Let the Rain Come Down
By: Athena M. Evans

Time Period: Post HBP

Characters: Most of the major characters from the Harry Potter series.

Summary: My story begins after Harry’s sixth year, and in the style of J.K. Rowling, covers his seventh year. Voldemort has been defeated prior to the beginning of the story, however various other threats arise. Harry experiences flashbacks that clue us into what happened leading up to and the final battle. We meet not only Dumbledore, but also Harry’s parents and Sirius.

When I began this story, it was purely a list of questions that I had and hoped would be answered. I began speculating on possible outcomes and scenarios. This story is a compilation of theories that I have gathered throughout the years while reading the Harry Potter series. These are some possible answers to many of the questions that I have asked. This is, in essence, my musings all wrapped up into to one, hopefully enjoyable, reading experience.


Disclaimer: All characters, places, and events are property of J. K. Rowling, the esteemed author of the Harry Potter series. This story is not for profit, but merely for my (and hopefully other’s) pleasure and a means to an end to allow me to concentrate on other things (instead of just Harry Potter ).

AN: This is my first fan fiction and my first real story that I have allowed other people to read. I love constructive criticism and would be most appreciative to any advice that anyone has to help improve my writing.

While I have tried to stay canon with my story, some parts have non-canon ideas in order to make the story flow the way I wanted. I have tried to stay strictly canon with information leading of to HBP, however the future may or may not be canon based. For this I apologize, but hope you enjoy my story none the less.


One more quick note, I am posting this fic on another website, under the same pseudonym, just a quick let know.

Thank you all in advance for reading my fic!

Quick Chapter Guide:
Prologue
Chapter 1: The Burrow
Chapter 2: A Special Delivery
Chapter 3: The Man in the Portrait
Chapter 4: Snape’s Misfortune
Chapter 5: Recollections
Chapter 6: An Unexpected Guest
Chapter 7: The Leaky Cauldron
Chapter 8: Godric’s Hollow
Chapter 9: Diagon Alley
Chapter 10: Wizarding Wheezes
Chapter 11: The Wand Keeper
Chapter 12: 66 Godrics Road
Chapter 13: Dobby’s Surprise
Chapter 14: Number 12 Grimmuald Place
Chapter 15: A Birthday Surprise
Chapter 16: News From Beyond
Chapter 17: The Elf, the Closet and the Locket
Chapter 18: A Flying Great Time
Chapter 19: The First Battle
Chapter 20: The Beginning
Chapter 21: Rights of Passage
Part A: Monster from the Deep
Part B: Truth and Lies:
Part C: The Riddles
Chapter 22: The Founders
No Chapter 23 or 24
Chapter 25: Birthday Party, Interrupted
Chapter 26: Flight of the Phoenix
Chapter 27: The Vow
Chapter 28: The Ministry of Magic
Chapter 29: The Closed Ward
Chapter 30: Sirius’ Surprise
Chapter 29: The New Lord
Chapter 30: An Enemy Revealed
Chapter 31: In Memory of the Veil
Chapter 32: Rescue Mission Impossible
Chapter 32 Continued
Chapter 33: The New Dark Lord
Chapter 34: Unfinished Business
Chapter 35: The Reunion
Chapter 35 Continued
Chapter 36: The Mauraders
Chapter 36 Continued
Chapter 37: Occlumency and the Animagus
Chapter 38: Draco Malfoy
Chapter 38 Continued
Chapter 38 Continued
Chapter 38 Continued
Chapter 38 Continued
Chapter 39: Rehabilitation
Chapter 39 Continued
Chapter 39 Continued
Chapter 40: Nightmares and Dreamscapes
Chapter 40 Continued
Chapter 41: Revelations
Chapter 41 Continued
Chapter 41 Continued
Chapter 42: Lessons
Chapter 43: The Legilimens, the Occlumens and the Animagus
Chapter 44: Animagi Revealed
Chapter 45: Murder on the Hogwarts Express
Chapter 46: The Great Snape Escape
Epilogue: 12 years later


Prologue

He awoke suddenly out of a restless sleep. It had happened again. He sat up and drew his knees up to his chest, completely drenched in sweat. He tried to push the remnants of the dream out of his mind as he blindly looked around the room, his eyes unaccustomed to the darkness. Still gasping for air, he tightly shut his eyes in attempts to keep the tears running down his face at bay. Leaning his head back against the wall, he struggled to control the rush of emotions tearing through him.

It had been a week since the last battle where he had battled with Lord Voldemort and against all odds, won. A week since he had destroyed Lord Voldemort’s wand…just in case.

He heard frantic footsteps running down the hall and his door slammed open. “Are you ok honey?” a woman’s worried voice asked him.

A second voice asked from the doorway, “It happened again, didn’t it Harry? When will these nightmares stop?”

"It’s only been a week, James.” The woman chided in hushed tones.

Until this point he hadn’t even realized that he had screamed.

It had been a week since he discovered the true power and meaning of Priori Incantatem

Harry opened his eyes, and tried to smile into the eyes identical to his own, “I’m ok now, Mum. Sorry to wake you, Dad.”

“Nonsense!” dismissed his mother, “You father is just grouchy; he stayed up far too late last night.” Although her voice was sounded stern, she had a twinkle in her eyes and barely repressed her giggle.

Harry rolled his eyes and putting on his glasses, looked at the clock., “6:00am,” he thought, “might as well get up, no use trying to get more sleep.”

As he got dressed he was unable to keep his mind from taking him back.

Yay Sister!!! Totally love the story..(Can't wait to finish it even... ; ) )

AN: Because I have most of this story already written, I can post a lot more often, while I continue writing the end (I am bad for writers block ) Also anything in italicized and in blue is a memory or a dream, or something along those lines (usually a memory).

Chapter 1: The Burrow

School had ended for the summer, the train had taken them home and no one was sure there would even be a school to reopen in the fall. Dumbledore had been murdered, and without his protection, most people in the wizarding world were afraid that Voldemort would take out his wrath and frustrations on the school and its inhabitants.

Harry had decided that he could not spend the rest of his life being scared for his loved ones, constantly wondering who he would see die next in his nightly visions, and wondering if the pain from his scar burning would finally drive him to insanity.

After losing the argument with Ron and Hermione about needing to go alone, packing, trying to convince them some more, winning the argument with Ginny for her to stay safely with her parents, losing his temper with Ron and Hermione, getting care packages and hints from the staff and DA members who came by the Burrow, Harry had finally given up and agreed that he needed Ron and Hermione with him on this journey.

It was early June, and the morning dawned as dark and dreary as Harry’s mood.

“Fitting,” he thought with more than a small hint of sarcasm, “what a perfect day to start out.” He and Ron dressed and headed downstairs for some breakfast.

He shot a quick angry glance out the kitchen window, irrationally hoping that the sky had cleared in the time that it had taken him to get ready and come down stairs. He rolled his eyes as it began to drizzle. “Fine!” He burst out, causing the people already in the kitchen to look up at him in alarm.

He sat down at the table, scowling at the plate that was immediately placed in front of him.

They had all agreed that traveling light was in their best interest, therefore had decided to enchant their bags to hold more than would appear, while still being lightweight. Their bags were so lightweight in fact that they were floating midair and kept bumping into people.

Hermione, already in the kitchen, was trying unsuccessfully to eat a piece of toast. She kept looking up at Harry nervously, as though silently asking him to reconsider this insane mission. Harry, with difficulty, resisted the urge to yell at her that she didn’t have to go with him, no one was forcing her.

Sighing at his lack of patience, Harry looked around the room at all of the people that he had grown to love over the years. They had all experienced loss, and they were all hurting. They were all counting on him to end the terror, the uncertainty, to destroy Voldemort once and for all. Harry suddenly and with a sense of finality realized the burden that had been placed on his shoulders was one that no one, especially a 16 year old boy, should have to carry. To succeed where many full grown, powerful Witches and Wizards had failed was near impossible, and judging by the looks on the faces of the people surrounding him, they had realized this as well. Failure however, was not an option.

Mr. Weasley was sitting at the table pretending to read the Daily Prophet, however, his eyes hadn’t moved once from the page that he had opened.

Ginny, sitting next to her father, was scowling, looking up every few minutes to cast dirty looks in various people’s directions, always ending back at Harry.

Mrs. Weasley was moving about the kitchen speaking with people in a very false overly cheery voice, all the while tears could be seen brimming at the very edge of her eyes, always threatening to cascade over.

Fred and George had come by the night before and decided to stay to see the group off in the morning. They were trying to get Hermione and Ginny to laugh by bewitching the bacon and eggs to do a risqué can-can dance across the table. Normally this would have had the girls, and everyone else for that matter, in fits of giggles, but this morning, it had no effect except perhaps to help Hermione lose what little breakfast she had been able to eat.

“Sorry Hermione” said Fred sheepishly, “We were only trying to help.” added George as he vanished the mess on the floor.

There was a quick knock on the door causing everyone inside to jump. Tonks and Lupin entered the room, and although the mood was somber, Harry could see smiles begin to light up the faces of several people upon seeing the couple. Those smiles however froze on their faces when they got a good look at Tonks.

Nymphadora Tonks, a metamorphmagus whose powers tie closely into her emotions, apparently couldn’t decide if she wanted to be happy that she was finally in a relationship with Lupin or depressed because of the death of Dumbledore and the prospect of Harry, Hermione and Ron setting out to attempt to do what no one had been able to do as of yet.

She was wearing a black peddle pushers with a pink Weird Sister T-shirt, but what made her appearance so completely odd was that half of her hair was straight mousy brown and hanging limply down her back, and the other half was short, bright pink and spiky.

Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and stared at her.

“I know, I know, I have already tried.” She said with a sigh and a slight smile. “I spoke with my grandmother this morning, and she said something similar happened to her, but she refused to go into it.”

“Oh, yes, of course dear.” Mrs. Weasley said, trying to sound like she had not only already expected that outcome, but that it was perfectly normal to encounter someone in that predicament.

Tonks’ unusual entrance had broken the ice to some effect, and light conversation erupted around the table.

“I know everyone is asking you this, but how are you doing?” Lupin asked as he sat down next to Harry.

“All things considered, not good” replied Harry, attempting a joke and failing miserably.

“Where are you planning on starting Harry?” Tonks asked as she reached for a peace of toast, smothering it with jelly, causing the still queasy Hermione to gag and bolt from the room..

“Well, I need to go back to my Aunt and Uncle’s at least for a day in order to insure that Dumbledore’s protection lasts until my birthday. Then I am going to Godric’s Hollow.” Harry replied.

All conversation in the kitchen stopped. Lupin took a sharp intake of breath and a pained look crossed his face.

“Isn’t that where –,“

“Hush George!” interrupted Mrs. Weasley, a shaking hand covering her mouth.

Every one stared at Harry, waiting for him to speak. “Godric’s Hollow is where it all began, at least my involvement anyway.” Harry chuckled bitterly, “So that is where I am going to start. I need to find the other Horcruxes before I can even think about going after Voldemort.” there was a combined shudder of the group. “Besides,” Harry continue ignoring the group shudder, “I need to do it right and fast, the first time. Everyone wants to go back to school next term!”

“As if that is what everyone is worried about, honestly Harry Potter!” Ginny’s sobs could be heard throughout the house as she ran upstairs.

Every one looked around at each other, confused; trying to figure out what had caused her outburst. Harry dropped his head on the table, over come with grief and guilt; he couldn’t tell which felt worse.

Yay my first reader! I'll even pretend that you aren't obligated to read I'm just kidding. I am glad that you came to read it

Wow...Julie, this is fantastic! The emotion is so raw and real. I can't wait to read more!

Thanks! I am glad that you like it so far! It means a lot to me Thank you for reading! And just for you, I will post another chapter

Chapter 2: A Special Delivery

“What are you doing still awake honey, I thought you would go back to sleep?”

Harry was sitting on the window seat staring unseeing out the window when his mother came in 45 minutes later.

“What?” Harry asked coming out of his memories, “Sorry mum, I decided not to bother trying to go back to sleep, might as well start the day.”

“Ok honey,” his mother said, a slight frown on her face, “why don’t you come down stairs, and I will make you some breakfast, ok?”

“Oh, umm sure mum, I can do that. I just have a couple more things that I want to do up here, I will be right down.” Harry listened to his mother footsteps down the stairs, and the muffled sounds of his mother and father talking downstairs.


Sighing, Harry glanced back out the window. The sun was just beginning to peak over the top of the horizon, and the sky though still mostly dark, was beginning to lighten from the blackness of the night, to dark blue, Dark purple, light purple and a hint of pink. He watched as the first edge of the sun burst its way over the hills in the distance, and the sky was instantly streaked with pink. He could tell already that it would be a beautiful day.

Tying his shoes, Harry began to smile. “Ok, I am ready to go downstairs.” He thought to himself. “Downstairs to eat breakfast with my Mum and Dad.” The smile on his face grew.

It was still a novelty for him to think about his parents being downstairs, or just down the hall, especially after not having them for the past 16 or so years. Sometimes he was afraid that he would go downstairs and they would be gone or that he would wake up and discover it was just a dream. He had to fight the urge to search them out and be in their presence at all times. Although it was still difficult for him, he was getting better.

Harry sat in the window watching the people in their small town getting ready for the day for a few more minutes before getting up.

Harry quickly made his way downstairs and the scene that met his eye made him laugh.

His mother was at the stove trying to cook and Dobby, who had insisted on coming and living with and serving them, was frantically trying to get the spatula from Lily.

“It is not for you to cook Mistress Lily that is why I came, to take care of you! Please let Dobby do it! Mistress Lily!” Dobby was jumping up and down trying to reach the cooking utensil, but Lily was holding it over her head, out of his reach.

“No Dobby let me do it, I need to and want to cook for my family, I am fine, I promise. I am actually a very good cook Doby.”

James was sitting at the table with his head behind his newspaper, laughing quietly into his coffee when Harry sat down at the table next to him.

“Good Morning Master Harry!” exclaimed Dobby, not missing a beat in his attempts to get the spatula away from Lily.

“Dobby if you continue on like this, the food will burn, because I can’t stir it!”

“In that case Mistress Lily…” In a flash Dobby had disappeared, reappeared standing on top of Lily’s head, and then reappearing back on the floor triumphantly, spatula in hand. “Why don’t you sit down next to Master’s James and Harry while I finish breakfast?” Dobby finished as if he had not paused in his sentence. Shocked at what had just happened Lily sat down with out another word.

While they were eating their breakfast, Harry noticed his mother and father whispering at each other and nodding their heads in his direction. They looked like they were arguing over something.

“What’s going on, why are you whispering about me?” Harry asked, feeling a rush of concern flowing through him.

“Um...well honey…we are expecting a delivery today. Any time really.” Lily looked unsure, almost like she wasn’t sure how he would take the news.

“Ok, so what’s the problem with that?” Just as he asked the question, there was a quick knock on the door.

“Oh!!” Lily interrupted jumping up, “that must be him now!” She proceeded to almost run to the door, Harry hot on her heals, James leisurely bringing up the rear.

Before she had even made it to the door, Dobby was there, in his most formal voice saying, “Welcome to the Potter residence, whom shall I tell them is calling?” He was trying so hard to sound formal, but his squeaky voice just made the whole scene comical.

“I’ll get it Dobby, I am expecting a delivery.” Lily opened the door all the way, “Thank you Dobby.” She said smiling down at him when she saw his ears droop down. Dobby looked up at her; a smile once again lit his face.

The delivery man was a tall, round, balding wizard in a horrible combination of purple plaid golfing knickers, cowboy boots, a button up shirt that looked like it should be part of a fast food restaurant uniform, and topped off with an antique aqua bowler hat that would have made Cornelius Fudge envious. He had a handle bar mustache that looked glued on and a monocle in his right eye. He wore an amused expression on his face from the encounter with Dobby, and mistook the snickering of the Potter family to be from the same.

It was a blustery day and the man repeatedly had to grab his hat to keep it from blowing away. Behind him the sky was a beautiful blue in the early morning, slightly marred by thin wispy clouds.

“Package for ye misses.” He shoved a clipboard forward, again grapping for his hat, “Please make yer mark there.” Lily pulled out her wand touching it to the line indicated and took the package from the man.

“Thank you sir” she told the deliveryman as she closed the door.

“I have never understood how it is so hard for wizards to dress as muggles, they are all around us; one has but to look at them to see their fashion.” James mused as he smiled at Harry.

Harry’s attention however was on the package. It was about 3 feet wide 4 feet long, and only maybe 4-5 inches thick. “Is that a – ”

“Portrait, yes” Lily interrupted. “Why don’t we go sit in the living room and talk?”

Harry was beginning to feel very apprehensive about this package, “Who is it?” He asked his mother. He knew only to well that a portrait in the Wizarding world could speak, and were distinct replicas of their live counterparts. One that size was more than likely either someone important or deceased. Unless you happened to be Lockhart, that is.

“Just open it Lily,” James said leaning against the doorframe, “He is going to see it eventually, just get it over with.”

Harry could feel butterfly’s in his stomach as his sense of apprehension rose. He watched as Lily carefully unwrapped the package and turned the portrait toward Harry. Harry felt his stomach leap into his chest.

Chapter 3: The Man in the Portrait

The wizard in the portrait was sleeping, or rather pretending to be asleep in any case. He had long white hair, and an equally long white beard. He was wearing a magnificent set of deep blue robes covered in twinkling silver stars. On the top of his head was a tall pointed wizards hat matching the robes. He had a pair of half moon spectacles that were slightly askew due to his sleeping posture. He was sitting in a maroon chintz lounge chair with his head resting against the side.

“DUMBELDORE!” Harry exclaimed completely over come with shock. “But how? Why? Did we –? How is this even possible?” Harry stuttered at a complete loss for words. He had almost been expecting Sirius, but not Dumbeldore.

“How did we get him, he is supposed to be at Hogwarts in the Headmaster’s office! You didn’t steal him did you?!” Harry looked appalled at the very thought. “We need to take him back right now, this isn’t right, he belongs there!” He stopped ranting at the sound of a soft chuckle.

“Hello Harry.” The man in the portrait was awake now, still sitting, but now with his hands pressed together in his lap. “Actually your parents didn’t steal me, as I believe you feared. It was my wish that you have a portrait of me, at the time of my demise. Because it was such an unheard of request it took the ministry a little longer than I had hoped.”

Harry sat there not replying, his mouth gaping open.

“I see from your shock, that you were not informed of my wishes. I also see that I missed the last battle. Hello Lily, James.”

“You knew that this would happen?” Finally finding his voice Harry asked, “You knew they would come back from the… well… come back?”

“No, not exactly.” Dumbledore mused, “Although this is wonderful! You see Harry, something like this has never happened before. Yes I see you are about to interrupt, and I know what you will ask. Wizards have killed other wizards before using their wands as a weapon, but their wands were never destroyed, at least not right away. Those wands might be passed down for generations, and then break on accident if at all. Priori Incantatum I imagine would lose its force as other spells have been cast. If a wand is used to kill a Witch or a Wizard, as the years went on and other none harmful spells were cast, by the time the wand was destroyed any remnants of the spell would be long gone. I would also imagine that it would matter greatly the manner in which the wand was destroyed. In this case, not very many spells had been cast with this wand, all of which were evil spells, so the spell used to kill your parents was still relatively recent in terms of spells cast. I would also imagine that you destroyed his wand immediately before or after you had destroyed him, and not by just snapping it in half, am I correct?”

Harry was still mulling over all of the information that he had just been given, and took a minute to respond. “What? Oh, yes, I demolished it and then burned the pieces. That is when it happened. All of the pieces I could find I gathered up in a frying pan, and then set them on fire. I was shocked when people started jumping out of my pan!”

“I would imagine it would be a shocking experience.” Dumbeldore chuckled, and his eyes twinkled at the thought. “Now Harry, your parents are obviously back, is it safe to assume that Mr. Diggory and the muggle Caretaker are also back as well?”

“Yes, Cedric is very happy to be back, and his father is overjoyed, he didn’t do too well as you well know, after the tournament that is. The muggle Caretaker however was in such a state of shock, being as that he can remember everything that happened from the time of his death on that they had to bring in an officer from the Department of Memory Modifications to help him. Luckily this all happened in the small graveyard behind the old Riddle house, so now he thinks that he was chasing some kids out of there and tripped and hit his head.”

“Did Emmalina Vance and Susan Bones come back as well?”

“No, apparently Voldemort’s wand was not used on them. Sirius didn’t come back either.” Harry said after a pause, “But I guess that makes sense because it was Bellatrix’s wand not Voldemort’s.”

“Ah yes, but that is an interesting situation as well. Bellatrix didn’t actually kill Sirius. Wait, hear me out,” Dumbeldore said as he saw the furious look on Harry’s face. “She caused his death, if that is what you can call it, but she did not actually kill him. If you remember, she hit him with a spell that knocked him through the Veil in the Department of Mysteries. Even if her wand was destroyed, he wouldn’t come out of it, because the wand didn’t actually cast the spell that killed him.”

James had a pained expression on his face as the conversation turned to Sirius; he hadn’t taken the news of Sirius’s death very well. “Is there anything that we can do for him? Is it to late? What, in Merlin’s beard, is the veil?” James bombarded all of these questions onto Dumbeldore, “I can’t believe that he is gone, there has got to be something we can do.”

“That is an interesting topic to be sure, and I am not avoiding answering you James. Some other things need to be addressed first, and some research needs to be done on my part so that I fully understand things before I answer you.” James did not look at all happy about this answer but did not protest. “Now Harry, I would imagine that you are wondering why I requested that you have a portrait of me.”

Ive only just found this thread, i the story, keep up the great work , i cant wait to see what happens.

Yay! I am glad that you are reading my fic! You will have to let me know what you think! I have most of it written already, just waiting, so I will be posting it pretty fast I think, so you won't have long to wait

Chapter 4: Snape’s Misfortune

“Why don’t you all have a seat, what I am about to impart will take a while. It will also be hard to hear, and it is likewise difficult for me to relate, so please do not interrupt me. You may ask questions when I have finished.” Dumbeldore took a deep breath before continuing.

“Prior to the start of school” Dumbeldore began, “before I had even collected you from the Dursley’s it came to my attention that Severus Snape had been forced to make an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy.

He paused a moment, almost for what seemed like dramatic effect, to let the importance of his words sink in. Harry stared at him, a blank expression on his face for a few moments, frowning slightly. “Unbreakable Vow.” He mused, “I have heard of that before.” He struggled to remember, “Ron told me that he brother’s got in trouble for trying to get Ron to make an Unbreakable Vow. What does it mean, Professor?” Harry asked incredulously.

Just so, they should have.” Dumbledore said shaking his head in amusment at the twins antics before explaining. “The Unbreakable Vow, like the Goblet of Fire, constitutes a legal magical binding agreement, which a Wizard can not back out of. It is made in the presence of a bonder. The two wizards, or in this case a witch and a wizard join right hands, and a bonder places their wand on top of the joined hands. As the promises are made a fiery magical thread shoots out of the wand and wraps itself around the two hands.” Dumbledore shook his head and sighed, as if involved in an inner battle of wills, one fighting to tell Harry everything, the other wanting to keep him in the dark and hopefully safe. He finally sighed and as though knowing that keeping Harry in the dark could no longer help him, he continued.

“On the night in question, Narcissa, followed by Bellatrix, came to Professor Snape’s residence. Severus had been attending the Death Eaters gatherings or meetings on my request and feeding the Order information.” Harry gave an incredulous snort. James raised his eyebrow but said nothing.

“As you know when Professor Snape first came to Hogwarts as a professor, prior to Voldemort’s first downfall, he came on orders from Voldemort, that Severus had shockingly been able to plant. You see, Voldemort always thought the idea to use Snape as a spy was his, however it was really mine.” Both Harry and James sat forward unknowingly, wanting to at last know what had happened to secure Severus a teaching position after he had unknowingly betrayed the Potter’s by telling Voldemort about the Prophecy.

“Voldemort, in order to make Lucius Malfoy pay for failing to retrieve the prophecy from you, decided to give young Draco Malfoy a near impossible task for a boy with his skills. He gave Draco the orders to murder me. That was why Narcissa sought Severus out, because Professor Snape was Draco’s favorite teacher, he trusted Severus. More than likely he placed greater trust in Severus than he did his own father.” Harry rolled his eyes, but nodded unconsciously in agreement. However much he disliked Snape, he had delt with Lucius Malfoy on several occasions, and would gladly take Snape over Draco’s father.

“Snape, knew full well that refusal to make the vow would have looked traitorous on his part. It could have been misconstrued that he was weak, a character trait that is not held in high regard among Death Eaters, or far worse a traitor.

“He had a split second choice, and knowing that if he didn’t agree to it, it might possibly get back to Voldemort, he decided to go along with it. He did not realize however that Narcissa would ask him to complete Draco’s task if Draco himself failed, and once the Unbreakable Vow was started, it would have looked terrible if he had pulled out.”

“I wish he had spared us the pain and pulled out,” James muttered darkly under his breath, “then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Dumbledore frowned at the sulking man, but continued without reprimanding him.

“Also, besides Bellatrix being there, who didn’t trust him save the least, Wormtail was also there. Now, Voldemort told them that he had placed Wormtail with Snape so that he could assist Severus, however it is probably more likely for him to be able to report to Voldemort all of Severus’ actions. Had he done anything that could have been conceived as showing loyalty to me, he would have been killed.”

“Better him than you!” Harry interrupted angrily.

Dumbledore sighed, understanding their feelings of betrayal, and appreciating their loyalty. “Ah you might think so, but I am, well was an old man, and had reached the end so to speak, and was really in quite a lot of pain, so I told him not to try to break the vow, that when and if the time came, he would need to fulfill the vow.

“The night that you heard Professor Snape and arguing with me, he was trying to convince me that it didn’t matter, that he couldn’t do it, and that he would take his chances. With him where he is now, he is now in complete confidence with Voldemort, and privy to information that the Order could never have dreamed of getting, at least he was until Voldemort’s downfall.”

“We still havn’t found him.” Harry interrupted yet again, “We haven’t found Snape or Draco for that matter.”

“Then we might need to think about a rescue mission of sorts.” Dumbledore said, ignoring the mutinous muttering coming from Harry, he continued.

“The night of my death you will recall Harry, that a portrait of me appeared in the Headmaster’s office. After everyone had left except Minerva, I told her what I just told you, she wasn’t pleased, but I told her to tell the Order.”

Nodding, Lily spoke up for the first time, “I always knew Minerva was a brilliant woman. She told them and kept order among the members I trust?” She asked.

Dumbledore nodded in affirmation to Lily’s question, smiling slightly before continuing. “I also requested a portrait to be placed at number 12 Grimmauld place so that I could communicate with the members of the order, but I imagine that portrait wouldn’t have arrived until today as well. I decided that I needed to have a portrait in all three locations so that I could communicate with you, the Order and the school as quickly as possible. Also, I have never enjoyed other people relaying my messages, they tend to mess them up” He said to Harry with a wink.

“Now if you don’t mind, I am going to go visit my other portrait and see if anyone is there before reporting back to Minerva.” With that he was gone.

Chapter 5: Recollections

The Potters sat there for a few minutes, each one taking in what they had just heard. Harry was still angry at Snape and more than little suspicious, and would under no circumstances forgive him, but at least he now understood that Professor Dumbledore’s plead with Snape had not been to spare his life, but to end it according to their agreement. He was now mad at Snape for getting himself into the mess, and not being able to sneak his way out of it like he had always been able to do before.

“We will leave in about an hour Harry” Lily interrupted his thoughts.

“What, to where?” Harry asked confused, still deep in thought.
“We are going to the Burrow to meet the Weasley’s and Hermione, before heading over to Diagon Alley, remember?” She asked him, and concerned from on her face as she studied her son.

“Oh, yeah. I am going to go upstairs to think, let me know when your ready.” Harry turned and went upstairs to his room and lay down on his bed.

He picked up the letter from Hogwarts that he had received the previous day, not knowing what he felt about, or when he was going to tell his parents and friends the news. He stared at the envelope, his thoughts once again taking him back.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” Vernon Dursley bellowed, “With your freaky friends! You are not even trying to look normal are you?!” Uncle Vernon shook with rage as he helped Petunia off of the floor. Harry, Hermione, and Ron had apparated right into their living room.

It was probably better that way anyway. The drizzle that had begun that morning had turned into a full force rain storm. Harry wondered if the uncharacteristically foul weather was a result of the continued Dementor breeding.

Since this was the first time that any of them had gone more than a mile, their landing was slightly off. They had meant to land in the back yard, but had been concentrating so hard on making it to the Dursely’s they had landed in a pile in their living room.

“At least none of your normal neighbors can see us.” Harry rather angrily threw back. “In case you forgot, you agreed to allow me to come back on more time before I turn 17, so we will be staying the night, and then leave first thing in the morning.”

“You can’t do magic outside of school, so what are you going to do if I throw you out?” Taunted Vernon.

“He can’t do magic until he turns 17, but in case you didn’t realize, we can.” Retorted Ron as he and Hermione stepped in front of Harry, wands out.

Uncle Vernon’s face turned a wonderful shade of puce, and the large vein in the middle of his forehead looked like it would explode.

Dudley came in, saw the two wands out, and ran as fast as he could in the other direction.

“What’s got into him mate?” asked Ron as Harry snickered.

“Never mind, I will tell you later.” Harry said seeing the vein in Uncle Vernon’s head bulge even more, a feat that Harry hadn’t thought possible.

“We are going to go up to my room, and we will stay in there for the evening. We will probably be gone before you get up, and you won’t need to worry about us for food.” Harry stated as the three started up the stairs, “After tonight, you won’t ever need to see me again.”

Yay a new post

Keep up the good work JulieAnn

Thanks Friend!!! I am really glad that I have most of it already written, becuase I am going through some serious writers block issues, hehehe, this isn't unussual for me though That is why I waited so long to post! I love your siggy by the way!

Chapter 6: An Unexpected Guest

“I would like to go visit my sister, I think.” Remarked Lily as Harry spit out the butterbeer he had been drinking.

“WHAT?!! You can’t! She HATES you!” Harry burst out.

“Don’t you think hate is a little strong of a word?” Lily asked skeptically.

“NO!” exclaimed Harry, Ron, and Hermione at once. James sat behind the toy car that he and Arthur Weasley had been examining.

“How does this work? Did muggles actually manage to create magic?!” Arthur exclaimed joyously.

“Oh, no Mr. Weasley,” Hermione said politely, “it runs off a battery.”

Molly rolled her eyes as she came in, “Always playing with those muggle contraptions, if I find one more jinxed muggle machine,” Her ranting was interrupted with more sniggering from James.

“Hello Molly dear” he said rising to embracing her. For a split second her face went white as if she had seen as ghost, and then changed to bright red, as she realized and grew embarrassed at her reaction.

“It’s ok Molly; we have been getting that reaction a lot.” Lily smiled at Molly reassuringly. “At least you knew before we showed up, you should have seen poor Harry’s face when we jumped out of his pan, I thought...”

“What time are we leaving then?” Harry interrupted loudly.

“Right now if you are ready. Would you all mind too terribly if we met you there, I really would like for US to go see my sister.” Lily put an emphasis on ‘us’ that left no question in either Harry or James’ minds that they were being dragged along as well.

“We can go with you if you would like” piped up Hermione effectively volunteering Ron.

“Thank you dear, but I think that we should go alone for this first trip.”

“And hopefully last.” Harry muttered under his breath, but not under enough to avoid the nasty look from his mother. “Are we ready then?” Lily asked, “We will apperate to their backyard, as to not attract attention in the middle of the day. One, two, three.” And they were gone.

What had begun as a windy but still beautiful day was fast becoming grey and overcast. Sighing Harry looked to the sky, wishing for the sun.

Although now proficient enough to barely make a sound when he apparated, Harry did not think he would ever be comfortable with the process. The sheer convenience of it however, made it all worth while.

It had been a little less than two months since he had last been here, and he didn’t think the Dursley’s would be any more receptive as they had then, and he wasn’t to be disappointed.

Petunia Dursley was in the kitchen washing the dishes when the three appeared, and at first glance she thought she was seeing things. When she realized however that her blasted nephew was once again at her house, her first feelings were of intense anger at his nerve. She had initially blown of the other two people as the friends that had accompanied him the last time he arrived unannounced. When she realized who the two people were however, she fell into a dead faint.

“Petunia, what’s wrong?!” Vernon, hearing a crash from the kitchen, ran in. He too at first glance ignored the two strangers, turning on his nephew instead, “You! What are you doing here? I thought I told you I nev…” Vernon’s voice trailed off as he looked up to see his sister-in-law and her husband looking none to pleased with his out burst,

“Wha…wha…what is the...the...meaning…of…of THIS!” He finally stammered out, “You….You are sup…sup…supposed to be…be…dead! What kind of sick joke is this boy?!” He screamed, grabbing Harry by his shirt.

“Yes we were.” Lily said pleasantly, as Harry jerked himself out of Vernon’s clenched fist and straightened his robes. “And now we’re not. It is magic, wouldn’t you say James?” She said just as pleasantly, but with an edge to her voice.

By this time Petunia was beginning to awaken, and Lily conjured a glass of water for her. “Don’t drink it Petunia, it might be –”

“Oh shove off Vernon, I never did like you much, you were always a bully with my sister. Here Petunia drink this, it is just water.” Lily said as she helped her sister to the table, leaving a stunned Vernon in the kitchen.

“…and that is when we jumped out of the pan!” Lily finished sometime later after explaining exactly what happened.

“So you-know-who is gone” Petunia asked quietly.

“Yes he is, Petunia, Harry finished him off.”

“And you are real, I mean really here?” She asked quietly.

“Yes, we are.” Lily answered smiling, leaning in to hug her sister.

“Good!” Petunia burst out, pushing Lily away and standing up. “Then I can tell you to your face, although I am a little surprised that Harry didn’t clue you in.” She continued throwing a nasty look in Harry’s direction. “You are abnormal, a freak, and I do not want to have anything to do with you, your husband, your son, or ANY of your kind, so get out of my house, and never come back.” She said in a quite voice. Her hand was shaking slightly as she pointed to the back door, “Kindly leave the way you came.”

A look of disbelief came over Lily’s face; she silently got up and headed to the back door.

“No.” Harry said a look of cold fury on his face. “NO one talks to MY mother that way. We came here out of courtesy and love and we are your guests, and we will leave the way all guests leave.” He grabbed his still stunned parent’s hands and led them out the front door. “I hope to never see you again, and please, don’t have a nice day.” And with that, the three disappeared, right on the Dursely’s front lawn, Petunia’s shrieks, still in their ears.

Chapter 7: The Leaky Cauldron

“Do you really think it is safe for you to be out in public just yet?” Molly asked, concerned. “I mean you have been dead for the past 16 years, are you sure it is safe to just waltz out in public.”

“I am sure it is quite safe, Molly.” Lily retorted a little too harshly. “I’m sorry.” She said on a sigh, seeing the shocked look in Molly’s face. “You didn’t deserve that, it is not your fault that the visit with my sister didn’t go as nicely as I had hoped.” She put her head in hands, effectively missing the I-told-you-so look that shot across three people’s faces. James however did see the looks, and shot his own don’t-let-your-mother-see that-look look, causing the other observes to laugh out loud.

“Sorry, dear we are not laughing at you, we are just, well, never mind.” Molly ended lamely, unable to think of anything.

They were sitting around a table, drinking butterbeers waiting for Lily to compose herself. Harry, Lily and James had arrived in the middle of the crowded Leaky Cauldron, causing most of the patrons to scream in fear and run out, leaving the pub for themselves. While James fixed the table they had landed on, Lily collapsed in a sobbing heap on the floor, much to the fear of her friends.

“It’s ok.” Harry had told them leaving it at that. They all knew however, the reaction that was most likely caused from Lily’s sister’s family.

“I got Head Girl!” Hermione exclaimed, after a few tense moments, desperately trying to change the subject.

“Well that’s a given Hermione.” Ron said sarcastically with a slightly bitter edge. “I want to know who the bloke is that got Head Boy over me.” Ron said angrily, kicking the table leg.

“Hey!” James in mock protest, “I just fixed that.”

“Sorry.” Mumbled a disgruntled Ron.

“Didn’t you know?” Hermione began with a confused expression on her face. Harry shot her a pleading look and shook his head. “That it is a surprise this year?!” She finished lamely in an overly cheery voice. Molly shot Hermione a scrutinizing look as Hermione became suddenly very interested in the wood work of the table.

“What are you doing for your Birthday mate?” Ron asked Harry, completely unaware at what had just taken place.

“What?” Harry asked, not paying attention.

“Ooh yes!” Lily exclaimed, her sorrow instantly forgotten, “We get to celebrate your second birthday!” As giggling erupted around the table Lily, realizing what she had said corrected herself, “Well, we get to celebrate your birthday for the second time, not your second birthday dear.”

Harry got a thoughtful expression on his face. His birthday was tomorrow, and for the first time that he could remember, he would be spending it with his parents. He once again tuned out the conversation as his memories took him back.

Another great post(s) this just gets better and better.
PAMS PAMS
And i got my siggy from Bombalurina's grab bag.

Bee does make awesome siggies, doesn't she. I really like that one
Thanks for reading my fic! We need to RP soon, the project I was working on at work is done, so I will have more time now *breaths a sigh of relief*

Chapter 8: Godric’s Hollow

“I can’t believe the nerve of you uncle!” Hermione exclaimed indignantly as they suddenly appeared in the middle of a clearing. She had picked up their conversation as if there had never been a break in it, and both Harry and Ron were sure that if she could have continued during the apparition that she would have.

“We know, Hermione.” Ron said sighing, looking around.

Not only had Vernon locked them in Harry’s old room, thinking that would keep them in one place, he had even had the nerve to call the muggle police in the early hours of the morning. They had awakened to the muffled sounds of voices just outside the door. “They called the police!” Hermione had exclaimed furiously as they grabbed their belongings. “How could he do this to you, you are family!” They had managed to apparate just before the door had slammed open.

It was barely five in the morning, and the sun was just beginning to peak over the mountain tops. The day looked like it would be clear, and Harry prayed it would remain so. Covering the ground was a thin layer of fog, giving the field an eerie look. Harry made his way through the field to a handmade sign posted on the side of the road.

“Godric’s Hollow ½ km.” Harry read with difficulty and headed in the direction the sign pointed. Within several minutes Harry could make out several buildings in the distance. With the exception of a few people, the inhabitants of the small village had yet to rise and begin the day.

Stopping in a small bakery Harry approached the man at the counter. Examining him, Harry thought the man looked strangely familiar, but couldn’t place him. Shaking his head to clear his sense of unease, he waited for the man to acknowledge him. “I have an unusual question for you.” He asked, not knowing how to begin.

“Aye, what is it then lad?” The man asked.

“Well,” Harry began taking a deep breath. “About 16 years ago there was an accident where a home was destroyed, and it’s occupants killed. There was a man and a woman, and a small boy.” He finished.

Raising his eyebrow, the man paused a moment before responding, “Aye, I know the house and the people ye speak of, was a tragedy alright, a terrible tragedy, the boy was never found. I knew the family well, why are you asking this?” The man asked, almost accusingly.

“They are my family.” Harry answered quickly, “I grew up hearing about it, but was never able to visit their graves to pay my respects.” Harry hoped that the man would be cooperative, if he knew his parents, he might be useful.

The man looked Harry over as if trying to decide if Harry was indeed telling the truth. “What did you say your name was again?” The man asked softly, his eyes resting finally on Harry’s scar. He drew in a quick breath“Harry Potter.” He said softly, “You’ve come home.” His entire gruff pretense had vanished, and in its place a caring man stood.

“Come with me.” He said almost dragging Harry out of the shop.

Ron looked at Hermione and shrugged the two of them forgotten.

They made their way to the outskirts of the village, and then trekked up a small hill. As they reached the top, they could see a quant two story house. “They village completely rebuilt it, exactly as it was.” The man said, “Just waiting for you to return, Harry.” The man said, leading his way down the hill to the house.

Harry examined the house as they drew nearer. It was a moderate two story house, painted an off white with dark red trim, “Gryffindor red.” Harry thought immediately. There was a picturesque white picket fence surrounding the front yard with a trellis covered in morning glories at the front gate.

“It’s beautiful.” Hermione said as she breathed in the scent of the flowers just beginning to open as the sunlight hit them.

Harry, although not aloud, had to agree with her. The sky was still dark except for directly behind the house which was turning a beautiful pink fading to purple, as though the sun that he still could not see but knew was there just behind the house, was pushing the darkness back.

“Thank you miss.” The man said, “I have kept up on the maintenance all of these years.” They had reached the front door. “Go on.” He said to Harry, “this house belongs to you, open the door.”

Harry reached for the handle, and felt a warmth spread up his arm and the door unlock, “It’s magic!” Harry burst out, surprised.

“Of course it is, what would you expect?!” The man asked laughing at the expression on Harry’s face. The inside was scarcely furnished, and what little furnishing there were, were covered in white drop clothes.

“There was not much we could save as far as furnishings go.” The man said noting Harry’s glance. “It is not much, but it is yours. There are three bedrooms upstairs, all with proper beds in them if you are planning on staying awhile.” He said, preparing to leave them.

“Wait!” Harry said realizing something, “You never told us your name!” He said looking at the man inquiringly,

“The name is Dumbledore, Aberforth Dumbledore.”

Hi, I'm Kaitlyn. Wow, this fic is amazing; really, it's absolutely fantastic! Are you sure it's your first? Pams, please!

:ballet:Who's gathering a fan base?? I think i know who!!! Yay FRIEND!!!!! :ballet:

Another great post and like Zephan said your gathering a fan base,
congrats on the fan base
and you have more time to RP

I am so glad that you like it Kaitlyn! Thank you for reading, you are wonderful! Yup this is my first fic

YOu crack me up! I hope you're feeling better friend, how's Stitch I swear I am going to call her that from now on, I am determined.

Yay for fans! You guys rock my socks! But not as much as Coldplay, sorry

Chapter 9: Diagon Alley

“Are we ready to go then?” Molly asked pulling Harry out of his memories.

“I need to get a pensieve.” Harry mumbled to himself. Hermione hearing him looked at him quizzically.

“What was that, Harry?” She asked him as she stood up and pushed in her chair.

Harry looked up in surprise, not realizing that he had spoken out loud. At the continued inquiring look from Hermione, he sighed, “I said that I need to get a pensieve.”

“Why do you say that?” Hermione asked him curiously.

Realizing that she was going to continue to pester him until he explained, he sighed again, “I can’t seem to keep my mind on anything, I am constantly remembering the past few months.”

“You, know that won’t work.” Hermione said smartly, “You will just be preserving a copy of the memory; the original memory will still be in your mind.”

“I know.” Harry said dejectedly, “It was just wishful thinking.”

They made their way out the back door of the Leaky Cauldron and gathered around the brick wall as Ron, who had made it there first pulled out his wand and touched the bricks, causing the doorway to Diagon Alley to open up.

Harry glanced again at the sky. Although the clouds were still there, they appeared to be letting up. “Maybe this wind will blow them away.” Harry thought to himself.

Lily squeezed James’s arm as the walked through the archway. “I have missed this place.” She said joyfully, while James smiled indulgently at her.

“I don’t know why, it is just a crowded shopping center” Ron retorted, still miffed at not knowing who got head boy.

“Ronald!” Hermione said looking at Lily apologetically. Lily, not letting anything flatten her enjoyment of Diagon Alley, merely smiled at Hermione. She began to run from store to store, James in tow.

Laughing at their behavior, Molly turned to her children, “Alright you lot. Meet us back here in 2 hours that should give you plenty of time to get what you need.” As she walked away, Ron began muttering about how he was an adult now and shouldn’t have to check in if he didn’t feel like it. “Ronald! If you are going to act like a child, then you can come spend the day with me.” Molly shrieked from up the street, causing people to stare at them and Ron to turn an outrageous shade of red.

Chapter 10: Wizarding Wheezes

The group of friends followed Ron up the street, making their way towards Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes, the joke shop that Ron’s brothers owned and operated.

Entering the store, they immediately went too separate parts of the store to locate their individual favorite products.

“Well, look who it is.” George exclaimed. “Good to see you Harry. How are you?” Fred asked clapping Harry’s back.

“I’m good, Fred, George.” He said nodding to each and shaking their hands. “So, business looks like it is going great.” Harry noticed, motioning to the crowded store.

“Yes it is my friend. And we have you to thank for it!” Fred looked around their store and smiled proudly. “Business was always good Harry,” George began, “it’s just, now it is even better! People no longer feel guilty about having some fun now that Voldemort is gone for good.” He clapped Harry on the back again. “I have to get back to work, but don’t forget your money is no good here; you can have anything you want.” George said as he walked away.

Harry smiled his thanks to Fred before turning and walking away again. He always felt uncomfortable when the twins said that because he didn’t want to be treated differently than their other customers. However, he certainly didn’t want to offend them, and that is what he would do if he refused their offer. He always made sure that he took one or two items, and that the twins saw him do it so they would know he appreciated their gesture. He also made sure to tell everyone he knew to shop there, not that it was necessary. There was no denying the popularity of Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes.

Harry realizing the Ginny was no longer in the store with them decided that the time was good and ready for her to stop being angry with him for trying to protect her and to forgive him. Walking out of the store and up the street, he saw her standing in front of what appeared to be another crowded shop.

He was about to ask her something as he reached her, but something through the window distracted him, and cause his heart to drop into his stomach in fear.