The Seven are watching... they are the key though parted by the Dark Lord, only one can unite them all... It is inevitable. Harry Potter's life comes to a twist when he realizes the risks and consequences of being in a relationship with his best friend and also he has to put a lot of things on his mind. From an overprotctive father, a meddling mother-like figure, a brown-haired boy and the suspiciously delayed war that should have happened months ago... What's happening? FULL SUMMARY INSIDE
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/3207/
Quaffles, Anyone? 2: Dive Into Spirit
Summary
THE SEVEN…
are watching… they are the guardians of the world... though they are separated only one can unite them all.
But that is not just the only thing in store for there is more to it, per se.
The prophecy was broken and the stillness gave no token that this glass orb not just only spoken the secret that Albus Dumbledore has hidden all these years from Harry Potter but of a twist of fate
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…
These words haunted the mind of Harry for he does not know if he'll be murdered or commit murder and to make it even difficult for our young hero, he has yet to unveil this secret to his dearest of friends.
During sixth year, his Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor left without notice leaving nothing but a cryptic letter:
“I don't know when we will meet again. But I doubt it will be sooner… It will be a matter of time till He attacks”
The time has come and Harry must face the man he must destroy to fulfill the prophecy but remember that it is our choices that shows us who we truly are, not our abilities.
It maybe inevitable…
The sequel to Quaffles, Anyone? will show not only a darker tone but a story that contains a lot of problems for The Boy Who Lived. From an overprotective father to a meddling mother-like figure, Lord Voldemort and a brown haired boy who seems to be linked with Harry, Quaffles, Anyone? 2 Dive Into Spirit has one thing to say for itself
It's anything but ordinary…
- - -
Prologue
Tom Marvolo Riddle
The sound of a crying baby echoed in the ward. The doctors grieved for the death of the mother who gave birth to the child… It was only her last breathing moments when she named her new born baby…
Tom Marvolo Riddle
Tom. The name was named after the baby's father who left the mother when he found out she was… a witch
The baby was taken to an orphanage and the caretakers took the baby. They fed him well and gave him comfort. The baby was safe…
When the baby turned five he was shunned by the other orphans since he was antisocial and he was strange and abnormal from the others. He would mutter to himself in corners, draw disturbing pictures in the walls of his room, and talk to the animals in the house. He was an outcast in his own home… if Tom ever called it a home.
He hated that place as he hated his father. When he heard from his caretakers that he and his mother were abandoned by his father… Tom felt a rage of hate and anger and only for a five year old when that piece of information came to him he never knew that he nearly decapitated his guardians when he sent furniture flying across the room.
He was hated by the older boys in the playground. They pushed him and they bullied him till he was weak but still Tom stood and gave them a look of enigma which made him receive more pain.
It was hard times for Tom… he was never liked in that retched orphanage… everyone despised his appearance, his jet black hair that would stand on its edges when he was angry, his skinny figure which made the others think he was malnourished and the scars on his arms and legs which seemed as if he cut himself.
But that changed everything when he turned eleven.
During the summer of nineteen thirty-eight, Tom was just playing in the sandbox watching the other kids playing jackstones, riding on donated bikes, jumping around the jungle gym, and talking among themselves. This made Tom so angry seeing them but the anger soon disappeared when he felt the hot, searing sand hit his face.
“Hey Riddle!”
Tom turned his head and saw the orphanage bully, Jason Weatherby
Jason Weatherby was somewhere around twelve. He had very bushy eyebrows, a big flat nose, very thick limbs and arms that looks like pig skin and very wild and nasty brown hair. He was brought to the orphanage some seven years ago. Tom was still four then. His attitude in the orphanage was anything but positive and he was a problem child to the caretakers. He kicked and he punched every child under his age for food, toys and of course sadism. But Tom was Jason's favorite target. He would push the books Tom read to his face, snatch his juice and snacks, put spiders in Tom's dressers, and would trip him often.
Tom's seven years with Jason were sad and painful ones.
Tom looked at Jason again but didn't say anything
“Nothing to say, eh?” Jason said slyly cracking his knuckles “That's okay. Since when I kick your bloody arse you won't say anything at all! So, where will I hit you first?”
Jason grabbed Tom by collar and gave him a punch on the belly. He dropped Tom on the sand as Tom started shaking in pain as blood started spreading across the sand. He looked up at Jason who kicked more sand in Tom's face. Tom opened his eyes ignoring the stingy feel from the sand and looked at Jason's sick and twisted face
“Come on!” he said gesturing him to stand. The kids started watching instead of playing “Want some?”
Tom wiped his eyes and stood up gingerly. He held his stomach and looked at Jason with anger and hate than ever but received nothing when he gave another blow to the side of his head making Tom fall on his sides.
“JASON WEATHERBY!”
Jason looked behind him and saw the head caretaker, assistant caretaker and some workers in the orphanage look in shock and anger. The caretaker pointed a long and bony finger at Jason and said
“You! Come here!” she shouted brandishing a finger to the inside of the orphanage building
Tom opened his eyes weakly and saw Jason leaving the playground with muttered murmurs from the other orphans.
Before Tom could fall to unconsciousness, he gave Jason a look of hate and anger. He wanted him to pay for all of the things he's done to him then he fell to darkness only to find himself awake inside his bedroom with a bandaged forehead. Tom looked out the window, it was nighttime
To everyone, the night was a time to rest but for Tom (at that time), it was the time to settle some things with Jason.
He was going to do something he wanted to do for a long, long time. As he looked at today's newspaper which he asked for that morning from the caretaker and saw the headline: “Seven Jews Murdered In Germany”. This encourages Tom to do it even more. He wanted to do this ever since. He had sick and twisted dreams about it and he wanted it to be reality. It was time…
Tom swung his legs out of the bed and left the room leaving the door ajar. He went down to the kitchen and started searching around. He made a twisted smile when he saw the set of knives on the far end of the cabinets. He took the smallest and sharpest one and started walking silently to the orphanage quarters on the third floor. His mind and heart didn't hesitate. He knew how much laws and sins he would commit as thoughts of hate, anger and fear crept inside his mind.
He took a turn around the corner and saw the orphanage quarters where he left a minute ago to get to the kitchen. Tom reentered the doors and instead of going to the corridor where his room was, he took a right and saw a new corridor which he's seen rarely.
Tom pocketed the knife carefully as he stood in front of the door of his target. Feeling every part of his body with sadism, Tom turned the doorknob and pushed the door open revealing Jason Weatherby sleeping on his bag.
Tom walked forward and stood beside the bed and looked down at the sleeping figure. He made another sick and twisted smile as he pushed Jason out of the bed.
Startled, Jason fell out of the other side of the bed and stood up looking around in the dark room
“Who's there?” he said in panic as he rubbed his eyes quickly, trying to remove the sheets which were wrapped on his limbs
Tom didn't answer, he stood up on the bed, jumped and pinned Jason to the ground with a loud thud. Jason was about to shout but was cut short when Tom used the tail of the bed sheets to gag Jason.
Jason started flailing his arms as Tom put his hands on Jason's neck. Jason's eyes rolled to the back of his head when Tom started strangling him. Tom released as Jason started catching air. Tom then carried Jason to his feet and pushed him forcefully to the wall making Jason groan in pain.
Tom then continued to wrap the neck of Jason with his hands strangling him. Jason tried to push his face but the air he was losing was making his hands weaker. Tom sneered as Jason started pulling his hands off his neck.
After mustering the scene of Jason suffocating, Tom threw him to the other side of the room which had a bookshelf standing. Jason groaned loudly in pain as his back hit the wooden frames of the bookshelf and knelt down before Tom.
Tom went to his side and grabbed him by the hair. He pulled his head backward making Jason look up at the ceiling in horror. Tom then placed a hard fist on Jason's eye and another one to his cheek. His grip on his hair tightened as he pushed Jason's face to the wooden floorboard. He pulled him up to see the bruises and swollen cheeks. Tom gave him a devilish grin as he rammed hi head to the desk on the corner. He started beating his head numerous times till it started bleeding.
Jason started screaming at the top of his voice as Tom pushed him against the wall but only muffled sounds could be heard.
He has caused Jason so much pain already. Tom thought it was time to the final blow. After punching Jason on the stomach, Tom placed a hand on his neck suffocating him again as he pulled the knife from his pocket. Jason's eyes widened in terror as he started shaking his head in panic but Tom nodded his head slowly his eyes filled with hate, malice and sadism
He pointed the knife at his stomach and started moving forward. Jason pulled his stomach in and started making pleading, helpless noises but Tom just sneered and stopped when the tip of the blade touched Jason's stomach. Jason started breathing heavily but stopped abruptly since the breathing could make the knife's job easier.
Tom gave him a look of triumph and malice. He gave Jason a small nod and in one slowly motion, Tom pushed the knife to the belly of Jason making him moan in pain. Tom pushed it slowly savoring every moment as blood started dripping down to the floor.
Jason made a strangle cry and a yelp as Tom pushed the knife's full length to his belly. After a few seconds, Tom pulled the knife from his belly and threw Jason to the bed. Tom went to him and started making a quick pierces on his legs making Jason cry in pain as he held the wounds of legs. Blood started squirting from Jason's legs making the sheets turn crimson. Jason tried to punch Tom but he received another sharp pain as Tom pierced his arm.
Jason cried in pain as he pushed Tom to the floor. Jason stood up and started limping to the door. Before he could reach the doorknob, he felt Tom kicking him in the back making Jason hit his face hard at the door. He pushed himself from the door leaving blood red handprints on the surface.
Tom pulled Jason to the window and opened it. He looked out and saw the beautiful London scenery where the Parliament and the Big Ben stood proudly. Tom turned his head away from the window and met Jason's fist making him fall to the floor. Tom stood up quickly and used the bed sheets which were still slightly wrapped around Jason's limbs to trip him in an instant pull. Tom looked around and saw the bloodstained bed. He felt his heart race.
Tom used the knife to tear the bed's sheets apart to make a small rope. He walked to Jason and brought him to his feet. Jason watched fearfully as Tom jammed his body to the window sill. Tom wrapped the makeshift rope around Jason's neck. A panic look spread across Jason's face as he shook his head making more muffled pleas
Tom shook his head sneering. He tied Jason's arms together with the excess sheets and grabbed the other end of the makeshift rope and tied it to the doorknob. He went back to Jason and instantly pierced the knife to Jason's chest. Tom removed the tail of the bed sheets that gagged Jason as Jason's screamed in pain but fortunately it was hushed since he was strangled.
Then alas, Tom pushed Jason out of the window. He watched as Jason fell down trying his saddest attempt to remove the makeshift rope from his neck. Then the sound of the doorknob's abrupt creek signaled that Jason's life ended.
Tom sat on the window sill and saw the lifeless hanging body of Jason. For him, it was the sight for sore eyes. After seven years of torture, Tom has finally gotten his revenge.
The next day, the orphanage was in an uproar as everyone saw Jason's dead body hanging from the third floor window. His face and body was bloodied up and had bruises. Tom knew he would be in big trouble but something during the investigation by the police made him wonder.
After the investigation, the police never found any fingerprints or any fibers. As if they magically disappeared. Tom wondered how this happened because after a week when they received the morgue's report on Jason's body, they found no fingerprints or any sign of the murderer
This - as Tom would say - is quite curious and strange…
But that all changed when something strange came to him days later
- - -
On the tenth day of August, Tom received a letter from an unknown source. The letter was different from the others. The caretaker just called Tom to tell him he had a letter. Tom ripped it open only to find questions burst into his mind.
He was a wizard… and he was accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Tom soon realized why these strange things happened. Why the evidence he left when he murdered Jason disappeared, why things started flying around when he was angry. It was all magic. He never knew that.
During his first year in Hogwarts, Tom was sorted to Slytherin and was able to communicate to the students rather well. He then became favored among the students. He was a very talented and was loved by all the teachers. He also learned a lot of things like that wizards called the non-magical folk “Muggles”. Speaking of Muggle, Tom hasn't fully told his fellow Slytherins he was a Muggle since Slytherin was known to house “Purebloods”. But when the news broke out he was a muggle, his fellow students respected him like always.
During the next few years in Hogwarts, he started to develop a gift in the Dark Arts. He would read them in the library and would sometimes test them on animals behind the Care of Magical Creatures teacher.
When he became a prefect, he had more authority and he heard of the Chamber of Secrets. He searched for it and found only to find a shocking secret. He was a descendent of Salazar Slytherin himself. He also spoke the ancient dark art of Parseltongue which earned him respect towards his peers.
With the chamber, Tom was able to set a legendary creature on the students he despised and the ones who Salazar Slytherin loathed, the ones with no pureblood. It was Salazar Slytherin's mission to eliminate the taint in Hogwarts which is the existence of muggle-borns and half-bloods in the school.
Despite Tom's half-blood status, he knew that Salazar Slytherin would respect him in every way. So to respect his forefather, Tom was able to summon the basilisk.
But during the basilisk's reign of terror, Tom was being watched by his Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore was suspicious of Tom's actions. He would always ask Tom if he had anything to say to him but Tom would just say “No”
When his sixth year came, Tom was already adept to the Dark Arts which made his friends become more than friends, like brothers. Tom was interested in immortality, to live forever. Tom was very interested in this which lead to the change of his name and that name would be feared by all since he hated his name “Tom Marvolo Riddle”. A name which belonged to his father and grandfather, two people he loathed.
After months of learning the Dark Arts, he left his dearest friends promising a return. He had unfinished business to do.
He arrived at Little Hangleton on mid-summer. He looked at the edifice of the Riddle House, as knowingly called by Little Hangleton locals. He looked at the front door and saw the gardener, Frank Bryce. He ignored him and like a cat he entered silently into the house.
“Did you hear the door open?” Tom Sr.'s father asked after they said grace in the dining room
Tom Sr. walked to the door and looked outside. Darkness there, and nevermore.
“I see nothing, father” he replied in a smug voice
Tom looked at the door which stood ajar. He gave a look of hatred. He knew this was his chance to take revenge on the people who loathed him. He gripped his phoenix feather wand tightly as he opened the door slowly
The Riddle's looked up and all three gave Tom an odd look
“Who are you?” Mrs. Riddle asked rather snobbishly
Tom walked towards them without a word
Mr. Riddle stood up and pointed a finger at Tom
“Answer the question, young man or there will be trouble”
Then Tom Sr. finally said
“I'll send him out, father… how could a kid be that strong?” he said boastfully
This made Tom raise his wand which startled the Riddles. Mrs. Riddle stood up and said
“Really! What is this? A publicity stunt?” she gave a look to Tom Sr.
Tom Sr. looked at Tom with a pompous look
“Look, if you have nothing to say then I think I should -”
Then in an instant, Tom brandished his wand at Tom Sr. and said
“Crucio!”
Tom Sr. fell to the ground as he writhed in pain. He started twitching as Mr. and Mrs. Riddle looked in terror
“Argh!” Tom Sr. shouted
Tom looked at his grandparents and gave them a taste of what Tom Sr. had and the next thing he knew, the Riddles where flailing at the carpet-tiled floor in pain
“AH!” Tom Sr. shouted as he lunged for Tom
“Immobulus!” Tom chanted as he Tom Sr. stopped in mid-run
He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Riddle and said
“Only death can ease my mind into satisfaction” he muttered angrily as he aimed his wand at both
“Please!” Mrs. Riddle pleaded “Don't hurt us! Give us a chance - we will do anything!”
Tom gave a disgusted look
“Did your son give my mother a chance?” he said coldly “Did he?”
Then a face of realization came to Mr. Riddle's face
“Tom?” he said in a shocked voice
Without further ado, Tom said loudly
“AVADA KEDAVRA!”
A jet of green light illuminated the room and Mr. and Mrs. Riddle fell to the ground in a lifeless state.
Tom turned to his father and did the counter curse for the Freezing Charm. Tom Sr. regained strength and looked at his son in terror
“Tom?” he gave a small chuckle “You've er - grown”
Tom aimed his wand at his chin
“Look, I know what I did was erm - mean but -” he gave a look of false confidence “I know we can sort this out… maybe a little father and son talk?” he smiled nervously
Then a voice in Tom Sr.'s mind said
You are no father of mine… my father is myself
Then just like what he did to his grandparents, Tom saw as his estrange father fell to his death.
Tom fled Little Hangleton and was able to leave undetected just like what he did to Jason Weatherby. He stayed at the orphanage till he returned for his final year at Hogwarts
After his time in Hogwarts, Tom and his dearest of friends delved and dabbled in the dark arts. During the road down to darkness, Tom went off alone to learn the supreme meaning of evil. He disappeared and did magical transformations to himself making his image fearing. He started traveling around Europe and Middle Asia to seek any information about immortality, the object of his fantasies. That was the last time Tom was seen.
Then in nineteen seventy, Tom Marvolo Riddle returns with a new look and the power of the dark arts. Slowly, he gathers his dearest of friends and starts making them followers. He called them “Death Eaters”. Tom then dispatched them to find any information about anything that can make him immortal
Tom and his Death Eaters killed and tortured wizards for sadistic satisfaction. Even on Muggles. His reign of terror reached the peak which forced Dumbledore, Tom's former Transfiguration teacher and current headmaster of Hogwarts, to establish the Order of The Phoenix. An organization to counter the vile plans of Tom Riddle but that didn't stop them since the Death Eaters were more in numbers than the Order.
They continued the killing of many wizards. Especially wizards and witches from the Order. By the end of ninety seventy eight, they killed well-known wizards.
But a fluke entered in the Order, he was in the ranks of the Order and he offered his services to Tom. His name was Peter Pettigrew codenamed “Wormtail”. Wormtail became a spy for Tom and the Death Eaters, feeding information to Tom about the Order's next move giving him the edge in the war.
The Order fought and fought but nothing positive came to them. They were killed, mind-controlled, turned into mad men, etcetera but there were two people that survived so far in Tom's reign of terror, the Potters.
They have escaped from him in many attempts, so far three times thanks to Dumbledore.
Feeling deceived, Tom ignores them and starts concentrating on crippling the Ministry of Magic. Supreme power was nearing him at last but only one man stood on the way, Albus Dumbledore.
During the end of ninety seventy nine, Tom and Dumbledore had a violent duel which caused Tom to flee since Dumbledore was to strong for Tom. Tom feared Dumbledore ever since.
Planning on dominating the Wizarding world wasn't easy with Dumbledore and the Ministry's hit wizards or Aurors watching closely. Then during in one of Tom's planning, he was informed of a prophecy… a prophecy that foretold his downfall by someone. Fortunately for Tom, the one to defeat him is still a baby and the baby belonged to the Potters. A family he's been after a year ago.
Peter Pettigrew informs Tom about the Potter's whereabouts which is in Godric's Hollow just in the outskirts of Bristol.
Tom travels from London to Godric's Hollow to eliminate the Potters. But something stumped his attack that night… it happened when he faced the baby who would vanquish him… when he uttered the Killing Curse… Tom somehow disappeared into darkness… Tom Riddle's reign of terror ended
- - -
Tom surfaced again from the darkness to find himself in many forms fighting this boy named Harry Potter. After endless attempts to kill him, Tom finally regains his original body and his faithful Death Eaters returned to him. Ones again, his reign of terror will continue on and it caused the death of Sirius Black. Tom had the upperhand that time since the Ministry and the Order, former allies during the first war, didn't believe in each others opinions about the return of Tom Riddle. Tom used this to his advantage and tried to seek out the reason why he made a blunder when he attacked the Potters back at Halloween nineteen-eighty one but it required something.
But during the attempt, he was discovered and now, just as last time, Tom and his Death Eaters are out in the open now… thus starting the Second War of the Wizarding world.
First he was known to be the orphan boy named Tom then he became the most talented wizard in Hogwarts named Tom Marvolo Riddle… now he is known as the most feared and darkest wizard of them all… he had a name that everyone feared… Tom was his real name but Tom changed it with the art of anagrams… in the muggle world, he is known as Tom Marvolo Riddle but in the Wizarding world… he is known as…
LORD VOLDEMORT
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Chapter One
The Alpha
Harry unloaded his trunk from the Dursley's car and sighed at the sight of number four, Privet Drive in front of him.
“What are you waiting for, boy?” Uncle Vernon snarled behind him “Get in!”
Harry entered the edifice and climbed up to his room. He opened it to see that it was still the same as he left it last year.
“We're back Hedwig” Harry said calmly putting Hedwig's cage on the desk “And I doubt it will be a happy one”
Hedwig gave a feeble hoot before she drifted to sleep. Harry sat on the foot of his bed and looked out the window
He only realized that an hour ago he was in the magical world with his friends. It seemed nothing at first on the trip to Surrey but ones he pressed the matter, like every year, it feels sad and kind of left out.
Harry laid his back on the bed and ran a hand through his jet black hair. He ran through it again and remembered his haughty father doing this and ceased himself.
Last year began unexpectedly, Harry thought his sixth year would be very sad since his godfather died but during the summer that followed after his fifth year, his friends were there to set his mind straight by being positive.
Sixth year was a very eventful one, considering many surprises like his sudden feelings for Hermione, Alex, mummies, quaffles, Hermione's natural ability in Quidditch, Fiyuna, sabers that glow red, jazz music, angst, romance, etcetera.
His sixth year also marked the arrival of Rapticon Sr., Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. In Harry's opinion, he was the next best thing to Lupin. He knew his subject well and was very optimistic at all times. Harry remembered Rapticon Sr.'s incident with Bumblefoot, a severe dinosaur disease which Rapticon Sr. had since he was a raptor.
Rapticon Sr. wasn't just a teacher per se. He was a soldier and a good one considering the sword which hung on his classroom wall. Harry's memory swirled as he saw Rapticon Sr. slashing dementors near the Whomping Willow months ago as he was trying to save him, Ron and Hermione.
Rapticon Sr. wasn't alone though, he had companions and they were a motley band. On top of the list Harry could pick out was Fiyuna. Rapticon Sr.'s enigmatic assistant. She was very friendly and timid at times but was very polite especially to Harry who shared a brother and sister relationship with her.
Other than that, there was the dynamic duo of Figment and Elvis. Harry smiled when he recalled their funny antics and arguments. Elvis was such a child and Figment was like the guy who warned him when Elvis would act childish.
But apart from all those things, Harry's sixth year was solely base on Hermione. Harry began the sixth year totally normal. He didn't ask for it. He didn't see it coming but his feelings toward her elevated when he saw her going with another boy but in the end, Harry won her heart but he never knew what will happen if they meet again. They didn't even express their affection for each other through words. Harry touched his lips and remembered kissing her in front of the whole school in the Great Hall and his last one which was in the Quidditch pitch. It was much unexpected. Harry would get nervous when he thought of Hermione since his platonic relationship with her did a very fast turn when he admitted that he loved her more than a friend. Harry was already thinking on what he will do if he met her again after summer.
Harry's thoughts decided to explore Hermione. How he met her since his first year in Hogwarts, how he saw her petrified body at the hospital wing, when he and her ventured with the mysterious powers of Time-Turner, when she stood by him when every turned away from him, when she fell in the Department of Mysteries, when she joined the Quidditch team and how he and her realized they cared for each other in a less platonic way.
The thought of Hermione becoming petrified, being wounded in the Department of Mysteries, almost being hit by the Whomping Willow and nearly losing her in their Quidditch matches made Harry feel a weird reaction towards her.
“I have to protect her” Harry muttered to himself
If Harry will pursue his relationship with Hermione even further then that means he has to protect her more than anyone else since he will be seeing Hermione in a new light than a friend.
“Then that means…” Harry's voice faded when he thought of the worst scenario ever.
Harry didn't want to think of it at the time being. He just arrived and now he is thinking that he just brought Hermione to a danger zone.
“No” said Harry to himself “Hermione's safe… I didn't bring her to any trouble… yet”
Harry turned to his side and saw the broom kit Hermione sent him during their third year. Harry remembered the dementors trying to get Sirius. Hermione was there too. Harry reminded himself that Hermione was in trouble, they were going for Sirius, his deceased godfather.
Sirius… that name still pains Harry… the day he fell into the veil was one of the heart stopping moments of Harry's life. He just lost the next best thing to a father and he lost it all because of one person… Bellatrix Lestrange.
At first, Harry would blame himself for Sirius' death but during the time, his friends would tell him otherwise. Harry was in his worst that time but it all changed when Ron and Hermione talked to him when he reached Grimmauld Place before his sixth year.
Harry was very touched that they would do anything to make him think straight and try to put it behind him. Hermione did most of the comforting when she would give him hugs while Ron supported her speeches about that Harry was just doing what he needs to do and that is seeing that Sirius was safe even if he is in the Department of Mysteries or not.
His thoughts brought him back to Hermione. How she comforted him when he was depressed. He didn't notice before but he liked everything about her. The way she worries too much, the way she babble about facts and figures in the books she has read.
Everything that she does seem very attractive to Harry since the incident last year which brought them closer than ever before and thanks to Rapticon Sr., Harry realized he liked Hermione more than a friend.
But something has been bothering him.
If he liked Hermione more than a friend that meant she could be in danger than ever before. Harry felt a twinge of guilt when he remembered Hermione being almost attacked by the Whomping Willow again. But what if Voldemort, the most feared wizard in the entire world, gets her? A thought that stayed idle in Harry's mind since.
During the summer before Harry's fifth year in Hogwarts, he always pictured him and Voldemort fighting and he would imagine Voldemort attacking his friends before him. The consequences would be horrifying if Voldemort found out that Harry and Hermione share a special relationship with each other. The dangers in that scenario are almost inevitable.
Another thing has prodded Harry's brain slightly during his sixth year. Why hasn't Voldemort attacked yet? He has grown to full power two years ago and during Harry's fifth year, he was able to thwart Voldemort's plans but why was he silent last year? There were two encounters that possibly involved the Dark Lord.
One was when the dementors attacked during last Halloween and somehow in the midst of the commotion, Rapticon Sr. didn't attended the Halloween feast but rather pursued the dementors, which Harry thought that would possible since the second encounter was similar. The second was when, as Rapticon Sr. elucidated, Voldemort possessed the Whomping Willow. The reason why Voldemort did that is still unknown.
Harry clapped his forehead. The pain in his scar was coming back again but somehow, Harry was getting used to this. Rubbing his scar, Harry was thinking where was Voldemort and what was he doing… maybe, just maybe he might be planning his biggest onslaught ever but that was near impossible since the Order will be there before he does such a thing.
Harry turned to the ceiling and scratched his ribs. He looked to his right and saw a snow globe which he found during his third year. The contents inside was Santa Clause giving gifts to a child. Harry smiled remembering the Christmas Ball last year. It was such a pretty sight, the music, the decorations and his dance with Hermione and the other girl.
Who was that girl? Harry thought. She was very pretty and she looked exactly like the girl he saw in Fiyuna's pictures in her room. Whoever that girl was, Harry knew she could possibly be Fiyuna but Rapticon Sr. and Fiyuna said that she was a friend, that's all. But why does she act so much like Fiyuna? Was it her?
Then something in Harry's mind when he saw the snow globe made his stomach lurch uncomfortably. The snow globe reminded him of the prophecy… the prophecy that said that Harry could be a murderer or be murdered… Harry can't escape it… the future has been set.
One bad thing was that he still never told the others about it. He doesn't want them to feel shocked at the news and he is also afraid of Hermione's reaction if she did find out. They just took their friendship, if they call it a friendship, to the next level and now he will make her worry too much and also that Harry made her a prime target for Voldemort…
Harry shook his head and sat up. All these thoughts were making him think too much of what's going to happen. Voldemort doesn't know about his relationship about Hermione, he was safe here in Privet Drive, the prophecy will be fulfilled and Harry will stop at nothing to defeat Voldemort. It may make some sacrifices but Harry will try his best to do it.
Then he heard a tapping noise, Harry turned to the window to see a small owl tapping on the window with a letter clamped on its beak. It was Pig, Ron's owl.
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Chapter Two
A Change of Heart
Harry dashed to the window and opened it to let Pig in. The small fluffy owl started hooting frantically while Hedwig watched irritably.
“Come here, you” said Harry snatching it in mid air “What did Ron sent for me?” he asked to the owl taking the letter off of its leg “There you go” Harry made it hover around his desk.
With his eager fingers, Harry ripped off the envelope and took out a somewhat long letter and of course, it's from Ron.
Dear Harry,
I know it's a bit early for mail but maybe a letter from your friend on the first day of summer doesn't hurt, eh?
Anyway, how's time at the Dursley's? Yeah, I know it is rubbish but just let me know how your time there is.
On my side of world, it's pretty boring really, considering the de-gnoming we had to do the moment we portkeyed back here! I was able to use my break to write this letter and mind you, I had to write this while mum started rambling about what she saw at King Cross.
That's what I want to write to you about. Before we left, mum saw Hermione giving you a very - well, as Fred and George would call it - mushy goodbye. Yeah, I know you'll be wondering how we knew that but come on, you and Hermione were in front of us (Actually, you were right on front of us but you two were fairly far away) and Hermione gave you a small kiss on the cheek. Ha! You two lovebirds, and I thought you wanted to keep things private.
When mum asked about this, I was quite mum on it. I just told her that maybe you two were both comfortable together and she just kept on rambling on about it. She's very overprotective of you, Harry. The bottom line is that I never told her and it will stay that way.
Well despite this, I asked mum and dad if you can go to the Burrow like some time before July ends? In that way we can have your birthday here in the Burrow! It will be such fun! Mum can make the dream cake you always wanted. We can invite some neighbors who will be more than happy to attend your birthday, have some Quidditch and - wait… I'm getting a bit too fast there. Just ask - no - plea to your aunt and uncle to come! I want your last summer before Hogwarts a happy one! I'll be waiting for your owl pronto!
Take care, Harry!
Sincerely,
Ron
Harry looked at the letter for a while thinking on what to do. Mrs. Weasley was doing her overprotective mother thing again and if Harry's going to the Burrow with her in that kind of state - and not to mention, Hermione's presence around if she's coming to the Burrow - Harry will have a very difficult time in the place he called second-home to Hogwarts.
Then a new feeling came to Harry: uneasiness. Harry didn't ask for a relationship with Hermione, it just came to him and it was very complicated then so he decided to keep it a secret. Fortunately, Ron and Hermione agreed about it but maybe not today or maybe not tomorrow but someday, someday…
“Someday,” Harry imitated his thoughts “they'll find out”
But the thought of the whole student body of Hogwarts finding out that Hermione and Harry were together would be a bit awkward and somewhat irritating. It was his private life, not theirs.
Harry sighed when he thought of Mrs. Weasley finding out. He stifled a laugh when he thought of her shock when she finds him and Hermione probably snogging in the kitchen of the Burrow, not that he wanted to snog her.
At any rate, it will be revealed and that will be a long, long time till that happens.
The sound of Pig's hoot brought Harry to reality. He looked at Ron's letter and sat on the desk. He took out some parchment and wrote his letter to Ron.
Dear Ron,
Thanks for watching my back like that. I know I'm flattered that Mrs. Weasley considers me as her son-like figure but I can make my own decisions and I chose Hermione.
Harry sighed and looked at the last lines he wrote. After tapping the tip of his quill on the table surface, he continued to write.
Speaking of Hermione, I had this thought I brought her to some… you know, danger. Don't get me wrong but you know the consequences. I don't want her or anyone close to me to die because of me.
And I have another problem, I don't know if Hermione and I being together or whatever you like to call it is something I slightly can't cope… Not saying I don't want to be with her. I feel so lucky to be with her. The point is that I don't know how to keep relationships going. You know what happened to Cho and me! I don't want Hermione to experience the same thing.
Anyway, about going to the Burrow. Sure, I'd love to go. My uncle and aunt will say yes the moment I ask ever since Moody threatened him.
Have a happy summer!
Your friend,
Harry
Harry folded the letter, confident that he wrote the write words, and tied it around Pig's leg.
“Give it to Ron and only Ron, okay? No one from the Weasleys” said Harry patting the tiny owl and sending it off to the window.
Harry watched as Pig disappeared from sight. It was when Harry thought of what will Ron reply when someone knocked on the door.
“What?” Harry answered rather unresponsively
“We need you downstairs” it was Aunt Petunia “Your uncle needs help in the garden”
Harry sighed and left the room not knowing what will happen.
- - -
Dear Harry,
You're going to the Burrow? Great! Can't wait for it! Everyone will be pleased!
Don't worry about your secret. It's safer like galleons in Gringotts and hopefully Fred and George won't try to squeeze something out of me since their joke shop's been very busy lately.
About that Hermione thing…I don't know but I think that you are just too rash about it. I know, I know, you are worried that she might be brought to a danger zone and that you might think that she might end up like Sirius. Don't worry, Harry. If You-Know-Who has to hurt Hermione to get to you, he has to hurt me before anything. I've known you and Hermione since first year and I would do anything to make you safe.
And about the subject of you and Hermione being together? Not a clue. I suggest you write to her about it.
Happy Summer!
Ron
P.S. - Mum set up Lupin and Moody to get you on the seventh of July. See ya at the Burrow!
This letter was sent to Harry just hours ago. It's been over a week since he wrote to Ron and now Harry found some new excitement. Seventh of July? That's only a few days away and Harry thought Ron stuffed the letter improperly since the letter looked crumpled.
Harry folded Ron's letter, put it inside his pocket and started to pull out the weeds on the Dursley's backyard which he's been doing all day.
The Dursley's has been suspiciously quiet with him lately except Dudley since he's been talking about going to the wrestling team next term. This made Harry a bit irritated and puzzled considering the weight Dudley had.
“Now, now, Dudley” Vernon looked at his son during one dull dinner “We know that you are pursuing your dreams but first we have to work on your appetite. Your mother has arranged a new diet program for you.”
Harry could have sworn he saw Dudley grumbling when he halfheartedly accepted the diet only if everyone came with him which, to Harry's dismay, everyone agreed to.
While pulling out his seventieth weed, Harry thought of the encounter he and Dudley had with the dementor. That was one of the events that made Harry think that Surrey is not that safe anymore. But what caught Harry's attention that night was Dudley's reaction towards it. Up to now, Harry will never know what terrible memory the dementor projected in his brain. If he has a brain, Harry thought.
Another half hour past and the backyard look nearly flawless. Harry thought he outdone himself with this one since it's been four days without any hard work.
Putting the stool and the gardening tools in the shed, Harry decided to tell his Uncle and Aunt the time and place on when he will leave.
“Uncle Vernon?” Harry asked when he entered the house to find the Dursley's in the living room watching a movie.
Uncle Vernon grunted and looked at Harry with irate.
“What is it now, boy? I thought we agreed that you can go to those weird lots”
“Actually, I came here to tell you that I'll be going there on the seventh of July” Harry took out his letter “They just owl - I mean mailed me”
Uncle Vernon stared at the letter and just waved his hand impatiently.
“Yes, yes, fine” he grunted looking away from Harry to the television set.
“Thank you” Harry replied sophisticatedly with a small bow and left the room. Harry wondered why his Uncle would say yes without arguing and realized that Moody threatened his Uncle if Harry was being mistreated.
- - -
I suggest you write to her about it…
Harry stood in front of his desk in the bedroom looking at an empty piece of parchment.
The suggestion Ron made to Harry about his unsure temperament on his relationship with Hermione was to write to her and after thinking for two whole days, it was time to write to her about it.
It wasn't easy as he thought it would be though.
“Dear Hermione,” Harry muttered as he wrote what he said on the parchment and pressed his back on the chair “What write next?”
A memory of last Valentine's Day came to him. It was hard at first but after help from his friends, Harry was able to write a Valentine's greeting to Hermione.
After minutes of thinking, Harry finally wrote:
Dear Hermione,
How's everything on your side? Well, I've been having a lot to think lately.
The things I've been thinking lately are well, kind of confusing really. I don't know how to write it to you at first but now I'm going tell you how I feel at the moment.
Harry paused after this line. He doesn't know if he liked to continue. Hermione is Harry's best friend for crying out loud! Why was he nervous? They were both comfortable when they parted at King Cross, why was he nervous writing to Hermione? She would understand, she's a smart girl. Very smart without a doubt.
With a small sigh, Harry continued.
I have this certain thing on my head that kept bothering me for the past few days and it involves you, how surprising. Anyway, the thing that bothers me is that I'm somewhat nervous about us… you know what I mean.
It's not that I don't like being with you. I enjoy being with you and I love it, a lot. It means so much to me. But I'm worried you might suffer from so much danger like Voldemort, Death Eaters and the like. I don't want anything to happen to you or to anyone close to me.
There is another thing I'm worried about, I don't want our - you know - relationship to end up like what happened to me and Cho. I know that we have been friends for six years now and we have a good start but I just don't want to… I don't have the right words for the moment but I have this to say: I don't want to…
Harry ceased himself from continuing. This letter is getting too serious. All he wanted was a simple one but he felt better that he is letting it all out in paper, let alone Hermione who will be receiving the said letter anytime soon if he sent it. Gathering up his courage, he wrote on:
…lose the friendship and bond we built throughout these years. I'm still new to this and kinda inexperienced with it. I hate to admit but I never asked for a relationship with you, it swooped in like wind. See Hermione? I don't want my inexperience with girls to hurt you or insult in any way despite that I'm comfortable with you already.
I wish I could say the three letter word but I'm still new to this thing. Maybe if we developed our relationship a bit further, maybe we can say it… but not now, I'm sorry.
If I'm not making you feel better then I understand if you throw me a hate mail or something but please understand… please…you are my best friend after all.
Love,
Harry
He folded the letter and placed it inside an envelope. When he sealed it, he had second thoughts on Hermione's reply. Would it be a reply with anger? Or understanding?
This made Harry panic a bit but it ebbed away when he decided one thing.
“Send it on another day” he opened his trunk and tucked the letter in one of his robe's pockets.
Nothing to do till dinner…
On his back, Harry laid on the bed thinking of what will happen tomorrow. Only one day to go and he will be fetched by Lupin and Moody. The thought of the Weasley's beaming faces when he entered the Burrow made his face spread in a smile. He can't wait to leave this place.
Harry closed his eyes and tried to imagine Mrs. Weasley's motherly smile as she served him crispy bacon and fat juicy sausages sided with a nice sunny-side up egg. He thought he was hearing voices since he could here voices downstairs from his door which stood ajar.
“Yes, who is it?” it was Uncle Vernon as the sound of a swinging front door came.
Letting out a puff of air, Harry ignored Uncle Vernon and went back to thinking about the birthday he would dream of. Ron mentioned that they could have his birthday their in the Burrow. The thought of party banners, cake, food, and birthday greetings made Harry felt a rush of excitement since he never had a birthday party before. Quidditch with the Weasley's will be something to look forward to. Ron's keeping ability and Ginny's chasing ability will add to the fun in the game and hopefully Fred and George might be available to play including Bill and Charlie.
His thoughts went back to earth when he heard the sound of his bedroom door open widely. Harry looked up to see Uncle Vernon walking inside and gave him a comforting look as if Harry was his favorite nephew.
“Harry,” Uncle Vernon spoke rather happily “I know you are excited about your visit to your friends and I know tomorrow is…”
Harry was a bit startled when Uncle Vernon walked across the room and looked at the personalized calendar Harry made for himself every year.
“… July seven” Uncle Vernon tapped his finger on the square that had number seven on the upper left with a small note that said “Going to the Burrow”.
Something was going on. Harry wondered why but Uncle Vernon was somewhat in high spirits (which looked creepy to Harry) to see Harry's wizarding looking room.
“Anywho,” Uncle Vernon continued walking to the threshold “I came here to ask if you want to go to your friend's place today?”
This showed the clear sign that something was wrong. Harry sat up and gave his Uncle a puzzling look.
“But do you know where they live?” Harry asked
Uncle Vernon nodded thoughtfully and said
“Ottery St. Catchpole”
“How did you know that?” Harry was getting to the bottom of Uncle Vernon's sudden knowledge of where Ron and his family lived.
“Aunt Petunia and I read the letter that man wrote two summers ago. Who was he again?”
“Er - Lupin?”
“Yes, yes” Uncle Vernon nodded “the place was mentioned there and we know that those red-heads live there”
Unsure on what to do, Harry asked
“You are taking me to the Burrow? Today?”
Uncle Vernon nodded and clapped his hands together.
“Well, pack up your things!” he joyfully said “Best be off. I'll be waiting downstairs when you're ready”
“It might take long though” Harry said “I need to write a letter to my -”
“No need to” said Uncle Vernon “We need to hurry fast. Would you think surprising your friends would be a good idea? Kind of adds to the esteem in you”
With a nod, Uncle Vernon left the room leaving a befuddled Harry.
“What's going on?” he thought to himself
- - -
Harry dragged his trunk downstairs and saw Uncle Vernon holding the front door open.
“Ah, done are you?” he greeted happily “I'll get that for you, Harry”
Harry gave his trunk to Uncle Vernon while he exited out of the house. The car was running and Harry noticed Aunt Petunia and Dudley were in the car.
“Why are Aunt Petunia and Dudley inside?” Harry asked as he saw Uncle Vernon closing the back of the car.
“Er - there is something in Southampton we need to pass by” he replied quickly
“Oh” Harry climbed inside and sat beside Dudley. Somehow, Dudley was silent and so was Aunt Petunia.
Uncle Vernon climbed inside the driver's seat
“Ready everyone?”
Harry nodded and noticed Dudley and Aunt Petunia weren't replying. Harry could catch a glimpse of Dudley's eyes which were slightly anxious.
Something weird is going on, Harry thought but kept it to himself.
The sound of tires grazing on the tarmac of number four rang in Harry's ears and in one turn of the car, they were now on the move.
Chapter Three
Fleeing From Surrey
Harry didn't talk for the whole trip. All he did was pat the cage of Hedwig who was inside sleeping. Why did Uncle Vernon offer to bring him to the Burrow? Does he know where it is? Why are Aunt Petunia and Dudley coming? What's going on?
“Dudley” Harry finally spoke
Dudley turned to Harry and raised his eyebrows
“Er - Is Uncle Vernon acting a bit… strange?”
“He's seems perfectly normal” Dudley replied in a surprisingly casual tone as if Harry and Dudley were close friends.
Harry sighed and looked out the window to see the Surrey nightlife. They were in a commercial zone and Harry could see convenient stores, ice cream parlors, small shops, malt shops, and etcetera. Harry tried to remove his wariness by thinking of the Burrow again. He was already wandering if Ron and the Weasleys would be surprised to see him on their doorstep. Harry smiled at the thought and suddenly his thoughts took a turn and now he was thinking of Mrs. Weasley setting Harry up with Ginny while Hermione wasn't there which made Harry frown.
After a few moments, Harry leaned on the back of the seat and watched as the car stopped on an intersection. He heard the drumming of Uncle Vernon's fingers on the wheel while he hummed a tune. Harry looked outside to see a couple looking at the new pair of jeans which were displayed behind a display window. Harry looked beside the shop and saw the stoplights which were now in red. Harry looked at the pole which held the stoplights, there was a green sign with white borders and there was something written on it in white ink.
Wimbledon
Forward
Oxford
Left
Canterbury
Right
This made Harry wonder… isn't Ottery St. Catchpole all the way to the west? Then why were they going east? Or rather, why were they going the wrong way?
“Uncle Vernon?” Harry asked shifting forward so his head was between the gap that separated the driver and the passenger seat “Why are we going to Wimbledon?”
“We are taking a shortcut” he said at once “Sit back or you might hurt yourself. Harry”
Harry sat back on the backseat and wondered what the shortcut might be. Then he saw it. He rubbed his eyes and looked at it again. It was real.
Above Uncle Vernon was the mirror that showed the back of the car. Harry, who was looking around, saw something with the rearview mirror. To his horror, it was someone in a black cloak and he had a mask on his face. It was a Death Eater.
Harry froze. The Death Eater was standing behind them on the sidewalk nearby and he or she was using magic on the Dursley's. Harry then already understood why Uncle Vernon was so different. He was under the Imperius Curse.
Harry gulped and looked at Hedwig who was still sleeping in her cage. Maybe he can write a letter now and let Hedwig send it whilst he duels the Death Eater. Too risky but he thought that the Death might think better than to kill Harry since Voldemort will probably want him and the Death Eater now is sending him to wherever Voldemort is.
He took out a small piece of paper in his pocket and took out the mini quill Ron gave him last summer. He wrote:
Ron,
I can't tell you much right now. There's been a change of plan. I'm leaving Surrey as you read this.
Find me if you can. I need you're help.
Harry
P.S.
Tell the Order about Death Eaters in Surrey
Harry prodded Hedwig awake
“Hedwig,” he whispered “take this letter to Ron. I need this sent to him pronto, okay?”
Hedwig hooted as she clamped the letter with her beak. Harry smiled and looked at the stoplights. It was still red.
It's now or never.
“Sorry,” Harry said clearly making the Dursley's look at him “But I have to go now”
He opened the door in one swift motion and climbed out of the car.
“Hedwig, go!” he opened the cage and Hedwig flew to the night. Harry looked up and saw Hedwig disappeared as the clouds ate her up.
“Argh!”
Harry fell on all fours as a jet of red sparks grazed his cheek making him bleed. He heard screams from the pedestrians and the people from the cars.
“Come here!” he heard the Death Eater shout
Harry stood up and pointed his wand on the trunk of the car and shouted
“Alohomora!”
With a click, Harry took out his trunk avoiding another red spark from the Death Eater and Harry broke into a run.
“Come back here, Potter!” he bellowed “Stupefy!”
Harry turned on his heel and took out his wand
“Protego!”
The red spark bounced back and hit a closed jewelry shop which burst into flames making the cars nearby accelerated ignoring the red light. Harry noticed the Dudley's car was with them. He was all alone.
Harry took the distraction to his advantage and started running to the other side of the road but he was blocked when a wall of fire surrounded him and the Death Eater.
“There is no place for you to go, Potter. The Dark Lord will be pleased to see you”
He had no choice. The only way to get out is to duel with the Death Eater. Harry pointed his wand at him and said
“If he wants me, then I won't make it easy for him”
The Death Eater pointed his wand at Harry and shouted
“Incendio!”
Harry tossed himself to the ground as the jet of light passed through him hitting the stoplight which exploded and fell to the ground. Harry saw sparks coming out of the broken stoplights while the passersby ran in panic.
“C'mon Potter!”
Harry scrambled to his feet
“Wingardium Leviosa!”
The Death Eater looked to his left when a fragment of glass from the jewelry shop dashed to him as it pierced through his shoulder making him shriek in pain.
“AAAHHH!!!”
Harry nearly threw up when he saw the blood squirting out of the Death Eater's shoulder while he held it with his right hand.
“Expelliarmus!”
Harry's wand flew to the air and the Death Eater caught it. The Death Eater then pulled the glass out of his shoulder in tremendous effort and looked at Harry. Harry could tell he was making a smirk.
“Now” he point his wand and Harry's wand at Harry “Cooperate! Imperio!”
Harry stood still while the Death Eater made an evil cackle.
“Let's have fun, eh? Punch your belly!”
Harry tried to control it but his balled fist hit his stomach making him fall on his knees.
“One more time!”
The Death Eater started laughing when Harry punched his stomach three times making him cough up blood from his mouth. Harry was already in all fours coughing all the blood out.
“Barty told me that you can withstand the power of the Imperius Curse. Why? The Dark Lord got you scared?” he chuckled “Now let's see that small cry of yours when I give you excruciating pain…”
Harry knew what was coming. He was going to suffer a curse that he experience before. A curse that can give him supreme pain.
“Let's see you scream in pain… Crucio!
Then out of the blue a small feminine voice echoed in his head…
“Harry!”
Harry looked up and rolled sideways to avoid the Cruciatic Curse
“Fast one, are you?” the Death chortled “Then let's see if you can avoid this! AVADA KEDA -”
Harry was getting ready to dodge but the sound of the roaring engine rang his ears and the next thing he knew, he saw the Dursley's car driving through the ring of flames. The Death Eater's eyes widened when the car bumped into him making him fly a few feet above.
Harry looked at the car and saw Aunt Petunia opening the window and shouted.
“Run! Do as I say!”
For the first time in his life, Harry felt good that the Dursley's were there
“You heard your aunt! Run!” Uncle Vernon shouted
Harry nodded, took his trunk, stuffed Hedwig's cage inside and ran out of the flames which died already since the one who cast it is knocked out.
He never looked back. All he did was run and run until he reached the dark alleyway. Harry didn't know how much he ran but the he remembered passing by a slum area then he passed down a street which lead him to a small countryside far away from civilization.
It was at this time Harry sat on the side of road and massaged his stomach feeling the pain in every massage. Harry groaned and looked around at the dark path.
The Death Eater was sent to get Harry. Voldemort must've been looking for him but how did he know that Harry was going to the Burrow tomorrow? Were they bugged or -
Then it hit him. Pig was intercepted. He wondered why Ron's letter looked crumpled at first. Someone from Voldemort's side must have caught Pig and read the letter then that means… Voldemort probably knows about his and Hermione's relationship.
“Damn” Harry groaned burying his face in his hands.
He had nowhere to go. Sure, he can go to London but he was still near Little Whinging and that is still a long way off.
“The Knight Bus” Harry whispered
He reached for his pocket and felt nothing inside. He searched the other but there was nothing in there too.
“Oh no”
He remembered the Death Eater disarming him from his warm back at the duel. Stupidity and anger crawled to his face as Harry slid a hand from his forehead to his chin.
“Great, no wand and no owl”
Harry kicked a nearby fence which blocked Harry from the large field beyond. Seeing the chipped wood of the fence reminded him of his broomstick… his Firebolt.
Harry opened his trunk and took out his Firebolt. He could fly to London and maybe go to Grimmauld Place or somewhere in London worth staying and waiting for the Weasleys or he can fly to Ottery St. Catchpole and go to the Burrow. Simple as that.
Then he can use a featherweight charm on his trunk so he can carry it without difficulty. He made that suggestion three years ago.
But he didn't have his wand and if he tried to fly to the Burrow with a heavy trunk then he'll probably fall off and crash.
“Tonks could do it” Harry thought remembering his trip to Grimmauld Place two summers ago “Maybe I can do it”
Harry dug into his trunk and took out a long rope which he found somewhere in Hogwarts. He tied his trunk behind his Firebolt and mounted on his broom.
“Burrow” Harry said looking around if he forgot something “here I come”
Harry kicked his broom and was surprised to see that his broomstick could carry his trunk as if it was only a pound.
Seeing no other problems with his broom or his trunk, Harry took off to the night.
- - -
A brown haired boy ran down the sidewalk and to his surprise, he saw the whole street in ruins. The stoplights were sparking and embers of fire danced at the tarmac while police surveyed the area.
The boy ran towards the yellow tape barrier and saw a nearby police officer who was examining a piece of glass which was filled with blood.
“Officer Tenpenny” the boy called the officer's name.
The officer named Tenpenny looked up and saw the brown haired boy and sighed.
“What is it now?” he spoke in a deep voice which had a semi-American accent
“What happened?” the boy asked looking at what's left of the jewelry shop where his grandmother used to by her ornaments.
“Just a little accident with the cars, that's all. Probably someone carjacked here” he pointed to the abandoned car at the end of the street “We didn't find any bullet shells or any bullet holes so a gunshot battle is doubtful. But we did find this”
To the boy's astonishment, it was a fairly long stick that was nicely shaped.
“I can't make out of it” Tenpenny said
“Er - can I have it?” the boy said
“Why?”
“Er - I think it's mine”
“Really?” he raised a suspicious eyebrow and looked into the boy's brilliant green eyes “Were you here a while ago?”
The boy gave him a smirk
“You were in my house for dinner when they reported this incident and you still owe my guardian five pounds”
This seems to affect Tenpenny since he lowered down to the young boy and whispered.
“Alright, don't tell anyone I gave it to you. Fortunately, I only found it now. Here,” he gave the stick to the boy “now go or else you might get caught. Take care”
“Thanks” said the boy sliding the stick down his pocket of his jeans.
The boy bade goodbye to the police officer and left with the stick that the brown haired boy knew right away was a wand.
- - -
Harry didn't know where he was. It's been an hour since he departed and now he's tired, cold and his cheek was stinging from the attack earlier.
He didn't know what happened but he suddenly found himself land in the middle of a wide road. Harry looked around and somehow, he recognized the place. As if he was here during his childhood…
Looking around, Harry saw a sign that told him he wasn't in Ottery St. Catchpole.
Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton Down, Clifton
He was in Bristol.
Chapter Four
Welcome to Bristol
Harry scratched his head irritably as he dragged his trunk with his Firebolt in his left hand at the shade of a bus stop. He was in Bristol. Another place which is still faraway from Ottery St. Catchpole and he was too tired to travel.
“Where's Hedwig when I need him”
Harry had no other choice but to spend the night in Bristol but where will he stay? Maybe a hotel will do but all he has is wizard money and Gringotts is all the way in London. Tough luck.
Feeling a pit in his stomach, Harry looked at his wristwatch to see it was already one o'clock in the morning. He was grateful that it was really late or he might suffer the suspicious eyes from the pedestrians.
“Ouch” he gasped clapping his forehead
He started to worry when his scar started searing in pain. Harry tried to convince himself that Voldemort was angry when he, Harry, has escaped from the clutches of the Death Eater than Voldemort himself being in Bristol.
This though also made Harry consider that without his wand, he is not safe in the streets especially at this time when a Death Eater nearly decapitated your head off.
Harry left the bus stop with his trunk and began trekking down the bayside road of North Bristol.
- - -
The brown haired boy pedaled even faster. He needed to see if he was still their, still safe with his uncle and aunt.
The boy stopped in front of a house at Privet Drive. He checked around to see that the car of the owners was still there and the lights were still on except on the second floor room. It was dark and empty. The boy sighed with worry.
Is he okay? Without his wand, he can never survive… So much to do, so little time…
After looking at the house, the boy swung a leg over his bike and left number four, Privet Drive.
“I have to contact them”
The boy took a turn to Magnolia Road. He had to warn him about the departure… He is the last of the Seven to unite them all…
- - -
It sucked being here in the night… It wasn't his kind of thing. He always wanted to be in the action but his superior told him to keep watch just in case he comes.
He was fairly short and he would conceal his whole being in an emerald green cloak with his hood up. He carries a battered brown briefcase that stored his weapon and mind you, he isn't a wizard.
He looked around the driveway of Number Eight, Wisteria Walk. He was sitting on the fence with his right foot resting on it while his elbow rested on the right legs knee.
“Damn, where are you?” he muttered under his sly American voice
Cue to this, a brown-haired boy on a bicycle appeared down the alley that was connected to Magnolia Road. The boy pulled to a stop.
“About time you are here”
The boy raised an eyebrow to the emerald green cloaked enigma
“Sorry, I was checking out something”
The boy brought his bike to the front garage and looked at the individual who was sitting on his house's fence.
“You came for a message, right?” the boy asked tilting his head
“In fact, yes… that's why I'm here and not just that. He told me to keep watch of you”
The brown haired boy sighed.
“He doesn't trust me, right?”
The green emerald cloaked one scoffed
“He trusts anyone who trusts him back. I worked for him for sixteen years already, though,” he frowned “he still picks on my persona”
The boy walked to him and sat on the fence beside him. The green cloaked enigma sensed a disturbance with the twelve year old.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?” he asked
The boy looked at the dark area of the hood and nodded
“I have a lot to tell you… I think he's in danger”
“You don't think he is… you know he is. Harry is in a lot of trouble, hasn't he? Fire away, I don't have all day” then the emerald green cloaked one waved his hand signaling for the boy to tell everything.
- - -
Four hours has passed and Harry has no idea where to go. He has seen a lot of scary and disturbing things during his travel across the city of Bristol when of them is when he saw two thugs beating up late night passersby and unarmed of a wand, Harry had to keep his distance.
As of now, Harry was now walking down the outskirts of a quiet street down the lane.
“Where am I?”
Scratching his eye which was itching due to tiredness, Harry scanned the small street. The only large structure was a small convenience store that had a sign that stated it was open for twenty-four hours. Harry didn't have the time for food since he doesn't have any Muggle money so a trip to the store was out of the question. The cold feeling down his spine was quite unusual though.
Harry traveled pass the convenient store and froze when he saw the fourth of many unusual things since he arrived here.
Just like what happened the night before, Harry spotted not one but two Death Eaters walking silently down the rows of houses. Harry panicked. He didn't know where to go. They probably knew where he was. Harry checked around his clothes if there was some magical tracking device the first Death Eater might plant.
“Oh, rubbish” Harry whispered
He looked behind him and saw the convenient store. It was his last resort. Harry began skulking to the store and in quick motion, he finally entered.
The store was small and it had only one clerk behind the counter. The customers were not there, except for one at the other end of the store.
“Anything, I can help you with?” the clerk asked in a jolly yet tired voice
“Nothing,” Harry said quickly “I'm just gonna browse”
Harry looked behind him where a window stood and swore silently as the two Death Eaters started walking down towards the store.
Harry silently walked behind a shelf and peeked at the entrance.
The two cloaked men entered and went to the clerk.
“Anything I can do for the misters?”
“We are looking for this person” the tall Death Eater asked. Harry saw him holding out a Muggle Polaroid picture which had - to Harry's bemusement - his own picture in it.
- - -
A raptor in a brown coat walked down a lone corridor. He knew he could bail him out. Damn, he thought, the kid was defending himself… he was attacked by a Death Eater after all…
Corruption lay inside the walls of this place. He knew it. He was a leader himself!
The raptor was about to turn when a brown tawny owl fluttered pass him, with a letter clamped to his beak. It hooted at him telling him the letter was for him.
- - -
“Well?” the short one asked drumming his fingers on the counter impatiently
Harry silently prayed as he saw a female customer he saw earlier browsing an aisle away from him. Fortunately, there was an exit. An alternative door.
“Hmmm… yes,” the clerk spoke “He just came in. He went that way”
It was his cue. Harry spun around and accidentally hit the female customer who was wearing a pink hoody with her hood up.
“Sorry” Harry apologized picking up her basket and giving it to her
“Its okay -” she replied stopping when she looked up at him.
Harry cleared his throat and passed her. He needed to get out of here.
“Finally” Harry muttered as he got out of the store. He started to run for his trunk which he left at the other side of the store when a voice called out.
“Excuse me”
Harry turned to the one who called him and saw the person he bumped into earlier.
“Er - yes, miss?”
The person just stared at him and asked
“Oh my…”
“Do you need anything?” Harry asked quickly “I'm a bit in a hurry”
“I know” she replied a smile spreading across her face. Harry recognized that smile.
In a one quick motion, the girl pulled her hood down to reveal the last person Harry would ever think of living in this place…
Please Read and Review!!!
For those of you who don't know (and I'm sure a lot of you know by now) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is coming out on July 16, 2005! Yey! Merry Christmas!
Chapter Five
Reunited
The Big Ben was one of the most fascinating structures in all of England. It was a sight of many eyes. A clock, a tower, a landmark, etcetera.
But tonight the Big Ben is right now a checkpoint for the boy and the green cloaked enigma. They were at the top of the clock tower where the boy was standing beside the green cloaked enigma who was squatting with his long battered briefcase behind him. They were both sitting at the edge of the clock tower's top and they both gazed at the beauty that is London.
The news of Harry leaving for London shocked him. The boy was right. When he and the boy ran to the street the incident happened, there was no sign of Harry…
Except his wand.
“So this is a wand?” the green cloaked one asked as he held the one in arm's length gazing at the wonderful holly material.
The boy nodded as the green cloaked one continued.
“Why would you think Harry's here?”
“They were going to London's direction” the boy slowly raked his chestnut brown hair against the slightly strong breeze.
“How are you so sure?” his sniper skills kicking up again “I suppose he took the other way round” he stood up and started walking the catwalk “It would be suicide for the Boy Who Lived to be here especially when Death Eaters are crawling around for him! You said so yourself, the Death Eaters are planning to get him on his way to London. Of course as they always say: `Always have plan B'” he stopped and turned to the boy “If Harry passes the first guard then he would be expecting more here on London or on the way but he probably took another way. Besides, where can he go here?”
“The Order of Phoenix headquarters. It's in Grimmauld Place”the brown haired boy spoke pointing at the distance.
“Order of the what?”
“The Order of the Phoenix… my aunt and uncle were members till they got murdered” he frowned
“By who?”
“Voldemort” the boy said sadly
“Now that's someone I know”
There was a long silence as the sound of the breeze and the sound of the clock's machinery hummed underneath them.
“If you say that Harry's not here,” the boy looked at him “then where is he?”
The green cloaked opened his battered suitcase to reveal a long old-fashioned sniper rifle that looks like it was used for numerous times.
“Anywhere but here” the green cloaked enigma peeked at the scope looking for any sign of activity at the London streets.
- - -
Harry's mouth fell open shocked to see the girl who was standing right in front of him. She was shorter than Harry, bushy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes.
“H-Hermione?” Harry chocked
She made a small squeak as she ran to him and gave him a bone breaking hug.
“It is you!” she hugged tighter while Harry started feeling numb around.
It was in between his shock and happiness that Harry realized that there were two people in the store looking for him.
“Hermione, let go first” Harry pushed her away and dragged her behind a nearby vending machine.
“What?” she asked still smiling. Harry noticed tears of joy in her chocolate brown orbs.
“Sh!”
Harry peeked around the corner and saw the two Death Eaters walking out of the store.
“I think he went that way” one of them said as the other followed suit then they were gone.
“Whew” Harry wiped his forehead and saw Hermione peeking around the corner like Harry was.
“What was that?”
“Death Eaters” Harry said looking at her
“Death Eaters? Here in Bristol?” she covered her mouth
“Yeah,” Harry replied “but before we get to any complications… what are you doing here?”
“That was the same question I should be asking you” Hermione poked him on the chess playfully “What are you doing in Bristol?”
“Not now, Hermione” Harry looked around the street for any sign of life “I'll tell you later”
Harry then realized how close they were. Hermione's back was against the vending machine while his body was blocking her from moving around. He took a step back and realized the one who Harry worried the most was right in front of him…
Hermione seemed to read his mind.
“What's wrong Harry?”
“Nothing… I just wondered what are you doing here of all places”
Hermione shook her head with a smirk.
“I've been your best friend for six years and I forgot to tell you where I live! How stupid of me? Anyway, this is my hometown, Bristol. My house is at the outskirts of the city”
Harry saw her beaming at him.
“Is this a blind date or what?” she asked quietly
“Er - I dunno… well, what are you doing here at this time of the night?”
Then Hermione clapped her mouth.
“Oh my gosh! My groceries!” then she rushed into the store coming back with a small paper bag under her arms.
“Well, after that interruption” Harry continued “I just want to ask what were you doing here up so early?”
Hermione started looking guilty and spoke quietly.
“I-I was er - I was” she sighed “Alright, to tell you the truth, Harry.” she winced “I-I have this thing… well, more like an urge of well… you know - chocolates. Don't tell my parents about it!” she added quickly, her fingers tangled with each other.
“Er - why?” Harry asked
“Of course, they are strict with me when it comes to sweets. That's why I bought them right now”
“Are you - are you on sugar high?” Harry gave her a look of concern
“No” she shook her head “I'm controlling the habit though”
“How many do you got in the bag?”
“Er -” she looked into the bag “Twenty-six candy bars”
Harry's eyebrows disappeared under his bangs.
“Twenty-six? I thought you were controlling -”
Hermione then pressed a finger to his lips.
“I know, I know” she sighed “But this is what I want. It's my choice. No one pushes me around, remember?” she assured Harry in her bossy voice.
Harry nodded and then become conscious of the area he is at.
“This is your hometown, right?”
“Yes… actually, I used to live here in the main city but we live right now in the outskirts just west of Bristol. Unfortunately, there are no stores nearby and this is the closest I can get.”
“Where is your home, then?” Harry looked around
“Come to meet the parents?” she smirked “Alright. C'mon, just be yourself and maybe this blind date might be worthwhile after all”
- - -
The green cloaked enigma tapped the top of his sniper rifle still peering into the scope which was now scanning the Parliament then London Bridge. It was already ages passed since they explored the street where Harry and the Death Eater had that encounter and still no sign of the Boy Who Lived.
It was nearing sunrise. The orange glow that illuminated the eastern parts of London was now evident and the upper edifice of the Big Ben had a tint of orange.
The brown haired boy walked along the catwalk to view the wonderful sunrise. It was rare for London to have some sun and this was a rare sight for the young boy.
“Beautiful, isn't?” the boy muttered
“Yeah,” the green cloaked one replied looking over his scope to view the yellow sphere rising “A friend of mine always said that the last thing he would want to see is the sunrise. He says that dying at the rising sun shows a form of glory to your soul… it's like being in new life… just like when Christ rose from the dead at sunrise…”
The boy smiled. Very symbolic, he thought.
“Who said that?”
“My mentor… he was your professor last term”
“Oh” the boy raked his brown hair “Where is he?”
“Anywhere but here -”
The green cloaked one stopped on mid-talk and started looking behind him.
“What?” the boy asked looking at the sniper's sudden silence.
“I heard something…”
Then the boy heard it too. It was a sound of the swish of a cloak.
“Did you hear it?” the green cloaked stood up putting his rifle inside the battered briefcase and took out a long silver dagger from inside his green cloak. The boy noticed ethereal engravings on the blade.
“Yeah,”
Nothing but silence was in the area around the two enigmas. The boy took out Harry's wand and his own.
“I see you are a dual wielder” the green cloaked enigma spoke moving inside the window which they came from that lead to the clockworks of the Big Ben. “Impressive. For an amateur”
The two entered the Big Ben's innards and the sound of tick and tock echoed the room. Though noisy, the atmosphere was tense.
Before they could make their way down, the green cloaked turned to the boy and pointed at him.
“Whatever you do… don't make a noise. Got that?”
The boy just nodded and walked on. They were walking across the largest sprocket which was moving steadily making a loud but dull tick.
“Do you see anything?” The boy whispered
“No,” the green cloaked looked up cautiously “But if you see anything that moves beyond the mechanics, just say it and -”
BANG!
The boy and the green cloaked one jumped and turned to see where the bang came from. They looked behind them and saw a black cloaked woman staring them down with her wand at them.
“A Death Eater!” the boy gasped looking at the symbol on the woman's bare forearm “What are you doing here?”
“I come for the boy you seek” she replied coldly
“This looks bad,” the green cloaked whispered to the boy “Don't underestimate her -”
But before he could finish, the boy points his dual wands and bellows
“You will pay for what you and your friends did to my parents! STUPEFY!!”
“NO!” the green cloaked shouted
It was too late, the two wands that the boy was holding shot out sparks that flew directly to the woman.
"You idiot!" the green cloaked slapping the boy's hands out of the way.
The sparks jolted toward the girl and before the sparks could make contact, the woman brandished her wand in one full swing.
"Protego!"
The sparks bounced back and shot back to the boy and the green cloaked one.
"Duck!" the green cloacked grabbed the boy from the front collar and tossed themselves to the ground as the sparks flew above them "Dammit!" he swore as he and the boy stood up to their feet.
The boy was about to conjure a stunning spell but thought better than to fight with a Death Eater especially when she just nearly decapitated your head off.
"That's it!" the green cloaked glared at the woman as he took out two daggers from his cloak and went into a battle stance "You're dead!"
Before he could attack, the woman snapped her fingers and the green cloaked one and the boy were surronded by black lights that resembled orbs.
"What is this?" the boy wondered as the black orbs started growing smaller.
As the orbs grew smaller, the orbs turned into an four-legged animal which resembled a leopard except that green smoke was coming out of there breath and it was as large as a bear. The boy remembered reading about these animals in Fantastic Beast And Where To Find Them. They were known as "nundu", one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They are known for their diseased and deadly breath which causes, as the info stated, death.
"A nundu!" the boy gasps
"A what?" the green cloaked asked
"It is deadly and I mean really deadly"
The green cloaked one stares down at one of the nundus, raises his daggers and says in a dull yet mocking voice.
"'It is deadly and I mean really deadly', that's a bunch of bullshit" he grins "besides, if we kill the cats and probably damaged the Big Ben they will call it a terrorist attack. You don't look like an Afghan, right?"
Before the boy could attack, the green cloaked one pounced on a nundu and lands on top of the large beast as if it was a horse. The boy watches on as his green clad companion stabs the nundu's left eye. The nundu flails as it swings its left claw backwards swiping the green cloaked ones' arm.
“Argh!” he groans loudly as he falls off the nundu clutching his forearm. He looks at his arm and saw the cut was a half long as his forearm.
“Kid!” he shouts at the boy as he points at his dagger which was still impaled at the eye of the nundu who was flailing and scratching its own eye.
The boy raises his wand.
“Accio Dagger!”
In an instant yet gruesomely manner, the dagger slides out of the nundu's eye causing it to roar in pain as blood sprays the whole area making the green cloaked ones robes turn blood red.
“Here!” the boy tosses the dagger the moment it went to him.
The green cloaked enigma grabbed the dagger and runs to finish off the nundu. He used the pain of the nundu to his advantage as he slices it into two bringing it to death.
“Watch out!” he shouts to the boy.
The boy turns to see three of the nundus pouncing on him. The boy dodges and avoids being crushed by these large animals. He makes a quick swerve and points his dual wands at them
“Stupef-”
He drops his arms and looks up to see the beams above the nundus. He aims at the beams and shouts
“Impedimenta!”
Jets of red sparks shot out of the wands and breaks the beams forcing it to fall on the nundus.
“Nice” the green cloaked one said with a smirk without knowledge that a nundu was behind him.
“Behind you!” the boy points
And in a split second the green cloaked one takes his rifle and shoots it from behind making it fall to ground lifeless.
The boy and the green cloaked one looked around to see any more nundus anf fortunately, there were none.
“Impressive” the Death Eater said coldly “For a muggle and a mudblood”
The two looks at the woman and prepared themselves for battle.
“Oh,” she says in a unusual patient tone “I may want to battle you but all I want is the boy”
“You will never get him!” the boy shouted glaring at the woman
“You will never get him!” the woman mocks him in a childish voice “Please, don't waste my time with your foolish games! Where is he? I know he is in London”
“He won't allow it” the green cloaked one answered
“He?” the boy whispered the green cloaked “Dumbledore?”
The green cloaked one didn't answer
“I don't care if Dumbledore won't allow it. The Dark Lord will always get what he wants. Isn't that right, boy?” she gives the boy a mock glare
The boy glares back as anger fuels his own being.
“He will pay for what he did to my family” the boy angrily spoke
“Save the drama” the woman waved her hand impatiently “I came here for him-”
“We already told you, dammit!” the green cloaked one shouted “Harry isn't here!”
There was a slight pause.
“Impossible!” the woman scoffed “He was heading straight for London after he passed the sentries”
“Oh so there are more of you!” the green cloaked pointed “Sorry to burst your bubble but Harry isn't here yet! And whether he is or is not with us I won't make it easy for you to get pass me!”
By the looks of it, the boy could see that the Death Eater is thinking but her eyes were filled with uneasiness.
“You are lying!” she suddenly shouts “The Dark Lord said that he is here! He is! I know it! I know that he is with you and that you are - Argh!”
The boy and the green cloaked one step back as the woman kneels down clutching her forearm as if it was burning.
“What the-?” the green cloaked wondered
“It's her dark mark” the boy explained
“Dark Mark?”
“He is calling them” the boy stares in an enigmatic way
“He? Volde-?”
Before he could finish his sentence the woman disappeared in a faint pop. The whole room was quiet before the green cloaked one said
“C'mon, let's clean this up. The clock cleaners will be in a right state if they catch overlarge cats in the area”
“Yeah,” the boy said “okay”
- - -
“Are you sure this is concrete?”
Concrete? It sure was. The boy was trying to protect himself!
“You know what the circumstances were, Minister”
“I know, I know but what did you say on who attacked him? A death Eater? Impossible!”
“Hold that thought, sir” he cut him off “With all due respect, you are the Minister of Magic but you are not Cornelius”
He knew he had hit it were it hurts. The Minister started thinking while he drummed his fingers on the desk. After a long pause…
“Who put you up to the job on telling me this?”
“Albus Dumbledore, he wishes you a good summer though. He could've come up here to explain Harry's case on what happened last night but you know that the Dark Lord is around so Dumbledore isn't that accessible at the time being”
“Yes, yes. They should've given the position to Dumbledore but they have to give to me, of all people!”
This guy has no faith in himself, he thought
“Ahem. Sir, you know very well that you are to follow-up Cornelius' position as Minister”
“But why couldn't been Arthur? He has the potential”
“Arthur Weasley has other concerns than politics”
“How about you?”
He laughed as he scratched his forehead and trying to hide the sword beneath his brown coat.
“I'm a muggle and I have no interest in politics…” he looked as his wristwatch “Look, I've been here since three in the morning and I have to go back home. Albus already sent you the owl, right?”
The Minister frowned.
“Not at the moment”
“Well, it will be there at any mo - ah, there it is right now”
They both looked at the door which had a small window on it only to see a screech owl holding a letter on its talons.
“Anywho,” he said “That is my cue. Have a good day, Minister”
He walked towards the door and opened it letting the owl pass him by. As he walked towards the lift, he remembered this was all Albus' plan. Just talk to the Minister about Harry's record and that's it.
“I hate politics” he said as he entered the lift which was filled with flying paper planes above the lift's ceiling.
- - -
“Hermione!” Harry said loudly against the wind
“What?” she replied as they took a turn down a dirt path
“There are some things you didn't tell me about”
Harry then felt a jerk signaling that they've stopped. Hermione turned to him and said.
“About what, Harry?” she asked
“Hold on,” Harry swung his leg so he can stand on the ground “There much better…”
“What were you talking about again?” Hermione reiterated
“Oh yeah… Er - since when do you -” Harry looked at the scooter “since when do you -”
“Ride a scooter?” Hermione finished smiling as she dismounted the black scooter “Well, my uncle use to drive me to the er - library back and forth and when I was old enough he taught me how to ride”
“Oh, it's just that it is not like you ride these things” he gestured to the scooter
“I know you are use to my edifice as a bookworm but still” she looked around “Harry, if we don't go back soon enough my dad will kill me”
“Okay,”
Before Harry could hop behind the seat, Hermione turned to him.
“Oh one thing, don't hug too tightly”
Harry nodded as they hopped on the scooter and rode on.
- - -
“Are you okay?”
He looked up to see the brown haired boy sitting beside him.
“Yeah, I'm fine” he replied looking at his forearm “Are their scratches dangerous?”
The boy raked his brown hair and said
“I'm not sure but it is unlikely, nundus are known for their deadly breaths”
The green cloaked one nodded and looked below the London sunrise. Harry's not here… if he isn't then where is he?
“Look, kid. Harry isn't here and I bet he isn't in London either. I need to go back to home”
The green cloaked unknown stood up, took his battered briefcase and left the boy.
- - -
“When we arrive their please be quiet since my dad can get very grouchy when he wakes up by noise" Hermione said as they drove down a sleepy looking road. Harry could see the sun rising on the east.
"Where are going?" Harry asked "I know at your house but where?"
They both pulled to a sudden stop.
"Here" she replied getting off
Harry looked up to see Hermione overlooking a small village which looked very peaceful and beautiful. A slightly strong breeze blew around them giving a wonderful effect as Harry saw Hermione's hair flowing around.
"What is the name of your village?" Harry asked again as he got off and walked beside Hermione overlooking the peaceful town.
She looked at him with a frown which Harry didn't notice.
"We are at Godric's Hollow"
That word somehow rang a bell in Harry's mind.
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