Harry Potter and the Emerald Sceptre

~~~~ Chapter 7 ~~~~

Recollections and Revelations

LOVE AT LAST FOR THE BOY WHO LIVED!

A boy like no other, Harry Potter, currently in his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has been ridiculed for two years by the media, yet he never wavered from what he believes. It takes great courage to do what we know to be right in the face of such shameless slander, but it takes even more to admit we need help. And where does our youthful hero derive his courage? From those he holds dear of course. The Daily Prophet's own Beatrice Heinemann can exclusively report that Harry Potter has one particular friend he values above all others.

Kathryn Bell, of Greater London, daughter of the former Auror Daniel Bell, accompanied Potter to the European Qualifier between Puddlemere United and the Chudley Cannons yesterday. The two are rumoured to have been dating for a number of weeks but this is the first time the couple have appeared in public together.

Despite the poor public image that was cruelly pinned on him last year, Harry Potter has remained a pin up for girls across the country. While this news may break many hearts nationwide, we should perhaps be thankful that the Boy Who Lived has finally found someone who returns his affection following the Hermione Granger/Victor Krum fiasco two years ago. Let us hope that Miss Bell may bring him all the happiness that he deserves.

"This wasn't the first time you appeared together, was it?" said Ron.

"No, we got away with it Diagon Alley and a few times around Muggle London," said Katie. "I suppose that means that I will get hate mail for a...year or two," she added glumly.

"Don't open anything that appears squishy. It could be...something nasty," warned Hermione.

"Bubotuber Puss?" asked Ron.

"Thanks Ron," Hermione pulled a face, "I'd rather forget that ordeal."

"Hate mail isn't the real problem," interrupted Harry. All eyes turned to him. He turned to Katie, unable to look her in the eyes. "You name has appeared next to mine. You have become a target. You are no longer safe." He paused, guilt swelled in him, "I'm sorry I got you into this. I heard this coming, I just never listened."

Katie frowned, and her voice became suddenly hoarse. "Harry. Listen to me. If I am a target, then so be it. I will not hide. I will not leave your side. We all choose our own paths in life. Mine lies right here with you. If I die then I die but I will not crawl under a rock and live in fear so that I can die an old woman in a cold bed nurturing a century of guilt over what I didn't do to help you when I had the chance." She hadn't paused for breath once; she took a deep breath and looked straight into Harry's eyes. Harry finally managed to look into hers. Her decision was final. Her Gryffindor courage was shining through and he was grateful because of it. Her words gave him strength.

"One more thing," said Harry. "I am a pin up?"

"You didn't know?" asked Fred.

"No. There is a sign now on the Firebolt with my name on it, that's about it."

"You know the novelty gift shop opposite us at Diagon Alley?" George snorted. "Well, they're selling T-Shirts and posters of you. There are mugs with your face on it; I bet you have your own fan club."

"You're having a laugh," stuttered Harry in disbelief. Why would they want him? Where did they get the picture from?

"I'm missing something here," said Uncle Vernon. "She is linked to you so she is going to be killed? You appear to be a celebrity in this world. What makes you so special?"

"You don't know who he is?" gasped Molly Weasley in utter shock. "You don't know what he has been through to keep us all safe?"

"Yes, I know. He survived a super-duper-mega-blaster curse when he was one and killed Lord Voldywart and saved the day, then he came back to life and killed his godfather who had escaped from your famous prison with the Dementoids things."

"You don't know the half of it. If you had seen half the things this boy has seen, you would crawl under a rock and cry," hiss Molly Weasley, furious at this man's ignorance and arrogance. "You know nothing."

Aunt Petunia spoke up. "Tell us then. We have until Tuesday. Vernon and I aren't going anywhere."

"Fine," said Molly, not taking her eyes from Harry's uncle. "You were right when he was one. Lord V...Vol...You-Know-Who..."

"Most people still fear to speak his name," interjected Harry.

"Why aren't you telling this, being the title role?" asked Uncle Vernon.

"Experiencing it once was enough. I'd rather not relive it. Not to mention I have heard it enough times to be utterly bored of the story."

"As I was saying," interrupted Molly. "He was at the height of his power. There were deaths everywhere. You didn't know who to trust. His spies were everywhere. His supporters were uncontrollable. They killed and pillaged left, right and centre. If an Auror brought one in, a dozen more took his place..." Harry gave up listening, he knew the story. He had lived through it. The press glorified him, made him out to be something that he was not. Right here Mrs. Weasley was doing exactly the same.

"Anyone else want a cup of tea, because I'm making one," said Harry rising. He walked over to the kettle.

"I'll help," said Katie, joining him by the sink. Dobby appeared with a crack.

"Does Master Harry Potter want Dobby to make tea?" asked the House Elf excitedly.

"No thanks," whispered Harry. "I just wanted to get away from the conversation. I'll do it myself, thanks, Dobby." Dobby sighed then disappeared with another crack.

Katie lowered her voice and whispered in Harry's ear. "A little melodramatic, isn't she. I bet Ron and Ginny had some cracking bed time stories when they were small."

"Probably still do." Harry grinned, while Molly continued.

"So we skip to five years ago. Hagrid rescues him from your house."

"Rescued?" asked Uncle Vernon indignantly.

"That is how we see it," said George, "Just like the second year, with the flying..."

"That will do, George," said Hermione. She hadn't approved of the exploits in the flying car.

The tale dragged on, Ron and Hermione added bits where Mrs. Weasley missed them. It was a game of Chinese Whispers, the tale that was being told was loosely based around the truth, but exaggerations were plentiful. Ron was telling Uncle Vernon how they had fought their way past a three headed dog and down a trap door.

"Ron and Hermione got me through," called Harry from his position by the kettle. "I just followed them."

"You did a little more than that, Harry," said Hermione. "In the final dungeon, Harry fought off Voldemort and his servant Quirrell and saved the Philosopher's Stone."

"It wasn't that grand, they were the same person. Voldemort possessed Quirrell, his face was on the back of his head. He couldn't touch me because of my mother's protection so I just held on to him. I passed out and Professor Dumbledore pulled him off me. I did nothing heroic or magical."

"You held him off, you saved the Philosopher's Stone and ended up in the Hospital wing for a week," interrupted Arthur.

"After that," continued Molly. "The Stone was destroyed to prevent it happening again."

"Wait," interrupted Uncle Vernon. "You had a stone which could give you immortality and you destroyed it?"

"Yes," replied Harry. "Well I didn't, Dumbledore did."

"You didn't use it?" Uncle Vernon couldn't believe it. To him, the stone would be a gift from God.

"In my sixteen years I have seen enough death and destruction to last several lifetimes. What makes you think I want to live for an eternity?" He got a few shocked stares for that comment. "Anyone else want a cuppa while I'm making one? Last chance!" No one spoke. "Oh well." He made two cups of tea then sat back down, with Katie on his knee, her arm around his neck.

"Anyway we come to the second year at Hogwarts," narrated Molly. "There is a chamber deep within the castle called the Chamber of Secrets..." She went on spilling out almost every event. Harry wondered where she had discovered all this. Then he remembered that she and Arthur had been in Dumbledore's office when he had emerged from the Chamber. She was there when he had recalled it all for the Headmaster.

"It's like a cross between 'Story Time' and 'This is Your Life'," whispered Katie.

"Everyone thought Harry was behind the attacks as he can talk to snakes," continued Hermione.

"Snakes? You set the Boa Constrictor on me at the zoo that time, didn't you?" gasped Dudley.

"Yes, sorry about that. I didn't know I was a wizard. I was angry and I accidentally did it."

"After a while, Ginny was taken by the monster, or so everyone thought," said Hermione quickly. "Harry and Ron, without me - I was in a coma in the hospital wing at the time - discovered the location of the Chamber and went down into it. Harry killed the monster, destroyed the diary and saved Ginny."

"You didn't mention that I was bitten by the Basilisk and would have died if Fawkes the Phoenix hadn't appeared and saved me," added Harry between sips.

"Whatever," said Fred, "He saved the day once again. Bob's your Uncle, Fanny's your Aunt, he killed the villain, saved the damsel in distress and was out in time for tea and biscuits."

"And what was the monster?" asked Dudley.

"A twenty foot snake that kills you by looking into your eyes," said Hermione. "It has huge poisonous fangs and its jaws can crush a car. It could swallow a cow whole."

"And how did you kill it?" asked Aunt Petunia.

"Sword through the head. It's the best way really," said Harry flatly.

"Now," said Molly. "Do you remember the reports of Sirius Black's escape from prison a few years ago. Authorities couldn't find him. He was on your news as well."

"I remember, waxy chap, black hair, looked like he'd lived in a dustbin for a year," said Uncle Vernon. Harry felt his temper boiling. It was hard enough to discuss Sirius without having him insulted to his face.

Katie must have felt him tense or sense trouble because she tightened her grip on him and kissed his neck. "Let it go, Harry. He doesn't know yet."

Harry begrudgingly relaxed, glaring all the while at Uncle Vernon.

"Sirius Black did escape from Azkaban prison. It was rumoured that he was a big You-Know-Who supporter and that he was after Harry. Sirius had been arrested after You-Know-Who's fall for the murder of Peter Pettigrew."

Harry had been watching his Aunt intently. As expected, her head shot up at the mention of the name. She leaned forwards and listened all the more intently.

"It was reported that Sirius had betrayed Harry's parents and told You-Know-Who where to find them. Peter then tracked him down but Sirius killed him. At the end of third year, after nearly a year on the run, Sirius cornered Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Shrieking Shack: an old cabin near to Hogwarts. With the help of Sirius and Lupin, the truth came out. Sirius had not betrayed the Potters; he had not killed Peter. It was the other way around. Peter had given the Potters to You-Know-Who. Sirius had tracked him down, but even more remarkably, Peter Pettigrew was still alive. He had faked his own death and sent Sirius to Azkaban for it. Sirius had spent twelve years in the company of the Dementors. You remember how they made you feel, Dudley? Imagine that for twelve years. But when he learned that Harry was in danger and that Peter was in the same room as Harry, he escaped. Peter could transform himself into a rat. He hid as Ron's pet for twelve years but Lupin and Sirius forced him to transform back. Unfortunately Peter escaped and so Sirius' innocence could not be proved. He had to remain on the run. He was Harry's Godfather."

"And where is Peter now?" asked Aunt Petunia.

"With Voldemort," said Harry. "He returned to him, and helped him get his body back."

Aunt Petunia sprang up and ran from the room.

"What was that all about?" asked Dudley.

"I'll ask her," said Harry. "Carry on with the story, just tell it properly." He left and climbed the stairs. He knocked on the door to his Aunt's bedroom.

"Aunt Petunia? Are you ok?"

"Yes, Harry. I'm just tired, I..." she trailed off into sobs.

"Aunt Petunia, I know why you're crying. I know about you and my Dad's friends." There was a pause and then the door slowly opened.

"Who told you?" she stuttered between sobs.

"Remus."

"What did he tell you?"

"That you were once friends with my parents and their fiends. That you danced with Wormtail at the reception."

"Wormtail?" she asked.

"Peter Pettigrew. He could turn himself into a rat. Rat's tail - worm. That was the alias he took."

"Did he tell you what happened afterwards? Did he tell you how they abandoned me, incarcerated me for my own protection?"

"He never got to that part. He said that you would tell me when you are ready," relied Harry.

"How very philosophical of him. Ok, come in and have a seat. I'll tell you what happened."

Harry moved to the bed. He sat down next to his Aunt.

"When Lily first got her letter, I was angry. I saw it as your world pulling her away from me. When we were at Primary school we were very close. We would...do all those things that little girls do. This letter split us up. She went away and I only saw her during the holidays. I suppose I was jealous of what she could do. When she came back after the first term, she was still the Lily who had left. She couldn't use magic outside school so we both equal. She was my sister again. As the terms went by she changed. My ignorance of your world seemed to bore her. She seemed to have no time for me; she would always be sending owls to her friends, Scarlet, Rosie and to your father and his friends, Peter, Lupin and Black. Funny, I never connected him to the escaped convict. He was always so full of joy, so active. You needed to tie him down just to talk to him; he could never hurt someone, let alone kill them. Tease them, yes, but not bully or hurt them."

"He never did hurt anyone, except for Snape. He was framed."

"I know that now. So anyway before the third year, the six of them came around. They all shared a dormitory at school or something like that."

"Yes, they were all in the same house."

"We all went out together and messed about as friends. The eight of us became our own little gang. Your father didn't start...what term do you young people use now a days? Hitting on her? - Until around fourth year. Anyway, during the Third Year, they would frequently visit, every holiday, and I would go around their houses, except for Sirius' house. I never knew why."

"This is Sirius' old house. He died last summer." Harry had a lump in his throat. Hearing about Sirius in his prime was hurting him, bringing painful memories oozing to the surface. "His family were obsessed with purity of blood. They believed that Wizard should only marry a Witch, not Muggles because that dirtied the blood. Sirius didn't hold this racist view and so his family made his life hell. They also cast out Tonks' mother, the one who changes her face all the time, they expelled her mother because her mother married a Muggle. Sirius ran away on several occasions and stayed with my father."

"I never knew. Just like I never knew Lupin was a werewolf. He was the kind, considerate, charming one, Peter was the shy and cute one, Sirius was the loud and bouncy one and James was the stereotype football player that all the girls go for. Once James started fancying her, the visits stopped, once Hormones started running amok, he became arrogant, full of himself. I heard Lily complaining God knows how many times. I also read her diary but I didn't have to, to find out what she now thought of him. He expected her to worship him and when she didn't well a dislike grew. She resisted the charms so many girls succumbed to and this made him resentful. They hated each other by fifth year and it wasn't until they became Head Boy and Girl and were forced to sit down together and co-operate that they realised that they were right for each other. As for me, I felt so lonely. Every holiday there was just the two of us, if that, she would often go out with Scarlet and Rosie, leaving me all by myself. My school was a boarding school in North Devon; so living in Leicester, as we did at the time, not many friends came to see me. There was the old friend around the street but not much. I was quite lonely. I was resentful; I think I blamed Lily for my loneliness. I thought that she had driven them away from me. After we both graduated, myself a year earlier than she did because I'm a year older, we went our separate ways. I went to the Brunel University just North of Surrey. She went into a magical job, I never really knew what, and now you say she was an Ogre?"

"Auror," corrected Harry. "Dark wizard catchers. A cross between Special Forces and a Policemen, or in her case, police women."

"Four years after we left school, one year after my degree, I got the invite to your parents wedding. I went of course and it was just like old times. All the old crew was there. It was wonderful, and as Remus told you I ended up dancing with Peter and we...well..."

"That's enough. It is the worst nightmare of every teenage to catch their parents in any sort of position."

"It's perfectly natural."

"So is urination but that doesn't mean that I want to see everyone doing it."

"As you wish. Our relationship could never last and I knew it, so we ended it right there and then. He had a job in the Ministry doing something or other with fireplaces. When the dark times rose and the deaths were even more abundant than even you have heard of, Lily went off to fight. She and your Father joined Dumbledore's Order and fought against the Dark Lord. Something happened, I'm not entirely sure what but the result was that - Voldemort, is it? - was coming after Lily and your father. Lily came to me one night, by this time I had met Vernon and we were married and living in Surrey. Dudley was a few months old. Vernon knew of the magical world, he despised it and I played along, fearing that I would lose him if I admitted that I envied it. Of course he discovered what Lily was, but he didn't leave, as he believed that I had no part in it. Anyhow, Lily came to me, she told me what that they were 'in a spot of bother' as she put it. According to her, the Dark Lord would frequently come at people through their families. Therefore as her last remaining family, our parents had both died; she believed that I was in danger. She was a Policewoman of some sort, that much I knew. I didn't know the term Auror nor exactly what she did but I knew she was a bobby. At first I refused protection. I was foolish, within a week the bank where I was working was destroyed by an explosion. I should have been there but I agreed to swap shifts with a friend. She died in the blast. Her face still haunts my dreams to this day. Lily came to me again, this time I couldn't refuse. At the time Vernon was commissioning a factory up in Hereford, so I was alone much of the time. I agreed to let Lily help me. Firstly we took Dudley to Vernon, he was a few months old. Lily then took me to your Ministry, I would work during the day, helping office workers, and in the night I would sleep in a holding cell. It wasn't the Ritz but it wasn't too bad. I made friends in the office, Remus and Peter came to visit me, Sirius and James would occasionally pop in. My cell was given extra furniture so it was more of a bedroom than a prison but it was still locked at night to keep me safe. This was a little disconcerting but nothing serious. Then six months before we found you, a prisoner was brought in, he was put in a cell across the hall. That night he kept calling to me, he knew exactly who I was. The other cells were empty as most people caught in those days went straight to Azkaban. After everyone had gone home, leaving just the two of us. He asked me if I was ready to die. He pulled something out of his pocket and blew himself up, less than six feet away from me. I woke up in hospital a week later. It seemed that he had spies in the ministry; that nowhere was safe. Then the ministry, or maybe it was your parents, anyway someone came to the decision that the safest place was somewhere where no one could break in. If no one could break in then no one could get out. Where is the one place that no one can escape from?"

"You're kidding," gasped Harry in shock, "They didn't... they wouldn't, not ..."

"Yes, I spent six months in Azkaban for my own bloody protection."

"I was kept away from the other prisoners and the Dementors, but they still affected me. Six months in hell with those creatures. How Sirius survived twelve years I'll never know. That is why I knew what they were when they came for you and Dudley last year. I still sometimes have nightmares about that place. I hated Lily and James for sending me there. None of them came to see me, to give me any glimmer of hope. I had no visitors, no human contact save for the five human prison guards. My friends had abandoned me in the worst place on Earth. For six months I nurtured the hatred for what they had done, their betrayal of me."

"For your own protection?"

"Yes. I was allowed out of my cell, though there was nowhere to go and I ran the risk of meeting one of them out there. Shortly before you arrived with us, there was an assault on Azkaban. The Death Eaters or whatever they call themselves attacked the island. Apparently they wanted someone out of there. The Aurors arrived, without Lily and James who were in hiding I later found out. They evacuated me as I was not a prisoner and once I was back on the main land I went back to Surrey. They were too busy with the Death Eaters that they just let me go. Vernon and Dudley were at home, I just said that I had been sent to a branch of the bank in Poland, and he believed me. A fortnight later, I was back to full health and another week or so and we found you. You have Lily's eyes, I imagine people say that all the time. Every time I looked into them I saw the eyes that marooned me in hell. Every time I saw you I saw the man who had locked me with the Dementors. I spent the next fourteen years convincing myself that your world was evil, that I had always hated Lily that it was all her fault."

"Jesus!"

"Oh, I had Jesus with me. He got me through. Although I was off limits to the Dementors, they still came skulking by," replied Aunt Petunia with a tiny, sad smile.

"Your emotion would be like a feast to them. Prisoners go mad as they lose all happiness. They have none left to eat so the Dementors would come for you. I am amazed you remained sane."

"Me too. I hated you for what you reminded me of. I hated you to get at your parents. You couldn't imagine my disappointment when you got a letter. I had spent ten years away from your world. I had forgotten much and I was in denial. I had convinced myself that your world was evil, but deep down I still remembered the dark times, I still see the face of my friends who died in the bank bomb, I can still remember the voice of the suicide bomber. When Dudley was nearly kissed by a Dementor I knew I had to do something. You had said that he was back. Whether you were lying or not, I knew I had to be prepared. In the loft we had Lily's old school things. I could do nothing with her wand, but her Potions textbooks were more useful. Using her old supplies and an advert for an Apothecary in Diagon Alley, I began to teach myself. There are not many that I can do; Alegradia, which you put to good use, is one that I can. I have samples of eight potions; all can be used as a weapon. That is all I have been able to do. That event woke me up to the danger. It made me realise how childish I had been all these years. That is why I greeted Lupin in that way, I was trying to make amends. I also made the mistake of knowing what a Dementor was when you brought Dudley back last summer after nearly being kissed. Would you accept my recent efforts as a foolish old woman trying to make amends for fifteen years of neglect and bullying?"

"I never knew. I assumed that you just hated my mother for jealousy."

"I was jealous, I envied her. I longed to be a part of your world. Then I hated her for locking me up, but in hindsight, she could have left me to die. She was only doing what she thought to be right. Maybe she was right, maybe not, but I never should have taken it out on you, Harry. Nothing can justify what I have put you through." She broke down into tears. Fifteen years of anguish finally caught up with her.

Harry had experienced pain reliving what had happened to him, his suffering, however bad, did not include six months in Azkaban for no reason. His justification may be half of what hers was, but that didn't make it easy. He felt like he had just after he had seen Snape's Penseive, for years he had been told of his great parents then he discovers that his father was an egotistical bully, and now he discovers that they locked his Aunt in Azkaban. He may have disliked her over the years but he wouldn't wish Azkaban on his worst enemy. Then there was the matter of Sirius, had he been part of it? Aunt Petunia had painted a picture of him in his youth, full of life; Harry couldn't get this picture from his mind. He hadn't thought about Sirius for weeks. Oh God! Harry had betrayed his memory; he let him go! Harry felt so ashamed of himself. His first instinct was to smash his head into a wall. How could he? How dare he? Sirius meant more to him than his parents had. He was the only family Harry had ever had, what was he thinking letting him go. Two months of pain and mourning welled up in him. The floodgates of denial and issue skirting burst and be began to cry. He had yet to shed a tear for Sirius, he had been brave so far, or was it stupid? It didn't matter now, even the bravest of us cry. Did it matter? Did he care if someone saw him? No! He loved Sirius and he would admit it proudly to anyone who asked. The tears kept coming, more and more, running down his cheeks, dripping onto the bedclothes. Flashes of the veil appeared in his mind, he saw Sirius disappearing through the veil; this just spurred him on, crying in earnest. There they were, Aunt Petunia and Harry, two people who would have died a thousand deaths had they seen each other in this state a month ago, yet united at this hour by a common trait - pain. Both had suffered, more than the other knew. Both felt a pang of guilt for judging and hating the other, ignorant to their pain, which only added to their own discomfort.

Sirius. The name flowed through Harry's head. He would never forget him; never let him go. Then Harry was hit by a thought. Sirius had died for him. He had given his life so that Harry may live, he knew, no, he believed that Harry could defeat Voldemort. If Harry failed then Sirius' death would have been in vain, Harry could never let that happen. Sirius had believed in him, Harry was sure as hell not going to let him down. Right there and then he made a silent promise to Sirius, with God as his witness: Tom Riddle would die, as long as Harry had breath in his body. Harry regained his composure. He took a deep breath; his stern faced mask fell into place, but then wavered.

'Oh, what is the point of pretending it doesn't hurt?' thought Harry. 'It does.' Aunt Petunia's sobs had died down, but she was still weeping.

Harry sighed. "Aunt Petunia, it's in the past, and no matter how much we wish it, we can't change the past. We must all look to the future. You have a new life now, a chance to start over. You proved with the potion that your heart is in the right place."

"There is something else, something worse, something that you could never forgive."

"What."

"I told Peter where Lily and James had moved to. If it wasn't for me he wouldn't know and he wouldn't have betrayed them. They'd still be alive today."

"Aunt Petunia, listen - it is not your fault. My parents tracked down Peter. He couldn't find snow in the middle of Iceland. My parents had to look for him. There is a spell that hides people. The location is only known by one person: The Secret Keeper. Everyone else cannot see them. They wanted Sirius to be the Secret Keeper, but he thought it would be too obvious and Voldemort would just come after him straight away. So he convinced my father to make it Peter. They tracked him down and made him Secret Keeper. You didn't send him to my parents, they found him and offered him the job. He was the only one who knew where they were; he made the decision to betray them. You had nothing to do with it."

Aunt Petunia's eyes, red through rubbing and glistening with tears stared straight into Harry's eyes. He could see past her eyes into her soul. He saw a burden lift from her shoulders, ten years of guilt evaporated in an instant, leaving only the bitterness of six months in Azkaban. Some was gone, but too much remained, an experience of Azkaban would never leave her; it would plague her dreams always. He saw the pain, the suffering and the fear, nesting in her heart. She was not a wizard; she had just been caught in the crossfire. This was a war and war meant collateral damage. She was living proof. This is what would happen, time and time again in the course of this conflict. The sooner it was over the better, the sooner Harry had Voldemort's head on a spear the better.

"You'd better get back to your story," said Aunt Petunia, wiping her eyes.

"It will have ended by now," said Harry,

"How much have I missed?"

"Two years worth."

"Anything important happen?" Harry sighed and stared at his toes. He could sum up two years in two words, Cedric and Sirius, not usually in that order.

"Is it bad?"

"Let's just say, I'd rather it hadn't happened."

"Do you want to tell me?"

"In fourth year, there was a tournament reinstated. It was traditionally held between three schools, Hogwarts, a French one and one in Bulgaria. Anyway, to enter you put your name into a goblet and the goblet chooses the most worthy student out of those who volunteer. I didn't enter as I was not old enough. However a Death Eater put my name in under a different school, so I was forced to compete. The Death Eater then sabotaged the contest so that I won. I was supposed to reach the trophy at the end and it would be a Portkey and take me to Voldemort. But something went wrong; I wasn't the only one who touched it. Cedric Diggory - the proper champion from Hogwarts - was with me. We both were transported to Voldemort. Wormtail was there, and Voldemort had managed to make himself a body. Wormtail killed Cedric."

"Peter?"

"Yes. Have you ever seen a dead person's eyes? They stare through yours into your soul; it is like they are saying, why didn't you protect me? I can still see his face, he didn't deserve to die, but he did because I convinced him to take the cup with me, to draw for it. It is my fault he is dead. Wormtail then tie me to a grave, and used my blood and his hand to make a potion that would return Voldemort to his body. It worked. I saw him rise from the cauldron, we duelled and I luckily got away after our wands connected."

"His hand?"

"Yes he cut it off, flesh of a servant was one ingredient, as was blood of an enemy. My blood flows in his veins, so the protection that saved me when I was one, and again in my first year wouldn't work. I managed to get the Portkey back to school and take Cedric's body back to his family. I was a bloody mess, and Cedric was dead. You would have thought that was proof enough that Voldemort was back. But no, few believed us. For the fifth year, the Daily Prophet, which is owned by the Ministry, ran a slander campaign against Dumbledore and me because we would tell anyone who would listen about Voldemort's return. The Minister didn't want to believe, he feared the old days and so he convinced himself that we were trying to unseat his position, so he denied our claims and portrayed Dumbledore as insane and myself as deluded, attention seeking and violent. Ironically, this is what all of Privet Drive had been told since I started at Hogwarts."

Aunt Petunia looked at her feet.

"I'm sorry Aunt Petunia," said Harry. "I just found it ironic. Anyhow, all through the year students avoided me, save for a few good friends. On top of that the Ministry installed a teacher to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. The Minister was so paranoid about us wanting to unseat him that the Minister had her teach us theory alone, no counter curses, no defence training. He thought Dumbledore was training an army to use against him. But we resisted. Some of us started a small secret club, to train ourselves up for when Voldemort made his presence known."

"Who taught this club?"

"That would be me," replied Harry, for some reason feeling embarrassed. "I have a little more 'experience in the field' than most. But we were caught, after a few months we were betrayed, then the Ministry drove Dumbledore from the castle.

"Now, the scar on my head is the link between myself and Voldemort, it is where his curse struck me when I was one. Through it we can connect to each other's minds. Shortly before the end of the year, Voldemort sent me a false vision. I had had visions before, true ones. Because of one we managed to save Mr. Weasley's life. This one was false; it showed Sirius being tortured in the Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore was gone, McGonagall was in hospital, there was only Snape left who was a member of the order. When I tried to tell him about what I thought was happening to Sirius, he spat it back in my face. He hated Sirius after a schoolboy prank. Rashly I set out for the ministry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and two others came with me. We got into the room, but Sirius was not there. I should have seen it was a trap when I got there. The room was full of crystal balls, all holding prophecies. One had my name on it, curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up. The Prophecies are protected so only the one who were in it could touch it, Voldemort and myself. He couldn't come because that would reveal his return, when the Ministry had not acted he could move around quite freely. So he tricked me into getting it. We were attacked by Death Eaters. We all ran. Dumbledore came in with Sirius, Moody, Tonks and Remus. During the battle, Sirius was...was... he died." He chocked on the last word.

"How?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange, his own cousin." Hatred flowed through him at the sound of her name. "She hit him with a curse and he fell through a veiled archway. Where it leads, I don't know, but he did not appear on the other side. I went after Bellatrix, this was one of the few times in my life when I have lost control. I didn't want to apprehend her; I wanted to hurt her. I even tried the Cruciatus Curse. It causes pain, a torture curse; it is enough to get you a life sentence in Azkaban. It failed. Voldemort turned up, he and Dumbledore duelled then he fled. Ginny, Hermione and Ron spent a week in hospital, Neville and Luna were up and about in a day or so."

"You blame yourself for the two deaths."

"Yes, they were my fault. It would have been five, last week, but we came to get you, this time we were right."

"I am most grateful for that, believe me, but the two are not your fault. You said Sirius spent a year on the run, for you, he clearly loves you. He gave his life for you. No parent should have to outlive his or her own child. I know it hurts when your parents die, but they would give their lives for their children. Believe me, as a mother, I know. He doesn't blame you, he would be proud that you haven't given up."

"For weeks I thought of nothing else but him, but for the last few weeks, I haven't given him a second thought. I feel like I've betrayed his memory."

"He would want you to move on, to finish what he couldn't. I do have two questions though."

"What are they?"

"Firstly, how did you get your hand back?" Harry managed a small smile, he removed the glove on his right hand, exposing the brilliant blue crystal."

"What is it?"

"Sapphire."

"Can you...move it?" He wiggled a few fingers. She gingerly reached out and touched it.

"It's so cold."

"I can't feel with it, just use it. Apparently I can change its shape but I have never tried, there has never been a need to."

"The second question is, what is in the Prophecy, what does it predict?"

"The one question I have feared. The Prophecy was destroyed in the fighting. The original person who heard it can still remember it. Many assume that it is gone and no one knows it, but I do. Dumbledore and Remus do. If I tell you, you mustn't tell anyone, anyone!"

"Ok, I promise."

"The Prophecy goes, this is only roughly; I can't remember the exact word. It begins

The one with the power to destroy the Dark Lord shall be born as the seventh month dies,

Born to those who have thrice defied him.

My parents had escaped him three times

The Dark Lord shall take him and mark him his equal

He gave me the scar and transferred some of his power to me. Apparently we are equal but I don't believe that,

But he shall have powers the Dark Lord knows not.

I don't know what this power is. I am told it is love but I doubt it would kill him if I told him that I loved him.

One must die at the hands of the other, for neither can live while the other survives.

Well I think you can interpret that yourself. Then it just repeats the first two lines."

"Jesus Christ!" stammered Aunt Petunia.

"Oh," Harry grinned, "I could use his help right about now."

"You mean that you are the only one who can stop him."

"In a word, yes, according to the prophecy."

"The lives of everyone in the country rest on you?" asked Aunt Petunia.

"Rub my nose in it why don't you?"

"Sorry, but it is a little extreme, you are only sixteen and you are responsible for all that. Somehow all my trouble seems so pithy now."

"Just don't tell anyone."

"Ok. We really should be getting back now."

"Go on," said Harry. "Just tell them that I am feeling ill and that I have gone to bed early."

"I will." She left and went back downstairs, leaving Harry alone. As he said he climbed the second flight of stairs and went into his bedroom. He dived onto his bed and lay there staring at the ceiling. What had it been like for her? What was it like to spend that amount of time near Dementors, when you haven't done anything wrong? Had his mother done the right thing? As usual, questions in abundance, but no answers. One thing he did know was that the world was many shades of grey. Black and white had gone right out of the window a long time ago.

~~~~ + ~~~~

And so it was that at 9:30 on the night of August 31^st, Harry Potter sat by himself on his bed packing for another school year. Looking back he had never had a pleasant year. Voldemort, the Basilisk, Dementors, Voldemort again and then Sirius, every year his life went arse over tit, every year his life went from bad to worse to downright bollocks. This summer, things had changed. He had a girlfriend, one who valued him as more than the Boy Who Lived; one who supported him and believed in him. He was free of the Dursleys who in turn were heading for a new life; that was three less people who could potentially be hurt on account of him; three less people who could be killed just to get to Harry. He had not mastered, but he had accomplished Occlumency, his new hand and ability at wandless magic gave him a secret weapon, an advantage over the Dark Lord. Voldemort may be able to do it himself, but not knowing that Harry could gave him the element of surprise. Harry found himself looking forward to the coming year with a sense of hope for the first time in years. This year he had an advantage, so what if the others pointed and stared, he had friends who would stand by him. The second year had proved that Harry could get by as long as those close to him stayed loyal. Given the faith the DA had had in him last year, he felt somewhat more confident than he had previously. This year, Harry promised himself, it will be different. This year it is Voldemort's turn to be afraid.

He was nearly finished, he looked down his checklist. Clothes? Yes, got those - school robes, dress robes and Muggle clothes. Books? Yes, all textbooks ever - with the exception of Lockhart's ones - plus his books on Occlumency, Phoenixes, Quidditch, Aurors and extra curricular Defence Against the Dark Arts. Broom? Yes, very important, mustn't forget that. Quidditch robes are at school so that is sorted. Potions kit? Yes. Telescope? Don't need it. Dragon Hide gloves? Don't have Care of Magical Creatures but could come in useful in Potions and Defence. Wand? Pocket. Cauldron? Yes. Cloak and Map? Definitely. Moody's magical flak jacket. Just in case. Photo album? Yes. He continued down the list, everything needed for school went in along with items of sentimental value. How many boys his age could fit everything they owned, with the exception of the house, into one trunk, without even having to shrink them? Not many. He took a look around the room to see if there was anything he had forgotten. The wardrobe was bare, as were the chest of drawers and shelves. He pushed the trunk shut, and sat on it in order to close the locks, after managing to close it, he levitated the trunk and made for the door. He would leave it in the hall to save faffing around tomorrow morning. As he got to the door his eyes fell on an item propped against the wall in the corner of the room. The sword, the same sword that had saved his life in at Crown Hill.

He put the trunk down and picked up the sword. Removing it from the scabbard, he inspected the blade. It was brilliant polished steel, not a smear nor fingerprint on it. Its curved blade was razor sharp with the exception of one kink where Macnair's axe had connected with it. Harry fixed that with a quick Reparo charm and it was as good as new. The handle was wound in black silk, and covered with an ornate gold mesh to keep it on. It felt warm and comfortable in his hand. The base of the handle was carved into the shape of the head of a dog - no, a wolf - with tiny diamonds for eyes. The guard was ornately carved from what looked like Black Crystal, depicting a six-point star contained within a circle. The scabbard was black except for the tip, which was a floral pattern of gold ending in a spike. Taking the sword in two hands he swung it through the air, it was as light as a feather, he could feel it cutting through the air. There was no resistance to his movement.

"Oh well, why not?" he muttered to himself as he opened his trunk and laid the sword inside. He closed the lid with difficulty and then moved it downstairs, Moody was just leaving as he came down the stairs. He looked up at Harry. Harry saw his magical eye flick from him to his trunk. He saw a small smile creep over Moody's face.

"You are finally taking heed, Potter," growled Moody. "Constant Vigilance!" He left just as Katie arrived with her trunk. She set it down on top of his and gave him a quick hug.

"All ready?" she asked.

"Just about. I think Ron is still being shouted to about being ill prepared and Crookshanks has stolen and probably eaten Ginny's favourite socks so everything is normal."

"Excellent."

"Dinner?" offered Harry.

"No, I've already eaten, thanks. It is nearly ten after all."

"Ok, just asking. I'm ready for tomorrow, the Dursleys are ready for tomorrow, the Weasleys are near enough ready so there should be no farting about in the morning. With that said I think it is time for a cuppa then it's up the wooden hill."

"The wooden hill?"

"Stairs, I've picked the phrase up from somewhere." Dobby made them a cup of tea and by the time they climbed the stairs all was quiet. The Weasleys appeared to be ready and asleep. Harry and Katie tiptoed up to Harry's room, or "The Bridal Suite" according to the notice that the twins had pinned onto the door.

They were in bed a few minutes later. Katie was curled up against Harry in her nightie, Harry himself had fallen into the routine of sleeping wearing just his boxer shorts.

"Harry," she whispered in his ear. He turned to look at her.

"Can I ask you a personal question? I know you don't like to discuss it but, what is it for you? Fear of killing or being killed?"

Harry paused, the direct nature of the question caught him off his guard. He thought for a second.

"Both, though if push comes to shove, I'd rather kill than be killed. I just don't think I could."

"Take someone's life?" she asked.

"No. Not even him, I couldn't kill him in cold blood. Could you?"

"No, but I don't have to. You told me that it is our choices who define what we are but you already know what you must do, so how can you make a choice?"

"I don't know. It is enough to give me a headache," replied Harry avoiding the question to which he didn't know the answer.

"Still there is something you can do."

"What's that?"

"Not worry about it."

"Forget it?" he asked.

"For tonight at least," replied Katie, as she planted a soft kiss on his lips. He returned it, his arms snaking around her waist. His left hand slid down to her thigh, he felt her smooth warm flesh in his hand. He slowly caressed her thighs as her hand slid down his chest into his boxers.

"Harry," whispered Katie, "Make love to me."

The last thought Harry had before his boxers were removed was, "My Pleasure."

~~~~ + ~~~~

At last, the First of September dawned. After a magnificent breakfast, the occupants of Number 12, which included the Weasleys, Hermione and Katie who had all stayed the night, were all set to go. Harry and the adults shrank all of the trunks and their owners pocketed them. The animals were all caged. Arwen, due to the fact that she was not a common sight to Muggles and would arouse suspicion if she were to be seen, had to be told to wait at Grimmauld Place and that Harry would summon her when he reached the Platform. At ten past ten, Dedalus flew in through the window.

"Morning all, " he beamed after he had resumed his normal shape. He wore simple jeans, shirt and jumper. The sort of thing a Hogwarts student would wear, which made sense, since he was about to become Harry. "Right, Harry. Hair if you will." He pulled a flask out of his pocket and offered it to Harry. Harry pulled out a few hairs and dropped them in. "Just let that sit for a bit. Everyone ready?"

"Yes," chorused all those present.

"Harry, Mr. Squires if you would wait here. This is the Portkey, made it myself," he said as he removed a spanner from his pocket. "It will activate at 10:35 precisely. Everyone else, the cars will be here momentarily." He had just finished speaking when a horn sounded outside. Dedalus checked his watch. "Three minutes ahead of schedule, damn I'm good!"

There followed a knock on the door. Dedalus opened it to find Remus and Tonks on the doorstep.

"Ready?" grinned Tonks.

"Ok, everyone to the cars," said Dedalus. He took a few steps through the door.

"Dedalus, aren't we forgetting something?" asked Lupin innocently.

"Are we?" replied Diggle.

"The potion for starters," relied Remus, with a sigh. Blood rushed to Dedalus' cheeks. He quickly took out the flask and took a swig. He retched then recoiled to the floor. When he stood again, he was an exact replica of Harry. Every detail was identical, except for the clothes he wore. He had retained his clothes. It took a swish of a wand to shrink them to a fit and then he was ready to face the world.

"Shame," said the false Harry. "I could get so many girls looking like this."

"Embarrass me and you won't be able to sit down ever again. One more thing," he pulled Dedalus close enough to whisper in his ear. "If you touch her," he pointed to Katie. "I will hex you from here to kingdom come, comprendé?"

Lupin and Tonks led the party out to the cars, leaving just Harry and the Squires in the house with Dobby. Dobby woul clean up and then Apparate to Hogwarts. The next twenty minutes passed intolerably slowly, like the time when one sits in the stands before a Quidditch game, just waiting for it to start, the seconds tick by so slowly. At 10:33, Harry held out the spanner and they all took hold.

"Here we go again," muttered Harry to himself. The Portkey activated exactly on twenty five to eleven. He felt the familiar jerk behind his navel and found himself at Kings Cross. However, not at the correct point at Kings Cross, They had appeared on platform seven.

"Bugger," cursed Harry.

"Where are we?" asked Dudley.

"Kings Cross, we are just on the wrong platform, someone screwed up the Portkey. Come on this way and try to keep your faces covered. You died last week, remember?"

"Why aren't we in disguise then?"

"Because we were supposed to go straight to the platform before anyone else gets there. You shouldn't have been seen at all so there was no need. Come on, quickly." Luckily the trunks were shrunken and in their pockets or they would never have been able to run. Harry led them up the stairs and over the walkway to platforms nine and ten. They reached the barrier and Harry looked around. Good - there was no one else from school here yet.

"What are we doing?" hissed Aunt Petunia to Harry. Harry tuned to face his relatives.

"We are waiting for those passengers to disperse then we are going to walk straight through that solid brick wall," he grinned at them. "Just watch out for the dragon on the other side - just a joke!" he added seeing the terrified looks on their faces. The Intercity 125 arrived just then. Passengers disembarked and scattered while the crowd before them got on the train. At last the coast was clear.

"Come on," said Harry. The four of them walked up to the wall. "Just step through, trust me you won't get hurt, on three, one...two...three." They all took a step forward and emerged onto Platform 9 ¾. Three of them froze in astonishment. The steam engine was shining n the sun as it always did; it was, after five years and twelve journeys on the thing, still breathtaking. There was no one about yet because they were so early.

"There, wasn't too difficult was it?" smiled Harry to Dudley. "Come on, we'll get you seated," added Harry as he led them towards the train.

"Dumbledore said he has a carriage set aside for you in front of the Prefects carriage." said Harry. He led his family towards the first compartment. They climbed in. Harry located the mirror which concealed the door. He gave the password and the mirror swung open. Harry ushered the Dursleys inside and re-enlarged their cases.

"Don't leave this compartment until I come to get you," said Harry. "You are supposed to be dead, remember. There is a toilet there and the food trolley will be around every few hours. I'll check in every so often. See this," He pointed to the glass doorway through which they had entered. "It is sound proof so no-one will hear you. It is one-way glass so that you can see who is outside; if it is not me, then don't open it. Keep the windows shut until we leave." He turned and left.

"Harry, were they your family?" asked a squeaky voice, he spun around in horror to see Dennis Creevy. Colin was no-where to be seen. He checked his watch, it was 10:41: the platform had been open for one minute. Luckily there was no one else around.

"What?" stuttered Harry.

"I thought I saw you come through the barrier with your family, you know, the ones who died."

"Died, being the key word, Dennis," replied Harry. "They are dead so they can't be here can they? Did Colin see it too?"

"No, he wasn't looking."

"Where is Colin?" asked Harry.

"In the bathroom," replied Dennis

"Excellent," said Harry. "Obliviate!" With a swish of his wand, he wiped Dennis' memory of ever having seen the Dursleys. It pays to have read the NEWT level Charms textbook before starting lessons.

Harry left the train and headed back to the barrier. He summoned Arwen who perched on his shoulder. Other students started to arrive, the platform filled with the sound of chattering kids and laughter. There were surprising numbers of adults around. They wanted to make sure that their children got onto the train safely. As people passed there were frequent calls of 'Hello Harry', 'Morning Potter' and many a gasp and gazes from the adults, most of the students had seen him before, the adults had not and were more of a nuisance than their children. The children of course gawked at Arwen as did the adults. The Weasleys appeared at 10:47 with Katie and Hermione.

"Safely stowed?" asked Katie.

"Yep," replied Harry.

"Excuse me," said a voice. "Where do I go?" Harry turned around. A small boy was standing next to Ron, he was very small and thin. He had blond hair and was wearing brand new robes.

"You shouldn't wear Hogwarts robes in Muggle London, idiot," said Ron. He still wasn't dealing with being a prefect very maturely.

"Ron!" said Harry. Ron was lucky Hermione or Ginny hadn't heard or he would really have got a mouthful. "Leave him be, he's clearly new, not everyone grew up as a wizard."

At this, the first year turned.

"Harry!" he squeaked. Harry recognised him.

"Mark, Mark Evans, what are you doing here?"

"And you call me stupid," grinned Ron, "He is wearing robes, you said it yourself - he is clearly new."

"I, oh yeah. Sorry," stuttered Harry. "I never knew, are your parents magical?"

"No, it was ever such a shock when I got my letter," said Mark. "Apparently I am the first in my family. I was told by Professor, Mc-something-or-other,"

"McGonagall" suggested Ron

"Probably," continued Mark. "Anyway, she said that I was the first of my immediate family. I have a great Aunt who was magical but she died years ago. She was the first in her family too. They say that Great Aunt Lily was a very powerful witch..."

"Lily?" asked Harry in amazement.

"That is what she said. Great Aunt Lily, she was killed by some evil Wizard, a long time ago. Her Son goes to Hogwarts. I wonder if I will see him."

"Are you sure?" asked Harry.

"Well I knew I had two Great Aunts ages ago, Aunt Lily and Aunt Petunia, but I never she was a witch or how she died and I don't know what happened to Great Aunt Petunia. Their Father was my Grandfather's brother."

"Harry, does this mean what I think it means?" asked Ron.

"What does it mean?" asked Mark, bewildered.

"It means that we are related. Lily Evans was my mother. Her sister Petunia was my aunt, Dudley's mother. She died last week. Didn't you read about it?"

"Yes I heard about them, can't say I am sorry that Dudley got it. Oh, I'm sorry - I know he was your family but still.... So you go here too then. Not to the Criminal centre."

"Yeah, they didn't want the fact that I am a Wizard made public."

"I can understand. My parents were very proud though, a little worried but proud. So anyway, where do I go?"

"Just leave your trunk here, I'll put it away. You just find a compartment, any will do apart from the first two cars, which are for Prefects, and have a seat. When you get to Hogwarts, you will be called together and led up to the castle," said Harry.

"Harry," said Mark after a beat, "If you are my Great Aunt's son, what does that make us?"

"Well... Family," was all Harry could say in response.

Mark grinned, sketched a wave, and trotted off.

"That was unusual," remarked Ron.

"Yeah," agreed Harry, "All these years and I never knew."

"Thought you'd be used to that by now."

"Me too," said Harry, grinning.

"Come on boys," said Ginny. She led the girls towards the train, Ron followed them, and Harry was about to.

"Harry, can I have a word?" said Lupin quietly. He led Harry aside. He gave Harry a box out of his pocket, the type in which one would normally find a wedding ring. He opened it. Inside was a silver amulet in the shape of a Phoenix.

"Take this Harry, wear it at all times, All Order members have one. Just hold it and say the name of the member who you need to speak to. You can then talk to that member. This is how we can communicate. You are now officially a member, Harry. Dumbledore sent it to you. Harry, you can trust Narcissa - Professor Black - and Professor Snape, if you need help you can go to them. If you need Dumbledore, or myself, you can call us on this. It should prevent a repeat of last... well, you know. One more thing. It is also a Portkey. If you are in trouble and need to escape, hold it and say 'get me out of here' and it will take you straight to Grimmauld Place, ok? "

"And if I need to take someone with me?"

"It can only take one, I think."

"Thanks, Remus," said Harry. It was beautiful; he put it on at once.

"Harry, keep it close, keep it a secret. Oh and Harry, try to have a good year, don't go worrying yourself unnecessarily. Oh, and Dumbledore has agreed to let Arwen stay with you."

"I'll try not to worry. Thanks Remus." He hugged his friend and then levitated Mark's trunk and climbed aboard the train. After dropping off the Trunk in Mark's compartment, he went to find Katie and the others. He found them in a compartment in the fourth carriage. He sat down next to Katie. Arwen flew up to the luggage rack. They let the animals out, except for Pig who was far too excited. Crookshanks jumped up onto the luggage rack and approached Arwen. She looked carefully at the bird; Arwen just stared back and then stuck her head under her wing. Crookshanks edged a little closer and extended a paw. Arwen's head re-emerged. She flicked her flaming tail towards the cat, not an attack, just a warning. Crookshanks took the hint and jumped back down, his investigation complete. It was now 10:54. They were joined by Neville and Luna. Both Luna and Neville seemed to have gained a party of followers this year. They were both greeted along with the others when friends stuck their heads in to say hello. Normally they were just nodded to, today they were eagerly greeted. Neville had changed a lot. His hair was now longer, down to his collar. His face was a little thinner and less round, and he seemed more confident. Luna was just as dotty as ever. She seemed completely unaware of just about everything, including the party of Ravenclaw boys who stuck their heads in to say hello to her.

"Ron, Ginny, Hermione. We have to go up front for a meeting. You OK here Harry?" said Katie

"Yeah, fine, Neville and Luna are here," replied Harry. The prefects got up and left. Luna took out the latest issue of the Quibbler, turned it defiantly upside-down and began to read. Neville looked at her with an appraising sort of stare. He shrugged and then stretched. As he stretched, his hair slipped away from his left ear. Harry saw that he had an earring. It was Silver and dangling from the ring was a large thorn.

"When did you get the ear done?" asked Harry.

"A week ago, its great isn't it?" As a matter of fact Harry took a very dim view of piercings, adding a hole your body was not something he considered to be sexy or clever, but he didn't want to offend Neville.

"Yeah," he said.

"And look at this, the thorn is one from a Layfornia Harafractus plant. Its juice is a really powerful anti-poison. Hopefully I won't ever need it but you never know."

"What did your Gran say?

"She doesn't know," said Neville timidly, the first thing which Harry had seen which was recognisable as the old Neville.

"You all right, after last year?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, Gran was so proud, she said that I had brought honour back to the name of Longbottom, she even bought me a new wand and an owl. Trevor died over the summer. Sad huh?"

"Yeah, I lost Hedwig this summer."

"But you have a Phoenix now, Harry. That's pretty cool." Neville glanced up at Arwen, who seemed to be surveying the scenery from her perch.

"Thanks, what's the time?"

"You're the one with the watch," said Neville

"Good point," Harry looked down at his watch, it read 10:58.

"How long until we go?"

"Two minutes."

Just then the Barrier exploded.