Disclaimer: I own nothing, it all belongs to J.K.Rowling. Im just borrowing the characters to play with for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Nine
Blasts from the Past
Harry awoke with a gasp, his eyes wide and looking around the room frantically. From the look of the pale gray light seeping in through the window, he guessed it was just after dawn. His night had been plagued with nightmares, but fortunately no visions. There hadnt been any visions for the past several nights in a row. Harry continued his Occlumency lessons every other night, but was unsure if the lack of visions indicated hed finally succeeded in mastering it, or that Voldemort was just lying low planning his next attack. Lessons with Dumbledore were infinitely better than with Snape. The Headmaster had shown him some relaxation methods utilizing meditation in order to clear his mind. Slowly, the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore was being repaired. It would never go back to the way it was, but it was maturing and forming a new bond between the two. There was no relief, however, from Harrys painful dreams about his Godfather. Ginny had been in at one point during the night, but it seemed even the small bit of comfort she provided couldnt keep them at bay for long.
Several weeks had passed since Harrys birthday, and the teens were growing restless with their confinement. Mrs. Weasley tried to keep them busy with the ever-needed cleaning and redecorating that was being done, but the kids were bored. There wasnt even a yard for them to get outside. Since the arrival of their school lists, the four students had talked of little else but their trip into Diagon Ally. Harry hadnt been since before his third year and was thoroughly looking forward to it. The Order didnt think it was a good idea for Harry to go but hed insisted he was going to. There was no way he was going to let Voldemort hold all the cards. Harry wanted out of this house for a while, he wanted some of his life back. Sensing Harrys growing frustration, Dumbledore finally had granted the okay, under the condition that a guard would accompany them at all times.
"All right Harry?" Ron queried from his bed, the covers still wrapped snugly around him.
"Yeah."
&qu ot;Nightmare?"
Harry sighed, "What else is new?"
"Want me to go get Ginny?"
Harry started and looked over at his friend, a slow smirk was spreading across Rons face. "Sod off Weasley!"
"You know Potter, you probably shouldnt have done so well on your O.W.L.s, youre not very bright. How smart is it to get a girl in bed with her brother in the same room?"
Harrys face went crimson, he opened and closed his mouth several times like a fish but emitted no sound. Ron was openly laughing now, his eyes twinkling in much the same way Dumbledores did at Harrys discomfort.
Finally Harry tossed his pillow at Ron and nearly bolted from the room calling, "Wanker!" as he quickly headed for the shower. Rons howling could be heard down the hallway.
Ron found this endlessly amusing. Here was his best friend, the legend Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived. TriWizard Champion. Fearless defeater of Dark Lords, basilisks, and acromantulas completely and utterly flustered by Ron Weasleys baby sister! Teasing Harry about it was just too much fun, he had absolutely no clue how to take it! Ron enjoyed seeing Harry so flustered; it was good for him to have something normal to focus on!
The day was a brilliant one, bright, sunny and warm. The four teens were up, showered and dressed by nine and waiting in the kitchen for Tonks, who was to accompany them. She arrived sporting short, spiky hair in a shade of red much like the Weasleys. Ginny found this rather funny and admitted shed always wanted a sister. Hestia Jones, another Order member, accompanied her. "Well be taking the floo to the Leaky Cauldron," Hestia told them, much more business like than Tonks, "From there youre free to go about your shopping, but you must stay within our sight at all times."
"Here," Tonks joined in handing each of them a small metal cylinder on a string, "Put these around your necks. They are emergency portkeys that will bring you right back here if you tug on them. Keep them on and within easy reach if you need them."
Even Harry was too excited about the day to complain about the precautions, he was going out! Tonks went first, then one by one the friends entered the fireplace with Hestia taking up the rear.
The Leaky Cauldron was much as Harry remembered it, dark and shabby but doing a booming business. Tom, the barkeep, was still there and stood drying glasses behind the bar. Tonks steered them over to a table near the door where Bill Weasley sat casually reading the Daily Prophet. There was no doubt in Harrys mind that he was there to watch the floo while they did their shopping in Diagon Ally.
"Bill!" Ron exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"Just some minor business," the elder brother answered vaguely, "You lot here for your school supplies?" After nods from the teens, Bill offered, "If you want to hand me your school lists, Ill pick up your books and supplies and give you more time to look around."
Harry had to smile at the beyond horrified expression on Hermiones face. The idea of missing out on the bookstore had nearly paralyzed her and she stood staring at Bill in stunned disbelief.
Ron took pity on his girlfriend, "Thats all right Bill. I think Hermione only came for her visit to Flourish and Blotts! We couldnt make her miss out."
Bill grinned, knowing the answer before he had offered, "Good move, brother mine. Youve learned more than I thought."
Ron grinned sheepishly and Hermione visibly settled. "Okay," said Tonks, "Youve got the day to yourselves but need to be back here at 4:00 sharp. Well return for tea. Got it?"
"Well be with you the whole day, but well try to remain inconspicuous," Hestia added.
"Yeah," continued Tonks, "so go be kids on a date!"
Both Harry and Ginny colored, though Harry admitted to himself that the idea of being on a date with Ginny was rather intriguing. But it wasnt a date. They were just here for school supplies, nothing more. Sure, that nagging voice in the back of his head said, and Malfoy was going to be his new best friend. Get a grip Potter.
As Bill stood to let them out, a new patron entered the pub. He was a rather short man with dark hair and a mustache. "Declan!" Bill exclaimed, "Long time, no see!"
The man started in alarm than seemed to relax, "Bill! What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing! How long have you been back from Egypt?"
"Not long. Just visiting with family, you know the drill."
"Dont I?" Bill laughed, "Speaking of, these are my two youngest siblings-" Bill broke off without using their names at a warning glance from Tonks.
The man didnt seem to notice, he was looking around the pub as if expecting someone. Harry thought there was something shifty about him and the way his eyes raked over them all as Bill introduced him as Declan Morrissey, a fellow curse breaker. His gaze seemed to linger particularly hard on Harry, and Harry unconsciously shifted his fringe to better conceal his scar. The teens said their good-byes and made their way out onto the street. Tonks moved to the brick wall and tapped it with her wand, waiting for the archway to appear.
Harry stepped through, a wave of nostalgia overtaking him. He remembered his awe and amazement the first time hed entered here with Hagrid. Hed wished hed had more eyes to take it all in. That seemed like another lifetime ago now. Hed been a child then, innocent and naive. The Dursleys had barely let him out of his cupboard to see the Muggle world, let alone a world like this. The sights and sounds of the bustling street were the same, witches and wizards in brightly colored robes doing theyre shopping. The Apothecary was still there with its potions and ingredients that seemed so mystical to him. Eeylops Owl Emporium, where Hagrid had bought Hedwig for Harrys 11th birthday was also still open. Harry fondly remembered the day before third year that he, Ron and Hermione had gone in and Hermione bought Crookshanks. So lost was he in his reminiscence, he didnt notice Ginny tugging impatiently on his sleeve, "Harry, are you listening? We need to go to Gringotts, do you need to make a withdrawal as well?"
"Yeah, I do. Then where to?"
"Flourish and Blotts," said Hermione decisively, "Well get our schoolbooks out of the way first, just to be sure."
"I need some new potion supplies that Im low on," added Ginny, "so I need to visit the Apothecary."
"And Harry and I need to check out Quality Quidditch Supplies," said Ron without saying what he needed. Harry didnt really care which shops they visited, he wanted to see them all again and the order didnt really matter to him.
After they all got their money from their respective vaults, Hermione exchanging some Muggle money for Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts, they crossed over to the bookstore.
Hermione immediately disappeared and it would probably take a small army to drag her out. Ron and Ginny made their way to the second hand section while Harry walked to the desk and quietly handed over his book list. While it was being filled, he wandered through a section of Defense books. A book with dueling wands on the cover caught his attention. The book contained a number of advanced hexes and curses and looked really interesting. He tossed it on the counter and the clerk added it in with his other purchases. They puttered around in the shop for over an hour until finally, Ron bodily dragged Hermione up to the counter and she made her purchases. Again as they were leaving another patron was entering. The woman was squat with a wide toad-like face that occasionally appeared in Harrys nightmares. He had walked squarely into his defense teacher from the previous year, Dolores Umbridge. He instinctively grabbed his hand, a hand that still bore a faint scar from her detentions. She was thinner and looked like someone who had not yet recovered from a long illness. Her curly hair was limp and longer than the last time Harry had seen her.
Her eyes flicked over the four of them and a brief flare of anger appeared as she looked at Hermione. It was Harry she turned her gaze back to and said with a voice that dripped with false sugary sweetness, "Mr. Potter, how pleasant to see you again."
Harrys rage at the unfairness this witch had inflicted on him boiled beneath his skin, but Dumbledores words about needing to control his anger won out. Without saying a word, he coldly brushed past her and out the door. He took long angry strides as he headed down the street, not even aware that his friends were hurrying to keep up.
The others could see how angry Harry was, but also recognized he was trying to control it and patiently held their tongues. Finally, it was Ron who spoke, "Never thought Id see her again, the old bat!"
"I cant believe shes walking around free as you please. Certainly the Ministry must have pressed some charges considering she was physically abusing her students!" Hermione raged.
"Since when has the Ministry ever done what it ought to do Hermione? Fudge is so busy trying to salvage his bruised reputation, hes not about to call attention to another one of his endless mistakes," the bitterness in Harrys voice was disturbing. Trying to shake off the sour taste, they continued their shopping and Ron nearly ran to Quality Quidditch Supplies as they neared it.
This was proving to be Harrys day for unpleasant encounters, he decided, for inside was his school archrival and nemesis since first year, Draco Malfoy.
"Well, well, well," the blonde boy sneered with his familiar drawl, "look what the cat dragged in, Potty, the Mudblood and two Weasels."
"Sod off Malfoy," Harry replied, he had no desire to waste any more time on the likes of him. Harry had bigger fish to fry and he was determined to not get dragged into petty squabbles with Malfoy this year. Moving to get around him without another glance, he was stopped in his tracks by the Slytherins next words, "Still in mourning over your dead dog Potter? Should have kept him on a tighter leash."
He felt rather than heard Hermione and Ginnys sharp intakes of breath. Everything was silent save the rushing in his ears, he felt like hes been hit in the gut. Harry had his wand out before Malfoy had even seen him move and his eyes widened in alarm. It was Ron who held Harry back and dragged him out of the store as they heard Ginnys scathing, "Hows your daddy like Azkaban?" If it wasnt for the fact Harry really didnt want to hurt Ron, he might have cursed him. He still clutched his wand tightly and he had to forcibly restrain himself from rushing back in there. So much for his new resolution!
"Easy mate, take it easy. Id like to kill him too, but we cant afford a scene in there or Tonks will have us back at headquarters so fast our heads will spin." Ron was right, but Harry wasnt used to Ron being the voice of reason. Using Dumbledores hints, he tried to take deep, calming breaths, but his rage was hard to diminish after encounters with both Malfoy and Dolores Umbridge.
"Im sorry Harry," Ron said quietly, "About Sirius, I mean. I dont think Ive ever told you that."
Harry closed his eyes tightly, "I dont want to talk about it right now." The girls came out and Ron quickly shook his head, telling them to leave it alone.
"I think we should get some lunch," Ginny smiled brightly, "Its a beautiful day, how about we go to Florean Fortescues and eat outside."
"But they only serve Ice Cream?" queried ever practical Hermione.
"So? Youve never had ice cream for lunch?" Ginny asked with an amused look.
"Ice cream for lunch sounds brilliant!" Harry smiled, and it was settled.
All four had sundaes with healthy doses of chocolate for lunch and felt much better for it! Even Harry managed to have his spirits lifted sitting in the warm summer sun laughing with his friends. They ran into several other students while they ate and pleasantries were exchanged all around. When they finished, they began walking around, dropping in various shops and looking around along the way. They had finally decided to visit Fred and Georges shop. Harry hadnt been there yet and was anxious to check out what it looked like and how business was doing. Ron knew a shortcut so they followed him through a small alleyway. Harry noticed a stone stairway off to the side and recognized it as leading to Knockturn Ally. He had ended up in the seedy area by mistake once in his second year.
After all the unpleasant run-ins they had that day, Harry felt he should have known, should have suspected something. He hadnt though, and was caught completely off-guard when it happened. They had just passed the stone stairway and were walking past a witch dressed in heavy black robes when Harry heard a voice that turned his blood to ice, "Is itty baby Potter having a day out wif his wittle fwiends?"
The voice was full of malice and loathing. Harry spun around and looked into the heavily hooded, insane eyes of Bellatrix Lestrange. She was standing there, plain as day on the street as if shed been waiting. Harrys mind whirled, he was back at the Ministry of Magic watching her jet of red light strike Sirius in the chest, chasing after her through the brain room, attempting the Cruciatus, her infuriating laughter. . .
"This must be my lucky day Potter," she switched from the baby voice to one as hard as steel, "My master will be so pleased."
Hermione was glancing around for Tonks and Hestia and began to frantically wave her arms. Bellatrix realized what she was doing and raised her wand. Ron instinctively moved in front of Hermione.
Harry couldnt let this happen again! He had to get her away from his friends so they could use their portkeys to escape. With a snarl he rushed at the woman, grabbing her around the waist and sending both of them head over heels down the stairs. Harry saw stars as his head connected painfully with the stone and he desperately fought the blackness threatening to overtake him. Dont black out now Potter! He heard rather than felt the crack of a bone in his wand arm. When they landed at the bottom, both jumped up despite their injuries and faced each other in a dueling stance. Other Death Eaters were appearing now, Harry didnt know where they were all coming from. Both Tonks and Hestia had followed him down the stairs and were heavily outnumbered yet battling fiercely. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were still standing in the same spot on the landing above, it appeared one of the aurors had placed a barrier preventing them from following. They stood as if alternating between frozen in shock to desperately trying to get down the stairs to assist, all the while watching what was happening with Harry and Bellatrix.
Bellatrix was a mess, panting heavily, her head was bleeding profusely and her shoulder was twisted at an odd angle. Harry didnt imagine he looked much better.
"Go!" he yelled to the others in irritation, what were they waiting for?
"So the itty bitty baby wants to pwotect his fwiends? Isnt dat sweet?" shed gone back to the annoying baby talk. Vaguely it crossed Harrys mind that today hed met up with both Dolores Umbridge and Bellatrix Lestrange. All he needed was to see Aunt Petunia and hed have all the women whod made his life a living hell in one-stop shopping!
Bellatrix sent a stunning spell at him that Harry easily dodged. Forgoing the ban on underage magic, Harry fired one back at her but she also blocked in time. Between Harrys broken arm and Bellatrix dislocated shoulder, they were both having trouble getting off their curses. They volleyed back and forth for several seconds before a yell sounded from the stairs. Hestia Jones had been hit with the Killing Curse. Harrys brief moment of distraction was all Lestrange needed, she pointed her wand at Harry and snarled, "Crucio!"
Harry& #146;s head exploded in pain as his blood began to boil and his bones seemed to be cooking from the heat. The agony was so all consuming, so intense that Harry wasnt even aware of the howling he emitted as he dropped to the ground and writhed in pain. He just wanted it to stop, he could think of nothing else but making it stop. It went on for what felt like hours, but she finally lifted her wand and Harry was left panting and gasping for breath. His head throbbed fit to burst but through his blurred vision he could still make out Ron. Knowing he only would have an instant, he gave Ron a clear view of the cylinder clutched in his hand. Brief understanding flashed on Rons face as he grabbed the girls closer to him and all four disappeared instantaneously despite the furious screech of Bellatrix Lestrange.
They reappeared in the entrance hall of Grimmauld Place, Harry still on the ground struggling to hold on to consciousness. The other three made their way over to him as Tonks appeared in the room looking significantly bruised and bloodied herself. "Remus! Moody! Molly!" she called. When no one answered she hissed at Ron, "Find someone and get Madam Pomfrey here, now!"
"Harry," Ginny said as she gently cradled his head on her lap, "can you hear me?" His entire body was shaking and he couldnt seem to stop the tremors.
"Im okay," Harry slurred.
"Honestly Harry!" Hermione huffed, "You are NOT okay! She held you under the Cruciatus for a long time! I cant believe youre still coherent!"
"Do you think you can sit up," Ginny asked, trying to gently raise him. She grabbed hold of his injured arm however and he yelped in pain, "Oh! Im so sorry," she cried and actually had tears in her eyes.
Harrys head was swimming and he blinked against the spots that keep appearing in front of his eyes. The whole room seemed to be swaying and Harry tried to hold on to the rug to keep himself steady.
Mrs. Weasley came running into the room with Ron right on her heels. "Oh Thank Merlin youre here! We got word of an attack in Diagon Ally and everyone headed over there." She knelt down next to Harry and gently swiped the hair on his forehead, "Madam Pomfrey is on her way Harry, lets get you up to bed. Tonks, no! You sit down there, she needs to look you over too. Ron, help me with Harry."
As Ron and Mrs. Weasley lifted him to his feet, the dots that had been appearing before his eyes suddenly grew until they connected and he knew no more.
**********
Harry was confused, he didnt know where he was. It was a house of some sort, small but inviting with a warm fire blazing. Harry felt warm and content, safe and
peaceful. As he looked around the room, a figure emerged from seemingly nowhere. Harry looked up into the smiling face of Sirius Black. His godfather looked wonderful! Healthy and younger somehow. His hair was cut short and close and the haggard lines around his mouth and eyes had all but disappeared.
"Sirius," Harry whispered in disbelief, "Am I dead?"
Sirius laughed, a deep, rich laugh full of warmth and humor, "No kiddo, youre very much alive. You just managed to get yourself wounded again."
"I miss you!"
"I miss you too kiddo. Im so sorry to have left you like that. Typical me, running off at the mouth without using my head. Some things never change," he shrugged.
"No! It was my fault! Voldemort tricked me and I fell for it. Im so sorry Sirius, Im so sorry," Harry felt his eyes well up and watched as Sirius did the same.
"I dont want to hear you say that anymore Harry. I would die a thousand deaths for you, but you are not the cause. My lovely cousin did this. Voldemort did this, not you. Hell, I did the same thing! We each thought the other was in danger, are you going to blame me?"
"No! But"
"Then I dont want you to blame yourself anymore."
"I dont think I can do this Sirius. I cant defeat him alone, I dont know how."
"Youre not alone Harry, youll never be alone. Let Remus, Hermione, and the Weasleys in. They love you Harry and they want to help. Theyll be right there with you and you can do this. Ron, Hermione and your Ginny are your strength, draw from that."
"Shes not my Ginny."
Sirius laughed deeply, "Shes always been your Ginny, Harry. The only question is how long it will take you to realize it."
The image of Sirius began to fade. "No! Dont go, please! Dont leave me!" Harry cried.
Sirius voice was soft but distant, "Ill always be with you Harry, just think of me."
"Dont go," Harry yelled. But Sirius was gone.
*********
Harry awoke some time later to the sound of Ron opening the door to the room they shared and peeking in. "Hes awake," he turned and said to whoever was in the hallway. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all entered the room and gathered around his bed. "How are you feeling mate?" Ron asked.
"Like I got hit by the Hogwarts Express," Harry croaked. Ginny handed him a glass of water and he sipped it gratefully. "How long have I been out?"
"Pretty much all day," Ginny answered, brushing the hair from his forehead, "Its really late, everyone else is in bed."
"Madam Pomfrey was here," said Hermione, "youve got a broken arm and some broken ribs. She mended the arm, but your ribs will be tender for a few days. She said the aches from the Cruciatus would take a few days to wear off too."
"Your head took the brunt of the fall down the stairs," added Ron, "Youre going to have quite a shiner to show for it. Madam Pomfrey said maybe it would be a reminder to you to stay out of trouble."
"What were you thinking pushing her down the stairs like that Harry? You could have been killed!" Hermione was trying to restrain her exasperation with her wounded friend with little success.
"Why didnt you use the portkey after we went down?" Harry whispered, growing more and more fatigued.
"We couldnt just leave you there! Come on Harry, you know were going to stick by you no matter what!" Ron was indignant.
Harry didnt have the energy to fight with them, he was losing the battle to stay awake, "Is everyone else okay?"
Ginny nodded, "Except for Hestia Jones. You saw that."
"They had a big meeting here afterwards, the twins filled us in. According to Snape, the attack was planned for Gringotts, it was just a bonus for them that they ran into you. Apparently, Voldemort has orders to bring you to him at all costs. Im betting it was Malfoy who tipped them off!" Ron stated angrily.
"No," Ginny said, "Umbridge."
"I dont know," Hermione went on, "I was wondering about that fellow Bill knew. Declan something. Hes a curse breaker like Bill. Voldemort must have someone like that working for him recently considering all the trouble with the wards."
"You think hes a Death Eater?"
Harry was having trouble following along and his eyelids grew very heavy, Hermione noticed him trying to stay awake, "Mrs. Weasley wanted to get you a potion for dreamless sleep but Madam Pomfrey wouldnt allow it. She said there was too much in your system already. You go to sleep though; we could blind you with dental floss Harry. Well all stay here with you tonight," and she kissed him gently on the head.
"Hey!" Ron said.
"Oh, get a grip," responded Hermione climbing into Rons bed and settling herself beneath the covers.
Ron watched her do this in confusion but shrugged his shoulders and moved towards the bed himself. "You can stay on top of the covers and use the quilt," Hermione stated.
"I knew that!" Ron spluttered.
Ginny had been watching the two of them settle down, unsure what was expected of her. She kept looking in confusion at Ron, certainly he wasnt suggesting she should stay with Harry?
Ron looked over and smiled at the puzzled expression on his sisters face, "Its not like you havent come in before! Besides, lover boy over there is no condition to try anything!"
Harry didnt open his eyes but smirked at Ron and muttered, "Ive been underestimated before."
Ron grew suddenly somber at the comment, "That you have, mate. That you have."
A/N: Thanks to all for reviewing, I really appreciate it! Please continue to R/R. One note however, this IS going to be a Harry/Ginny romance, so if that isnt your thing, you most likely wont enjoy this one! J
I firmly believe H/G is the ONLY Harry ship that floats and feel I can say so with authority. How you may ask? Tomorrow is my 12-year anniversary to a man I am very happy with. You know how we met? He was (and still is) my brothers best friend. It works! Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you!!!