As Harry woke up he blinked slowly and it took him a minute before he figured out where he was. The clean smell and potion scent around him clearly screamed the hospital wing.
As Harry slowly sat up in his bed and rubbed his tired eyes, he saw that his friends were still asleep and he wondered if he should call Poppy or just leave. He was saved an answer as the witch walked in and blinked in surprise at seeing her dazed patient sitting in his bed.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, finally awake I see"
"Huhh?" Harry only managed to say, not really understanding what she was saying, only barely seeing that she was speaking at all. His head felt heavy and his eyes could barely stay open.
"How are you feeling dear?" Poppy said as she shuffled through some potions, "You were starting to worry me a bit"
"Huhh?" Harry said again dazed, starting to feel rather dizzy.
"Feeling a little dazed?" she asked with sympathy
Harry simply nodded and before he knew it the witch had thrust a foul potion down his neck but a second later he could at least think clearly,
"How bout now?" She asked
"Fine" Harry said smiling impishly "Thanks"
"Good, now sit properly child. I'm going to examine you a bit" and before Harry could respond she had started waving her wand and poking him all over the place while muttering few incantations under her breath. She started frowning and muttering faster before she scowled at Harry openly,
"No wonder you were last to wake child" She said irritation in her voice,
"What do you mean? Hermione and the others are still asleep" Harry said scowling right back at her.
"They woke up about three hours ago ate and went back to sleep. Breakfast was over two hours ago dear, it's ten o'clock"
Harry gaped and nearly yelled What when Poppy interrupted,
"Now you better answer me boy" She said sternly, "What have you been eating, and how many hours each night do you sleep? And you have been taking your medicines for the back and not over working it?"
"I'm eating fine and-
"Don't lie to me Harry James Potter. I swear to god, I never thought the day would come that someone worse than James Potter would step into my wing, but I was obviously wrong. Why see a healer when you clearly don't care about your wealth fare?"
"I c-
"And now answer me, what have you been eating first off?"
Under the withering glare he was getting from his healer he didn't dare lie and meekly answered, "Er, I usually have a toast for breakfast and then an Orange for lunch, and I try too eat at least a half filling of dinner"
"What?" Poppy yelled causing the boy to flinch, "Did I not make it perfectly clear that in your condition you were to have at least three full, nutritional meals each day, and plenty of fruit in between"
"Yes ma'am"
"And why haven't you been eating properly?"
Harry shrugged, "I just haven't had the appetite"
"How much have you been sleeping?" She said laying the other topic aside for a moment,
"Er, well it depends. I wake up at five every morning and go running with the DA and do weight training"
"I thought you didn't do that until six?"
"Well, I like to get an early start"
"So I am assuming you go extra early to bed?"
"I usually go to bed about two am, sometimes a bit sooner or later"
"What on earth makes you do that?" The medi-witch hissed
Harry shrugged, "Whenever I've finished my homework I go to bed. I have training with Angel or the elves, or quidditch training, or meetings with the DA every day of the week, sometimes more each evening so I usually don't study until late in the evenings"
"My god child, you are over stepping your boundaries. You do know that I told you in order to maintain your recovery of your back in it's best condition you'd have to get at least seven hour sleep and eat properly, and we never discussed so much use of magic being used"
"The magic isn't draining. I'm just sleepy"
"No wonder. Now I'll expect you too finish your dinner as soon as I've examined your back"
Harry knew better than to argue and complied. When the angry witch had finished, Harry meekly ate his dinner and for fear of Poppy's wrath forced himself to finish it.
He suspected that it had been spiked with dreamless sleep since almost instantly he fell asleep.
He awoke at dawn the next morning, feeling more fresh then he had in weeks, but almost had an heart attack when he saw the medi-witch next to him glaring at him.
"We need to talk. About you and how you've been treating yourself"
Harry gulped,
"First of all Harry, why haven't you reported about the ache in your back?" She said, her face softening
Harry looked startled and then he seemed to become a bit nervous and frighten,
"I figured as much when I examined you last night, now why didn't you tell anyone that this was getting too much"
"It wasn't too much" Harry snapped, "I don't need all those potions, and I don't need people pitying me or thinking I can't do it. I've looked after me all my life and I think I'm capable of taking care of myself"
"No you are not. You are a child Harry. Even with all those people after you, you are still a child. In age, maybe not in mind, but in physical state you are. Not allowing yourself to show a weakness, no not a weakness, a humanity is childish"
"How are people going to learn to respect me when all I do is run to the Hospital wing every time I get a bruise"
"This is much more serious then that Harry. You must stop treating yourself like this"
Harry looked away mad Poppy sighed, "Just think about it. But I'm afraid that your lack of care for yourself has repercussions, and you're lucky that it was discovered this soon or you might be in the same state as you were this summer. I'm afraid that you'll have to start with the cane again-
"What?" Harry yelped, unable to hold himself, "But what about training. I can't stop it, I'll fall so far behind"
"Let me finish. You'll have to use the cane as in every day life for about a month or two, but if you insist on keep running, you are allowed to do so four times a week if you feel up to it and only if Harry and if you want to do that you might have to use the cane a little longer. And I am ordering you to eat four full healthy meals a day, and at the minimum seven hour sleep. I have already talked to your friends and they have agreed to watch over you to be sure you will do as you are told. And I'll be keeping an eye out for you so don't think you can fool any of us"
Harry bowed his head and whispered "Yes ma'am"
It was only shortly later that he entered for breakfast with his head bowed.
Breakfast was a somber state after the previously attack and thankfully Dumbledore stood to give a statement and therefore cut off the strained atmosphere.
"Good morning my dear students, I have a couple of announcements. The first being, that given that the Vatican school was destroyed, Hogwarts school had so kindly offered the remaining students to attend lessons here until their school can be rebuilt or they can find another home. There will be about thirty students arriving this evening along side with four professors. Of course there were almost fifty surviving students but some have chosen to move to closer places and that we cannot fault them for. I do hope you will all welcome them with your arms open"
The students started to chat amiably and it wasn't until Dumbledore coughed rather loudly that silence fell again,
"I am trusting you to make sure that they will feel right at home. They have been through something very horrible, something that no children nor adults should have to go through their life time but I fear few of us will escape this war without. There is not time nor resources to built a whole new house for these students, so they will each be sorted into one of the four houses for now.
Now, to lighten the mood and help welcome the new students I have arranged a Hogsmede weekend, this weekend"
The students cheered slightly but fell silent as the headmaster hadn't finished,
"And lastly I have grave news for our Gryffindors. I'm afraid I cannot undo the points the head boy deemed to take from you as he did it under the rulebook, even if his motivations were wrong. Nor can the detentions be cancelled-
At the loud protesting and booing coming Dumbledore raised his voice slightly,
"Yes, yes, I know it is very unfair but that is that. You simply must be busy earning points from now on, now I do believe that classes are about to start"
Classes fortunally were fine, and soon it was time for dinner, and it seemed that the house-elves had out done themselves this time.
Chatter and whispers were loud as the student body waited for their guests, and they didn't have to wait long as suddenly the huge double door opened and in the charge of four adults, thirty or so students trailed behind timidly.
They were all from first to seventh years that stood there looking at the ceiling in awe or fidgeting nervously under the intense stares of the students.
The professors, three male and one female hastily said something to Dumbledore in hushed voices who simply nodded and offered them seats near him.
McGonagall planted the old sorting hat in front of the hall, and one by one called the students up.
The students were sorted first by their years, and then by name. Seven were sorted into first year, two into Ravenclaw, two into Hufflepuff, one into Gryffindor and three into Slytherin, three were sorted into second year, two Gryffindors and one Hufflepuff, four third years, two Ravenclaw, one Hufflepuff and one Slytherin, two were sorted into fourth year, one Ravenclaw and one Gryffindor, four were sorted into fifth year, one into Gryffindor, two into Hufflepuff and one into Slytherin, six were sorted into sixth year, two Gryffindor, one Slytherin, one Hufflepuff and two Ravenclaws and finally five were sorted into seventh year, one Gryffindor, two Slytherins, and two to Hufflepuff.
One girl who was sorted into Ravenclaw caught Harry's attention straight away She was taller then him but not by much, she had dark brown hair with blond high lights, her Italian heritage could easily be seen by her dark tan and her features. She had hazel eyes and to Harry she looked like an angel.
"Ow" He yelped when Hermione kicked him and Hermione grinned impishly,
"Sorry, but you were getting obvious staring at the poor girl like that" She said in a in a matter in fact voice as she clapped as another sixth year was sorted into Gryffindor.
She sat right next to Draco and forced a bright smile as she said hello,
"Hello" Harry said to her politely, "I'm Harry, a sixth year Gryffindor as you probably noticed"
"I'm Hermione Granger and this red haired idiot staring at that new Hufflepuff seventh year is Ronald Weasley"
Ron who was in his own world staring at new girls only nodded absently as the rest snickered,
"I'm Ginny Weasely, the idiots sister I'm afraid"
"And I'm Draco Malfoy" Draco said pompously while Harry just rolled his eyes,
"Pleased too meet you all, I'm Amanda Fairchild, a new sixth year. Malfoy you say, and Weasley?" She asked while Ginny and Draco nodded,
"Purebloods then?" She asked
Ginny looked at her suspiciously but nodded none the less
"Fairchild, I think I've heard the name somewhere" Hermione said with her browed furrowed, while Ginny snorted
Amanda blushed but smiled, "My grandmother invented the new headache potion, and you might have read about the name somewhere about the pureblooded families. I'm not a part of the old families like you guys but my fathers family goes back about a decade"
"I'm not a pureblood" Hermione said, "I'm a muggleborn"
"Really, wow I've always wondered what it's like to live as a muggle"
Hermione only smiled but before she could go into any lectures Ron snapped out of his stupor, "Please Hermione don't start the know-it-all attitude, I'm hungry" Then he started eating everything within range
Hermione and Ginny only watched on in disgust as the others only laughed
"So what do you think of Hogwarts?"
"I don't know. I've never been here before. Only reason I know English is because it's required for our old school. But I think I could get used to it, but the number and the houses are just so strange. We're only two houses you know, boys and girls" Amanda explained,
"Really?" Hermione asked fascinated
Ron groaned and rolled his eyes at Harry when the girls started to talk about school more,
"So are we going to Hogsmede this weekend? We didn't go to the last one?" Draco asked and Harry frowned,
"I don't know, what about training?"
"Harry you're supposed to be chilling. Relax it'll be fun, hey Amanda you and your friends wanna come? We can show you around the place" Ginny said
Amanda nodded absently, "Sure, I'll just talk to Vanessa and the guys"
"What house she in?" Harry asked with food in his trap,
"Um, Vanessa is in Ravenclaw, same year as us, George is in Slytehrin, also same year as us, though think he'll be ok as Linda, who's a fifth year is also there and I think Zabini is there also, he's a cousin of his. Anyway then Elisabeth is a seventh year Hufflepuff, the same one that is Ronald's new hobby"
Ronald blushed and started stammering excuses as the others laughed,
The rest of the week flew by in no time for Harry in between sleeping and being force fed. Angel had reduced her classes almost so much that he was having none at the moment, but the elves weren't so understanding and he still met them at three times a week at least.
The guys had been avoiding the topic of the attack not only for his sake but also for the new kids and had been talking constantly about quitiddch or had just been playing chess and exploding snap the entire week.
And even though Harry loathed to admit it he hadn't felt so good and… normal for years as he forced all thoughts about war and special powers back in his mind.
Soon
it was time for Hogsmede and Harry, Ron, Draco, Hermione, Ginny,
Neville, the Patils, Susan Bones, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Terry Boot,
Deenis Creevy, Lillian (A girl who was with Ginny in classes), Zabini
and Greengrass were all going to Hogsmede together with the
transfers along with.
And
even though Harry only knew half of these kids he was very excited
and hoped to have a good day.
He was a bit sad that he had never put up the effort to get to know his fellow students, but for now he set his mind on having a good day.
So a group of twenty students or so walked to Hogsmede together and showed the transfers around the town before of course going to Zonko's, as the twins store had yet to open in Hogsmede, then they went to three broomsticks where they just laughed and had fun and chatted about normal stuff. Though it was one time when a Slytherin Nathan Bloom, a sixth year that Harry had never even heard of though he knew he looked very familiar had started to talk about his famous episodes when one of the girls, the one that Harry had first noticed at the feast that week, Vanessa was her name had asked what cool stories they could tell them.
"So children" She had said pompously though most could see her mischievous twinkle in her eye, "What brave, daring, cunning, smart, witty, loyal and hardworking stories can you tell us about the noble students of Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry"
After the snickers died down, Nathan grinned, "There are few that comes to mind, well many actually, though all of them happen to involve Harry here, our very own celebrity"
This had earned Harry a few curious looks, and one mock glare from Amanda who still hadn't really forgiven Harry for not telling her right away who he was.
It had been the night after the transfers had come, and he, Dray, Patti, and Neville were sitting in the common room just chatting about this and that, when Pavarati had brought up the newest paper of the witch weekly, where Harry had been chosen as the most charming teen in Britian.
Amanda who was a very loyal reader immediately started talking about the-boy-who-lived and before anyone could really tell her that Harry was him she had started blabbering how she felt oh so sorry for the poor little lad, that all the papers had been writing so horribly about him. She, even as a huge fan to the witch weekly, had not believed those articles, as she said he was just too cute to be a jerk. But in reality she had just decided not to believe them and starting to believe that he was the nicest, smartest, braves, most noble, hottest, kindest and etecra etecra, because her best friend, Vanessa thought he was a git. Before she could elaborate any further about Vanessa hating Harry Neville had taken pity on the girl who hadn't noticed Harry blushing like a maniac or anyone else laughing and told her that Harry was Harry Potter.
She had not been happy but had eventually calmed down and asked for an autograph for the emotional damage that he had caused.
So the kids at the table stared at Harry who shifted uncomfortably as Nathan continued, "I however don't know what of them is true and what not. Gossip at Hogwarts is worse than the gossip column in the witch weekly"
Vanessa looked a little less then interested when she found out it was about Potter but when she noticed how uncomfortable he was she demanded to know some of those stories,
"Well, there is of course first year, where he lost hundred and fifty points for wandering out of the halls with Neville here and our local know-it-all Hermione" He flashed them a grin to show them he meant to harm, but before he continued Amanda interrupted,
"Wait, how the hell did he do that?"
"Well, we all know he lost the points and got detention along with Malfoy, but what the rumors said is what I find hard to believe though considering all the others stories I'd say it was well possible. They say he was wandering in the Astronomy tower because he had a dragon with him that Malfoy was trying to steal that's why he had to give him away to some mysterious unhuman creatures to take care of him"
Hermione who snorted in a very un lady like fashion was drowned by the laughter in Draco and Ron.
"Anyway" Nathan said glaring at the two boys for interrupting his story, "They say that Potter had to serve detention in the forest with Malfoy, Hermione and Neville. And that they were attacked by you-know-who himself in disguise where he had supposedly almost killed Longbottom and Hagrid and only when Harry rushed to his doom were their lives spared and somehow Potter miraculously was saved" He paused dramatically before continuing in a hushed voice but everyone leaned in to hear better, "They say that he-
"You know" Harry interrupted lazily, "I am sitting right here so there is really no need to continue talking such rubbish in front of me like I ain't even here Nathan" Harry drawled,
Nathan had the grace to look a bit ashamed, "Sorry Harry. I just got caught up in the story"
Vanessa though sneered and snapped, "As if that had happened. Are you all completely bonkers, where would the kid have gotten a freaking dragon which are illegal, and as if you-know-who attacked and he somehow managed to scare him away when Hagrid who is part giant couldn't"
"For your information" Harry snapped at her, getting sick at the constant glares and sneers he had been getting from her, "It wasn't my bloody dragon, I was doing a friend a favor by giving it to proper dragon trainers as Dray here had seen it and we were afraid he would rat our friend out and get him kicked out, so me and Mione did what we could and contacted some other friends who agreed to take him on. Dray who had somehow founded out our plans chased us and me and Hermione were too caught up in our happiness of getting rid of Norbert and Dray getting caught that we ran straight into Flich. And I didn't chase Voldemort away. Firenze did, and that is how I know him. I know about the rumors last year that people were making up all kind of shit how I knew him, but truth is he saved my ass, in that forest. I stood there scared stiff and couldn't even move as I watched in horror as he was going to freaking kill me when he came and saved me. And you know what else, I had nightmares about it weeks afterwards, nothing heroic about it at all" Harry ranted his eyes gleaming before he sighed and said softer, "I'm going to get another butterbear"
When he left Vanessa stared at Hermion, "So there really was a dragon?"
"Yeah, Norbert was his name. A nasty little thing. Can't for the life of me figure out how the hell H- our friend could care so much about him" She said as she shook her head
"So anyway, any other stories?"
"Well there's the story how the golden gryffindor trio came to be" Draco said suddenly and Hermione groaned, and said, "I'm sure that there are stories about someone else the us and Harry"
"No" Draco said cheerily as Harry sat down again smiling at the memory,
"So, it happened on Halloween. Ron, who hated Mione here for being smarter then him had been badmouthing her really badly and she had heard him and ran off crying to the girls bathroom on the second floor. Wasn't to be seen again for the rest of the day. Didn't even show up at the feast. Then when we are eating Quirell comes running in like a nutter and yells, Trolls, there are trolls in the dungeons and then the man faints like the coward he was. Anyway, Harry remembers that Hermione is still somewhere crying her eyes out and drags Ron with him to get her to the common room with the rest of the students, but as they manage to sneak off, they stumble in on the troll, and somehow manage to lock it in the bathroom. Then they hear a scream and relished realised that Hermione was in the bathroom and open it again. Mione's to scared to move her butt so Harry and Ron here become very utterly brainless and attack the freaking troll distracting it with noises and stuff and for pure luck Ron knocks the thing out with a wingardium leviosa spell"
The entire Hogwart students were laughing now, every one of them knowing the story,
"But the funniest thing is" Draco says betweens laughs, "That when the professors found them Hermione actually lied to the teachers and blamed it all on her"
Most of the transfers didn't really get it but Amanda who had really gotten to see the know it all thought it quite hilarious, especially at how the poor witch was blushing,
"Then there is always the classic story about the flying car. Though you can probably read something about that in the new version of Hogwarts: A history" Susan said laughing,
"Flying car?" A transfer boy who was sorted in seventh year in Slytherin asked,
"Yeah, though we haven't finished first year yet" Nathan had said, "The whole philosphers stone thing has yet to be told"
Harry frowned, "I think we should perhaps save the story telling, as probably that story is so exagerated by now that it is un-
"Then luckily that you're here to correct it"
"Really we-
"I insist" Vanessa said curious, interrupting the boy for the second time. The boy only scowled and huffed as Nathan started the story which Harry had stop every few seconds because of some facts that were added or changed,
"So anyway in the end he managed to fight off Quirell, and you-know-who is so angry that he kills the professor and then tries to kill Harry but he manages to hold him off until Dumbledore came and dueled him"
Harry not really wanting to fix that but having no choice as Vanessa said,
"But if you-know-who's spirit was possessing the professor, who did he managed to duel?"
Harry sighed, "He didn't duel anyone, When Quirell attacked me I had a shield on, one that has been on me ever since the death of my parents and wasn't broken until forth year, that shield made Quirell unable to hurt me, instead hurt him so much that he could not bear to touch me. When he was about to curse me then instead I gripped him, and the pain was so much that I fainted, Dumbledore arrived sometime shortly after that and placed me in the hospital wing, Quirell was left to die by Voldemort as he no longer served any kind of use to him, and the stone was destroyed. End of story"
They sat in silence for a while before they decided to walk a bit around until they headed back, and the rest of the day they spent getting to know each other and laughing.
The rest of the weekend passed too fast for Harry's likeing, and he couldn't remember having such a good and relaxing time for a long time.
It however was bound to end sooner then later, with the luck that Harry Potter seemed to carry.
Monday evening, the knights, Amanda, Joseph, a fifth year transfer were all sitting at the Hufflepuff table, laughing and talking when Snape swept over towards them, dimming the mood immediately
"Professor" Harry said in a polite tone, though his eyes were blank,
"Potter" Snape said not so nicely, "May I ask what on earth, Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Gryffindors are doing at Hufflepuff table?"
"You may of course ask professor, but we may not be willing to answer" Harry said again in his polite yet blank voice,
"Potter, answer the damn question or I'll take every single point off that you earned today"
Harry shrugged, "So? It's not like we have any chance of winning the house cup anymore?"
Snape looked at Harry though he had gone bonkers,
"Am I not correct in saying that I am currently the only one willing to not give points for no apparent reason whatsoever?"
Harry smirked, true he was the only professor that didn't give points out of the blue. Even McGonagall had awarded Dean twenty points for having improved in his writing when he delivered his paper, but on the other hand she had been forced to take another twenty points because it was due to be delivered one and a half week earlier.
All of the professors, had been giving them as many points as they could get away with for everything they could get away with, but there still was very small chances that Gryffindor house would win the house cup, with all the points they were loosing opposites the ones the were gaining.
Especially with Snape taking more points away then ever before.
So Harry just shrugged again and said in a sickly Umbridge sweet voice, "Please professor, you must tell us how we can help you, as I doubt you are here to join us to eat, or to talk about the misfortune of our loss of points"
Snape glared at Harry, his face blank, and he barked out, "The headmaster wanted to see you Potter. The wolf, and the rest are there as well, so get moving Potter"
Harry feeling very confused why Remus was there, or who the rest were, quickly said goodbye and hurried to the headmasters office.
"Ah Harry my boy, how wonderful too see you. We are holding an Meeting right now, so why don't you floo with me to you-know-what place, most of the order is going to be there so we can't possibly use my meeting room"
Harry nodded, feeling dreadfully worried why there was an extra meeting going on tossed the powder in the fire, and stepped out quickly being followed by his elves and the headmaster.
Most of the people were there, most Harry didn't know as he was used to just meeting the inner core as it didn't happen often the whole order had to regroup.
He sat down in the corner opposite Moody, who was looking around the room searching for imposters.
It wasn't long until the last person entered, and Dumbledore stood up,
"I'm sure you're all wondering why we are all here, when a meeting hasn't been scheduled. It has just been so long since the main part of the order has gotten together and regrouped. We have many things to go over, so please, Joanna begin"
A black woman stood up and nodded politely to Dumbledore and started speaking crisply, "I've been spending the last three months recruiting. I'm afraid that it was much harder than I first thought since I could not begin by walking straight up to people. But I managed to recruit fare share of people. Fifteen to be more accurate. Ten of them are all fighters, but I don't know if they're trustworthy or not, they claim to be but one can never be too sure. Two others, are both healers, one who is a very good friend of mine which I assure you is trustworthy is a battle healer, and the other one, I'm also fairly sure is trustworthy is also very good at what she does though she is not able to be in battles and do her job at the same time. The other three are all unknown to me as the first ten, they are one potions mistress, who was very hard to find by the way but she is very skilled at her job, then we have a man named Gregory Fortelle, his specialty is languages, and he speaks over hundred, which could help in recruiting foreigners. And lastly we have a seer"
Dumbledore nodded and spoke, "When are they to be expected?"
"In three days time they will be arrived at the Three Broomsticks, all at different times, but they should all be arrived by three am"
Dumbledore nodded again and said, "Thank you, now…
And for another half an hour they spoke about this and that what all the members had been doing and Harry almost fell asleep. Too him it all seemed pointless, if they were going to plan and talk so much, they could at least talk about attacking death eaters and talk about that.
Harry figured he really must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew was when the amused voice of the headmaster said, "Mr. Potter, if you are rested enough then please allow us to carry on"
Startled Harry flung straight up and darted wildly around the room, until he managed to too calm him self down and remember where he was. He blushed and his face flushed as he had to be asleep for awhile now since all the members were gone, except the inner core, and Snape had arrived who hadn't been at the other meeting as his status as a spy could not be revealed. Harry looked around at the either amused or disbelieving or angry faces of the twenty, or so wizards gathered.
"See headmaster" Snape bellowed, "The brat can't even keep awake at the meetings he pleaded to be on"
Harry was about to retort that he had not pleaded but then thought better of it,
After five minutes Snape had finally calmed down to give his latest report,
"As we all know, the Dark Lord has been planning something for months now, but I still don't know what it is, except that it wasn't the attack"
"Why didn't you notify us about the attack Snape? " Moody accused
"Because" Snape hissed, "I was being kept at the castle, I think the dark Lord was testing my loyalty, thankfully you were notified of the attack by other means. However" Snape said rather smugly, "I have gathered some information. I know why the Dark Lord attacked the Vatican"
There was silence before a Emmeline Vance one of Harry's safe guardsbarked, "Well" She barked
"The attack itself was only a distraction, and destroying the school a bonus, the attack was really to steal some artifacts. And I know he has some sort of documents that he desperately needed"
"what does he want with them then?" Harry asked dryly
"I don't know Potter" Snape said snidely, "Why don't you ask the know-it all"
"She's not a spy last time I checked sir, you however are"
"I just gave valuable information-
"Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't we come to conclusion that he was trying to steal some of the dangerous artifacts days ago?"
"I just verified it, and if you had let me finish I am quite sure that he is planning some transformation. I don't know how or even if it involves the things he stole, but some of the potions he has been asking me to study, modify and brew are a bit shady, then Lucius, mentioned something the other day to two other low ranking scum. They were saying that professor Dumbledore was more powerful then the dark Lord. After some fighting and torturing the two idiots, Malfoy said that they didn't need to worry anymore about the Dark Lords power because after few weeks he would be practically unstoppable"
"Yes, I've been suspecting that he wishes to finish his plans of becoming immortal. Though I thought it would take more time for him to restart the work he nearly accomplished last time" Dumbledore said deep in thought,
"What- Harry started but was interrupted by Snape who told him to keep his thoughts to himself,
"Now, now Severus, Harry is a part of us now and he can speak up, what is it Harry?" Dumbledore said in his grandfatherly voice that Harry had started to hate,
"I'm saying that he doesn't really have to be trying to become immortal right now. Maybe he's trying to start at the beginning. After all Voldemort is no fool and he would not risk his life work so easily. Personally I think that if he's planning to undergo some transformation, it's either to regain some lost power or to regain some more strength or a new power or something like that. I doubt he'll go straight for the immortal, all powerful and more evil then the devil thing"
"You are probably right, Severus do try to find out what you can, and meanwhile we must start strengthening our defenses-
"Sir" Harry said
"Yes Harry?"
"I've been doing some thinking and… erm, why do we spent all our work and most of powers in strengthening already powerful wards? I mean wouldn't it be much smarter to start forming an Army, that could fight Voldemorts? As it is now we can't even fight one fifth of it, and that's just his death eaters? Making an army that even stands a chance at the final battle is a lot of hard work, and can take a long time so why aren't we putting efforts in that?"
"I understand your way of thinking Harry, really I do" Dumbledore said kindly, as if he were talking to a small child, "But we also need to think of the now and the people that can't defend themselves?"
"I know that sir" Harry said dryly, "We need to get basic defenses and escape ways around all wizarding homes. Get them a portkey, ward their floo and house so if death eaters attack, they have time to escape because it'll take them about five minutes at the least to break the wards. Then if they happen to be in a battle they are of course trapped, so they'd need to be taught some primary battle curses and hexes that aren't too tiring"
"That is a noble thought, but Harry we are sixty members in all, if we are to make it work we'd need to have this only between those that can be sure to be trusted, that makes us under twenty five, and that is not enough for whole Britian"
"I'm not talking just about Britain sir, I'm talking about the whole world, as there is no doubt that Voldemort will try for the world. And I know this is impossible for the order as for another thing we are supposed to be a secret order, that's why first of all we need to fix the ministry"
"You make it sound as if it's like going out to buy sweets boy" Snape yelled as others muttered in agreement that it was too much work and that Fudge was Fudge
"What is wrong with you. This is the best way of thinking that I've heard for months. We should at least let him finish telling us what he has in mind, so Potter start talking, how do you plan to get the ministry going?" Moody said interested in the way the boy was going
Harry frowned, he hadn't really given it much thought but given as this was his only opportunity he started talking, "Well first of we need a new minister. Someone that we can trust not working for the Voldemort, or anyone else for that matter"
"Except for us of course" Tonks said
"No, not us either. He'd have to work with us of course but not for us. We need a minister that is not afraid of taking his own actions, that cannot be bullied into anything without his consent, and if he's afraid to deny Dumbledore then who is to say he won't do something else out of fear or manipulation for someone else? No he needs to be independent, but not too intepended, not like Fudge. He can't be power hungry as at these times we need someone who is willing to make scarifies for the people. We need someone who can also relate to everyone, that everyone can trust, someone that can see things for their point of view, so it would be preferable if he's a muggleborn or muggle raised. Actually it would be way better if he were as we might need someone good with them in this war as we might have to rely on help from them"
"How are you going to get the purebloods to agree to that?" Snape spat
"We aren't appealing to the ones who claim they're better then everybody else, we're reaching to the normal individual"
"Yes, but your terms don't leave many people and I'm guessing you have more?"
"Well, he or she, will need to have enough respect, and of course know all there is to know about politics. The minister will need to be brave, but not have Gryffindorish foolishness, he'll need to be calm, and collected, and he can't be too paranoid either. And for now, even though I know a few other things I could name I won't because this will be hard enough as it is"
"Say we find a new minister, get them to work with us, what then? Just say hey we're going to rally up a army now see ya?"
"No" Harry said calmly, "Just because we have a new minister doesn't mean the ministry is all well again. No single person could fix that. Next we'd have to get the Law enforcement up and running, oh we'd have to do a full investigation on the heads, maybe we'll need some new heads, I think that at least three have been working for Fudge. And Voldemort is unknown. We'll preferably have to set up a division for someone to contact the foreigners, and stuff that involves that. Oh, and we really need to start doing something about Department of mysteries"
At the gapping looks he was getting he hastily moved on,
"I of course know that not everybody can just walk into that department but we need to know that there isn't anything… shady going on there and..
"Ok we get the picture" Mundugus said, "First we need a new minister though"
"Well coming up to Harry's terms is going to be very hard, so if you have any suggestions, even though they aren't up to standards then please name them"
Many names were mentioned, and few among them were Amelia Bones, Arthur Weasely, Antonio Blaize, Kathrine Loveheart and so many more. Even Luna's father was mentioned.
Finally Dumbledore told them all to quiet down.
"Harry, say we find a candidate, then how are we going to get rid of Cornileus and replace the new one. Without a doubt many will apply to the post, including someone for Voldemort, how do you guarantee that our minister will get the post"
Harry frowned a bit but opened his mouth but was interrupted by a woman named Ginger,
"With your support how is there a chance he'll loose?"
"I'm afraid that won't work" Harry said, "True Dumbledore is immensely respected, and he is thought to be very powerful. But no offense to the professor, the public doesn't know anything of his life, and even if they did, he couldn't really relate to them either. Many would also just assume that he was supporting the minister to have him under his thumb-
Many started to protest but when Dumbledore stood they all shut up, "Harry is right. The wizarding world doesn't know my past. Many of you don't either, and those who do only do for one reason and even that isn't enough. Harry is right, there are also many other reasons. I would probably help but I am not enough" He looked at Harry pointedly "Harry are you doing what I think you are doing?" He asked. He didn't sound like he was happy nor displeased by it and Harry slowly nodded nervously,
"I am. I will give my full support of the minister we choose. But, I refused to be treated as a child in this. Since I am going to have to be taking a lot of interviews and working with the reporters and the public I am also going to be in on the case. I won't just be used for photos. I will have a say in things. Understood?" He said with determination and Dumbledore nodded,
"Since you will be working with the new minister the most then you'll of course have the final say in the matter"
As the members started to get upset Dumbledore yet again quieted them down, "Relax people. Harry is the right person. Don't worry. But Harry, you know that Fudge will of course fight?"
Harry nodded,
"And you know what he might do?"
"I do" Harry said
"Very well. This will be enough for now. Meeting adjourned"
The next week passed slowly, as nothing of interest happened.
Harry had told the guys that knew that he was in the order what had happened, as well as Angel and the Elves.
At first they protested because it would take a lot of his energy and time and he still needed to relax.
That was why he was now, standing out side of McGonagalls office while his friends were outside where he was actually supposed to be now.
He knew that this would take a lot of time, and he was busy before let alone how he would be when he started his regular training now.
Angel had of course convinced him to use his old homework and assignments so he didn't have to use all his time doing his homework again, and of course it helped a lot but it not all assignments were the same.
Angel had also come to the conclusion that they'd just have to continue having so few lessons at a week while this was going on, though Harry knew that wasn't possible as he needed his training and this would take months to complete.
So, he had come to a decision. One of the most hardest ones he had ever come to take in his life
McGonagall came to the door and seemed surprised to see Harry standing there alone and troubled,
"Come in Harry" She said though soon,
Harry began fidgeting as she stared at him hard,
"What can I do for you?"
"Erm, you see… he trailed off not really knowing how to say this.
"Yes?" She prompted,
"Well you know that I'll start looking for new ministers next week?"
Given the expression on Mcgonagall face he knew she had not been expecting that
"Yes?"
"And that of course will take a lot of my time, and you also know that the elves are teaching me their language and ways and then their magic and that Angel has been training me?"
"Yes. Though I don't understand what it is that she is training you in"
"Erm, I can't say but you'll find out soon no doubt. But the thing is because Poppy ordered me to take it easy I haven't really been training much or anything. But next week I should be well enough to start coping again as long as I don't overtire myself, and given that in all my other free time I spend teaching the DA and playing quidditch I don't see the possibility. So I've come to the conclusion that I need my training and help the ministry more then anything right now so…
Minerva stayed silent as Harry fidgeted more,
"I'mquittingthequiichddetteame"
"What did you say?"
"I'm… resigning my position as Quidditch captain and seeker at the Gryffindor team"
"WHAT?" The professor screeched before calming herself down,
"I'm sorry professor but it's getting to much. The responsibility of being captain is so much and it was either doing that or quitting the DA and I can't do that. Too many are in it and…
"Relax child" She said softly, "I understand. It was just quite the shock. After all you love the game… don't you?"
"Oh I do. Nothing compares to the feeling of freedom and relaxation as flying does but I don't have the luxury anymore ma'am"
"I've told you too call me Minerva when we are alone Harry. But I understand your reasoning. But remember what you are fighting for. Don't waste your life away Harry"
"I won't. Maybe next year I'll try out for the team again. When this whole thing with the ministry is over"
"Who do you suggest for the captain part while you are away?"
Harry thought about it for a moment, "Ron is a very good at strategy but… he also is a bit of a sloth and he doesn't really care for the responsibility that comes with being captain. Even if he is maturing. And well the others haven't really been on the team that much. Draco, would live up to the responsibility, he being a Malfoy and all that crap, but it wouldn't really be fair since he not only just started on the team but also the house, so I'd actually say Ron… maybe Dean. He sometimes gets really cool ideas and sadly I really don't know him too well to say if he'll hold the responsibility well or not"
"Alright Harry. I'll look into it. But… you will stay on the reserves team. I'll excuse you from practices. It's just so that if the reserve seeker gets hurt we will have a spare"
"Erm, sure… well then, thank you professor" Harry said and walked away.
As to be expected his friends did not take the news so well. Even worse since Harry didn't actually tell them.
Ron found out from McGonagall who offered to make him the captain until next year when Harry might return to the team if he could hold the responsibility. Otherwise it would go to Dean, as he had better grades than Ron… well had had better grades until Ron started his sixth year and knew all the things they learned. And he was with the better players.
She didn't feel comfortable giving the position to Draco as he was still new in the house.
In the end Ron had refused, having been honored enough of simply being offered, but claiming not being able to do both being captain and prefect.
So Dean got the position and Ron was left being very angry at his friend.
They worked it out though ten minutes later though none of the team nor his friends were too happy.
Even the guys that Harry had been really starting to get to know the last week or so weren't happy about it.
Of course they didn't know why he didn't have the time anymore but still….
Other than that the rest of the week passed quickly and on Friday Harry decided to allowed the ones of the twenty new friends he had found who weren't already a part of the DA too join if they wanted.
They gained ten new members, seven had already been in the group and only three refused.
Harry shivered in the cold as he walked slowly forwards. If anyone had seen him they would have thought his dog had just died. He was dragging his feet forward, wearing the most glum expression on his face, his eyes were worn and tired but they betrayed the worry and anxiety he felt.
Thankfully though no one saw him as, it was almost midnight on Friday, and most were asleep or snogging in their common rooms.
He shivered again as a light, cold breezed past him when he walked past a window. The moon light shone in his eyes, and Harry stopped and looked out.
He sighed, he was on his way to the headmasters office to start his work on rebuilding the ministry.
He sighed again. He had been having such a good week, and he had bonded with almost all of his HS members and made so many new friends, and had just been like a normal teenager. Then this had to happen. He knew what he was doing was the right thing, but he shouldn't be the one having to do this. The ministry itself shouldn't even be so much in ruins.
Harry removed his hands from his pockets and looked at them carefully as he bit his lip, a habbit he had gotten from Hermione. He could see the many scars trailing his arm in the moonlight, few from his uncle but most from himself.
Not even his friends knew about that. True he barely did it anymore, but it was more of a security reasons then anything since Harry hadn't been alone for so long. The only time he was alone when was in the bathroom, and if he dared being too long the elves would burst in on him.
But he had managed to sneak away few times, but it was barely worth the effort, and Harry knew that if he did it too often Angel would start suspecting something.
He traced the scar he had gotten the night he had jumped off the Astronomy tower. Funnily it was the most obvious of the all (On his hand that is) It was a constant reminder of the night he had almost taken his own life.
He sighed again, he hadn't thought about that night in a very long time. In fact he had been so buried in his work with Angel and the elves that he hadn't thought much of anything about the time he had spent in the past much.
As Harry stared silently at the Astronomy tower across the castle through the window, he found it hard to resist the urge to go there again.
He
knew it wouldn't help anything if he tried jumping form it again, he
wouldn't die, not really and he would be condemning the whole
world, and he knew he shouldn't sneak away to give himself a yet
another scar but he couldn't help wanting to do it anyway.
He
knew it was wrong and he knew it wasn't healthy, but it helped him,
in a strange sort of way.
Harry sighed again as he felt Freddy over his shoulder, and thrust his hands back in his pockets and started dragging his feets again towards the headmasters office.
He smiled faintly as he remembered McGonagall approaching him earlier that morning, making sure he knew what he was doing. Harry knew that it would be a hard work and would take most of his time, leaving very little in order to do much of schoolwork, but he also knew that if he would take his NEWT's now he would get straight O's. Not to be cocky but he was way past the normal school curriculum at his training with Angel.
"skittles" Harry whispered to the gargoyles and they jumped open for the young Gryffindor.
"Harry my boy, how lovely to see you this evening" The headmaster greeted the boy as he entered the older man office.
"Nice to see you as well Headmaster" Harry said politely, not betraying the anguish he truly felt inside.
"Now, are you ready to start on this?"
"I am" He said as he seated himself besides the headmaster
"Good, good" The headmaster said, "Now every member that is aware of this plan – the inner circle that is- has nominated their best choices of a new minister and I have the folders here. I will of course be helping you to go through them all. Then this Sunday is a ministry gathering where I have managed to get you in"
"You mean one of those snobbish parties where everyone of the guys gather together to smoke cigars and drink brandy and talk about the world?"
Dumbledore smiled faintly but nodded nonetheless "You could say that my boy. Now most of the ones who have been nominated and some who have not will be there. Now we best get started won't we?" He said cheerily as he waved his wand and probably about sixty folders appeared in front of Harry.
Harry groaned, this was going to be a long night.
Please don't kill me. I have a very good excuse for posting so late. Well sort of. You see my internet was broken and I couldn't get online to send the chapter too my beta. Then when finally someone came over too fix it. And besides, it took me much longer then I thought to post because I've been swamped in schoolwork and besides that I haven't been able to access the computer much at all because my sisters are in their exams and had too use the computer too finish their schoolwork and stuff. Anyway, I only got the chapter back from my beta about two days ago, and so now I'm posting it.
I really, really, really am sorry for the horrible delay.
But I have other bad news: I have exams coming up very soon. I'm taking a high school course and fourth of may I have to go over there to take the final test. Then the ninth I have the real exams starting. Don't know what they're called in English, since it's not the same school system there and here in Iceland. But in your last year in the school I'm in then you choose if you want to take these exams, and in which subject you want to take them. They're really important because if you don't take them or fail on them you won't be accepted into any other schools, and I'm taking five of six exams.
The exams start the ninth as I said before and my last exam is the eighteenth. Then, straight after that I have my end of year school trip coming up, which is a really huge thing in tenth grade. And after that the finals start so I'm going to be really, really busy studying so I don't fail.
But on the bright side, then there's only month and one week until the summer vacation starts and I still haven't found a job so I'll probably have a lot of time too write then. And I'm saving up to buy me a lap top this summer so then I'll have my own computer and I'll also be able to write a lot more.
Anyways I'm really sorry for the delay, and I promise to try and post another chapter before the exams.
And I know this chapter is a bit sloppy but it was really this or nothing. I had actually plans on making something special to Harry to lighten his day but I never found the right place to put it in so for now the Hogsmede trip will have to do. Though there will be more soon…
But onto review responses:
Judiken: Yeah, I've gotten a lot of comments on that I'm working Harry way too hard. I was going to have to something special this chapter but I sorta just never found the right place to put it in. I will have him do something fun soon though, but for now I hope the Hogsmede trip will be enough even if it isn't that well written. But Remus and Tonks will most likely not get together though Ron and Hermione will. Harry will no be dating Ginny either. I've already decided the pairing. Sorry. Anyways thank you for your review.
Agusta: Hello... svo ert þu semsagt Islensk? But anyway, it actually was a privet joke between a friend and I. But I guess it is a bit weird reading when the elves talk and actually understanding what they're saying... Though there aren't all that many scenes where they talk elvish. It's so bothersome always writing it and then translating and stuff. Anyways thank you for your review
chickflickgrl82: They might work for him sometimes in the future. I'm thinking it probably won't happen until next summer though, if it happens. Anyways, thanks for your review
BeautifulLady: I'm very happy you liked it. And I really am very sorry for the very much so late update. I'm even more sorry that I won't update until in a month or so again. I have to focus on my upcoming exams first. But I'm glad you liked the last chapter and thank you for your review
MeaghanPotter: Thank you. And sorry about the late update, the computer broke down and I've been busy and lazy... erm but I happen you agree on you with the whole Ginny/Draco thing. Don't get why so many want them together but they won't be together. Though if you have any idea who to pair Ginny with, other then Harry then I'd be happy to hear. Thanks for the review
Akugin Ashura: Thank you. I'm sorry about the late update though, and I'm also sorry about how long it will until I update again next time... but erm thanks for the review
Amros: Sorry too say that all pairings except Ginny have been decided, which means that Harry won't be dating Ginny. I read a lot of stories with those as a pairing but I don't really want it in this story. Sorry. But thanks for the review
Rashira Evans: Well I don't have any idea what so ever if you're reading this since I kind of got the expression that you were not continuing reading this story. It's fine though because what you said is completely true. The beginning of this story is horrible. I've been working on re writing the beginning but so far I've only managed to rewrite the first chapter. I am however going to finish the other chapters that need to be re written soon. I hope anyway. I do though think that I've added a little something that makes the story different then others, even thought he beginning is a bit... bad. Your thing with Hermione was good though and I liked the way you write but since then I've improved and I've gotten a beta and I would like to think that I've gotten much better. But I thank you for your review...
Orlin: Thank you and I'm very sorry about the update. I actually was going to have him be a griffin or something at first but then I really wanted a small cute animal for someone and it just hit me :D...
icedragon925: Thank you... Well it's final with the pairings now and it's going to be Ron/Hermione, Harry/multi-ship, and I'm really thinking Draco with Lavender. Never seen that before and I really wanted to try it. But I like the idea with Harry and an Elf. Have to give that a bit of a thought. Anyway he'll become way more into the politics now that he's going to be sponsoring a new minister and all that. But I probably won't make the chapters shorter. It wouldn't change the updates any, cause I update each time when I have the time. I've just been really, really busy lately and am even going to be more busy now, until after exams. But Next I update I'm going to update two chapters. But thank you for your review
Chrissy227: Well it won't be Draco/Ginny but it will be Ron/Hermione and Harry/multi-ship... for now anyway. I'm very glad that you liked the idea with the Vatican. I have few more weird ideas as well but they won't be seen for now. Thanks for your review and sorry about the late update
Coro:Well thank you very much, I'm very happy you like the story :D... And it will be an Ron/Hermione but not Ginny and Draco. I'm thinking Draco with Lavender, I've always wanted to try to write that... And well, I heard that saying from some Tv show, can't stop saying it since, it's starting to annoy me too ... ah well... thank you for your review
Ugly Duckling: Ok, well it'll be Hermione/Ron, and probably Draco/Lavender and I'll think about Ginny/Neville. I was really getting stumped on who she ought to be with. But it will be Harry/multi-ship for now. I could have him date Luna for a little while maybe but in the end it's not she that he's going to be with. Thanks for the review
Tokris: You know when you put it that way it's kind of scary how I thought up about it. It makes me out like I'm kinda monster or something :S... oh well... but I'm really glad you liked the chapter and I'm really sorry about the lateness of it. And I'm also really sorry to say that it won't be and Ginny/Draco or a Ginny/Harry. I'm probably going with Draco and Lavender and I don't really know on Ginny... someone suggested Neville but I'm not sure... what do you think? But anyways thank you a lot for your review
Crissy Potter:Well I'm afraid to say this will be Ron/Hermione, sorry but everyone keep asking for it and all that. I actually prefer it when they're not together too, I think they fight way too much but there are some stories out there that are really good with that ship and I suppose they can be ok. Anyways thank you for your review.
Jaina Solo Fel: Well you'll be happy to know then that it won't be a Ginny/Draco either. I'm thinking Draco with Lavender but I'm not sure about Ginny... what do you think? Someone mentioned Neville... but thank you very much for the review, it's always fun having a review that helps and gives constructive criticisms. And I'm again sorry for the lateness of this chapter... I'm starting to say way too often for my liking... but hey... anyways thanks again for the review...
coolwhip0306: It's ok, though it's nice to see from you again Anyway, the letters were just letters from people who'd either heard of the attack, or were at the attack. Just the usual hate/fan mail. And yes the muggles also saw the message though I suppose it's standard procedure to erase the muggles memories from events like that. Harry won't see the message either and he'll probably just meet the transfers. But I don't know really, he might meet someone from the attack later on. Anyway thanks a lot for the review
Ruth: Yeah I know what you mean. I can never figure out who's going to be with whom. Though I don't really care in the end of it, I can live with most pairs. I wasn't really sure on the forms. I wanted them to be original but that's the best I could do. I know it's kind of overdone to have Harry be a multi-animagus.
And thanks, I usually prefer stories with details but not too much of them. I kinda like to make things up in my head sometimes. But the whole key thing is sorta important. Harry is the guardian of the key, hence the key. He had never gotten it sooner I realized. I always had planned to Have Angel give it to him shortly after his birthday but then I just always forgot so I just put it in there. So the key is actually the key to Hell's gate. If he looses the key anybody could just open hell, and you also need the key to be able to close hell again. Anyways no problem with the length of the review, I like them longer. But thank you a lot for the review
I would also like too thank, Phoniex Love, Angel Lillian PotterIce-Phoenix-Tearsicaroktwesterna, fern12 and Pleione very much for their reviews.
And I would also like top thank my beta reader because with out her I would never have made it this far with the story.
Promise too try keep up witht eh writing so I have two chapters by the end of the exmas,
Love
Cute-kittycat-in-love