Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to J K Rowling.
Hi. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews. Hope you enjoy the next chappie.
(Oops, my bad. I got a little confused with the OWL year. Damien is only in his fourth year, so no OWLS for him. I've changed that bit. Sorry guys.)
Chapter Five
The first month at Hogwarts went by very quickly. Harry found, to his amusement, that the classes he attended still didn't challenge him at all. He could easily sit in class, pay no attention to what was being said and still finish any homework piece with relative ease. He knew that it was because he had learnt most of the spells and charm work years ago, so he could just sit back and enjoy annoying the likes of Hermione, who found it immensely infuriating that Harry spent so little time studying and still managed to get 'Outstanding' in nearly all his classes.
"You could at least pretend to listen!" she huffed at him as they entered the common room after the last class of the day.
"I could, but that's no fun." Harry responded cheekily.
Hermione didn't say anything but left to drop off her bag in the girl's dormitory. Ron and Harry waited for her to return before heading to the Great Hall for Dinner.
As soon as Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table he saw the usual group of Gryffindors wave at him enthusiastically, wearing very big smiles. As usual Harry ignored them and started filling his plate with food. No matter how rude Harry was to them, most students still tried to be friends with him. Harry looked up at the staff table and was surprised to see that both his parents were missing. He figured that they were probably still tidying up after their last class. Harry loved Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. Not only because it was his dad teaching the class, but because the subject was one that captured Harry's interest the most. All his life he was taught the Use of Dark Arts in combat, so for him to learn the flip side was very interesting. James was doing well as the Defence Professor. He was already well known at Hogwarts as he was one of the infamous Marauders, but now he was becoming popular with the students because of his teaching abilities.
Harry's attention focused on his brother sitting across from him. Damien was already finishing his meal and was rushing through his dessert.
"Hungry, Damien?" Harry asked with a grin as he saw his brother eating very gracelessly.
"Homework…too much…have to finish" Damien told him in between gulps of his apple pie and custard.
He quickly finished his meal and left to head to the library.
"It's his fourth year. He's probably trying to catch up with all his work." Hermione said, giving Damien's retreating form a look filled with pride.
Harry shared a withering look with Ron. Hermione really did have an unhealthy obsession with school work. Just as Harry and the rest were getting to leave, Harry caught a glimpse of his dad at the door. He waved at Harry to catch his attention and then waved him over. Harry, Ron and Hermione headed over to him. James quickly greeted them and then turned to speak with Harry.
"You probably don't know this, but this coming Sunday is Damien's birthday. Your mum and I are going to be heading to Hogsmeade late on Friday to get a few things for him. Do you want to come along as well?" James asked.
Harry quickly agreed as he hadn't had the chance to get his brother anything. He arranged to meet with his parents after dinner on Friday. The arrangement was that they were all going to celebrate Damien's fourteenth birthday by meeting at the Astronomy tower late on Sunday. It was Damien's favourite place at Hogwarts.
As it was only Tuesday, Harry had plenty of time to think about what he wanted to get Damien for his birthday. He had never bought a present for anybody. Harry knew whatever he got him it would have to be exceptional.
xxx
The next morning Harry and Ron came downstairs to join Hermione and Ginny for breakfast. Harry had spent another night with hardly much sleep. The most he could manage was a few hours every night. He would always get woken up by some dream involving Voldemort. He couldn't even remember what his dreams were about anymore. He rubbed at his tired eyes as he sat at the Gryffindor table.
"Rough night?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, you could say that." Harry responded.
He silently decided to do something about his sleeping pattern. It had been over a month now and he was starting to show signs of tiredness. It wouldn't be long before someone realised what was going on. He decided to get some Dreamless Sleeping potion from Poppy. He could trust her not to say anything to anyone about the Dreamless Sleeping potion. With that thought in mind, Harry started his breakfast.
It was only moments later that the sound of beating wings filled the hall. Harry glanced up as the owls carrying mail swooped into the hall. As usual, a copy of the Daily Prophet landed in front of Hermione.
"I don't know why you continue to order that rubbish. It's never got anything worth reading in there." Ginny said as she gave Hermione a disappointed look.
"You never know when they decide to write something worthwhile." Hermione replied as she dropped a Knut into the leather pouch attached to the owl's leg. She unfurled the copy of the newspaper and disappeared behind it.
Ginny looked over at Harry before continuing to eat her toast. She had stopped reading the Daily Prophet after reading all the stories about Harry. Many wizards claimed to have always had faith in him, even when he was with Voldemort while others blatantly lied about knowing that Harry was really a good hearted wizard and would defeat Voldemort one day. It was sickening the way no one admitted to judging Harry and then trying to get him locked up in Azkaban. The Ministry had even seemed to have forgotten the Five Thousand Galleons reward they had placed on Harry's head. They were now acting like Harry was their best friend. Unfortunately for them, Harry wasn't playing along. His abrupt departure from the Minister's party and refusal to attend any other function held by the Ministry was quite embarrassing.
Hermione emerged from behind the newspaper wearing a very disgruntled look.
"Told you." Ginny whispered.
"No, it's not that. It's just so frustrating the way the authorities don't seem to be even trying to keep things stable. I was just reading that there was another breakout from Azkaban. That's the third one since Voldemort…you know, and the Ministry doesn't even seem to care. They don't think the escaped prisoners 'pose any immediate threat' do they have to wait until they pose a threat? Surely they should be trying to capture them again!" Hermione finished wearing a slightly angry look.
"Mione, you getting all worked up about it isn't going to do any good. Just relax and finish your porridge." Ron offered.
"Don't patronise me, Ronald!" Hermione snapped back.
"Ron's right, Hermione." Harry spoke up. Ron looked around, slightly surprised that Harry was siding with him.
"You getting all worked up isn't going to do any good. And in any case, there are more pressing issues that should be looked at. For example, the Dementors leaving the Ministry should be more worrisome than a bunch of Azkaban prisoners out in the open." Harry continued, looking quite relaxed.
"Yes, but, there was a reason these men were locked up. Shouldn't that be a cause of worry?" Hermione asked.
"The reason doesn't exist anymore. These men aren't anything to fear. Their support is gone." Harry said, a pained look crossed his features before he carefully disguised his face to look relaxed again.
Hermione didn't respond. She understood what Harry meant. Without Voldemort the Death Eaters were nothing. The real threat was Voldemort. If he was gone, then his Death Eaters would be defeated as well.
For extra reassurance, Harry took the paper from Hermione and scanned the names of the escaped wizards. 'Stanley Curt, Jason Cooper, Anthony Cassidy, Charles Wilson, Cole Bailey, David Todd, Kelvin Reed...'
"I don't recognise any of them, which means they can't have been very good Death Eaters. They probably got caught because they were lousy wizards, so nothing to worry about." Harry said as he handed the paper back to Hermione.
"I think the Aurors should still try and capture them though. What if someone tried to…to take his place, as the next Dark Lord." Hermione asked a flicker of fear present in her eyes.
"Hermione!" Ron said in an appalled tone, looking at her incredulously.
"Well, it can happen! That's the problem. Everyone wants to bury their head into the ground and not deal with the threat that someone could take his place." Hermione snapped back.
"But you don't have to say it out loud." Ron whispered back. He cast a scared look around the hall as if expecting someone to overhear them and march straight out of the hall, preparing to be the next Dark Lord.
Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother's reaction before turning to Hermione.
"I'm sure the wizarding world won't let that happen again. There won't be another Voldemort. For starters, you need someone with exceptional power. You don't get many wizards with so much raw power." Ginny said in a confident sort of voice.
Harry kept silent. He didn't want to give his opinion. He didn't doubt that there were groups of Werewolves, Vampires, especially Daywalkers and other magical creatures, fighting to take Voldemort's place. But Ginny was right, only someone with exceptional power could cause that sort of turmoil in the wizarding world. He didn't want to admit to himself who that someone could be.
xxx
It was late on Friday night and Harry had already left with James and Lily to go to Hogsmeade. Ron and Hermione had to keep Damien company until Harry returned. They pretended that Harry was busy talking some things over with Professor Dumbledore. Damien had looked sceptical but hadn't argued back. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Damien were sitting around the fire in the common room. Friday night was always the night that most students were relaxing in the common room. No one even looked at their homework until the next day. All except Hermione who was already half way through her charms work.
The common room was packed with most students chatting amongst themselves. Ginny and Damien looked up from the floor when two figures came to stand before them. Hermione peered up from her parchment as Parvati and Lavender stood before Damien.
"Hi, Damien. How are you?" without waiting for an answer, Lavender continued.
"I just wanted to ask you something. I was wondering if you knew whether or not Harry is seeing someone." Lavender asked as she brushed back her long hair.
Hermione looked at Ginny and fought to hide her smile as the red haired girl gave Lavender a cold look. Damien didn't get the chance to answer as Ginny jumped in.
"Yes, me. He's seeing me." she said as patiently as she could.
Lavender and Parvati looked at Ginny for a moment before bursting out into laughter.
"Yeah, okay Weasley. Whatever you say. Seriously, Damien, is Harry with anyone just now?" Lavender turned to speak to Damien, completely ignoring Ginny.
"Well, actually…" Damien started to say before Parvati interrupted him again.
"You see we're thinking of asking him out. We thought, since you're his brother and everything, you would know if he's with anyone." Parvati finished with a smug look.
"Both of you are going to ask him out!" Ron asked with a sarcastic look at the two girls. Parvati and Lavender just disregarded his question and continued to stare at Damien.
Damien turned to look at Ginny with a lost look. They two girls wouldn't even let him talk.
"Let us know when you can, okay. Bye." With that the two girls left, giggling at the thought of dating Harry.
Hermione put down her parchment and gave Ginny a sympathetic look.
"Gin, I'm so sorry. They wouldn't let me talk. I would have told them that you're his girlfriend" Damien said quickly.
"They wouldn't have believed you anyway" Ginny said, still eyeing the two girls angrily.
"Anyway, it's not your fault. It's Harry's" Ginny said finally looking away from Parvati and Lavender.
"How is it Harry's fault?" Ron asked, giving his sister a bewildered look.
"Would it kill him to put his arm around me, once in a while?" Ginny asked, now directing her angry glare at Ron.
"I'm not asking for much, you know, just a little public affection to show that I really am his girlfriend and not a lying, lovesick, idiot girl in love with him." Ginny finished.
"Harry did say that you're his girlfriend, right?" Ron asked, now looking a little anxious.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded while Ginny looked at him murderously.
"I'm only asking!" Ron defended himself.
Damien put a comforting arm around Ginny.
"You know what Harry's like. He's not comfortable with the entire public affection thing. He doesn't even let mum hug him in public." Damien offered, thinking that would make her happier.
"Damy, I don't think anyone wants their mum to hug them in public." Ginny replied back.
She looked away from the other three. She brushed her long braided hair away and looked back up at Hermione, with a very disheartened expression.
"I'm not the type of girl that needs to be constantly glued to her boyfriend's side. I don't need to show Harry off. I respect him to much to do that to him and I know how uncomfortable he gets with people staring at him. All I'm saying is that small things would be nice. Just holding hands would be enough." Ginny finished solemnly.
Hermione reached out and gave her friend a reassuring hug. She had spent enough time with her to know exactly how besotted Ginny was with Harry. Now that the two were going out, Ginny still wasn't getting what she really wanted out of the relationship.
"Have you talked to him about it?" Hermione asked.
Ginny shrugged at first before responding.
"It's not really a problem. I mean usually Harry's great with me. Like I said, I don't need to be by his side all the time. I'm happy with him just in the same room as me. It's just when other girls make passes at him and laugh at me when I try and tell them that Harry is actually with me. I know that they think I'm delusional. It's just times like this that I wish Harry would be a little more responsive to me. Just so that others believe he really is with me. It's not like I want him to stand on the rooftops and shout his undying love for me or anything like that." Ginny finished with a cynical smile.
"Don't worry; I don't think that will ever happen." Damien added, scarcely hiding his smirk at such a thought.
Ginny couldn't help but giggle at her own words and soon the four teens were chatting about other things, leaving behind the awkward confession that Ginny had made.
xxx
The room was scarcely lit, draping the majority of the room into darkness. The figure sitting on the chair had his head dropped as he was deep in thought. Harry came to stand near the door; he didn't enter the room even though he knew he would be allowed to without permission.
The figure sitting on the chair didn't look up but knew that Harry was there, quite relaxed, leaning on the doorframe.
"Don't!" a voice hissed out in the silent room.
Harry smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"I haven't even said anything yet." he responded.
Voldemort looked up at Harry and sat back to observe his son.
"If you've come to gloat then you can just leave. I'm not in the mood." He said.
Harry walked inside, taking long strides so that he was standing before his father in a few steps.
"You should take my advice more often, father. It would have saved you seventeen Death Eaters lives in the raid today." Harry said, still smirking.
Voldemort observed Harry quietly before standing up to face him. He placed a bony hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I didn't think it was appropriate to ask my thirteen year old son to plan a raid that should have gone smoothly." Voldemort responded.
"Well, maybe you just underestimated me." Harry said giving his father one of his most cheeky smiles.
Voldemort's face relaxed as he looked at Harry. He opened his mouth to respond but stopped abruptly. Harry watched as Voldemort's red eyes widened with pain. Harry moved away as the hand on his shoulder burned him. Harry gasped in pain and stumbled away from Voldemort.
Harry watched horrified as flames erupted from Voldemort's robes and began to engulf him.
Voldemort looked down at the flames erupting from his robes, no trace of pain or fear on his face. He looked directly at Harry before speaking.
"I really did underestimate you, Harry."
Harry woke up drenched in cold sweat. For the first few moments he couldn't hear anything other than the sound of his own heart beating frantically in his chest. Then slowly the room came into focus and he knew that he was in his dormitory. Harry felt bile rise in his throat as his dream came back to him. He shakily made his way out of his dorm and headed to the bathroom. He just made it in time to empty the contents of his stomach.
He sat back against the cold tiled wall and took in shaky breaths. He wasn't even aware of the tears that were running down his cheeks. He hastily swiped them away. He had never had such a nightmare. The thing that had broken him was that the first part of his dream was actually real. It was a real memory. It was all a real memory up until the point of the flames erupting from Voldemort's robes. Harry shut his eyes against the burning of tears, willing them to go away.
"Just leave me alone." Harry silently prayed. He could put up with everything else but for his own memories to be used against him like that was unbearable.
After an hour or so, Harry picked himself up from the floor and washed up. He wasn't going to go back to sleep now. He wasn't going to go back to sleep until he got some Dreamless Sleeping potion. He couldn't risk another nightmare like that.
xxx
Sunday came and with it came Damien's fourteenth birthday. The majority of the morning and afternoon was spent in James and Lily's living quarters. It was only the four members of the Potter family. James told Damien that Remus and Sirius were due to show up later for the party. The family spent most of the time eating their way through the stacks of treats, all of which were Damien's favourite.
Harry was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. He could sit back and enjoy the company without having to worry about anything. James and Damien were busy trying to wrestle each other playfully for the last of the sweets.
Lily came and sat next to Harry. She looked at her eldest son carefully before taking his face in her hands, looking at him with concern. Harry was taken aback by her sudden contact.
"Are you okay, Harry? You look really worn out." Lily asked as she gently traced the dark circles under his eyes.
Harry forced himself to be as nonchalant as possible.
"Thanks mum. That's a real compliment!" he teased while getting out of his mum's grip.
But Lily wasn't going to give up that easy. She had noticed Harry's worn out look and was starting to get worried about him.
"I'm serious, Harry. You look like you've not slept in days. Are you okay? Are you coming down with something?" Lily asked as she started to check his temperature.
"Mum, seriously, I'm fine. Just a little run down, that's all." Harry said and quickly directed his gaze away from her.
If it wasn't for Damien's birthday, he might have told her what was wrong. But Harry didn't want to bring up such distressing issues on such a day. He figured that Damien deserved to have a hassle free day.
Lily still looked unhappy with Harry's answer but couldn't pursue her examination as James and Damien distracted her with their antics. Soon Damien, Harry and Lily were all involved in a mad scramble to get the remaining sweets away from James.
"When am I getting my gifts?" Damien asked as he collapsed on the small sofa in his mum's room.
"Subtle, Damy" Harry laughed.
"What? It's my birthday. I have a right to know where my presents are." Damien answered.
"Maybe you're not getting any presents this year." Lily responded.
Damien gave her a faked hurt puppy look.
"But mum, I'm fourteen today. You can't let me turn fourteen without any presents." He said, pouting a little.
"You'll get them at the party tonight." James said playfully ruffling Damien's hair.
The afternoon was spent in the company of Damien's friends. Harry was happy to just sit and watch Damien react with his friends. Sometimes Harry wished he could be as carefree as Damien was. He watched as Damien opened the presents his friends gave him and stacked the growing pile to his side.
Soon it was time for the party that was going to be held at the astronomy tower. Harry was surprised when he saw the large group of people there. Nearly all the staff was there. Damien reassured Harry that most would retire quite early.
"How do you know?" Harry asked.
"It happens every year, well every year that I have spent celebrating my birthday at Hogwarts, that is." Damien answered.
A thought crossed Harry's mind.
"Did you have a party last year as well?" he asked, watching Damien carefully.
Damien blushed a little and nodded his head reluctantly.
"Yeah, I was going to invite you but we had sort of had a fight when it happened. You had just thrown the game against Slytherin and I was too angry with you to invite you." Damien admitted.
Harry remembered that fight only too well. It had frustrated Harry to no end that Damien was not talking to him. Although at that time he wouldn't admit it.
"Mum and dad really forced me to invite you, but I was too stubborn." Damien added solemnly.
"It's okay." Harry said, watching the relief flood into Damien.
"I wouldn't have come to your stupid party anyway." Harry added with a grin.
Damien threw Harry a glare before punching him in retort.
Harry laughed at Damien's indignant expression before throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Harry! Harry, oh, there you are." Lily came to stand before Harry, looking very flustered.
"Harry, I need you to run down to my quarters for me. Your father forgot to bring up the butterbeer I had picked up from Hogsmeade." Lily said, throwing James a disgruntled look.
"Make dad go and get it then." Harry replied.
"He's busy trying to get in contact with Sirius. He should have been here by now. He won't do anything until he's spoken to Sirius so it's pointless to even ask him." Lily responded.
"Oh, okay" Harry said and quickly made his way down the tower.
He picked up the butterbeer in Lily's room and was about to head back out of the door when something caught his eye. A small flicker of green had come out from the fireplace. Harry stood still, holding the stacks of butterbeer. 'Maybe its Sirius coming by floo.' Harry thought. He approached the fireplace and watched carefully. Another flicker of green flame leapt out and Harry watched as a small green fire started. Harry put down the butterbeer and knelt down onto all fours watching carefully.
Suddenly the flames leapt up and a full fire erupted. A face emerged in the flames. Harry watched in disbelief as a head sat in the flames, eyes fixed on Harry.
"Draco!" Harry said in a near whisper.
Draco Malfoy's head sat in the green flames, looking at Harry carefully.
"Draco, what…what are you doing? Is everything okay? Why are you fire calling here? Who are you looking for?" Harry asked.
He knew that it was only a coincidence that he saw Draco fire calling here. There was no way that Draco could have known that Harry was going to be here at this time.
"I was looking for you, of course." Draco said. Harry was slightly taken aback to hear Draco talk without the sneer in his voice.
"How did you know I was going to be here?" Harry asked, getting over the shock of seeing his best friend after nearly three months.
"I tried the Gryffindor common room. Black said to try here, in case you were with your parents." Draco responded.
"Black? When did you speak with Sirius? What's going on?" Harry asked feeling close to panic. There was something wrong, he could just feel it. The way Draco was looking at him, there was no arrogant stroke in him, his expression was…blank. He looked tired and distant. That for Draco meant that he was deeply upset.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked again, feeling the hair on the back of his neck prickle. What was Sirius doing talking to Draco? Wasn't he supposed to be here for Damien's party?
"Harry, I…I have to tell you something." Draco faltered. His expression turned to one of grief before looking back at his best friend.
"Draco, what the hell is going on?" Harry asked, feeling his heart thump loudly in his chest.
Draco looked directly into Harry's eyes, his expressionless mask back in its place.
"Bella died this morning."
xxx
Lily saw the look of confusion on James' face as he emerged from the classroom after using the floo.
"Any news of where Sirius is?" she asked.
James just shook his head.
"I called his office. Kingsley said that he left over an hour ago. I don't know where he could be." James said worry laced in his voice.
"I'm sure he's just running late. He'll be here, James, don't worry" Lily said trying to comfort him.
"He would never miss Damien's birthday. I don't understand where he could be." James continued.
xxx
Harry sat in stunned silence. The words Draco had spoken rang in his ears. Bella had died. Harry couldn't find any words to say anything. He managed one word in a hoarse voice.
"How?"
"We just found her dead in her bed this morning. Uncle Marcus said that sometimes, victims of the Kiss can pass on like this. We still don't know exactly when it happened." Draco answered.
"Black arrived a little over half an hour ago. Uncle Marcus had contacted him at the Ministry. The funeral is planned for tonight, if you want to come." Draco finished.
Harry looked up at hearing this. He couldn't clear his head to think straight. All he could feel was an unbearable urge to be with Bella.
"Where are you?" Harry asked his voice was a lot stronger now.
Draco gave him the location.
"You have to let Professor Dumbledore know. He has to open the fireplace in order for you to floo here." Draco told him.
But Harry was already opening the jar holding the floo powder. Harry's mind was strangely numb. He couldn't focus on anything other than the fact that Bella had gone. He knew that Bella had in essence died once the Kiss was administered and all that was left behind was an empty shell, but the thought that the body had now passed on as well and that he was going to be attending her funeral was making Harry's mind block out all other thoughts. He didn't even think to let someone know what had happened and where he was going. He was acting purely on instinct.
Draco hastily pulled himself out of the fireplace just in time as Harry threw in the floo powder and shouted out the address Draco had given him. Harry disappeared in a flash of green flames, breaking past the wards placed on the fireplace and landed next to Draco, thousands of miles away from Hogwarts.
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