Chapter 4

Back at a familiar house

"Has Harry woken yet?" Asked Remus Lupin after a few hours since they had lain him on a bed. The order of the Phoenix had a meeting, direct after the visit

to the Dursleys', and he had ran straight up to Ron, Ron's sister Ginny and Hermione as soon as the meeting was over. The youngsters had looked after him

since the order meeting had started.

"No Professor. He is still unconscious." Said Hermione worriedly. The newcomer conjure up a stool with his wand and sat next to Harry's left side. "What

happened Professor?" asked Hermione in a whisper.

"I tell you when he has woken up." Remus whispered back. They sat in silence for a few minutes before something happened. Harry opened his eyes but shot

them quickly again, because the light in the room was very bright. He lifted his hand a few inches from his side to protect his eyes but let it fell when

he realised that his body was aching.

"Ahg!" Harry groaned.

"Harry!" Exclaimed the three youths and the man sitting around him.

"How are you feeling? Inquired Ginny.

"Like sombeonde had crushed mby bondes." Moaned Harry hoarsely. "What happended?"

"You were pulped by the cousin of yours." Said Lupine and continued to retell the occurrence at Privet drive. "Moody, Kingsley, Tonks and I disapperated

to your relatives's house to take you away. By when we arrived, we saw you on the floor with a towering figure over you, squeezing every thing you have

inside. We all went to action and bounded the family. For once, Dudley wasn't afraid of us at all. He didn't seem to notice us. He kept hitting you until

he was fully body bind. The hands of his whirled around like the propeller of a helicopter so we had to do some magic to stop him hurting you more than

he had. We were asked to not do it until if it was necessary. I had to blast young Dursley two times into the concrete wall before I could immobilise him

and bind him. Your Uncle launched towards me but Madeye stunned him. Your aunt, Harry have a very shrill voice." He trailed off, thinking of that yell

the woman had made and were nearly causing a sceen for the muggles. He braught himself back down to earth and commented: "She can really make us deaf if

she had a chance. Where was I? Oh, yeah. She threw herself over her son and started to scream, to protect. Moody casted a silencing charm at her and the

chaos was over. I ordered Kingsley and Moody to repair their possessions and took you and Tonks with me with all your things."

"But professor. What happnded to mby ndose?" Harry tried to point at his nose but failed. Remus took out his wand and said the incantation:

"Accio mirror." A mirror came zooming across the room, landing at the performer's lap. He walked to Harry's bedside and showed a reflected image with a

strange nose. Harry gaped his mouth and watched in horror. The nasal bone on the black haired boy's face has broken.

"I can help you." Said Hermione kindly. "I must produce the charm Lockheart did on you at second year.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" inquired Harry hesitantly. "I mbeand aI had ndow bondes left after that."

"Trust me Harry." Hermione calmed him reassuringly. The boy in the bed nodded but was very reluctant to the bushy haired girl's suggestion. "Do you compare

me with that cheating git? Do you honestly think that Lockheart managed to master that spell?" asked the teenager rather irritated when she saw Harry's

sceptic expression.

"You liked himb after all 'mbione." Protested Harry. "Didnd't you say 'Everyonde cand mbake a mbistake'?"

"Do you wan't help or not!" growled his friend. Her temper began to rise and her now red face became visible in the presence of Harry's eyes.

"I dond't kndow Hermbionde."

"Fine! I can do as Lockheart and you can drink skeleton growing potion if you feel it much safer and much more comfortable." Seeing the bad mood of his

friend, and remember how that potion tasted Harry gave in and let her perform the charm. He felt the bone crack back to place and saw the reflection in

the mirror that his nose was healed.

"Thanks a lot Hermione." He said softly. "It is much easier to breathe."

"No problem." Replied the brown haired girl. Harry looked around, trying not to move his head too fast and too much. He soon find out where he was and he

were not at all happy. His face looked now gloomy, his eyes darkened and the glint in his eyes who was there, disappeared a moment ago. He looked up at

the ceiling, determined not to look at anyone in the room. "Harry." Began Hermione cautiously. "We're so sorry about, about..." She couldn't say Sirius's

name,. She knew how hard it was for Harry and her professor to talk about it so she didn't try to go on with the conversation.

The death of this owner's house had affected everyone. Every time someone from the order stepped into Grimmauld place, they could see, hear, smell, feel

and even taste that something or some one were missing. Even the possessions had lost its lively colour. Nothing were gleaming and it seems that the cleaning

in the house last year hasn't improved at all. A few nasty magical creatures in there, it would look like previous year, dirty and the air inside stuffy.

The only thing who still shimmered in the most noble an ancient house of Black, was the tapestry in the drawing room. It showed a family tree with people

who were related to the surname Black.

Harry didn't react. He just continued to gazed up at the roof, his face expressionless. Professor Lupin felt sorry for his former student, who of course

must remind him of his best friend's death.

"Lets leave him for a while." Ordered Remus. "He need some time to get over it, and me too." The others rose up from their seats and walked through the

doorway with their teacher. Harry heard the door close but ignored it and still stared upwards, drowning himself in his sorrow.

Harry didn't get up from his bed next day. His body didn't ache that much as yesterday, but his soul carried holes and burdens that few people had experienced

in the wizarding world. Many people had experienced at least one thing of Harry's events, but Harry had gone through many dangers, danger who is most abnormal

it could be, for example, fighting and kill a basilisk in his second year at Hogwarts, and fighting the dark lord and 30 death eaters alone in his fourth

year. Harry thought about all his dangerous events he had experienced and wondered why all things had to happen to him.

"Everything didn't happen to you." Said a kind and comforting voice inside Harry's head. "Your friends were with you most of your adventures."

"You drag them along." Said an other voice, a miserable dark one. "you put them in danger. You can do it again if you don't keep your distance away."

"nonsense." Argued the kind voice hesitantly. "His friends would follow him everywhere."

"Not if he dives head first into a stone wall. He runs into danger he doesn't know."

"I suppose you're right." Said the angel voice in admission. "But still." It said, not wanting to lose the argument. "It was just one time. It might never

happen again."

"Or it might. Look what happened last time. He nearly killed his friends. What if he does it next time." Said the devilish voice in a falls worried tone.

"It might be wrong person. Dumbledore can defeat him as he defeated Grindervald." She said hopefully

"Remember the prophecy." Said the devil triumphantly. "It's a boy who will defeat him, not an old man."

But we can still trust him and get advise from him." She had to say her last argument before giving up. The devil snorted and said:

"Trust him. He held many secrets from Harry remember?" No angel voice responded which meant that the quarrel had ended.

Harry struggled with his thoughts all day, thinking about what the two voices had said in his head. He didn't like what the devilish voice said, but it

was unfortunately the truth. I did drag them along. I could get help at the last event but I had to rush into things. He thought. I have to keep my distance

away from them, or I will put them in danger again. The boy in the bed had come to a decision and swore an oad and said:

"I, Harry James Potter swear that I will never put my friends in danger again."

Harry woke up next day very early. He dressed his baggy clothes and went down to the kitchen. Lucky for Harry noone were there. He made himself a toast

and returned to the bedroom quickly as possible so none could discover that he had been up.

An hour later, Hermione had woken up and went to the bedroom Harry was sleeping in. She peered her head through the doorway and whispered quietly:

"Harry? Are you all right?" Harry didn't answer. He just turned his backside towards her which meant 'Leave me alone.' She got the hint and walked away.

Later that day, Ron came in and asked:

"Harry? Are you awake, mate?" Harry replied rudely:

"What do you want!" Ron looked anxious and said with concern tone:

"I just wondered how you were feeling. Are you sure that you are okay?"

"Yeah!" He exclaimed with no sound of any good emotions.

"Are you coming down and eat breakfast with us?" Ron inquired.

"No."

"Please, Harry." begged Ron.

"I said NO!" Harry growled, gritting his teeth. His friend sighed in defeat and marched away. It went on for several days. Harry had still his rude attitude,

and whenever someone approached he always spat, hissed and snarled heatedly like "what!" "As if you care!" "Mount your own business!" and "Leave me alone!"

The day after Ron's and Harry's row, Harry abandoned his room and walked around in the house casting nasty looks every now and then when somebody were

observing him closely. Harry was not satisfied of what he had done to his friends and felt very guilty. Whenever the feeling entered his mind, he just

brushed it away and thought it was for the best of his friends. People whispered amongst each other and wondered what had happened to their (as they thought)

was their friend.

"What do you think he is planning?" asked Ron from the corner of his mouth, sitting with Hermione and his sister at the end of the table while he were playing

with his supper. The dining room were packed with people and everyone talked loudly to be heard, but the youngsters did it just for a safety and looked

at Harry worriedly.

"Don't know." Said Hermione. "He is acting strangely lately. Everytime whenever someone is near him, he seems to bee rude."

"Yeah." Agreed Ron. "That Attitude doesn't fit him.

"Definitely not. admited Hermione. "I wonder why he has changed Attitude."

"I think I know the problem." Said Ginny, joining the conversation. Ron looked questioningly at his sister and waited for her to go on. Hermione watched

her black haired friend thoughtfully and listen to the person next her side. "Well." She began. "When I past his room that day, he kind of swore an oath

to himself that he will never put us in danger again."

"But he had never done that. We did those adventures of our own free will. Didn't we?"

"Yes we did. That's why I've tried to talk to him so much this last days." Answered Ginny. Hermione still looked at Harry and put two and two together.

Harry had an odd feeling that someone were watching him. He lifted his head and gazed around the crowd to see who the person were that was staring at him.

He met Hermione's eyes and she broke the eye contact with him and turned quickly away.

"I got it." Hermione said to the others. The siblings' eyes moved from each other and rested upon their dude. "He is acting so strange because he thinks

that we'll be harmed when we is too close to him. That's why he has been so naughty to us."

Really?" said Ron unbelievably .

"Yeah." They saw Harry staying up and leaving the room.

"We must get off him from those mad thoughts in his slow head." Said Ron determinedly. The other two agreed and all left their plates untouched.

"Where are you three going?" asked Mrs Weasley suspiciously and bored her eyes on each of them. "You haven't ate your dinner yet."

"Not hungry." Answered Ron and run quickly upstairs, closely followed by the girls.

Harry sat at his bed and read one of his dark art books, trying not to think about His friend Hermione who looked at him strangely at dinner. She knows.

Thought Harry. I have to be ruder. A knock took Harry back to reallety and he said: "Yeah." Automaticly. Ginny entered the room, her head held high, knowing

very well what was coming. Ron and Hermione followed a bit behind and pleaded harry silently to listen to them.

"What do you want?" Harry asked with force falls impatient. On the contrary, Harry was very happy to see them but he couldn't show his relief.

"We wondered how you were feeling." Said Ginny.

"Fine." Replied Harry and opened his book on his lap one's more.

"Oh. Come on Harry. We know you better than that. Spit out your problems." Said Hermione from behind.

"I have no problems." Said Harry.

"Oh yes you have." Ginny said, irritated of Harry's behaviour. "Look straight into my eyes and say truthfully that you have no problems to deel with." Harry

moved his head from the book and looked up at the three friends standing in front of him and tried to act vexed.

"I have no time for this!" Ginny jerked the book from Harry's hands and held it out of his reach.

"Then take your time!" Ginny exclaimed. "You have been rude to us and we are wondering why? This isn't you! We see through your shell! We know you! Now

tell us!" Ginny was now enraged. She had a hard effort to control herself not to hit her friend with the thick book on his head.

"Okay, Okay! I'll tell you!" He gave up, held up his hands in defence for the girl's questions in front. For some reason that Harry didn't know, he looked

at Ginny a bit longer then he should. "What do you want to know." He said tiredly.

"Why have you been so rude to us?" Asked Hermione.

"You all ready know that."

"Say it again." Said Ginny. Harry Sighed and muttered in a monotone voice:

"I did that for your sake. Happy?"

"Yes in a way. Mate. Don't forget what you've done to us. And we are going to do everything to you." Relief overwhelmed Harry and it felt much better when

he knew that his friends should fellow him to the death of their own free will. But he couldn't tell them the other problem that occupied his mind.

"Thanks a lot Ron." Said Harry, but stil looked sad.

"What's wrong mate?"

"Nothing." Replied Harry.

"Tell us please?" Begged Ginny

"Don't hide it. We know you too well." Said Hermione.

"Sorry guys. But not today." Insisted Harry. "I will tell you when the time comes."

"Okay." Said Hermione. "Just know that we're always here for you.

"Yeah." Chorused the siblings in unison.

"Thanks guys." Said Harry and felt much happier.

"Wizard chess, mate?" Challenged Ron.

"Okay!" Responded Harry. They went to the living room, drew out a chessboard, sat at the couch and ate chocolate frogs.

Rachel

Rachel got up early next day as nothing had happened. She walked down the staircases and

out to the field where the dragons were. She was nearly there when she heard a owl hooting above her. Rachel took the letter very carefully from the bird's

leg and unrapped the parchment.

"Readus." Rachel said, tapping her wand at the script. A monotone voice read the letter aloud. It read:

Dear Mis R. Tran.

We are pleased to inform that you have been accepted into Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

In this letter, you'll be able to find a list of your equipments that are nessesary in this year. In this letter also includes a form with permission to

visit the village Hogsmeade.

You're sincerely

Minerva Mcgonigal

Deputy headmistress

She wondered why she cgot that letter. But she had no time to think further about it.

She turned to a young Hungarian horntail and took a flying trip on it's back. She steered the big animal to the place where she and her former dragon has

been yesterday. A rumble could be heard when they touched down. Tears welled up inside her, splattered her cheeks and made her vision blurry. Rachel slid

down to the ground , sat there and sobbed miserably. The black dragon felt his mistress strange behaviour and new exactly what the problem was. He also

remember the red friend he once has that were now gone.

The day had come when the black horntail could walk around without his mother watching him. When he was taking a strode for the first time, he clapped eyes

upon a surten red yellow dragon that walked proudly to the territory of the fireballs'. Whenever the horntail saw it's idol, he tried to imitate him, walking

proudly, holding the head high, spitting fire, roaring as loud as possible and following him everywhere. At first, Lohng was irritated, but when he realised

that he got an admirer, he found out that he could endure that little thing as company. Since then, they has been together nearly all the time, like brothers

and played with each other.

A scream brought the dragon down to earth making him confused and wonder why the girl was screaming, but felt his mistress's emotion. He began to roar too,

creating a deafening noice that echoed around them. Both of them stopped crying out their sorrow and the sound of shouts faided away. Rachel looked up

and saw that the sun had rised a long time ago and the time was around moon. Rasing quickly from her spot and climing up to the beast's back, they flew

back to their home. They landed in front of the house and Rachel got off from the animal. The horntail spotted a man standing at a distance away, watching

them curiously. He chopped in mid air, showing the old man that he would stay where he was.

"Calm down Devil." She said to the dragon. "Who are you?" Rachel asked demandingly.

The old man with silvery long hair beard, and midnight blue robe took a step forwards and introduced himself very politely:

"Good day. My name is Albus Dumbledore. You are of course Rachel Tran I believe."

"Yes I am." The girl replied, trying to sound polite as well. Devil stood behind her for support and guard for certainty. He looked like the biggest watchdog

in the world when he gritted his teeth and waited impatiently for order. "What had made you come to our territory, sir?"

"I have come to discuss an important matter with your parents." Rachel just nodded. She ushered the massive animal away and a tiny blurry figure that Dumbledore

couldn't see came zooming from nowhere and circled around her.

"Follow me, sir." They approached an old wooden house with many flats which were held up by magic. "Mum, Dad. There is someone who wants to talk to you."

She said as soon as she had opened the door. Stephanie peered her head from the kitchen to look who this person was. She stepped quickly beside her daughter

and introduced herself.

"May aI come in?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Yes of course." Answered the woman. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Yes, please." The three headed to the kitchen followed by two other siblings that had come downstairs close after the introduction.

"Sit down, sir." Dumbledore took a seat in front of a cup of tea that had been placed there a moment ago. "What important business have you come to us for?"

Rachel's mother asked, heading straight to the point. Dumbledore took a sip of the hot tea and said to Rachel:

"Would you mind if I and your mother is alone?"

"Go Rachel." Ordered Stephanie. The girl obeyed and walked out to the dragons again to continue her work. After an hour, when Dumbledore had gone, her mother

called Rachel in, but she didn't listen. She were too busy working with the reptilians training them hard to be calm and obey humans.

"Rachel my dear. Come in and eat lunch with us. I've got something to tell you."

"Can't mum. Got so much to do."

"But you haven't eaten since yesterday."

"I know but..." Protested Rachel.

"We know that you are sorry about the incident at yesterday, but you can't work to death." Said Diana impatiently.

"I don't care!" Shouted Rachel.

"Rachel! Come in this instance!" Stephanie shrieked loudly, causing the windos to shake. Very relucktantly, she made her way slowly to the house, into the

hall and into the kitchen.

"What was so important that you have to call me in?" asked Rachel a bit irritated.

"Don't talk to your mother like that!" Exclaimed Stephen reprovingly.

"Sorry." Apologised Rachel, looking at the floor."

"Doesn't matter." Muttered her father. "Sit down and eat." Rachel sat at the only remaining chair at the end of the table and began to eat her tiny lunch.

"Mum? What did you and that man talk about earlier?" Inquired Rachel after a few minutes.

"About that letter you got from the English school." Her mother answered.

"I don't want to go." Said Rachel flatly.

"You have to." The adults exchanged a gloomy look before Stephen said:

"We decided to let you be an exchanged student and attend that school. You need to see the world."

"Why can't I just be here in this country? Why in Brittan?" Diana agreed.

"Yeah. Why can't I go too?"

"You are too old!" Snapped Stephanie. The children calmed down and listened to their mother. "Rachel." She began, but her daughter didn't listen.

"No, mum! I DON't WANT TO GO!"

"You will!" howled her father.

"First you are selling my friend, and then you send me to a bloody school thousand miles away! What's going on here!" Stephanie sighed and said:

"Do you want to see Lohng again?"

"Of course I want!"

"Go to the school then." Rachel nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to travel to an other country but if she wanted to see her friend, she had to. Diana

didn't let the opertunity of going to Great Brittan slit through her fingers, protested:

"Why does she always have to go to the fun places?" Stephen gave her daughter a tell you later look and continued to eat. Rachel shuffled her food into

her mouth, thanked her mother for the food and headed upstairs for packing her things to the school.

A/N Please Read and review. You don't need to say good things about this story you know. Say that I'm the worst auther in the world if you think so.