Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

By forfie

Chapter 1.) Summer Time

It had been one day since Harry Potter had gotten off the train from his school to spend the summer with the remainder of his blood relations in their house. The Dursley's after all did own 4 Privet Drive and had called it home for almost two decades. Unfortunately, this was not a home for Harry, he might live there during the summer, but for a place to really be a home you must feel welcomed. Harry most absolutely did not feel welcomed.

There were many reasons why Harry felt unwelcome in the Dursley's house. One was the fact that his headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, forced his relations to take him in. Another reason he didn't feel welcome was because of the neglect he was treated with since the time he was a one year old up to the time he was eleven. The last reason he didn't feel welcome was because several of his friends and mentors had threatened and forced the Dursleys to keep him.

The reason for the threat was simple, Harry Potter, the five foot five inch tall fifteen year old with constantly messy raven black hear, shockingly emerald green eyes and a lightning shaped scar on his forehead is a wizard. He had been learning magic for the past five years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the headmastership of one Albus Dumbledore. Throughout those five years, Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, had fun and excitement and watched as the wizarding world shifted from a state of peace to that of war. The first part of this war was put into a long hiatus by Harry one dreadful Halloween night in 1981, when he lost both his parents and the chance at anything that could have resembled a normal life to the darkest wizard ever known, Lord Voldemort, and his loyal henchmen, the Death Eaters.

Harry got up from his sitting position on his bed and made his way over to his trunk trying to forget all of his past. At this point he wished he were more like Dean Thomas, one of his dorm mates that had non-magical parents, and just didn't have to think about this kind of thing at all. Harry sometimes just wished to be normal and not have fame because of a scar on his head that marked him for death.

Marked, thought Harry, just like the Prophecy says. No! You have already thought and dwelled on the Prophecy enough, you know what it means and you know what you have to do. So go do it! What would Sirius think? Sirius.... At that point Harry's memories slipped back to his last week at Hogwarts. He was mourning the death of his Godfather, Sirius Black, and also analyzing his lot in life that fates had dealt him. This meant staying up later and thinking about the Prophecy, over and over. Harry's final thought came right after his conversation with Luna Lovegood, a fellow Hogwarts student, who was also member of the Defense Association started by Hermione and Ron but lead by Harry. Luna had also accompanied him to the Ministry of Magic to try and save Sirius Black. In essence, he had been led to the epiphany that everything has a flow, like Luna always finding her belongings, Harry realized that the Prophecy meant no one could kill him, save the dark lord. Now he had a mission.

To do all of this, Harry saw the need for some improvements, mainly in his physical need for endurance and his need for a plethora of magical knowledge. He might as well take care of the Dursley's forced hospitality.

Harry walked down the stairs on this Saturday afternoon to find his Uncle Vernon and his cousin Dudley lounging in the living room watching the telly, it was a usual occurrence. However, Harry actually noticed something different about his cousin that he had never noticed before. He had lost a lot of fat and now actually looked fit to hold the title of Interschool Heavyweight Boxing whatever he brags about.

"Ahem," Harry lamely tried to get the attention of his uncle and cousin. Harry was actually surprised that it worked and felt his mind go blank, "...er...I was just... just wondering if it was possible to ...um ...it's actually a stupid idea, I'll just go back upstairs."

"Tell us boy," said his uncle rather indifferently, "because if it...er...helps with your situation, then we shall abide your request."

Harry understood now why his uncle was being so nonplused about the situation, Vernon would only put up with it to show the Order of the Phoenix that 'the boy' was being treated all right. "Uncle Vernon, how much of my... 'situation'...do you know about?"

Harry's uncle shifted uncomfortable in the couch before saying, "Enough to know that the explosion in the Yank's Khubar Towers housing facility in Saudi Arabia this past week was probably done by this...Lord Voldywarts or whatever ridiculous name your lot call him."

What?! There have already been attacks and I wasn't told? Why am I always treated like a mushroom? "I actually had no knowledge of that. But it's good that you have a basic understanding of what my...kind...are up against. That's why, I was wondering if you would allow me to go to the gym and train."

"No," was Uncle Vernon's only reply

"Huh?" Didn't Vernon fear the Order? And what they would do to them?

"Boy, I said no because that old codg...er...headmaster of yours explained to me and Petunia the need to keep you within a kilometer of the house, and the gym is more then two kilometers from the house," replied Uncle Vernon, "not to mention, I would hate to upset your...friends...so how about you work out with Dudders? And run circuits around the neighborhood." Dudley shifted uncomfortably at his fathers proclamation.

Harry could read it off Dudley's face, even if that had to be civil, the Dursley's didn't have to like it. "It sounds fine to me...how about you Dudley?" Harry didn't care any more how he got in shape. He knew that being scrawny wasn't intimidating.

Dudley looked at Harry and gave him a smirk that showcased Dudley's old bullying self, "Sure, except I'm going to need you for some boxing practice. I need something that actually can try to avoid me".

"I'm sorry, but Dudder's I have to..." Uncle Vernon broke off when Harry stuck out his hand.

"You've got a deal," at least this way Harry can also get the sense of guilt over his Godfather's death beaten out of him.

Thus the agreement between the two cousins held, one for the purpose of trying to fight in the up coming war, another to have an excuse to remain the same and not have to act with bravado. The training for Harry was tough at first, but he started to get the hang of it by the third day. Each morning, he and Dudley would start a seven kilometer jog, which would soon turn into a run for competition's sake, and then they would both go to the basement to weight train, work on foot work and once in a while spar. Each day, Harry's food intake was equal to that of Dudley's; it was a diet that was designed to increase energy and muscle. Every night found Harry reading and reviewing all the books he had in his possession. This regime was also supplemented with his three day notices to the Order in which he requested any books he might need. Besides the need to prepare for the up coming war, Harry also just wanted to keep his mind busy.

The Order of the Phoenix was much obliged to meet Harry's request, and he received five dead useful books. He obtained Tribal African Incantations, Wards and Protections by Kissiwana Djembe came from Kingsley Shakelbolt, The Art of Dueling by Sun Dao came from Moony, Who, What, When, Where & How: The Art of Illusion by Occulus Illudere from Tonks, The Unofficial Auror Handbook by Alastor Moody from Mad-Eye along with notes in the margins, and probably the most important book of them all, The Utterly Complete and Ridiculous Laws of Wizarding England and How to Avoid Being Caught by Mallory Switchfoot which he received from Dumbledore, of course with an inscription on the inside saying that he hoped that Harry would never have to implement any of the knowledge he received from Mr. Switchfoot.

Before Harry knew it, after finishing all the books save the books from Moony and Professor Dumbledore, three weeks had passed by and the summer was continuing to have high prospects. He had written to his friends, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna, giving them his greatest amounts of respect and appreciation for being there for him. However, none of them really found much to talk about in their letters. In the face of war, some things seem too trivial to even mention.

One of those trivial topics was the Olympics, which were about to start in two days time, and for the first time Harry actually cared about a muggle sporting event. What Harry liked the most about it was how people from all over, even in rivaling nations, could come together and compete and treat each other like equals. It was unfortunate that the wizarding world made so many sub groupings and segregations that it seemed like his world would never be united.

Strangely enough, that 25^th of July saw way to a breakthrough in Harry's more privatized life. As he and Dudley were downstairs practicing on one of the heavy bags that Harry had become proficient at, Dudley called them for a water break. After they sat down, Dudley turned his attention to Harry.

"Harry, I know I have not been the best cousin to you. Actually I'm a bloody awful cousin, but I want to make it up to you," Dudley left the sentence hanging so that he could gage Harry's response.

Harry involuntarily choked on his water as he heard this. Make it up to me? How? This definitely isn't the Dudley I grew up with. All that came out was a half whispered, "Why?"

"Because last year when those Demeintles, or whatever they were, attacked us I heard some things in my head..."

What could Dudley hear that made him like this? It definitely wasn't the time he only got 30 something presents for his eleventh birthday.

"...I remembered all the times that I, and my gang, would beat you up and it sickened me especially when I found out from mum that I tried to save me, even after the way I treated you. Nothing I can say will make it right, but I just want to give you one thing that no one here ever gave you," Dudley paused and brushed his hair back as he looked at Harry, "Will you come to a party with me?"

Harry was beyond himself at that point. What just happened? Did his cousin just ask him out? "Uh...Dudley...I'm not that...er...way...and I think that it's pretty bad to offer considering you're my cousin," Harry finished sliding down the bench away from Dudley.

Dudley just reached out and jokingly punched Harry in the shoulder, "You prat! I didn't mean it like that. Jeez! I meant it as in you coming to a friend's party, a new friend from this year who wasn't in my 'gang'. So that you know, you can meet people, have fun and most importantly, have a life. Ever since you lived with us, you never really had a life".

"Oh...well," started Harry.

"But if you think this means I'm going to be nice to you, you got the wrong idea. Up and at it, we got to practice," goaded Dudley. Wow, thought Harry, I'm actually going to a party. Dudley has been fairly nice to me, or maybe it is the lack of threats.

The party was planned to take place at one of Dudley's friend's house that was only a half-kilometer away, so it was well within the wards. It was scheduled for the 27^th.

The 26^th of July also saw three unknown owls arriving to Harry's windowsill. He relieved the first medium sized brown, tawny owl of its post, then moved onto to the barn owl that had some gray in between its brown feathers, and then he removed the load from a peculiar thunder grey owl. Harry took one of the posts that had a cream colour envelope with a purple wax and the seal of the Department of Education, Ministry of Magic. Can only be one thing. In the scheme of things, Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s) don't seem to matter. Even if I can't become an Auror, I know I'm going to be fighting this war. Harry removed the four pages from the envelope.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am pleased to present to you your Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s). Taking into account the many disturbances that were in your educational facility, the Examiner Council has decided to grade certain tests to a curve because of disruptions, loss of time and inability of certain Headmasters/Headmistresses. We, the Examiner Council, would like to offer an apology for the actions that were sanctioned while we were guests at your school.

The next page, when you have finished reading this letter, shall show you the grades from your exams. If there is any problem with the exam grade or missing grades, please notify the Department of Education immediately.

The third parchment is your course sign up sheet for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please note that there are certain requirements for classes that shall have to be filled. Also, upon entering your sixth year at Hogwarts, you have the choice of choosing up to four electives. Such electives are: Healing, Magical Law and Business, Intelligent and Sentient Beings and also Creation. You may also take an independent study that will be a course set to your own pace.

It was a pleasure having to grade your examinations and I hope to test you at Nearly Exhausting Wizarding Test exams.

Best of Wishes,

Examiner Than Tofty

Interesting, to say the least, at least there were some apologies and a curve. Hermione will be happy now, thought Harry as he went to check out what he had received for grades.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations Scores

Harry James Potter

A brief note from the Examiners:

Please keep in mind the grading system used by the examiners. Outstanding (O), Exceeds Expectations (E), and Acceptable (A) are the only passing grades and worth one O.W.L. each. Poor (P) and Dreadful (D) are the only failing grades and are not awarded any O.W.L.s. Astronomy, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration are the only courses available that you can earn two O.W.L.s based on the practical and theoretical exams. All other courses can only receive one O.W.L.

Due to certain disturbances, the Astronomy and History of Magic O.W.L.s have all been curved.

The Examiners

Congratulations Mr. Potter! You have earned a total of 10 O.W.L.s out of a possible 14. Please refer to this sheet when choosing your courses for this coming year.

Oh, was the only thought in Harry's head as he read his scores. Eh, I'm not surprised about Potions or History of Magic really. Like I said, I was never meant to be and Auror. Harry then put the post for his O.W.L.s away. He wanted to get some time to think about what classes he wanted to for next year. That meant sending a letter to all his friends wondering what they were taking. Harry wanted to be an auror, but that was at a time before Prophecies and the death of loved ones. He was going to fight in this war, he acknowledged that he would have to, but he would not fight under Minister Fudge's rule. Many other people fight that aren't aurors or Magical Law Enforcers.

After finishing his letters, Harry returned to his remaining mail. The letter the brown owl with the grey specks was in his hand and he knew who wrote it write away. Having only written to him briefly thanking him for the book, Harry had not written to him since.

Dear Harry,

I haven't heard from you in a long time, granted I have not written to you either, till now. I just wanted to offer you something that I know Dumbledore would like me to. But seeing as I didn't want you to witness my most recent change, I waited till after the full moon. Granted I'm still weak, but the day after tomorrow, I would like to pick you up so that you could live with me till the 24^th of August, the time of my next change.

I know it's rather abrupt with me offering it, but in the time I was thinking about it I was also preparing my house for your use. Harry, I know that you might not need it, based on the reports the Order gives me, but I need to speak to someone and I feel that you are the only person I have left as a connection. I know it is selfish of me to say this, but I would really like you to spend a month with me, it would mean a lot to me. If you don't send a response to this letter, I will come on the 28^th no matter what.

See you soon,

Moony

That was one of last people that Harry expected to send him a letter. Moony, also know as Professor Remus John Lupin, was Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in his 3^rd year. Lupin was also one of James Potter's, Harry's father, best friends. Lupin, along with Harry, had also lost Sirius Black, another of his best friends. Lupin's final living friend from his childhood was Peter Peteigrew, who was a secret spy for Voldemort who infiltrated the Order of the Phoenix, betrayed Harry's parents and framed Sirius for the murders of thirteen people. Peter was high on Harry's revenge list.

It would be good to see Remus again, and to spend a month with him? That was almost like a dream come true. Harry resolved himself to spend the time with Moony and to talk with him, though Harry planned to spend more time listening than talking. During the past three weeks, Harry contemplated more and more and realized that he didn't know that much about Sirius, or his father and mother. Blame it on the mentality the Dursley's originally instilled upon him of: Don't ask questions. Whatever the cause, Harry definitely wanted to find out now. So Harry went back to the basement, forgetting his third letter, to train with Dudley and tell him the party the next day was going to be his last time in the neighborhood this year, but he would return the next year.

That night, Harry opened his third piece of post. He noted the Gringotts Wizarding Bank seal. Harry wondered when the goblins would get around to doing this.

Sirius Black, the best friend of James Potter and Remus Lupin, was framed and condemned to Azkaban for twelve years, until he escaped in Harry's third year. He remained on the run till the June battle at the Department of Mystery. At that point, Sirius Black took an unknown hex to the chest and slipped into the Veil of Death.

Harry winced as his chest seized, he still felt guilty and knew it would never diminish. His only resolve was to train so that he could take his vengeance one day. Harry knew his destiny would make him into a soldier, a warrior, a fighter or whatever super testosterone title can be given someone that can only survive through fighting. This soon to be sixteen year old thought of himself as being invincible, using the prophecy as his justified basis for this assumption. Harry unfurled the letter to read it.

The following testament is the last known accord of Mr. Black. Speaking as his attorney, the Ministry has allowed this will after examining the content displacement. Please note that Mr. Black requested separating his accounts to make the distribution easier.

My Greatest Sympathies,

Mr. Graham Kellpurn

Last Will and Testament of Sirius Oscar Black as by December 15^th, 1995

I, Sirius Oscar Black, herby write this as my last will and testament. Being of sound mind and extremely good looking body, make these decisions with full appreciation of the Goblin Nation for allowing the testament of a supposed criminal.

First off, I would like to leave 12 Grimauld Place to Headmaster Albus Dumbledore as it is under his Fidelius charm. I would suggest permanent boarding for Buckbeak, and would impress the issue that he be allowed on Hogwarts grounds under the keep of Rubeus Hagrid.

To the Tonks Family, who are my closest of kin both by blood and mentality, I leave one quarter of the Black Family Trust. It has already been separated into another vault so that you can retain the key, just as I have done for all my other vaults. Spend it on any thing you see fit to.

To my dearest friend Remus, I leave one quarter of the Black Family Trust. I also leave a flat in London that my Uncle Alphred bought for me between the time I spent at the Potter's and that little twelve year stay in Azkaban. I have dubbed it the Dog House and see it very fitting to give it to one of the remaining marauders. It's a true bachelor pad and an extra place for you Remus besides your cottage. I also ask of you to watch Harry for me. I made the mistake of not trusting you once and I will never forgive myself, I will leave you with my undying friendship and trust.

To the Weasley's I leave half of the Black Family Trust. The whole family, sans Percy, is full of life and love. For people so rich in everything but money, I wish to contribute what little I had. I also would like you to watch out for Harry, which I know you will even with out my requesting it.

Finally, to Harry, I leave a special vault. This vault contains some marauder material along with a small armory. The armory is set up so that you can train to use other weapons besides spells, however, I arranged for the vault only to be open after your seventh year and under the instruction of someone I have already hired for you. You will just have to wait. My last bequest to you Harry is a small four room house on a Bahamian Island. To be exact it is Grand Bahamian Island, just outside of Freeport. It is perfect vacation spot for the water, the beaches, the night life and most importantly the girls. I implore you Harry to take at least one vacation there a year and to invite Remus with you, both of you need it.

Harry you might be wondering why I did not leave you any money and the answer is simple if you go to Gringotts and get one of the goblins to take you to see your other assets.

Thus are my finale requests. I love you all deeply and hope that you all have some fun with what I left you.

Sirius Oscar Black

Sirius Oscar Black

Woah was the only thought that passed through Harry's head. He was happy that Tonks, Remus and the Weasleys were taken care of, but Sirius's cryptic ending confused him. Harry's next thought was on that Bahamian Island, sure he missed Sirius and felt nothing could replace him, but a house on a Bahamian Island was just really nice. He wished he could be there with his Godfather, but he knew that it could never happen. I should arrange it so that on the 23^rd of August I should go this vacation home before Remus' transformation and should stay there till the start of school. That would be nice, almost ten days in paradise. Harry was happy to receive the island, but some weapon proficiency would have been welcomed also. I guess I'll just have to wait till my seventh year.

Putting his letter away, setting the Hogwarts sixth year signup to the side for later, Harry went fast asleep.

It was the 27^th, and the party was at 11 p.m. that night, and Harry had no clue when it was going to end. That morning, Dudley took Harry to a small side store so that he might have something proper to wear, black shirt and blue jeans. For Dudley, it was another way to pay one of his many debts to Harry. All Harry really knew was that there were going to be a fair amount of girls and boys in attendance. The guys he could care less about because they weren't the jerks Dudley used to hang out with. The girls, on the other hand, made Harry nervous and excited. He was over Cho Chang, his first girlfriend, and wanted to move on. The only problem was that he never felt the same way around anyone like he did with Cho.

"Ready?" inquired Dudley.

"As much as I can be," said Harry slipping on his black t-shirt, straitening it out slightly trying to show his toned body.

The three weeks of training filled Harry in a bit and also gave him a nice tone look. It also helped him in his growing, sprouting up to five feet eight inches tall from his five foot five inch pre-summer height. Harry was fairly proud of his new look.

With that the two young men made their way to Rachel Cobbler's house, not only was she Dudley's friend but also an interest of his. Though like Harry, Dudley was pretty clueless when it came to women.

"Hello Dudley," beamed a very cheery redhead that, to Harry's mind, was fairly pretty. She was wearing a pleated navy skirt with a white top.

"Hullo Rach, this is my cousin Harry. Harry this is Rachel Cobbler," introduced Dudley.

"Nice to meet you, and thank you for having me," Harry offered as she started beaming at him. He then got a brilliantly wicked idea, and with a gleam in his eyes added, "Dudley's only told me the best things about you."

"Prat," hissed Dudley as he lead Harry inside and making more introductions.

Everything was rightly boring and a lot of the people looked the same. At least they're friendly Harry reminded himself. He reached for a red plastic cup for a drink of what he assumed was soda when Dudley introduced the last person.

"Harry, this is Summer De La Cruz. Summer, this is my cousin Harry," said Dudley as Harry was turning around in mid sip to meet the new comer. He choked and gagged, spitting in the cup both because he was surprised at the bitter taste and the fact that he was not expecting an extremely beautiful girl to be standing nigh two feet from him.

"Um...Hi," Harry greeted Summer as he placed the cup on a side table.

"Hi," she replied shuffling her feet. Summer De La Cruz stood at about five feet one inch tall with bronze skin, brownish gold eyes with a rather petite figure. Her hair was long, dark brown and very wavy as it seemed to glide off her shoulders onto her back. She wore olive green khakis with a navy blue tank top. When she looked down and smiled still shuffling her feet, Harry knew that Cho was only just a distant memory.

"Would you like a cup," offered Harry as he waved his hand to the red cups. Summer scrunched up her nose and declined, "Phew!" exclaimed Harry, "That stuff was way too bitter for my liking," Summer just giggled cutely.

"Have you never had beer before?" Summer inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh...er...not really," Butterbeer definitely didn't taste like that!

"That's good because I find it too bitter also," she offered so Harry wouldn't take any offence.

"Hey," Harry said with a gleam in his eyes as he saw the dance floor, "would you care to dance? Or actually teach me how to, is more like it."

"You don't know how to?"

"Nope, this is the second place I've been to where there was dancing, and trust me, the first time wasn't all that successful," replied Harry. "In fact I was utter rubbish and my date went off with some French bloke."

"Okay, now I've got to teach you," she replied taking his hand to the dance floor, "can't have all the cute guys lose to the French."

Harry laughed and then raised his eyebrow, "so you think I'm cute?"

"Just keep quiet and let me teach you how to dance," Summer then took his hands and placed them on her hips. Harry visible gulped but she let it roll off her shoulders, "This is a salsa, it's upbeat, fast and Latin," she then demonstrated some of the finer moves in salsa dancing.

They went through several different style of dancing till they came to one that both were wishing for.

"This is a slow dance song," Summer said as she leaned in closer to Harry so he could wrap his arms around her back. She draped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his chest.

Harry, having no clue what came over him, leaned into her ear and whispered, "You have no clue how long I've been waiting for a song like this with you," but what shocked Harry most was Summer's response.

"As long as I have been waiting too," she practically purred.

After the song, Harry and Summer moved their way to the outside to get some fresh air and talk. They talked about nothing and everything. Harry just lost all thought in what he was saying as he looked into those golden brown eyes. It pained him to say next what he had to say.

"Summer, I like you, but I need to tell you that I'm leaving for the rest of the summer tomorrow," Harry finished and hung his head down.

"It's okay, I'm leaving in two days, so nothing major could have happened between us. I'm happy to have met you," she finished as Harry started to brush a strand of her wavy brown hair. She looked up at him and in that blissful moment, Harry lost all thought of parties, wars and training. He just savored the thick juicy lips that his were pressing against. They both knew that it wasn't soul mates or any of that Hallmark mumbo jumbo. It was just a summer fling that was only meant for the enjoyment of two people for a short amount of time.

That is how Harry left the party with Dudley, just remembering the kiss he shared with Summer and Harry exchanged addresses so that they could write to each other, but both knew that it would be unlikely.

On the way back to the house, Dudley, could only stare at his cousin. Before opening the door, Dudley asked, "So how did you enjoy your summer so far?"

All Harry could respond was, "I think I happen to like summer," and with that ambiguous statement, both young men walked into the house at three in the morning of July 28^th.