Death Is Only The Beginning

Harry got up from bed, still in a black mood. His head was spinning and he was still groggy from Moody's medical 'treatment.'

Harry stalked around the room, nearly tripping over his trunk which lay open on the rug.

"Shit," Harry swore, gripping his throbbing toe. The trunk lay there, blissfully unaware that Harry was shooting it death looks.

Harry put his glasses on and gazed around the bleak room. It was bare, even by Grimmauld Place standards. The window was caked with filth, barely allowing Harry to see outside.

Not that there was much to see, really. A storm raged outside. Rain pelted Harry's windowpane, streaking it with filthy water.

"God," Harry fumed, glaring at the derelict table. "I can't believe Ron!"

He kicked at the table leg angrily. A desk drawer opened, and three thin sheets of parchment fell out. Harry, continuing his tirade, didn't notice them.

"Ron's a fucking little bastard," Harry swore, slamming his trunk closed. "I'll give him a scar, a scar to match his shiny Prefect badge and his new broom..."

Hedwig hooted, as Mrs. Weasley called everyone down for breakfast. Harry stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The frame shook furiously, stirring the papers on the floor.

***

"Good morning, Harry," Tonks greeted him, a forced smile on her face. "Er... sleep well?"

Harry shrugged, preferring to concentrate all his attention on buttering his toast. Ron silently stirred his cereal, avoiding Harry's gaze as much as possible.

"It's not very nice weather, is it?" Tonks continued, obviously trying to lighten the atmosphere, "I personally don't like rain much. Ruins my hair."

Harry munched on his toast, his eyes fixed on the jar of 'Homemade Weasley Strawberry Jam.'

"So," Tonks nodded, "where's Hermione, Ron?"

"Dunno," Ron said through mouthfuls of cereal, "she hasn't come down yet. Not much like her... Hermione's a morning person, you can tell."

No, it wasn't much like Hermione, Harry realised. She was a morning person, but she also loved Mrs. Weasley's Strawberry Jam. It's funny how he never noticed that this jam had little strawberries floating in it. The Dursleys never really let him have jam, though, so he probably never had the chance to notice that...

His gaze flickered from the jam jar to the people sat around the table. Moody was thumbing through The Quibbler and emitting strange, snorting noises through his nose every few seconds. His magical eye was floating in a glass of water next to Kingsley's orange juice. Harry would hate to know what would happen if Kingsley forgot which glass held Moody's eye and which glass held his orange juice.

Harry watched as Moody threw The Quibbler on the table and reached for the Daily Prophet. Tonks was also reading a section of the Daily Prophet. She had given up on starting a conversation and was emerged in the Sports section.

Harry noticed Lupin smiling to himself. Curiously, he followed Lupin's eyes and saw what he was smiling about. Tonks' tomato soup lay forgotten on the table, half of it soaked up by a corner of the newspaper. Harry shook his head, a slight smile on his face. It was the first time he had smiled for a while.

Harry glanced quickly at everyone else: Hestia Jones and Emmeline Vance were deep in a discussion about the latest fashions at Madam Malkins. Mundungus Fletcher was listening in, probably trying to figure out a way to snag those dress robes and sell them to one of his shady friends. Dedalus Diggle fiddled with his cloak, animatedly talking about the latest Ministry actions with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Harry sighed and brushed crumbs of toast from his shirt. None of the conversations were interesting enough to listen in on, and since he and Ron weren't talking...

Ron spooned up the rest of his cereal.

"May I be excused?" he asked as he put his spoon down.

"Yes, Ron," Mrs. Weasley nodded briefly. "Don't forget to put your bowl in the sink."

Ron nodded and left the room. Harry waited for a few minutes, and rose.

"I'm going," he muttered, pushing his chair in.

"Of course, dear," Mrs. Weasley murmured, her eyes worried.

As Harry left, he heard her whisper to Mr. Weasley: "Honestly, Arthur, I worry about that boy. Alastor said he tried to Crucio Ron... do you think Dumbledore's putting too much pressure on him? ...but trying to Crucio Ron - do you think that perhaps Harry's not too... stable anymore?"

***

Harry climbed the stairs and turned into the hall of the first floor, where the bedrooms were located. On the way to his room, he passed by Hermione's door. He heard the sound of sobbing and stopped.

"Er... Hermione?" Harry knocked on the door cautiously. He opened it and hovered in the doorway awkwardly.

"What?!" Hermione rolled over on her bed, facing the wall.

"Er... nothing. Never mind," Harry closed the door swiftly. He felt guilty. He felt guilty that Hermione felt bad. He felt guilty because he knew that he made Hermione feel bad. He felt guilty... because he enjoyed knowing that he had caused her pain.

Harry shrugged his feelings away and walked into his room. Two barn owls attacked him instantly, waving letters in his face.

Harry took the two letters and waved the owls out of the window. He tried to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest, telling him to check on Hermione.

He succeeded in blocking out all his guilt, and sat down to read the letters. The first one looked familiar - probably from Hogwarts.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Please note that the new school year will commence on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from Kings' Cross Station at precisely eleven o' clock.

A list of books required is enclosed.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

~

Fifth years will require:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6

Advanced Transfigurations I

Interpreting Ominous Omens

Writing Dream Diaries: A Step-by-Step, Day-to-Day Guide

REVISED Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hogwarts, A History (abridged)

Curses, Hexes and the Dark Arts

Harry raised his eyebrows. Curses, Hexes and the Dark Arts? What teacher asks students to buy books on the Dark Arts?

Harry shrugged. There were a lot of crackpot books on the list. Writing Dream Diaries: A Step-by-Step, Day-to-Day Guide had to be the worst, though the abridged copy of Hogwarts, A History came a close second.

At least Hermione wouldn't bother us with "Haven't you read Hogwarts, A History?" Harry smiled grimly as he tore open the next envelope.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Enclosed are your results from your Ordinary Wizarding Levels (OWL) examinations. You have received seven OWLS out of a possible nine - quite pleasing results.

Congratulations,

Professor Marchbanks

OWLS Co-ordinator

~

Transfiguration: E (Exceeds Expectations)

Charms: A (Acceptable)

Divination: D (Dreadful)

Potions: O (Outstanding)

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O (Outstanding)

Herbology: E (Exceeds Expectations)

History of Magic: D (Dreadful)

Astronomy: A (Acceptable)

Care of Magical Creatures: O (Outstanding)

Comments:

Transfiguration: A bit more revision on theory would have given you an O. However, your Vanishing Spell was performed admirably and though you mixed up a few spells, your ability shone through your work. Congratulations!

Charms: Average results. Your Levitation Charm was far superior to your Colour Change Charm - some more practice of various charms will ensure an O in your NEWTs.

Divination: Poor results. Remember that the differences between headlines and lifelines on the palm are not very distinct. I received the impression that you did not study - either that, or perhaps you do not have the rare Inner Eye.

Potions: Admirable results. The sample of your potion was correctly done. Your knowledge of the effects of Polyjuice Potion was entirely accurate and very descriptive, though it probably didn't need to be quite so graphic. One would think you had taken it yourself! Well done!

Defence Against the Dark Arts: You have displayed very advanced abilities in this class. Your Patronus was clear and very well developed for your age and level. You have very sound knowledge in both theory and the practical side of your subject. Congratulations!

History of Magic: Not very pleasing results. However, you did have to leave in the middle of the exam, which might be the reason for your results. The questions you had answered were mainly correct, though lacked important detail.

Astronomy: Good results. You are able to label the planets and starts accurately and your precision when plotting Orion was well done, even under the circumstances.

Herbology: Your handling of the Fanged Geranium was executed well. You have a sound knowledge of plants in general, but your knowledge in the use of Gillyweed was outstanding.

Care of Magical Creatures: Your method of identifying the Knarl was well done. You correctly selected the hidden Knarl, and escaped without injuries. Your knowledge in Care of Magical Creatures is excellent - you handled Fire Crabs and Bowtruckles equally well and your selection of food for a sick unicorn was accurate. Well done!

Harry grinned. He had passed seven of the nine subjects - Potions included! So he had failed Divination... it was a crackpot subject, anyway.

He heard Mrs. Weasley's voice downstairs, shrill as she told Ron off for receiving a P in Divination.

Harry smirked as he heard Ron's feeble excuses:

"Honestly, Mum... I couldn't care less about Divination. I said last year that if the tea leaves spelt 'die, Ron, die!' I'd just chuck them in the bin where they belong!"

"Percy managed to get an E in Divination!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked. "Oh, sorry, Arthur," she apologised.

Mr. Weasley must still be a bit touchy on that subject, Harry thought as Ron continued.

"So he's the perfect example of a scholar?" Ron asked. "God, Mum, I don't want to be like Percy! Spending my life sucking up to people... kissing Fudge's arse..."

"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley sounded scandalised. "Watch your language!"

Harry began to shove things in his trunk, still listening to Ron and Mrs. Weasley arguing. He couldn't stay at Grimmauld Place any longer. Every corner reminded him of Sirius... and then what Mrs. Weasley said to Mr. Weasley at breakfast...

He dragged his trunk down the flight of stairs. He noticed that Hermione had stopped crying. Probably got her OWL results, he thought, and got all Os so she must have cheered up...

"Oh, hello, Harry," Mrs. Weasley smiled as Harry came down the stairs. "Got your OWL results?"

Harry nodded shortly, still dragging his trunk to the front door.

"Oh, that's... nice," Mrs. Weasley nodded. "So how did you do?"

"Got a D in Divination," Harry replied curtly and grabbed his Firebolt. "And a D in History of Magic."

Ron was still, his face sullen. Harry saw Mrs. Weasley glance at Ron for a split second.

"Er, Harry," Mrs. Weasley continued. "About what happened a couple of days ago... when you first came..."

"What about it?" Harry asked as he put his jacket on and mounted his Firebolt. "I'm going anyhow, so you don't need to worry about me hurting your precious Prefect."

"You are not going anywhere, Potter!" Moody came into the room. "Dumbledore said you're to say here and not go off by yourself."

Harry climbed off his broom, sulking slightly. Moody glared at Harry, both eyes fixed right on him.

"You're not going to go anywhere without one of us, Potter," Moody continued, picking Harry's trunk up, "even if we have to tie you to your bed and lock the door. Come on, then."

Harry scowled and followed Moody. He'd find a way out. He always did.

***

"Now, Potter," Moody growled, setting Harry's trunk on the floor. "It's all for your own good."

"Bullshit," Harry shook with anger, "bullshit. I wasn't going because I wanted to go for a walk in the park. I'm going because I can't stand it here. It's Hell."

"I know it's hard, Potter, but it's only for a few days," Moody said as he left the room.

"Whatever," Harry muttered as he sat on his bed. He had to figure a way out of Grimmauld Place.

An owl flew through the window, a roll of parchment in its beak. The owl dropped the parchment on Harry's lap and flew off into the storm.

Harry unrolled it, looking at the unfamiliar writing.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We have received intelligence that you performed an Unforgivable Curse at forty-three minutes past ten this evening.

Use of an Unforgivable is not permitted by the Ministry of Magic and normally results in a period in Azkaban.

However, the Wizengamot have reconsidered this, as you are still an underage wizard. Mr. Fudge, the Minister for Magic, has told us repeatedly that you have your reasons for performing an Unforgivable.

The Wizengamot have decided to allow you to attend a disciplinary hearing on the fifteenth of August. This hearing will decide on your sentence and/or your expulsion from Hogwarts.

The Minister for Magic will be present at your hearing. You are permitted to bring someone to act as your defendant to this hearing - however, he or she must be a witch or wizard that is of age.

Hoping you are well,

Mafalda Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic

As soon as Harry had finished reading it, Ron barged into the room. Harry noticed that the tips of Ron's ears were red - a sure sign of danger.

Harry grabbed his wand and raised it high, ready to perform the spell that got him such good marks in the OWL exams.