Harry Potter and the Angel of Justice

Chapter One - When Harry Met Mars

During the summer holidays the mornings were Harry's favorite part of the day. One reason was that his relatives almost always slept later than him so the house on Four Privet Drive was peaceful. Another was that his mail, which came via owl post, usually arrived in the mornings and his best friend Ron Weasley had written him the last two days. Lastly, the heat wave and drought that started last summer had not ended so the mornings were the only nice time of the day.

It is not normal for fifteen-year-old boys in Little Whinging to enjoy getting up early. It is even less normal for them to get their friend's letters via owl post. But when your name is Harry Potter, very few things about you are normal. Harry Potter, you see, is a wizard. But even for a wizard, Harry was hardly normal. Most fifteen-year-old wizard boys had not fought off Voldemort, the greatest dark sorcerer in over a century, even once, much less the four times that Harry had. Most fifteen-year-old wizard boys were not world-famous like Harry; and none of them, as far as Harry knew, had a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt like he did. It was a mark Voldemort gave him at their first meeting and it was equally famous.

Harry had been on summer holiday for three days and he was not enjoying it. This too made Harry different from most fifteen-year-olds. He much preferred school to being on holiday. This is because he lived with his muggle relatives. Muggles were people who had no magical talent at all, and his Uncle Vernon had to be about the most muggily muggle in the world. He had gone to live with his relatives when he was just a baby because Voldemort had murdered his parents and these muggles were his only living relatives.

The Dursleys--Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and his cousin Dudley--didn't look like relatives of Harry. While Harry was small and a bit skinny, Uncle Vernon and Dudley were both large and barrel chested. Neither had much of a neck. His Aunt Petunia, however, had a very long neck. In fact she was horse-faced and, unlike her son and husband, very thin and bony.

Normally they were quite mean to him, or on better days they pretended that he didn't exist. Since he had been home this summer, however, his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had been formally polite and his normally bullying cousin Dudley had been downright friendly. Harry was not sure if he liked this change or not. He knew they were only acting this way because Mad-Eye Moody had threatened them. Moody was a retired auror with a spooky magical eye and a reputation for jinxing anything that moved so threats from him were generally taken seriously. It was nice to eat dinner without being insulted or watch the news without being stared at, but every moment with his aunt and uncle felt tense. Every minute spent with a friendly Dudley felt surreal. Harry was sure if he spent the whole summer on Privet Drive he would be insane before his started his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hogwarts was the best magic school in the world and Harry had enjoyed the greatest times of his life there. But many parts of his fifth year at Hogwarts had not been so great. His headmaster Dumbledore--the greatest wizard of modern times, whom Harry had always trusted more than anyone--kept him in the dark for virtually the whole school year. Harry had been frustrated and angry most of the time. Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix was largely filled with Harry's favorite witches and wizards in the world, but Harry felt that the way they had dealt with him had been patronizing. The order was dedicated to thwarting Voldemort's return to power. They would not even have known of his return had it not been for Harry, and yet he was still banned from its membership and its meetings.

Then, once school had actually started, the Ministry of Magic took it over, Dumbledore had fled and was wanted by the Ministry, and the new headmistress was so horrible to Harry that she had actually became Harry's least favorite person at Hogwarts - incredibly passing Professor Snape, the potions master. She had tortured him, forbidden him his favorite activities (among them a life ban on playing Quidditch), drove off his favorite teacher Hagrid, and made Hogwarts simply a dreadful place to be. But all of those lousy things paled in comparison to seeing his godfather Sirius Black murdered by Bellatrix Lestrange.

Harry Potter had few things in common with most fifteen-year-old boys, but at this moment there was something that made him brothers with boys all across the globe.

"GIRLS!" Harry exclaimed. "Do they ever make up their minds? Do they act this way just to drive us mad?"

Harry had received his mail, but he didn't get just his normal regimen of the Daily Prophet, the most popular newspaper in Wizarding Britain, and a scrawled note from Ron talking about quidditch strategy. This morning he got a letter from Cho Chang. She was the only girl he had ever kissed. Until their last row Harry's insides had done flips every time he had seen her. However, her constant dwelling on her previous boyfriend's death had really gotten him down. She cried no matter what he said or did. How are you supposed to deal with that? Hermione thought he had been insensitive, but Harry thought differently. He thought girls were simply insane. Better yet, they were trying to drive him insane. Cho's letter was further proof of his theory.

Dear Harry,

I am writing to express my deepest sympathies for the passing of your godfather. You have suffered through so much in your life. It is simply not fair for this to have happened to you. I did not realize how much stress you were under last year and I just want to take this opportunity to apologize for making it worse. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.

Please write to me and tell me how you feel. I already miss you dreadfully.

X0X0X

Love from Cho

"I miss you dreadfully?" Harry mulled. "Is that why you were going out with Michael Corner just last week? Is that why you didn't look at me the last month we were in school?" Thirty minutes ago Cho was the furthest thought from Harry's mind. Now she haunted him again. Maybe she really didn't know how stressed he was. But that would be pretty thick, Harry thought. Hadn't she seen what Umbridge put him through? Did she care? Well, the letter said she did.

"Girls!" muttered Harry again.

His thoughts had now gone full circle.

"I'll show this to Hermione and see if she can make sense of it," said Harry as he turned to Hedwig, his beautiful snowy owl. "Girls obviously speak in some language only they can understand. It'd be a lot easier for everyone if they just used English, you know!" Harry added with a raised voice.

Hedwig did not answer him--which was probably for the best, because Harry's mood was quite sour. The mornings were normally when Harry was at his happiest, so it was a bad omen to be so mad this early.

Thinking it would be best just to stay in his room all day, Harry decided to skip breakfast and brood instead. At first he was depressed because his foolhardiness had lead to Sirius Black's death. After an hour of silent tears for Sirius, his thoughts turned to the cheery subject of Voldemort's return. The war that he had expected would start last year surely must be in its first stages now. Harry figured it would begin with disappearances and then maybe muggle killings, ending with assaults on the Ministry itself--maybe even Hogwarts. Normally a school would not seem of any military value, but Hogwarts was considered the safest place in Britain during the last war and people always said that Dumbledore was the only wizard Voldemort really feared. These two things made Harry feel Voldemort would make Hogwarts his ultimate prize, because its symbolic value would be enormous.

Harry knew he was safe in the Dursley's house. Dumbledore had fashioned a protective ward based on the protection his mother had given him as a baby. His mother had sacrificed her life, using some very old magic, to keep him alive when Voldemort attacked Harry when he was only a year old. His Aunt Petunia was his mother's sister, and Petunia's blood relation to his mother allowed Dumbledore to fashion the ward. As long as Harry could call this blood relation's home his own, Harry was protected from Voldemort while he was there. Being trapped but safe seemed worse than being at risk and doing something useful in the fight against Voldemort. Sirius must have felt this way at 12 Grimmauld Place last year. The thought of Sirius plunged Harry back into tears again.

By six o'clock Harry's eyes had cleared enough for him to face his relatives for dinner. He trudged downstairs and did his best to return Dudley's smile as he walked into the kitchen. He still wasn't sure he liked Dudley being nice to him, but any smile at this point was good for Harry's morale. He ate dinner quietly, only talking to answer the pointless questions his aunt and uncle asked him in order to keep up their facade of being polite to him. This pattern continued for the next four days.

During those four days only three items of importance happened to Harry. The first item was that Harry got a letter from his second best friend, Hermione Granger, saying she was going on holiday to the beaches and mountains of California in America next week. She was very excited because the American wizards had a unique style of magic which blended the European and Native arts together. She was most happy, however, over the status of house-elves there. She said two of the seven clans that governed North American wizards had freed their house-elves recently. The last foot and a half of her letter was talking about the impact of this news on S.P.E.W. and Harry barely skimmed it.

The second item was that the next day Harry received another letter from Ron that contained more than just Quidditch talk. Ron told Harry that his oldest brother Bill was getting married to Fleur Delacour late that summer and that Harry was expected to attend. Fleur was the champion of Beauxbatons, the famous French Wizarding School, whom he had competed against in the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year, and she was almost impossibly beautiful.

The third item was a parcel from Remus Lupin, his third year Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, that contained a letter and an album of snaps of Harry's parents, Sirius, and Lupin himself. Harry really liked it.

Harry had now been on holiday for a week and he was bored out of his skull. Most years he could have thrown himself into his summer reading to pass the time and really impress Hermione. She was the top student in his year and was always fussing at him to study more. However, because he had just completed his OWL testing (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and had not received his marks, he had no idea what subjects Hogwarts would allow him to study in his sixth year. He had no summer assignments yet.

Out of boredom, Harry took to wandering some of the same haunts as last year's miserable summer: the playpark, the town center and now he added the video arcade. Never before had Harry enough muggle money to even think about going to the arcade. His cousin's friendly mood had not only continued after Harry's first week home, but had enhanced itself and Dudley had given Harry part of his large allowance.

The other neighborhood kids all kept a safe distance from Harry. He was known as "that no-good Potter kid," as everyone thought he actually attended St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys instead of Hogwarts. Harry used to be offended when people thought this of him, but because it made muggles leave him alone and he didn't feel remotely social he now actually appreciated the reputation.

After spending about a third of the money Dudley had given him, Harry left the arcade for home. He wasn't sure if his cousin would be so friendly next week and he wanted to have enough money to be able to buy muggle newspapers just in case. Harry took his familiar path home, which lead him over the locked gates of the playpark and down Magnolia Road. He then turned onto Magnolia Crescent and headed for the alleyway that would lead him to Wisteria Walk, which connected to Privet Drive, or Prison Drive as Harry liked to think of it.

As he entered the alleyway Harry thought he heard voices up ahead. One of the voices sounded familiar: it sounded like the Death Eater who had begged for mercy from Voldemort at the graveyard last year. Harry froze and reached for the wand that was tucked into his waistband. Only now did he realize that this was the exact alleyway in which he was ambushed last summer by Dementors. As his hand was about to touch his wand he heard a familiar voice yell from behind him:

"Hit the deck, Harry!" shouted the female voice. "STUPEFY!"

Harry surprised himself by following the order perfectly. He dove to the ground and after he landed drew out his wand. He lifted his head from the pavement and stared down the alleyway, looking for foes. He saw three figures in robes with masks. He instantly recognized them as Death Eaters. "Death Eater" was what Voldemort's followers called themselves, and Harry had witnessed first-hand how they dressed two years ago at a profane ceremony that had given Voldemort a new body.

A red beam shot out from behind Harry toward the masked men in the alleyway. One of the figures moved his arm in an arc and cried "Protego!" The red beam bounced off the shield that was created and hit the brick wall, causing pieces of it to fall to the ground. All three figures yelled "Stupefy!" and red stunners streaked across the alleyway. Harry turned his head and saw an old woman in a paisley dress produce a shield with her wand that blocked one of the stunners, but the other two knocked her back ten feet and she lay motionless on the ground. Harry jumped up and started to cast a silence spell on the three Death Eaters, but one of them hit him with a disarming spell before he could get the words out. His wand went flying into the air and he flew backwards, hitting the pavement hard.

"Well, well, Potter," said one of the masked men. "An auror in an invisibility cloak guarding your every move? Dumbledore must really love you."

Harry was still having a hard time breathing because of the disarming spell so he could not answer the insult. He then heard an odd music piping into the alleyway. It reminded him of the phoenix music that he had heard from Dumbledore's pet Fawkes, but it was different. It was faster, and instead of eerie it sounded clashing, almost a cacophony of notes. While the phoenix music had made him feel safer and calmer, this music made him feel brave and violent. Harry gazed up and saw what look like a very large bat fluttering around the alley. The music seemed to be coming from it. The Death Eaters had also heard the music and two were pointing their wands at the bat, about to hex it, when a figure entered the alley and jumped over Harry.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the figure boomed. Harry had no idea who he was, but the man was VERY tall--in fact, Harry had never seen anyone except Hagrid who was taller. He was dressed in a brown leather jerkin, brown leather trousers, and high black boots. The tall man landed in front of Harry, pulled out his wand, and started moving it in an arc.

The three Death Eaters all yelled "Stupefy!" again and red stunners streamed at the tall man in the alleyway. To Harry's astonishment, the wand that had been in the man's hand was now a fiery white sword. The gleaming weapon lit up the darkness of the alleyway and Harry noticed the man's jacket was covered in charms and talismans and that his hair was long and quite dark. The tall figure moved his sword like a wand, as though he were a wizard casting the shield spell, and the sword deflected all three of the stunners toward the rightmost Death Eater, who fell when the red beams hit him. The harsh music continued to grow louder and faster. Harry's breath was back and he now felt as though he could easily defeat the three Death Eaters on his own.

"Displacio!" cried the tall man, and tiny deep red globes flew out of his sword and spread out in every direction. He was moving the sword about like a wand as his spell continued. The globes filled the alleyway and hit the two standing Death Eaters, ripping them into the air and smashing them into the brick walls of the alley. The globes whirled like a tornado as they flung the robed figures at a torrid pace. Again and again, their bodies bounced off the walls, and Harry winced at the sounds of bones crunching. After about ten seconds, the tall man lowered his wand--which was no longer a sword--and the bodies crashed to the ground. The music had faded, and Harry noticed that the large bat was nowhere to be seen.

"Three Death Eaters sent to kill a single teenager while two people secretly follow him? You must feel pretty special, partner!" the man said in an odd, drawling accent. He was smiling, and held his hand out to help Harry up.

Harry stayed on the ground. He was certainly grateful that this bloke had saved him from the Death Eaters, but he wasn't ready to touch him. He stared up at the man distrustfully.

"I see ole Mad-Eye has taught you to suspect everyone. Even someone who has just saved your life," drawled the man. "That's a smart play for a marked man like you, Harry." He was still smiling at Harry.

His drawl was nothing like Draco Malfoy's. There was something familiar about it, though. He sounded a bit like the people Harry had seen on the American TV show Gunsmoke.

"Are you an American?" asked Harry, breaking the silence.

"Texan, Harry. But my mom was English and so is half of my family," the man answered.

"Why were you following me? Did Dumbledore send the both of you?" Harry asked.

"I didn't start out following you, Harry. I wanted to find you and talk to you. However, I noticed her," the Texan pointed at the witch on the ground, "tailing you and I was curious about what she was doing. I don't know who she is but I can tell that she is a Metamorphmagus. They're pretty rare. It shouldn't be too hard to place her, eh? Do you know any who are also aurors?"

"Tonks!" said Harry. "Yes, I know her. I didn't recognize her, but I guess that's the point." Harry wondered how this man could tell someone was a Metamorphmagus by sight.

The man's smile grew. "So, is she in Dumbledore's Order?"

Harry was shocked. This man knew about the Order of the Phoenix and was asking about it. Harry certainly was not going to give away any secrets about the Order. Harry was not sure how to answer him, but the man spared him by speaking again.

"Still careful, are you? Well, I'm impressed. How about I rephrase the question? Do you think she was trying to help by following you? Is it a good idea to revive her without binding her?" asked the tall man.

"Oh yes, Tonks is my friend. I can't see her ever trying to harm me," said Harry as he stood up.

"Good. Get your wand and hold it tight," said the man.

Harry reached down and picked up his wand from the pavement.

The man raised his wand, said, "Accio wands!" and the three Death Eaters' and Tonks' wands all flew into his hands. Harry felt his tug a bit, but he held it tightly.

"Aurors have a tendency to be a bit jumpy after they've been knocked out. Especially when it's some stranger waking them up," said the man with a grin. "I think we'll give her her wand back after she knows the score, shall we?" The man then held Tonks' wand in his left hand and put the other three into a pouch that hung from his belt.

Harry nodded. He too thought she would be pretty jinx-happy when she regained consciousness. He moved near Tonks and positioned himself so she would see him when she awoke.

The man pointed his wand at Tonks and said, "Ennervate!"

Tonks opened her eyes and saw Harry. She looked a bit dazed, but then her eyes moved to the tall man and she rolled over quickly and jumped in front of Harry protectively. She stumbled a bit as she stood in front of him.

"Harry, stay behind me! Where's my wand?" she said quickly.

"I've got it, Tonks. And I'll give it back once you've calmed down. I understand you're bit jumpy now; I would be, too. However, you need to realize that the three thugs who attacked you and Harry have been dealt with. We're all friends here," said the man.

"Is that true, Harry? Do you know him?" she asked.

"Well, he certainly dealt with the Death Eaters," said Harry, pointing to the bodies lying in the alleyway, "but I've never seen him before in my life. I don't even know his name."

"Oh yeah! I guess that was really rude," the man drawled. "My name is Mars, and I'm very glad to meet both of you. I can assure you that I am here to help. Professor Dumbledore told me that he notified his Order of my coming."

"Oh, you're Mars," said Tonks. "He did tell us, but I didn't think you would be so young ... and tall."

"What did he say about me?" asked Mars. He looked at Harry.

"To me?" asked Harry. "No one's told me anything. They never do. I had no idea Tonks was even following me." Harry's bitter tone was very evident.

"I thought she said Dumbledore mentioned it to the Order?"

"I am not in the Order," said Harry, sounding very bitter.

"What?" exclaimed Mars. "What's the point of that? I figured you'd be the most important part of the Order!" Mars gave Tonks an astonished look. "Well?"

"Well, he's too young. It's too dangerous for him," stammered Tonks. She looked quite uncomfortable.

Harry scowled at her. Too dangerous, he thought. His life lately had been almost nothing but dangerous bits separated by boring bits.

Mars seemed to agree. "Dangerous? Haven't you folks noticed Harry's been attacked by Voldemort personally each of the last two years? How can you get in more danger than that?"

"It wasn't my decision, Mars. I just try to help out," said Tonks desperately.

"Well. I can see there'll have to be a few changes now that I'm back in Britain. It's apparent very little has been learned since the last war.

"Tonks, one of those scumbags is still alive. Since you're an auror, I'll leave him in your custody. I'd like to walk Harry home and chat with him for a bit," said Mars, in a tone that suggested he was used to people doing exactly what he wanted.

"But I am not supposed to leave Harry -," argued Tonks.

"Please, Tonks, I don't think there's anything out there that Harry and I together can't handle, okay?" Mars cut her off. He smiled again at Harry and this time, Harry returned the smile.

"But Dumbledore will kill me if I leave Harry. I just can't," pleaded Tonks.

"Nonsense!" interrupted Mars. "Dumbledore brought me all the way from Texas specifically to see Harry. He told you I could be trusted, didn't he?"

"Yes, he said he trusts you with his life," Tonks breathed.

"Isn't that good enough for you?" Mars grinned broadly.

The large bat that Harry had seen flying around the alleyway had returned and was swooping down at Mars. About ten feet before it reached him Harry saw it transfigure itself into a small woodpecker which landed on Mars' shoulder and rubbed against his ear affectionately.

In the end, Tonks relented and went to collect the still unconscious Death Eater while Harry and Mars continued down the alleyway towards Wisteria Walk. Harry was starting to like Mars, even though he knew very little about him. Professor Moody would not approve, but if Dumbledore trusted Mars with his life that had to count for something. Besides, Mars seemed like he might actually give Harry information, and Harry was willing to risk anything not to feel so cut off.

"So, how long have you known Dumbledore?" asked Harry.

"All my life, Harry. I went to Hogwarts, you know."

At that moment, Harry realized how odd Mars would appear to any of his neighbors if they happened to look out their window and see all seven feet (well, almost) of him walking around in leather armor and covered in charms.

"Mars, I don't want to offend you or anything, but muggles--at least British muggles--are not used to seeing people walking around in armor with large knives on their hips," Harry said tentatively.

"Your point is well taken, Harry. However, muggles can't see me unless that is what I wish. Sorta like the Knight bus. When you are with me, it also applies to you," said Mars.

"Seriously?" asked Harry excitedly. "We're invisible to them right now?"

"And inaudible. When I do allow muggles to see me, I appear in fitting attire, instead of the combat gear that you see. It wouldn't do for me to be scaring the poor muggles each time I came to see you, would it?" asked Mars.

"Wow," exclaimed Harry. He paused. "Did Dumbledore want you in Britain to help fight Voldemort?" He noticed Mars didn't bat an eyelash at the sound of the name.

"I don't think there's any way I would have been invited back to Britain unless he needed help with Tom Riddle," said Mars. "I have a very bad reputation in the UK, you see. Even by the people who really like me, I'm often seen as a bit of a loose cannon or even a double-ended wand."

"Why do you call Voldemort by his real name like that?" asked Harry.

"Three reasons, Harry. One, he is not the Lord of anything. I have no respect for him, so I don't plan on using his fake respectful title. Two, I know how much he hates muggles. He tries desperately to cover up that his father was one. Using his muggle name, I am sure, ticks him off. And three, it is his real name," answered Mars firmly.

"When they met a few weeks ago, Dumbledore also called him Tom," said Harry.

"You'll find that he and I have a lot in common, Harry."

Harry noticed that they were almost at his aunt and uncle's house. "So I'll be seeing you again, I take it?" he asked.

"You can count on that, Harry," answered Mars. "Tell me, have you received your OWL results yet?"

Harry was surprised to hear such a question. Why would Mars switch subjects like that? Harry dreaded seeing his scores in History of Magic, Divination and Astronomy.

"No, they won't be in for a few more weeks, I think," Harry answered.

"Ah, good," said Mars. "It's been a while since I took mine; I had forgotten how long it takes to grade them," he added quickly. "Well, I'll see you in a few days. I promise not to let them make you stay with these muggles much longer. I'm sure I can change Dumbledore's mind."

Harry waved and Mars disapparated with a crack. Mars' last comment had really cheered Harry up. Anything that got him back into the wizarding world faster was good as far as Harry was concerned. Moody might be mad at him for trusting Mars so quickly, but so far Mars was hard not to like. Harry went upstairs to bed with a spring in his step that he had not had in a very long time.

Chapter Two - Dudley's Surprise

Harry was outside sitting on a bench in Aunt Petunia's flower garden. The afternoon was hot, but there was a slight breeze and Harry felt the best that he ever had while being on Privet Drive. It had been two days since he had met the American wizard named Mars, and Harry had been reliving in his mind the half hour or so he had spent with Mars. Mars had claimed that he had seen Tonks tailing Harry, but she had been wearing an invisibility cloak. He must be able to see through them like Mad-Eye or Dumbledore. Then there was that odd globe spell, what had he said? Something like "Displaseol?" It certainly had been effective and Harry was sure he had never seen nor heard of anything like it. He made a mental note to add this to the list of things to ask Hermione about. Then Mars claimed that he and Harry had been invisible to muggles when they were walking home together. Harry had been invisible many times before and it had never been like that in the past. However, Harry figured that his not being a muggle must have had something to do with it; other wizards also must also be able to do that. He made another note to himself to ask Mr. Weasley or Professor Lupin about it.

Harry noticed his cousin Dudley approaching him from the house. Dudley smiled at him and Harry returned it for the first time without forcing himself. Dudley had continued to be friendly and even managed not to be annoying while doing it. Harry was still astonished at the turn in Dudley's character, but he figured it was best to try to keep things friendly.

"Harry, I have something to show you. I think it's going to really surprise you. In fact, I think I'll warn you to brace yourself," Dudley said, almost giggling.

"Okay, Dudley, let's see it," said Harry in his most friendly voice.

Dudley pulled an envelope out of his pocket. The paper looked very expensive and it had beautifully written letters on the front and a gorgeous wax seal on the back. The front read as follows:

To:

Mr Dudley Dursley

The Nicest Bedroom

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

From:

Olympe Maxime

Headmistress

Beauxbatons Academy of Magic

For Students Over the Traditional Age

France

Harry nearly dropped the letter in shock. His hands shook. He looked up at Dudley and could only squeak, "You?"

"Me."

"A wizard?"

"Yep. Amazing, isn't it? They said in the letter than numerous muggleborns are not discovered until later in life, and many turn into great wizards and witches." Dudley tapped his chest with pride.

Hearing Dudley say muggleborns, witches, and wizards in the same sentence was more than Harry's grip on reality could take, and he promptly fainted and fell off the back of the bench. Harry woke to his cousin gently sprinkling water on him from a glass.

"Harry, are you all right? I did warn you to brace yourself, you know," said Dudley.

Harry sat up and rubbed the back of his head where it had hit the ground and looked at his cousin in a new light.

"I know you warned me, but that was quite a shocker," said Harry woozily.

"You should have seen me when I got it. I don't think I said a word for twelve hours. It took me three days before I showed it to my parents," replied Dudley.

"I bet they just loved that!" said Harry as he imagined his aunt and uncle's faces.

"It took them two hours of crying and rereading the letter before they would believe it. They went to bed two days ago refusing to accept it and then the next morning they came around and realized it made sense," said Dudley.

"Made sense?" asked Harry.

"Well, I've always been terrible at muggle schools. Now we know the reason. It was those stupid muggles bringing me down the whole time. I'm sorry I didn't realize how they must have made you feel when you went to muggle schools. Sorry I was part of it. But now I know who the scum of the earth are. Filthy muggles! Anyway, sorry, Harry," said Dudley.

Harry was shocked. It seemed that Dudley had moved from one form of bigotry to another. He struggled to find words with which to answer Dudley. He didn't want to cause trouble, but Harry was still having difficulty accepting that this conversation was real and not another weird dream.

"D-don't worry about it, Dud. I un-understand that they forced you to be that way. And congratulations on being accepted into Beauxbatons; it is a world-renowned school. I met the Headmistress and she is v-very impressive," stammered Harry.

"You've met her? She must be the best headmistress in the world. Soon I'll be a powerful wizard and all those teachers who failed me will pay!" exclaimed Dudley.

Dudley named a few more muggles that would suffer his wrath and asked Harry if he would like to go out for pizza the next evening. Harry was very reluctant, but because he was still in shock he agreed to go with Dudley. His cousin left the garden to go inside. After coming mostly out of his daze, Harry also went into the house and up to his room.

Harry's head was swimming. There was a logic to it, but not one he liked very much. His mother was muggleborn and he knew muggleborns at Hogwarts who had other family members become wizards, so it wasn't unprecedented for Dudley to have become a wizard, just unnerving. Harry thought that he'd remembered Hermione saying something about the French wizarding school having a program for late-developing witches and wizards. It was, however, one of those times that he and Ron had merely mumbled "yes" or "okay" to whatever Hermione had been going on about. They'd had no interest in what she was saying, but didn't want to set her temper off. Harry now really wished he had listened. Harry racked his brain for an hour or so about the situation before his aunt called him down for lunch.

As Harry entered the kitchen, he noticed his uncle and cousin were grinning and staring blankly ahead with their hands placed flat on the table. As soon as Harry walked in, however, they started conversing with each other.

Aunt Petunia greeted him while she stirred a pot on the stove. "Oh, come in, Harry dear. We're having Diddy's and your favorites today to celebrate his acceptance into Beauxbatons."

"Harry dear?" he thought. That sounded like Mrs. Weasley, not Aunt Petunia. Harry sat down at the table and Dudley smiled at him. Harry did his best to return the smile and then looked at his plate to avoid his relatives' glances. Even though everyone was polite and the food was very good, it seemed like one of the longest lunches Harry had ever endured.

The Dursleys were quite accepting of wizards now that their son was one, and they kept asking Harry questions about Madame Maxime and Beauxbatons. Harry did his best to get through the questions as fast as he could without being rude, all the while eating quickly. When he finally left the kitchen and went upstairs to his room he was sweating from the stress.

The world seemed upside down. Harry really needed some advice but he wasn't sure who he should ask. Ron didn't know the first thing about muggles, so there was no point in asking him. Hermione was on holiday in California, and Harry couldn't see asking Hedwig to fly halfway across the world. Besides, he already knew what she would say: "Let me look up a few things in Magical Maladies Among Muggles, and in the meantime I think you should write to Dumbledore and tell him everything." Harry could just see her now fussing at him. He smiled at the thought and then realized that the imaginary Hermione had a good point. Writing to Dumbledore made sense. He was the one who made sure Harry stayed with his relatives each summer. If something were wrong he would want to know.

Harry went over to his desk and started thinking of what he wanted to tell Dumbledore and how to say it. Mad-Eye Moody last year, and Professor Lupin in his letter that contained the photo album, had both warned Harry not to send anything revealing via Owl Post, so writing the letter was tough. He had written his godfather Sirius a letter last year using code words that only Sirius would understand. It had worked very well, so Harry tried to do the same thing with Dumbledore's letter, but he was failing. Nothing he wrote made any sense. Harry had started and then tossed five letters in the bin before he threw down his quill in disgust. He then thought if Dumbledore received an incoherent letter from him maybe he would be concerned enough to visit. That was it! What Harry really needed was a visit from one of the members of the Order.

Harry heard a knock at his door and then his aunt's voice. "Harry, you have a visitor downstairs."

"Thanks, Aunt Petunia, I'll be right down," said Harry quickly.

It must be Mars, he thought. He had said he would be coming to visit soon. Surely Mars had joined the Order by now! Why else would he have come all the way from Texas? Harry jumped up, put on his trainers and trotted down the stairs. He saw Mars, still dressed in his leathers and charms, chatting up Uncle Vernon like they were business partners. Harry thought about Mars' remark that muggles saw him as he wished and thought that Mars must look quite different to his aunt and uncle right now. Even though they had accepted that their son was going off to wizard school in the fall, he doubted they would feel comfortable with the long knife in its scabbard on Mars' right hip. Mars greeted Harry with his light blue eyes and a bright smile.

"How are you doing, Harry? I was telling your charming family that I had just come from the Ministry to discuss your career when you leave Hogwarts," he said, beckoning Harry to his side.

Harry thought that Mars' cover story was pretty lame, but then he figured muggles would fall for it and walked over to him. Mars shook his hand, squeezing it tightly. He let go of Harry's hand and continued. "I was hoping to discuss it over dinner. Does that suit you?" Mars' eyes were fixed on Harry's.

"Yes, that's excellent," said Harry eagerly.

Mars did a fine job cutting the conversations off, so Harry and he were leaving for dinner within a few minutes.

"Have a nice evening, Harry," said Aunt Petunia as they left.

They walked outside and when they heard the door close Mars spoke first.

"I thought your family was supposed to be all nasty and hate everything magic, Harry?"

"They were until this summer. Mad-Eye Moody scared them into to being nice to me, but Dudley has been downright friendly," answered Harry.

They were now approaching the largest SUV that Harry had ever laid eyes on. "Is that yours?" asked Harry in surprise.

"Yeah, I don't really like it. I'm sweet on Italian sports cars myself, but from what I heard about your uncle he seems the type to judge a man by the size of his car. So I figured I would buy the largest American vehicle I could find," said Mars, looking slightly embarrassed.

They climbed into the Hummer and Harry noticed that like many of the vehicles owned by wizards the inside was larger than the outside, which was really saying something about this behemoth. As they headed down the street, Mars asked, "Do you like pizza, Harry?"

"I do, but my cousin is taking me out for pizza tomorrow. How about Indian food?" said Harry.

"That's fine with me. Your folks sure aren't acting like I thought they would. Dudley taking you out for pizza simply doesn't fit according to Dumbledore's description," said Mars, looking perplexed.

"It's the first time he has ever offered. He wants to celebrate his acceptance into Beauxbatons," said Harry.

Instantly Harry slammed forward and his seat belt dug into his chest as Mars hit the brakes hard. Several cars honked at them as they passed the now totally motionless SUV.

"Your cousin got accepted into Beauxbatons Academie de Magique? Where Madame Maxime is the headmistress?" asked Mars incredulously.

"Yeah. I can't believe it either. He showed me the letter this afternoon. I literally fainted, Mars," said Harry in an equally astonished voice. "I'm still in shock."

"Harry, your cousin is a muggle. There's no way he got accepted into Beauxbatons," said Mars as he started forward again.

"But I saw the envelope and he was speaking like a wizard. He was putting down muggles, he used the word muggleborn and was talking about hexing people," replied Harry with disgust.

"Let's finish this conversation in the restaurant, Harry. I'm still getting used to driving on the left side of the road again," said Mars. He seemed to be concentrating very hard. Probably on the road, Harry figured.

They drove up to the restaurant and went inside. They got a secluded booth and both ordered curries. When the waiter walked away, Mars looked at Harry, his bright blue eyes blazing, reached a long arm across the table, put his hand on Harry's shoulder and asked him to describe his interactions with his family the last two weeks.

Harry immediately felt much of his tension melt away. He relaxed and leaned back on his bench and Mars took his hand away and also leaned back. Harry told him calmly all of the events that had happened to him since he returned home from Hogwarts. To his surprise, Harry even mentioned the letter from Cho and how it made him feel. It took about fifteen minutes or so for Harry to recap the his summer holiday. Mars sat listening very attentively and staring straight into Harry's eyes the entire time. When Harry had finished, their food had arrived and Mars suggested they eat.

The conversation was light while they ate. Mars asked about Harry's friends, especially the Weasleys. He was also interested in which teachers and subjects Harry liked. Harry was very glad to hear Mars didn't like Severus Snape any more than Ron and he did. Apparently, Snape had taken over as Potions Master in the middle of Mars' years at Hogwarts.

"That sorry S.O.B. spent more time putting down Gryffindors than he did teaching," Mars said as he finished his gulab jamun.

"He still does. He seems to especially hate me, Ron and Neville," said Harry, enjoying the Snape bashing.

"That's not surprising. He and your father sure hated each other and he always tried to make Bill, Charlie and I miserable. But we always got the best of him when we were his students," said Mars nostalgically. "As vindictive and twisted as he is, I don't doubt he would hold grudges against you and Ron for your blood relations. He probably hates Neville because his parents put so many of his buddies in Azkaban."

"So you knew Charlie and Bill Weasley?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Of course I did. They were my best friends at Hogwarts. Bill and I were in the same year, and Charlie was two years behind."

"Then you also knew that Snape was a Death Eater? I thought they tried hard to cover that up," Harry blurted.

"I got around even as a kid, Harry. We now need to turn to more current events. I've had enough time to think about what you've told me and there's only one logical choice of action. We need to get you out of Privet Drive as soon as possible," said Mars seriously.

"Fine by me!"

"There is simply no way that your cousin is a wizard. As you know, muggles see me as I wish, and I figured a real boring brown suit with a derby would fit perfectly for your uncle."

"Good guess, Mars, that's just his style."

"Well, they seemed to like it. As I was chatting with them, Dudley complimented me on the derby, Harry; only a muggle would have seen it."

"Then why has he been so nice to me? Where did he get that letter? How in the world did he know what Beauxbatons was? There's no way I would have thought he could even pronounce it."

"Only one possibility makes sense, Harry. Someone has put the Imperious Curse on him. And probably on your aunt and uncle too," said Mars grimly.

Harry's stress immediately returned and his mind raced. He should have suspected it. Dudley being nice! Dudley giving him money! Dudley inviting him out for pizza? How stupid could he be? Sirius had warned him that the last time Voldemort came into power people all across the country were controlled under that curse.

"Do you suppose that Dudley is setting me up tomorrow night, then?" asked Harry.

"Quick mind you have, Harry." Mars looked impressed. "Yes, I am sure of it. Harry, I know how much you resented being caged up last year, and I promise to only do it when absolutely necessary -"

"You want me to hide at Four Privet Drive again, don't you?" Harry frowned. He vividly remembered all those letters last summer telling him not to leave the house. His mood darkened considerably now that Mars sounded just like everyone else had.

"Yes, Harry, I want you to stay inside and not leave the house for any reason at all until you see Dumbledore or I. I mean only the two of us. No one else! Not even the Weasleys or Alastor Moody. That bit is very important. You should only have to suffer for two more days, though. Then Dumbledore or I will take you away. To the Burrow, if you like," answered Mars.

"Really? Are you sure Dumbledore will agree to that?" asked Harry. "Doesn't he want me to stay for a long enough time each year to make his protective ward work?"

"I no longer trust it, Harry. You are safe inside the house, but you cannot live that way. Especially with your family probably under Riddle's control. No, you must leave within two days. I'll make sure the Weasleys are expecting you, and inform Dumbledore of my decision. You stay inside, in your room as much as you can, and Dumbledore or I will pick you up in two days, after your relatives have gone to bed. Make sure you're packed. Think of some excuse to get out of pizza tomorrow night," said Mars as he tapped his finger on his chin.

Harry nodded in agreement. Mars was okay again. Two more nights in his room was easy to put up with in order to escape Privet Drive. Still, knowing his family was reporting his moves to Voldemort was very creepy. Mars ordered some food to go to make it easier for Harry to stay in his room and then they headed home.

Mars dropped off Harry in front of Four Privet Drive and drove off. Harry opened the door and walked into the living room. All three of his relatives were there waiting for him. They all greeted him with friendly words and vapid smiles on their faces. As creepy as they had seemed before Mars' revelation, they were now tenfold worse. Harry answered their queries with stock responses and headed upstairs quickly. He wasn't yet up to thinking of an excuse for not going out with Dudley tomorrow. When he reached his room, he grabbed his desk chair and braced it under the doorknob. He really wished he could use magic and lock the door with the Colloportus charm.

Mars had warned him on the way home not to mention anything about the Imperious Curse or his leaving to anyone via owl post. Mars thought it likely that Voldemort's people would try to intercept any letters. In fact, it seemed like Mars didn't want Harry talking to any wizards except Dumbledore or himself. Mars had made Harry promise at least three times on the way home that he wouldn't do either. Harry was starting to get annoyed with all the lecturing. However, he again thought it was a small price to pay to be leaving Privet Drive after only two and a half weeks.

Harry was tired, but he couldn't sleep. He decided to start working on his excuse for not going out with Dudley the next night. He could claim that Mars wanted an example of his knowledge or skills that could be of use to the ministry. Harry figured that a theoretical essay on some magical topic would sound reasonable. That could give him an excuse to stay holed up for days. He decided that the subject should be potions. He didn't like his potions class, but he could write any old rubbish and his family wouldn't have any idea it wasn't a real essay even if they looked it. Ten or so minutes of work could provide an excellent delay of a few days. He grabbed the chair from the door and slid up to his desk. He started writing a few silly things on the parchment. A potion that will turn the drinker into a Crumple-Horned-Snorkack. Yes, that would be hilarious. What should go in it, though? Boomslang skin for sure; maybe belladonna? Harry was thinking on this when he heard a knock at the window.

Harry quickly turned to his window, which was open, and saw Remus Lupin's head and shoulders through it. Harry was speechless. Lupin smiled and greeted Harry warmly.

"Hullo, Harry! I've come to take you back with me."

Harry managed to say "Hello, Professor." He paused. "I'm p-pleased to see you but, but Mars said I was to go with him in two days."

"No need, Harry. You can come with us now. It's easier this way." said Lupin with an odd smile on his face.

"No, I think I should stay. I'm waiting for Dumbledore or Mars. Mars was very insistent," Harry said firmly. Something was wrong with Lupin. Harry was suspicious.

"Harry, be reasonable. Dumbledore's a busy wizard. Just come with Lucius and I and everything will be fine." Lupin's weird smile had turned malevolent.

"No!" screamed Harry "You're here with Lucius Malfoy? You're trying to trick me!" He drew his wand, pointed it at Lupin's chest, and cried "Avada Kedavra!" A sick green light flashed out of Harry's wand and hit Lupin in the heart. The evil smile disappeared and the familiar caring one that Harry knew so well returned.

Lupin looked at him and said, "Harry, you have killed me and saved me. Thank you." Lupin's eyes rolled up in his head and he fell backwards away from the window.

Harry screamed, "NO!" He tried to run forward but fell and hit the floor.

Harry snatched his head off the desk quickly. His face was covered in drool and his heart was pounding. The parchment he had been working on was stuck to his cheek. He spun and looked at the window. It was open, but no one was there. His wand was still on his bed table. He pulled the parchment off his face and breathed a sigh of relief. A dream, only a dream. Harry was still shaking a bit. He had suffered many nightmares in his life, but killing his favorite Professor was by far the worst. He wondered if Voldemort was plaguing his dreams again. He sighed, put the chair back under the door knob and went to bed. The rest of his dreams that night were more to his liking.

The next morning Harry got up slowly. He had to screw up his courage for over an hour before he was ready to face his relatives again. He had gone over the lie in his head many times. "Theoretical essay on a potion. Have to do it in three days. This could lead to a top job in the Ministry. I can then go out, Dud, I promise. I'm really sorry. We'll celebrate then," he rehearsed to himself as he went downstairs, dreading each step. He finally reached the living room and again all three of his relatives smiled at him.

Harry took a deep breath and explained about the imaginary essay he had to write. They were not happy about it all. Dudley complained that Harry rarely spent any time with him since he had gone off to Hogwarts. Uncle Vernon lectured him about putting money and career above family. Aunt Petunia then told him off for worrying about how other people view you. This was all very hard for Harry to take. The only way that Harry got through it was amusing himself on how badly the Death Eaters had messed up. They must have had no idea how unfamilylike Harry's home life really was. Harry figured that he would have known they were under the Imperious Curse by now even without help from Mars. Finally, after what seemed like hours of complaints, Harry was able to escape upstairs.

Back in the safety of his own room, Harry relaxed, but boredom quickly set in. With boredom become tense and worried again. Once his relatives reported back to Voldemort, would they continue to accept his excuse to be away from them for three days? Harry paced his room for a few hours and fought the urge to use the toilet. He didn't want to risk running into his relatives in the hall. A few hours later, when Harry could stand it no longer, he opened his door, quickly turned towards the bathroom, and almost walked into Dudley.

"Ah," Harry uttered in surprise. "Didn't see you there, Dud."

Dudley stared right into his eyes, smiling. "How's the essay coming along, Harry?" he asked.

"The essay? Oh--er, it's coming along okay. It's a lot of reading and figures. I've started it several times. It's, uh, hard work." Harry answered unconvincingly.

He jumped when two large hands landed on his shoulders from behind. "Essay has got you all tense, eh, Harry?" said Uncle Vernon. He squeezed Harry's shoulders, making Harry nervous. "You should come have some tea with us; it would calm your nerves."

"Er, no thank you. I really have go and then I have to get back to work. My future career could be at stake." Harry slithered out of his uncle's grip and hurried into the bathroom.

Harry was relieved to see neither his cousin nor his uncle in the hall when he left the bathroom. He zoomed down the hall to his door. He entered the room and yelped. "Dudley, you scared the wits out of me!"

Dudley was standing at Harry's desk looking at the fake essay Harry had started.

"You haven't gotten very far have you?" Dudley said suspiciously.

"Well, I restarted. I want to make sure it's perfect," Harry replied firmly.

"Are you sure you aren't just making excuses to get out of doing things with your family?" accused Dudley.

"What? Why would I do that?"

"To get even with us for being so mean to you all these years. C'mon Harry, we're really sorry. Let us make it up to you," Dudley's voice oozed sincerity.

"No, Dudley, really. I just have to finish this essay. In three days I'll be free for the summer," said Harry desperately.

"Oh all right, but no backing out of it then. Mum and Dad want to go to the amusement park and camping. We'll have a lot of fun, Harry."

"'Course we will, Dud. Now I have to get back to work."

Dudley left and Harry then laid his head on his desk and sighed. How would he get through thirty more hours of this?

Harry had been sitting there for an hour, staring out the window, when a small woodpecker flew into his room, landed on his desk, and held its leg out. Harry recognized it immediately as the woodpecker he had seen with Mars the night they met. There was a very small note attached to its leg so he removed it. The woodpecker then flew up to the top of his dresser and looked around his room. Harry unrolled the note and it unfolded more and more until it was a parchment that was simply too big to have started out attached to such a small bird.

Dear Harry,

I know I warned you not to send anything important via owl post, but Lilandria here (Lily for short) is perfectly reliable. I have asked her to keep you and your owl company. She is very handy so if you need something, ask her. You would be surprised at what she can do.

The arrangements have been made, but I had to really twist some arms. I will be there late tomorrow night. Sorry you have to suffer one more day.

Sincerely,

Mars

"Hello, Lily! That was my mum's name, you know," Harry said sadly to the bird.

She flew off the dresser and landed on Harry's shoulder. She nuzzled up to his face just like she had with Mars a few days ago. This made Harry feel much more comfortable and confident. He even felt like he could sleep now, so he put his desk chair back under his doorknob and went to bed. He fell asleep quickly and slept soundly. No more nightmares interrupted his sleep.

Harry dreaded the start of his last day on Privet Drive. Not because he was going to miss the place at all, but because he believed the Dursleys would be harassing him all day. Just the sight of them in the last few days gave Harry the collywobbles. That they were under Voldemort's control was still hard for Harry to accept, but it was starting to sink in. He actually felt some pity for them, especially his cousin. It would be hard not to be a git with parents like Dudley's. Being spoiled like Dudley was exactly what Dumbledore had feared would happen to Harry if he had lived with a wizarding family. Harry was almost thankful for such a rough childhood. Being a spoiled loser like Dudley your whole life sure seemed a lot worse than no birthday cards for eleven years. Now Dudley was certainly suffering his shares of knocks. Last year Dudley had been attacked by Dementors and now this year he was under the Imperious Curse, both because he was related to Harry.

Harry thought about some of the others that had suffered because of their relationship with him. Both of his best friends had been hospitalized while involved in Harry's schemes. Mr Weasley had almost been killed guarding the prophecy about Harry. Ginny and Neville had also been injured because of him. And Cedric Diggory and his godfather Sirius Black had both paid the ultimate price for knowing Harry. Add in the fact that his parents had been murdered by Voldemort as they were trying to protect Harry, and the carnage on his account seemed enormous. Being an acquaintance to Harry Potter was not a healthy prospect. He brooded on this subject all morning.

Lilandria seemed to notice his depression and began to sing. Her song was beautiful this time, not the violent cacophony that Harry had heard in the alley. He took heart from the song and felt his confidence grow. This was his last day in exile and then things would change, he thought. He would not let the adult wizards keep him in the dark and treat him like a child anymore. He would insist on being an active part in the war against Voldemort. With any luck, Mars would back him up on this demand. Too many people had suffered trying to protect him.

The rest of the day was more pleasant and passed more quickly. Harry was worried about running into one of his relatives in the hallway on his way to toilet, but Lilandria again was of use. He asked her if she could check to see if the coast was clear. She flew up to the door, landed on the floor and seemed to disappear. Seconds later she reappeared near the same spot; Harry could have sworn she had shrunk in size rather than disapparated. When Harry asked if the coast was clear, she definitely nodded. Harry hurried to the bathroom and back. Later in the evening when Harry had to go again Lilandria made sure the hallway was Dursley free before he opened his door.

Harry's only interaction with his family that day had been Aunt Petunia trying to get him to come downstairs for dinner and lunch. Harry was very worried that they may try to drug him so he politely declined both invitations. After the call for dinner Harry finished his packing. He doubted that the Dursleys would bother him again tonight and he didn't want to risk not being ready when Mars arrived.

Around 10:30 Lilandria started flying around Harry's room and singing quietly. It was her happiest song yet and Harry's morale, which was already high, skyrocketed. He was going to see Ron and Ginny. Trading the Dursleys for the Weasleys was the deal of the century, and Harry felt like a tycoon. After three minutes of Lily's song Harry heard the familiar *crack* of someone apparating; Mars appeared in the middle of his room. Lily flew to Mars' shoulder and caressed his face. He smiled at Harry and held out his hand.

"Mars!" said Harry, louder than he intended. He shook Mars' hand vigorously. "I'm so glad you're here. It's been so creepy being around them."

"I can imagine," Mars answered sympathetically. "There are holes in every ward, Harry, always remember that. Dumbledore has relied on this protection for too long; a static defense never lasts. The muggles here were always its weakness, but the Death Eaters are too dependent on their master. They didn't have enough initiative to figure out how to exploit them before his return."

"Are the Dursleys going to be all right? It's not that I really like them or anything, but it's not their fault I lived here. Dumbledore didn't give them a choice," said Harry. He couldn't believe he was actually worried about his relatives. Before this summer he would have estimated the chances of his being genuinely concerned about his family as lower than Dudley becoming a wizard.

"After we get you to the Burrow I will come back and reverse the spells. The Imperious Curse is very hard on muggles," said Mars. His face was sad. "Well, let's get moving."

Mars waved his wand and Harry's school things floated out the window.

"Where are the others?" asked Harry.

"What do you mean? The Weasleys are waiting for us at the Burrow."

"I mean the rest of the escort. Last year there were nine wizards and witches with me and even more as rear guards and scouts."

"No need, Harry. You and I won't attract much attention and my truck goes a lot faster than a formation of brooms."

Harry was surprised. When he was moved last year the order was consumed with safety precautions, but Mars seemed unconcerned. Harry decided to be unconcerned as well.

The baggage sank gently to the ground outside the window and Mars told Harry to climb on the sill. Mars cast a levitation charm on Harry and he floated to the ground after the baggage. Mars followed suit and they starting walking towards Mars' truck in the distance, with Harry's luggage following.

They had only gone about a hundred feet when Mars swore and spun around, wand in hand.

"Kingsley!" Mars said hotly. "I said the guard was to leave as soon as I arrived. I don't need any flatfoots attracting attention."

"You're by yourself, Harry is not even invisible, and the two of you are walking across a lot that is known to be watched. This is stupid even for you, Mars. How can you put Harry at risk like this?" Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice snarled.

Where Kingsley was standing was a mystery to Harry--he was obviously invisible--but Mars was glaring at a spot a few feet away so Harry looked there also. "Risk? After the bang-up job you all did last year? And you have the gall to chastise me for not being careful with Harry! When the time comes that he is attacked by Dementors, Death Easters or Tom Riddle himself while he is under my watch, you can lecture me on guarding him. 'Till then, clear off like Dumbledore told you!"

"Just because you're Dumbledore's favorite again doesn't mean you'll always get your way, Mars. You've already worn out your welcome with a lot of us. One more stunt like this, and your stock with him will sink," retorted Kingsley.

"Fine. As I said before, 'till then, clear off," said Mars in a calmer voice.

*Crack.* Kingsley had obviously apparated.

"C'mon, Harry, let's get in the car. That delay was very irritating."

Harry was used to being called Dumbledore's favorite. It felt odd to hear someone else being bashed for that. He could not help identifying with Mars.

They got into the truck and started driving down the road. Mars reached down and pressed a familiar looking tiny silver button on the dash. Harry had seen a button like it in the Weasley's Ford Anglia. It was an invisibility booster. The car around them vanished and so, in fact, did they. After they had gained speed on the highway for about twenty seconds, Mars pulled a lever and the Hummer lifted off the ground and into the sky. After they had climbed several thousand feet into the air, Mars pulled another lever and the truck accelerated, pushing Harry briefly back into his seat.

"Wow," exclaimed Harry. "We're really moving fast."

"You see why we didn't need an escort?"

"I sure do. Like any broom could keep up with this!"

"Unless the Death Eaters hijacked some Tornado Jet Fighters, we should be plenty safe," Mars grinned.

As they raced towards the Burrow, Mars and Harry chatted like old friends. Harry felt comfortable telling Mars almost anything. Mars showed great interest in Harry's various adventures, including his run-ins with Voldemort. Talking about such things usually made Harry feel anxious, but talking with Mars seemed to place them in context within the whole of his life and Harry felt a sense of closure.

After a while, Harry asked tentatively, "Did Dumbledore really want me to stay on Privet Drive for a while longer?" Harry also wondered why a nice wizard like Kingsley would be so belligerent to Mars, who was clearly a good wizard who hated Voldemort, but he didn't want to upset Mars.

"At first he was firmly for your staying. I had to show very solid proof that your cousin was under the Imperious Curse before he would agree. Even then, he was still trying to convince me to simply reverse the curse that plagued your family. I had to go to the brink with him before he would agree to let you leave," said Mars determinedly.

"What do you mean, go to the brink?"

"Threaten to take your welfare into my own hands."

Harry was shocked, but managed to ask, "How?"

"I told him I would offer you shelter myself. He knew you would do almost anything to get away from the Dursleys. My place is well protected with wards, and the Fidelius Charm placed upon it has my most trusted colleague as its secret keeper. It is a much more comfortable and interesting place than your uncle's house or the Black's ancestral abode. He knew you would be sorely tempted by my offer, and agreed to let me get you away from Privet Drive," answered Mars.

"I would have taken you up on the offer. I was going mad in that house."

"I think in the end he realized that too. I know he feels guilty about how you were treated last year, Harry. He's got a lot on his mind, just like us," Mars said with his usual grin.

Harry wasn't used to wizards that could threaten Dumbledore and get their way. Even the minister of magic himself, with all his aurors and law enforcement wizards, had only been able to go so far with his demands on Dumbledore. Kingsley must be correct that Mars was indeed Dumbledore's favorite.

"I am afraid I won't be able to see you for a while after I drop you off," Mars said glumly after a moment.

"Why not?"

"A group of Death Eaters are going to Europe for some reason, and I want to know why. At least six of them will be traveling together; it must be big."

"Where are they going?"

"Can't tell you, Harry."

This angered Harry. He had trusted Mars with his life several times and now Mars had started treating Harry like a child. "So you don't trust me either? That's just great," said Harry bitterly, leaning back into his seat rather hard.

"It's not like that, Harry. Literally, I can't tell you. I don't know where they're going. I promised you I wouldn't treat you like a baby and I meant it."

Harry apologized and relaxed again. This was a nice way to travel, he reflected.