(A/N All Harry Potter characters belong to JKR I'm just having fun with them)

Chapter 17

Arthur Weasley's eyes shot open and he sat up quickly, his head spinning because of the rush. Looking around, he saw a dingy old room full of dust, and two figures in front of him. It took him a minute to recognize Remus Lupin and he sighed with relief.

"Hello Arthur, sorry about the dramatics, but we needed to get you here with no notice."

Remus's calm voice filled the room, as he helped the older man to his feet.

"What's going on then?" Arthur asked, restraining his anger at being abducted from his home.

"We need your help." The voice threw Arthur, and he tensed up as he recognized Sirius Black. His fists balled up, and with a speed no one expected he punched Sirius in the jaw full on, as he lunged past him for the door.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Remus's spell caught him before he made it out.

"Look Arthur, hear us out. Sirius is innocent, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione all know it. It was Peter Pettigrew that was Secret Keeper, not Sirius. He confessed right in front of me before he escaped. We want to find him and capture him, to clear Sirius's name."

Arthur's eyes looked back and forth as the rest of him was propped up by the door frame.

Sirius got to his feet, rubbing his already bruising jaw, and released Arthur from the body bind.

"I know it's hard to believe…" Sirius trailed off as he tossed Arthur his wand back. Arthur caught it and trained it on Black, "If you are innocent, why did you attack the school?"

"I was after Pettigrew, he was a rat Animagus: Scabbers."

Arthur's eyes lit in recognition, twelve years was a long life for a rat. He groaned in regret.

"Let's all sit down, we'll tell you everything and explain what it is we need from you. After all, we all want to help Harry."

Harry awoke to a dimly lit tent, his head turned slightly as he heard a sound, and he found himself looking right at Alessandra's rear, she was bending over digging into a trunk. While the view was nice, Harry was more concerned with how he got here.

"Arugg…What happened?"

Alessandra straightened and turned to Harry, her wand flicked out, surprise showing on her face.

"You're awake, I expected you to sleep till morning. You were almost completely magically exhausted; not unexpected, if what Dobby said was true."

"I guess I didn't know it would take so much magic."

"It was across the world," Alessandra's voice rose, "Of course it would require a great amount of magic."

"I didn't know, it seemed simple enough," Harry sat up, his head in his hands.

"Lie back down and drink this," Alessandra was exasperated; the young man could wield more magic than most full grown Wizards, but didn't understand enough to know his limits.

"Pepper Up, huh? How long do I need to stay here?"

"You don't want to stay the night with me then?" She had turned playful again, smiling down at him.

"I…it's just that a lot is going on." Harry looked uncomfortable.

"Yes, I can tell by those rings. Alright, you can be up for dinner."

Harry noticed the Potter ring sitting on the nightstand; it was glinting in the light. Slipping it on, it felt right as it autmatically sized for his finger, the magic in the ring flaring as the binding was complete, sealing Harry to the magic linked to the ring. He lay still, lost in thought, just looking at his hand with the two family rings, they were overly large on his hand. He was unsure of what would happen exactly, but knew that the effect would change his life. Then it hit him, a crushing feeling of worry. Coming to the Wizarding world was wonderful for him, more than most, he found acceptance and was allowed a freedom he never had before. He had choices that the Dursley's could not make for him and money to provide for himself. This trip with Bill had really awoken something inside him; a taste of the other side of life, adventure for the sake of adventure, freedom of choice, being treated as an equal and a taste for learning. Now there were limits being placed on him, choices being made for him due to the necessity of the situation. He didn't like it, and vowed to himself that no matter what, he would take the time and opportunities that came up to enjoy his life, and to live it.

Bill sagged into a chair as Dobby provided his dinner, it had been a long day, and they had covered four loops around the camp and lake, not finding anything. He looked up as Harry came into the room, ready to rib him about slacking off all day in camp, until he saw how pale he was. Harry sat down across from Bill; the first thing Bill noticed was the rings on Harry's right hand. Belle quickly sat beside Harry, taking his hand in hers, looking at the rings and the coat of arms engraved on them.

"What's going on mate?" Bill asked, gesturing to the rings Belle was examining.

Harry sighed, noticing everyone else was paying attention as well.

"It started with a letter from Gringotts, Siri… the Minister passed a law to enable the Malfoy's to seize the Black estate through an Heir's Test…" Harry began to explain the events he read about, and how it was affecting him, and what he had decided; not noticing the angered looks on several faces.

"I know Cyrus Davis Greengrass well, he's a hard man. You say his eldest daughter?" Ian asked rubbing his goatee.

"That's what the contract said, sir." Harry replied.

"Call me by first name, Harry. Cyrus is the Head of the Greengrass family, and has two daughters, he is also Head of the Davis family, and has one daughter in that family. If the contract says first born to the Head of House, and not the first born to the House itself, it could be either of the oldest two, I'm not sure which is eldest. Both his wives are of pureblood, strong magically speaking, not to mention gorgeous. Not a bad match, at all."

"Daphne or Tracy then, they're year mates with me, but in Slytherin," Harry said thoughtfully, somehow it had become a group discussion.

"I once had a Slytherin girlfriend, she was compassionate and caring. She went on to be a great healer, in fact she is now a lead in the Spell Damage ward; I just didn't have enough ambition for her. So what I'm saying is, don't paint all Slytherin's with the same brush." Owen was scuffing his toe under Alessandra's gaze.

Harry nodded, already agreeing with his words, but it helped to hear another opinion. Belle still had his hand in hers, she looked down and blushed, letting go. Looking at him, she swallowed her embarrassment.

"Harry, you are a handsome guy; kind, polite, and powerful, any girl will be lucky to have you. What you need to realize is that she will be scared. I was, but Jean helped by explaining what to expect from him. A man has much control in the relationship; he can limit our career, or choose when we have children. You need to reassure her that you will listen to her, and at least consider her wishes."

"I agree completely, if you win her over to your side, things will be much better for both of you. Court her Harry, take her dancing, and to dinner just the two of you. Show her that the two of you will be a team, and if she is any kind of woman, she will respond positively." Annalisa added to her sister's words. Harry nodded, soaking it all up; the support was a new experience.

"Thanks, I'll try to, not that I know much about courting or dancing. Even so, I'll have two witches to deal with, only I'll have to find one of them myself, before a year's time," Harry admitted. It was clear to everyone that he was uncomfortable with the prospect of courting a young lady.

"You get the best of both worlds, a woman's help and support, and the thrill of the hunt." Lone Feather added, drawling a chuckle from Barns who had been surprisingly quiet.

"Well, we have another few weeks to whip you into shape…" Alessandra stopped talking, as Bill, Ian, and Annalisa all stood abruptly.

"Something's tripped the perimeter alert!" Ian announced, as he rushed toward the door.

"Several alarms, there's more than one," Annalisa announced loudly, her voice unusually high pitched. Barns dashed out the door, ducking and rolling to dodge incoming spell fire, his wand up and a chain of spells flashing. Ian was next out the door, and took the Cutting Curse which Barns had dodged, in the left shoulder, causing him to grunt in pain, and start slinging hexes at the incoming wizards. Bill, Owen, and Xo stood as one, rushing the door; shield's up as they went out. Bill was lashing out with Reducto, as Xo and Owen shielded.

"What's happening?" Harry asked, his wand already in his hand.

"Raider's! They're after our loot- Belle help me ward the tent; Denny, Alessandra, be ready for wounded!" Annalisa rushed to the tent walls, and started casting runes that were appearing in the air, as Belle started casting Imperturbable Charms. Harry noticed Denny was gone, as he slipped out the door. Light from spell fire was volleying back and forth rapidly, glowing extra bright in the dusk. Harry saw Barns, who was dueling with two Raiders; Xo and Ian had teamed up, and were holding their own against three Raiders. Owen was shielding Bill as spells slammed into the ground and shields around him, but he was casting curses every opening he had. The Raiders, at least six of them, had conjured walls they were using to protect themselves. A tent to the right burst into flames, as a whip of fire missed Barns, who was moving through the open space dodging and shielding on his own. Harry realized Barns couldn't attack; it was taking all his skill not to be hexed. Another Raider in dark brown robes that were billowing behind him, was coming up behind Barns, slinking through the shadows to catch him in crossfire. Harry flicked his wand.

"Flipendo!" The Raider in brown robes flew end over end backwards into the flaming tent, caught by the unexpected spell. Harry felt the effort casting the spell cost him, taxing his magical energy after his earlier abuse. He turned, and sent several hexes at one of the Raider's dueling Barns, he was satisfied that the wizard stopped casting spells to turn his wand on himself, trying to counter the Langlock Jinx. The pause allowed Barns to turn and cast a grey arrow-shaped spell that struck the Raider in the chest, he was propelled back, arms wide, and landed unmoving. Harry was now discovered, and drew fire from the remaining five Raiders. Purple and mustard yellow spells flew at him, his Quidditch reflexes kicked in, and he dove away, landing in a painful heap, scrambling away between the tents. Bill stood to go after Harry, only to have a Piercing Hex lance into him, blood spurted out the backside of his shoulder. He fell back to the ground in pain, and as Owen shielded him, he crawled back behind a conjured boulder. Rock fragments stung Owen's face, blasting off his own protection, as he transfigured some driftwood into a snarling lion, and compelled it to attack. The Raider's were all startled as a lion lunged at them, taking one down beneath its paws; the sound of breaking ribs popped grotesquely during a slight pause of spell fire. Incantations began again, almost immediately the lion was riddled by curses. Harry stopped running, his sides heaving; he was far off to the side of the fight. His heart was hammering, he had just watched a man die, and was almost hurt as well. He looked back in time to see a lion shredded by spells, and Xo take a Bludgeoning Spell in the face, laying him out near the tent door. He saw Annalisa in the doorway of the tent, levitating him inside. She came back out a second later; three rocks the size of a fist moving in a circle around her. She was moving for Bill, dodging curses gracefully and casting shields, causing a bright spray of magic as spells splashed against her shield. When a spell slipped past, one of the rocks leapt into its path, blocking the spell, and being crushed in the process. She reached Bill and barely paused, her long hair whipping around as she rushed back the way she came, levitating a bleeding Bill as she went. The rocks blocked two more spells as she made it in, with only her robes being set on fire from a near miss.

Harry saw the blood on Bill and growled, he rushed back into the fight, casting several hexes at the remaining Raiders. He crashed to the ground by Owen, and promptly had to shield a curse cast from his left side.

"HARRY!" He turned to see Belle in the door to the Big Tent, as she tossed a vial of potion to him. He reached out and snatched it almost without thought; he turned to thank her, only to notice she had already disappeared back inside. It was a Pepper Up potion, he chugged it quickly, feeling some energy surge into him. The fight had stalemated, Barns was dueling viciously with a peculiarly skilled opponent; spells flying faster than Harry could follow. Ian was holding off two Raiders, and Owen was sending various conjured objects after his Raider. Neither Denny, nor Lone Feather had been seen.

"LOOK OUT!" Owen pushed Harry away as a large ball of flame crashed down, setting Owen's legs on fire. A spray of water from his wand was putting it out, when a bluish curse hit him in the chest. He fell nearly through the tent door, as a shriek was heard inside. It was now just Ian, Barns, and Harry against four Raiders. Harry caught his balance from Owen's push, and found himself in-between the row of tents, he ran toward the lake out of sight of the Raiders. Barns was now being double teamed, as Owen's opponent turned to help the skilled Raider. Harry ran hard to get behind the Raiders, but in the long shadows behind the tents, he didn't see the large lump in his path. He fell hard in a cloud of dust, his chin scraping painfully on the gravel lakeside. Looking, he saw Lone Feather, bleeding slightly from his scalp. A quick check showed he was still alive, but knocked out. Harry cast a quick burst of cold water on his face; the sputter told him he was now awake. Lone Feather sat up quickly, and staggered to his feet.

"Hurry! This way, it's only Barns and Ian still fighting!" Harry gestured for him to follow. They made their way around the last tent, behind the two Raiders which Ian was still fighting. Harry held up his hand and pointed to the nearest Raider.

"You get them, but give me a few seconds and I'll move around to help Barns."

Lone Feather just nodded his agreement, he looked nauseous and grim. Harry didn't slow much as he continued around to Barns. The first thing Harry saw was that it was the Raider in the brown robe, it was singed, but he was unharmed. Barns on the other hand, was wounded, fighting two at the same time, with one so skilled it was taking its toll. His right leg was slashed, slowing his movement, and blood was running down his face.

Bill came out of the tent, his shoulder bandaged and left arm strapped to his side. Anger was clear on his face, as he launched himself into a duel with Owen's former opponent. The two traded spells fast, but Bill quickly gained the upper hand.

"Orbis Auris!" theBone Breaker Curse slammed into the Raider's shoulder, causing an anguished scream. Bill didn't let up, his next spell was already flying, a Punching Hex smashed into the staggering man's face, taking him out of the fight.

Lone Feather chose that moment to strike, he jabbed his wand forward, made a quick circle and pulled up. The brush behind the Raider came alive, and grew rapidly, wrapping up the unsuspecting wizard in a suffocatingly tight grip. Ian took advantage of his opponent's distraction, and leaped forward over the wall he had fought behind, his ham sized fist smashing into the Raider's face, sending him crashing down in a heap.

Harry was caught just arriving in position, as the brown robed Raider blasted Barns over, and turned to flee; all his companions down and out of the fight. Only now, Harry was directly in his path to escape. Harry cast a stunner, the red bolt sizzling as it was deflected. A yellow curse came back at Harry, he ducked the spell. Not low enough though because it grazed his back, causing the skin to turn pasty and bubble. Harry hissed in pain, but kept moving, sending hexes as fast as he could, trying to keep the Raider from being able to attack him.

Barns lay in the dirt, propped up by his elbow as he took aim; a grey Piercing Hex flew true, and hit the last Raider in the butt, blowing through the left cheek and ripping loose a big chunk. Harry had just taken a Punching Hex to the ribs, and was falling as he desperately cast the Ribbon Cutter. The grey light flew fast, a thin line turned at an angle, it hit his collar bone and cut through the chest to the opposite hip bone of the brown robed Raider, right after Barns' hex hit him. It was a gory spray of blood, droplets glinting in the air as they rained down. The lifeless body fell sideways, the force of opposing spells slamming it down.

Harry looked on in revulsion; he promptly keeled over and heaved up his dinner and potion, he stayed there, panting and spitting for a moment. His eyes couldn't help but look at the man he had killed; it was gruesome, far worse than Quirrell in first year. Wiping his mouth, he walked for the Big Tent in a daze of pain, the adrenalin was slowly wearing off, and pain from numerous injuries was starting to become overwhelming. He past a grim Bill, binding up the Raider's left alive with Ian, who had a large blood stain on his shoulder. Lone Feather and Barns were leaning on each other, slowly making their way inside the tent. Harry paused to look around, the camp was in tatters, several tents burned, rubble scattered around from the fight. Ducking inside the door, Harry saw a row of cots, Belle and Annalisa were helping Alessandra as she shouted orders and patched up injuries. He stood in the doorway for a moment, weaving slightly. He found himself being led to a bed, Belle's cool hands pulling his shirt over his head, careful of the skin on his back. A cold shock rippled through him as she washed the wound with water, it cleared his mind long enough for him to see: Xo, his head wrapped, sitting up; Owen laying still, Alessandra franticly casting spells on him, and Annalisa pouring a potion into his mouth; and Barns laying still, alternating between cussing and trying to slow the bleeding in his leg.

"Sit still Harry, and stay here, Alessandra will check this out as soon as she can." Belle assured him as she went to Barns, cutting his pant leg and spelling the wound closed. Harry sat dozing, completely drained; his last thought was "at least everyone made it" before he drifted off to sleep, slumping forward, chin resting on his chest.

(A/N Wow the feedback has been awesome! I have decided to stick to my plans, strangely enough it was suggested several times anyway. Of course I won't be saying but hopefully it won't cause too much disappointment. Although, there clues and statements of intent within this chapter that many will be able to guess where I am going with this. This story will end just before Harry goes back to school and the sequeal will pick up there. Thanks for all the support, ideas and reviews I truly enjoy reading them. The next chapters are giving me some trouble with coming up with ward traps but I won't let it slow me too much.)