Harry's Future

by swissdog

A possible continuation of the last book of the Harry Potter series suggested by event in the last chapter and the epilogue

21. Chapter 21

Harry's Future, Part 21

In the weeks left before Christmas, Harry had conducted his one-on-one interviews with the former DA members. It was an interesting experience for him since his only official interactions with his former classmates had been with Ron and the one brief meeting with Alicia Spinnet. He didn't consider the wedding reception official. All were enthusiastic about having been earmarked for possible movement into the Aurors although Anthony Goldstein had indicated he would be more interested in the Magical Investigative Unit as opposed to the Tactical Squad.

Harry's interview with Parvati Patil was a bit uncomfortable for Harry until he broached a topic that had bothered him every once in a while over the years. He sat behind his desk looking at the young woman who had been his date to the TriWizard Tournament Ball all those years ago. She was quite excited about the opportunity to move up. Near the end of the discussion Harry looked at her with a slight half grin.

"You know, Parvati, I don't know if I ever said it to you or not, but if I didn't I will now. I'm sorry for my ridiculous behavior at the TriWizard Tournament Ball. I treated you really badly that night and you didn't deserve that."

She looked startled but recovered quickly.

"It's really nice that you thought to say that, um, Harry..sir."

"Harry's fine at the moment."

"I'll admit that I was kind of upset that night. All the girls thought that it was so great that I was going to the Ball with you. A few days later Ginny explained it all to me though. She said with all the stuff going on that you had to deal with you were, well, I guess confused was the best way to put it," Parvati said with a smile. "But thanks for being concerned."

Harry just smiled and nodded and then they finished with the business at hand. He also had to work out sending some of Milligan's people to Paris to confer with the French investigators on what they had been uncovering. The more they uncovered about the conspiracy the more there seemed to be going on. It nagged at Harry that perhaps Voldemort and his Death Eaters were just a local element of something much bigger and more dangerous. He intended to have Milligan broach the idea of contacting the Albanian magical community to try and get some idea of what might have gone on while Voldemort was in hiding there.

In between all this, Harry, now with Ginny's help, had been working on his Christmas list. After his first Christmas of giving what some would consider elaborate gifts Harry was now concentrating on things that had a more personal touch, trying to match something to each of his family that had special meaning or application in their lives. He hadn't been able to do any gift giving last year as he was just beginning his recovery from the clash with the dragon. So as the special day approached he was looking forward to the barely controlled mayhem that was the Burrow during a holiday.

His first holiday task was to collect Abagail from the Hogwarts Express for the break. He was standing on the platform waiting for her to get off the train. Ginny was in Holyhead for the last match before the holiday season. Soon a familiar, if diminutive, figure appeared in the doorway of the train carriage and her face lit up in a smile as she saw Harry waiting for her. She used her small size to advantage, darting and ducking among the many students and parents on the platform to make her way to Harry. She threw herself into Harry's arms.

"Welcome home, little one."

"It's great to be home, Harry. Are we staying at your house tonight or are we going right to the Burrow?" she asked excitedly in her airy voice.

"First of all, it's 'our' house now, Abagail and second, we are stopping at the house and then we're taking the floo network to the Burrow. We'll be staying there until after Christmas. What's all this?" he asked as he looked down at the canvas carry bag that Abagail had slung over one shoulder.

"Christmas presents, Harry, so no peeking, ok?"

Harry held up both his hands palms outward.

"Never, little one. I love looking forward to surprises on Christmas day. Do you need help carrying them though?"

"Nope," she said and grabbing Harry's hand she began pulling him to the wall that divided the magical from the mundane.

In moments they were curbside preparing to enter the Ministry sedan that would take them to the London house. Harry had made arrangements for the ride after having had a talk with Director Grimsson. Harry had been having some concerns about abusing the perk of relying on the Ministry transportation department but his boss assured him that he was more then welcome to the use of the cars on occasions such as this.

As usual the trip was short and uneventful. Kreacher bowed them into the house as soon as they made it to the top of the front porch.

"Is Kreacher coming too, Harry?"

"No, little one. He asked if I minded if he went up to Hogwarts to visit his friends. I thought that would be a great idea. He said he knew that the Weasleys would take good care of us while he was away."

"Oh, wow, that's great. Let me just drop a couple of things in my room and I'll be right back."

Harry smiled at how easily she referred to it as her room and watched as she dashed up the first flight of stairs. Harry made his way to the study where he collected several bags of his own to take to the Burrow. Ginny was to arrive later that evening. By the time he was standing by the well cleaned fireplace in the parlor he could hear Abagail hastening down the stairs from the second floor. She came into the parlor with her bag of gifts and big smile.

"All ready when you are, Harry," she said.

"Right," Harry replied and then called out. "We're leaving, Kreacher. Enjoy your time at Hogwarts."

"Yes, Master Harry."

Harry looked down at Abagail and said,

"Off you go, little one."

"Right," she replied then took a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fireplace.

Then she said 'the Burrow' and stepped into the green flames. Harry smiled as he could just barely hear the little squeal that always marked a trip by Abagail on the floo network. Harry waited for a few moments and then followed. When he stepped from the fireplace at the Burrow he saw Abagail engulfed in a Molly Weasley hug.

"Oh, Abagail, I've missed you so much. How are you, my dear?"

"I'm doing great, Mrs. Weasley," came the muffled reply.

Mrs. Weasley gave a laugh and released her hold on the girl and gestured for Harry to step forward to get his welcome.

"Harry, dear, so wonderful to see you, too. Come into the kitchen the both of you. I have a little something to hold you over until dinner."

'A little something' turned out to be a platter of biscuits and crackers combined with slices of cheese and meats. A pitcher of pumpkin juice and a pot of tea were also provided. Harry and Abagail took places at the table across from Mrs. Weasley.

"It will just be us and your father for dinner, Harry. The rest will be coming at various times tomorrow but we should all be here for Christmas eve," Molly Weasley said.

"I'm really looking forward to it, what with last year's holiday ruined," he replied quietly.

"Speaking of that, how's the leg, my dear?"

"It's been pretty good lately. I haven't had much reason to put any stress on it and I've been keeping up with the therapy so it's greatly improved. I haven't had to use the cane in weeks," he said with a smile.

"That's wonderful. And what about you, Abagail? How have you been getting along?"

"I'm doing ok, Mrs. Weasley. I was kind of sad for a while but everyone has been so good to me at school and Ginny and Hermione sent me lots of notes so it's ok," Abagail replied.

Mrs. Weasley just smiled back and poured Abagail some juice. After some more small talk and snacking Mrs. Weasley made the announcement it was time to get things ready for dinner so the three went to work, Harry setting the table while Abagail resumed her role as cook's chief assistant. It was well after sundown when Arthur Weasley came through the kitchen door.

"Hello, everyone. Harry, Abagail, it's wonderful to see you," he said by way of greeting.

Abagail hurried over and hugged Mr. Weasley and then said,

"Hello, sir, how are you? How's the car coming along?"

"Well, Abagail, I'm doing fine but the car is coming along slowly since I lost my helper," he said kindly, looking down at her.

"Maybe I can help you with it while I'm here, sir," she replied.

"Ah, just a moment you two. There will be no rust or grease in this house this holiday. You can go play in the shop the day after Christmas."

"Yes, dear."

"Yes, ma'am."

Harry did his best to keep a straight face. Dinner was a pleasant affair with just the four of them clustered at one end of the long table. As much as Harry enjoyed having the whole clan around there was something to be said for a small group. It was an unspoken agreement not to discuss work so most of the conversation revolved around Abagail at Hogwarts, the Popular, and the various events in the lives of the Weasley extended family. Of particular interest was the growing relationship between Charlie and Eleanor MacManus. Mrs. Weasley was particularly pleased.

"You wouldn't have known, Harry, since Charlie graduated before you started at Hogwarts but he always had girls hanging around him but once he got involved in his dragon research it was all he thought about. And Eleanor seems like such a nice young lady."

"Well, Ginny was telling me a few things. She and Eleanor became friends partly because soon after she started with the Harpies, Eleanor would strike up casual conversations about Charlie. Apparently she was two years behind him and she was a chaser for Hufflepuff. Had quite a crush on him, too," Harry said with a grin. "Ginny said a group of them were sitting around once and the other Harpies couldn't understand how the two best seekers to come out of Hogwarts in a century, they said, didn't go pro. They couldn't figure out if Charlie and I should be admired as idealists or pitied for not having a clue," he finished with a laugh.

"Well, I think you both made the right choices," Abagail said seriously. "Although Charlie really is a great flyer. We had fun over the summer the couple of times he came by and we flew together. Your dad was really good, too, wasn't he, Harry?"

"So I'm told, little one. He flew seeker for Gryffindor when they won the house cup a few times and a lot of people said he was very good."

"They were right, Harry," Arthur Weasley interjected. "Molly and I were both out of school by the time your father started but I had gone back to see a few matches when he played and he was an excellent seeker. Not quite in your league, son, but still well above the pack."

Harry just smiled and nodded. They were just beginning dessert when a pop in the yard announced another arrival. In a moment Ginny came through the door.

"Oh, it feels good to be in a warm kitchen. I thought I was going to freeze out there today," she said by way of introduction. "We played the Pride of Portree and that's about as far north as I want to go to play. I'm just glad we started before noon."

By this time both Harry and Abagail had stood up and the two of them wrapped Ginny in big hugs both as welcome and an attempt to help her warm up.

"Oh, thank you, you two. That feels so good," she said then kissing Abagail on the top of her head and then Harry on the lips.

"Come on, Ginny. Sit yourself down and have a cup of tea, that'll help warm you up even more."

"Thanks, mum," she said as she dumped her coat and bag on the floor and moved to sit next to Harry.

Harry put his arm around her shoulder as her mother prepared the first cup. Ginny took her first sip and sat back and leaned into her husband.

"Ah, now that's the just what I needed. Thanks, Mum. Is there anything left to eat? I'm kind of hungry."

"Of course, dear. Just a moment."

"So how was the game, Ginny?" Harry asked.

"We won but only just. They had us on points scored but we got the snitch in time. Their first line seeker cracked up and the reserve just wasn't up to it. That's something I've noticed Harry. The seekers aren't very deep out there right now. You and Charlie could both make big money if you wanted to," she said with a smile.

"Funny you should mention that, but we were just talking about seekers, my dad included."

"Yes, my dear," Mrs. Weasley said from over by the stove. "Harry was explaining about how Eleanor used to talk to you about Charlie."

Ginny giggled as she held the tea cup in her hands.

"Oh, yeah. She really had a crush on Charlie when she was up at Hogwarts. After we became friends I offered to introduce her to him any number of times but she couldn't bring herself to do it. That was one of the reasons I asked her to be in my wedding party. She practically floats when she walks now, she's so happy to be dating him."

"Well, I must say Charlie seems to be pretty happy these days himself. Finally there's something that can occupy his mind as much as dragons do. Oh, Harry, I'm sorry, dear."

"Mum, it's ok to mention dragons around me, I won't get hysterical," Harry said with a laugh. "Just don't ask me to talk about what happened."

So the five of them sat at the table while Ginny worked her way through her dinner and then after the table was cleared they retired to the living room, with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sharing the love seat and Harry, Ginny and Abagail on the larger couch across from them. The fire was roaring now that the guests had arrived and it was warm and comfortable.

"So my dears, I expect Bill and Fluer, Charlie and Eleanor and Ron for breakfast. Hermione will be here Christmas day and I believe Percy and Audrey will be here after dinner on Christmas eve. George and Angelina will be here in time for dinner tomorrow. It should be a wonderful holiday."

The others thought so as well and the evening past pleasantly. Abagail was the first to show signs of needing to get to bed so Mrs. Weasley suggested they all get some sleep since the next couple of days would be busy indeed. In short order they were all in their rooms and Ginny was snuggled up against Harry under the covers.

"Hmmmm, this feels so nice. It was so cold up there today. About fifteen minutes after we finished the game a storm blew in. It was almost as bad as that day you crashed into the tower."

"That was a bad day for sure. I wonder if we're a little crazy playing this game the way we do," Harry said.

"Maybe not just a little," she replied with a laugh as she snuggled in closer. "A little tighter there, sweetheart. I can still feel a bit of a chill."

Harry tightened his grip and tried to imagine he was just a little annoyed about something. Ginny could immediately feel a little bit more body heat.

"Hmm, that's better, Harry, thank you. Of course I can think of something else that would help warm us up," she said as she tilted her head up and began a kiss with Harry that lasted well past midnight.

Harry awoke in a tangle of covers with his wife pressed up against his side. Someone was banging on the bedroom door.

"Harry, Ginny. Time to wake up. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Okay, Abagail. We'll be down shortly," Harry said as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"Ginny, wake up, love. Mum is calling us down to breakfast."

"Hmmm, ok, Harry. I'm awake," she said as she stretched and pushed her hair out of her eyes.

She looked over at him, seeing the tussled hair and slight squint and said,

"Good morning, sweetheart," and leaned in to kiss him lightly. "I don't think we have time for showers but we'll clean up and throw something on and then after we eat we can make ourselves look presentable."

"Sounds good. I'm starving," Harry replied.

It was about ten minutes later that they walked hand in hand down the steps and into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was busy setting out platters on the table which had already been set. Ron was already sitting at the table as were Charlie and Eleanor. Mrs. Weasley looked up and smiled.

"Good morning, my dears. Sit yourselves down and tuck in, I expect Bill and Fluer will be along any moment. Your father will be back shortly."

Harry and Ginny took seats across from Charlie and Eleanor and Ron. Eleanor looked at Ginny and said,

"So how long did it take you to get warm again?"

"Oh, wasn't that the worst? We had the fire going last night in the living room and that helped but I had some help later on that got me nice and toasty again," Ginny said with an arch grin that had Harry turning bright red.

Ron started to laugh as did Charlie until Eleanor said in a low voice,

"That's funny, so did I."

At which point it was Charlie's turn to start blushing. Abagail approached with the last platter hovering in front of her and everyone at the table got quiet and tried to look innocent. As she set the platter down she looked at them and said in her quiet way but with a smirk.

"Like I don't already know."

This sent everyone into hysterics and they all got a 'look' from Mrs. Weasley but before she could say anything a silver blonde whirlwind came through the kitchen door.

"FLEUR!" Abagail shouted as best she could and ran to meet her.

"Ah, good morneeng to you, mon speciale'. 'ow are you, Abagail?"

"I'm doing great, Fleur. How are you, both of you?" Abagail asked.

Fluer laughed and putting one hand on her swollen stomach said,

"We are both doeeng just fine, thank you," she said with a wide smile.

Mrs. Weasley had hurried over and hugged her daughter-in-law and then escorted her towards the table. Fleur approached Ron first and gave him her customary hug from behind and kisses and the others tried to hide their laughs as Ron went bright red. Charlie and Eleanor each received kisses on the cheek as did Ginny. Harry knew better and stood up and waited for Fleur to turn her attention on him. She opened her arms and Harry did likewise and he got the kisses on each cheek and the forehead. He gave Fleur his usual kisses on the cheek but conscious of her pregnant state went easy on the hug.

"'arry, do not stint. I am pregnant not porcelain, I weell not break," Fleur admonished him.

With a smile Harry tightened his grip and Fleur said,

"Ah, much better, mon frère, much better."

"Muum, Bill ees outside weeth Dad bringing up the Christmas tree."

"Thank you, dear. There will be plenty for them when they get here. Now, everyone tuck in."

Platters were passed and food heaped on plates. Harry was bracketed by Ginny on one side and Abagail on the other with Fleur on Abagail's other side. Harry was busy digging into his plate of eggs, sausages and bacon and didn't notice the look he was getting from Eleanor but Ginny did and she gave her friend a questioning glance. Eleanor just smiled a little and shook her head as if to say it was nothing. Shortly after, Bill and his father could be heard coming through the front door that opened into the living room with the big tree that they had taken down and floated to the house. They positioned it at the far end of the living room where the remodelers had created a high cathedral ceiling.

"Oh, Arthur, it's beautiful. Where ever did you find it?" Molly enthused.

"I've been hunting for it for weeks, Molly. With last years Christmas being what it was I wanted something special."

Harry looked down at his plate with a bit of discomfort and Ginny threw her arm around his shoulder and planted a kiss on his cheek. Her look told him that no such thoughts were permitted. He smiled back. He then looked over at Ron.

"Is the board handy, Ron?"

"Of course, mate. We'll set it up right after breakfast."

Harry smiled and resumed his assault on his breakfast. The senior Weasley males joined the rest as did Molly and it was a grand time for all. Clean up was quick and efficient and in next to no time Harry and Ron were concentrating across the table on their first game. Abagail had gone with Mr. Weasley to check on the Popular but only to look, as they were reminded forcefully. Charlie was helping Bill get the tree set up for decorating and that left Fleur, Ginny and Eleanor sitting in the living room by the fire relaxing with tea and chatting. Remembering the look she saw on Eleanor's face earlier, Ginny mentioned it.

"Well, it's nothing really, I guess, but I just found it interesting. Harry's best friend is Ron, he and Charlie have so much in common with flying and then with Bill teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts yet he seems to be surrounded by women all the times I see him," she said.

Ginny smiled and Fleur laughed a bit. Ginny said softly,

"I guess he just brings out the desire to care for him in us. He's had such a horrible time of it almost from the day he was born. I know he's said he feels his been very lucky about some things but when you really tally it all up life has been very unfair to him. I love him for a lot of different reasons but I think even if I didn't and I was only his best friend's sister I would still feel the need to look out for him."

"Oui," Fleur added. "'e is destined for greatness but at such a 'igh cost. Een one way or another we all look after 'im to 'elp 'im bear the terrible burden 'e carries."

Eleanor looked over at Harry and watched him grimace as Ron executed a daring assault that he didn't see coming. She took in the unruly hair and bright green eyes behind the round glasses and saw the grimace turn into a grin as he laughed at something Ron said but they couldn't hear.

"I remember when he came with you to your tryout. We had all heard of him of course. He was the 'famous' Harry Potter after all. But to meet him he was so quiet and deferential. It was hard to imagine he was the same person that did all those amazing things. And then to see him fly the way he did. I never asked you this, Gin, but was that business with the autographs really that surprising to him?"

"Oh, yes. In fact, I'm pretty sure that was the first time anyone had ever asked him for one and it genuinely surprised him that someone would want it. You remember what happened at the wedding reception with the Centaurs? I don't think you could hear it but one of them told me that I needed to take care of him because he had, now how did they put it, oh yeah, value far beyond his understanding. That pretty much sums it up. I think he knows deep down inside what he's capable of magically but I don't think he really has a clue about his effect on other people. How he can lead, teach, inspire, all that sort of thing. Sometimes when he really gets me exasperated I think it's probably better that he doesn't because of all the power he has but it's really so sad in a way. I blame it all on his aunt and uncle for the way they treated him all those years. I swear if I ever met them I'd give them both a good dose of the bat bogey hex," she said the last in a low venomous tone.

Eleanor looked at her friend and nodded. Then she smiled a bit and said,

"I'm not even sure why I thought I needed to know but…" she trailed off.

Ginny and Fleur just smiled. Fleur then looked at the somewhat older woman and said,

"Harry's welfare ees the Weasley family's greatest concern. Welcome to the family."

The three smiled wide and Eleanor couldn't help but giggle a bit. Mrs. Weasley came over to sit with them, holding a cup of tea of her own.

"Well, my dears, what has you with your heads close?"

"We were filling Eleanor in on a few details about our Harry," Ginny said.

"Ah, yes, well I don't know what the future may hold for you and Charlie, my dear, although I have my hopes," which elicited more laughs, "but that young fellow over there, my son in all ways but one, sits at the very core of our family. We take his well being very seriously. We owe him more then we can ever hope to repay but the very least we can do for him is to be his family, the one thing he probably needs more then anything else."

As he sat at the board across from Ron, Harry could feel eyes on him so he looked up and over at the four women who were looking back at him with various expressions. He gave a crooked smile and wave and they waved back. He looked over at Ron who's own expression was clearly saying 'what's up, mate?' to which Harry could only shrug and shake his head. Ron did likewise and they resumed concentrating on the game. The muted conversation near the fireplace continued for some time.

Harry and Ron battled their way through three games, Harry losing all of them, but making Ron work for every captured piece. At the end of the third Harry sat back in his chair and said,

"Well, Ron, I think I can see why Evelyn Muntab has her eye on you. You'd make a good strategist for planning raids and such."

"Thanks, Harry, and here all this time I thought it was because I was the boss' best mate and brother-in-law," he dead panned.

"That, too," Harry replied just as seriously and they both started to laugh.

Lunch was a casual affair with a couple of platters of sandwich makings and a large tureen of soup and everyone simply helped themselves. Afterwards the ladies began to decorate the tree and the men folk assisted as directed. Mr. Weasley and Abagail had come in for lunch and although they passed Molly's inspection for cleanliness suspicions ran high that the two had been 'up to something'. By mid afternoon the tree was dazzling and George and Angelina had arrived. There were many hugs and handshakes and when Angelina found her way to Harry she gave him the usual long limbed tight embrace and then the once over.

"You're looking good, Harry. A lot more rested and relaxed then you've been lately."

"I'm glad it shows, Angelina. The last weeks have been pretty good ones. Plus the holidays are always a good time for me. As long as I'm not in hospital somewhere," he said with a half grin.

Angelina smiled back and gave him another squeeze. They all took seats around the living room, enjoying the fire and company. Bill let his gaze sweep around the room and said,

"You know, I just realized, we have the makings of a real Quidditch team here. I wonder if we could arrange a family challenge match somewhere," he said with a laugh.

"Well, I don't know about a family match but I do have an idea that might be interesting," Harry said.

"What's that, Harry?" Bill asked.

"When Ginny and I visited Beauxbaton during our honeymoon, they were conducting a two week camp or clinic I guess you'd call it for the Quidditch players. Very intensive training. We got to observe an afternoon's worth and I was thinking maybe we could propose something like that for Hogwarts. What do you think, Bill?"

"I think it's a great idea, Harry. I'll discuss it with Professor McGonagall when I get back. Do you think you'd be able to participate?"

"I'd certainly hope so, for what it's worth," he said.

Ginny stiffened at his side and he felt it. He tilted his head sideways and said quietly,

"I'm sorry."

Instead of replying directly to Harry she said,

"Personally, I think it would be worth a great deal. You should have seen him that afternoon. He was so fixated on the seekers that after the third time of trying to get through to him I gave up. After they were done and had invited us to comment to the players he proceeds to give them over an hour's worth of detailed analysis and recommendations. I bet they got more feedback in that hour than they did all week."

Harry sat there, his arm in a stranglehold by Ginny, trying to look undisturbed but inside he was turning three shades of red and squirming for all he was worth. The others began to discuss the whole idea of a Quidditch camp and Harry began to relax a bit as the focus was diverted away from him.

He looked around a bit and he caught Abagail's eye who was sitting at her usual spot next to Fleur. She gave him a quizzical look and then slid off the couch and came over and climbed up to kneel next to him and wrap her arms around his neck and put her head close to his. He brought his free arm up and pulled her close. The stayed like that for a moment and then she loosened her grip as did he. When she leaned back and looked at Harry she had a sad smile on her face. She maneuvered around and sat down next to her guardian and pushed up close beside him. He looked across the room at Fleur who regarded him with her brilliant blue eyes and she could only give a brief shake of her head and one raised eyebrow. Whether anyone else was paying attention he couldn't tell. He caught a comment from Eleanor.

"You know if you combine the idea of Harry taking part, add Charlie in and get the notion across that this could improve the level of play for the pros as well as the national team I'd bet you'd get a lot of support from the teams and the Sports office in the Ministry. You could probably attract some big names to come, maybe even help with the training."

"Well, Bill can broach the idea at Hogwarts and I'll step in to see the folks at Magical Games and Sports and see what they think," Mr. Weasley said "but to be perfectly honest I think we have enough talent in this room right now to run a very respectable training camp."

This statement got a number of affirmative responses. Harry leaned back into the cushions of the couch and tried to relax some more. Ginny was pressed in on one side and Abagail on the other. He felt warm and comfortable and he began to drift a bit. While not exactly in that gray place that he and Abagail used to communicate he felt like he was floating a bit and he wasn't really hearing the conversations around him. Without any warning he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his head and a brief image flashed in his mind. It was a figure, manlike but indistinct, as if shrouded in shadow with only two bright points of green where the eyes would have been. While not seeming particularly threatening it did seem to emanate a feeling of contempt, of overwhelming arrogance and disdain. Harry bolted upright on the couch and his eyes flew wide and as quickly as it came it disappeared.

"Harry, what is it?" Ginny asked in alarm.

"What? Oh, nothing, Gin, I'm sorry. I was just feeling so comfortable I guess I started to doze off and I just kind of jerked awake," he managed to say.

"Oh, I just hate that," Eleanor said. "You think you're falling asleep and then your leg or arm twitches and you're wide awake again."

Harry just nodded but inwardly he was very grateful for the unsolicited support of his story.

The rest of the afternoon was given over to discussing the camp idea, how business was in Diagon Alley and the way things were drying up in Knockturn Alley as Harry and Milligan had been stepping up the pressure, cleaning out the criminal activity. Harry was content to sit back and listen but he was also contemplating that brief visual flash that had jerked him up so sharply. Was he imagining things or was it something akin to what had happened when he was seeing into Voldemort's mind. Was there someone else out there? Was it whoever was behind the conspiracy? His musings were interrupted by a gentle prod from Ginny.

"Sweetheart, it's time for dinner. Where did you go?"

"Oh, nowhere in particular. I was just thinking about a few things. We better go find a seat or we'll miss dinner," he said with a half smile.

She looked at him with a squint and then nodded and they got up and walked to the table. He sat down and once more he had Ginny to one side and Abagail to the other. A large ham was sliced and waiting as were roast potatoes, several vegetables and a plate heaped with Abagail's rolls along with a crock of butter. Mr. Weasley presided over the serving of the ham while the bowls were passed around the table.

As they were eating Harry looked down at Abagail and said,

"So, little one, how was the Popular? Is Dad making any progress?"

"Yes but not as much as he hoped. He's so busy at work and without me around to help it's slow going," she said.

"Well, hopefully, he'll have some time while you're home from school."

Abagail smiled and nodded vigorously. Harry smiled back and continued eating and listening to the various conversations around the table. He turned when he heard Bill mention his name. Apparently Bill and his father were discussing the upcoming term and the topic of Harry's lectures was mentioned. He thought he was due for a trip up and he'd have to give some thought to what he might talk about.

Dinner was a great success and there wasn't much left to clean up. When Percy and Audrey arrived it was fortunate that they had already had dinner with Audrey's parents. They all retired back to the living room but those that had them were taking their presents and placing them under the tree. Harry noticed that Abagail's were all the same size and shape, a flat rectangle about a foot and a half by a foot but only about an inch thick. The rest were all shapes and sizes. It was going to be a busy morning tomorrow. He couldn't wait.

They made it an early night so that they could get up early for Christmas breakfast. Harry lay awake for a while thinking about his 'vision' and worried a bit about what it meant but as he felt the warm presence of Ginny next to him and knew that the house was full of his family he let those thoughts drift away and he slipped into a deep, untroubled sleep.

Once again Abagail was sent up to wake them but instead of pounding on the bedroom door she decided to slip inside and take a more direct approach. She came to stand opposite the end of the bed with her back against the wall. She took a deep breath and then ran and jumped up to land in the middle of the bed between Harry and Abagail. They both awoke with a start and in a moment there was a three way wrestling match with a great deal of laughing until the two young women ganged up on the one young man and soon had him pinned.

"Ok, I give up, you got me."

"Yeah, we've conquered the great Harry Potter," Abagail crowed.

"That puts you in a class all by yourself, Abagail. No one ever has before and no one ever will again," Ginny said laughing.

Harry scowled at his wife and then counter attacked with a vicious tickle blitz that soon rendered both his assailants helpless. He was then able to free himself from the tangle of blankets and gather his things for a quick shower. Within half an hour they were all gathered around the big table. Hermione had arrived earlier and soon they were tucking into to what could best be described as a Christmas breakfast feast. Spirits were running high and at one point Ron asked Harry,

"What was all that racket this morning, mate?"

"Ah, well, we were ambushed in our bed by the mighty mite here," he began, looking down at Abagail. "Then my wife threw in with the enemy and they had me down for a moment but while they gloated I was able to get free. Funny how the evil ones always want to gloat over their fallen enemies and hence sow the seeds of their eventual defeat," Harry finished up in his best professorial tones.

"Evil?" Ginny cried out in mock outrage. "You just wait and we'll show you evil, right, Abagail?"

"I don't know, Ginny. I think Harry's right. It was kind of unfair that we ganged up on him and you took my side and all," Abagail said, her voice just above a whisper as she looked up at Harry with those big dark soulful eyes. "I'm sorry, Harry," she said, her lower lip started to quiver.

"Abagail, I was only teasing," Harry said, his voice full of concern.

"Oh, good, so was I," she said, her pout turning into a wide grin and her eyes dancing.

Harry just looked across at the others with the classic, 'why me?' expression. Everyone was laughing and all he could do was shake his head. Once breakfast was finished and the table cleared everyone made their way to the living room for the much anticipated exchange of gifts. Everyone arranged themselves in pairs with Abagail sitting next to Harry for the one trio.

"Well, I must say," began Mrs. Weasley, "this is certainly a much nicer Christmas then last year's and my biggest present is having you all here happy, healthy and whole. It's also so wonderful that we have some new faces with us this year. I thought since this is her first Christmas with us we'd give Abagail the honor of being the first to give out her gifts."

"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Weasley. Um, I kinda got everyone the same thing so as not to spoil the surprise if you'd wait until everyone has theirs and you can open them at the same time," she said as she had gotten off the couch and moved to gather up the plainly wrapped rectangles. "There's one for each couple."

She handed one to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, each of the sons and their significant other and lastly to Harry and Ginny. Abagail's expression was tentative and then she said,

"I hope you like them. Go ahead and open them."

The sound of wrapping paper being torn was followed by several gasps and then silence. Abagail was looking around at everyone in concern.

"What, you don't like them?" she said with a quiver in her voice.

Fluer was the first to recover.

"Oh, no, Abagail. Thees ees magnifique, incroyable," the silver haired beauty said.

What she was looking at was a pen and ink portrait of herself and Bill from the shoulders up. The likeness was exact right down to the last line of the faintest scar on Bill's face. Abagail had also used a light tint to suggest the color of her silver hair and Bill's red. The other couples were all looking at similar portraits of themselves with the same color accenting where appropriate. In particular, the green for Harry's eyes stood out boldly from the canvas.

Unasked for, everyone holding a canvas turned them around so they all could see them. Abagail still had an expectant look. Mrs. Weasley was the next to find her voice.

"Oh, my dear. These are amazing. Whenever did you find the time to do all this?"

"I started on them right after getting back to Hogwarts. You had all been so good to me last summer, I wanted to do something special. After the funeral I had a lot of time and working on these helped me a lot," she said with a shy smile.

"Well, all I can say is thank you and I think I'd ask you when you have time this summer to do something like this but with the whole family together that we can hang here right in the living room," Mrs. Weasley said, all teary eyed.

Abagail smiled a bit wider and turned and pulled out a slightly larger wrapped rectangle and handed it to Mrs. Weasley who carefully opened it. She let out another gasp and the tears began to flow freely. Abagail had anticipated her request and resting on Molly Weasley's lap was a drawing similar to the photograph that hung in Harry's office but with one significant addition. Behind and higher then the rest was the face and upper torso of Fred, looking down on the rest with his patented mischievous grin. Mrs. Weasley wordlessly handed the canvas to her husband and opened her arms to Abagail who rushed into her tight embrace. Once freed Abagail had to make a circuit of the room where she received the thanks and embraces of the rest. When she finally took her seat next to Harry she was one very happy young lady.

Mrs. Weasley began to hand out gifts from under the tree as they fell to hand and soon brightly colored paper was accumulating around the room. Some of the highlights included a set of flying robes for Abagail as well as coveralls for her for those times spent on the Popular. Harry gave Charlie a pair of fire proof gloves made by the muggles for firefighters. Eleanor approved of this gift a great deal. A particularly interesting gift that Harry gave to Ginny was a small case no more then six by nine inches. The most interesting aspect of it was that when tapped by a wand and the word 'patefacio' spoken the case opened up into a small writing desk that included a space to store parchment sheets, an inkwell and several quills.

"I thought this might help with your writing for the Prophet, love," Harry said.

"Oh, Harry, this is terrific. Thank you," she replied happily.

Ron and Harry had agreed not to exchange any gifts since their relationship as superior/subordinate might complicate things. Besides, what could they give each other that was anymore significant then what they had shared in the past. After all the gifts had been handed out and everyone was looking over what everyone else had received Ron coughed a bit to get their attention.

"Um, I have one last thing to give and it's for Hermione. It's not a really a surprise to her but I thought this was the best place to do it," he said and he pulled a small box out of his pocket. "Hermione, this is for you."

She took the box and opened it and revealed a beautiful diamond engagement ring. Her eyes started to mist up as she took it out and let Ron slip it onto her finger. The two had been discussing the idea of getting married ever since Harry and Ginny's wedding and had made some plans for the coming year but the actuality represented by the ring had its effect. She grabbed Ron around the neck and held on tight while the others began to gather round to offer their congratulations. All in all it was a very fine Christmas indeed.

************

Over the next few weeks Harry didn't have a reoccurrence of the briefly flashed image but it still haunted him. One evening after they had finished their dinner he sat alone in his chair in his study, thinking about it and what it might mean. He tried to relax and recall what led to the vision. He sat with half lidded eyes and his breathing slow and measured. His mind's eye could see nothing of any consequence, just a dull grey. He was casting about for some clue when he felt that same jab and the image of the shadowed figure appeared. Having some expectation this time he didn't make any movement that might cause the image to disappear. The pain faded as quickly as it had come. For a long moment the two regarded each other until Harry 'spoke'.

"What are you?"

"Better for you to ask, who am I?" the figure retorted in a 'voice' that dripped of arrogance and sarcasm.

"Very well, who are you?" Harry asked evenly.

"More the fool are you for not recognizing me," the image sneered.

"Why should I know you? I've only seen you the one other time and that was just a flash."

The green 'eyes' flared momentarily as the 'voice' laughed in condescension. The dark shadow that surrounded the image contracted and the vague outline began to sharpen. The figure was indeed that of a man of medium height and build but that gave the impression of being much larger and more powerful. The image began to look disturbingly familiar. As if stepping into the light the shadows dropped away and Harry found he was looking at himself, but not the 'him' he knew.

"I am the you you could be if you cast off all this nonsense of self doubt and false modesty and realized just who and what you are."

"And just who might that be?"

"The most powerful wizard of the age, perhaps for many ages. Others know it to be true, yet you persist in this ridiculous charade, cringing at every compliment and shaking off every accolade when you should be demanding and receiving the adulation of all these lesser beings."

"To what end? What good would all that do for me?"

"End? For its own end, to have what is rightfully yours. You saved them from themselves and their ignorance and stupidity. At every turn you demonstrate your superiority and yet you labor away in a tiny office behind a tiny desk to resolve everyone else's problems but your own. You bear the scars, you suffer the pain and they blissfully go on their way thinking themselves worthy of your sacrifices."

Harry had to admit that, despite the venom with which the statements were being made and the words being used, the basics were not far from the mark. His entire life was shaped by the inability or unwillingness of the wizarding world to have come to terms with Voldemort when they had the chance. He had given so much of himself and yet there were still those who thought the old ways were still best and others thought he was someone they should fear, much as they had feared Riddle.

"Ahh, so you see the wisdom of my words. Your words in point of fact. Everyone around you seeks to attach themselves to your glory. The Ministry, Hogwarts, those French upstarts, even those redheaded fools who were little more then hedge wizards until they found you."

The last comment caught Harry's attention and focused it like a beam of light. No matter what he might feel about his efforts and injuries nothing would or could make him think or feel that way about his family. He knew this was not some other 'him' speaking from the darker recesses of his mind. Someone was playing games.

Harry regarded the figure more intently. Now it was an investigation, not some internal conflict. The figure did resemble him but the eyes were more like green globes as opposed to real green eyes and the tussled hair lacked any real definition. It was more a caricature drawn by inference then a likeness taken from his mind. Abagail would have laughed at the amateurish attempt.

"Afraid you've mucked it up there, whoever you are. The first part of your argument had some merit to it but that last bit about my family ruined the whole thing," Harry said.

"Don't be a fool, you know what I say is true. These are your own words," the voice said with the same malice and contempt but there was also a hint of doubt.

"Don't waste my time," Harry said, beginning to grow annoyed at the game. "I'm beginning to have my suspicions as to just who or what you are and I'd suggest you go find some hole to hide in because should the time come when me meet, you'll surely regret it. Now get out of my head and stay out."

With that Harry reached out to the give the figure a mental slap to which he added some of the heat he felt rising up inside him. He saw the figure flinch and the left side of the vague face began to smolder. The figure began to quickly recede accompanied by a keening wail. To Harry's minds eye it looked as if whoever had 'linked' to him was losing his, or her, control of the sending because he started to get glimpses of a room and just before the contact broke he thought he caught a brief sense of an old castle or large stone manor at some height, perhaps on a hilltop, but it all went blank before he could really focus on it.

He blinked back to being fully awake and looked around the room. The comforting familiarity of his study helped settle his mind as he tried to process what had just happened. That someone was trying to influence him was certain. What exactly he had hoped to gain was another question. It was obvious that he was trying to get Harry to accept that he was some sort of super wizard and he should be holding himself above those around him. Was this an attempt to get him to align himself with this other person or was it intended to isolate and weaken him somehow? And was this some new threat or was it connected to the smuggler/conspiracy problem? He thought about all of this for some time until a voice brought him back to the here and now.

"Harry. Is everything all right, sweetheart?"

"More or less, Ginny, why?" he replied.

"Well, I had been upstairs working on my next article and I came down to get some tea and I walked by your door here and I thought I smelled smoke. You're not taking up cigars are you?" she said half joking.

"No, love, I'm not in here smoking cigars," he said but he stood up and looked around the room.

None of the furnishings were singed nor were any of his clothes. He carefully checked every nook and corner and found nothing. He could only look at his wife and shrug. She regarded him with a quizzical look and then shaking her head a bit walked on toward the kitchen and the tea kettle. Harry stared at the floor for a moment and remembered the smoldering face of the figure before it receded out of sight. He likewise shook his head and decided a cup of tea sounded like a very good idea.

Over the next couple of days Harry took whatever opportunity that presented itself to consider what had transpired during the latest 'visitation'. He tried to recall the details of the last few seconds to try and glean any information about where the stone manor or castle had been. He even contacted Charlie Weasley who paid Harry a visit at the Ministry to discuss it.

"Charlie, I need to ask you some questions about your time in Romania but I can't really tell you why yet," Harry said as he sat across from his brother-in-law.

"Well, I guess I owe you one after all the secrecy about that mutated dragon, but I hope at some point you can tell me the whole story," Charlie replied.

"I will if I ever find out the whole story. What I need to know is what the place was like. I have a picture in my mind of a brief glimpse of a stone manor or castle sitting on a hill. Did you ever see anything like that?"

"Sure, Harry. There were more then a few like that, but I've got to tell you that that's not uncommon for more then a few areas in Europe. I mean Hungary, the Czech Republic are just a couple of countries that have places like that. Even the Scottish Highlands have them."

"I understand that, Charlie. It's just for some reason I got the feel or the idea that it might have been Romania. When I was growing up at the Dursleys, Dudley used to get to go to the movies a lot. I never got to go but one time, after I had managed to scrape together enough loose change I went myself. It turned out to be an old monster movie, Frankenstein vs. Dracula or something like that. It was supposed to be located in Transylvania and the castle was where most of the story took place. The flashes I got seemed to remind me of that. That's why I was asking."

"What do you think this is all about, Harry?" Charlie asked.

"I wish I knew, Charlie. I'm not sure if it's related to the smuggling business or if it points to something new or if it's nothing more then just random flashes coming up from my subconscious. I'm trying to figure it all out," he said a bit despondently.

"Have you thought about asking Abagail about it?"

"I try to leave her as my last resort. I'm always worried that she might 'see' something that will upset her. But I think I may just have to do that pretty soon. Either it's something important I need to look into or just odd images that I need to forget about. Guess I need to take a trip up there."

"I know you worry about her, Harry. But Abagail is a pretty tough young lady. Don't let her small size fool you. I had a chance to talk to her a lot this past summer when I went home and flew with her. She's very committed to you and is determined to help you do the things we need you to do. Give her the chance," Charlie said seriously.

"I suppose you're right, Charlie. I guess I still see her as that frightened first year. Thanks for your time, I appreciate it."

"Not a problem, Harry. We're all in this together."

Harry escorted Charlie back up to the lobby where they both Disapparated, Harry to Hogsmeade and Charlie back to where ever it was he was doing his research. Harry arrived as his usual spot at the entrance to the memorial park. He'd have to come down and visit his lost friends and family after he was done with Abagail. He made his way up to the front door and knocked using the massive iron ring. Argus Filch yanked the door open, eyed Harry up and down and just waved him through the door. Harry swallowed his smile and gave his old nemesis a nod and proceeded toward the Head's office. It was mid-morning and he hoped to catch the Headmistress in. He never made it to that far. He met her coming the other way.

"Harry! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you to us today? I understand your next lecture isn't for several more weeks," Professor McGonagall said by way of greeting.

"Yes, ma'am, that's right. I have a problem and need Abagail's help. I was wondering if I could speak with her."

"I'm sure we can arrange that, Harry, although I'm not sure where she is at the moment," the Head replied.

Harry pulled out a sheet of parchment. He had asked Abagail to write out her schedule for him in case of just such a need. He looked at it and said,

"She's with Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures. Put I wouldn't just go there directly."

"Well, thank you, Harry. I appreciate that but please, feel free to go down there. When you're done come back up to my office. I'm sure Dumbledore would be happy to see you as would the others," the Professor said.

"Yes, ma'am. I will."

Harry turned and went down and let himself out the main door and made his way down towards Hagrid's hut. He could see the fourth years arrayed around the fence of Hagrid's corral. Harry could see Abagail looking through the space of the split rails and oddly enough, Norbie, the big brindled Mastiff that was Hagrid's standing next to her. Inside the corral were several Hippogriffs. Harry approached the rear of the group of students and stood watching. A couple of students sensed Harry standing behind them and turned to look at him. With a motion of his hand and nod of his head he directed their attention back to the lesson. Hagrid was using the Hippogriffs to illustrate the idea of hybrid magical animals. As he talked he looked around and noticed Harry standing to the rear of his students and smiled and waved. His voice rang out over the crowd.

"Well, Harry, good ta see ya. Come on up front."

Harry smiled and made his way up to the fence and smiled at Hagrid.

"Good morning, Professor. I didn't mean to interrupt your class. I was hoping to speak to Abagail when you're done," Harry said.

"Sure thing, Harry, and yer never an interruption. Maybe ya can help me a bit."

"Of course. What can I do?"

"I thought mebbe ya could come in and say hello ta an old friend of yers," Harry said motioning to a large Hippogriff standing over by the far fence.

Harry smiled and nodded and moved over to the gate and opened it. He entered the corral and approached his old friend Buckbeak. He stopped a dozen or so paces away and bowed deeply to the fierce looking creature. Buckbeak tossed his head and bowed as well. Harry walked up and placed his hand on the feathered head and let his fingers rub just above the eye ridges. He could hear the faint vocalizations as the eye lids slid down. He could hear Hagrid in the background.

"Now, that's the way ya approach one of these proud creatures. It ain't always that easy, o' course. Harry, I mean, Mr. Potter and Buckbeak are old friends. Mebbe one of ya would like ta meet Buckbeak."

Abagail's hand shot straight up. Hagrid nodded and waved her in. Abagail hurried around to the gate and Hagrid let her in. Norbie had followed but wouldn't enter. Abagail approached to about the same distance as had Harry and she bowed deeply, her long dark hair nearly reaching the ground. Without any prompting from Harry, 'Beaky' bowed deeply as well. She approached and since she couldn't reach up as high as his head, Beaky bent his neck and allowed her to rub the same spot as Harry had been. Harry looked down and smiled as he saw the mesmerized look on his ward's face.

"He's magnificent, isn't he, Abagail?" Harry asked quietly.

"Oh, yes, sir. Is it true that you've really flown on him?" she whispered in awe.

"Oh, yes. Several times. Maybe he'd take you for a ride."

Abagail's eyes went wide and Harry looked over at Hagrid.

"What do you think, Hagrid. Is Buckbeak still up to having passengers?" Harry asked.

"Oh, aye, Harry. Still as strong as ever. He'll take ya both easily."

Harry lifted Abagail up and helped her find a spot on Buckbeak's back and he then climbed aboard himself. Without prompting the Hippogriff took several strides forward and with two powerful thrusts of his wings launched himself and his passengers skyward to the stunned amazement of the students. Abagail was squealing in delight and Harry laughed as the wind whipped their robes and Abagail's hair behind them. They flew past the castle and out over the lake buzzing the water. He gained altitude and took them over the town of Hogsmeade. In all they spent fifteen or twenty minutes in the air before Buckbeak brought them down to the corral again. When he came to a stop Harry slid off and helped the red faced and smiling child off the broad back. He whispered in her ear and then she walked over to the rack where the dead ferrets where hanging. Gingerly she slipped one down and walked over and threw it to Buckbeak, who gulped it down eagerly. Abagail's feet barely touched the ground as they walked out of the corral.

"Well, class, that's about as good as it gets. Next time you'll all practice what ya just saw and mebbe one or two of ya will get the chance ta take a ride," Hagrid said.

Harry looked down at Abagail and said,

"I need your help, little one," he said seriously. "Let's sit over in front of Hagrid's house."

"Yes, sir."

They took a seat and Norbie strolled over and sat down so his back rested against Abagail's legs. Harry looked at her with a question clear on his face.

"Ever since that time those men tried to take me, whenever I'm down here Norbie always stays very close by. I think he figures I need protection," she said with a grin.

"Good boy, Norbie," Harry said with a smile. "Now, to business. Abagail, I've had a strange couple of visions. The first was on Christmas day. Do you remember when I was sitting between you and Ginny and I kind of sat up really suddenly?"

"Yes, sir. You said you were just dozing off and jerked awake. I knew that wasn't really true but I try not to say things about what happens to you unless you ask me."

"I thought that might be the case. Well, a few days ago I had a more serious vision. I think that someone, probably a pretty strong witch or wizard is trying to get me to do something. I think I stopped them but they left an image in my head as they were leaving. I'm trying to figure out where the place I'm seeing is. I thought you might be able to help."

"Yes, sir. I'll try," she said.

She took hold of Harry's hand and sat back and let her eyes close. She sat quietly for a few moments and then began to talk in a low whisper.

"You saw a stone building, like a big house sitting on a hill. The hill is surrounded by a large forest, a scary forest, kind of like this forest here. It's hard to tell where it is. It's like there's some kind of shield around it. But there is someone or something there and it's very nasty. It feels like what I felt when I was 'reading' those smugglers you caught. I'm pretty sure this is where the leader of that group is," she said and then went quiet.

Harry looked down at her and saw that she was still concentrating, her grip on his hand tightening. Her lips tightened and then she began to speak again.

"The portal thing that you found in the basement of the potions store is the way. There is a link in that stone building. I think it goes to other buildings as well."

Her grip on his hand loosened and she sagged against Harry but looked up at him with wide open eyes though she was definitely fatigued.

"Thank you, little one. I'm sorry it took so much out of you. Do you see why I want to be careful about this? We need to talk some more about your plans for the future, but I'll deal with this first."

"You need to be careful, Harry. What I saw wasn't good. I don't know what Voldemort felt like but I can't imagine him being worse then whatever is in that building," she said.

"I will. But first we need to get you back up to the castle and some lunch. That will make you feel better," Harry said.

They stood up and hand in hand walked back up to the castle and into the Great Hall where lunch was just being served. He made sure she got to her seat and then mentioned to several of the senior students that she might need to be watched for the afternoon. They assured him that she would be looked after. He then walked up to the head table and quietly thanked Professor McGonagall for allowing him to intrude and apologized for not being able to stay and visit the other Heads. He gave Bill a brief nod, who returned it with one of his own along with a quizzical look. Harry left the Hall and the castle and hurried down to Hogsmeade. He took a walk through the memorial park stopping where he saw a familiar name, pausing longest at Fred's graveside. He could see that fresh flowers had been placed before the headstone. He nodded his head as if he had resolved an internal question and he Disapparated back to the Ministry and went into his office. He took a quill and wrote a message to Ginny and then a second one for Maxwell. He left the one for Maxwell on his desk and took the other with him.

He made his way up to the lobby and Disapparated to the front door of the London house. As always Kreacher let him in and bowed deeply. When he looked up at Harry, his big liquid eyes were more somber then Harry had ever seen them, but the little elf said nothing.

"Kreacher, I have some work to do. I'm not sure when I'll get back but I need you to give this to Ginny when she comes home."

"Yes, Master Harry. Kreacher will be here when Mistress Ginny returns. Kreacher will be here when Master Harry returns as well."

"Thanks, Kreacher. I just need to get a few things. Could you put some food and a flask of water in a bag for me?"

"Certainly, Master Harry."

Harry went to his study and took off his robe and laid it on his desk chair. He pulled on a short jacket and made sure his wand was firmly tucked into his belt. He looked at the picture of all his family and perhaps the magic allowed them to grasp the seriousness of what he was about since there were no waves or smiles. He knew he had to do this, for them, if for no other reason. He went back to the entry hall where Kreacher stood and took the offered canvas bag and looped the strap over his head. He just nodded and smiled at the little elf. He went out onto the stoop and Disapparated to Diagon Alley near Gringotts and he quickly made his way to the entrance to Knockturn Alley, hoping to avoid anyone he knew. He made it unmolested and hurried down the stairs and came to the door of the closed potion shop. The door was locked which he made quick work of. He knew that an alarm would sound in the Ministry and someone would be there soon to check on it but he hoped to be on his way by then. He quickly entered and hurried down the stairs to the basement.

Unlike his last time there, it was empty of everything except the Spatial Distortion Portal which someone had chosen to block with some muggle yellow tape declaring it a 'crime scene'. He pulled this down and after taking a breath stepped into the portal. He felt the mild sense of dislocation but instead of stepping forward to enter the empty warehouse in Derbyshire he stood still to get acclimated to the deep darkness and to let his senses roam out about him. With his eyes shut he reached out trying to find that same image that was left with him for a fleeting moment at the end of his encounter with whomever it was he now needed to find. He wasn't sure how long he stood there but he finally began to sense what Abagail must have seen. A solid structure shielded somehow but reeking of menace and the feel of a portal. The sense was strongest to his right so he turned and against all advice to the contrary walked into the darkness away from the familiar portals.

The darkness was total and the feel of mild dislocation constant but all in all it wasn't as bad as trying to fly and catch a snitch in a driving rain storm or raging blizzard. The darkness also made it impossible to see anything with his eyes open so he kept them closed and this kept him on a straight line to whatever awaited him. As he walked along he began to feel that familiar heat that told him his temper was starting to build. Once more he was preparing to face a threat to his world, his friends, his family. Could there be no end to this? Was his life to be a never ending stream of solving one problem only to be presented with another?

He had no idea how long he walked, for the darkness blotted out all sense of time, nor of the commotion his notes had set off at the Ministry and the Burrow. Better he didn't for he needed to concentrate on the task at hand. He would occasionally open his eyes to see if he was getting close but no portal showed. He stopped for a moment and took a drink from the flask in the bag. He closed his eyes once more and just a bit to the right of straight ahead he got the distinct impression of an opening. He adjusted his direction and before he walked another hundred paces he came to a rectangle of dim light, visible only by contrast to the absolute darkness that surrounded it. Harry paused and looked out of the portal as best he could without stepping through. The portal opened into a large dank, unlit room. The dankness implied a basement of sorts and the only light was provided by whatever leaked through a decrepit looking door at the top of a worn flight of stone stairs.

Harry took a deep breath and took out his wand and stepped out of the portal. Nothing happened. No alarms, no sudden assaults, nothing. So far, so good. He moved to the bottom of the steps and slowly began making his way up to the door. There was no sound, no voices, no dripping of water, nothing but the silence of a tomb. He gave his head a shake and decided this wasn't a very good line of thinking so he simply concentrated on matching the silence as he moved. He suddenly realized he hadn't taken his Invisibility Cloak but he just as quickly determined that it probably didn't matter since whoever or whatever he was going to encounter was probably powerful enough to 'see' him no matter what magic he employed.

At the top of the stairs he paused at the door and listened and 'looked' as best as he could but still there was no indication that the building was occupied. But he knew it was, he could feel it. The door moved at his touch and he eased his way through the narrow opening. He closed his eyes and his minds eye told him he should move to the right. The long narrow corridor he found himself in led away into a twilight darkness perhaps a hundred paces away. He moved as quietly as he could manage until he stood at the entrance to a large room with a vaulted ceiling barely visible in the gloom above. Across the room was a stone dais that rose above the floor in three levels. On the topmost level was a large wooden high back chair that resembled a throne. Seated in this chair was perhaps the oldest looking person Harry had ever seen. A skeletally thin frame was draped in ornate and heavy robes and a large wizard's hat rested on the bald head. The wizard's eyes were closed but Harry was sure he was aware of his surroundings. Harry moved cautiously along the wall opposite the dais and he came to a stop directly across from where the wizened old man sat. Harry waited. As he examined the old man Harry thought he could see faint traces of red on the left side of the wizard's face. Finally the eye lids raised and a dry chuckle reached Harry's ears.

"So, Harry Potter, you choose to seek me out. How very brave of you, or perhaps foolish vould be more appropriate," the wizard said in a lightly accented voice. "How clever of you to use the portal to find me. A shame you von't be using it to find your vay home."

"Perhaps I'll take the train," Harry said as he eyed the old man.

The dry chuckle rattled out across the room.

"Bravo, Harry Potter, a vizard of vit and bravery. It vas my intention to persuade you to join me but I must admit I didn't hold out much hope that it vould happen. At least my little visit saved me the trouble of seeking you out myself."

Harry was growing tired of the old man's talking and he could feel the heat begin to build again. He let his eyes shift around the room but there was no other obvious ways in or out.

"No, Mr. Potter, there are no other vays in or out of this room and there is no one else here. My minions are no use to me if they are not out in the vorld doing my bidding."

"Just what is your bidding, if you don't mind my asking? What is it your after?" Harry asked.

"Vat else is there for vizards such as ve? Power, Harry Potter, power. Not just the magic power but the power over others to compel them to do as I vish."

Harry shook his head and the anger began to grow. The grip on his wand was once again tightening to whiten his knuckles. Here was another stupid wizard willing to sink the world into misery and chaos for his own selfish ends. Stupid perhaps, but certainly powerful. That he could sense.

"Don't include me in that. I have no desire to bend others to my desires. I think we had that conversation the other day. Up here," Harry said as he tapped his head.

"Then you are indeed a fool, Harry Potter, for to possess such power and not to exercise it fully is both a vaste and an insult. An insult to all who must hide themselves from those groveling muggle bugs. But that time is soon to come to an end. Your nemesis Voldemort had the right of it but he blundered. He thought the answer vas to cheat death. He vasted his energy and his being with those foolish horcruxes of his and to vot end. To be beaten by a child."

"You're the fool if you think one child defeated Riddle and his thugs. They were beaten by dozens and dozens of witches and wizards who banded together against them. Your way is no better. You will follow Riddle because I see that that is what must happen. Even if I have to die to make it happen," Harry said, the rage building more and more.

If Harry had been paying attention to more then just his adversary he would have noticed the red glow reflecting back off the floor and nearby furnishings. The wizened old wizard noticed and it likely prompted his next move. His wand flicked out quickly from beneath his robe and quickly incanted the death curse. Harry as quickly pointed his wand and shouted 'Expelliarmus'. The green and red beams met in mid air and the deflected death curse fired back past the old wizard who had barely managed to evade it. Harry was literally burning with rage now. He felt like he would fly apart, that he wasn't big enough to contain all the energy that was building within him. As he looked at the old man who was trying to prepare his next assault he could only see him through a red haze.

Within two heartbeats Harry was looking down at the thin, insignificant old man from a much higher vantage point. The room felt small and confining. He could feel his back pressing against the wall. As the old man looked up at him he was cringing back into his puny excuse of a throne. Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud and the resulting jet of flame burned the top half of the throne's tall padded back off. Harry blinked once and felt a mild burning sensation in his throat. He coughed heavily and the entire throne and its occupant flared and then collapsed into a pile of glowing embers. Harry was still extraordinarily angered at having to have wasted so much of his valuable time to come all this way to deal with just a pathetic excuse for a wizard. He tried to raise his head to see around the room but he hit it sharply on the ceiling. It hurt enough to ratchet up his anger and he lashed out heavily with his massive tail which took out most of one wall, the stones falling outward to tumble down the hillside. Harry decided disposing of the puny little wizard wasn't enough. He needed to eradicate the entire structure to convince these idiots that they weren't going to be allowed to intrude on his life or that of his family.

He dropped down onto his front legs and began to flail about with his massive tail and widened the opening he had made with the first swipe. He shouldered aside more of the stone and felt it tumble and bounce off him as he moved outside. One more good swipe and half the ceiling caved into the recently vacated room. He unfurled his mighty wings and with a lunge forward and up he took to the air. Several more deep sweeps and he had gained sufficient altitude to get a look at the outside of the stone structure. It reeked of age and deeply engrained evil. He was sure this was a place were many evil deeds had been committed through the ages and it was time for it to end. He coughed once more and a huge ball of flame slammed through the opened section of ceiling and set the fallen timbers ablaze. He coughed again and another fireball struck the remaining section of the roof that had remained intact and the force of the impact blew the whole lot down into the structure in flames. He tucked his legs in and dove on the fiercely burning structure, pulling up at the last moment and lashing the corner where the side and front walls met smashing them inward. He let the hot air rising off the burning mass to push him steadily upward.

He thought to himself that this was how flying was supposed to be done. Not astride some little piece of wood but relying only on the strength of your flight muscles and the sweep of your own wings. He circled above the rapidly collapsing structure and sensed a dim line running from where the basement room he had entered would have been. It continued to the west and then split to go both west and north. He assumed west would take him home but he was not ready for that. He decided to follow the northern route and see where it led him. He climbed for more altitude and set off at high speed to the north. He wound up flying all night long, finding three more warehouses linked to the now destroyed stone manor. Each warehouse was systematically destroyed with tail, claw and a final burst of flame. In each case several wizards attempted to intervene but they were quickly dealt with. His last flight was the longest, taking him back to England and the old barn in Derbyshire that he had come to know so well. It was still dark in the early morning hours when he landed heavily on the roof, only to have it collapse under his feet.

He heard several shouts but he had sensed that those alive in the building had been clustered by the portal and were not near where he now stood. As quickly as he settled he rose up again with the steady beat of tireless wings. He knew it was time to return home before the sun arose so he turned south and beat steadily toward the horizon.

At the Burrow, the Weasley clan including Abagail were dozing, having spent the last several days gathered in collective worry at the disappearance of Harry. His message to Ginny read,

My Dearest Ginny,

I have to leave for a while. I have a lead that only I can follow. I know what I've said in the past about team work but there is so much that is unknown I can't risk anyone else. I don't know how long I'll be gone but I will be thinking of you every minute I am away. Know that I love you more then my own life.

Forever yours,

Harry.

Combined with the note that he left with Maxwell about the need to pursue a lead and the unauthorized entrance into the potion shop had everyone speculating and worrying. So it was that in the minutes before sunrise most in the house were awakened by the sound of a harsh wind and a heavy thump in the field across from the Burrow. Abagail was the first to rush out the front door to see what was going on clad in her sleeping gown and heavy robe. She let out a soft cry as she saw the familiar figure who trudged wearily across the field towards her. They met at the side of the road that separated the field from the front yard and Harry wrapped his arms around her. She looked up at her guardian and her eyes went as wide as Harry had ever seen. She saw the slightly elongated pupils surrounded by green return to full roundness.

"Oh my, Harry," she said, shaking her head.

Harry pulled her tight again and whispered in her ear.

"It will have to be our secret for now, little one, just the two of us. Please," he said, his voice calm and quiet.

"Yes, Harry, I understand," she said and took hold of his hand.

As they walked hand in hand toward the house more people began to pour out of the front door, calling out. Harry would have to find a way to explain without revealing all. He wondered if he could.