Blood Reign

Harry dreamt of a redheaded girl, sleeping in his arms. Her skin was so pale, her body so tiny against his. He had held her close, part of him hoping she would be there when he woke.

But she was not.

Instead, another redheaded girl filled his dreams. She was taller, her skin slightly tanned. A strange rain had fallen, and the girl ran to a house marked by Voldemort. There was a note from the Dark Lord, and the girl sung a chilling song in a strange language, fury in her eyes. Then, with a flash, Harry woke, an image of his mother in his mind.

Each dream had contained a different person, Harry was sure of that, but why his mother? Who was the sleeping girl? What about the taller girl? Harry guessed that Voldemort was pursuing the singer girl, but why?

Harry put on his glasses, and pulled out a piece of parchment. As little as he trusted Dumbledore, the man had promised not to withhold anymore information having to do with Harry, Voldemort, or the war. It was time he wrote the Order anyway.

Dumbledore, I have a dream. Do you know what it is?

-Harry

Harry thought the American quote was quite clever. He'd heard it from Hermione a couple years back. Someone King. He gave the note to Hedwig, who hooted softly at the prospect of having something to do. Harry knew that she was as bored as he was, but the moment he sent Hedwig out the window, he was attacked by a flurry of about three more owls, the first one bearing the Hogwarts crest on its burden.

Ignoring the other owls, Harry ripped this one open, hoping his O.W.L. scores were in that envelope. He scanned the letter, duly advising that he was to read the enclosed packet to chose his courses, and promptly return his choices to Hogwarts. A long booklist was also enclosed. Finally, his O.W.L. scores, and what subjects he was allowed to take. He stared in disbelief at his results.

Potions: Outstanding

Charms: Outstanding

Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations

Defense Against The Dark Arts: Outstanding

Herbology: Exceeds Expectations

History of Magic: Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy: Poor

Divination: Poor

Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding

Harry double-checked the Auror requirements. He had seven O.W.L.s, allowing him to train as an Auror. He had passed the N.E.W.T. requirements for each class, believing it to be sheer luck that he had done so well in potions. He checked off Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. He was only required to take one elective, as extra classes would be added for his field of interest. He decided that, boring as it was, History of Magic may be necessary, and was in fact, the safest elective. He promptly sent the owl back to Hogwarts, scribbling a quick owl of his results to both Ron and Hermione.

The next package was a thick book from Hermione. It was entitled So You Want to Be an Auror? He opened the book and read the inscription Hermione had left on the cover.

Congratulations on your O.W.L.s! (I had to beg Professor McGonagall for a week to get her to tell me you score, but it was worth it.) Doubtless, you'll need a copy of this, and as it is quite expensive, the Order chipped in to purchase it for you. Happy Birthday!

-Hermione and the Order

Ron sent him a detailed account of his summer and a framed picture, taken last Christmas. It was a picture of Sirius, Harry, and Tonks, all waving and smiling.

He would want you to have this, mate.

Harry knew Ron meant well, but the picture only reminded Harry of the disaster at the Ministry. He knew he couldn't bring Sirius back, and his only consoling thought was that at least Sirius was free. What bugged him the most was the Prophesy. The knowledge that whether he failed or succeeded, he would be a murderer and the thought of death haunted him. He could no longer lie to himself and say that it couldn't happen to him, and he could not tell himself anymore that he was prepared for it. Things were different now. Harry had friends, family.

Ginny, he realized. She was the girl he had held in his dreams. Harry didn't know why, but he'd been thinking about her often, and at the end of last year, he had felt jealous of her new crush. Had she really gotten over him? Harry glanced at his clock which read 2:00 A.M. Trying to bring back the memory of Ginny, Harry fell into a sound sleep.