Chapter One
Harry pulled himself up to the tallest branch so that he could see his former school. The once majestic castle was now dilapidated. Those with any heart no longer kept up the grounds. The plants were dark and wilting, alive just enough to supply the wizards with dark potions and plants. The greenhouses only kept plants that could cause death or pain. The sun was never shining, and the students never seemed to be smiling. It was so different from what he remembered. He often thought of his godfather, as now he reminded himself of Sirius. He was the outlaw, and he often felt like the only good wizard left. He made sure his wand was secure before making his way down the tree.
"Any movement, Harry?" Firenze asked him as he saw the wizard coming down.
Harry shook his head, "Not that I can tell."
"He has kept Dumbledore alive for all these years, Harry. He will not kill him now," Firenze tried to convince him. "Have you thought of anything else that Voldemort would want him for?"
"He wants him to suffer. Just like he wants me to suffer. 'Run Harry. Run like I was made to run.' That's what he said to me. He killed everything in this world that was good-" Harry's voice was sad, as it often was. "I've got to go to Diagon Alley today-"
"What? Why? A wizard of your stature should not go at a time like this. You'll be…" Firenze stopped talking, as he knew he couldn't convince the wizard. He was no longer a young boy, but a 28 year old man.
"I've got to get some things. I've still got my invisibility cloak. One of the only things I haven't lost," he added as he stepped down into the small home that he'd made himself underground. It was quite safe, and protected by a lot of charms. He came back up a few minutes later with a bag, and his cloak slung over his shoulder. "I'll be back soon-"
Firenze nodded, and hoped that he'd see him again. He'd become very fond of the wizard and believed that he had good values, knowledge, and talent. All he needed was support. "I'll be here when you return-"
Harry apparated out, and Firenze galloped of in the direction of the castle.
Harry slipped on the cloak and did his best to stay out of people's way. Diagon Alley was so dark and dreary now that he felt like calling it Knockturn Alley.
"Did you hear that a mudblood student was killed yesterday?" a witch asked her friend. "She was caught studying magic with her wizard father. Both were cursed and then killed. Serves them bloody right! He knows well enough not to teach his dirty child our birth right!"
The witch's friend smiled and nodded approvingly, "It's such a shame to loose a pureblood. When will they learn?" she questioned.
Harry had certainly had enough. He made his way towards the Apothecary as quickly as he could. He didn't want to bump into anyone, because now days he would be caught quickly. "Snakes eye…Unicorn hair…"
"Are you okay? Harry?" the most familiar and warm voice filled his ears. He was sure that he was dreaming. "Harry…wake up."
Harry opened his eyes and was sure he was going to see his tiny little hole in the ground. However, to his surprise he was looking at the most beautiful face he'd seen in a long time. "Mrs. Weasley!!" Harry sat up quickly and found himself hugging her tightly. "I thought…how is this possible?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled at him, "It's okay, Harry dear. I know this is a bit much to take in at once-" she gestured towards the others that were around her.
Nymphadora Tonks, Charlie Weasley, Percy Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, and Remus Lupin were also in the room with him. His face lit up, "How is this…?"
"We've been looking for you for years!" Luna's eyes looked misty and cheerful. "I can't believe we found you. We were sure you were alive!"
"About ready to give up…" Remus told him calmly. "10 years you'd been missing, but Molly here was sure you were alive."
"I can tell when my children are dead," Molly said, a bit sadly.
Harry looked down at his legs and his eyes became soft and sad. It was his fault that Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were dead. It was his fault that Arthur Weasley was out the night he was killed by Death Eaters. It was his fault that Moody, Snape, and McGonagall lost their lives defending the castle. Why couldn't he have just given Voldemort what he wanted, his death?
"Harry, it's not your fault-" Molly noticed the look on his face. "They fought against a man they all wanted destroyed as much as you did. They fought because you need to be alive. You can still with this Harry. That's why we wanted to find you. We believe that you can still win. We want to help you," she paused and smiled meekly at him. "The prophecy still exists, Harry. As long as the both of you are alive, it will come to the same end. We need to do what we can to prepare you, and to prepare ourselves. Harry you were a great wizard in school, and I can only imagine what being on your own for 10 years in your position has done for you-"
"What is that supposed to mean?" he looked a bit angrily at her. He felt guilty immediately at her had said it. "Sorry."
Mrs. Weasley grinned and shrugged off the comment, "Don't worry about it Harry. Why don't you clean up and come downstairs for dinner, then-" she stood up and looked at the others. "Let's give him some time to get cleaned up." She shooed the others out of the room. "We'll answer all your questions at dinner."
When the room was empty Harry glanced around it. He sighed and felt sadness settle on his heart. This was the same room that he and Ron had shared when they stayed in this house. Grimmauld Place hadn't changed a bit. It still looked old a dusty. He looked in the mirror and smoothed down his hair the best he could. He had a little bit of a beard, and his glasses were really dusty. He went into the bathroom and found everything that he needed. "Thanks Mrs. Weasley-" he said softly to himself. He shaved, washed his face and hands, cleaned his glasses and put on the new pair of robes that were set out for him. His mind was stuck on how he got here. He didn't remember anything past listing what he needed in his head…and then he woke up. He thought as hard as he could, but nothing was coming back to him.
"Harry, you look smashing!" Tonks grinned at him. She looked almost the same, but seeing as she could easily change her appearance Harry was sure she hid a few of the 10 years behind a mask.
Mrs. Weasley looked up from setting down the ham on the table. "You clean up very nicely, Harry. Now come and sit down and eat. We don't normally eat so nicely, but when we found you I started to cook this great meal."
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said in between bites. However, he spared the manors for another time. He hadn't eaten so well in years.