The Heir of Gryffindor Revealed

By Rita Skeeter

The Triwizard Tournament, a relic from a bygone era. Many wondered why The Ministry of Magic sought to bring it back, however their worries were quelled when they insisted safety protocols were put in place to ensure no more children would die in the event. These measures failed instantly, when two young wizards were chosen to compete, well below the age limit, 14 year old David Shuter and Harry Potter were in way above their heads. They performed admirably however, quickly becoming a fan favorite, the underdogs. Worries were once again put at ease. Then came the tragic night of June the 24th. As the Ministry of Magic has already revealed, the end of the Tournament brought about the tragic death of one of its champions, Cedric Diggory. However the Ministry has neglected to mention much of what really transpired that night.

The details surrounding Diggory's death and the tied Victory of Shuter's and Potter's have remained a secret, until now. Many of my dear readers may wonder why I am listing Shuter's name first in this article, instead of the famed Boy Who Lived. Why, the child of a famous Death Eater, before the reason for You-Know-Who's downfall? The answer lies in the picture viewed below. The Historians need nothing further to get their answer. The picture expertly captured by yours truely shows the moment Shuter and Potter appeared in front of the stands. Potter is seen holding on to Diggory's body, and Shuter is seen standing overtop, holding none other than the famed sword of Hogwarts Founder Godric Gryffindor. That is not news in itself, as the sword has appeared to true Gryffindors in the past, what has this news reporter a flame is fire itself. That is, the red flames which coated the famous blade. It is said that Gryffindor himself was the only one who could set the sword ablaze, and it was rumored his bloodline could as well. Therefore, it is undeniable to claim that David Shuter is the Heir of Godric Gryffindor himself, the first known one in hundreds of years.

This changes our perception on the infamous Ernest Moore, as he would have been an Heir as well. Since in recent years we have discovered He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was the Heir of another Hogwarts Founder, Salazar Slytherin, and the blood fued between the two founders is widely known, this means it is fair to assume Moore was in fact on our side all along, using the known huberus of the Dark Lord to get close to him as his servant, and risking his life to bring information to our side. He only broke this cover when the life of an old school friend, James Potter, was in danger. Shuter himself confirmed this to me. Ernest Moore was a hero, and so is his son.

Some know Potter raved about You-Know-Who returning that night, and Shuter remains loyal to Potter, backing up his claims. Minister for Magic Cornelieus Fudge, has denied this claims, stating the shock of seeing a classmate die sent them raving mad. Given how there is no proof, one can only assume the Minister is correct. However Shuter continues to stand by his friends side, just like his father before him. What really happened that night is up for you to decide, but there is one thing that is undeniable, David Shuter is the Heir of Godric Gryffindor.

Well... Hermione's deal with Skeeter after having discovered she was an illegal animagus somewhat paid off. It seemed she wrote something truthful for once. Hermione's deal had been she write an article confirming the return of Voldemort, then not write anything for a year to kick the habit of writing untruthful things. She did write an article which did claim Voldemort was back.. However she instead focused on me, something I had not wanted. The Wizarding World now knew I was the Heir of Gryffindor. Once it was public knowledge Voldemort was back, I would be expected to fight the Heir of Slytherin, just as my father had. It seemed she at least set the record straight about my father though, although she neglected to mention the fact I confirmed he was on our side before she wrote the article condemning him last year. She also never confirmed Voldemort returned, instead leaving it up to the reader. Considering pretty much every other article in the Daily Prophet denied his return and quoted Skeeters earlier articles about me being a potential death eater and Harry being mad, I knew who most people would side with.

Whether the wizarding community chose to believe Voldemort was back or not, the truth was he was. I had witnessed it myself. I witnessed him vow to kill me and Harry, to wipe our bloodlines from existence, and he already tried once. There is no doubt he would try again. My mother did not feel this way. She felt we had foiled him, and we could not stop living our lives, otherwise he still won. She was still planning our trip around europe, fully planning on bringing Harry with us. She had mentioned we needed to use our winnings from the Tournament, however I had told her due to the fact it was a tie we had to give up our winnings. In reality of course we gave them to Fred and George to work on their joke stuff, but I doubted Mom would have approved of that.

About a week into summer vacation, I was downstairs in the living room, petting Hermes whilst reading Hogwarts: A History, trying to learn more about my ancestor, when there was a knock at the door. I looked up, it didn't sound like Harry's knock, plus at this point he knew he could just come in. I grabbed my wand and slowly made my way over to the door. While I doubted Voldemort would just knock on the door, I was not about to take the chance. My Mother rounded the corner and hissed "You don't need that! I won't have you expelled from Hogwarts for using magic." I ignored her and hid my wand behind my back. I then opened the door, ready to whip out my wand if I had to. I stopped in my tracks when I saw who it was however.

"Mr Weasley? Mrs Weasley? Professor Lupin?!" I was shocked, backing up to let them in. Lupin being the last one in, closed the door. Mrs Weasley hugged me "Hello dear." Mr Weasley gave me a warm smile, and Lupin eyed my wand in my hand. He smiled gently "As your old Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, I applaud your vigilance. However I am no longer your professor David, so please, call me Remus." Mr and Mrs Weasley greeted my mom like old friends. I then asked "I understand Mr and Mrs Weasley being here.. But why are you here Prof-Remus" He smiled and looked at my mom "I wanted to meet the woman who finally captured Ernest's heart, which is why I volunteered to come along. Its nice to finally meet you Ms Shuter." My Mom smiled at him "Please, call me Nancy, I always wanted to meet Ernie's friends. He always told me how much he enjoyed going to school with you all, even if he didn't mention you by name. At least saying you were friends.." Remus nodded "I am ashamed to admit I believed he had turned against us same as Sirius and James did." I then cut in to ask "Did you know Dad was the Heir of Gryffindor?"

Lupin looked at me and shook his head solemnly "No.. I don't think any of us did David. Ernest was to me as James was to Sirius. He wasn't as in to rule breaking as the others, and he seemed to want to get Gryffindor as many points as possible, so he spent more time on his studies. Naturally that gave us a lot in common. He was the first to find out I was a Werewolf.. In fact.. Had he lived, I may have ended up being your Godfather, as Sirius is Harry's. Yet... he never told me. It does make things make more sense now.. Why he took the assignment from Dumbledore.. Why he strove for excellence for Gryffindor house.. The lion patronus and animagus form...Had he told us... things may have turned out very differently.." He trailed off, his eyes not focused on anything, probably thinking of what could have been.

Mr Weasley then said "Unfortunately time is of the essence. David, how about you and I go upstairs and pack up your things. Molly would you care to join us? Remus and Nancy can talk while we do it, then we really must be going." Mom looked at him "Excuse me? Arthur, I would appreciate the courtesy of you asking my permission before you whisk my son off somewhere. He can't go anywhere anyways, we have plans." Mrs Weasley then said "Arthur, you could have explained this better. Tactless I tell you. Nancy, as you are well aware, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned. Given David's heritage, he will be after your son. Professor Dumbledore wants him moved somewhere safe. Where he can be protected. I can't tell you where, for your own safety." My Mom instinctively reached towards me, but pulled back.. She then said, her voice breaking with obvious pain "I have a promise to keep.. Can't I just have one summer with my own son? I almost lost him this year Molly.. Like his father." Mrs Weasley then said softly "I know Nancy, I care for your son too.. This is why we have to do this.. He is in danger." Mom then shot back "You care for my son, but he's MY Son, not yours, MINE! I get to determine whats best for him, not you, not Arthur, not even Dumbledore. ME!" Remus then said, with a sense of bitterness in his soft voice "Lord Voldemort Killed two of my best friends. Two of the greatest wizards I had ever known, they were nothing more than mere annoyances to him. I get you want to protect David, and if you had Ernest still I would even have said you could do it.. But he is no longer with us. I can say with certainty he would want David to come with us. He would want to protect his son, no matter the cost.. Even if that means he had to let him go."

I looked at my mom, I could see she was full of emotion, anger, fear, sadness. She was the closest to breaking down that I had ever seen her. She looked helplessly at my Mrs Weasley and whimpered "He's my son.. I can't lose my Son Molly.." Mrs Weasley looked at me before saying "Arthur, Remus, take David upstairs. Let me talk with Nancy." Mr Weasley then came over and placed a hand on my back and guided my up the stairs. We made it to my room and he said "Oh.. You are mostly packed." I then said "Well I saw no point at really unpacking my trunk since I wasn't going to stay at home long.. And I'm mostly packed for our trip." Mr Weasley nodded "I'm sorry David.. You shouldn't have had to see that. You have to understand, the last year has been a very stressful one of us. You and Harry being in that danger you were in... still are in.. None of us wanted that for you. We felt helpless." I then said bitterly "yes, because it was a party for me." Lupin cut in saying "We aren't downplaying what happened to you David, we just want you to understand what being on the sidelines felt like.." Mr Weasley added "This is why we are doing this. Where we are taking you will be safe." I then asked "What about my mom? I could stay here and protect her" Lupin looked at me and said "Did you not hear what I said David? Voldemort killed Ernest, one of the greatest wizards I knew, like he was nothing. You should know this better than anybody. You aren't even a 5th year yet. You haven't even completed your OWLS. You can't even fully protect yourself yet, let alone a helpless Muggle." I then shot back "I did pretty well against him a few weeks ago!"Lupin then replied calmly "Voldemort was distracted by Prior Incantatum. If he had been fully focused, the outcome could have been very different. Don't worry David, Voldemort will have no interest in your mother. He is interested solely in you.. By leaving, you ARE protecting her" I sighed and gave up, helping them pack my stuff.

We carried the stuff downstairs. Mom came forward and hugged me "Be safe hunny okay? Survive." I nodded "I know.. Nothing dangerous.." She shook her head "Its about time I trust you to not get into anything you can't handle. Hopefully this is all over before next summer so we can do our trip." she then nodded to Mrs Weasley "Protect my son Molly." Mrs Weasley nodded seriously back "Like he was my own." Mr Weasley then said "Come on, Molly, Remus, Take David's stuff. David, grab on to my arm." I blinked and muttered "Merlins Beard.. Not again.." I then grabbed his arm and felt him turn on the spot.

We apperated to a random street. I squinted my eyes shut and shook my head, shaking off the rising nausea Mr Weasley offered me a small smile "Yes... Dumbledore warned us you may not like that particular method of travel. Speaking of Dumbledore, this is from him." He handed me a piece of parchment which said "The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve Grimmauld Place, London" I then looked up and saw a house I had not seen previously. Number 12. Remus then said "Lets get inside. We are too exposed out here." I was then ushered inside.

Mrs Weasley then whispered "Lets get your stuff upstairs. I am sure Ron has some owl treats for Zeus." I then asked "Why are you whispering?" Mr Weasley hushed me whispering "We don't want anything waking up.. Trust us." I shrugged and accepted it. We then carried the stuff up the stairs. Mrs Weasley said "You can stay in Ron's room dear." I then asked "When is someone going to explain what is going on?" Mrs Weasley did not meet my eye as she said "Later dear, lets get you settled first. Ronald! Come help us!" Ron came down a set of stairs and smiled at me "Hullo Mate! Have a good summer so far?" I shook my head "Nah man, I have been ripped from my home with little to NO explanation!" I gave a pointed look at Mrs Weasley. Mrs Weasley sighed "You need to trust us David.. We are doing this for your protection." I then groaned "From who? Voldemort? He has had a week to search me out and off me! He hasn't! I doubt he knew where I lived! I don't think my father and mother lived on Privet Drive last time around." Mrs Weasley gave me a stern look "It's what Dumbledore wanted, and the Order agreed." Her tone ended the discussion. She then turned to her son saying "Help David get settled, I will call you all down when dinner is ready." She then turned and went back downstairs.

I looked at Ron, who gave me a sheepish smile "Sorry about that David.. She was in a right state worrying about you let me tell you.. Ever since the article from that Skeeter hag." I then said "But Skeeter was accurate.. That was part of our deal. She was supposed to get the word out about Voldemort, and she did.. Somewhat." Ron winced at me using Voldemort's name, but shook his head "The only thing the public seems to have taken from that is you are indeed the Heir of Gryffindor.. Which have I mentioned yet that's completely mental? I guess that explains why you seem to pick up spells so much quicker than others.. Its in your blood! Anyways.. The Ministry has been working tirelessly to discredit you and Harry. They refuse to believe You-Know-Who is back. I can't blame them to be honest with you" I cut him off "Seriously? I thought you were over this whole not believing your best friends thing!" His eyes widened before he said "No no, Mate, thats not what I meant... but it's scary innit? Him.. Being back? Just seeing the fear in my parents eyes when they think about it.." He shivered. As we walked up the last flight of stairs and turned into our room I said "Imagine being expected to fight him because you are distantly related to someone who died hundreds of years ago. Which is why I don't get it. Why does the public believe I'm the Heir.. But not that Voldemort is back? I found out about it in the Graveyard that night! How can you deny one portion of the night and accept the other?" That was when a female voice behind me said calmly "Because we all saw the flaming sword that night. You can't denying what's right in front of you, despite the Ministry's best efforts"

I whipped around and my breath caught in my throat, Stood before me was Hermione. Looking somehow more beautiful than she had a week before. My heart beat loudly in my chest. She smiled at me and it hurt my chest more. "How are you feeling David?" I took a second to find my voice before I said "I... Don't know." I saw the concern in her eyes and she replied "Nor how could you? You've been through a lot recently. Let him sit down Ron." Ron then gestured to the Cot that would be my bed. I sat down. Hermione sat beside me, looking at me. Ron sat on his bed and faced me. Hermione then said "Talk to us David, I can tell you have a lot of bottled up thoughts. I don't mean to pry.. But you never talked about what happened that night.. REALLY talked about it." I then said "Because I don't want to. I can't... I saw..It doesn't matter.. What matters is Voldemort is back, and the public should know about it!" Hermione shook her head "It does matter.. David you had a very tough year last year.. I..We.. That is Ron and I, we care about you. You need to talk to us.. If not us.. Who else? You can't keep it all inside David.. It will drive you crazy." Ron nodded his agreement. I huffed "The public already believes that don't they? Maybe they are right.. I mean it IS crazy.. I saw.. I saw my father Hermione.. I SPOKE to him. This isn't like the dream or the visions I get when Dementors are near. I SPOKE with my father, he's been dead for almost 14 years.. Yet I spoke with him a couple weeks ago."

She placed a hand on my leg and said softly "I can't imagine how that would have felt. But you aren't crazy.. You know that right?" Ron nodded "Yeah, I mean.. We talk to the dead almost every day at Hogwarts. We have a whole class taught by a ghost." I then shot back "Its not the same. Binns tells us facts we can read out of a book... This.. My dad.. He told me... told me he was proud of me.. He was the one who told me I was the Heir of Gryffindor.. Only if I had more time.." I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Hermione said softly "And it meant a lot to you.. That he said he was proud of you. I know.. I know that's what you have secretly wanted all these years" I didn't meet her eyes.. She was partially right of course.. But she was also wrong.. What I had secretly wanted all these years. .was her. I however said "I spent so many years hating him, for leaving me and Mom. Then I learned he died, and I didn't know how to feel. I was still angry at him, but I couldn't blame him, we wouldn't have Harry if not for his choice. I was still resentful of him.. He left me.. He joined the dark side, left me to shoulder that shame, and having to work harder to prove I was not going to make that same choice. Then I learned he was a spy for Dumbledore...and I started to feel.. Pride, relief. Then I learned he was friends with Professor Lupin, Sirius and Harry's parents at school. I began to relate to him, and realize it was okay to be like him.. More than that, I had to work to be like him, and it was a goal worth achieving. Not just for the choice he made in the last minutes of his life, but every choice and accomplishment he had achieved.. For being him. Finally when I had a chance.. A chance I never expected to have. I stood there. Dumbstruck. I looked right at him and didn't say a word! I will now NEVER get the chance to look him in the eye and say I forgive him.. That I am proud to be his son!" I finished, huffing. Both remained silent for a long time.

Ron was the first to speak. "We know David. We know now. Now you have told someone. Maybe all it takes for your dad to know is for you to voice it outloud and who knows.. Maybe you will get that chance in the future. I doubt even Dumbledore knows everything about magic and the afterlife, there may be something out there." Hermione then said quietly "There is no spell that can truely awaken the dead Ron, don't give him false hope.." I shook my head "Its fine, honestly." I just wanted the conversation to end.

That was when we were summoned to dinner. This luckily meant the focus could shift from me to the rest of the Weasley's. We made our way downstairs. Once outside the kitchen there were two loud cracks. Fred and George had apperated in front of us "Hiya David, welcome to our fresh slice of hell!" George said. I took a moment to register what was happening "Wait.. What do you mean?" Fred grinned "Oh you will see, I'm sure Mum will put you hard to work tomorrow! Gotta made this dump livable after all!" I shook my head, still completely lost. I opened the door. Inside was Remus, Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley, Ginny, and to my surprise, Sirius himself. Sirius already looked healthier, and was dressed in fine clothes. His face was fuller. He grinned at me "Welcome to my home David, please have a seat, I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

I blinked "Sirius? This is your house? You mean you spent 2 years on the run and you had your own mansion that could only been seen by someone reading something on a piece of paper." His grin faded slightly as he said "The Cave was more preferable. And the house only recently had the Fidelius charm added. This would have been one of the first places the Ministry would have looked for me. But it fits perfectly as Headquarters for the Order-" Mrs Weasley cut him off "Dinner time! Everyone sit down! Its getting cold."

I sat down beside Hermione. I looked at her before looking at Sirius and Remus "What's the Order of the Phoenix? What's been going on with Voldemort?" Mrs Weasley then said "No You are far too young David. Leave these matters to the adults." Sirius then said "He wants to know Molly. I won't tell him anything top secret.. Not that we have much anyways." Mrs Weasley shook her head "I won't allow it. Nancy trusted him into my care, so I can make the decisions as to what he can and can't know." Remus then said softly "We just ripped him from his home Molly with little to no explanation. He has the right to ask questions." Mr Weasley looked at his wife before saying "It's not like we are inducting him into the Order Molly dear. Just telling him why he has to stay here." Mrs Weasley sighed and nodded slowly. Remus then said "Well David.. To answer your first question, the Order of the Phoenix is a secret society, founded and lead by Professor Dumbledore. It was created over 20 years ago in the first war against Lord Voldemort and his followers. It exists to work against him, undermine him at any chance we can get. After you and Harry warned us of Lord Voldemort's return a couple weeks back, Dumbledore revived the Order that same very night. I hear you were even there when he did it." Sirius butt in and added "That was why I had to leave you that night, I went to find the old members and attempt to recruit them, starting with Moony here." Remus nodded "I joined at once, having known once Peter had escaped us that night he would have sought out his old master, so him having returned was to be expected. Of course the previous Headquarters couldn't be used given the fact Peter knew where it was and would have undoubtably told his master. We just recently made this our Headquarters." Hermione said "We just arrived yesterday ourselves" Sirius nodded and said "As to what Voldemort has been up to since the night in the graveyard, we know he is attempting to rally the old crew. Magical creatures and wizards alike. We also suspect he is searching for something.. Something he didn't have last time." Mrs Weasley then cut in "Sirius! Thats enough! He's barely 15." Sirius then said "And has already come face to face with Voldemort twice now.. He is mature enough to know."

I then said "Yes.. I need to know. I have to help! If this is top secret order business, induct me into the Order! I have to fight!" Remus then said "This time I agree with Molly... you are too young to be in the Order David. I understand your desire to fight.. But you need to focus on your schooling. Maybe in a few years we can revisit this." I then said "No, you don't understand. I am the Heir of Gryffindor! It is my duty! My Father said so, that night, in the Graveyard! Besides, the sooner this is over the sooner things can return to normal!" Mrs Weasley said firmly "No. You are a child David. This is an adult matter." I then stood up and exclaimed "I am not a child! I have fought Dragons, Three Headed Dogs, Chimeras, Manticores, Merpeople, Dementors and Voldemort himself! I have survived more than mostly anyone at this table! I deserve to fight! I have to!" Remus held up his hand "Once again David, we are not ignoring all you have accomplished.. And you are right.. Few of us have experienced what you have experienced by your age. However every adult at this table has fought in a war with Lord Voldemort, and you have not. So trust us to know what it is like. I also notice you did not once say you wanted to fight. Only that you had to. I appreciate the sense of duty. However it was that sense of duty that robbed us of a treasured friend. I doubt Hermione and Ron want to experience what Sirius and I have." Hermione and Ron nodded seriously. Mr Weasley then said "I want it understood David. Despite what Rita Skeeter may have written, or the sense of duty that drove your father, you have NO responsibility to bring about the fall of You-Know-Who. While the Wizarding world is raveling at the first known Heir of Gryffindor for centuries, your bloodline does not require you to fight for us. Does your heritage present a certain danger to you? Unfortunately it does. That is why you are here.. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sees you as a blood enemy, as he holds his heritage in high esteem. But you hold the same responsibility to the wizarding world you held a month ago, that is to say.. Go to school, do your best. Be the best David Shuter you can be. That is what we expect of you.. That is what we want for you.. And that is what Dumbledore insists you do." That ended that conversation.

We went back upstairs after dinner to tidy up and go to bed. Before Hermione and I parted ways I place a hand out to stop her. Ron had gone ahead, not noticing this. I then asked "Hermione.. If the Weasley's are here because they are in the order.. And I am here for my own protection, and I assume Harry is still with the Dursleys because Dumbledore sees sense in it.. Why are you here?" Hermione blushed and didn't quite meet my eyes "Well.. Uh... They felt it would be safer for me. Since The Imposter Moody knew you asked me out to the ball last year, they.. Well.. Figured You-Know-Who would try and use me to get to you.. Or at least hurt you.." I blinked and looked down, blushing myself "I'm sorry Hermione.. Had I known the consequences.. I would have never.. You were ripped from your parents.. Because Voldemort may think I have feelings for you.." I felt her hand cup my cheek and pull my face up "No.. You have enough on your plate. Don't blame yourself. I am Happy David. Happy being here for you. Ron and I knew being Harry's friend would be more.. Difficult than being friends with someone who wasn't famous. Now that feeling extends to you. I wouldn't change a thing David." The Corner of my lips pulled up slightly as I said "Even punching me in the face." She smiled and looked up, away from me "Well maybe one or two things." She then kissed me on the cheek "Goodnight David.. Try and rest. We will get through this.. All of us, together." I blushed and watched her walk away, wondering what the second thing she would change would have been.

The next month was spent making Headquarters livable. It seemed Sirius' house had not been lived in for many years before we moved in. This meant many forms of critters, both magical and not, had moved in. We slowly got more and more rooms cleaned up, but it was tiring work. I greatly looked forward to going back to Hogwarts.. For no other reason than to just get a break from the work. This was not how I planned to spend my summer at all, but there were some perks. I got SOME information on what was going on in the wizarding world regarding Voldemort. The Ministry had succeeded in quelling the fact Voldemort had returned. They called Harry Mad. Me on the other hand they had a harder time with. They could not deny the fact I was the Heir of Gryffindor, but they said because of my known loyalty to my friend, as I was trying to help him by agreeing with what he saw, even though it wasn't true.

I also got to spend a decent amount of time with Remus and Sirius. They took advantage of this time to tell me many stories of my father.. From both their school days and his days in the Order before his assignment from Dumbledore. On one of these occasions I asked "Sirius, back in the shrieking shack, you said you couldn't have become animagi without Dad's help? How did he help?" Sirius smiled "I am sure Remus has already told you Ernest hit the books hard in school. So he had a great handle on how to preform spells right out of a book without instruction. He helped us get the incantations right that we had to preform on ourselves in preparation for the transformation. We also counted on him to steal ingredients needed from ol' Sluggy's private stores when James was occupied with his Invisibility Cloak. I of course, played my own part, devising a method to hide the Mandrake leaf under our tongue for a month straight and still being able to talk and eat normally." I chuckled at this, but then asked "Did you get to choose your forms?" Remus chuckled "Alas no, Sirius is just naturally a dog." Sirius grinned a wicked smile "Damn right I am." I rolled my eyes but then said "So... you should have guessed Pettigrew wasn't trustworthy the minute he transformed into a rat then, right?" Remus and Sirius quickly glanced at eachother, realization in their eyes, before looking away and Sirius muttered "It's Not like he turned into a mole..." I left it at that.. Getting all the info I needed at that time.

I could tell something was up a few nights later when the Order members were all in an uproar. Apparently Harry had been caught using the Patronus charm in front of a muggle and was going to be expelled from school. Sirius saw me and quickly walked up "David, I need your owl. Quick." I was taken aback but I nodded "uh... yeah go ahead Sirius." he hurried up the stairs. I decided it was best i took a step back and went back up to my room where i spent the rest of the night, wondering what was going to happen to my best friend.

The next day it seemed the plan was to go retrieve Harry from his Aunt and Uncle. The only reason I knew of this is Remus came to my room the next morning and told us, saying "David.. if you want to write a quick letter to your mom, letting her know you are alright, I am sure I can convince Mad Eye to allow me a minutes detour to deliver it." I raised an eyebrow "Not from what I have heard.." He raised an eyebrow "How have you heard?" A small twitch from my lips as I said "I don't need a Disillusionment charm to do some reconnaissance" I didn't need to mention it was Fred and George's extendable ears. He looked at me and i could swear i saw his lips pull into a slight smirk as he said "Regardless.. write her.. let her know you are safe. Do not tell her anything about where you are or that you are with the Order.. just in case a Death Eater decides to do some Reconnaissance of their own." He then left.

My letter was short;

Mom,

I am alive. I can't tell you where, or with whom.. but I am not alone. I'm hard at work, they are making sure of that. I hope you are okay. I'm sure I can write you more when I am at Hogwarts. I love you...

You're Son.

Ron looked over my shoulder and asked "You aren't going to tell her about what you told us?" I looked at him "Gods no! She.. you didn't see her Ron, when your parents and Lupin came for me. If I were to tell her what I was going through.. it would be worse on her. No.. I can get through this myself." He nodded solemnly "Well you aren't alone Mate.. you've got Hermione and me.. and neither of us are leaving you this year.. we learned from our mistakes" I smiled at that, then began anxiously awaiting my other friends arrival.

I got the memo that he was here as Hermione's voice yelled "RON, DAVID, Harry's here!" we left our room and made our way to one of the recent rooms that we had cleared out that was to be Harry's room. "Let him breath Hermione" Ron chuckled as Hermione had been hovering over him. I could tell Harry was holding back emotion, so I kept my distance as Ron and Hermione tried to excuse why they couldn't say much in their letter. It wasn't until Harry had his outburst of emotion that i felt it safe to finally say something "Harry.. I understand your frustration. You are angry you were left out.. I'm angry I was stuck here. After everything last year.. I wanted one magic free summer. I didn't get that. This whole situation is messed up. But don't yell at Ron and Hermione.. They are as powerless as we are in this situation. They are as stuck as I am.. Hermione wouldn't even be here if it weren't for me. If you want to be angry at anyone.. be angry at Voldemort. He is the reason things are as they are right now." He looked at me, anger still in his eyes "You're right. At least they wrote me. You dropped off the face of the earth without so much as a goodbye. All I got was your Mum telling me Professor Lupin and the Weasley's whisked you away.. I thought we were supposed to stick together! You are the only one.. the ONLY one who knows what happened that night!" I then said softly "Thats not fair Harry. Don't you think I wanted to write you? I'm stuck here, I can't leave.. I can't even join the damned Order to finish this war sooner so life can get back to normal. You have a right to be angry... but we're on your side. .as much as it may not feel like that right now." He seemed to calm down after that. However I could tell the matter wasn't fully resolved.

It wasn't long before the morning of Harry's Hearing had arrived. We were all nervous, with the target on Harry's back I was sure the Ministry was going to try its hardest to expel Harry from school, as that would fit right into their narrative as him being a mind addled trouble maker. Of course we didn't share our fears directly to Harry's face. He had not exactly been an easy house companion the last little while. I don't think he had quite forgiven us for not being truthful in our mail to him, plus he had the added stress of the Hearing and how the Ministry had painted him. He also took it pretty hard that despite the fact we both witnesses Voldemort's return, I was being Deified by the press whilst he was being villianized. I tired my best to not let his attitude get to me, but it was hard when your best friend seemed to almost resent you, even if he was trying to hide it.

Of course Harry had to leave early in the morning, So we didn't get to wish him luck for his hearing. However once we were awake we waited in the Kitchen, eating some breakfast. I of course didn't want to think of what we would do if Harry had been found guilty. The idea of going to Hogwarts without him just seemed... wrong. He had been a part of my journey since the very first train ride, and I didn't know what it would be like without him.

Luckily sooner than we even thought Harry walked through the door. He wore a smile on his face as he said "Cleared!" We all cheered at this! Ginny, Fred and George began dancing chanting 'He got off, He got off!" Hermione mentioned something about them not having much of a case, which I added to saying "The Minister must be furious right now. All the Power he pretends to hold, and he couldn't expel one 15 year old kid from a school." I grinned at Harry. He smiled back, although i notice him wince and grab at his scar. I had a feeling that was something we would see a lot more from now on.

A few days later we got our school book lists. Nothing much to add, so even the Weasley's weren't too worried about it. However Ron held up a badge murmuring "It can't be.. Its a prefect badge." He handed it to Harry, who looked at it, a weird expression on his face. I quickly checked my letter, but there was nothing. I completely had forgotten that Prefects were chosen in 5th year. Harry then passed it to me. I held it in my hand, wondering how proud my father would have been if I had been the one to get the badge. Hermione then came bursting into the room "Did you get one?" She looked at the badge in my hand and beemed "I knew it! I got one too, we'll be prefects together David!" I shook my head and said "Oh.. its not mine" Now wishing more than ever it was. Hermione looked to Harry, who shook his head "It's Ron's" She looked shocked but then said "Of course! Ron! This is great! We'll do great together." I suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.. not because of Ron getting prefect per say.. but more the way Hermione said 'together' I wished more than anything she could have been saying that to me. I mean Ron was a great Mate.. but I never had considered him 'prefect' material.. But Dumbledore had to have a reason, so I congratulated Ron myself.

It wasn't long after that that we found ourselves all packed up for another year at Hogwarts. We would be leaving Headquarters behind for a few months, something I was thrilled about as I hadn't set foot outside the place since I had arrived 2 months previously. We left Sirius's house a lot nicer than we found it in, but It would still be a nice change to once again experience the vastness of Hogwart's halls and grounds. We walked from Grimmauld Place to Kings Cross in 2 groups. I was escorted by Remus himself. As we walked he said "Be careful this year David, Your life.. is going to change. With Godric Gryffindor being amongst the most famed Wizards to have ever lived, and his line thought gone, you will have a spot light on you that you have never had before.. Not like Winning the Quidditch Cup or being a Triwizard Champion. This will be different. Most of our kind don't believe Voldemort is back.. however they will have high expectations of you none-the-less. The important thing to remember David is you are still a teenager, no one should be expected anything of you expect to try hard in school. Be you. Not Ernest.. You. You understand?" I nodded slowly, unsure what to say. Everyone kept saying my life was going to change, but how could it? I was used to attention after joining the Quidditch team and being thrust into the Tournament... I didn't want it, but I still got it. Being the Heir of Gryffindor can't change my life THAT much, can it?

I got that answer the minute we crossed the threshold onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Wizards and Witches of all ages turned and gapped at me, all them them began to say at different tones "Its him.. David Shuter.. the Heir of Gryffindor, its really him!" By this point Moody and Tonks were on the scene, both of them trying to keep the crowd back. Luckily the sight of Mad Eye kept many at bay. I heard one kid shout "David! What are you going to do if Potter goes Mad on us? How will you protect us?" Another shouted "Shuter! I have a Slytherin 6th year bullying me at School, can you protect me from him?" More began to shout requests for me to protect them from this and that, and questioning what I was going to do when Harry lashed out during one of his 'spells' Mrs Weasley spoke over the noise "On the train dears! Have a wonderful term, I will see you all for Christmas!" Sirius took turns placing his paws on both Harry's and my shoulders to say goodbye. Remus's echoed his words "Be careful.. all of you." We then hurried onto the train.

Harry gave me a side-glance and then asked "So what are you going to do David? If I lash out during one of my 'spells'" I scoffed "Come off it, these people are barking mad. Why Do I have to protect everyone? If anything they should learn how to protect themselves, especially with Voldemort back" Harry then said coldly "So you think I will lash out at them, but they need to protect themselves?" I took a deep breath before saying "No.. I Thought that was a given Harry." He pursed his lips before saying "Okay, where should we sit." Hermione hesitated "Well... Ron and I are supposed to go down to the Prefect Compartment.." And right there is when it hit me even more, Remus.. and Dumbledore was right.. My life really was going to change this year.. And it was not looking good...