Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author Notes: Heart-felt thanks to all those who reviewed. Hey! The number of people having me in their favorite author lists dropped after last chapter. Was it that bad? Oh OK, I'll try to improve myself.
By the way, thanks to the 'temperamental' nature of ff.net, many of the reviews that readers have painstakingly posted just got sucked into a black-hole. I really like to read your reviews and hence I'm extremely put off by this.
*many dramatic sobs later*
And... The special reviewer awards go to... *dramatic pause*... Emerald Earth, CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur, abigfan, dreamer43, JaimeyKay and The X-Woman. *applause!!* You guys are a constant source of encouragement.
john (jwbartle@yahoo.com): Hey come on, Harry can't be such a superhero, can he? And you're expecting me to give him as many OWLs as Hermione? Well that's out of the question since Hermione took 15 OWL exams (and passed all) while Harry and Ron took just 14. Guess why...
JaimeyKay: OK I admit that was goof-up on my part. Anyway, as far as I can recall, Harry saw her cry during the troll incident in their first year. They were just 11 then and not even good friends, so it doesn't make much of a difference. And then she cried in 3rd year, but that was too suppressed.
Dedicated to all HP cruisers, irrespective of shipping preference. Unless you're shipping slash... Ugh! YUK!
Harry Potter and The Sacred Alliance
Chapter 4
She sat up with a start, the words reverberating in her head - "She likes you". Shaking her head, Hermione looked around to find herself sitting on her bead in her pajamas. She let out her breath in a deep sigh of relief, as the realization dawned on her that she had been dreaming all along; otherwise she wouldn't have heard the final exchange between the two boys. Ginny was sleeping soundly in her bed near the opposite wall.
Hermione had never known that a dream could make someone feel so embarrassed. What a dream that was! She couldn't decide whether to classify it as a dream or a nightmare; but whatever it was, it was definitely another reason that would go into her list of why one shouldn't oversleep. She decided to pursue what she had intended to do in the first place before she fell asleep. Quietly she made her way downstairs, which was completely deserted at this late hour. This time she was able to sneak back with her book, without any untoward incident.
(A/N: *ducking tomatoes* Betcha didn't expect that!)
* * *
A delicious aroma filled the morning air, as the occupants of Number 12, Grimmauld Place sat at the dining table, devouring their breakfast. Harry was in high spirits, for the first time since the incident at the Department of Mysteries, and it was not due to Lupin being present at the table, though knowing that Lupin was all right after the attack on the Ministry would have been enough to cheer him up. The reason for his cheerfulness today was framed in its enlarged form in its rightful place on the wall between those of Ron and Hermione - his OWL results.
Contrary to what Dumbledore had promised, it took four long days for his OWL results to arrive, which Harry spent either brooding to himself under a magazine covering his face, or by engaging in an indoor Quidditch match - in which the size of his bedroom would be enlarged to a size equivalent to that of a basketball stadium by Fred and George. But when the mark-sheet finally arrived that morning, all his annoyance at the school staff for sending it late was washed away. For the past half hour, he had been sneaking glances at its enlargement on the wall, just to make sure he had read it correctly.
O.W.L. SUBJECT :: GRADE :: PASS STATUS
Astronomy Theory :: Exceeding Expectations :: Pass
Astronomy Practicals :: Acceptable :: Pass
Care of Magical Creatures :: Outstanding :: Pass
Charms Theory :: Exceeding Expectations :: Pass
Charms Practicals :: Exceeding Expectations :: Pass
Defense Against the Dark Arts Theory :: Outstanding :: Pass
Defense Against the Dark Arts Practicals :: Outstanding with +1 extra credit :: Pass
Divination :: Poor :: Fail
Herbology :: Exceeding Expectations :: Pass
History of Magic :: Dreadful :: Fail
Potions Theory :: Exceeding Expectations :: Pass
Potions Practicals :: Outstanding :: Pass
Transfiguration Theory :: Exceeding Expectations :: Pass
Transfiguration Practicals :: Outstanding :: Pass
OWLs Passed: 12/14
Total Score: 28
Overall Ranking: 4
Needless to say, everyone had been delighted by Harry's results, especially Hermione, who ended up giving him his birthday present early - which was a book titled Occlumency for beginners: A Complete Guide. Harry on his part had returned the favor by thanking her for the tenth time for her constant nagging which had forced him to study. Even Ron was cheerful, although to a lower extent, as he himself hadn't done bad. In fact, his happiness would have been paramount, if not for the fact that his mother and Hermione had been repeatedly scolding him that he would have done as good as Harry, only if he had put in a decent effort.
Harry had missed the second and third positions in his year by 3 and 2 points respectively to Draco Malfoy and a Ravenclaw girl he didn't know off. Of course Hermione was way ahead at a score of 42, the highest tally in almost two decades. But Harry had no complaints, since he had made the requirements of Auror classes - barely in case of Potions. In addition, his life-long ban from Quidditch was scrapped and he had been restored to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Not even the mumblings of Kreacher, the ill-mannered house elf, could dampen his mood today.
Just as everyone was finishing their breakfast, Harry's thoughts were interrupted by George.
"Witches and gentle-wizards," he began, winking his eyes, "We have an announcement to make!" He was grinning from ear to ear, an identical smile portrayed on his twin brother's face.
Everyone except Mrs. Weasley at the table looked up at him expectantly. To Harry's puzzlement, Mrs. Weasley, who had been in a good mood all morning, abruptly got up from her chair and rushed to the kitchen, fuming. He wondered if it was something about their joke shop.
"Fred and me are being sworn into the Order today."
Harry didn't know what to feel. He was happy for the twins, but he also felt a twinge of envy - Fred and George's adventures were nothing compared to what he, Ron and Hermione had been through. Being part of the Order was very appealing to him - at least he wouldn't have to wait for year end crisis-induced-talks with Dumbledore to know about Voldemort's plans. And he felt he deserved to be in the Order since he was the one marked by Voldemort according to the prophecy. But he silenced his thoughts; thinking about the prophecy would simply result in lowering his spirits.
Looking around the table, he found Mr. Weasley glowing with pride. Lupin and Tonks, on the other hand, were smiling at the twins. Meanwhile Ron, Hermione and Ginny were wearing expressions of envy on their faces, like himself.
"You were supposed to keep that a secret," said Mr. Weasley, with a mock expression of anger, then smilingly added, "But since you have already spilled the beans I would also like to add that we are inducting two other members into the Order. Amos Diggory, from the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and Cassandra Mathews, who works in Shacklebolt's department in the Ministry."
At the mention of Cedric Diggory's father, Harry was visibly upset. The death of Sirius and of the Dursleys came flashing back to his mind. He wondered how many deaths he'd have to witness now that he had been chosen by the prophecy. Stop it... Think about your OWL results! But he couldn't bottle it all within himself; he wished he could speak about it to Ron and Hermione, who were presently sending worried looks in his direction. After a much heated debate in his mind, he finally convinced himself to share the prophecy with them. He excused himself from the table, where Mrs. Weasley was waging a one-woman war on the rest of the adults to dissuade the twins from entering the Order. Shooting meaningful looks at his best friends, he quietly went up to his bedroom, leaving the door ajar.
A few minutes later, a knock on the door was followed by Ron and Hermione entering the room, wearing puzzled looks.
"Harry, you're hiding something from us." It was a statement.
Before he could change his mind, he recited the prophecy to them. It was still etched into his memory as if Dumbledore had told him about it only a few minutes back.
"- but I was the one who Voldemort tried to kill. So you could say that he unknowingly chose me over Neville, fulfilling the first part of the prophecy."
"I expected something like this... Why else would he spend all these plotting to kill you?" said Hermione, making Harry look up from his hands, which he'd been examining intently all this time.
"You expected? Well you never said so!" said Ron, frowning at Hermione.
"I didn't say I knew it. I wasn't sure, was I?"
Ron was about to retaliate, but a look from Harry made him change his mind.
"It said that V-Vol... Voldemort didn't know about some power kind of thing you have. So what is it?" he asked instead.
"Well... Dumbledore did speak of some mysterious power - its under study in a room in the Department of Mysteries. Its supposed to be very wonderful and terrible at the same time. And... Wait! He said that it took me there to save Sirius, and again it saved me from possession by Voldemort, and that's because he detests it and can't stand it. He - I mean Dumbledore - said something about my heart... Yeah that's it, I couldn't close my mind, but my heart saved me."
For a few moments, each of them pondered over the meaning of what Dumbledore had told him. Even Harry hadn't given much thought to Dumbledore's remarks.
"Doesn't make much sense to me... And you never said Voldemort was trying to possess you," said Ron, breaking the silence.
Harry stared at him for a moment. Did he want to tell them about it? May as well, he decided, if it helps to decipher this power.
"This happened in the Ministry Atrium, just after it seemed that Voldemort had fled from the scene. All of a sudden, my scar seemed to burst... and I - well I found myself sharing a body of a snake. It was weird and extremely painful - I couldn't see anything, but I could feel Voldemort using my mouth to speak...He was telling Dumbledore to kill me and I somehow knew that he was possessing me."
"So how did you fight him off? Did Dumbledore use some spell?" asked Ron.
"No he couldn't do anything. And that's what puzzles me... I didn't even attempt to fight him. The pain was just too much - all I wanted to do was die, and..." said Harry, his voice breaking at the end.
"And what?"
It took a few moments for Harry to find his voice. A part of him didn't want to go on, but he knew he had to.
"I thought of Sirius... I hoped that I'd be able to meet him after death. After that I don't remember much - I just kept thinking of Sirius, and all of a sudden the pain vanished. Next moment I wake up to see Dumbledore staring at me, the hall full of people."
Hermione, who had been silent all this while, mumbled something.
"What?" asked Harry and Ron at once.
"Well its obvious, isn't it?" she said.
From the expression mirrored on the faces of the two boys, nothing could be less obvious than whatever she was talking of.
"What forced you to go after Sirius? What willed you to face death? What is it that Voldemort does not possess and despises most?"
"Er... the saving-people thing?" asked Harry, confused and slightly ashamed. But Hermione simply shook her head.
"Courage? Bravery?" suggested Ron.
"Even Voldemort has courage, Ron. What I'm talking of is love." Turning to Harry, she continued, "Can't you see that is was your mother's love that saved you as a baby? Then it was your love for Sirius that made you go after him. Again it drove out Voldemort from your mind. You were thinking about Sirius, Voldemort just couldn't stand your love for him."
"But... but how can love be terrible and powerful and all that?" asked Harry, puzzled.
"How do you know if its not? We have experienced love for friends, love for parents - even you Harry, you loved Sirius like a parent. But there are other forms too - more powerful forms."
That silenced him for a while. Yes, he had loved Sirius like a parent - he was the parent Harry had never had. Not even Mrs. Weasley, who cared for him so much, could make him as happy as Sirius used to. But Sirius was no more... he had learned to accept that fact over the past few weeks. Hermione's suggestion did make sense, but he couldn't understand why Dumbledore had kept something so simple from him. Maybe Dumbledore had wanted him to find out on his own.
"And what about this power being studied in the Department of Mysteries? How can you store love in a room and study it?" questioned Ron, apparently not convinced yet.
"That is something that puzzles me too. We'll just have to wait and see."
* * *
"Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters and Wizengamot Administration Services," the cool female voice rang out, as the grilles slid open to expose a corridor lined with doors.
Arthur Weasley emerged from the lift, a certain urgency in his stride. The corridor was deserted, as had been the lift, which was not unusual considering that it was much earlier than working hours. A fierce storm was raging outside the enchanted windows, a direct result of the underground weather maintenance spells going haywire due to last week's attack. Turning left at a corner, he was about to push a heavy oak door before he caught sight of the man who'd been responsible for his early arrival at work.
A surreptitious nod was exchanged - an onlooker would have missed it if he didn't know what to look for. Not that there were any. Kingsley Shacklebolt walked straight in a direction opposite to the one Arthur had taken a few moments, turning at a corner under a sign that read "Wizard's Toilet". Exactly fifteen seconds later Arthur followed.
"Morning, Arthur," said Kingsley, his face contorted into a worried grimace.
"Hello, your note said its an emergency. What's wrong?" asked Arthur, casting a special locking spell and a Silencing charm on door after shutting it.
"I'll get right to the point. It's about Potter's relatives. Mr. & Mrs. Dursley died in a Muggle hospital minutes after being rescued from the fire."
"Yes I know that. It was in the Muggle tabloids."
"Then you do know that the Muggle Police are suspecting the boy of murder?"
"Yeah I read about it... But that isn't worrying you, is it? Can be taken care of by Memory Charms."
"No its Fudge. He's believing the story and has charged him with homicide."
"WHAT!?" When Arthur had got Kingsley's emergency owl post earlier this morning, he had expected some new clue about You-Know-Who's intentions in sending Death Eaters to capture the Ministry premises. He certainly hadn't expected this. "How can he do that? This is Harry Potter, and I've known him for five years - he'd never do something like that. Has Fudge gone mad?"
"I'd think he already is. Seems like he still hasn't got over his hatred for the boy. Moreover, he's got evidence."
"Evidence? But Harry wasn't there at all. You heard his version of events, and we checked it. And then there was the Dark Mark..."
"Yes there was, but only Potter saw it, Figg's whereabouts are still not known. The Law Enforcement department ran a recent-magic detection check around the Dursleys' residence. They found multiple Incendio spells and a Dark Mark conjuring charm. Fudge claims that since no other wizards were staying in that area, Potter was the one."
"This is absolutely ridiculous. Whoever heard of a sixteen-year old being able to conjure up a Dark Mark?", said Arthur, not bothering to keep his voice down.
"Well, Tom Riddle to name one. Anyway, I'm not implying that Potter was lying. The point is that we have no non-Muggle witnesses to provide an alibi for Potter."
The fact that Harry might have to go through a trial like last year for breaking the underage magic laws was daunting enough. Expulsion from Hogwarts and confiscation of his wand would result, but hopefully the Order would find a way to go around that. However, facing the charge of murder was a completely different matter - a life sentence in Azkaban being the most likely punishment. In Arthur's opinion - or for that matter, of everyone who cared about him - Harry had already gone through a lot, without Cornelius Fudge's involvement. Harry was like a son to him; he wouldn't let this happen to the boy.
"We can hide Harry in the Order hideout. Its under the Fidelius; they'll never find him," he suggested.
"I had thought of that too. I wouldn't have called you urgently if it was just about Harry."
Arthur noticed that Kingsley was looking at him straight in the eyes now. He had to admit that he was puzzled now.
"What is it, Kingsley?" he asked, his mind racing.
"Fudge already knew about the existence of the Order from Percy." At the mention of his traitorous son, Arthur visibly cringed. But Kingsley continued, ignoring him, "This morning, Fudge got this piece of paper from a source which he refuses to disclose."
Kingsley pulled out a sheet of white paper from his pocket, handing it to Arthur, whose eyes grew wide in horror as he read the script, which was in a vaguely familiar handwriting.
Arthur never swore, at least not since he became a father. But he couldn't stop himself from blurting out, "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!?" The letter read -
The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London.
* * *
The ocean stretched far and wide, its water pure, salty and transparent like tears - not of sorrow but of ecstasy, reflecting the vibrant gold sky stretching over him endlessly. Warmth like no other coursed through his veins. He watched with satisfaction as clouds flew over him as if in fast-forward, inhaling the fresh and fragrant air. Whatever place he was in, time, apparently, had no meaning here. He would have stood there for eternity if he hadn't experienced a sudden jerk, his surroundings dissolving abruptly into nothingness.
Or was it darkness, since his ears were filled with a resounding noise. Opening his eyes, he discovered that he was lying in bed, his wrist-watch flashing 6:35 AM. The source of the noise was a handsome-looking owl screeching near the window, seeming familiar. Wearing his glasses, he looked over at Ron, who was sleeping so deeply that Harry seriously doubted if anything short of an earthquake would wake him. Apart from Ginny of course. But Harry wasn't able to spend much time looking around, since the owl outside was making every attempt to get his attention.
However, on nearing the owl, Harry momentarily paused, making sure he wasn't seeing things. It was Hermes. Wondering what Percy could be writing to them for, he detached a cream-colored envelope, bearing the seal of the British Ministry of Magic, from its legs. It was addressed to Ron. Unable to subdue his curiosity, he ripped open the envelope, reasoning that Ron wouldn't mind.
Dear Ron,
I hope you receive this in the best of your health. First of all I'd like to congratulate you on securing 10 OWLs, which is just two less than my score. This gives me confidence that the time is not too far off when you will grow out of your unhealthy friendship with Harry Potter and the influences of our disillusioned family to follow my footsteps in carving a place for yourself in the world. It is this reason that compels me to write this letter to you in these perilous times, even though you disregarded my previous advice.
We have reason to believe that Potter, who has been charged with the murder of his Muggle relatives, is hiding in Grimmauld Place with you and other followers of Dumbledore. And let me inform you that this hideout is no longer inaccessible to our Aurors. Even as you read this, Ministry Aurors have been stationed around your building, waiting for the Minister's signal. Your fireplace has been disconnected from the Floo network. I must warn you that anyone found resisting the Aurors from taking Potter will be charged with assisting a murderer and preventing the course of the law.
In my opinion, it is in the best of all our interests that you hand over the Potter boy to us without resistance. Even if you don't, Ministry officials will come in anyway. But if they are met with no resistance, then rest assured that I will personally mention your contribution to the Minister of Magic himself.
With best intentions at heart,
Percy Weasley
Harry's hands went numb holding the letter as he stared at it for a full two minutes, the paper soaking in his sweaty palms; his mind was behaving as if someone had cast a brain-locking spell, if such a thing existed, on him. Ministry Aurors were after him... He was charged with murder... Hideout was no longer inaccessible - what did Percy mean? A shiver ran through his spine as a few possibilities passed through his mind - none of them to his liking...
Recovering from his stupor, only one thought filled his terribly panicked mind - to get out of the place immediately, and he couldn't risk being seen, if Percy was truthful when he said that Aurors were stationed outside.
He wriggled into a T-shirt and a pair of jeans that were a few inches too long - all borrowed from Ron, since he had lost all his own clothes in the fire. In fact Ron's clothes fitted him better than his own ones, which were left-overs from Dudley in the first place. Trying not to think what Ron or Hermione - or for that matter, Dumbledore, Lupin or Mrs. Weasley would make of his actions, he quickly scribbled a note to Ron saying that he was leaving.
All this while, his brain put itself on overload to think of a way to get out without alerting the others or the Aurors outside. Mrs. Weasley would have been up by then, so he couldn't leave by the front door. That left only one option... He would have to fly out of the window on his Firebolt... And if he could cover both himself and the broom with his Invisibility Cloak, then neither the Aurors nor any Muggles would be able to spot him. Of course Moody would be able to see through, but Harry doubted that Moody was present in the house.
Suddenly having an idea, he composed another note, this one for Dumbledore, explaining his reasons for leaving in as few words as he could manage.He refrained from mentioning his mode of escape, just in case Hedwig was intercepted. Opening his bedside window to its full extent, he sent out Hedwig with the note. Then jumping over his broom, he draped himself with the Invisibility Cloak; his knapsack - containing some wizard money, the Map, a borrowed quill and some spare scrolls - was strapped to his back. He would have to be very careful, he realized, since he would still be seen by someone who happened to stand exactly below him.
At that very moment, a commotion started downstairs... He could hear people shouting curses at the top of their voices... A few seconds later, the sound of footsteps running up the stairs reached his ears, along with a few cracking sounds just outside his bedroom.
Frantically peering out of the window, he could see the road below was deserted. But he couldn't be sure - there might be Aurors posted under Invisibility cloaks themselves, or Disillusionment charms. Taking a final look at Ron, who was still snoring peacefully through all the noise, Harry decided that it was now or never. Before he could act, however, the door was flung open with an unlocking charm, and three cloaked figures barged in. For a moment, Harry, with a stab of panic and disappointment, was sure that he had been captured.
"Where is he?"
"He was supposed..."
"LOOK! The window..."
They couldn't see Harry through the Invisibility Cloak. The three Aurors rushed towards the window, wands outstretched; but Harry was quicker. Zooming out of the window, he flew straight to top of the trees and shrubs bordering the lane - it was unlikely that anyone would be standing among these. A few stunning spells randomly sent by his pursuers missed him harmlessly. He didn't dare to look back, his only objective being to put as much distance between him and Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
Going at full speed on his Firebolt, his seeker's eyes were able to catch a snowy figure flapping its wings and flying towards north - Hedwig he guessed. Little did he know that the owl would never reach its destination. He had other things on his mind - starting from what his destination would be. He had no idea what he'd do now... Maybe go into hiding like Sirius... He shuddered at the realization that he was now a fugitive, charged with a crime he had no hand in.
With a heavy heart, he glided away on his broom, the golden rays of the rising sun dazzling his eyes. The cool morning wind rushed through his hair, sweeping away most of his worries. Flocks of birds on their early morning trips accompanied him, their sweet chirping filling his ears. The fact that he was able to escape to freedom, coupled with the newfound energy that filled his body while flying, spread a new hope in his heart.