Labyrinth of Illusion

Part One

The snowy owl hooted from the windowsill of the smallest bedroom of Number 4 Privet Drive.

Groaning as he awoke, Harry Potter fumbled blindly for the glasses on his nightstand. He retrieved them, putting them on his face and looking to the window.

In any other bedroom on Privet Drive, such a sight would be met with a scream and a call to animal control. Harry simply blinked the last bit of sleep from his eyes, smiling tiredly. "Hullo Hedwig."

Hedwig ruffled her feathers, holding out her leg. Yawning, Harry leaned over and retrieved the letter. The red wax seal of the envelope bore the crest of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Opening the letter, Harry began to eagerly read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.

A list of books for next year is enclosed.

Yours sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry scanned the list of books, wondering when he would be able to go to Diagon Alley to acquire the needed supplies for the upcoming school year. Ever since June, Harry had waited for the coveted start-of-term notice from Professor McGonagall. Holidays with the Dursleys were always a hellish experience. Considering the school year that had just passed, it would be thought Privet Drive would be a welcome change. This was woefully untrue.

After bathing and dressing, Harry made his way downstairs. He could hear Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia speaking in hushed voices in the kitchen.

"Vernon, something HAS to be done. Poor Duddums is scared to even eat around him!" Petunia frantically hissed. "Look at how much weight he's lost!"

Harry bit his knuckle to stop from laughing. Since he had been home, Dudley had "slimmed down" to 17 stones! He still rivaled most baby elephants.

"I know, Petunia, I know.... He's a beast. I'm sure that boy from his *school* was just the first of his victims."

The first of WHAT? Harry stood in the hall, his mind trying to wrap around what Uncle Vernon was saying.

Vernon gave a tremendous sigh. "Imagine if we hadn't gone through his trunk.... I shudder to think Petunia. Imagine not knowing he had murdered someone!"

Harry stood in stunned silence. He had clippings from the Daily Prophet about Cedric Diggory's funeral in his trunk. The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge had made some pointed comments, suggesting that Harry was the perpetrator of the crime. The Dursleys had seen them... They thought HE had done it? This explained a lot. Harry hadn't been yelled at once since his return to Privet Drive. The Dursleys were afraid they would be next!

"His birthday is soon, isn't it Vernon?" Petunia whispered. "Maybe we can tell him it's time he get his own flat."

"It's today!" Dudley piped up, his voice unnaturally squeaky. "Kick him out, Daddy!"

"Now Dudley, it's not that easy..." Vernon started.

Harry shook his head, pushing the kitchen door open. He ignored the Dursleys while walking over to the sink. He got a glass of water and drank it slowly. He glanced back at the Dursleys. They were completely still as they watched Harry. Dudley had darted under the table. His bulbous backside stuck out and quivered with fear.

Vernon finally cleared his throat. "Um, Harry--"

Harry turned to face his Uncle, a quizzical look on his face. "Yes, Uncle Vernon?"

"First of all, err.... Happy Birthday...."

Harry noticed Vernon's hands shook as he said this. Even under the circumstances, this was still funny. For the briefest moment, Harry considered milking the 'murderous nephew' role he had been cast into.

"We were wondering.... Umm.... Were going to go visit the Weasels this holiday?"

"Weasleys," Harry corrected Vernon. He sighed inwardly. He had already begged his best friend Ron to let him visit the Burrow. This did not go well. Ron explained that they were renovating the house after an explosion by the nefarious Weasley twins, Fred and George. The Burrow was "in no shape to take visitors".

He would have gone to stay with his other best friend, Hermione Granger. Unfortunately, Hermione had gone away with her parents to France. Just how many times did someone have to go to France in their life, Harry wondered. He thought that being with Fleur Delacour and the people from Beauxbatons, Hermione would have had enough of the French.

"Well, are you, boy?" Vernon asked, his voice becoming rougher.

"Yeah," Harry lied, "I'm leaving this afternoon. Sorry I didn't mention it before."

"Are they coming to pick you up?" Vernon's voice wavered slightly as he gave Petunia a worried glance.

"No, I'll be leaving by myself." Harry set his glass down. He knelt down, lifting the tablecloth. Dudley's face turned white as he stared at Harry.

"You can have your room back, Dudley. I won't be using it anymore." He dropped the tablecloth, rising again. "I don't think I'll be back next summer."

Harry left the kitchen, hearing the Dursleys sigh in relief. One thing began to nag at him.... Where the heck was he supposed to go?

**

Harry started to throw his possessions into his trunk, considering the situation. He had decided to stay at the Leaky Cauldron until the beginning of term. He had already done this once before: it wouldn't hurt to do it again.

He noticed Hedwig was still on the windowsill. He cocked an eyebrow. "What is it, Hedwig?"

It took him a moment to notice the second letter tied to Hedwig's leg. Of course! It was always school owls that came bearing the Hogwarts start-of-term notice! Hedwig had been out delivering a letter to Sirius. This meant Sirius was at Hogwarts!

He hadn't heard from his godfather in months, ever since he had gone to stay with Professor Lupin. He had been worried the Ministry of Magic had found him. Knowing Sirius was at Hogwarts finally put his mind at ease. He opened the letter and began reading it quickly:

Dear Harry,

Sorry it's taken so long to write back. Dumbledore's got a special assignment for Moony and me. I'll see you during the school year.

Happy Birthday. Sorry I couldn't send you a cake this year. Hope the Muggles aren't treating you badly.

-Snuffles

A rather brief message, Harry thought bitterly. There wasn't a bit of information in there. Ever since he had come home, Harry hadn't heard a bit of news about Voldemort. He hoped this was because there was no news, but that would be too good to be true.

Harry shoved the last bit of clothing into his trunk and slammed it shut. If everyone was intent on keeping news of the Wizarding World away from Harry, he'd have to take matters into his own hands.

Next stop: Diagon Alley.

**

"This is bloody ridiculous, Dumbledore, and you know it!" Severus Snape growled, chasing after the wizened patriarch of Hogwarts. His face was deeply lined with fury. Severus Snape usually looked full of fury, but this was greater than usual. He was absolutely livid.

Albus Dumbledore brushed Snape off with a wave of his hand. "Please, Severus. I have too much to deal with. The students arrive soon; there is still the matter of Voldemort.... And I am a teacher short!"

"No one is willing to take the position! They think it's cursed! In four years we have had four Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers!" Snape snarled, catching up to Dumbledore. "You know I am more qualified than anyone to teach it!"

"You know my reasons for denying you the position, Severus, as I have told you for years. Yes, you are the most qualified.... But I know what you would do to them."

"I am not like that anymore," Snape insisted, "I only wish to teach the students to protect themselves."

A dangerous glint entered Dumbledore's usual merry eyes. "That is what I worry about. Your vigilance will kill someone."

"Who will you get to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts? No one wants the job! School starts in a few weeks!"

"I've been attempting to contact Sakura Tsukino. She could do it."

"Sakura Tsukino?" Snape let out a bitter laugh, "Might as well get Remus Lupin back."

"Believe me, I would like to. If necessary, I will take the position myself," The 150-year-old wizard said, "yes, I'm sure I could do it. If we do not find a teacher, I will do it."

"You're being foolish."

"I warn you, Severus." Dumbledore's brow furrowed and his face was marred with a frown. "Do not question me. I have my reasons and nothing will change my mind. Someone will show up."

As if cued by the fates, the doorbell rang. The doorbell at Hogwarts rarely rang due to the fact that few people knew where the school was. Many magical devices hid it. Yet the preternatural ringing filled Dumbledore and Snape's ears in a low, monotonous note. Only professors could hear the enchanted bell.

"Excuse me," Dumbledore muttered. He wished upon everything he could that this was not the Ministry of Magic with bad news. If it were anything other than horrible news, they would have sent it via Owl Post. It could very possibly be news of Voldermort's reappearance. A horrible thought flashed through Dumbledore's mind.... No, he would know if the boy was dead.

He reached the large wooden doors, Snape hot on his heels. Grabbing the wrought-iron handle, Dumbledore wretched the door open. It creaked sinisterly. A diminutive woman stood on the other side. She wore Muggle clothes. Her jeans were ripped in several places; mud covering them stiffened the fabric to the point they couldn't move. The sweater she wore was moth-eaten and about three sizes too big. A pair of glasses was perched on her nose, the lenses in horrible need of cleaning. Her hair was halfway down her back, hanging in greasy, muddy clumps. She clutched a battered broom in one hand and a dirty leather sack in the other.

"Pardon me for bothering you," the woman said, rather absent-mindedly, "But can you direct me to King's Cross? I seem to be a bit lost."

"I say you are," Dumbledore said, "More than a bit."

Snape's head snapped up at the voice. "Lost?" He pushed forward, looking at the woman. "It can't be-- You're DEAD."

"Severus?" The woman said, confused. "Wait.... Dumbledore. This is Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore looked closely at the woman. "Oh dear.... Oh dear.... I didn't recognize you. It's been so long! You look so different!"

The woman looked around, from Dumbledore, to Snape, to the building before her. "This IS Hogwarts! Oh! Finally! People I recognize!"

Snape's lip curled in sneer. He hid his face behind a curtain of greasy raven hair. "Where have you been for the last sixteen years?"

"Lost," she murmured. "Very, very lost."

Eyes narrowing, Snape watched the small woman come in. "Well, Wrong Way Maclay has found her way home."