Harry Potter and the return of the Dementors

you like this one as well! Please Review everyone and rate! I'd like to know how
I'm going....


* * * * *

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------Chapter 2---------

A couple of days later, Harry was woken up abruptly. Upon regaining consciousness, Harry immediately noticed why he was woken up with such a start.

Firstly, he couldn't see because somebody had blindfolded him.

Secondly, he couldn't shout for help because there was something stuffed in his mouth.

Finally, he couldn't change his situation because the same person had tied him up.

Harry panicked. This wasn't something that Hermione would do, but he felt that he was still in bed, so maybe his abductor was interrupted by one of the Grangers. This situation didn't last for long, as Harry felt himself being dragged out of bed and carried somewhere.

'This is it' Harry thought to himself, 'the end. After everything that has happened in my life, Voldemort's got me and this time I'm going to die'.

Harry felt very vulnerable - he didn't have his wand with him, and he felt a chill through his pyjamas. This was, Harry thought, not good.

Harry felt the sun on himself and knew that he had been taken outside. Harry listened closely. He could have sworn that he heard someone stifling a laugh. But he couldn't be sure.

Harry's captor stood him up outside, and Harry stood there, trembling. Then, Harry found that his hands were untied and something placed in them. The object felt like his glasses. How curious! Then, Harry felt himself being untied and finally the blindfold taken off.

The scenery was a blur, but through the blur, Harry could see many people looking at him. He put his glasses on, and stared at the crowd, in absolute shock.

"SURPRISE!" The crowd shouted as one. Harry noticed familiar faces within the crowd. At first glance, he saw Hermione, Ron, Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore. Other faces he recognised as well. Harry turned around to see his captor. Behind him, he found Sirius, looking rather bemused and stifling laughter.

"I suppose that you thought this was funny," Harry said to Sirius. Harry had tried to sound serious, but this was becoming exceedingly difficult. Harry gave up and a broad smile appeared across his face.

Sirius hugged Harry, lifting him into the air. "It WAS meant to be a surprise Party," Sirius replied. "You should have seen the look on your face when I woke you. Priceless!".

Harry replied, "Well, I wonder what you would have looked like if you had woken up in the same situation."

Harry felt rather stupid standing in front of this big crowd wearing his pyjamas. He told Sirius that he was going inside to change and ran indoors. Upon reaching Hermione's room, Harry hastily pulled on a shirt, shorts and his trainers. He then walked out the door, preparing to face the crowd outside. Then a thought struck Harry. He ran inside, grabbed the invisibility cloak and wore this on his way back outside.

The crowd was talking to each other in groups. Harry heard himself being mentioned quite often and from snippets of conversation, worked out that the events of last year and the holidays were being discussed. Harry was spotted by Professor "Mad-Eye" Moody on his way out. Moody grinned at him.

Harry moved over to where Sirius, Hermione, Ron and Professor Lupin were talking to each other.

"Well Hermione, you've been with Harry since he left the Dursleys. How is he going?" Professor Lupin asked Hermione.

"Well," Hermione said, "I'm not sure. Harry looks OK and he's getting some of the weight he lost back, but I'm worried about him."

Professor Lupin looked at Hermione, a worried expression on his face. He said "Hermione, what do you think is wrong with Harry? You've been with him the most out of all of us, so if you're worried, so am I."

Hermione said, "I can't put my finger on what's wrong. Harry seems to be hiding something. He hasn't been talking as much lately and he seems kind of thoughtful, which isn't really like Harry".

Ron spoke up. "Harry hasn't been talking much? I mean, and I'm sure you will agree as well Professor Lupin, if Harry spoke any less, he wouldn't make a sound!"

Sirius agreed, "Yeah, Harry's a quiet one alright." He looked reflective. "He's quite different from what his father was in that respect".

And then Sirius added, "I wonder what Harry's up to. He hasn't come out of the house yet." Sirius looked at the rest of the group. "He went in to get changed".

Sirius made to go to the house, but Harry caught his wrist, pulling the cloak off himself with the other hand. Sirius looked back at Harry, surprised.

Harry said, "Had to get you back for this morning..."

Professor Lupin looked at Harry, a concerned look on his face.

"Harry, you've been here for a while haven't you? So I guess that you heard what we were saying, which was good. What do you have to say about it?"

Harry looked back at Professor Lupin. "I'm OK. I've just had quite a lot on my mind lately, you know, last year and the holidays..." Harry caught Hermione's eye when he said this. "Really, I am," he added.

This was true. Harry felt OK, but there was one thing at the moment that weighed heavily on his mind.

Cedric.

Harry kept thinking 'Its all my fault. If I didn't get entered into that stupid competition, Cedric would still be alive. If I didn't get Cedric to take the Cup with me, he'd still be alive as well.' There was no evading the thought. It was, to Harry, true. He reflected on Cedric.

"Harry....HARRY!" Harry was interrupted by Sirius, now wearing a worried look of his own. "What's wrong?"

Harry looked at Sirius, a surprised look on his face. "What happened?" Harry asked. Nothing seemed to have happened....

"Harry, you drifted off there. You looked distant." Sirius looked at Harry, and gesturing to the others to follow, led Harry into the house and back into Hermione's bedroom.

"Harry, sit down on the bed. We need to talk." There was a concerned tone in his voice. The others, led by Professor Lupin, walked in.

Sirius continued, "What's wrong Harry? What happened down there?"

Harry started, "Er, I was just thinking about stuff. I don't think anything happened..."

Sirius looked at Harry evenly. "Harry, I don't know you very well, but from what I've seen of you, that's not really in character. Even during the Tournament, you were always keeping yourself occupied somehow. You don't sit and brood. Something's wrong. What is it?"

Harry was going to argue. "There's nothing wrong. Seriously!" Harry looked around for someone to help him. But both Ron and Hermione looked concerned.

Hermione added, "We both know he's right Harry."

Then Professor Lupin spoke up. "Harry, if you don't mind me asking, what were you thinking about down there?"

Harry sighed. He didn't lie very well, and out of the four people around him, someone would recognise that he wasn't telling the truth. Harry decided on the truth, maybe that would ease the guilt that he felt for Cedric's death.

Harry said simply: "Cedric".

Professor Lupin spoke up. "Harry, I was there last year, watching the third task from the grandstands. You're not blaming yourself for Cedric's death are you?"

Harry nodded. He couldn't bring himself to speak.

Ron looked at Harry and said, "Harry, its not your fault. Nobody thinks its your fault, not even Cedric's parents."

"You're OK though aren't you?" Ron added.

Harry replied, "Yeah, I'm OK. Well at least I think I am." He glanced at where Hermione, Sirius and Professor Lupin were standing.

Sirius added, "Harry, don't let it eat you up. I know what you feel like at the moment. When your parents died, I felt like ending it all. I really did - I as good as killed them..."

Harry looked at Sirius. "Sirius, that wasn't your fault at all. Wormtail killed my parents."

Sirius looked back at Harry: "Harry, I'm more responsible for your parent's death than you were Cedric's. Anyhow, lets get back downstairs. We're getting ourselves depressed up here, and I'd say that at least a couple of people want to speak with Harry."

At this, the five walked out and back into the garden where everyone else was.

Harry couldn't help noticing that people were shooting him glances.

Professor Dumbledore walked over to Harry's group, a cat following him. Harry assumed it was Crookshanks.

Hello Harry," Dumbledore said. "We've all been worried about you. But you're OK now, right?"

Harry smiled at him and nodded. Then a thought came to his head.

"Er, Sirius," Harry started.

"Yes Harry?" Sirius replied looking at him.

"Whose idea was this party?" Harry wanted to know. He was pretty sure it wasn't Hermione's, he hadn't seen her plan anything. Harry heard a faint 'pop' behind him and turned around. Professor McGonagall was standing where the cat was a moment before.

"Mine, Potter," Professor McGonagall said. "We thought that it would be best if you were cheered up a little."

Professor McGonagall turned to Sirius. "Taking Harry captive was going a bit far though. I don't think that Harry needed to be frightened out of his wits at this period in time."

Sirius replied, "Well, Harry didn't mind though."

"You didn't did you?" Sirius added, turning to Harry.

"Not at all Sirius," Harry replied. "And thanks for the party Professor McGonagall"

Professor McGonagall smiled at Harry and said, "Not a problem - I hope you've made a full recovery from whatever's wrong with you by the time you go back to school. You've got your O.W.L's this year..."

"Oh, one more thing Potter," Professor McGonagall added, "I think your cousin over there wants a few words with you. Well that's what Hermione told me."

Harry looked at Hermione.

"He rang me a couple of days after I got the note from you. He was actually quite worried. I'm not sure how he got my number though," Hermione said.

"Who?" Harry blurted. He didn't know he had any relatives who were concerned about him at all.

"Look over there, in the far corner," Hermione said simply, pointing.

Harry looked where Hermione had pointed. Standing, by himself in the corner, was Dudley. Harry blinked. Twice. Dudley was still there. Harry decided that it was best to go over and have a talk with his cousin.

"Um, Hermione, I'm just going over there to talk to Dudley OK?" Harry said, taking his leave.

Harry jogged over to where Dudley was standing, alone.

"Hey Dudley! I can't really say that I expected you here!" Harry said brightly.

He WAS in a pretty good mood.

Dudley looked at him, a scared look in his eyes. Harry looked at Dudley apprehensively, and understood. Dudley had come here for a reason, and Harry could see that Dudley was scared of him.

"Oh," Harry said, "Dudley, its OK. Really, I'm not going to attack you."

Some of the fear went out of Dudley's eyes, but Harry could still see that he didn't trust him. Harry continued.

"Um, Dudley, look, I know that you don't really trust me, being a wizard and everything but look, if it makes you feel better, you can hold my wand while we talk OK?"

Harry handed Dudley his wand, having taken it out of his pocket. Dudley looked at Harry, a funny look in his eyes.

"Harry," he started. "I'm really sorry about....everything."

Dudley actually looked contrite.

"I can't remember us ever really liking each other Harry, but I can't even remember why." Dudley paused. "This is SO STUPID!" Dudley suddenly exclaimed.

Harry saw that this was hard for Dudley. He decided to help.

"No hard feelings, Dudley," Harry said, offering his hand.

Dudley took it, smiling. "Thanks Harry," he said.

"Harry," he continued, "why exactly didn't we like each other?" Dudley had an oddly curious look in his face.

Harry thought for a moment. "I don't know Dudley," Harry said eventually. "I suppose that you enjoyed having me as your private punching bag."

Dudley laughed. "I didn't get to do that too much. You're too fast for me."

Harry had an idea just then. "Hey Dudley. I know you still don't really trust me because I'm a wizard. So, do you want to meet some of my school friends?"

Dudley thought. "Alright then."

Harry smiled at him "Dudley," he added, "be nice. They're more like family to me now. Especially since..."

Dudley interrupted, "Me, Mum and Dad have been absolutely horrible."

Harry caught Ron's eye and beckoned him and Hermione to come over to where he was standing. They excused themselves and came over.

"Dudley," Harry said simply, "this is Ron and Hermione."

Dudley looked even more scared than before. He felt surrounded by wizards (and a witch).

"Oh Dudley, they're not going to attack you." Upon this, Dudley calmed down.

Dudley piped up, "I overheard some people talking to that old man over there."

Dudley gestured towards Dumbledore. "Is it true that you nicked that stone thing in your first year?"

Harry laughed. "Yes and No. Ron and Hermione were my partners in crime then. Still are in fact. I say yes because I got to the stone but no because I didn't get away."

Dudley looked at Harry. "What happened?"

"Well," Harry said simply. "Me and Ron ended up in the hospital wing."

Hermione got away though," Harry added.

To which Hermione added, "Harry, I don't see how you can take this so calmly. You almost died". This obviously shocked Dudley.

"Harry almost died?" he blubbered.

"Well," Harry said. "It seems to happen to me more times than most people. I've lost count actually". Dudley looked at him, awestruck.

Dudley asked something else. "Harry, and I suppose you guys as well, how do you sneak around school without being caught? I've been caught so many times, I never get away with anything, especially with the caretaker walking around after hours."

Harry smiled. "That's because you can't do this! Farewell Dudley!"

Harry threw the invisibility cloak over himself. Hermione and Ron both laughed at the look on Dudley's face.

"Where's Harry gone?" he asked.

"Absolutely nowhere. He's still standing in front of you. Check if you want!" Hermione said.

Dudley took a swipe in Harry's direction. Forgetting that Harry was somewhat smaller and shorter than he was, the blow connected on the side of Harry's head.

"OW!" Harry said under the cloak. "That hurt!".

"Er. Sorry Harry," Dudley said. "Can you all do that?" Dudley asked Ron and Hermione.

"Nope. Only Harry can do that. He's special," Ron said, half laughing.

"No really, Harry's got an invisibility cloak. He's just wearing it at the moment," Harmione said. She pulled the cloak off Harry.

Dudley then said, "You OK Harry? You were in that cupboard for a long time."

Harry said, "Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for ringing Hermione. Where did you get the number? You hit me in the head you know."

"Off your desk," Dudley said simply.

Suddenly, Dudley said, "Harry, I've never really understood you at all. I suppose you were just a punching bag to me. You're actually a pretty nice guy."

"Er, Thanks," Harry said, not knowing what to say.

"Harry," Dudley said in a funny voice "you're a complicated guy".

Harry, Ron and Hermione all exploded into laughter.

Recovering first, Hermione said, "I can't say that you're wrong there Dudley, there's a lot more to Harry than any of us know."

Harry agreed. He didn't want to share his troubles with them.

Dudley then started laughing. "I finally put faces to your names. You know, Harry's told me all about you two!"

Hermione looked at Ron, and they both looked at Harry. A questioning look was in their eyes. Harry looked blankly back at them, obviously confused.

"In your sleep mind you," Dudley added, talking to Harry "I guess you guys know all about that though. Maybe some interesting stories about me popped out," he added, looking at Ron and Hermione.

It was now Dudley, Ron and Hermione's turn to burst into laughter.

"You bet," Ron said.

Harry wasn't amused. "I can't believe you didn't tell me, Ron!"

"Harry, your sleep talking is the most reliable source of information I've had at Hogwarts. You're so guarded all the time, its the only way that I could find anything out about you," Ron said.

Ron then turned to Dudley. "Harry probably hasn't told you, but he can do all sorts of interesting stuff that even me or Hermione can't do. For example, Harry can talk to snakes"

"Yeah I know that," Dudley said. "He set a boa constrictor on me when he was 10."

Harry recalled the incident, at the zoo. It was before he even knew he was a wizard.

Ron continued, "He also got into a duel with another wizard last year. A real powerful one."

Dudley looked at Harry.

"Er. Yeah. I don't like recalling the incident, because of Cedric," he said.

Ron looked sorry. "It's OK Ron," Harry added.

Dudley asked, "If you don't mind me asking, who won?"

Harry said simply, "Dudley, these two won't agree with me, but I lost."

Hermione and Ron looked like they were going to argue.

"You two, if I had won, I wouldn't have ended up, half dead in the hospital wing afterwards."

Dudley looked at Hermione. "Is this true?"

Hermione said, "You'll have to somehow get the details out of Harry. Don't ask me how. But yes, he was literally half dead. Probably even more. But Harry's still with us, fortunately."

Hermione remembered the veritaserum that Snape brandished in the potions dungeon. "Maybe I can slip you some truth potion. I guess its the only way you'll get a straight answer from Harry. But you have to promise to tell me what he tells you. I'm interested too."

"OK. Deal," Dudley said brightly.

"You wouldn't dare," Harry blurted.

"I've nicked stuff from Potions before. All I need is that little vial of veritaserum that Snape's got..."

"Don't do it. Please," Harry pleaded with them. He meant it too.

"Why not Harry?" Hermione said. "Its about time that you give us a straight answer. You're always so guarded, I have to wait for those inevitable slip ups that you make."

Harry said, "Well, at Hogwarts, I'll tell you what I think you guys need to know about myself, like I always do. Don't do the truth potion thing, there's all sort of disturbing stuff in my head that I know you don't want to know about."

"OK Harry," Hermione said. "We understand" Harry didn't know whether to trust Hermione or not.

"Anyhow," Harry said, "I believe that when we met on the school train on the first day, you knew more about me than I did."

Hermione laughed, "Only what I could find in books. It's much better coming from the original source."

Walking around the garden after this conversation, Harry caught snippets of conversation.

"...more wizards to guard Azkaban, the dementors are guarding Diagon Alley and other magical places". It was Mr. Weasley.

"No!" Mad-Eye Moody said. "Those things are uncontrollable and dark creatures.

They could switch sides to Voldemort at anytime. Especially after what happened last year".

Mad-Eye looked at Harry, and smiled. "Don't worry, Harry. You'll be alright. I hear you conjure a pretty good Patronus."

Harry nodded and smiled at Mad-Eye Moody.

"Well, Alastor," Mr Weasley said. "I was outvoted so they're scattering to guard places".

After a while, the party broke up, and Harry, Hermione and Ron went indoors. It was early afternoon, and Hermione said, "Hey, why don't we get our stuff from Diagon Alley now?"

* * * * *

After catching the Underground to London, Harry Ron and Hermione made their way to the Leaky Cauldron and, after some of the patrons made a fuss over the three from Hogwarts (especially Harry), they crossed into Diagon Alley.

Hermione and Harry had to go to Gringotts first, but as Ron had already got his money from his parents, he waited outside. Harry and Hermione quickly gathered enough money and met Ron back outside.

The three went and got their O.W.L level books from Flourish and Blotts, potions supplies from the apothecary and parchment and ink from another store.

Harry also bought an owl treat for Hedwig, while Hermione bought a new collar for Crookshanks.

Then they saw them. Two dementors, floating down Diagon Alley, like Muggle policemen. They were being conspicuously avoided by the wizarding public.

They headed in Harry's direction. Harry took his wand out, just in case. A hand fell on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked behind him. It was Professor Lupin.

"Getting ready to conjure up a Patronus Harry?" Professor Lupin asked.

Harry answered, "Yeah, I was, you know how those things affect me."

Professor Lupin said, "You've got your supplies now for next year. You three take a bit of this each and go back to the Leaky Cauldron. Its safe there. The Dementors are looking for any death-eaters or Voldemort himself. But they don't really look like they're trying. They are up to something Harry." Professor Lupin handed Harry a chocolate bar, which he divided in three. Harry, Hermione and Ron ate their pieces and went back to the Leaky Cauldron. The chocolate helped, Harry noticed.

In the Leaky Cauldron, Harry asked the bartender, "What are the Dementors for?"

The bartender answered, "Best avoid them Mr. Potter. They're up to no good. But they've got a permit from the ruddy ministry, so we can't do a thing about them. If you can, learn how to conjure up a Patronus."

Harry thanked the man. He had learned from two people that the Dementors weren't doing what they said they were. He thought of Sirius. He had survived Azkaban, mind intact, for many years. Harry decided privately that he would ask Professor McGonagall for Animagi training. This, Harry thought, would protect him from the Dementors. On contemplating an animal to change into, he instantly thought 'Owl!'. It somehow seemed appropriate.

The three spent the rest of the holidats at the Granger's place, talking, playing exploding snap and keeping themselves occupied. Ron had taken to Hermione's favourite sport - Harry stuffing. This was amusing for Ron and Hermione in the extreme, and rather annoying at times for Harry. Harry couldn't really enjoy being pinned down by Ron and having food stuffed wholesale into him. Ron and Hermione's "record" was two sandwiches straight. Harry felt sick after that effort. He appreciated their concern for him though, the reasons, for him anyway, were rather dubious. With Ron around as well, he couldn't run away.

"Hermione! School tomorrow! Time to sleep!"

Ron groaned. Hermione looked anxious and Harry smiled. They all had a different attitude to school. To Harry, Hogwarts was a second home to him. Probably even more so than Privet Drive. Although, with Dudley's change of heart, that could change. Harry could only wait and see.