Standard disclaimer: I can only aspire to be the creative mind that is JK Rowling, this world and characters are hers, not mine.
Author's note: I do want to publicly thank the readers that take some of their valuable time to review this work in progress. Your insights and advice are deeply appreciated (good and bad) and help me to make the story better. It really does help this writer to know that someone is actually reading! You guys are awesome.
"Harry! Harry! Wake up!" Ron was attempting to grab Harry by the shoulders as he was thrashing around the bed. Harry jerked straight up and held his hand over his forehead. When he pulled his hand away, Ron could see the fresh blood trickling towards his flashing green eyes.
Harry heaved a big breath and shuddered; he looked at Ron with a wild look in his eyes. He jumped out of bed, threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed his wand and called for Fiona. He looked around the room and noticed his shouting had woken everyone up. "Ron, go to Dumbledore, now, tell him to send help to the Burrow!"
"Wait, Harry, what are you doing? What's wrong?"
"There's no time! Go now, Ron. There are Death Eaters at the Burrow, tell Dumbledore!" Fiona flew over to Harry and he grabbed her tail feathers. In a quick flash of golden light they were both gone.
Harry instantly found himself at the edge of the woods behind the Burrow. He turned toward the shouts and stepped out of the trees facing the house. He quickly counted at least seven death eaters. As he feared, he saw a fallen red-haired form lying at the edge of the front drive. He clearly could make out Charlie Weasley trapped behind a large tree trying to fight off two death eaters and either Fred or George trying to cover the front entrance of the house against two more death eaters. Harry swallowed the nerves that leapt into his throat and ran along the side of the house to help Charlie. He got close enough to see Charlie send a stunner spell that hit one of the death eaters squarely in the chest and sent him flying backwards unconscious. At the same moment, a second death eater let loose with a jet of purple sparks that sent Charlie spinning into the air.
Harry aimed his wand and shouted "STUPEFY!" The death eater fell backwards and collapsed into a motionless heap.
Harry felt the air around him start to buzz. He dropped and rolled to the right just as a shower of red sparks flew right through where he had been standing. He jumped behind the tree and looked to his left to see one of the death eaters that had been advancing on the front door turned to face him now. George (or was it Fred?) was still trying to hold off two more.
Harry aimed at the first one yelling, "EXPELLIARMUS!" The death eater's wand flew from his hand and immediately Fred (or was it George?) hit him with a stunner and the death eater crashed to the ground.
"Harry! It's Fred! Where did you come from?" Fred ducked to avoid another stream of purple and blue sparks.
George came charging out of the house and quickly disarmed and stunned one more death eater. Three more were slowly advancing on them and firing spells at random. George was hit across the shoulder with a lash of purple sparks that threw him to the ground. Fred charged the death eater and they simultaneously fired straight-on stunners knocking each other out cold.
The remaining death eater turned towards Harry and lifted his wand. Before he could even think about it, Harry had fired a curse over the man's shoulder that knocked his hood and mask off. There stood Lucius Malfoy sneering at him. Lucius pointed his wand towards the sky and cried, "Morsmordre!" Harry felt his anger growing as he lunged for him, but with a quick pop! Lucius was gone and Harry landed on the ground where he had been standing a fraction of a second before.
George stood up slowly and moved towards Fred. He pointed his wand at him and said, "Ennervate!" Fred slowly opened his eyes and sat up.
George knelt next to his brother, "Are you alright, Fred? You gave me quite a nasty scare."
""Yeah," Fred shook his head slightly. "How did you get here Harry?"
"My phoenix," Harry replied. Fiona flew over to Harry, appeared to look him over for injuries and then landed on George's shoulder. She started to sing softly and cry pearly tears onto his wounds.
Charlie had come around and walking towards them. "Are you lot alright? Everything happened so fast I lost track of where you all were. Harry, how did you know to come here? Why are you here in the first place? You could have been killed. Ron didn't come with you did he?"
"No, he was going to tell Dumbledore to send help. I was dreaming and I saw….was someone else here?"
Charlie shook his head. "No, we are expecting Percy though. He asked to meet us here tonight. Apparently he has decided what a prat he was being and wanted to apologize."
Harry blanched and started to stand. "Oh, Merlin…"
"What is it Harry? What's wrong?" Fred asked.
Just then, several loud pops sounded all around them. Scattered around the front yard, with wands drawn, appeared Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Bill Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks and Remus Lupin.
Molly ran towards her sons hugging them all tightly. "Are you all alright? What happened?" She pulled Harry into a tight hug. "Dumbledore told us you saw the house under attack and to send help. Oh thank Merlin you are alright! You shouldn't have come alone Harry, it was too dangerous. But thank you for helping the boys, I am so grateful."
Bill pointed over the house. "The Mark… is everyone alright?"
Harry shook his head and slowly walked around the corner of the house towards the drive. Molly was walking close behind when he heard her scream and rush past him. She dropped to her knees beside the fallen form and started sobbing. Arthur and the Weasley brothers all gathered around them to look down upon the lifeless face of Percy Weasley.
Harry and the others kept a respectful distance to allow the family a moment together to grieve. Harry suddenly felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle and a strange humming in the air around him. He turned towards the spot where the death eater that Charlie had knocked out had been. He saw the man slowly rising unnoticed and lifting his wand in the direction of Molly Weasley.
Time seemed to slow as Harry watched a flash of purple and green sparks fly from the tip of the death eater's wand and fly towards Molly Weasley; the closest thing to a mother he has known. He sprang up and before anyone even saw him move, he stood in front of her with his hand raised yelling, "NOOOOO!"
Everyone turned just in time to see Harry raise his hand in front of him while a pulsing, emerald green glow surrounded him and Mrs. Weasley. The curse struck the shield in front of him and quickly deflected back towards the death eater that cast it. With a horrified scream, the death eater fell to the ground, cleanly sliced down the center of his chest, dead.
Molly looked up at Harry, who stood over her trembling with anger and fear. She stood up and gathered him into her arms just as he began to fall.
Harry awoke a few minutes later to find himself cradled in Lupin's arms. "What happened?" he asked groggily.
"Welcome back, Harry. You had me worried there for a moment." Remus said.
Harry abruptly sat up, "Mrs. Weasley! Percy…..where are they?"
"They have all been taken to St. Mungo's for treatment. Charlie and Fred appeared to have only slight injuries. It appears that your bird completely healed George already; it must have been a pretty bad wound. Molly and Arthur have gone with them. It was already too late to do anything for Percy, Harry."
Dumbledore came over to stand next to them. "Harry, tell me what happened. How did you know to come here tonight?"
"I saw it happening, I was dreaming and I saw the attack start. I sent Ron to get you and I just got here as fast as I could."
Lupin frowned, "Harry, you shouldn't have come here alone. You could have been killed."
Harry looked over to where Mad-Eye was looking at the dead death eater that was still sprawled on the ground. "Well, apparently instead of being killed I was the one doing the killing," Harry said in a quiet voice.
Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "That man is dead by his own hand, Harry. He would have killed Molly if you had not done what you did. We do need to talk about it later though, alright?"
Harry just nodded his head and looked away.
Mad-Eye had removed the hood and mask from the fallen death eater. "Dumbledore, you might want to see this."
Harry followed Dumbledore over and looked down into the face of Rodolphus LeStrange. "Isn't that Bellatrix's husband?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, it is Harry." He turned towards Tonks and Mad-eye. "Let's get him out of here. I need to see to Harry and make arrangements for the Weasleys. It is obviously unsafe for them to remain here any longer, for now."
Lupin said, "I am going to St. Mungo's with you and Harry. Mad-Eye and Tonks, you are ok with taking care of this?"
Tonks nodded. Mad-eye poked his boot at Rodolphus LeStrange, "I don't think he is going to put up much of a fight. We'll be fine."
Harry called Fiona to him. She flew over and landed on his arm."I'm OK now, girl. Go on back to Hogwart's and I will see you there later, alright?" Fiona sang softly to him and nuzzled his face, then in a golden flash, she was gone.
Dumbledore smiled softly at Harry. "Incredible companions, aren't they, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, she is. I can't imagine not having her around now."
Harry, Lupin and Dumbledore headed into the Weasley house and walked to the fireplace to floo over to St. Mungo's. They stepped into the green flames and in seconds walked out into the hospital waiting area.
Arthur Weasley was pacing around the room. Professor McGonagall had joined them, along with Ron and Ginny. Ron was sitting in stony silence while Ginny sat nearby with red-rimmed eyes.
Dumbledore walked quickly up to Arthur Weasley and put his hand on the man's shoulder.
"Are Charlie and the twins going to be alright, Arthur?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, it would seem so. They should be finished shortly, only minor injuries, thank Merlin. Molly is with them now. I don't even want to think what might have happened if Harry had not shown up when he did."
Harry walked over to where Ron was standing staring out the window. I am so sorry mate," Harry said, "I don't even know what to say."
Ron pulled his lips into a tight line. "That just proves my point of what a complete prat he always was. Of any of the times he could have picked to come to the house and make up, he had to pick that time. He couldn't even apologize right."
Harry stared at his friend with a dumbstruck look on his face.
Ginny walked up behind them and snapped at Ron. "Shame on you, Ron, how can you say something like that? I better not hear you talking like that in front of Mum. She is heartbroken enough without you adding to it."
Ron hung his head low. "I know Ginny. But it isn't right. Just when our family was going to be able to move on together again, it was taken away. Now we will never have the chance."
Harry looked at his friends and sank deeper into himself. This was his fault, if he wasn't their friend, Voldemort would not have targeted them. He turned his head and started to walk away.
"Harry," Ginny stopped him, "I want to thank you. I might have lost another brother if you had not been there." She stepped up and hugged him tightly. She felt Harry pulling back from her. "What's wrong, Harry?"
Harry shook his sadly. "Don't thank me Gin. I am the one that needs to apologize to all of you. I am so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen, especially to you all."
"What are you getting on about, Harry?" Ron looked at him. "You couldn't possibly have known this was going to happen."
Molly walked into the waiting area followed by Charlie and the twins. She walked up to her husband and hugged him. "We are all checked out and ready to go, Arthur. Thanks for coming Albus and Remus. She nodded at Professor McGonagall. "Thank you for bringing Ron and Ginny, Minerva. I appreciate it. I needed to see that they were safe and unharmed."
Dumbledore walked up to Molly and put his arm around her shoulders. "It's quite alright. Anything you need, we are here for you."
Molly looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Thank you Albus, thank you all. It's hard to lose Percy now, especially when we were reconciling as a family. But at least it didn't happen while we were still estranged. It would have made it unbearable."
Ginny walked over to hug her Mum and whispered something into her ear. Molly nodded her head and patted Ginny on the arm.
"Harry, Arthur and I would like a moment alone with you, if you don't mind."
Harry nodded. This is what he had been dreading. He figured he might as well get it over with, he knew that they were going to ask him to leave their family alone now, and he couldn't blame them a bit for it. Harry followed them to a group of chairs on the other side of the room and sat down.
"Harry," Molly started, taking his hands in hers, "I had the opportunity to talk to Percy earlier today. He had planned on telling you that he was sorry for the way he treated you. He knew it was wrong and he intended to make amends with you. He would have wanted you to know that."
Harry looked up and was beginning to get teary-eyed. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I can't tell you how sorry I am for bringing this misery on your family. If I could do it all again, I would not have sat next to Ron on the train that first year. You have all meant the world to me, and I have caused you the greatest pain imaginable. I want you to know that I intend to back away from you all and maybe Voldemort won't keep coming after your family."
"Harry, you will do no such thing," Molly said. "This is not your fault. V--Voldemort alone is responsible for his actions."
Harry shook his head. "Don't you see? He did this to try and get to me. He picked tonight on purpose. The anniversary of the night he killed my parents. There can be no other reason for him to choose this night in particular. This is my fault----I am so sorry."
Arthur put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "This was not your fault. You didn't ask for your parents to be murdered. You didn't ask for him to try and murder you. You didn't ask for any of this. This is war Harry, and we are all targets regardless of knowing you or not."
Molly stood up and gathered Harry into her arms. "This wasn't your fault dear. No one here blames you. You came to help as soon as you could, at great risk to yourself. I am only grateful that I didn't lose anymore of my children, including you dear. I am convinced the safest place for any of us to be is close to you. You have to understand that. We are all targets, and I know that anything you can do to help keep your family safe, you will do. We are family Harry. I know we can never replace your parents, and we wouldn't try. But we love you just as much, don't ever doubt that."
Ginny couldn't stand being silent any longer. She walked over to Harry and hugged him. "I am so glad you weren't hurt tonight Harry. I don't think I could have stood it to lose you too."
Ron, Charlie and the twins walked up to the rest of the family. "Yeah, Harry. We would have been really up a tree if you hadn't shown up when you did. It wasn't the smartest thing for you to do…but we are glad you did it," said George. "Besides, that bird of yours is amazing, I don't even have a scar left on my shoulder."
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "We need to find a safe place for you to return to Molly and Arthur. The Burrow's safe guards were breeched. It is no longer safe until we can fix it."
Harry looked up. "They can stay at Grimmauld Place for as long as necessary." Harry looked at Lupin, "Dobby and Winky can get a few rooms ready, right?"
"Of course, Harry. There is plenty of room there," Remus nodded.
Mr. Weasley looked at Harry. "We couldn't possibly ask that of you, Harry. It might take awhile to make the Burrow safe again. Grimmauld Place is not only being used by the Order, but it is your home."
"Exactly, the Order is only using the bottom floor. The top floors are strictly residential. Dobby and Winky are there to attend anything you need. Remus is living there alone except for them. There is plenty of room. And as you say, it is my home. Sirius would have wanted me to use it and make it a nice place again. He was so unhappy there. I think it would make him happy to see it being used as a happy home again. Besides, would you ever deny me to stay at your home?"
"Well, of course not, dear," Molly said. "But that's different."
"I don't see the difference at all. I would feel better knowing you are safe."
Dumbledore nodded his head slowly. "Molly, Arthur, it would be a good idea. Someone can accompany you back to the Burrow to get some things and you can go there tonight."
"Remus, can Dobby and Winky make some rooms ready quickly?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I am sure they can, Harry. It would make them happy to do it I am sure."
"I don't think that we need to stay there, we should be fine over the shop. It is protected and no one bothered us there. I don't feel right leaving it," Fred said. George nodded his agreement.
"I wish you boys, and Charlie would just stay the night there, then you can go home tomorrow. We need to be together for now, I think," Mr. Weasley said.
"Alright, it's settled then. Remus, if you would accompany the Weasleys to the Burrow to pick up some things and then return them to Grimmauld Place it would be appreciated. Minerva and I need to take the kids back to Hogwarts."
The Weasleys and Remus left to go to the burrow and Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall led Harry, Ron and Ginny to the fireplace to floo back to Hogwart's. In a matter of seconds they stepped out of the fireplace into Dumbledore's office.
Harry was immediately seized by a flash of bushy brown hair. "Oh, Harry, you are alright. I was so scared!"
"Yes, Hermione, I am fine. What are you still doing awake at this hour?" Harry asked.
"I had to be here when you all got back." She hugged Ginny tightly. "I am so sorry Ginny." She hugged Ron tightly. "I am so sorry Ron, I wish I knew what to do to help."
Ron smiled at her. "You are already doing it."
Professor Snape rose slowly from a chair on the other side of the room. "I'm sorry Headmaster. The girl insisted on waiting here."
Dumbledore nodded, "That's quite alright; and quite understandable. Hermione, if you would be so kind as to walk Mr. and Miss Weasley back to the common room with Professor McGonagall. Harry will be along later."
Hermione looked at Harry and nodded. "Alright Professor. We will wait up for you Harry."
"No, don't wait for me. I will be awhile and I know you are tired. I will see you all in the morning."
"Have a seat Harry, I am sure there is much to discuss about the events of this evening." Dumbledore motioned to a big overstuffed chair opposite him across the desk.
Harry glared at Professor Snape. "Yes sir, I suppose we do; but does he have to be here?"
"Now Harry, yes he does. We have had this conversation before. You know the circumstances why he needs to be here."
"Yes sir, you trust him. But it doesn't mean that I have to."
Snape sneered. "Believe me Potter, there are many places I would rather be than in a room with you."
Dumbledore spoke up. "That is enough….from you both. Now Harry, tell me why you decided to leave the safety of the school grounds without at least telling me first?"
"I just reacted, Sir. I went to bed angry, and forgot my Occlumency. I starting dreaming, it was nice at first, relaxing and fun. Then it turned dark. The next thing I knew I was over the Burrow and saw Death Eaters approaching and someone was killed outside the house. I woke up and my scar was bleeding. I knew it was real, that Voldemort sent them to the Burrow. I sent Ron to get you. My only thought was getting there as soon as I could."
"Just like something you would do Potter. Rushing off to 'save the day' without even considering all the trouble people have gone through to protect you. If you were in my House…"
"I wouldn't be in your House. I asked the Sorting Hat NOT to put me there. It's the last place I would want to be!" Harry fumed.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "He has a good point Harry. It was a dangerous thing to do. But, I can't punish you for it; you may very well have saved another life by doing so. I would caution against doing something like that again, you might not be as fortunate next time. Don't just assume that I won't include you in plans, Harry. I made you a promise that I would not do that to you again."
"Yes sir," Harry said quietly. He turned to look at Snape again. "What I would like to know, if he is supposed to be spying for the Order, why didn't he tell you about the planned attack? He just let it happen. That's probably what he has been talking with Draco about. You know I told you I saw them together hatching up something about his father…and Malfoy was there tonight. I saw him myself!"
"I don't have to answer to you Potter! What I do for the Order is between me and the Order. Whether or not you believe me is of no consequence to me," Snape spat.
Dumbledore sat back in his chair and gazed at Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "What I am about to tell you must not leave this room, Harry. Not to anyone, am I understood?"
Snape stood up sharply. "Headmaster, surely this isn't wise."
"I have no choice, Severus. I need to be able to fully trust Harry, and for that to happen he needs to know that I am not keeping things from him. I trust that if I ask him not to reveal something, even to his friends, he will not."
Harry nodded. "You can always trust me, sir. I will never reveal anything that you ask me not to reveal."
Snape sat back in his chair and scowled.
"Very well, Harry. As you know Lucius Malfoy is currently a wanted man. We are quite certain that his young son knows where he is. Professor Snape has been attempting to ascertain his location for us. Even when he has to meet with Voldemort, he has not been able to get a location on Malfoy."
Snape continued, "It seems that there are some that still don't trust me fully in certain circles. Voldemort still does at this time, it's the only reason I have been able to remain as a spy. Malfoy has been convincing a number that I am actually working against them."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "As you can see, Professor Snape continues his work at a great risk to himself. He has been trying to hold his cover with young Mr. Malfoy and gain his confidence. I am hoping that he may be useful to us at some point and time."
Harry snarled. "I can't imagine that git being useful for anything except fertilizer."
Dumbledore smiled. "Be that as it may, we can only hope he will be useful at some point. Now, it's late. I am sure you are tired. Off you go to bed Harry. Get some much deserved rest. If you get caught out in the hallway just give them this note, it's a pass to be out after hours for tonight." Dumbledore scribbled off a short note and handed the parchment to Harry.
Harry stood up to leave and took the note. "Goodnight, sir."
He paused by Professor Snape's chair. "Goodnight Professor," he said stiffly. He slipped out of door was gone.
Peter Pettigrew scrambled along the hallway into a dimly lit room. "Master, there is someone to see you."
"I am expecting him, Wormtail. Show him in. And summon Bellatrix for me as well."
Malfoy strode into the room and knelt deeply. "My Lord, I have returned."
"That much is apparent," Voldemort hissed. "Perhaps you can explain to me why you are the only one returning and Harry Potter still lives!"
"There were more people at the home than we planned for. One of the Weasleys was killed before Potter arrived. He got there much faster than we anticipated. I am afraid we were overpowered. I barely managed to escape myself." Malfoy looked Voldemort in the eye as much as he dared. "The Potter boy has grown faster and stronger than I had believed. It was my failure and I accept full responsibility for it."
The door opened and Bellatrix LeStrange entered. "You called for me my Lord?"
"Yes," Voldemort said, "Lucius has something he would like to tell you about tonight's mission."
Lucius paled and turned to face Bellatrix.
"What is it, Lucius? Where is my husband? Didn't he return with you?"
"Bellatrix, it was most unfortunate…I am truly sorry to have to tell you that your husband was killed during the mission. He fought bravely, Bellatrix."
Bellatrix's eyes blazed. "Who? Just tell me who, I need to know. I need to know who will pay for this."
"He was killed by Harry Potter."
