Disclaimer: HP belongs to J.K. Rowling as FFVIII belongs to Squaresoft.
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Chapter 4
After the light subsided, Harry found himself back in his room in the Dursley household. He heard a surprised and excited hoot as Hedwig landed on his shoulder. She nibbled his ear, giving a rather painful bite at first, as if reprimanding him for just disappearing. "Hi, girl, guess you missed me eh," he teased. Good thing he left her out to hunt before he vanished or else she would have starved. He caught some movement of cloaked figures at the corner of his eyes. With a wave of his hands, he changed from his muggle clothes to his 'battle' outfit, complete with the ergheiz gloves. (A/N: For a better description of his outfit, think of Dante's outfit in the Devil May Cry RPG only black. Disclaimer: Don't own Dante or any DMC characters.)
He slowly opened his window as the cloaked figures approached the front door just below his bedroom window. After a bit of a running start, he dove out of the window, twisted in midair, landing silently facing the figures' backs. He quickly drew his gunblade from its scabbard slung at his back and also drew his wand. "Nobody moves or things will get nasty." he quietly but firmly stated. Lucky the sun is still not quite up or they would sure give the muggles cause for alarm. "Is that you Harry?" a female voice asked. He quickly scanned them with his glasses before answering, to check how much of a threat they will be. The glasses amazingly, even picked out the magic emanating from their wands. "Yes," he cautiously answered. "Who the hell are all of you? Remove your hoods."
"We are friends Harry," stated the witch as they all removed their hoods and slowly turned around. Gasps were heard as they saw Harry, they recognized him but an aura of confidence surrounded him and he sure looks formidable. 'Guess they noticed the changes' thought Harry, chuckling a bit. He relaxed a bit after recognizing Moody and… "Professor Lupin?"
"My God Harry, what happened to you? You sure look intimidating." he said, still awed. "Not too mention a hottie." Added the witch, which earned a blush from Harry. "Bloody Hell, Potter. How did you sneak up on us? At least you learned to be vigilant while you were away." growled Moody.
"Before we get comfy, how can I be sure you are Moody or Professor Lupin?" Harry said getting a bit serious again. "Alright, ask us a question that we would only know the answer." Lupin reacted, smirking a bit. "What is the form of my patronus and when and where did I learn it?" he said also smirking. "Your patronus is a stag, which is also the animagus form of Prongs. I taught it to you with a bogart in a private lesson during your third year at Hogwarts." Lupin said, still quiet amazed with Harry's quick security sense. Harry re-sheathed his gunblade and put away his sword. Lupin immediately came forward and gave Harry a hug. He then proceeded to introduce everyone.
"Boy, you sure gave us quite a scare for disappearing and then sneaking up on us. Where were you and how…" Lupin said sternly, like a father. "Now is not the time to ask those, we don't know who might be listening." Moody interrupted. "Gather your things boy, were leaving now." He ordered. "Going where?" Harry asked. "Ask later, just hurry up." growled Moody. Harry proceeded to go back to his room, he just need to get his trunk and Hedwig's cage since he hasn't really unpacked anything this summer. Tonks, the same witch who called him a hottie though he was certain it was just to tease him, accompanied him. After making sure everything's in order she levitated his trunk outside. Harry already held his broom as Tonks had told him they would fly since Floo and portkey might be unsafe for now. After securing his things, they kicked off.
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They quickly arrived at their destination after quite sometime. Moody insisted on taking a couple of detours, which would have been a lot more if Lupin didn't point out that the sun would be up soon and they won't have the cover of darkness early dawn offers much longer. Plus, they all performed disillusionment charms. Moody performed it on Harry, saving him quite an explanation if he performed it himselfsince the restriction of underage magic no longer affects him.
'They'll find out soon enough' he thought. He followed them approach a space between two houses. He read Number 11 and Number 13 Grimmauld place, then Moody handed him a slip of parchment. 'The HQ of the Order of the Phoenix can be found in Number 12 Grimmauld Place.' He read silently. "What exactly is the…"
"Ask your questions inside, boy." Moody interrupted with his usual drawl/growl. As he concentrated, a majestic house appeared in the space between Number 11 and 13. He was amazed. Godric had taught him extensively with charms, spells, hexes and jinxes but this is the first time he witness how the Fidelius charm actually work. They quickly approached the front door and Lupin tapped it twice with his wand and all of them went inside. Before he could ask anymore questions, Tonks tripped on what appears to be an umbrella stand that looks like a troll's leg. A blood-curling scream followed.
"FILTHY MUDBLOODS, BLOODTRAITORS, MISCREANTS FOULING THIS MOST HONORABLE HOUSE. GET OUT! ALL OF YOU! OUT!" a voice shouted from a painting. "Shut up you old hag!" countered Sirius and he quickly drew the curtains covering the painting. "Harry, Where the bloody hell have you been! Whatever you did was utterly reckless and immature. You could have been killed!" he then reprimanded Harry while giving him a fierce bear hug, weeks of worry and stress laced the tone of his voice.
"Si… rius… couldn't… breathe." Harry gasped. He's ecstatic to see Sirius again. "Where are we?" he asked as Sirius put him down. "Let's proceed to the kitchen everyone. Dumbledore is already here. He will explain everything Harry. I hope." Sirius said, muttering the last part. He is after all confused and a bit furious with the headmaster. While all of them have been sick with worry for Harry, Dumbledore carried on as if he knew better and that Harry is just away on some pleasure trip. All of them proceeded to the huge kitchen, eager to straighten things out.
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Gathered around the rectangular dining table sat Harry, Remus, Moody and Tonks. At one end sat Professor Dumbledore and opposite him sat Sirius. "Welcome back Harry!" Dumbledore started, his eyes twinkling. "I expect your trip was quite enjoyable. Now, would you care to fill us on recent events, I would have if I know what had transpired. However, contrary to popular belief, I don't know everything and if I did, alas it is not my place to tell. And I must let you begin your explanation now as Sirius looks quite ready to strangle both of us." he chuckled.
"I would like to have some of my questions answered first, Professor, if you don't mind. I am still quite frustrated myself with not being given any news on what has been happening." Harry insisted, giving a slight frown and glare. (A/N: Either he inherited this mannerism from Squall or he just spent too much time that it rubbed off on him ) He looked around the others to see if there are any objections. They were quite amazed on the changes and maturity Harry kept showing them Dumbledore more so but didn't let on. He sure had grown up a lot during his absence. Dumbledore nodded and said, "Alright, ask away. I'll try to answer as many as possible but I can't promise to let you know more than what is necessary."
"Alright, here are my questions. What exactly is the OotP? Does anyone know what Voldemort is up to? Has he done anything? Where are we and what has happened for the past three weeks?" he calmly said. These are just the major things he want answers. He would just ask Sirius or Lupin later about his friends. 'I also better owl Fleur soon. Don't want to be caught with her bad veela side.' he thought (A/N: whipped, hee hee.)
"The Order consists of those who opposed Voldemort the first time he rose to power. I reformed them after the unfortunate events last term. Our main function is to gather information about him and his Death Eaters' activities and their future plans. As far, they have been quiet and there haven't been any occurrences out of the ordinary. We don't know yet what he is up to but rest assured we are doing everything we can to thwart his plans. Nothing exciting has happened for the past three weeks except your unexpected reprieve." Dumbledore explained. "As for where we are," Sirius joined in. "I welcome you to Number 12 Grimmauld Place or the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. You previously met my mother who cheerfully greeted you when you came in." he finished, the last line said with full sarcasm.
"Now, care to enlighten your god-father, who not to mention managed to grow more white hair for worrying about your disappearance." He added with mock-stern. Harry then told them about his "training", carefully leaving out facts about his ancestry, his mentors and the GFs. He just informed them that apparently with the Potter line, certain powers and knowledge are passed down at a certain age and received after a mysterious event, in his case, his sudden disappearance. He just said that he doesn't know any further and when he woke, he is already what he is as they saw him this morning. Dumbledore gave him I-know-there-is-more-you're-not-telling-us look but decided not to point it out.
"It seems that everything happened for the best. Now I think you should rest. Sirius would take you to your room." Dumbledore said, as he drew the meeting to a close after two more hours of catching up. The others began to rise and leave the room. "There is still one more thing I would like to ask from all of you." Harry said quickly. They all turned their attention to him but didn't return to their seats. "Other than all of us in this room, has anyone else been informed of my return?" he asked. "No. The Weasleys and Hermione went to Diagon Alley earlier before you arrived. I didn't tell them that Lupin and the others went to retrieve you since Tonks reported that she only saw a bright flash similar to what has been seen when you disappeared. I didn't want to raise falls hopes." Sirius answered.
"Good. Please keep it that way for now since I won't be staying here. I'm leaving to gather some "allies" (A/N: guess who or what). I'll return on Sept. 1st and will be on the express going to Hogwarts, I promise." He stated. "THE HELL WILL YOU LEAVE. You've put us through quite enough for a while. If I have to tie you up and lock you in your room, I will." Sirius firmly stated. "He is right Harry, even I can't allow you to do so. You have to stay here until the school term begins." Dumbledore added.
"It is important that I do this. I'm going even if I have to fight my way out. All I'm asking is to keep my return a secret for a few more days. Nothing will happen to me." Harry replied, his voice also firm and slowly rising. "The hell you will! Even with your gunblade-thingy, I doubt you'll succeed against us all." Sirius said, getting frustrated. He isn't angry at Harry, he just couldn't risk losing him like he did with James and Lily.
Harry furiously stood up. He's slowly getting into a fighting stance. /They have a point young master an icy cool soothing/ voice said in his mind. /The others will test you when the time is right/ she continued. Her statement was followed by a fiery growl, a soft chirp, a 'mew' from a furry creature, and a calming melody from a harp. All these caused him to calm down a bit. /She is right, master/ Griever roared. /It is best not to rush things./
/Thank you all, Griever, Shiva, Ifrit, Quezacotl, Carbuncle, and Siren/ he said apologetically. Harry sat down before looking at Sirius. 'Better apologize to him as well for bursting out like that' he thought guiltily
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Outside, the new arrivals, led by Mrs. Weasley, were rushing to the kitchen were they heard raised voices obviously arguing. They were worried that the stress caused by Harry's disappearance already caught up with Sirius, as they recognized his voice as they come nearer. They're thinking he is once again pestering Professor Dumbledore to let him out to look for Harry.
"Anyway, I think its already too late to keep it a secret Harry." Tonks, who was near the door, softly informed him, her eyes twinkling mischievously. As he heard the rushing footsteps, he faced the door just as it burst open. "Sirius, what are you shouting about?" asked Mrs. Weasley, failing to notice Harry.
"HARRY! IS THAT YOU?" some blurted and others gasped as the rest of the group finally took notice.
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A/N: Sorry it took a while. I had two ideas for this chapter. Its either Harry leaves again after his return but not to another dimension, just on a "side quest" before school starts or follow the book a bit and let him stay at Grimmauld Pl.
To Yenom: More would come, I just need to pick from several ideas I have right now. Thanks for the review.
To e: Thanks for the short but encouraging review.
To Gryffindors: Play the game, you'll enjoy it. I personally like FF8 and FF9. Thanks for the comment.
To DragonMaster51: Good to know you liked the gunblade, I pictured it clearly in my head, just had a heard time writing the correct words to describe it. More GFs to come in later chapters.
To Shinigami's Shadow: Cool idea, haven't thought about that one. Hehehe. I'll give it a try, although I'm not yet confident enough to write some character bashing. You'll see in later chapters.
To Jade: Hope this chapter is enough for now. I'll try hard to keep the next ones as exciting as possible.
Keep on reviewing, I plan on posting two more chapters by Friday. I'm still debating if they should still go to Diagon Alley or skip it.