"Severus, tell me about the Dursleys." Lord Voldemort's blood red eyes looked down to the man who was silently kneeling at his feet. After all of the failed attempts at the boy who lived, the Dark Lord had finally found a way to deal a crushing blow to the boy. Severus kept his eyes to the floor as he started to speak in a low mumble.
"My lord, as you know, Potter is protected by an ancient form of magic. Dumbledore as a last resort to protect boy implemented this form of magic. The blood that flows through his veins holds the protection together. Becau-"
"CRUCIO!" Voldemort was slowly becoming impatient with what he was being told. Severus was supposed to be reporting on things that would benefit in the destruction of the boy. "You are telling me things that I already know. Is there anything new that you have to add?" With out lifting the curse, Voldemort waited for Snape's reply.
"Y-yes m-my l-l-lord."
"Finite. Then I would suggest that you get to the point." Voldemort leaned back into his chair as Severus slowly got back into the kneeling position with his face just inches above the ground.
"My lord, Petunia Dursley is the only living relative to Potter's mudblood mother. The blood that flowed through her veins is the same that flows through the Dursley woman. We kill the Dursleys and we destroy any protection that is bound to Potter." Severus waited for the pain that he knew would be coming his direction. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead under the mask that he wore.
"As simple plan as that is, there is still one problem. The house is also under the protection of wards set in place." Voldemort started to raise his wand again for Snape having wasted his time.
"My lord, I have access to the house as I was one of the trusted in protecting the boy. I know about the wards around the house and how to bring them down. I faithfully served you then, my lord, just as faithfully as I serve you now." Severus bent lower to the ground in reverence to his master. Slowly Voldemort lowered his wand as his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.
"Severus, it appears that your time away from me has proven to be valuable. You are in charge of making the plan against this Dursley. You are to only take a couple of the most loyal with you."
"As you command my lord, so shall it be done." Severus remained kneeling in front of the man seated on his dark throne. Time has proven it unwise to leave before you were told to.
"That will be all. Send young Malfoy in before you take your leave. He has failed me once already, and he must learn that failure will not be tolerated. He will be with you once again. I am designating him as the one to make the hit. If he fails again, he does not leave the house alive."
Severus slowly got to his knees and crawled back before rising to his feet and backing out of the room. Once Severus was away from the large room, he apparated to Malfoy Manor.
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"Remus, may I talk with you for a moment?" Harry looked over to Tonks and offered her an apologetic frown. As much as Harry felt bad for interrupting their conversation, this was one thing that he felt could not wait.
"Sure Harry." Remus looked back to Tonks and murmured his apology before following Harry away from the crowd. As Harry slowed to a stop away from everyone, Remus was able to see that something was troubling the young teen. "What's wrong Harry?"
Harry turned to face Remus as a single tear fell from his eye. From Dumbledore's tragic death until now, this was the first time that Harry has ever shown any sort of emotion one way or the other. "Answering the question of what is wrong would not even begin to scratch the surface. It is far easier to ask what is not right."
Remus looked at Harry and felt the pain that was flowing through the boy. "Everyone will miss him Harry. There was nothing that anyone of us could have done to help him. But you must remember that this is a war that we are fighting and there will be many casualties before it is over; on their side as well as ours."
"You are wrong about one thing. I was there when Professor Dumbledore was murdered. I was there when he begged for help while one of those he trusted struck him down. If I was able to move, the-"
"Then you would have been killed as well. Harry, I am sorry for the pain that you are going through. I can honestly say that I know how you feel. We both have had friends betrayed and murdered by someone that we have trusted. I am just as angry as you are about what has happened. Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that the war will still rage forward despite the pain that we feel. It is my fear that the Professor's death is only the beginning of what will come. This has been a mighty blow to our side with the death of our leader. We are now fighting a war with out the guidance of our general." Remus paused and noticed that Harry's eyes had taken on a distant look. Before he could say anything else, Harry spoke.
"Remus, our general may have fallen, but we are not without a leader. The only question remaining is if there are any who are willing to follow?" Harry averted his eyes till they were boring straight into Remus'. The intensity of Harry's gaze caused Remus to take a step back. As Remus stared into Harry's eyes, he could have sworn that he saw flickers of electricity pulsing through his eyes.
"Harry, you can't possibly mean that-"
"As I said early, will there be any willing to follow. Remus, what do you know of the events that took place in the Department of Mysteries two years ago? Do you truly know why that location was targeted by Voldemort himself?" Remus had to catch his breath as the memories of that night played inside his mind. That was the night the last Marauder had fallen and Harry almost with him. Remus held back the tears threatening to unleash as he met Harry's gaze.
"All I truly know is that Voldemort was in search of a prophecy, a prophecy that had somehow tied the two of you together. I also know that the prophecy was destroyed before he could hear what it entailed. What does this have to do with you taking over what Dumbledore had started?" Remus noticed for a second time that blue crackles of electricity were pulsing in Harry's eyes. Remus wasn't sure if he should fear for himself or the poor soul that Harry would unleash it on.
"It has everything to do with it. 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…' What I have just told you is what Voldemort was trying to steal that night at the Ministry." Harry paused to let what he just told Remus sink in.
Without warning, Remus dropped to the ground with unshed tears falling from his eyes. After a few moments, Remus looked to see that Harry was kneeling in front of him with emotionless eyes. "I am so sorry Harry. I had no idea about any of this."
Harry looked over the man sitting in front of him with a soft gaze. "I know, which is why I told you now. I had a hard time believing it was me at first until Professor explained it all to me. As you now know, that prophecy could have fit for me and one other person, Neville. I asked Dumbledore if he was sure it was me, and he broke it down piece by piece. The part that turns the tide in my favor was when it said that he would mark me as his equal." Harry paused as he pointed to his scar. "Fortunately, Voldemort only knows the first half of the prophecy."
"What do you mean only the first half?" Remus looked to Harry with a questioning expression.
"As Dumbledore was listening to the prophecy, a friend threw the door open and knocked a spy into the room who was listening to what was being said. Before all was said and done, the Death Eater was able to report to Voldemort what little bit that he had managed to overhear. The rest of which you know." Harry took a steadying breath waiting for the question that Remus was sure to ask.
"Harry, are you telling me what I think you are?" Remus watched as Harry's eyes turned to stone.
"I am saying that Severus Snape reported what he had heard to Voldemort which in turn eventually led to the death of my parents, your friends. He was the Death Eater who was listening outside the door as the prophecy was being spoken. I only just learned of this a little while ago, or I would have killed him myself when I had the chance. All this time, Snape was spying on us for Voldemort when we had thought it was the other way around." As Harry spoke, he saw that Remus' eyes had hardened with every word.
"Had I known what you just told me, I would have killed him myself. But that is not the goal at hand. What I need to know is what you plan to do." Remus sat quietly staring into Harry's cold green eyes.
"I plan on doing a couple things first. This is the actual reason why I wanted to pull you aside. As you may know, I am no longer going to live with the Dursleys. I have cleared out my stuff and will not return. As much as I would like to live with the Weasleys, I do not want to put them into any unnecessary harm. I have wanted for a long time to live in the house of my parents. That is why I wanted you. I wish for you to show me where my parents lived, where my home is."
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"Enter!"
A pale-faced blonde-haired boy had raised his hand to knock at the door when a booming voice emerged from somewhere beyond. As quickly as possible, the boy opened the double doors and strode into the room where he promptly fell to his knees before a fearsome looking man. A few moments passed before any words were spoken between the two of them.
"Draco, do you know why I have summoned you hear before me?"
Draco took in a silent breath to gather his thoughts on what he would say. However, before he could utter a word, the man in the high-backed chair raised his wand and narrowed his eyes to little slits. "CRUCIO!"
The pain that ran through Draco's body was like nothing he had ever felt before. Draco's joints and limbs contorted into odd angles as he arched his back at what seemed like a thousand knives stabbing everywhere. Meanwhile, Voldemort continued to talk in what seemed like a conversational tone.
"Young Malfoy, you were summoned here to account for your utter failure at what I had instructed you to do. Your task before receiving your mark was to kill the muggle-lover. However, you were unable to do so, and as a result, my spy was forced to compromise his position to fulfill your duty. FINITE!" Draco immediately stopped convulsing on the floor. However, it was a moment or two before he could finally rise to his knees again. Voldemort waited silently for Draco to return to his knees before he said another word. "If it had been anyone else who had failed on this magnitude, they would have been killed instantly. However, your father has pleaded for me to allow you another chance. If you fail me again, you will not live long enough to regret it. I believe Severus is with your father at this moment. Return to the manor and speak to them."
Draco took those words as his cue to leave. Once Draco was outside the chamber room, he disappeared with a muffled crack, leaving nothing but a faint trail of smoke.
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Lucius and Severus were sitting in the parlor of Malfoy Manor when they both heard a slight popping sound coming from the area just beyond. As one, they both rose from their seats to go and greet the new arrival. As the two men entered the entrance area, they watched as Draco slowly lifted himself and walked towards them with a slight stiffness to his step. As Draco came to a slow halt, he raised his eyes to meet those of the men standing before him.
"Father. Severus." Draco paused with his greeting before finally being able to put words to his thoughts. "Thank you for finishing what I could not, Severus. And father, thank you for showing mercy and requesting for my life to be spar-"
Before Draco could finish, he realized with a sudden pain on the left side of his face that his father had just backhanded him. "What you received tonight from the Dark Lord was merely a taste of what it took for me to spare your life. You fail again and I will get you before the Dark Lord does, son." With those words, Lucius turned and went back into the room from which he had left. Severus soon followed muttering a quick 'follow me' to Draco.
Draco followed Severus into the parlor and slowly made his way to where he could face to the men. As Draco came to a rest, his father once again addressed him.
"Draco, you have once again been called upon by our master to carry out a task which will give you the honor of bearing the Dark Mark. Should you fail in this task, you will be terminated immediately. You task will commence in three days, as it is now your job to eliminate the protection that Potter has over his life. You job will be to kill is muggle aunt, Dursley. Two other Death Eaters will join you, but you are the one making the hit. If you do not, then they will kill you per their instructions. What are your questions?" Lucius sat silently to ensure that his son knew what he was to do.
"I have no questions father. I am well prepared to do what I know must be done." Lucius studied his son for a moment before giving him a quick nod. With that last acknowledgement, Draco left the manor to start down a path he never thought imaginable.
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Remus studied Harry for a moment before he spoke again. "Tomorrow, I will take you to Godric's Hollow." Remus looked over Harry's shoulder before addressing the teen once more. "I'll meet you in the kitchen tomorrow morning and we will leave then. As for now, head back to the party and hang out with your friends. We'll speak about this when we meet again."
Harry smiled and thanked Remus before heading back toward the tables. As Harry turned, He noticed that Ginny was standing off to the side waiting for Harry to return. As he approached, Ginny walked up to him and placed her arm in his.
"So what did you need to talk to Remus about? Nothing important I hope." Ginny looked up to see a slight smile on Harry's lips.
"No Gin, not really. Remus agreed to take me home tomorrow so that I will be able to see what it is like." Ginny looked confused for a moment before Harry cleared things up for her. "Remus agreed to take me to Godric's Hollow tomorrow morning. I asked him if he could show me where my parents lived and he agreed to it."
Ginny had the look of surprise in her eyes as she looked up to Harry. "Harry, that's wonderful. It's good to here that you will be able to return to your birth home. Will you be ok? I can't really imagine the emotional pain that you may go through."
Harry's drifted across the backyard of the Weasley's with a slight frown spreading across his face. "I'll admit that it will be difficult. Bit I think that it's time for me to go home, my real home. If its ok with your mom, would you like to come? I'm sure that I could use all the support that I could get."
Ginny breathed in a slight gasp as what Harry said started to sink in. "I would love to and I'm sure mom wouldn't mind as long as Remus would be there with us. Give me just one minute and I'll go ask her if it'll be ok."
Harry watched as Ginny ran over to where her mom was standing and quickly started to whisper into her ear. Molly looked at her daughter then to where Harry was standing before looking back at Ginny. After a silent moment, Molly offered Ginny a slow nod before turning back to her other guests.
As Ginny walked back to Harry, he could see that she had a wide grin on her face. Without any warning, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulders. Harry, who was taken by surprise, slowly encircled Ginny with his arms and held her close as soft music started to drift across the yard. As if was the most natural thing in the world, Harry and Ginny started to slowly sway in time with the soft enchanting music. It was as if no one else existed but the two of them slowly dancing in each other's arms. Although Harry and Ginny were in their own little world, their dancing did not go unnoticed to others who were around them. Ron and Hermione noticed the two of them and slowly walked over and started to dance as well. Soon there after Remus and Tonks were dancing as well. In what seemed like a matter of moments, almost everyone who came and was not eating was dancing.
After what seemed like and eternity with Ginny, Harry looked around to notice that the majority of the guests had either left or were inside with the rest of the family. The only couples that were still dancing were Ron and Hermione as well as Remus and Tonks. Once Harry had made eye contact with Ron and Remus, he and Ginny slowly made their way back to the house with Ginny's arm in his. As everyone walked through the Weasley's house one last time, the four teens said his or her goodnights and went to bed.
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Harry awoke early the next morning to find that Remus and Ginny were already in the kitchen eating the breakfast that Molly had made for them. As Harry entered the kitchen, Ginny flashed him an encouraging smile as he took a seat across from Remus.
"Good morning Harry! How did you sleep last night?" Molly smiled as she placed a plate full of food in front of Harry before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It was good Mrs. Weasley. I'm just a little nervous about today. I guess you could say that I am scared of going home. I don't really know what to expect." Harry lowered his eyes to the table and Ginny placed a comforting hand on Harry's.
"Don't worry Harry. Both Remus and I will be there for you. Everything will work out for the best." Harry looked up to Ginny and gave her a brief smile.
After a half hour or so, Harry and Ginny followed Remus outside The Burrow to apparate to Godric's Hollow. Once each teen had a firm grasp on each of his arms, Remus apparated away. After a dizzying few seconds, Harry was able to open his eyes and look upon the house he was born in. This was the first time that Harry has been back to this house since his parents were murdered some sixteen years ago. Without realizing it, silent tears started to flow down Harry's cheeks. Ginny noticed this and slowly wrapped her arms around him and brought Harry into a gentle embrace. After composing himself, Harry looked to Remus and gave a slight nod to signify that he was ready to walk to the house.
After a short walk up to the house, Harry looked up to Remus with a puzzled expression on his face. "Err, Moony, how do I open the door?"
Remus followed Harry's gaze and noticed that there wasn't a doorknob for them to use and gain entrance. "Well, I'm not exactly sure. I guess you should just place your hand on the door and see what happens."
Harry looked back at the door and slowly placed his hand on the center. As soon as his hand reached the door, it started to grow dark crimson and a stag's head emerged from the wood.
"Who dares to intrude on this hallowed ground?" Harry was seemingly dumbstruck and instinctively tried to pull his hand back. "I warn you now, if you leave before answering, the wrath of Prongs shall befall you. Now I ask again, state your name."
"My name is Harry Potter, accompanied by Miss Ginevra Weasley and Messers Moony. I am the son of Messers Prongs and his wife Lily. I have returned home." Harry managed to speak just above a whisper as he turned to look back. Harry was taken by surprise to see that Ginny was beaming at him while Remus had a tear falling from his eye. Slowly, Harry turned to face the door once more.
Slowly, the door changed to an emerald green shade and the stag spoke once more. "Welcome home Harry." The door slowly opened to reveal a massive foyer area with halls branching off in different directions. As Harry stepped through the doors, he felt a warm tingling sensation, which to him seemed like the house finally welcoming him home.
Harry had only managed a couple steps before the grandeur of the place stopped him in his tracks. He had never in his dreams thought that his parents had lived in a place such as this. Although the house could be compared to a medium sized home, the detail of the place was beyond anything Harry had ever seen. The woodwork on the stairs leading up was finished in dark mahogany wood with finely carved lions heads at the base of the handrails. The floor was made of brightly polished oak almost to the point of reflection. As Harry stood there taking in his home, Ginny and Remus both walked up beside him and while Remus placed a hand on his shoulder; Ginny wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Welcome home Harry." Harry looked up to see that Remus again had silent tears falling from his eyes.
"Thanks Moony. Thank you for finally bringing me home." Harry turned and hugged the man who was once one of his father's closest friends, the last remaining marauder.
Harry turned and started to walk through the house that his parents had lived in. As he approached the first door, Harry took in a slight gasp at what he found. As Harry scanned the room, Harry saw that there were books everywhere. Harry walked into the room and turned to look at Remus.
"This is your parents private library. Your father has a vast collection of books ranging from quidditch, which he loved, to both defensive and offensive spells. Many of the books that your father received at the Auror academy can be found in this room. I should say that you as well as your friends would find them all very interesting. Your mother also has a vast array of books in here as well. However, most of her books revolve around charms and protective spells. If I am not mistaken, her private journal can be found on the desk which she used when developing her own charms."
Harry turned one last time to look at the room while making a mental note to bring Hermione back the next time he returned. Harry left the room and proceeded to reacquaint himself with his home. The next room that Harry saw was the den. Harry paused at the entrance to see that this room was set up similar to the Gryffindor common room in the sense that there were two large couches set up in the room with a stuffed chair off to the side. Along the front of the room was a large fireplace and above that was a family portrait of James, Lily, and baby Harry in Lily's lap. Harry took a second to stare at the picture before he started to walk again. As Harry continued to walk, he found a spacious dining area and a kitchen that he knew Molly would love to work in. Harry finally had made a full circle of the downstairs area and paused at the foot of the stairs.
Remus paused behind Harry and slowly realized why he had stopped. Not wanted to cause any awkward feelings, Remus tried to change the subject. "Harry, I think that if you step out back, you may find something that you and your father have very much in common."
Harry turned to look at Remus and smiled at him, thankful that Remus had not said what Harry thought he might. Harry had only just now noticed that Ginny had taken Harry's hand as she had given him a reassuring squeeze. "I think that's a good idea. Please lead the way."
Remus offered Harry a smile as he turned and made his way to the back of the house. As Harry and Ginny exited the back door, both had frozen in spot at the scene that was before them. Harry's eyes had gone wide as he had come to realize that there was a full size quidditch pitch in his backyard.
"Just because your father and Sirius left school doesn't mean that they gave up what they had loved. I've lost count of the many games that had been player here. Let's just say that this was the place to be before your family had to go into hiding."
"Yeah, I can imagine so." As Harry and Ginny started to venture into the yard, a large brown owl landed on the ground next to him stopping Harry in his tracks. Harry looked down at the bird then back to Remus with a slightly puzzled face. After retrieving the letter that was tied to the owl's leg, the bird leapt off the ground and immediately took flight. Harry watched the bird fly off before returning his attention to the letter.
Harry looked at the envelope and was surprised to see that there was nothing but his name on the front. Harry turned the envelope over to see that there was an imprint of a dragon on the backside where the flap was sealed. Not sure of what he would find, Harry opened the letter and quickly scanned what was written. In a matter of seconds, Harry's eyes swept up to meet those of Remus.
"Moony, we've got to go. I'll explain when we get to The Burrow. But as soon as we get there, I need for you to assemble anyone that you can for an emergency meeting."
"Harry, what's going on?" There was no way for Remus to hide the worry that was etched in his voice.
"I can't explain everything now, but it seems that The Dursleys are going to be attacked, and this was my warning. I'll explain everything else at the Weasleys."
Without any further delay, Remus took hold of Harry and Ginny and apparated back to The Burrow.
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AN: Well that was fun. Any who, I hope ya'll like where this is going so far. The next chapter should be an enjoyable one. Oh yeah, none of the characters are mine as they are already claimed by Mrs. Rowling…Bummer!