Harry Potter and the Destined Duo

Harry Potter and the Destined Duo

I. Too Young to Be Old

Harry hated his summers with the Dursleys. He'd rather spend them somewhere, ANYWHERE else. He'd even rather put up with Malfoy and Snape put together than have to deal with his "family," who all treated his as if he had some sort of horrible disease.

He had been in a foul mood all summer. He'd just lost the only real family he had (again), and all because of his own stupidity. He took his anger out on anything or anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path. His cousin Dudley, boxing champion and all, usually scampered from the room if he noticed Harry approaching. The prospect of Harry's anger was that frightening.

But Harry didn't care. Losing your entire family could do that to a person. It just wasn't fair! The scum of the Earth like Dudley and Malfoy are allowed to have both their parents! And what did they ever do that was so great?! Harry had defeated the Dark Lord, Voldemort, on a number of occasions and here he was, an orphan. Again. It just wasn't right!

However bad his mood, Harry visited Mrs. Figg's house faithfully every week. Now that he knew she was connected to the wizarding world, he was able to ask her about what was going on - a great improvement from the supreme ignorance he was stuck in last summer. She delivered letters to him from Ron and Hermione (they couldn't risk sending them by owl) and even an occasional message from Dumbledore. He always received a lengthy letter from Ron (which was saying something), but he hadn't heard from Hermione in a while. Ron said she was on vacation with her parents. Harry wished he could take a vacation...go skiing with his parents in the mountains, or off to Egypt on a family excursion...They don't know how good they have it, he thought.

In late July, soon before his birthday, Harry received an official-looking letter with the Hogwarts seal on the back. Harry held his breath. It had to be his O.W.L. results.

Harry didn't want to look, but he had no choice. He couldn't very well hand it to his Uncle Vernon and say, "Here, you read it. I can't look." He broke the seal, opened the envelope, and three pieces of parchment fell out. He read the first:

Dear Mr. Potter, Enclosed with your list of school supplies are the grades you received in your O.W.L. exams this past year. Please note that there are five levels of achievement: Outstanding (O), Exceeds Expectations (E), Acceptable (A), Poor (P), and Dreadful (D).

All students should note that the results of their O.W.L.S will determine the student's classes for the next two years. A short advisement appointment will be scheduled for each sixth-year student the day before the start of classes. Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress

This is it...Harry opened his test results with shaking hands and read the results:

Charms...............................................................E
Transfiguration.....................................................E
Herbology............................................................A
Defense Against the Dark Arts........................................O
Potions..............................................................O
Care of Magical Creatures............................................E
Astronomy............................................................A
Divination...........................................................D
History of Magic.....................................................P

TWO O's! Harry wondered how in the world he'd managed an "O" in Potions. He'd expected an "E" at absolute best! He strongly suspected that Dumbledore had played a role in this...Harry shrugged it off. At least now he'd be able to take the proper classes to achieve his dream of being an Auror. Or so he hoped.

Besides the letters, Harry sometimes received gifts from members of the Order. On his second week at Privet Drive, he received a book from Tonks entitled Mastering Your Game: A Guide to Becoming a Superb Seeker, which contained all sorts of famous moves (like the Wronski Feint) and gave Harry all kinds of useful tips. As his birthday approached, he got something from everyone, including Hermione, who sent him some sort of funny watch that was supposed to help him keep track of his engagements. As if the Dursleys would allow him to visit anywhere but Mrs. Figg's house. At least it didn't shout annoying little phrases at him like that homework planner Hermione had gotten him for Christmas.

His most prized possession by far came from Mrs. Weasley. While cleaning Grimmauld Place, she'd found an old photo album that had belonged to Sirius. At the beginning were pictures of young Sirius Black with (it was unmistakable with that hair) James Potter.

Shortly, Lupin and Pettigrew began appearing in the photographs (Harry was guessing about Pettigrew - someone had obviously been ripped out of many of the photographs).

There were his parents and Sirius with some girl he did not recognize - a picture of some sort of ceremony, Harry guessed it was Hogwarts graduation - his parents' wedding - Harry as a baby.

The next picture was of a much older Harry standing next to Sirius and Lupin, signifying Sirius's time in Azkaban. The final page was the cover of the edition of The Quibbler that first published his interview about the night Voldemort returned.

Harry couldn't help but feel responsible for his godfather's death. If only I'd used the mirror Sirius gave me. If only we'd found Kreacher out sooner. If only I'd studied Occlumency more faithfully. If only I weren't so stupid. If only...It was all his fault. Sirius would still be alive, merry as ever, if it weren't for Harry.

The nightmares that plagued him were much worse than the ones after Cedric's death. He frequently dreamt that Sirius was calling to him, only to find when he reached his destination that it had been Voldemort trying to lure him to his death. He dreamt that dementors were attacking him, only this time, he heard Sirius along with his parents. Harry would awake in a cold sweat with his scar burning so painfully that he couldn't stand it.

If Sirius wasn't occupying his mind, the prophecy was. It was kill or be killed. How many sixteen-year-old boys had to deal with that?! It followed Harry around like a snake ready to strike. How could he possibly defeat Voldemort? He was still just a kid! And he was supposed to stand up to one of the most powerful wizards ever?! Sure, he'd done it before, but that'd all been luck!

Harry often wished that Voldemort hadn't 'chosen' him. If not, Sirius and his parents might still be alive and he might have a normal life. Harry desperately hoped that his friends and schoolwork would be enough to take his mind of his worries this year (though he doubted it). Only one more month...