Chapter One: The Dumbass Punched Me

August 2nd

5:32pm

Little Whinging

Harry

On a quiet street in Little Whinging, Surrey, a boy sat alone completely oblivious to the world around him. Trapped in his own mind, haunted by a green flash and a dull thud, Harry Potter couldn't ignore the feeling of dread that had washed over him since the night of the third task. Whilst many had described him as an optimist, Harry could not bring himself to feel hopeful for more than a moment before it was squashed by the notion of war against Voldemort.

'Why is he so bloody obsessed with me?' Harry asked himself. As far as he knew the only reason Voldemort would be after him is because of the night he failed to kill him but that was mostly Lily Potter. 'I suppose it doesn't really matter,' he concluded. Voldemort was determined to kill him and what was he supposed to do against such a powerhouse?

Harry wasn't particularly afraid for himself as he has already come to terms with opposing Voldemort, at the very least to honour his parents. But fear of his friends and family dying is what has gripped Harry so tightly on this cool summer evening. Voldemort had already proven that he had no problem 'killing the spares' and Harry wasn't sure he could handle being responsible, albeit indirectly, for another friend dying.

'Hell, I probably should be more scared for myself, luck has gotten me far but how far will it take me before it expires?' he thought bitterly. Harry could hardly attribute any of his triumphs over Voldemort to anything more than blind dumb luck, especially his most recent encounter.

Harry's train of thought was abruptly broken by a high pitched scream coming from the park across the street from him. Wand in hand and eyes scanning for threats, Harry's gaze came to rest upon the origin of the scream. A little boy sporting messy black hair was on a swing set with a young man who shared similar features, sending the boy higher and higher to the boy's apparent elation.

Harry was completely mesmerised, such an image of joy was so rare for him to witness so he didn't know how to react. 'Is that how it was meant to be? No cupboard under the stairs or slave work but happiness and love?' He was brought out of his reverie by a female voice beside him.

"He's an absolute menace, my David, but he certainly knows how to make our son happy," she spoke sounding somewhere between amused and annoyed. Caught off guard and not knowing how to respond, Harry just hummed his agreement and didn't take his eyes off the scene before him.

"My family weren't always the best people to be around. It made hoping for a future with David difficult sometimes but it's times like these where I realise it was silly to worry," she said knowingly.

Harry finally turned to face her and took in her appearance. She looked young, like the man, but had an air of confidence about her that Harry just couldn't quite explain.

He delved into his memories trying to recognise her. Unable to remember ever meeting her, he asked, "why are you telling me this? You don't even know me."

The woman smiled slightly, "It's easy to tell strangers personal things because after we part ways we're not likely to run into each other ever again," she explained before her eyes turned soft and she continued, "and it looked like you needed to hear it."

"How so?"

"I've been able to see you from my kitchen window for the past two hours and you've been sitting there brooding for the entire time. Now that I'm up close it's easy to see the signs of a shitty home life so I thought I'd impart some wisdom, one survivor to another" she responded with the same knowing smile but Harry could see the sadness in her eyes now, likely remembering things best forgotten.

The woman finished her life lesson by saying earnestly, "it may look like the future is bleak and that there is nothing beyond the current shite circumstances but trust me, if you're determined to be happy, you can be" indicating towards the park.

Harry looked back at the boy and David who were now playing some version of tag on the grass, wide grins on both their faces. Thinking about her words Harry decided it was time to go before he gives away anything confidential.

Walking away, back towards the Dursleys, Harry decided on something better than a simple thank you. He looked back and said, "you have a lovely family, you should be very proud of yourself." This time the woman's smile reached her eyes and she gave a nod of gratitude to Harry before going to join her family at the park.

Harry was dawdling back to the Dursley's in no rush to be in their company thinking about what the young woman said to him.

'She was quite insightful' he thought bitterly thinking about how she identified his less than ideal home life. However, Harry appreciated that she did give him something to think about besides Voldemort's return.

She had also given him something he had gone without for weeks - hope. A hope for a future beyond the coming conflict and something to fight for besides survival. For so long he had been stumbling through the wizarding world bouncing from one problem to the next just trying to stay afloat. But now, a random act of kindness from a muggle woman had given him direction and drive.

'It really doesn't matter why you're after me Tom, because I'm going to beat you and I'm going to see a future for myself and those I care about,' he vowed to himself. Images of a long table stacked with food and populated by those he cares about, smiling, carefree and happy flashed in his mind's eye. 'I will make this dream a reality, whatever it takes.'

Fuelled with a new purpose in life, Harry begins to stride purposefully back the Dursley's so that he can start planning his next steps. Walking for a few minutes, Harry came to the edge of another park when he started to feel cold. He dismissed the temperature drop because, 'I live in England of course it's ruddy cold.' Continuing on, Harry ran into Dudley and his buddy Piers smoking a cigarette behind a children's playground.

Unable to help himself on his new found high, Harry called out, "hey Diddikens, what would your parents say when they hear that their little boy is off smoking out in the open where anyone can see you?"

Dudley, surprised he was caught in the first place, still manages to blurt out proudly, "I'll just say it was you!" like it was his best idea ever.

Feeling a little vindictive and not passing up the chance to put Dudley in his place in front of his best mate, Harry just smirked and replied meaningfully, "but all I have to say are the magic words, I'm sure they'll believe me then."

Dudley snapped to attention feeling a distinct chill wash over him. "You can't," he replied somewhat unsure of himself.

"Wanna bet?" Harry questioned, continuing his charade. It was getting really cold now and Harry just wanted to head inside so he said, "I'm heading home Diddikens, but don't worry your secret's safe with me"

Dudley was shivering with what Harry assumed to be fear, which gave him the fulfilling feeling of revenge. So caught up on how good his day was turning out to be, Harry didn't notice the heavy footfalls of Dudley running towards him until he was grabbed on the collar of his shirt by Dudley.

"Are you - are you doing this?" Dudley panted out, clearly not having attended any of the fitness classes Petunia booked for him.

"Dudders, I don't care about your cigarettes, I have much bigger problems on my plate right now," Harry said somewhat confused at the severity of Dudleys tone for something so trivial. 'Traumatic perspective I guess,' he thought.

"Not the smokes," he bit out. "This feeling of complete hopelessness. Piers just broke down crying right in front of me and I'm struggling not to do it too. I can't think any happy thoughts Harry." He said that last part so desperately, clinging on to Harry's shirt.

Harry started to feel it too, the good mood he was in must have negated the effects a little but there was no mistaking it now. The sudden drop in temperature, the depressive memories being pulled to the front of his mind, yes no mistaking it - dementors are coming.

"Dudley, I know how you're feeling but you need to listen to me if you want to live, understand?" Harry said, instantly on high alert. He pulled his wand out and started to think of the happiest memories he could muster.

"It's magical then?" Dudley managed to get out with a surprising amount of intuition for him.

"Yes, the worst of the worst. Here's the plan, it's quite brilliant actually, run like all hell has broken loose because if we don't make it back home not even your soul will survive," Harry stated seriously.

Surprisingly, Dudley just nodded and started jogging towards a tunnel which lead out to a main road. Harry caught up with him and noticed the effects started to grow stronger. Only when a dementor swooped into the front end of the tunnel did Harry realise that he and Dudley were trapped inside this tunnel with both exits now blocked by dementors.

Cursing every deity he knew, Harry started to formulate a plan. He understood the only way they were getting out of this was to breach the Statute of Secrecy. Deciding to deal with the ministry later, Harry turned to the dementor in front of him, wand outstretched and memories of his parents swimming in his mind.

"Expecto patron-"

'THWACK'

Harry dropped to the floor clutching the side of his face. With his head spinning and glasses lost, he tried to make sense of what just happened. Turning to Dudley he squinted only to see him clutching his hand, sitting against the tunnel wall, eyes wide and fearful. 'The dumbass punched me,' Harry realised. Again, deciding to face the more imminent problem, Harry begins to search for his wand although without his glasses the task is near impossible.

Feeling the familiar shiver up his spine, Harry struggles to not let despair set in. Harry shouts to Dudley, "can you see my wand?" However all he receives in reply is a sharp intake of breath and meaty slap of what he assumes to be Dudley being pinned against the wall by a Dementor.

Running out of options and hope, Harry cried out "LUMOS" and to his immense surprise and relief, a small ball of light materialised in the palm of his hand lighting the immediate area. Finding and seizing his wand, Harry jumps to his feet and stands tall. A shallow groan reminds Harry of just how much is riding on his ability to cast a patronus right now.

Blocking out the screams of his mother that the dementors so kindly let him remember, Harry cast his brilliant stag patronus directly in the face of a dementor which was swooping down on him. The creature let out a high pitched screech before gliding out of the tunnel the way it came in.

Not forgetting the other dementor, Harry turned around to see Dudley now back on the floor leaning against the wall of the tunnel. The dementor rears back to swoop at him but Harry directs Prongs towards the dementor and to his relief it shrieks and flies back the way it came into the night sky. His Stag turned towards him and gives a small nod before dissipating in a flash of light.

Panting from the effort, Harry quickly came back to reality and turned to Dudley. Rushing over to the slumped boy he frantically said, "Dudley, you alright mate?" However the blank stare that he received answered that question for him. He continued to try and rouse him from his catatonic state but Harry was beginning to fear the worst. What surprised him however, was how apathetic he felt. Perhaps it was the shock or maybe he truly didn't care for Dudley. 'None of that matters now Potter, save the people then ponder on how you feel about it.' he thought.

He grabbed his glasses and hefted Dudley up so that he could support some of his weight. Harry started semi-dragging Dudley towards the main road at the end of the tunnel but, before he could make it to the end of the tunnel he recognised his neighbour, Arabella Figg, standing there staring at him. Before Harry could say anything, she called out, "are they gone?" which put Harry on high alert.

"Are what gone?" He replied "Only my cousin and I are here ma'am"

"The dementors of course"

Harry's eyes narrowed at that revelation. 'So she's magical then, polyjuice perhaps? Come to finish the job that the dementors couldn't? Maybe they're setting up another ambush, dementors to weaken me and death eaters to swoop in for the kill. Well if I'm going to die I may as well go down fighting' Harry slowly inched his hand towards his wand which was in his back pocket but before he could reach it she spoke again

"We need to get back behind the wards, the ministry will be here soon"

'Shit forgot about that, decisions decisions. Get arrested by aurors or captured by death eaters? Why does life have to be so complicated? Maybe I could apparate and add it to the list of illegal things I've done tonight. Although I don't even know how to apparate so that won't work… ah screw it if I can get out of this tunnel then my options will broaden.'

"I agree, let's go," he finally said and joined Mrs Figg on the walk towards number 4 Privet Drive. Pleasantly surprised that no other attempts on his life were made that night.

August 2nd

7:16pm

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire

Voldemort

In Wiltshire, Lord Voldemort sat on his throne in the refitted Malloy Manor Ballroom looking at the current inner circle members at his disposal.

'Lucius Malfoy - once a great politician and charismatic man now debased to a greedy little man with no credibility or pride. He was a great asset in the first war, managing to sway many pure blood families to his side with the promise of prestige and power. Now only that fool Cornelius Fudge holds him in any esteem. Oh well, at least his house is good for something.

Crabbe and Goyle - my dim witted enforcers, good for looking tough but when push comes to shove they really aren't very useful otherwise, perhaps they should be replaced. A problem for another day.

Avery - the weak fool, first to denounce me after my… leave of absence and the first to grovel at my feet, although his sadism is useful in the interrogation rooms, yes he has his uses.

Macnair - my most menacing executioner, not very intelligent but when you need a beast subdued or killed, Macnair will get the job done. He will be quite valuable in the coming years

Wormtail - a weasel and a rat but useful for infiltration and has an intimate knowledge of Hogwarts which is extremely valuable. If only he would stop snivelling so that he could actually provide that information

Snape - a necessary evil. Not even I can tell whether the man is in my corner or Dumbledore's but his unique position as a professor and Head of Slytherin is valuable enough to make his doubts just that for now.'

The others were not of note, they were enforcers who would kill and die for his cause without hesitation. Although many of them had forsaken him, they were quick to plead their cases when he had returned. It mattered not, he was immortal and would eventually outlive these fools and their traitorous ways.

Barty was a true loss for his cause however. Insane he may have been but supremely talented at both magic and deception.

'Truly a worthy death eater and pureblood, perhaps I'll raise a statue in his honour when I have taken the ministry. But first I must know the prophecy if only Snape had heard all of it years ago then I would be master of destiny as well. How might we go about obtaining it? Maybe my death eaters have some insight,' he thought.

Lord Voldemort looked up and immediately all of his followers snapped to attention.

"My friends, it brings me great pleasure to announce that we are at war once more, no more shall the mudbloods and blood traitors be allowed to take our rights and privileges away from us. But, before we can launch an open campaign, I must obtain an item hidden deep within the Department of Mysteries prophecy room which holds the key to our victory over Dumbledore and his pathetic order. Any suggestions would be most helpful" he said with a disturbingly cheery voice.

"M- m- my lord perhaps we could use Unspeakable Bode" Avery contributed. "He often works in the department of mysteries."

"The idea has merit, probe him for imperious resistance and report within the fortnight, I wish to enact this plan as soon as possible. Lucius, you will continue to assure the minister that my return is a disgusting lie told by the eccentric headmaster. The rest of you will go to our old contacts, bring them back into the fold or target them for elimination. That will be all," Lord Voldemort commanded.

The death eaters bowed to indicate their compliance and left the room one by one. Severus stood last and made to leave until Voldemort spoke softly, "not you Severus, I wish to speak with you."

Snape turned around, cloak billowing behind him and dropped to one knee with his head bowed and intoned reverently, "my lord, I live to serve, what do you seek?"

"Severus, in all the years you have served me have you ever doubted your place amongst the pure blooded lords and ladies?" Voldemort responded after a brief pause.

"Never my lord, their approval means naught in the glow of your acceptance. On the note of questionable worth, my lord, Karkaroff is hiding in Serbia and I believe him to be a potential threat to our operations," Snape said, hoping this semi-relevant information would give him more credibility.

"Thank you Severus, that information is most enlightening, Karkaroff is not going to be a 'potential threat' much longer. I already have people on standby to seek him out and rid him of this earth and your information will allow that. I'm glad I can count on you Severus you may return to Dumbledore"

As Snape hurried off out the hall and Voldemort contemplated the current state of things, 'my plans are in motion, as long as that damned Potter boy doesn't interfere with that insufferable luck of his then this world is mine.'