The Face of Evil

The rays of the morning sun filtered in through the lone window in the smallest bedroom of Number 4 Privet Drive. A loud shrill rang through the room as the alarm clock went off. The lone occupant of the room got up with a start.

Another day of pure misery, thought Harry Potter, the most famous boy in the Wizarding World. Harry hated the other residents of number 4, Privet Drive. The Dursleys, related to Harry by his Aunt Petunia, had been horrible to Harry, ever since he was left at their doorstep fifteen years in the past. They had locked him up in a broom closet for eleven years, and generally abused him. You see the Dursleys, hated all forms of Magic, and therefore they hated Harry, who was a constant reminder of the relation. It was only when he started going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that they start to treat him with some semblance of humanity.

Harry felt around the bedside for his glasses. Finding them, he put them on and the world came into focus. The sight of the same dingy room he had been occupying for the entire summer greeted him. The Dursleys had truly tried to minimize on Harry. All he had was a makeshift table and a solitary bulb that dangled from the ceiling. He counted his blessings; the bed was too much trouble to remove.

Only fifteen days until term starts at Hogwarts he thought. Hogwarts! I haven't done any of my homework; Snape is going to have a field day taking points from Gryffindor. Snape was the nastiest teacher at Hogwarts and held a special loathing for Harry. Gryffindor was one of the four houses in the school, considered by most the best.

Harry had managed to convince his uncle to allow him his belongings in the room. Until recently, they had been locked away in the cupboard under the stairs.

Suddenly, a flying brown ball hurdled itself at Harry's window, just managing to fall into the room through the small slit that was open.

'Pig,' exclaimed Harry. Pig was an owl, which belonged to Harry's best friend Ron Weasley. The wizarding world used owls to deliver the mail.

Harry picked up the small owl and placed it on the table, where he had some water and food in bowls kept out for his own owl Hedwig. The brown owl hooted a thank you and drank some water. Harry took the letter from the owl's leg and began to read.

Dear Harry,

I've got some awful news, so you may want to sit before you read further. Hermione's house was attacked by a group of Death Eaters trying to convert her to the dark side!

Oh! My god, thought Harry.

But, they did not get past the protection spells placed by Dumbledore on the house. So, instead, they blew up everything around the house, the street, their car, everything. Hermione and her parents managed to escape by Floo powder and the Aurors chased off the Death Eaters. I just heard the news from dad. They are trying to find a place to put them; Dumbledore does not want to use the burrow as he says it is not safe enough. It sounds bad Harry; Fudge still refuses to acknowledge the return of You-know-who. It seems You-know-who is not doing much in Britain; therefore Fudge can keep the Ministry in check. No one has actual proof, and those who have seen Voldemort, Fudge has had discredited, especially you!

I have to go now; dad is calling a family council. Dumbledore promised to keep dad updated with the latest information, I'll keep owling you.

Ron.

Harry took out a quill and a piece of parchment and began to write.

Dear Ron,

I can't believe they would attack Hermione. You know this is my entire fault. The only reason they want her is to get to me. I am quite worried about her. I mean, she must have gone through a lot. Look, I'm worried that they may come after you next. Maybe, you should setup some protection spells around the burrow, I'm sure Dumbledore will agree. Owl me as soon as you find out more. I've sent Hedwig to Sirius, so I don't know when I'll be able to owl both of you next.

Take care mate,

Harry.

Harry caught the small owl, which was by then flying impatiently in circles around the room and attached the letter to his leg.

'For Ron,' he said to it. The owl hooted and flew out the window. Jesus, Harry thought. It's happening all over again. Just when I got over the death of Cedric... He suddenly had a flashback.

Kill the spare...

And then green light. The memory had been giving him nightmares ever since the end of the third task in the Triwizard tournament a few months before.

If I hadn't taken Cedric...

'NO!' he said aloud, 'I must not feel guilty, all this pain and suffering is because of Voldemort, not because of me!'

Voldemort; the name caused a surge of hatred to rise in Harry. Voldemort had killed his parents when Harry was a baby. The most feared evil wizard had almost died when he had tried to kill baby Harry, leaving a scar that distinguished Harry from the crowd. But, now he was back, resurrected using Harry's blood.

His thoughts were interrupted by a scream from downstairs...

Harry quickly threw on some clothes, (Dudley's castoffs) and ran down the flight of stairs to see what was the problem. He was shocked at what he saw. Dumbledore and Snape were at the door, trying to calm his Aunt Petunia down. He quickly came to their aid.

'It's alright Aunt Petunia, they are from my school,' he said.

This did not have the desired effect. Instead of calming down, she became even more hysterical. Suddenly, she turned and ran yelling for her husband Vernon.

Vernon Dursley, a huge fat man with a mustache to match, came charging up to the front door. He was trying not to show his fear, masking it behind anger.

'What is your business here?' he snarled at them.

Dumbledore spoke up. 'My name is Albus Dumbledore, Mr. Dursley I need to speak to you about very something urgent. Can we move to somewhere more private?'

Thinking it over, Vernon decided that the safer option was to comply. Who knows what this band of weirdoes would do to him? He led Dumbledore into the drawing room, leaving Harry with Professor Snape.

There was an awkward silence. Snape spoke up first.

'Potter, I had no idea you lived with such, such..." he trailed off shaking is head.

'It's all right Professor I'm been living with them fourteen years now, I think I will manage,' Harry replied.

'I am sure Potter you have heard from Weasley about Miss. Granger,' Snape said, back to his loathing.

'Yes, I just received a letter from him, but he is vague,' Harry said.

'Well, the Headmaster feels-I know he has his reasons- that this maybe the safest place for Miss Granger, until the new terms starts,' Snape said grudgingly as if he didn't share Dumbledore's opinions.

'Hermione! Here? Where is she?' Harry said excited at finally finding our where she was.

'Calm yourself Potter, she is outside in a Ministry Car, and no you cannot go out and meet her yet,' Snape said.

'But, professor! Is she alright, is she hurt?' Harry stammered out.

'She's fine; please contain your obvious affection for her. I believe the Headmaster is returning,' Snape said with a sneer.

Harry blushed slightly, fully aware of the implications that Snape was making out.

'So, it is arranged then Mr. Dursley. Miss. Granger will be put up here. You have the payment for her stay, I am sure it will be enough,' Dumbledore said with emphasis on enough.

Vernon Dursley just grunted.

'Harry,' Dumbledore said, 'A Ministry car will pick both of you on the 29^th of August and will take you to Diagon Alley to purchase your supplies. I know this has been a traumatic time for Hermione, but I trust she will recover under your care. I assure you that this location is now doubly safe. You can venture out of the house, but do not go far.'

Harry gulped; the last part was set in a firm warning tone uncharacteristic of Dumbledore.

With that and a quick nod to the Dursleys, Dumbledore left. Snape handed a case to Harry and followed the headmaster out.

'You boy,' Vernon addressed Harry, 'take her case up to the room.'

Harry gripped the surprisingly light case and walked up the stairs to his room. He placed it carefully in the corner. He was turning to go back down when he bumped into a disheveled puffy eyed Hermione.

Before Harry could say anything, she hugged him tightly and began to cry. Astonished and embarrassed at this awkward embrace, he put an arm around her and tried to comfort her.

'Hermione, it's alright, don't cry please don't cry.'

'Oh! Harry,' she wailed, 'it was horrible, there were Death Eaters everywhere, they kept shouting and laughing...' With that she burst into a fresh wave of sobs.

Harry gently took her hand and made her sit on the bed. He sat down next to her.

'Hermione tell me everything that happened...'

She sobbed a little, but drew strength from Harry's hand.

It was around six in the evening when Hermione looked up from her book 'Advanced Transfiguration for Beginners' and noticed the time.

'Oh No!' she thought aloud, 'I'm late for tea.' She put her books aside and ran down.

'There you are young lady,' said Mrs. Granger, 'I was just coming up to call you.'

'Sorry Mum,' she replied sitting down at the table, 'I was doing some school work.'

'That's our Hermione,' her father ruffled her hair as he said this, 'the most brilliant girl in the world.'

Hermione glowed with pride.

'Thanks dad,' she said.

'You're welcome,' he said with a smile.

The family started to have tea in what seemed to be a peaceful atmosphere. Suddenly, there was an explosion. The Grangers House rocked, as if caught in an earthquake.

'Oh My God what's happening?' Mrs. Granger exclaimed.

Mr. Granger got up and looked outside the window. What he saw would haunt him for life. Several men in black robes and masks with wands were blowing up everything around the house.

When Hermione got to the window she nearly fainted. Death Eaters, her mind screamed. Here, attacking my house.

A loud amplified voice resounded, 'Hermione Granger, we know you are in there. The Dark Lord wished to speak with you.'

Hermione's mother's face went white.

'Hermione, who are these people and what do they want?' she quickly stammered.

'Mum, I'll explain later, but they are truly evil men, we have to escape,' Hermione replied trying to remember where she had put her wand.

'I'm calling the police,' her father said as he picked the phone. 'The line's been cut,' he said; panic beginning to enter his voice.

'There must be something we can do,' said Mrs. Granger.

Hermione finally got over the initial shock.

'Mum, Dad, whatever you do, don't leave the house. It seems to be protected by some spells, that is why they cannot come in,' she said quickly.

She was to be proved wrong in the next few moments as the door burst open and five Death Eaters stepped it.

'Hermione Granger, I presume,' said the leader.

Hermione screamed, she screamed as never before. Her worst nightmare was coming alive around her and she was powerless to stop it.

Crucio...

She opened her eyes to see her father attack one of the men, just before the curse was said. Her father fell down on the ground and his screams of pain sounded into the night.

'Stop, please stop,' Hermione cried running to her father, 'I'll do anything.'

The man took off the curse.

'Excellent,' said the leader.

'No!' shouted both her parents. 'You will not take her.'

'Try and stop us, muggle filth,' the leader sneered raising his wand.

Suddenly a voice from behind spoke, 'I believe I can do something about that.'

It was Dumbledore; he had somehow found out and arrived. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. His face was full of rage, such anger she had never seen. No wonder he is hailed as the greatest wizard in the world, Hermione thought. He was glowing with power; his eyes ice cold, the rage clearly dancing behind them.

The Death Eaters quailed under his gaze, but were quick to recover. A fight ensued as Aurors poured in behind Dumbledore. Realizing they had lost the element of surprise, the Death Eaters set up a shield at the door. Before the Aurors could break the shield they Apparated from the location.

Back at Privet Drive, Harry didn't know what to say.

'I'm sorry Hermione, I'm so sorry,' he said over and over again, one arm around her, while she rested her head on his shoulder.

'Are you parents alright?' he slowly asked.

Hermione calmed down and answered, 'they are fine, Snape gave them both some potions, they are still at the house trying to get everything fixed up, Dumbledore volunteered to help. They didn't want me there, as they felt it was not safe enough. So they sent me here.'

'Hermione, this is my entire fault. Voldemort was trying to get at me through you, maybe we should not be such close friends,' he said dejectedly.

'Harry James Potter! This is not your fault! You did not ask for You-know-who to come after you and as for going after me, I make my own choices; I shall not give up our friendship because of some madman. If I ever hear you say or thing like I'll, I'll..." she fumed at him.

He shrunk back from her, quite shocked and scared, but the use of you-know-who instead of Voldemort struck notice.

'Hurt you very badly!' she finished.

Harry grinned.

'Thanks Hermione I needed that,' he said.

'Don't mention it,' her mood improved.

'Now, how about I take you out for lunch, it's nearly lunch time and I doubt the Dursleys will give us much to eat,' said Harry.

Hermione nodded.

'Luckily, I converted some Wizarding money into Muggle money, via Hedwig from my account at Gringotts,' Harry said as he helped her up. Gringotts was the wizarding bank where Harry had inherited a small fortune from his parents.

They moved downstairs to find that the Dursleys had already finished with their lunch and had not bothered to wait for them or call them.

Harry looked upon them with disgust; this was not how you treated a guest, no matter whom or what they were.

Harry went up to his uncle and asked him permission if they could go out.

'And where would you be going?' he eyed them suspiciously.

'Just to show Hermione around the neighborhood,' Harry replied.

Vernon went into a deep internal struggle. One part of him demanded to stop Harry from having any sort of fun. The other wanted him out of the house, with his also abnormal friend. The side that hated magic won.

'You can go,' he snarled, 'but be back before eight;' he didn't want the neighbors to get suspicious of this deviation from normal behavior.

Aunt Petunia was already upset over the arrival of Hermione. It took her all day to squelch the rumors that were spreading through the neighborhood. Those ruddy people in their funny clothes! Who knows what the world must think of us now?

She added to the conversation, 'don't you expect dinner when you get back!'

'Thanks a lot Aunty,' Harry said cheerfully sarcastic and dashed out of the house quickly before his ears were boxed for 'insolence.'

The walked down on the pavement and headed for the market.

'God, Harry I knew you had it bad, but this is bad,' Hermione shook her head.

'It's alright Herm, for the Dursleys this is quite kind,' he said.

A rumble of hunger came for Harry's stomach.

'Drat, I missed breakfast,' he said, rubbing his stomach.

'Come on then, we better get something to eat,' said Hermione and pulled him into the nearest McDonalds.

Several Burgers, finger-chips and colas later, the duo walked around Privet Drive.

'There is the park I told you,' said Harry pointing to a beautiful green area, with benches and a pike path. They found a nice place to sit and lay down on the grass.

'Harry,' Hermione said breaking the silence a slight breeze blowing through her hair.

'Yes?' replied Harry.

'Do you ever think about the future?' she asked her finger runner in and out of the strands of grass.

'Actually quite often,' he replied. 'Why, what's bothering you?'

'Well, three years from now, all of us-you, me, and Ron- will leave Hogwarts and go our separate ways. What then?' Hermione asked in a small choked voice.

'Hermione, it will be fine, we will always be the best of friends, and it's not necessary that we will go our separate ways,' Harry replied, looking at Hermione. She looks so vulnerable, so delicate, and so beautiful...

'But, with Voldemort around who knows when...'

'Don't talk like that Hermione. We will always be together,' he held her hand as he said this. Suddenly aware of their touch and the comfort it gave him.

'You mean it Harry,' she said more of a statement than a question.

'Yes, Hermione I do,' he whispered back.

Hermione bit her lip at this. She had over the fourth year developed quite a crush on Harry. But, he was so involved with the Triwizard tournament that she didn't want to disturb him. Oh! Harry, you don't know how much I needed you say that.

'So what are you thinking of? Krum perhaps, did you take up on his offer?' he asked, trying to lift her spirits.

Hermione was pulled back into reality. 'Victor Krum! Harry for heaven sakes he just a good friend now. I broke up with him over the summer, it was a mutual decision. And no I did not go to Bulgaria.'

'Sheesh, Calm down, calm down,' Harry said astonished, 'there's no need to get so touchy.'

'Sorry Harry, I'm just sick of people trying to put me and Victor in a relationship,' she said.

Ron, thought Harry, remembering how badly he reacted when Victor Krum the famous Bulgarian seeker took Hermione to the ball in their fourth year. I can't believe the changes Hermione has gone through. She's matured, and physically that is. She was always mentally mature, too mature, he chuckled.

'What are you laughing at?' said Hermione, desperately worried that Harry thought she was in love with Victor.

'Oh, no, nothing just remembering Ron,' he quick said.

'Oh! Dear! We forgot to owl Ron, he is going to be so angry with us,' Hermione realized with a start.

'Don't worry, we can send him one tonight,' Harry said calming Hermione.

'Come, on Lazy lets move around, I want to see this Ms. Figg you used to keep talking about!' Hermione said as she jumped up.

He got a full body view of her as she moved ahead. Damn, Potter what the hell are you thinking! This is Hermione, the same Hermione who is your best friend. You can't lust after your best friend! Can you? Thoughts raced through his mind as he got up to follow.

'Okay, okay,' he yelled to her, 'wait up!'

She waited until he caught up to her.

'Look as long as we don't have to talk to her,' Harry said dreading to spoil the entire day with stories of Ms. Figg's various cats.

'Fine,' said Hermione, 'we can just scout out her house and try to get a glimpse,' clearly unimpressed with Harry's social skills.

As they turned the corner to Ms. Figg's house, they saw a large black dog enter it through a flap in the doorway.

'Hermione, did you see I what I just saw,' Harry exclaimed.

They said it together 'Sirius!'

'But, what is he doing here, at your old baby sitter's house,' said Hermione, taken back at the turn of events.

'Ms. Figg, Ms Figg,' thought Harry aloud, and then realization dawned. 'Arabella Figg!'

'Who?' said Hermione.

'Arabella Figg. Dumbledore mentioned her name as a warrior for the light side,' said Harry excited at his new discovery.

'I get what you mean, she was sent here to ensure your safety,' said Hermione, 'it all fits!'

They ran up to the house and rang the doorbell. The door opened, but instead of an old coot, they were staring at a young woman in her early thirties, smiling down at them.

'Ah! Harry, I'm so glad you came, and I see you brought your girl friend along,' she said with a wink. They both blushed a deep shade of red, neither bothered to correct her.

'Ms Figg,' Harry said astonished, 'what happened to you?'

'Two days of extensive plastic surgery,' she replied with a completely serious face.

Hermione and Harry just stared.

'Just joking you two, this is how I really look. The old bat was an illusion charm to fool the neighbors, and you Harry,' she said with a grin. 'Well stop opening and closing your mouths like goldfish and come in.'

Snapping out of the shock, they walked into Ms. Figg's house.

'The guests of honor have finally arrived,' she called out.

As they went into the living room, they caught sight of the gathering. There were two people in all, huddled in a discussion. When Harry and Hermione entered they looked up.

'Sirius!' Harry exclaimed, charging to hug his godfather. 'I missed you so much.'

'Professor Lupin, you're here too! ' Hermione exclaimed.

'Not Professor, I'm long past that title Hermione. Call me Moony, that's what my friends address me as,' he said with a grin.

'Pleased to finally meet both of you' they said in unison their eyes flicking over to Harry's famous scar.

Lupin leaned over to Hermione and whispered, 'I'm so glad you chose him over Krum, I think he is much more suitable, don't you?'

Hermione once again blushed crimson. Harry having heard this stuttered, 'Hermione's not my GIRLFRIEND.'

'Well, she is a girl and your friend,' joked Sirius.

Harry looked at Sirius with an I-will-kill-you soon look and said, 'you know what I mean.'

'Sure, dear sure,' winked Ms. Figg. 'That's what they all say.'

Harry blushed again. Hermione remained surprisingly quiet throughout the discussion.

'Aw, you two, just pulling your legs,' said Lupin smiling.

Rita Skeeter, thought Harry. I must ask what Hermione did with her, but later. Now would not be the correct time.

'What are all of you doing here?' Harry ventured.

'Well, Harry dear, I thought that was obvious,' said Mrs. Figg.