Harry Potter and the Unanswered Question

Harry Potter and the Unanswered Question

Chapter One: Missing Dementors

Harry Potter lay awake in his bed, like he often did these days, thinking of Sirius. Harry missed Sirius so much it was like a physical ache. Even after a month, Harry still blamed himself. No matter what everyone said, he knew it was really his fault. Harry's scar prickled. It did that pretty often these days. Harry had learned to ignore it.

Harry's birthday, his sixteenth birthday to be exact, was only a week away. He should be happy, but he just couldn't summon the strength. Hedwig hooted softly from her cage.

"I know, you want out to fly, all right, I'll let you out." Harry went and let Hedwig out. She gently nipped Harry's hand then flew out the window.

Harry lay back down on his bed. Only a few hours 'til daylight, Harry thought. So far, there hadn't been any news of Voldemort or attacks. Fudge had finally accepted that was back, but Voldemort wasn't showing any sign of making a public appearance, so the wizarding world sat and waited.

Harry finally drifted off to sleep. He awoke the next morning to a soft hooting from the windowsill. It was the owl that delivered the Daily Prophet. Harry paid the owl and watched it fly off. Harry opened up the paper and froze. So it has begun, thought Harry

There on the front page of the paper, Harry saw one of his worst fears confirmed:

Dementors Abandon Azkaban

Last night, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge announced that the Dementors had in fact abandoned Azkaban. Many wizards, including Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, have been warning Fudge that this was bound to happen. Dumbledore was even said to have warned Fudge a year ago to replace the Dementors before they could turn to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. "The Dementors have been replaced by fully-trained wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement and I assure you, there have been no breakouts due to these unlikely circumstances. Please remain calm, you are perfectly safe," Minister Fudge told reporters last night. But the Daily Prophet must ask Mr. Fudge, exactly how safe are we if the Dementors have returned to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? The Magical Law Enforcement wizards are asking that everyone try to be home and indoors before sundown for your own protection. Thank you.

Harry skimmed the paper, but no other story caught his eye. He sat down at his desk and pulled out a quill and parchment. He began a letter to Hermione first, then one to Ron, asking them both if they had read about the dementors and what they thought about that. Harry knew that Ron would be staying at the new headquarters of the Order, but he wasn't sure where Hermione was staying.

Harry finished his letters, folded them up, and put them aside for when Hedwig returned. Harry could hear the Dursley's in the kitchen downstairs, preparing breakfast. Harry decided to go downstairs and see if he could hear anything on the Muggle news.

The Dursleys were back to ignoring Harry and pretending he didn't exist, which suited Harry just fine. Dudley, who seemed to have actually lost weight this past year, (possible due to the fact that he never seemed to quite get over his encounter with the dementors last summer) sat fidgeting at the kitchen table.

"Dudley dear, please eat some more! You have barely touched your breakfast, this just isn't like you...my poor Dinky-Dums," Aunt Petunia said to her shaking son. Suddenly Uncle Vernon turned on Harry.

"You know this is all your ruddy fault!" he bitterly told Harry. Then, just as suddenly as he had turned on Harry, he was back to ignoring him. Harry didn't really care.

Truth be told, Harry did feel a little guilty. Anything that happened to the Dursley's was his fault. He may not like the Dursley's, but he certainly didn't want them to suffer at the hands of Lord Voldemort.

When Harry had finished breakfast, he went into the living room. There was nothing exciting or unusual on the news.

Harry returned to his bedroom. Hedwig was waiting for him in her cage. "Hedwig, I have two letters for you to deliver. One is to Ron and the other is to Hermione. I'm not sure where they are. Do you think you can find them?" he asked Hedwig. Hedwig hooted reassuringly.

Harry watched Hedwig fly away with the letters and wondered how long it would take Hedwig to find them and return with answers.

Just as Harry was turning around to go back to his desk, something flew in his window and began buzzing around the room. It took Harry a moment to realize it was Pigwideon. Harry caught Pig and took the letter from him. Harry opened the letter it was from Ron. Harry began to read:

Harry,

How has your summer been? It's definitely been interesting here. I can't tell you where we are, but I can tell you that Dumbledore promised you could come and stay with us next month! I hope you can put up with the Muggles 'til then!

Have you been reading the Daily Prophet? Dad says it was bound to happen. Dumbledore did warn Fudge, but he never listens does he? I shiver at the thought of Dementors running around unchecked...Well, I guess I had better stop there before I get in trouble for writing something I shouldn't. I can't was to see you!

Best of Luck,

Ron

Harry folded up Ron's letter. Well, at least I know they weren't planning on leaving me to rot here with the Dursleys, Harry thought. With that to look forward to, he could bear the next couple of weeks with the Dursleys.

Harry decided to work on some of his homework he had been assigned over the holidays. He pulled out his Potions essay and pondered about what to write. Snape had assigned them a four-foot essay on Sleeping Potions. He had to write about the ingredients used, the reasons for using a Sleeping Potion, and the antidote for one. Harry picked up One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi and Magical Drafts and Potions and began to search for something about Sleeping Potions. In Magical Drafts and Potions Harry found the chapter devoted to the Draught of Living Death. Harry made a few notes about asphodel and wormwood before giving it up for the time being. After all, he had all summer to finish.

Harry looked at his Firebolt longingly. He truly hoped that when he returned he would be allowed back on the house Quidditch team. He didn't want to steal if from Ginny, but she had said she would rather be a chaser.

Harry was brought back to reality by a harsh knock on his door.

"Open up boy!" Uncle Vernon demanded. Harry opened his door to find his uncle standing outside, looking murderous.

"How dare you give this address to those freaky friends of yours!" Uncle Vernon yelled at Harry.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked his uncle. Uncle Vernon handed Harry an envelope addressed to him in Hermione's neat handwriting. Vernon stalked off. Harry smiled. Trust Hermione to send him a letter through the Muggle post. Harry opened the letter. He read Hermione's letter.

Dear Harry,

I am currently on holiday with my parents in the country. I will be joining you and Ron the first week of August. I can't wait to see you all again!

How have you been doing Harry? Have you been working on Snape or Binns's essays? I hope you have. I have already finished Snape's. I hope he won't mind if it's six feet instead of four!

Well, I had better get started on Binns's essay. Do take care Harry! Tell Hedwig hello for me.

Love,

Hermione

Harry smiled. How like Hermione, on holiday with her family and she still devoted her time to homework! Harry couldn't wait until August came.