Chapter 3:

Living with the Bones's

Arthur Apparated to just outside the Burrow, and took a moment to look over his home in satisfaction. To most, the Burrow would appear to be a rundown place. With its ungainly appearance, it was a wonder that the place hadn't fallen over, but that was the beauty of magic. No muggle would ever be able to imagine such a house, and most wizards would scoff at it, but to the Weasleys it was home.

It was with these thoughts that Arthur made his way inside to find Molly baking in an attempt to keep her mind off what was happening. Upon seeing Arthur, she rushed to him, "What happened? Is Harry alright?"

Arthur raised a placating hand, "Don't worry, Molly. Harry is just fine."

"What caused him to use magic?" she asked.

Arthur sighed, "The muggles intended to lock him up in a cage. Harry objected rather strenuously, and sent his uncle flying across the house."

Molly gasped in horror, "Do you suppose that what the boys told us after Harry's first year was true then?"

Arthur looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Molly began to pace, "Oh, that's right, you were out on raids and weren't here when they first arrived. Ron told me that the muggles had put bars on his windows, and that they were starving him. I didn't really believe it at the time, because I thought Ron, Fred, and George were just trying to stay out of trouble."

Arthur nodded glumly, "After what I saw and heard today, nothing would surprise me. So, I have little doubt that it was true."

Molly stamped her foot, "We simply cannot allow Harry to stay in that home. I don't care what Albus says about it being necessary. We'll just bring him here."

Arthur shook his head, "I'm afraid that won't be possible, Molly. Harry gave Dumbledore a verbal beating today that he won't be forgetting for a long time. He was made a ward of the state, and before I could say anything in my shock at the situation, Amelia Bones petitioned Fudge to become his guardian. With Harry's blessing Fudge granted the request."

Molly stopped and sagged into a chair, "But I thought the little dear would have wanted to come here."

Arthur shook his head, "I doubt he would have accepted even if I had offered. He knows that we are close to Dumbledore, and he wants as little to do with him at the moment as possible. He was quite vindictive in the way he dealt with Albus. Although, I can't quite blame him."

Molly sighed, "So, what are we going to tell the children?"

"The truth."

Albus Dumbledore arrived back at Order headquarters in a mild fume with Moody, Tonks, and Lupin hot on his heels. Remus was the first to speak, "I can't say that I'm surprised, but exactly how did you allow things to go that far? Were you naïve enough to think that a teenager would just accept everything you told them forever?"

Moody chuckled, "Of course he was. Everyone in the Order has been lapping up the things that he tells them for years without questioning him. I'm the only one who sees Albus for his machinations rather than the twinkle in his eye."

Tonks asked, "What are you talking about, Mad-Eye?"

Moody gave Dumbledore a calculating look before replying, "Dumbledore engineered Harry's childhood, so that he would be raised in a way that would have him subservient. He knew Harry was going to be the one to defeat Voldemort, and he knew that for Harry to do so that he would need to be willing to allow Dumbledore to guide him. So, to save the world he insured that Harry would have an awful childhood."

Remus growled, "Did you know about this the whole time, Alastor?"

Moody shook his head, "No, I didn't figure out most of it until I found out what the Prophecy said last year. That's when all the things that Albus has done over the years clicked into place."

Remus rounded on the headmaster, "How could you? That was Lily and James' son and you practically sent him to the slaughter. Was their sacrifice for the world not enough for you?"

Albus sighed, "It was plenty for me, Remus, but it wasn't enough to save the world. Harry had to be groomed to destroy Voldemort, or we would all be lost."

Remus shook his head in disgust, "You have practically destroyed the boy, by robbing him of his childhood, and now you expect him to want to save the world. It wouldn't surprise me if he told us to go to hell. What I want to know before I leave is, who made you God to decide these things? You've manipulated all our lives in your grand chess game against Voldemort for far too long, and I refuse to be a pawn any longer. I'm leaving the Order of the Phoenix. I just can't trust your judgment anymore."

With one last wistful look around the dismal house that had been Sirius' home, Remus departed to follow a new path in life. Moody snorted, "Well, Albus, it seems that you have truly screwed the pooch this time. I'll be following Remus. I'm certain that he and Harry will be needing my help." With that statement, Moody followed Lupin from the house.

Albus looked up, "Well, Miss Tonks, will you be leaving me as well?"

Tonks looked towards the door, and then back to the headmaster and then shook her head, "I don't know what to do. I can't follow Harry, he's too young, but I don't know if I can trust you after all that I have discovered. You could just be using any of us for some purpose."

Albus stood, "Of course I'm using you. Its all for the greater good, though. I know Tom's mind better than anyone. He was one of my student's after all. I saw his descent into what he became, and I am ready to combat him. That's why I needed Harry to follow my guidance, to keep him on the right path. We couldn't take the chance that he would follow in Voldemort's footsteps, for then the world would be lost. Now that Harry is no longer listening to me, it may have all been for nothing."

Tonks shook with unshed tears for a moment and then nodded, "I'll stay in the Order."

Just shortly thereafter, Harry and Amelia arrived at Bones Manor. Harry paused a moment to look up at the enormous home in awe. It was four stories high with surrounding gardens and an enclosing wall made of marble. The gates that opened onto the grounds appeared to be solid gold.

Amelia smiled down at him, "How do you like it, Harry?"

"It's breathtaking."

"We've always prided ourselves on the beauty of our gardens. I'm sure you will spend some time exploring them with Susan while you are here."

Harry snapped out of his daze for a moment, "Oh, that's right. I had almost forgotten that Susan lived with you. She was wonderful in the D.A. last year."

Amelia quirked an eyebrow, "The D.A.? Am I to understand that my niece was part of an illegal school organization?"

Harry grinned sheepishly, "Sorry."

"Its quite alright, Harry. I have already had a discussion with Susan over the matter. I found her resistance to authority when it was wrong quite refreshing. That's one thing that we are sorely lacking as a culture. Most people don't bother speaking out against the government when its doing something they don't like unless it inconveniences them."

Harry nodded sadly, "I've noticed, ma'am. The wizarding world is as fickle as you get. I go from being savior to crackpot at the whim of a newspaper that prints things Rita Skeeter writes."

"It doesn't take a great deal of imagination to see why you don't like her. Some of the things she has printed about you have been truly awful. Well, enough of that talk, let's get you inside."

Amelia showed Harry to his room, and left him to settle in. After a few minutes of unpacking his trunk, Susan Bones appeared in the doorway. She smiled down at Harry, and looked around at his arrangement of the room. Harry had unpacked all of his school books onto the desk against the far wall. His clothing remained pooled into the bottom of his trunk, while his Firebolt was settled on the broomstick rack that was installed above the bed. It was when Harry stepped back to admire his handiwork that he noticed Susan standing in the door. He grinned over at her, and said, "Well, I guess the two of us get to spend the summer together."

Susan laughed, "I guess we do. So, what did you have in mind to do this summer?"

Harry shrugged, "I have no idea. I've never gotten to spend an entire summer with a pretty girl."

Susan playfully slapped his arm, "Oh, you're so silly. Come on, I'll give you a tour of the manor before dinner."

Harry nodded enthusiastically, "I'd like that."

The two of them spent the rest of the afternoon going through the myriad of rooms in the place, from the library to the dueling chamber to Susan's bedroom. After dinner that evening, Harry headed toward his room, but was stopped by Susan, who gave him a light peck on the cheek and wished him good night.

Harry touched his cheek in awe, and smiled, "Good night, Susan."

Later that evening, Harry was asleep in bed when the first of his dreams occurred. He found himself in Riddle Manor once again. Voldemort was walking down a corridor with Wormtail sniveling along behind him. "Yes, Wormtail, Potter has left the Muggles, and the protection is broken. We must begin making plans to capture him."

Then, Voldemort paused and touched his skull, "He is here. My, Potter, don't you get tired of spying on me this way. I shall have to reward you for your insolence."

Next, a burning sense of malevolent hatred coursed through the link to Harry, and his scar erupted in pain. Harry awoke screaming in agony as his scar continued to burn. As the pain slowly subsided he became aware that other people had entered the room. Amelia, Susan, and one of the house elves were attempting to calm him.

Harry finally slumped against the bed taking deep breaths. His body was covered in sweat and his eyes were bloodshot. Amelia asked him, "Harry, what happened?"

Harry swallowed nervously, "Voldemort knows that I've left Privet Drive. He thinks that now is the time to attempt to take me. I don't want to put your family in danger, ma'am. Perhaps I should leave."

Amelia shook her head, "Nonsense. I knew what taking you in meant. There is an Anti-Apparation ward on this home second only to the Ministry and Hogwarts. We have a constant Auror patrol, and several other passive defenses. I'm confident that You-Know-Who will not attempt to take you from here."

Harry smiled weakly, "Thank you, ma'am. However, I do have one request."

"What is it, Harry?"

"Can you have someone teach me Occlumency? I think it might help to be able to block my mind off from Voldemort's intrusions."

Amelia nodded, "I'll make inquiries as to which Aurors are skilled enough to give instruction. We should have you a tutor within the week. Now, I believe that Susan wants to fuss over you. I suggest you get back to bed." Amelia winked at her niece as she left the two teenagers in the room alone.

Susan rushed over to Harry, and began to mop at his brow with a slightly damp towel. The two talked until Harry could keep his eyes open no longer and he drifted off to sleep. Susan leaned over and kissed his forehead, "Sleep well, my brave Harry.

A/N: Well, its that time again. I hope all of you enjoy the new chapter. This chapter and the next one are more fillers to set the stage for the circumstances of Harry's life as they exist now. Then, after that we get into a little action, and then its back to Hogwarts. Hopefully, this story will manage to be a little different. I have used plot devices this time around that have been used quite frequently, but I hope that I have managed to approach them in a different way. Anyway, enough babbling from me, Happy reading.