A Debt Repaid

A Debt Repaid

Chapter One

Harry sat on the log, his bare feet in the grass and watched his wife, Nadya, gathering fire wood. He felt great peace and contentment at the moment. They had been married for two weeks and Harry still felt like he was dreaming.

Can it be you are mine? he thought as he watched her. There were no longer feelings of dread at the end of the school term about returning to the Dursleys. He knew that sooner or later he would have to deal with them just as he had to deal with other unpleasant things in his life. Harry knew that part of growing up and being considered an adult was to face such things. For now he wanted to set it aside, take pleasure in being with his new family, the Romani ( better known as Gypsies) and spending the summer in anonymity.

Harry had spent the prior year struggling to break away from the Dursleys. He'd run away after finding out that the Dursleys' home was no longer safe. He still didn't know how the Death Eaters had entered the house with his mother's blood protection acting as a barrier; but they had, putting him and the Dursleys in danger.

He had run away from one family to find another. By accident, and with the guiding hand and intervention of a formidable Wood Glen elf, he had found the gypsy caravan, the Kumpania. They had helped him form a plan to trick the Dark Lord into believing he was dead. He'd returned to school under the disguise and the name of Tommy Pane.

Harry reflected on the events of the school year and his training under Jolie, a gypsy friend. He had met his own dead mother in a Spirit Walk and had mixed her ashes and his own blood to perform a spell on Voldemort. A spell that made Voldemort's actions rebound so that he suffered the pain he tried to wield on others. Harry and Severus Snape had also escaped almost sure death from the hands of the evil wizard Voldemort, the Romani called Kalo Beng- the Dark Devil.

At sixteen, Harry had then married his beautiful Romani wife who now playfully flirted with him as she drew near. He laughed and threw grass at her. In the camp, he followed the Romani customs and didn't have physical contact with her in public. He wanted very dearly to grab her around the waist and pull her to him.

"Mi kmav ( my love)," she whispered and picked up sticks for firewood nearby. She turned her back and whipped around to dump her apron full of grass on his head. He laughed and choked as he spit grass out of his mouth.

"Come back to me, " he shouted as she ran off. He grinned and settled back on the log.

The sky was blue and the sun warmed his face. He listened as the children in the camp played around him. The older boys were riding and playing with the horses that grazed nearby. The horses were used to pull the beautiful vardos -the wagons- of the camp. The horses were the pride and joy of the whole camp. Harry watched as some of the men practiced doing acrobatics on them. He lived with a tribe that were entertainers. They moved from village to village and put on Fairs.

Harry had become an adept stilt-walker. Dressed in a harness that resembled a bird, he walked on stilts and had the harness tied to his waist so that it looked like he was on a saddle. The head of the bird was manipulated using reins and hidden wires. He was himself dressed in a mask and a warrior's costume, with red-leather armor and shield.

Once dressed, the stilt-walkers would roam the Fair, catching money that was thrown for their performances. When Harry had first seen the walkers, he believed that they were riding real birds because the performance was so realistic and exotic.

Now, sitting around camp he was dressed as one of the Romani men, in a wide-brimmed, felt hat, a white blouse covered with a vest and leather pants. His high black boots were laying beside his bare feet. An old woman in camp had turned his hair from it's normal black to a rusty brown and he wore the only muggle thing he brought from that world, a pair of brown contact lens.

Harry slipped down onto the grass and lay on his back looking into the cobalt blue sky. Weary from the long school year and the stress, he found that he could easy lay for hours and do nothing.

His friend, Albus Dumbledore, and the headmaster of Hogwarts had given him advice before leaving him, "Harry there is one think you can try and do for yourself," he said.

"What's that Professor? Harry asked.

"You can try and not think or worry about the future." They walked the edge of the lake shore together. "It drains you of energy. There are many things that are out of our reach and out of our control. Your friends are safe for now, and I think the world is probably safer than we can expect. If anything happens the Order will keep you informed." Dumbledore spoke of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization pulled together to fight the Dark Lord and Dumbledore was their leader.

Harry nodded. "Do you have a plan for the next step, Professor?"

Dumbledore smiled and continued, "Well, I think that it's time that you become a member of the Order, Harry. You are now married with the full responsibilities of a man and you will reach the age of seventeen this summer. When that happens we will officially make you one of the Order. It seems that you're going to be involved no matter what, based on your experiences this past term."

Harry could tell that it worried the old man and started to speak, "Professor..."

Dumbledore interrupted, "Harry, when we are not in school why don't you just call me Albus. I think you have earned the right, don't you? I certainly think of myself as your friend and that's what my friends call me."

"Of course..." Harry studied him soberly. "Albus, I was just thinking that Ron and Hermione should also be asked to join. I know that we have one more year at Hogwarts and no one is asking that we work full-time for the Order. But no one is more deserving. What happened this last year would not have happened without them. They helped save Professor Snape and me, too."

"Yes, I agree," Dumbledore said and nodded, "and they will be invited."

"Good," Harry sighed. They walked in silence for a long time.

Harry studied the castle, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, in the summer sunlight. It had been home to him for a long time. He wondered, even with Dumbledore's advice, what the future was going to bring.

Now as he lay in the grass, pictures flashed before his eyes, pictures of Hermione and Ron, his friends at school, even Severus Snape.

He'd learned some painful things about Snape and about his own parents the year before. He'd learned that Snape had loved his mother and that she had considered him a friend. It had made it all so much harder for Harry to see the man in an evil light.

He and Snape had come to terms with some of the anger they held towards one another and had reached an neutral point in their relationship. Snape knew that Harry would no longer allow him to abuse or humiliate him. Harry had grown too strong and had even saved Snape's life. Harry knew that doing so had incurred a debt with the older wizard.

He thought about what the year would bring and what Snape would do. He was no longer useful as a spy to Voldemort, having been exposed during their escape from the Malfoy mansion.

Harry also thought of other people as he lay sunning himself; he thought of McGonagal his professor in Transfiguration; Hagrid, his friend and teacher in Magical Creature classes; Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan, both of Griffindor House and all of his friends.

CAW, CAW, the sound erupted overhead and Harry opened one eye to squint through the dappled sunlight.

"Dante?" Harry had received the bird from one of the gypsy children, Reuben, who had trained the bird to deliver mail to Harry. "Dante, if you have mail you're suppose to bring it to me," Harry said sitting up. "Dante, here, to me." The bird flew down and walked around Harry in a circle. He did have a parchment tied to his leg but was not delivering directly as an owl would.

"Mail Deliver, Balicho (piglet)!" the Raven said.

Harry smirked. The bird had taken to calling him names each time he delivered the mail. Some days it was 'pig' or 'dog-face' or whatever the bird heard and could repeat.

"Bring it here," Harry ordered. The raven walked very slowly and deliberately, head held high, towards Harry and extended a leg. Harry untied the strings that held it and unrolled the parchment.

My Dearest Friend,

I hope you are staying close to home so this letter will reach you. Our grandfather has taken ill and I thought you might want to join me so that we might take the train to London and visit him. Yes, he's getting on in his years and these things are expected but I am quite concerned. The whole family is looking forward to seeing you. As a matter-of-fact, cousin Remus will meet us on the platform.

I don't think it's necessary to bring the wife and kiddies, we won't be but about a week. I'll meet you at Hogsmeade on Thursday at 8.

Uncle Bulbie

Harry read it over again. He had teasingly called Professor Severus Snape, 'Uncle Bulbie' when the man was in camp with him the summer before, and now, he was getting a letter from him. Harry assumed that 'grandfather' was Dumbledore. He wasn't sure if Snape and Remus Lupin were meeting him at the train station as his security escort or because something really had happened to Dumbledore.

Harry bit his lip. He understood what Snape meant by not bringing Nadya with him. The chances that he might be recognized or be in danger were very high. Harry knew that Voldemort would do anything to find him; Snape as well. He had crossed the Dark Lord once to often and gotten away and he knew his luck might run out.

Together, he and Snape had concocted a potion that made Voldemort's actions rebound back on him. Any pain he tried to inflict on others went back to him ten-fold. Harry was sure that his anger had to be explosive. And yet, Harry had not experienced any pain in his scar. In the past this had been a sure sign that the Dark Lord was angry. His scar was no longer a barometer of Voldemort's moods, because he thought Harry to be dead and no longer tried to share Harry's mind.

Why doesn't Snape just tell me to come to No. 12 Gimmauld Place, Harry thought, Why does he have to say Dumbledore is ill? Of course, the Headmaster was very old, older than Professor McGonagal. He could very well have gotten sick. Harry also wondered if it wasn't the invitation he'd been expecting to join the Order.

"Agh!" he coughed angrily, rising to his feet. He pulled on his boots and went in search of Tshaya, an ancient old woman who could perform the charms to disguise his face. Anytime he left the Kumpania, out of the protection of the Romani people, Harry had to take extra precautions to not be recognized.

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Harry stood in the shadows of the train station, his cloak hood pulled up over his head. It was raining, a perfect setting for hiding himself. The train was not the Hogwarts Express. But standing there waiting for Snape and Remus made him think of the past six years. It took a moment to break out of his reverie when the train pulled into the station and two figures, also hooded stepped out onto the platform. There were no other passengers.

Harry moved slowly until he was a few feet from them. Remus was the first to turn and mumble, "Tommy?"

"Yes, Remus," Harry answered and stepped over beside them to shake his hand.

They waited until the conductor called 'All Aboard' before stepping onto the train. Luckily the lights in the compartments were very dim. Snape opened a compartment door and let Harry and Remus slip in first. He closed the door and went to pull the blinds on the windows.

Harry knew enough to remain silent and keep his hood over his head until Snape had given the all clear. The train rolled out of the station and picked up speed. Remus took out a wand and cast a spell on the door, effectively locking it and forming a protective shield. Harry knew they were at a disadvantage in sitting in a compartment with one exit.

"That should do it," he said.

All three took their hoods off at the same time. Harry sat beside Remus and faced Snape. The man was dressed typically, from head-to-toe in black. He had, however, kept his hair short and clean.

"Can you tell me if grandfather is really ill?" Harry asked, keeping his voice low.

Snape nodded and answered very quietly, "We don't know what the problem is."

Remus put his hand on Harry's arm, "It's not old age, Tommy."

Harry was frustrated. He knew they shouldn't discuss the subject in any detail but he wanted some answers. "Is he going to die?" He could barely say the words.

Snape looked at him for a moment and said, "No, we don't think so. He's unconscious and hasn't spoken. He did have the presence of mind to leave a note requesting his favorite grandson be called to his side if anything happened to him." His eyes glittered and he finally turned away from Harry's stare.

They sat in silence for an hour. He had a hundred questions running through his mind, none of which he could ask on the train. Why couldn't I apparate there? Why take the train? Did someone do this to Dumbledore? Is there an assassin? How long has he been this way? Does Snape know more? What aren't they telling me? How can I help?

"I think I will check out the other passengers," Remus said and stood up to leave. "You'll be alright here, Tommy. Your Uncle can keep you company while I'm gone." He took out his wand and broke the protective spell. Sliding open the door an enough to put his head out the corridor, he waited and then slipped out with cunning stealth and silence, disappearing before Harry's eyes.

Harry glanced at Snape who pulled out his wand and reset the protection charm.

They are being really cautious, he thought. Something more has happened then what they are telling me.

"Uncle..." Harry stumbled. He didn't want to use the silly name he had given Snape the summer before. "...Sam. Can you tell me why we don't use a little faster form of travel?"

Snape turned to him and whispered, "Not safe."

Harry nodded. He realized that Snape was in as much danger as himself. If caught together, they would make Voldemort's day. However, Harry did feel safe. He knew that Snape was a formidable wizard.

Remus returned and slipped in as quietly as he had left. He used his wand and set a tea set in front of them. "Don't know about you two but I could use some tea. Tommy?"

Harry nodded. He wasn't sure he wanted any but it would pass the time. Snape also accepted a cup. The noise of the train wheels filled the silence between them.

"We are almost alone this evening," Remus said quietly. "There are no other stops until we reach London. Tommy, when we get there you'll go with me and your uncle will meet us later."

Harry nodded again and sipped the hot tea, thinking, What is going on?!