Please forgive the delay. Hopefully I'll post the next chapter tomorrow night.
Enjoy and read the footer if you please...
Harry scrambled along after Filtch, keeping up with the excited caretaker as best he could. As they made it to the stone gargoyle it didn't wait for a password and sprang to the side to allow them pass.
As they reached the top of the stairs Filtch knocked on the headmasters door with a loud rap.
"Come in Argus" drawled Dumbledore. Filtch opened the door and grinned. Harry spotted Fawks on her perch from behind the caretaker.
"Headmaster!" He side stepped and Harry saw Dumbledore's eyes widen in shock seeing Harry standing disheveled behind Filtch. "I caught Potter…"
He got no further for at that moment Dumbledore had stood up and come around from his table. "Harry come in my boy!".
Harry stepped around the caretaker. Dumbledore frowned concernedly but nodded to Filtch. "Thank you Argus, I believe I can take it from here".
With one last Snape-worthy sneer, Filtch closed the door behind him.
Dumbledore immediately gestured to the chair in front of his desk as he retook his seat. Lines of worry etched into his weather worn face. Harry nodded and took his position before the headmaster.
"Harry, you went missing yesterday. Miss Granger and Mr Weasley informed me you were planning to meet your father in Hogsmeade" Dumbledore's face turned to annoyance, showing Harry exactly what he that of that plan. "Harry, what happened?".
Harry deciding that actions speak louder than words, reached inside his robes and pulled out the two broken pieces of his wand and placed them out in front of Dumbledore on the oak table. Harry saw anger flit across the wrinkled face and turned his eyes to fawks.
"He drugged me, I woke up somewhere in Blackpool". Harry winced inwardly at how raw and hollow his voice sounded.
Dumbledore for his part remained silent before he prompted Harry to continue.
"Yes?" He asked.
"I told him I wouldn't change, and neither would Conor".
"He knows of Conor?".
"Yes sir. He knew all along". Harry tried and failed to keep the irritation out of his voice. "He said he was coming to get him himself". Dumbledore gave a pained nod.
"I told him Conor wasn't bad, that he'd never turn. I told him I'd warned Conor about him and that he didn't want to meet him until he was of age".
A twinkle appeared in Dumbledore's eyes. Harry sounded a lot calmer than he felt as he remembered his fathers reaction to that particular news.
"He didn't like that one bit sir. He broke my wand, told me to live as a Muggle; that I was no better than one". Harry's eyes burned and he wiped at them, angry at himself for getting upset again. "He said that the next time we meet, to consider us enemies".
Dumbledore sat back and puffed his lips out with his breath. He seemed to stare around the room for a moment before he took in Harry slumped shoulders and the dries tear tracks on his cheeks. He frowned and surveyed Harry over his half moon spectacles.
"Harry I taking you out of Slytherin, you're to go back into Gryffindor".
Harry shook his head "No Sir. Conor's in danger, I need to stay with him as long as I can". Dumbledore shook his head and Harry tensed.
"None the less my boy you are vulnerable after this. I fear for your well being".
Harry smiled wryly at Dumbledore "All the same Sir, I won't leave him open to attack. I'll be fine, honestly as long as I can know for sure that he's safe".
A half smile appeared on the Headmasters face and he nodded. Harry felt relief flood his system. There was no way in hell Harry was letting his young brother out of his sight.
"All right Harry, I'll agree but I want you to bring Fawks with you everywhere you go" He added emphasis on the last line. Harry looked up at the soft fluttering of wings and extended his arm for Fawks as she landed on it. Not for the first time, Harry marveled at how light the bird was.
Harry looked to the desk. "Sir, my wand".
Dumbledore sighed and fingered his long beard. "I don't know Harry" he admitted. "Wands can only be repaired by those who broke them".
"So I'm doomed". The older wizard's twinkle dulled. "He won't repair it Sir. Not in a hundred years" Harry felt his insides freeze. "Does that mean don't have one anymore Sir?".
Fawks clucked her beak sharply and tight-roped her way down Harry's arm towards the desk. Harry lowered her to it. Dumbledore seemed to watch with rapt interest as the phoenix stared into Harry wet eyes. The thought of never doing magic again thoroughly depressing him. She turned to preen her back feathers.
Harry watched with curiosity as Fawks plucked out on long feather in her beak and inching closer to Harry thrilled at him to take it. He smiled fondly and took the feather from her before looking up at the headmaster. He frowned.
To say the mans eyes were twinkling was an understatement. His eyes resembled two bright Lumos spells as he beamed at the feather in Harry's.
"That's some present Harry. Fawks has only ever given two tail feathers" seeing Harry's confusion he chuckled merrily. "Dear boy, she's just given you a cord base for your wand. It can be repaired now" he explained.
Harry looked to the bird as it shuffled back up to his shoulder. Harry smiled a watery smile. "Thanks Fawks" he whispered.
Dumbledore pushed his glasses back up his nose before clearing his throat. "Yes well, if you'd like to get something to eat now Harry I'll be sure to have this returned to you as soon as possible". Dumbledore said taking the feather Harry offered.
Harry nodded but stopped as a thought struck him. "Sir?"
Dumbledore "Hm'd" from his position over the table, nose so close to the wand they were touching.
"Can I keep the old feather Sir? For a keep sake?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore looked up surprised. He blinked for a moment at Harry before he smiled warmly. "Why don't you ask Fawks?".
Harry cocked an eyebrow but took his advice and asked Fawks. The bird reached back around and plucked out a wing feather. She turned to give it to Harry, poking him in the eye and near blinding him before she thrilled in apology and dropped it onto his lap. Harry petted her laughing.
"That will make a nice quill, yes? Well, off you go Harry" Dumbeldore smiled. Harry nodded and stood to leave. He exited with Fawks balanced comfortably on his shoulder. The first person he had to see was Conor.
Harry made his way down to the Dungeons and stopped in front of the two intertwining snakes.
"Pureblood" He hissed the password and the two metal adders uncrossed. Harry opened the door. Everyone was obviously still in bed as the common room was empty, save for one third year boy, with familiar raven hair staring out the window in tears. Harry smiled and approached him unnoticed.
He came to stop behind him and saw he was gazing out at the Quidditch pitch. Harry grinned remembering his promise to teach him how to fly.
"Looks like a nice day for a fly eh?".
Conor gasped audibly before he spun around and his eyes lit on a smirking Harry.
"HARRY!" he shrieked and threw his arms around Harry so hard he dislodged Fawks, who clucked amusedly and flew to an owl post at the window.
Harry chuckled as Conor tightened his hold like a vice before he released him and looked up, green eyes red stained and waterlogged.
Conor shook his head more tears escaped his eyes. "I thought you'd gone for good. I was so scared when you didn't meet us". He sniffled.
Harry sighed. "Conor, he knows".
Conor froze, eyes widening in horror. "You told him?" he whispered.
"No. He knew Conor. He always did" Conor frowned.
"Harry where were you?" he asked finally letting his brother go. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair and sat them both down on the couch before he began relaying the events back to his worry ridden little brother.
"So he pretty much told disowned me and told me if he saw me again he'd…" Harry stopped there for Conor had paled considerably.
"H-Harry. I'm sorry" He whispered ashen faced.
Harry sighed and shook head. He wrapped his arm around Conors shoulders and pulled him close beside him.
"Sorry for what Conor? You didn't do this, I did and I did it for you. Only now he says he's coming to get you himself". Conor went rigid beside him and Harry hugged him closer. "If you don't want it to be for nothing, when he does come refuse him". Conor was shaking. "I'm scared Harry" He whispered.
Harry smiled down at him and put a hand on his head. "Don't be. I won't let him take you" Harry promised "He'll go through me first. Just promise me you won't go willingly".
Conor shook his head in the negative. "I don't think I want to know him anymore!.
Harry frowned bitterly. "Trust me, you're better not" he spat.
Conor smiled wryly at his brother before he sniffed and nodded to Fawks. "Who's the bird?".
Harry snapped out of his thoughts and stood Conor up with a bright smile. They approached Fawks who tilted her head in interest. Her hood of feathers stood up as they came to her and Conor reached up to stroke her breast feathers gently.
"This is Fawks. She's Dumbledore's Phoenix. He told me to keep her with me for the time being".
Conor sighed "She's beautiful". Harry nodded in agreement before he snapped himself back to reality.
"Right, well I think it's time I filled you in on a few details, like the fact that mine and Dad's wands share cords from the same magical creature" Harry smiled as Conor's eyes widened a fraction. "Both our feathers come from the same Phoenix, Fawks in fact. She's only ever given two feathers".
Conor looked up at him and grinned. "That's how you got the Angelic Optimum, that time you told me about!" Harry nodded and petting the Phoenix "but your wand was snapped…"
"Not anymore. Fawks gave me another feather so it can be repaired now". He beamed warmly and extended an arm to Fawks who stepped on gripping tightly. Harry smiled down at Conor and shoved him playfully.
"Hey what ya say we head down to the pitch for some practice? And maybe some spells too while we're at it huh?". Conor whooped in excitement and Harry chuckled.
"Just let me run up and grab my broom". Harry left him Fawks and ran up the stairs. He frowned seeing Draco Malfoy sitting up dressed with a letter in hand. His narrowed eyes followed Harry was he made his way over to collect his firebolt.
"So I hear you're fathers disowned you then?".
Harry grinned and pulled his broom from behind the cabinet. "Yeah, isn't it great?" he chuckled as Draco frowned.
"I heard he snapped your wand too".
Harry sighed dramatically and shrugged. "Yeah but I'll get another one". He muttered carefree.
"I don't get it Potter, why are you so happy?" Harry sneered at the use of the name. He stopped at the door and turned back to Draco with a glare worthy of Voldemort.
"I hate him, both Conor and I do".
Draco shrugged in confusion. "What does Riddle have to do with this?".
Harry smirked evilly. "You mean you still don't know? Conor's my brother".
Draco's jaw dropped and Harry nodded. "Yeah that's right. So the next time Dennis gives him a hard time I'll be wanting a word". Draco swung his feet off his bed and nodded eyes narrowed.
"That's why you changed houses" he growled.
Harry chuckled and nodded. "Catch on quick don't we? Oh and Draco, Conor was right you are a disgrace to the word pureblood, mind you that's not saying much is it?".
Draco's cheek rouged and he gripped his wand and pointed it at Harry threateningly.
Harry eyed the wand warily. "You think you scare me?".
"Seco Iniuria" He spat. Harry winced as a slash appeared down his forearm. He stared at Draco in disbelief which soon turned to anger.
"I'll make you sorry you did that. You just wait till I get my wand…" Harry let out a gasp as another twirl of Draco's wand opened up a similar matching slash in Harry's other arm. Harry approached the blonde.
"Put down that wand and fight me" he spat.
Draco grinned widely. "Now why would I do something like that?".
A groan drew their attention as Gregory Goyle woke up and froze seeing the two wizards glare at one another. With a hiss Harry turned and disappeared down the stairs.
He approached Conor as he stood up the greet him and handed him the firebolt.
Conor gasped and reached for Harry's arm. Harry tugged it back out of the way.
"Harry what happened?" Conor gasped in shock.
"Nothing. Can I borrow your wand for a moment?". Conor frowned but took out the wand and handed it over. Harry nodded and turned and disappeared back up the dorm stairs. This time Fawks followed him and perched on his shoulder.
As Harry entered the room again both Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be awake and staring at Draco who grinned evilly seeing Harry re-enter.
"What back for more Potter?" he mocked and glanced nervously at his wand across the room from beside Goyle's bed.
Harry frowned and raised the wand before a disapproving screech from Fawks stopped him. Harry seemed to struggle with himself as Draco tensed.
Harry sighed and dropped the wand to his side.
"Your right Fawks" Harry huffed. "He's not worth it".
The blonde Slytherin's gaze narrowed and as Harry turned around, a movement in his peripheral vision caused him to spin back around wand raised.
"Stupify!" harry yelled. Draco froze up and fell face forward onto the very wand he'd tried to reach.
As one Goyle and Crabbe stood up and pointed their wands at him.
"Infa-Impedium!" Harry called out and was wrapped in a blue bubble which reflected the two hexes sent his and Fawks way.
Harry sneered at them and turned back down the stairs. Conor was there to greet him and rushed forward. He stared in awe as Harry dropped the wand to his side and the blue transparent bubble gave a distinct pop.
"What did you do?" Conor asked taking back his wand.
Harry shrugged. "I just stunned him. Fawks reminded me he wasn't worth going to Azkaban for" Harry explained and smiled at the bird on his shoulder.
Turning his attention to his brother who eyed his wounds warily he smiled in reassurance. "They're not deep. Come on let go and I'll try to teach some defensive spells. Something that'll come in handy".
"Like the bubble?" Conor asked in wonderment.
Harry chuckled. "Yes, cause that one's likely to protect you from whatever Dad uses".
As they made their way out onto the pitch Harry began to explain to Conor what he meant by defensive spells.
"You're right Conor, that bubble charm is actually pretty useful. It can protect you against most things, other than the unforgivables of course". Harry explained as they came to stop in between the stands.
"Unforgivables?" Conor echoed.
Harry groaned inwardly. "They included the Imperial, Cruciatus and Killing curse" Harry humph'd bitterly. "Three of Dad's favorites actually. Each can land you a term in Azkaban, the wizarding prison". He explained.
Conr nodded and Harry took up a dueling stance in front of Conor, and raised a fake wand at his brother. "We're going to practice response time first and wand movement. Then I'm going to teach you some useful elemental spells that have come in useful in the past". Harry frowned growing serious then dropped his fake stance. "And last, I'm going to teach you how to resist the Imperial curse by using it on you, but you can't tell anyone for obvious reasons. I could get in real trouble".
Conor rolled his eyes "Then why teach me?".
Harry chuckled and ruffled his hair. "So if Dad turns up he can't make you do anything you don't want to do and hey, if you're really good? I might just teach you how to summon a Patronus too".
"Yeah?" Conor asked excitedly. Harry nodded and went to answer but in the next second pain erupted in his scar and Harry gasped in shock. He turned to Conor frightened.
"Quick give me your wand!" Harry snatch it, not waiting for his answer.
"Harry wha..?" Conor was interrupted by a voice that yelled "Stupify!".
Harry snatch Conor to him and raised the wand, spun them around and answered. "Infa-Impendium!". The spell bounded off the bubble and Harry sighed relief. He down at Conor who'd froze in shock.
Fawks gave a startled cry.
"You ok?" he asked but Conor didn't pay attention to him. Harry looked up and felt his heart stop. There ten meters away stood Voldemort glaring at Harry in all his red eyes black robed glory.
Despite the fear coiling in Harry's stomach he glared at his father. "Stay back!". He yelled in warning.
Voldemort glared at him, but his eyes drifted to Conor and softened.
"Conor? Son?".
"Dad?" Conor whispered in awe.
Harry growled and pointed his wand at Voldemort all the time he tried to come up with a way to get them both back inside. He turned to Fawks on his shoulder. "Fawks, go get Professor Dumbledore, hurry!". Fawks thrilled and disappeared in a puff of harmless flames.
Harry winced away from the flames his eyes on Voldemort.
"He doesn't want to go with you Dad!".
"Be quiet filth!" hissed the cold voice back. Each syllable felt like a nail being hammered through his heart but Harry lowered his wand and stuck it slyly behind Conor's back and into his spine.
"harry?" Conor whispered unsure of himself.
"Shh" harry admonished him harshly.
Voldemort smiled sweetly at Conor and took a slight step forward. He raised his hand outwards in an open gesture.
"Come on Conor" Voldemort purred."You want to be with me don't you? I know you do, I can feel it in you".
Harry frowned. "He doesn't want-".
"CRUCIO!" Harry was struck and the bubble dropped and he fell to the ground screaming and writhing in agony.
"Stop it!" Conor screamed in panic. It didn't and Conor sobbed "Please! Leave Harry alone!".
It ended and Harry groaned. He gasped for breath on the ground trying to recover from the onslaught.
Harry felt a gentle touch on the arm as Conor bent to check him. "H-Harry?" he whimpered.
Harry's eyes snapped open and panting he pointed his wand at Conor and imagining Dumbeldore's office rasped out a spell. "Tral-acas-er-um!".
Conor's eyes widened and a pop sounded followed by a cry of outrage from meters ahead. Harry tried to get and look at Voldemort glaring heatedly at him just ahead, want trailed on him.
"Get up!" he spat dangerously as he approached closer. "Get up! We finish this right now!".
"Fine!" Harry yelled back. In the next second a ball of flames erupted beside him and Fawks reappeared over him. Harry leaped up and struck out his wand.
"Avada Kedavra!" Harry dropped and rolled the side but he didn't fire back. Instead he stared at Voldemort in shock.
"You'd kill me Dad?" He whispered heart brokenly. Voldemort was fuming circling him meters ahead. "You hate me that much?" Harry asked.
Voldemort raised his wand again and Harry lowered his.
"Higher it!" He spat venomously, eyes flaring bright red.
Harry shook his head. "I'm not going to hurt you Dad" Harry called out to him. "If you really hate me that much, do it! I wont even try to get out of the way". Harry admitted.
"CRUCIO!" once again Harry fell screaming and when it finally lifted Harry pulled himself to his feet shakily once again.
"Now! HIGHER YOUR WAND!" he yelled infuriated.
Harry shook his head panting. "No! That'd make it easy for you wouldn't it? To kill me in self-defense? Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble but I won't do it!" Harry roared.
Voldemort's face blanked in cold rage. "I'll give you one last chance Harry. Join me now or die!".
Harry shook his head and watched Voldemort's face twist in a snarl of aggression.
"Avada Kedar-" he stopped as Harry threw away the wand and sat down cross-legged on the hard ground. He knew Voldemort couldn't, or at least he hoped he wouldn't.
"Pick it up! Pick it up now!" he screamed, fury igniting his eyes.
Harry stared on sadly and shook his head.
"Last warning Harry, pick it up" Harry didn't move. "I MEAN IT!"
Harry felt his tears boiling and he began to tremble in terror believing in that minute he might actually do it. His tears fell and Harry closed his eyes.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!".
The green ray shot towards him and Harry felt it plow into his chest and go right into his heart.
Harry's eyes snapped open in shock and he saw Voldemort's face crumple. His wand fell and he rushed forward but Harry was already going cold at that stage. Harry lay back his heart slowing down in solid but seizing thumps of agony. He couldn't believe this was it. It was all over.
"Harry! No Harry!" Suddenly Voldemort was over him and an arm swept under his head and pulled him forward but Harry eyes closed.
"HARRY NO! NO! NO! NO!" he screamed. He pulled his corpse closer
"Don't go, I'm so sorry" a forehead pressed against his and something wet rolled down his cheek. "Please don't go" he whispered.
Something warm hit Harry's tongue and Harry's body snapped backwards as his heart started to thump again loudly. Arms gripped him tightly and Harry heard the person whimpering a mantra that sounded like " Bloody bird, actually useful for once".
Harry opened his eyes to slits and closed them with an audible hiss a the bright sunshine attacking them. He heard as relieved chuckle and tried again to open his eyes and stared up at the green eyes above him.
They smiled glassily back down at him. Harry frowned and tried to sit up but the person held him tight.
"Wha-?" he rasped. "Who are you?".
The person holding him went stiff as a board. Harry winced as the grip tightened even more before it loosened.
Who was this person? They must be close to him because they were crying and hugging him. He looked up at the green gaze to see it narrow in confusion.
"Harry! Tell me where you are-" the raven haired man whispered.
Harry frowned and looked around. "I don't know where I am". Harry admitted.
He was released as he sat up and looked around him to see they were on some kind of sports pitch. Large seating towers surrounded them that stretched right up into the sky. Harry looked at the man to see his eyes still fixed intently on him.
"Who are you?" Harry asked again, wondering if this man in black was his coach and he'd just had some kind of accident or something.
The mans eyes seemed to flicker as Harry asked the question. He wrapped his arms around him again and pulled Harry back to his chest.
"It's ok" his voice seemed to crack as he spoke. "I'll look after you. You'll be ok".
Harry frowned not understanding. "Why are your eyes like that? And who am I?"
The man seemed to break then and he whimpered. "Don't you remember? I'm Dad".
"Dad?" Harry whispered and he felt the man nod against his neck.
"Yes, come on" In a moment he loosened his grip and helped Harry to his feet.
Harry scratched his head. "If you're my Dad, where's my Mum?" Harry asked.
The man stared at him brokenly and seemed to try to compose himself. "Where are we Dad?".
"I'm taking you away from school" his father answered him. "You're going to come live with me. You'd like that wouldn't you Harry?".
Harry grinned delighted. "No school? Hell yes I would!".
A shout caught both their attentions and they looked as four people ran out towards them. Suddenly his father pulled Harry to his chest and Harry sealed his eyes shut and he felt a squeezed feeling before a loud pop sounded in his ears and the Pitch and the four yelling wizards disappeared from sight.
I didn't want to end this chapter here but I ran out of time tonight and didn't want to leave you all another night without an update.
My only request is that whether you liked it or not, to please review and tell me why. I'm interested in all readers opinions as to the why's and why not's.
Like this? Try my other stories
All reviewers get a what's coming reply when they post.