Title: An Claidheamh Soluis (Sword of Light)

Author: AineRose

Rating: PG- may be some swearing

Updated on: 25 July 04

Feedback: Yes, please!

Distribution: Want, Take, Tell

Disclaimer: Yes, I am JK Rowling. NOT!

A/N: Well, I wan't planning to even post this story until it was finished, because I have a big problem with starting stories and never finishing them. Ever. I haven't even got the plot properly worked out in my head for this one.

But, I've got amazing feedback for just the Prologue of this, and I want to continue. I apologize if updates are few and far etween, but I can be quite perfectionist when I want to be.

I'm dying to get this written up now, so I don't have time to write a proper thank-you to anyone who reviewed, but thank-you to

Phaedra-14 deborahfr Andrea Phynix1 xxxNighteyesxxx minniemae jameslvr Bellatrix Riddle shadowphoenixstar Jellybaybee555

Kalasin of Conte ootp-rules volleypickle16 SiriusGirl86 insomniac HedwigCutie Jen hots4harry73 Shadow of a Cat hermoine21

Chapter 1: Harry's Woes

Hundreds of miles away, Baby Harry was no longer a baby. In fact, he was only a day away from his sixteenth birthday. I would be lying if I told you that he was looking forward to his birthday. He didn't expect anything to happen and was thoroughly depressed at having nobody to spend it with. His beloved godfather Sirius had died only recently, leaving Harry depressed and guilty.

His guardians, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had mercifully left him alone this year, but Harry was beginning to regret telling them of Voldemort's return and Sirius' innocence (though they were under the impression he was still alive). His Aunt had taken it upon herself to peer outside the window every ten minutes. Harry didn't bother to tell her that Voldemort probably wouldn't decide at the spur of the moment to join them for dinner, which Harry supposed Aunt Petunia was most worried about. He did tell her that Dumbledore had placed wards on the house to protect them all but it hadn't succeeded in pacifying her. If he were honest he quite enjoyed it; and the idea of Voldemort strolling down the path, dark cape billowing, a bouquet of flowers in his hand, humming and ringing the doorbell courteously was one of the few things that had kept him marginally sane over the holidays.

He had taken up Occulmency again, teaching himself with only the memory of Snape's lessons to guide him. He was pleased with his progress, and though the dreams still came, and his scar still burned, he felt that the pain had lessened (Of course, he could have been imagining it, but he liked to believe the former).

He had spent many hours outside, not doing anything much in particular, but he always made sure he was back before dark, because he didn't wasn't a repeat of the previous year, even if Umbridge had been the one releasing Dementors into perfectly innocent suburban estates in the hope of getting a fifteen year old boy expelled from school. His Aunt and Uncle really didn't care what time he came home at anymore. Moody's eye had worked perfectly, for one. They were also terrified of Social Services.

The big news of the summer was that Dudley had been expelled from school, for using little Mark Evans as a punching bag. When he was interrogated as to why he felt the need to bully the shy first year, he stupidly responded that he had been doing it to his cousin for his whole life and his parent's had never said anything- that was how he had become so strong!

The school had been so horrified they had contacted Social Services and the Dusleys. Harry himself had been questioned. For the life of him he would never understand why he had defended his cousin by telling them that Dudley was a spoilt, attention-seeking idiot who made up stories to make himself seem tough.

The Dursleys were completely stunned that their Dudders, their pride and joy was a 'hooligan'. Vernon had refused point-blank to accept it and maintained a strong belief that it was a horrible mix-up at first. Petunia too had refused to believe until she met Dudley in the park smoking and threatening Emma Golden, an eleven year old who lived down the road. Dudley had been twisting her arm violently and laughing as she cried and stammered for help. Petunia had marched over to her son and had destroyed his popularity in a matter of minutes. He had been dumped by his friends because of the overuse of the word 'Duddy-poo' and was grounded for the whole summer until he want to his new school (St. Brutus' Institution for criminally insane). Petunia, out of sheer mortification, attempted to salvage her reputation with the neighbours by inviting little Emma to stay at their house while her parents worked. As a result, Harry found himself with a shadow for the summer; a shadow with long blonde hair tied with ribbons and adorable dimples when she smiled. Harry had never believed it possible that anyone could talk faster than Hermione, but he was proved wrong.

His schoolbooks had been stored in the cupboard under the stairs and Hedwig had been sent to Number 12 Grimmauld Place for the summer because Harry knew he wouldn't be receiving any letters this year. Emma seemed fond of Harry, and as she was given free reign of the house, so was he. He could watch telly, and play the computer (even if he was dreadful at it).

He found Emma good company; she was adorable and quite shy at first, but had wasted no time in probing him on his life. Harry had never experienced an interrogation like that of which Emma used. She was extremely tiny, especially to Harry, who had grown another few inches in the last year. Her long blond hair was tamed by two plaits tied with ribbons, but strands of hair often escaped their crimson captors and floated around her face. Her eyes were a sparkling blue, and a band of freckles that bridged her cute nose gave her a purely angelic look.

Harry had learned to know better.

He had never known anyone that size to have such an appetite, and stay so skinny. Thankfully, she didn't believe the rumours of Harry's criminal record, and found the need to defend him in front of her peers (she seemed to think that Harry was unable to defend himself). She had no clue of Harry's powers (though she did confess to him that she still believed in magic).The only close call was when Harry had somehow managed to fly a cat out of a tree. He had no idea how it had happened, as he had learnt to control his outbursts very well, except when he was extremely angry, and a tabby (one of Mrs. Figg's that Emma had taken a liking to) called Mr. Wiggles stuck in a hawthorn did not inspire him to Avada Kedavra the neighbourhood or anything of that sort. Aside from Emma, his only other companion, Mrs. Figg, had disappeared for the summer and left him caring for 17 cats. So far, one had been run-over, one had been almost incinerated by Dudley and some fireworks, and one had gotten his head stuck in a tin of dog food. Harry, thankfully, was able to restore each one to perfect health, thanks to Gilderoy Lockhart's, "How to fix any animal illness in ten minutes:-thanks to me!"

He suspected that Mrs. Figg was on Order business and did not ask her about her 'holidays'.

On this particular day he was meandering home from the shop. He had gone to Diagon Alley the week before, which was pointless really, because he didn't receive his letter until that morning. He had managed to change some of his money to pounds because, in Harry's opinion, all the Pumpkin Pasties in the world couldn't compare with a Mars Bar. He had spent the whole month on guard, and he was sure the Order were still following him but he couldn't be sure. Diagon Alley was tense, with tight security and suspicious looks.

He had wanted to buy a toy snitch in Quality Quidditch Supplies, but had to force himself to leave the shop. There was no point, really. There was no way he would be allowed to use it in Privet Drive, and he would have one to use in Hogwarts anyway. To tell the truth, the real reason he hadn't bought the tiny snitch was because it reminded him of his father, and Sirius. He bought a toy snitch instead. The toy was different than a real snitch; it was bigger, and a bright pink to help a seeker practise catching it. It also had a built in homing device when an incantation was said and was impossible to lose. It was much, much cheaper, too (snitches were the most expensive balls). Harry found himself found himself wondering what had happened to his father's snitch. Had it been found like the Marauder's Map? Had his mother found it and made him hand it in? Had he kept it, and it was destroyed with the house and them? Harry ached to have the answers, but knew he would probably never have them.

The day was sunny, and seasonably warm. The heat wave from last year was, thankfully, non-existent this year, and had moved to more favourable countries. The blue sky was devoid of all clouds though, and it was much hotter than most years.

By the time he got to the house, his Aunt was pulling up the driveway, the car filled with food. His Aunt had tried to enforce various diets on her son, but so far had only managed to feed him low-fat foods. This didn't work though because he ate twice as many low-fat foods. She pulled out a plastic bag which was overflowing with vegetables, and ordered Harry to grab a bag and work for his food. Harry complied, out of sheer boredom and lack of energy to argue. Aunt Petunia shot a furtive look down the street before opening the door.

By the time Harry had managed to fit all 37 bags in the kitchen, he had broken into a sweat. His Aunt had taken a rest at the table.

"What did you get so much for, anyway?" he asked irritably, filling up a glass of ice-water.

"The Goldens are coming for dinner tomorrow night," she snapped, as she always did when Harry asked questions. "You'd better be on your best behaviour. No freaky business!" She shot him an angry glare.

"You want me to come?" he asked hopefully.

"Well, they know you're part of the family, don't they? What can I do, lock you under the stairs?"

Harry chose not to answer that one.

But, as he trudged up the stairs, his Aunt's voice echoed in his head.

"They know you're a part of the family, don't they?"

Part of the family.

Remus was tired. Very tired. After having to explain Lily and James' death to both Lily and James, he was feeling very low. Closing his eyes, he breathed in heavily and leaned back against the wall.

"Alright, Moony?" The voice startled him and he jumped. Sirius was standing in front of him, wearing a rare sympathetic look on his face. Remus sighed and nodded.

Sirius, thankfully, looked healthier than he had when he entered the veil. His eyes were brighter, and his cheeks hade more colour in them. He was thin, and pale, because sleeping for a solid week does that to people, and his dark hair was matted worse than ever. Remus didn't know if he looked better because of what happened behind the veil or because he had his best friends back.

Lily and James were lucky. Although neither of them looked twenty-one anymore, they were not thirty-six either, and were still as handsome and beautiful as ever. They looked in their mid-thirties but it was hard to estimate because of their energy, spirit and lack of grey hair due to less stress.

Sirius was staring at the ground, and was oddly solemn. He opened his mouth and closed it again a few times until Remus sighed audibly and told him to "Spit it out!"

He hesitated for a moment before looking up, and Remus knew that whatever he was about to say was of great importance to him.

"Harry's okay, right?" he asked quietly, pleadingly.

Remus didn't honestly know what to say. He had asked Dumbledore repeatedly to let him write to him, but Dumbledore had flat out refused.

"I don't know," he confessed. "We're watching him but…he seems alright, considering…"

He closed his eyes, and wondered how to break the news to the concerned godfather.

"Dumbledore told him."

"That we're alive?"

"No…the prophecy."

Sirius closed his eyes briefly and swore under his breath. "And?"

"I don't know. Dumbledore said he destroyed office he was so upset about you…And, well, he didn't talk much to anyone for the rest of the year. And Ron and Hermione think the prophecy was destroyed and that Harry has no idea. They're really worried. We all are. I'm the only Order member who knows what's in the prophecy, and I can't tell anyone and I was so worried about him! What's gonna happen when he finds out, Padfoot?"

Remus' voice took on a slightly hysterical note.

"He's going to think they're really Death Eaters or something! And he doesn't need anymore drama in his life. It's not fair! Dumbledore wants me to tell him today, before it's in the Prophet tomorrow, and the whole world knows but what am I going to tell him? What can I possibly tell him, Padfoot?"

Tears were falling now, and Sirius moved a step closer to him. "Just tell the truth, Moony. Just tell him the truth. We'll do the rest. Harry's strong. He can do it. That's why they chose him." He embraced him like a brother and both men cried softly.

"Oh great, I leave for a few years and my two closest friends have turned into girls!"

James was leaning against the doorframe. His ebony locks were more tousled than ever, and unlike Remus, his wasn't flecked with grey. He wore the same heart-breakingly familiar grin he always had, and Remus felt a sob rise in his throat.

Lily sauntered in behind him and, upon hearing him, promptly smacked him on the arm.

"Don't you listen to him, boys. Being a girl is way better than being a boy."

"You know, Lily," Sirius grinned wickedly. "That's a fair point. I've always felt I was a more of a woman trapped in a man's body. I wonder if Pomfrey does sex changes?" he speculated thoughtfully.

James rolled his eyes and Lily grinned. "You go girl!" She frowned. "Is that why you're together in a secluded area of the hospital, together?"

James made a face. "Lily! That's sick! You just gave me horrible mental images!" he shuddered.

Remus laughed and pushed Sirius off him. "There's nothing wrong with being gay," he reminded James.

"You're right," he agreed. "But it's not okay if you're my best friends."

"Don't worry," Sirius cut in. "Once I get the necessary changes done, we won't be a homosexual couple anymore. We'll just be a sexual couple!" he winked at Remus and batted his eyelids at him.

Lily and James both laughed at the look on Remus' face. Sirius finally gave up trying to seduce Remus and started laughing too.

Muttering obscenities under his breath, Remus left the Hospital Wing and began his slow trip to Privet Drive, stopping at Grimmauld Place for a while, as requested by Molly Weasley, who was having a hard time believing Mundungus Fletcher's message from Dumbledore that the Potter's were alive and well, along with Sirius Black.

As good as it was to have Lily, James and Sirius in Hogwarts rather than St. Mungo's (they had done so to prevent well-wishers and the Press from interrupting their peace), it was a pain to have to Floo and Portkey everywhere and Remus knew he would have a long night ahead of him.

He wished he could go back to Hogwarts now, back to his three best friends and the warmth of Hogwarts, and not be going to tell their son that they were inexplicably alive.