Rating:
R
House:
Schnoogle
Characters:
Harry Potter Lord Voldemort
Genres:
Action Romance
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Quidditch Through the Ages Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Stats:
Published: 12/26/2003
Updated: 08/25/2004
Words: 314,830
Chapters: 31
Hits: 230,812

Harry Potter and the Sword of the Hero

joe6991

Story Summary:
A thousand-year-old oath stands to be fulfilled. The war between Good and Evil has been raging on for a millennium. It has a chance to end, but has the hero of the side of good lost the will to live…``Harry Potter returns to the Dursleys care for the summer, but he finds the loss of Sirius hard to bear. He blames himself for his death. Voldemort doesn’t let him rest though, and soon Harry is flung back into his world. The war escalates, and more people die or join Voldemort. The fear of the Dark Lord reaches beyond the wizarding world and into the Muggle one. Both worlds will collide, as Harry will have to make the ultimate choice between what is right and what is easy. For in this war, some things are more important than life or death…

Chapter 05

Chapter Summary:
As Harry struggles to come to terms with his grief, he finds himself pushing his friends away when he needs them the most. But could he tell them anything about the prophecy? Could he tell his friends he was either doomed to die or doomed to kill...? With his nightmares worsening, Harry discovers a secret buried within them... Firenze gives Harry a glimpse of his future, a future that is tied with his dreams. And through it all a mysterious stranger arrives at Hogwarts, with him comes change, but is Harry prepared for it....?
Posted:
01/12/2004
Hits:
7,891


Harry Potter and the Sword of the Hero


Chapter 5- In Which Everything Appears Normal


Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

--English Proverb

Harry awoke in a cold sweat. He had just been back at the Department of Mysteries, back at the veil.... He had hoped that maybe tonight he would get a good night's sleep, apparently he wouldn't. Harry checked his clock; it was four-thirty in the morning. Groaning, he rolled over and tried to fall back to sleep.

He lay there for half an hour but to no avail, sleep was done with for that night. Pulling himself out of bed he rummaged through his trunk for some clean robes. After exiting the dorm he limped across the landing to the shower room. There was a pale glow of the early morning sun shining through the high window and everything was deathly quite. Harry wondered if anyone was ever up this early at Hogwarts, if anyone suffered from nightmares like he did. Upon exiting the shower he made his way down into the common room, checking his watch he saw that it was five-thirty.

Harry didn't know what to do with himself, there was at least another hour or two before anyone else would be up. He sat in his favourite armchair by the remaining embers of the fire in silence, his thoughts once again straying towards the prophecy:

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ...
born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month
dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have
power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of
the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with
the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month
dies ...'

Those words had been permanently etched into his memory; he would never forget them... never. "Harry?" He turned towards the stairs. Standing on the fourth step up was Hermione, looking at him with a deep concern that made him smile. "Harry, are you alright?"

"Morning, Hermione, yeah I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

She moved down the stairs and over to the armchair next to him. "It's just... I was watching you from the stairs, a moment ago you had this look on your face... it looked like... sadness... fear."

Harry sighed; she'd caught him unprepared, he didn't have the defences up that he wore most of the day. "No... I'm fine... I'm fine, Hermione." He saw the look of disbelief on her face and quickly changed the subject. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I could ask you that too," she said pointedly.

"I'm...."

"You don't have to be so secretive, you know."

Harry stared at her. Did he? Yes, he told himself. "I think I need to be, Hermione. Look, some pretty big things have happened to me over the past month or two, some things that may need telling... but not now."

"Is it... is it important to the war?"

Harry sighed again. "It practically is the war, Hermione. Please... please don't ask me to tell you this. It may have taken Dumbledore five years to finally blurt it out," he said coldly, and Hermione saw a mild anger on his face. "But I'll tell you guys eventually... I'll tell everyone."

"It may be easier-" she began, but Harry's mind was set in stone.

"No... I have to accept it myself first...."

Hermione looked at him sadly but Harry didn't notice. No one should have to suffer like he has, she thought, go through what he's gone through. Tears came to her eyes just by thinking about his life. His parents' death in his first year of life, ten years of misery at Privet Drive, Voldemort in his first year, the Basilisk in his second, the Dementors in third year, Voldemort's rebirth in fourth year, and Sirius' death last year. He hasn't had a single year in his life that hasn't gone wrong in someway, she thought. "Okay, Harry... okay. You tell us when you're ready."

Harry nodded and then turned to face the dead fire. "So... Hermione, how's things with Ron?"

"Ron? Things are fine with Ron, why wouldn't they be?" Harry turned to face her while she said this; he saw that her cheeks were tinged a bit.

"Oh, no reason, no reason."

"Harry James Potter, if you are implying-"

"I'm not implying anything, Hermione," he said with a mischievous smile, "not implying anything at all."

"Hmm... I think I'll go take a shower now," she said.

Harry and Hermione walked down to breakfast together an hour later. The ten minute journey now took fifteen because of Harry and his cane. "I'll be glad when I can get rid of this thing," he said to her as they entered the Entrance Hall.

"Me too. It does slow us down somewhat."

They entered the Great Hall and found that it was just starting to fill up with students and professors. Harry limped to their seat and pulled some bacon towards himself. "What do we have first today?" he asked.

"Let's see... its Double Potions."

"Great," said Harry bitterly, angrily. "A morning with Severus Snape."

"Now, Harry, you shouldn't talk that way about a professor-"

"I'll never forgive him for what he did last year," he said, interrupting her.

Again she saw the ferocity in his eyes, the anger, she let the issue lie. "Well... just sit up the back and ignore him."

"I plan to do just that." They ate in silence for a few minutes, Hermione keeping what was on her mind to herself.

"Morning, friends," said Ron briskly. "God I'm starving. Pass me those eggs will you, Harry." Harry passed Ron the plate of eggs. "You were up early," he nodded towards his best friend.

"I know, I couldn't sleep."

"Mmm," Ron mumbled through his eggs, "Yuff bin wakin me up in the middle uf the night."

"Slow down, Ron," said Hermione, "chew you food."

Ron swallowed. "Thanks, Hermione. But really, Harry, is it like last year you know, when you kept dreaming about the door at the Department of Mysteries?"

Harry thought for a moment, there was something... he knew it. His dreams of fear and death did seem to circle around a specific event, but what was it...? Now that he thought about it, something was nagging at him. It was there, just in the back of his mind, on the tip of his tongue. As if all at once he knew exactly what it was, and then almost instantly knew nothing. And then it hit him. "There is something... it's like a -er- a thing."

"Well that clears that up," laughed Ron. Harry ignored him... there was something.

I see... light." Harry closed his eyes. "There's a big circle suspended in the air... its- its got like fire and lightning in it, and its swirling... around and around. There is so much light." Harry grew silent as he struggled to remember the dream. He saw the circle clearly now, as if he'd always remembered it, but it was the ground surrounding the circle that now got his attention. It was littered with bodies. "On the floor beneath and around the circle there are... bodies. Men, women and children... they're all mangled. There's so many of them, thirty or so. Blood... everywhere. I- that's it... that's all I can remember..." Harry opened his eyes and saw his friends' worried looks.

Ron spoke first. "That's great, Harry. You're dreaming about big, fiery circles of death and with the way your dreams tend to come true...." Ron shuddered.

Harry sighed. "I don't know why I remembered it now; maybe it was just because I thought about it?"

The three of them finished their breakfast in silence, until the post arrived. "Oh look, Harry," said Hermione from behind her copy of the Prophet. "They've announced that you're receiving the Order of Merlin."

Harry yawned. "Great... let's get to Potions."

*~*~*~*

He was running, running for all he was worth down the dark, dank alley between the two restaurant buildings on a 104th street in New York City. Who was this guy? he thought.

"Listen kid," a voice behind him shouted, "I just wanna talk to you," growled the voice.

He kept running. "Who are you?" he leapt over a garbage can and pulled out his wand. "Leave me alone, old man."

"I'm here with word from Albus Dumbledore." Alastor Moody continued to give chase to the young man, but he was losing him because of his leg, he just couldn't run as fast.

"Never heard of him," he lied, crouching down behind some crates. "Stay where you are, and we'll talk."

Moody was panting as he slowed to a halt. "Damn... kid."

He could see the man through the crates. This bloke had a glowing blue eye and there was something odd about his leg, but he couldn't see what it was in this light. He trained his wand on the man, who was about
fifty feet away. "What does Albus Dumbledore want with me?" he asked.

"I'm not sure; he just wants to speak with you."

"Not good enough, STUPEFY." He sprang from behind the crates and fired the spell at this old man.

Moody dodged the curse. "KID, would you please just listen. Look I don't have my wand." Moody placed his wand on the ground, well in sight of the boy. "See I'm unarmed-"

"That's your problem, not mine, STUPEFY." Again Moody dodged the curse.

"That's not very good form, kid. Attacking me when I'm unarmed..."

"Nor is the fact that you still have your wand up your sleeve, and that what you put on the ground was nothing more than a stick."

Moody was stunned. He did still have his wand up his sleeve. Practically the first lesson in Auror training. NEVER let go of your wand willingly. Trick the enemy if you have to, but always hold onto your wand. Everything else was secondary. "How'd you know that?"

"Enough. Leave me alone, Old man." POP!

Moody watched as the boy Disapparated. He sighed and turned to leave. "See you soon, Kid."

*~*~*~*

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Potter," spat Snape.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting up the back of the Potions dungeon. They had hoped Snape wouldn't be able to hear their whispered conversations, apparently he could.

"That is the second time you have interrupted me, Potter. Do it again and you can expect a detention. Now, if you three would stop discussing your personal lives and turn your attention back to your Potions work. Do I have to remind you, Potter, that you are hanging on by a thread in this class and one fail this year will result in your expulsion from Potions, well?"

"No, sir," said Harry through gritted teeth. "You don't."

Snape glared at Harry and Harry glared back at Snape. He had been in this double period for a little over an hour now and was desperately awaiting the end. Harry began to roughly chop his ingredients. They were making the Panisus potion, which, when drunk, nullified pain for one hour. Harry had been given it many times in the hospital wing. It tasted terrible.

Harry wasn't paying attention though, and when Snape came round and inspected his cauldron, a small smirk could be seen playing around the corners of his mouth. "Not off to a good start, Potter," he whispered so only Harry could hear. "I'm afraid if you keep this standard of work up, we may have to say goodbye to each other." Snape then wrote something on his parchment that Harry was sure was a 'zero' and moved on.

Every minute seemed like an hour to Harry, it was worsened by the fact that he had Double Potions again tomorrow afternoon. Eventually, and to Harry's extreme relief, the period ended. He now had time to relax in Care of Magical Creatures. The three of them made their way out into the grounds. It was a warm day, not hot, but still warm. Harry could see the rain clouds though, away in the distance, and wondered if it would rain today and ruin the warmth. Soon they arrived at Hagrid's, at the same time as the Ravenclaws.

Harry looked over at the Ravenclaws and caught Padma's eye. She smiled and waved to him, he waved back. Hagrid emerged from his hut a short time later. "Everyone 'ere? Good. Nothin' new today, still waitin' on a -er- special delivery. So yer'll be lookin' after the Krups again."

A murmur spread through the group as people speculated at what Hagrid's 'special delivery could be. Harry voiced their concerns. "What's your special delivery, Hagrid?"

Hagrid gave the group a small smile. "Somethin' yer'll like, I guarantee it'." This did nothing for the group's confidence. Hagrid was sure they would like the Blast Ended Skrewts. "Now same as las' time. Find yerself a par'ner and grab a Krup from the boxes behind me 'ouse."

Harry looked over towards Padma. "I'll see you guys later," he said to Ron and Hermione. Hermione nodded and Ron gave him a knowing look and the thumbs up sign. Harry smiled and shook his head at Ron before limping over to the Ravenclaws. "Morning, Padma," he said.

"Morning, Harry." Her friends gave her the same knowing look that Harry had just received from Ron and moved away to leave her alone with Harry. "Do you want to be partners again?"

"Of course." Harry thought he sounded just a bit too eager. "Er- should we go get Little Harry?"

After Magical Creatures and lunch, they had Charms. Harry had enjoyed spending more time with Padma, and was looking forward to seeing her in Charms. The three of them entered Charms room 2. It was identical to the DADA room 2, apart from the fact that this room had cushions in a big pile against the left wall. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat along the right hand row of desks that were against the back wall. The room filled up around them and Harry saw Padma sit opposite him on the other side of the room.

Professor Flitwick entered through a small wooden door that connected this room to an anteroom through the front most wall. The small wizard climbed up onto a specially erected wooden podium, so that he was at eye level with most people in the room.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Flitwick beamed at the assembled students. "Today we're going to be learning a charm that can be helpful in a tight situation. Now, has anyone ever heard of the Prosonus charm?" As was to be expected, Hermione raised her hand. "Miss Granger."

"The Prosonus charm or Prosono is a spell that, when cast, causes the user to be temporarily immune to physical attack. That said, the user can still be hurt by magical attacks."

"Well done, Miss Granger, five points to Gryffindor." Hermione smiled and Flitwick turned his attention back to the class. "As you just heard, the Prosonus charm can protect you from any physical attack. Things like kicks and punches are rendered useless when you're under this charm. Also, it can protect you from non-magical weapons; you cannot be stabbed with a knife or shot by Muggle weapons. It effectively creates a shield around your body. This charm is highly useful in a dangerous situation and I can also guarantee that it will appear on the end of year exam." Everyone perked up at this. "Now, can we have a volunteer pair to try the charm. Er- how about Mr Potter and Mr Weasley?"

Harry and Ron exchanged a quick look and then walked (Harry limped) into the centre of the room. Every eye was on them as the two stood in the centre. "Good. Now cast the spell on yourself, Mr. Weasley. Prosono."

Ron raised his wand and pointed it at himself. "Prosono!" A jet of blue light shot out of his wand and into his chest. "I don't feel any different," Ron said, looking confused.

Flitwick was smiling. "Not to worry, Mr. Weasley. Mr. Potter, could you please attack your friend."

"What? Ar- are you sure he can't feel anything?" asked Harry.

"Quite sure. As long as you don't attack him by any magical means then he won't feel a thing." Harry saw that Flitwick appeared quite confident, and Harry knew him well enough to know that he cared for the students' well being.

"Okay... ready, Ron?" said Harry, raising his cane above his head. Ron nodded, though he looked somewhat nervous. Harry brought his cane down in one swift movement and it connected with Ron's stomach. Harry expected Ron to double over in pain, but Ron just stood there and let out an audible sigh.

"See everyone, Mr. Weasley is unaffected. Well done you two," said Flitwick nodding to Harry and Ron. "You can go sit down now."

The rest of the lesson was spent practising the Prosonus charm. After several more whacks with the cane, Ron was sure he'd got the charm down, and now took turns with Hermione at pelting Harry in the stomach with a chair. "This is amazing," said Harry. "How many times could we have used this charm over the years?"

"Oh, at least a dozen," said Hermione.

After Charms Harry and Ron said goodbye to Hermione and made their way to Divination. This period was with Professor Firenze, the centaur, down on the ground floor. Harry gave Firenze a lot more respect when it came to Divination than he did Trelawney. Firenze knew what he was doing, or wasn't arrogant enough to think that his ignorance in reading the stars was anything spectacular. He knew he only saw what fate allowed him to see, and then it was never anything clear. Divination would always be an imprecise art.

Upon entering Firenze's room the scenery changed from stone walls to lush dark green forest. As Firenze was unable to return to the real Forest, he had had the room converted into the Forest at night with the heavens as they would normally appear. The centaur himself was standing in the centre of a ring of trees, gazing up at the stars.

The Gryffindors entered and sat around him in a semi-circle. Firenze looked down, as if only just noticing the students. His gaze lingered to every one of them and finally to Harry's, whom he kept for the longest. "Good afternoon," he said. "This term I'm going to teach you the basics of reading the stars. We will begin right away. If everyone could find a space for themselves and lie down."

There was a moment given while everyone found somewhere to lie down. "Relax. Let the stars become a blur to you, see them through glazed eyes, it is only then that you can see them clearly. It may take many days, weeks, but eventually you will see pictures through the blur of the stars. Now begin. Look past the stars and on into the galaxy, make them blur. I want you to stay like this for the remainder of this lesson."

Harry watched the stars, he looked through them and they blurred, he- "Harry Potter." Harry was jerked back to his senses. Standing to his left was Firenze. "May I have a word with you?" Harry nodded and followed Firenze away from the rest of the group to the edge of the ring of trees. "I am glad to see you well, Harry Potter."

"Er- thanks, you too."

Firenze nodded, and, for the first time for as long as Harry had known him, he saw the centaur hesitate. "I foresaw in the heavens some of the hardship you have faced recently. Of course it wasn't very clear until it actually happened. Harry Potter, I thought it best for you to know that your fight is only just beginning."

Harry was silent for a minute. "You've seen this?"

"The heavens are... very clear about the future of this world, in fact I have never seen them so clear. Your name, Harry Potter, is written all over them, as is the Dark Lord's. The very stars seem to be bending towards you, Mr. Potter. Almost nothing but rough interpretations can be read, and it is all about you and him."

"You know the outcome of the war!" said Harry astounded.

"No. Only the battle is written, not the outcome." Firenze looked again towards the heavens. "I do know that the choices you will soon make will decide the fate of this world and all those who walk upon it. The weight of the world, Harry Potter, will be placed upon your shoulders."

Harry thought for a moment, this was definitely not what he had expected to learn this lesson. "Great," he finally said. "Anything else I should know?" His voice was laced with sarcasm.

Either Firenze ignored the sarcasm or just didn't pick up on it, Harry didn't know. "You know of the circle of light, Harry Potter?"

"Circ- Y- yes. Yes I've had dreams about a circle filled with light." Harry was eager to learn more about this.

Firenze nodded in a way that made Harry think that he'd just made up his mind about something. "Very well." Harry thought he said this more to himself. "Death surrounds this circle. I see your path drawn towards it. You'd do well to avoid it at all costs."

"That won't be easy if I don't know what I'm supposed to be avoiding."

Firenze wasn't listening; he was once again staring intently at the sky. "There is one more thing, Harry Potter." Firenze looked him straight in the face with his astonishing blue eyes. "The woman you love... she will die at the hand of your enemy."

"Woman I- who is this?" Harry couldn't think of any woman that he loved. He loved Hermione, sure. But he was pretty certain Firenze meant someone else.

"Her name is not written," said Firenze.

"Of course it isn't," sighed Harry.

"She will die; there is nothing you can do to stop this. It is her choice to die. She will do it for you."

Harry was quite unnerved now. Who did he know that would die for him? His mother had but she couldn't die again, who else? No one... "She's not dead yet. Which means it can be changed."

Firenze shook his head while gazing at the stars, and then he appeared to be confused. "It also says she will live and die, and yet live again... I do not know how to unravel this; perhaps no one is meant to?" Firenze sighed and passed his hand over his eyes. "You should return to gazing at the heavens, Harry Potter. Consider yourself forewarned."

Harry nodded and limped back in to the clearing. He didn't feel forewarned. What has he told me, he thought. Not much really, no names, no dates. Just that people will die and I'll have to worry about the world. He was definitely sick of all the damn prophecies. Harry resumed staring at the sky, but he couldn't concentrate anymore. This was just another thing he had to add to the mess that was his life.

It was dinner time. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat at the table talking about the day's events when Ginny placed herself next to Hermione. "Hello you three," she said. "How's things. We've not had much chance to talk lately, what with one thing and another-"

"Ginny," said Ron. "Settle down, you're talking very fast and stupidly."

Ginny stopped. "Oh. Am I?"

"Is everything all right, Ginny?" asked Harry.

She looked at him. "I broke up with Dean...."

Ron looked very happy but quickly covered that up with an 'Ohh I'm sorry' look. Harry was momentarily confused but then he remembered that Ginny was seeing Dean. He looked at Ginny now and wondered why Dean would want to leave her. She was stunning. Harry wondered when she had grown up so much, she was no longer the little girl dying on the floor in the Chamber of Secrets, she had grown into a woman. It shocked him.

"Ohhh. Ginny, I'm sorry," said Hermione.

Ginny sighed. "It's all right.... I suppose he wasn't such a good boyfriend anyway. We hardly talked this year. It's for the best."

"That's right," said Ron. "Now you don't need to worry about boyfriends for awhile-"

"Shut up, Ron," Hermione and Ginny said in unison.

Harry laughed and shook his head, in so doing he caught a glimpse up at the top table and saw Professor McGonagall stand and gaze at him pointedly. Oh damn, he thought Animagus.... He stood up and caught his friends in mid argument. "I've -er- got some things to do, I'll see you later." And before they could ask what these things were he limped away and out the door up to McGonagall's office.

"Good evening, Potter," said McGonagall when he entered. "How are you?"

"Fine," he lied. If truth be told he was worried about what Firenze had told him and of course there was always the prophecy weighing down upon him.

McGonagall nodded. "Now let's see if we can get that hair growing down to a fine art. I want you to practice it now so that you can do it instantly, both growing and returning it to its original state. Here." She conjured a chair and beckoned him to sit. "Practice makes perfect, Harry. I will be grading some essays, tell me if you think you're done.

Harry sat down and got to work on his hair, after ten minutes he was pretty sure that he was doing it instantly. "Professor."

McGonagall had been watching him anyway. "Yes, very good, Harry. I want you to now move on to lengthening your hands and fingernails. The same principles apply, memorize them and make them longer."

Harry spent the remainder of this lesson memorizing his hands and nails. He couldn't get them to grow though, and was now too tired to try anyway. He said his goodbyes to McGonagall and trudged back up to Gryffindor tower. "Casosius," he said the password to the Fat Lady. The common room was busy with students doing homework, playing games, and doing normal day to day things. He found Ron and Hermione still with Ginny at a table near the back of the room. He sat down next to Ron and was thankful when nobody asked where he had been.

"All right, Harry?" asked Ron.

"Yeah...." he said, trying not to yawn but failing. "'Though I do think I'm in for an early night again."

"You off to bed then?" asked Hermione.

Harry sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, trying to keep himself awake. "Yeah, yeah I am. Night Ron, Hermione, Ginny."

"Goodnight, Harry."

"Night, mate."

"Goodnight."

Harry limped up the stairs and into the Sixth year dorm. He was not surprised to find that he was once again the first going to bed. He changed out of his robes and climbed sluggishly into bed. Before he could even remove his glasses, he fell into a restless sleep.

*~*~*~*

Everything over the next fortnight passed in relative normality. Harry got up (usually very early) went to his classes, and went back to bed. There was nothing going on outside of Hogwart's. Nobody had seen or heard anything of Voldemort, which, if it were possible, increased the tension of waiting to see what his next move was. Harry was spending more and more time with Padma Patil. He looked forward to walking the Krup with her in Magical Creatures, as Hagrid's 'special delivery' had yet to make an appearance.

The weeks seemed to fly by to Harry. He was extremely busy, what with DA meetings, Animagus lessons, and regular daily activities. This wasn't helped by the fact he hardly slept. Though he was thankful that, in Divination, neither teacher had predicted his untimely demise again.

His thoughts began to stray more and more towards Quidditch. He would be allowed to play again now that Umbridge had gone. Harry had asked Katie Bell, she was the senior member of the team, she had said that she had been made captain and would be putting the team back together soon. The best thing though, happened on September 26th. Harry went and saw Madam Pomfrey about his cane.

"Well I think that's fine, Potter," she said after examining his leg. "It's left a nasty scar but you should have no more problems with it."

"Scar huh? Just another one to add to the collection," Harry sighed audibly.

Harry was very happy when she took back the cane and dismissed him with a clean bill of health. The first thing he did was go and see Katie about Quidditch. He found her in the common room, sitting at a table with friends.

"Katie," he called.

She looked up from whatever she was doing and walked over to him. "Harry. Oh look, you got rid of that cane."

"I know, thank god. Anyways, I was just wondering what's happening with Quidditch?"

She smiled. "Just put it up on the notice board. We're gonna need four new players, two beaters and two chasers. With the Weasley's gone as well as Alicia and Angelina, it's just you, Ron and me left. I don't suppose you know anyone who could fill those positions?"

Harry shook his head, he didn't. "No. Sorry, Katie." She nodded and went back over to her table. Harry then walked (not limped) over to the notice board.

Gryffindor Quidditch Team

Captain: Katie Bell

Seeker: Harry Potter

Keeper: Ron Weasley

Chaser1: Katie Bell

Chaser2:

Chaser3:

Beater1:

Beater2:

Tryouts for the positions of Chasers 2&3 and Beaters 1&2 will be held on Saturday, October 5 at the Quidditch Pitch. Second years and above only.

Harry had no idea who could replace the excellent players they had last year. Looking around the common room he assessed the possibilities. Dean, Seamus and Neville... maybe Seamus and Dean could be Beaters. Dennis and Colin Creevey... moving swiftly on. Hermione... why'd I even bother. Ginny... could be a Chaser. Erm...

"Harry, over here," said a voice.

He was brought out of his Quidditch player assessing mode because someone had called his name. "Harry." There it was again. It was Ron and Hermione calling him over to the armchairs. He went and sat down.

"Hey, guys. You see the Quidditch notice, Ron?"

"Yeah, don't know who we're gonna get though. Can't imagine anyone in here who's built to be a Beater, maybe Seamus or Dean. Ahhh well... see you've got rid of your cane."

"Just saw Madam Pomfrey, she said I'm as fit as a -er-... a -er-"

"Fiddle," offered Hermione helpfully.

"Yep, thanks, Hermione. Fit as a fiddle," he smiled at his friends. "Sooooo, what are we doing?"

"Well I've got to finish that Transfiguration homework that's due in tomorrow," began Hermione. "And if I've still got to finish that probably means you two still have to start it." She fixed them with one of her McGonagall looking stares. It was true; Harry and Ron did need to start their homework.

"Well I was hoping to play some chess again, now that my legs fixed," Harry said with a sideways look at Ron.

"Why would you need your leg fixed to play-" Hermione began.

"Quick, Harry, run!" said Ron, who was already off towards his chess table. Harry soon joined him. Hermione was shaking her head pointedly.

After three major defeats, Harry thought it best he got on with his homework. The homework took him and Ron well into the night, and it was gone midnight before they trudged up to bed, utterly knackered. Harry thought nothing could interrupt his sleep tonight... he was wrong.

It was growing. As another person came into contact with its rim, the circle grew. The person who touched it however, was sliced into several pieces. It threatened to engulf him as it grew closer. He could see into its centre now, a thousand images flicked by in quick succession. Images of normal, everyday things; there was a beach, a town, forest, desert, ocean, mountains, city, another town. The images went on and on, always spinning, always changing.

Harry awoke early again, the dream slipping from his waking mind as if it were water in a sieve. He strained to remember it but just like every other night, it was gone. He showered and dressed and went down into the common room, as was his routine of a morning now. Harry spent the time before anyone else would be up practicing his animagus skills; he had a good forty-five minutes before the first people would be emerging from the dorms. Professor McGonagall had been impressed with his progress over the past two weeks. She actually found it astounding, and told him so.

Harry could lengthen his hair and nails in an instant and could also change his limbs. She had asked him last session about what animal he hoped to be. He had given much thought to this, but had come up with nothing. There were so many possibilities: dog, cat, bird, fox, sheep, lion, stag, lemur...? And about a million other creatures. This morning he had brought down his Magical creatures text with him, and was going to peruse the animals in there.

So there he sat alone in the common room, with the book on his lap. He didn't even get past the front cover, because there on the cover of the book was the griffin. The creature on his earring, again it seemed to capture his gaze, drawing him to it like Gryffindors sword. He quickly flicked to the contents and looked up the griffin. Where are you.... hmmm page 57. Harry flipped to page 57 and the entry on the griffin. It read:

The griffin is an ancient magical creature, where, in its time, roamed every corner of this planet. Today it is now found rarely in the mountains of North America and Nepal. Also Southern Africa and India are home to these beasts.

As Harry read, a picture of a griffin roamed the page, roaring occasionally.

The griffin is more of a cross between two creatures. The eagle and the lion. It has the head and wings of the eagle, but possesses the hind quarters and paws of a lion. Griffins are born the size of an eagle and grow to approximately the size of a full grown lion; they can be bigger, depending on the breed. They....

Harry stopped reading and looked at the picture of the griffin. It had a proud eagles head (bigger than a normal eagle's head) and a strong, muscular lion's body. He watched as the griffin seemed to run towards him out of the page, just when it would have hit the camera that took the picture it spread an impressive pair of wings that had a wing span of about six feet in either direction. The griffin took flight and flew out of the picture.

That settled it for Harry. Tonight during his Animagus lesson, he would tell McGonagall that he wanted to be a griffin. Harry put his book away just as someone came down the stairs that led to the girl's dorm. Harry looked up, it was Ginny. She came down the stairs and was walking across the room when-

"Morning, Ginny," said Harry.

She jumped in surprise. "Harry, you made me jump. Good morning." Ginny now walked back across the room and sat in an armchair opposite Harry. "You're up early."

"Nah, I'm normally up at this time. But this is the first time I've seen you up."

Ginny suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Well I- I have trouble sleeping. I usually just lie in bed until more people are awake but today I decided to get up."

"I don't sleep too well either. Nightmares...."

Ginny now looked concerned. "Nightmares... about... about him."

Harry nodded. "Amongst other things...."

Ginny didn't say anything for a minute. "You know, Harry. We- I was so upset when Dumbledore said you were dead...."

Harry looked at her, he hadn't thought that his 'death' may have affected anyone now that he was alive again. "I'm sorry, Ginny."

"Oh, Harry, it's not your fault. You don't know how much of a relief it was when you came smashing through the window. It felt so good to see you alive."

Harry laughed. "It didn't feel as good from my end."

"No, I suppose it didn't," she smiled while she said this, and once again Harry was floored by how much she had grown up. "Well, it was nice talking to you, Harry. I'm gonna go get a shower."

*~*~*~*

"Why did you decide to come with me, Kid?"

"I was tired of running from everything, everyone... this Dumbledore may have something of interest to me."

Alastor Moody and the young man had just Apparated back to England from the States. After chasing him for weeks the kid had just shown up at Moody's hotel and said he'd decided to come with him. "Is that the only reason?"

The kid was silent for a moment. "I have other reasons, but they're my business, not yours."

Moody sighed and then extended a hand to the kid. "My name is A-"

The kid cut him off. "Alastor Moody. Born 1896 in London, England. Attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1907. Left 1914 and joined the Wizards Defence League, now known as the Auror Defence Unit. Brought in the most Death Eaters during the first war. Retired in 1985 with honours as one of the most decorated Aurors of the twentieth century. Supposedly still in retirement."

Moody was surprised and a little unnerved. His reflex action had his hand reaching for his wand. "How could you possibly know all that?"

The kid shrugged. "I've read thousands of books on fighting the Dark Arts, you're in a few of them. I recognised your eye."

"And you remembered all that on me."

"I've got a very good memory."

"So it would seem." Moody extended his hand again. "All I know about you is your name, To-"

"NO," the kid said angrily. "His name is not my name. My name is Ethan, okay. Ethan Rafe."

Moody nodded with understanding. "Okay... Rafe."

Ethan shook Moody's hand. "So where are we going, Old Man?"

"We're going to Hogwart's," growled Moody. "You ever been?"

"No... I was gonna. I got my letter and everything... but then my life went to hell on a handcart and things changed. I left England and went to the States. That was six years ago now."

"You should have gone to see Dumbledore, he would've sorted things-"

"I can sort out my own problems... I don't need anyone's help."

"Okay, Kid. Come on, Apparate to Hogsmeade."

In an instant, Moody and Rafe had travelled hundreds of miles across the country and into Hogsmeade. It was still early in the morning and the sun was just rising over the eastern hilltops. The streets were deserted and everything was quiet. The two men began walking up the high street along the road to Hogwart's.

"Are you sure you don't know why he wanted to see me?" Ethan asked with a hint of nerves.

"No. He didn't tell me. He said that I had to find you and quick."

"Nice to be needed...."

They arrived at Hogwarts on the dot at seven. Moody limped up the steps, closely followed by Ethan. He opened the giant wooden door and they entered. "Dumbledore's office is a bit of a walk, we'll-"

"Moody?" a voice said from the stairs.

Moody looked up to see who had called him. Standing at the top of the stairs was Harry Potter. "Ah -er- good morning, Harry. How've you been?"

Harry sprang down the steps and walked over to Moody and the stranger. "Past couple of weeks have been hard, but I'm still alive so I can't complain. Voldemort's been a real pain though." The boy next to Moody seemed to move uncomfortably at the sound of Voldemort's name. Harry now turned his attention to the boy. "Who's this?"

"Er- Potter, this is-"

"I'm Ethan, Ethan Rafe." Rafe extended his hand to Harry and he took it.

"Yes... well if you don't mind, Potter, we have to go see Dumbledore."

"Oh, sure thing. I'll see you round, Moody. Nice to meet you, Ethan."

Moody and Rafe nodded to Harry and then moved on up the stairs. Harry watched them go for a moment and then turned into the Great Hall. "So that was Potter...." said Rafe to himself once they were up the stairs. Ten minutes later they were standing outside the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office. It was already open so Moody and Ethan walked up and knocked on the door.

"Come in," said a voice from within.

Moody opened the door and walked in, Rafe behind him. "Dumbledore, I've got him."

"Alastor! This was unexpected, but do sit down." Dumbledore stood up when he said this and conjured an extra chair next to the one in front of his desk. "You too, Tom-"

"My name is Ethan Rafe," said Rafe evenly.

Dumbledore wavered for a moment. "Of course, please sit, Alastor, Ethan." He gestured towards the wooden chairs before his desk. They sat. "It's nice to finally have you at Hogwart's, Ethan."

"What did you want?"

"Perhaps we should have some tea?" Dumbledore said cheerfully.

"No thanks. What did you want with me?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I want you to come to Hogwarts."

"I'm here. That's not all you want though, if you wanted me to come to Hogwart's you would have sent someone after me six years ago."

"You are very astute, Ethan," said Dumbledore. "I would also like you to watch over a certain student. You probably know this person."

Rafe thought for a moment. "...Potter. Why would you need me to watch over him? I've heard he can look after himself."

"He can. I want you to teach him a few things though. I'm sorry for not coming to find you six years ago, you were believed to be dead. Once I discovered you were alive I sent someone to bring you here." He nodded towards Moody. "I wanted you to become a student, and, if you could, teach Harry a thing or two you've learned over your time spent in America."

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Dumbledore?" said Moody. "No offence, Kid."

"None taken, Old Man."

"Yes, Alastor. I think Mr. Rafe could be valuable to our cause." Dumbledore now turned his attention back to Ethan. "Well, Ethan?"

"So let me get this straight. You want me to come to your school and baby-sit Potter. What's in it for me?"

"Wouldn't you like to further your magical education?" said Dumbledore seriously.

"I've learnt a lot over the past six years. Probably a lot more than this place could've taught me."

"Then what about someone to call a friend for a change?" Dumbledore suggested gently.

Rafe looked away. "I don't need anyone...."

"I think you do. Please, Ethan, do this."

Rafe didn't say anything for a moment. "What do you want me to teach Potter?"

Dumbledore held Ethan's gaze. "Alastor told me that when he discovered your... residence... in New York city. He found some highly advanced magic books... some books on subjects no one your age should yet know or learn."

"You want me to teach Potter a few tricks that are, shall we say... not legal until he's of age?" Dumbledore didn't say anything. "Okay, I'll stay."

Dumbledore now smiled. "Excellent. Let's go down to the Great Hall and get you sorted."

"Sorted? What's sorted?"

Dumbledore stood up and led the way across the room. He took down an old and patched hat from one of his many shelves. "You will see. I suppose you could both do with a spot of breakfast?" Rafe and Moody nodded. "Then let us go to breakfast."

Dumbledore, Moody, and Rafe began to walk towards the door, but had to stop halfway when Rafe stopped walking. "Ah," he cried, almost regretfully, pulling up the sleeve of his jumper and grabbing the inside of his left arm. Dumbledore turned and his face became grave.

"I had forgotten about that, Ethan. Does it burn?"

"What do you think," said Rafe through gritted teeth.

Moody had removed his wand and now had it pointed at Rafe. His face twisted in anger. "You're a Death Eater, Kid...."

"Alastor, put the wand away," said Dumbledore putting his hand on Moody's wand arm.

"Dumbledore, he's got the Mark."

"He's had it since birth, Alastor. As soon as he was born. You'll have to trust me, he has never and hopefully will never serve Voldemort."

"Yeah... Old Man, put it away." Rafe had now let go off his arm, but Moody could tell that it still burned. Moody lowered his wand.

"Sorry, Kid."

Rafe said nothing as they now continued down to the Great Hall. He'd pulled the sleeve back down on his black jumper to hide the Mark. What am I doing? he thought. Should have stayed in the US.... Moody and Dumbledore were discussing something but he couldn't hear what it was. Soon enough they had arrived at the Hall. Upon entering, hundreds of eyes turned towards the newcomers, everybody in the Hall was looking at him and Moody. It made him uncomfortable. They walked between two of the four biggest tables he had ever seen. These tables were now mostly full of students glancing around to look at him. He saw Potter at one of these tables and gave him a small nod, Potter returned it.

"Who's that with Moody, Harry?" asked Hermione. "He seemed to know you."

"Well we just met about forty-five minutes ago in the entrance hall. He came in with Moody when I was coming down the stairs. His name's Ethan -er- Ethan... Rafe, yeah... that's it."

Hermione stared at this stranger. She couldn't help but notice that his presence was very attracting. He was slightly handsome, but had more of an air of power around him that made people look. He was about six feet tall, give or take an inch. He had broad shoulders and was quite muscular. There was a look about him, a powerful look, a not to be messed with look. His brown hair was cut short and pushed back. This made his face more prominent. As he passed their table she could see that he had blue eyes, though they seemed dull. She also noticed that his nose was slightly irregular, as if it had been broken more times than it should have. There was also a small scar on it. His face was covered with the fuzz of early morning hair, he hadn't shaved. It made him look older than she could tell he was. If she had to give him an age, it probably would've been sixteen or seventeen. He had his hand in his pocket inside his black jeans, he may have been holding his wand. But then something else struck her as odd. This 'Ethan' was wearing Muggle clothes. He was the only one in the Hall, probably the school, to be doing so.

Moody, Dumbledore and Rafe had now reached the staff table. Moody pulled Rafe over to the side of the Hall, next to a table that had a group of students with green emblems stitched to their robes. Dumbledore was now standing at the middle seat up on the high table. He had raised his hands for silence, and he got it. Every student had turned their attention towards Dumbledore.

"Good morning, everyone," smiled Dumbledore as he surveyed the people before him. "A few notices before today's lessons and I'll be out of your way. First, I would like to announce that I will no longer be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. Alastor Moody," Moody stepped forward and walked up on to the staff table, where he sat in an empty chair next to Dumbledore, "will be taking over that position at last. I must stress that none of you have ever been taught by Alastor Moody before.

"And second, I am happy to announce that today a new student will be joining our number, Mr. Ethan Rafe." Rafe now stepped forward and moved into the centre of the room. "Mr. Rafe has come from... overseas and plans to continue his magical education here at Hogwarts. He will be entering into his sixth year." Dumbledore now conjured a stool that appeared behind Rafe. "Ethan, if you will."

Rafe nodded and sat on the chair, he wondered why he was being put on display in front of the entire school. An elderly witch he didn't know now came over to him carrying that old and scruffy hat. She placed it on his head and it slipped down over his eyes. This is stupid he thought, What am I-

"Well this is interesting," said a voice. It took Rafe a moment to realise that the hat was talking. "The obvious choice would Slytherin but.... hmm, powerful... yes and there's bravery... and anger, lots of anger. What to do with you? Slytherin would suit you considering who you're descended from."

"No," Rafe told the hat. "Don't put me in his house."

"Well if that's what you want. GRYFFINDOR!"

The elderly witch removed the hat from his head and cheers erupted from a table to his left. Now what? he thought, What am I supposed to do now?

"Go sit at that table, Mr. Rafe," said the witch. "That's your new house, Gryffindor." He nodded and walked calmly over to the table and took a seat at the end of the row.

"I wonder what school he came from?" said Hermione, clapping along with everyone else.

"He had a bit of an American accent mingled in with a Londonish one when I met him in the hall. My money's on somewhere in America." Harry said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Well there are a lot of fine schools over there. Soren's Academy, Grasmere, Bowness. Many fine colleges too."

"You can ask him in Transfiguration next. He's a sixth year, he should be there," said Ron.

The bell rang that signified the end of breakfast. A thought just occurred to Rafe, he didn't know where to go. This castle was huge, where did he have to be? There was a tap on his shoulder and he spun round. It was Dumbledore. "I would like a final word with you, if I may, Ethan." Ethan nodded and followed Dumbledore once again up to his office, as the rest of the school whirled around him, all trying to get where they needed to be. "Canary Cream."

Rafe walked behind Dumbledore as they ascended the stairs to his office. Once there Dumbledore gestured for him to sit. Rafe stood. "I have brought you here to give you your timetable." He handed Ethan a piece of square parchment. "I believe you'll find that Harry Potter will be in every one of those lessons." Rafe nodded. "Also, I believe you need some supplies." With a quick flick of his wand a trunk appeared before Rafe, another quick flick and there were a few sets of black robes in the trunk, and with a final flick, several books and supplies appeared in the trunk. "This should do for now, don't hesitate to come see me, Ethan, if there is anything you need."

"You don't have to do that, you know. I've got a vault at Gringott's my mother left me. I only ever touched it once... to get over to America..."

"Yes... I'd imagine there would be quite a nice sum in there now. The interest should have accumulated."

"I'll check it out the next time I'm in London." Scanning his timetable he saw his first class of the day. "Transfiguration, huh. Where do I find that?"

"The Transfiguration room of course."

"Of course... where can I find this Transfiguration room?"

"Follow me, Ethan," said Dumbledore happily.

*~*~*~*

Harry and Ron were sitting at their usual table near the back of the room. Hermione had chosen a seat by herself at the very back of the room behind them. Professor McGonagall was up the front lecturing on the many finer points of the animagus transfiguration. Harry knew and could do most of this stuff, so he had spent the better part of this lesson deep in his own thoughts.

It wasn't until there was a small knock on the door that he was brought back to the present. He turned in his seat as the door opened and in walked Professor Dumbledore, followed by the new bloke Ethan, now dressed in Hogwarts robes.

"Pardon me for interrupting, Professor," began Dumbledore. "But I've just been having a chat with Mr. Rafe here, and I'm afraid he's now late for your lesson."

"That's quite all right, Professor. Would you like to take a seat, Mr. Rafe?" Rafe nodded and sat in the first available seat he saw, at the back next to a girl with a head of bushy brown hair.

"If you're okay now, Ethan," said Dumbledore. "I have some business to attend to."

"Yeah I'm fine, D- Professor. Thanks." Dumbledore nodded, said his goodbyes and left the room.

Everyone in the room still had their attention fixed on the newcomer. McGonagall cleared her throat loudly and made the assembled students jump back into learning mode. "Thank you," she said. "Mr. Rafe we are currently taking notes on the Animagus transfiguration. Quill and parchment for now."

Bugger, thought Ethan. Everything was in the trunk he'd left with Dumbledore. Looking around the room he saw that most people had turned their attention back to the professor up the front of the room. He noticed that Potter was sitting in front of him, next to the boy with red hair. He turned to the girl next to him.

"Hello," he whispered.

She looked up from the parchment she was writing on, Rafe saw that almost ever inch of it was covered with notes. "Hi," she replied casually. "My names, Hermione."

"I'm Rafe, Ethan Rafe."

She smiled. "I know. Where do you come from, Ethan? Dumbledore didn't make any specific reference, he just said 'overseas'."

Rafe hesitated, and he saw that she noticed this. "I -er- came form America. Been there the past six years. Before that I lived here in England."

Hermione was now really interested. "What school did you go to over there? I mean I've heard of a few good ones; Soren's, Bowness."

"I went to... Bowness,' he lied. Rafe hoped she didn't notice this. It wasn't really a lie. He had been to Bowness, but he hadn't been a student there.

"Well I bet that was nice. Right on the Californian coast line isn't it?" Rafe nodded. "Well Hogwarts will definitely be a big change for you then. Not much sunshine in these parts."

"Yeah... big change."

There was a moment of awkward silence while a new topic of conversation was searched for. "So... where do your parents live?" asked Hermione.

The moment she said this she wished she hadn't. The look on his face told her that she had touched on a sensitive subject. "My -er- mother died a long time ago now. And my father... he's dead too."

Hermione felt very sorry for this boy. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"It's okay. I got over it."

Hermione got the impression that he hadn't got over something. She let it lie. "So... what lessons have you got today?"

Ethan stared at her for a moment before answering; she was very pretty, in her own way. "Well I'm not sure," he said. "Hang on." He ruffled around in his right pocket under his robes. What no one knew about his pocket was that he had enlarged it magically. He had his wand in there, a small hipflask filled with Ogden's Firewhiskey, about ten galleons, a key to a vault at Gringott's, and a special dagger he'd picked up in a small wizarding shop in America. This dagger was about eleven inches long from handle to blade, the blade being seven inches long. The handle was black and the blade had runes running up the length of it. He kept it sheathed in a black, dragons hide sheath. His pocket looked normal from the outside, like it held nothing. Ethan found what he was looking for, the timetable. "Okay... I have Care of Magical Creatures next."

"Me too," said Hermione happily.

"Aha. Then I have -er- Double Charms... and finally Divination."

"Well I'm in all of them except Divination. I don't much care for it. You'll be with Harry and Ron for that." She nodded towards her two friends at the desk in front of her. "You've probably heard of Harry, most people have." Ethan nodded but didn't say anything. "And next to him there is Ron Weasley."

"Okay.... And who is that over there that Pot- Harry keeps staring at?" Rafe pointed towards a girl sitting across the room, she had a blue emblem on her robes. He had seen Harry stare at her at least four times since he'd enter the room.

"Well I didn't notice he was staring at her. You've got a good eye. That's Padma Patil."

Rafe nodded taking it all in. "The blue on her robes, that means Ravenclaw-"

"If you two would please stop talking," said Professor McGonagall strictly from the front of the room. "And get on with the note taking; I'm sure you'll be surprised to learn something, Mr. Rafe."

"Sorry, Professor," said Hermione quickly, having the good grace to look ashamed. Rafe just stared at her impassively, having heard harsher reprimands in his life.

McGonagall gave her attention back to the class and continued with her lecture. Hermione, not one to upset a Professor, began taking notes again. "So who is that?" asked Ethan.

"Hhmm... Oh! That's Professor McGonagall. She's head of Gryffindor house, and deputy headmistress."

For the rest of the lesson, Hermione talked to Rafe and explained the ways of the school, from things such as what time lunch was, who the Professors were, and where the common room was. Rafe remembered it all. When the bell went, Hermione introduced Ethan to Ron and again to Harry. They walked and talked down to Hagrid's together.

Outside the wind was howling across the grounds, bringing with it thick black rain clouds. It was beginning to get colder in the mornings now. Harry walked on the edge of the group as Ron and Hermione talked to the new bloke. He was thinking, as if he ever thought of anything else, about Voldemort. It was going on three weeks now since the Dementor attack, and nobody had heard or seen any sign of Voldemort. It made Harry nervous. Having declined his offer to become a Death Eater (although Harry personally thought Voldemort was just trying to kill him again), Harry was constantly looking out for his friends. If anything ever happened to them....

Magical Creatures passed in a blur of normality. Hagrid had promised them that within the next week his 'delivery' would have arrived and there would be no more looking after the krups. Harry had partnered Rafe in this lesson and the two of them had become quick friends. Well, not so much friends but... buddy's. Hermione seemed to like him and Ron didn't have anything against him. Harry thought he seemed lonely. Like he hadn't had much by the way of friends in his life. Whenever they asked him about his past, he answered quickly and then changed the subject.

Harry felt that there was something odd about him. He looked at him and thought he saw a shadow of someone he knew. This boy reminded him of someone. But he couldn't for the life of him remember who. The four of them walked back up to the castle after Magical Creatures, heading to lunch. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, and they dashed the last hundred metres or so up to the entrance as rain came down in torrential torrents.

Back in the entrance hall, Hermione cast a few quick drying spells and their water-soaked robes were dry in an instant. Harry began to walk towards the Great Hall when suddenly he was stopped. Standing in front of the door, as if on guard, was Malfoy, flanked by his two goons Crabbe and Goyle. "Afternoon, Potter," sneered Malfoy, a smirk spreading across his pale face. "Still alive, that's a shame."

Harry felt familiar feelings rising inside him. Feelings that told him to knock Malfoy to the ground... hard. He calmed himself. "Would you step to the side, Malfoy. You're blocking the way." It was true. Quite a crowd had gathered now, all trying to get into the Hall for lunch.

"All in good time, Potter. First things first." Malfoy now looked back behind Harry, and then strode forward and past him. "You must be the new, Gryffindor." Malfoy was talking to Ethan. "You'd do well not to get involved with the fabulous three." Malfoy now nodded his head towards Ron and Hermione and threw his hand vaguely over his shoulder to Harry.

Rafe surveyed the person before him. Potter had called him Malfoy. He had heard about a Malfoy being sent to Azkaban prison. It had been in the papers, his return, the beginning of the second war. Death Eater's had been sent to Azkaban. "I don't know who you are," began Rafe, "but from what I've seen so far I don't like you. Now, get out of the way, you're holding everyone up."

Malfoy sneered and then smirked. "Gryffindors, all alike. You're backing the wrong side."

Harry came and stood by Rafe. "You heard him, Malfoy. Move."

"Shut up, Potter." Malfoy now looked to Ron and Hermione. "How are you Mudblood? Still poor Weasley?"

Ron pulled his wand out and pointed it at Malfoy. "Just give me a reason you slimy git."

Hermione put her hand on Ron's arm. "Let it go, Ron." Ron looked at Hermione and after a moment, he nodded.

Malfoy shook his head in disgust. "Well if you won't do it I will." And with that he withdrew his wand from his robe pocket and pointed it at Ron. "Scorm-"

Harry moved to strike Malfoy, Rafe moved faster. In one quick movement he brought his fist backwards and then sent it pummelling straight into Malfoy's nose. Blood sprayed down Malfoy's face and onto his robes as he fell backwards in surprise. He bit back the pain and looked up at his attacker. Ethan Rafe showed no emotion. He looked down at the person he'd just struck with a calm look on his face. Impassive, to a fault.

Now the initial blow was over, Malfoy composed himself. He whispered so only a few would hear him, Rafe included. "One day, one day soon. You will be very sorry you did that." Rafe remained impassive. Malfoy stood, blood dripping freely down his face. With a quick motion of his head, Crabbe and Goyle joined his side, the three of them stood for a moment and then Malfoy gave one last glare, before turning away and heading across to the dungeon stairs that led to the Slytherin common room. Crabbe and Goyle in tow.

There was a silence in the hall as the assembled students stared at Rafe, to see what this new person would do next.

Apparently Rafe wouldn't be punching, nor doing anything else. While rubbing his knuckles with his left hand he turned towards Harry. "So who was that?" he asked.

*~*~*~*


Author notes: Chapter 5 - In Which Everything Appears Normal, was last edited and submitted on Sunday November 14, 2004.

Currently, a massive edit and re-draft is being undertaken with this fic. I know there are a mountain of mistakes buried deep within these cyber-pages, and I'm hoping to catch the majority of them.

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joe