Harry awoke to the smell of freshly baked bread and honey. He dragged his eyes open to stare up at a wooden ceiling, the beams dancing with light from a fire. Shuffling slightly, he realised that he was lying on what felt like a squashy sofa, but he couldn't be sure. He fumbled in his pocket, found his glasses, and pushed them onto his face. He turned his neck stiffly and was surprised to see none other than Albus Dumbledore sat in the chair opposite, reading "The Once And Future King". He looked up when Harry attempted to move into a sitting position.

"You're awake,"

Harry nodded and tried to swing his legs over, but found that he was too caught up in blankets and oddly stiff. He teetered on the edge of the sofa then fell off unceremoniously with a crunch.

"Ow,"

"Do be careful Harry," Dumbledore chided gently. Harry struggled upright and hauled himself back up onto the sofa, settling down with an annoyed look on his face.

"Where am I, and why aren't I dead?"

"You are in a village in Yorkshire. I have borrowed this cottage from its owners. You have been unconscious for a few days."

Harry waited for him to continue, and ground his teeth when it became apparent that he was going to have to keep prompting the Headmaster if he wanted to get any answers.

"Why don't I have any burns? Or lung damage, I was breathing smoke for quite a while."

"You have been healed, of course."

"Who rescued me?" he tried.

"Remus Lupin. The Death Eaters managed to find your house – someone told them the location – and set fire to it, casting a powerful charm to prevent you from escaping. I'm afraid you relatives all died, Harry, but Remus was able to Apparate in and bring you out, along with your trunk. I am trusting that you had no more possessions?"

"I took everything into the cupboard." Harry replied. He peered around the small cottage. "Where's Remus?"

"I am afraid that I had to wipe his memory after the event. You see Harry, this situation is most beneficial."

"How?" Harry asked bluntly.

"Harry, Voldemort thinks you're dead." Dumbledore said enthusiastically. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"And so?"

"That means that we have the upper hand. He will never be expecting you to kill him. He has heard the prophecy, Harry, and he knows that you are the only one who can kill him. With you dead, as far as he knows, nobody can kill him. It's perfect, Harry. Can't you see?"

"I don't get it. How does he know the prophecy?" Harry asked bluntly.

"Unfortunately, Professor Snape was forced to relay what information he knew. That included the content of the prophecy. But will you agree to lie low? To posing as a different person?"

Harry screwed up his face and stood, leaning on the windowsill and watching the rain as it poured down the window in rivulets. The storm was thundering against the stark heavens, flashes of light illuminating the countryside. He sighed heavily and turned back to Dumbledore.

"All right. I suppose."

"Excellent!" Dumbledore beamed. "I must first cast a spell on your body, to change your appearance." He brandished shi wand, pointed it at Harry and muttered a spell. Harry closed his eyes, then changed his mind and opened them again, watching his body in a mirror on the far wall as it changed.

His hair grew longer, resting gently at the base of his neck and covering his ears. His eyes faded from vivid emerald to deep blue, his nose shortening somewhat. His scar faded into his forehead but two new ones were added, in a cross over his right eye. His ears shifted so they were slightly pointy. He shuffled slightly as he grew an extra four inches, and his thin form filled out, the muscles flexing beneath his slightly paler skin. His eyesight grew blurry and he took his glasses off, realising that he no longer needed them.

"I am afraid that parts of this spell may wear off in time, Harry. It will probably only last the best part of a few weeks. Come to me when you notice any changes. Unfortunately, as your scar was magically inflicted, all I could do was move it. I'm afraid I can't make it disappear completely. I suggest you pick a new name. Have you any suggestions at the moment?"

"James, I think, for my first name." Harry murmured. "My second name I'm not sure of though. Can I have some time to think about it?" he looked up at the Headmaster hopefully. The old man's eyes twinkled.

"Certainly. And I must say, a fine choice of name it is,"

"Thank you sir."

"Now, you must be rather tired. I have arranged for you to stay with a professor for the last week before returning to Hogwarts. Am I correct in guessing that you would prefer to be in Gryffindor?"

"Yes please, sir. Um, I've just thought… can my last name be Antares please?"

"By all means. Am I correct in guessing you understand the significance of that name?"

"No," Harry said, bewildered. "It just suddenly came to me,"

"No matter. Now, Gryffindor. The necessary arrangements will be made. But now, to you lodgings. I am afraid that you have to stay with Professor Snape, Harry. Ironic, and cliché, I know, but it will do you good. Remember that nobody is to know of this but you and I. I will inform you if I feel the need to tell anyone else. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," Harry said with a sinking feeling. He was going to spend a week living with Snape…

"Have a sherbet lemon,"

Harry sullenly took the sweet from Dumbledore and felt a familiar jerk in his navel as the Portkey swept him away. He landed with a bump in a large room, furnished with mahogany chairs and marble floors. Snape came billowing into the room.

"Who are you?" he asked sharply, wand raised. Dumbledore appeared beside him with a pop.

"Calm, Severus. This is James Antares. He will be staying here for the remainder of the holidays, and attending Hogwarts when September comes. I do hope that will not be such a problem?"

There was a glint to Dumbledore's eyes that blatantly said 'It had better not be a problem'. Snape grunted in assent.

"Excellent. Now, please show James to his rooms, and then I would like to have tea with you, it you will allow it?"

Snape grunted again and billowed back out of the room.

"It would be rather pointless to complain, wouldn't it?" Harry said glumly. Dumbledore nodded cheerfully.

"Be glad I didn't ask Mr. Filch, James. Now, follow Severus before he loses you. I am just a fireplace away if you need me, and you can talk in confidence in my office any time,"

Harry nodded, and levitated his trunk after Snape, his hopes of a fun last week left behind at the cottage in Yorkshire.

This was going to be the best week ever, he could just tell…

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