Remus Lupin returned to Grimmauld Place with an anguished look. He was tired, he was sore and he was dirty. He had all the symptoms of just coming off of a transformation from the night before. But his transformation was in another two days; the reason for his soreness was from an event that would change Harry, for better or for worse. He didn't really know. Harry was a very gentle character when he wanted to be, but this, this was going to test his resolve. He sighed, placing his memory into the pensieve he had been leant by Tonks. He saw the faint scene in the bowl, and saw the message that was left. What would he do?
***
Junior looked up from his bed. His bed. He actually had a real home. It was far from gloomy, but it was a sullen environment. Though that didn't dissuade him, when Harry gave him permission to ask Dobby for any color he wanted for his own room. Dobby could do it in a flash. Right now it was a light sky blue. He liked to watch the sky, and the ceiling had been bewitched to look like it. Hermione's doing, of course. He came to realize she was very smart. So smart in fact she answered every question he had about the wizarding world. With explanations along the way to better understand the answers. Junior found Ron a real strategist when it came to chess. What was great, is whenever there was a tense moment, he would somehow try to lighten the mood. Whether his jokes were funny or not they definitely did their job.
There was no other way to describe Harry, than that of a puzzle. He kept to himself, but always went out of his way to make sure everyone was safe. When he kept to himself he became sad, and yet he always seemed to be alone at times. Hermione looked after the both of them. Making sure they did their summer homework, and somehow kept them on track. She made Harry smile - and that wasn't a regular occurrence.
***
Hermione awoke at her usual time of seven in the morning. She quickly went for the bathroom to shower. She had been excited when she was going to be Head Girl. Thinking in her thoughts she didn't notice Amy. Amy glided past her and bristled along her bare feet. She shrieked and calmed once she saw the snake going into Harry's room. As she was taking her shower, she was mulling things over. Things were going so fast, and she had yet to confront Harry about the Horcrux problem. A piece of Voldemort's soul was now fighting him in his body. So far looking through the Black family library and provided little to no results as to how to help him. She only found books to help Voldemort's soul process along. She supposed she could do the opposite, but he wasn't interested in love at the moment. He wouldn't let anyone get close. Fortunately, Hermione was secretly ecstatic that Harry had adopted Junior. There was still hope.
***
Harry awoke at about half past eight. He noticed rather grumpily that he felt like sand was in his mouth when he woke up. He gathered some clean clothes to put on after his morning routine of a goblet of pumpkin juice, courtesy of Dobby, and a shower. Hedwig had her eyes closed; sleeping? Harry didn't know. He chuckled softly noticing Hercules was on her perch with her.
Harry's thoughts were jumbled. He had taken on the responsibility of another human being. What was worse, some people didn't expect he could handle it. Save Hermione. Bless her, he mused. He had been particularly hard with Ginny. But it had to be done. He only wish he had the gal to do it earlier, to save her the pain he put her through on his birthday, which she had been so big in putting together. He should apologize as soon as he got the chance.
***
Ron of course, was the last one awake of The Golden Trio. Ron's thoughts lay on his two best friends. Like Harry didn't have enough responsibility on his shoulders to go adopting children. What's worse is Hermione fully supported it. Something was going on between the two of them, and he was determined to find out what. Hermione had taken to looking in the Black library a lot. That was normal behavior for her, but the books she was reading was not. The books seem to get on more touchy subjects like the soul and how it can, if at all be attacked. Most of them were all theory and he was easily bored. So he brought along his favorite magazine, Quidditch Weekly, and put it in front of the book he was supposed to be reading. Hermione was none the wiser. He wondered why she had taken to such an interest in these books. But he supposed that they were hunting Horcruxes, with Voldemort's soul, so why shouldn't they learn to attack a soul?
***
Ginny moped through the night. She didn't cry herself to sleep, but she would have had she not come to a certain revelation. Was Harry Potter what she really wanted? The way he treated her last night was just rude and arrogant. Though, she supposed that he was very clear to begin with. She sighed, she really didn't know anymore. What did she want? Being left out of their "meeting" the other day had really set her off. Sure the three of them were close, but so close that they had to go to very stringent precautions to make sure they weren't overheard. They were up to something. Most likely dealing with You-Know-Who; what's worse every time she tried to bring it up on the three of them, Ron shrugged, Harry didn't say anything, and Hermione had to defend Harry against her. She was always coming to Harry's rescue. It drove her mental.
***
Once everyone had had breakfast they had all congregated in the Entrance Hall of Grimmauld to make sure everyone had dress robes. Those who didn't went to Diagon Alley with a detail of a few Order members to get them. Bill and Fleur's wedding would be held at The Burrow. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had returned to oversee the progress made by some of the Order who had helped. Ron and Ginny had left Grimmauld several times to help. Harry had helped a few times. Hermione helped almost as much as Ron and Ginny did.
The day of the wedding the bride and all females in the bridal party had been whisked away. The men, unknowing to the women, had cooked up several Sober-Up potions courtesy of Fred and George, to distribute, so the men could get as sloshed as much as they wanted, take the potion and do it again!
When all the men were getting their dress robes on Remus came in carrying two. Harry was just about to put his robes on when Remus pulled him aside and set a Gryffindor red dress robe in his hands. The seams had a gold thread. On the left side, over the heart, was the Potter's crest. The crest was emblazoned to stand out - its wearer commanded respect.
"This hasn't been worn, in some time. I've had to get it fixed up quite a bit, but now that is has, it'll look perfect on you." Remus said
As Harry donned the robes they seemed to conform to his body. They weren't too tight, but tight enough to show the muscles he had recently been developing. Harry had become quite tall, so the robe grew to the perfect size. The robe buttoned itself up for Harry, while Harry just watched in complete awe as the robe itself smoothed out wrinkles. It performed all the tasks to make Harry look perfect.
"Lily was always wonderful with charms. You have the same expression your father had when he first wore it."
Harry nodded towards Remus, and started to primp in the mirror. Fred and George at this point couldn't hold their laughter any longer from the look on Harry's face. Harry flushed in embarrassment. Bill helped Junior get into a navy blue dress robe, he had gotten earlier.
Harry went downstairs into the kitchen of The Burrow to find Mrs. Weasley muttering about all her worries of today.
Harry had an idea. He called for reinforcements. Dobby arrived and with little convincing Winky showed up as well. He asked them to do whatever Mrs. Weasley needed. Which were quite a few things that took forever for wizards but for a house-elf? Well the mundane tasks that needed to be done were done in minutes.
Harry conversed with the guests outside. There were tables, able to seat around seven or eight people. The tables had glass tops and white frames, the matching chairs for all the sets were ornate. The backs held a design that changed every so often, unaware to its occupant. Right now they were shaped in what looked like a flower. The grass was neatly trimmed and the garden de-gnomed. It was truly a magnificent sight. Harry talked to Professor McGonagall who smiled fondly at the Potter robes. Several of the guests whispered as he talked to some of his friends, while most girls eyed him like a main course, while looking at other men as a side-dish. He was slightly uncomfortable. He really didn't see what they saw.
After about an hour outside everyone started to head to the back yard to get a seat. He wanted to sit beside someone he knew, so he didn't have to answer many questions. Harry looked around franticly trying to find a place to sit someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Luna! How are you?" Harry asked cheerfully, "And wow, you look beautiful." He added as an after thought
Luna was adorned in a pale yellow sundress that showed off her figure. The dress was sleeve-less, and had a v-neck to show some cleavage.
Luna beamed, "I'm fine, thank you. You look very handsome too. Though make sure you look out for those Fanged Freedals." She said warningly, "They'd like nothing better than to eat your robe."
Harry smiled. Luna's uncanny creatures that she talked about always seemed to make him look at her quizzically and smile.
She said her goodbye before being escorted to a chair by her father. Finding a spot beside Remus and Tonks, Harry sat down. Then Hermione sat down in the chair to his left. He looked at her and his breath hitched. The first thing he noticed (of course) was the fact that she had cleavage he'd never known about. The pale blue halter neck dress she was wearing seemed to accentuate that cleavage; because Harry was sure her breasts weren't normally that… perky. His eyes slide from her chest down her body, noticing her flat stomach and shapely hips, making him feel suddenly very jumpy.
Watching him eye her up and down, Hermione smiled mentally, but that skidded to a halt when she took in his appearance. The robe that hugged his body made her realize just how muscular he really was. Keeping a straight face, she smiled and commented on the Potter crest on his robe. He merely nodded still gaping at her. Tonks who had the decency to lightly smack his chin, he looked at her and blushed furiously.
The wedding was great, it was wonderful. So wonderful in fact that Harry had completely missed it. He looked around feverishly and realized people were standing and clapping so Harry quickly shot up from his chair lightly bumping Hermione on the way up, and started to clap. Hermione arched an eyebrow slightly looking at a flushed Harry.
***
"You idiot!" The cloaked man hissed, "The wedding is over! We were supposed to attack during the wedding. You had the wrong time!"
Peter Pettigrew cowered after being struck across the face. Peter could only hope he wasn't too late. He had to get Potter the cup. He quickly changed into a rat and headed for The Burrow.
"Wormtail!" the Death Eater screeched, he turned around facing his accomplices, "Well move it! I don't want to be given the treatment for failure. Attack!"
***
Remus sat enjoying his more than rare steak at the table accompanied by Tonks and a few others. The guests who knew he was a werewolf quickly warmed up to him after talking to him after a couple minutes.
The bride and groom took to the outdoor dance floor for the first dance. Fleur rested her head on Bill's chest as the song went on. The next song started and other couple started to go onto the dance floor. Harry taking this as a hint, decided to try to escape. Being cut off by Ginny was definitely not in the plans as she shared a drink with him and dragged him off to the dance floor.
Hermione, who was asked to dance by Ron who had finally gotten the courage to do so, stiffened as she watched Harry and Ginny start to dance. Remaining calm, Hermione rested her head on Ron's chest as she stared towards Harry. Ron may have the emotional range of a teaspoon, but he was not a fool. He nudged Hermione's head, causing her to look up. Ron stepped back from her.
"I was hoping you wouldn't have a thing for Harry. I don't like being used to make my best mate jealous, either."
"Ron, I'm-"
"Don't even say it." Ron growled
He stuck his hands in his pockets and walked off the floor.
Ginny whisked Harry away into The Burrow. She dragged him upstairs, his eyes glazed over. Ginny pinned him against the wall and pulled his head down to kiss him hard. Parting his lips, she forced her tongue into his mouth. He gladly accepted. Ginny started to undo the buttons on his shirt when a humming was heard from the hallway. She quickly did his buttons back up, but he was fighting with her slightly. Luna stumbled in the room.
"Thanks for helping me, Harry." Ginny lied quickly and strolled out of the room
The Lust Potion, Ginny had put into Harry's drink, started to fade as the main ingredient was no longer kissing him: a woman. Not remembering anything, he turned to Luna and wondered why he was inside the house. Harry quickly made his way back outside.
Remus had finished his meal, when a dreadful smell hit his nostrils. Silver. He looked at his utensils. All were stainless steal. He whispered his worry into Tonks' ear. She looked him over feverishly looking for the cause. His ears twitched, he turned his head sharply, and noticed cloaked figures emerging from the forest.
"Everyone get down!" He yelled
Everyone looked at him oddly, until the first sickly green spell broke loose, before everyone complied by jumping out of their chairs or running for cover. Harry watched as Junior's face was blank seeing his first death. He growled, before he grabbed his arm, and ushered as far from the forest as possible.
"Get inside, Junior," Harry commanded.
Harry called Dobby, and ordered him to protect Junior.
"Kill anyone who threatens yours or his life. That's an order Dobby."
Dobby's ears fell, but nodded his head.
Neither noticed the rat make his way into the lower pockets of Harry's robes.
Harry ran towards the fight, quickly accounting for friends to make sure they were safe. Hermione and Ron ran to his side, he looked to either of them. Ron's face was blank; wand clenched in his fist, Hermione scowled noticing a tear in her dress. Her wand was also clenched tightly in her fist.
"Ron, Hermione, don't take anyone on alone. Double team them. Do not fight fair, do you hear me?" Harry almost yelled his question.
They looked shocked, but nodded. He pointed towards a lone Death Eater who was closing in on a few guests who didn't have their wands on them for some reason. Ron and Hermione took off.
Harry set his sights on a pair of Death Eaters advancing on The Burrow.
"Serpensortia!" Harry cast, "Attack the men in black robes and masks only!" He hissed
The python nodded its head and set at a full speed towards one of the Death Eaters. Harry aimed a Reductor curse at the other shattering the shoulder blade of the Death Eater, and the arm fell off. Harry cursed himself; he missed. (He was aiming for the head)
The python made short work of the Death Eater, suffocating him in a remarkable speed. There were few Death Eaters left as the braver guests helped people to cover, and ministry aurors showed up at Ottery St. Catchpole. Knowing defeat the remaining Death Eaters tried to apparate away but the anti-apparation wards from the aurors had stopped them. Fumbling around they grabbed portkeys from their cloaks. A few were caught during this time, not paying any attention to the aurors advancing on them. Harry dismissed the snake before the aurors saw it. He quickly sought out Ron and Hermione.
As he entered The Burrow he saw them both being question by aurors. Ron had cut down his arm. The sleeve of his cloak rolled up as a healer cleaned and closed the wound. Hermione looked up seeing Harry and jumped up to look him over, despite Harry voicing he was okay. Certain he was alright she hugged him tightly, before directing him over to the auror to be questioned.
The auror smiled encouragingly towards Harry.
"No need to know your name. What spells did you cast?" the auror asked.
"Why do you want to know?"
"We need to account for the spells cast by underage wizards, by the adult wizards. Standard protocol, nothing to worry about," He gently prodded.
Harry hesitated for a moment before giving his answer, "I summoned a snake, and cast a reductor curse."
"A snake? Why?"
"I'm a Parseltongue."
The auror paled slightly, "I didn't think what the Daily Prophet reported was true."
"That's one of the few things that paper has said that is true. As for the reductor curse, the Death Eater with no arm was my doing."
The auror seemed to warm up to Harry with that last comment, "Yes, I saw that one. Nice shot."
"I missed." Harry said vehemently, "I was aiming for his head."
***
Most of the Weasleys had gone to sleep early, after some aurors had been stationed outside for protection. Remus had stayed behind because he had to deliver the news to Harry. Harry lay on the couch in the Weasley living room, taking deep breaths. It was around nine o'clock and he couldn't get himself to sleep.
"Harry," Remus warily announced his presence.
Harry shifted on the couch to look at Remus. Harry lazily waved, but noticed the look on Harry's face.
"What's wrong, Remus?"
"There's really no easy way to say this, but on August 1st the Dursleys were murdered."
Harry bristled; his last living blood relative, the last link to his family, was dead. He really didn't know how to feel. On the other hand the people he hated possibly more than Voldemort were dead. Yet the feeling of loss still remained. It was unnerving to him to say the least.
"There's something else, Harry. It seems they left a message there. It said `The mudblood and the blood traitors are next.'"
The anger seemed to fill his mind, and the adrenaline filled his veins, he stood up and walked outside. He had one mindset; he had to break something. He walked to the field, the area far behind the Weasley home. Once the shock settled he started to scream. His hands glowed brightly and his eyes flared, making a small beacon in the area. His throat started to scratch; the damage to voice box was instrumental as he screamed as loud as possible. A whirlwind started to form around his body causing anything small and loose to enter the wind and start to spin rapidly around his body. He started to levitate off the ground as his magic pulsed through the area. A sickly green dome started to stretch about twenty feet, surrounding the area.
Aurors had raced to the backyard only to be flung back as soon as they had the thought to investigate the disturbance.
After what seemed like hours to Harry, he started to get exhausted, his screaming stopped, his throat too damaged to speak. The dome disappeared in a heartbeat, the whirlwind dissipated. His eyes went black, with no green left. The glow surrounding his hands faded and his feet touched the ground. He collapsed, as the black took over his body.
***
Harry awoke, sand in his mouth, and he couldn't speak or call for anyone. Dobby sensed his distress and poured two potions into glasses for him to swallow. He grimaced at the taste and Dobby conjured a goblet of Pumpkin Juice. Harry gave him a smile and a `thumbs up'. He seemed to gain the ability to whisper.
Harry got dressed and made his way downstairs to see everyone eating breakfast. Everyone staring at him warily as if he might explode, Harry shifted slightly before taking a spot at the table to eat. Harry only ate soft food as Dobby handed him another potion he assumed was for his throat. A healer must have checked him out for anyone to know of any injuries he had suffered due to his outburst. Harry downed the potion and he found his voice.
"Feeling alright, mate?" Ron asked
"Yeah…" Harry whispered; Ron craned his neck; knowing it was fruitless Harry just nodded.
Harry finished his breakfast quick and went back upstairs and into his room, followed by Ron and Hermione. Hermione squeaked entering the room. Harry caught sight of Amy. Normally a Green Anaconda was large, but she must've eaten something to be that big.
"Amy what did you eat!?" Harry hissed
"A rat."
Harry snorted, "Amy, I highly doubt a rat can get that big unless it was an an..i.magus." Harry faltered at the end of his sentence. Only one thought came to mind.
For the first time in awhile, Harry smiled, "Good, girl."
"She says she ate a rat," Harry said.
"Harry! A rat can't get that big unless it was an animagus," She chided.
Harry smiled, "Now you're getting it."
Hermione gasped, and Ron remained expressionless.
"Remus!" Harry called.
Remus bounded up the stairs into the room. He saw the large form of Amy. Harry relayed what Amy said she ate.
"The rat must've been an animagus, Remus."
Remus snapped his head to look at Harry, tearing his eyes away from Amy.
"Wormtail…" he seethed
***
A/N: So this chapter was a little bit shorter to write. But me being a guy trying to describe dresses was kind of hard on me. I realized how little I knew about a dress, other than the fact they look good on a woman. So that being said I need a bit of schooling in the area ^_^
Hope you enjoyed the chapter
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