Petunia. "I was just cleaning it off a bit. I wasn't going to use it, I swear." Aunt Petunia gave her nephew an eagle eye. Harry put his wand back and started to head upstairs.
"I think I'll just turn in, then. Good night." Harry heard Aunt Petunia sigh as he walked back to his bedroom, shut the door, and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Harry paid an owl for The Daily Prophet. He threw it on his bed, wondering if he should read it or not. Last summer the made Harry a standing joke. This summer, well, Harry still hadn't bothered to read it cover to cover. He glanced at the front cover, and saw a picture of Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. Curious, Harry picked up the newspaper from his bed, and gasped when he read the headline.
Cornelius Fudge Overrun from the Ministry; Replacement Appointed ImmediatelyCornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic for the past sixteen years, has been overrun from the Ministry of Magic. Citing ignorance to the return of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named and various other oversights, including the appointment of Dolores Jane Umbridge as High Inquisitor to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Fudge came into work to find his office packed already for him.
"It is with great regret that I leave this post which I have had for many years," Fudge said. "I do not wish to leave in such a time of trouble and need, but I have no other choice. Thank you." Fudge has since disappeared since this last statement.
The Ministry of Magic has now appointed a new Minister. Instead of appointing someone within the Ministry, they have chosen someone entirely new altogether. Roman Validus Conall, the Head of the Department of International Relations in the United States of America. Originally born in London, Conall moved to the United States after graduating from Durmstrang. He and his wife, Zenia, have three children. Aletta, 21, Ajax, 18, and Vega, 16.
"I am thoroughly excited about this position," Conall said, speaking from his new home in Bath. "I plan on promoting unity throughout the wizarding community." While Aletta and Ajax have both accepted positions in the ministry of Magic, in the Deparments of International Relations and Quidditch respectively, Vega will start her 6th year at Hogwarts.
Harry couldn't believe what he had just read. Fudge gone, a new person, from the United States no less, was coming in to take his spot. Harry wanted to get out of Privet Drive now more than ever.
Three days had passed since Harry first sent out his three letters. And for three days, Harry spent them restless in his room, eager to question someone- anyone, about the happenings at the Ministry of Magic. That night, Harry had his chance.
The doorbell rang at a quarter to seven. Harry had just finished the dishes, and thought nothing of it. It was probably one of Dudley's friends. Tonight, they would probably be heading out and beating up little kids again. It was their favorite summer pastime. Except tonight was different. Harry heard Aunt Petunia scream and Uncle Vernon run to the door.
"Who is it, Petunia?" Uncle Vernon asked. Harry sprinted to the front door, where he saw Tonks. This time, her hair was neon pink, and she was wearing torn jeans and a ratty t-shirt. Tonks pushed her way through Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia and looked at Harry.
"Happy late Birthday, Harry. I would've sent you something, but I wasn't sure if it would get here," Tonks said. She put her hand on Harry's shoulder. She turned back to the Dursleys, who were utterly horrified someone looking like Tonks had set foot in their living room.
"I'll be taking Harry, then. Thanks," Tonks said. "Come on, Harry. Let's go pack your things."
Smiling widely, Harry led Tonks up to his room. It was still as messy as it was last summer when she came with the order to get him. Spellbooks and school robes were thrown aimlessly around Harry's room.
"We must hurry, Harry. Everyone else is waiting outside. We haven't got long," Tonks said. With a flick of her wand, Harry's trunk had packed itself. After muttering "Locomotor trunk", Harry, Tonks, and Harry's trunk were on their way downstairs. At the sight of magic being done, Petunia gasp and threw her hands over Dudley's eyes.
"Where in the bloody hell are you taking him?" Uncle Vernon asked rudely. He stood in front of the doorway.
"Out of the way, Dursley, or I'll give you a tail to match the one your son had. Yeah, didn't think I'd know about that one, did ya?" Tonks said. This was enough to make Uncle Vernon move. Harry couldn't help but laughing.
"He'll be home next summer, don't worry. We'll keep him safe!" Tonks said. She laughed as the door closed behind them.
Harry was in shock. "That was brilliant." Tonks smiled. A few seconds later, the "everyone else" Tonks was speaking of began to show themselves. There was Professor Moody, of course, and Professor Lupin on his right. Lupin looked as worse as ever. His robes didn't get shabbier, but his hair got grayer, and his face was beginning to thin out. In front of Lupin and Moody were Fred and George. Harry had forgotten they were out of school now. Harry laughed to himself. Of course they were out of school. How could he forget how they left?
Fred and George put a swamp in the third floor corridor, then when they were about to be punished by Dolores Umbridge, Fred and George called for their brooms and left the castle, receiving a hero's good-bye. Harry should have figured they were going to join the order, they've been wanting to since last summer. To the left of Fred and George were Dedalus Diggle, Kingsley Shacklebot, and Harry's Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall.
"The muggles give you any trouble, Tonks?" Moody asked. Tonks shook her head no, changing her hair color in the process. Her hair was now dark brown, long, and straight.
"Good. Kingsley's got us a car from the Ministry, so you won't be flying this time. We've got Fred, George, and Kingsley on their brooms, they'll cover us. I want everyone to keep their wand out at all times. Harry, have your Firebolt out. In case we get caught by Death Eaters, I want you to jump from the car and fly to your left. We have the rest of the Weasleys waiting to take over.
"Wands out? Got your broom, Harry? Alright, let's go." With the flick of a wand, a car appeared out of nowhere. Moody got into the driver's seat, and Diggle sat in the passenger seat. Moody wanted Harry in the middle, where he was less susceptible to being hit. So Lupin crawled in, then Harry, then Tonks. Behind them was McGonagall. Harry saw red sparks fly from the skyline. Fred, George, and Kingsley kicked up on their brooms. They hovered about twenty feet in the air. Moody pushed in a knob from the dashboard, and Harry saw the car was now invisible. A moment later, Harry felt himself being jerked up into the air. He turned around and watched Four Privet Drive as it became smaller and smaller, and in no time at all it was lost in the twinkle of lights.
"It's been a lonely summer without you. Welcome back, Harry," Lupin said, smiling. He was surveying the skies for anything unusual.
"Thanks," Harry said quietly.
"Ron's already at Grimmauld Place. Hermione should be there when we return, she wasn't there when we left, though," Tonks said.
"We're going back to Grimmauld Place?" Harry asked uncertainly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go back. Sirius had lived there, and everything was going to remind him of Sirius. Actually, Harry was absolutely positive he didn't want to go back.
"Now now, Harry. Don't worry. We've finally gotten that dreadful picture of Mrs. Black off the wall and the Black Family tapestry is removed," Lupin said.
"If Kreacher is there, I'm going to kill him," Harry said. "I'm going to kill him, even if I do break the decree underage wizardry again. He had Sirius killed, I'm going to-"
"That's enough, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall spoke up from the back seat. "Kreacher is no longer in Grimmauld Place." Harry could detect a hint of sadness in her voice. Sirius had, after all, been a student of hers, not to mention another member of the Order.
Harry breathed a small sigh of relief. The car became silent again. Harry looked out the window, and saw Fred, or maybe it was George, he couldn't tell, holding out his wand and looking for anything unusual. Harry wished he could rime a broomstick again, it had been so long since he had.
"We'll be there in ten minutes," Moody announced from the front seat.
"Er, Professor Moody?" Harry asked. Harry felt Moody's eye swirl back to him. "Since we're only ten minutes from Grimmauld Place, do you think you could stop and I could maybe ride my broom the rest of the way back? I've been in Privet Drive all summer and I just thought that maybe-"
"Absolutely not," Moody said. "There's too much of a risk."
"But what if I fly in front of the car? Fred and George can stay on both sides of me, and Kingsley can lead me there," Harry pleaded.
"Oh let him out, Mad-Eye. It isn't going to hurt anything. He's an excellent flier, he'll be fine," Tonks said in an annoyed voice.
Harry saw Lupin give Moody a look, and grumbling something under his breath, Harry felt the car slow down. Fred, George, and Kingsley slowed down too, and Fred flew over to the window.
"What's going on?" Fred asked.
"Potter's going to fly the rest of the way home. You take his right, keep him in your sight at all times, do you hear me, Weasley?" Moody growled. Fred nodded. Harry turned around and grabbed his Firebolt from the back seat. He was sure McGonagall gave him a smile. Harry climbed up on the roof of the car with a little help from Tonks. He kicked off hard from the roof, and soon he was in the air. Harry hadn't felt this good in a long time. He turned around and gave the thumbs up sign to Lupin, who smiled.
It was cold- really cold- up in the air, but Harry didn't care. This was his life, his passion, the only thing that kept him sane. Harry couldn't stop himself from smiling. He heard Kingsley shout they were going to start their descent, and in no time at all, Harry had touched down in front of Grimmauld Place.
Moody was the first one out of the car. "Into the house, before anyone sees you. Forget your trunk, Tonks'll get that." Moody shoved Harry into the door. The hallway was bright, much unlike how it was when Harry first set foot in here. It seemed as though the order had really worked hard on this place. It looked inhabitable.
"Oh Harry, I'm so glad you're here!" Mrs. Weasley cried. He ran over to him and gave him a great big hug. "No problems coming over?"
"None at all, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said. "Where are-"
"Upstairs. They've been waiting for you."
Harry ran upstairs and into the bedroom he had shared with Ron last summer. Hermione and Ginny were laying stomach down on the bed, reading something obviously very funny. Ron was reading a Quidditch book. Hermione looked up and smiled.
"Harry! I'm so glad you're here!" she said. She got off the bed and gave him a hug.
"I was wondering when you'd get here, Harry. Mum's really cleaned up the house, you should see it," Ron said. Hermione elbowed Ron in the stomach. "That is, if you want to."
"Maybe later. I'm starving, when's dinner?" Harry said, hastily changing the subject.
As if she was reading his mind, Harry heard Mrs. Weasley call "DINNER TIME!" and the four went downstairs. An odd assortment of chairs were around the table. Harry was surprised to see Professor McGonagall was staying for dinner; she never stayed last summer.
"You look too thin, Harry. Here, take more. We have lots," Mrs. Weasley said, shoving more mashed potatoes on his plate. "What on earth those muggles are feeding you, I have no idea."
"Here, Harry, this arrived for you today," Lupin said, shoving an envelope at Harry. Harry looked at him skeptically. He gave Ron and Hermione matching envelopes.
"Oh no, O.W.L. results!" Hermione cried. She dropped the mug of butterbeer she had been drinking. She ripped open her letter and Ron craned his neck over to see what she received.
"Oh no, I got an 'EE' in Defense Against the Dark Arts," Hermione said.
"But you got 'Outstanding' in everything else, including potions. I'm hoping just to pass that bloody class," Ron said. "But come off it, Hermione. You were worried about nothing."
"Well, let's see what you got, then," Hermione said. Ron opened his letter, and laughed.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked.
"Didn't get an O.W.L in Divination," Ron said. "But who cares? That class was bloody worthless. What about you, Harry?"
Harry, who hadn't opened his letter yet, looked up at Ron. "I dunno, haven't opened it yet."
"Open it, Harry. The sooner you know the sooner you stop worrying," Hermione said.
"Worrying? Who said anything about worrying?" Ron said. Hermione shot him a look.
"Harry, I'm sure you did fine. If your anything like your father, which I must say you are, there's nothing to be worried about," Lupin said. Harry cracked a small smile. He tore open his letter, his heart pounding.
"Well, what's it say?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked up at Professor McGonagall. "It looks like your well on your way to your career goal, Mr. Potter," she said with a wink. Harry smiled. Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed the piece of parchment from Harry's hands.
Hermione let out a small scream. "Harry this is wonderful! Charms, 'Exceeds Expectations. Defense Against the Dark Arts, 'Outstanding'. Transfiguration, 'Exceeds Expectations', Potions 'Outstanding. Care of Magical Creatures, 'Outstanding'. Divination, 'Acceptable.' Herbology, 'Exceeds Expecations'"
"How on earth did I get an 'outstanding' in Potions?" Harry said.
"I myself am wondering the same thing, Mr. Potter," came a voice behind Harry. Harry dropped the flask of butterbeer he was holding. Professor Snape, who never stayed to eat with the Order, was here, during dinner time.
"Professor Snape," Harry acknowledged. He turned back around in his seat and began eating again.
"Severus, won't you stay and eat?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"I would be delighted, Minerva, thank you," Professor Snape said. The table became oddly quieter. Harry, Ron, and Hermione put away their O.W.L. results and ate in silence.
"So, Severus, how are things going at-?" Kingsley asked.
"This is not the time," Mrs. Weasley said sternly. "I don't want the children to hear this."
"Well, Mr. Potter certainly has a knack of knowing things he shouldn't, Molly," Professor Snape said, his dark eyes drawing on Harry. "I daresay he'll find out sooner or later, if he's anything like his father."
Harry's breathing began to get heavier, but he didn't open his mouth. He continued eating, even when Hermione kicked him under the table.
He's trying to provoke you, Harry thought to himself. Don't let him get to you, especially with Professor McGonagall here. Harry couldn't bear to think what McGonagall would do if she watched her student and a fellow teacher get into a fight at the dinner table.
"So, Ginny, who are the new Gryffindor prefects?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject.
"I'm not sure yet, we haven't gotten the letters yet," Ginny said, going slightly red.
"I hope it's you," Hermione said.
The conversation at the table became stagnant. Perhaps it was Professor Snape's appearance, or maybe no one felt like talking. Harry idly played with his fork, thinking of Sirius.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Lupin asked from across the table. "You've been oddly quiet since you got here."
"I don't want to be here," Harry said simply. "It reminds me too much of Sirius. Now…I know what he must've felt like, cooped up in this place."
"He died a hero's death, Harry. It's how he would've wanted to go," Lupin said quietly.
"Yeah well, maybe it could've been a little later in life. Maybe if I hadn't been so-" Harry threw down his fork.
"Nobody blames you, Harry," Lupin said.
"Perhaps if Mr. Potter wasn't so nosy-" Professor Snape started. Harry stood up. Of course Professor Snape was referring to the Occlumency lessons Harry received for a short while. Professor Snape discontinued them after Harry took a little trip into his Pensieve.
"Maybe if you weren't so keen on finally getting revenge on Sirius he'd still be here a free man! You let Peter Pettigrew away in the Shrieking Shack! And who brought Voldemort back? Pettigrew!"
Snape stood up, his right hand oddly close to wear his wand was. "Maybe if you weren't so eager to know everything the Dark Lord wouldn't have gotten into your mind."
"So, still referring to your old master as the Dark Lord?" Harry taunted. He had waited too long for moment to come. Harry was finally getting everything out onto the table.
"How dare you?" Snape asked.
"Alright, that's enough!" Mrs. Weasley finally stood up. "You're acting like four year olds. Your behavior is disgusting. I expected better out of the both of you. Harry, apologize."
Harry turned around and stared at Mrs. Weasley. She crossed her arms, and her lips looked somewhat similar to Professor McGonagall's when she was extremely mad or irritated.
Harry stared at Snape. "I apologize."
"I'm sure you do, Potter. Don't bring that attitude to class, or I'll have you kicked out faster than you can say 'Auror'," Snape replied. Snape obviously knew of Harry's ambition to be an Auror. With one last drink of butterbeer, Professor Snape strode out of Grimmauld Place, his black robes flailing behind him. The table was quiet.
Fred spoke up. "Desert, anyone?"