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Author: pottervader Story: Harry Potter and the Prophesied Six Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: WIP Reviews: 12 Words: 374,905
Disclaimer: This story was made without any intention of profiting from it. Only the original characters and the plot are mine. The rest of it belongs to JKR. A/N: I’m very sorry for the long delay with this chapter. Due to my breakup with my longtime girlfriend/fiancé at the end of January, I wasn’t emotionally capable of writing the story as I wanted to. It took me a while to recover enough from my depression to write. I hope this chapter is up to my usual standards. Thanks again to my loyal fans for sticking around. Please review.
As they waited for Sirius, Harry noticed that most of the students were rushed off by their families as soon as possible. Once the platform was mostly empty, Sirius came back and accompanied them off the train to where Alice, Lily and Molly were waiting. Molly rushed to them and embraced each of the kids tightly. Harry, Ginny, Rose, Ron and Hermione had to say quick goodbyes to Maggie, Ti and Neville since Alice was taking Ti straight to Grimmauld Place before bringing Maggie and Neville home to Longbottom Mansion. Neville promised to come by Potter Manor as soon as he was allowed by his parents. He and Rose shared one last kiss before he followed his mother and the two younger teens out past the barrier to the Muggle part of the station. Once they were gone, Lily and Molly took the other five kids to a secluded spot off the platform. Lily waved her wand over the kids’ trunks which disappeared. Then she brought out a two-foot-long piece of hemp rope. “This is a Portkey that will take us straight to Potter Manor,” she said. “Everyone take hold of a part of it.” The two adults and five teens placed a hand on it. Lily whispered a word. The rope glowed blue for a moment, then Harry felt the all too familiar and annoying pull on his navel as the Portkey ripped them from the station platform. After a few seconds of spinning around, Harry and the four other teens landed in a heap on the floor of Potter Manor’s living room. As he picked himself up and helped Ginny off the floor, he heard his mother and Molly chuckling as they landed gracefully. “You kids should really learn to land better,” Lily said, still chuckling. Before Harry could issue a retort, he heard two excited high-pitched voices shout, “Harry! Rosie!” He turned around and saw his younger siblings running toward him. He and Rose knelt down on one knee as Andrew and Daisy ran up to them. He embraced Andy tightly before passing him to Rose and embracing Daisy. He looked up to see Hermione’s parents and brother greeting his friend and Ron. Meanwhile, Ginny had got down on one knee as well and was looking adoringly at Daisy and Andy. “Do you guys remember me?” she asked. Daisy shyly looked at her and nodded her head, “Yur Inny.” Ginny giggled at Daisy’s attempt to say her name. Harry could feel the happiness from her and he shared in it. It was great to be home after the horrors of the battle. ******* Two days later, Ministry of Magic “Good morning, Albus,” James greeted the Headmaster as the older wizard entered the secure conference room. “Good morning, James,” Dumbledore greeted him back. Sirius followed Dumbledore into the room and sealed and warded it. “Please be seated, Albus,” James said as he took his seat, waving Dumbledore toward a similar chair to his right. Dumbledore looked at the plain metal chair in front of him before waving his wand, transfiguring it into a plush armchair. He sighed as he sank down into it. “Forgive me, but this body is no longer as young as it used to be.” “Funny you’d say that, Albus,” Sirius said, “You don’t look a day older from the day I sat on that stool to be Sorted.” He looked between the chair now in front of him and the one Dumbledore was in before waving his wand over it. Unfortunately, his spell didn’t work very well and the result was a hard metal version of Dumbledore’s chair. Snorting in disgust, Sirius sat down in the next chair. He turned to his best friend, who was snickering. “All right, don’t rub it in. I know you’re better at Transfiguration than I am and I don’t think it’s proper for the Minister of Magic to be snickering.” James stopped laughing but vowed to tell Lily and Sam about Sirius’ failed spell. He turned to face Dumbledore. “Sorry about that, Albus. Let’s get down to business.” “No apologies necessary, James,” Dumbledore said, “It’s rare that we get to laugh at Sirius.” The man smiled for a moment at Sirius’ indignant look. “Now, the reason I called for this meeting is to update you on Voldemort’s status before the next Order meeting. Our inside man just reported in to me this morning.” “Just who is this inside man, Albus?” James asked. “You’ve been evasive in the past about his identity. But with so many of his followers lost a week ago, I think it’s time we knew who it is. How did he avoid getting captured or killed?” “Please, James,” Dumbledore said, “I can’t tell you. It’s even more dangerous for him now because Voldemort has few followers left. It would be easier for him to be discovered. We can’t risk that, not when we’re so close to ending this and his presence there will be of greater value than ever.” “Fine,” James said, “Have it your way for now. So, what did this turncoat tell you?” “It seems Tom was in a coma much like Harry was after the battle,” Dumbledore began, “However, he woke up yesterday and was not pleased when he was told what happened in the three battles.” “I wonder who was stupid enough to tell him,” Sirius said, a grin on his face. Dumbledore sighed. “It was young Mister Malfoy and Tom rewarded him with the Cruciatus Curse.” “Good,” Sirius said. James wasn’t surprised by this but wished his friend was more circumspect. He looked at his best friend the same way he did that terrible night in their seventh year after learning he had baited Snape into entering the Shrieking Shack while Remus was there during a full moon. “What?” Sirius asked. “Don’t look at me like that, James. I’m sure you’re thinking the same thing. That kid is just as bad as his father. He wanted to hurt Ti, his own brother. He deserved some pain of his own.” James shook his head and felt exasperated with Sirius but didn’t want to get into a row with him now. He turned back to Dumbledore. “So he knows he lost over two hundred of his followers. Who’s left with him? Did your spy tell you? Does he know his layers of protection are probably gone?” “There are about a dozen Death Eaters left with Tom,” Dumbledore replied, “Aside from Draco, the younger and older Crabbes and Goyles, Theodore Nott, Marcus Flint, the two Lestrange brothers, Bellatrix, Greyback and our spy. As far as our spy can tell, Tom hasn’t given any indication that he has lost his protections from death. He will continue to watch Tom for any change to that.” “Did he tell you where they’re hiding?” Sirius asked. Dumbledore shook his head. “He could not because Tom placed a curse on the location that would kill any of his followers who speak of it. He can Apparate to it and out of it but that’s all.” “Can we track him when he Apparates to it?” James asked. “I don’t know,” Dumbledore said. “I would prefer that we do not do anything of the sort for now. I do not want to jeopardize him until we know Tom’s next move.” “If we can get to them, Albus, then we don’t need to know what that psychopath is going to do next,” James said. “I disagree,” Dumbledore said. “We still don’t know if Tom can be killed permanently. If we track down where he is now using our spy, all we may do is reveal his identity to Tom. Then we would lose our only acceptable source of information among them.” He gave James a questioning look. James sighed. He knew what Albus was asking. The term ‘acceptable’ was for his benefit. Their spy was not their only way of discovering Voldemort’s plans but the other way was something he refused to use. That’s because it was Rose’s Seer abilities. James was unwilling to let his daughter look into the future for possible Death Eater attacks. Seeing the atrocities they could commit was hard for her, leading to nightmares for weeks, even if her warnings could prevent them. This left them with the spy as the only way they could find out about Voldemort’s plans. “No, Albus, Rose will not do that anymore,” James said. Dumbledore nodded reluctantly. “Then you know we have no choice but to wait for our spy to inform us of any of Tom’s plans.” “How are the repairs to the castle going?” James asked then. Hogwarts was heavily damaged by the Death Eater attack. “Quite well actually,” Dumbledore replied, “We were afraid that the old magic around the castle would resist any rebuilding efforts. However, we have already repaired the main doors and the third floor windows. We have begun fixing the main staircase and the walls. Oh, Hagrid managed to rebuild his home.” Hagrid’s hut had been destroyed by the Death Eaters during the first hour of the attack. “That’s great,” Sirius said. “I have fond memories of being in that hut.” “Don’t we all?” James asked, grinning. “Well, if there is nothing else, I have to get back to Hogwarts,” Dumbledore said. He got up and returned his chair to its original state. James got up as well and walked Dumbledore to the door. “Thanks for the information, Albus,” he said. “I’ll see you next week at the Wizengamot session. We need to try the Death Eaters we captured.” He shut the door and returned to his chair at the head of the table, sitting back down with a sigh. “You know there are times I find that old man exasperating,” Sirius said. “Just exasperating?” James asked. “That’s quite generous of you. Myself, I find him infuriating with his little secrets and manipulations. I shudder to think what would have happened to my children if Lily and I had not survived that Halloween night. That’s one thing I’m grateful for.” “So,” Sirius said, “we just wait for him to drop more information on us?” “I’m afraid so,” James said, running his hand through his hair. “I wish Harry had been able to kill that bastard at Hogwarts. It’s going to be another summer like last year.” “Oh, not entirely,” Sirius said, a grin breaking out on his face. “After all, we have two weddings to look forward to.” James gave him a grin of his own. “How right you are, Padfoot. Who would have believed it? Moony is finally tying the knot.” “Well, my cousin may be a klutz but she’s damn persistent and persuasive when she wants something,” Sirius said. “For some strange reason, she wants Moony, in spite of his furry little problem.” “Which is good for her,” James said. “So, Moony and Tonks’ wedding is in three weeks, on July 4. That’s an interesting date they chose.” “Yeah, it is, considering we’re Brits and that day is an American holiday,” Sirius said. “Moony said they can take a holiday across the big pond one day and pretend the fireworks on that day are for their anniversary. Good thing it’s between full moons.” He turned to face James fully. “Prongs, I think it’s great that you insisted on their wedding taking place at Potter Manor. I would have offered Grimmauld Place since Tonks is my cousin’s daughter but with Lizzie starting to walk, it might not have been a good idea.” “Think nothing of it, Padfoot,” James said. “I think that the grounds at Potter Manor would be a perfect place for the last Marauder to get hitched. Anyway, the guest list will be small. It’ll just be Tonks’ parents, our families, the Weasleys, the Longbottoms, the Grangers, Albus, Minerva, and Hagrid. Merlin knows we’ll need the practice.” Sirius grinned again. “Oh yeah, I’m sure my godson’s bonded mate would want a real wedding for them, not to mention that young Neville might be asking you for the hand of little Rosie in a couple of years time.” James grimaced. He wasn’t ready for his little girl to get married yet. He had no choice with Harry being bonded with Ginny, though he had nothing against the youngest Weasley seeing as they’ve known her since she was a baby, but Rose was a different matter. He would let her marry when he was good and ready, maybe when she was sixty. In an effort to change the subject, he cleared his throat and said, “Well, after Moony’s wedding, there will be the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour at The Burrow between Harry and Ginny’s birthdays. Now that is going to be quite an affair, seeing as both fathers are high in their respective governments. Lily told me that the guests number a hundred already. You’re going to have your hands full arranging security for it.” Sirius grimaced as he replied, “You’ve got that right. It’s going to be a target for Voldie and his people even with their low numbers at present. But that’s going to be easy compared to what Albus wants to do on Harry’s birthday.” It was James’ turn to grimace. “Yes, I know. I’m still not sure about it as Albus is. It’s difficult enough getting into the Department of Mysteries through normal channels even if I’m Minister of Magic but without anyone else knowing, especially Crowley, is near impossible. Still, if it’ll help us put that monster down for good, then I’m willing to risk it. I hope we don’t have any problems there. Bill asked Harry to be a groomsman along with his brothers. I don’t think he and Ginny will be happy if Harry is unable to make it to that wedding.” “You’ve got that right,” Sirius said. “Of course, if for some reason Harry can’t make it to Bill’s wedding, you can blame it all on Dumbledore. After all, it’s his idea to take Harry there.” James shook his head and got to his feet. “Well, anyway, I’d better get back to my office. There are still several matters to address in the aftermath of the three attacks.” “Right,” Sirius said. “I have to meet with the heads of the French and Italian Auror volunteers. We’re going to talk about where their people can be stationed.” He opened the door cautiously and peered outside. Except for the two Aurors standing guard at the sides of the door, there was no one in sight. “All right, all clear, Minister,” he said, half jokingly. “Okay,” James said. “Enough of your fun, Mr. Head Auror. Don’t forget to write me a report of your meeting.” Sirius groaned. “All right, all right, you’ll get it in a couple of days.” The two friends separated, headed for their respective work areas. ******* Remus shook his head as he wondered how James and Sirius had convinced him to do this. It was three days before his wedding and his two best friends had decided to have his stag party that night. They figured that they could get their werewolf friend plastered and have him recovered in time for the wedding. Harry, Ron, Neville and Ti were disappointed that they weren’t allowed to go to Remus’ stag party because they were still underage. Now, they were standing outside Potter Manor at seven in the evening, getting ready to leave, dressed in Muggle attire, which made him suspicious. “All right, Moony,” James said, a smile growing on his face, “First of all, you have to put on this blindfold.” Feeling apprehensive and eying the folded piece of cloth in James’ hand warily, Remus asked, “Why should I?” “Uh, so that it’ll be a surprise?” Sirius replied, “Oh come on, Moony, play along. It’ll be fun, I promise.” “Fine,” Remus said as he grabbed the cloth and put it over his eyes. He felt James take hold of one of his arms then there was the dizzying feeling of Apparation. A few seconds later, his werewolf senses told him they were in an unfamiliar area. The smells told him it was probably a Muggle area. Then James removed the blindfold. Remus saw that they were in an alleyway but there were bright lights coming from the alley’s entrance. He followed James and Sirius out of the alley into the bright streets of a large city. Looking around, he spotted a structure in the distance that he had only seen in pictures before. It was the Eiffel Tower. “What are we doing in Paris?” Remus asked. James and Sirius grinned. “We thought it would be a perfect place for your stag party. No one here knows what you are, being a foreign city and a Muggle area at that. For that matter, few people here would know who we or the other guests are, so no danger of the press getting wind of this.” Remus had to agree with the wisdom of that. Even with James as Minister, there was still a fair amount of prejudice against werewolves and having one marry a witch would not sit well with many people still prominent in the Wizarding world, let alone Voldemort and his followers. Remus knew that Bellatrix hated her sister for marrying a Muggleborn. She’d hate her niece even more for marrying a ‘Dark creature’. He followed his two best friends down the busy and crowded streets to a brightly lit night club and entered it. There were only a few people inside. They led him further into the club until they got to the private rooms. They pushed him into one of those. The room was about twelve-feet by ten-feet wide with a large oval table occupying almost half of it and a stage taking up the other half of the room. The latter made him nervous about what his friends had planned for the evening. He then recognized the people sitting around the table. Aside from his future father-in-law, Ted Tonks, the other men were Frank Longbottom, Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Flitwick, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Arthur Weasley and his five oldest sons, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George, all dressed in Muggle clothes. Seeing the Weasley twins caused him a bit more of worry. He turned to James. “You invited the Weasley twins?” he asked. “Are you bonkers, James?” James grinned, just like he knew this would be his reaction. “Now, now, Moony, don’t be so melodramatic. It’s your last night of freedom. Let loose for once.” Remus shook his head and raised his eyes to the heavens for a moment, asking for some patience. “Well, it’s on your head, Prongs,” Remus said. “I hope they don’t do anything that will last until the wedding. I’d hate to see Tonks upset before the wedding. I think Lily and Sam wouldn’t be pleased either.” James looked at Sirius and both of them turned pale. Their wives were not witches to cross. “Yes, well, no worries there,” Sirius said shakily. “Quite, quite,” James said, “No need to involve the misses here. Come on, let’s join the party.” Remus reluctantly let himself to be led to join the other men, accepting a bottle of lager from Frank. The other men clasped his hand or patted him on the back. Then the Weasley twins were beside him. Remus eyed them carefully. “I don’t have to watch what I eat or drink in front of you, do I?” he asked. The two identical redheads smirked. “Now, now, Professor,” one of them began, “you don’t think we’d do anything bad to you.” “Not three days before your wedding,” the other said. “Especially with our dad here,” the first one said. Remus looked at them suspiciously. “I wouldn’t think that would stop you. Of course, if you did something to me tonight, you’d upset several witches, including my fiancé and your mother. I really owe Molly for offering to cook for the wedding. I’d hate to see her cooking go to waste because we had to postpone the wedding due to something happening to me tonight.” Fred and George turned pale and backed away from Remus. “Right,” one of them said. “Well, enjoy the party.” They moved off to the other end of the table. “That was brilliant, Moony,” Sirius said, grinning from ear to ear. “Nothing stops those two better than the threat of their mum.” “Hopefully, that lasts the whole evening,” Remus said, knowing it may be a forlorn hope. “Don’t worry about them,” Sirius said, placing his arm around Remus’ shoulder. “Wait ‘til you see what we’ve got lined up for the entertainment tonight.” “Now I’m worried,” Remus said as the lights of the room dimmed and the ones around the stage brightened a bit more. His eyes widened as several well proportioned women in tutus and wide skirts came on stage. The rest of the night passed in a blur. The next thing Remus knew was consciousness returning, along with a throbbing headache. His heightened sense of smell told him he was in his bedroom in Potter Manor but smelling strongly of alcohol. He tried opening his eyes, only to shut them tightly as the bright lights in wherever he was caused the headache to increase in intensity. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. “Oh good, you’re finally awake,” he heard a familiar voice say. Hearing that voice startled him, so he sat up abruptly and was forced to lie back down as dizziness hit him. He heard Tonks snicker and move closer to him. “Here, you might want to drink this,” she said. Opening one eye carefully, he saw a vial filled with something greenish in front of his face. He reached out and grabbed the vial. He brought it to his mouth and drank the foul-smelling concoction in one gulp, ignoring its vile taste. Almost instantly, the headache cleared and Remus found that he could think more clearly now. He gingerly opened his eyes to see his lovely fiancé with her trademark bubblegum pink hair sitting beside him on the bed. She brought her hand up to caress his face. “Good morning, handsome,” she purred. “Did you have fun last night?” That question surprised Remus and brought up the suspicion that his fiancé knew more about what happened the previous night than he could remember. “I’m not sure,” he answered her. “Frankly, I don’t remember much of it after the first beer I had, except for flashes of women dancing the can-can.” Tonks laughed again. “I’m glad, though I’m a bit disappointed.” Remus raised an eyebrow, puzzled by this. “Why would you be disappointed, Dora? I’d have thought you wouldn’t like me to enjoy watching other women like that.” “You really don’t remember, do you?” she asked. Remus again shook his head. Tonks grinned. “You do remember that the girls were going to throw me a bridal shower last night while you guys were out?” Remus nodded. That was why they had to leave from the front porch of Potter Manor, because Lily, Sam and Molly were preparing the house for the bridal shower. “Well, around midnight, Molly and I were helping Lily clean up after the shower when we heard a large crash from the living room. We rushed in with our wands drawn but had to stop to keep from laughing. There was a large tangle of limbs in the middle of the living room floor, made by nine people.” Remus groaned. “Don’t tell me. It was me, James, Sirius, Arthur and his five oldest sons.” “Right the first time,” Tonks said. “You guys were so funny trying to disentangle yourselves in your drunken state.” “I bet we were,” Remus said, shaking his head. “Just how drunk were we?” “Drunk enough that when you saw me, you came up to me and started kissing me with more passion than you ever had,” Tonks said. “You even started to whisper about how you couldn’t wait to have your way with me on our wedding night.” Remus looked at her with wide eyes. “I did?” “Oh yeah,” Tonks said, grinning, before reaching over to caress his cheek with a soft hand. “Darling, I loved it that you drop your inhibitions and noble nature when you’re drunk. I wish you could do that even when you’re sober. Don’t let the wolf part of you keep you from enjoying life. I know you’re still scared, even if we’re getting married, that it will take you over and make you harm someone you care for, like me. I’m not. I love you, all of you, even the wolfman you are twelve times a year.” Remus embraced her tightly, very grateful for her presence in his life. He hoped he could be all she wanted him to be. Two days later, on the day of his wedding, it seemed that Remus had forgotten what Tonks had said. He was standing in front of the full length mirror in his room as he dressed, gazing at the various scars on his body that were signs of his previous transformations, wondering again why Tonks had agreed to marry him and why he had asked her in the first place. A knock on his door broke him from his dark thoughts. “Remus,” James’ voice came through the door, “what in Merlin’s name is taking you so long?” The door opened before Remus could say anything, revealing his black-haired friend dressed in a well-made set of dark green robes with a dress shirt and tie visible underneath. James sighed as he saw him. “Oh, Moony, you’re not having second thoughts again, are you?” He came fully into the room and closed the door behind him. “Come on, Moony, get dressed. The guests will be here in another hour.” Remus looked at James, his doubt and hesitation increasing after hearing that. “I don’t think I can go through with this, James. How can she want to marry me? Look at me. I’m covered in scars and tainted. There isn’t a patch of clean skin on my body. Plus, I’m too old for her.” James shook his head. “You’re marrying her, Remus, because you love her and she loves you. Just because you’re a werewolf who’s twelve years older than her doesn’t make you too old and tainted. You’re a good, gentle man. When have you ever harmed anyone during your transformations? Tonks sees the true you, just like me, Sirius, Lily, Sam, Harry, Ginny, the rest of the Weasleys, Albus, Minerva and Hagrid. All of us are here to see you be happy.” Remus looked at his friend, trying to see any hint of hesitation or deception in his eyes but the man’s hazel eyes looked back at him with all honesty and he didn’t smell any fear from him, just like that night so many years ago when James and Sirius confronted him about his furry little problem and told him their plans of becoming Animagi. Again Remus was thankful for the friends that fate had given him. “Thanks, James,” he said. “I needed that.” James clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. Now finish dressing up. We have to meet the guests as they arrive.” An hour later, Remus stood nervously on one side of Dumbledore with James beside him at the front of the small marquee set up in the garden of Potter Manor. Seated on the bride’s side of the guests were Andromeda, Ti, Sirius, Sam with little Lizzie in her lap, Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George On the groom’s side were Lily, Harry, the Grangers, Ron, Frank, Alice, Neville, Minerva and Flitwick. Music started and Daisy Potter appeared in the opening of the tent, looking cute in her white dress. She walked down the aisle slowly, scattering flowers with the concentration only a three year old could muster. Andrew followed her, looking so handsome in his dress robes, holding a pillow with two rings on it. After him came the bridesmaids, Rose, Hermione and Ginny. Then the music changed to the wedding march and Remus looked up, his breathe catching. There, on the arm of her father, stood his Dora, his Metamorphmagus bride, her natural heart-shaped face and brown hair making her a vision of beauty in an off-shoulder white dress with an empire waist and a train five-feet long. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she slowly came toward him. After what seemed like an eternity but was actually a few minutes, she was standing in front of him, a smirk on her face. She turned to face her dad, breaking Remus out of his daze. Ted kissed her cheek and gave her a quick embrace. Ted turned to Remus to shake his hand. “Take good care of her.” “I will, sir. Thank you for allowing me to marry her,” Remus said. When he turned to face her, he was once again caught up by her natural beauty. He was so mesmerized by her that he barely heard Dumbledore as he talked about love and marriage. When they came to the actual vows, he recited them automatically. Then he was shaken from his daze when Dumbledore said, “I now pronounce you bonded for life. You may kiss your bride,” which he did with enthusiasm. Then Dumbledore announced, “Wizards and gentle witches, I present Mr. and Mrs. Remus John Lupin.” The tent erupted in cheers and applause. Remus never felt happier in his life. ******* Harry smiled as he watched Remus and Tonks dance, staring into each other’s eyes with love and devotion. Harry felt really happy for the man, knowing that Remus was often envious of what his parents and Ginny’s parents had, even with the war and many years of marriage. After all the trouble he had gone through since being infected with lycanthropy, Remus deserved all the happiness he could get. Harry knew Tonks was the right woman to give him that and put life into the studious and shy werewolf. Harry felt a small pair of arms encircle him from behind and knew who it was. He turned around within the arms. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said before tilting his head down to capture Ginny’s lips in a passionate kiss that lasted several seconds. He felt his body respond to Ginny’s presence. He pulled back and said, “You look so beautiful in that dress, I can’t wait to take it off you. What say you we sneak away? I’m sure no one will miss us.” “Oh, I quite agree, Mr. Potter,” Ginny said as a smirk appeared on her face. She could probably feel his lust and need for her through their Bond. Grinning, Harry quickly and silently Apparated them to his bedroom where they made love like their first time. They managed to get back to the reception in time to say goodbye to the newly married couple before they left for their honeymoon in an undisclosed place in America. The weeks passed and the New Marauders were glad to hear that Hogwarts was fully repaired and ready for the coming school year. They spent the days balancing training with fun in the form of Quidditch games, picnics and swimming in the stream near the Burrow. The various couples also tried to find time to be alone away from the others. A few days before Harry’s birthday as they were having dinner, a phoenix Patronus disturbed the Potters. The silvery bird spoke with Dumbledore’s voice, “James, I need to come over. I’m afraid I have terrible news.” James immediately opened up the Floo to let Dumbledore through. The elderly wizard looked old and tired when he emerged from the fireplace. The Potters feared the worst. “Lily, I’m so sorry,” he said. “The Dark Mark was seen above # 4 Privet Drive in Surrey. The Dursleys have been murdered.”
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