DISCLAIMER:I dont own harry potter i am just borrowing J.Ks work to hopefully entertain people as she does so much.Thank you J.K.
CHAPTER 1: DUELS
Hermionie,Ginny,and Ron stood alongside Harry outside the Dursleys.This was their first stop before they started their quest for the horcruxes.After this they were going to Bill and Fleur's wedding.Then it was off to Godrics Hollow if everything went according to plan.
"Are we going to go in or just stand out here all day," Ron asked.
"Im just steeling myself Ron,this is a little bit harder for me,but im ready, Lets go."
He led the onto the porch where he rapped on the door.
"Hell-Oh it's you.What do you want," Vernon asked from the doorway.
"I think you remember Professor Dumbledore telling you last summer I would be coming here one more time."
"Oh yes,well why are they here," He said gesturing to Ron,Hermionie,and Ginny.
"There staying here with me."
"Oh are they."
"Yes."
"No,I won't allow it."
"Whats going on here," asked Aunt Petunia who just walked into the hallway.
"He thinks he's bringing these freaks into our home."
Before anyone knew what happened Harry drew his wand and had it pointed at Uncle Vernon.
"You will not speak of my friends like that."
"What are you going to do,you can't do magic outside of school boy,I know that."
"Im not in school anymore."
"Thats a lie," Aunt Petunia ejaculated. "I know for a fact you have one more year,Lily went for seven."
"Well other things have come up and I won't be going back.Now let us assume you have kindly invited us in."
He stalked past Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia,the others hurrying after him.He went straight up the stairs and into his room.He took his trunk out of his pocket (he had shrunken it on they way here) and enlarged it.
"You want me to enlarge your trunks?"
"Yes,please," Hermionie said.
They took out their trunks and he enlarged them one by one.
"Hold on,im going to enlarge the room."
With a lazy swish of his wand the room began expanding.Now his room was about the size of the Gryffindor common room.
"Harry,how did you do that, thats N.E.W.T level magic?"
"Well,before when you guys went to Grimmauld Place,to pick up Ginny."
Harry wasn't going to bring her on his mission but after much argument she said she didn't care if she got hurt she just wanted to be with him.It took the help of Ron,Hermionie,and Mrs.Weasley to prove to Harry that she was safer with Harry,seeing as how he was so powerful.
"When you guys went to pick up Ginny I was in Diagon Alley getting books in Flourish and Blotts.Books on defense,dark magic,light magic,and everyday charms,hexes,and curses."
"Oh,well,Im glad you are studying.I only wish other people would to." She said this last part looking at Ron.
"Yeah,well I guess you guys will need beds,huh?"
With another flick of his wand three more beds appeared next to each other.Harry laid on his and Ginny laid on top of him
"Harry," Ginny said, "How long will we be here?"
"Three days max,maybe two."
"Oh,what is the point in coming here if the protection will wear off when you turn seventeen?"
"I don't know,but if it wasn't for Dumbledore wanting me here,I wouldn't be here.Im doing it for him." His voice caught in his throat and his eyes got cloudy so he turned his head away from Ginny.
"Are you okay,Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah," Harry said turning back toward her. "I just can't stand that he's gone.He was like a grandfather to me,And now he's gone.My teacher,my mentor,my protector."
As he sat there,he looked like a vulnerable child,and for the first time since Dumbledore died he broke down and sobbed into Ginny's arms.Ron and Hermionie sat in the corner looking sad and worried for their friend.They got up and came to the bed.
"Hey Harry,are you okay?" Hermionie asked.
He sat up on the bed and Ginny started rubbing his back to soothe him.
"I'm just worried,and scared,he was always there to protect me you know,and now he's gone."
"Harry you are going to get through this war and win,you are a great wizard,and someday soon you will be as powerful and smart as Dumbledore,hell,you are almost there," Ginny consoled him.
"Yeah,mate you have faced death eaters,and V-Vol,You know who many times and won," Ron said.
"Yeah,Harry and we will be with every step of the way,and the order," Hermionie told him confidently.
"Yeah,Harry,after we find and destroy the horcruxes we will be with you when you face Vol-Voldemort," Ginny confided
"You said his name."
"Yeah,I've been practicing for two days."
Harry actually laughed at this statement.
"Whats so funny."
"Nothing,You guys want something to drink?" Harry asked,his mood now happy.
"I'll take a butterbeer," Ron said.
"I want one too." Hermionie agreed.
"Me too."
"Ok four butterbeers it is."
With a third flick of his wand four butterbeers appeared,hovering in midair waiting for someone to take it."
"Thanks mate."
"Yeah thanks Harry."
"Yes,thanks Harry," Ginny said kissing him on the lips.Ron looked away pointedly.
"Well what do you guys want to do." Harry asked them.
"What is there to do around here," Ginny asked in reply.
"Well,we can sit in my room,go to the park,we can go to my neighbor's house,we can study,or, my choice,we can practice dueling."
"How can we do that here." Hermionie asked.
"A few simple charms and we can have our own dueling arena."
"Im up for it," Ron said.
"Me too if Hermionie is."
"Yes,I will."
"Great just hold on for five minutes."
He set down his butterbeer and pulled out his wand again.With the first swish the room enlarged even more to the size of about the great hall at Hogwarts.Another swish and all the furniture and everything else was against the walls.
"Okay thats done now what do we need on here," He was talking to himself more than anyone.
With three more flicks of his wand he put an imperturable charm on the room,a silencio charm, and a lock on the door.
"Okay I think we are ready.Who wants to go first."
"I think we should do two on two,me and Harry against Ron and Hermionie."
"I can go for that if its okay with Hermionie."
"Yeah thats okay with me lets go."
"I'll count us down," Harry said. "Ready,one... two...three."
"Expelliarmus," Ron started with.
Harry was ready, "Protego,stupefy."
Ron easily dodged this curse and yelled "Impedimenta."
Harry sidestepped and yelled, "Blastium."
His curse hit Ron in the chest and sent him flying backwards into the wall.Harry looked over at Ginny,she was deadlocked with Hermionie.
"Stupefy," Harry shouted,trying to catch Hermionie off guard.She jumped aside and his curse missed.
Ron was getting back up now and was firing curses at Harry left, right, and center. "Protego" Harry yelled as one came for his chest.
A stray curse went over Harry's right shoulder and hit Ginny.Her wand flew from her hand and landed in front of Ron.
"Oh Harry what ever will you do, its two on one now," Ron mocked him.
"Expelliarmus," Hermionie shouted at Harry.
"Protego,stupefy."
She ducked his curse and fired another curse that went over Harry's head.
"Blastium,stupefy," Harry yelled sending two perfectly aimed curses at Ron,and Hermionie who both had to jump on the ground to avoid them.In which time Harry yelled "Accio Ginny's wand."
Her wand soared grcefully into his hand and he threw it back to her.
"Thanks Harry,expelliarmus," she yelled as she disarmed Hermionie.
At the same time that happened Harry yelled "Stupefy."
Ron just got his shield up to block the curse but it was to strong and broke through,hitting him in the chest.
"Duel is over,me and Ginny win." Harry said as he walked over to where Ron was laying."Ennervate."
"Oh,what happened."
"Me and Harry just kicked your butts in a duel," Ginny taunted.
"Bloody hell mate that was some good dueling."
"Thats only half of what I can do."
"What was that curse you used on Ron,Harry," Hermionie asked.
"Blastium,thats a blasting curse.Right useful to."
"Isn't that like reducto then." Ginny asked.
"No,reducto blasts rock or metal out of the way,but if you used it on a person it could break a bone,or cause internal damage,whereas the blastium curse only blasts the people out of the way."
"Oh,so we shouldn't use reducto on people," Ron said.
"Well not on good people,but I imagine it would be good to use in a duel against death eaters," His voice became cold on the last two words.
"So,what else can you do,mate?" Ron said
"Okay,if you guys really want to see what I can do lets duel again,you three against me."
"Your mad,you will get pummeled," Ron said.
"If I lose you guys can have ten galleons each."
"Your on," Ron said changing his mind.
"Are you sure Harry," Ginny asked.
"Yes,I am now get over there with Ron and Hermionie so I can win my duel."
"Okay now I bet ten galleons I can win in under thirty seconds."
"Your on," Ron said again.
"One.." Harry counted. "Two..three."
Ginny began with a disarming curse,Hermionie a stupefy curse,and Ron another stupefy curse.
"Protego," Harry shouted.His sheild blocked out all three of their curses successfully.
Ron shot another curse at Harry but with a flick of Harry's wand the curse disappeared in midair.
"Blastium,Expelliarmus." His blasting curse hit Hermionie in the chest and sent her into the wall like Ron.His disarming curse flew over Ginny's head.
"Stupefy," Ron shouted.
Again Harry flicked his wand and the curse disappeared.
"Expelliarmus,stupefy,Blastium,petrificus totalus,impedimenta," Harry shouted in succession.
His disarming curse hit Hermionie who was just getting up from his blasting curse,his stupefy curse went wide left over Ron.His blasting curse also went wide left over Ginny.His body binding spell hit Ron and he fell over stiff as a board.And finally his impediment jinx hit Ginny.
"Expelliarmus," Harry said lazily as Ginny's wand flew into his hand.
"And I won,again."
Harry returned Hermionie's wand to her and said "Finite," pointing his wand at Ginny,ending his curse effect.
"Well Ron,Thirty two seconds,I owe you guys ten galleons each.'Finite'," he said lifting the body bind on Ron.
"Harry,how did you make my curse disappear?"
"Well,Its not something you will find in a book thats for sure."
"Why is that," Hermionie asked.
"Because,I made it up.What you do is vanish it."
"How did you come up with that idea?" Ginny asked him.
"Well,I was thinking one day after Dumbledore died,of a different way to stop curses from hitting you,you know a more efficient way than the sheild charm.So I wondered if you could possibly vanish it somehow, so I tried it with Remus and it worked.And the best part is,it even works on unforgivables.The basic idea came from when I was dueling Snape.He kept making my curses disappear using legilimency,which I have also learned to do,although its harder."
"Wow, so you are getting pretty good at dueling arn't you?" Ron asked.
"Yeah,I am.I can teach you guys some of it to."
"That would be great mate," Ron said.
"Im thinking of teaching the order also.But you have to be really powerful to do it.And it takes alot of concentration."
"Wow we have been dueling for about two hours," Ginny told them,looking at the digital alarm clock on the nightstand
"Oh yeah,what time is it?"
"Its six o'clock."
"Oh,its getting late."
"Harry,I know this is a little off topic but,where are we going to look for the horcruxes at first?" Ginny asked him.
"Well,I have to find Naigini,Voldemort's snake, oh come on Ron," he said,for Ron flinched when he heard his name.
"You have got to start saying his name if you go on this mission with me.I want you to say his name right now."
"V-V-Voll,I can't do it Harry."
"Do it,or I'll hex you," He said taking out his wand and pointing it at Ron.
Not wanting to be on the recieving end of one of Harry's hexes Ron said, "Okay, Vol-Voldemort.Are you happy now."
"Yes,I am,anyway where was I,oh yeah.I have to find Naigini,the Slytherin locket,the Hufflepuff cup,and something of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor,although I think it will be Ravenclaws."
"Why don't you think it will be something of Gryffindor's," Hermionie asked him.
"Because I know where that something of Gryffindor's is,and its safe,for now."
"So where are we going to look first," Ginny asked once more.
"Well,I'd like to get Naigini first,but to do that we need a spy in Voldemort's ranks.Then after that I want to figure out who R.A.B is and get the locket.I do however have an idea of where one horcrux might be."
"Where," All three of them said in unison.
"At the orphanage where Tom Riddle grew up,or at his muggle father's house possibly."
"Harry this will be very hard with just us four," Hermionie said.
"I know,thats why I am going to take Remus,Kingsley Shacklebolt,Mad Eye,Tonks,and Bill with us."
"Why them," Hermionie asked.
"Because they all have something we need,Remus is good at defensive spells,Mad Eye,Kingsley,and Tonks are good at offensive spells,and Bill is a cursebreaker and we might have some wards to get through."
"Oh,that makes sense."
"Yeah,Well,I don't know about you guys,and girls,but I'm hungry," Harry said.
"Yeah,I am too," Ron said.
"When are you ever not hungry Ron," Ginny teased.
"All the time,"Ron argued.
"Well anyway Im hungry too," Hermionie agreed.
"Yeah,me too," Ginny said.
"Well lets go get something to eat.There is a resturant down the street.Make sure you have your wands."
Harry took Ginny's hand and they walked out of his room and down the stairs,the other two in tow.
"You should try their hamburgers,their delicious," Harry said as they exited the house and walked down the street.
"So Harry,are we going to Riddle's or-"
"Silencio," Harry had his wand on Ron.
"Don't talk about that here. 'Finite'."
"Sorry mate,I didn't think-"
"Its ok just don't do it again.okay this is it," Harry said as they entered a small building.He got in line behind a man and women with their son.After they ordered it was Harry's turn.
"Can we have four cheeseburgers please," Harry said to the girl behind the counter.
"Ok that will be, nine dollars and fifty cents."
Harry handed her the money and walked over to a table to wait for their food.
"Harry,whats wrong," Ginny asked,for he had looked sharply outside with a troubled look on his face.
"N-nothing,thought I saw something."
"Oh good our foods here," Ron said happily as the lady brought their food and set it down on the table.
Nothing was said as they ate dinner,but as they finished Ron let out a huge burp.
"Ron,that was just gross," said Hermionie clearly scandalized.
"Come on,lets go back."
Harry got up and went outside followed by the others.Ginny caught up with him and took his hand in hers.
"Whats wrong?"
"When we were inside,I thought I saw someone in the bushes,but when I looked again it was nothing."
"Wait up guys," Ron said as him and Hermionie caught up.
"Sorry I just wanna get ho-" He stopped talking and looked around sharply.
He turned around and started walking again.
"Guys look,we're being followed,You guys go back while I hold them off alright."
"No we are-"
"No," He cut Ginny off. "I made all of you promise me You would follow my orders if you came,that includes run-"
crack
Harry was cut off by a loud crack.When he turned around,standing in the middle of the street was a death eater.
"GO NOW," Harry yelled.
Several more cracks filled the air as more death eaters filled the street.
"Blastium,expelliarmus,stupefy," Harry yelled,each on of his curses hitting a different target.
"Oh,wittle baby Potter," The cold high voice of Bellatrix Lestrange said.
"I will give you one chance to leave unhurt."
Laughter followed this statement by all deatheaters.
"Are you missing your Dumbledore,wittle baby Potter."
Rage exploded inside Harry but he supressed it,less he get sloppy in his dueling.
"Lestrange,how rude,no hello."
"Avada kedavra," She shreiked angrily.
Her killing curse went way over Harry's head and hit a street light that exploded.
"Blastium," Harry shouted.
Bellatrix jumped to the ground to avoid the curse but by the time she got up Harry had already sent a disarming curse that hit her in the face.She flew backwards,knocking over another death eater.Her wand landed in front of the death eater closest to Harry.By Harrys count there was about twelve death eaters.
"Stupefy," Ginny yelled from behind Harry.They had obviously not gone,like he told them to.
The death eater she was trying to curse put up their sheild in time to block her curse.Curses were flying everywhere around Harry.
"Levicorpus,Blastium,Stupefy," Harry yelled,his curses hit each one of their targets.
"Reducto," One death eater yelled that Harry remembered to be the blonde death eater from Hogwarts.
Harry flicked his wand and the curse disappeared.
"Stupefy," Harry shouted.His curse caught the blonde death eater in the face.
"Stupefy," Ron shouted,hitting a death eater trying to revive another.
"Expelliarmus," Ginny shouted,and her curse hit another death eater.There was now only three death eaters left.
"Petrificus totalus," Hermionie yelled,and she too hit a death eater.
"Blastium,stupefy," Harry said lazily as he rounded up the last two death eaters.
Several more cracks sounded and Remus,Tonks,Moody,and Kingsley appeared behind Harry.
"Harry,are you guys okay," Remus asked.
"Hold on Remus couple more things to take care of."
With a swish of his wand Harry conjured anti apparation ropes around the death eaters,all of them except Bellatrix who had regained her wand and had it pointing at Harry,while everyone on Harry's side had their wands on her.
"Put your wands down,I can handle her."
Nobody argued but did as he said.
"And now I will kill you just like your little dog, Avada kedavra."
With another flick of his wand her killing curse disappeared.
"How did you-"
"Reducto," Harry cut her off.His curse hit her in her wand arm and she screeched in pain.But before he could conjure anti apparation ropes around her she disapparated.
"Did you guys defeat all of them by yourself," Remus asked pointing towards the death eaters that were bound in ropes.
"Well,it was mostly Harry we only got one each," Ginny answered.
"Well done,all of you," Tonks said.
"Remus,we are going to go inside the house and get our stuff,then we are going back to headquarters."
"Ok Harry,we will wait here with the death eaters till the ministry gets here."
Harry led they way inside the house,past his relatives who were watching at the window,the noise had gotten their attention just as it did the neighbors.Harry walked past them,up the stairs and into his room.He undid the charms he put on the room,vanished the beds and shrunk the trunks.Without a word he picked up his trunk and Hedwigs cage,and walked out the door.
"Remus,I am going to apparate their now you all stay here and handle the ministry.Hey Gin grab my arm."
She did as she was told and he disapparated,followed by Hermionie,then Ron.They apparated outside and the house began to stretch into existence,when it was fully formed they walked inside.The smell of must greeted them in the entrance hall.As they walked upstairs to put their stuff away they passed Mrs. Blacks portrait.
"Are you okay Harry," Ginny asked as she kissed him.
"Yeah,im okay,this place just sorta reminds me of him."
"Harry,you don't want to forget him,you should want to remember.Its ok to mourn Harry,but don't let your sadness of him being gone make you want to forget him."
"I know,your right Gin.I think I hear some of the order downstairs lets go."
As they walked downstairs hand in hand Harry couldn't help but love Ginny.
"Harry dear,Ginny,Ron,Hermionie,are you guys okay?" Mrs Weasley asked them all as she hugged them each in turn.
"Yes,we're all right mum,Harry saved us," Ron answered.
"Oh Harry thank you,are you all right though dear.?"
"Yes,Im okay."
"You should see some of the things Harry can do with a wand mum,he's amazing," Ginny told her.
"Oh yes Im sure."
"Remus," Harry said, "We have order business to take care of."
Harry led the way into the kitchen where they had their order meetings,closely followed by members of the order,and Ron,Hermionie,and Ginny.Among the members were Sturgis Podmore,Remus,Kingsley,Tonks,Mad Eye,Bill,Arthur,and Molly Weasley,Minerva Mcgonogall,Hagrid,Dedalus Diggle,and a couple Harry didn't know.
"Ok,Since Dumbledore has gone,I will be taking over for the order."
Several people shouted at this statement.
"Please be quiet,quiet,QUIET!"He yelled."Thats better,now many of you may not think I am qualified for this job,to those people I say,how many of you can defeat ten death eaters alone,who among you can survive four encounters with Voldemort himself."
Several people gasped,many flinched.
"Many of you, cannot even say his name,now this is a matter we can discuss later, but right now we have more important things at hand.Now that Dumbledore's gone what happens to this house?"
"Well,its still yours Harry,so you tell us," Remus replied.
"No Remus,you misunderstand,Dumbledore was the secret keeper for this place,which means nw that he's gone that magic no longer protects this place. "
"Ah,Harry this is something we didn't think of,but I guess we will need a new secret keeper."Remus said.
"I will do that," Harry said.
Several people also yelled out at this comment.
"And anyone who doesn't agree with this,can duel me for proof,that I am the most powerful."
"Well Potter,I'll duel you," Podmore said with a sneer.
"Just you."
"I am an auror Potter,you will be no problem."
"Okay in the drawing room,five minutes."
And without another word he walked out of the room,the shocked Hermioine,Ron,and Ginny behind him.
When Podmore entered the drawing room it was enlarged and turned into a dueling arena.
"Well Podmore,are you ready?"
He didn't say anything,just took his stance.
"Ginny,if you could count us down."
"Uh,right.Three..two...one."
Podmore shot a disarming curse first,which Harry easily dodged.Then he aimed and shot a yellow curse Harry didn't know.
"Protego,Expelliarmus."
Podmore easiliy dodged the disarming curse and yelled "Stupefy."
With a flick of his wand Harry made the curse disappear.Podmore was clearly stunned when this happened.
"Blastium." Harry said lazily.His curse hit Podmore making him fly through the air."Expelliarmus."
Podmore's wand soard gracefully into Harry's hand.
"Now,do you still think you're more powerful than me."
"How did you make my curse disappear?"
"Thats my little secret.Now if you could all follow me back into the kitchen we have more to discuss."
They followed him back into the kitchen and everyone took their seat.
"Ok,Now me,and my friends Ron,Hermionie,and my girlfriend Ginny are going on a mission.A mission that few of you will know.But we can't do it alone,I would like to ask for help,only those people I trust will know about this mission.Now I would like to ask Remus,Kingsley,Bill,Tonks,and Mad Eye,will you five come along on our mission nd help us in any way you can?"
"I will," Remus was first to respond.
Tonks was second, " Of course."
"Harry you are like a brother to me,and you think I would leave Ginny alone with you," Bill said,only half joking about the second part.
"Harry,I have grown to like you,and I will do anything to help you,of course I'll come," Kingsley said smiling.
"I guess you'll be needing someone with my expertise," Moody joked. "I don't like many people Potter,Dumbledore was one of the few I did like now that he's gone,I guess you will have to be the next one I like.No question,Im going."
"Oh Mad Eye,you ol' softy," Tonks laughed.
"I thank you all,you don't know how much this means."
"Potter," Mcgonogall said, "I was wondering if you might come back to Hogwarts?"
"Professor,with all due respect,there is nothing left that Hogwarts can teach me."
"Not to learn Potter,to teach.We need a Defense Against the Dark Arts.I was hoping you might agree to teach it."
"Well Professor,as you heard I do have a mission,if in about a month I have found nothing,I will teach."
"Okay,fair enough Potter,there is one more thing,Professor Dumbledore left a will.He has left you a large amount of money along with all of his possesions in his office.That includes his pensieve which he says has memories you may want to see.He also wanted me to give you this," She said holding up a wand.
"Is that-"
"Yes,Potter,this is Professor Dumbledore's wand,I think he wanted you to have because yours won't work against You-know-who."
"Thank you Professor."
"There was one more thing he desired,when you are older,and ready,he requested you be made Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"What,wow.Thank you Professor,I heard you get the best candy as headmaster."
"Potter,you are more and more like Professor Dumbledore everyday," Mcgonogall said with a tear in her eye but smiling all the same.
"Thank you Professor,that is truly the best compliment anyone could give me."
"Sorry to interrupt,but are we sleeping here tonight or do you think it to much of a risk without the fidelius charm?" Remus asked.
"Well,Sirius said there was almost every protection charm know to wizard kind on this house, so I think it will be safe,at least until morning.For now that is all you can go home or stay here if you want,goodnight," Harry said as he got up.
"Hey guys can you wait in my room for me," Harry asked his friends. "Remus,can I talk to you."
"Sure Harry what is it?"
"I just wanted to know,wad Sirius a good wizard?"
"Oh,he wasn't good,he was great.Sirius and your father were the best duelers in our year,followed closely by your mother.Yes,Lily was particularly good at charms.Then after her it was me,then I hate to say it was Snape."
"Oh,wow.Well,thanks Remus."
"Your welcome."
Harry made his way up the stairs,happy he found out this information.
"Harry what did you talk to Lupin about?" Ginny asked.
"I just wanted to know if Sirius and my parents were good duelers."
"Why did you want to know that,Harry." Hermionie asked.
"I was just wondering.Well,I don't know about you guys,but Im tired."
"Me too,I think I'll go to bed," Hermionie said as she got up and left.
"Yes,I think I'll go to,goodnight Harry," Ginny said as she kissed him.
His tongue seeked entrance to her mouth and she eagerly allowed it.
"Get off my sister Potter."
"Goodnight Ginny."
"Goodnight Harry."
She left the room without a word to Ron.
"Well,Im going to bed Ron,see you in the morning." Harry put on his pajamas and got in bed.He fell asleep as his head hit the pillow.
End chapter...