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 19

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:
02/10/2004
Hits:
1,993


Chapter Nineteen

Harry awoke to an odd sensation, staring into the concerned eyes of his best friend. Ron frowned at him, the dim light of dawn shining around him. He sat up with a groan, feeling more exhausted then he had when he went to bed, his mind trying to search what it was that had just happened to him.

"Are you all right?" Ron asked, sitting back on the foot of Harry's bed, staring at him.

"Yeah, I think so," Harry answered, reaching for his glasses lying on the table near his bed. "Why did you wake me?"

"You were having a nightmare or something," Ron told him softy, trying not to wake the rest of the room's sleeping occupants.

"I was?"

"You were calling out Percy's name." Harry frowned thinking back on the night before. He was so tired, it was hard to focus his mind, but he thought hard remembering sitting in the common room practicing his Occlumency lessons, then finally giving up and going to bed. He remembered the strange sensation of walking along a quiet street and the cold air. Then it hit him with the full force of what had happened.

"Percy," Harry said, fear and concern etching his face and voice. "I've got to get to Dumbledore. Percy's in trouble."

"What do you mean in trouble? From what?"

"Ron, I had a vision. Dementors attacked Percy, they kissed him. Someone sent them after him."

"Who? Why would anyone want to set Dementors after Percy? Was it You-Know-Who?"

"No, but he's in trouble. We have to warn him." Harry jumped from his bed, running down the stairs and out the portrait hole, followed by his barefooted, pajama clad, red haired friend. They ran all the way to the statue guarding Dumbledore's office, stopping short. They didn't know the password. Harry began pacing the area in front of the statue, thinking. He knew Dumbledore had odd passwords like Lemon Sherbet, but what was it now? Every year it changed.

"Hello Harry, Mr. Weasley," Sir Nicholas said, coming around the corner of the hallway. "Up early aren't you? Not exactly dressed for running."

"Nick, please. We're busy," Harry said shortly, still pacing the floor.

"I can see that. Anything I can help with?"

"Not unless you know the password for Dumbledore's office," Ron said in an irritated tone.

"I'm a ghost, Mr. Weasley," Nick said, adjusting his head as it bobbed to the side. "I do not need passwords."

"That's right," Harry said stopping his pacing. "You don't need passwords."

"That's what I said."

"Can you get into Dumbledore's office and tell him we have to speak with him?" Nick looked at the boys, eying them with a frown.

"I suppose, but it is against the rules, even for a ghost to disturb the Headmaster. What's the problem?"

"Please Nick," Harry pleaded. "Tell Dumbledore I have to see him. Tell him I had another vision, he'll understand." Nick floated in the same place for a few moments, considering what the young man said, before nodding his head, adjusting it back to his shoulders and disappearing through the wall.

"I don't understand any of this Harry," Ron said once they were alone again. "Who would want to kill Percy?"

"I don't know, but I know we have to help him."

"But how? Your premonitions aren't exactly dated. How do we know when this is going to happen? For all we know, it's already happened."

"No it hasn't, I can feel it. And I do know when."

"How?" Ron asked, as the statue in front of them jumped aside, revealing the white haired man on the other side. Dumbledore looked concerned, stepping aside for the boys.

"Come with me," he ordered, allowing them to follow him up the stairs. Harry glanced back to see Nick gliding down the stairs from the upper office.

"Thank you Nick," Harry said softly, watching the ghost nod briefly, and then disappearing through the sidewall.

Once inside Dumbledore's office, the man motioned for the two to sit, taking his own seat behind the desk. They watched him wave his wand, a tray of biscuits and tea appeared in front of them. The teapot took up its own accord, pouring the hot liquid into the three small cups that floated to the recipients.

"Now Harry," Dumbledore began, taking his teacup and sipping its contents. "Sir Nicholas tells me you've had another vision."

"Yes sir," Harry answered, sitting his cup on the edge of the desk and glanced to Ron. "I saw the Dementors attacking Percy Weasley. They kissed him on a street, late at night."

"Do you know who sent them?" the older man asked with a deep furrow of his white brows. Harry shook his head, and then looked to Ron again before speaking again.

"I know something about what's going on," he told the Headmaster, watching as he leaned back in his seat, his fingertips meeting as he placed his hands near his mouth. He eyed Harry and Ron for a moment, inspecting each expression closely.

"Do you know when this attack takes place?" Harry nodded.

"It's on the night of his daughter's birth." Ron gasped, looking at Dumbledore with wide eyes.

"Daughter? Percy's got a daughter?"

"He will have Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore answered, reaching for a quill and parchment. He jotted down a note, rolling it and taking it to Fawkes. "Take this to Grimmauld Place," he ordered, watching as Fawkes spread his wings, flying out the window. Dumbledore sat back down, looking at Ron.

"Your brother has been working in secret for the Order, since Bartemius Crouch's death," he explained. "He has been keeping an eye on things at the ministry. It was our intention for him to make public his disapproval of Harry and your parents, and his disbelief of Voldemort's return."

"Bloody hell," Ron said. "Do my mum and dad know about this?"

"Only your father knows. It was best to keep as few people aware of his actions as possible."

"Why was he spying on the Ministry of Magic?" Harry asked, taking up the conversation.

"We have reason to believe that there is at least one supporter to the Death Eaters, in the Ministry's Head Office. With Mr. Weasley's help, we have narrowed it down to two people."

"I can't believe Percy was a spy," Ron said in stunned silence, and then remembered what Harry had said. "How does he have a child?"

"Your brother married Penelope Clearwater early last year. Your father was the only one who knew he had married and that they are now expecting their first child. Even his wife does not know about his mission. She is under the belief that your brother had a falling out with your family and has since refused to make contact with them. It has been very difficult on him to keep his word, and his distance. You see Mr. Weasley, I am aware of what you and your brothers think, but he is not a traitor to your family. He is working for the Order, in hopes of helping bring a quick end to this war."

"Do you know when the baby is due?" Harry asked, thinking back on what he had seen in his vision. Dumbledore frowned.

"She is expected any day now. Even I can not determine the exact date."

"What happens if we can't stop the Dementors?" Ron asked, fear in his voice.

"I think you know the answer to that," the old wizard assured him. Ron's face turned suddenly pale. "We will take it from here. The two of you need to get back to your dormitory. I believe you have the pitch reserved for your team's practice today. You don't want to miss out on your training."

"I can't concentrate on Quiddich at a time like this," Ron insisted, standing up beside Harry.

"You must," Dumbledore argued softly. "It is important for you to keep your mind occupied on other things. We will let you know what we find out."

"Professor," Harry said, starting to walk to the door. "It wasn't Voldemort who sent the Dementors after Percy. My scar didn't hurt when I woke up, and the person in the alley wasn't him. But I felt like I knew him, or had seen him somewhere before."

"Thank you Harry," Dumbledore told him, patting his shoulder. "That narrows it down considerably."

Harry and Ron left Dumbledore's office in silence, walking back to their dormitory. They entered through the fat lady's portrait, and went straight to their room. Inside was nearly engulfed in the light of morning, yet as any other Saturday, all was quiet as the students remained in their beds. Nobody was eager to wake early on the weekends, and Harry and Ron found themselves crawling beneath their covers, staring at the ceiling while listening to the soft snores of the Dean, Seamus and Neville. Harry felt miserable. He knew exactly what and when Percy was going to be attacked, and yet he didn't know. At least Dumbledore knew, and that was the largest task taken care of.

"Hey, Harry," Ron said softly, so not to disturb the others. "How did you know Percy was working for the Order?"

"I heard him and your dad talking one night over the summer, when I snuck down to the kitchen to get something to eat. I didn't know how to tell you, or even if I should. Your dad was pretty insistent that he continue to keep his mission secret, so I figured it was best to keep it that way."

"I don't want Percy to die," Ron said again after some time. Harry sighed. He felt helpless and it was the most irritating feeling he had ever experienced.

"He won't, Ron. Dumbledore will see to it."

"It'll kill mum," Ron said again, his voice breaking with emotion.

"Dumbledore will save him, Ron. You have to trust in that." Ron turned over in his bed, hiding his face in his pillow. He wasn't willing to let his friend see him cry, but he couldn't stop his tears either. As much as he had always complained and argued with Percy, the truth was he loved him and missed him. He couldn't imagine what life would be like without him, even if he was a royal prat at times, he was still his brother.

"Ron?" Harry said softly, tossing the covers aside and standing up out of his bed. "I can't sleep. Do you want to go running with me?" Ron sniffed, wiping his eyes, nodding. He kicked his covers off and reaching for his clothes, quickly dressing. He pulled on his shoes and joined Harry who left their dorm and the castle. They walked in silence toward the lake. The air was crisp and the slight autumn wind sent chills racing through their sweats and jumpers. They began jogging slowly to warm up, Harry keeping things at a steady pace. Within fifteen minutes the two were running laps around the lake, their minds consumed on what had happened in Dumbledore's office. Ron grew tired much quicker than his athletic friend, breathing hard after another twenty minutes and slowing his pace, falling to the grass beneath a tree. Harry ran one more lap, and then joined his friend under the tree, stretching out on the moist grass. They remained silent, unable to talk at first due to their heavy breathing and then later, due to the renewed thoughts.

"Harry, isn't that Malfoy?" Ron asked, after several minutes. Harry leaned up on his elbows, looking out across the field to where a lone figure sat. It was difficult not to recognize the pale blond, even at this distance. They watched him just sitting in the middle of the dying grasses, his arms wrapped around his knees, his hair blowing freely in the morning breeze. Harry sighed before he stood, brushing the loose blades of grass from his pants and jumper. He knew he had to talk to the Slytherin boy, he'd been putting it off for days, but it had been easy since Malfoy had not been in class since hearing about his mother.

"Lets go," Harry told Ron, watching as he followed suit. They walked toward Malfoy, seeing his state of disarray as they neared him. The normally refined, well groomed young man they had spent the past five years hating, looked toward the open field with red rimmed eyes, unshaven chin and hair free of the expensive gels and holding sprays that usually kept it restrained.

"He looks like hell," Ron said softly. They slowed their pace as they neared the blond. He didn't look at them, but his posture told them he knew they were there.

"Malfoy," Harry said softly, then cleared his throat. "I know you don't give a damn what I have to say, but I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. I never knew your mother, but I'm sure she was a great lady. This shouldn't have happened to her."

"She was a Death Eater, Potter," Malfoy said softly, his tone reflecting nothing of the boy they had always known. "My father is a Death Eater, and I'm being trained to be one. What more is there to say?" They were silent for several nervous, stressful moments, wondering if they should turn and leave or say something.

"Why was she working against Voldemort if she was a Death Eater?" Ron asked, using the Dark Lord's name for the first time without concern, a frown etching his brow. Malfoy looked up at them, his eyes revealing his fatigue and grief.

"She was scared, Weasley. She didn't want me to turn out like my father, so she turned sides and contacted Dumbledore. The Dark Lord found out and sent two men to bring her to him, in the middle of the night."

"Crabbe and Goyle," Harry said softly, suspecting who the two men were. Malfoy nodded once, looking back to the open space.

"So that's why you've been so hard on them this year?" Ron clarified.

"I can't stand the idea of being in the same house with the sons who murdered my mother. I want them dead for what their fathers have done."

"Now you know how the rest of us, who have had to deal with the dark side, feels," Harry said again. Malfoy glanced up, locking eyes with him.

"How do you do this every day?" Malfoy asked him.

"Do what?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Know every day that you will probably die, but still face the threat? How do you go on knowing how your parents were killed, and not demand revenge?"

"What makes you think I don't want revenge? I live with the nightmares of their deaths. I hear my mother's screams every time I close my eyes. The only thing that keeps me going, is knowing that I will gladly sacrifice my life in order to make that bastard pay for what he's done to them."

"So I suppose it's not that abnormal for me to want all of them dead."

"No."

Malfoy stood, wiping the loose grass from his wrinkled pants, then turned to study the faces of the two staring at him. He looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn't form the words correctly. He nodded at the two, leaving them in his wake as he returned to the castle.

"What just happened?" Ron asked, frowning at Harry, who in turn watched the blond walk into the castle, disappearing inside the protective walls.

"I think the Grinch just grew a heart."


Author notes: This was shorter than I had originally wanted, but I really wanted to get it out. Hope you enjoy it, and please continue to R/R.