Harry Potter and the Pandora's Box
By: Ivan D. Wright
Chapter Two: Imprisonment, Exoneration.
The Return of Harry Potter
It had taken Harry Potter nearly three days to reach London, England. It was a sight to behold when he first laid his emerald eyes on the bright lights coming from Big Ben, late at night.
He had landed in Eastbourne, England several hours ago, intent on getting to London by road. Pig had departed from them there. It had taken Harry and Hedwig another three hours to reach London, a trip that would have taken less if he flew but nevertheless, Harry enjoyed being on land again.
At the moment now, inside a room above the Leaky Cauldron, Harry was resting in bed. Beside him was the newspaper of the Daily Prophet, announcing the time of Pettigrew's trial and Sirius's appearance, eight in the morning.
He had made sure to hide his appearance from Tom, the innkeeper, as well as the other patrons. He knew that the sight of him would bring cries of joy and a bout of celebration. It wasn't that Harry did not mind a good party every now and then but the celebration only served to remind him of his unanswered questions.
His journey for answers turned into a year long vacation and it was something that angered and annoyed Harry to no end. How was he to look at his friends in the eye? Harry could not bring himself to tell them all that they were right, that he was just being irrational.
Not when the feeling of unease continued to grow.
He wanted some sort of sign to show him that he wasn't going insane; that there was reason for his constant paranoia. However the Gods did not sent him one. Why did they shun him after saving the lives, bringing peace, to countless people?
There, it was like a strike of lightning had just struck him, an epiphany. Maybe he had yet to save them. Maybe he had yet to really vanquish the Dark Lord, yet to fulfill the prophesy.
But then… where was Voldemort? Where were the nightmares Harry had his entire fourth and fifth year? Where was the feeling of anger, the feeling of frustration and the feeling of sheer utter joy that came from having his connection with Voldemort?
Harry sat up, swung his legs around so that he could stand on the cold, wooden floor. He had already convinced himself, Voldemort was still around even though he had yet to have concrete proof. His feeling of unease to dim a little before it exploded exponentially when another question came to mind.
'What is Voldemort planning?'
He was not about to embark on another pointless quest to find out. He had searched several countries, interrogated several runaway Death Eaters like Fenrir Greyback, but it was all in vain.
Harry slammed his fist on the wooden, battered table, where both the Daily Prophet was and Hedwig lay sleeping. The sound and the feeling of the table shaking startled her awake; she hooted angrily and stared at him reproachfully.
Harry, however, paid no attention; his realization causing him to do such an action. He could only think, 'I'm going to have to wait. Wait for him to make his move.'
But Harry could not and would not bide his time. He would get even stronger and if he had to do it alone and delve into the Dark Arts like Voldemort to rid him for good, then so be it.
The Avada Kadavra was not the only spell in the world that could kill and the wand was not the only weapon available.
He will have power the Dark Lord knows not…
Harry shook his head before lying down in his bed again. 'What power?' Harry thought. He certainly did not feel a spontaneous superpower when he and Dumbledore overwhelmed Voldemort. He felt just as he always had; alone.
Sure, he had his friends but when it came down to it, Harry knew they would place themselves in harms way for him. Harry won't let them. He cannot have another repeat of Neville's tragedy.
He could not bear it, he wouldn't, if someone dear to him was taken and tortured like Neville. And so, Harry's eyes closed with one final thought in his mind before falling into another restless sleep.
'I will protect them all'
Sirius looked at his escorts, Ron Weasley and Albus Dumbledore, in slight worry. It was the day of Pettigrew's trial and his supposed exoneration but even if the Ministry had changed for the better, thanks again to Ron and Kingsley too, he could not help but feel apprehensive.
Would the Ministry commit another wrongful act? Could he trust his allies to protect him?
Sirius was dressed in rather plain looking clothes along with his heavy cloak to protect him from the harsh, cold morning air. In just less than an hour, he would either walk out a free man or with Auror's.
The three of them were sitting inside the courtroom, alone. They had arrived early, as to escape the press.
"Dumbledore," he said "if push came to shove, would you get me out of here if the Ministry decided to backstab an innocent man again?"
Dumbledore, who was startled out of his thoughts, turned to regard the man beside him. "Sirius, you have committed no sin. No wrongful act. I hold sway in the Ministry to have them give you a fair trial, the same goes for Pettigrew. We want a confession from him after all." Sirius gave him a hard look, "But yes Sirius. If something happened that would have the ministry backstab you, I will have Fawkes' take you back to Grimmauld Place unharmed."
Sirius let out a sigh of relief.
Time passed and several reporters began to fill part of the courtroom and soon, several spectators arrived.
Elsewhere, Harry watched, hidden underneath his cloak, as his Godfather stared blankly into the Judges stand in front of him. He was nervous, he could relate. Harry had once sat in that very chair in front of the former minister, Fudge. Would it be a repeat, Harry wondered, of his fifth year?
The courtroom was different than Harry's fifth year. This one was almost triangle shaped and had several benches to the sides. At the point of this triangle shaped room was the door Harry had come in. Opposite the door was, of course, the Judge's stand and in between them were two desks. One of them held his Godfather, Sirius, Ron, who wore crimson shaped robes, and Dumbledore, looking very much his age and the other desk was empty with only one chair. Harry heard a door open and close nearby.
His eyes traveled toward the Judge's stand then upward, where several benches stood upon a balcony. The Wizengamot had arrived.
Moments later after the witches and wizards of the Wizengamot were seated, a door behind the Judges stand opened. Out came the Minister of Magic, Amelia Bones, and a young man.
She had changed over the years since he last saw her at his trial. In a good way though. She seemed more dignified yet stern. Her blond hair was tied up in a bun and she wore oval shaped glasses. Her robe was the same as Fudge's albeit smaller. She seemed more like a ruthless business woman than a Minister.
"This court is now in session," said the young man that came with Amelia Bones, "All rise for the honorable Judge, Minister Amelia Agatha Bones."
Harry, along with the rest of the spectators, reporters, Sirius, Ron and Dumbledore, stood and as Amelia sat, he once again heard the young man speak, "You may now be seated."
The room became deathly silent as Amelia stared down Sirius. 'She's scary' Harry thought. He sat back and crossed his arms. He would not like to be in Sirius' position right about now.
"Sirius Black, you are here to be given a fair trial. Should you be found guilty, you will be sent to Azkaban where you will be placed in the maximum security ward. Do you agree to submit yourself under the force Veritaserum Potion?"
"Yes, Minister."
"Very well. Under-Secretary Adele," The young man, Adele turned his attention to his boss, "have the Auror's bring in the accused, Peter Pettigrew and two vials of Veritaserum."
Adele scurried out of the courtroom and for several moments various photographers too pictures of Sirius, Amelia Bones and the Wizengamot members. The door next to the Judge's stand opened.
Several spectators gasped and another round of pictures went off as Peter Pettigrew was escorted by four Auror's in crimson colored robes. He looked absolutely horrid. His clothes were in shambles and were dirty, as if he had been living in the street. His rat looking face held various pimples and his hair, once a vibrant red, was now grey, almost bald.
He was forced to sit down at the empty table to Sirius's right. He could have sworn he heard Sirius growl.
Adele came in, carrying a tray containing two small vials of yellow liquid and a wand, "Shall I administer the potion, Minister Bones?" At her nod, he handed one vial to the Auror who was guarding Pettigrew and one to Dumbledore.
"Auror Dawlish and Headmaster Dumbledore, administer the Veritaserum to the accused and Sirius Black." Said the Minister as she eyed them both.
Harry watched as Sirius opened his mouth so that Dumbledore could pour the potion in his mouth. Pettigrew was a little more difficult. He would not open his mouth once Dawlish held the vial close to his mouth.
And so, Harry pulled out his wand, careful not to be seen by the spectator beside him. 'Imperio' Harry thought as he pointed his wand at Pettigrew. He watched as Pettigrew sat rigid. 'Open your mouth,' he ordered him, 'and drink the potion.'
Pettigrew opened his mouth and Dawlish, momentarily surprised, poured the potion down his throat. Harry released the Imperious Curse.
He saw Peter look around wildly, he knew someone had made him, ordered him, to take the potion.
"State your names." Said Amelia.
"Sirius Black."
"Peter Pettigrew"
Once again, the crowed gasped and another round of flashing lights came as photographers took pictures. They had gotten their confirmation. Amelia, however, kept her cool as she slammed the gavel to her desk. "Order! Be silent or I will have you lot thrown out of my court!"
With several grumbles the room quieted once more. "Now that we now that the Veritaserum is in effect, it is time to start your interrogation." Amelia looked at Peter and Sirius in turn, "State the name of the one who was the secret keeper of James and Lily Potter."
Simultaneously, Sirius and Peter spoke, "Peter Pettigrew."
Harry heard several scratching sounds and noticed that reporters were now writing their notes.
Amelia spoke again. "Sirius Black, will you explain, in full detail, what happened the night of the Potter's death?"
Sirius spoke in a detached, distant voice, "I was at my home, having an eggplant for dinner, when I received a firecall from Professor Dumbledore. He was somber yet angry when he had told me then of what occurred at the Potter home. It was broken into; Lord Voldemort had managed to find out where the Potters were.
"Professor Dumbledore, just like the rest of the world assumed, figured that I was Secret Keeper. After all, I was James' and Lily's best friend. Godfather to Harry Potter. However, the night before the charm of the Fidelius was to be made, James, Lily, Peter and I had a talk. How expected it would be for me to be Secret Keeper and so I suggested having Peter be Secret Keeper. Most, if not all, of Voldemort's followers would suspect me, or rather expect me to be Secret Keeper.
"I would have the Death Eaters and Voldemort's attention solely on me. I would flee; hide, from them, pretending I knew the secrets as to the Potter's whereabouts; leaving Peter, the true Secret Keeper, to live his life normally, attracting no hint of suspicion that he knew where the Potters lived. James and Lily agreed to my plan. Less than a week after the pact of the Fidelius Charm was made, the house of James and Lily Potter was broken into.
"Professor Dumbledore, who was talking to me through the firecall, urged me to turn myself in. I was shocked and surprised. Peter Pettigrew had given away the location of the Potters to Voldemort. I became enraged and so I took off into the night with my bike, intending to find him, Pettigrew.
"I had found him an hour later, not far away from Godric's Hollow, in the middle of a Muggle neighborhood. I chased him by foot and when he realized that I was catching up, he shouted 'How could you Sirius? How could you betray James and Lily?' The next thing I knew I was laying on the floor, Peter's index finger lying nearby. Several houses were burning, inside were Muggles. I was arrested soon after."
Sirius' tale ended. Harry heard sobs coming from several rows in front of him. Hermione was there, crying in Luna's arms. Ginny was there, as well as the rest of the Weasley family. A row behind them, he noticed 'Mad-Eye' Moody, Lupin, Shacklebolt, and a brown haired woman with a heart shaped face.
"I see." Said Amelia, "Peter Pettigrew, can you recall where you were the night just before the Potter's died? Please explain in full detail."
Harry heard Peter talk in the same manner Sirius had. "I was in the innermost chamber of my Master, the Dark Lord."
Amelia wrote something down, Harry saw. "Continue."
"I willingly told him the whereabouts of the Potters that night. I was praised and rewarded before he took me with him. We Apparated to Godric's Hollow and Voldemort went into the Potter home. I heard James shout to Lily that he was here, and to run upstairs and protect Harry; to try and get away while he held You-Know-Who off.
"I knew what would happen, James would die. He was not as strong as my Master. My prediction came true when I heard Master shout the Killing Curse and a body falling to the floor. He would go upstairs now, confronting Lily Potter. He ordered her to move away but she would not. He killed her too with the Killing Curse. I knew she would die. No one ever survived. However, I was proved wrong that night. I had expected one last flash of green light before my Master walked through the front door.
"Instead, what I saw was a flash of green light, a horrible scream and a crying child. I ran upstairs to see what happened. There, inside Harry Potter's room, I saw the black robes of my Master, near the corpse of Lily Potter. They were smoking, his robes, as if it was burning. Baby Harry was crying in his crib, a wound with the shape of a Lightning bolt decorated his forehead. It was bleeding slightly.
"I ran away, horrified. Minutes later, while running down a Muggle neighborhood, I heard the sounds of a motorcycle. Sirius Black was chasing me, he knew of what happened to the Potters, of my betrayal.
"He chased me on foot. I was not as athletic as he was, it was only a matter of time before I would be caught and handed over to the Auror's or I could die. That's when I had an idea. I yelled aloud, so that witnesses could hear. 'Sirius how could you? James and Lily! How could you betray James and Lily?' And so I cut off my finger before casting a spell that triggered an explosion. I escaped by transforming into my Animagus form, a rat.
"I hid away for several years. During which I learned of Sirius' imprisonment and of my Order of Merlin, First Class award."
"Which has been revoked," Amelia interrupted. "Finish,"
"I was picked up by the Weasley family and kept as a pet and for the next twelve years I hid. I never met my Master again until the year of Sirius' escape from Azkaban."
Harry wanted to ask Peter if he knew if Voldemort was still alive but no, he could not reveal himself. Not yet. He was already walking on a thin line, now that Moody was here. He wouldn't be surprised if the old coot knew he was here.
"Peter Pettigrew, do you admit that you were under the service of the Dark Lord? A Death Eater?"
"Yes to both."
"You are the one responsible for the deaths of James and Lily Potter as well as the one responsible for murdering thirteen Muggles?"
"Yes."
Amelia's eyes narrowed. "Very well, Peter Pettigrew, you are sentenced a jail term of four hundred years. Does the Wizengamot have any objections?"
A chorus of 'no' was heard throughout the room.
Amelia slammed her gavel down. "Auror's take Mr. Pettigrew to the highest security ward in Azkaban. Snap his wand."
The Auror's moved to take Pettigrew out of the room. Meanwhile, Adele picked up the wand that was on the tray and snapped it.
Once the door closed behind Peter, Amelia looked at Sirius, who was still underneath the effects of Veritaserum.
"Sirius Black, the reason for the Potter's being hidden away. Was it due to the Prophesy that was once held in the Department of Mysteries?"
"Yes."
Murmurs began in the room. Wondering about what this prophesy was. Amelia slammed the Gavel down. "Order! Be quiet! This is your final warning!"
"Do you know of the details of this prophesy?"
"No, I do not."
"I see." Her eyes traveled over to Dumbledore, "Does anyone know?"
"Yes, Harry Potter."
Amelia blinked, "Harry Potter, did you say?"
"Yes."
"Indeed. I have no more questions. Does the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot have anything to add?"
"No, Minister Bones."
Harry saw Adele wave his wand at Sirius, "Finite" he muttered. Sirius looked around the room then back at the Minister.
"Very well, Sirius Black, the Ministry gives you a full pardon as well a long-overdue apology. The Black Family Vaults will be unfrozen the moment you step out of this room. The Ministry of Magic shall award you with one million galleons for compensation." She slammed her gavel down. "You are exonerated Sirius Black. Court dismissed."
Hermione, Ron, Luna and everyone else began to applaud then cheer. Harry couldn't help himself but to do the same. Everyone, especially the reporters, began to crowd around Sirius, asking him many questions. However Dumbledore managed to subdue to them.
Reporters began to file out of the courtroom, as well as the spectators and the Wizengamot. Amelia Bones was the first to leave via the door behind the Judge's stand; her aid following her. All too soon, the Weasley's, Hermione, Luna, Kingsley, Moody, Lupin, Dumbledore and the brown haired woman remained.
He stared at each of them, his emotions about to burst. He had missed them greatly. So deep was he in his thoughts that he failed to notice Moody's stare.
"Potter!" he yelled, causing the others to jump and stare him. "Are you going to remain hidden throughout the time we're here?"
Harry was standing between the exit and them. He couldn't help but laugh, "Your eye should be confiscated, if you can see through my hood." Harry lifted his hood to reveal his face. "Who knows what else you've been seeing, pervert."
He grinned when he saw Moody's eyebrows rise. His eyes traveled over to his friends. Everyone else was too stunned to speak. Were their eyes deceiving them?
Harry opened his arms, "It's been a while, everyone."
Harry and his friends arrived at Grimmauld Place. It was absolutely hilarious what had happened after he revealed his identity. There were multiple shouts of 'Harry!' before he felt someone rush into him, giving him a punch in his gut before being hugged.
That person was the same one who was currently latching into his arm, not even letting go when they apparated.
"Hermione," Harry said as he looked at her, "Do you think you can let go of my arm now? I'm not going anywhere you know."
She shook her head.
"Come now, what if I have to go to the loo? Are you going to follow me there too?" he said laughing.
He saw her cheeks flush and she reluctantly let go of his arm. "Where have you been Harry? It's been far too long."
Harry led the way to the kitchen. Just as he sat down, Hermione quickly took the seat next to him so fast that he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Is everything alright Hermione?"
"Yes, you prat," she scowled then her face became gentler, "How are you? Did you find peace? Your answers?"
Harry watched as Sirius, Lupin, Luna, Tonks, who was the brown haired, heart shaped woman, Moody and Professor Dumbledore sat down. The Weasley's had wanted to be there but unfortunately, Charlie had once again been injured by one of his dragons so the family was off to Romania to check up on him.
"I am fine." Harry lifted his arm up, fingers stretched. Seconds later Hedwig flew down from the ceiling and landed on Harry's finger. "We're fine. I have found peace." He began to stroke Hedwig's feathers when he put his arm down. "And I have realized that my journey for answers was merely for naught."
"Why?"
"Because Sirius, I came to the conclusion," Harry scowled, "that you and everyone else were right all along."
"You don't seem very happy about it though."
"Admitting that I was wrong is a difficult thing to swallow." He lied.
Hermione looked at him, "So what are you going to do now?"
"I'm not sure. Rebuild the Potter House probably. I could pretty much live my life without having to work but I'd be pretty bored."
"Why not join the Auror's?" Moody asked gruffly.
Harry waved him off, "I'd rather not. It's Ron's thing, not mine."
"Well then Harry," spoke Professor Dumbledore, "Why not join Professor Tonks as Defense against the Dark Arts instructor?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, "Don't I have to be an apprentice like Hermione?"
"I believe you are more than qualified to teach and Ms. Granger is now a full-fledged Professor of Transfiguration. I daresay Ms. McGonagall is enjoying her retirement right now."
"Ah, so she's retired."
"Yes. What are your thoughts on the matter of my offer Harry?"
Harry leaned back in his chair. Should he take it? He would be at home at Hogwarts. Hermione and Tonks were there too, so he wouldn't feel awkward about being at the staff table with several of the other professors.
Not to mention, the restricted section at the library. Harry would have salivated if he didn't have an audience looking at him. The restricted section, Harry could read every single book there. There had to be several books dealing with the Dark Arts there.
Voldemort would not be showing up anytime soon either, he felt. "I'll take it Professor. When do I start?"
"In a few days; the Christmas vacation will be over soon."
Harry nodded; he had no problem with that. The sooner he could get into the restricted section, the better. A sudden thought reached his mind, "Tonks? Aren't you an Auror?"
Tonks smile waned. "Unfortunately, I was fired." At Harry's surprise look, she elaborated, "It's because there's hardly anything we can do. The night you took out Voldemort, most of the Death Eaters were captured. Sure there are several missing like Malfoy senior and the Carrows but it's generally been so peaceful that Auror's aren't mostly needed. It's a time of peace now."
"I see."
"Oh don't get me wrong. I've come to enjoy teaching it's just… different from being an Auror."
"Ah," Harry scratched his head. "Well, I hope we'll work together well."
Tonks beamed at him, "I'm sure we will Harry."
Hermione, annoyed at Tonks for holding Harry's attention, spoke up. "So Harry, what have you been up to for the past year?"
"There really isn't much to tell to be honest. Thanks Sirius," Sirius had summoned several bottles of Butterbeer for all of them to drink. "I've seen most of England, France, Italy, and Poland all for the sake of finding peace and merit to my unease. I had hoped to find something to prove me right but gave up when I received Ron's letter about Pettigrew's capture.
"I was disappointed really and am forced to admit that my journey for answers turned into a year long vacation." Harry drank some of his butterbeer.
"Will be you going away again?" Tonks asked with concern.
"No, no." Harry waved her off, "As I said, I've made peace with myself about it." Harry's stomach churned at the lie, "I'm back for good this time."
Harry spent the rest of his day lounging around Grimmauld Place. It amazed him how much the place had changed. It was no longer dirty and while Sirius had yet to finish, the house looked better than it had before.
He was now in his bedroom next to Sirius' room, on the third floor. Across from him was Tonks' room and Hermione's room was on the second floor, below Tonks'.
Moody, Lupin and Dumbledore had left hours earlier. At the moment Harry was at his desk, in his room, overlooking several pieces of parchment. They held his thoughts and his theories of Voldemort's plans for the future. Generally of course, they contained world domination but it was the how that interested Harry the most.
His room was fairly large; larger than his room at Privet Drive ever was at least. It was nicely furnished. It held a mahogany desk and chair on one side of the room, near his bed. There was a bookshelf, which held several books, across from his bed and a slightly dusty window across from the door that led to the hallway.
This was Harry's room. He had lived here, much to Sirius' joy and his, ever since Voldemort's death three years ago. The Dursley's were more than happy to watch him leave their doorstep for good. Harry could only think that the feeling was mutual.
Harry heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he said after hastily gathering his papers and placing them inside his desk.
Sirius came in and closed the door. "Harry." He said standing beside the bookshelf. "Surely you're not too old as to give your godfather a hug."
Harry laughed, stood up and gave Sirius a hug. They released each other after a pat on the back. "We never talked much after we got back. Hermione and Tonks pretty much took over and ignored everyone else, didn't they?"
Sirius let out a bark like laugh. "Indeed they did. Have a seat Harry; let's catch up, now that the girls aren't here, shall we?"
"That'd be great."
Harry sat at the chair on his desk while Sirius sat on his bed. "So Sirius," Harry began, "How do you feel now that you're a free man?"
"It feels odd really. I've spent nearly five years hiding here and now, knowing that I could walk freely without being arrested, it's… well… odd."
Harry nodded, he could understand that. "What are you going to do? Look for work? Stay home?"
"Oh heck no, I'm not staying at home all the time now that I'm free. I might join this Organization Remus has joined."
"Organization?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"I really don't know the name, Remus won't tell me, but what I do know is that it is made up of Witches, Wizards, and magical creatures with human intelligence, like Centaurs, Vampires and the like."
"What do they do?"
"Have you ever heard the term, Bounty Hunter?"
Harry shook his head, "No."
"Well, Dark Wizards and Muggles, depending on the crime they committed have a certain bounty on them. A reward, sort of, for capturing them."
"I see, almost like being an Auror."
"Not exactly Harry. While the Auror's have the Ministry of Magic breathing down their necks and have the usual, pointless paperwork to do, a Bounty Hunter works without all that. There's a lot more freedom in it, including the use of spells."
"Oh?" This was getting interesting.
"Yeah, full use of the Unforgivables but only against the Bounties, the term they use for wanted fugitives. The Dark Arts are free to use as well but, again, only against the Bounties."
"I'm beginning to regret choosing the Defense against the Dark Arts position." Harry said half-jokingly. "Hey wait a second," his face screwed up as he remembered Tonks' conversation with him, "Why didn't Tonks join? Former Auror, Metamorphmagus abilities, she would seem perfect for them."
Sirius grimaced, "She would have but she and Remus had a little row."
He raised his eyebrows, Tonks and Remus? Remus didn't seem to be the type to be angry enough to have an argument with someone. He voiced his thoughts to Sirius.
"Well, a couple things happened while you were away. Ron received an Order of Merlin, Third Class, which I will explain how he got it later, Hermione became Head of House for Gryffindor and Remus and Tonks got in a relationship."
"Remus is more the rational type of man, Sirius; surely he would have worked things out with whatever happened with Tonks in a calmer manner?"
"Unfortunately, while on a trip to Bulgaria last summer, Remus had a little 'encounter' with his partner.'"
Harry tilted his head in confusion which caused Sirius to sigh in frustration.
"You're as dense as ever, Remus pretty much committed adultery Harry. Tonks found out about it when Remus walked into Grimmauld Place smelling like perfume."
"I see."
"She was very hurt by the fact that he denied it. Who was he trying to kid? She was an Auror for goodness sake! She called on his lies and he was bullheaded enough not to admit it. It only escalated into verbal argument when I came downstairs to see what the fuss is about. I'm sure if I had been a little later, I'd have seen a duel.
"Well anyway, at the time, Remus was already in the Organization, the reason he was in Bulgaria was because of a Bounty being spotted there. Tonks had been fired the day the argument happened. I'm pretty sure you can figure it out without me telling you."
Indeed. Tonks most likely did not want to be anywhere near Remus. "She held herself well though in the kitchens a few hours ago."
"It wouldn't surprise me; she much ignores Remus' very existence."
"That's quite sad."
"It is and Remus only has himself to blame. Tonks moved out of his flat a day later after she had asked me if she could live here. I didn't mind. I have several rooms empty with only mother's portrait as company."
"Where you mad at Remus?"
"Heck yeah! Remus cheated on my niece! What else was I supposed to feel? Blood is thicker than water Harry but we have since made up."
"Hmm," Harry thought as he nodded, "With only your mother's portrait? Whatever happened to Kreacher?"
Sirius wrinkled his nose in disgust, "The little bastard died in the attic clutching one of Rudolphus' old possessions. Could care less how he died, all I can say is good riddance. All he ever did was making the house dirtier."
"I can't help but agree with you." Harry stretched, "He was always bad mouthing half-bloods and muggleborns."
"So Harry, curious as to how Ron got his Order of Merlin, Third Class award?"
"Oh I already knew. He had such outstanding grades in his Auror Training and managed to capture Antonin Dolohov who was torturing a Muggle. He's gotten strong hasn't he?"
"Yes and I'm afraid his ego's gotten so big his head might explode."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "What happened?"
"Oh similar thing except Ron was in a relationship with Hermione. It didn't work out as well as they thought. Always fighting, always arguing, even about the little things."
Harry couldn't help but nod, "Sounds exactly like them."
"Sometimes, I think, during her relationship with him, she envisioned him being nicer to her; kind of like you are with her."
Harry smiled at the compliment. "I'm sure she'll find someone worthy."
At the exact moment, Harry sneezed, completely missing Sirius' incredulous look. Sirius couldn't help but mutter, "Dense as ever."
"What was that Sirius?" Harry asked, unable to hear.
"Nothing at all Harry." Sirius rose to leave the room, he opened the door before he looked at him. "Oh, before I forget. I added a dueling stage and a Muggle gymnasium in the basement. It's good not to get rusty with your spells. You'll be teaching soon. See you later Harry."
"A moment Sirius," Harry said as he stood up.
"A dueling stage, how about it? Care to see how strong I've gotten since we've last met?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow, "I had no idea you were such a jokester like your father Harry."
Harry grinned, "What's that matter? Chicken?"
Sirius gave him a sour look, "Far from it, I was merely sparing you the chance of humiliating yourself."
"Really now," Harry rolled his eyes, "I was thinking the same about you."
Sirius let out a raucous laugh, "I'll meet you downstairs in several minutes then. I want to have a Firewhiskey prepared for when I kick your ass."
Tonks, who was in her room across from Harry's, was staring intently at the mirror in front of her. She had slight bags underneath her eyes from lack of sleep due to the amount of papers she had to grade. Hopefully Harry would be willing to share the work.
The thought of Harry working with her brought butterfly's to her stomach. He had surprised her when he appeared in the Ministry today. He looked different than what she remembered. His he was taller than she was, near Ron's height. His cheekbones were more defined and he carried himself with an air that demanded respect. Yet his eyes shone with kindness and love.
She could not help but want him to look at her with those eyes, only her.
She listened intently, hours before, to his explanation of his travels. Her heart yearned for him, more than it had for Lupin, when he told everyone that he was back for good.
To be completely honest with herself, she missed him. She held a silly little girlish crush on him ever since she watched his battle against the Dark Lord. It grew as the years grew by despite the fact that she barely knew anything about him and his sudden departure only served fuel her crush.
Her relationship with Lupin was something special, or so she thought. Unfortunately, Lupin had betrayed her trust when he slept with his partner. He threw her away, like she was some sort of rag doll and he even had the gall to deny it!
Suffice to say, she and Lupin were no longer on speaking terms and she was content to ignore him for good. Oh there were times when he would try and speak to her, to apologize or maybe argue to defend himself and to try to mend his broken pride.
When Harry revealed himself to be the man that was standing between them and the exit, she felt… What? What did she feel?
Was it love? Could she love someone she hardly knew anything about? Harry was such an enigma to her. The only woman to understand him would be… Hermione.
Tonks' eyes narrowed. She felt jealousy; she could definitely admit that, when she saw Hermione jump into Harry's arms inside the Ministry's courtroom. She knew she made Hermione jealous when she had Harry's attention on her.
Now this made her think, 'Does Harry feel anything for her?'
If he did then she would step aside but if he didn't…
Tonks tilted her head to the side; if he didn't feel anything for Hermione then she would pounce on Harry like a cat high on catnip.
She wanted to know more about him and more about her feelings towards him. She briefly wondered what she would do if things would develop between them. Her cheeks flushed a bright hue of red. She was getting too ahead of herself!
She turned around and stared at the door in front of her that lead to the hallway, toward Harry's room. Should she try and begin to get to know him now?
No, no. Not with her so close. She had a feeling that Hermione would interrupt any conversation she would start with him. At least, in Hogwarts, Hermione would be too busy to try anything since she would be busy teaching.
Tonks' nodded. She would wait until Hogwarts. In the meantime though, she'll concentrate on her dueling skills. Even if she was no longer an Auror, habits are hard to break.
Right below Tonks' room was Hermione. At the moment, she was looking over her photo album as she sat cross-legged on her bed.
There were photographs of herself, Ron, Luna, her professors and various sceneries of Hogwarts. However, the one photograph she had her attention on was the man that had captured her heart.
Harry Potter
The picture she took of him was when he was staring at the lake, deep in thought. Several trees were behind him as well as Hogwarts. The leaves swayed behind him but he didn't move, not after the flash of her camera. She wondered what he was thinking about back then, in their sixth year.
Hermione caressed Harry's cheek. She dearly wished that the photograph of Harry was the real thing she was touching.
He had surprised her the moment he pulled down his hood back at the Ministry of Magic. He looked far different from their last encounter. His shoulders were broader, his hair longer, and she detected hints of muscle when she punched him in the gut before she hugged him fiercely.
She stared at her hand. She was angry that he left without saying goodbye and without taking her with him but she was glad he came back.
She then gave a wistful glance at the door. What does he think of her? Was she merely his friend?
He never shook his arm to get her away when they arrived here earlier. Could that have been a sign?
Or maybe he was trying to spare her feelings.
Did he have another woman in his life? Was he secretly seeing someone? Someone he met during his trip perhaps?
Hermione shook her head. No, of course not. If he had, Harry would have been accompanied by someone.
Her musings shifted to Tonks and it instantly brought a scowl to her face. How dare she fawn over him like a lovesick schoolgirl?
She grimaced, was she not acting the same? She shook her head, 'Of course not,' she thought, 'at the very least, I have my dignity.'
Maybe she should start getting closer to Harry; maybe he'll develop an interest in her. They were already friends, very good friends and if she could make Harry see that she was interested in him, maybe, just maybe, he would begin to see her more than just a friend.
She placed the photo album on her desk, stood up and stared at herself in the mirror. She wasn't bad looking but she wasn't exactly a knockout like Tonks either. If there was a word in the dictionary for what described her, it would be pretty.
No longer did she have the bushy haired and bucked teeth look; her hair was slightly long, a little past her neck, straight and it curled slightly at the very end. Nor did she carry herself to be so meek. No. What stared right back at her was a woman with an air of ability, a woman of intelligence.
And a woman in love.
She had accepted that she was. Oh what a shock that was! Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head when her Mother told her what she was feeling.
Hermione smiled to herself, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. She is a woman in love with her best friend. It was something others rarely experienced, something her parents were experiencing.
She should find and talk to Harry. Their conversation at the kitchen was not enough for her. She wanted to be by his side.
Primping herself before nodding, Hermione headed out the door; intent on having a long, uninterrupted, conversation with her friend.
A/N: I hope most of you enjoyed reading that chapter. As for the reason why Voldemort seemed too weak during the fight against Harry and Dumbledore… well, that will all be explained far later into the story as well as the reason why he did not run, even though he claimed that he will not flee with his tail between his legs.
As for the Death Eaters, I had decided in between having the Order of the Phoenix, taking care of the Death Eaters at the ministry in only a matter of minutes, rather than an hour in which I had originally planned. No idea why but I can say it was sort of on a whim.
Now! I've decided to add a little romance in Harry's life. It'll take a while for the romance to build even more but I can tell you that two of the women that will be vying for Harry's heart are one Nymphadora Tonks and Hermione Granger. Two have yet to make their appearance. Care to make a guess?
You've most likely assumed that I will be writing a harem fic but I've really yet to decide. It will be rather difficult for me to write without it conflicting with the plot.
There are several things I want to point out before I wrap this up. The Organization, it will be explained later on in the story. I'll probably regret it but one of the women that will worm her way into Harry's heart will be there. No, neither an OC nor a Mary Sue. Hate it just as much as you do.
What do you think so far? Like it? Don't like it but have advice for me? Let me know! I have over 300 hits and only two reviews!
Ivan D. Wright