The Uprising

"You're going to pay," said Malfoy in a voice barely louder than a whisper. "I'm going to make you pay for what you've done to my father...."

Page 851 of Order of the Phoenix

The Uprising

Chapter One: Decisions

Draco Malfoy sat quietly down on his four-poster bed, one very similar to the one he slept in at Hogwarts. He was thinking about what had happened over the last three weeks. His father had been taken to Azkaban Prison because of Harry Potter. Although he knew that the Dementors had pledged their loyalty to the Dark Lord and his father would easily get out of prison, Potter deserved to pay .He despised Harry Potter, the boy who had fame for no good reason, and most importantly, the one who landed his father in prison. He remembered vowing to make Potter pay, and he was the one who would do it.

But how was he going to go about getting his revenge? He wanted Potter to get what he deserved, be in agony for what he did. He knew if he joined the Death Eaters, he could help Voldemort defeat Potter once and for all, and he could be given a chance at Potter himself if he pleased the Dark Lord enough. His mother had been hoping that he would uphold the family honor and join once he left Hogwarts. Maybe he could become one now, and spy on Potter. He knew that it was important to know where Potter was and to keep tabs on him at all times, and he could easily do that at Hogwarts.

He could be a faithful servant, and get his revenge once and for all. He stood up, and strode downstairs to find his mother brewing a potion in the kitchen.

"Mother, what do you think of me joining Voldemort now?"

Meanwhile, Harry Potter was sitting at his desk at Number Four, Privet Drive, flipping through a photo album of his parents for what seemed like the thousandth time. It was about 11:30 at night, with just a flashlight to illuminate his desk.

Why? He thought. Why does everyone I care about have to die? Why didn't listen to Hermione in the first place about Kreacher? Why didn't I use the mirror?

He was still getting over what happened three weeks ago. His godfather died when he thought Harry was in danger, when Harry was trying to save him in the first place. He thought that he was at fault for what happened, and just wanted this all to end. He wanted Voldemort to just go curl up and die somewhere so that no one would have to deal with him or fear him anymore.

But it didn't work that way, and he knew that. He was the only one who could defeat him, and he would either have to kill or be killed in the process of it.

He looked out the window, and much to his surprise, he saw Errol, his best friend Ron's family owl, flying with what looked like a huge package. He looked to be carrying two parcels and a letter. He quickly opened the window, took the parcels from the owl, and untied the letter on his leg. He then helped Errol to Hedwig's cage so that he could drink and rest.

He then opened the first parcel which contained a tattered old book that had written in gold letters at the top: A Guide to Standard Household Spells by Miranda Goshawk. Odd, Harry thought as he examined the book, why would they want me how to use a regular household spell? He then took out what looked like a quill case.

He then looked at the next parcel, which he knew immediately was sweets sent by Mrs. Weasley. He decided to consult the letter

He read the letter which said:

Dear Harry,

Hope you are holding up all right with the Muggles. There is nothing I can really say except that our friends have been busier than ever. We are constantly sent upstairs so that they can have meetings. But Fred and George have made a more improved version of the Extendable Ears that can be invisible so that we use their hats and the ears, and sit at the top of the stairs so that we can listen in on the meetings. It has helped us, more or less.

Anyway, I hope that you like what I got you. I know that it looks like a regular spell book, but it is really a device to detect if someone is coming close to your room. I thought it might come in handy if you wanted to be alone, and the Muggles are bothering you. When someone is coming close to your door, it immediately whispers the name of that person to you, so that you alone can hear it.

Ginny sent the Quirky Quill case. It is one of Fred and George's newest creations. It squirts slime at anyone who trys to take the contents out of it besides its owner. Just put a Claiming Charm on it.

Well, be on the alert because I hear that they (nudge nudge, wink wink) are going to come pretty soon and get you. Hang in there, mate.

Ron

Well, that was interesting, Harry thought. He thought that both presents were very handy, and he would use them well. He looked at Dudley's old watch. Wow, it was only 11:45. He knew that he needed to get to bed, because tomorrow was his birthday, and he knew that the Order would try to surprise him by taking him back to Grimmauld Place.

Grimmauld Place. Oh great, just what I need, a reminder of how ignorant and gullible I am. Harry didn't know if he would be able to stand being at Grimmauld Place without Sirius. It held so many fond memories of his godfather, and he would be constantly remembering them each step he took in that house. He decided to go to sleep, and start packing as soon as he got up the next morning.