|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Author: Enero Story: Summer Attack Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 19 Words: 14,124
Disclaimer: These characters and this world belong to Ms. Rowling. Harry could say at least one thing for this summer. He could finally console himself with the fact that this was going to be his last summer with the Dursleys. He’d only come back this time because he’d promised Dumbledore. At his first opportunity after turning seventeen he would be out of there. Uncle Vernon had been yelling at him yesterday because he thought Harry had
been watching the news again. Apparently he thought he was being especially
smart by telling Harry that after this summer he couldn’t be a free-loader
anymore. It had been strange to think, even though he hadn’t known his parents, how much pain it had caused him since he had learned the truth. Perhaps it was because growing up with the Dursleys had created a void in Harry’s life where there should have been family and love. Now that he knew what really happened to them and how much they had loved each other, the pain it caused knowing he missed out of being a part of that, or that he had been so close to having that in his life, was worse than the void. He really didn’t like to think about it too much either, it would just start all the “what ifs.” Sitting on the ground, leaning against a large tree in the park, Harry’s mind ran through thoughts of this past school year. He should probably be inside, that was where it was safest, but he couldn’t handle being in that house a second longer. He needed some space to breathe and this tree had always been on of his favourite places to think. Hermione had slipped a letter into his school things; he found it after he’d arrived at the Dursley’s. By now he could recite her letter by heart, having read it many times. Harry, I slipped this letter into your things because I can’t risk sending it by owl and I didn’t want to chance anyone overhearing us at school or on the train. I was looking through the library for some books to read over the summer. On one of the back shelves I found a book, Muggle Studies of Psychology and the Magical Mind. It looks as though no one has taken it off the shelf since it got here, let alone read it. I read though it already. Most of it isn’t useful but there’s a small section on projecting emotions. There is a spell in the section also, “Intra Cos Exsto.” It’s used to help a magical person in therapy project their feelings onto the therapist so what the patient is feeling can be better understood. Although I can’t prove it, Harry, I believe we might be able to use this to our advantage. Voldemort wasn’t able to possess you for long at the Ministry two years ago because of the emotions you held in you; emotions he didn’t understand, like love. It is difficult to say what we might be able to do with this spell without research and testing but based on what we already know I believe that a spell based on foreknowledge of how your emotions affect Voldemort will give you a great advantage over him when the time comes. We can discuss this more when we meet in person next. Love from, Hermione PS- Please be extra careful this summer. Harry sighed as he finished mentally reciting Hermione’s letter for what seemed like the hundredth time. He hoped desperately that she was right. He had tremendous faith in her abilities and he wanted this to just be over. He was sick of hiding and sick of worrying that any moment he was going to get the news of another death. He wanted to know that the moment he destroyed the last horcrux he would be able to face Voldemort and finish it once and for all. After mulling over this bit of magic for a while, Harry began to think about Ginny. His love for her had grown so much over the year and it broke his heart to have to let her go now. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, was a wish that he never consciously acknowledged: that after this was all over, Ginny would be there and Harry could finally accept his feelings for her without worrying about getting her killed and adding yet another name to the growing list in his head. A sudden uneasy feeling pulled him out of his thoughts. A shadow next to a tree across the park caught his attention as he looked around. Harry fixed his gaze on the shadow as it slowly took the shape of a man. He was leaning against the tree with a deceptive casualness. Harry’s eyes locked on the man’s face and remained there. He knew that there was at least one Auror and one Order member following him but he wasn’t taking any chances. His senses were on full alert and even though his gaze remained fixed on the man across the park he was still listening for any other noises around him. Harry was uncertain how much time had passed but part of his attention was drawn to the sound of scrapping feet dragging lazily along the ground. There must have been five of them by the sound of it and they were heading right toward him. “Hey Big D, isn’t that your freak of a cousin?” was all Harry needed to hear to confirm his suspicions. Dudley and his gang were heading this way and if that was a Death Eater across the park they’d have a hard time getting away without being harmed. Dudley and his friends were bullies but that didn’t mean they deserved to be hurt. “Hey Harry, how about a beating for old time’s sake?”
“Dudley, you and your friends need to leave here, now.” Harry said calmly,
speaking as if “You gonna let him talk to you like that Big D?” Piers challenged, hoping to see some violence. *** That was as far as *** “Well, well, Mr. Potter…it’s a pleasure.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm and hate. “I’m afraid I can’t say the same.” Harry responded but he didn’t like
conversing. The only reason he was going to keep up this dialogue was to try
buy time for “You must be Potter’s cousin.” Only the Death Eater on the left seemed to be in the mood to chat since he
was the only one to address “You guys are really starting to do your homework.” Harry responded, trying
to draw attention away from “What are you talking about? Of course that’s your cousin.” Whether Piers was trying to stay on the Death Eaters’ good side or he was too stupid to realize what Harry was trying to do, or both…Piers obviously didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. The Death Eater looked at Piers for a moment and then turned his gaze back to Harry. “Nice try, Potter, always like you, trying to be noble.” He turned back to Harry pointed his wand in the direction of the silent Death Eater and
muttered “Intra Cos Exsto” before throwing himself in
front of *** *** This wasn’t the first time Harry had experienced the Cruciatus curse but if he had thought nothing could be more painful that this curse, he had been dead wrong. He had been hoping to hurt the Death Eater by projecting his feelings on him but he hadn’t expected this to amplify the feeling of utter and all consuming pain that ripped violently through his entire body. Not only that, but the Death Eater seemed unable to break off the curse. It seemed like an eternity of time had passed before he was shoved hard from the side, breaking the projection of feelings. The Death Eater immediately fell to the ground, breaking off his spell. Someone off to Harry’s left yelled a binding and stunning spell but he couldn’t see them. In fact, Harry couldn’t see anything; everything had gone completely white, just as it was when the curse was being cast on him. He heard people talking but he couldn’t find the strength to move. He was catching bits and pieces of conversation, someone had mentioned Moody, and someone else had mentioned Lupin. Harry assumed someone was going to get them. “Harry…Harry can you hear me?” It was Tonks, he recognized her voice but he couldn’t see her. He wasn’t sure if he responded, if he had managed to make a sound it was definitely not any actual words. “Listen to me, it’s Tonks, we’re going to move you back to your Aunt and Uncle’s. We have to make sure the area is secure before we decide how to transport you to St. Mungo’s.” Harry tried to move but couldn’t. He hated not being in control, not knowing exactly what was going on. “ *** “ “Shh, Harry, it’s okay. Your cousin is fine, he’s standing right here. I’ll make sure he comes back to your aunt and uncle’s with us.” The woman had looked at him briefly as she said this but kept most of her attention on Harry. After all that, Harry was concerned about whether he was alright? Hadn’t he tortured Harry enough in his life to make Harry want to curse him rather than stepping in front of a curse himself? He had heard that scream of agony, he didn’t think he’d ever forget it…Harry took that pain for him. Why? *** “Alright Tonks, lets go. I just got clearance to move him from here to
Number 4 Privet Drive.” Tonks looked up at Kingsley and nodded. The most
important thing was getting Harry back to a secure location. They couldn’t move
Harry with magic and he certainly couldn’t walk himself. It was left to Bill
Weasley, who had, up until this point, stayed in the background of the activity
to make things happen. He was there as an Order member, helping to secure the
area. No one said anything as Bill approached Harry and lifted him into his
arms as if Harry was just as much of a brother as Charlie was. No one had
argued with Bill, in fact no one said a word as Bill turned toward the
direction of the Dursleys' home. Even The Aurors used shielding aversion charms to prevent people from seeing the group of twenty or so witches and wizards walking down the street and entering Number 4 Privet Drive. *** *** As Bill came to a halt in the middle of the room he looked around warily. He had heard the story of his father’s visit here and didn’t expect to receive a warm welcome. He had also heard of some of the abuses Harry had suffered in this place and with everything that had already happened today, he was feeling extremely protective. He didn’t want to set Harry down and risk his uncle getting near him. He couldn’t be held responsible for what he might do to that horrible excuse for a guardian if he threatened Harry, especially at this moment, when Harry was laying helplessly in his arms. *** Vernon Dursley was so livid that he couldn’t bring himself to utter a single
word for at least five minutes. He was standing at the top of the stairs when
the front door was flung open and several freaks in robes walked right into his
front room, completely uninvited! Then a tall red haired man, dressed just as
abnormally but with long hair and a disgusting earring came in carrying that no
good nephew. Never mind why Harry was being carried, it figures that he was
responsible for this intrusion. His presence in his home had been an intrusion
since the very first day! “GET OUT!” Of all the things Mr. Dursley wanted to say, this seemed to be the only thing that could come out of his mouth. Bill looked up to see a cruel-looking, petty men. So…this must be “Uncle Vernon” he thought. He had the appearance of a man who looked to be used to throwing his weight around. There was no way he was going to let go of Harry now. “Mr. Dursley, if you would please come into the kitchen I can explain what has happened.” Kingsley Shacklebolt was attempting to be rational and diplomatic but from what Bill had heard, neither of these things were going to get him very far, not in a wizard’s robe. If it was possible, Mr. Dursley seemed to become even more upset by this suggestion. Apparently being told what to do in his own home did not agree with him. “Let me introduce myself, I am Kingsley Shacklebolt. I am the head of
Harry’s security detail from the Auror Division. This…”
waving a hand toward Tonks, “is Miss Tonks. She is the head of Harry’s
security detail from the Order of the “And what are you freaks doing with my son?” demanded Mr. Dursley. *** Bill knew this was how the Dursleys referred to magical folks but it was clear that most of the other wizards and witches in the room were not aware nor did they seem to appreciate the term. Kingsley turned around and warned them to stay silent with a single look. He then looked at Bill and motioned his head toward the couch. *** “It’s okay, Bill.” Kingsley reassured Bill, understanding his apprehension in making Harry any more vulnerable. “Set him down on the couch. Stay next to him. Rank One, surround him. Rank Two remain in the room near all entrances. Rank Three, remain outside the house at each entrance. Expect the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Remus should be arriving with Madam Pomfrey in order to ensure Harry’s stability before we move him,” Shacklebolt said. Lupin had been acting as something of a quasi-official guardian to Harry after the end of his sixth year. It was clear the two had developed an even closer bond in the past few months and Kingsley knew it was important that Lupin be with Harry as soon as possible. “Be advised that as soon as Harry is cleared to move and security is cleared we are going to move him out of here. I’m going to need Ranks One and Two to remain at St. Mungo’s in order to secure Harry’s room and floor. Rank Three will need to remain under cover at the entrance and elevators on each floor. It is imperative that the information of Harry being taken to St. Mungo’s remains extremely confidential,” Kingsley continued. When he finished giving his orders he turned to Dudley, who was still
standing in the middle of the security detail. “ *** Bill noticed Kingsley’s tone with *** *** Bill laid Harry onto the couch as the rest of the Aurors and Order members
moved into their assigned positions. Bill kept Harry’s hand in his as he
brushed the hair out of his eyes. He was unconscious now; he had been that way
ever since Tonks had told him *** Mr. Dursley walked into the kitchen and sank into his chair practically shaking with fury. “Now Mr. Dursley,” Shacklebolt began, “As you heard me say just now, we are moving Harry to the hospital as soon as we verify he is stable enough to move and we are sure we can move him securely.” Mr. Dursley’s face was practically purple except for the patches of red on his neck. “I don’t care what condition he’s in, I want him and every one of you out of here…NOW!” he yelled back. Mr. Shacklebolt made no acknowledgement of his yelling and responded as if Dursley was being as calm and collected as he was. *** “Unfortunately, Mr. Dursley, this situation is under my authority whether
you like it or not. As a courtesy, I am allowing you to be informed as to what
is happening as well as giving you the opportunity to find out what has
happened. However, that information is primarily because of your son’s
involvement.” “My son is not involved with you freaks!” he screamed back. Mr. Shacklebolt
looked at the floor shaking his head. It was the first sign he had given that “Mr. Dursley, it is not my job to fix your self delusions, nor am I
concerned enough with you to correct them. My job is to ensure the safety of
Mr. Potter and your attitude only concerns me as far as it affects Mr. Potter’s
safety and welfare. As it is, he will not be leaving this house until I clear
it. If you can not handle this you will stay in the kitchen until we have
left.” There was a note of finality to this statement that there simply seemed
to be no way of arguing. Mr. Shacklebolt then turned to *** The front door opened and Madam Pomfrey rushed in followed by Remus Lupin. This was the first time Lupin had been inside the Dursley’s home and was frankly not surprised by the state of it. The same sterile neatness that presented itself on the outside of the home was inside as well. He looked over at Harry who was lying on the couch, still unconscious. Bill Weasley was kneeling next to him. Bill looked up when Remus entered the room. His lungs felt as though they had tightened when he looked into Lupin’s eyes. They were the eyes of someone who has lost time and time again. Even with Sirius and Peter, he had to lose them both twice. The prospect of losing Harry too seemed to pull all those memories together. *** Remus approached the couch and knelt down beside Harry. How he wished he could take this burden away from him. Standing in this house now, feeling the years of torment that Harry went though. If only he could have been Harry’s guardian and not these awful people. If only things had been different, he could have given Harry all the love he deserved growing up. He could have shown his love and respect for Lily and James by making sure their only son grew up in a loving home. But it was all too late for that now. Standing there, Remus swore to himself he wouldn’t let this continue. The Dursleys would never again add to the pain that already existed in Harry’s life. *** *** Lupin overheard Vernon Dursley speak to *** “Well….” *** When Kingsley stole a glance at Lupin after “And you thought you’d give it a whirl?” Mr. Shacklebolt asked him, prompting him to continue. “Well…not really. I didn’t want to lose face in front of my gang but, in all honesty I’ve tried to avoid Harry since he came back. Last summer he seemed…unstable. But this summer he seemed, dangerous.” *** “See…that no good Potter. He’s got no right trying to scare my son; he should have been left in that burning house with his parents!” Mr. Dursley exclaimed. Apparently the stress of having so many abnormal people in his house, telling him what to do, made him forget any good sense he may have had. *** “Silence!” thundered Lupin. It could be heard loud and clear from the front room. Everyone, including the guards outside, turned in the direction of the voice. Lupin had clearly had enough. *** Kingsley would have been suppressing a smirk after the look on Mr. Dursley’s face if it weren’t for the horrible understanding, derived at exactly that moment, of just how awful Harry’s life was before Hogwarts, or how it had been each summer holiday since he’d started school. *** Before anything else could happen Madam Pomfrey moved into the kitchen and stopped close to Lupin. She placed her hand lightly on his forearm and whispered, “He’s almost ready to be moved.” He nodded to her and quietly responded with a “thank you” before turning back to the group seated at the table. “Unfortunately, we do not have the time to hear this from “I wanted you to think in your mind of the moment when you approached Harry
in the park.” Dudley nodded when he had done so and Lupin placed his wand to Lupin placed a silver strand into the small bowl that was obviously a Pensive. Since it contained no other memories it was probably a “Travel Pensive.” “Something Dumbledore gave me.” Lupin explained to a confused looking Shacklebolt. *** Only Dumbledore, thought Kingsley, shaking his head slightly and trying to bite back a smirk but he couldn’t stop the side of his mouth from twitching a bit. *** *** As *** Lupin tapped the image, returned the memory to “The injuries Harry suffered are quite serious. Some people do not recover from prolonged exposure to that particular curse. In Harry’s case, though it was not a long exposure, relatively, the effects of exposure to an amplified form of the curse are unknown.” Lupin explained *** *** Madam Pomfrey was still fussing over Harry when Lupin entered the front room. “Almost ready Poppy?” he asked. “Well, I feel he’s stabilized just enough to make the trip but the longer you can wait the better it will be for him.” Lupin nodded and turned to the Weasleys. “We’ll be leaving here by Portkeys. One will take
Madam Pomfrey and Bill with Harry.” He paused to look and Arthur
Weasley before continuing. “I could use your help, Arthur, with security inside
of Harry’s room.” Mr. Weasley nodded and Lupin turned to Mrs. Weasley, “Molly,
I need someone to pack up Harry’s things upstairs and bring them to *** Kingsley was standing near the kitchen table, consulting a small coin as Lupin entered. Both Dudley and Mr. Dursley sat in silence, apparently both deep in thought. Kingsley looked at Lupin and nodded his head once. “All areas are secure, healers are standing by, portkey locations are ready.” “Good,” Lupin responded. “Someone will be staying behind to collect Harry’s things,” he stated to Mr. Dursley, who looked livid that there would still be “intruders” after Harry was taken away. But he remained silent except for a small grunt he couldn’t seem to control. Both Kingsley and Lupin left the kitchen together and returned to the front room. *** Kingsley entered the room as he was pulling out various sheets of paper from his robes, casting spells on each. He handed several to Tonks, one to Bill, and another to Mrs. Weasley. “Arthur, I’d like you to stay with Molly while she collects Harry’s things.
Your Portkeys will activate in ten minutes and will
take you to *** The hospital was buzzing with activity everywhere except for one entire floor. Remus Lupin sat in a chair outside the very last door on the left. His arms were crossed over his chest and he was staring and the floor. He had been looking at the same imperfection in the tile for ten minutes now but it was better than pacing back and forth in front of the door, which had given him a headache. What was taking so long? He thought with a sigh. The mediwizards had been in there for thirty minutes! Just when Remus thought he couldn’t wait any longer the door opened and five mediwizards emerged. Two pairs were talking in whispers while the fifth one out tried to give him an encouraging smile. Remus had stood up and was now facing the door, looking at the remaining mediwizard. “How is he? Is he going to be okay? Can I see him?” The questions came tumbling out of Remus before he could stop himself. The mediwizard held out a placating hand. “We believe he’s going to make a full recovery. But he will need to remain here for at least two weeks so we can monitor the effects of the spells that were used. To be honest, we’ve never seen any spell like this before, especially used in the way it was.” The worry lines on the mediwizard’s face were deep but Remus couldn’t help but breath a sigh of relief. He was going to be okay. A long recovery he could handle, but losing Harry…he wasn’t sure what he’d do. It was then that Hermione Granger and Ron and Ginny Weasley came rushing down the long hall, skidding to a halt near Lupin. “Is he okay?” they asked, practically yelling, in unison. Remus let himself smile before responding. “They think he’ll be fine.” “Professor Lupin?” Hermione hesitantly began, “The spell…did Harry…I mean…is that why he’s…” Hermione’s eyes were filling with tears as she glanced at the doorway to Harry’s room, apparently unable to continue to meet Remus’s gaze. Ron put his hand on Hermione’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault, Hermione,” Ron said, trying to comfort her. But this seemed to make it slightly worse and her body started to shake slightly. “Ron’s right,” Remus continued. “There was no way of knowing this could have happened.” Hermione looked back at Remus. “But…If I hadn’t told him…I should have…done more research…” She trailed off again, trying to maintain control of the tears that were threatening to fall. There was silence for a few moments before Hermione sniffed softly and looked back up at Remus, “Do you think that this might…be a breakthrough for Harry, once we work on the spell, for defeating Voldemort?” Despite her guilt, Hermione’s intellectual curiosity could not be kept at bay. Remus couldn’t help but smile to himself. “You know, Hermione,” he began, “I have a feeling that it is.” She smiled back at this response and the four turned toward the door. “I’ll be back in a bit to check on him.” The mediwizard responded before nodding at them and walking back down the hall. Remus followed Ginny, Ron and Hermione into Harry’s room, allowing a small glimmer of hope to make his chest tighten. In spite of everything – things were looking up. ++++++++++++++++++ Author’s Note: Thank you Kokopelli, for helping me with my first story and your patience with all my questions. And thank you Chris, for listening to hours of me talking about ideas.
|