Harry Potter and the return of the Dementors

---------------------- Chapter 6 ----------------------

There was a stunned silence in the library at these words. Hermione, Harry and Ron hadn't banked on having company on their latest 'escapade', and it bothered them that Tim might get hurt. The question on the minds of all three was 'Tim was named by Professor Trelawney for a reason. How on earth are we going to ask him to basically break every rule in the Hogwarts rule-book, especially as prefects?'

At the same time, Harry was thinking, 'Just when I thought I was going to have a quiet year, here we go again...'

However, the thoughts of all three were broken by Tim, who said simply, "Professor Dumbledore wants to see you three in his office."

Harry smiled at Tim, and said, "Sure, thanks."

As the three left the library quietly, Tim asked Harry something else. "Harry, do you know what this is about? Cos Dumbledore wants me to be there as well. It might just be me, of course, but I think that he's looking really worried about something."

Harry replied. "Er..actually, I think I might have some idea what this is about. I think I'll let Dumbledore explain though, just in case I'm wrong."

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, who were talking to each other. Although he couldn't quite hear what they were saying, from the tone of their voice, they didn't seem too happy about what had just occurred. Harry knew, somehow, what was going through their minds at the moment. This was the first time that they had been 'conscripted' into one of these escapades, whereas in their first three years, Hermione and Ron had approached them with a free will. Harry understood what they were feeling, he felt the same way last year when his name came out of the Goblet of Fire, and, in a way, he felt the same thing now. At this, Harry moved over closer to Ron and Hermione, and walked alongside them. Eventually, they reached Dumbledore's office, and Professor Dumbledore was waiting for them at the foot of the stairs.

"I see from the look on your faces that you've probably worked out what this is about. Come in, we have some things we must discuss," Dumbledore said, leading the four students into his office.

When the four had taken seats in Professor Dumbledore's office, they looked at Professor Dumbledore with a look that read clearly, 'What do we do now?'

Professor Dumbledore then said, "I have discussed this with the Hogwarts staff, and we have come to the decision that you four have indeed been named by Professor Trelawney in the Hall, just before. We have also come to the decision that there should be no compulsion for any of you to go, and if you do decide to go, that will be your decision, if you decide to stay, nobody will think any less of you. This decision should not be taken lightly, as you will be going somewhere dangerous, in fact, there will be fighting."

He then said, "I'll leave you here while you make your decisions. Tim, could I have a word with you outside?" At this, Professor Dumbledore and Tim left the room, leaving Harry, Ron and Hermione alone in Professor Dumbledore's office.

Once Professor Dumbledore had left the room, Harry said, "I've already made up my mind - I'm going. There's no point waiting for Voldemort to come to Hogwarts, because that's where he's probably headed. Now that he's got his power back, I'll be willing to bet that he's going to try and finish what he failed to do 15 years ago. You two..."

Harry didn't get to finish his sentence, because, at those words, Hermione had drawn her wand and hit Harry with the full body-bind. Harry didn't see this coming at all, and, as a consequence, took the curse squarely in the chest, and toppled over backwards. Hermione walked over to where Harry was lying rigid on the floor, and sat down next to him. Looking into Harry's eyes, which were the only part of his body he could move, Hermione could see that they were filled with fear. Hermione said, "I didn't want to hear what you were just about to say, Harry. I'm really sorry that I had to do this. No matter what you say, Harry, I'm going with you to wherever we're going."

Ron spoke up, a sense of purpose in his voice. "Harry, I'm going as well. Don't bother trying to stop me, because I'll just follow you and go anyway. Anyhow, I believe that the decision was mine to make, not yours."

Ron then said mischievously, "I really should get Fred and George. I wonder what they'd be thinking, seeing Harry on the floor like this..."

By now, Harry had worked out that Hermione and Ron weren't going to attack him, and just lay there, helpless, looking at them. Hermione, seeing this, smiled at Harry. She then reached over, and knowing from their experience on the train that Harry was ticklish, poked him under the ribs a few times. At this, Harry's eyes went wide, and Ron started laughing hysterically. Chuckling inwardly at the look in Harry's eyes, Hermione released him from the body-bind, and Harry immediately scrambled out of Hermione's reach and looked at both Ron and Hermione indignantly.

"Don't you ever do that again!" Harry said to Hermione. But, annoyed as he was, there was a hint of amusement in his voice. Truthfully, Harry was much more annoyed than angry at Hermione, and she hadn't really hurt him...

"Harry, I won't do that again if you don't try and refuse help again. However, if you even THINK about saying what you were about to say before..." At this, Hermione waved her wand in Harry's direction. Harry shuddered.

"OK, OK!" Harry said quickly, seeing Hermione moving her wand hand. "You could have just told me, you know. You didn't really have to torture me as well..."

Hermione responded, "Well, I'm sure you'll have second thoughts before you try another stunt like that, then. Anyhow, it was only a bit of fun - nobody's hurt."

"Fun! For you maybe," Harry said. "Not fun for me. Very not fun." But Harry spoiled the effect by failing to halt the smile that now appeared across his face. "You do realise, of course, that I'm going to have to get you back for this," Harry added.

"Not if I can help it," Hermione responded, as though challenging Harry to try.

At this point, Professor Dumbledore and Tim walked back into the office.

"You three, I leave you alone for a while, and you start cursing each other!" Professor Dumbledore said, with an amused expression.

Hermione responded, "Everyone's OK, Professor Dumbledore. It's just that one of us," Hermione looked squarely at Harry, "decided that he was going to be very noble, and ask the other two of us not to go. Nobody's hurt, Professor Dumbledore, really." Harry, at this point, felt very sheepish.

Professor Dumbledore looked at the three fifth-year Gryffindors, and satisfied that no-one was indeed hurt, sighed. "I take it that you three have decided to go, I suspected as much. You three really have been involved with all the trouble that's been happening the last few years. If you feel that you need anything, don't hesitate to ask - you've done enough for the school as it is. As for Tim, here, I'll leave it up to you whether you wish him to join your company."

At this, Hermione said, "Really, the decision is up to Tim, if he knows what we are volunteering for, and wishes to join, it would be unfair for us to refuse."

Professor Dumbledore said, "So be it, then. Tim, will you be going with these three?"

After thinking for a while, Tim responded, "I will."

Professor Dumbledore finally said, "Be careful out there, you four. And good luck. I hope to see you soon." Looking at Harry, Professor Dumbledore added, "and in good health as well."

The four left the office quietly, and decided that they would meet at the Gryffindor portrait hole, after dinner. After leaving the office, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Tim walked across the grounds to the broom shed, as they would need brooms for transport. Madam Hooch was there waiting for them when they arrived.

"Yes. I was wondering whether I'd be seeing you four down here. Professor Dumbledore has informed me of your intention to join up with some of the Aurors, and I was sure you weren't going to walk."

Harry asked, "May we take some of the school brooms, Madam Hooch? Some of us don't own brooms of our own."

Madam Hooch replied, "Of course, Potter. You'll probably want to take the Firebolt, and the others would probably want to take the Nimbus 2000s. They're the best school brooms we have."

After the Hermione, Ron and Tim had taken brooms out of the shed, Madam Hooch said, finally, "Good luck, you four." Looking at Harry, she added, "Do try to come back in one piece. I've never seen anyone fly as well as you do."

Harry responded, "We'll try our best"

On the trip back to the castle, Tim asked Harry, "Hey, How come you didn't take a broom?"

Harry replied, "Um...I don't need a broom to fly, Tim. It's a bit hard to explain now, but, I'm sure you understand." However, Tim, being curious, asked Hermione, who started explaining about animagi. While Tim was occupied, Ron walked alongside Harry, and said, "Harry, I've let you face danger alone, before, and I regret that now..."

Harry knew that Ron was about to apologise for something that Harry himself was inwardly grateful for, and knowing how hard this would be for Ron, he interrupted. "Nah, it's OK...really," Harry said softly. Although Ron said nothing at the moment, Harry could see that he was grateful at having been forgiven so easily. 'Anyhow,' Harry thought, 'that wasn't really his fault anyhow.'

Ron was strangely silent for a while, which made Harry start worrying about him, as Ron was usually talking about something, unless he was asleep.

"You OK over there?" Harry asked Ron.

"Yeah, just thinking about what's happened today. So much has already happened, but then I realise that we haven't even done anything yet..." Ron answered.

"Yeah," Harry replied. He spoke softly, but the tone of his voice still carried over to Ron. Ron felt the same way too - he knew that if, for whatever reason they didn't work together tonight, there was a good chance that one of them wasn't coming back.

The rest of the way up to the castle, Harry and Ron said nothing, their silence seemingly expressing themselves more than anything that they could have said. Without even talking, the four somehow managed to find their way up to Gryffindor Tower, all clearly lost in their thoughts. Harry looked at the clock - 1 hour before dinner. Harry walked silently into his dorm alone. Deep in thought, Harry didn't even notice as his wand fell out of his pocket, bouncing down the stairs, and rolling onto the common room floor.

After pulling his trainers and socks off, Harry sat down on his bed, drawing his knees to his chest and resting his chin on them. In this position, Harry stared out the window, towards the horizon. But Harry wasn't admiring the scenery - he was thinking about what had past in the last four years, and what was to come. Absently polishing his glasses on his robes, Harry knew that he had to go fight Voldemort. Deep inside, Harry knew that he owed this to the many people who had helped him over the years. Ron, Hermione, Hagrid. The names flowed through his mind, and although he knew that some of these people would worry greatly for him if they knew where he was going, Harry knew that, on another level, they supported him. Harry's thoughts shifted to those who had lost much due to Voldemort. Again, names flowed. Sirius had spent years of torment in Azkaban. Neville, whose parents had been driven insane by the Cruciatus curse. Cedric, who was killed by Voldemort, and his family, who lost a son. Finally, Harry's thoughts moved to his own parents, whom he had never known. They had died so that he could live. Harry had now been given the chance to fight against those who had killed his parents, and many others. And he would fight to the best of his ability - even if it meant that he wasn't coming back. Harry put his glasses back on, a new wave of resolve flowing through him.

Ron had sensed that Harry wished, at this moment, to be alone, when he had walked up into the dorm. Finding Harry's wand at the foot of the stairs, Ron sat on the bottom step, and looked at it. The wand was brothers with Voldemort's. Holly and Phoenix feather. Yet it's owner stood for the complete opposite. Ron knew that, after dinner, he would leave Hogwarts, and, if all did not go well, he would not return. Ron thought mainly of his family. Bill and Charlie would most definitely be fighting with the Aurors against Voldemort. Ron hoped that they would be OK. 'I'll be with you soon,' Ron thought. His father worked in the ministry, and although perhaps a bit old for fighting, he would be assisting the Aurors in any way possible within the ministry. Fred and George were, of course, at Hogwarts, and had no idea of his going. Although Ron knew that they would be angry at his going without their knowing, Ron didn't want them along either. That way, if all went to hell, his family would only stand to lose one member, not three. 'That's chess,' Ron thought. 'You have to make sacrifices for final victory.' And finally, he thought of Ginny. Having almost been killed by Voldemort herself, Ron would fight, most of all, for her.

Ron looked at the clock. There was ten minutes until dinner. Looking around the common room, Ron saw only Hermione and Tim. Everyone else at Hogwarts was enjoying their afternoon outside. Hermione was reading a book, while Tim had a distant look on his face, evidently daydreaming. It was time to get Harry, and almost time to leave.

Ron stood up, and walked up the stairs to the dorm. When he arrived at the dorm, Ron saw Harry's trainers at the foot of his bed, but no Harry.

"Um..Hermione! Come here! Harry's gone!" Ron shouted down the stairs. Hermione rushed up the stairs, moments later.

"What happened? Where's Harry gone?" Hermione gasped as she reached the top of the stairs. In fact, Harry hadn't gone, but was sitting in the corner of the dorm, covered by the invisibility cloak. Upon seeing the reaction of Ron and Hermione, Harry chuckled inwardly, making sure he didn't make a sound.

"I can't believe that...prat! What on earth was he thinking?" Ron half shouted.

"I didn't see him come down the stairs, and the portrait hole didn't open though," Hermione said evenly.

"Yeah, that's because he transformed and flew out the ruddy window!" Ron said, exasperated that Harry would leave without him or Hermione.

"Oh," Hermione said softly, clearly worried now.

"Tell you what though...that prat is going to get the biggest kicking of his life when he gets back!" Ron said.

Hermione was clearly distressed now. "You're assuming that there will be a Harry to kick at all..." Hermione said, even more softly now.

"Of course there'll be a Harry to kick! This is Harry we're talking about! I mean..." Ron said this quickly, but he quickly got lost for words, obviously now doubting himself.

"Yes. This is Harry we're talking about," Hermione said. "He's been through a lot this last year, and he didn't want to think about the possibility of losing either of us. Losing Cedric was hard enough for him. If only he would understand that...that he's not indestructible, and that he doesn't have to do everything alone..." Hermione was also lost for words.

Harry had heard enough. Ron and Hermione's backs were to him now, so he pulled off the invisibility cloak, stood up, and said, "I can assure you that there IS a Harry you could kick at the moment, if that were your intention. I really hope it isn't!"

Ron and Hermione turned around quickly, and saw Harry standing in the corner of the room, holding the invisibility cloak in one hand, and his wand in his other.

"You...you tricked us!" Hermione said, clearly not amused.

Harry smiled, and nodded in agreement. "You needn't really worry about me so much, though. I'm sure we'll be fine," Harry added.

"Of course we were worried Harry!" Ron said. "We thought you had gone without us and..."

"It was only a bit of fun, anyway - nobody's hurt," Harry repeated Hermione's words from before. Ron and Hermione walked towards Harry now, obviously now seeing the humour of the situation. Harry had said he was going to get Hermione back for the body-bind, and he had...

Seeing Ron and Hermione walking towards him, Harry asked quickly, "You're not really going to kick me now...right?"

"Of course not, Harry," Hermione said. "But you're going to be begging for mercy by the time we're finished with you though!" she added, quickening her stride towards Harry. Her intention was clear though, and Harry didn't like the mischievous look she had in her eye. Harry was ready for this though, and before Hermione could get a hand on him, Harry transformed into his animagus form. Upon reaching Harry, who hadn't moved, Hermione scooped him up off the floor and perched him on his bed. It was time for dinner in the hall now, and Tim walked into the dorm to remind them that it was time to go.

Tim picked up Harry and smiled gently at him, obviously not recognising Harry in his animagus form.

"Awww....so cute!" Tim said, looking at Harry

"Be careful what you cuddle up to, Tim," Hermione warned.

"Yeah...that's true. This owl's so tame though. It's so small and...oh you know...kind of..." Tim faltered, the word he wanted seemingly lost to him.

"Cuddly?" Hermione offered, knowing that Harry could understand every word that she said. Hermione also knew that when Harry changed back, he wouldn't be too impressed.

"Yeah, I suppose so," Tim said, smiling.

Hermione then said, "Ron and I know this owl - it's not one of the school owls though."

Ron spoke up, chuckling. "Small...I suppose, but cuddly? Really...I dunno..."

Tim looked at Harry again, cradling him in his arms. Without Tim noticing, Harry shot a look at Ron and Hermione, expressing his unhappiness at his present situation.

"So...if it's not one of the school owls, whose is it, anyway?" Tim asked both Hermione and Ron.

"Harry's," Hermione answered. This wasn't exactly true, of course, but Hermione supposed that if anyone had a right to claim 'ownership' of that owl, it would be Harry, seeing that it WAS himself...

"But doesn't Harry have Hedwig, that snowy owl I see around here?" Tim asked. Suddenly, Tim put two and two together, and realised what had happened. Harry had said, "I don't need a broom to fly" previously as well.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Tim half shouted, holding Harry at a distance, and a bit too tight.

"What?" Hermione asked, innocently. Ron, in the background, had started laughing.

"You let me do that to Harry? And you didn't tell me?" Tim was clearly upset at this turn of events.

"Well, you weren't hurting him, although I think that you might be holding him a bit tightly now. Anyhow, I DID warn you to be careful what you cuddled up to..." Hermione said evenly.

Tim relaxed his grip on Harry slightly, and muttered, "Sorry" under his breath. Then he looked at Hermione. "You knew all the time!" Tim spluttered, putting Harry down softly on a bed.

Hermione started chuckling. As soon as he was released, Harry flew to the other side of the room and transformed back to his human form.

"I can't say that I'm too impressed by this turn of events either!" Harry said, clearly annoyed, and rubbing his side where Tim had held him too tightly.

"Um...sorry about that, Harry," Tim said, clearly embarrassed now.

"It's OK. Wasn't your fault." Harry looked at where Hermione and Ron were standing. "I believe that you weren't told certain things by certain people..."

"Oy!, I didn't do anything!" Hermione protested, jokingly.

"Yeah, that was the whole problem!" Harry retorted. "Small and cuddly! Since when?" Harry questioned her, still annoyed about what had just happened.

"Well..." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Small since, well, forever."

Harry smiled despite himself. "I suppose so."

Hermione walked over to Harry and messed his hair up, so that it was even more untidy than usual. Upon seeing the look on Harry's face, which still expressed dislike for what had happened, Hermione said, "Harry, I'm sorry. OK?"

Harry replied, "Nah...it's OK. Jokes always come at the expense of somebody. I'm sure you found that greatly amusing." Harry looked at the clock on the wall. "Oh, time for dinner!" he said, putting on his trainers again.

Dinner was a sombre affair, the four Gryffindors knowing that this could quite plausibly be their last dinner. However, they knew that they had been offered the chance to back out, and refused. This was their decision - and the four had made up their minds to stick to it. Some of the other Gryffindors knew something was up, especially Fred and George, who kept shooting glances over at Hermione, Harry and Ron. Fred and George knew that something was up - they had seen this look on the faces of the three fifth years too often. They knew that the three weren't planning a prank though, but most likely something dangerous.

"What are those three up to now?" Fred asked George quietly, gesturing to where Harry was sitting.

"I dunno," George replied. "Probably something dangerous...as usual. I hope they end up OK."

"Yeah, same. You'd reckon they would run out of stuff to do though. First, the Philosopher's Stone, then the Chamber of Secrets...what next?" Fred said.

The two twins decided to ask Harry what was up after dinner, but when the twins got up from the table after finishing eating, the four had already gone.

When Harry, Hermione, Ron and Tim got up to Gryffindor Tower, they prepared to leave, each attending to their last minute checklists. They all picked up their wands, and Harry lent his invisibility cloak to Ron.

"Just in case, Ron. I can always fly if everything goes to hell. An owl's not an easy target, whereas a broom is easier." Harry remembered his first Quidditch match, where Professor Quirrell had interfered with his broom.

Ron, however said, "I'll give it to Hermione. I fly better than she does, she's not too good on a broom. Tim can fly pretty well, I saw him in Madam Hooch's flying lesson."

Harry replied, "Yeah, that might be a good idea. Be prepared to use that broom, Ron. If we're going to lose, I don't intend to make a glorious stand. I don't have a death wish - however that may appear to you." While talking to Ron, Harry had changed into muggle clothes, in fact, an old tracksuit. Brought up as a muggle, Harry still hadn't gotten used to wearing wizard clothes, and he felt more comfortable in the tracksuit. Ron, however, found this hilarious.

"What on earth are you wearing?" Ron asked Harry.

"It's a tracksuit, Ron. Muggles don't wear robes. Come on. Let's go, the others are probably waiting." At this, Harry put his wand in his pocket and walked back to the common room.

"Muggle clothes, Harry?" Hermione asked, amused at Harry's appearance.

"Yeah, I'm more comfortable in this. We better go though, before people start coming back after the feast." After saying this, Harry transformed into his owl form, and flew out the window, the other three in hot pursuit on their brooms.

As soon as he transformed, Harry knew where to find Professor Lupin, his owl instincts taking over. As it was night time, Hermione had lit her wand and aimed it at Harry, so that she, Ron and Tim could see where he was flying. While in mid air, Ron handed Hermione the invisibility cloak, explaining to her why she should take it in case of an emergency. Hermione smiled gratefully to Ron, taking the cloak. Flying as an owl, Harry was scared that he would lose his bearings, and become lost over the English countryside. However, despite the wind, his track on Professor Lupin remained true, and soon, they came into sight of a medieval castle, built centuries ago, atop a hill. Harry could see that the battle had already started, with flashes momentarily lighting up the countryside, both sides throwing curses at each other. Not wanting to fly through the line of fire, and lead the others into it as well, Harry flew through a lighted window in one of the castle towers. As he landed, Hermione, Ron and Tim landed beside him. After Harry transformed, and the others had got off their brooms, they looked around the room to see if anyone else was there. Huddled in the corner was the muggle caretaker of the castle's family. The caretaker himself stood in front of them, holding a rifle. It was aimed at Harry.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" the caretaker asked Harry.

Harry was nervous, seeing the gun aimed at him. Uncle Vernon had owned a rifle himself, and Harry knew that if the caretaker wanted to kill him, he would be dead.

"Um...I'm not going to hurt you or your family, sir," Harry said politely. He really didn't like that rifle pointing at him.

"Oh put that rifle away! He's just a young lad," the caretaker's wife spoke up. "Anyway, if he was with those...things down the bottom, he wouldn't be up here. No. He's probably wanting to join up with those men at the top."

"Yes, I am," Harry said quickly. "Could you please tell us where to go?"

The caretaker lowered the rifle and shook Harry's hand. "Sorry about that, you can never be too careful. I've seen what those magic wands can do."

Harry smiled. Behind him, Ron spoke up, gesturing out the window. "Um...could you get us to that tower over there?" Ron was pointing at a tower on top of the hill. It wasn't the same place where the Aurors were fighting, but it gave a good vantage point over the battle. Harry realised that Ron was already thinking where best to attack the death eaters and the dementor army. He wasn't good at chess for nothing.

"Yes, I can. Follow me." The caretaker led the way out of the room. As he opened the door, Harry could see two guards outside, both holding rifles. The caretaker said something to them, and one went inside to guard the family, while the other followed the caretaker to the tower. "We're going to the old armoury," the caretaker told Harry, who was leading the other three.

Harry asked the guard, a man in his forties. "How good are you and your men with those rifles?"

"Ahh. Most of the guards have knocked off for the night - they've gone home. Only a couple of us around - night shift - you can't have vandals getting into the castle now. It's one of the few left in decent condition. Oh. The rifles - most of us are ex-British army, so we can shoot pretty well. We're just a bit old to answer the call of duty now" the guard explained. "Why do you ask anyway?"

Harry replied, "Those things at the bottom with the hoods on are called Dementors. They're pretty evil things, but they are living creatures. Which means that your rifle would be able to kill them if you hit them. If you wish, you could probably help in the fighting."

The guard looked at Harry. "You're a bit young to join the fighting, now, aren't you? Those other men fighting look at least twice your age. But I'll join the fighting. I assumed that those things were immune to gunfire."

Harry explained to the guard, "Wizards are human, just as you are. Which means that they can be killed in any conventional way, as well as magical ways. I'm a wizard myself. If you were to shoot me with that rifle you're holding, I'd die. I'm not sure if dementors are exactly human, but I know that their leader, Voldemort is. Anyhow, they're killable."

"That's good. I'm employed to guard this castle. That's what I'm going to do. But you're so young - why are you and your friends here? You can't really be even out of school yet," the guard asked

"I told you about the leader of that army down there, Voldemort. What I didn't say is that although he's evil and will kill many people if allowed, he's especially after me. He's already killed my parents. He's attempted to kill me four times now. I'm helping those men up the top stop him from attempting a fifth time," Harry said.

"My god. Nobody can doubt your courage, boy. Look, we're already here. Let's get to trying to keep you alive, alright?" the guard said grimly. Harry nodded as a response.

The moment that they entered the room, Hermione walked across to Harry, and said, "You'll be careful now, OK?"

"Yep, I'll be careful. You too," Harry responded, drawing a nod from Hermione. By this time, Ron had already walked up to a window, looked out at the battle, and thrown the first of many that would be thrown tonight.

It struck Harry as odd that the guard, a muggle, was able to see the dementors. Professor Lupin had said that muggles couldn't see them. Harry supposed that the dementors were wearing muggle cloaks so that they could in fact be seen, and could intimidate muggle and wizard alike. Harry looked around the room for anything that could be used as a weapon by Tim, who was, at this stage, unable to use his wand to any meaningful effect. Harry's eyes fell upon a cannon, an old one, but well preserved.

"Does that cannon still fire?" Harry asked the caretaker.

"Yes," the caretaker responded. "I keep it in working order. I fire it once a day at midday so the other residents can keep time - some don't have clocks. This is a historical community."

Harry saw a large pile of cannon balls in the corner of the room, stacked on brass pyramids. Harry walked over to the pile and picked one of the cannon balls up while the caretaker walked over to the cannon and pulled it over to a window.

Harry handed the caretaker the cannon ball, and told Tim to help the caretaker with the cannon. He then took position at the row of windows, alongside both Hermione and Ron. The battle was progressing at a furious pace, no quarter being taken on either side. There was carnage on both sides - periodically, Harry would see an Auror falling off the roof between the battlements of the castle, quite obviously dead. Harry used a banishing charm to topple some trees across the death eaters' path, and after doing this, set the trees alight, not only blocking the path of the death eaters, but illuminating the battlefield in the process. The battle raged on for about an hour, the caretaker and the guard using their weapons to great effect. The death eater army, all either dementors and pure-blood wizards, didn't know about muggle weapons, and they didn't expect them, instead concentrating on the curses that were being thrown by the Aurors, Harry, Hermione and Ron. Periodically, the cannon would boom out, shaking the castle, and causing carnage on the other side. Hermione used a charm to start driving rain, causing the path below to turn to mud. A couple of times, Harry almost got hit by a curse, ducking out of the way just in time, the curse cracking the wall, and sending chunks flying out of the frame of the window. Harry could see many of the Aurors conjuring Patronus charms to drive the dementors back. Eventually, the dementors pulled back, and the battle was over. They had won.

Harry thought about Professor Lupin, and hoped that he was OK. Harry had seen many men die today, and hoped that his old Professor wasn't one of them. Harry sunk to the floor, fatigued. Looking around the room, Harry could see everyone else was as tired as he. Nobody said a word - the unspoken consensus being that they were lucky to be alive. The guard was looking over the battlefield, praying for the dead. In this time, Harry caught eye contact with Hermione and Ron, and was grateful that fate hadn't seen fit to take any of their lives. He didn't know that Ron and Hermione were thinking exactly the same thing about him. Harry shuffled across the floor, and sat between Hermione and Ron. Harry felt Hermione looking at him, and turned to face her.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked

"Nothing's wrong, Harry. I'm just glad that you're alive. You and Ron," Hermione answered.

"I'm glad that you're alive as well, Hermione," Harry answered. "You did a good thing today, Hermione. You know...you and Ron are like the brother and sister that I never had. I'd die before I let anything bad happen to either of you."

"I'd prefer if you didn't do that, Harry," Hermione said softly. "You'd be a great loss to the world."

"Losing either of you would be worse," Harry replied, meeting the eyes of both Hermione and Ron.

"No. Look at it this way," Ron spoke quietly. "I don't mean to offend you, Hermione, but the Wizarding world isn't going to be massively affected by the death of Ron Weasley or Hermione Granger. Most of the wizarding world doesn't even know who Hermione or I are. You're different, Harry. Everyone in the wizarding world has heard of you. To them, you're the 'Boy who Lived'. You're a symbol. If you died, it'd be a massive blow to the Wizarding world."

"That's not...right. How could I be any more important than anyone else? How can one life be valued more than another?" Harry asked as a general question, on the verge of tears.

"Ron's right, Harry," Hermione said. "I know you didn't ask for any of this, and you don't like it either. But the Wizarding world sees you as a symbol, Harry, which is why Voldemort wants you dead, and the Wizarding world has to protect you. The Wizarding world includes me and Ron, Harry."

Harry gave a groan and he let his head sink into his hands, sobbing. Hermione and Ron had just said that they would be willing to die to protect him, and they didn't want him to do the same. Harry remembered the famous quote from the Bible. 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' Harry decided that, no matter what Hermione and Ron had said, that he would do everything in his power to keep them safe.

"Harry...Harry!" Hermione was shaking him lightly. "Ron and I aren't planning to die any time soon. OK Harry?"

Harry lifted his head out of his hands, and looked at Hermione. Harry spoke softly when he said, "Of all people, I'd have thought that you two would be the last to start thinking of me as 'The famous Harry Potter'. I see you two as equals, and you should do the same. I don't want you two to do dangerous things just because you think I might get hurt otherwise. If I die, then...well...I die. OK?"

Hermione responded. "No, Harry. I can't speak for Ron here, but I see you as Harry, not the 'Famous Harry Potter', just Harry. When I look at you, I see a guy who, for better or for worse, will try to do everything himself. Although your motives are good, Harry, that's just not possible. You can't absorb the world's problems by yourself - you've got enough problems yourself without you needing extra. You say you don't want me doing dangerous things just because I think you might get hurt, that you don't want me to save your life at any cost. Fine, but I don't want you doing that for me either. We sink or swim together, OK?"

Harry looked Hermione in the eye. "Yeah, that's better. Hell, the last thing I want is for you to think that I'm more important than yourself. We work together, as equals."

Ron spoke up. "Agreed. I heard someone say this somewhere, but I think it applies. 'United we stand, divided we fall'."

As Ron said this, there were voices outside the door of the room they were in. Upon hearing these voices, Harry, Ron and Hermione moved to the darker areas of the room, out of sight, and pointed their wands at the door. They didn't want any surprises. Someone knocked at the door.

"Come in!" the caretaker said. However, the caretaker and the guard had seen Harry, Ron and Hermione, and were shouldering their rifles. The door opened, and a group of men, walked in. Within their number was Professor Lupin and Sirius.

"We come in peace," Professor Lupin said in his quiet voice. At this, the caretaker and the guard lowered their rifles. "We noticed curses coming out of this window, which meant that there are wizards here. We took a lot of casualties up at the roof, and if not for those in this room, we would have been overrun. Whoever it was in here saved our lives. If you are still in here, we truly come in peace, and are grateful for your actions."

The caretaker responded. "Yes, there are wizards here. I suppose that they are somewhere in this room, pointing their wands at you right now. I don't know if they can hear me, but they were a lot younger than the group you came with."

Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped out of the shadows, behind the caretaker. Now knowing that the group wasn't hostile, they had put away their wands.

"Harry!" Sirius exclaimed. "Why in blazes are you here? You should be in Hogwarts, where it's safe! We're trying to stop you getting killed and then you come here?"

"I'm here to make sure that there IS a Hogwarts to return to!" Harry retorted fiercely.

The caretaker interrupted. "Excuse me, here. You two know each other?"

Sirius looked at the caretaker "That...foolish boy over there," Sirius gestured at Harry, "is my godson. He should be at school, where it's safe."

"Harry," Sirius added, "what in blazes were you thinking?"

Professor Lupin spoke up. "I'm sure Harry has his motives for being here. I'm interested in how they knew where we were anyway. How did you do it?"

Hermione answered, "We followed an owl here. It knew where to find you."

Professor Lupin looked at Hermione, looking around the room. "What owl? If you had sent an owl, it would have come to me. I didn't see an owl tonight."

Harry answered, "They followed me here, Professor Lupin"

"But didn't Hermione say they followed an owl here? Something's not right!" Sirius interjected.

"No. It doesn't add up" Professor Lupin said thoughtfully. "Unless..." Professor Lupin looked squarely at Harry, a questioning look on his face.

"Unless what?" Sirius asked

"Unless Harry and the owl are one and the same. That is, if Harry can assume another form," Professor Lupin said evenly.

"That's not possible!" Sirius said in disbelief.

"Can you be really sure that it's not possible?" Hermione asked Sirius.

"Is it?...I mean are you an animagus, Harry?" Sirius asked Harry

Harry nodded at Sirius, so as to say yes. At the moment, he found that his mouth wasn't really working properly, such was the shock that Sirius was here as well. Sirius looked at Harry for a while, then his gaze softened.

"Oh...come here, you..." Sirius walked to Harry and enveloped him in a tight hug. Harry couldn't really breathe, but he didn't care. For the first time in his life, Harry felt like he belonged, like he was wanted. Dumbledore cared about Harry, sure, but although Harry trusted him, Dumbledore couldn't really substitute as a father figure. Although he felt that he was a kind of honorary member of the Weasley family, Harry still didn't feel that he really belonged there, and all the worry and care that Mrs Weasley had exhibited for him wasn't quite the same as how Harry felt at that moment. Although Sirius wasn't his father, he was his godfather, which for Harry, who had never known his immediate family, was close enough.

"I think you might be suffocating Harry, Sirius," Professor Lupin said softly.

Sirius laughed, letting go of Harry slowly. Harry, for the first time in quite a while, was smiling broadly.

"You've got a good lad there," the caretaker said to Sirius. "Keep him safe"

"That may be harder than you think," Sirius replied to the caretaker grimly. "But I'm going to give it my best shot."

"I'm sure you will," the caretaker said, to nobody in particular. Then, looking at Sirius, the caretaker asked, "Are you two related?"

"No," Sirius replied. "I was good friends with his parents, before..."

"Yeah, Harry told me. Quite a survivor isn't he? Poor lad, doesn't he have any relatives left?"

"When Harry's parents died, he was left with his only relatives, his aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, they...don't like Harry very much," Sirius gave as an answer. The caretaker was visibly shocked at this.

"I don't know why though," Sirius added. "He's the quietest fifteen year old I've seen in my life. Doesn't get into too much trouble either." Behind them, Ron gave a cough that sounded suspiciously like "Bullocks".

Sirius chuckled. "Yeah, you're probably right, Ron. Then again, it's not as if Harry volunteered for it now is it?"

"Suppose not," Ron agreed. After Ron had said this, Hedwig flew through the window and landed on Harry's shoulder. Tied on her leg was a note. Harry recognised the writing on it - Dumbledore's.

Harry looked at the note and blanched. It read

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Tim,

I hope that this owl finds you in good health.

When you have finished wherever you are, do not return to Hogwarts, as it is now controlled by Voldemort and the Dementors. The staff and students are OK. Those who elected to leave have left on the Hogwarts Express to rejoin their families. Many students have elected to stay though, and we are all well and are within Hogsmeade. Thus you should meet us here, and not in the castle.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked upon seeing his reaction to the note.

Harry couldn't bring himself to speak, such was the shock value of the note sent by Dumbledore. Instead, he mutely passed the note to Hermione. There was a shocked silence as the note was passed around the room, as everyone absorbed the contents of it.

"My god," Sirius muttered under his breath. "Hogwarts has fallen."

"Our work here is done," Harry said grimly. "I think we had better leave and help the others."

"Indeed," Professor Lupin said softly. At this, he, Sirius and the group of Aurors left the room to inform the others about what had happened.

As Hermione, Ron and Tim moved across the room to collect their brooms for the trip back to Hogsmeade, Harry turned to the caretaker.

"Thank you for your help and hospitality tonight," Harry said softly. "I wish you, your family and all those who work here good luck for the future."

"I'm sorry about this, but I don't think I have your name..." the caretaker asked

"Oh, sorry for not introducing myself. My name's Harry Potter," Harry said simply.

"Thank you," the caretaker said.

By this time, the others had come back, shouldering their brooms.

"Harry. Time to go," Ron said grimly.

"Farewell and good luck, Harry Potter," the caretaker said finally. The caretaker hoped that he would see Harry in happier times, but inwardly doubted that he would see him again. The caretaker however, fixed the image of Harry and his friends in his mind, so as never to forget the brave young boy whom he had met under such adverse circumstances.

"Same to you," Harry replied. At this, Harry transformed, and the four Hogwarts students flew out of the window, into the night.