Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton, 7/18/1996, 22:26

Voldemort was seated on his throne waiting patiently for Narcissa to arrive and apply salve on his badly-burned arm. He would have to endure this agony for a little over a week before he could perform the rejuvenation ritual that would repair the damage done to his arm from Potter's curse.

Potter's curse!

Those two words filled him with white-hot fury every time he thought about it. The fact that he had been bested by a teenager was a bitter pill to swallow. Not to mention, the humiliation of his men knowing the truth behind how he was injured!

Prophecy or no, the Potter boy would die by his hand, this he vowed to himself.

The past few weeks had been very productive in his opinion, though the ministry was becoming much more irksome of late. The raids on his death eaters' homes had necessitated him to have to move a good portion of them to safe houses that the ministry hadn't found yet. He was formulating a plan to strike at the ministry very soon but those plans would have to wait until his arm was fully healed.

Besides the usual complications caused by Potter and Dumbledore, there was another problem weighing on his mind, Nagini.

Voldemort had so far been unable to locate his familiar and it was frustrating him beyond words!

Nagini had found a way to keep him out of her mind so he had no idea where to begin searching for her. He was becoming more concerned as the days went by. She was his only remaining anchor and his soul was far too unstable to create more.

Voldemort was pulled from his musings as the door to his study opened and Narcissa stepped into the room.

"Ah, right on time," Voldemort said as the woman glided across the room.

"It is time to treat your wound, my lord," Narcissa said in a matron-like tone.

"I am well aware," Voldemort said as he turned his body slightly to give her better access to his arm.

"The time for the ritual is getting closer," Narcissa soothed as she began to apply the familiar orange salve to his arm.

"Were you able to acquire everything in the alley today?" Voldemort questioned.

"Yes, my lord. I also had an interesting conversation with Harry Potter," Narcissa admitted.

"Oh?" Voldemort asked his interest peaked.

"His occlumency skills are quite developed but he let something slip during our back and forth," Narcissa said as she continued to apply the orange paste.

"What did you learn?" Voldemort demanded.

"I think that he knows what really happened to Draco," Narcissa said softly.

"Surely you don't believe Potter killed him?" Voldemort questioned.

"He killed my sister. I believe that it is possible that he killed my son as well, my lord," Narcissa answered.

"What did he say?" Voldemort asked.

"He referred to Draco as Dragon which was the name I used when I wrote to him in Bella's diary," Narcissa answered as she finished applying the salve.

"So you believe he knows of the diary," Voldemort mused.

"I do. He killed my sister to avenge the Abbott girl, it is possible that he killed Draco for the same reason," Narcissa admitted.

"That could explain how the aurors set up the ambush at Bones Manor," Voldemort said as he moved his arm experimentally.

"I wish to find out the truth, my lord," Narcissa said as she closed up her healer's bag.

"Potter is mine, Narcissa," Voldemort said firmly.

"But his little girlfriend could answer those questions for us, my lord," Narcissa pointed out.

"Girlfriend?" Voldemort asked.

"I believe he is courting my niece," Narcissa answered, a vicious grin playing on her lips.

"You are more than welcome to do as you wish with her," Voldemort said after pondering her request for a moment.

"Thank you, my lord," Narcissa said, a pleased smile playing on her lips.

"If you are successful, this will destroy the boy, "Voldemort said, liking the idea the more he thought about it.

"And my traitorous sister as well," Narcissa agreed.

"Very well, but do not get caught. I can not afford to have the ministry investigate you," Voldemort warned.

"Of course, my lord," Narcissa agreed looking very pleased.

Voldemort watched Narcissa glide out of the room and couldn't help noting the similarities between her and her departed sister. They were very different in appearance but they were both fiercely loyal to family. They were also both fanatical in their loyalty to him which is why Narcissa was placed so high in his ranks even though she had only joined him recently.

This is where Narcissa's similarities to her sister ended. While they were both intelligent in their own right, Narcissa had a cold calculating personality that reminded him a bit of himself. Bellatrix had been intelligent but she was controlled by her emotions and suffered violent mood swings whereas Narcissa locked her emotions away behind a mask of cold indifference.

The death of Draco Malfoy had been a blessing in disguise as it had been the motivation he'd needed to bring her into the fold.

As Voldemort made his way over to his liquor cabinet, he couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of Narcissa seeking her revenge against Potter.

Tonks Residence, Reading, 7/20/1996, 11:55

Harry was sitting at the table with Ted and Andi waiting for Dumbledore to arrive for lunch. The last few days had been uneventful for the most part though Harry had been worrying about this meeting today since Sirius had told him about it.

After the trip to Muggle London, he hadn't seen much of Tonks due to her hectic schedule. Harry was really starting to regret her going back on active duty. He just hoped that she would be posted at Hogwarts this September.

"I'm surprised that Sirius didn't want to join us," Ted said, pulling Harry back to the present.

"I am too," Andi admitted.

"He said he had something to take care of," Tonks said as she stepped through the door leading into the garden.

Harry couldn't fight his grin as he watched her take off her outer robes and hang them by the door.

"Nymphadora, I didn't expect to see you here," Andi said as Tonks took a seat beside Harry.

"I want to know what Albus is up to," Tonks shrugged.

"And you don't want him manipulating your boyfriend," Andi said, giving Tonks a look of amusement.

"I want to keep an eye on things," Tonks shrugged.

"How are things at the office?" Ted asked as Harry spotted a familiar figure walking up the garden path.

"Starting to get dull," Tonks shrugged as they heard a knock on the kitchen door.

Harry watched as Dumbledore stepped into the kitchen and took in its occupants.

"Good afternoon to you all," Dumbledore said in a jovial tone as he shut the door behind him.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, welcome to our home," Andi said in a formal tone.

A few minutes later after the pleasantries were taken care of, the five of them got settled as Andromeda served them lunch. Talk during the meal so far had been limited to how good the shepherd's pie was or commenting on the weather.

It wasn't until dessert was served that Dumbledore broached the elephant in the room.

"I suppose that you're all curious as to why I wished to have this meeting," Dumbledore said after everyone had a large slice of lemon meringue pie.

"Yes, we are," Andi said simply.

"During the next school year I wish to take over Harry's private instruction in battle transfiguration," Dumbledore said before takmeringue pieng a bite of his pie.

"Is Theodore Nott going to be at Hogwarts next year?" Harry asked meeting Dumbledore's stare.

"Yes, he will," Dumbledore said simply.

"You can't be serious!" Tonks exclaimed.

"Mister Nott had little choice in his actions last June. Had he not done what he did, the Davis family would have been killed," Albus said.

"The Davis family?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Yes, the Davis' would have been targeted just like the Abbotts, the Dobbs, the Cattermoles, and so many others if young Theodore had not made a request of Voldemort last December. Unfortunately, this put young Mister Nott in Voldemort's debt," Dumbledore explained.

Harry listened to the explanation and couldn't help feeling a small amount of sympathy for Nott. Harry couldn't honestly say that he wouldn't have done the same thing if it meant that he could protect somebody that he cared about. This didn't absolve Nott of what happened at Hogwarts, three people were still killed that night, but Harry could understand why Nott had done what he did.

"Either way, three people died Albus," Andromeda said, her eyes boring in the headmaster.

"Their deaths are much more my fault than young Mister Nott's. I was convinced that I could combat the threat that cabinet posed," Dumbledore admitted.

"I'll be honest with you, Albus. We are still undecided on whether or not we will be sending Harry to Hogwarts this year," Andi said, catching everyone but Ted by surprise.

"I truly hope that Harry returns to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, looking a bit wrong-footed at Andi's last statement.

"Last year four students were killed, a pack of werewolves entered the castle and the dark lord and eighteen death eaters lay siege to two of the house common rooms. Truthfully I'm surprised anyone wishes to send their children back to Hogwarts after that," Andi said matter-of-factly.

"And that's on top of that business with Dolores Umbridge using blood quills on muggle-born students," Ted added, speaking up for the first time.

"I believe Harry nipped that issue in the bud," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Whether he did or not is irrelevant. He should not have felt the need to do so in the first place," Andi said flatly.

"What is it you want, Andromeda?" Dumbledore asked shrewdly.

"Are you still looking for a defence professor?" Andi asked curiously.

"I have already hired a defence professor. I am in the market for a potions master, however," Dumbledore said, giving her an inquiring look.

"Then I will be applying for the position," Andi said simply catching Harry and Tonks by surprise.

"Mum?" Tonks asked.

"After last year, I want to keep an eye on things at the castle, Nymphadora," Andi shrugged.

"If you are serious about applying then I would be happy to meet with you tomorrow morning for a formal interview," Dumbledore said as he finished his pie.

"But back to the original subject of our discussion, I wish to take a more active role in your education, Harry'," Dumbledore said as he made eye contact with the teen.

"What will I be learning?" Harry asked with interest.

"I will be continuing your lessons in conjuration and transfigurations in battle situations. I will also begin teaching you magical muscle manipulation techniques," Dumbledore answered.

"Magical muscle manipulation?" Harry asked having never heard the term before.

"It's a technique where you channel magic into your muscles to speed up your reaction time," Andromeda explained, getting a look of surprise from Albus.

"Whoa, that could be really useful," Tonks muttered.

"Yes, I have found many uses for it over the years," Dumbledore agreed.

"So, you could teach me how to sharpen my reflexes, sir?" Harry asked, his mind whirring with the possibilities for such a skill.

"I will but it is a very difficult discipline to master," Dumbledore warned.

"We appreciate your kind offer, Headmaster. We will discuss your proposition as a family and let you know what we decide," Andromeda said before Harry could ask his next question.

"Of course, there is no rush," Dumbledore said sounding unconcerned.

The rest of the meal was eaten in companionable silence only broken by polite conversation every so often.

Harry was still conflicted about lessons with Dumbledore after what had happened last year but he knew it was something important enough that he would have to swallow his pride and take Dumbledore up on his offer.

'Well lessons with Dumbledore could be useful," Harry thought to himself as Dumbledore bid them farewell a little while later.

The Burrow, Devon 7/21/1996, 10:34

Harry and Tonks appeared on the country lane with a barely audible 'pop'. Today was Tonks' day off and she'd agreed to take him to visit Ron and Ginny.

The first thing Harry noticed as the walked toward the Burrow was that the area where the orchard had once been was now barren and looked like something one would see in a desert. The earth was cracked and dry-looking and a cloud of dust seemed to be hanging over the area.

The house itself looked the same as Harry remembered it, though the garden looked overgrown as though it hadn't been tended to in a while.

"Do they know we're coming?" Harry asked as the two of them approached the house.

"Bill does," Tonks assured him.

"I hope they're not upset with us just showing up," Harry said as they neared the door that led into the kitchen.

'Arry!" a French-accented voice squealed before they had even made it to the door.

A second later the door was thrown open and Harry was engulfed in a hug from a familiar blonde-haired woman.

"Bill said zat you would be stopping by," Fleir exclaimed before she placed a kiss on each of his cheeks.

Harry had almost forgotten how breathtakingly beautiful Fleur was. She was dressed in a simple white sundress and sandals. The dress was very plain and seemed to only enhance her natural beauty by contrast.

Harry noticed that Fleur was almost as tall as he was, standing pretty close to six feet in height. She had a lithe willowy frame with curtains of silvery-blonde hair that fell down her back like a waterfall. Her azure blue eyes were alight with happiness and a wide smile was playing on her pink lips as she looked between Harry and Tonks as if she had realized something.

"I take it that the two of you know each other?" Tonks asked as she took Harry's hand possessively in hers.

"We competed in the Tri-Wizard tournament last year," Harry said, giving Tonks' hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Oh," Tonks said, her hair changing to a light orange colour.

"I didn't know zat you two were a couple," Fleur said, giving them both a curious look.

"We've been dating for a few months," Harry said feeling his face heat up at the admission.

Before Fleur could reply, the door opened a second time and Ron stepped out into the garden.

"Harry?" Ron asked, his voice sounding a bit hoarse.

"How's it going, mate?" Harry beamed.

"It's been my worst summer ever," Ron snorted.

"Come inside Tonks, let ze boys go outside and play," Fleur said as she took Tonks' hand.

Harry watched Fleur practically drag Tonks into the house, leaving him and Ron standing outside.

"You look like shit," Harry said as soon as the screen door shut behind the girls.

"Thanks," Ron said, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Where is everybody?" Harry asked as the two of them fell into step walking toward the pond.

"Ginny went to visit Luna. The twins are staying at their flat in London and Mum is in her room," Ron said sounding like he hadn't spoken much in a long while.

"Tonks said your mum was taking it pretty hard," Harry said, not really knowing what he should say.

"She is," Ron agreed.

"How are you handling it?" Harry asked.

"I"m bloody pissed," Ron scowled.

"Yeah, can't say that I blame you," Harry muttered.

"I heard Mum and Bill talking, it was Narcissa Malfoy that sent that bomb into Grimmauld Place," Ron said in a flat tone.

"I know, Tonks told me," Harry said as they came to a stop at the edge of the pond.

"What did Dad ever do to her?" Ron asked in a shaky voice.

"Nothing, your dad was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Harry said.

"I'll kill that bint," Ron scowled.

"Tonks thinks it was Sirius she was trying to get with that attack," Harry admitted.

"Bill said the same," Ron agreed.

"Have you heard from Lavender?" Harry asked in hopes of changing the subject.

"Yeah, I'm going over to her house tomorrow," Ron grinned.

"Best not tell her that Fleur is staying here," Harry smirked.

"Or that she sometimes sunbathes in the garden," Ron added.

"Yeah, that could cause you some issues," Harry agreed.

"Did you hear that Bill and Fleur are getting married?" Ron asked.

"Tonks told me," Harry said as he noticed a tiny black speck in the eastern sky.

"They've decided to have the wedding here next summer," Ron elaborated.

"Look on the upside," Harry said as the speck slowly got bigger.

"What's that?" Ron asked with interest.

"There are bound to be veela cousins at the wedding reception," Harry said, realizing that the black speck was actually someone on a broomstick.

"Yeah, I hadn't even considered that," Ron admitted as he glanced over in the direction Harry was looking and spotted the flyer as well.

"Is that Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, she flies that broom you gave her everywhere," Ron chuckled.

"I bought another Nimbus the other day," Harry admitted as he made out Ginny's vibrant red hair blowing behind her on the wind.

"So you're planning to play this year?" Ron asked with interest as Ginny touched down in front of them.

"Haaaaary, when did you get her?" Ginny squealed before she pulled him to his feet and wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug.

Harry was impressed that such a tiny girl could squeeze him so tightly it was hard to draw breath but she mercifully released her hold on him and smiled widely. Today she was dressed in denim shorts and a light green tank top. She was wearing flip-flops, making Harry wonder how they had stayed on during her flight here from Luna's house.

"Tonks brought me here about half an hour ago," Harry shrugged as they took a seat on the grass near the water's edge.

"How is Luna?" Harry asked with interest.

"Good, we went for a swim at the stream below her house," Ginny beamed.

"I knew I should have gone with you," Ron muttered.

"We were skinny dipping," Ginny smirked.

"Oh," Ron said, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Is Tonks still here?" Ginny asked with interest.

"Yeah, Fleur dragged her inside," Harry shrugged.

"You mean Phlegm," Ginny smirked.

"That isn't nice Carrot Cake," Harry grinned.

"I should have never told you that story," Ginny huffed.

"So why don't you like Fleur?" Harry asked.

"She always talks down to me like I'm ten years old or something," Ginny shrugged.

"You know she doesn't mean nothing by it," Ron defended.

"I wouldn't get on her bad side, word is that she and Bill held back a horde of werewolves by themselves in Diagon Alley," Harry added.

"Great, now you're both on her side," Ginny scowled.

"She's a good cook," Ron said as if that explained everything.

"Zank you Ronald, my maman taught me to cook when I was a leetle girl," Fleur said from directly behind them, making Ron jump.

"You snuck up on us a bit," Harry said as he looked up at Fleur in amusement.

"It is time for lunch," Fleur said in a musical voice.

"What are we having?" Ron asked with interest.

"Zat is a surprise," Fleur beamed.

"I just hope we can pronounce it this time," Ginny muttered under her breath.

"Do not worry Carrot Cake, I made ze Eenglish food today," Fleur assured her a smirk playing on her lips.

"Where's Tonks?" Harry asked, ignoring the glare Ginny was giving him.

"She is talking wiz Molly," Fleur said sounding more serious now.

Harry got to his feet and was soon joined by Ron and Ginny before the four of them began making their way to the house.

"So 'arry, 'ave you 'eard ze good news?" Fleur asked as she led them to the house.

"You mean about your engagement?" Harry asked.

"Oui," Fleur smiled.

"Congratulations," Harry said, ignoring the huff from Ginny at Fleur's words.

"Zank you," Fleur said giving him a blinding smile.

"So how long are you staying here?" Harry asked as they neared the kitchen door.

"Until Bill leaves for Egypt in September," Fleur answered.

"Yah," Ginny snorted as Ron opened the door.

Do not worry Carrot Cake by ze time zat you go back to school, we shall be ze best of friends," Fleur assured her.

"Harry," Ginny whispered as Fleur slipped into the house

"Yeah?" Harry asked as he glanced over at her.

"I am going to get you for telling her that nickname," Ginny warned before she followed Ron into the house.

Harry felt an involuntary chill run down his spine but he pushed that from his mind and followed the others inside. Immediately the smell of beef casserole filled his nostrils.

"I used ze recipe from Molly's cookbook," Fleur said as she bustled over to the stove.

"It smells delicious," Harry said and got a nod of agreement from Ron.

"That does smell good," Tonks said as she led Molly into the kitchen.

"Harry dear, it's so good to see you," Molly said in a very raspy voice.

Harry was surprised at how thin she was. It looked like she hadn't been eating much for quite a while. There were also quite a few streaks of grey in her auburn hair making her look much older than the last time he'd seen her.

"Hello Missus Weasley," Harry said softly as he allowed her to pull him into a hug.

"I swear you've grown three inches taller since the last time I saw you," Molly said as she released her hold on him.

"He is getting pretty tall," Tonks mused as they took seats around the table.

"Harry, how has your summer been?" Molly asked as she began placing scoops of casserole on everyone's plates.

"It's been okay, we went to Black Island for a few weeks," Harry admitted.

"What is ze Black Island?" Fleur asked with interest.

"The Black family has a private island in the Caribbean," Tonks said sounding a bit put out.

"That sounds lovely dear, Arthur and I went on an Island vacation for our honeymoon," Molly said her eyes starting to water before she hastily looked down at her plate.

The rest of lunch passed in this manner with the occupants of the kitchen eating Fleur's fine cooking and doing their best to avoid topics that could upset Molly.

After lunch, Fleur ushered Harry, Ron, and Ginny back outside so the three women could talk, not that the teens minded. Harry really did feel bad for Missus Weasley, he couldn't imagine what she was going through after the death of her husband.

"Mum was better today," Ginny said when the three of them stepped back outside.

"Yeah, that was the most I've seen her talk since Easter," Ron agreed as the three of them walked back toward the pond.

"She's lost a lot of weight," Harry said as he glanced over at Ginny.

"She went through a spell where she wouldn't eat," Ginny sighed as they took a seat by the edge of the pond.

"So you never answered my question," Ron said

"What question?" Harry asked.

"Are you playing quidditch this year?" Ron asked, giving him a hopeful look.

"Yeah, I had planned to try out as seeker," Harry admitted

"Good, now I can try out as a chaser," Ginny beamed as she slipped off her flip-flops and dipped her feet into the cool water of the pond.

"I had a feeling you would be after Angelina's spot," Harry chuckled.

"Actually I want to play right-side chaser, not centre," Ginny corrected.

"Well Katie is still playing that spot," Ron pointed out only to jump when Ginny kicked her foot, splashing both boys in cold water.

"Oi," Harry muttered as he wiped his face off.

"Sorry Harry, I was just trying to cool you two off," Ginny said, giving him an innocent smile.

"You know we can just chuck her into the pond," Ron said as he gave Harry a meaningful look.

"I've always wanted to see her all soaking wet," Harry smirked.

"Best not let Tonks hear you say that," Ginny quipped.

"I don't want to hear it either," Ron added, shooting Harry a look of annoyance.

Ginny rolled her eyes at Ron before she stood up and sprinted off toward the house leaving the two boys dripping in pond water.

"At least she's finally getting back to her old self," Ron sighed as he used the bottom of his shirt to dry off his face.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked as he copied Ron's actions, using his shirt to dry off.

"She was really cut up about Dean," Ron admitted.

"Oh, I forgot that they were dating," Harry said, kicking himself for not putting the pieces together.

"Yeah, I don't think it was very serious but she was still pretty upset when she found out," Ron shrugged.

"Can't really blame her," Harry said as he saw Ginny take off into the air on her Nimbus.

"Lovegood has been helping her a lot," Ron said as he lay back and looked up at the sky.

"Luna can put a smile on anyone's face," Harry chuckled as he lay back beside his best mate.

"I wouldn't mind checking her for muffkiffles," Ron smirked.

"Neither would-

"Watch it, Potter," Tonks said as she came to stand over Harry.

"I was going to say, Seamus," Harry defended weakly.

"Right," Tonks snorted as she stared down at him.

"So what's up?" Harry asked hoping to change the subject.

"Smooth mate," Ron sniggered.

"Molly started cleaning the kitchen, she ran me off when I dropped a stack of plates," Tonks huffed as she took a seat beside Harry.

"She's cleaning?" Ron asked sounding genuinely surprised.

"Yeah, we were just talking and then she saw the pile of dishes left over from lunch and went into a cleaning frenzy," Tonks said as she reclined back and rested her head on Harry's shoulder.

"Damn Potter, if I had known you visiting would help get Mum back to normal, I would have demanded that you come over weeks ago," Ron exclaimed.

"I tried writing you," Harry pointed out.

"Mum wasn't the only one who was really depressed about Dad," Ron sighed.

"I'm not surprised," Tonks said, giving Ron a sympathetic look.

"Any word on our new defence teacher?" Ron asked in an obvious attempt to change topics.

"I think it'll be Snape," Harry admitted.

"What makes you say that?" Tonks asked, looking surprised.

"Dumbledore said he's looking for a potions professor which means Snape won't be teaching the class this year," Harry pointed out

"And you think that's because he gave the defence post to Snape," Tonks said sounding thoughtful.

"It's the kind of thing Dumbledore would do," Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, it is," Tonks agreed.

"I sure hope that you're wrong," Ron muttered.

"Me too, I hate that greasy bastard," Harry agreed.

"Kind of sucks that the year we can finally drop potions, we'll still be stuck taking classes with Snape," Ron grumbled.

"It wouldn't have mattered for me, I'm taking advanced potions anyway," Harry said as Tonks snuggled into his side.

"Better you than me," Ron said, giving Harry an amused look.

"You're dropping potions then?" Harry asked.

"I only got an E on my O.WL," Ron shrugged.

"With Snape not teaching the class, that may not be an issue," Tonks pointed out.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"Mum says Slughorn used to only require an exceeds expectations for advanced potions and she'll probably be teaching the class this year," Tonks explained.

"I still don't know if I want to take potions," Ron sighed.

"Unless you plan on washing dishes at the Leaky Cauldron after you graduate, you probably should," Tonks suggested.

"I thought about being a quidditch manager," Ron admitted.

"That would be a great job," Harry said giving Ron an impressed look.

"Well keep your options open," Tonks said as her wristwatch alarm went off.

"Don't tell me we have to leave already," Harry said as he looked down at Tonks.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home and get ready for my shift," Tonks sighed.

Harry and Tonks said their farewells and Harry was treated to three more bone-crushing hugs from Fleur, Ginny, and Missus Weasley before he and Tonks made their way home.

"That went better than I thought it would," Tonks said as the two of them walked towards the wardline.

"Missus Weasley seemed pretty depressed," Harry sighed.

"Fleur said that she's been starting to come back around in the last week," Tonks said as the two of them stepped across the wardline.

"I want to come back soon," Harry said as he took Tonks' offered hand.

"Sure, as long as you behave yourself," Tonks said, giving Harry a pointed look.

"I was on my best behaviour," Harry protested a second before Tonks turned on the spot and pulled them both into the suffocating feeling of apparition.