The Mathias Prophecy Book III

THE MATHIAS PROPHECY BOOK III

Deatheaters and Dementors

It had been over a week since Snape hypnotized Harry. She had been waiting for Dumbledore to tell her what he had learned, but thus far, there had been no answers forthcoming.

She was up in her room at the Dursley's lying on the bed following dinner and contemplating her birthday on Saturday. Sirius was to pick her up tomorrow, as he had promised. They were to spend the weekend at Professor Snape's town home. Where they were going from there, she had not been told for security reasons.

Harry smiled thinking about Sirius and Snape under the same roof. At least at Hogwarts they could be somewhat cordial since they were able to put a good deal of space between each other. It was going to be an interesting weekend.

Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had been acting strange all week. They had been cleaning out the attic when Aunt Petunia had come across an old trunk. Her aunt had immediately sent Harry to her room, instructing Uncle Vernon to put the trunk into their bedroom. She had told him the articles they wanted would definitely be in there. After much grunting and swearing, the trunk had been moved from the attic to the master bedroom.

Her aunt had also been doing some rather odd things. Harry had found her in her room picking hair off of her pillowcase. She had also upset Hedwig. Uncle Vernon then came into the room yelling at Harry, "to keep that bloody bird quiet." During this commotion, her aunt had taken one of Hedwig's feathers from the floor and slipped it into her apron pocket. If she did not know better, she would have sworn that her aunt and uncle were trying to do magic. As she contemplated this ridiculous idea in her mind, a noxious odor seeped upstairs from the kitchen.

"Ugh, whatever is Aunt Petunia making? It smells awful!" Harry uttered wrinkling her nose. Hedwig hooted in agreement. She then peeked furtively out of her bedroom door at the sound of Uncle Vernon's voice from down the hall.

"I have it for you, Petunia, dear, you left it in the trunk."

"Well hurry up and bring it here. I think I have it right this time."

"Coming my dear," he bristled heading down stairs.

Harry couldn't believe her eyes. He was carrying a wand! Whose was it? Obviously it had come from inside of that trunk. Harry wasn't worried since she knew Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had absolutely no magical ability what so ever. What they thought they were doing couldn't possibly work. Curiosity getting the better of her, she grabbed her invisibility cloak from where she had packed it in her trunk, and headed off down the hall to investigate.

Moving furtively so her aunt and uncle wouldn't hear her, she entered their bedroom. The trunk stood over by the window, and its lid had been left open. Kneeling down beside it, she cautiously began to examine the contents. Checking the name on the baggage label she was flabbergasted. It had belonged to Lily Evans! These were some of her mother's things. Upon closer examination she found an assortment of old textbooks from Hogwarts. There was also a stack of old letters. Removing the rubber band, which held them together, she opened the one on top. It was a letter from her father written just prior to their wedding

Dear Lily,

As I write this I can't help but shiver with the anticipation of holding you in my arms again. You are the light of my life, my true soul mate. No man has ever been happier than I am. I know that on Sunday you will be the most beautiful bride there ever was. I promise I will always make you happy and will love you till my dying day.

Sirius is here with me and is taking his duties as Best Man seriously. He says to tell you he will see to it that I get to Hogwarts in plenty of time for the ceremony, even if he has to put an imperious curse on me! Dumbledore has made all the arrangements to enable your family to travel to Hogwarts for the ceremony. Sirius and Remus are taking me out tonight for a last bachelor's night together. I promise not to look at any other girls.

I have to go now since it is almost time for Remus to pick up Sirius and me. I love you and miss you. You will be in my thoughts day and night and Sunday cannot come soon enough. I shall be waiting for you until then, when you will become my wife.

Love always,

James

Harry realized tears were running down her face, as she had read her father's letter. Wiping her eyes furiously she had all she could do to control herself. These were her mother's things. How had Aunt Petunia gotten them and why had she kept them secreted in the attic all these years? As Lily's daughter they rightfully belonged to her. Her aunt had no right...

The doorbell suddenly rang and a moment later Harry was almost immediately aware of a spatial shift. It was similar to the one she had felt at Hogwarts the night Severus was attacked. Closing the trunk back up, she crept back out into the hallway. She could hear muffled voices coming from downstairs. Wrapping the invisibility cloak tightly around her, she tip toed to the top of the stairs and held her breath. Her uncle was speaking to whom ever had come to the door.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy, so glad you could come. Is this your son?"

"Yes, Mr. Dursley, this is Draco. I brought him along since I felt he needed to learn how business ought to be conducted," Malfoy replied smoothly, his icy tone lost on Vernon Dursley.

"Please come in and sit down. The parlor is this way," he said directing them into the living room.

Harry's heart was pounding. Whatever her aunt and uncle had thought they were doing it had placed them all in jeopardy. Harry slipped back into her room and grabbed her wand, concealing it beneath her clothes. Next she grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote a terse note: Deatheaters at the Dursley's. Send help immediately. Initialing it, she studied Hedwig and made a fast decision.

"I'm sorry, Hedwig, but I have to change your color. They will be watching for a white bird." She didn't want to use magic, knowing her enemies would be alerted that she was aware of their presence, so she took out the polish for her broom handle and rubbed it into Hedwig's feathers. The owl nipped at her indignantly, but did not try to escape. She was now a dark brown, and would not be easy to spot flying in the lengthening shadows of the early evening.

"Get that note over to Professor Snape's house fast. Dumbledore and the others should be there." Harry went over to the window, quietly sliding open the sash, allowing her to fly away. What Harry couldn't possibly know, was that Dumbledore was only a few blocks away, embroiled in a life and death battle to protect the Weasley's with Sirius. Voldemort had located their hiding place and sent in his Dementors...

Sirius had been in his animagus form of a large black shaggy dog, dozing by Molly Weasley's chair, when his sensitive hearing and olfactory nerves alerted him to some one moving around outside. Arthur Weasley and his son Percy had been sitting at the table, engrossed in a game of chess. Growling deep in his throat, he stood up; alerting the three Weasley's that something was wrong. They instantly grabbed their wands. Listening intently, his nose in the air, Sirius tail went between his legs in fear. He transformed swiftly, and Percy's mouth dropped in shock. He had not been told that Sirius was an animagus nor that he was there to protect them.

"Mr. Black?!"

"Sh... Percy! Arthur Weasley whispered to his son, "Sirius has been our body guard until your mother leaves for Romania tomorrow."

Sirius flashed Percy a quick smile. Pulling out his wand he directed his attention to Arthur.

"We have company. Voldemort has sent his Dementors. Can any of you do the Patronus? I've never mastered it myself," he whispered.

"Percy can, but Molly and I never mastered it either."

"We're going to need help. Arthur if you would contact Dumbledore. Molly go over behind the door. Dementors can be injured if you don't let their gloom overtake you first. Percy, I hate to ask you to do this..."

"No problem, Mr. Black. It's nice to see you again. I wondered why you weren't with Harry this summer. Ron told us she was at the Dursley's."

Only until tomorrow. I will be picking her up then," Sirius smiled as Percy took the front in order to direct his Patronus.

Arthur Weasley meanwhile had been contacting Dumbledore from the fire he had conjured in the hearth.

"Albus, we haven't much time. Voldemort is on to us and has sent the Dementors. We need help fast."

"I'm on my way; we will be there in a few minutes. I'll contact Moody," Dumbledore answered tersely.

Arthur then returned to take up a position behind Sirius but on the opposite side of the room from his wife.

"Is this room getting darker?" Percy asked nervously.

"It's from the Dementors; they are pulling the energy from the room," Sirius whispered to the young wizard. "Stand ready," he warned as they were plunged into darkness.

The atmosphere in the room felt like that of an old sepulcher. Their nostrils were assailed with the smell of rot and decay as doors burst open and the Dementors seemed to slither into the room all around them. Molly Weasley screamed...

"Expecto Patronum!" Percy yelled directing his wand towards the Dementor, which was looming down upon them. Almost immediately a stream of silver erupted from his wand followed by the image of a large bear.

Arthur Weasley grabbed one of the Dementors, throwing him to the floor, while Sirius, armed with a small knife, was slashing his way towards Molly. She was pinned to the wall, and was about to receive the Dememtor's kiss. Stabbing the creature in the side he threw it aside as another came towards him. He immediately transformed into his dog shape, and sprang at the Dementor

"Expecto Patronum! Expecto Patronum!" Percy kept yelling, as he directed his wand at the onslaught of the Dementors.

"Percy, quickly, over by your father!" Molly yelled at her son. One of the Dementors had Arthur on the floor, and was bending over him to suck out his soul.

"Expecto Patronum!" Percy screamed, directing his wand at the creature. The Dementor screamed as if in pain as the Patronus closed in on him.

Sirius bounded over and transformed back to his human self. "Arthur, are you all right?" he asked helping the older wizard to stand.

"Yes, but there are two many of them. We can't keep this up forever," he replied breathless.

"Where the hell is Dumbledore?" Sirius swore as he struggled hand to hand with another Dementor.

"Percy look out!" Molly Weasley screamed as two Dementors attacked him simultaneously, but it was too late. They were able to disarm him and had pushed him to the floor. Sirius again transformed and went to try and help the young man. Molly grabbed her son's wand from the floor as her husband engaged in combat with another Dementor.

"Expecto Patronum!" Three voices chimed in unison from the door, and there was a loud booming sound. Immediately the room was filled with silver light, and three Patronus appeared. One was a large gray wolf, the other an eagle and the third was a Griffin. Remus, Moody, and Dumbledore stood in the doorway.

The Dementors continued their onslaught for another ten minutes with the seven of them fighting with all means available. Another two Aurors arrived then, and each was able to summon a Patronus. The Dementors finally vanished, unable to withstand the feelings of happiness each of the wizards Patronus invoked.

"Is everyone all right?" Dumbledore asked calmly lowering his wand.

"Molly, are you all right?" Arthur Weasley inquired helping his wife to a chair.

"I'm fine, how is Percy?" she looked around the room for her son, who was just getting up from behind the sofa.

"I'm okay, mum. I just tripped over my own feet," he grinned sheepishly.

Molly Weasley began to cry with relief, "Oh, Sirius if you hadn't been here to alert us I dread to think what would have happened."

"Molly is right, Sirius. My family owes you a debt of gratitude. If you or Harry ever need anything don't hesitate to ask," Arthur extended his hand to Sirius.

"Right now, I think it would be wise if we all retired back to Severus Snape's town house. The Dementors may decide to try again," Dumbledore spoke up with authority.

"I need to check in with my men in the field. One of them failed to report back and he was assigned to watch the Dursley house. In view of what has just happened I am concerned that Harry and her mother's family may be in trouble," Alastor Moody informed them worriedly.

"Harry's in trouble?" Sirius immediately snapped to attention. "I'm going with you."

"No, Sirius, you are injured," Remus indicated the blood which was staining his friend's robes. I will go and report back to you and Albus."

"Remus, Harry's...."

"No Sirius," Dumbledore chided him, "Remus is right. You and the Weasleys will return with Remus to Severus home. Alastor and I will go to the Dursley's to check on the household." Dumbledore's attitude indicated that he would tolerate no arguing. "We shall all disapparate on the count of three. Wands at the ready, one...two...three..." They all vanished to their assigned destinations.

Severus Snape was pacing nervously in his drawing room, his sister, Circe, sitting at the table. She had put Phaedra to bed early for misbehaving.

"Severus, you won't do any good pacing back and forth. Dumbledore left you here to act as messenger should they need more help. He did not want to put you at risk too. He knows how much Voldemort would like to kill you."

"I am well aware of Voldemort's feelings towards me, Circe," Snape scowled darkly at his older sister. "I just feel I could have been more helpful fighting off the Dementors. I am able to do the Patronus too, you know."

"Little brother, every one knows you are able to stop the Dementors. Did you ever think that maybe Albus wanted you here to protect Phaedra and me? If the Dementors were able to get into the safe house, maybe they will try here too."

Snape froze staring at his sister in disbelief, "Do you honestly feel that Albus believes we may be compromised too?"

"Little brother I know he is worried about it. I am a full telepath, you know," Circe arched her brow in mock imitation of her brother. Dumbledore had obviously allowed Circe to read his mind.

"Is there anything else I should know about, Circe? Or is Albus only confiding in you these days?"

"Stop acting like a spoiled child. Albus only has your best interests at heart. He loves you like one of his own. If ever there was a good and honest caring human being in this world it is Albus Dumbledore. He would trust you with his life, Severus, and don't you ever forget that!" Circe reprimanded her brother. "I am not one of your students, so don't even try to intimidate me," she continued as he started to open his mouth to speak.

"You're right as usual, Circe,"

"That's better," she smiled affectionately at her little brother, "besides, if anything happens to all of them who would look after Harry?"

"You honestly believe he would leave me to see to her safety?"

"I know he would. He knows you better than you know yourself."

"For once we agree, Circe. He's right, you know. If something did happen to them I would go and get Potter. She would need my help to survive and get away to safety," Severus quietly informed his sister as a scratching noise sounded at the window.

"Someone has sent us an owl. You don't think something has happened at the Ministry?" Circe asked getting up to open the window. The owl flew directly over to Severus and lifted it's leg.

"What the devil? This bird has been covered in polish to conceal it. If I'm not mistaken it belongs to Potter," Severus told his sister as he removed the note. "Shit! Circe get a message to the Aurors and have them meet me over at the Dursley's. Then take care of the bird and clean her up. Harry is in trouble," Snape yelled over his shoulder as he ran into the garden and disapparated, leaving his sister to stare after him in disbelief.

Circe bent down and picked up the note from the floor that the owl had brought. One glance at the message and she went tearing over to the fireplace to send for help just as Remus, Sirius, and the three Weasley's entered through the front door...

Harry cautiously made her way back to the head of the stairs and listened to her Uncle Vernon talking with Lucius Malfoy. She let down her guard and could feel the fear emanating from Draco. She also knew that he was in pain and injured. Lucius must have done the Cruciatus curse on him again. Dudley had just come into the living room with Aunt Petunia.

"Sit down, all of you," she heard Lucius say softly. See how they behave with the Imperious curse on them. The Dark Lord was right to have them make the potion. It was such a stroke of luck that our spy saw Mrs. Dursley open that trunk and take out that wand," Lucius sneered at his son, who shifted uncomfortably. "Now, Draco, if you know what's good for you I suggest you go and find Potter. If Lord Voldemort ever finds out you were trying to betray him..."

"If Potter was here, she would try and help them," Draco argued lamely.

"Mrs. Dursley, is your niece at home this evening?" Lucius smiled coldly. "I would like to meet her."

"She is upstairs in her room."

"Now, Draco, go and fetch her for us like a good boy," Lucius told his son, and Harry could feel the icy rage inside of him.

Draco got up and started upstairs without a word. 'What am I going to do? Father and Voldemort can't be trusted not to kill me. Potter has to get us out of here,' reaching the top of the stairwell, he felt someone grab onto his arm. The next thing he knew he was under Potter's invisibility cloak with her.

"Draco, we have to get out of here. How many are there?"

"McNair and Avery are outside with two other new recruits. My father is in the living room with your family. They have been under an Imperious curse and a memory charm for the past week."

"So I gathered. What kind of potion did they make and how did they get it to work? That wand shouldn't have done anything. My aunt is a Muggle."

"I heard the Dark Lord say that the potion was some kind of old magic used to break the protections on this place. They needed something of yours in it though."

"My aunt took some hair from my pillow. She also used one of Hedwig's feathers. What about the wand?"

"It didn't work. It couldn't. Your aunt had the window opened and my father did the spell from the outside. He directed his wand into the mixture as your aunt put it onto the sill. That way half was outside and half inside. Anyway, it worked. We were able to come inside through the front door."

"Listen, I sent Hedwig for help. We have to keep them busy until Dumbledore gets here. He knows all about you and will help you, but the Aurors will still question you. He said he would stay with you while they do."

Draco seemed to go even paler, but nodded his understanding.

"Harry, you have got to hide. The Dark Lord is on his way here and he sent the Dementors over to the Weasley's safe house. He will kill all of us. My father knows about the owls I was sending you. I don't think he told Lord Voldemort, but I don't know for sure."

Harry's stomach dropped with worry about Sirius and the Weasley's. Suddenly she winced as a searing pain shot through her scar.

"As a matter of fact, he didn't need to tell me of your treachery, Draco," Voldemort's malicious voice spoke sneeringly as he whipped the cloak from over them. He had come up the stairs soundlessly, and was standing behind them, wand drawn. His eyes were burning like hot coals, "Lucius should have known better than to keep your betrayal secret. Now get downstairs, both of you!"

Harry's scar was throbbing, and she felt dizzy from the pain. Voldemort nudged Harry sharply in the ribs as he flung Draco backwards down the staircase with a wave of his wand.

"Draco," Harry cried as she descended the stairs and kneeled by where Draco lay at the bottom, "are you badly hurt?" she asked noting that his leg was twisted awkwardly and appeared to be broken.

"Crucio!" Voldemort hit Harry with a Cruciatus curse. "Leave him where he is."

"I won't you lousy bastard, he's hurt!" She yelled through gritted teeth.

"He will be dead if you don't move away from him," Voldemort smiled as Lucius stepped into the hallway.

"Lord, what has Draco done to anger you now?"

"You know very well what he has done. I do not take betrayal lightly, Lucius." Voldemort spoke in a whisper, but Lucius heard every word.

"Lord, he is my only child. I have already chastised him with the Cruciatus curse several times for his disloyalty. I know if you spare him he won't let you down again,"

Lucius looked nervously from his son to Lord Voldemort.

"Perhaps, but I do not need another incident like the one I had with Severus. No, I should make an example out of him. In fact I should have you prove your own loyalty by doing it for me," Voldemort smiled at him.

"Lord, what will I say to my wife? He is our only child," Lucius attempted to reason with him.

"Kill her too. You can always sire other offspring. I believe McNair's sister is looking for a husband. She would be more than willing to share your bed and your wealth." Voldemort spoke as if it were merely a formality.

"What about the Muggles?"

"I would like to play with them for awhile. Harry is going to watch. Then she can see what I do to traitors."

"Are you sure Sally McNair will have me?" Lucius asked kicking Draco in the ribs. "Draco and his mother have been quite tiresome lately."

Harry couldn't believe her ears, and Draco was just staring, his mouth open. His father was going to kill him.

"She has told me that she wished you were available. She believes your current wife has no conception of how to make you happy."

"Then Lord, I shall obey your command with pleasure. Move aside Potter," he looked coldly at Harry. "Don't worry, Draco, it will be quite swift."

"No, not yet Lucius. We can have some fun with him too. Into the living room, now!" Voldemort waved his wand and forced them to move, Draco wailing in pain as he stood on his shattered leg. Harry tried desperately to fight his will, but it was difficult. She found herself forced into the living room, and made to sit beside Draco on the floor. Her aunt, uncle and cousin were sitting frozen on the couch.

"Now, I think it's time for you all to awaken from your stupors," Voldemort waved his wand, "Enervate!" The Dursley's stirred, and looked around in confusion. It was Uncle Vernon who spoke first.

"Now see here, Mr. Malfoy, what is going on? Who is this man and why is he in my home."

"Ah...Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, allow me to introduce myself. I have waited many years for this moment. I am Lord Voldemort," Voldemort smiled and bowed mockingly, but Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia just stared at him blankly.

"I don't give a crap, who you think you are, but I see you are dressed like one of them and have a wand. I will not have any of that nonsense in my house. Now get out!" It was the worst thing Vernon Dursley could have done.

Voldemort blinked in disbelief, "I beg your pardon. You have no idea who it is you are speaking to. I could crush you like an ant, Muggle, in fact..."

"Expellarmus!" Harry shouted pulling her wand from where she had hidden it beneath her clothes, disarming Voldemort, as Lucius pulled his at the same time.

"Crucio!" Lucius Malfoy hit her with a Cruciatus curse, and Voldemort grabbed Harry's wand and flung it across the room, picking his own up from the floor.

Harry doubled over in pain, "Leave them alone, they never did anything to you," she cried fighting the curse.

"Oh, but you're wrong. They have protected you for the past seventeen years."

"Harry, who is this man?" Aunt Petunia whispered, her eyes wide with terror.

"This is the bastard wizard who murdered my parents. He used you to mix that potion in the kitchen and it allowed him to break through the charms Dumbledore had on the house to protect us. He used a charm on you to make you think you were doing the magic.

"This is the man that killed my sister, Lily?" Petunia stared in disbelief and horror.

"I am one and the same. You will be happy to know she protected her child with her dying breath. Will you do the same?" Voldemort laughed with an insane glee, and turned his wand towards Dudley. "Imperio," he made Dudley stand up. Spinning his wand, he made him turn around in circles, faster and faster.

Aunt Petunia screamed, diving towards Voldemort. Harry took her cue and jumped onto Lucius Malfoy, knocking him over, just as a figure appeared in the doorway. It was Severus!

".Expellarmus!" he shouted disarming Voldemort as Aunt Petunia jumped on him.

"Stupefy," Malfoy yelled attempting to hit Snape. Harry deflected his wand, sending a shower of white sparks onto the floor.

"Stop this at once!" Vernon Dursley yelled going to help his wife as Voldemort punched her in the face, causing her to fall backwards.

"Accio wand!" Harry and Voldemort both yelled simultaneously, summoning their wands to them. Voldemort caught his first and spun on Snape.

"Avada Kedavra,!" Voldemort yelled but Snape had anticipated him and ducked behind the wall, as Harry grabbed her wand.

"Draco, use your wand!" she yelled to the younger Malfoy.

"I can't, my father took it from me when he found out what I was up to," he cried trying to move out of the line of fire.

"Now I'm going to kill you, Draco. You have always been a whiny little brat," Malfoy said directing his wand at his son.

"Severus, how nice of you to join us," Voldemort's smile was like a spider moving in for the kill as he moved in the direction of the hall, stepping around Dudley, who was still under the influence of the Imperious curse, spinning like a fat top.

"No!" Harry screamed as Malfoy's lips formed the Avada Kedavra curse.

Lucius Malfoy never knew what hit him as his whole body flew aside like a rag doll, and his wand shot a stream of green light into the ceiling before clattering to the floor beside him. Harry had used her telekinesis to stop him. He fell to the floor with a loud thud just as an inhuman scream of rage filled the house. Stunned for a moment the elder Malfoy looked around and then grabbed his wand.

Alastor, 'Mad eye', Moody was just starting into the room.

"Stupefy," Moody directed his wand towards Lucius, but it hit the air. Lucius had disapparated.

Dudley finally stopped spinning and was sitting on the floor looking like he was about to throw up. Aunt Petunia was holding him, sobbing frantically. Uncle Vernon had his arms around her. Harry moved over to Draco, and using her healing skills, she mended his broken leg, and any other injuries she found. She looked up when she was done, to find Moody, Dumbledore, and Snape watching her.

"Talk about the cavalry coming over the hill in the knick of time," she grinned looking up at them. "I'm glad you could all make it."

"Potter, if you ever want a job..."

"Yeah, I know, as an Auror. No thanks, by then these guys will be history and there won't be anything to do," she laughed shakily. "I am going to guess that the scream was Voldemort."

"Yes, Child, he is injured, but he escaped me," Dumbledore said ruefully.

"Oh my gosh, I almost forgot, Malfoy told me that Voldemort sent the Dementors..."

"It's all right Child, Sirius and the Weasley's are safe. The Dementors were stopped and thanks to Sirius the Weasley's were able to alert us all in time."

"I guess you got my owl?"

"I received it. Dumbledore and Remus were with Moody fighting the Dementors. I got here first and took care of two of Voldemort's newer recruits outside. The Aurors have them in custody. Avery and McNair escaped," Snape explained as he helped Harry onto her feet. "I found this in the kitchen," Snape handed the wand to Harry. "Do you know where it came from?"

"I think it belonged to my mother. They had a trunk full of some of her belongings in the attic and I never knew."

"The authorities sent it to me after Lily and James were killed," Petunia Dursley's shaky voice came from the other side of the room. "They had pulled it out of the rubble. I had forgotten all about it till we were cleaning the attic. I was going to give it to you to take with you."

"The question is, how did Lily's wand get inside of it? She used her wand that night against Voldemort to protect Harry," Dumbledore mused aloud, "we found James' wand beside his body, but Lily's was never located."

"Somebody probably found it when they found the trunk and just put it inside for safekeeping and forgot about it," Moody speculated. "It should be destroyed."

"No, it should have been buried with my mother. Since it wasn't, it should be up to me to take care of what will happen to it," Harry looked at the three wizards, her expression daring any of them to try to take it from her.

"Very well, Child, but I will expect you to see that it is kept locked up until you decide how to dispose of it."

"I will."

"Petunia, Vernon, are you both feeling calm enough to tell us what happened?" Dumbledore inquired patiently, expecting an onslaught of anger and fright.

"Tell you what happened? Thanks to you we were nearly killed! That's want happened," Vernon Dursley sputtered. "Take this little trouble maker and get out of our house. I don't ever want to see her or any of your kind again."

"Mr. Dursley," Snape stepped forward angrily, "thanks to your niece you are still alive. She very bravely stayed in this house to protect you and this is how you repay her? You should be proud of her for standing up to one of the most powerful wizards there ever was. All you have ever done is to treat her like she is a piece of garbage, and yet she still wanted to try and save your lives. You are among the vilest of Muggles, and if it were up to me..."

"Severus, let it go," Harry put her hand on his arm, "you are just wasting your breath. Let's get out of here."

"Very well," Snape looked down at her, brushing the hair from her face, "come on, I'll take you to Sirius. The Headmaster said he was frantic when he told him he couldn't come to your rescue, but he wanted him to see the healer. Professor Lupin is with him at my town house along with the Weasleys."

"Mr. Malfoy, you have some explaining to do for us. Dumbledore has asked me to question you in his presence. I think maybe we should all go to the Snape residence until we can find you a safe place with your mother's people. You know you will be questioned under Veritaserum?"

"Yes, Professor Moody. I know, and I don't care. My father was going to kill me," Draco replied still shaken and weak from shock. "I think he is going to kill my mother."

"Everything will be all right, Draco," Dumbledore soothed him. "Do you know where your mother is now?"

"No, Voldemort never told us where we were. Only the higher ups in his organization ever knew where we were actually at," he said getting up gingerly, testing the repaired leg.

"I'll have my men keep a sharp watch then, son, just in case she is able to escape," Moody told him quietly, but his voice indicated that he believed she would be lost.

"Professor, what about my things?" Harry questioned.

"I will see to Harry Potter's things," Dobby's voice came from the door. "Dobby heard Harry Potter might be in trouble and came to help."

"Thank you, Dobby." Harry bent down and kissed him on the head. He turned and odd shade of pink and his ears curved inward. "There is the trunk in my room and Hedwig's cage. There is also another trunk in My aunt and uncle's room. If you could see that they arrive safely I may just have an extra pair of socks for you as a reward," she beamed. Socks were Dobby's favorite piece of clothing.

"Dobby will see that Harry Potter receives both of her trunks and Hedwig's cage," he snapped his fingers and disappeared.

"I will see that new charms are placed on the house for your relative's safety," Dumbledore said as they entered the hall. "I will also alter their memories so that they do not remember what happened."

"I kind of thought you would," Harry hugged the old wizard.

"I will be along in a few minutes with Draco and Moody. You two go on ahead. I'm sure by this time Sirius is ready to come tearing over here, despite my instructions," Dumbledore winked.

"It sounds like something Black would do," Snape commented shaking his head. "Are you ready, Harry?"

"When ever you are."

"Potter, wait," Draco interrupted before Snape could apparate the two of them back to his home. "I owe you. You saved my life tonight when you had no reason to do so."

"I saved your life because I though there was something there worth saving. Besides, Slytherin needs a quidditch team. I can't always beat the teachers."

"I heard about how Professor Snape beat you. I intend to have him teach me that move. That is if Dumbledore will see fit to let me back into school?" he looked at the old wizard uncertainly.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Draco," Snape smiled at his mentor and Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled with delight.

"Don't worry Draco. You will be there," Harry laughed, "then Professor Snape can teach us both how to do that upside down thing." Putting her arms around Snape he raised his wand and apparated them both back to his town house.

They appeared in the garden, and entered through the French doors into the parlor. Circe immediately ran over to Snape, throwing her arms around him, while Sirius got up and went over to Harry. He hugged her so tightly she almost couldn't breathe.

"Thank Merlin you're safe. I was worried when you ran out of here alone!" Circe admonished him, tears in her eyes.

"Circe, you know I can take care of myself."

"Harry, you had me scared to death. I wanted to come even though Dumbledore made me come back here. Remus put a binding spell on me until the healer came. He only just left."

"You didn't miss much. Just a few Cruciatus curses, memory charms, and Imperious curses. You know the usual stuff," Harry teased, trying to set his mind at ease, but a delayed reaction to all the excitement had set in and she was trembling.

"Come on, lets go and sit down. I want to make sure you're okay."

"Sirius, I'm fine," Harry smiled losing herself in his warm brown eyes. "Circe, you will be happy to know that your brother is somewhat of a hero. He arrived just at the right time to keep Voldemort from having some fun with Muggle torture and murder."

"Harry let's sit down and you and Severus can tell us all about it," Sirius insisted steering her towards the table.

Circe and Severus followed. The scowl on the Potion Master's face was almost as deep as his sister's smile was broad.

They then proceeded to tell them everything that had happened, as Dumbledore arrived with Moody and Draco. Stories were quickly exchanged, and then Moody signaled to Dumbledore and Snape that it was time to question the young wizard about what he had seen and done while amongst the Deatheaters. Circe was also asked to be present due to her telepathic ability. Remus and Sirius both stated they would stay with Harry and see that she got to bed. Dumbledore agreed and promised to tell them about the boy's statements, especially about anything he knew of the evening's encounter with the Dementors.

Sleeping arrangements were quickly arranged, and the Weasley's retired for the night since Mrs. Weasley was leaving early in the morning. It turned out that Sirius would be sharing a room with Severus. Harry nearly choked and started laughing so hard she almost couldn't stop. The idea had been Dumbledore's so of course no one would offer an alternative, even though there were several. Severus went off to get some Veritaserum from down in his potions lab while Harry prepared to go upstairs to bed. Just as she had started up the stairs, Phaedra started to cry and Circe went to see what was wrong.

"Mummy, I had the dream with the big snake and the haunted house again. There was a man with red eyes and he wanted to hurt Miss Harry."

"Oh, he can't hurt me," Phaedra, "I'm too smart for him. He is just a dream person. They're easy enough to get rid of," Harry smiled following Circe into her room.

"Miss Harry, I though he would feed you to the snake."

"Did he say he was?" Harry asked looking over at Circe with understanding.

"Yes, he doesn't like you."

"Well the next time you dream about him, you just tell him to go away, that this is only a dream. Then you tell him that Miss Harry isn't afraid of him."

"Will he hurt me?"

"No, honey, he is just a dream."

"He's the bad wizard, isn't he?" Phaedra asked looking from her mother to Harry. Remus and Sirius shifted uncomfortably by the door, catching Phaedra's attention.

"Mr. Remus. Who is your friend?"

"This is Miss Harry's godfather, Sirius Black."

"Hello Mr. Sirius Black. Aren't you the one my uncle Severus doesn't like?" Phaedra questioned looking at them all with interest. Sirius was blushing and Harry and Remus were grinning.

"Phaedra, that's not a nice thing to say," her mother reprimanded gently, "apologize to Mr. Black."

"I'm sorry Mr. Sirius Black. How come my uncle doesn't like you?"

"It's a long story, but maybe Miss Harry will tell you sometime," he replied amused at the child's audacity and looking at his goddaughter lovingly.

"Phaedra! Mummy told you not to ask questions!"

"It's okay Circe, better she hears it from us than someone else," Harry told the older witch. "Sirius and your uncle are learning to be friends. They didn't get along in school and it got worse when my godfather played a mean joke on your uncle. He didn't think about what he was doing and your uncle Severus was almost killed. My father saved his life."

"Really? Your daddy saved Uncle Severus."

"Yes, he did."

"I'm glad. I love Uncle Severus. I think Mr. Sirius was mean to try and hurt him."

"Phaedra, Sirius didn't want your uncle to be killed. He was just very angry with him. He didn't stop to think about what it was he was doing," Remus spoke softly, his hand on Sirius arm.

"Are you sorry you tried to hurt my uncle?"

"Yes, Phaedra, I am. Your uncle has been helping me to protect Miss Harry."

The little girl thought about this and nodded her head as she looked at Sirius, studying him. "I guess it is okay then. Mr. Remus were you there too?"

Remus shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, Phaedra I was there, but I don't remember what happened."

"The important thing is that now Sirius and your uncle are trying to be friends. They are both trying to help me to make the bad wizard go away. In order to do that they have to get along."

"How was my uncle almost killed?" Phaedra asked innocently, and Harry saw Remus wince.

"Phaedra," Snape's voice came from the door, "I don't think you will understand what happened. It is not good to dredge up old rivalries."

"Uncle Severus, you always tell me I'm too young or I won't understand!" Phaedra argued frowning at Snape. "How can I forgive Mr. Sirius Black if I don't understand why he tried to hurt you?"

The adults just looked at one another uncomfortably. Harry decided to take a chance.

"Phaedra, you're uncle said something mean to Sirius about his family, so my godfather decided to get even with him. Your uncle used to like to spy on my father and his friends in Gryffindor. That's probably how he got to be such a good spy for Dumbledore," she said giving Phaedra a little hug of encouragement. "Anyway, what Sirius did was to tell your uncle how to open a secret passage which led from the school. The only problem was that there was a werewolf at the end of the passageway."

"A real werewolf?" she gasped, brown eyes wide. "Werewolves are bad!"

"No, honey, werewolves are just humans who have a disease."

"What's a zeeze?"

"Not a zeeze, dazeeze," Harry broke the word into syllables for her. "It means sickness."

"Why don't they go to the healers?"

"This sickness can't be fixed. It makes them turn into a wolf every month when the moon is full. It hurts a real lot, and most werewolves are shunned because people are afraid of them."

"Why?"

"Because they become real wolves and can attack people. If they do you could be killed, otherwise if they just bite you they will pass the sickness on and you will become a werewolf too."

"How did Mr. Sirius Black know about the werewolf?"

"The werewolf was a friend of his and my father's. He was sent down that passage every month so he could be in a safe place when he turned into the wolf and wouldn't hurt anybody."

"Does he still have to go there every month?"

"No, he doesn't. There is a potion that your uncle makes for him every month. It makes him friendly. It keeps him from acting wild and hurting people."

"Uncle Severus helps the werewolf?"

"Yes, Little One, your uncle has learned that being a werewolf does not make you less of a human being," Dumbledore looked at Remus, his eyes warm. "I was concerned when Severus didn't come right down with Circe. Obviously something caused this little history lesson?"

"Phaedra insisted on knowing why Severus and Sirius did not get along," Circe explained.

"Did you know that Mr. Sirius Black sent my uncle down to where a werewolf was?" Phaedra questioned Dumbledore.

"Yes, Little One, I knew all about it. I was the one who had to see they were all punished for misbehaving."

"Miss Harry, you said Uncle Severus mixes the werewolf a potion to make him friendly. How come I have never seen him?"

"You know you aren't allowed in Uncle Severus' potions lab," Circe told her daughter sternly, pretending to misunderstand.

"No, mummy, I meant the werewolf."

Remus looked pale, and Sirius put his hand on his shoulder. He understood how difficult this was going to be for his friend.

"Phaedra, you have seen the werewolf many times. Remember he only changes when the moon is full, otherwise he is just another wizard, and a friend of all of us."

"Is he my friend too?" Phaedra asked innocently.

"Yes, Phaedra, I'm your friend too," Remus spoke quietly, looking at the little girl. His hazel eyes were wide and concerned and everyone knew how painful it was for him to tell her.

"Mr. Remus, you're the werewolf?"

"Yes, Phaedra, I am. I will be changing again the night of Harry's birthday. She has been helping your uncle to mix the potion to make me like a big friendly dog."

"Mr. Remus, you can't ever be mean. I think you are very nice."

"Thank you, Phaedra," Remus smiled with relief going over to pick up the little girl. "There are many people who don't feel that way. I'm glad that you do."

"Did you really try to bite Uncle Severus?"

"They say that I did, but I don't remember. In those days, the sickness was much worse than it is now. I want you to understand that Sirius did not mean for your uncle to be hurt. He just wanted to scare him."

"So he did something bad, but he didn't mean for Uncle Severus to be really hurt?"

"That's right, Little One. Now he and your uncle are trying to be friends. They will even be sharing a bedroom together," Dumbledore beamed with amusement, knowing the two men were not happy about it.

"Then, Mr. Sirius Black, I will be your friend too. I love Miss Harry and she will be sad if I don't like you. I do bad things sometimes too," she confessed looking at Sirius. "Miss Harry, how come you didn't tell me your godfather was so pretty?"

Harry and the others burst out laughing and Phaedra looked confused.

"I'm sorry, Phaedra, we're just laughing because we didn't expect you to say that. Did you know that all the girls think he is handsome?"

"What is handsome?"

"It is the word you use for a man that is nice looking. Girls are pretty or beautiful, men are handsome," Circe smiled at her daughter.

"If I were you Professor I would keep a close eye on her. She already has an eye for good looking young wizards," Harry snickered teasing Snape.

"Now that the situation is settled, I need Severus and Circe downstairs to help with the questioning," Dumbledore reminded them his tone serious.

"Of course, Headmaster," Severus nodded. "I have the Veritaserum in my pocket."

"Circe are you ready?"

"Mommy please don't go. What if I dream about the man with the snake again? I know he is the bad wizard cause he wants to hurt Miss Harry."

Circe was torn. Phaedra was her child and needed her, but Dumbledore needed her skills as a telepath. Harry sensed Circe's dilemma.

"Phaedra how would you like to sleep in with Miss Harry tonight? This way you will be safe and your mum can help Professor Dumbledore."

"Can I mummy, pleeeassssee..."

"Very well, but you are to be a very good girl and don't wake Miss Harry up too early."

"I will be good, I promise," she flung her arms around her mother giving her a big kiss.

"Then we had better get going into my room. I don't know about Phaedra, but I'm tired, and would like to take a shower," Harry said as Remus and Sirius followed her out and Circe kissed her daughter good night.

Harry picked out a nightgown and headed into the shower. When she came out, she found Sirius playing on the bed with Phaedra. He had her giggling while Snuffles did tricks.

"Mr. Sirius, can you make her shake hands again?"

"Of course," he smiled, "give me your paw," he instructed the dog, who complied with a wag of her tail.

"Woof," Snuffles gave a short bark of greeting to Harry.

"Miss Harry, did you know Mr. Sirius can make Snuffles do tricks?"

"I know a secret about Mr. Sirius. He can do a special trick. In fact he hasn't done it for Miss Harry in quite some time."

"Harry, you know you aren't supposed to say anything about that," Sirius looked at her sternly.

"I know that you could have been worse than killed tonight, too."

"I get the feeling you're mad at me," Sirius frowned.

"I'm not exactly mad, but I'm not happy either. You have no idea how I felt when I heard about what happened."

"Miss Harry, Mr. Sirius, please don't fight. Mr. Remus why is Miss Harry mad at Mr. Sirius? I thought she loved him."

"She does, Phaedra, but she worries about him. She has lost too many people who she cares about, and she could have lost him tonight too."

"I could have lost her too," Sirius looked at Harry with sorrow, "she is very special to me." Sirius put his arms around Harry. He understood that she was tired, and all her anxiety over his being separated from him had come to the surface. "I promised you I would come back in time for your birthday, and I kept my promise."

"But you almost didn't. If you ever pull a stunt like that again Sirius Black I'll...I'll...oh, I don't know what I'll do," Harry sobbed trying not to cry, clinging to him as he sat her gently on the bed.

"Miss Harry, please don't cry. I don't like it when people cry."

"I'm okay, Phaedra. I just worry about him. I get scared that the bad wizard will kill him like he did my parents."

Phaedra put her arms around Harry and cuddled her. "My mummy says that sometimes a hug can make you better faster than almost anything."

"Your mum is a very smart woman," Sirius responded warmly. "I'm glad you are Harry's friend."

"She says I'm like her little sister."

"She's quite right, Phaedra," Remus told her as he sat down on the bed with the three of them.

"Mr. Remus, I'm glad my Uncle Severus helps you to feel better. Can I learn to make the magic potion for you too?"

"When you are old enough, I think maybe your uncle or Miss Harry will teach you. It is a very hard potion to mix, and it has to be done very carefully."

"Miss Harry you know how to make the potion too?"

"Your uncle taught me how to do it, but it is very very hard. He still has to watch me to make sure I get it right."

"Do you know how to make it too Mr. Sirius?"

"No, I am not that good at Potions. It is a very special talent."

"Do you have a special talent?"

"That's the special trick he used to do for me, but only a few people know about it. It is a secret."

"What is it?"

"Harry, you shouldn't tease Phaedra."

Harry could not hide the hurt expression in her eyes. She wanted Sirius to transform. She didn't know why, but she wanted the comfort he gave her as Padfoot.

"Miss Harry, don't look so sad. It's okay if you tease me," Phaedra hugged her again sensing her hurt feelings.

Harry didn't say anything; she just lay down and buried her head in the pillow. She didn't know why Sirius wouldn't transform for her and was confused by his reluctance to do so in front of Phaedra. She hoped Phaedra wouldn't realize she was crying. It was a short-lived hope.

"Mr. Sirius, I think Miss Harry is crying."

"Honey, what is it?" Sirius asked gently rubbing her back.

"Princess, is something hurting you? I know you were hit with some curses earlier."

Harry just shook her head. She wanted Padfoot. Could her need be some kind of repressed childhood memory? Sirius had told her she used to go to sleep rubbing his ears. In fact, she had done so this past year at Hogwarts in the infirmary, when she was being kept hidden until Dumbledore could inform the staff that Harry Potter was in reality a girl.

"Come here," Sirius gently lifted her into his arms. "Honey, everything is all right. We're both safe, and tomorrow Mrs. Weasley will be safely on her way to Romania. Sunday is your birthday and we are all going to have a special dinner. So why are you so sad?" he looked down at her, brown eyes worried.

"Sirius I have only asked you for two things in my whole life and you have turned me down both times."

"What two things?"

"I asked you not to leave me this summer, but you insisted on helping the Weasley's, and put yourself and me at risk. The prophecy came true again and the charms on the Dursley home failed."

"What was the other thing?" he was puzzled.

"I wanted you to show Phaedra your special trick. I knew it would make her happy, but I also needed you to do it for me. I don't know why, but I have this ridiculous desire to curl up with Padfoot."

"Princess, that's because when you were little and got scared, he used to do that to make you feel better. I think maybe that part of you is looking for that security again. Tonight you were very brave, but Voldemort struck in a place where you have always felt secure, and he hasn't been able to do that since the night you lost your parents," Remus recalled sensibly.

"Miss Harry, did you see the bad wizard tonight? Is that why you came over early?"

"Yes, Phaedra. You are a very smart little girl. I had a fight tonight with the bad wizard."

"What did he do?"

"I will ask your mum to tell you tomorrow. I don't want you to have any more bad dreams."

"Mr. Sirius, what does Miss Harry want you to do that she thinks is so special?"

"Can you keep a really big secret, Phaedra?"

"Yes, I won't tell. I'm good at secrets."

"Well I will do what Miss Harry wants, but only for a few minutes. Then I will sit and hold her hand while you both go to sleep. I think Miss Harry will feel better then."

Harry wiped her eyes, and hugged Sirius. "I know it sounds silly, but I want to see Padfoot."

"I don't think it sounds silly at all. I know how much you always loved Padfoot. In fact, once we are settled you will get to see him quite frequently, Miss Wings."

"Why do you call Miss Harry Miss Wings?"

"He calls me that because Mr. Chang said I was like the Phoenix."

"That's silly. Who is Padfoot?"

"You're about to meet him," Harry smiled as Sirius stood up and moved over to the middle of the floor. He transformed into his animagus form of a big black dog, and came over to Harry and Phaedra.

"Mr. Sirius can turn into a doggie," Phaedra said with delight. "My mummy told me about wizards that can turn into animals. Mr. Sirius is a very nice doggie," Phaedra said as they both pet him. He then gave Harry a big wet kiss and turned himself back.

"Now go to sleep," Sirius smiled as Remus lowered the lights and bid them good night.

Harry curled up holding onto Sirius hand. She put her other arm protectively around Phaedra, who feel asleep quickly, a slight smile playing about her lips.

"Promise me you won't leave again," she whispered to Sirius.

"I promise. Molly will be safely off in the morning, and then I'm all yours," he gently leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "I know how hard this has been for you."

"I'm sorry about being so immature and selfish, but sometimes I have to be seventeen. Right now I just want people around me that I care about who make me feel safe. Did you get my picture?"

"You mean the one with the little note about the old fox, the wolf and the snake guarding the hen house?" he asked giving her one of his wicked smiles. "Did you get the earrings I sent you?"

"Yes, I need to get my ears pierced, but I love them. You have very nice taste."

"I'm glad you think so. What do you want for your birthday? I still have to get you something."

"You already did. You're here and safe. That's all I care about," Harry answered looking up at him squeezing his hand tightly. "Which reminds me, remember when I told you about what happened earlier and I mentioned the trunk full of my mother's things?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Dobby brought it here. I think it is over in the corner. Would you like to go through it with me?"

"When ever you're ready. Do you know what's in it?"

"I saw some old textbooks from Hogwarts, and letters. I read one from my father. He sent it just before they were married. I hope you didn't get him into too much trouble when you and Remus took him out just before the wedding."

"That is one story I will refrain from telling you," he smiled arching his brow at the memory of James' bachelor night foray. "Was there anything else in it?"

"Her wand, but I have it in a safe place. Dumbledore has given me permission to see that it is properly taken care of. I didn't want to break it in half. I don't know what else is in the trunk. I had just started investigating it when the Malfoy's showed up."

"I'm very proud of you for saving both your mother's family and Draco Malfoy."

"I'm just glad that you're safe. Every time I think about the Dementors..." she shuddered.

"You go on and get some sleep, and I insist that you only have happy dreams tonight."

"With you here I can't help but not to," Harry yawned, closing her eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Sirius sat watching her sleep for about half an hour, lost in thought. Remus had told him what had occurred while she was hypnotized. 'James, I really care for her and she has feelings for me too. If it's meant for us to be together then I promise I will always make her happy. If she chooses one of the others, I will always be there for her no matter what. Only time will tell where we will go from here.'