Harry Potter and the Blood Prophecies

by lethelynn

After the disastrous events of The Order of the Phoenix, Harry resolves to take control of the course of his life. Some things are easier said than done, however. A succession of events will lead Harry down paths that he never imagined, and he will discov

2. Chapter Two: OWL’s and Death Eaters

Harry Potter and the Blood Prophesies
By Lethe a.k.a. Garner

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all characters and places included in the Harry Potter books belong to J.K. Rowling and her affiliates. Unfortunately, I am not J.K. Rowling. This story will most likely contain slash by the end. For the uninitiated, this means relationships between two males. If that disgusts you, read on at your own criticism is of course welcome and encouraged.

(Italics indicate parseltongue or telepathic speech)

Chapter Two: O.W.L.'s and Death Eaters

The next morning Harry awoke with a start to banging on his door. "Boy! Your Aunt, Dudley and I are going into London for the day!" Uncle Vernon shouted, "You'd better behave yourself while we're gone!"

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," he replied blearily. Harry became aware of warmth centered on his chest. He opened his eyes and saw two liquidy black ones staring back at him. "I thought that snakes were supposed to be cold-blooded," he hissed to the sleepy snake.

"Normal snakes are cold-blooded, however I am not a normal snake. I am a magical snake. Therefore I can control my body temperature, metabolism, and I can find you anywhere once we are bonded."

"What do you mean by bonded?"

"A magical snake bonds with one witch or wizard, and will live as long as its master does. In order to complete the bond, I must bite you. Don't worry though, I will not inject any venom."

Harry was a little bit leery of having the snake bite him. Lethe was a small snake, though, and it shouldn't hurt very much. The advantages of having a lifelong familiar, one that he could speak with no less, outweighed a temporary pain. "Very well, then. I can see how a bonding could have advantages. Go ahead." Lethe's tongue flicked out, and tasted the skin of his wrist. He then felt a sharp prick and warmth, spreading through his limbs. "Cool!" Lethe nodded her head in agreement.

He was thrilled when he heard the car pull out of the driveway a few minutes later. He had a whole day free of the Dursleys, and better yet, they were too afraid to lock him in his room anymore, so he had free run of the house. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going to go bathe." The silver snake nodded her head once again. He got up, put Sirius' coat carefully away in his trunk, and showered leisurely. Then he got dressed, and picked up Lethe. They headed for the kitchen. He made himself breakfast, and was able to eat at a leisurely pace without having to worry about Dudley stealing his food. Harry then decided to take the opportunity to spend some time outside. Lethe was probably hungry anyways. The Dursleys still went slightly schizoid when they thought the neighbors would find out about his abnormality, so it was easier just to stay in his room. However, since they were gone for the day, he could sit under a tree outside without them glaring at him. He new better than to try to leave the safety of the wards which were like a dome covering the property, and extended about twenty yards out from the house. Not only would he be breaking his promise to Dumbledore, but also if he left for some reason alarms would go of at Hogwarts and Grimmauld Place. Within five minutes Privet Drive would be swarming with order members. As much as he missed everyone, he had a feeling they would be less than pleased at having to come on a false alarm. As he was lounging in the shade, and enjoying the cool morning air he noticed an owl approaching. Harry hissed a warning to Lethe who was hunting for insects in the grass near his feet. She quickly returned to him, and hid in the pocket of his huge jeans that were Dudley's hand-me-downs. She had no desire to become an owl treat. He recognized it as one of the school owls when it landed on a branch above him. It was carrying a fairly thick envelope. He untied it from the owl's leg, and noted the Hogwarts crest. "Must be my O.W.L. results." Harry opened the thick envelope and removed several sheets of parchment. The cover sheet read:

Dear Mr. Potter-
Congratulations on your successful completion of your O.W.L.'s and your fifth year. Please note that you have been accepted for your sixth year here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed you will find the results of your O.W.L. examinations, a course selection sheet with a list of N.E.W.T. level courses of which you are eligible, and your book and supply list for such courses. Please remember that you must select at least four N.E.W.T. level courses and may select two elective courses. Please fill out the course selection sheet and return it by owl no later than August 15th.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
P.S. – I know we discussed your desire to enter Auror training after graduation. If that is still your wish I suggest you select the N.E.W.T. level courses that we discussed last year. Remember that Auror training requires that you pass five N.E.W.T.'s with at least an Exceeds Expectations. Please remember that I am available should you require any assistance.

The second page read:

Dear Mr. Potter-
Congratulations on the completion of your Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Your scores are as follows.
Sincerely,
Griselda Marchbanks
Chairman, Wizarding Examinations Authority

Charms:
Theory - O
Practical - E
Transfiguration:
Theory - E
Practical - E
Herbology:
Theory - E
Practical - O
Defense Against the Dark Arts:
Theory - O
Practical - O
Potions:
Theory - O
Practical - O
Care of Magical Creatures:
Theory - O
Practical – O
Astronomy:
Theory - O
Practical - A
Divination:
Practical - P
History of Magic:
Theory - P

Poor: 2
Acceptable: 1
Exceed Expectations: 4
Outstanding: 9

Total O.W.L.'s: 14

Harry was astonished. He had expected to fail Divination and History of Magic, but never in his wildest dreams had he expected to get an O in both the Potion's Theory and Practical. It was widely known that Professor Snape only accepted students with O's into his N.E.W.T. level courses. He was not surprised that he had received two O's in Defense Against the Dark Arts. "Take that Umbitch!" He had also done well enough in Transfiguration and Charms to get in to those N.E.W.T.S. Professor McGonagall had not mentioned a fifth N.E.W.T. level course that he should take due to her row with Umbridge. He decided that he would take N.E.W.T. level Care of Magical Creatures. Not only could that knowledge be useful as an Auror, but it would make Hagrid happy as well. The next sheet was the selection form:

Attention-
All students must select at least four N.E.W.T. level courses and may select two electives. Please fill out and return this form no later that August 15th.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Eligible N.E.W.T. Level Courses (please select at least four)
Charms
Transfiguration
Herbology
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Potions
Care of Magical Creatures

Electives (please select two)
Dueling
Flying
Muggle Studies
Healing

Harry set the form aside, but he had already decided that he was taking Dueling and Healing as his electives. Dueling was an obvious choice, not only because Professor Lupin would be teaching, but also because it was necessary knowledge for him. Also, with as many times as he seemed to land himself in the hospital wing, he decided a little healing knowledge would not be amiss. The next sheet was his book and supply list for all of the courses that he was eligible for:

Course Books

Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6)
By Miranda Goshawk
Simply Charming: An Advanced Guide to Charms
By Fillius Flitwick (Charms)
Advanced Transfiguration
By Amanda Changetop (Transfiguration)
Ten Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
By Phyllida Spore (Herbology)
Protect Yourself! You Are Not Paranoid!
By Allister Moody (Defense Against the Dark Arts)
1001 Insanely Difficult Potions
By Arsenius Jigger (Potions)
Nice and Not So Nice Beasties
By Georgia Insanium (Care of Magical Creatures)
Advanced Dueling: Hexes and Curses to Defeat Your Opponent
By Joseph Potter (Dueling)
Arial Tricks
By Nadia Wingfeather (Flying)
Those Crazy Muggles
By John Smith (Muggle Studies)
Healers' Art: From First Aid to Minor Surgery
By Florence Surehand (Healing)

Additional Supplies

Potions
N.E.W.T. level potions ingredient package
1 steel caldron (standard size 4)
1 dragonhide apron
1 pair dragonhide potion gloves
1 pair Marty's Magical Eye Goggles

Care of Magical Creatures
1 pair dragonhide handling gloves
1 magical fist aid kit

Dueling
1 set of dueling robes

The last sheet was a letter from Dumbledore:

Dear Harry-
Please let me wish you a happy belated birthday. I understand that the Weasley family wishes to have you visit the last week of holidays. This should not be a problem as long as a few extra precautions are made. I will see to it that wards are placed around The Burrow, and someone from The Order will accompany you on your journey there.
Please stay safe,
Albus Dumbledore
Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards

Harry was thrilled that Dumbledore had caved so easily. He had been worried that he would be forced to stay under the Blood Protection of his Aunt Petunia all summer. He was glad that Dumbledore would be adding protections to The Burrow because he did not want to endanger them, either. He turned to the owl that was still sitting above his head, "Please wait here a moment, and I'll bring you back and owl treat. I wish to send a reply." The owl hooted acknowledgment, and Harry went up to his room. He gathered a piece of parchment, a self-inking quill and an owl treat. He returned to the owl, and quickly filled out his course elective sheet. He then penned a quick note to Dumbledore, thanking him for going through all the trouble that was involved in Harry going to go Weasley's. He gave the two pieces of parchment to the owl, along with the treat. "Take these Professor Dumbledore please." The owl hooted and took off.

"Is that ghastly owl gone yet?" Lethe hissed from his pocket.

"Yes, he is gone now. Do you need to hunt some more, or are you full?"

"I am full for now. I wish take a nap."

Harry nodded to himself, and stood up, gathering his letters, to go inside. As he turned he saw a flash of black out of the corner of eye. When he turned to look however, it was gone. He shook his head, and headed into the house. Once upstairs in his room, Harry put away his letters, and got out his potions assignment that he'd been working on. He placed Lethe underneath his pillow to sleep, and got to work on his essay entitled: The Many Uses Of Powder Root Of Asphodel. Harry thought that Snape chose this assignment specifically as a jab at him. He would never forget his very first potions class when Snape humiliated him by asking him N.E.W.T. level questions about the Draught Of Living Death. "'Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?' Bastard!" That had been the start of a wonderful relationship! He now understood the reasoning behind Snape's treatment of him, but that didn't necessarily mean he liked it. He understood that Snape had to be nasty to him in front of the Slytherins in order to keep up his role as a spy. Harry even understood that Snape was reminded of the bullying he had received from Harry's father every time he saw him. Just because he understood these things however, did not mean that the insults hurt any less. Harry sometimes wondered what his father would think of the fact that, because he tormented another student as a child, his son was now the subject of torment. He wondered whether or not his father had eventually outgrown his maliciousness. He hated to think ill of his dead father, however he didn't think that many people actually grew out of maliciousness. He had a feeling that Draco Malfoy would always be a prick.

He went back to work on his essay, and when he looked up a few hours later he realized that the sun had gone down. He got up and put away his essay. He then went to his food locker, and pulled out a chicken potpie. As he stood by the window of his bedroom, eating his potpie while looking out onto the street, he got the distinct sensation that he was being watched. Just then he noticed the Dursleys car driving down the street. Before it could reach the house, however, it suddenly exploded into flames. The force of the explosion rocked the house, and threw him to the floor of his bedroom. Harry clambered to his feet just in time to see the wards around the house flair and flicker out. Before he had time to even process what had happened, about a dozen Death Eaters apparated on the front lawn. "HOLY SHIT!" Harry quickly doused the light in his bedroom. He ran to his trunk and pulled out his invisibility cloak and his wand. Harry figured that this certainly qualified as an emergency, and he could not be prosecuted for the use of underage magic. He quickly released Hedwig, shrunk her cage, and placed it in his trunk. "Fly to Ron's girl! I'll see you there." As she flew out the window, he quickly shrunk his both his trunk and his food locker, and pocketed them. He grabbed Lethe out from under his pillow and placed her in his pocket saying, "Quiet now we have to escape because there are bad men in the house!" He then threw his invisibility cloak over his shoulders, and pulled up the hood. He made it onto the landing, just as the front door was blown off its hinges. As the Death Eaters started up the stairs, Harry snuck into the corner behind the old grandfather clock at the top of the stairs. He didn't even dare to breathe as they each passed within a foot of him. He heard them talking to each other, and then he heard the leader tell them to split up the search all the rooms. He recognized the voice of the leader as Bellatrix Lestrange. The very thought of her made his blood boil, and he had to restrain himself from cursing her then and there. He knew, however, that he was no match for a dozen Death Eaters. He had to get out of the house, and wait until reinforcements arrived. While the Death Eaters were searching the rooms on the upper floor, he stealthily made his way down the stairs, being careful to avoid the creaky step. He made his way out the ruined doorway and across the street into the alley where he first saw Sirius.

He then was able to turn around and watch the proceedings. He could see the light of the Death Eaters' wands through the windows as they moved about looking for him. He could hear the shrilled grating of Bellatrix's voice as she screamed at the Death Eaters for not finding him. When it became obvious that he was not in the house, the Death Eaters poured back onto the front lawn. Just as the last Death Eater exited the house, he heard successive loud pops indicating apparation. The cavalry had arrived! The Death Eaters and the Phoenixers immediately began to trade hexes. When it became obvious that the Death Eaters were outnumbered, they disapparated at a shout from Bellatrix. Harry started to move out of the alleyway with the intention of calling out to the Phoenixers. Just as he opened his mouth, however, he was hit with a stunning spell from behind.