Harry Potter and the Battle of Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Battle of Hogwarts

Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter and never will. This story has all been re-written and has had some changes in plot lines and such.

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Chapter One

Passing the Past

The radiant sun was shining down upon Privet Drive, the golden rays heating swimming pools and the asphalt road. Children played in their front yards with hoses and water pistols, no longer bound by strict water bans like the previous summer. The older residents of the street sat upon their porches, sipping cool lemonade and gossiping about Mr. Two's visiting relatives.

All residents were outside their homes, enjoying the last months of summer, all except one. In the smallest room of number four Privet Drive, a boy lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His room was in disarray, books, clothes and paper lay scattered across his carpet, along with other items unknown to the muggle world. Even with the sweltering heat and non-existent breeze, the boy was still inside, on his bed and watching the plain white of his roof through emerald eyes.

This boys name was Harry Potter; a wizard and student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was a hero in the Wizarding world, but now, because of his head of unruly black hair, the sign of his heroics was covered. A scar was scratched across his forehead; jagged like a lightning bolt and just as deadly. It was his sign of a curse, a curse none could remove.

Harry sighed as he blinked and tore his eyes away from the highly interesting white of his ceiling, and looked about his room. His eyes, once bright and full of life, were dull and haunted. Dark rings lay under his eyes, a sign of his sleepless nights. The boy, already thin, was now skinnier than before. He did not care much for his appearance or food, or anything for that matter. All he cared about was finding the one thing he lost, and getting the one thing he could not have: his godfather.

Sirius Black was a murderer, traitor and Azkaban escapee, or so the Daily Prophet said. Not many people knew the real story about Sirius Black, and only a handful was able to see the real man inside him. One of that handful was Harry Potter. He had been the one to set Sirius free over two years ago, and find out the true story instead of lies. Sirius Black was Harry's godfather, and since two weeks ago, he was Harry's deceased godfather.

“Don't go there, Harry.” He said in a voice hoarse with disuse. Every time he thought about anything, it ended up on Sirius and he couldn't think about him. Guilt and pain, and so much sorrow was always what came when he thought of Sirius, and even though he knew it wasn't his fault, he couldn't help taking the blame.

A loud screech followed by the appearance of a large snowy owl, brought Harry's attention. Hedwig flew over and perched on the back of his desk chair, a letter clamped in her beak.

“Hi, girl,” he said painfully, walking stiffly towards her and stroking her glossy feathers. He took the letter and opened it slowly, already knowing who it was from by the neat writing on the front.

Dear Harry

I know how you are feeling, and I know that you must be sick of me saying this, but it was not your fault! You have to stop hitting yourself over it and remember the good times, not the bad. You went to the Ministry to save Sirius in the first place, and Sirius went to the Ministry to fight with you. He knew what he was doing and the consequences, just as you did. He fought beside you, and died for you. You would have died for him and what would you think Sirius would have done if it had been you, who died. He would be acting as you are now!

Now that that is sorted through, I have to tell you that you won't have to spend much longer with your relatives. They are coming to get you soon, so be ready and if there is any trouble, just write me and I will get it sorted out. Don't doubt me. Don' think you're not alone, Harry, because you're not and never will be. We're all here for you, as am I. Thinking of you.

Love always Hermione

Harry smiled the first true smile in weeks. Trust Hermione to know what to say to make me feel better. Harry thought as he sat down on the chair while Hedwig flew to her cage and took a drink. He pulled a fresh piece of parchment towards him and picked up a quill, the grin still stuck to his face.

Dear Hermione

Thank you. Don't ask what for; it's for everything. I know I've been acting like a prat these last few weeks but Sirius was the only connection I had to my parents. Of course there's Lupin, but Sirius was my godfather and somehow it's different. It was like loosing my father again and it's still hurting so much. But I don't want to forget him and by talking about what happened, it lessons my pain.

I can't wait to get out of here. The Dursley's have been better this summer because of Moody's little talk, but they're still horrid. I can't wait to see you again. And Ron and everyone. Thanks again.

Love Harry

“Take this to Hermione, okay?” he murmured to Hedwig. She nodded in reply and allowed Harry to tie the letter to her foot. He carried her to the window, his hands admiring the sleek feel of her snowy feathers, before releasing her through the open window. He watched until she was no more than a white speck against the blue sky, before turning back to his room.

“Time for some cleaning,” he murmured to himself, glad to have something to keep him busy. It took him almost three hours to have his room spotlessly clean and the sun had set to leave the sky a purplish - red. He collapsed onto his bed, sighing in content. But that only lasted a few minutes as his aunt's shrill calls came rolling through the house. Harry groaned and dragged himself from the room.

His relatives were already sitting around the kitchen table, and they all glared at him as he slid into his seat quietly. “Took you long enough boy!” Vernon Dursley growled, pulled a full plate of roast beef towards him. Harry rolled his eyes and turned his gaze to his own plate of a single slice of meat and half a potato. His stomach growled in hunger. Harry hadn't eaten hardly anything since his return from Hogwarts and it was really showing on his form. He ate the whole meal in under two minutes, and proceeded to rinse his plate and head back upstairs.

Once he had showered and changed, Harry lay on his bed with Practical Defensive Magic and its Uses Against the Dark Arts: Volume One, one of the books Remus and Sirius had given him for Christmas last year. He had read up to chapter five, The Stunning Charm: For Immediate stoppage of attacking enemy forces. But couldn't read any more as sleep had claimed its place over his body.

He was in the Death Room at the Ministry of Magic, and was watching the duel between Sirius and Bellatrix Lestrange. They were the only ones in the echoing chamber and Harry found himself stuck, unable to move, as Bellatrix gave off a shout of triumph. Harry watched as Sirius's face twisted into one of shock and fear. His back formed a graceful arc but before he could fall back into the fluttering veil of the arch, he turned his face to Harry and the shock and fear vanished.

It was replaced with pride and a handsome smile as all the age and haunted years faded from his face. His eyes shown with a gently blue sparkle and he nodded to Harry and said, “I will never leave you,” Before the picture faded and Harry was left looking at the smiling face of his best friend.

“Sirius loved you, Harry. And I love you.” Hermione said.

Harry awoke with a smile planted firmly on his face. That had been the best dream he had had all summer. Every other night, he had been awoken in the early hours of the morning, thrashing in his covers and crying because he had watched Sirius be killed once more. But now. Now, he felt re-energized and happy. He finally accepted the fact that Sirius wasn't coming back, even though his heart still ached to hear his bark-like laughter once more.

Since he was so happy and feeling ready for anything, he decided to go for a short walk around the neighbourhood, after all, he was wondering what had happened while he had been cooped up in his room. Pulling on a clean pair of pants and shirt, Harry strolled down the stairs and out the front door, ignoring the scathing look his aunt gave him.

The sun warmed his entire body and made him feel elated. His feet travelled along the steaming road, passing neat yard after flowered garden, all looking the same. Harry wondered the entire block, knowing that there were hidden eyes watching him, but not caring. He knew they were only those of the Order members, just babysitting him as always. As he turned back into Privet Drive, he overheard two young boys talking.

“Did you see the size of that dog?” One said in awe, his young face shining in excitement. “I know, it was the size of a bear!” said the second, emphasizing its size by making a large width with his hands. Harry felt is stomach drop slightly but continued on; knowing there was no way that it could have been Padfoot. He strolled up the drive of number four, his happy mood now deflated somewhat. He reached for the doorknob and was about to turn it when a loud scream was emitted from inside.

Harry bolted through the door, pulling out his wand in the process. He ran into the kitchen to find his aunt clutching a broom in her bony fingers, her eyes wide in fear and staring at a spot on the other side of the bench. Dudley was standing on the table, whimpering like an idiot and watching the same spot with utter terror. Harry edged around his cousins abnormally large backside and passed his white aunt, and let his eyes set on the spot on the floor. He felt as though he was going to faint.

Cold chills ran up and down his body and his palms were immediately sweaty. He gripped his wand with renewed force but still couldn't let the feeling of complete fear leave him. On the floor, with blood prints around it, sat a dog. Not just any dog, but a large, black, bear-like dog, that was staring at Harry with dark eyes. Its hair was matted with dry and fresh blood, and large tufts were missing in some places. It was holding one paw up as if it was hurt and was staring at Harry in an intent, and familiar stare. The dog stood shakily, blood dripping from a gash on its snout, and began to limp towards him.

Harry dropped to his knees, his wand rolling away, as Sirius placed a paw on his shoulder.

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Hey everyone. I just re-wrote this chapter and I think it is MUCH better than the last copy. I'm going through, fixing all the chapters up, and tying up any loose ends. Please review as usual and tell me if I've missed anything.

Bye

DW