PS. Sorry if I confused anyone. No, I didn't review my own fic. My brother went on right after me and I forgot to log out. That's it.
16th Birthday
I awoke on Sunday morning, my birthday, to the sound of Mad-Eye and Moony's bickering. "What do you mean presents first? He'll open them all after supper Mad-Eye!"
"What's the point in that? Dragging it out all day, just get it over with!"
"That's not the way you do it you nutcase! And where do you get off dueling with H, Darian? You could seriously"- Remus was cut off by Moody's harsh laugh.
"Ha! It's the Death Eaters you should be worried about, that kids got spunk!"
"You can't work him all summer, its bad enough with the anti depressants Dumbledore insists you give him; he's probably addicted to it by now!" Remus said the last with a growl. Anti depressants? We were going to have a little talk.
"He's here for protection. What better way to enforce that than by allowing him to be his own body guard? He's under my care, not yours Lupin, talk to Pomphrey about it."
I knew that last reply by Mad-Eye would piss Remus off even more, so I ran into the room stopping the fight. Moony and Ma-Eye had their wands fixed on each other ready for another fight. Upon seeing me, they grudgingly put away their wands and Mad-Eye asked "Want some breakfast Darian?"
He's not serious? Just like that, it never happened? "Depends who's makin' it." I replied, easing the tension. Halfway through a dead silent meal of pancakes, courtesy of Remus, I asked "What anti depressants are we talking about here?" glancing from Moony to Mad-Eye.
It was Mad-Eye who answered saying "Do you ever wonder why you're not more upset about Black's death? I slip it in with your diner. It also ensures that you sleep well if you know what I mean, not even Voldemort can send a dream your way." That was so impersonal! But when Mad-Eye mentioned it, my eyes stung and I saw the truth behind his words. I just never thought about Sirius, not since I left the Dursley's. Sirius's wasn't getting a funeral, not a formal one. I overheard some people in the Three Broomsticks talking about Sirius, and not in a positive way. It can be assumed therefore that Fudge is still in denial. I should have been heart broken that night I stayed at the Black manor, never mind happy and bouncing to see Remus the next morning. So that was it then, Dumbledore was messing with things again, probably because he thought it was for the best. No nightmares though, no more visions. I had no complaints about that.
"Oh" was all I could say. I had been staring at my plate but if I had looked up I would have seen the daggers Remus was sending Mad-Eye, and maybe even noticed that Remus definitely wasn't on the same bloody prescription as me. Point blank, he was having a rough time with Sirius's passing. I stood up from the table and said blankly "I'm getting changed."
"Don't forget to put you contacts in. Don't get me wrong, green is your colour but it's a might bit suspicious." Mad-Eye stated at my turned back. It was too early for this, more accurately around 11 o'clock.
Apparently the two adults came to an agreement, I could open some of the presents now and some later. Man, they just had to, didn't they? Upon entering the living room I found Mad-Eye and Remus standing before a small pile of gifts. The first was from Dumbledore, it was a necklace. It had a simple metal chain and a pendant, which Remus explained had his pureblooded mother's family crest on it, The Everson's. Next I got a collection of music both muggle bands and wizard bands from the members of the DA and a subscription to the Quibbler from Luna. The last was a signed photograph of Lockhart, from Lockhart. This was a bit bizarre, Remus laughed enormously at me while explaining to Mad-Eye what happened in second year to him, I suppose he's getting his memory back! A little bit anyway.
For my birthday Mad-Eye and Remus took me, Darian to Diagon Alley. There we met up with a teenage girl version of Tonks who spent the day pretending to be my girlfriend. It was actually pretty nice having a beautiful girl holding my hand, even if she was older. She sure didn't look it in that mini skirt! I didn't even think twice as to why she knew who I was.
Mad-Eye, being the paranoid man that he is, insisted we go into Knockturn Alley and get me some things. First we found another, poorer wand makers store. There we bought me a second one, courtesy of Dumbledore, and not from Ollivanders who would never sell a second one to me. You're only allowed to own one! Well the guy we bought it from didn't care how many wands I owned so long as it was him I bought it from.
Next on his "list" was the weapon store. He carefully selected two dirks to fit into my boots. (A dirk is a small knife.) They would fit into any boots I wore, provided they weren't running shoes. The first would grow cold when Death Eater was near because of the dark mark. So basically I would have very cold feet in potions class. The second was a little different. It was slightly smaller and meant to disable the opponent, not kill them. If it even nicked you the surrounding area would go completely numb and take an hour or two to get feeling again depending on the size of the cut. It would be useful if you broke your arm and wanted the pain to go away. Both dirks were pretty sharp and had anti dulling charms on. Also Mad-Eye purchased me a wand holster and deemed it my birthday present from him. Strapped onto the underside of my right arm is where my original wand would go for emergencies. On the top I could strap one of the daggers, for when I was wearing running shoes or playing Quidditch. The store manager assumed they were for Mad-Eye and we moved on.
Tonks and Remus went shopping with me for clothes and Mad-Eye sort of tagged along. They said they needed to get me new ones as the old were a disgrace, back at Mad-Eye's we planned to burn the old rags from Dudley. Kind of symbolic they said. We got some clothes from there but we ended up going into muggle London for the CD player and more clothes. I also bought a muggle game boy and a few games thinking of Nevelle's birthday, on Dumbledore's bill. All in all, we spent loads of money and I was a much more dangerous walking weapon for Dumbledore. I passed this thought with a shrug; I needed to be protected and not to worry on my birthday! Gee maybe I needed a higher dosage of anti depressants!
Later we followed traditional birthday routine with supper (pizza made by Remus, thank Merlin) cake and presents. I got more fan mail, which we planned on burning later that night with my old clothes. Remus got me a golden snitch and I was strongly reminded of that memory with my father under the tree letting it go then catching it, only to impress Peter, and probably girls at other times. I wondered if that was where he got the idea from and if it would upset him to see me with it. He also showed me Sirius's mirror, said he found it in Sirius's bedroom. Whenever Mad-Eye got to annoying, he said, I should call him up and he'd come over and beat it outta him. Assuming he wasn't on order business. I got from Hermione, what else, a book. It was all on wandless magic and actually looked pretty interesting. Promising to read it later I opened a free subscription for the Quibbler from Luna and the stat cards of seekers from Ron. From Nevelle I got a picture of his parents and my parents, both our mother's looking equally pregnant. Everyone was waving happily and I wondered how Nevelle was able to let me have it. And lastly I got a smaller book called Pre Game Tips and Strategies from Ginny. Judging from the gifts I'd say last years experience had brought us together. I felt slightly guilty having not written to them all summer, but when I mentioned that I should send them all thank you letters Mad-Eye stated no and in a not so nice way. He and Remus would pass it on they said, but not in writing. Over paranoid or what?
An hour or so later we could be found in the back yard, burning my old clothes and tossing in fan mail as we read it. It was a good time; Remus opened up one letter and burst out laughing. Mad-Eye thought we were being attacked and immediately began looking for an attacker, while I took the letter from Moony's hand. Blushing furiously I called Mad-Eye over and he just shook his head. "You so have to keep that one Darian, a memento!" Remus said between breaths. And here's why. You opened it up and a picture of this gorgeous teenage girl I've never seen flashes you, then pulls the towel back up, and drops it again and again! Under it was written "Only a towel stands between me and Harry Potter"
The only bad thing that happened was when Remus announced that I would be taking potion lessons 3 times a week so I could get into the advanced potions class. In a way this was good, I might be able to make it as an auror but I really really didn't like potions!
The potion classes were pretty okay as it turns out. It was a lot easier to concentrate without Snape hanging over me. Dean wasn't taking potions as he failed it too and just didn't want to continue in it now that he had a choice. There were quite a few people in the class; most of who didn't even live in Hoogsmeade. I continued getting lessons from Forge and Gred on thievery convinced it was handy, not knowing exactly how helpful it would turn out to be. Things went back to normal for about 16 days, the Weasleys declared my practice in thievery perfected and Dumbledore changed the day when we would talk till the 17th. Not something I minded at all. I spend loads of my time playing Quidditch with the others and talking to Remus who turned out to be a lot of help learning wandless magic. Nevelle sent along a thank you note for the game boy, although I'm sure he had no idea what to do with it.
Unfortunately the 17th eventually came round and what happened was this. Dumbledore came over to Mad-Eye's and we sat in the living room. Mad-Eye claimed that he had some last minute stuff to do. That, if nothing else was reason for panic. Mad-Eye and last minute stuff never go in the same sentence!
Dumbledore made himself comfortable and conjured up some tea, which I was quite tired of. Not to mention that he might have put bloody anti depressants in it! Git. Dumbledore sat directly across from me and looked pretty serious. What, did Hogwarts collapse a week before school started? As tempting as it was to ask just that I sufficed with the usual "What's Voldemort been doing?" before Dumbledore could even get a word in.
I was surprised by his reaction, he smiled. "So Mad-Eye hasn't let you near a paper then? Good good." I stared at him blankly, is he joking?
"Seriously, what's been going on? I haven't had any visions, course that's probably just because of my daily dosage isn't it?" I said trying to get something out of him.
Apparently Dumbledore hadn't heard that I knew as a flicker of surprise passed his face for a second. "We can't afford another mistake like last time, you know that." His words cut deep, but didn't hurt as much as I knew they should. He continued "I will only tell you that he knows where you live, at Privet drive."
"But I'm not staying there." I reminded him, he was senile after all.
"Yes you are Harry, Nymphadora Tonks took your place so that he wouldn't know you were relocated. I trust you know of her abilities?" At my nod he continued "The Dursley's don't even know that you're gone, and at your request don't remember the incident previous to your leave, nor do the neighbors."
"The name's Darian sir." I corrected him sharply. Mad-Eye was rubbing off slightly I noticed.
"Right you are. As I was saying, he knows where the house is. We entrusted the information to Severus, who relayed it to Voldemort. He will attack the house tomorrow. We have moved the Dursley's, they're on a vacation in Hawaii, and removed any valuable possessions as it is likely the house will be destroyed."
"Hope you didn't forget the Xbox, Dudley will die without it." I snickered thinking it a possibility. I think I was trying to make sense of what he was saying, and failing miserably.
Dumbledore however missed the sarcasm completely and said seriously "It'll be taken care of." He paused for a moment considering his words. Finally decided he said his voice full of regret "There's really no easy way to say this, so bear with me."
He leaned forward in his seat, clasped his hands together and looked at me, his eyes sad and amused at the same time; a hard thing to do in itself and never an omen of good fortune for those under such a gaze. Then he stared into my eyes like he was going to propose to me and said his tone businesslike "Harry Potter is going to die tomorrow."
I let out a surprised yelp of "WHAT!" lost my balance on the chair and tipped it backwards hit the floor and crashed my head against its hard surface. I laid on my back the chair forgotten next to me and tried to concentrate on something while the room swam dangerously above me. I vaguely heard a voice saying "Harry are you ok?" and someone shaking my shoulders non to gently and slowly the room came back into focus. The first thing I saw clearly was a rather large nose, yelling in surprise I pushed it away in reflex. Realizing that I had just hit my Headmaster I mumbled a somewhat sincere apology and added rubbing the back of my head "what did you say?" sure I had misheard him. My death was the last thing we wanted! I flicked my wand out of its holster and conjured an ice pack for my head like the one they had at the Dursley's. Interested in whatever he was on about I told him to go on, it sounded relevant I'm sure.
Dumbledore appeared unsure of my health but continued regardless. "Harry Potter will be dead to the wizarding community. Voldemort is going to attack the house tomorrow and kill the Death Eater we forced to take the Polyjuice potion. One of the other Death eater's or Voldemort himself will think he is you, kill him and ultimately believe you to be dead. We, that is the Order, will stage a fight like we were guarding you, lose and it'll be done. It will make things worse for the rest of the world but you mustn't be killed. It's safer this way for you. You'll go to school in a week as Darian Everson, a pureblood with no judgments or enemies, a new student 6th year student."
"That's why Tonks had to be there, it wouldn't work if Harry wasn't always home. Under house arrest too right?" At his nod I summed up my thoughts pretty well and said "So, you lied to me again? Why the fuck didn't you just tell me?"
Dumbledore visibly flinched when I swore and said in his defense "You had a good summer did you not? I'll wager your much closer to your dorm mate Dean than you were previously? You didn't have any of this hanging over your head and for once got to have a normal summer break."
Something clicked from his letter before. Couldn't very well be Quidditch Captain could I? "You knew before at Grimmauld Place, a Death eater would take my place, I believe were your exact words? Well have I got news for you! Moony was right! I don't want to loose my friends over this, hell Malfoy might even like me now I'm pureblooded! You're ruining my chances of playing Quidditch, ever!" Without my knowledge a vase broke behind me and the pages in open books flicked to the end as the wind picked up.
"Now Darian there's an idea." Dumbledore said brightly. "I'm giving you an opportunity to do so. You could never play professionally, most times even in the house league because of your fame. With this new development, however, what's stopping you? Nobody will be trying to jinx you from the stands, and people won't judge you by your name. You can reintroduce yourself to your friends; in theory they should like you just the same. I do remember you saying that you disliked fame?"
Oooo sneaky. Very Slytherin. It didn't sound like such a bad idea though. Still unknown to me the havoc behind me calmed down and everything settled. I was brought out of my thoughts when Dumbledore asked to see the necklace he gave me. I always had it on, Mad-Eye made sure of that. I tugged it out from under my shirt and showed it to him. He looked pleased and got up, walked behind me and started looking for the clasp. "What are you doing?" I asked getting up. Ever heard of person space?
"Please sit back down. This will only take a moment. Ah there we are!" He exclaimed, having found it. He whispered a few choice words I couldn't make out and apparently satisfied sat back down.
"Errrr…" was all I could say to his strange and spontaneous behaviour.
"I'm also here to talk about the courses you are going to attend in the new school year and take you on a tour of Hogwarts. I feel however that under the circumstances we can skip the latter. Don't you agree?" Dumbledore said this all completely without expression. I think I was slightly overwhelmed having just discovered that my identity was about to be destroyed and maybe the bump on the head didn't help. Tour my ass, I should be giving him one with all the secret passages I know! I said nothing and he spoke again "I feel it is unwise for you to continue in all of Harry Potter's classes especially with your sudden appearance so near to his death. What would you like to drop?"
After some debate it was decided that I would drop Care Of Magical Creatures, Divination, which I was quite agreeable to and History of Magic. Instead I'd be taking Physical Education which was an open course, otherwise known as gym and join the DA, hopefully I'd at least be able to help with it. Dumbledore specifically forbid me from teaching it myself, claiming that it was a bit of a giveaway. I'd also be taking Astronomy, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration and Herbology.
The meeting coming to a close I demanded "Tell me what Voldemort's been up to. I can't go to school not knowing!"
"No less than is expected. There have been many casualties I won't deny it but this is a war. Most recent news suggests that everyone close to you is fine. You are a bit ahead of the news today. Don't tell anyone." He cautioned "I do have a bit more to discuss with you. How has you magic been coming?"
"I keep blowing stuff up!" I yelled frustrated, thinking of just yesterday when I broke all the dishes, and the table and basically destroyed the kitchen for no apparent reason. I wasn't even that upset! "Stuff around me just spontaneously explodes; I haven't even been getting overly pissed off!" I yelled, not realizing that I just broke my Headmasters glasses, tipped over the book shelf and more of the usual. If this wasn't a magic house, things would get pretty expensive around here! "Sorry about that." I said. I had put my wand away, so I used some simple wandless magic to fix the mess. Dumbledore appeared fairly impressed.
"Your magic is growing. This happens to all wizards around your age, just not at this magnitude. Most times it's not even noticeable. What is happening is a good sign, if only a little inconvenient. When you return to class you will be surprised at your power. It will take some adjusting too. Do us all a favour and try not to show off, you might scare some of the younger students, as well as some of the staff." Dumbledore said this with a smile and laughed a bit.
"I'll try not to sir." I said not about to guarantee anything.
"The only reason you can do that and not get in trouble is because you're not down in the Ministry's file. Starting tomorrow you will have to remember not to do that as they will know about it, even here. I will advice them to ignore your accidental magic as it is bound to happen anyway. I will also be alerting them of your conditions on staying here and you will be enrolled in our school again. Try not to blow up to many inanimate objects in the mean time?" With this Dumbledore excused himself and left the house to go about his business.
Much of my spare time was spent going hard core in Quidditch and fantasizing what the new school year would be like for me. Remus picked up all my school books for me and after a quick stop in Diagon Alley I had a new set of school clothes. The days until September 1st passed quickly and without a warning letter from the Ministry. Dean promised to sit with me on the train as I was new and had no friends and for once in my life I couldn't wait to meet Malfoy.