Back To Hogwarts

Harry helped Rosmerta clear away the dishes then whilst she opened up and prepared for the day's work, he walked out of the back door into the garden. The cat had disappeared but a couple of birds fluttered amongst the trees, chirping to each other. He sat down in the centre of the grass then lay back with a sigh and shut his eyes, letting the warmth of the sun wash over him. He let his mind wander over the events of yesterday and hoped Dumbledore would be able to see him soon and tell him what on earth was going on, where Karkaroff had appeared from for a start and what was going on in the wizarding world. Had the Death Eaters, including Draco's father, been sentenced to Azkaban or had they gotten off once again, claiming they had been under the influence of the Imperious curse. Harry clenched his fists and glared up at the bright blue sky. They had better not have been let go again, Sirius had died and it was their fault but especially Bellatrix Lestrange's. It was her shot that had made his godfather fall backwards into the veil; it was because of her he never really got to know Sirius. She was going to die for that, a life for a life.

James screamed as he fell backwards through black clouds cracking with thunder and the pathway above him was lost from view. He broke through the storm and saw for a second, towering iron-grey waves beneath him crashing onto a sandy shore lit by the fleeting flash of lightning. The next instant he'd hit the water, plunging beneath the thundering sea and was dragged down by the swell then thrown forward and he hit the beach with force, the gritty sand scouring his face and hands before being hauled backwards by the next wave. When he was thrown forward again, he scrambled up the sand, coughing up salt water. Rain battered against his skull, feeling like a thousand sharp needles were being hammered into him. James staggered to his feet and spun round wildly.

"Sirius! Sirius! Padfoot, can you hear me? Sirius?"

His yells faded into the storm and desperation overcame him as he ran down the beach calling his friend's name. He tried to wade back into the sea but the sheer walls of water pushed him back again and again. Eventually he sunk to his knees, sobbing in defeat as the downpour beat upon him. The image of Lily, his beautiful Lily, waving goodbye to them was etched upon his mind, her auburn hair set aflame by the rays of the setting sun, tears running down her cheeks.

Sirius was barely aware of the pathway falling away from beneath him, cold air whipping past his face as he plunged downwards into another world. There was a storm here too; the thunder deafening him as it crashed across the sky with lighting bolts splintering before it. He hit the surface of a flooded river, the shock of the freezing water jolting him into awareness. His coat soon became a heavy weight dragging him under and he floundered in the rapidly moving water, occasionally hitting broken branches and other debris being carried along. Sirius eventually managed to manoeuvre to one of the banks and pull himself out onto rocks, still clutching his wand and there he lay, his senses in shock from the fall and cold.

"James?" He croaked. He looked around but it was too dark to see anything and the thunder and roaring of the river blocked out any other noises. He started to cry as the full implications of what had happened hit him. James and he had been thrown out of the pathway into other people's worlds, lost for eternity with no hope of finding each other or Lily again. Lily, he'd taken away her husband and now she and James would never see each other again, it was his entire fault. His previously silent tears turned into agonised howls, swallowed by the otherworldly storm raging above him.

Harry was so caught up in thoughts of revenge that he did not notice Rosmerta until she tapped his on his left shoulder, making him start. He'd whipped out his wand and was on his feet before he realised whom he was pointing it at. Harry stared then realised he was still threatening her with it and quickly put it back into his jeans pocket, looking sheepish.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you come out," he had the grace to look embarrassed. Madam Rosmerta dropped the look of surprise and chuckled, smiling at the look on the teenage boy's face in front of her.

"Don't be, I see you have a Seeker's reflexes! I just wondered if you wanted a drink of anything? Lemonade?" She gestured to a jug full of homemade lemonade and ice on the nearest picnic table. Harry grinned and nodded, grateful that Rosmerta had not been offended by his reaction. He sat on the opposite side of her, under the shade of the parasol and took a long drink from the glass offered.

"This is amazing, Rosmerta!"

Rosmerta looked very proud of herself.

"Made the Muggle way, sometimes things just aren't as good when they're conjured by magic."

Harry grinned, "You should serve this during summer when we come here on a weekend, it'd disappear in seconds!"

"I might well do that!" she laughed, "It'd get you lot into less mischief than butterbeer for a start!"

Harry smirked then watched his ice swirl around in the glass. He missed Hogwarts and his fellow Gryffindors, especially Ron and Hermione. It was a physical ache inside him and he let out a sigh, life was so unfair. Rosmerta noticed his expression.

"What's up Harry?"

"Nothing, I…I just wish all this could be over so I can just get on with life without always wondering what horrible thing is going to happen next."

"We all do. You gave freedom from You-Know-Who for thirteen years, what you did affected people's lives so much Harry. You gave us hope again don't ever forget that. Others may make you think that you're nothing special but you are, you changed the world."

Harry looked up, pain evident in his green eyes.

"No, I'm not the one who changed it, it was my mother dying for me that destroyed Voldemort and now he's back and more people have died, more will die and I can't do anything about it!" His chest heaved as he fought to keep back the tears. He was not going to cry again, he was going to use his pain and turn it to anger, anger against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, anger against the Ministry for doing nothing apart from remove Dumbledore and turn Hogwarts into a prison, anger against being so helpless. Rosmerta rushed around the bench and sat next to Harry, clasping his shoulders and turning him to face her.

"Harry! Harry, look at me!"

Harry took a deep breath and slowly met her gaze. He could see pity and instantly stiffened; he did not want anybody's pity. Rosmerta did not flinch from his anger.

"You're wrong, we can all make a difference in our own way, however small a selfless act may seem. Yes, your parents made the ultimate sacrifice for you but that doesn't mean you are worthless, it means you were deeply loved and meant everything to Lily and James. Keep true to yourself Harry and carry that self belief with you because if you won't, who will?"

Harry closed his eyes and brought the photo of his parents to mind. They had died for him and he was going to make that worthwhile.

"Harry."

He looked up at Rosmerta and she replied by indicating towards the back door. Turning around he saw Albus Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall step out into the sunshine; Hedwig perched on the headmaster's arm.

"Ah, there you are," smiled Dumbledore, "I was afraid we had lost you again but thankfully not. Madam Rosmerta, it is as ever a great pleasure," he bowed and kissed Rosmerta's hand. Professor McGonagall fanned herself with a piece of parchment as she nodded hello to Rosmerta then surveyed Harry over her glasses.

"Potter, thank Merlin we found you!"

Harry was surprised to see relief in her eyes; he was expecting them both to be furious with him for leaving Privet Drive. He dropped his eyes to Hedwig who had flown onto his wrist and was chirruping quietly.

Rosmerta waved them to sit down, "I'll bring out some more refreshments." Dumbledore looked grave. "As loath I am to leave without sampling your delightful cooking I am afraid we have to go back to Hogwarts as soon as possible and make sure Harry has fully recovered from his ordeal and to get him back to a place of safety."

Rosmerta nodded and Harry stood up, turning to her.

"Thanks for letting me stay, I don't know what I could have done if you hadn't been here," he told her earnestly. At least she was not as quick to believe the rubbish in the Daily Prophet as readily as a lot of other wizards and witches were.

She pulled him into a hug and chuckled as Hedwig screeched and ruffled her feathers. "That's no problem Harry, please come back and see me soon, if it's safe to of course."

McGonagall touched his shoulder, "Come on Harry, we've got a lot to talk about."

Harry brought his trunk down from upstairs and waved goodbye to Rosmerta before joining Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall outside. Dumbledore waved his wand and levitated the trunk to follow behind them as they made their way up the road to Hogwarts, Harry wondering where to start with his explanation about where he'd been since he left Private Drive. Before he could think of something to say though, Dumbledore came out of his reverie.

"Why did you run away Harry?"

A glimpse of anger flared in Harry's eyes, the smug gloating faces of the Dursleys appearing before him. "They insulted Sirius."

Dumbledore remained silent while McGonagall hesitantly put her hand on Harry's shoulder, relaxing slightly when he didn't immediately flinch away.

"Still Harry," she said, "you gave us quite a fright."

"I couldn't stay there any longer, I just couldn't."

They walked on in silence until the imposing castle of Hogwarts came into view, looking warm and welcoming. Harry knew this was his home, not the prison cell of Private Drive. He suddenly remembered something and looked at his Head of House and Headmaster.

"Why didn't Mr and Mrs Weasley turn up?"

"The Burrow was attacked by Voldemort's followers," replied Dumbledore gravely.

"WHAT!" Harry stopped dead. "Are they okay? What happened? Where are they?" Harry's panic increased as he imagined The Burrow torn apart by Deatheaters and the bodies of the Weasleys lying in the wreckage.

"Harry, calm down, they're absolutely fine, apart from being frantic about you of course, and as Mr Weasley is eager to tell you all about it himself, I'll leave the details to him."

Harry was almost faint with relief and even grinned at the thought of Ron bursting to tell him what happened, and nobody being able to find him. A thought struck Harry, "Don't you want to know about Karkaroff?" he asked. Dumbledore looked down from where he was studying the stars.

"Yes, eventually but I think that it should wait until we meet the others and are in a secure environment before events are told."

The second they walked into Dumbledore's office, all Harry saw before several people piled on him was a blur of red hair. Mrs Weasley seemed very unwilling to let him go, even when Dumbledore was sat in his seat and coughed politely to indicate they should begin. Eventually Mr Weasley managed to prise her off him and Harry staggered over to a chair next to where Ron and Ginny were sat with mingled looks of embarrassment of their mother's behaviour and amusement at Harry's expression on their faces.

"Hey Harry," said Ron, "Good summer then?"

Harry smirked, "It's been okay, nothing exciting."

Dumbledore let them settle down before indicating to Harry that he should begin. Harry looked down at his hands and tried to sort everything out before hesitantly beginning his story.

"Well, the day you were meant to pick me up from Private Drive," Ron opened his mouth to explain but closed it again when Dumbledore looked at him, "One at a time Mr Weasley, everything shall be told in due course." He turned back to Harry and indicated that he should continue.

"Umm, yeah, like I said, I was waiting for the Weasleys to pick me up but when they didn't come I went back inside. My uncle and I had an argument and I took my stuff and left the house, walking to the park nearby. There Karkaroff stupefied me and when I woke up, I was on a bed in a ruined old house. Karkaroff came in, he was crazy, muttering to himself and rubbing the Dark Mark on his arm and he was a mess, stains all down his front and things. Suddenly he shrieked and ran off, oh yeah, I tripped on a mirror and it smashed so he ran off down the corridor leaving the door open."

He paused to take a breath, Ron was sitting with his mouth open in amazement and Ginny had an incredulous look on her face. Mr Weasley and Professor McGonagall were both raising eyebrows in surprise whilst Mrs Weasley looked mutinous, taking deep breaths. Professor Dumbledore showed no signs of shock, instead just studying Harry intently over his half-moon glasses. Harry cleared his throat.

"I ran down the drive to the road and tried to summon the Knight Bus but all that appeared was a sign saying that 'the service had been momentarily suspended'."

This evidently was common knowledge amongst the rest of them because nobody said anything.

"I decided to go back to the house seen as Karkaroff didn't seem to be much of a threat and wait until morning. I wrote the letter I sent to The Burrow, did you get it?" Ron nodded, "Yeah, I wondered what the hell it was." Ginny started laughing, "Gave him quite a fright, he started yelling about another Death Eater attack." Harry laughed as Ron turned bright red and told his sister to shut up. She replied by giving him a look, which clearly said 'make me', and Harry hastened to finish his part so he could find out what had been happening at The Burrow.

"I didn't see Karkaroff again before leaving and walking to a main road and catching a bus to Guildford. I got a train to London, went into Diagon Alley and bought some floo powder before travelling to The Three Broomsticks. And that's it," he finished with a look at the others. Mr Weasley was the first to speak.

"Why would Karkaroff come back to this country when he ran away after the Triwizard Tournament?

"Presumably he thought that by kidnapping Harry, he could return to Voldemort with a chance of being forgiven instead of being hunted down and murdered by loyal Death Eaters in another country," answered Dumbledore, "Though I'm inclined to think that he would have been killed anyway. The strain of being chased by Voldemort's supporters has evidently taken its toll on Karkaroff's state of mind. I've alerted the Order and they are currently searching for Professor Karkaroff. He seems to have left the address you were held at Harry, but hopefully he has not fled the country again."

"So what happened at The Burrow then?" asked Harry. Mr Weasley's expression grew grim and Mrs Weasley wiped a few angry tears from her cheek before taking a shaky breath.

"Somebody obviously knew we were going to pick you up and told You-Know-Who. They were lying in wait for us to bring you back but the Order had found this out at the last minute and turned up just before we left. There was a short fight and the Death Eaters all apparated away. We sent Errol to reassure you but he must have arrived at Private Drive after you left. Honestly! Death Eaters in my back garden! I've never been so angry…" She subsided into indignant huffing.

Mr Weasley patted her hand. "Then we found out that you'd gone missing!"

"Indeed," said Dumbledore, "It was the following day when Mrs Figg alerted us of your disappearance. Your aunt and uncle had no idea where you'd gone and were quite rude about it. I see you made a bit of a mess of the kitchen, Harry." His blue eyes twinkled in amusement. "Remus found your trunk in a Muggle park further up the road and we assumed the worst, that you had been kidnapped by Voldemort."

Everybody apart from Harry flinched but Harry didn't notice, he was too busy taking all of it in. They must have intercepted Pig's message about when the Weasleys were going to pick him up and set an ambush up around The Burrow. The thought of him being the reason why they attacked made his stomach churn. There was also Hermione, was she in any increased danger from Voldemort now he was back in power, especially since she was muggle-born and one of his best friends? Professor Dumbledore seemed to know what he was feeling because he leant forward and said to Harry and Ron,

"Miss Granger is being guarded at home and she will be escorted to Hogwarts tomorrow. Unfortunately, things are taking much longer now the Knight Bus and the floo network have been suspended. Harry looked surprised. "But I came through the floo network to Hogsmeade."

"Yes, you were very lucky because the Ministry closed it apart from certain approved cases the following day. Why they'd think Death Eaters would use the Knight Bus to travel the country is beyond me but it is what the Minister of Magic sees fit. Anyway, I think that is enough for one evening, may I offer you rooms Arthur, Molly? For the night is getting quite late. I think in the circumstances, you three had better stay at Hogwarts for the remainder of the holidays. Grimmauld Place has seemed to have sealed itself against us for the time being."

Harry hung his head. He could not have gone back there anyway, it would have been far too painful. Mr Weasley clasped his shoulder and he stood up and followed the others out leaving Professor Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his face flickering in the candlelight.