Shadow Of My Friend

Disclaimer: I did not create any of the Harry Potter Characters.

Warning: Book 6 spoilers

A/N: This is for a challenge on the Hogwarts Bookshelf. Follow this link to see other entries: http://www.hbookclub.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=contests&action=display&thread=1154324412&page=1

Here are the rules:

Choose a character that is replaced by an impostor. The person could really be replaced and no one knows about it, or everyone thinks that the person is replaced but they are really not, or some mixture between the two . . . you decide!

Basic plot that must be used: Voldemort has an idea to ruin Harry Potter . . . and he has every reason to believe that it will work.

Tasks and Promises

A black panther paced up and down a small room. The crackling fire was the only sound apart from the soft tapping of the paws walking to and fro.

A door opened and the panther turned its curiously blue eyes towards the door. “Is it done?” The panther said in a deep voice.

Silver eyes met icy blue, “Yes, he's dead.”

“Good, I have a new task for you.”

“What is it?” the person asked, their silver eyes flashing in the dim light.

“You will lead Harry Potter to me. I have everything planned and this time we will not fail.” The panther hissed.

The silver eyed person nodded and silently left the room.

The panther watched the door with a small smile, “He will not escape this time.”

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The sun shone a brilliant orange, as the pink skies stretched out over the peaceful farmlands. One house, however, was not in the sleepy state of the others and that was the burrow.

The house itself looked like rooms had been added on where necessary and if you looked close enough, you could see the house sway slightly in the wind. Today it had been made to look beautiful; creeping jasmine curled over the windows and the left overs of the ribbons and flowers still could be seen in arches over the silken grass.

A large group of people were gathered, talking merrily over food and drinks, celebrating the marriage of Bill and Fleur Weasley but one person stood alone. His raven hair blew softly in the gentle breeze and his fierce emerald eyes stared at the happy smiling people that he could never join; his journey was just beginning and no matter how much he tried to join in the smiles, there was too much fear and pain surrounding him.

“Harry?” A voice said softly, awaking him from his musings.

Harry turned and stared at the girl he used to feel so much passion for. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall of fire and her deep chestnut eyes stared at him seriously. Harry felt no more than a feeble fluttering in his stomach as she smiled at him.

“Shouldn't you be celebrating with your family?” Harry asked quietly.

“I wanted to see how you are, you've barely talked to anybody at all!”

Harry sighed, “Ginny, you of all people should know how I'm feeling.”

Ginny looked confused for a minute and was about to speak when a loud panicked scream shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

“Someone come quick!” A frightened voice shouted.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other briefly before they ran over to the commotion.

“What happened?” Harry asked as knelt down by the unconscious Ron.

Gabrielle Delacour looked at Harry tearfully, “I was just going to get some more drinks when I heard this loud clunk and when I went to go investigate I found him lying here unconscious.”

Harry smiled kindly at Gabrielle and pulled out his wand, “Enervate,” he said clearly and watched as Ron opened his deep blue eyes groggily.

“You okay?” Harry asked putting out his hand to help Ron up.

Ron nodded, “Yeah, I tripped over a gnome,” he growled and glared at the gnome trying to climb inside a gumboot.

Harry laughed, “I think you gave Gabrielle quite a fright.”

Ron looked down at Gabrielle and smiled slightly, “Sorry, now weren't we going to get those drinks?”

Gabrielle nodded and followed Ron off towards the kitchen, leaving Harry and Ginny staring at each other.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Harry asked looking away.

Ginny sighed, “Because you're so tense. It's like you're waiting for something bad to happen.”

Harry rolled his eyes slightly, “Maybe that's because now that Dumbledore has gone Voldemort, (Ginny flinched but Harry ignored it) doesn't have to worry about me being protected anymore.”

“Harry you can't keep worrying about him,” Ginny scolded gently.

Harry looked at her disbelievingly, “Ginny don't you get it? I have to keep worrying about him! I have to be the one who fights him, it's my task and no one else can do it!”

“I know that but-”

“Somehow Ginny, I don't think you do.” Harry said quietly, “You don't understand that I can never live a normal life. I can't be carefree like you; I can't just go on with life. I'm the one who has to fight, who has to worry and believe me when I say, being a hero isn't what it's all cracked up to be.” Harry said hollowly, “People look at me and expect me to do great things, they admire me but I'm just a teenage boy Ginny, who just happened to have his parents murdered and now I'm scared, so scared it hurts that the next person to die might be one of you. I can't handle that and that's why I have to distance myself, that's why I can't enjoy this party like everyone else.”

Ginny could only stare at him as though seeing him in a new light. “I'm sorry Harry,” She said quietly, “I'm just going to go see how Ron's doing, okay?”

Harry nodded, “Yeah, sure.”

He watched her walk away and jumped slightly as he felt someone tap his shoulder. Harry turned and smiled slightly as he saw a girl with bushy light brown hair and honey brown eyes smiling at him. “Hermione, where have you been hiding?”

“Well, after you and Ron ran away, I got stuck talking to Percy.” Hermione sighed, “He was trying to talk to me about his latest promotion.”

Harry laughed, “Sorry about that.”

“It's alright,” Hermione replied smiling and looked up at the pink skies, “It's strange to think a wedding can be going on when so much fear and death surrounds us.”

Harry nodded and leaned against the table slightly, “I know.”

“When are we going to leave?” Hermione asked turning to look at him steadily.

Harry shrugged, “I was planning tomorrow but maybe tonight when everyone has gone to bed. I know Mrs Weasley will try find another way to make me stay longer.”

Hermione grinned, “She cares about you Harry.”

“I know,” Harry sighed, “But I'm not a child anymore, I can't keep running from everything.”

Hermione looked at him and touched his arm lightly, “You don't have to do this alone Harry, me and Ron will be there with you every step of the way.”

Harry clasped her hand, “I know, Hermione and I'm grateful for that, I don't know what I would do without you two.”

Hermione smiled and Harry felt something tug at his heart as he looked into her warm honey brown eyes. She was so different to Ginny. Ginny was a stunning beauty with luscious red hair and eyes that burned with passion, where as Hermione, had a simple beauty, being neither startling nor striking, she was just Hermione. He owed her a lot, and he acknowledged that now. All the years she had been by his side and he took her for granted but she was unmovable, never budging when he was mean or dismissive, she was his friend and he hadn't realised until now how much that meant to him.

“Hey you two!” Ron shouted, “Get over here!”

Hermione grinned at Harry and pulled him over towards the crowd of laughing people; neither noticed the flashing eyes that watched them jealously from behind them.

“Alright,” Bill Weasley said laughing, wrapping and arm around Fleur, who seemed to not be able to stop beaming. Harry noticed he still had the scars from where Fenrir had attacked him. “We just wanted to thank you all for coming and-”

“Well, well well,” A cold voice said from behind the crowd, “What a charming gathering.”

Harry turned and saw the cold yellow eyes of Rufus Scrimgour staring up at Bill and Fleur; several other ministry officials were behind him.

Hermione gripped Harry's hand and he gave it a comforting squeeze. “What do you want?” Harry asked coldly.

Rufus smiled, “While you've all been celebrating here, Hogwarts has been under attack from Death Eaters. I'm sure you understand the need for help.”

It was as if a bomb had gone off, everyone was shouting and running as they quickly collected their things. Harry and Hermione found themselves standing next to Ron in the middle of the confusion.

“Take care dears, we'll be back later,” Mrs Weasley said hurriedly and disapparated.

“Well that was odd,” Ron commented.

Hermione nodded and looked at Harry, “What are you going to do?”

Harry frowned, he could go help out but this was the perfect time to start the horcrux hunt. “We'll go now, no one will notice us leaving.”

Hermione and Ron nodded and the three quickly made their way to the broom shed; it would have been easier to disapparate but you couldn't always be sure that it would work and you had to know where you were going so that you didn't get splinched.

“I don't have a broom.” Hermione sighed.

“You can come with me,” Harry replied and helped her up on the broom. He climbed on in front of her, “Just make sure you hold on tight.”

Hermione nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning against his back slightly.

“Come on you two,” Ron shouted from up in the air.

Harry took off into the sky, which was gradually filling with stars as the moon peeped out from the pink clouds. The cool summers breeze blew into their faces and even though Harry knew the future was not going to be bright, at least he was finally doing something and no matter what the outcome, he would be free.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

A man sat lazily in a chair, his fingers caressing a wine glass. The door opened and his crimson eyes flew up to see a black panther walk in.

“Ahh, you're here. What's the news?” The man asked in a soft voice.

“The spy is in position and Harry Potter is on his way here.”

“Very good,” The man said smoothly, “You have done well.”

“Thank you, my lord.” The panther responded bowing, “Is there anything else you wish me to do?”

“No, that will be all.”

The panther bowed again and padded out of the room.

“Soon Harry, we shall meet,” the man said with a satisfied smile as he stared at the flickering candle, “And like the candle being snuffed out, so shall be your life.”

A/N: Review please.