Episode 1

The Beginning Part 1: The Heirs

August 20

The Fidelus charm is a wonderful thing. Well, most of the time. The magic is used to completely hide a location, from a simple chair to an entire building. Supposedly, it could theoretically hide an entire planet, (but who on Earth would be dumb enough to do that?) When the one casting the charm has done so, the secret of the location is placed within the heart of a secret keeper. Only that keeper is allowed to inform others as to the location's, well, location.

Within the Scottish Highlands there was a castle, hidden by this very charm. Inside resided a large group of creatures, restlessly patrolling the hallways or standing guard outside doors. Within one door stood three other creatures, all of whom surrounded a throne-like chair, which sat a creature that almost looked human.

"Master Quirinus," stated a beefy looking purple creature that somewhat resembled a bull, which had a huge broadsword strapped to it's back. "Welcome back. We have long awaited your return."

"Thank you, Korad," said the mysterious being. "It's nice to know that I was missed."

"Master," said a white feline creature with long nails. "What is it you require of us?"

"Simple, my dear Zora," said the being. "I require revenge. I seek revenge upon he who forced me to call him master. Unfortunately, he is naught but a wraith at the moment, so he is currently out. If they were alive, I'd say those four blasted idiots who sealed me away for so long. But again, they too are out. However, there is one who is viable before we move foward with our conquering of this world."

"Might one inquire as to the identity of this individual, m'lord?" The final creature was an intelligent looking silver avian creature that wore, of all things, glasses, with a large tomb tucked under it's arm.

"Fourteen year old Harry James Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived."

Happiness settled over Harry as he was being hugged by his best friend, Hermione Granger. Originally, Harry wasn't suppose to come to the Burrow, home to his other best friend Ron Weasley, until the following day, one day prior to the Quidditch World Cup. However, a quick change of plans, (courtesy of some pleading on Hermione's part), convinced the Weasley's to allow Harry to 'escape' his dreadful relatives, the Dursley's, in order to get some school shopping at Diagon Alley taken care of one day early.

Of course, a one day early escape was only partly responsible for Harry's elation. The biggest part was the witch currently wrapped in his arms, as between the two best friends, Hermione was secretly Harry's favorite. After the flight on the back of Buckbeak the Hippogriff last year, Harry realized that he had had a crush on Hermione for quite sometime, but hadn't realized it until the flight.

Their hug was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. The duo let one another go, a small blush forming on their cheeks, to look at everyone else. Everyone seemed to have a different reaction to them: the twins, George and Fred, as well as the oldest boys, (whom Harry had not yet met, but assumed were Bill and Charlie) were smirking; Arthur had a small smile on his face; Molly and Ginny were scowling; and Ron himself had a smile a county wide. Although he too fancied Hermione, he knew that it was small compared to what they felt for one another. He was more than happy to let Harry have her if it meant their happiness.

"Well," started Arthur. "We'd better get to the alley, eh?"

After a quick intro to the two oldest, the group went through the fireplace to reach Diagon Alley via the Floo Network. As a dizzy Harry stumbled out behind Hermione, he knocked into her, forcing them both into a sprawl. After a quick apology, the group made their way to Gringotts for a quick withdrawl.

As they walked down the alley, however, chaos seemed to suddenly spring up as people began to scream and run. It wasn't hard to find the source of commotion: a group of strange creatures were hobbling down the street, attacking those who were fleeing with ease. Molly and Arthur, fearing for the children's lives, immediately began ushering them back to the Leaky Cauldron. None but Hermione noticed Harry slipping away, and she followed him.

"My friends, awake."

"What's going on, Gryff?"

"Our old enemy has returned and has sent his creatures to attack magicals."

"We must monitor those who will counter them."

"Excellent idea, Ro. Sal, Hela, begin monitoring."

Harry, angered by these creatures attacks, leapt into action. What he had never revealed to anyone before was that he had learned some basic fighting skills before learning he was a wizard. It had been his hope that he might be strong enough to finally stand up to his relatives. Harry began throwing punches and kicks at the creatures, who were slow enough that they could not counter his moves.

"Harry James Potter, fourth year Gryffindor. Youngest seeker in a century and producer of a corporeal patronus. Despite a harsh upbringing, he has courage to help his friends against the darkness."

Unfortunately, there were far too many of them and one threw Harry to the ground. Before it could follow it up however, it was kicked in the back, away from Harry. Harry looked up to see a grinning Neville.

"Nev?"

"Hey, Harry. You alright?" Harry nodded.

"Neville Franklin Longbottom, also fourth year Gryffindor. A meek young man with a true heart of a lion. The boy has amazing untapped potential."

Before the two boys could say anything else, they were surrounded by the creatures.

"I've got your back, Nev."

"And I've got your back, Harry."

"We'll help too!"

The duo turned to see Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott step into the fray.

"Su? Hannah?"

"Don't worry Harry. We can help. My aunt taught me how to fight muggle style, and I taught Hannah. We'll watch your backs ok?"

"Susan Amelia Bones and Hannah Abbott, both fourth year Hufflepuffs. Both fiercely loyal young ladies, willing to stand beside those who have earned their trust."

Meanwhile, three other students had been watching the fight from inside an apothecary. As one witch was sobbing in fear, another girl mildly said, "Padma, aren't these potions for disintegration?"

The sobbing witch's twin nodded. "Yup, and I'll bet they work on anything." Turning to her sister, Padma said, "Pav, you stay here, where it's safe, ok?" Padma and the other girl then grabbed two beakers each of the potion and ran outside. Just as Neville and Harry knocked two of the creatures to the ground, Padma immediately poured her two beakers over them. The boys looked at Padma, astonished.

"What was that, Padma?" asked Neville.

"Disintegration potion," she explained, nodding to the other girl as she poured her own over two more creatures.

"Padma Patil, fourth year Ravenclaw. Highly intelligent young lady, seems to have the brains between her and her twin. Luna Selene Lovegood, third year Ravenclaw. Able to see things in a very different way from others."

As Harry and the others had the creatures cornered, a large pile of rocks suddenly fell on the creatures, flattening them with ease. The group turned to see Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis standing there with their wands out.

"Gonna thank us, Potter?" said Daphne, amusedly, while Tracy had a smile on her face.

"Um, thanks, Greengrass, Davis. Nice levitation charm."

"Daphne Ophelia Greengrass and Tracy Davis, two fourth year Slytherins. Both half-bloods amongst a snakepit of mostly pureblood bigots. Both have more cunning in their pinkies than all of Slytherin put together."

"Is anyone else bothered by the fact that it's mostly girls who fought those things, and only a couple of boys?"

As the group began to relax, they didn't notice movement from beneath the rubble. Suddenly, three still living creatures burst from the rocks, and sped towards the group. Before anyone else coud react, a cry of, "CONFRINGO!" was heard, and the creatures exploded. The group turned to see a smirking Hermione standing there.

"Where would you be without me, Harry James Potter?"

"Hermione Jean Granger, fourth year Gryffindor. Despite her house, she is the brightest witch of the age, and could easily have fit into Ravenclaw."

"But her attack upon them in order to help her friends, without knowing whether or not that spell would even work, shows a lioness heart."

"And she has fierce loyalty, always there to help her friends."

"And great cunning to attack at a distance."

"Curses!" shouted Korad. "Those twerps beat the Demonics! How the heck did they do that?"

"Calm yourself Korad, there will be plenty of other opportunities to destroy the brat," said Zora. "My book of demons will allow us to summon any creature we desire."

"Yes, but for now we will wait," said their master. "Soon, we will have revenge."

"Thanks, everyone," said Harry, giving his traditional lopsided grin. "I hope this means we can all be friends."

"Of course, Potter," Daphne scoffed. "You don't go through something like that, and not be friends. Even Longbottom's good enough to be a part of that."

"We need to have introductions if we are to be friends," said Padma's friend wistfully. "I'm Luna Lovegood."

"Padma Patil."

"Tracy Davis."

"Daphne Greengrass."

"Susan Bones."

"Hannah Abbott."

"Neville Longbottom."

"Hermione Granger."

"Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you all."

"Yes, but Harry, we really must discover what those creatures were, and what they were doing here," said Hermione.

"Don't worry, Hermione," said Luna. "We will discover the truth after returning to Hogwarts. The knowledge will be given to us."

A doubtful Hermione nodded, and the group parted ways as Aurors began appearing.

"They are the ones, my friends. We need to bring them to us upon their return. They will need to be told the truth." And image of Harry appeared. "They are the key to finally defeating our enemy."

To Be Continued...

A/N: What did you guys think? Sorry if it's short, hopefully it'll get better. And sorry about the poll, I decided to remove it, 'cuz I didn't understand the mechanics. Anyway, I hope you all stick around. The Ranger team is coming soon!