Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within

by itmonster

Its 5th year, some things have changed for people such as their feelings for another but the Past now haunts the present and threatens the future. As rumors grow of You-Know-Who's return, an old enemy of the Magic world returns with challenges for Harry.

24. Storm of Torment

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters and story affiliations mentioned in this fan fiction all belong to JK Rowling and legal associations. I own nothing of it nor am I profiting from it now or planning to in the future in any way. The only exception of profit is to my self for literary improvement.

Author to Reader Note: I ran into two major/minor snags on this chapter. One was writer's block trying to link certain key points. Let me warn you now that I'm not satisfied with this chapter because the flow never seemed right. It's also almost twice as long as any of the others. The reason for this was that certain points didn't work in right until this chapter. The second is, as some of you already know, I work for the college that I attend as a computer technician. So much of the summer is used to overhaul servers, office computer replacement and the like. This summer has been the worst because layoffs and cut backs have made our working times quite strenuous. I still have every intention of finishing this story, you can be sure of that as taxes.

I've have been asked about my character Daken as an original character. Daken is from a story I wrote in my middle school time about a vampire that when human had watched his family slaughtered and his attackers turned him into one. He wanders the earth for years in search of those who committed those atrocities, seeking to destroy them. Spending years resenting what humanity takes for granted and indulging in the sweet vengeance. However the Daken in this story is seriously toned-down as originally he is homicidally insane. That is until he finds that his own heart is not as frozen as thought when meeting another on a quest for vengeance.

Returning back to the story at hand let me also add that I'm under the impression from the ending of the fourth book that Harry only told Sirius and Dumbledore the events of the maze and cemetery. I may be wrong, as the fifth book appeared to have indicated to me. I just ask that my perception please be kept in mind in reading this chapter and for future chapters. Since that is what I thought upon starting this story.

Some memory pieces mentioned in the end are made up from guessing from material in the books and not actually stated.

This chapter has not undergone a FULL beta read for corrections but I wanted so badly to post it, so I hope its okay. This chapter is like 90 pages on my MS Word so if you want to read the whole thing, you might want a soda and snack.

By the way I only have one active Beta reader and if anyone else wants to be one give me a holler at itmonster@hotmail.com.

Revised 7/31/03

Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within

Chapter 24

Storm of Torment

The evening passed on quite wonderfully before, during and after dinner, each part was as memorable as the next. The Grangers had seemed quite interested in Harry a fact noted by their daughter. Equally intrigue had been Mr. Weasley with Hermione's father, Lionel, with talk of tools used in dentistry. The Weasley twins were quick to show off many of their pranks and in the presence of guests; Mrs. Weasley made no attempt to stifle any of it. Ron seemed happy enough as Harry conversed with the Grangers a majority of the time. Ginny kept going into giggled whispers with Rela when Ron wasn't quick enough to head his sister off. Charlie had come a little late, claiming a snag with work that held his attention but Molly knew better from Hermione and Harry made no inclination to this excuse or notice of arrival.

Over the course of the evening, the groupings changed fairly enough. Sometimes, some of the younger generations spoke with the adults or they separated. As when Mrs. Weasley had been in the kitchen with Jean and the Daken, Lionel, Charlie and Mr. Weasley had been on the other side of the living room in their own conversation. The Hogwarts generation remained near the fireplace in their conversation.

At the fireplace, Harry and Hermione sat across from Ron and Rela, while Ginny was cross legged on a cushion on the floor dangling a piece of yarn for Crookshanks, who happily played. The twins were showing more of their pranks to Charlie, who in turn welcomed being their victim in many presentations. At one point all of the adults stood nearby chatting on their subjects while Ron's retelling of an accident in Charms held the attention of his friends.

"So… so then… then the top of Dean's head is on fire and… and he… he just looks at Seamus," finished Ron, trying to keep from laughing too much, "And says… is it a little hot in here?"

All of them broke into laughter into heavy laughter. After a few moments, each was able to breathe normally with some heaviness. They barely noticed the wine bottle from the Grangers had been brought out and Mr. Weasley was struggling to use the corkscrew accompanying it.

Ron turned and called out to his father, with slightly gasping breaths, "Let me… have a go… at that."

A questioned look from Molly followed as her husband complied and Daken watched with earnest. Ron took the bottle and corkscrew from his father, gave the metal device a curious look and handed it back. Daken remained watching, his expression unchanged if not added with more curiosity. Before Arthur could say a word for its purpose, Ron gripped the cork and popped it with no effort. The resounding gush of air from the pressure was followed with a few surprised intakes from others around him.

Ron's father took the bottle back without word but stared a moment at his youngest son. Molly looked paled and a little unnerved but said nothing. The Grangers were greatly amused and quickly commented appraisingly to Ron's physical skill. Of the Hogwarts' group, only Ginny seemed surprised while Harry and Rela gave no indication to strangeness of it but Hermione looked rather suspicious.

"Ron… how are you doing that," inquired Hermione, her tone strong with insistence?

"Loads of sweets," joked Ron, "Gives lots of energy for a growing body."

Harry chuckled to the remark, given Ron's love of sweets but Hermione was not so swayed.

"It's almost like… like," continued Hermione, thoughtfully but almost accusingly, "Like you've become a Titan... or something?"

"A what," responded Harry?

"Titans… creatures like giants," answered Hermione quickly," Talked about in myths… creatures that held the world… because they possessed great strength."

As soon as Hermione had answered, Rela left off a huge gasp as her eyes widen. They all looked at her in mild and questioned surprise but she seemed to take no notice.

"That's it," mumbled Rela to her-self," I never tried that language!"

With that she took off in a brisk haste to the stairs towards Ginny's room, which left Ron to become the recipient of the curious stares.

"Rela loves a mystery," shrugged Ron talking somewhat offhandedly but a note of nervousness as well, "Kind of like Hermione in a way… always researching for answers…but not research as much… her big thing is languages… thinking about it as a career she said."

"What is she trying to figure out," asked Ginny still playing with Crookshanks?

"Just some things," answered Ron, his ears shading red, pausing slightly, "She's researched most of the talismans already… all but two anyway."

Harry watched Hermione's face turn white and guessed her thoughts from the shocked expression that followed.

"Well that's good… considering… we've… we've been… distracted," spoke Harry hesitantly, as Hermione's eyes widen along with her face's whitening appearance," I even forgot about them… and I'm the one who played with the Orb."

Hermione's expression eased but still seemed a bit perturbed at forgetting about the stolen talismans as she replied with, "That's true we have been. What ones didn't she find out yet?"

"The Venarus Blade," answered Ron, quite slowly, "And the Geraus ring."

Rela joined them a minute later quite pleased as she said, "Just sent an owl to my father about a book I need."

What followed next was surprisingly secretive as Rela gave Ron a look but shook his head slightly in response to an unsaid question. Hermione looked at the both of them, her eyes glaring knowing they were holding something back, somewhat furious to the hidden information. She didn't get a chance to inquire as Mrs. Granger called to her daughter. Hermione slipped from them without a word and Harry him-self couldn't help but question their sudden secretiveness. However, rather than inquire, his attention was drawn elsewhere.

Harry watched from the corner of his eye as Hermione and Jean spoke off to the side. Though not able to hear them, Harry watched as Hermione's expression gained in apprehension and shaded red from words spoken of an apparently candid nature. After a few minutes, Hermione returned to the group, giving Harry a thin smile and saying nothing. Harry gave Jean a questioned glance receiving only a look of mild interest in return.

As the hour grew late and their exuberance was turning to exhaustion, Hermione's parents felt it was time to return home and let the festivities come to an end.

Harry suddenly couldn't help but feel a sudden dread that made his insides squirm and realized it was due to the thought that Hermione would be departing. Somehow having her so near had been something of a treat to Harry as her proximity gave reasons to look at her, giving his thoughts a chance to whirl freely. Now the prospect of not having Hermione there lowered his spirits. A twinge of guilt plagued, knowing that he still seem to rudely look her over. Ron's words ringed true in his mind, it did seem natural, but Harry still wanted to say something about it to her.

The Granger and Weasley adults stood in a group exchanging last minute talks as they said goodbye. Harry had learned earlier both from Ginny's comments to Ron and later during dinner that Rela would remain the night. Hermione, however, would not.

"Harry," inquired Hermione as she slid on a muggle coat, "Are you sleeping okay?"

Harry held the strap of a bag while Hermione was putting a Muggle coat on.

"Sleeping okay," questioned Harry?

"Are you still," specified Hermione, "Having bad dreams?"

Harry's eyes averted and slight expression of concern came as he answered darkly," The better question would be when I don't have nightmares?"

"Only nightmares," replied Hermione quietly almost a whisper, fastening the last button on her coat?

Not hearing her, Harry handed Hermione the bag while adding, "Except for a few… interesting ones… here and there."

Hermione looked quickly, hearing his words, to see Harry's averted gaze shade a slight red and a look of surprise followed. As she stared, Harry's eyes made to glance back and caught her gaze. 

"I was planning to stay the night," spoke Hermione, her face flushing, trying to prevent any awkwardness, "But mum says we need to have a talk."

Harry was about to respond but Hermione cut him off.

"But I'll be here later in the morning tomorrow," added Hermione quickly.

Soon the Grangers were gathered by the fireplace and Harry learned of the departure plans as well as how they had arrived. Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out two small items that looked like knobs from cabinet doors.

"Port keys," said Hermione brightly, holding one out.

She wasn't the only one who noticed that Harry took a step back when the item was presented.

After a few taps with a wand, they watched as Hermione's parents vanished from the living room leaving their daughter standing by. Hermione gave Harry a look, then moved forward quickly and kissed his cheek.

Before backing away, she whispered into Harry's ear, "I hope you have a good dream tonight."

Hermione turned while pulling back, her long hair brushing his skin, leaving a strong tingle in place and as the sound of taps reached Harry's ears. Hermione vanished from the spot as the Port key activated, taking her home to waiting parents.

Harry stood in place, mesmerized, not paying attention to anything or anyone around him. Ron stood in the background, a smirk plastered to his face. Rela stood next to him saying nothing but watched with a smile. Fred and George had not noticed anything, having been laying another one of their pranks in place. Mr. Weasley had disappeared through the kitchen, so he too saw nothing. Charlie and his mother were among the only others to have witness the departing events.

"Charlie," whispered Mrs. Weasley, showing little emotion to the previous scene, "I need you to do something."

Charlie turned to look at his mother.

"Take this," continued Mrs. Weasley, placing an object pulled from her apron pocket to Charlie's hand," And get me one of the planks… you know from where."

Charlie looked at it and then back to his mother.

"I'll just use my wand," he replied in whispered tones, "It'll be faster."

"No," snapped his mother, "Not one spark of magic better touch it… use that and get me one of the planks… tell no one… not your father… not your brothers… no one… do you understand?"

Charlie knew better than to argue with his mother, so with a quick nod, he turned and left through the kitchen to the outside.

Harry noticed none of this as the touch of Hermione's lips, warm and soft, to Harry's cheek left a strong impression. His mind was blank and wasn't sure if breath still came. Before Harry could finally think, speak or do much of anything, he whirled around when the sound of something splashing came, followed with some quick cursing. Harry had turned to find Ron standing a few feet from Rela, almost completely covered in some kind of ink like substance. His immediate and undesired words drew little attention from his mother as Molly tried to scold a pair of twin boys laughing hysterically on the floor.

Harry couldn't deny the humor of it and for a moment, Rela seemed worried until a smile from Ron caused her to start giggling. Quickly ushered by his mother, Ron headed up the stairs for clean up and a change while Rela remained with the twins, giggles turning to heavier laughter. Harry shook his head and went into the kitchen. Entering, he found dishes on the table ready to be cleaned and walked up to the sink, starting the hot water. The sink itself soon filled with soapy water and Harry began washing away. A few minutes later he was interrupted.

"You wouldn't believe the threats mum has to give," spoke a girl's voice, surprising him enough to almost drop a plate, "In order to get any of the boys to wash dishes… magic or no magic."

Harry turned to find Ginny standing beside him, picking up a towel and reaching for some rinsed utensils.

"Mum might have a stroke if she comes in here and sees you doing this," added Ginny with a smile, "What with not being asked or anything."

Harry looked down at his hands; sleeves rolled up and stared for a second.

"I… I guess I didn't even think about it," replied Harry quietly, "Aunt Petunia was loopy about every thing being clean… she always wanted the dishes done after meals… I guess… rather than having her yell about it…. it… it just became habit… I just walked in, saw them and… well here I am."

Ginny continued to dry some of the dishes not saying a word in response but thinking to her-self.

Some minutes passed before she asked hesitantly, "Did they always make you do the dishes?"

Harry snorted dismissively before answering, "Not until I was able to hold her precious dinnerware without sending it to the floor."

Ginny swallowed and asked, "How old was that?"

Harry seemed to freeze in place and Ginny tried to see his face without appearing to look with the corners of her eyes. A displeased expression came to his features, baring some hostility and a thought of self-reminder.

"I think I was about seven when it became… natural… for me to do it," answered Harry quickly.

His tone showed clear resentment and Ginny decided against further pursuit of the subject but sought to change it.

"Hermione looked really nice tonight," spoke Ginny plainly, "Green seems to suit her brown hair… but she's really lucky… mum would never let me out of the house with a skirt that short."

A breaking sound followed and Ginny turned, looking, unsurprised to see Harry with a flushed face and both hands holding half a plate.

"Must be frustrating," added Ginny turning back to dry more dishes.

At this Harry stared at her and in turn she looked back, a smile coming to her face.

"To be a muggle born witch at Hogwarts… restrictions on dress and all… but with muggles those restrictions don't exist as much," again added Ginny, looking at him, her smile becoming quite mischievous, "What did you think I meant?"

Harry turned back to the dishes without comment and Ginny only continued to smile at her-self.

A quick but loud gasp drew their attentions behind them and looked to see Mrs. Weasley standing at the entrance. Ginny was so surprised by her mother that she didn't pay attention to the knife in hand and cut her palm. Following a quick cry out, Harry grabbed the towel she held and placed it against the bleeding hand. The cut wasn't serious but bad enough that blood seeped quickly through the cloth to where even Harry could feel it dampening the towel. In a moment, Mrs. Weasley had acquired a bottle from a cabinet and rushed to Ginny's side. Mrs. Weasley poured some of the bottle contents of gooey liquid into her cupped hand. She pulled the towel away and slopped the gooey substance into Ginny's hand. After a second, there wasn't any blood and Ginny's tense form relaxed.

"Is that the same stuff," inquired Harry, "That was used on my hand… before?"

Mrs. Weasley just nodded in response and said, "It should be healed in a moment… why were you two doing dishes now?"

"I came in here and found Harry already having at them," answered Ginny, "So I thought I'd help."

Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry who had stood up and proceeded to rinse the towel of the blood within it. He didn't see as Ginny leaned in and whispered something to her mother. The following response to the whispered words was of Mrs. Weasley's darkening expression looking from the dishes to Harry and back.

Harry stood at the sink, rinsing the towel, twisting it to ring out the water and blood then repeating. All the while becoming aware of a stinging sensation in the, now slightly, stained hands and traveling along his arms. Harry felt faint but instead of losing consciousness, gripping the sides of sink in the process, everything darkened and the room seemed to change. He heard the voices of Ginny and Mrs. Weasley but it all became strangely faint and distant. Harry closed his eyes as the light headed feelings began to overtake him.

Upon opening his eyes, Harry found him-self at Hogwarts suddenly, in shadowed area near a stair case which was recognized as a direction to Professor Binns' class. The details of the location lost importance as a low growl reached his ears. Looking around he found that something lurked in the dark shadow of the stairway. A pair of dim but strange silver eyes gleamed within. At first, Harry thought of Daken but couldn't be as this being was shorter; its eyes too dim compared to Daken's. The next sound to follow was that of footsteps and someone speaking lightly to them-selves in a disgruntled manner.

"Like I'm supposed to remember the name of every ghoul in the thirteen hundred uprising," snapped a girl's voice, "There were only forty of them… I'm sure it's easy for a ghost to remember… honestly… I've probably missed everything now."

Harry watched as the girl came down the stairs, continuing the tirade and it wasn't hard for Harry to recognize her, as red hair fluttered around the girl's form. Harry watched as Ginny stepped from the stairs, oblivious to what lay in the shadows… or at least he thought so.

A low growl came and Ginny stopped in mid stride. She turned and with a strange face of wariness and something else he didn't recognize, stared into the shadowed depths. Harry expected her to run, cry out or even a professor to happen by rather than the events that unfolded.

Ginny calmly put the books carried in one hand into her school bag and set it to the ground. Then with hands on hips, she continued to stare into the shadows.

"Are you going to hide in there forever," spoke Ginny, quite bravely, "Or do you think staying there is going to do any good?"

For a moment there was nothing but silence until a frustrated sigh came from Ginny.

"There's no point in pretending that I don't know you're there," continued Ginny, "I can recognize when a vampire is lurking... unless you're the timid, shy kind."

That did draw a response as a low growl came and a matching voice as well.

"How do you know," growled something in the shadows," You shouldn't be able to see me?"

"Well when there's a vampire for a friend in the family," replied Ginny," A girl tends to learn a few details."

Something moved in the shadows and Harry could see a form more definite than before.

"Details or not… you should not be able to see me," growled the unidentified vampire in a nasty attitude, "Just like I should be able to smell your scent… but I can't."

"I never said what kind of details," replied Ginny with clear sarcasm, "As for my… scent… that's none of your business… not to mention the eyes are a bit of a giveaway… and just some advice… girls have a natural knack for sensing vampires nearby."

"If you know as much as claimed?" snapped the growling creature then sneered, "You wouldn't be so calm… I could hurt you… even kill you."

Ginny just made a sound of amusement before responding with, "If you could then you would have done so already… but without my scent the draw isn't there… plus I know a couple of deterrents."

Silence followed the two and in that silence, Harry heard a faint roaring sound, like many voices at once.

"Why aren't you at the Quidditch game," asked the vampire quite snappishly," Cheering uppity Gryffindor against that pathetic Hufflepuff lot?"

"Because Professor Binns didn't like how few names I remembered for the exam on the ghoul uprising… so he kept me longer until I remembered more to his liking," replied Ginny coolly, "Not a fond way to spend free time... but it beats hiding about."

"I am not hiding," shouted the vampire in growls," If you knew anything!"

Ginny cut him off with, "Yes I know very well what's wrong… I can see your teeth… you haven't had any of your suppressant today have you."

Her only answer was silence.

"So now you need to feed," continued Ginny, taking the silence as an answer, "Professor Snape has a store of chicken blood… that'll settle things."

"I won't reduce my-self to some," started the vampire before Ginny cut in off again.

"Reduce nothing… you'd rather bite a girl's neck," snapped Ginny," Get caught… if you know anything about your-self then you ought to know the ministries laws on that… hiding your identity… especially at a school like this… with a good group of the students are girls… believe me its bad."

"I think you know too much," growled the vampire dangerously, "Even for just having a vampire friend."

"Are we going to get that blood now," replied Ginny ignoring him, "Or would you rather nip at a first year and see where you end up?"

"Why are you planning to go with me," inquired the vampire as Ginny shouldered her school bag?

"Because if you're caught… there's only two people who can get you that suppressant," answered Ginny walking into the shadows towards the vampire, "One is Snape and I doubt he's making it… the other is Daken… and I don't think it would be a great thing if a vampire was discovered to be an adult male teaching here… now lets go."

And with that Ginny walked into the shadows and down a corridor, the unknown vampire following with her. Harry was about to see the vampire as it step into the sunlight of the corridor when a hand grabbed his shoulder and the room spun again.

Harry closed his eyes and found him-self losing balance when another hand gripped his other shoulder, steadying him.

"Wake up Potter," said a familiar voice in front of him, chuckling slightly, "Not a place to day dream."

Harry's balance steadied and the lightheaded feelings subsided. When he opened his eyes, two silver ones looked back at him. Startled suddenly Harry pushed the person away. Sounds of stomping of feet, following a grunt among other voices reached his ears. Harry's eyes then focused to see Daken stumble back, regaining his balance having just recently been shoved.

"Sorry," spoke Harry suddenly, "You surprised me."

Mrs. Weasley was standing with Ginny, wiping the gooey potion from her hand, now healed and staring surprised at Harry. Charlie was on the other side of the kitchen, having just entered from outside, a piece of finished wood in one hand and staring, not as surprised, at Harry.

"I suppose that's true," replied Daken chuckling, "Never was the best thing to wake up to."

Charlie walked by, not saying anything, into the living room. 

Harry looked at his hands, still wet from the towel and remembered the stinging sensation. It had happened as well with Hermione, when brushed her cheek, he had relived a moment in her past and now the same had occurred with Ginny. Only with Hermione, he had witnessed everything through her and yet with Ginny, it had been in a third person view. Then his mind flashed, back to the Quidditch game with Hufflepuff, when stopping stopped the Bludger and a strange dream had come then too. Where two men had argued and one fell to his death. Three times now he had relived moments in the past, watching or witnessing, just like with Riddle nearly two years ago and now Harry wondered why.  

"I may have startled you," spoke Daken interrupting Harry's thoughts, "But you had us a little worried."

"I did?" asked Harry," How?"

"You were just standing there," answered Ginny, "The towel in your hand… not moving or anything… like you were petrified or something"

Harry was about to answer but a thought came to mind when he considered how Ginny's mum would react to her daughter's interaction with an unknown vampire. Deciding he wouldn't be the start of trouble and gave a different answer.

"I was just remembering that usually I'm the one who gets hurt," replied Harry, "And I was wondering how bloodied I was after that Quidditch game."

"You've got Maylen to thank for that," responded Ginny playfully, "Hermione told me that she had to leave the hospital wing because you needed to be cleaned up."

Harry suddenly felt his whole body heat at the thought, remembering to have awoken with pajamas on. That revealed to Harry what Maylen had to do and it didn't make it any less embarrassing suddenly. He turned back to the dishes to distract him-self from the current thoughts.

"That's enough of that," said Mrs. Weasley," You go on off now."

Knowing better than to argue, Harry dried his hands and rolled back his sleeves to follow the awaiting Ginny out of the kitchen. Just before stepping out, Harry watched as Daken poured an old butter yellowish colored liquid from a vial into a cup of whiskey. 

"That's the suppressant you take," inquired Harry suddenly, "Ron tried to give me that before… it's suppose to stop your vampire problems right?"

"Well it doesn't stop anything… but it eases my… needs," answered Daken simply.

"You and Maylen aren't the only vampires at Hogwarts are you," continued Harry?

Harry could feel Ginny tense next to him, Mrs. Weasley made a sound of quick intake and Daken just gave Harry a serious look.

"That's not your concern," replied Daken.

Harry felt otherwise as memories of his own vampire activities flashed. He glanced at Ginny remembering what had been said to her in the memory.

"I say it is my concern," snapped Harry, his tone darkening, "I remember what I did and what I wanted to do… and if that's happening with you and whoever else then it's a concern."

Mrs. Weasley incurred now with, "Is Harry right, there's more than you and Maylen?"

"And Malleck… or Markus… or whatever he calls him-self," added Harry, "That's three vampires."

"Yes," answered Daken, taken a large gulp from his whiskey," There's a bit more of us."

Sounds of footsteps came and Harry turned to see Rela along with a cleaned up Ron looking uneasy.

"I'd say more like six," added Ron, his voice low and plain.

"Six," shouted Mrs. Weasley, "How can there be so many!"

"Well," began Daken, "There's myself and Maylen yes… Malleck makes three… that's true."

"And the other three," probed Harry?

"I'm not really at liberty to tell," stated Daken with an amused smile.

Harry stared at Daken, clearly not amused.

"This is ridiculous," said Ginny suddenly huffing, "Mum… he may as well know."

Mrs. Weasley didn't look too comfortable with her daughter at the moment but nodded her head anyways.

"Harry… the other three are you and Draco," stated Ginny with exasperation, "And me."

Harry stared at Ginny, clearly confused as he responded with, "I'm not a vampire… Madam Pomfrey said I was back to normal."

"Maybe we should be a little clearer about that," whispered Daken loudly, in a snickered tone.

Ron took a step forward and said, "What he means is that since you underwent an infusion from Daken's blood… you have side effects from it all… just like Ginny."

Harry looked back from Ginny and Ron, his curiosity clear.

"No I'm not a vampire exactly," answered Ginny, "But I run the risk of problems as a result of an infusion."

"Did you ever wonder why Ginny is the only girl in a family of boys," added Daken?

"Arthur got hurt when a raid back fired… and the injuries received were severe," explained Molly, her tone showing obvious signs of discomfort, "Using vampire blood can start immediate recovery and repair wounds within a short time… and given that we only had boys besides me… St. Mungo's allowed for it."

Harry gazed at Mrs. Weasley before he asked, "What does that have to do with Ginny?"

Mrs. Weasley redden and Daken answered for her with, "Even adults go through a bit of a vampire stage from that… we'll simplify it all by saying Arthur being under that influence and Molly's… condition… at the time all led to a pregnancy… a while later a baby girl was the result."

Harry still didn't say anything but continued to glance at different people.

"Arthur became a vampire as you have experienced… … both times only temporary of course… but there are still side effects," finished Daken, "Ever seen Ginny in the dark while she's mad… you might notice a slight yellow in her eyes."

"But that doesn't mean I am a vampire… or you," interjected Ginny hastily, "It just means that for a while… because of how I was born and that vampires begin their transitions as teenagers… and you went through an infusion… we may still have some vampire influences in our behavior."

"Such as," inquired Harry lightly?

Rela stepped forward, speaking for the first time and hesitantly answered, "Well Ginny, like other female vampires, doesn't produce a scent as humans normally do… you know how dogs and other animals can sniff us out… they can't with female vampires… plus she has some of the vampire sensitivity… that's how she knew about Draco… she can sense he's a vampire."

Harry's mind thought back to Ginny's memory he relived and remembered how she simply seemed to know what was there. Remembering the creature's attitude, it became suddenly clear to be Draco.

"What about me," continued Harry's questioning?

"You can't stop looking at Hermione can you," sneered Daken playfully?

Ron watched a concern look cross Harry's face and even disappointment but before he could voice against Harry's thoughts, Rela spoke.

"Don't reduce it to something so carnal," snapped Rela, her voice suddenly fiercer than Harry had ever heard it, "If it was only just that… than her kissing your cheek would not have had such an effect on you Harry… if anything this is just helping you recognize her as a girl… or any girl as a girl for that matter."

Rela immediately blushed at her words but smiled anyways having spoken her mind.

"She's right," said Daken, clearing his throat, drinking the last of his whiskey," Just thought it'd be a laugh… but you two do have something special there… just like them."

Ron's ears shaded deeply red as did Rela's small face. Ginny smiled deviously and Mrs. Weasley smiled as well but there was a touch of disapproval to her look.

"So," spoke Harry slowly, seeing if he understood, "We're going to be like this from now on."

Mrs. Weasley stepped forward and placed her hand on Harry's shoulder answering kindly, "No… because Ginny was born like this... she may continue on with skills or abilities to come and go as well as any tendencies… you'll have that to… it'll just take time for it all to wear off… however Draco… will develop into whatever vampire hybrid that his life takes… he will become a vampire where as you and Ginny won't."

"Good for that prat," sneered Ron, a satisfied smile in place.

"Ron," snapped Ginny, "That a terrible thing to say… even if is it Draco… you have no idea what this is doing to him!"

"And how do you know," growled Ron, glaring at his sister?

"Do we need to go over the vampire thing again," asked Daken from the table?

Ron just turned and glared at him.

"Ron," interjected Rela now," She can sense Draco's problems… Ginny has the sensitivity of a female vampire even if she'll never be one… that's why she was always trying to help Hermione… she knew something was wrong… she can tell what this is doing to Draco."

Ron calmed down and though he didn't see it, Rela and Ginny gave each other a look.

"I guessed it… when we saw him outside the Great Hall," said Ron, his tone plain, "He didn't know what to think when he realized I knew what he was… didn't guess he was related to Daken though."

Harry remembered hearing about Draco's boast of a relation to a famous vampire a while back and figured that the boast caught up to him. The Pure blood Draco claimed him-self to be wasn't true anymore.

"What makes it worse for him is his father," commented Daken.

"How is that," questioned Ron confused, "If Draco's one then so the other Malfoy."

Daken played with his empty cup for a moment, watching a remaining drop swirl about.

"I suppose a father and son commonality would be good for them," answered Daken in a sullen tone, staring at his cup, "But Lucius despises what he is… he's used potions and lot other… painful ways… to repel that part of him… exactly like his father before him and before that… trying to filter out that vampire linkage through Pure blood marriages and magic… now that Draco is undergoing a full transition… in which he will become like me… a near complete vampire."

They all stared at Daken but he didn't look back.

"Draco found out the hard way that his father would reject that about him" continued Daken, "That's part of why he was late to the beginning of the term… Draco came to me when he found out the truth from his mother…wasn't a problem to hide our meeting from Lucius because he was in Bulgaria at the time."

"But Draco is still his son... he'd have to accept him wouldn't he," asked Harry confused?

"Just because you're related to someone doesn't always make them something to you… I'm related to the Malfoys," answered Daken, his voice low and dark, "But that doesn't mean we have family outings… look at you and the Dursleys… you don't exactly get warm, fuzzy feelings of happiness when you think of them do you?"

Harry had to agree, just the mention of his relatives brought a scowl to his face and he remembered how they referred his parents… wouldn't even say their names.

Daken gave a sigh and continued with, "Should have seen the state the boy was in when he came to me… his whole world as he knew it destroyed… its not easy to find out that the only feelings your father has for you is that of a tool."

"How horrible," gasped Mrs. Weasley, "That can't be true."

Daken stopped fooling with his cup and gave her a stern look.

"You've met the bastard… what you think… we've already seen what he'd do to get Hermione… let's not forget your own daughter," growled Daken staring at Molly pausing a moment, "Oh yes Draco's just a tool to him… a source of information about the happenings at Hogwarts that are not officially released… how do you think he found out about Dumbledore keeping quiet about the Muggle born attacks from the basilisk… no official announcements were made… but dear Draco… thinking he was earning more favor from his father… was more than happy to tell him everything he saw."   

Molly looked very displeased at Daken's glare but a look of worry filled her face as Daken's words of Draco continued.

"That thing of a wizard actually punished Draco for not making friends with Harry right away," continued Daken, shaking his head, "Draco didn't tell me that but Narcissa did… ever since then Draco's been doing whatever he can to thwart Potter… anything to get Harry done in… anything to get recognition from his father by attacking Harry in any way… that was until he found out futile it all was."

"What happen," asked Ron, speaking now, a bit of concern to his voice for once concerning Draco?

"I won't go into it much… kind of private," spoke Daken, his voice with sorrow now, "Lucius had come back from Bulgaria apparently upset about a failure of some kind… of course now we know to be about Hermione… and it was then during his tirade about it all he voiced his opinions of Draco."

Daken fell silent for moment before continuing, "I guess for once his nosy nature caught up to him… as Draco heard his father's words… basically portraying Draco as noting more than a necessity to have been fulfilled… it doesn't look good for a Pure blood family to be without a child… or for a governor so concerned with Hogwarts to not have a child invested… so Draco found out he was only serving a need… an investment… fulfilling a place revered no better than the role of a house elf… otherwise as a son or anything else Lucius rejects him completely."

"But he bought those new brooms," commented Ron.

"Looks quite good for a father to make such a contribution to his son's house... shows how much he cares… doesn't it?" replied Daken with a sound of amusement and then sarcastically added," Not considering all that the money involved would show off his wealth… of course not bringing any doubt of fairness to competition between the houses … and lets not mention how it might snub in the idea of Pure bloods being better than Muggle born. After all, name a Slytherin that's Muggle born?"

Ron stared with his mouth open and Rela fidgeted uncomfortably. Ginny just looked at the floor, saying nothing as her mother continued to look displeased.

"Draco might do like Barty Crouch's son," spoke Harry thinking aloud, "He might join Voldemort and kill his father to prove loyalty."

Daken laughed loudly.

"There's about as much of a chance of that happening," spoke Daken in darkened amusement, "As there is for me to sprout wings and fly off."

"Voldemort just used Maylen to get closer to Markus," spoke Daken darkly," To get the magical research he had… my jealousy blinded me to his true nature… but after everything… searching him out all those years.. I learned a few things… I learned that he absolutely hates vampires… maybe just a little less than the Muggle born… but not by much… Lucius may have been able to hide it but Draco won't… truth is regardless of whether he deserves it or not… Draco is alone… rejected by his father and abandoned by connections to purity as he knew it… he had only just begun his transition when he came to me and now its happening to him in full force."

"Why did he think we were friends… or at least that's what you said," inquired Harry?

"Probably just to make him-self sound less pathetic to me," replied Daken.

"He doesn't do much with Crabbe and Goyle now," added Ginny hastily, pleading like almost, "Thick as they may be, they'd notice his problems and would to be quick to point it out… that's how that lot is… willing to stab each other in the back at any chance to get ahead…. it would do more than get Draco in trouble but cause a real stir with the magical community to know that a governor is a vampire… is putting his vampire son in a school where he can prey on girls… Draco's trapped in a no win situation."

Ginny stopped to catch her breathe and Rela added, "Unregistered vampires are regarded at the same level as werewolves… it would destroy Draco in anyway… reveal him-self to his father… allow him-self to be identified at Hogwarts… no matter how you look at it, Ginny's right, Draco's trapped with no one he can trust… no real friends... unlike… us."

Harry thought about everything, letting the past half of the term replay back in his mind. He couldn't remember encountering Draco in the hallways since that one day. Potions became the next obvious thing, Snape was making no effort or notice of Draco, either because he now despised the Slytherin or because he recognized the danger and showed some kind of compassion in that. Though the latter was most unlikely, Harry wondered how he would react to Draco now.

"So there's not much to worry about with you and Ginny… but we still need to watch things… Draco however, as we've clearly discussed," finished Daken, "Doesn't have such luck… and I'd appreciate it… considering he's a distant nephew to me… that you don't take advantage of this knowledge."

It was less of a request and more of a demand to which no one made refusal.

The door burst open and Mr. Weasley rushed in quite happy as he held an empty wine bottle in one hand and a corkscrew with a removed cork in the other.

"I figured it out," he shouted happily!

Then looking at everybody's grim but surprised faces, he asked, "Did I interrupt something?"

"No Arthur," replied Mrs. Weasley humorously, shaking her head, "You just surprised us."

Following that, Mrs. Weasley shooed them off to get ready for bed as the late hour became evident with the strike of the clock. As the kids left the room, Molly had a question for Daken.

"Since Draco's found out the truth and whatever else," asked Molly cautiously, "Does that make him someone… that could be trusted?"

Daken took a slow breathe and thought a moment.

"He's not definite of anything, "answered Daken," But if I had to state a position I would say he's like Snape… not a follower of Voldemort but not someone to turn your back on either… for now he's just coasting in the background but I can see he's has something in mind he's planning."

Going up the stairs, the girls bid goodnight and Ginny rushed Rela to her room while Ron commented something about that not being a good sign. Harry suddenly found him-self very tired and followed Ron up the stairs.

Before Ron continued Harry stopped with a sudden thought as he asked, "How does Rela know so much about vampires and that unregistered stuff?'

Ron yawned and answered, "Because her father is head of the Law Interpretation and Facilitation at the ministry… kind of like those muggle court people… layers or something?"

"Lawyers," corrected Harry.

Ron just nodded with another yawn.

"Is that where you met her," asked Harry, surprised by his own curiosity?

"More like ran into while trying to keep her from getting hurt," grumbled out Ron, "Look we can chat about girls tomorrow… I need to sleep… night Harry."

Harry instantly felt him-self go red and entered the room provide by the Weasleys. Harry suddenly found him-self so tired that he just fell to the bed and straight asleep.

When opening his eyes, Harry found him-self in a small room, all kinds of miscellaneous items inside and figured it to be some kind of storage room. A metal creaking sound made him turn to a door being closed. From the form in front of the door, Harry recognize there to be a girl there but for some reason, couldn't identify her. No features seem to come into focus, only a bit of brown and a touch of blonde. Otherwise this girl still seemed unknown but the she knew him. Turning away from the closed door, somehow Harry knew she was pleased for some reason at his presence. Just as confusing as that seemed, he too found it pleasant to have this mystery girl present. She sauntered towards him, not saying a word, and when the distance closed, immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. She was right in front of him but still could not gain recognition in her hazy appearance. She leaned into him, close to Harry's face.

"Wake up," shouted someone in his ears.

An icy cold wetness covered his back and Harry twisted to sit up. Immediately, he found it hard to see as sunlight filled the room and the muscles in his back screamed from the icy wetness applied to it suddenly. Focusing, Harry found Ron standing by laughing as he held a bucket. 

Harry's body was tense and slow, sure signs that sleep had occurred. With the sunlight shinning through, Harry realized he had slept the entire night but it was not the only realization to come.

"Alright you slept long enough," announced Ron in high spirits, "Now get up and get around… Hermione will be here soon and then we're off."

With that Ron turned and headed out quickly. Harry stood and straightened his glasses, not bothering with his hair as it was always pointless and stretched. His stomach rumbled for breakfast but that was not the only thing to make its presence known. Harry turned at a squeak of a floorboard to see Rela standing by his door, her face blushing.

"Morning," greeted Harry, looking down at his wrinkled, slept in clothes.

Rela just continued to look at him, not saying anything.

"What is it," asked Harry?

"Did… did you... sleep alright," inquire Rela, slightly timid again, "Ron checked on you earlier… he said you weren't… talking… not talking in Parseltongue."

Harry gave her a look and Rela responded by blushing slightly.

"Hermione… she'll want know," added Rela hastily but with hesitation as well, "And Ron has plans for us to split up today… in Diagon Alley… so you… you may not get a chance to tell her... but I could."

Harry continued to stare at her. Rela's eyes widen as if a sudden thought came to mind.

"Oh of course… you shouldn't have to tell me anything," added Rela again, suddenly embarrassed, " It's not like you know me well enough to tell me anything private... I'm sorry for suggesting it."

Harry couldn't understand this girl. She was so timid most of the time but seemed to be able to make a point easily as she demonstrated the previous night. Harry relented to him-self at not knowing much about girls but he didn't quite see why Ron wanted to spend time with her. Then Harry remembered that he him-self wasn't always openly friendly with everyone and Ron wasn't talkative at first either.

- Guess we just ring in the odd ones, - thought Harry.

Rela fidgeted, seeming to contemplate a thought until Harry spoke again.

"I don't see why not?" responded Harry, "I'm not really sure what I dreamt just that it wasn't a nightmare that much I know."

Rela suddenly had an encouraged look and took a step in.

"I could probably tell you," said Rela, very hopeful, "My Divination class already covered dream analysis last year and I received top marks."

"Okay," began Harry, "Well there wasn't much to it… I was in some kind of storage closet and there… there was some girl… I didn't recognize her… and I couldn't really make out anything about her."

"You could see the room just fine but the girl was unfamiliar," repeated Rela then asked, "Did she do anything?"

"Well," hesitated Harry, "She got close to me."

Rela's face shaded and simply stated, "Its nothing… it's kind of a fantasy thing… the girl is no one… it's the situation… guess you're the kind that likes to do things in private."

Harry considered what she said for a moment and found it made sense. He never liked doing things where everyone could watch him, excluding Quidditch and everything they had ever done had always been private. So it seemed to make sense and Harry just nodded to it.

Rela's face quickly bore a smile and she looked ready to say something more before Ron's voice cut in.

"Hey," shouted Ron from somewhere further down the stairs, "What you all doing? Hermione's going to be here soon and I want us to be ale to get going. Ginny, you too hurry up!"

Harry heard a door open and slam closed while Ginny's voice rang out, demanding for Ron to calm down and she'd be ready when she was.

"Thanks," whispered Harry as Rela started to leave.

She just nodded with a smile and closed the behind her.

Like Ginny, Harry took his time as well getting ready even though Ron continued to holler out for them every few minutes. Harry found it hard to decide what to wear for some reason. Since Dobby had restored and re-adjusted all the clothes Harry had, it was almost an adventure to going through them all. Seeing him-self with new looking trousers or slacks and new looking sweaters or shirts was distracting. He barely noticed the loud knock at the door.

"What are you doing," came Ron's voice, "Did you forget how to put on a shirt?"

Harry turned to see Ron standing in the door way smirking at him.

"You should see what Dobby did," replied Harry, holding up a shirt that once use to be twice its size and faded.

"Yeah I guess that is neat," agreed Ron, "But if you'd rather stay up here and play with your clothes… then I tell that Muggle born girl in the kitchen to head off."

Harry stared and Ron added," Hermione's here. You want to make her wait or are you going to go see her?"

Suddenly the prospect of seeing Hermione put Harry into a state. Even with all his clothes new looking, he didn't know what to wear or even why he was sp concerned. Harry started sifting through sweaters and trousers, nothing seemed right.

"How about an informed opinion," spoke a new voice?

Harry looked again as Bill walked into the room, his hair still long and bound, much to the dismay of his mother, and still wearing dragon hide boots. Just as cool as the first time Harry had met him.

"With the help from a few friends, "said Bill walking up to the dresser, "I've learned a few tricks and tips."

After a few minutes, Harry was in blue trousers and light brown polo shirt.

Harry was looking into a mirror, attempting for some absurd reason to comb his hair while Ron asked, "Okay I'm no expert but how can you be sure that looks good for him?"

"She likes his eyes right," asked Bill in return?

"Yeah," answered Ron slowly, still confused?

"The clothes he's wearing are plain and boring," explained Bill, "That means you have to pay attention to his face and his eyes. Fleur said she even liked Harry's eyes... always highlight the most attractive feature… that's what Binkins taught me"

"Who," asked Ron suspiciously?

His brother just smiled with mischief and answered," That's my secret and you're probably still too young to know… come see me next year."

-  I'll bet, - thought Ron, giving a knowing glance to his brother, - We'll see if I'm still too young. -

"Oh by the way Harry," spoke Bill asking, "Are you Dobby's master or something?"

Harry looked back, finally giving up on his hair, answering, "No, Dobby's free. If anything I'm just his friend. Why do you ask?"

"I got in late last night and at first I thought we had an intruder," replied Bill puzzled, "Then I saw Dobby's ears with those elf eyes and realized what it was. He was scurrying about; doing everything from finishing the dishes left in the sink and even putting the furniture in the living room back in order from the Grangers' visit last night."

"Well that elf's been weird since I met him," said Ron, "But that does beg the question as to why he was here. Master or no master they'd probably need him at Hogwarts for that search thing of theirs."

"Unless, Dobby had a reason for not staying there, "questioned Harry commenting curiously, "Or wanting to for that matter."

"What are you getting at," inquire Ron, while Harry straightened his shirt further?

"Malleck's a vampire right?" asked Harry explaining as Ron nodded his head, "So is Maylen and Daken… and when he reacted to me….we saw that when dragged us into that closet when Maylen and Daken had their row."

"Well," added Bill, "Far as I know anyways, vampires and elves have never really seen eye to eye, pardon the pun."

Harry fussed with the belt of his trousers before Bill clicked his tongue and said, "Look… another rule I learned… never keep the witch waiting… that's their prerogative."

"Learn that at Binkins," said Ron chiming in? 

His brother just gave him a curious look as Harry relented to the state of his appearance.

"I ought to just that throw comb away," commented Harry walking down the stairs to the living room, heading for the kitchen, "Might as well be a paper weight for all the use it is to me."

"Give it to Ginny," whispered Ron, "She's always combing that bristle she calls hair."

"You better watch it Ron Weasley," shouted Ginny in their direction, "Or I'll tell Rela what happen the first time he tried to ride a broom!"

In an instant, Ron's ears went scarlet and Harry tried hard to hide his amusement, noting to ask about it some time. Finally Bill led them into the kitchen to a site Harry wondered if he had been waiting for or dreamt of.

Hermione wore witch robes rather than Muggle clothing as Harry seemed to be dressed like. She wore a knee length light gray skirt and standard black cloak. Instead of the usual blouse and neck tie worn with Hogwarts robes, she had on a forest green sweater with a white shirt of some type underneath, visible from the collar.

Harry couldn't help looking her over to see those details and it clicked in his mind that Ginny was right, green did suit her as it made her chocolate brown eyes stand out.

Harry's sudden memorizations distracted him as Hermione watched a taller messy black haired boy, dressed more confidently than she had ever seen walk into the kitchen. His clothes may have been neat and pressed but they were nothing to his eyes. They just seemed to jump out at her from the plain but neat image before her, screaming for her attention in some way.

There was a sudden choking sound and Hermione had to look away, disappointed though, to see Ginny struggling to swallow her milk upon seeing Harry. 

"Nice touch Bill," gasped out Ginny, "Why don't you just put a sign on his neck telling the girls to flock at him?"

Harry felt his face heat and Rela giggled as Ron took a seat next to her.

"Maybe that's not a bad idea," joked Bill stopping suddenly at a stern look from his mother.

Even though conversation had taken more time, Ron was still excited as ever to leave as soon as possible. Harry wondered what the big deal was, considering they were going to Diagon Alley and this was not the first time.

However, Mrs. Weasley refused for anyone to leave until they had spot of breakfast, which meant for everyone to have at least two helpings of things. Mrs. Weasley seemed to fuss over Rela being too thin for a girl her age and would not let Harry have an empty plate for more than moment. Hermione laughed away as she ate plums and bananas. It wasn't until Mrs. Weasley pointed out she needed more than fruit that it occurred to Harry that was the only food he had seen Hermione eat all year, just fruit. Even in the hospital wing she only brought fruit and Harry remembered he had rather of had. He decided to stop thinking about it as his thoughts drifted beyond what seemed comfortable.

The clock struck its bells signaling that it was late morning and Ron insisted that if they ate anymore they have some kind of poisoning. Though his mother just gave him a look of idiocy, she did relent.

"I'll get our cloaks," announced Ron excitedly.

"I need to go back to my… my room, "said Harry pausing a second, "I need my key."

"Rela and I will ready the living room, "added Ginny looking to Hermione about to ask something when her mother cut in.

"Hermione, "spoke Molly hastily, "Would you be a dear and help me a second? All the people in this house, I can barely keep up."

Hermione made no argument but made quick at snatching up the dishes without regret.

After every one had left he room, leaving only Hermione and Molly, the Weasley mother revealed her reasons for Hermione's aid.

"That's enough of that," announced Mrs. Weasley, turning and giving Hermione a serious look, "I'll take the potion jar now… I imagine it should be just about empty anyways."

Hermione just stared blankly at Mrs. Weasley, not moving an inch.

"Don't think I don't know you have a bottle of Dreamless Sleep Draft," added Molly seeing Hermione's expression, "Being a mother I know its effects quite well… Harry's has nightmares but suddenly, every so often, he has a good night's rest and then everything happens again." 

Hermione realized that Molly knew her secret quite well and reached slowly into her robe withdrawing the small bottle. Molly held her hand out for it and Hermione, with reluctance, placed it in her hands.

"I know you don't approve but," started Hermione before Molly's raised hand stopped her.

Molly shook the contents of the remaining liquid, examining it, removed the top and poured the remaining into the sink. As the small amount dripped into the drain, Hermione felt her worries rise quickly. Molly then rinsed out the jar and dried it with her apron.

Hermione didn't know what to say or think to explain her-self until she saw the mischievous smile on Molly's face.

"Looks like you need a refill," said Mrs. Weasley, "And you're in the right place for it."

With that Molly turned around and slid her hand behind a cupboard as Hermione stared in shock at the woman. There came a clicking sound and the cupboard it-self swung out to reveal a hidden space behind. She started sorting through some bottles inside before speaking again.

"You are the only other person to know about this, not even my husband knows… I would like it to stay that way, "said Molly, "I expected to show this secret to my daughter… and I suppose that in way I have… if everything plays right of course."

"Why do you have that," asked Hermione, having found her voice in the confusion?

"One day you'll be a mother," explained Molly, "And you'll learn that sometimes… having a few secret tricks… can make a world of difference."

Having found the bottle she sought, Molly turned back around and held Hermione's jar to the tip, pouring in a similar contents.

"Take Percy for example," added Molly, "As a child he had a terrible time with storms… sensitive ears… one crack of thunder and he was up the rest of the night… believe me a young child without a good nights sleep is worse than Peeves on a bad day… but a hug from mother and a good cup my 'special' tea and he doesn't know about the storm the rest of the night."

Molly had filled the contents to just shy of the rim before she capped it off, handing it back to Hermione with a surprisingly caring smile.

"My brew is much stronger than that slop Severus must have made, given its color, "explained Molly with a serious tone Hermione had never heard, "You barely need half a teaspoon in something and it'll work just the same… so that will last you much longer… however don't rely on it… if what my owl posts from Dumbledore are true than Harry will develop a resistance to that very quickly if used consistently… so try to be sparse… nightmares or not he still needs to dream."

Hermione clamped her hand around the bottle, pocketing quickly as her feelings became so mixed and overwhelmed that she didn't know what she was feeling. A great secret given to her as well as treasured aid and all of it so sudden that only one thought was clear in the form of a question.

"How," said Hermione, being that all she could muster out?

Footsteps could be heard nearing the kitchen and Molly quietly answered, "Vegetables aren't the only thing in my garden… and Lilly wasn't the only girl who knew a thing or two about potions… it's what brought us together in the beginning."

Ginny hurried in and ushered Hermione out of the kitchen.

Harry descended the stairs quickly having found his vault key. Entering the living room, Harry walked towards the fireplace, preparing to take the unpleasant Floo trip to Diagon Alley. However he quickly realize he was the only one at the fireplace as every one else was gathered more in the middle of the room.

"Sorry mate," apologized Ron, "I forgot to mention we're not going by Floo."

"Then how," responded Harry, stopping when Ron held something out to him?

In Ron's hand lay a dull colored, but shiny green stone and in the other, a bag baring similar stones. Harry made to reach for it when Hermione answered his prior, incomplete question.

"We're using Port keys," answered Hermione happily but her voice trailed out quickly, "There isn't enough Floo powder and we promised to."

Hermione stopped in mid sentence as her voice had trailed out watching Harry. He hadn't taken the stone from Ron and looked seriously displeased, as the green of his eyes dimmed quickly replaced by a tinge of red.

"Harry… are you okay," inquired Ron?

"I'm fine," snapped Harry his tone dark suddenly.

"Harry it's just a Port key," lightly added Hermione, not able to finished as Harry caught her off," They're."

"I KNOW VERY WELL WHAT IT IS," shouted Harry, rounding on Hermione suddenly, "I HAVE LEARNED A FEW THINGS IN MY TIME!"

Hermione just stared at him, nobody said anything at first but an odd look came to Harry's face. Then the room chilled quickly and everyone was quite aware of it.

"Harry it's nothing to be afraid of," spoke Ginny in a comforting manner.

As soon as she had said it, Ginny learned to quickly regret having done so.

"What did you say," whispered Harry threateningly, glaring at her?

"Stop it," snapped Hermione suddenly, "Don't act this way."

"I'll decide my own behavior thank you," replied Harry snappishly right back to her.

A multitude of things on the walls and shelves about the living room began to rattle slightly and the owls flew off from their perches as Hermione stood looking directly at Harry hands on her hips. Her stance was strangely vigilant, given the changing situation and her expression showed both the similar vigilance and displeasure. A small glow came to her eyes as they locked with Harry's glare.

"You're acting like a prat," returned Hermione harshly, "And that's not how you are."

Her words didn't seem to diminish Harry's behavior, rather in some way only make him worse.

"And what makes you think you know me so well," inquired Harry just as harsh, "You have your damn nose in a book most of the time… or being the perfect student with the rules… it must be easy to be so damn uppity when you've always had everything you've wanted."

As hurtful as the words were they didn't seem to faze Hermione as she gave Harry an inquiring look.

"Okay maybe we should just wait a bit before," started Ron, speaking now after some time before being cut off?

"Why," interrupted Harry his tone darkening even more, turning to Ron, "Aren't you worried you'll miss something… worthwhile… you were in such a damn hurry to leave before… why stop now?"

Unlike Hermione, Ron didn't stay so calm at first.

"I do want to go," quietly answered Ron through gritted teeth, his ears reddening, "I just thought you'd want a moment to collect your-self." 

"And just when the hell did you become an expert on what I want?" growled Harry, mockingly adding, "So I didn't take to the Port key right away… I'm so sorry for being terribly ungrateful." 

Sounds of thunder rumbling outside reached their ears.

Ron's reddening ears deepened and he glared back, about to respond when Harry added further.

"But you're even worse," added Harry, barely moving his mouth, clenching his hands to fists, "Whining about not being like anyone in your family… at least you have one you pathetic louse!"

As could be expected Ron would charge at being so heartlessly insulted… yet he did nothing, his deepening anger faded instantly and like Hermione, joined in giving Harry a funny look.

Ginny stood by Ron saying nothing but she didn't look hurt or insulted either. However Rela took a step forward.

"How are they suppose to know what you want if you don't say," question Rela, calmly and strangely brave compared to her usually timid attitude, "Considering everything you three have done together… have you ever had a chance to just sit around and talk about you-selves? Harry you never knew Ginny had vampire issues… or you never knew after four years how Ron felt his whole life before you… and are you sure Hermione always had what she wanted… she wasn't too happy when she first started at Hogwarts and do you know why that was?"

Harry turned slowly and glared at the petite blonde girl, his cheek twitching slightly as if contemplating a serious of thoughts.

"Why don't you tell them what bothers you about Port keys," suggested a voice to the side, "Dumbledore did suggest that you stop withholding from your friends."

A quick look revealed Daken at the base of the stairs. Molly stood, looking nearly mortified, at the kitchen doorway. Silence followed for while the chilling of the room stopped along with the sound of rumbling.

"What difference would it make now?" asked Harry, his voice calm suddenly but a nasty ring of anger still present, looking at the floor, "It won't change anything."

"On the contrary," answered Daken, "Telling people things such as what you want or what's bothering you isn't about changing events, past or present… its about trust and letting those outside your-self become involved… I've gone the route opposite to that and believe me I wouldn't suggest that to anyone."

"People who get involved with me," stated Harry plainly, "Get hurt… or worse."

Saying this, Harry glanced from Ginny to Hermione, his point clarifying in a look.

Daken eyes squinted slightly in response and Molly's look became soft. Harry felt a hand touch his back and he spun around to see Hermione only a step away. In turning, her hand had slid from his back and came to rest against the fabric on his chest. She had a small smile in place and looked at him with eyes baring no grudge of hurtfulness.

"Don't blame your-self for any of that," said Hermione quietly," It was stupid to be a girl my age in Bulgaria with adult wizard in the first place, regardless of who it was… I made that choice… what was done with Ginny, that wasn't about you remember… Malfoy wanted to stop that Muggle Protection Act Mr. Weasley was trying to get pasted at the time… Ginny was used as a ploy against her father… not you... so don't blame your-self for everything."

His attitude changed slowly as Hermione watched his eyes define them-selves with green again, pushing away the growing red.

"She's right," added Daken, "People like Malfoy were planning and doing these kinds of things to people's lives before you and it will happen whether you're involved or not… take a moment to realize that these plans have not gone into fruition because you risked everything to prevent them."

Harry just looked at Hermione and she continued to smile back.

Looking away for a moment, Harry stated, "The trophy in the maze was a Port key… it led to the cemetery… where… where everything happened… I guess that made Port keys… a bit uncomfortable to me."

As soon as Harry finished the last word, Rela saw Ron's face do a twisted mix of sudden realization and a bit of self-loathing as his fist tightened around his port key. Rela heard a small crack and knew Ron had broken it in his grip.

"We… we didn't… we didn't know," replied Hermione slowly and gently, "We won't use it then… one of us will go to Diagon Alley separately… nabs some more Floo powder and then we'll go that way… okay?"

Harry didn't say anything but she noticed a glassy glare to his eyes as they began to water.

- He's not over all that, - thought Hermione suddenly, - We've never talked about it. -

"No," said Harry his voice just above a whisper, "They're already made… it would be a waste."

Harry turned and before he could ask Ron for a Port key, Mrs. Weasley cut in.

"Harry," inquired Mrs. Weasley very gently, "Were Petunia and Vernon really as bad as Ron has said?"

Harry made a sound of a laugh and as if he couldn't stop, a flood of answers sneered out, "Let's see… I never knew anything about my parents' death besides actually being dead… didn't know anything about my past until Hagrid showed up… oh yeah that was a great way to find out… some gamekeeper busting down the door with a big surprise of guess what 'you're a wizard Harry'... suddenly I find out I'm responsible for the defeat of some evil wizard… of course that must pale in comparison of ten years of being called boy instead of my own name… watching that bloated tub of lard get everything he so much as looked at… while I did chore after chore… I guess someone told them I was a house elf… at least I had a nice cupboard to be locked in… worked great when they didn't want me around… I suppose I should kiss their feet for putting me in Dudley's second bedroom."

Harry stopped having to catch his breath and Hermione watched in horror as every trace of green drained form his eyes in a near instant and the red glow returned growing ever more in dominance. His expression darkened to even a state she had never seen of him. The glass of picture frames cracked. Flowers in a cracking vase on a coffee table nearby wilted black, dead as if for weeks. Hermione along with everyone else felt his or her hair begin to frizz. A strange sound of something running about came from the attic. Crookshanks stood on the landing of the stairs, hissing away, his fur on end. The sunlight from outside dimmed and darkness began to overtake the room. And through all that, the rumble of thunder returned, even louder, signaling an impending storm approaching.

Moving with surprising speed, Mrs. Weasley had come to wrap her arms around Harry's shoulders, embracing him suddenly. Harry looked away and instantly a battle engaged. Hermione, possibly others, watched as his eyes changed colors continuously. Green and red seemed to contend for occupation of Harry's eyes.

Hermione realized what Dumbledore had tried to convey, that it wasn't just his magic the orb had affected but also his heart. Now, somewhere a demon had been released from whatever dark place that lay in Harry's heart. Struggling to be free and take away the Harry they knew.

"Forget about them," whispered Mrs. Weasley loudly to Harry's ear, "Petunia always despised your mother… I knew that the first time I met the woman… but I never imagined she'd be like this… I always thought that you and Ron were just exaggerating things a bit… like children tend to do with those they don't like… but I was wrong and I'm sorry." 

As quick as everything had started again, it stopped and Harry's eyes reclaimed a dim green to them, not as bright as they normally were but not red either. All the while only Rela and Daken noticed Ron's eyes take an orange glow at Harry's words of his relatives.

After a minute, Mrs. Weasley let go of Harry who looked drain now.

"We can go tomorrow," stated Ron without any disappointment, "We still got another day until Christmas."

"I'm fine," responded Harry, taking a deep and heavy breath, "Let's go ahead and leave… if Diagon Alley is anything like the Muggle world then this time of year, especially tomorrow, will be really busy."

"Okay," replied Ron cautiously.

He tossed the bag of colored stones, the other port keys, on to the sofa, one of them broken into smaller fragments. Ron held a different colored stone in his hand now and put his arm out in front of everyone.

"We'll all go together," announced Ron, "Using the same Port key… so we stay together."

Rela and Ginny each a placed a finger on the stone as did Hermione. Harry hesitated for a second then placed his own finger as well. A tap from Ron's wand and they vanished from the spot, not seeing as Molly stormed back towards the kitchen.

"Harry has a lot of issues," called out Daken, "I wouldn't think you'd be upset with all that."

Molly stopped and turned back to glare at Daken.

"Who said I'm angry with Harry, "replied Molly hastily, "Its not his fault some damn fool wizard thought it smart to put him with 'those' people."

"So this doesn't have anything to do with what Jean said to you… or what you sent Charlie out to get," asked Daken, "After all we already clarified that like Ginny, Harry wasn't going to be vampire."

Molly looked further displeased and replied with, "I understand that being a vampire you have a hard time not overhearing conversations with your hearing…however it might do you well to make sure you understand what you heard… Jean has a right to be worried about any boy her daughter may be interested in regardless of their past… do you think I approved of that Clearwater girl Percy brought to dinner or do you think I approved of Rela right away… no I didn't… mothers don't do approve of their children's choices right away… its natural tendency to think someone's not good enough… but I've come to like Rela quite a bit as I did Ms. Clearwater… Rela seems timid but that's more of an act than anything, she's got a strong temperament her-self."

Just before Molly turned back towards the kitchen, Daken added, "And Charlie?"

"That, it is my concern not yours," finished Molly curtly, "I told Charlie to get a plank not a stake… I'll just say that Hogwarts isn't the only thing I plan to give Harry a holiday from."

"His nightmares," pressed Daken?

He received no response except for Molly walking briskly back into the kitchen.

- What trick are you using this time, - thought Daken, - And what would it have to do with a wooden plank? -

Meanwhile a quick pulling sensation to his midsection and Harry opened his eyes to see him-self standing in a back area of the Leaky Cauldron. A door creaked opened and Tom entered, greeting the students, apparently their arrival having been pre-arranged. After collecting them-selves, they followed him out into the commissary of the pub.

They shared a quick picture of pumpkin juice at Hermione's insistence before stepping from the pub into Diagon Alley via the special entrance. Their first stop was to traverse Diagon Alley to Gringotts. Surprisingly enough Hermione seemed apprehensive about it but didn't say why. As they walked the distance, they saw some of their school chums along the way. Some Ravenclaw girls snatched Rela away for a moment, talking in whispers with her, using words that brought shades of red to her small face. Ron would stand by, trying not to look as though he wanted to know what was said but he did have a smirk. Ginny had managed to pull Hermione into a shop for a moment, slipping away for a second while Ron and Harry waited. Harry couldn't help but notice Ron's looks to Rela and his curiosity came through.

"Ron," spoke Harry?

Ron gave a sound, recognizing that Harry had said his name.

"You said you met Rela at the ministry," question Harry, "Trying to save her or something?"

Ron's ears redden a bit as he responded, "Oh yeah… it was a training thing."

Harry just looked at him.

"They have this room there where you can practice your aiming against these spheres… they're like Bludgers actually… except their bigger and they don't break easy," explained Ron, "Well one day I was practicing them and I heard a yell and other things."

Now Harry's curiosity peeked further as he listened intently.

"Well there's a plaque or something outside the room that says if you enter you're a target," continued Ron, "And Rela was walking by carrying some stuff to her dad when her stuff toppled over into the training room… she walked in… oh and there's another rule… you can't leave until you beat the things or they beat you which ever happens."

"Why were you in there then," inquired Harry surprised, "You're not an Auror?"

"Oh that was Moody's idea," answered Ron, "He stepped out before it started and said he'd be back in ten minutes… must have gotten busy cause I was in there for about a half hour… mum wasn't pleased."

Harry stared incredulously at Ron.

"Anyways so Rela got trap and like I said those things act like Bludgers, so they come after you," continued Ron, "She didn't seem quite ready for it all… so I kept her out of harm's way until Moody decided to finally show… the old nut said he had fallen asleep in his office… she was really shaken until her dad showed… I thought he was going to bust a gut with Moody… seemed like a nice enough bloke though… until he saw me that is."

"Why is that," pressed Harry?

Ron ears went even redder than before as he answered, "Oh I suppose it had something to do with my hand on her knee… guess he didn't quite approve of me so familiar with his daughter… wasn't like I was thinking that stuff and even realized I had done it… Rela didn't seem to mind… in fact she sent an owl post to me the next day and we met again at the ministry… so it just took off from there."

Harry didn't have much chance to respond as Rela was able to break away from her group and Ginny along with Hermione returned from whatever shop they had gone.

So they continued their trek to Gringotts and received a surprise as they entered the goblin run bank. Just as the door open and they were being bowed in, one of the goblins came rushing up to them. The goblin smiled at them with spaced, sharp teeth and beckoned them.

"Welcome Mr. Potter and party," wheezed the goblin, "To what do we owe the honor?"

Harry along with everyone but Rela stared at the goblin. Rela was looking everywhere as apparently this was her first time in Gringotts.

"I'm here to make a withdrawal… I have my key,' began Harry before he was cut off.

"Oh no need for formalities… just tell me how much you would like and I'll have it brought to you," wheezed the goblin happily, "You've been bringing in a lot of business for us… and we always go extra for our special accounts… many fees we've been able to charge all thanks to you sir… and your party… I would be happy to accommodate them as well."

Hermione spoke up, hesitantly with, "Well I have some notes I need to exchange so I can."

She had withdrawn the British notes from a pocket and before she could finish her sentence the goblin snapped his fingers once and another goblin rushed up with a leather sack. It seized the notes and began counting away, comparing his counts to a parchment. After a moment, it opened the bag and held out a sum of Galleons, Sickles and Knuts to her, never saying a word but smiling quite pleased with it-self.

"The other ladies and gentleman and lets not forget you Mr. Potter," spoke the goblin?

Ron stared at Harry, who in turn just shrugged his shoulders in reply.

"My father was supposed to have transferred our accounts from Germany," said Rela still looking around.

"Account transfer... very well the name miss," said the goblin, snapping his fingers three times and another goblin came to his side with a huge heft of parchment and a leather sack as well?

"Oh… Minet," answered Rela, "Regina Lauren Minet… my father is Belmus Minet."

The goblin with the parchment began madly flipping through pointed at something then whispered to its apparent superior. They instantly went into a frenzy of whispers, speaking their own language as nothing they said made sense. Rela began to become obviously nervous about something until at one point the goblin that had been talking with, pointed at Harry then her and said something harshly to the other goblin. Harry looked to Rela to see the girl getting upset and trying to hide it, help by Ron standing by her as he whispered something to her ear. After a few minutes the goblins stopped talking and both peered at Rela strangely. The assistant goblin put the parchment down and opened the leather sack. Thought it seem to be unsettled at the task.

"Oh yes the accounts have been transferred… minus a small fee of course," wheezed their host, still peering strangely at Rela, "How much would you like… Ms. Minet?'

"I'll take the whole lot thank you," snapped Rela surprisingly, her eyes taking a quick move to look around.

The goblin began to reach into its sack with an odd look of knowing before Ron cut in.

"Hold on," interrupted Ron and he pulled Rela off to the side gently and they went into whispers as well.

At this action the two goblins looked at each other in surprise. Somehow Ron's actions had caught them off guard and Harry took a chance to let his peruse the room as well. Every goblin in the place was looking at Rela, even Ginny looked slightly nervous as well. Hermione gave Harry a confused look as this had gone beyond her range.

Harry looked back to Ron and Rela and was able to catch her saying something about Germany and something happening again. She looked very flustered suddenly but Ron somehow seemed to be encouraging her somehow.

Having had enough, Harry decided to get an answer as he asked their host goblin, "What's going on? Why is there such a problem with her?"

The goblin smiled, slightly wary now, as it replied, "There was the suspicion of thievery for a moment but it has been corrected?"

Harry nodded to the row of goblins staring at Rela off to the side from their desks of scales and monetary items before snapping back, "Just a suspicion?"

At this, the goblin made a sound and the others around them went right back to work.

Rela came back and asked for fifteen sickles, correcting her last request. The goblin pulled her requested amount from his sack but she refused to take them. Instead Ron took the money, handing them to her after the goblin walked away. She dropped the coins into an inside pocket and said nothing. Harry made a note to him-self to ask Ron why the goblins would suspect theft from her.

"And you miss," said their host goblin to Ginny?

It took a step back for a second as Ginny glared angrily at the goblin for a moment before responding with, "Nothing for me… I'm just here for the trip."

And with that she stalked off, took Rela by the shoulder and gently pushed the girl to follow. Ron didn't intervene against them, given that his sister gave him a look.

-And I thought I was the one with problems, - thought Harry?

The goblin now looked to Ron and before it could say anything, he snapped, "I'm fine too… already got mine."

The goblin cleared his throat and with a note of nervousness asked, "That just leaves you Mr. Potter, what would you like to withdrawal?"

Harry thought a second and answered, "How about ten Galleons? Oh I'll need to exchange for about twenty British pounds too."

"Why do you need to exchange Harry," inquire Hermione?

Meanwhile the goblin began snapping away with its fingers and dispensing orders to its sub ordinates that came to the call.

"Well Dobby's been a big help what with my trunk and all that before," answered Harry, "So I promised my-self to get him some socks. He loves socks, the Muggle kind mainly so I thought we could step out onto the street and see if there's a shop nearby before we go."

Hermione just smiled saying nothing while two goblins approached Harry, one with ten Galleons in hand and the other with twenty British pounds along with some small papers Hermione recognized.

While taking the gold and pounds but staring at the small papers, Harry asked, "What are those?"

Hermione reached forth and snatch them from the goblin's hands receiving a nasty look while she hastily said, "These are deposit notes that Professor McGonagall needs to sign."

Harry just nodded his head and said nothing. They said their goodbyes and left Gringotts to find Ginny and Rela talking animatedly with each other. Rela looked a great deal happier now but Harry was sure he heard Rela say something to Ron about never stepping into Gringotts again.

"Alright," announced Ginny after they had walked back up a short distance through Diagon Alley, "This is where we split up."

Ron perked up, grabbed Harry's arm and began to practically drag him away from the group shouting a 'see you later' to the girls.

"Finally I've really been looking forward to this," said Ron quite excited after a minute.

"Looking forward to what," asked Harry?

"There's a shop I've wanted to go into for the longest time," answered Ron, then his ears redden as he finished with, "Bill's gone there a few times… but I always had to wait outside… the door won't open for me… he always gets something for a girl there and they always like it… there's a sign that's said before that I have to be at least fifteen…and so now's my chance… and yours too."

"What kind of shop is it," asked Harry, his curiosity peeking?

Ron shrugged his shoulders as he responded, "We're going to find out."

And through the streets of Diagon Alley they went with Ron leading the way."

Elsewhere in a small shop Ginny had insisted upon going, Hermione looked around as Rela and Ginny went directly to a section in the back. Hermione spotted a display case full of different bottles of potions. Looking closer, she found that many of them were love potions.

"Have an eye on chap do we," said a lady suddenly behind the case, "I don't think you'd need it… but never hurts to have a little edge?

Hermione redden suddenly and a thought came to mind.

"Aren't love potions suppose to be illegal," asked Hermione

 The lady behind the case gave Hermione a smile and answered, "Only to an extent… if the potion is heavily deluded like Muggle perfumes… its okay… heavier purified versions are allowed only for married couples… then there are the tailored versions… mind you those are allowed only in the case that a relationship is clearly defined… otherwise it just depends on the situation… but any shop that legally sells love potions has a license and their bottles clearly marked to identify from what shop it came."

Hermione listened to the woman but only one thing stuck in her mind.

"What do you mean by tailored versions, "inquired Hermione?

The lady's smile broaden and she gave Hermione a peering look as she answered, "Love potions… that a girl like you… or even a boy… can where like a perfume and its 'tailored' to affect only one particular person. Do you have a boy you'd like to have paying more attention to you? Mind you I said there has to be a definite relationship before you can use it legally."

Hermione knew her body was pushing the limits on how far her face could redden but she continued, remembering something that happened before and what Daken had said.

"Can any love potion be tailored," pressed Hermione?

Now the smile altered to devious as one eyebrow raised and she answered, "Just about… is there one you're specifying?"

Hermione hesitated before responding with," Aphrodite's Kiss?"

The lady's response was not what Hermione expected. Rather than make a judgment to a very illegal potion she became even more interested.

"And how did you get that?" whispered the woman most interestedly, "I've been trying to get a license for ages."

"I don't actually have it," hastily added Hermione, "I'm a student at Hogwarts… and the potion was used earlier in the term… but it only affected one boy. So I was curious to know how a powerful potion like that could be so controlled."

If possible the woman's curiosity grew as she came around the case and stood closely to Hermione.

"I'd like to know who the unfortunate boy was… believe me from what I know falling prey to a potion like that can be disastrous," whispered the woman, "Once the boy is exposed… the girl usually has long lasting control over him… she just needs to seal it with a kiss… hence Aphrodite's Kiss."

Hermione thought fast and remembered that Cho had tried to kiss Harry in the Great Hall regardless of who saw. Then in the potions class, she tried to get Harry to kiss her. Hermione remembered how Harry had fought it but she wondered what snapped him out of it and into that enraged vampire self. 

"It didn't work… well actually it almost did but Harry… I mean the boy resisted it," answered Hermione, "But I still want to know how she could make it affect only him… there was another boy there but it didn't anything to him."

Hermione had said Harry's name and in almost doing so the woman had stared, almost hungrily like Lavender at impending gossip, to hear the whole name.

"Well blood is how you do it," said the woman in an odd knowing manner, "Muggles call it pheromones… and since they're in the blood… add a few drops… plus an ingredient or two… and you have a love potion ready for just one boy… a potential slave to your whims."  

Hermione began thinking suddenly and wondering how did Cho get any of Harry's blood to do that.

"I might also add that considering it was the Aphrodite's Kiss," added the woman, "That girl must have been quite something with potions because powerful ones like that is meant more for larger numbers than one… it takes great skill to limited that to just one boy."

Hermione didn't get a chance to ask further as Rela and Ginny arrived, ready with purchases and Hermione made a hasty grab for a hair potion she saw earlier. The girls purchased their items and left, all the while the woman Hermione had spoken to watched them leave.

"Melinda, "said the woman as she walked towards a back room, "What was the name of that professor… the one at Hogwarts… he sent us a dried potion to test remember?"

Another woman appeared and she answered, "Snape… Severus Snape. Why did you want to know, Nina?"

"Because Hermione Granger was just here… the same one from his letter," added Nina, the woman Hermione had spoken too, "And considering the name she almost said… I'd turn my hair pink for a week if it wasn't Harry Potter she as talking about."

"You think that's the boy who Snape said resisted… he never said a name," inquired Melinda quickly.

"A person like Harry Potter… I'm not surprised it wasn't said," giggled Nina, "I'd love to know how he resisted it… or should I say who for?"

Melinda and Nina just gave each other look and smiled knowingly. 

Meanwhile the boys had arrived at Ron's desired location. At first Harry was a bit confused; it was dingy building that was lopsided. The stone along with the walk way looked as though they hadn't been tended to in years. The windows were covered and the only marking was a relatively new looking plaque by the door that had the name Binkins engraved on it.

Harry was about to inquire but Ron looked excited and stepped up to the door. He took hold of the door and a ding sounded, Ron looked even happier and opened the door calling for Harry to hurry up.

Harry walked forward and reached for the door when it slammed shut. He stood on the landing apprehensive when a voice above him said in a very curt tone, "You must be at least fifteen years of age to enter. If you are the door will open."

Harry gripped the handle and felt something prick at his hand. Before he decided to let go, a ding sounded again and the door swung loose in his hand. With that Harry stepped in to find Ron, his ears burning red.

As if the front part hadn't confusing enough, it was even stranger inside. The shop it-self was mainly dark but all the items were lit it up by a source of light shining directly from the ceiling, illuminating only the area in which the items lay. There were odd garments displayed in some places. Shelves with books titled in strange characters. Bottles with bright substances lined one wall, some even seem to glow. Flowers Harry had never seen before nor looked familiar in any way were displayed in case. Every where there things he had never seen and wondered what the draw to this place was. Thank fully more normal items were also in the shop. Things like specially made quills and ink jars. More normally looking blouses and skirts as well as robes that had glittered or twinkling spots on them. It was a mish mash of items, the kind that seemed to bring the reddening to their faces and the kind that seemed to be found in a normal shop.

"They look a bit too young," said a girl's voice sweetly.

Harry looked and saw someone in one of the dark areas near him. All he could see was a figure of what appeared to be a girl, taller than him.

"For them the bell has rung," said another girl's voice, just as sweet but with a higher pitch.

Harry saw another similar figure by Ron now.

Harry found him-self preparing to reach for his wand as pressure around his temples built, like something trying to reach into his head.

"This one knows what he wants, "said the one closest to Harry, "But is still confused."

Harry looked at her again and saw she was a little shorter than him with hair past the shoulders. Harry blinked suddenly as he distinctly remembered that she had been taller a moment ago.

"This one likes a petite and blonde," said the one by Ron and now she was Ron's height with hair down to her waist, "With gifts he does not abuse."

"They're changing," whispered Harry surprised.

Ron whispered back, "I think they're something like Metamorpheguses… Daken said something about one he met before… they change their appearance at will."

"Little details is all I can find," said the one next Harry suddenly, "But she has hair not too long."

"His hides her nature," spoke the other, "But has done no wrong."

Harry again whispered to Ron, asking, "Why are they talking in rhymes?"

Ron only shook his head, not knowing why.

"Lu… Nu… that's enough," announced a witch from up front, "This is their first time here and we don't want to scare them off… I think they're here for simpler gifts… this time anyways."

The one by Ron turn to walk away but hesitated as the other by Harry remained.

"What's the matter Lu," asked the woman up front?

"His mind is too strong, "answered the strange girl now identified as Lu," The female is still unclear."

Harry didn't find her words very enjoyable.

"He has a brother we know," stated the other, apparently named Nu, "Before he has brought you near."

"Again I wish to play," stated Lu sweetly but quite strongly.

In an airy manner, Nu also stated, "Between both we need a day." 

***

"Girls, "again spoke the woman up front, much more serious now, "I said that was enough."

Without further word, the two strange girls walked away. They passed under a light and in that moment from behind they looked exactly like Hermione and Rela. A glance at Ron showed he was thinking the same thing.

"They were reading our minds." whispered Harry.

"And changing into the girls," whispered Ron in return.

"Sorry for the overwhelming welcome," said the woman," Come up here so I can get a better look at you two."

They walked up to the woman at a counter with shelves behind it displaying another set of mix items.

"Well given that you two are only fifteen," said the woman as they came to stop in front of the counter, "I'll guess that my main stock is a bit too early for you two right now."

The woman laughed and the boys tried to look natural while aware of the strange girls still in the depths of store looking at them.

"I'm known as Binkins… like the sign out front," stated Binkins, "Let me start by saying our policy. First off, we don't exactly advertise our-selves. We're known by word of mouth among men. Second, regardless of your impressions; let me tell you now we don't cater to anything of a behind-the-scenes nature. Our market is the clueless crowd such as young men like your-selves looking to get a gift that says just what they want to a young lady… I like to think of my-self as a romantic… lastly and importantly anything said, heard or anyone seen here remains a secret. Break any of those rules to our policy and you'll never set foot in here again. I have frequent customers that require discretion as I'm sure you would want the same. "

Harry started to feel more comfortable now, his tensions eased as Binkins spoke that a place that seemed rather untamed wasn't as wild as it appeared to be.

"I'd say look around but again I think you're a tad young for that now… even if you did pass the age spell," suggested Binkins, "So why don't we try the best method most men use here? You tell me about the girls, how you feel about them and I'm pretty sure I can come up with something that suits… I haven't had a complaint yet so I'd say my track record is pretty good… lets start with you, Bill's brother." 

Binkins looked at Ron who looked blankly back.

"Just describe her as you see her," urged Binkins gently, "Then what you feel when you see or think of her… names are not needed."

Harry watched Ron swallow and hesitate for a moment.

"Well she's pretty… really gentle…likes animals, mostly birds especially hawks," started Ron but as he started his eyes went distance and he spoke more comfortably, "Her voice is like music to me… every time I see her… its like for the first time… and I wonder if its just a dream for second…  she's really sensitive… always worried about how people react to her… scared they'll find out she's a Whasperor… but she's never done anything to me… and I've told her it doesn't bother me… and kissing her has been."

Before the last comment was finished, a loud pop sounded and Ron jumped as if awakened. Binkins had an odd look to her face, a mixture of amusement, thoughtfulness and also surprise.

"A Whasperor huh," said Binkins, writing something on a piece of parchment, "That's quite something original... she has a right to be worried about reactions… and already you know this of her… well this calls for something particular."

Ron went instantly red as his eyes widened while he stuttered, "Did… did… did I say… that out loud?"

Binkins gave Ron an encouraging smile s she replied, "Believe me, I couldn't stay in businesses if I let what was said in these walls out… no its policy that anything said here stays here… clearly you both can see things can get very personal."

She finished writing her note then twirled her wand as she look with great enthusiasm at Harry. One of the two girls from before took a few steps closer but a quick shaking of a Binkins head sent her back.

"Oh my turn… well she's smart… not a spell or anything hasn't been able to do yet," began Harry but he wasn't finding things to comfortable yet, "She's always worried about everything I do… I kind of get in trouble a lot… knows the rules really well… she's a Gryffindor prefect at Hogwarts."

Harry thought this would come as easy as it had done for Ron especially as he smelled a fragrance reach his nose and his mind seemed to relax a little but not by much.

Harry tried to think of something when a whisper reached his ears.

"He is strong… it doesn't have any effect on him," whispered Binkins in surprise to her-self.

"What doesn't," snapped Harry, looking up, even Ron was confused?

It may have been a first time in a long time for Binkins, but her face redden now with surprise, responding with, "Well I use a fragrance that… relaxes someone whose nervous like your-selves… makes it easier for you to say things… kind of like Veritaserum... a truth potion… but mine's a perfume so it effects only last a few minutes."

One of the two girls stepped forward again, "Can I play with him now?"

"Why does she keeping saying that," inquired Harry annoyed, the situation beginning to bother him?

"It's not how it sounds," answered Binkins humorously, "Lu and Nu are two… sisters… I found one day while traveling… the ministry isn't officially aware of them… they're able to probe minds... I brought them here and sort of raised them, seeing as I have no children and they were alone… but they've come to enjoy being able to probe the minds of my customers and change their form … quite useful when picking out certain items… anyways it just fun for them… your brother Bill is popular with them… yes I can recognize the red hair and similar tastes… he's pretty good at hiding the female relation he has currently … so Lu and Nu enjoy spending a lot time trying to find out." 

"But neither them nor your perfume works on me," said Harry, a slight disappointment to his voice.

"No," replied Binkins, "You must have a strong will… very strong… so we'll just use the old fashion way."

Harry raised an eyebrow to her but Binkins just smiled before adding, "Its simple… just picture her and say whatever comes to mind."

Harry closed his eyes and tried to think of Hermione. Surprisingly enough the image of her walking from Arithmacy class came to mind.

"She's beautiful… it took me so long to realize it… I can't stop looking at her now, "began Harry feeling him-self relax naturally, "Every part of her is fascinating… its something to see her reading by the fire… even moonlight gleams off her… and her eyes are always full of concern and wonder… I love her touch the most… I don't know how to describe it… its so comforting… even when I feel out of control… and I have been lately… feeling her hand on my face just seems to stop everything."

The pop came again and Harry found he had his own hand on his face, remembering her touch and suddenly Harry found him-self wanting Hermione back as well as very disturbed at how he had treated her earlier.

When he looked up, Binkins was writing on her parchment again with a smile.

"Alright," announced Binkins, "You too sit tight and I'll be right back."

They didn't have to wait long as Binkins stepped into a back room and came back with three plain unmarked boxes.

"Do me a favor," said Binkins approaching the counter and putting one of the boxes in a sack, "Give this to Bill, its his order placed a while ago… tell him to stop by I'd love to know about this girl… something about you Weasley boys and unique girls is very interesting… and these are for you two."

She opened the other two boxes to show what was in them. Ron was surprised as Harry was when they looked into them.

"Four sickles a piece," stated Binkins, "Bill's is already paid for."

They paid the woman and she bagged them. As they were about to walk away, Harry looked at two girls keeping themselves in the dark.

"How about next time," asked Harry?

"Do make it sometime soon, "said the one Harry was sure to be Lu.

"Your fancies we'll help swoon," added the other that had to be Nu.

With that Harry and Ron stepped back into the street, into the world they better understood than that shop.

"I don't think we should talk much about that," said Ron humorously.

Harry nodded and added, "No but it should be more interesting next time do you think?"

Ron smirked rather than answered but he did comment about making Bill keenly aware that Ron knew his secret with girls.

In another area of Diagon Alley, Ginny, Rela and Hermione were walking away from a shop having just been in.

"Do you really think Ron will like this," asked Rela looking into her bag, questioningly?

"Well I would think you'd know my brother better than me considering you two," answered Ginny, watching Rela redden, "But yes… I know very well he'll like it."

"What did you get Hermione," asked Ginny?

Rather than say Hermione opened her bag and showed its contents.

"Wow," said Ginny, "I wouldn't have thought of that. You and Harry must be getting really close now."

Hermione thought a second and decided there was something she had better clear up.

"Ginny," started Hermione, receiving a hum of recognition from Ginny who was glancing into a shop window, "Don't you have… well have feelings for Harry?"

Ginny stopped and turned to look at Hermione, thinking to her-self for a moment.

"Yes and no," answered Ginny, explaining further with, "I like him… I don't see how any girl wouldn't… but I had a fancy for Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived not Harry."

Hermione stared at Ginny with raised eyebrows, not understanding her answer.

"Look," continued Ginny, "Being Muggle born your primary schooling was different… Muggles didn't know what happen… but I know you've read the history books… but there's a difference to what is printed and what was said."

Hermione was about to inquire when Rela spoke up.

"She's right," added Rela, "Even in Germany, my teachers all made Harry out to be some kind of savior… maybe even something of comparison to Merlin."

"After a while you get to think that Harry can part oceans and apparate to the moon or something, "also added Ginny, "That's why the first years are always so amazed to meet him… why I was amazed to have him at the house the first time… it was hard to believe at first that Ron even shared a dorm with him… of course these last few years events have only added to it… stopping a wizard from getting the great Sorcerer's stone… taking down a troll… killing a Muggle attacking basilisk single handily… not to mention reveal that Lockhart was a fake… and all that was the first two years."

"Of course people are just quick to think Harry's doing it all," interject Rela quickly, "They don't want to recognize that you or Ron have been involved all along… but that's like the history of Godric Gryffindor… always what he did… no mention of the people who helped him… they just see you as his friends."

"Well we should be meeting up with the boys soon," said Hermione changing the subject.

She didn't want to talk about it anymore and ruin the festive day but her mind continued to dwell, remembering how people acted around Harry so much. It was true what they thought of him as different than who he really was. He didn't know how to make them understand it which must be part of why he despises the gifts were sent and may still be coming. Then remembered she still had the deposit notes from Gringotts bank and that she was going to have to tell Harry sooner or later. As soon as she thought that, a horrible thought came to mine.

- Oh no, - thought Hermione suddenly, glancing into a shop window, - We have to find Harry and Ron soon.-

"Hermione" spoke up Ginny, her cheeks flushing slightly, "When Harry goes to get those socks he mentioned for Dobby… do you think there'll be any shops around that sell skirts?"

"Why not go to Madam Malkin's," replied Hermione?

"Well," answered Ginny, flushing a bit more, "I want to get a Muggle skirt… they're shorter than what witches normally where."

Hermione stared at her a second, puzzled as to what Ginny would want with Muggle clothes, especially a short skirt. She wondered until Ginny's nervous look set into Hermione mind what Ginny was up to.

"Don't tell your mum," agreed Hermione, "But I'm sure there will be a place nearby."

Ginny smiled, more deviously than happily and Rela stared at the two of them, shocked at the masterminding that was occurring.

After that Hermione tried to hurry them along as middle afternoon was setting and she wanted to find Harry before he found out in a bad why he had deposit notes.

The two boys had stopped to get apples covered in hot caramel on sticks as they continued on. They started to pass the Quidditch shop when a look from Ron received a nod from Harry. Both boys were unable to speak at that moment as caramel kept their mouths stuck. A worker in the shop asked them to finish their apples first. So just outside the door they gobbled down as much as their mouths would hold before tossing the cores and stick into a bin nearby. 

Their mouths still sticking from all the caramel they silently agreed to split up. Harry wandered the fair size shop amongst many playful children rushing about and excited fans gathering around a table of collectibles from different teams. Harry had barely noticed a few signed photos with very heavy prices on the table when someone called out to him.

"Hey there," spoke a tall man, walking towards Harry, dressed mostly in orange robes, "You're Harry Potter aren't you… the Seeker for Hogwarts Gryffindor team right?"

A quick look as he approached, Harry recognized the man but not sure how. Rather than answer he just nodded in response.

"Oh sorry there," he added cheerily, "Should introduce my-self… I'm Thomas… Thomas McBannon… I'm a chaser for the Chudley Cannons… not as popular as Roy though… he's the Keeper."

Now the recognition came into play as Harry remembered his picture on one of the many posters in Ron's room.

"I'd hate to sound like such a prat," continued Thomas, "But I'd love to get an autograph or a picture from you… what with you being the youngest Quidditch player in a century and all… and I understand you barely touched a broom before you were on the team… mind you some of us thought it was just the fame but you proved otherwise."

Harry just stared at him and the sudden thought of signing autograph cards or books like Lockhart didn't give him any exuberance

"Well," said Harry warily, "I never knew much about Quidditch before a few years ago… and I live with Muggles… so I don't get to do much with the sport besides school… and… well… I'm not to sure about signing pictures and stuff."

Expecting great disappointment, Thomas surprised Harry with a smile and replied, "That's okay… good idea not to let you-self get a big head… you should see what its done to Roy… so damn annoying all the time… well it was a treat just meeting you."

As the Quidditch player left, the front door opened allowing a brisk breeze to blow in and pass Harry. A sudden thought came to mind as Harry looked out the corner of his eye.

Suddenly wondering if it was right, another thought came to mind.

They're not being forced into it…

Harry dwelled on the thought for a moment more before calling out, "Wait! I changed my mind!"

Thomas turned around and took a few steps back towards Harry, a curious but hopeful expression on his face.

"I don't like the whole celebrity thing," bargained Harry, "But how about a trade?"

A short while later, Harry and Ron stepped from the Quidditch shop. Ron had purchased an item he would not tell of but Harry in turn stayed quiet about his meeting with Thomas McBannon at least for while.

As they stepped into the street, the door to the shop opened again and Thomas, "Oy Harry! I'll come to one of your games sometime, I promise!"

Ron stared at the man before turning to Harry, "That… that was Thomas McBannon, the lead Chaser for the Chudley Cannons. Bloody hell everything happens to you Harry."

Harry paused in stride for a moment before he whispered out," Everything happens to me alright… yeah its grand."

Ron wasn't able to reason as a few minutes later they heard their names called out. Ron and Harry turned to see the girls they had arrived with coming up the street. Hermione looked slightly worried then became relieved when see saw Harry, looking a bit cold from the walking in Diagon Alley but quite calm as well.

"What have you two been eating," snapped Ginny playfully, sniffing, looking at Ron, "It smells sweet?"

"We've been had mate," said Ron.

"Yep," agreed Harry, "Guess we should tell them we spoiled our appetites."

"You two had those caramel apples," snapped Ginny, not as playful but with no insult, "You know I love those… how could eat them and not wait for us?"  

"We were hungry," replied Ron with a smile to Harry?

Ginny crossed her arms commenting something about boys being selfish.

"It's just down the way," said Harry, "We could get some more."

Ginny shook her head, replying, "Better not in my case… besides I have something else I'd rather get."

Ron looked at his sister and asked, "What?"

She just smiled and replied, "It's personal so never you mind."

Ron just looked at Harry and shrugged.

They began to walk away while Rela looked ready to laugh but was trying to stop it. Ron tried to find out what was so funny and Ginny said nothing. Harry didn't think it was something he need know until Hermione leaned to and whispered into his ear. At once Harry began snickering and Hermione found her-self soothed at that. Now Ron was getting flustered to know the joke but no one would tell him. Harry had decided he wasn't going to be the one to tell him that Ginny was making a fuss over nothing because the girls had already gotten caramel apples earlier.

Before going out to the street of the Muggle world, Hermione insisted that they get a table at the Leaky Caldron and warm up a bit before continuing. Tom brought them a jug of hot chocolate and a tray of mugs, compliments from the establishment. After a few minutes, Harry excused him-self and Hermione seized her chance to ask Ron a question.

"So what did you two run into that was strange," asked Hermione, trying to sound casual and avoid any argument?

To her surprise, Ron suddenly tensed up with a shocked look to his face.

He gave a quick glance to Rela before asking in return, "Did Harry tell you something about us finding something strange?"

"No," said Hermione and then she explained, pulling the deposit notes from her pocket, "I just wondered if Harry got mad about seeing stuff being sold with his name on it in some way." 

"As far as I know Harry never came across anything," answered Ron, "But that explains what I saw in the Quidditch shop."

"What was it," pressed Hermione?

"You know those armlets we where," answered Ron, receiving a nod from Hermione, "Well they had a whole stack of them and there was a sign that said they were the kind worn by Harry Potter in Quidditch… I saw some kids see them and snatch a couple… I never heard of Harry endorsing anything, so I suspect it some stupid thing they were doing to sell them."

"Well you're half right," said Hermione, showing everyone the bank notes and taking a quick minute to explain about them and how she knew about how he was getting them.

"So Dobby just destroys all the mail he gets," laughed Ron idly, "At least that explains the way Gringotts was acting… Harry bringing in business, I thought was funny considering he hadn't been there in over a year."

"Yeah I saw these glass spheres in a shop window and I remembered he didn't know about it all yet," added Hermione, "They're the size of Remembralls but they glow blue when you hold them… they're a replica of the Colossus Orb from the museum."

"Why did you look so tense when Hermione asked you about all that," asked Ginny suspiciously?

Ron just looked at her but said nothing.

"Where did you go or rather where did you take Harry," asked Ginny even more suspicious?

"As you said… never you mind," replied Ron curtly before he suddenly asked, "Harry's sure taking his time?"

Ron stood up suddenly and Hermione began looking around frantically. A minute later, Harry emerged from a corridor in the back.

As he approached the table, Ron, without thinking, interrogatingly asked, "Where did you go?"

Harry stood there and replied quietly, "The loo… then I ran into Lavender."

At that Ron's ears redden but Hermione asked quietly, "Lavender?"

There was as light tremble to the room but Tom yelled something about a Muggle truck.

"Yeah she was going off about something to do with tarot cards… I wasn't really listening," answered Harry shrugging, "Then she wanted to know who I was here with… so I said all of you and she didn't seem too happy about that… so off to the outside then for one more stop?"

Ron couldn't help but notice a smile on Hermione's face as they all stood up, thanking Tom for the hot chocolate and they were off to the street of muggle shops.

It was new experience for Rela as she saw the cars and street lights. She and Ron were into conversation about the many items, Hermione corrected a few terminologies for them. Ginny was looking really excited, Harry looked around. They had walked down the streets for a few minutes when Harry spotted a place. The windows displayed different kinds of muggle clothes, both male and female. Ginny whispered something to Hermione and she received a nod, making Ginny even more excited.

They walked in and Harry suddenly wondered how it would look for a group of kids their age come in with cloaks instead of coats and not adult around, then he realized he didn't care. He had for a spot where a sign said socks and Ginny said something to Ron about staying with Harry while she dragged Rela with her and Hermione in another direction.

After a few minutes, along with questions from Ron about things like tuxedos and wallets, they went to a counter with an assortment of socks. The sales clerk gave them a funny look as the socks were an assortment of colors and sizes.

Harry interpreted the clerk's question and answered with, "I have a friend with an unusual liking for socks."

The clerk just raised her eye brows in understanding, asking "Cash or account?"

"Cash," replied Harry.

"That will be sixteen pounds even," said the clerk.

Harry counted out sixteen pounds and took the receipt and bag from the clerk.

"Maybe we should tell her it's for a little green creature," whispered Ron, snickering?

"We'd be committed," laughed Harry.

They had taken a few more steps towards the door when a clearing of a throat caught their attention. They stopped to see Hermione standing with Ginny, holding a bag while very satisfied, and Rela looking at them.

"Planning to leave without us," asked Hermione, her tone odd?

Harry and Ron just shrugged their shoulders. Hermione looked at the two at shook her head muttering something to her-self as they all left. Ron tried to ask Ginny what she had but Ginny wasn't even recognizing his question and put the item into her bag.

They were nearly back at the Leaky Cauldron when Ron stopped, "Let's go in here for a second."

They went into a small store. It didn't seem to be anything special but a thrift store baring a multitude of things from foods to small appliances. Harry suddenly couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity at the moment. Rela and Ginny became curious about the magazines on a book shelf, so Hermione stayed with them and Ron dragged Harry to a back area where some appliances lay.   

He was asking Harry about a blender's purpose when a loud slap could be heard along with a thud and some nasty cursing. Ron and Harry turned quick and sprinted back to the front of the store to be welcomed to the most unexpected of sites. A very heavy set boy was starting to get off the floor, holding his face while very angry. Rela had her hand held by the other, apparently having just slapped the boy.

"I don't date outside my own species and I am most certainly not that kind of girl," said Rela, quite nastily, almost to the point of shouting, "You had better get your manners checked, you bloated oaf."

As Ron and Harry got closer, they looked on in surprised.

"Dudley," said Harry?

Dudley, Harry's spoiled cousin, turned to stare in surprise at Harry.

"What are you doing here," replied Dudley quite nastily, "Aren't you suppose to be at that freak place or did you finally get kicked out?"

Hearing the boy's name, Ginny and Hermione became instantly disgusted considering this was the first time that had met Dudley.

"Hate to break it to you dolt," snapped Ginny, "But we all are from that freak school, including the girl you just passed at."

"I should have known there was something wrong with you," sneered Dudley at Rela.

"Have you considered that there's five freaks here," growled Ron, his knuckles cracking as his hands became fists, "And only one fat blighter… that's you by the way." 

Dudley's eyes widen as he realized Ron's words and stumbled out, "You can't… you can't do that stuff… not unless you're at that school… so I'm… I'm not afraid."

"You'd be surprise what we can get away with, "replied Ginny withdrawing her wand anyways and pointed it at Dudley, adding, "When there are no witnesses."

Dudley needed a nappy as he looked ready to wet him-self and as much as Harry was enjoying this, he knew Ginny wasn't going to do anything and if so, it would just be trouble they didn't need.

"Okay that's enough," said Harry, walking towards Dudley, surprising everyone, "Stop it Ginny. It'll just be trouble no matter what."

The jingle of a bell rung as the door to the store opened but Harry continued on to Dudley, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to Dudley.

"Here," said Harry, "Your nose is beginning to bleed and Aunt Petunia will have a conniption if you get blood on your shirt."

Dudley began to reach for the handkerchief when a rude voice interrupted bellowing, "What the devil is this?"

Dudley turned and everyone looked at large stocky man with a terrible mustache stood there. He instantly rounded on Harry.

"What the bloodied hell do you think you're doing here in place for normal people," shouted Vernon?

"Well," started Hermione but Vernon cut her off when he saw his son's face.

"You," he snarled, "How dare you… we take you in and this is what you do?"

Before anything else was said, he shoved Harry hard. Harry was unprepared for the sudden move and fell backward, stumbling. Ron moved to grab Harry but he missed as he lost his footing completely. Hermione watched, unable to do anything, as the scene seemed to play out slowly. Harry lost his footing, falling backward then slamming the back of his head into the glass door of a freezer, cracking the glass. Harry went limp and silent, Hermione almost screamed, Rela moved quick and Ginny stood shocked. Ron however reacted very differently.

A crack sounded and Vernon was suddenly on one knee. Ron had him in his grips and the temperature of the room shot up instantly. Hermione moved to Harry, having to grab her skirt quickly as she passed a vent as scalding hot air was blasting out.

"You had better hope he's okay," shouted Ron, his words darker than they had ever heard him speak, "Or I guarantee you'll know what its like to be a pig on spit!"

The clerk came to their aid with a first aid kit, beginning to look Harry over.

The ice in the freezer melted in seconds after that, filling the bottom with a pool of water. The lights flicker as some bulbs fell from their sockets, the glass cracking. The room kept getting hotter; Hermione could feel her clothes soaking with sweat very quickly. The air in the room became hard to breathe. Vernon was trying to pull at Ron's arms but the red haired boy's strange strength held strong, not even budging from the man's pulls.  Ginny watched as Vernon's cufflinks fell from his sleeves to the floor as melted globs of cheap metal impersonating gold. His face was reddening, burning from being exposed to something hot.

Dudley stood, unmoved from his spot and actually did wet him-self.

"Ron," shouted Rela suddenly terrified, "He's alright… just knocked out."

As comforting as that should have been; rather Ron seemed disappointed but he didn't let go of Vernon.

"If you ever… ever touch him… even breathe on him again," snarled Ron, his voice a tone that didn't sound human, Hermione glanced quickly to see Ron's eyes brightly glowing orange, "I will personally rip you apart… piece by damn piece… and feed you, barbecued, to a three headed beast dog."

"Ron you need to stop," called out Rela.

"Or better yet," growled Ron, his glowing eyes glaring, "Why wait until then… maybe I should just get rid of you now."

"Don't even consider it," shouted Rela forcefully, Hermione just noticed brightness to her eyes, "Do that and you're worse than him. Do you want Harry to wake up and find out his best friend killed a defenseless Muggle?""

Ron was quiet, possibly contemplating but eventually he let go of Vernon and turned slowly away. He started to walk back to them but stopped to give Dudley a glare and a piece of advice.

"Girls aren't toys for a spoil bastard like you," growled Ron, "Now get that ass and your-self out of here."

The door open and Dursleys left as another group came in. A woman and her son, who instantly recognized the group, came in.

"Ron, Hermione, Ginny what's going on," said a boy coming closer to them, "Dad what happened? Mum its Harry!"

Hermione looked straight in the face of Seamus Finnegan, one the boys in Harry's dorm.

The man, who had been helping them, now identified to be Seamus's father looked to his wife and replied with, "Vernon and his boy were here… and apparently they're this boy's family."

Seamus looked and shockingly asked, "Those people are Harry's family."

"No," snapped Ron, dangerously, "There just his relatives and that's it."

"Harry Potter," questioned the woman coming closer, withdrawing her wand?

The man just shook his head and the woman looked suddenly reviled by some thought.

"Is he okay," she asked?

"Just a mild concussion if anything," replied her husband, "He's coming to but he'll be a bit groggy. He should see a doctor."

"Those people have brought him here before," said Seamus's mother, "I thought I recognized him before. Well it would seem their manners haven't gotten any better."

"It wasn't Harry's fault," spoke Hermione, "All he did was offer his cousin a handkerchief for his nose and his uncle went off on him."

Seamus's mother held up her hand, stopping Hermione, "Believe me I don't need an explanation considering them. Now you lot take Harry and get going. It won't be much longer before the ministry shows and I'll get this all cleared up."   

Ron picked up Harry who was beginning to wake up but slowly. Hermione for the first time took a good look around. If it wasn't melted, charred in some way or shattered then it was on fire. Some t-shirts baring a soft drink logo were one of the many items lying on the floor burning with open flame.

- How did Ron do that, - thought Hermione to her-self?

A second later Ron shoved a stone into Hermione's hand and glared at her. It was much for Hermione to guess what Ron was thinking. So while Ron steady Harry. She put his finger on the stone and let everyone gather around before activating it. 

A quick pulling sensation along with a moment of everything being black and they were back in the living room. Ron sat Harry on the couch as he was waking more and more, Ginny ran off to find her mother and Ron just stood by seething. Rela looked on the verge of tears and Hermione calmed her-self as Harry became more and more alert. Daken came down the stairs a minute later along with Ginny as she apparently couldn't find her mother.

Daken leaned down to Harry and pushed up his eye lids to peer into his eyes. Harry pushed his hand away and Daken just smiled.

"He'll be fine," spoke up Daken, "Not even a concussion… just got knocked out."

"But Seamus's dad said," started Ginny before Daken gave her a knowing look.

"Didn't we go over this last night?" questioned Daken, "Side effects… looks like he's got endurance as one of them… apparently both against magic and physical strikes… give him a few more minutes and all he'll have his a headache."

Unable to hold back any more, Rela covered her face, bursting into tears and amazingly Ron's temper vanished.

"This is entirely my fault," sobbed Rela, "I wasn't paying attention… I got too comfortable and when that boy started to speak to me… I heard his intentions and… and I… I just reacted."

"Right thing when it comes to that load of dung," added Ginny viciously.

Rela wasn't comforted but sobbed out, "You were right Ron… I should've just told everyone I'm a Whasperor… and get it over with… instead of trying to pretend I was something else."

"A Whasperor," commented Hermione, "I thought you were a clever Veela but Whasperor makes more sense now… that must be helpful."

Rela stopped crying and looked at Hermione completely puzzled.

"What does it matter?" added Hermione, "You're half witch and half Whasperor right? I knew when I saw you're eyes but again, I originally thought Veela. So what's the problem?"

"Whasperors aren't exactly welcomed that easily because of their abilities," quietly answered Ron, "It's why she transferred here from Germany… the school there didn't quite want to let her back for the next year."

Rela looked ready to start crying again but she didn't get the chance.

"So what," said an unexpected voice, "It not like she's a basilisk or something?"

Harry had become even more alert now, shaking his head and keeping his eyes open. Looking mostly at Rela, blinking constantly and holding a hand to his head.

"Lets see, "said Harry, somewhat annoyed but for good reason, his voice rising as he spoke, "We're friends with two half giants, a centaur, a half Veela,  a were wolf, an escaped Azkaban prisoner, a house elf and apparently a three headed dog… and we've dealt with murders, snakes, giant spiders, dangerous chess pieces, crazed Bludgers and dragons… of course lets not forget everyone in this room… is a mix of vampires, elementals and now a Whasperor… so believe me unless you shed your skin and become some giant five headed, fire breathing thing… then whatever a Whasperor is no big deal… now if that's cleared will someone tell me what the hell happened!"

Ginny and Hermione went into a quick explanation of what had happened. The way the room had acted and Ron's terrifying actions against the Dursleys'

Rather than be upset Harry stared blankly then began laughing hysterically, surprising everyone even Daken a bit. However Rela still had an issue with it.

"Your injury was still all my fault… I slapped your cousin," quietly stated Rela, "I'm sorry."

"Yeah that was great," laughed Harry, "I wish I could have seen you actually do it… he's not use to being told no."

"Well your uncle might not have," started Rela but Harry cut in.

"It doesn't matter… he would've just had to come up with another reason to be that way," interrupted Harry, his humored tone steadying to a tone that was too calm, "I think I would have given almost anything to see Dudley wet him-self… I just wish I had the chance to tell Vernon off first… but I'm not too worried, his time will come and I'll have my say."

Hermione looked at Ron but no one said anything while Daken just stared at the boy. Harry stood up suddenly, rotating his head, hearing his neck crack and like Daken had said, he was right back to normal.

"I suppose that vampire thing isn't too bad," said Harry chuckling.

Rela was wiping her face, she look so much happier than ever and Ron just took a deep relieving breath. Hermione decided she would tell Harry about what happened later but she just stood by watching Harry become more active. Ginny had nabbed all their bags before they had left and she began handing it all back out. Just as she gave the boys their things, it was agreed that they had best put it all away before doing anything else. Ron and Harry turned but stopped when Daken stood in front of them.

"Ladies first," he said and the girls dashed up the stairs.

But when they were out of site, Daken peered at the two boys, his nose twitching as he seemed to pick up a scent. Then he looked t the bags they held with a strange smile.

"Tell me," said Daken pausing a moment, "What did you two think of Lu and Nu?"

The boys just stared at him, saying nothing but their expressions told all.

"Lu and Nu have very particular scents… plus Binkins perfume is noticeable… I bet even Ginny can smell it," explained Daken, "Just remember not to advertise it… can't let the ladies realize just how clueless we boys are. But I would still like to know how you came to know of it?"

"You know how poplar Bill is… I'd go with him there but he'd leave me outside and wouldn't tell me anything when I asked … I figured out that every time there was a girl he had an interest in… he's go to that place and get a gift for them," answered Ron, "Once I tried to get in but I found out I had to be fifteen… so I've waited until now… good timing I guess"

"I'll guess that Lu and Nu didn't get a chance to play as they like but I suggest that next time you go there," suggested Daken, "Let the sisters have a go… you'll find hat if Binkins' children are happy… you get better results from her personally."

Harry and Ron just nodded and headed for the stairs.

"Oh by the way," called out Daken, "An owl post came for you Harry, I put it on your dresser."

They rushed up the stairs; Ron continued on saying he'd be back in a minute while Harry went into his own room. Setting the items on the bed, Harry found the post Daken spoke of. Opening he read it with curiosity and left the room, back down the stairs.

"What is Harry," asked Hermione coming out of Ginny's room as he passed, seeing the letter in Harry's hand.

"I need to go to the village… the Dungeon actually," answered Harry, "Neville's there, I got an owl post from him saying he wants to tell me something important, says he's going to wait there until evening."

"What does Neville want to tell you," came Ron's from behind, descending the stairs?

Harry shook his head, "He just says it's important."

"We'll all go then," stated Ron simply, "I'm sure Neville wouldn't mind a few more friends… probably could use them right about now."

Harry nodded and they continued down the stairs. At the base, near the front door, Ron handed Hermione and Harry their cloaks as Ginny stepped out from the kitchen with Rela.

 "Where are you all going," asked Ginny suddenly?

Rela gave Ron a funny but slightly hurt look and his ears went red, answering, "Sorry… force of habit… Harry got a post from Neville… he's at the Dungeon… wants to see Harry… so we were going to go."

Ron then smiled at Rela and added, "Want to come?"

Strangely Rela perked up, smiling happily and nodded but as Ron looked to Ginny, she had a different answer.

"I'll stay here," answered Ginny with an odd happy smile, "And wait for mum."

Meanwhile Rela rushed forward as Ron presented her cloak and helping to slide it on. Ron opened the door and walked with Rela outside with Hermione following, leaving Harry to close the door. Outside, Hermione waited at the base of the front steps as Harry had chosen to reread the letter before had stepped out.

- I didn't know Neville lived nearby, - thought Harry, - Must have used a Port key or something. -

"Ready to go," asked Hermione?

Harry looked up and pocketed the letter before, answering with a nod. Harry stepped out onto the front steps, pulling the door closed behind him. He had almost closed it when Hermione stopped him.

"Wait Harry," said Hermione walking back up a few steps.

Still holding the handle, the door a few inches from the frame, Harry paused at Hermione's request as Ron and Rela waited a short distance away.

"Did you forget something," inquired Harry curiously?

Hermione shook her head and answered, stuttering with, "No… I… I want… I want you… to make me a promise."

Harry stared at her in growing puzzlement.

"I want you to promise me… to tell us," she continued, taking another step up, " Not right away… maybe when we get back to school… but soon."

"Tell you what," asked Harry, his tone suspicious?

Hermione bit her lip a second, a quick look of worry came before she answered with hesitation, "We know the basics… you were taken from the maze… to a cemetery… then Voldemort came back… and you were able to escape." 

Hermione's worried expression received validation as Harry eyes glared.

"We want to help," added Hermione quickly, "I want to help… but we can't… unless you let us… we need you to open up to us… tell us everything… thos secrets are only going to hurt us… hurt you… believe me I know… I thought I could keep everything with Krum a secret and it would be okay… but you saw what it did to me… and this is doing the same to you… you were there for me when I needed you… even Ron… so lets us be there for you now… let me be there… please don't keep things away from us anymore."

Suddenly Harry remembered what Dumbledore had said upon leaving Hogwarts for the Burrow.

Don't keep things away from them anymore.

Hermione's expression of worry remained if not grew as she watched Harry's eyes do a dance of thought.

"Harry it's just that," started Hermione again but Harry stopped her.

"Alright," said Harry suddenly with his gaze averted, "I promise to tell you, Ron and whoever else. Can we just please go?"

"I'm sorry… for rushing you like that," said Hermione quietly preparing to take a step back," But I thought if I surprised you… it wouldn't bother you so quick."

"No… you deserve to know I guess… you and Ron have been through the thick of it with me," replied Harry quietly, finally shutting the door behind him.

Harry gazed at the girl in front of him, suddenly and strangely hurt to see her chocolate brown eyes looking at him in worry and maybe even a touch of fear as her hair floated to the side from the winter breezes. A look he didn't want to see that any more and made it hard to look at her. Thankfully after agreeing to her request, look changed and he found him-self now looking into a beautiful face just inches away, eyes as caring as always if not even more so in some way now. He stepped forward suddenly so that only the distance of breathe separated them, surprising Hermione a little.

"I'm sorry," announced Harry calmly, "I never should have yelled at you… you didn't know… I guess I figured if I didn't say anything… I didn't have to remember any of it… but the Port key just kind of shot it all back… and I took it out on you… all of you."

Saying nothing, she just smiled at him in a way Harry wasn't sure how to comprehend and felt something begin to slowly grip his free hand. Harry looked down to see Hermione's fingers entwining with his own. She stepped back down the step, gently pulling Harry with her but never said anything about his apology.

"Let's just go see Neville," said Hermione simply.

With that said, she led Harry away from the house, through the yard, past the front gate and down the graveled road to the village with Ron and Rela leading the way while not letting go or loosening her grip at any time.

As they left, Daken stood at the window, unnoticed, still watching the Hogwarts students until they were out of site before turning and vanishing into the house interior.

Some time and conversation later, they found them-selves outside the pub known as the Dungeon. Even though he had already been there, Harry still didn't like the name of the place but thankful the people inside weren't the kind expected in a dungeon.

Ron held the door open for them all and they entered into a place full of cheer and festive activity, both of which produce a very high volume of sound. Harry had to strain his ears and practically read Ron's lips when his friend had spotted Neville in the corner at an empty table to him-self. Harry suddenly found that strange as they wormed their way to him, that Neville would be alone like that but figured it must be because the importance of whatever Neville wanted to say.

They had just reached the table and Neville smiled at Harry but gave the rest an unfriendly look. He still and said something but the high volume drowned out his voice. Guessing his words, they took a seat anyways. At first Neville only looked at Harry and gave no attention to the rest. Unfortunately any time any one tried to talk, it was just as pointless as before. Harry was just thinking how to illustrate for everyone to go outside when Anabell came by and set a bowl down in the middle of the table.

It was full of small spongy spheres and they all looked to Anabell in confusion but she just picked up two of them from the bowl and placed them into the inner area of her ears, motioning for them to do the same. Harry wonder if this was some kind of game until after putting the spongy things in his ears, the roaring crowd died down instantly to very low level.

"There now," said Ana with her heavy Irish accent, "Bet that be a wee better there."

Harry blinked a second as did his friends at the sudden drop in the level of sound heard. Everything sounded as if it were a normal calm day though looking; one could easily see that things were still quite wild.

Ana inquired abut getting anything for them and Hermione was quick to asked for a jug hot chocolate for them to share. Their order taken, she turned and vanished into the crowd. With Ana gone, Ron was quick to get things going.

"Alright Neville," started Ron, "What's up? Why did you want to see us suddenly?"

Neville gave Ron a blank wide eyed look and with surprising nastiness, said, "Actually… I asked for Harry."

Ron didn't take to kindly to Neville's response but he held his temper.

"Why only me," asked Harry?

Neville looked back to Harry, giving him a wide eyed stare and answered plainly, "Because it's none of their business."

Harry glared his eyes at Neville. His thought was simple and that this wasn't right. Neville was nervous and scared the last time he tried to tell him anything and now Neville just seemed… calm… too calm.

"Hang on," snapped Ron, "We, not just Harry, saved your rear from those Aurors and we've helped you before that. So where do you get the bloodied idea that's it's not our business?"

Neville just turned his calm look back to Ron and stated bluntly, with the same nastiness again, "Sod off."

Ron expression went dark and looked ready to move on Neville but Harry saw from his eye that Hermione agreed this was wrong as she stared at Neville.

Neville's demeanor hadn't changed even while Ron looked positively seething to the point of exploding. Harry wanted to say something but before he could Rela whispered something to Ron. In a near instant, Ron's attitude changed as he looked at Neville with an examining look. Neville started to turn back to Harry when Ron presented his wand suddenly and a small bright spark puffed. Before Harry could ask what Ron was doing, his friend had seized Neville's collar and pulled him from his chair.

"Let me go," snapped Neville, "What's the matter? Don't like being left out?"

Ron pulled Neville closer, looking right at his face before finally saying, "He's not blinking."

"What," gasped Hermione?

"Not blinking," repeated Ron and answered Harry's puzzled expression with, "Remember Cho and Justin? Remember how they're eyes were? They didn't blink Harry. Just like Krum didn't and just like Neville isn't now. Harry, he's under someone else's control just like them."

"Someone wanted us to be here," whispered Hermione understanding, "But it looks like they only wanted Harry to be here."

Rela looked really terrified at the moment and Harry's face blanched as he whispered out, "It's another trap."

"Let's go," stated Ron and everyone stood up but Neville was resistant.

He wrenched him-self from Ron's grip and with surprising speed, took off into the crowd. Harry stood up, turned and immediately headed for the door.

"What are you doing?" shouted Hermione, "Stay here."

"You stay here … I have to go," answered Harry quickly but with an odd tone, "There are innocent people here."

Hermione made to shout for him again but Ron just grabbed the table and without effort, toppled it over, forcing people in the area to move away, clearing more of a path.

"Have ye gone daft," snapped Ana suddenly appearing with their order of hot chocolate, "We're busy and I only got two hands."

"Get an owl to the ministry," ordered Ron, shouting, "Tell them Harry Potter needs Aurors here now!"

Before Ana could respond, Harry felt someone grip his shoulder hard.

"Harry Potter?" said someone behind him, "Praise Merlin… I'd hope we'd find you before we were too late."

 "Erickson," asked Ron as he and the girls closed the gap between them and Harry?

"The one and the same," said the wizard named Erickson, "We found a note at Hogwarts from Malleck stating he was going to get you here today."

"Malleck," inquired Harry?

"Yes," answered Erickson, "Now we need to meet up with the others, I'll send a signal when we get outside and we'll meet them at the rendezvous point."

Ron held up his wand as Hermione and Rela reached for theirs.

"Don't," said Erickson quickly," They're looking for Harry and if we all go waving wands around we may as well as have a banner."

Ron didn't look too pleased but they went with him anyways. They stepped outside and left Ana watching after them until the door closed. Erickson held up his wand and purple colored sparks shot up into the air. Erickson then put him-self in front of Harry and told him to stay behind at all times. At that they began walking briskly until after a good few minutes, they stopped in front of an old building where two other wizards were talking merrily away.

When they approached they gave Erickson a casual look and one asked, "Damn good holiday this season eh Erickson?"

"Only if you've been good," laughed Erickson.

"Mathews and his brother are circling around," said the other one, "Do you have everything your wife wants?"

Erickson stepped to the side and motioned for Harry to step forward.

"She just wants a get together with her family and friends," replied Erickson, "But I did snag her a little something from Binkins."

"Well now," said the man who spoken to them first, "Why don't we get our task finished when all the guests arrive, we'll get things straightened out."

Ron felt Rela grip his arm and he looked to her to see a frightened face.

"Don't worry, "said Ron, "Erickson's an Auror I met at the ministry."

 Then other man opened the door and Erickson pushed Harry in, adding, "We'll get everything all squared up in a second."

"But Ron," whispered Rela trying to convey something, "I think he's lying."

"What do you mean, "whispered Ron inquiring.

"His voice doesn't sound right," answered Rela, "I think they have other intentions."

Erickson then asked, "Every have their wands… good… lets get them out now."

Ron and Hermione withdrew their wands but Rela hesitated.

"Like what," said Ron, presenting his wand?

"I can't understand it," said Rela, "What they're saying is true but the intentions behind the words are lies."

"Perfect," said Erickson, taking a few steps back, "Just perfect… makes the Accio spell much easier."

"What," whispered Ron confused, turning releasing what Rela was sensing?

"Accio wands," shouted Erickson and all their wands flew from their hands.

The other two caught them in mid-air and rather then give the wands back; they simply snickered and walked up to stand beside Erickson, pocketing the wands.

"Well this is great," said Ron, his anger beginning to surge.

"Well the Master was right," said Erickson with a tone of superiority, "It wasn't anything to draw them out."

"Master?" said Hermione confused, "You're Death Eaters?"

"Like we would need some note," sneered Erickson not bothering to answer Hermione, "We've always known where Potter was."

"And we'll prove that our Master is the supreme Dark Lord," growled one of the other two while the third walked over to another building, " Not some half dead vampire like Malleck."

Ron just glared at Erickson as Rela stood a step behind and confusion changed fast to disgusted.

"So you chose now to act," snapped Hermione bravely, "When it's the eve of a holiday… you lot decide to pull something now?"

Erickson just started laughing as did the one next to him. The third had gone to another building and was leading something small out a doorway, covered in an overlarge cloak and bound in the middle by a rope.

"Well it's a present you see," answered Erickson happily, "A gift to the world to know who to really fear and to our Master with Potter's end."

Erickson's second peered at Rela and then added, "But that doesn't mean we can't have our own fun."

Ron's face darkened horribly and the air got warmer as he moved forward stating, "I'll show you fun."

The third smiled and replied with, "Not unless you're willing to pay the fare."

And with that Ron stopped dead cold as did the warming of the air. The third wizard had removed the cloak from the object and it was revealed to be a small dark haired girl, possibly not older than eight years. Her eyes danced wildly, terrified and whimpers could be heard but the girl didn't move at all. It wasn't hard to deduce that the full body bind had been placed on her.

"Try anything and the brat suffers for it," warned the third, "So step back… and wait until our guests arrive."

Ron took a few steps back slowly and Hermione tried to think but it was hard as she felt her-self become disorientated.

"Looks like they're here," said Erickson as a large number of Dementors filed into the area.

As Hermione's mind clouded and felt her-self losing balance, she could see the same happening to Ron and Rela. Ron seemed to be able to fight it more but Rela was turning a terrible shade of white.

Screams followed as villagers tried to run but were cut off by Dementors and other dark wizards. Distant screams and cries followed as well. In moments, the skies reflected the colors of spells being cast amongst the shouts in the air. A battle had begun in a village where only half the population could use a wand to fight or otherwise a perfect place for a slaughter.

"Looks like we won't need this anymore," said the third as he raised and aimed his wand at the little girl, "But let's make it interesting."

A glow filled the tip of his wand as he yelled," Crucio!"

Hermione watched with horror as the spell left the wand and Ron even yelled out against them. A gust of strong wind came and the spell connected. A body slumped to the ground along with a piercing scream and they all became too shocked to speak. The girl still remained where she was, eyes closed, whimpers still coming but the person with long blonde hair behind her made no sound at all.

Even Erickson was surprised as Ron with great effort moved forward and Hermione fought to keep her balance.

Meanwhile inside, the door closed and Harry found him-self in a dimly lit room full of potions and other knick knack magic items. It looked to be a store, probably closed for festivities, but it was terribly quite. He couldn't even hear anyone talking outside and began to knock on the door, receiving no response. Harry reached for his wand to get their attention, fighting the panic presence of a cold feeling settling into his chest.

"Hello Harry," said someone behind him, "Leaving so soon? But you just got here."

Harry turned expecting to see a kind face but received the opposite. A man he knew from before came into view by the name of Macnair, a Death Eater for Voldemort.

"So glad you could come," sneered Macnair, "But I must ask why you lot do such stupid tings? One familiar face and you're ready to trust anything."

"Erickson," whispered Harry, feeling as panic began to set in?

"Very good," mocked Macnair, stepping forward pointing his wand and reaching into Harry's robes, "And here's your prize."

The cold feeling in his chest spread throughout his body and Harry began to feel faint. Seeing as three Dementors enter through a doorway in the back and glided slowly towards Harry. Macnair stepped back a few feet as he pulled Harry's wand from within his robes, pocketing it.

Screams reached Harry's ears, the screams of a woman he knew, a woman he called mother and they grew.

"Wallow in pain Potter," growled Macnair, "Just as our Master did for years."

The screams continued as his mind jumped from memory to memory in a cacophonic blast of assaulting flashes.

The Dursleys laughing…

Dudley opening a mountain of gifts…

Schoolmates laughing and pointing…

Teachers scoffing…

Dudley's ganging chasing him…

"Know that there's no one here for you," laughed Macnair.

His mind continued to flash like a slide show run by a mad man.

A dark enclosed place with only a vent for air and light like that of a cupboard…

A place behind a garbage bin at primary school…

A dark alley between shops in town…

The stair way in the dead of night…

The bushes in front of the house…

Broom closets at primary school…

"But don't fret too much as you die," spoke Macnair with pleasure, "You won't go to your mud blood mother alone… oh no… all your little nuisances will follow in due time."

The madness of scene after scene continued in Harry's mind bringing a burning pain to the inside of his skull as his body twitched and weakened.

The moment where Cedric's body hit the ground, dead as death can make a person. His face cemented in the expression of shock. But the scene changed to where Cedric was not the body on the ground with that same terrible look. Instead others reprised his part of an ended life, nothing more than carcass lying on the ground, killed for pointless reasons. Harry's mind watched every person he knew and cared for in some way took a moment in that role. Their once caring and smiling face becoming that cemented form of Cedric.

Ron…

Hermione…

Fred…

Ginny...

Neville…

Justin…

Professor McGonagall…

Mr. Weasley…

Charlie…    

Hagrid…

Cho…

Mrs. Weasley…

Professor Lupin…

Bill…

Seamus…

Dean…

George…

Percy…

Professor Dumbledore…

Hermione…

Rela…

Fleur…

Lavender…

Patti…

Professor Snape…

Hermione…

And a host more of people from Hogwarts, Harry called friends.

The pain became so great that Harry had to hold his head in both hands as he collapsed against the floor.

"Make sure you lot take your time," ordered Macnair, "He must know what is to suffer like so many he was the caused of."

It seemed like Macnair was directing the Dementors on their torment of his mind as now terrible moments where pain and suffering came in some form or another for people.

The Dursleys terrified of Hagrid's arrival…

The troll swinging its club at Hermione…

Gryffindor losing so many points…

The dead Unicorn killed by Quirrell…

The Queen Chess piece striking at Ron…

Quirrell screaming as he turned to dust…

Ms. Norris petrified…

The ashen but still looks of his petrified peers…

The even more dead like look of the blasted Gryffindor ghost…

The basilisk screaming in pain as the sword of Gryffindor pieced its hide…

Ginny in her mother's arms…

Dobby smiling hopelessly besides Lucius Malfoy…

Neville when his passwords were stolen…

Ron's breaking leg…

Hermione's screams inside the Shrieking shack…

The Dark mark appearing…

The Muggles abused for amusement…

Ron's disbelief in him…

The terrible scene under the lake…

Hermione covered in bubotuber pus…

Cho crying…

Justin staring out the window…

And many, many, many more that followed. Each a moment that had been brought on by something Harry did or was.

"Learn your place," growled Macnair, "And understand why you are no different than the sheep we slaughter."

Names flashed through Harry's mind of those lost, their names spoken by others.

Barty Crouch… Frank Bryce… Bertha Jonkins…

"And you'll know," said Macnair sneering malevolently, "That you can never do anything to prevent our power… let alone even considered the idea."

Harry's head throbbed with pain, too distracted to measure it as dark memories blasted through his mind amongst the screams of his mother replaying over and over and over.

As un-conscientiousness began to settle in to Harry's pain filled body. Another thought came to him.

Nothing could stand in our way…

Our powers united would crush whatever dares to try…

Together we will make all even our enemies cower in loyalty or be obliterated in conquest

Though dark and sounding like a banshee it had a strange comfort it. His conscientiousness ebbing almost completely away, he heard the creature he had hoped not to hear anymore.

Do you really want to give up now… or end this… end them?

Now would be a good time to choose… or lose… everything.

Suddenly Harry's mind took another painful blast but this time things weren't so horrible.

Hermione's warm smile…

Mrs. Weasley's hug…

The cheering of the Quidditch crowds…

The rushing air on a broom…

Hermione's few but warm hugs through the year…

The feel of her skin when picked her up…

Ron's laughter and invitations for fun…

Professor McGonagall's few but praising words…

Dumbledore gaze of belief and hope…

Dobby's odd elf smiles…

Hermione lips upon his cheek…

Rela timid but friendly nature…

Hermione's hand gripping his and their fingers entwining…

The smiles of those around him and the people at school who believed in him…

Sirius's encouraging words…

Hagrid's unwavering belief in him…

Lupin's encouragement and revelations…

Hermione's hair on his skin…

The smell of flowers around her…

The touch of her hand to his cheek…

All his friends, all the people who risked much helping and knowing him, all would be lost if he, Harry did nothing.

This one thought filled Harry's pain ridden torture mind.

He would lose everyone and everything unless he made a choice.

A choice the dark creature urged, the choice Riddle made years ago.

To take what swelled in his heart, poisoned his soul, brought nightmares night after night and release it all at once.

Macnair said something else and the dementors glided back a few feet. Macnair stepped forward and grabbed the thing of boy crouched on the floor and hoisted him up.

"Well what have to you say," snarled Macnair, "Before I use my privilege to end you."

In an instant, deafening thunder rumbled and the windows shattered.  Potions bubbled and bottles began exploding as the room's temperature turned to ice. Flashes of lightening light up outside the broken windows.

Evidence of a choice made…

To Macnair's surprise, Harry didn't seem to be in any pain and instead watched as the boy reached out, gripping his robes tightly. The surprise was replaced by confused horror as Harry opened his eyes and gave Macnair his answer.

An explosion followed and one wall gave out completely. Hermione struggled on the ground, turning her head with whatever strength remained as pieces of the wall blasted out. The Dementors around them stumbled slightly in their gliding ways as the stone pieces and wood flew by. Amongst it all a body of a wizard flew out across the way, landing some distance from them. Ron couldn't see as a Dementor held him, preparing to give its kiss. Rela still lay on the ground having been it by the Cruciatius curse. The three wizards had been standing by laughing when the explosion occurred. Erickson was able to remain mostly in place though losing balance while the other two were knocked away by debris.

Hermione was able to finally see into the heavily damaged building and found a sight not ever conceived. 

The inside was black, more so than any shade she could think of, void of any light but one. In the darkness two small eyes, bright as fire, cold in their stare but red as the blood emanated within. There came a growl, loud and threatening, like a beast preparing to strike. 

"What the hell is that," asked Erickson, starting to get back on his feet?

The Dementors did nothing but look towards the opening. Other dark wizards came rushing from alleyways and more to see what had happened. Villagers, that could be seen, huddle in corners begging not to be harmed.

It was then the creature, hidden by the darkness, unleashed reason for being.

Elsewhere at Hogwarts, a window to the Headmaster's office blew open and he looked up as rushing wind blew in. Fawkes spread out its wings and began screeching loudly as the wind blew by. As it did, a set of tarot cards on a shelf were swept up and swirled in the air towards the desk. After a few seconds, the wind stopped and all the cards floated to the floor but five of which floated and landed in front of the Headmaster, facing up. At this Professor McGonagall burst in.

"Albus, "spoke Professor McGonagall impatiently and worriedly, "The elves are all frightened for some reason... they've locked themselves in the kitchen."

Saying nothing at first, Dumbledore looked at the five cards that now lay before him. The first showed an image of a village on fire. The second bore an image of a dragon reared on its hind legs, roaring into the sky. Those two were labeled Destruction and Dragon. The third card illustrated an empty prison cell with manacles on the floor as its iron bar door swung freely open. The fourth card revealed a dark image, as black as a starless night with two dark but bright eyes in the background. They were labeled the Dungeon and Demon cards. The final card presented an image of a faceless person holding their chest as blood seeped from the hands. It was labeled the Wounded. 

"The chains are broken… the dragon, Degarus, has awakened from slumber," said Dumbledore, his words full of sorrow suddenly, "His wounds still not healed… and now destruction will follow in the wake of his rage."

McGonagall stared at the Headmaster as he just looked back.

"Now we shall see if our efforts and the love of those around him has been enough," stated Dumbledore, "Or many may not survive… this Storm of Torment."

Next Chapter

Aftermath