Harry Potter and the Emerald raindrop

AkashaWinters

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potterverse. Anyone who doesn't know that should be exiled to Mars. I only make exceptions for poor people in remote corners the world who cannot read and don't have the money to buy the over priced 1,000 page books. I'm not making any money from my poor attempt at fanfiction. Also for this page, Joan Aiken wrote A Necklace of Raindrops and I do not own any of the rights.

Chapter 7

Warnings from Nature

Harry woke up, cold sweat dripping down his face. He had just had a nightmare; at least he hoped it was a nightmare. Harry had stopped having visions half way through sixth year when he and Snape had put the majority of their differences aside and Harry finally mastered occlumency, so this couldn't be a vision from Voldermort, yet it had seemed too real.

…The death eaters were gaining on them fast, they were flying on the backs of large purple-black tigers with red eyes, huge bat-like wings and serpent tipped tails, they made a screeching noise like an eagle as they swooped down upon them, talons outstretched like they were picking their prey. The death eaters jeered at them from above as their creatures swooped towards the group and fire rained down on them from the dark sky above, yet they could not breach the barrier holding them back, parted from their prey, but the damage had already been done and reinforcements would be on their way.

Spurring the horse on he galloped into the night, breaching the barrier and making for the open ground ahead, death eaters hot on his heals…

Harry shook his head and brushed away the nightmare, it was only a nightmare after all, I mean flying tigers? Definitely just a bad dream, he couldn't ride that well anyway and who were these people he was supposedly with in the middle of nowhere? Harry shook his head again and glanced at the clock on his chest of draws. It was six o'clock a bit too early to be getting up normally, but it was light outside so Harry got up and showered and dressed in old clothes then made his way down to the reception room for breakfast, determined to forget the dream.

Half an hour later at almost seven, Harry was helping Jacob with what had become their everyday routine. He had another lesson on Taz and Jacob taught him to canter, it took Harry a little longer to master this and they cantered slowly down to the camping sight for lunch.

While he and Jacob were sat with Gavin eating a ham sandwich lunch, Harry considered how much he was enjoying his magic-free life at the moment everything was simply, he had nothing to worry about here, all his problems seemed to dissolve. Suddenly, a ball of white feathers careered down onto Harry.

"Hello Hedwig. Having a good time girl?" Harry asked the snowy owl as she peaked at his sandwich.

"I should probably write a reply to that letter Ron and Hermione sent me." Harry told her. Borrowing a pen and piece of paper off Jacob (no parchment and quills here), Harry lent over and began to write a reply.

Dear Ron and Hermione,

(Harry paused not sure what to say then continued.)

I hope you are enjoying yourselves at the Burrow, have Fred and George been to visit yet? Is everyone still in tacked? The weather is very good here and the manor and grounds are very large. Hermione, you will be pleased to know that you are right and the building is 14th Century, I asked the owner yesterday evening.

(Harry thought for a moment before continuing, Jacob had said wizards didn't like them, but he was sure his friends didn't hold such prejudices and decided it didn't matter.)

I've been spending most of the time outside in the sun helping with some horses and I've met a boy named Jacob, he's our age and is one of the gypsies that are currently staying on the manor grounds. They're very nice people and will be staying at Hogwarts during the upcoming school year so I'll be seeing them again when we arrive.

I had a really weird dream yesterday night; well it was more like a nightmare, than like a vision, only it wasn't. It's hard to explain. I'll tell you about it on the train. See you then.

Love from

Harry

P.S say hi to Remus for me.

Tying the letter to Hedwig's leg he let her fly away and watched her sore across the rolling purple hills behind them. It was overcast now; thick black clouds were rolling in from the north.

"There's going to be storm tonight," Gavin told him without looking up. "We'll put the horses in the stable paddocks tonight, keep them out of the rain. They need to stay healthy and strong, we have a long trip ahead of us. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning"

"Tomorrow?" Harry exclaimed, disappointed they would be leaving so soon. "There's still three days before the week ends."

"Natures giving us warnings." Jacob explained. "The quicker we get to Hogwarts the better. The Dark Wizard's men will be looking for us, not even our people are safe. If he thinks we're a threat to him he'll kill us. We've stayed unnoticed until now, but he's closing in on us." Harry didn't doubt that Voldermort wanted to kill them, any one who wouldn't side with him he killed, but he didn't understand how they knew that Death Eaters were searching for them. Harry could feel nothing except the pressure of the coming storm.

The horses were led down to the stables and were put in the paddock, while the stable horses were stalled for the night, they were uneasy about the storm and called to one another across the paddocks. They had just finished putting the last horse in as heavy droplets of rain began to fall and form puddles on the ground.

"We're going back now," Jacob yelled above the noise. "You should come with us, you know, you'll be safer at Hogwarts." Harry thought about this. They would only be arriving a few days earlier and he'd already left the safety of 4 Privet Drive, it seemed a sensible idea to Harry and he didn't like the idea of being stuck with the Dursley's for the rest of the summer without Jacob's company, it seemed like a good idea.

"What time are you leaving?" Harry yelled back as a crash of thunder rolled across the hills.

"Early, just before dawn" Jacob replied. "See you there then!" Jacob left and ran down the streaming lane to wards the campsite and Harry turned back to the manor, he was completely drenched.

That night Harry had the same dream of flying tigers, death eaters and fire, but this time it was followed by anther dream a calmer one.

A gentle mist was swirling around him in this grey world and he could hear the trickle of water from a small steam and felt a gentle breeze on his skin. It was a cold breeze that was pleasantly refreshing and gently ruffled his hair. A small voice was carried across the wind. It was a child's voice that seemed to call out in singsong way:

"Laaauura," it called quietly, "where are you? I don't want to play anymore Laura."

Slowly the voice faded and only the sound of the stream remained until that too faded away and Harry was enveloped in darkness once more.

Unusual chapter…and the beginning of the next part of our story, for those of you who really aren't into horses, you'll be glad to know there's not going to be much more of them as Harry will be leaving the Manor. I know some of the last chapters weren't very good, but I wrote them at past midnight, which I suppose serves me right, but keep with me people the good part's on it's way and Hogwarts is not far off! This is going to be a long story, but the slash will be starting soon.

Next Chapter…Escape from the Dursleys. Harry leaves the Manor and travels with the gypsies, he learns one or two things about Jacob and reads an interesting article.