The Searcher

Title: The Searcher

Author: Merlin

Genre: Action/Adventure

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Disclaimer: I own nothing save the plot.

Today had probably been one of the dullest days of Harry's life. The weather had finally decided to fit the mood of the large numbers of witches and wizards in the country and thunder storms had popped up all across England. It felt more like another funeral than it did a wedding. It didn't help that almost everyone was wearing black robes.

“Congratulations Fleur, Bill,” Harry said to them under the magically enlarged tent on the lawn of the Burrow. Bill still had scars covering his face and was limping slightly. He and Fleur had decided to get married right away, only a week after school had ended. Bill was still weak from the fight.

The only “person” in the entire gathering who was smiling was Kreacher. It was obvious his happiness wasn't for Bill and Fleur, but instead for the numerous deaths, and one very particular death, that had occurred last week. Harry learned over the year to ignore the seeming flaws in Kreacher's loyalties. He was of course, a house elf. And house elves couldn't betray their master.

“Why, zank you `Arry.” Fleur said warily.

“We're having somewhat of a family dinner tomorrow,” said Bill. “I'm um—we've decided to wait on our honeymoon for now.” Harry understood the Bill was in no condition to go anywhere besides back to the hospital wing at Hogwarts. “Why don't you drop by? God knows, mom thinks you're her seventh son as it is.”

“It's kind of you to offer Bill,” Harry replied, “but I'm going to be busy this summer. I'll try to visit later if I can.”

After shaking hands with Bill and hugging Fleur (which Harry was surprised he could manage), he turned around and headed out into the rain. Kreacher noticed him leaving and followed.

“You're leaving already?” said a voice behind him. Harry turned around to see Ginny and Gabrielle walking towards him. Gabrielle looked uncomfortable once she realized that Harry noticed her, and turned to talk to one of the guests.

“Yeah. It's been nice seeing you again, Ginny.” Harry said politely. “I'll see you in September then?”

“Don't be stupid Harry. Ron and Hermione told me what you'll be up to this year. I'll be lucky if I see you back at school”

“Oh, I'll be back alright.” Harry smiled in a way that was very uncharacteristic of him. “Bye.”

“Wait a minute, are you going to Apparate? You don't even have a license yet! It'll be better if you go with Tonks or Lup—” she was interrupted by a loud thunder clap in the sky, and when she regained her bearings, Harry and Kreacher were gone.

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“Minerva, I'm worried about him.” Remus Lupin said to Professor McGonagall during an Order meeting. “Ginny told me he just Apparated from the wedding without speaking to anyone except Bill and Fleur. And he's been acting strange at the Dursleys' too. He disappears every morning and comes back in time for supper. No matter how hard we try, we can't track him.”

“That is expected Remus. He has suffered tremendously these past few years. It is only natural that he tries to find solitude.”

Remus glared at her. He couldn't tell if she was trying to imitate Dumbledore in his style or it was just something that came with the position as Head of Hogwarts. “Well yes, if he sat in his room and looked sad, I'd understand. But he's no where to be found in the mornings Minerva! Can you explain that? I'm worrying about his safety as well as his sanity!”

“If the Order of the Pheonix can't track him, I don't suppose Death Eaters would have much luck either,” put in the school's Potions Master, Professor Slughorn. “Harry is incredibly talented, I wouldn't worry about his safety, he can take care of himself. And he has that funny looking house elf with him”

Remus threw up his arms in frustration. He knew Harry was slightly superior to others when it came to magic, but true “talent” was not something he had seen Harry exhibit too often (except in Quidditch). Yes, he had been able to summon a Patronus at the age of 13, but that was nothing compared to what Lord Voldemort had been doing at the same age. He just didn't feel Harry was as exceptional at magic as other famous witches and wizards had been…

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Dear Mr. Harry J. Potter,

It is my pleasure as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts to award you the position of Head Boy. Enclosed is your badge, a booklet of school rules for you to memorize, and a list of privileges. Make sure to wear the badge next month on the Hogwarts Express.

Congratulations on your hard work and dedication throughout your years at Hogwarts.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

P.S. Happy Birthday

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Dear Headmistress McGonagall

Thank you for offering me this prestigious position, but I am afraid I will not be able to accept the position of Head Boy. Professor Dumbledore, in his last hours, left in my hands a task to complete. This will be taking up most of my time for the next few years, and I doubt I will be able to find enough time to even complete my education.

My only wish is for you, as Headmistress, to grant me full permission to use any and all books in the Hogwarts Library. Since I no longer consider myself a student, I don't see how this will be a problem.

I'm sending this letter with my owl Hedwig. The reply you send to my request must be through the same owl. I will not be accepting any other mail for the rest of the summer.

Enclosed is the badge.

Sincerely,

Harry James Potter

P.S. Please be aware that I am of age now.

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“Ron, I don't see how you can't be worried,” said Hermione as she watched the landscape fly by from the train. “He hasn't replied to any of our owls, Remus said the Order lost complete track of him after his birthday, and he's not on the train.”

“No one said I wasn't worried Hermione. I am worried. It's just that…I dunno, you heard the prophecy too. The only one who can possibly kill Harry is You-Know-Who. And you heard Remus say that he'd be laying low for a while now that he managed to kill off Dumbledore. Nothing's been in the papers either right? It cant be that bad.”

“Yes but Harry's still young, he won't be able to take care of himself out there!”

“My god Hermione. You're sounding like my mum,” Ginny said trying to laugh. “Harry is alright. I can feel it. We'll be seeing him soon, he said so didn't he?”

Tonks, who was patrolling the hallway, popped her head into the compartment. “Alright kiddies, we're almost here, you better start changing.” She seemed to be a lot more cheerful now that she and Remus were together.

The students in the train quietly filed out onto Hogsmeade's station and started walking towards the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts. It had taken much persuasion from the Order to convince the board of governors to keep the school open. Horace Slughorn, a well known wizard in the past, had much to contribute to it.

The sorting proceeded as it usually did, with the exception that the beginning-of-the-year speech was given by McGonagall.

“To all new students, welcome! To returning students, welcome back! As many of you—”

She was interrupted when a white, snowy owl flew in through the window with a letter tied to its leg. Hermione's cry of, “Hedwig!” echoed through the Great Hall. Hedwig gave a light hoot before landing next to McGonagall and dropped a letter on her plate. She quickly opened it and read it to herself.

They're coming for Hogsmeade. Gather the Order and any willing students NOW. Keep everyone else inside the Castle.

HP

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-VERY IMPORTANT!!!-

AN: Well, that's it for now. I haven't written a fan fic in more than two years, so I'm still a bit rusty.

Sorry about the length. I'm planning on making the next chapter at least 5000 words long (which is about 4 times longer than this one). Hopefully I'll have it up by next Monday. But I'm known among many for my tendency to make promises I can't even come close to keeping…

Thanks for reading.

Merlin

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