Disclaimer: Lord Vitiris here. I'm not making money of this, this is Jk Rowlings character's not mine. But some names you wont know are ones I've made up. I hope you all have patience with me through this series of stories and chapter's. I hope you all give me the same patience as you gave master slytherin please. Hope to here from you all. I know this is a bit lame but bare with me please.

" " Normal Speech

' ' Thoughts

P" "P Parseltongue.

The two in one chapter offer still stands my lucky customers.

Previously on Freelance Hero(FH):

As he turned around, he saw a massive crowd of by-standers and Albus Dumbledore flanked by some of the Order following him and the almost the whole street badly damaged by stray curses. He knew he had to get away but he didn't have the strength to apparate.

Wishing until his heart bled that he was back at Privet Drive in his trunk, he and the two Death Eaters Affectuseod to Privet Drive, just before Dumbledore took off Harry's hood, where Harry completely collapsed into a very lengthy coma…

Chapter 3: The Fall of the Pure and Gaining and Losing Alliances

Three days later, Harry was beginning to regain consciousness. Expecting to feel sore, he only moved a bit, but there was hardly any pain. He heard someone running out of the room and realized he had healed himself, literally.

He felt quite dizzy, though, as he took his first steps in the smallest bedroom at Number 4. He felt famished and decided to have a large meal; he didn't care that it was supposed to be breakfast.

"Where have you been, boy? How can you not have eaten for 5 days? Don't you freaks eat?" asked his uncle maliciously.

Harry just ignored him. He couldn't be bothered to make idle conversations with people who had a joint IQ of 5. This infuriated Vernon Dursley.

"Why aren't you answering me? You think just because you can use the 'm' word that you rule us? Well, you're damn wrong. No meals for a week for you boy and you can tell your blasted murderous godfather that, too! I've had it with you!"

Mr. Dursley had touched a nerve there. He would have been blasted across the room if it weren't for occlumency. Harry just continued his food preparation as if no one had spoken to him.

"DID YOU HEAR ME?" screamed Uncle Vernon. The obese man had stood up as fast as his body could allow him and charged at Harry. Harry simple cast a banishing charm on him and he flew away as if he weighed nothing. Harry knew his uncle wasn't going to lie there all there.

'Stupefy,' thought Harry and the killer whale sized man froze. Harry continued to eat his food in peace until Aunt Petunia arrived.

"YOU KILLED MY HUSBAND. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? I'LL KILL YOU, YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT," she shrieked in hysteria.

"Calm down, Aunt Petunia. I only stunned him, he's not dead."

Harry knew she wouldn't believe him so he simply thought 'enervate' and cast a cheering charm on him.

"Oh, hello dear," said Uncle Vernon in a sing song voice, "How are you this beautiful morning? Hello, Harry. I hope you know we all love you here!"

Harry couldn't take it. He finished the final morsel on his plate and burst out laughing. He was about to wash his plate when:

"Don't worry about that, Harry. You're my favorite nephew. I'll wash that for you."

Aunt Petunia was looking as though Uncle Vernon was still stunned. She couldn't believe it. Harry just went up to his room.

P"What's up, Jewel?"P

P"The ceiling, Harry. Can't you see that? You humans are fools."P

P"No, it's just a saying. It means 'how are you'. Oh, never mind. Could you go and check if my double's with Castus please. I wanted to talk to him; Castus, that is"P

P"I will check. In the meantime, you have mail."P

Sure enough, there was a small stack of letters. One of them was black and Harry had a feeling he knew where it had come from.

Potter,

What have you done with Rudolphus and Lucius? I will kill you myself if you don't tell me where they are. You have ten days.

Voldemort

It was written in blood and reminded Harry of his house guests.

Making a mental note of interrogating them, Harry proceeded to the next letter.

Dear Harry,

What's up with you? I thought you wanted to be in the Order. You're right, though. All me and Hermione do is sit around and carry on cleaning. Hope you change your mind, though. Dumbledore's really worried about you. He seems to think it's his fault and none of the Order know why.

Hope you come over soon.

Ron

Dear Harry,

What were you thinking? How could you speak to the Order like that, including three Hogwarts professors (one of which being the Headmaster himself!). You've got to come to your senses Harry and realize that joining the Order is what you've always wanted. We get to learn a lot of things from the older members that would really benefit you.

I know you're angry about Sirius, but you must respect the Headmaster's decision. I'm sure when you've calmed down, you'll come over. Everyone's worried about you.

Love,

Hermione.

Harry laughed at how typical both these letters were. He'd reply to them later.

Dear Harry,

Where have you been the past five days? I've been checking the mirror all the time and you're not answering. Have you forgotten about our agreement? Or have you been stupid enough to hurt yourself by putting those dummy things on full blast.

Go to the mirror ASAP or I'll have to drop a subtle hint to Dumbledore to check on you!

Yours worriedly,

Remus

This was the final letter and it woke him up the most. How could he have forgotten the mirror? He put that high up on his ever-lengthening to-do list.

P"Castus is ready for you"P hissed his favourite snake.

Harry hurried off to room 10 to explain everything that had happened.

"Where were you for the past five days? I specifically asked you to visit me at 7 o'clock or did you forget. In my day…"

Harry cut the rant short and explained what had happened as quickly as possible.

"You stupid, idiotic, foolish boy! What would you have done had Dumbledore unmasked you? Huh, what then? He's probably worked out who was under that hood! He'll have seen the spells you were performing wordlessly and he would have the upper hand. A weapon, the most powerful weapon: Blackmail! We must do something to avoid suspicion, but what?"

"Umm.." stammered Harry. He hadn't thought about the implications of his actions.

"Silence! You have done enough! Yes. You'll have to go to this Grimmauld Place and act like you have no extra powers. In this way, the rest of the Order will feel that it is hard to believe that you have such power. And at night, while they sleep, you can ruin Voldemort's plans."

"No way, sir. I'm not going back there, never. It brings back too many memories. I can't act like the old me, as if nothing's different, I just can't."

"You will obey me! See this as a good strategy. You will be able to see first hand those who are loyal to you. Check out Ron and that mudblood. See into their minds. They'll never let you in the Order, but, by choosing such pathetic teenagers as Order members, they have given you a view into the Order. You will do this or pay the consequences. Remember who owns the trunk!"

Harry sighed. He couldn't ignore the sense in this. He would seem innocent and will have a view into the Order other than Remus.

"Blackmail, how very…Slytherin of you," commented Harry.

"That is my name. Learn these cunning techniques and you will go far."

"Will it be okay if I interrogate the hostages first? Write down my findings and then plan my time efficiently?" asked Harry.

"Yesss. But write in parseltongue, otherwise you'll be caught."

"What! I can't read or write in parseltongue!" Harry protested.

"Yes you can. Everything in this trunk is written in parseltongue fool! All you have to do is think of talking to snakes and you will be able to do it. Have Jewel in front of, it'll help your mind frame. Goodnight."

Harry knew he wouldn't be able to get anything else out of his mentor so he had his one hour sleep and proceeded into the spare room where the hostages were kept. With him came a bottle of Ancient Veritaserum, Jewel and writing equipment.

Harry conjured a chair and table for himself and two unbreakable binding chairs for his captives. He put his shadowy hood on so they wouldn't be able to see him.

He started with Lestrange as he wanted to save the best until last. He remembered Snape's words: A few drops will suffice, and the interrogation began.

"What is your name," asked Harry lazily to make sure it was working.

"Rudolphus Lestrange"

"Who is your master?"

"The Dark Lord."

"How much does your Master trust you?"

"Above all except Lucius Malfoy."

"What are his plans for tomorrow?"

"He was hoping to put Potter under intense training but now, he is probably looking for us. He will kill you ministry fools and will break us out." A manic gleam shone in Lestrange's eyes.

"Who is he going to attack next?"

"He doesn't tell anyone but Lucius until the last minute. He fears there are spies in our ranks."

"Are there spies in the Order of the Phoenix for him?"

"Yes."

"Who are they?"

"Severus Snape and Percy Weasley."

"Percy Weasley is not in the Order. How did he turn to the dark?"

"Young Percy was inducted as he 'apologized' a few days ago. Percy Weasley seeks power. He tried to find it in the ministry. He thought he had power but then Minister Fudge resigned and he was shifted to a clerk for a poorly respected department. He felt betrayed by his friends, families and colleagues. The Dark Lord took this chance and promised him power beyond his dreams. He also said that he would kill him if he said no. Poor Weasley had no other option. He was taught occlumency and became a spy."

Harry sighed. The second Gryffindor traitor in two decades.

"There is a new Minister of Magic? Who is it?"

"It is Nott, Diggory or Bones. So far, Nott is in poll position due to his high pureblood status and also due to number of people that my Master has under control. Nott will win."

Harry couldn't believe it. Voldemort would control the Ministry. This left the wizarding world be worse off. Destroyed by its own prejudice and corruption.

Harry had had enough of Lestrange. He would decide whether or not to kill him later on.

The next interrogation was Malfoy. The one he was sure would be the most rewarding.

"What is your name?" asked Harry, although he knew the potion worked.

"Lucius Malfoy."

"Who is your master? The Dark Lord."

"Who is the next target for attack?"

"The Zabini's. They have refused to join our master. We know they haven't joined Dumbledore either. They are sitting out the war. Our Master made it clear that every pureblood family will be under his control. They will be killed at full moon."

Harry's mind was racing. Full moon was in the evening. He hardly recovered from his last bout and he had just over five hours to save the Zabinis. He had heard of the name Zabini before. Then it hit him. Slytherin. Girl. Quiet. Popular. Pureblood. Blaise.

"What about afterwards? Any other attacks?"

"Master only reveals his plans to me a week before he carries them out. He will stay low after the attack. It will be perfect. All the pureblood families will join him out of fear. The Zabinis are a line as long as any, yet they decided to take sides when the war was over. My master will gain the support of powerful pureblood families. It will be a massive blow for the side of the light."

Harry felt sick. Malfoy was right. He wasn't against muggleborns but without purebloods, the light would suffer.

Harry suddenly felt an extreme hatred towards Voldemort. It bubbled inside him. Occlumency couldn't stop it. In his anger, Harry screamed "Obliviate!" twice to vent his anger. Suddenly, as soon as it came, the anger stopped. He regained control.

He was faced with two confused middle aged men.

"Where am I?" asked Malfoy. For the first time, his voice wasn't icy.

"Who am I?" mused Lestrange.

Harry realized that in his fury, he had done something worse than killing them, he had wiped their memories. He was going to send Voldemort two servants which were worse than muggles.

"You see that black mark on your arm. Touch it," said Harry in a soothing and reassuring voice.

They both touched it and disappeared. A few minutes later, Harry felt a faint twinge in his scar. The fact that Harry could feel it meant that Voldemort was angrier than he'd been since Harry was a one year old.

After a quick lunch, Harry decided to reply to the letters instead of talk to Remus. It was more time efficient plus, he was probably getting ready for his transformation.

Dear Hermione & Ron,

Yes, I'm fine. Sorry if you felt I was out of order. I will travel to Grimmauld Place tomorrow. You can tell that to Dumbledore. I won't need an advanced guard, I can do it myself.

See you soon,

Harry

He sent this off with Hedwig, who gave him an affectionate nip on the ear and he rushed to the training room and battled 12 Auror standard dummies. He felt the five day difference. He was using spells he hadn't even dreamt about. He had also managed how to do one parselmagic curse, disarming. These, he found out, were very draining but could only be blocked with parsel shields and couldn't be done wordlessly. It takes several years to become proficient at this obscure form of magic. In his curiosity, he had used the spell on one auror but was too magically drained to do anything else and quickly taken out of the duel. Next time he saw him, Harry was going to tell Castus to have his double practice this almost all the time.

Once he'd recovered, Harry looked at his watch. He was already late. The Zabinis could be in serious trouble. Harry almost apparated when he realized that he didn't know where the Zabinis lived.

Picturing Blaise Zabini in his mind, he tried to find directions using legilimency. Without the eye contact, he found it difficult. To add to his frustration, he found that Blaise had weak occlumency wards. With such a long distance, he couldn't break through.

Next, he tried Draco Malfoy. To his delight, Malfoy had been there one summer and his mind was very weak. He received a picture of a small mansion. This picture was all he needed. Concentrating as hard as he could, Harry had disapparated.

What he found was not good.

The whole house was almost destroyed, the vast, intricate gardens were ablaze. All that was left of Zabini manor was a kitchen. The remains of an excellent foundation could be seen. There were around five house elf bodies strewn on the floor. There were only five death eaters involved. Suddenly, there was a jet of green light and Harry sprung into action.

As he neared the kitchen, Harry saw a man lying spread-eagled on the floor with a resigned, lifeless look in his eye. He had brilliant blonde hair and had good looks similar to Lockhart, though his other features were completely different. It must have been Mr. Zabini. This brought back terrible memories of his parents and Cedric Diggory.

There was a beautiful, middle aged woman guarding someone who Harry assumed to be Blaise Zabini. Mrs. Zabini had a majestic, noble look about her, a look only achieved by a lifetime amongst purebloods. Her heavy lidded eyebrows reminded him of Bellatrix but she looked much more like Theodore Nott in Harry's year. She was using some powerful dark spells and between them, her and her husband had felled twelve Death Eaters.

Harry recognized the man directly in front of him. A man who had bald, graying hair and had gained a lot of weight in a small period of time. Wormtail. The man who had betrayed his parents and killed Cedric. Harry wanted to kill him.

"Avada Kedavra!" screamed Harry. He didn't care if it was illegal. This man deserved it.

At that precise moment, Wormtail had moved slightly to his left and Wormtail's accomplice was killed instead.

Harry knew he didn't have enough time to delay; he knew that four Avada Kedavras will be hurtling towards them once the shock had died away.

'Stupefy,' thought Harry and the man on the far left was stunned. This action was repeated and the man on the far right lost consciousness.

"H-harry. What are you doing here? L-leave or I will be forced to k-kill you!" stuttered Wormtail.

"HOW DARE YOU EVEN SPEAK TO ME AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO MY PARENTS?"

Wormtail summoned Mrs. Zabini who seemed to have been frozen into shock. Beyond her was a blonde haired sixteen year old, Blaise.

"You move, Harry, and I'll kill her. If you come quietly, then she'll go free."

"Don't fall for it, Potter, they'll just kill me. Take Blaise and go…" screamed Mrs. Zabini before she was silenced.

"So Harry, are you going to leave young Blaise orphaned? Or is she going to keep her mummy?" taunted Wormtail.

'Stupefy,' thought Harry and Wormtail, caught unawares, fell, stunned.

"Avada Kedavra!" screamed a voice.

"Shit!" screamed Harry. He forgot about the final Death Eater. The green light rushed towards Mrs. Zabini and, before Harry could stop it, it met its target. Mrs. Zabini was dead.

"NOOOOOOO!" screamed Blaise in hysteria. Hot tears were streaming down her smooth, usually unblemished visage.

"MOTHER NO. I'LL KILL YOU. I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" she screamed and threw herself at the Death Eater, hitting him as hard as her little fists could manage.

Harry was silent. He had failed again, just because he was stupid to ask for directions. He had five hours to think about that but he didn't. Once again, his pure stupidity had led to death. Death followed him around everywhere like an annoying dog.

It was his entire fault. Poor Blaise had to find out first hand what it was like to be him just because he was too stupid. He looked on as Blaise was landing punch after adrenaline fuelled punch, her wand forgotten. Everything seemed to move in slow-motion. Punch. Punch. Punch. The Death Eater was already unconscious. Punch. Punch. Punch. Harry fazed out. Everything was a blur and a picture of Sirius popped into his head.

"You got my second cousin killed. You got me killed. You got Cedric killed. You got your parents killed. All you do is get people killed. That's all you do. You're worse than Voldemort…worse than Voldemort…worse than Voldemort."

The last phrase repeated itself. Harry couldn't take it. Sirius was right.

"No, I'm exactly like Voldemort!" whispered Harry. He could feel no emotion, was he really turning into an evil wizard?

"How can the good, great, golden Harry Potter be worse than me?" hissed a voice. The last voice Harry wanted to hear in his current situation.

Harry's occlumency kicked in and he controlled his raging thoughts. He wiped his mind blank and faced a furious Voldemort.

"What are you doing here, Tom?" asked Harry coldly.

"How dare you call me that? My name is Lord Voldemort. So, you think you're worse than me? Kill the girl then. You can't … but I can! Avada Kedavra!"

'Expello,' thought Harry and one of the Death Eaters flew up into the air and blocked the curse.

"What! Where are you Dumbledore? I know it was you. No-one else can. Avada Kedavra!" screamed Voldemort into a random corner of the room. The stove blew up and the room became shrouded in a thick black smoke.

Harry's only objective was to get him and Blaise out of there before Voldemort stops looking for Dumbledore.

"Are you too weak to show yourself? The leader of the light is afraid of the Dark Lord! Watch as I kill young Zabini. Avada Kedavra!"

A phoenix, Fawkes, appeared and swallowed the spell whole. Fawkes burst into flame. Suddenly, there were simultaneous 'pops' and the Order, led by Dumbledore appeared.

"You have been foolish again, Tom. You are outnumbered," sighed Dumbledore in a voice which made him sound his age.

"Curse you, Dumbledore! I will kill you soon, when your precious Order aren't here to attack me while I'm concentrating on you. Potter, I have spared you. Join me and we will do great things. Join me, or those around you will die," hissed Voldemort. With that parting shot, Voldemort disapparated, taking Wormtail with him.

"Harry, Miss. Zabini, take this portkey to Headquarters. I think we can save the questions for later," said Dumbledore softly.

Harry felt him lightly probing his mind, so he wiped his mind blank. He almost argued about the idea but remembered Castus's words.

Dumbledore was mildly shocked that Harry had developed in occlumency and that he didn't argue with the decision. Harry went over to Blaise, who seemed beyond tears, and took the portkey to headquarters.

Harry took Blaise up to Buckbeak's old room; it was a good place for mourning and melancholy. He found that the room had been cleared; there was nothing there.

'Sive Bed.' A comfortable, four poster bed, similar to the one in Gryffindor tower appeared.

'Sive armchair, Sive Table.' Both articles appeared, though they weren't as perfect as the bed; Harry was too magically drained. Conjuring was very difficult.

"You can stay here," whispered Harry.

Blaise half-nodded and went to the four poster bed. She got in and closed the curtains around her. Harry could hear her sobbing behind the curtains. Sighing, he left her in peace.

He needed to get his trunk, though, so he affectuseod to his room and collected it. He couldn't be bothered to tell his Aunt and Uncle about his departure. Jewel, though, was intrigued.

P"What are you doing, Harry?"P

P"I'm packing my stuff, Jewel. We are going to Grimmauld place. We probably won't be coming here ever again."P

P"Why?"P

P"Don't worry, human stuff. Are you ready?"P

P"Of course. Let me rest on your shoulder. It is warm there."P

Once everything was in order, Harry affectuseod to his old room which he shared with Ron. What he didn't know was that he had landed on Ron.

"What the hell?" Ron exclaimed indignantly. "Harry, why'd you…Harry! You're here! How are you mate?"

Ron pulled him into a gruff, masculine, one-armed hug. Hermione hugged him as well.

"Harry, how did you apparate here? Not only did you apparate underage but there are anti-apparition wards here so you can't possibly…"

Harry cut her off by greeting Ginny who had a look between shock at his arrival, and anger at the way he had almost forgotten her. Hermione looked scandalized and continued with her rant.

"…There are wards other than that which are hundreds of years old. You can't have done that? What happened to you? Why didn't you join the Order? Where did you just come from? The people on watch duty outside your house said you were missing. Is this true?"

"The wards have weaknesses, I did just do that, I didn't join because there was no point, I just came from Zabini Mansion and yes, I was 'missing'. Does that answer all of your questions? I'm fine, by the way, how are you all?" stated Harry calmly.

Ron was making an extremely good impression of a goldfish and Hermione, for once, couldn't manage to find the right words.

"We're all fine, Harry. What the hell were you doing at that-that-that cow's house?" asked Ginny with a disgusted look on her face.

"Which cow? Oh Blaise Zabini, why is she a cow?" asked Harry. He then added sarcastically: "Is it because she is in Slytherin?"

"You don't understand, Harry. You haven't spoken to her. She is cold and rude to everyone outside of Slytherin. What are you doing hanging around with the likes of her?" Harry could sense a tinge of jealousy in Ginny's voice.

"You'll find out at the next Order meeting, I assume. I wonder if I'll be invited."

"I'm not in the Order, Harry, why don't you tell us?" pouted Ginny rather childishly.

Harry chose a new tactic and changed the subject.

"How are the Cannons doing, Ron? Are they still losing?" Harry said slyly.

Ron was about to reply when Hermione spoke up. "Harry, you can't change the subject. What were you doing at Zabini Mansion? As Order members, we have a right to know."

Harry couldn't believe that she would use that card. He felt a bit angry and knew that the old Harry would be having a rage at her.

"As Order members, what can you do about it? As Order members, why weren't you there? As Order members, why don't you know? You see why I didn't join, Hermione. You're no better than Ginny in terms of being informed. So, as Order members, you can go find out your bloody self."

Harry walked out and slammed the door behind him. He knew Hermione was going to be a problem for him this year; she was too clever for her own good. If it weren't for her, he could have been having a pleasant conversation with Ron about quidditch.

He didn't know what to do at that point. His trunk was back in the room.

P"What is bothering you, Harry? You seem rather put out."P

P"Oh, it's just I have nothing to do. Do you want to have a conversation with a lunatic teenager?"P

P"Who? There is another snake speaker?"P asked Jewel, who finally showed signs of interest.

Harry laughed. His snake's clueless spells always amused him.

P"I am talking about myself. Have you had any other owners? Before me, of course?"P asked Harry curiously.

P"No, but I have seen many people in the shop. None of them were, as you would call them, 'light' wizards. I have heard many things in my time. When I was five years, there were many shady characters in the shop. Then, suddenly, there were none. This intrigues me to this day. Then, last year, there was an increase in customers. I have always wondered why…"P

P"It is because of me, Jewel, you see…"P

Harry explained his story to his slithery companion. From when he was one all the way to present day. He had almost started on the dreams about Voldemort in the summer when someone cleared his voice.

Harry realized that during his monologue, his had fazed out of the world around him and suddenly had Dumbledore at his feet.

"I'm sorry to disturb your conversation with your…friend…but the whole Order is waiting in the kitchen to hear your version of events." Dumbledore looked very serious but there was a hint of a twinkle in his eyes. There always was.

Harry placed his accomplice on his now vacated bed and proceeded to the kitchen. Every single seat was filled by an Order member. Harry could see Mundungus, Hermione, Ron, Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, Remus, Tonks, Kingsley and Snape amongst others. At the far end, to Harry's disgust, sat Percy, looking as smug as ever.

"Harry, I'd like you to explain to us why you were in Zabini Mansion," said Dumbledore in a clear, commanding voice.

"I got another vision from Voldemort," Harry lied, "He was unaware of my presence. I saw him commanding Wormtail and others to attack Zabini Mansion. His goal was to get every pureblood family to join his cause out of fear. Wormtail disapparated and he then realized I was there. He tried to call back Wormtail, but couldn't. He assumed that there was no way this information would be useful soon enough. By the time I told Dumbledore, he told me, it would be too late."

"Why did you not tell me, Harry?" asked Dumbledore wearily, his blue eyes showing disappointment.

"There was no time, I had to save them. All I knew about the Zabinis was that their daughter was in our year. I'd never spoken to her before and hardly knew what she looked like. I wanted so badly to get to Zabini mansion that suddenly, I found I was there. It was the same accidental magic as I had used when I was young. I saw that the whole house was destroyed except for the kitchen. I didn't care about the under aged magic laws, I stunned as many Death Eaters as I could before they found out it was me. Mr. Zabini was already dead at that point.

"Wormtail summoned Mrs. Zabini to him and used her as a hostage. I stunned Wormtail, quickly, though. I had forgotten about the final Death Eater and this cost Mrs. Zabini her life." Harry lowered his head and felt a pang of guilt, then moved on.

"At that point, Blaise Zabini was feeling very emotional. She had pounced on the final Death Eater and physically battered him to unconsciousness. Then, Voldemort arrived. He was almost killed Blaise Zabini and I had to put a Death Eater in the way to take the spell instead. Then, the Order arrived and I took the portkey here with Zabini."

Throughout his speech, Harry placed images which corresponded with his story in his mind. He felt Dumbledore probing and Harry saw that Dumbledore believed him.

"Harry, you should not have felt it was necessary to go to the aid of the Zabinis. You could have been killed. In fact, if we had not arrived, you would have been killed. You and Miss. Zabini were lucky. Where is she?"

"In Buckbeak's old room. She is mourning. I don't think you should disturb her, she is feeling very emotional," Harry said with a sigh.

"I'll talk to her personally later. Meanwhile, Harry, I'd like to give you one last chance to join the Order."

"I'd like to pass again, Headmaster," replied Harry, his voice dripping with false reverence and sarcasm.

"Harry, dear. This is an excellent opportunity for you to show your worth. It is what Sirius would have wanted," said Molly Weasley softly.

"I don't know if he wanted it," whispered Harry, "Because he is dead. I'll tell you why I won't join the Order by giving you an example. Today, I went into a room which Ron, Hermione and Ginny were occupying. They had no idea that the Order went on a rescue mission. They were as clueless as the non-Order member, Ginny. This is the same treatment that I will receive so I will ask you again, why should I join?"

"Wotcher, Harry. You've got a great argument there, but I still think you should join," said Tonks who was looking both surprised and in awe of Harry. She probably hadn't seen anyone stand up to Dumbledore before.

"How do we know you're the real Potter and not just an imposter? If you are an imposter, you're not doing a good job," hissed Moody in a gruff voice.

Harry smiled. 'Same old Moody,' he thought.

"I pulled out the Sword of Gryffindor out of the sorting hat; how do I know you're the real Moody?" retorted Harry.

Moody let loose a raspy laugh.

"Good work. You may be as good as Mad Eye one day, Potter. But until then, I ask the questions."

Harry decided to make the situation even more tense and difficult for Dumbledore.

"If I will be 'informed,' does this mean that you will be giving me a more 'important' role than Ron and Hermione? If so, the why? What have I done which merits such status?"

"I think, Harry, that we need to talk in private and resolve some issues," said Dumbledore slowly, as if weighing up every word. Harry didn't fail to notice that he hadn't answered the question.

"Ok. It was great seeing most of you again." Harry stared pointedly at Snape.

"I think we should go to Zabini's room, headmaster," suggested Harry.

The Order looked like they wanted to see more but the Headmaster nodded and Harry led him to the top floor.

"I must warn you, she's not in a good condition so no manipulation," said Harry flatly, no subtlety present. The Headmaster was taken aback.

"Harry, I do not manipulate as you so kindly put it. Being here for over a century, I have known more loss than you can ever imagine. I know how to deal with these situations. You have been very rude this summer; please can you behave civilly towards me and others." Dumbledore had finally shown cracks in his cool exterior and Harry knew he shouldn't push it.

Dumbledore waved his wand at his robes and they changed from baby blue to black. Harry had to admit that Dumbledore did know all the tricks in the book. They found that Blaise was still crying in her four poster bed.

"Where did this extraordinary bed come from?" mused Dumbledore, a knowing glint in his eye.

"Let's see how she is," muttered Harry, a small blush signaling his feelings.

As Harry felt the soft, black, cotton curtains, he grudgingly admitted that he had done a good job on them.

They found said adolescent curled into a ball, sobbing into her luxurious pillow. She was shaking from head to toe. Harry realized that in a way, he was lucky. His parents were killed when he was one; he hardly knew them but for Blaise, it was much worse. Harry had a strange feeling that he was responsible for her. He tried to brush it away but it only decreased slightly.

"How are you Miss. Zabini?" asked Dumbledore in a soft, reassuring, grandfatherly way, "Do you need anything, food, drink, company?"

She looked up at the two of them and she only seemed slightly surprised; after grief, there was not much room for other emotions.

"N-no," she said in a cracked voice.

"Perhaps sitting in a comfortable armchair next to a fire may help. I find this helps when one is feeling aggrieved and alone."

Dumbledore drew up two more chairs; they were much more comfortable and welcoming than Harry's. Because it was his poor creation, Harry felt obliged to sit on his inferior chair. Not wanting to feel like he was a weak child, Harry lit a fire in the fire place but said the incantation so Dumbledore wouldn't get suspicious.

"Incendio."

"How you can perform magic will be discussed later on, Harry," started Dumbledore reproachfully. "But, at the moment, we will be asking Blaise some questions."

"W-why is P-Potter here?" choked out Blaise.

"I think," said Dumbledore softly, "That after saving you life, he has earned it but, if you wish, he will leave."

"N-no, that w-won't be n-necessary. H-he can s-stay, I was j-just curious." Harry found that Blaise had a soft, but very posh and aristocratic, voice. After experience with Ron, she sounded very weird to Harry.

"The only thing we want you to tell us is what happened before Harry arrived."

"F-father had just come home from t-the ministry. He was in the wizengamot, you know," she started; a touch of pride at her father's job could be heard.

"As head of the wizengamot, I am aware of this. Please continue," stated Dumbledore reassuringly.

"He had just greeted m-mother and I when we heard p-people apparating in. He shouted at us to get out of the house so we m-made for the back d-door via the k-kitchen. They k-killed father and blew up most of the manor. Then they came for us. T-they were reduced in numbers because f-father had killed some of them and m-mother was dueling furiously with them. Then, out of nowhere, Potter arrived…" Silent tears had started to pour down her rather pretty face.

"I know the rest, thank you, Blaise. You have shown a great amount of courage, Blaise. You should be handed over to the Notts legally but, for your own safety, you will remain here for the summer. Go and get some rest, child. You must be strong and brave. Move forward and let this make you stronger as a person."

Blaise nodded and went to the bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

"Harry, how are you able to perform this magic? Why aren't there ministry owls flooding in?" asked Dumbledore cautiously. Once again, Harry felt probing in his mind.

"Headmaster, could you please concentrate on what is coming out of my mouth and not my mind?" Dumbledore had the grace to look ashamed.

"I'll be honest with you professor, I've had enough. Enough of being rescued. Enough of being defensive. Enough of putting lives at risk due to my stupidity. I'll tell you some more truths, I have been practicing magic. The Ministry is too stupid to realize this. Is it true that Nott is going to become Minister?" Harry tried to change the subject before Dumbledore asked for details and, too late, realized his mistake. He wasn't supposed to know this.

"Who told you," asked Dumbledore sharply.

"Ron," said Harry quickly, hoping that Ron knew about the situation.

"Yes. Ronald would never keep anything away from you. Reminds me of Sirius and James…Back to business. Where did you learn from?"

"My books," said Harry shortly. Dumbledore knew he wasn't going to get anything else out of him so he asked something else.

"Harry, what were you doing at Knockturn Alley? Yes, I have assumed it was you. Where did you learn that sort of powerful magic and where did you put Lucius Malfoy and Rudolphus Lestrange? They are Voldemort's top men and shouldn't be trifled with." Dumbledore was deadly serious.

"There is something I haven't told you. Remember Voldemort's parting shot, that he will recruit me, he knows the prophecy." Dumbledore had a mix between disappointment and confusion.

"Then why…"

"I have managed to use the link against him. You could call it payback. I told him the wrong prophecy: '…and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…and either life is in the hands of the other for neither can live if the other dies...' He is now obsessed with getting me to join the dark."

"H-Harry, Do you realize what you have done? You have dealt a massive blow to Voldemort. You have also managed to, as usual, put yourself in grave danger. Instead of killing you, he will try to capture you. You must get extra protection…"

"Don't you understand, Dumbledore? I don't need protection. I'm stronger than most of the Order, I don't need you or your manipulation. I hope you don't get my friends to spy on me. Before you ask 'Where did things go wrong between us?', I'll prematurely answer. You should have told me the prophecy when I first walked through those gates. I should have prepared for Voldemort's encounters from an early age, got extra tutoring instead. You made a gigantic error and it may cost people's lives. Think about that for a while, okay. Goodnight."

Dumbledore sighed. He seemed to know that something like this was going to happen. He looked older than Harry had ever seen him. Part of Harry was disappointed that Dumbledore had not stood up for himself in any way. He wanted Dumbledore to stand strong, not show weakness.

"Goodnight, Harry. Perhaps we shall speak again when you've calmed down."

Harry strode out of the door and went to his room. He found Ron, Hermione and Ginny there again. Harry just ignored them and got his Firebolt out of one of his compartments. He then went into the room with open air, making sure he closed the trunk behind him.

The air smelt fresh and clean, there was a beautiful river in which Harry could swim in and there was cool, refreshing grass and a clear, cloudless sky. Harry mounted his Firebolt and left his worries behind him as he performed every trick he knew. It was refreshing. He felt so carefree, he lived he could live in this room.

Suddenly, as Harry reached even higher levels, he had a short vision. It was quite blurry, but he could make out a large, magnificent, dark coloured bird. It was flying in similar conditions to himself. He felt a connection with it, but he couldn't place it; it was like a long lost brother or something.

"How can I be related to a bird?" mused Harry aloud. He decided to ask Castus what it was later that evening.

When Harry touched back down to Earth, he felt much better. Before facing the outside world, he decided to take a splash in the River. It was cool, yet not cold. It was perfect. Harry could have paddled there all day long. He decided that once a week, he would loosen up here, otherwise, he'd go crazy.

After drying himself using a conjured towel, Harry bade a sad farewell to his safe haven and had his regular meeting with Castus.

After relating his tale to him, Castus couldn't help but be surprised.

"You have done well, Harry. You were too emotional in battle and need to practice Advance Occlumency but, in the aftermath, you handled yourself very well. This old auror person which you impressed, he may become a powerful ally for you; keep on his good side. I especially loved the half-truths mixed in with the lies which you told. Very well done! You were also right to tell Dumbledore about the prophecy, otherwise your plan may have backfired. Voldemort may have found out you were lying. The only bad thing was the way you have treated your friends. I know the mudblood may be annoying, but you know what their kind are like…"

"Sir, I have to disagree with you. In this day and age muggleborns are accepted and valuable members of the wizarding community. Could you please stop calling Hermione a mudblood? It's a disgusting term," Harry ventured. He knew he may be chastised for saying this, but it was worth it.

"Hmm. Because you conducted yourself so well, I will call her a muggleborn. I can't believe us purebloods have accepted them into our community. But they're inferior! Anyway, you must treat them well; they will prove to be your greatest allies. Also, what about the werewolf, have you spoken to him? I didn't think so. Keep him on your side. They won't tell kids the important plans, as was shown today. You need the werewolf!"

"Castus, may I ask something?" At a nod, Harry told him about the blurry vision of the bird. For some reason, this caused Castus to grin like a Cheshire Cat.

"It is, I believe, a vision of your future animagus form. When one is feeling completely carefree, in an environment in which they are very comfortable and one which fits in with their animagus form, then they may get a vision of their animagus form if they have one. It seems that you do. It may be genetic, I'm not sure. I think it's safe to say it will be a magnificent bird."

"Can you teach…" Harry started.

"No, I'm afraid. Not only did I not possess this gift, but you need an instructor to guide you through the course. It will take a long time, around a year I believe, but it will definitely be worth it. It would give you an edge in battle! Our time is almost up. You have gained some respect from my part, Harry Potter, which isn't easy. I believe I will make a grand wizard out of you yet!"

Harry left the room swelling with pride. It was the first time that Castus had been proud of him and, after the revelation that in a year he could fly without a broom; his spirits rose even higher.

Back in the 'real' world (out of the trunk), Harry found Ron, Hermione and Ginny trying to open the trunk frantically with Remus, Tonks and Mrs. Weasley helping them.

"Harry dear, where have you been, we have been trying to open this trunk as it 'sucked you in' as Ron put it. Thank goodness you're alright. How have you been," cried Mrs. Weasley. She enveloped him in a large, motherly hug which he returned.

Remus smiled knowingly at him.

"Wotcher, Harry. Where were you? What happened?" asked Tonks. She seemed to be more curios than worried.

"Oh, it's my trunk. It's special. It allows you to go inside it. I was just cooling off," stated Harry hastily.

"Cool, can we go in?" asked Ron.

"So what happened when Dumbledore and I left?" asked Harry innocently. Not only could they technically not go in the trunk, but Harry felt reluctant to share it. Something must have happened because Ron forgot all about the trunk.

"Snape was mouthing you off really bad. Saying how you were a spoiled brat who thought that everyone, including the Order and You-Know-Who are thinking only of you. I didn't get that, though, why would You-Know-Who linger on you when he's got the whole country to kill? Guess who came to your defense though, Moody. He never sticks up for people; he must have liked your attitude. He threatened to curse Snape into oblivion. Hermione thinks it was wrong, obviously and that Moody has been looking for an excuse to curse Snape. So what did you and Dumbledore talk about?" Ron said this all in one breath, he was talking almost as fast as he was thinking.

"Dumbledore just asked Blaise Zabini some questions and then asked me some stuff. It was very confidential so I can't tell you, I'm sorry. Remember last year with the interception, it's worse than that. Don't give me that look, Hermione. I am not exaggerating here; if I told you, Voldemort would hunt you down and torture the information out of you so fast, you wouldn't have time to write a will. No, I can't tell any of you." Harry gave pointed looks towards Tonks, Mrs. Weasley and Remus.

"And nor can Dumbledore. I'm very tired and need to get some sleep." Harry felt the hands of sleep grab hold of him and drag him into unconsciousness.

Harry heard voices from somewhere. It was coming from the other side of the room. Without his glasses, his vision was blurry but he could make out red hair. Not wanting to seem like an eavesdropper, he pretended to be asleep.

"…What did he mean torture information out of us? Does he think that he knows more about You-Know-Who than us? Come on Remus, he's just a child!"

Harry didn't even need to look at the flaming red hair to know that it was Mrs. Weasley. He felt annoyed that she treated him like a child.

"He's faced You-Know-Who four times, mum! Of course he does. It's not just a scary name to him. It's a person that he has met loads of times. If you ask me, he knows more about him than everyone in the Order except for Snape, Dumbledore and maybe Moody. Harry's been able to say his name since his first year yet almost all of us can't!"

Harry was delighted with Ron's attitude. It seemed like his best friend was going to stick by him.

"I have to agree with Ron here, Molly. He has done things that none of us can imagine since he was eleven. He practically knows Voldemort's mind."

Harry expected this. Of course Remus would stick up for him.

"B-But Professor Lupin, he may have done those things, but it wasn't through power, it was almost always luck. Ron you were there most of the time, you should know. He's not above the order and he had no right to speak to Professor Dumbledore and the rest of the Order like that!"

'Typical, rule loving, teacher's pet Hermione,' thought Harry. He was angry that Hermione hadn't stuck up for him after all those years. He knew what she said about luck was true, but it hurt to hear it out of her mouth. She hardly knows Dumbledore but she would trust Dumbledore over him, Harry.

"Isn't he top of the year by far in DADA? Didn't he save the school, Ginny, us, Sirius, delayed You-Know-Who from coming back? I admit he was a bit out of hand to the Order, but he's Harry, Hermione. Something must have provoked him to act like that. I reckon it's something Dumbledore said to him last year. He needs us, Hermione. He needs us to be his friend. It's funny, he told me you…"

Harry held his breath. There was an awkward silence as Ron realized he had said too much. Mrs. Weasley already knew which added to the tension.

"Told you what?" asked Hermione slowly.

"Nothing," said Ron quickly. Too quickly.

"What did he say about me?" Hermione was getting angry and Harry knew this. To stop Ron from getting in trouble, Harry intervened.

"I said you would side with the rules, with authority, with Dumbledore," said Harry quietly and everyone jumped. Ron let out a sigh with relief.

"You didn't mean that, Harry dear," said Mrs. Weasley.

"I heard every word of this conversation, Mrs. Weasley and it has only confirmed my suspicions. She has prefers a man who knows her as Miss. Granger, someone who only knows her as that girl who keeps Harry in line over me. I've been her good friend for five years and she doesn't have faith in me. Why, Hermione? I can't pretend I'm not hurt?"

"Oh, Harry it's not like that. Dumbledore is an accomplished wizard, Headmaster of the school and defeater of Grindlewald. Last year you showed that you don't think straight under pressure. Of course I'm still your friend but in this war, Professor Dumbledore is the one to lead us and you must treat him with respect. If you had listened to reason last year, then Sirius…"

Harry didn't like the direction that this was going in. He could feel a boiling rage threatening to surface. It took a lot of energy to keep it down. How dare she talk about Sirius so close to his death?

"So I just go around getting people killed do I? Need Dumbledore to keep me on a leash to stop me from killing people do I? Need you and the rest of the motherfucking Order do I?" Harry's voice was getting colder as his anger grew.

"You make me sick, Hermione. How dare you even mention Sirius? What do you think was running through my head? What I've learnt in books or that Voldemort was about to kill the man who was like a father to me? If Dumbledore had taught me Occlumency, it would have been different. It was Dumbledore's fault he died. He even admitted it in his office last year! Why don't you ask him or are you afraid he won't know who you are?"

Harry's rage wasn't being vented out as much as it wanted to. Then, something which hadn't happened since he got into Hogwarts happened; accidental magic. The windows smashed and as Harry stormed out of the door, it blew up and splinters scattered everywhere.

Behind him, Harry could hear Hermione feebly trying to call him back and explain herself, but Harry didn't want to hear it.

He wasn't really watching where he was going. His anger had subsided but he still felt betrayed by Hermione. He decided that he would listen to her explanation once he'd fully calmed down. Harry opened the final door, not really knowing where he was.

Harry looked around the room and saw a four poster bed, a table and three armchairs, two comfortable ones and one which seemed off. One of them was occupied, though. It was then that he realized where he was. Blaise's room…

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