Rating:
R
House:
Schnoogle
Characters:
Draco Malfoy
Genres:
General Romance
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix
Stats:
Published: 12/31/2003
Updated: 04/18/2004
Words: 181,191
Chapters: 46
Hits: 99,765

Harry Potter and Unexpected Beginnings

dan's girl62

Story Summary:
The summer after OoTP, Harry discovers he has control of his connection with Voldemort, and uses it to his advantage. With the help of his friends, and an unexpected joining of their team, Harry and the gang return to school for their 6th year and go in search of a way to defeat Voldemort. However, when teenage hormones set in, can Harry find room in his heart to love, or will he reject her based on fear of a prophecy that dictates his future...or lack thereof. Rated R for future chapters.

Chapter 04

Chapter Summary:
The summer after OoTP, Harry discovers he has control of his connection with Voldemort, and uses it to his advantage. With the help of his friends, and an unexpected joining of their team, Harry and the gang return to school for their sixth year and go in search of a way to defeat Voldemort. However, when teenage hormones set in, can Harry find room in his heart to love, or will he reject her based on fear of a prophecy that dictates his future...or lack thereof. Rated R for future chapters.
Posted:
01/08/2004
Hits:
2,239

Chapter four

Harry awoke to a strange sensation of being watched. He'd had a restless night, his dreams kept going back to his vision of Malfoy, but instead of seeing the pale woman on the floor, he could see his mother instead, begging to spare her young son's life. Harry couldn't help but wonder what would have happened, if Voldemort had chosen Neville instead of him. Would he have had his parents? Would he have still gone to Hogwart's? What about the Weasleys, would they still have treated him as a member of their family? So many thoughts raced through his mind upon opening his eyes, that he nearly jumped out of bed when he turned over and saw Misty sitting on the edge, watching him sleep.

"Good morning Harry Potter," she said softly, her hands wringing the tea towel dress she wore. "Misty has new shoes for Harry Potter, as he asked." Harry suddenly remembered he had sent her to Diagon Alley, and hadn't told her when he left the Dursleys. This whole owning house elf stuff, was going to be a big adjustment for him.

"Misty, I am so sorry," he told her, sitting up in bed and glancing briefly toward Ron, who snored softly in the bed next to him. "The advanced guard came last night after you left, and brought me here. I didn't know how to get in touch with you to tell you."

"Misty knows sir," she said with a soft smile. "Misty always knows where Harry Potter is. It is her job to protect Harry Potter."

"What's going on?" Ron asked, rolling over, having heard voices in the still morning air. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and stared at Misty, who seemed suddenly very shy and worried. "Who are you?" he asked, with a yawn.

"Ron, this is Misty, my parents house elf. Misty, this is my best friend Ron Weasley." Misty lowered her large eyes and smiled shyly to the red haired boy.

"Misty is pleased to meet you, sir," she said in a soft squeaky voice. "Misty is so happy to know Harry Potter has best friends."

"Thanks," Ron answered, swinging his legs over the bed and staring at Harry. "Does Hermione know you have a house elf?" he asked with a frown. Harry shook his.

"Not yet, but it's only a matter of time before she finds out. Misty is determined to stay with me at Hogwart's."

"No kidding? You'll be the only student with his own house elf. Hey, maybe she can sneak in and booby trap Snape's office for us," Ron and Harry laughed and Misty looked suddenly horrified.

"Misty cannot do harm to any wizard, sir," she whispered. "She is forbidden."

"Relax Misty," Harry told her, sitting up in his bed. "Ron was just kidding."

"Yeah, hey look, I wouldn't do anything to get you into trouble. Or me for that matter." A soft knock on the bedroom door, made Harry and Ron look up, as Misty fell to the floor and began backing away, towards the closet. Harry looked at her and smiled. It was about time people found out about her, he thought.

"Misty, stay. It's all right." Misty stopped in her progress to hide, and Harry turned his attention to their visitors, as Ginny and Hermione poked their heads into the room. Ron suddenly turned the shade of a raspberry preserves, and pulled the blankets back across him, and Harry chuckles softly, knowing their visitors were the reason for his sudden embarrassment, or at least one of them.

"Hey, good morning," the girls chimed in together, as they entered the room. Hermione immediately sat on the end of Ron's bed, and looked at the little house elf trying to hide herself near the foot of Harry's bed.

"Hello," she said sweetly. "Who are you?"

"Hermione, I want you to meet Misty," Harry began with a smile. "She's my house elf." Hermione's smile turned instantly to a frown of disapproval.

"Harry Potter, are you telling me you own a house elf? Haven't you even listened to me the past two years? House elves should not be bought and sold like pieces of furniture. How could you have a house elf, and not free her?"

"Easy Hermione," Harry told her with a raised hand, as Ginny sat gingerly on the end of his bed, watching the two with interest. "For beginners, I didn't even know I had a house elf until this summer, when I found my aunt with her. Misty was mine when I was a baby, and since my aunt didn't have the authority to free her, she made her clean the house when everyone was asleep. Secondly, I did offer to free her, but Misty doesn't want to be free. She's been with me since I was born, and to be honest, she's the last connection I have to my parents. I'm not so sure if I want to let her go."

"But Harry, she has rights," argued Hermione adamantly. "She doesn't deserve to be a slave, even to you."

"Misty is not a slave, Miss," the little house elf interrupted. "Harry Potter's parents made Misty a part of their family, a gift to her when Harry Potter was born. That is why Misty must stay with Harry Potter. She is his only family."

"Misty, you never told me this," Harry said, watching as she slowly walked around the edge of the bed toward him.

"Misty is sorry, sir," she said sweetly. "Harry Potter was surprised when he found out about Misty, so she thought he would need time to adjust to knowing her first. Misty is not a slave, she is Harry Potter's nanny. It was her job to care for him, and when his parents died, Misty was so scared for Harry Potter, that she told Dumbledore. Misty was never a slave, sir. Mr. Potter found Misty after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named killed her family. She was alone, and Mr. Potter took her in. He saved her life and cared for her. It was Misty's pleasure to be with the Potters."

"What was my dad like," Harry suddenly asked, not really knowing where the question had come from. Misty climbed up on the bed next to him, and put her hand on his.

"Harry Potter is much like both his parents, but probably more like his mum. Mr. Potter was very kind, very good. He loved his family very much. He would always hug and kiss Mrs. Potter and when he had to go away on business, he would always bring her and Misty a gift when he came home. Mrs. Potter was very happy, especially when Harry Potter was born. They both were. Misty remembers Mr. Potter sending out owls to everyone, telling them he had a son. Even that horrible Miss Petunia got an owl. Mr. Potter had a big party for Harry Potter, when he was born. Everyone was happy then."

"I wish I could remember them," Harry said sadly, thinking back on the only thing he knew of his parents, the cries of their deaths.

"Mrs. Potter would sing and rock Harry Potter every night," Misty continued, tears welling in her bright green eyes. "Mr. Potter bought Harry Potter a golden snitch when he was born. This one," Misty said, pulling the small golden object out of a hidden pocket within her tea towel. Harry took it gingerly, watching as it stretched it's wings and lifted in his hands, buzzing softly around him. "Mr. Potter said Harry Potter would be the greatest seeker in Hogwart's."

"And he was right," Ron said, brushing a tear from his cheek. Harry's throat closed around the lump that suddenly developed and for a time, he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to breath again.

"Thank you Misty," Harry finally said, catching the snitch and closing it tightly in the folds of his hand. Harry felt warmth spread through his hand and up his arm to his heart. He had something that his father had once given him. He had fulfilled his father's wish for him, and had become a great seeker.

"Harry Potter needs breakfast," Misty said suddenly, jumping down from the bed. "Misty will get breakfast for him."

"I think Mrs. Weasley has probably already made it," Harry told her.

"Then Misty will help her finish it for Harry Potter. Misty will bring it to him."

"No, Misty. I'd rather eat downstairs, but you can help Mrs. Weasley if you'd like. Just tell you I told you, you could." Misty smiled and quickly left the room, closing the door behind her. The room's occupants sat silently, thinking about what the little house elf had told them. A soft popping sound echoed through the room, as Fred and George appeared from thin air. They were dressed in Muggle clothes of jeans, tee shirts and dragon hide boots, and their capes had been thrown across their shoulders haphazard.

"She's right you know, Harry," Fred said with a friendly smile. "You are the greatest seeker in Hogwart's."

"How long were you listening?" he asked, seeing the soft blush from both twins.

"Long enough," George answered.

"Well, will you take a look at our conquering hero?" Fred said, changing the subject and walking to Ginny, ruffling her bright red hair. "Looks like someone's been working out."

"A little," he said, placing the snitch he still held inside the drawer between his and Ron's bed. Harry glanced up and saw the look on his friend's face, remembering the conversation they had the night before. Clearing his throat, he looked toward Hermione and Ginny, both were blushing profusely.

"If you two can give us a few minutes, we'll get dressed and meet you for breakfast," Harry suggested, and both girls stood and quickly left the room.

"You know little brother," George began with a wicked smile. "If you want Hermione to take notice in you, maybe you should start running with Harry there."

"Were you listening in on our conversation last night?" Ron asked, his face turning a brilliant shade of red.

"Only for a while," Fred chuckled. He turned to Harry and winked. "Of course, you may have to act fast, if you want her. After seeing Harry there, she may not give you a second glance." Ron growled unhappily, reaching for his pillow and tossing it into his brother's face.

"Come on you guys," Harry scolded. "Lay off him. He knows I'm not interested in Hermione."

"No? So who are you interested in?" Fred asked with a smirk. Harry turned to face him, his expression void.

"Nobody," he answered truthfully, as he climbed out of bed and pulled on his sweat pants and tee shirt, he used for running.

"Why not?" George teased, tossing Harry his shoes. "A good looking guy like yourself, and with a body like that, you could have all the girls at Hogwart's begging for a little of the old Potter magic." Harry tied his shoes on, and stood up. His whole attitude had changed to a definite distant demeanor. He glanced at the three red heads staring at him, and shook his head.

"What's the point?" he asked. "Voldemort will probably kill me, before I get a chance to look. Why would I want to leave someone to grieve for me, when I'm dead?" Harry left the room and it's occupants in silence, as the three exchanged looks of bewilderment. They had never considered the reason Harry didn't want a girlfriend, was because he didn't think he'd live through another confrontation with You-Know-Who.

Harry walked down the stairs, glancing briefly at the stuffed heads of the Black family's house elves. He had a sudden feeling of sorrow cross through him, as he passed by Sirius's bedroom. He wanted to stop and go in, but he couldn't bring himself to open the door. It was still too soon, and far too painful.

In the kitchen, Harry found Lupin and Moody talking quietly to Mr. Weasley, while Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore sat, quietly conversing as Mrs. Weasley and Misty prepared the meal. Tonks stood by the stove watching the room's occupants, her hair today hung down her back in long ringlets of baby blue, and she wore a tight black skirt and white cotton top, that hugged her frame expertly. Harry couldn't help but notice the glances she kept giving Lupin, and the smile he offered her in return. Sitting at the table across from McGonagall and Snape were Hermione and Ginny, who quickly looked up when he entered the room.

"Harry, we got our O.W.L. reports," Hermione exclaimed, jumping from the table and handing him his envelope. Harry glanced at the writing on it, remembering how eager Sirius had been last year to know the results.

"Thanks," he told her softly, tucking the letter in his back pocket. Hermione frowned at him.

"Aren't you going to open it? Aren't you even curious about the results?" Harry couldn't help but notice the sudden silence in the room. Harry shrugged, pulling the letter from his pocket and handing it back to her.

"You open it, if you want. I don't really care what it says." Looks were quickly exchanged from one person to another, then they all glanced to Dumbledore, who watched Harry with interest.

"Misty has Harry Potter's breakfast for him," squeaked the little house elf, as he sat at the table, and smiled to her. "Harry Potter must eat before he runs."

"Thanks Misty, but I'm not very hungry." Harry picked up a piece of toast from the plate she sat in front of him, and pushed the rest aside. Silence enveloped the room, as each person glanced around, looking at the expressions on each other's faces that stared at the young man. Just as the tension became unbearable, the door swung open and Ron and the twins entered, arguing about the way questions should be asked. Harry glanced up when they entered the room, listening briefly as Ron was telling his brothers to "sod off", and smiled, knowing exactly what it was they were giving him advice on. Ron sat at the table next to Hermione and reached for the pitcher of orange juice, at the same time Hermione reached for it. Both pulled back their hands apologizing to the other and blushing deeply. Harry smiled and shook his head slightly.

"So Harry," Dumbledore began, causing the room to fall into an abrupt silence. "How has your summer been so far? I see you've met Misty."

"Yeah. It's been great."

"There are a few things we need to discuss, before the day begins," the older wizard began, softly clearing his throat.

"Like what?" Harry asked, his tone thick and unemotional, causing the others to stare at him again. "The weather, the price of tea in China, the fact that I can see what Voldemort is doing, before it happens?" Dumbledore stared directly at Harry, knowing the pain and grief from all that happened to him a few months ago, had not healed.

"I always suspected that you would be able to predict the future," he told the younger man. "It was a gift your mother possessed, as well."

"It must not have been a very good gift, if she couldn't see the coming of her own death." Harry snapped bitterly.

"She did see it," Dumbledore clarified gently. "She just didn't see who it was Voldemort was killing." The room was silent for several long moments, causing the tension Harry was now feeling to mount.

"I think we should all eat," Mrs. Weasley insisted, levitating the platters of food over to the table, along with the juice and empty plates. Those around the table sat those who were eager to put a halt to the tension mounting within the walls of the room.

Breakfast was eaten with a great deal of enthusiasm, as happy chatter continued, and Ron eagerly opened his letter containing his O.W.L. results. Mrs. Weasley was very pleased that he had done so well, getting high marks in Charms, Transfigurations, Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic, while barely scraping by in Potions and failing miserably in Divinations. Between all his exams, Ron had been able to make seven O.W.L.s in all, making his already bright smile grow and his face to turn a brilliant red, when Hermione gave him a kiss on the cheek to congratulate him.

"What did you get, mate?" Ron turned to Harry, who shrugged. "Didn't you get your letter?" he asked him again.

"Hermione has it," was all Harry said, as he stood and walked his full plate to the sink.

"Why's Hermione have it?" Ron asked, turning to the girl next to him.

"He didn't want to open it," Hermione said softly. Ron frowned and turned back to his friend.

"Why not?" Harry took a deep breath, and stomped over to the table, grabbing the letter and ripping it open roughly. He pulled the contents out and tossed the pages aside, until he found the final results.

"Eleven, okay? Now will you get off my back?" The room fell into a stunned silence again, with only Dumbledore looking calm at the boy's reactions.

"Eleven is excellent Harry," whispered Hermione, softly.

"Yeah, Miss Perfect? What did you get?" Hermione blushed profusely, lowering her hands in her lap.

"Fourteen," she whispered.

"Well, there's a surprise. Hermione Granger gets top scores in every class. Who would have thought?"

"Hey, lay off her Harry. What's gotten into you, anyway?" Ron asked, coming to his friend's defense, as the tears began to sting her chocolate brown eyes.

"Nothing," Harry answered, turning to leave the room. "I'm going out."

"Out where?" Moody demanded, standing and walking towards him.

"Running," Harry answered, unable to contain his anger.

"You're not going alone, it's too dangerous." Lupin replied, joining Moody.

"You have to be kidding?" Harry snarled bitterly, looking from one to other. "What could possibly happen to me, that hasn't already?" The room was silent for several moments. "That's what I thought. If you want to stop me, you'll have to catch me," he snarled, then stormed out the door.

"Leave him be," Dumbledore ordered, stopping the two men from following him, as well as those who jumped from the table to join them. "He needs to burn off some of his grief. He'll be all right."

"What if we went with him?" Ron asked, suddenly, watching as Dumbledore nodded his head. Ron and the twins jumped up and headed out the door behind Harry, leaving the rest in their wake.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Professor," Snape commented boldly. "Potter isn't' exactly stable, right now."

"He needs time to deal with his grief. He has yet to confront it, and until he does, his mood is unpredictable. He'll be all right. I placed protective charms on him at the end of last year, and they will stay with him, until he goes back to Hogwart's."

Moody and Lupin looked back to Dumbledore, then reluctantly sat back down at the table. They had faith in their leader, but there were times when they couldn't even begin to understand the depths of his magic. Perhaps this was one of those times, when it was best to just follow blindly, and ask no questions.

Harry turned a corner and looked behind him, watching as the three red haired boys struggled to keep up with him. At fist it was irritating that they were following him, but after a few blocks, it became quite amusing. Harry was barely winded, but that was because he was used to running. Ron and his brothers however, had to stop every so often and catch their breath. When this happened, Harry would just slow his pace and wait. It was a game of cat and mouse, and waiting for them to catch up was actually quite amusing. Harry leaned back against the wall of the building he was hiding behind, glancing around the corner and watching as the three again began jogging rather unceremonious. He folded his arms across his chest and waited patiently for the three to catch him. The morning breeze was actually very cool, making the air that dried his sweaty chest feel refreshing. Harry thought back over the events that morning, not exactly sure what it was that was making him feel so irritable lately.

He listened as he heard the stomping of feet heading his way. The gasps for air echoing in the breeze around him, made him smile. He leaned further against the brick wall, listening to his friends as they approached him.

"I...think...he...turned...up...here..." gasped Ron.

"Why...are...we...doing...this...again..." panted Fred.

"Because...he's...our...friend..." Ron exclaimed, breathlessly.

"Remind...me...to...get...some...new...friends..." George said, as the three turned the corner and nearly ran over each other, when they saw Harry just standing there, waiting.

"If you really want to catch someone, you need to be in better shape," Harry teased, smiling as the three collapsed against a signpost, a postbox, and the ground.

"How...long...did...you...say..." began Fred.

"You've...been...doing...this..." George finished for his brother.

"I run five kilometers a day. I've been doing it since the start of summer."

"I...think...I'm....going...to...die..." Ron gasped, holding onto his side. Harry chuckled softly, watching as the three struggled to catch their breaths.

"You know Ron, a girl likes a guy who can carry her up more than two stairs, before he passes out," Harry teased, watching the aggravated expression cross his face. He slowly pushed himself away from the wall and began walking back towards Grimmauld Place. "If you don't keep moving, your muscles will cease up and you'll be unable to move the rest of the day." The three groaned as they stood and started to follow behind their bare-chested friend.

"So, Mr. Potter..." gasped Fred, trying to keep up with the younger boy. "Are you feeling...any better?" Harry sighed softly.

"Yeah, I guess so," Harry said, looking back at Ron. "I'm sorry for the way I acted back at the house," he told him. "I don't know what's been going on with me lately. One minute I feel fine, the next I feel like crawling out of my skin."

"It's just the idea of being cooped up with those Muggles all summer," George announced. "It would make me feel a little stir crazy, too."

"Yeah, I guess," Harry said softly. The four of them walked on for quite sometime in silence. The thoughts consuming their minds was enough to keep them moving forward.

"What are we walking for?" Fred suddenly asked his brother. "We can apparate."

"Hey, yeah. Why are we doing this the hard way?" George smiled.

"No offense you two, but this walking stuff is for the dogs. We'll see you back at the house." With that said, the two of them disappeared into thin air, leaving Harry and Ron behind to proceed in tense silence.

"Are you ever going to talk to me again?" Harry asked, pulling his shirt from around his waist where he had tied it while running, and slid his arms back through the holes. Ron glanced sideways at his friend, and smiled slyly.

"Well, I guess I'm going to have to," he told him. "I don't know of anyone else who has the patience to deal with your mood swings."

"I don't have mood swings, girls do."

"Well, if the shoe fits..." Harry slugged Ron in the shoulder, glaring at his friend.

"Can I ask you something, Harry?" Ron asked after a few minutes.

"Sure."

"Do you really think I stand a chance with Hermione?" Harry chuckled softly.

"You are thick sometimes, aren't you?" Harry asked, watching the blush creep up across his neck. "Haven't you seen the way she looks at you? She's got as big a thing for you, as you do for her."

"I'm really scared, Harry," Ron whispered. "I think I'd rather face Fluffy again, then run the risk of having her laugh at me."

"She's not going to laugh, Ron. Trust me. Just go up to her and say, 'Hermione, will you go out with me?' It's that simple."

"I'll ask her, if you ask someone." Harry turned to his friend, staring at him as though he had three heads himself.

"Are you crazy? Who would I ask out? There isn't another girl around here, for miles. All I've seen today, or old people, and women with kids. I'm not exactly ready to be somebody's daddy you know."

"There has to be someone. Think." Harry sighed deeply.

"Ron, there's nobody, except McGonagall, but I don't think the school board would go for the idea of my dating one of my professors. There's Tonks too, but I have a hard time dealing with her constantly changing her hair color, besides I think Lupin would strangle me if I tried to ask her out. I think he's got a real thing for her."

"Tonks and Lupin? What an odd couple."

"Yeah, like you and Hermione." Harry fell into silence again.

"Hey wait a minute," Ron said with a glow to his face, stopping Harry from proceeding further. "What about Ginny? She's only a year younger than you. She'd be perfect."

"Ginny? Your sister, Ginny? Ron, she's like a little sister to me, besides she's dating Dean Thomas, remember?"

"No she's not. They broke up right after summer started, something about her not writing often enough, or some dumb thing. Anyway, she'd be perfect. She's always had a crush on you, and I know she'd go for it. Please?"

"Why do I have to ask someone out, just so you can ask Hermione? I don't want to go on a date?"

"Please Harry? I'm really scared, I can't do this alone." Harry growled under his breath, turning and continuing to walk forward. They walked in silence a little ways further, before guilt began to rake his mind. Ron had always taken second seat to Harry, ever since they first met. He had always thought of Ron as a brother, so he felt like it was his duty to help him out. But Ginny? In his mind, she was still a little girl of eleven, needing to be rescued from Tom Riddle.

"Fine, Ron," Harry finally agreed. "But you owe me. I can't believe I'm agreeing to this."

"Thanks mate, I promise, I'll pay you back double."

"Yeah, whatever. Just don't name your first born after me, if things go that far."

"Harry?! We're talking about Hermione here."

"Yeah, and your point? You're sixteen, Ron, you know, hormonal and all that stuff."

"What about you? Today's your birthday - by the way, happy birthday - aren't you loaded with hormones, and all that stuff too?"

"For Ginny?! Ron, we're talking about a little girl, that's like a sister to me. That's really gross."

"Well for what it's worth, thanks again. I really do appreciate it."

"You'd better. I can't believe I'm agreeing to this." The two walked on in silence, Ron practically glowing with excitement and Harry thinking of how weird it was going to be to ask Ginny out on a date. Maybe he was cracking up, after all.


Author notes: Thank you all so very much for R/R. Please keep reading and reviewing.