Harry could not remember ever feeling so nervous or awkward. Not even when he was awaiting his turn to face a dragon in his fourth year. He and Susan sat with each other on the second level of the Knight bus as it sped towards London for the start of their date. Harry kept glancing at Zach and Hermione, who seemed to be really enjoying the ride. They were holding hands and laughing with each wild turn. Harry couldn't remember Hermione looking or sounding so happy in all the years he'd known her. It was as if being with Zach relaxed her somehow. Harry actually smiled at the thought of what she might have been like if she had in fact started dating Ron. Even more uptight and worrisome than she was normally.
Hannah and Neville also seemed to really be enjoying the ride. They were talking quietly to one another a few seats away. Harry was wondering how his painfully shy dorm mate was appearing to be so at ease. Neville had admitted before the girls appeared that this was to be his first date with Hannah. To Harry's eyes, they may have been together a few months. He decided he would ask Neville's advice just as soon as he could.
Harry attempted a few times to start a conversation with Susan, but he just couldn't think of anything to say to her. As each excruciating minute passed, Harry was regretting asking Susan out at all. All he could think of was how disastrous his only date with Cho Chang had been, and how he was very likely to ruin this date as well.
The Knight Bus stopped in a alley just off a busy London street, and the three couples departed. As soon as Harry stepped off the bus, it roared away, disappearing into traffic.
"So, who's up for pizza?" Hannah asked. All the boys nodded, and Hannah smiled to Susan, whom she'd planned the date with. They had known it was a near impossibility for any teenager to resist to sultry allure of pizza. "This way." The blonde beckoned them all.
Hannah, with Neville at her side led the other couples to a pizzeria that she and Susan had gone to with Susan's aunt before. Harry recognized it as they passed through the front door, and his mood lightened. It was the very same on Amelia had taken him to before.
"Why don't you boys go play a few games while we order, and we'll join you in a minute." Hannah said.
The three boys headed into the darkened room where several video games sat, waiting to be played.
"Wow." Neville said as he took in the cabinets.
"You ever played a video game Neville?" Zach asked.
"No, though I heard about them from Dean and Seamus." Neville said.
"Try this one. It's pretty easy, and a classic." Zach said, handing a few coins to Neville.
"How do you know about video games?" Harry asked. "Aren't you a pure blood?"
"Yeah." Zach nodded. "So is Susan, but you must know how much her aunt adores the muggle world. My father's the same. So is my mother. My dad's nuts about the cinema. He takes us to movies all the time. I got sent to Muggle primary school before Hogwarts because my parents wanted me to have a well rounded education. There aren't a lot of pure blood families like that, though. Most Pure Bloods are not unlike the Malfoys."
Neville stepped up to the Ms. Pac-Man game as Zach and Harry spoke and watched the demo for a few minutes before putting his coin in, and attempting his first video game. Both Harry and Zach stood on either side of Neville, watching the boy's progress. Neville seemed to really enjoy the challenge, though he did quite poorly in his first attempt.
"Can I have another go?" Neville asked, and Zach happily handed a few more coins to the Gryffindor.
"So, Harry." Zach said as Neville moved Ms. Pac-Man through the maze. "How'd you and Susan get together?"
"It's really complicated." Harry said simply. Zach smiled.
"It usually is. It's just that, I'd never heard her say anything about liking you before. Actually out of all the Hufflepuff girls in out year, only Sally-Anne seems to think you are the standard by which all boys should be measure. No offense."
"Harry waved it off and Zach continued.
"It's just that until I showed up today, I had no idea that Susan may have fancied you."
"You looked really nervous with her." Neville said, eyes locked on the game. "Like you weren't sure if you even wanted to be here today."
"Like I said. It's complicated." Harry said.
"I don't mean to pry, Harry. And I understand that it's your business, but she's my friend, and I know that if I ever hurt Hermione, you'd be one of the first to come at me. Well, you and Weasley. So you got to know I feel the same about Susan. She's got a heart of gold, and she deserves the best." Zach said evenly.
"Why didn't you ever ask her out?" Harry asked. Susan had told him that she had feelings for Zach before, and Zach seemed pretty protective of Susan now.
"To be honest I almost did." Zach shrugged. "I don't want to say too much because it's really none of your business, but there was a moment we had late last year that made me consider it for a while, but Hermione… I don't know. Maybe it was because she's so in control, or seems to be so in control all of the time. She just unlike any other girl I've ever known, and Even though I was a complete berk at the start of the DA, she took time to talk to me. It's actually because of her I had to take a long hard look at myself. After a while, I just couldn't stop thinking about her, and I just had to follow my gut."
Harry nodded.
"I felt the same with Hannah." Neville said when he lost his third game. Zach stepped up to take a turn. Neville turned to look at Harry, who was listening interestedly. "I liked her all of last year, but I just couldn't ask her out. We talked a lot during the year, and I helped her on a few Herbology things. Anyway, the more time we spent together, the more I learned about her, and the more I liked her."
"How'd you finally asked her out?" Harry asked. Neville shrugged.
"After what happened in the Ministry, asking a girl out seemed easy." Neville smirked. "Turns out I was wrong, but I did it anyway."
"I feel really lost here. Harry admitted. "I don't know what to say to her. It's like my brain just freezes up every time I open my mouth. The last date I had was just horrible."
"Chang, right?" Zach asked over his shoulder.
"How do you know?" Harry wondered.
"Apparently she told everyone in Ravenclaw, and word travels fast. It's not hard. Just start small. She loves Charms, and History. Don't talk about Quidditch too much. She likes it ok, but she's not obsessed with it like some people." Zach said as he played. "You might talk about muggle life versus wizard life. She loves a lot of muggle things, and as you grew up with muggles, there's sure to be some common interests there."
Harry nodded his appreciation as Zach lost his game. It was Harry's turn next, and that's when the girls showed up.
"It'll be a few minutes. Susan smiled.
"That's ok." Neville said. "I love this game."
"Come try this one." Hannah chuckled. "I want to see how good a driver you would be."
Zach and Hermione wandered off to another game as well, leaving Harry and Susan alone once again.
"Are you any good at this?" Susan asked as Harry struggled with the game.
"Doesn't appear so." He replied as he lost another life. He played his final life, with Susan watching on. It looked easy when Zach and Neville had been playing, but there was a lot more skill required, or so it seemed. Harry's seeker reflexes were of no help to him at the moment.
"Let an expert try." Susan smirked as Harry lost his last life. Harry smiled as Susan stepped up for a turn. Harry watched as Susan actually did worse than he had, which in turn made him laugh lightly.
"That's how the experts do it?" He laughed.
"Oh, shut up. You made me nervous." Susan said, giving Harry a playful shove on his shoulder.
"I'm sure that was it." Harry chuckled.
"It was." Susan said flatly. "Let's see if you can beat me on that one. I always kick Hannah's butt whenever we come here."
Harry and Susan went to a car racing game, and took their places in the simulated driver's seats. Susan put in a few coins and the game began. Harry had sometimes managed to play one of Dudley's racing games when the Dursley's had left him in the house alone when he was younger. It had always been one of his favorites. Harry just loved the thought of going fast in a car when he'd been younger. Maybe it was why he loved flying so much. Those memories of stolen moments on the pixilated racetrack came back to him, and in no time, he was giving Susan a real run for her money.
"Hey, you just cut me off." Susan said indignantly.
"I thought that was the point." Harry chuckled.
"That how you want to play?" Susan grinned, pulling ahead of Harry once again. Harry simply laughed as he stomped on the gas pedal.
"He's going to pass you again." Hannah warned. The other couples had come to watch the game.
"I think he just did." Neville laughed.
"Oh, no you don't, Potter!" Susan said, flooring her own gas pedal.
Harry laughed as Susan's car appeared on his screen again. He swerved his own car so she either had to slow down or hit another car, giving him a bit of an edge.
"Ok, now you're just cheating." Susan said, though she was clearly enjoying the challenge.
"I'm cheating? You tried to run me into the wall a minute ago." Harry grinned.
"Watch out, Harry." Hermione warned as a truck loomed into view. Harry managed to scream past it, the game warning that Susan was right behind him, and that only thirty seconds remained to the next checkpoint to extend the game.
"Finally, some one to give her a challenge." Hannah grinned. "Keep it up, Harry."
"Got you again." Susan called triumphantly as she passed Harry again, but he just shook his head slightly as he reversed positions with Susan again just as they crossed the finish.
"NO!" Susan shouted as Harry won the match. "I want a rematch."
"You two can play again after we eat." Hermione said. "They just called our number."
With Susan grumbling about how she'd been robbed, the six teens collected their food and found a table in a corner in which to eat.
The conversation was light through lunch, mostly centering on school, and friends. There was idle talk about what life after Hogwarts might be like, and what jobs they might pursue and how interesting it would be to see everyone in ten years to see how their lives turned out. All the while they ate and drank and laughed. Harry was beginning to feel very comfortable, and he was glad he'd asked Susan out after all.
"We should get going if we want to make the movie on time." Hannah said after nearly two hours.
"But I want to kick Harry's butt on the game." Susan said, looking upset.
"Then I suggest the two of you come back here sometime together, and you teach him what it means to cross a redhead." Hannah smirked taking Neville's hand and getting up.
"I kind of want to see that rematch." Zach smirked. "I kind of think Harry will be doing the butt kicking."
"He only got lucky. That's all." Susan said as she and Harry got up. Harry simply smiled, and Susan gave him a scowl, that didn't reach her eyes, and made Harry smirk.
The group headed to a movie theater that was just a few blocks away. Neville, who was the only one of the group who'd never been to muggle London before, was enamored by the sights, sounds and smells of the city. Harry was equally thrilled, as he'd rarely been allowed to accompany the Dursleys on any of their trips into London.
They arrived at the theater and purchased tickets for their movie. As they approached the concession stand Harry caught sight of three very familiar figures, and moved to hide behind Susan, who became very curious and confused by his actions.
"What's going on?" She asked.
Harry just shook his head, but before Susan could ask anymore, there came a high pitched shriek of a voice.
"YOU!"
Harry winced at the sound of the voice, and everyone in the lobby turned to look at what was unfolding.
"I told you Vernon. I told you I had a bad feeling in the car." Petunia Dursley said, looking as if she was sniffing something very foul.
"Are you following us, boy? Hoping that we'll let you come back to us? I told you and those other freaks that you were to never bother us again!" Vernon roared. "Someone call the authorities! I'll have you locked up for life boy. You won't be bothering anyone ever again if I have my way!"
Hermione had seen the Dursleys picking Harry up at King's Cross station before, and as Harry had explained everything to her the last time they had visited. She also had heard enough about Harry's life with these people to know that at the very least they were unpleasant. She had always suspected things were a lot worse that Harry made them out to be, but she could never get him to open up about it all. Not that it mattered right then. All she knew was these people were ruining her good time with her boyfriend and her friends.
"Excuse me," she said, stepping in front of the Dursleys. "But we haven't been following you at all. We don't even know you. If you call the authorities and try to make trouble, I will make sure that my father calls our lawyer, and sues you for everything you have, and being as my father is a very well known and respected man in the medical field, I have no doubts that we'd win our lawsuit. So, perhaps it would be best if you went and enjoyed your show, and allow us to do the same."
Vernon looked ready to spit fire at being spoken to in such a way, by a teenage girl no less. Harry noticed Dudley looking at Hermione rather hungrily. Seeing his piggy little eyes wandering over his best friend as if she were a large slab of chocolate made him want to punch his cousin directly in the head.
"Is there a problem?" The theater manager asked as he approached the two groups.
"Yes, these people are trying to stir up trouble, probably so they can get free tickets or something." Susan said quickly.
"We were just trying to see a movie when they started harassing us." Hannah added.
"Alright you lot, I'm going to ask you to leave before I call the police." The manager said. Vernon turned on the man, clearly about to start protesting, but Petunia, who had suddenly noticed how people were watching them tugged on her husbands arm, and began leading him out of the theater.
"Let's go, Vernon. There are better theaters than this one anyway."
Harry and the other teens watched his relatives leave the theater with everyone watching them. The manager left as soon as the Dursleys were outside, and everyone went back to their own conversations.
"So, that was your aunt and uncle, I take it?" Susan asked. Harry nodded slowly, and Susan could tell he was extremely embarrassed.
"Interesting." Susan remarked, looking towards the door that the Dursleys had left through.
"What is?" Harry asked.
"I find it intriguing that you could have lived with them for so long, and not have taken on any of their qualities. You're no where near their size, and your demeanor is much more pleasant... most of the time." Susan smirked.
"Most of the time?" Harry queried.
"You do tend to brood a bit, and it's rather unattractive." Susan pointed out.
"I do not brood." Harry tried to defend himself.
"Oh, you're a brooder." Hermione said, having heard Susan and Harry.
"Everyone says so." Neville added.
"Hey, who's side are you two on?" Harry asked his Gryffindor housemates.
"You can't deny the truth, Harry. You brood." Hermione shrugged, before turning to the girl at the counter and ordering a cherry soda.
"Harry, I don't even know you that well, and I know you brood." Zach said with a shrug. "At first I thought it was cool, but then I heard girls talking about it, and how they hated it."
"Is that why you were all quiet and sullen during third year?' Hannah asked with a laugh. Zach nodded sheepishly and Susan and Hannah laughed out loud.
"Hey, I thought it might help get girls to notice me." Zach shrugged.
"We all thought you had a stick up your butt." Hannah sniggered.
"I still don't think I brood." Harry said sulkily.
"Just keep telling yourself that." Hermione smiled. "Maybe it will come true."
"Oh, shut up." Harry grimaced.
The movie was rather boring to Harry, whose mind was busy with other things, particularly Susan. Things had been going well with her that day, even despite the incident with his relatives. She'd been funny, and sweet to him all day, and they had been having fun, which was very different than the last date Harry had been on. While he'd been nervous at first, his anxiety had disappeared when they had begun playing games in the pizzeria.
Harry couldn't help comparing Susan with Cho.
Cho was very pretty, there was no denying it, but she hadn't really liked him. In the end, all she had really wanted was to know what had happened with Cedric Diggory. Harry couldn't really blame her for it. She and Cedric had been dating when Cedric was killed. But it had still been rather heartbreaking when he'd finally understood that Cho hadn't really liked him the way he'd liked her.
Susan was very pretty as well. She was smart and funny, and at the moment, appeared to like Harry for himself. Harry knew it was a leap to assume that Susan liked him, but she was at least tolerable of him.
Harry wasn't exactly sure how he felt about his betrothed at this point, but he did know that he didn't hate her. She made that kind of impossible by being so nice to him, even though he'd very nearly killed her just a few days ago. He shuddered when he remembered that day, but pushed it aside quickly. He didn't want to start brooding, after all.
Susan held up the popcorn, offering some to Harry, who took a handful, smiling his thanks. Susan gave him a soft smile, and it sent shivers up Harry's spine. He noted that had been happening a lot lately, and wondered if it was part of being attracted to someone. He couldn't remember feeling anything tike that when Cho had smiled at him. Harry wondered why this sort of thing had to be so complicated.
The one thing Harry was sure of was that he wanted to be Susan's friend. Somehow it felt that having at that at the very least would go a long way to making being married easier. He wondered to himself what their life would be like after they were married, but he just couldn't imagine anything. Perhaps it was too soon to think of that.
Harry decided that Susan deserved more attention from him, and that he was going to make a greater effort to spend time with her and figure things out between them. Maybe it was his "Saving People Thing" or maybe it was that he really wanted something to happen between them. Of that, Harry wasn't sure. But he did know that Susan had been right when she had told him that he needed to try and live his life. Otherwise, what was the point in fighting for it?
Susan was just as lost in thought as Harry was. Their date had been going much better than she had thought it would. She was sure that Neville and Hermione being there had helped. During lunch he'd talked more than he had in the nearly two weeks he'd been living with her. He'd been funny, and insightful, and just fun to be around.
Susan was still livid that Harry's relatives had made such a scene. Harry hid behind his walls almost immediately and Susan was sure he wasn't enjoying the movie at all. She'd glanced at him a few times, and his eyes were unfocused and his face was blank.
She was beginning to feel like she and Harry were going in circles. Every time she managed to get through his defenses, something happened and he was back behind his walls, and she was stuck trying to figure out how to get through his armor. She knew that it had only been two weeks since everything had happened, but by this time, they should have had some kind of relationship. Yet, they were still just...she didn't even know what they were.
Susan was beginning to seriously consider some of the suggestions Hannah had been making. Yes, they all had to do with some sort of physical enticement, and all of them had to do with her being naked, or very nearly so. But Harry was supposed to be an average teenage male, and Susan was sure that he would be a bit more receptive if she were to present herself with little to no clothing.
And then she had an idea. Perhaps Hannah wasn't to far off the mark. Of course, Hermione had warned that you needed to take things a little slower with Harry, but maybe a bit of physical contact was just what Harry needed. Maybe he needed to see, and possibly feel what he was going to be getting, and that would help him to trust her a bit. Boys were after all physical beings by nature. And Harry, for all his issues and life experiences, was still at his core, just a boy.
When the movie finished, the six teens began to stand and prepare to leave. Susan decided she needed to act then.
"Who's up to go swimming?"
Hannah turned and gave her friend a questioning look. "We didn't really plan for that." She reminded her friend.
"I didn't bring a swimsuit." Hermione said looking at Susan apologetically.
"Hannah has a spare that will fit, and if not, I can transfigure it, and Neville and Zach can swim in their shorts and use a drying charm after. You were all staying for dinner anyway, so why don't we just head back now? It'll be fun."
Susan looked pointedly at Hannah and then Hermione, who both understood her meaning, and everyone agreed. The ride back on the knight bus was just as bumpy and crazy as the ride to London. When they arrived back at Susan's house, Susan led the girls to her room, and Harry took the boys to his. He had offered both Zach and Neville to let them borrow his extra pairs of swim trunks, which they were both grateful for.
"Ok, what's up?" Hannah asked as soon as the door was shut behind her.
"I just decided that I wanted to go swimming. Besides, the boys really wouldn't have enjoyed wandering around the mall as much as we would have." Susan said trying to look innocent.
"Right." Hannah smiled.
"That isn't the real reason, is it?" Hermione said flatly.
"No, it isn't." Hannah said, getting her bikini, and handing a second one to Hermione. "She's going to give Harry a show."
"I am not." Susan said, but her blush gave her away.
"Oh, Susan, this isn't the way to get to Harry. You'll make him really uncomfortable, and he'll close up tighter than before. I told you, you can't push him." Hermione said shaking her head.
"Maybe." Susan said as she slipped on her swimsuit. "Maybe he will close himself off again, and I'll be right back where I started when I first found out he and I were going to be married. But maybe not. Maybe what he needs is to see that I'm not going to hurt him. Maybe If he gets a taste of what's to come, he'll like it and want more, and then he'll start actually talking to me."
"This is really a bad idea." Hermione said doubtfully.
"I think it's brilliant." Hannah grinned. "What's your plan?"
"To swim." Susan said simply. "Maybe a bit of flirting. I'm just testing the waters, no pun intended here. But I think if I do this right, then Harry and I will have made serious progress today."
"You can't expect him to fall in love with you because you look amazing in that bikini." Hermione warned. "And you've already made progress with him. He's been smiling most of the day, and trust me, Harry doesn't smile easily."
"I don't expect him to fall in love with me." Susan smiled. "And thank you for the compliment. All I want is for Harry to understand that there is more to life than training for war."
"Here, here." Hannah agreed. Hermione sighed, but reluctantly nodded her head, and promised she wouldn't say I told you so when the plan back fired.
The girls got towels and headed downstairs once again to find the three boys in the swim wear sitting al the table waiting for them. The moment Susan saw Harry's face, she knew that she had been right. His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw her in her pale blue string bikini. Susan had to admit that it was a bit small on top, but only just. The sides of her breasts were more than a little visible, but she hadn't tried to adjust it as she would have normally.
"Are you all coming in?" She asked with a smile before diving into the cool water.
Everyone got in, and began to play around. At first, Susan kept her distance from Harry, allowing him to get used to seeing her like she was. She didn't want him to have some sort of fit, and end up at St. Mungo's having to answer a ton of questions about how Harry Potter had died from seeing a nearly naked girl.
Soon, however, she swam closer to him, and splashed him. They began a friendly water
war, which led to Susan leaping at him, and dunking him under the water. Her plan backfired when Harry dragged her under with him, by the leg. Coughing and sputtering when she resurfaced, she smiled to herself. Harry had initiated contact. And unlike how Hermione had said, he hadn't gone running back into the house when she'd leapt at him. Susan was also really glad she had shaved her legs that day.
The first part of her plan was working. For the next part, she needed Hannah's help. So, she turned her focus on splashing Hannah. The blonde played right into Susan's plan, and began to retaliate. The threats became increasingly more devious, until Hannah made a bold promise to tear Susan's top off right in front of everyone. Susan immediately took shelter behind Harry, and pressed her breasts into his back, and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Harry will protect me and my dignity." Susan declared.
"Oh, I think Harry might be willing to help me." Hannah smirked. Harry didn't respond, but Susan knew from Hannah's look, that Harry must have been considering it. Susan turned to Hermione, who actually looked impressed. Susan felt truly vindicated now.
"Looks like you've been having fun." Amelia said, coming from the house. Everyone turned and greeted the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. "Harry, your training for tomorrow was cancelled, so I'm afraid you'll have to stay home."
"That's alright." Harry said. "I'm sure I'll find something to occupy myself."
Susan noted that he looked at her when he spoke, and she felt a chill run up her spine. Susan saw Hannah give her a thumbs up, and she splashed her friend..
"Oh, don't you start that again!" Hannah snarled, leaping at her best friend.
"Harry, help!" Susan pleaded.
"Stay out of it, Harry." Hannah snapped. "Susan needs to learn to fight her own battles!"
"I can't do that." Harry smirked, pulling Hannah away from Susan, and tossing her towards Neville who was coming towards them. Neville caught his girlfriend, but the both of them went under the water for a moment.
"Hermione says I have a saving people thing, and I just can't stand by a let anyone be drowned, even if she did start it. Besides, I owe her." Harry said, splashing Susan.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!"
The teens enjoyed a light dinner outside before Zach, Hermione and Neville all had to leave. Susan felt a pang of jealousy as she watch Hannah and Neville say goodbye, but she knew that she had made a great deal of progress with Harry, and she was eager to see what fruit this particular seed bore.
Besides, it had actually been fun, and more than a little arousing to her as well.
Harry awoke just after one in the morning. He'd only gone to bed a little over an hour before, and had trouble failing asleep in the first place as his mind kept replaying the days events.
Mostly Harry had focused on things that had taken place in the pool that afternoon. Susan had been very physical with him, and Harry had really enjoyed it. The way she had used him as a shield to protect her from Hannah's wrath had really done a number on him, and even now as he recalled the feeling of Susan's warm soft body pressed against him, parts of his own body reacted.
If Harry hadn't already promised himself that he was going to make a more concerted effort with Susan, that would have cemented it. After dinner, Hermione had taken him aside before she went home, and asked if he was doing alright. She also revealed that she had known that Susan was going to be a bit more forward with him, and that she, Hermione, was concerned how he might be handling it.
"I'm fine, Hermione. Really." He had told her. "I know that I don't have a lot of experience with girls, but I don't think I'm going to lock myself away. It was unexpected, but... Look, I'm fine with it, ok?" He said blushing. Hermione nodded, trying not to laugh at him. Harry just shook his head, and all but shoved her into out of the door.
Harry tried to settle back into his bed when he heard a noise. More specifically, a voice. It was followed by a second voice, and Harry was out of bed the moment he heard it. Harry snatched up his wand, and grabbed pants, watching the door carefully for any signs it was about to be breached.
The voice Harry had heard was distinctly male, and as he was the only man in the house, he knew in an instant they were in trouble.
Going to his door, he pressed his ear to it, listening hard for any sign of where the intruder, or intruders might be. There came a crash from downstairs, and Harry heard Emy the house elf begin to shriek before being silenced.
Harry held his wand up as he crept towards the stairs, watching closely for anyone to appear, and ready to take them down. Reaching Susan's door, he wondered if he should knock, or just open the door. What he really wanted to do was go to Amelia's room and wake her. but her bedroom was downstairs. Harry wondered if she was already up, and preparing to fight.
The question was answered with a brilliant red flash, and someone screaming. "Don't let her escape.!"
"Get the girl!" Someone else roared, and Harry heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Harry lowered his body, preparing to jump if he needed to. The first head appeared, and Harry snapped his wand up and sent his first spell. The piercing hex hit its mark, and the first hooded figure fell into his friends.
"What the hell was that?"
"He's dead. Look at this!"
"Oh, let him go, and let's get the bitch."
Harry fired a few more spells, but the intruders were expecting it now, and fired in return, and then he heard something that both frightened him, and made him supremely angry.
"It's Potter! The Dark Lord wants him alive. It's Potter. Potter's here!"
At that precise moment, Susan opened her door. Harry lunged at her, shoving her back into her bedroom, and tumbling to the floor with her. A spell blasted part of the wall where Harry had ben just a moment before. Harry rolled over and shut the door with his foot.
"What's going on?" Hannah shouted.
"Death Eaters." Harry said, getting to his feet. "Get your wands, Now."
Susan rushed to her bedside table and snatched up her wand. Hannah threw her blankets off and had her own wand in her hand as well. Harry heard the Death eaters on the other side of the door.
"Is there another way out of here?" He asked.
"Just the window." Susan said, fear evident in her voice.
"Emy could get us out." Hannah said.
"1 think Emy's dead." Harry said, going to the window. It was pretty high up, and though Harry was sure they would all survive the leap, he wasn't two sure if they'd be in any condition to run.
"Just blast it off its hinges!" Someone shouted.
"Get down!" Harry said, shoving both girls behind Susan's bed as the door erupted in splinters.
"We've got you cold, Potter." One of the Death Eaters shouted. "Give it up."
Harry's wand moved like lightning and the first Death Eater was thrown into his friend by the same bludgeoning hex that had nearly killed Susan only a few days before. The three teens heard the two Death eaters crash into the wall, one of them howling in pain. Harry rushed to the door and stunned both of them before they could get up.
"My Aunt." Susan shouted with fear. "We've got to help her!"
Harry tried to stop Susan, but she slipped past him and was already out the door. Harry sprinted after her, racing down the stairs. There were a number of Death Eaters waiting for them. All of the turned to look at the three teens who skidded to a halt in the hallway where Amelia's bedroom was.
"It's Potter!" One of them said in a cruel feminine voice.
"Don't kill him!" A man said.
"Mistake number one!" Harry shouted. As he sent his new favorite spell at the closest Death Eater, who shrieked as the piercing hex hit them in the neck. Susan and Hannah both fired any spells they could think of at their attackers, though it was clear that their fear was making things difficult. Susan managed to trip one Death Eater, but she did more damage to furniture and the walls than any of the Death Eaters. Hannah wasn't much better off. Harry began backing the two girls back up the stairs hoping to force the Death Eaters into a choke point where he might be able to thin out their numbers.
Harry heard Amelia shouting, and felt a rush of relief that for the moment, she was still alive. He could hear her swearing loudly as she fought, and he felt the house shake a couple of times. She must have been putting up one hell of a fight.
Harry and the girls were back upstairs, firing spells at anyone who tried to come up after them.
"How did they get in here?" Susan wondered allowed. "Auntie's got wards all over this place. Why didn't they warn us we were under attack?"
"We can answer that later." Hannah said, firing a cutting hex. "We need to get your aunt and get out of here now!"
No one come up the stairs for a bit, and Harry couldn't hear Amelia anymore. His heart raced in his chest as he thought of what that might mean.
"Do you smell that?" Susan asked suddenly. The three teens took a moment to sniff the air
"Smoke?" Hannah asked.
"They've set fire to the house." Susan said, a look of panic on her face.
"Of course." Harry said shaking his head in disgust. "They probably decided it would be easier to deal with us by forcing us out of the house. I'm betting they've got the house surrounded now, just waiting for us to come out."
Does that mean that they left Amelia?" Hannah asked.
They looked at each other for a few moments before Harry told them both to stay there.
"Why do you get to go?" Susan asked, but Harry just gave her a meaningful look before creeping to the stairs, wand held at the ready. He could smell the smoke heavy in the air now, and he was beginning to feel the warmth of fire. However, he didn't see a single body. The Death Eaters had collected their wounded and dead, and left.
Harry slowly descended the stairs, his heart pounding and his wand ready for even the hint of an attack. But none came. Slowly he moved towards Amelia's bedroom. He peered inside and saw that the fire had been set there, and it was growing fast. Instinct took over as he saw Amelia lying on the floor, flames rising off of her. She had ben struck by a body bind curse and left to burn.
"Aguamenti." Harry said, drowning the flames, and at the same time reviving Madam Bones.
"Are you ok?' Harry asked, going to his knees.
Amelia looked horrible. She'd been burned quite badly, and she was bleeding.
"Nothing a good healer can't fix." Amelia said in a hoarse sort of whisper. "Susan? Hannah?"
"Upstairs." Harry said quickly, trying to get Amelia to her feet. "We need to get out of here, but we can't go outside, they'll be waiting for us."
"Agreed. Where's my wand?" Amelia asked.
Harry looked about the floor, but he didn't see anything. The fire was spreading more and more, and Harry knew they had to get moving.
"Oh no." Amelia said. Harry turned and saw that Amelia's wand was burning on the floor near her bed.
"Come on Harry, let's get the girls and figure a way out of here."
Amelia leaned on Harry and he guided her out of her bedroom and into the hall. Harry saw that the Death Eaters had started a few more fires, and that it was growing in strength., It was getting harder to see or breathe now as Harry struggle to get Susan's aunt up the stairs.
"Auntie!" Susan said, rushing to help Harry with her aunt.
"Give me that candle holder." Amelia wheezed. Hannah grabbed the brass candle holder, and handed it to Amelia, who then asked to borrow the blonde's wand. She tapped the wand, whispered "Portus".
"All of you touch this." She said holding out the portkey she'd created, but nothing happened.
"Oh, this is not good." Amelia said.
"Why didn't it work?" Susan asked.
"If I had to guess, I'd say their using some rune stones. It's probably how they negated the wards." Amelia wheezed, as she slumped a bit. Harry tried to help her to stand, but Amelia was clearly in a lot of pain, and weakening.
"If only Emy hadn't been killed." Susan said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"What could she have done?" Harry asked.
"She would have been able to take us someplace safe. Their magic is really powerful, and even with anti apparition wards, they can come and go, and even take you with them. Emy could have taken us out of here right under the Death Eaters noses. It's probably why they killed her." Susan said, looking all around as if she were going to see some way to escape.
The smoke was getting thicker, and they all began to coughing hard. The house was getting much hotter, and Harry could see the fire was coming up the stairs.
"Kreacher." Harry said suddenly.
There was a loud crack and the decrepit looking elf stood before Harry, glowering at his master.
"Master called for Kreacher?" The old house elf croaked. "Rotten half blood who thinks he can call on Kreacher whenever it pleases him."
"Kreacher, I need you to get us out of here, and someplace safe." Harry said in a rush. "Amelia needs help."
"Kreacher can not take all of Master's friends." Kreacher said sullenly. "Kreacher would prefer to let them burn instead of helping such filthy blood traitors. Oh if my poor mistress could see Kreacher now, what would she..."
"Kreacher," Harry said coldly as he grabbed the elf by the throat. "I don't have time for your bullshit right now. So I'm going to say this one time, and just one time. Shut. Your. Mouth."
Kreacher didn't speak, but it was clear that he did not like being told to shut up. "How many people can you take?" Harry asked.
Kreacher looked at each person in turn, and then held up one finger. Harry wanted to throttle the damned beast, but he knew that Kreacher was his only chance to get everyone out of there.
"Auntie's passed out." Susan said, holding on to her aunt.
"Alright. Kreacher, take Amelia to St. Mungo's, and then come straight back here. Got it?"
Kreacher nodded, though he was glaring at Harry as he did so. He reached his long brittle looking fingers out and clasped Amelia's wrist. With another whip like crack both he and Amelia were gone.
"What now?" Hannah asked.
"I guess we'll have to go one at a time." Harry shrugged, coughing badly. The smoke was getting really thick, and the flames were closing in on them. All at once, the floor beneath them gave way, and the three of them fell to through the hole. Harry found himself on his stomach, with Susan sprawled across him, and Hannah nearby. Harry tried to sit up, his body protesting his efforts. He knew he was going to be feeling that fall for a few days.
Susan began to roll off of him and then shrieked in pain. Harry sat up and saw that Susan's arm had landed in some burning timbers. Harry pulled her up and patted her arm.
"My wand!" Susan shrieked. Harry turned, and quickly grabbed Susan before she could put her hand back into the fire to save her wand.
"We've got to get out!" Hannah shouted.
"They're waiting for us out there." Susan shouted in reply.
"Fight out there, or burn to death in here." Hannah said.
Another chunk of the ceiling came down and hit Hannah. The blond screamed in agony as her t-shirt caught fire. Harry doused her in water quickly. Hannah thanked him, and Harry could see that her shoulder looked ok, though he guessed she had suffered a light burn. He then began using his wand to douse some of the flames, hoping to buy them a bit more time.
There was another crack, and Harry saw that Kreacher was there again. "Ok, Take Susan..." He began to say but Susan cut him off.
"I'm not leaving without you." She said.
"There's no time for this debate." Harry said, but Susan shook here head.
"Then don't try and fight me on it. Get Hannah out of here."
"Hey, why should I have to go?" Hannah protested.
"Enough!" Harry shouted. He started to order Kreacher again, but Susan gave him a very stern look.
"Kreacher. Take Hannah to St. Mungo's, and then come right back to take Susan." Harry said.
"Take my wand." Hannah said, handing over her wand to Susan. She then took Kreacher's hand with a shudder, and with another crack, disappeared. Harry and Susan continued trying to put out the fire, but they both knew it was in vain.
"We're not going to survive until he comes back." Susan said, tears in her eyes. "I don't want to die, Harry." She said, and Harry took her hand in a superficial attempt to comfort her, but the outlook was bleak at best. The house was coming down around them, and if they tried to get out, the Death Eaters would take them with barely a fight.
"If I only had another house.. ..DOBBY!" Harry wanted to smack himself.
There was another crack, and Dobby the house elf appeared. In a second the elf s face went from joyous to panic.
"Dobby, can you get Susan out of here?" Harry asked quickly.
"Why only miss?" Dobby asked. "Dobby can be taking both Harry Potter and his miss."
"Dobby, you are the Greatest. We need to go to St. Mungo's now!" Harry said. Dobby didn't hesitate, but took both Harry and Susan by the wrist.
It wasn't an uncomfortable feeling. Almost like floating, but it happened so fast, Harry couldn't even appreciate it. They landed roughly in the waiting room of St. Mungo's hospital where several Healers came to help them. Susan kept asking about her Aunt, but no one could answer her questions.
Harry was separated from Susan as she was taken to be checked over and her wounds tended to. In moments, Harry found himself in a small room with two Healers who were seeing to his wounds. Harry had completely oblivious to being burned, but apparently when they'd fallen through the floor, his back had been badly burned. One of the healers was applying a thick paste to his back, while a second was making him drink several potions which was supposed to help him breath easier.
"Care to tell us what happened to all of you?" The Healer asked.
"Death Eaters." Harry said simply. The Healer sighed heavily, and handed Harry one last potion,
"Take this, and then as soon as Healer Jennings is finished, you can rest. Is there someone we should contact?"
'The Aurors?" Harry looked at the Healer as if the man had just grown a second head. "I just told you that we were attack by Death Eaters. Madam Bones was brought in, wasn't she?"
"Yes. But I meant for you. A parent, or a guardian?" Harry blushed slightly, though all the grime on his face hid it. "Sorry." He said. "I don't really have anyone.. .Dumbledore."
"I'll take care of it, mister Potter."
"That should do it." The second healer said. "You can lie down, but you'll need to lay on you stomach so this stuff can work. It's going to tingle a lot, but it shouldn't be unpleasant."
Harry did as he was told, and sighed heavily. He shut his eyes, just wanting sleep to claim him. But before he could be embraced by the sweet comfort of sleep, the was a crack, that made Harry jump. He hissed as his back shot needles of pain into him.
"Not unpleasant my foot." Harry grimaced
"Harry Potter sir." Dobby said, sounding embarrassed and anxious. The little elf looked like he'd been playing in soot, and was covered in filth.
"Dobby." Harry said, letting out a long slow breath. "Thank you so much for helping us. For saving us."
"Dobby wants only to help Harry Potter." The elf said, not looking at Harry.
"Dumbledore said you wanted to work for me. Is that true?" Harry asked. The elf looked even more embarrassed as he shook his head.
"Dobby wishes to be bonded to Harry Potter, to serve as the Potter House Elf. If Harry Potter will allow it."
"Why would you want that? You're a free elf, Dobby, why give that up?"
"Dobby does enjoy his freedom sir, but Dobby is finding that his magic isn't as strong as it once was. House elves who are freed often die if they is not finding a new family to serve because they lose their magic, sir."
Harry thought about it for a few moments, and decided that Dobby had earned the right and it was the least he could do for the creature who had saved his life. Besides, Dobby would likely be a much better companion than Kreacher.
"Alright Dobby, but we'll have to talk about your paymment..." And then realization hit Harry all at once. Everything he owned, everything he'd ever held dear was gone. His broom. His father's cloak. The Marauder's map. The photo album with all those pictures of his parents and his own friends. Everything was ashes by now. It had all burned.
"It's all gone." He said to himself, his eyes distant as heartbreak settled over him.. Dobby shook his head. "Dobby is saving all he could," "What?" Harry looked up puzzled.
"Dobby is knowing that Hogwarts school trunks are charmed against fire. Dobby is thinking that Harry Potter will need clothes, so Dobby goes and collects Harry Potter and his miss's trunks and takes them to Hogwarts. Dobby is not being able to get things for Miss's Auntie and friend."
"Dobby, that was incredibly dangerous. You could have been killed. Why did you do it?"
"Dobby knows that Harry Potter will be needing his things." Dobby shrugged.
"Dobby, I would be honored if you would bond with me." Harry said with a huge smile. Dobby's eyes lit up as it he were a child on Christmas. He leapt forward and clasped Harry's hand. The was a wave of tingling throughout Harry's body and then it was gone, and Harry stared at Dobby, who actually looked younger, despite being covered in muck.
"Dobby is now serving the Great Harry Potter and his Miss." "My Miss? Do you mean Susan?" Harry asked slightly puzzled.
"Dobby sensed it when he is being summoned. Harry Potter is belonging to miss, and she to him."
Harry realized that Dobby must be talking about the marriage contract. He wondered for a moment if their magic might be bonding them or something. Harry decided not to worry about that.
"We have a lot to talk about, Dobby, but for now, I'd like it if you got yourself cleaned up and rested. Then tomorrow you and I can... Wait a minute...Kreacher?"
Silence fell and Harry began scanning the room. After a moment he repeated Kreacher's name but nothing happened. Harry noticed Dobby look downcast.
"Why hasn't he shown up?"
"Dobby thinks he knows." Dobby said sadly. "Dobby is seeing Kreacher at Harry potter's miss's home, and he is not leaving. He is repeating over and over that filthy half blood master has told him to come back. Dobby is thinking Kreacher is dead."
Harry was horror struck. He inadvertently killed Kreacher by ordering him to go back into that burning building, and forgetting it in his haste to get away. He had told Kreacher to come back for him and Susan, and the elf must have gone back and just waited to be called.
Harry felt horrible, but at the same time, in a strange sort of way, there was relief. Harry hated Kreacher and all that the foul little beast represented. But that didn't make it better.
"I'm sorry Kreacher." Harry thought heavily. He looked to Dobby and tried to smile.
"Thank you again, Dobby. For everything you did tonight. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Yes master Harry Potter." Dobby bowed and then disappeared.
Harry wondered how Susan, Hannah and especially Amelia were doing. He wanted to go find them, but exhaustion was beginning to set in, and before he realized it, he'd fallen asleep.