Chapter Four
The Marauders Attack
Serena and Harry began discussing what to do to brighten their days. Nights always seemed fine, but their days had begun to slow down. Their minds were now wandering to pranks they could pull, and soon it was all they could do not to just attack random people with a prank. On the third day of their planning Harry had had enough.
Waking everyone but Hermione, who would no doubt complain about his actions, up early, he took them all to the cafe for breakfast. On the way there it seemed the streets were in havoc wherever Harry walked. None of the four following him were paying much attention to him, or they would have noticed his hands moving before something would happen.
First victim was a man hoping for a paper. Harry felt bad for the man afterwards, promising if he ever saw the man again he would make something nice happen. However, that was not in store for today. As the man reached for a paper, the papers decided not to want to be taken easily, thus swirling around him in a whirlwind fashion. Every time the man would grab one, it seemed five others would begin attacking him until he let it go. This had all his friends laughing in seconds, as they asked if that was normal in the muggle world.
"Sure, even the papers have an attitude here." Harry said smiling. Serena gave him a knowing look, but said nothing.
A long set of cars all suddenly began switching places with their neighbors, though no one seemed to notice. Harry actually made his friends watch for a second. As people came out early, not paying any attention, and began heading towards the space their car was parked. Alarms blared from cars that didn't have any, doors were locked when they should have been unlocked, and just general confusion was about. Harry ushered them away as others began gapping at them all for laughing.
He charmed a few fire hydrants to spray random people, which he would enjoy on the way back home. He also played with a few benches that now no longer liked to be sat on. They kept jumping aside or backwards as soon as someone went to sit. This general type of chaos only lasted from their flat to the cafe. Things happening randomly, purely for the enjoyment of the five.
When they reached the cafe, they sat, still laughing about the things they had witnessed. The waitresses seemed to like the teenagers now, indeed knowing all of them by name. They would often be caught telling stories of some of the things they did in school, of course explaining only the things that could be done without magic. Today, however they talked amongst themselves.
"Harry, you did that didn't you?" Serena asked knowingly, a smile on her lips.
"Did what?" Harry asked innocently.
"Oh yeah, I believe you, Harry. I know you've been out of your mind about how to liven things up." Serena said. "Just be careful, as this could cause unwanted attention."
"I know, that's why only a few of them are actually easy to see for magic. Most of the stuff could be easily explained as an odd phenomena." Harry said.
"All I know mate, whatever you did to those papers was brilliant!" Ron said, still laughing.
"Classic even!" Ginny said.
"How did you do that anyway?" Neville asked.
"That is a marauder secret Neville." Harry said calmly, "Meaning either I'd have to make you a marauder, or kill you after I told you."
Neville swallowed visibly, his eyes wide. "K-k-kill me?" He asked nervously.
Harry started laughing. "Sorry, Nev, its a muggle expression. Means its a big secret." He said.
"Oh, okay Harry. Next time warn me about that, alright?" Neville said, still nervous.
"I'll try Neville." Harry said.
"Harry, why can't Neville be a Marauder?" Ginny asked. "We all are, and its only helped us."
"And keeps us in detention, always worrying if we'll take a joke or prank too far and get suspended, and although we are popular, the only reason we aren't attacked by Slytherins is because they are afraid of us three." Harry said easily. "I also promised his Gran that I would see to it that he stayed safe and didn't get into any trouble at school. You know that I keep my promises."
"Mione never gets in trouble!" Ginny said quickly.
"Mione hides as soon as she knows a plan is about to happen. Of course she doesn't get in trouble." Harry said. "This year, I fear even she may fall with us, as Dumbledore knows that the five of us plan together. I would just feel better if Neville didn't join unless he took up with his Gran that it was his decision, not mine or your's, but his. He has never even so much as mentioned such an idea."
"Actually, Harry, I have." Neville said, smiling nervously. "Just not too you. I talk to Ginny about it a lot. You all look to be having so much fun, and I want to help."
Harry sighed audibly, closing his eyes for a second. Then he looked at Neville, grinning mischievously. "We'll have to have you prank someone when school comes. If you like the idea still we will take your punishment with you, so make sure its worth what we get, then you will be a marauder." Harry said, his grin now arrogant. "But, you cannot be as cool as me! That is not allowed. Besides, I have all these cool tattoos to keep me ahead on that."
Neville laughed heavily. "I don't think that's much of a problem, Harry. After all you are the boy who-" He started.
"Never say that again." Harry said venomously, his eyes narrowed, glaring at Neville. "Never call me that, or even think that about me ever. Is that clear?"
"S-s-sorry, H-Harry, I didn't mean to-to upset you." Neville said, now clearly fearing what Harry might do.
"Harry, stop it. He wasn't calling you the boy who lived, he only meant you would always be ahead of the game because of it." Serena said, her arrogance matching Harry's. "C'mon, Snuffles, it's time you calmed down. Can't have any windows shattering here. That will attract the Order, thinking you can't control it anymore." she added in a soft whisper.
Harry, the anger quickly leaving his eyes, smiled at Neville. "Sorry mate, thought you were gonna start thinking of me as the boy who lived. Don't like that title much, as you can see." Harry said, grinning again "So what are we going to do till two?"
They decided it would be best to observe the damage done around town. Harry caused a few more accidents before he stopped. The other four bumped into him as he stood wide eyed. Standing ten feet away from them were a group of wizards, all looking around trying to find who had charmed the various objects. Harry grew even more nervous when they looked directly at him.
"It's Harry Potter!" One yelled.
"Get him!" Said another.
"Run!" Harry yelled.
The five began running in the opposite direction of the wizards. Harry took the lead and started taking them through alley's and backstreets hoping to loose these wizards. One apparated right in front of him, only to be thrown through the air as Harry held up his hand. Running onto a deserted street, he looked around quickly. He saw his friends, Serena and Ginny appearing fine, Ron doing a bit worse, but Neville was doubled over panting. Harry knew he had to get them away quickly. Seeing the wizards catch up to them, Harry quickly grabbed Neville's and Ron's arms while the girls grabbed him.
Appearing in the living room of their flat, everyone collapsed onto one of the chairs. Looking at each of them, still grinning, Harry saw that three of them thought this was as fun as getting into trouble. Neville, however was having trouble catching his breath. Harry walked to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, handing it too Neville.
"It will help you a bit." Harry said. "Gotta get you running if your going to be one of us, though. Can't have you getting caught in a situation like that." He added smiling. Just then Hermione came from her room, stretching and yawning.
"Why are you all up so early?" Hermione said. Harry fell back on the couch next to Serena.
"Well, we caused a lot of trouble, got chased by a few people in the ministry, and had a pretty good time all around." Harry said. "Oh and we had breakfast at the cafe."
"Do I even want to know?" Hermione said looking at Serena.
"Probably not, that's why we didn't invite you." Serena said smiling.
"Ok, well, I'm going to have a shower then." Hermione said, walking out of the room, leaving the others laughing.
"Remus, we have a problem." Albus said, handing him the Daily Prophet. "This happened four hours ago."
Remus looked at the paper and shook his head. "Tell me they aren't saying what I think they are" He said.
Harry Potter on The Run
The Boy Who Lived attacking muggles?
In an unprecedented case, Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, was seen fleeing the scene of a large mass of muggle attacks, leaving many hurt, and some at a loss, claiming that things that couldn't be happening were. The muggles hurt were not severely injured, however when the scene was being investigated, Harry Potter was seen with four unknown people, possibly muggles themselves. When he was recognized he immediately began to flee the scene, during the pursuit, he was said to have used magic on one Ministry official, and when cornered, he performed an apparition none have ever seen, taking his four accomplices with him. As yet there is no report as to what will happen to Harry Potter, we can only hope that he is not treated so easily as every other time he managed to get out of things, even his complete disregard for wizarding law...
"I do not know, but I doubt it will look good that Harry is in an undisclosed location until further notice." Albus said.
"What have you done, Harry?" Remus said, now worried about his godson. "You know those four weren't muggles." He directed at Albus.
"I know this very well, just as I know he did not apparate." Albus said. "Though I've never known him to cause intentional damage to someone. I do not know what is happening, but I do not like it."
"WHAT!" Harry shouted into the phone. "I did not hurt anyone! I played a few jokes, yeah. I did not cause anyone harm. Does that even sound like me? Hurt people's ego sure, but not physical harm. That's against everything you taught me!"
"What are they talking about Harry?" Serena asked.
"Hold on Moony." Harry said using the speakerphone. "Go ahead."
"The Prophet is saying this, not me. I am only trying to find out what happened. Why did you attack a Ministry employee?" Remus said.
"That was an accident!" Harry said, still fuming. "He apparated in front of me and tried to grab me. I overreacted, and he flew away. The way you say it I put a curse on him!"
"Harry, I'm not accusing you. I'm trying to find out what happened." Remus said.
"We just got bored Moony." Serena said. "Harry was pulling a few pranks. Nothing serious, making papers surround a guy, moving muggles cars around, charming benches not to let people sit on them, and, what were those things that shot water at people?"
"Fire hydrants." Harry said.
"Yeah those things. He didn't do anything that could cause any damage worse than a bruised bum and a paper cut." Serena said.
"Well the Prophet is making it sound a lot worse. Harry you might need to come out of hiding for this." Remus said. "They are trying to make you out to be as bad as they acted like Sirius was."
"I'm not leaving Moony. Take this message to the Prophet." Harry said. "Tell them I said that if they don't print an article that represents the facts accurately, I will come to them in person to make sure they get these facts right, and make sure they know they won't like me to fix their stories."
"Harry, you can't threaten them, that will only make things worse." Remus said.
"He's right, Potter." Serena said.
"How do I fix this?" Harry said calmly.
"I honestly don't know myself, Harry. I will talk to Dumbledore and see what we can figure out." Remus said.
"Tell the Prophet I'll give them my first interview to tell them what really happened." Harry said thoughtfully. "Maybe I can get out of this one with charm and style."
"Alright. They will ask me to be there. Will that bother you?" Remus said.
"Not unless you try to keep me from coming back here." Harry said.
"Then you'll have to deal with all of us." Serena said.
"I haven't tried to keep you from going back there yet, Harry. I won't start now." Remus said.
"Ok, tell them. I'm gonna put Hermione on the phone now, so she can talk to her parents. Can you talk to Neville's Gran and make sure she knows he is still alright." Harry said.
"Of course, now I'll give the phone to the Grangers." Remus said.
"PHONE HERMIONE!" Harry shouted. Hermione came running in and grabbed the phone. Harry walked into his room and fell backwards on the bed sighing.
"Problems, Harry?" Serena said smiling.
"Every time I try to have a little fun, everything goes to hell." Harry said uneasily. "It's almost like everyone wants me to be around just long enough to kill Voldemort, and all the time between then and now, I'm supposed to be perfect and never have any fun."
"Its not that, love, it's that they want you to look as bad as him, so when you do have to kill him, they can say 'The Boy Who Lived has killed!' and not mention who." Serena said.
"Kinda makes me think of offering the bastard a compromise." Harry said sadly.
"What would you offer him though, Harry?" Serena said, indulging him.
"Let me and my friends live peacefully, away from all the hell that he wants to cause, and I will happily disappear from the wizard world and live as a happy muggle." Harry said. "Not too bad for me anyway. I'd get the people I love and a chance to be happy."
"You know you could never do it, Harry." Serena said. "I'd agree if you could, but you'd never stop looking over your shoulder, never stop feeling like the boy who lived. It would only drive you mad in the end."
"I know." Harry said sadly. "I've been thinking. When this war is over, so is the boy who lived."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"I think I'm going to live in the muggle world." Harry said thoughtfully. "Maybe stay here. You seem to like it anyway. We could just build a nice muggle life and forget all the troubles we had during this war."
"Harry, I thought you wanted to be an auror." Serena said.
"Not after he is gone. I'm tired of facing dark wizards time and again." Harry said. "I want a peaceful life. I'll never get that in the wizarding world. I'll always be the boy who lived, or the boy who defeated he who must not be named. I'm tired of titles. When this war is over, the prophecy fulfilled, I just want to be regular Harry Potter."
"Sounds good to me." Serena said. "If that is what you want, Harry, I won't stop you."
"But will you join me? Could you be happy just being a muggle? You loved your job, even I know that." Harry said, smiling.
"No, I loved who I was watching. My job was tiresome, and I was used too much." Serena said. "I wasn't even thinking of becoming an auror again. I was thinking maybe a job in the ministry, but I could be happy being a muggle who uses magic to cook and clean." She said laughing.
"We'll never be normal will we?" Harry said smiling at her.
"Probably not, but we'll have fun, and that's the important bit." Serena answered, smiling happily.
"Definitely." Ginny said from the doorway. "So muggles after the war huh?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Harry said, smiling at his friends looking in at the doorway.
"Seems like I'm going to need a lot of training then." Ron said.
"Sounds like we all will." Ginny said knowingly.
"Oh so we are all going to live here then?" Harry said laughing.
"Of course we aren't going to let you get away with leaving us behind." Ron said.
"After all, this sounds like a great adventure." Ginny said. "Hey we could travel, see America and anyplace we wanted too."
"Well, Harry, it seems we'll never be lonely!" Serena said laughing.
A few days later found Harry waiting for his interview. Serena had swore she was following to make sure that only the truth was told, but Harry suspected it was because they had hidden in the flat to avoid any more pranks. They were growing increasingly bored, almost ready to go back to Grimmauld Place, where at least there was a lot of people that would put up with their pranks.
They had decided the best place to meet was in one of the private rooms at the Leaky Cauldron, so they would be away from a large group of people. No one seemed too happy to see him, aside from Remus and Dumbledore, who had come more to offer support than anything. What's worse was they were getting more bored by the second, and this reporter was at least twenty minutes late.
The reporter finally showed up, looking like her time was being wasted. Harry sighed as he realized this would not be a good meeting. He looked at Serena who nodded in agreement. They had begun this about the same time as Harry decided on the interview, talking without words. It almost seemed they knew exactly what the other was talking about.
"I wish Sirius were here." Harry whispered to Serena.
"Me too." She whispered back, nodding sadly.
"Mr. Potter?" The woman said. Harry lifted his hair up easily. "I see, my name is Gineveive, and I will be interviewing you today."
"Nice to meet you, Miss." Harry said smiling. "Are you going to be using a quick quotes quill today?"
"No, no, ghastly things they are." Gineveive said, smiling. "I see you've had an experience with them."
"Rita Skeeter." Harry said simply.
"I see." She said grimly. "I'm amazed you were willing to do an interview then, even if you are defending your actions." She added slightly arrogant.
"No he's not!" Serena said loudly. "He is going to tell the truth. There is no need to defend his actions." She said calmly.
"Surely you're not saying-"
"Shut up!" Harry said, annoyed. "Do you want an interview or argue over what I did?"
"Well I came here for an interview." She said, sounding rather dignified.
"Then it will work this way." Harry said calmly. "You will keep your mouth shut while I speak. Serena may interrupt me occasionally to add her own comments and set me straight, as for a while I was only looking out for our safety. When I am through I will make sure you only said exactly what I said. If not, then I will fix it. Are we understood?"
"Do you think you have any-"
"A yes or no will do." Harry said calmly.
"Yes." Gineveive said angrily.
"Good." Harry said cheerfully. "So where would you like me to begin?"
"Could you just tell me what happened that day?" She said, trying to sound calm.
"Certainly." Harry said. "First of all, anyone who knows me and my friends from Hogwarts knows that I love jokes and pranks. Well since summer began I have been completely prank free. Its really rather annoying. Well my beautiful and wonderful girlfriend, Serena Black, started telling me it might cheer me up to pull a few jokes. Against my better judgment I decided she was right."
"Drop dead, Potter." Serena mumbled.
"Harry." Dumbledore warned.
"I know I know." Harry said smiling. "Anyway, We went out with some of our friends, and managed to charm things without using magic. Really very hard to do. Takes a lot of studying. If you ask any of the Ministry officials who were there, you will find that I haven't used magic since the day I left Hogwarts. No one chose to mention that though. I didn't apparate either, but that's getting ahead of the story.
"The only harm that came to any muggle was confusion, or a sore bum. I didn't do anything to cause any damage that would require anyone to do anything other than sit uncomfortably for a few hours. After doing this, we had breakfast at a cafe near the area. When we exited, we did not see Ministry officials. We saw five wizards in a muggle area.
"With Voldemort at power again, I became worried of course. Not being real magic, I naturally didn't think the ministry would become involved. I only thought that a Death Eater had seen me, and not being able to use magic yet, as well as not being able to show muggles magic, I ordered my friends to run."
"I was not ordered." Serena said proudly. "I merely chose to follow you."
"Sorry Serena." Harry said laughing. "Anyway we ran. The thought that I attacked a ministry official is ludicrous. First, I had no wand, so I could not have harmed him magically. He apparated in front of me, and when I became worried I pushed him out of my way. Then we continued running till one of my friends couldn't run anymore."
"And the apparating?" Gineveive asked.
"There was no apparating." Harry said smiling. "I did a spell during the year, for the safety of me and my friends, that turns a person into a portkey, for lack of a better word. It is tied to emotions, such as fear, anger, and love. Any of those can trigger the effect. I told my friends to grab hold of me, cause I could feel that it was about to happen."
"Do you expect me to believe that?" She spat.
"Believe it or not." Harry said, still smiling. "However, Dumbledore is the one who showed me the spell. He was worried I would be forced to fight Voldemort when I wasn't ready and wanted me safe."
"Is this true, Headmaster Dumbledore?" She asked.
"It is quite true. I had to make sure he was safe, though I cannot as yet reveal the reason for why." Dumbledore said.
"So you mean that these five Ministry officials, who identified themselves as such, did not seem to be who they were?" Gineveive asked.
"When did they identify themselves?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. All they said that I heard was 'Harry Potter' and 'Get him!'. Didn't hear 'Stop we work for the Ministry!'." Serena said calmly.
"Where is your proof?" Gineveive asked, cockily.
"I can give it to you if I could be permitted to use magic outside of school." Harry said.
"I can temporarily grant that ability Harry." Dumbledore said. "Provided there are no objections by your guardian."
"None here, Albus. By all means Harry." Remus said, nodding.
"Moony, could I use your wand?" Harry asked. Remus smiled and nodded. Harry pulled out a paper, tapping it he said calmly. "I solemnly swear that I am no good." Serena smiled, as did Remus. It was a slight change but it suited Harry's new style.
The parchment suddenly became a page that stated simply what it was.
All hail the Marauders! Moony, Padfoot, Snuffles, and Red. Firelight and Bambi soon to come. Welcome to the Marauders memory.
"What is that?" Gineveive asked. "Who are the Marauders?"
"Too many questions. Which do you want answered?" Serena asked.
"Both if I could." She said.
"What do you think Harry?" Serena asked.
"Moony?" Harry asked.
"Keep some groups secret." Was all Remus said.
"Agreed." Harry said. "This is close to a pensieve, without keeping your memories."
"How does it work?" Gineveive asked, now curious.
"Again, too many questions. Merely accept it." Harry said. He began writing on the paper.
Snuffles requires his memory of the five mad wizards on the day of the pranks.
Serena wrote quickly, Padfoot agrees that the mad wizards memory is important.
"Moony, write you agree." Harry said.
Remus wrote, Moony, the oldest Marauder, agrees with the first two, and would congratulate them on their brilliance.
Handing the paper back to Harry, he smiled. "What was that about Harry?" Remus asked.
"Shh." Serena said. "Everyone stay quiet."
A second later a white line connected the paper to Harry's head, and the paper was showing them the scene of the five wizards. Everyone saw Harry's shocked face, the wizards screaming get him, and them running. He showed the scene until it came to the scene of the wizard apparating in front of them. This is where it stopped.
"See enough?" Harry asked smiling. "Too answer your question Moony, this paper knows exactly how many marauders are in a room, and all must agree to let someone show something before it can be seen. We made it last year, before our exams."
"Who are Firelight and Bambi?" Remus asked.
"Too many questions for mixed company." Harry said smiling. He looked back to Gineveive. "So does that give you the proof you need to believe my story?"
"Yes, I believe so." She said calmly. "Would you like to look at the article now that it is written?"
"I believe so." Harry said smiling. Harry waved Remus' wand for show, while using his own magic on the paper and the woman. "Okay, you can print any article about me you want. But know that all five of us here know the truth."
"I will, Mr. Potter. Have a good day." She said quickly leaving. Harry started laughing as she left, handing Remus back his wand.
"Thanks for that. At least I didn't have to explain why magic was happening with no wand." Harry said, still laughing.
"Did you?" Serena asked. Harry nodded. "Good job!"
"What did you do, Harry?" Remus asked.
"That woman can now only write the truth. No matter what she thinks she is writing or even sees herself writing, all that really comes is the truth." Harry said, finally calming his laughter.
"Amazing." Remus said, smiling at Harry.
"Quite a good show. But is that wise, considering the truth of your matter?" Dumbledore said.
"She doesn't know. To her, the truth is what I said. So no I am not worried." Harry said. "Thanks for the cover by the way."
"Not a problem, Harry." Dumbledore said smiling. "You seem to handling your powers well."
"No choice." Harry said. "Control them or lose control of everything."
"Well, I think you made the right choice." Dumbledore said. "Now, you should go, and be careful. I fear that you may have some unwanted guests near you soon."
"Understood." Harry said.
"I suppose this is the end of the fun?" Serena said.
"Yeah, sadly no more jokes." Harry said, frowning. "Looks like another boring summer."
"Hey!" Serena said, offended.
"Oh! Not that boring, I promise, not that boring." Harry said. "Please?"
"I see you are learning." Serena said.
"He always did pick up on things quickly." Remus said smiling.