Cry of a Restless Soul

by Runningidiot

The 1st of the Legacy. Harry has returned from his fifth year shattered. Though countless ordeals await the protaginist, soon Sirius Black is at the back of his mind and merely surviving is his top priority. For a full summary and Disclaimer check inside.

2. Chapter 1: Welcome Back

Cry of a Restless Soul

Summary:
First of the Legacy Chronicles, Harry Potter has returned from his seventh year shattered, his godfather still haunts him occasionally, but new events cause that image to be replaced by others. The Protagonist now has to face many new things; Occulumency again, girls as usual, and, of course, death. It all starts in Harry's so-called room in the legendary Privet Drive where he's starting to take some advice from his best friend Hermione, and writing down his jumbled thoughts.

Disclaimer:
I do not own any J.K Rowling created characters or names; I am merely duplicating her great work in the way I feel like articling events. The only character that belongs to me, for now, is Aran Schmitz who is introduced in the second chapter, any use of this character by anyone else will have to seek my approval first. I also do not own the title of the story or the chapter titles; they essentially belong to one of my favorite power metal bands, Lost Horizon. The next story will be the same, duplicating song titles from one of my many favorite metal bands. I do not intend to earn profit from this story and if I do end up selling it to someone I will distribute the profit accordingly to the owners of the many things in this story. I also do not own the monologue concept at the beginning a certain parts of a book.

Chapter 1:

Welcome Back

I do not know why I am writing in this so-called diary, maybe its just me listening, for once, to Hermione's constant babbles about homework and such. But here I am, in my so-called room in number four Privet Drive, writing in a book which none-other than Hermione Granger sent me for a birthday present. I am honoured that she is thinking of my own thoughts, for once, over her own. It may sound selfish, but I'm tired of people saying things like "Oh my life sucks." "Oh I wish I were smarter." Have they ever faced Lord Voldemort in combat? Have they ever witnessed a relative fall through a "dimension door?" Have they been criticized by the daily newspaper everyday? Have they ever been called an attention-seeker because his/her parents died?

No they haven't. I am tired of the constant self-pity that is apparent all around me; I feel it is both selfish and utterly pointless. Since none of them have EVER experienced what I have gone through the fifteen years of my life. Though I find it completely unfair how I have to suffer through these terrible ordeals while other wizards, witches, and Muggles alike sit and want to be on some adventure!

Adventures aren't as great as the stereotypical one, where a hero rises up in the darkest hour of history and that hero flawlessly destroys the enemy. I find that stereotype despicable; I am going through hell to even stand up to Lord Voldemort while Dumbledore makes it look easy with his… his… spells and things.

This is stupid… I know I'm sounding quite stupid myself, but really, do hero's ever have to go through the despair I'm going through! NO! They're all joyful, prancing from town to town, helping them in their current conflict and then prance to the dark dungeon of the evil dark wizard who the hero destroys effortlessly!

They never have to go through prejudice (not only in the hero, but in his/her friends too)! They never have to go through the horrible nightmares that the Dark Lord has planted in his/her mind!

Why am I doing this? For what purpose am I writing in this stupid book!

Harry Potter slammed the diary shut; causing his snowy owl, Hedwig, to stir a bit and look up at him with a look of bitter annoyance in which he quickly muttered an apology. Harry sighed, stretching his arms and got up from his bed, leaving the diary behind. He looked out the nearby window, perching his arms on the windowsill. What he saw was Privet Drive, a quiet street, even though it was (Harry looks at his watch) half past five, when dinner is being served. As if his mind were read, a cry echoed from a floor bellow Harry.

"BOY! DINNER!" Harry's, Uncle Vernon yelled up, making Hedwig stir again making Harry give her, yet another, apologetic look before departing for dinner.

When Harry entered the kitchen he noticed, not surprisingly, that none of the Dursley members looked up to greet him. The boy-who-lived didn't care though; he sat down at the dinner table, devouring his supper which consisted of "rabbit food" and one, small, slice of white chicken. Harry couldn't help but notice Dudley's continuous glances at the slice of meat.

"Would you like this cousin?" Harry couldn't help but speak up at the silent table; all faces looked up at him immediately, two of them frowning while the last had a grin on.

"Sure!" Harry's cousin, Dudley, said greedily but Uncle Vernon snatched it away from Harry's grasp, just as Dudley was reaching for it.

"What're you up to boy?" Vernon asked carefully, his purple face turning quite a fine shade of purple.

"I was offering this to-" he was suddenly cut off by his uncle.

"NO YOU IDIOT! WHAT'D YOU DO TO THIS PIECE OF CHICKEN?" He roared, holding up the piece of chicken in question, making it flap. Harry sighed, apparently they had not forgotten the incident involving the dreaded Ton-Tongue-Toffees and they were being extra careful every time Harry or any other wizard/witch offered them something.

"I didn't do anything to the pie-" Harry began once again, his voice bored.

"YES YOU DID BOY! THOUGHT YOU COULD TRICK DUDDERS DID YA?"

"That's not particularly difficult is it!" Harry snapped irritably. "Now if you would just give that chicken to Dudders, I think he would really appreciate it!" Harry knew he had crossed the line, he didn't care much. He distantly heard Vernon's shouts at him, the piece of meat still dangling from his fist.

"WE TOOK YOU IN! WE SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO MARGE! I SHOULDN'T HAVE LISTENED TO YOU PETUNIA LAST YEAR!" Vernon was shouting for about ten minutes, Harry finished his dinner and left the kitchen and presumed they hadn't noticed his departure, since he could hear their shouts for over twenty minutes after his leaving of the kitchen.

He slammed his door shut, fury imbedded on his face. He looked up at Hedwig's third look of annoyance and brushed it off with a wave of his hand.

"I'm sorry Hedwig, you don't deserve this." Harry told his owl, not expecting a reply of any sort, and Hedwig hooted softly. Harry sat down on his bed, absently petting Hedwig across her head. He knew Hedwig didn't deserve his own screams, she was the only civilized company he had on Privet Drive and now he felt guilty because of his behavior toward her during this Sunday morning.

Harry lay back on his bed, counting the many dots on his ceiling and was reminded of the Astronomy class at Hogwarts; he shut his eyes and shook his head.

"Don't think about Hogwarts." He told himself. "Don't remember him." And just because he had said that, events started replaying in his mind. The ride with the Thestrals to the Department of Mysterious, the search for the non-exist prisoner of Lord Voldemort, the brain room, the arch, then the trap which Harry had lured his friends into.

He rolled over, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible so he would fall asleep, it seemed sleep was the only escape from these random flashbacks, though in his sleep he was tormented by the nightmares involving all his friends, teachers, and Order of the Phoenix members, blaming him for the death of Sirius Black, Harry's own godfather, and shunning him for life, ignoring his presence, and leaving him with the Dursleys for the rest of the summer. Harry knew this wasn't true, since Hermione and Ron, his two best friends, sent him constant letters, telling him they would pick him up soon.

At this thought, Harry rose and reached under his bed for the handy loose floor board which had saved his life countless times and got out the letters which he then placed in front of him on his bed. He picked one randomly and found it was from Hermione Granger, the date was the first day of summer. Harry opened it and suddenly heard Hermione's voice inside of his head when he started to read her letter.

Harry,

How're you doing? I know it's only been one day but I can't help but worry about you, it's the nature of friends is it not? So when do you think we'll get our OWL results?

Harry groaned after reading this, he forgot about the OWL examinations completely. Nevertheless, he continued to read, a smirk now on his face.

I know for a fact I won't get all… what is it? Fourteen O.W.Ls? Aw I shouldn't be talking about O.W.Ls right now; it's just… just the first thing to come to mind whenever I think about Hogwarts. Work, study, work, and some more study. You know me well enough to know that right Harry? How're you doing? Oh Harry I can't help but worry… I'm repeating myself aren't I? What can I write to comfort you? It seems beyond me though I know one fact that MIGHT cheer you up. Apparently you'll be coming to number 12 Grimmauld Place soon. I'm unsure whether that would cheer you up or not since it was Si- his house.

If you ARE coming I'll probably see you soon since I may be going there myself.

Love,

Hermione Granger

Harry frowned, reading it over again, looking right at 12 Grimmauld Place if Hedwig were intercepted. Harry whipped his head at Hedwig. Noticing she was not injured and breathed once more, happy that she had not been intercepted. Harry then threw Hermione's letter to his desk where it floated – with great accuracy – neatly onto his desk. The-boy-who-lived then grabbed another letter randomly. This one was from his other friend Ronald Weasley, hearing his timid and worried voice, Harry started to read.

Hey mate,

How're you doing? (Funny how both letters started off like that…) You coming to Headquarters right? Harry couldn't help but correct Ron's mistake with a grunt. We're all there right now. Come will you? I need someone to play Quidditch with. It's no fun playing with only Ginny. She's not that bad for not practicing with the rest of us but two players Quidditch isn't that great. By the way, I don't know if the news reached you, but Percy's disappeared. It was sudden and all and Mum's having a right fit about it. Apparently he just didn't come for work one day, and you know Percy as much as I do. That's NOT normal. Mum and Dad have been in a right fix, crying every hour blaming each other and themselves for his disappearance. They keep saying they shouldn't have cared if Percy would blab to Fudge, what would Fudge have done anyway?

Anyway don't worry about that git, just keep counting until your return to Hogwarts.

Ron

Harry's expression remained blank; he wondered why any would want to abduct Percy of all people. He thought, with a smile, of the constant babblings of the suck-up Weasley. The young wizard shook his head, tossing the letter onto his desk. He then picked another letter and his heart missed a beat. O.W.L results. He couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't looked over these letters before. With a sigh; he opened the letter.

Mr. Potter

We are pleased to honor you with your excellent OWL results. You have accomplished what most students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have not. Your grades for the OWL examinations are as follows:

Charms:

Theory: E

Practical: E

Transfiguration

Theory: E

Practical: E

Herbology

Practical: A

Defense against the Dark Arts:

Theory: O

Practical: F (Flawless+1 Level bonus because of the Patronus)

Potions:

Theory: A

Practical: E

Care of Magical Creatures:

Practical: O

Astronomy:

Theory: A

Practical: P

Divination:

Practical: D

History of Magic:

Theory: A (+1 Level bonus because of sickness)

Summary:

Flawless (+100): 1

Outstanding (90 - 100): 2

Exceeds Expectations (75 - 89): 5

Acceptable (50 - 74): 3

Poor (31 - 49): 2

Dreadful (10 - 30): 1

Troll (0 - 9): 0

Average: 78 Exceeds Expectations (75 9 or 10 O.W.Ls).

Excellent Job Mr. Potter! You have achieved 11 out of 14 O.W.Ls which Exceeds the Expectations of our school! Congratulations Mr. Potter! Keep up the good work!

Note that your book list is on the next page enclosed in this letter.

Minerva McGonagall.

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry blinked a couple of times before releasing a long whistle of air. He smiled for the first time in a while before tossing the letter to the pile that was slowing building up. He grabbed the last unread letter and found it unsigned.

We know where you and your friends are. Give yourself up and we won't hurt them. Go outside your house on the 31st of July at 6:00 p.m.

He laughed. Harry Potter laughed for minutes beyond minutes, tears pouring out of his eyes. How desperate were these Death Eaters? Were they just going to hope that Harry would send a letter pleading for help to Dumbledore? No.

The boy-who-lived looked up at his alarm clock, noon. Noon of the thirtieth, he didn't feel frightened of the Death Eaters, he thought they represented fodder for Voldemort, let them take the beating.

Actually Harry Potter wouldn't mind letting off some steam. Not at all…

The head of Harry Potter came into view with the opening of number four's front door. He looked on all sides, not seeing anyone; he knew the time was exactly 6:00. He smirked, knowing it was just a bluff. He walked out, confident in himself, knowing Voldemort – the only one Harry truly did not wish to see – wouldn't appear in front of all these Muggles. He walked to the driveway, and heard a voice that made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"Looks like Potty, has come at last." Harry turned, his wand whipping out and was now in his hand. The figure was cloaked, but the voice sounded hauntingly familiar.

"Bellatrix," Harry stated simply, knowing all to well what she had done to him.

"Ah, Potty seems to have some form of intelligence at last! Now then, I know all about your Order and where your headquarters is, you can thank your friend for that." Harry could sense that familiar grin behind the hood, though he couldn't care less about that grin, Hermione had given away the hideout for the entire Order!

"I have no idea what you are talking about, now can you please remove your stinking presence off this street?" Harry was bluffing obviously, but what other choice did he have? Bellatrix started to laugh.

"The Dark Lord wishes you were a Death Eater Potter, I can see why! You ARE funny. What do you say? Join us and we'll let your friends go." Harry frowned, wondering why Voldemort wanted him – his bane because of the prophecy – on his side.

"Why would Voldemort want me on your side?" Harry asked, somewhat curiously.

"Because you are a powerful wizard Potter, I say this honestly, we could use your skills." Bellatrix lost her baby voice it seemed, her voice sounded somewhat normal and quite angelic. Harry shook his head; this was just his weakened mind playing tricks on him.

"Join… Join… Join Harry… you can bring back your parents… your friends will not die but rejoice!" Harry jumped slightly at the sound of this second voice, it reminded him of the voice that always saved him from the Imperius curse, he thought for a bit, looked up at Bellatrix's hooded smile. He shook his head, her body quivered a bit.

"Now Potter…" She said cautiously. "Think about it… your friends… in Grimmauld Place… they will be killed." Now Harry knew this was no bluff, he had to join. He shook his head again, he then thought of the disbelieving expressions of all of his trusted friends. Lupin, his shabby robes looking even more then normal and his face pale white, no sounding come from his opened mouth, The Weasleys, all looks of mingled despair on their faces and the tears pouring from each of their eyes. The Auror Nymphadora Tonks, her usual upbeat expression replaced by a blank look of confusion, her hair color black and let down rather then bunched together, Sirius, Harry quivered slightly, his face looking more dark then ever and his grin, which was usually wide in Harry's presence, was now replaced by an expression from Azkaban, and Hermione.

Hermione… Harry couldn't help but laugh. Her name ringed loudly in his head, what would Hermione do? What would she say? As if on cue, her voice entered his head.

"HARRY! DON'T JOIN THEM!" Harry jumped, this time more noticeably. Both he and Bellatrix looked up at the nearby neighbour's driveway. There was Hermione, behind her more Order members. "HARRY! WHAT'RE YOU DOING! SHE KILLED SIRIUS!"

Harry quivered, how could she mention Sirius at this time, he looked back at Bellatrix, her face now showing real panic. She looked back at Harry.

"Harry..." The first time she had ever said his real name. "Don't let them kill me." Harry looked back and saw Kingsley stepping forward.

"Bellatrix Lestrange, you are hereby arrested for your crimes against the Wizarding community. Please surrender your wand and we will go quietly."

"HARRY! AVADA KEDAVRA!" The spell was shot at Kingsley who dodged it, Harry heard Kingsley cry the disarming spell, and he then pointed his wand at Bellatrix's head.

"If that is the case Bellatrix, you must die!" Kingsley shouted. "I have no choice but to end your life here."

That one second seemed to last an eternity, Harry was so torn between Bellatrix's changed behavior and the Order members, who seemed to ignore him completely. He looked over to Hermione, her brown hair glinting in the sunlight, her facial expression was fearful indeed; Harry could tell she was biting her tongue like she always did whenever she was nervous.

"K-Kingsley!" Harry shouted suddenly, Kingsley was mouthing the killing curse but he looked up at Harry, his face confused. "Let – let her go." Harry said, Kingsley's wand dropped, Harry heard Tonk's distinctive voice scream.

"Wh – what Harry? She killed… she killed Sirius!" The male Auror stuttered.

"I know she did, and she's going to pay for that, but she will go to Azkaban WITH a trial this time." Harry panted, seeing Kingsley's confused expression, Harry felt like he was playing the scene with Wormtail over again. Kingsley Shacklebolt picked up his wand, still looking at Harry with the same expression.

"She's still human Kingsley." The Boy-who-lived said sternly. "She's still like you and I… just give her a trial… one that you and I would have." Harry was surprised to see Kingsley nod slowly. The Auror ran his right hand through his lengthy brown hair, muttering slightly.

"Harry?" A familiar voice whispered from behind him, he turned around to face Hermione's face, only about two feet away. "

"Harry, she's a Death Eater. She killed your godfather!" Her eyes looked fearful still, but Harry knew she was speaking the truth. He sighed, turning away from her visage and deciding to look at the stony pavement.

"Hermione, you've got to understand, I loathe her for what she has become, but…" Harry stopped, not wanting others to overhear.

"But…?"

"Never mind," Harry gave her a look that said he would tell her later, she nodded. He looked over to see a crying Bellatrix, lying crumbled on the Dursley driveway.

"Thank you Harry…" She said breathlessly. "Thank you for treating me like a human…" that was the last thing Harry heard from her, Kingsley and two other Aurors Harry didn't recognize took her away, Harry could still hear her cries.

"That's two Death Eaters who now owe you a life-dept Harry." Harry didn't need to turn around to know who had said that. Albus Dumbledore stepped to the right side of Harry, looking at where Bellatrix was being taken away. "I daresay Voldemort will not be pleased today." He turned to face Harry, his face still looking as tired as ever. "I am merely estimating here, but am I to understand that she asked you to join the league of the Death Eaters?" Harry nodded too tired to say anything.

"And your response was…?"

"No." Harry finished. His voice not quivering anymore, he looked over to Hermione, who seemed to look even more tired and depressed than anyone, he quickly muttered an 'excuse me' to Dumbledore who nodded understandably.

Harry sat down to the grass spot next to his best friend, who looked too tired for comfort.

"It's my fault isn't it? It's my fault you nearly joined her… It's my fault that…that Bellatrix was here in the first place." She asked weakly; not looking up at him but somehow knowing it was Harry who was beside her. The wizard placed his arm, carefully, around her shoulders, patting her softly; she leaned on him, tears dripping from her eyes. "I'm so sorry Harry." she stated softly.

"Hermione, I would be lying if I said that this wasn't somewhat your fault. But think about it, we've caught the killer of Sirius, she will be brought to justice." This did not seem to make Hermione any better; she sniffed quietly and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"The Dementors have turned now; Azkaban will not hold anyone anymore. Bellatrix will be out in no time." She explained, in the same sad tone. Harry was helpless as to comforting her. Harry decided to take a stab at a change of topic.

"Where do you think the Order's going go now that Gimmauld place has been…?" Harry left his question hanging, turning away from her.

"I don't know, maybe Hogwarts?" Hermione suggested seeing her face so blank did not lighten his morale.

"That might not be a bad place to go," Harry looked up to see maroon haired Tonks, smiling. "I don't think Dumbledore will mind using that Room of Requirement for meeting places." Her smile lengthened.

"But wouldn't the Death Eaters children relay information to their parents?" Hermione pointed out, Harry noticed she had never shed a single tear and Harry was quite surprised.

"Yeah you're probably right, though it wasn't a bad suggestion!" Tonks, said clapping Hermione, on the shoulder, then going off inside the Dursley's house where Dumbledore was standing talking with the Dursleys.

Harry got up from the ground, brushing off his clothes and looked at Hermione, and noticed how sad she looked. Still tired, she would occasionally look up at the sky as if willing herself to fly away and escape from this tortured world, she stared up at Harry, their eyes meeting for a second, before Harry, smiled and waved, and he turned his attention to the fast growing crowd of Muggles who were coming to investigate what the commotion was about.

Harry, chose to ignore this, he turned around, and went inside the Dursley home, hearing Dumbledore explaining what had just occurred, with Tonk's occasionally sharing her input which usually involved a great struggle which she had always come out of victorious. Harry shook his head, unable to hide his smile; he went up to his room. He saw that Hedwig, being as intelligent as she was, had managed to find a way out of her cage. Deciding to buy a new cage for her when he next went to Diagon alley, he patted his pet on the head softly, and fell on his bed, falling asleep thinking this was a very eventful birthday indeed and hearing the soft and pleasant hooting of his pet snowy owl Hedwig.