True Power

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Harry Potter franchise. I respect all ownership to J. K. Rowling and only wish to expand on my love for her stories. I own nothing of the Harry Potter series and especially none of the characters involved. I make no money from it.


Clouds had been gathering like a blanket of despair in the land, leaving all with a sense of foreboding. Most simply shrugged this feeling off like a ill mannered bit of rain, however, those who were privy to the secrets of the wand were well aware of what was looming. A long fought, and once thought won, war was upon them yet again. This was not a war as we men know it but a war of magic and hate, love and courage, and the fate of either side were held in the hands of one boy. He will decide what will become of the wizarding world. His choices will lead to its salvation or destruction, but then again, maybe not. It is said that they must both fight and one must die or neither can live, but it never said how.

It was a cold restless night, though Harry took no notice. Clouds were gathering, hinting at a storm, and though the boy had closed the window, he still looked out longingly as if hoping for something to come that was not there.

This wasn't all together uncommon. Harry, was known to his friends to loathe the approaching summers and though he realized he was at his safest within the Dursley's house, it didn't mean he had to like it. Not to mention that he always worried about his friends well being, and about whether or not he could help them. But this was all about to change. Not only was his summer with his "relatives" coming to a close soon, but also he was going to be of age. He would be able to use his magic freely, and as far as he was concerned it was a long time coming. Though he did feel a pang of regret not being able to be with the Dursleys when his age officially turned legal, but the prospect of being rid of them altogether rather then floating to Mars coved with bursting boils was to inviting. Though in hindsight he did decide to make a stop to see his relatives, eventually..........for old times sake.

But for now young Harry Potter sat alone as he did every night. Looking into his books and notes for any new tricks to use on those bastard Death Eaters. He had found a useful charm, "Erecticusplirifica", a powerful locking charm that disabled anyone except the user from opening or blasting the door open. Very useful in fact.........as long as the wall next to it was strong. He had also learned a new hex called "Trincilatimus", which essentially made a person believe they could fly, and would continually try to prove it, by jumping up into the air and flapping their arms. Both of these new spells however, paled in comparison with Hermione's contribution. She had sent him a cleaning charm called "Reverticus", and she had sent directions along to help him with it's use;

Harry,
I hope this finds you well in your time in that would be jail of a house. I've sent along a new cleaning charm to make life easier for you, as I do hate to think of you in such a horrible circumstance. Clean your room to the point where you think it is perfect and then put the tip of your wand to the wall and run it around the course of the room on the wall, and DON"T MISS ANY CORNERS. After that go to the middle of the room and speak "Reverticus" and a line of golden threads should appear coming from across the entire room. From that point on when you go to sleep just say "Reverticus" and the room will revert back to that state. Just make sure your not under the covers when you do it, Mrs. Weasley and I have had to remove Ron from the floor a number of times, not to mention fix the planking, I tell you Harry sometimes I don't know what I see in Ron other then that goofy red head from forth year. Well, in either case, I miss you ever so much and hope to see you again soon. I can't wait for this time apart to be finally over, I miss my decent study partner; Ron keeps drooling over my books trying to PEEK DOWN MY BLOUSE of all things.

As always I send my heart felt compassion to you for your current....tribulations.

Your Friend,
Mione

After actually completing the spell and playing around with it Harry had decided that Hermione needed a decent present for no other reason other then that and laughed a the her constant bickering over Ron's usual, dismal appearance.

"It would be like her to trust me to do the spell right the first time and yet keep an eye out for Ron just in case." Harry laughed

Harry knew of course that Ron and Hermione had been seeing each other over the summer, as they had told Harry in their letters. But from what he could tell things were not going all together well for the would be couple. Not that they hated each other, though they would always be a certain amount of disdain. But as the weeks of summer rolled on the letters became much less unfied on topics an views and not to mention the fact that Ron was now writing for himself, lending to the increase of ink marks and scratches on the paper. It was rather apparent that Hermione, wasn't helping him at all. However, if there had been a fight, they had never mentioned anything to him, though he couldn't help wonder what had irked them this time.

Ginny was writing to him as well, and he was getting nor more information from her as them, and as she was still a little sore with him over the break up last year he didn't push the issue. They were friends though and that was what he had decided on, and she seemed to agree at least for the time being. Either way he had learned long ago not to stick his nose into places where they didn't belong....well kind of anyway. He just couldn't help wondering.

But as his mind wandered far away a consistently louder taping at his window started to ring clear, until finally Harry turned to see Hedwig, starring angrily through the window at him, waiting for him to open it so she could get out of the steadily falling rain.

Seeing his old friend in such straights Harry rushed over to the window and flung the window open, apologizing profusely to his would be letter carrier and friend through the process.

It was at this point that down stair the Dursleys heard a yelp and cursing coming from Harry's room, but per usual ignored it.

"OWWWW!!!!" yelled Harry holding a newly reddened finger courtesy of a snowy white fowl.

"Damit that hurts." Harry muttered sucking on the new wound." Hedwig I swear I'm sorry, if I had known you'd come back tonight I would have left the window open, I'll make it up to you I swear, ok?"

With that a reasonably contented owl, who seemed to believe she had gotten her point across, held out her leg and hooted softly. Harry, taking this to mean that he could freely remove the letter without further injury, took it and gave Hedwig a treat of a live mouse as penitence. He proceeded to open the letter and was overjoyed at what he read;

Harry,

Happy Birthday To You HARRY!!! Finally, we're seventeen. About time I say. Everything's fine here. Ron and I are busily experimenting with our magic and seeing what it can be used for, though don't tell him I said that got to keep up the superiority complex right, tehe. We're all looking forward to seeing you soon here. Ron and I even made you a cake the muggle way,. However, we had to throw the first couple out. Don't ask me how but Ron confused "Flour" with "Flower", and I don't know if you like lilacs or lilies but somehow if you do it's not in your digestion. I'm looking forward to seeing you so very much Harry. I've missed you and that busy head of yours. Lupin will be there at 12:00midnight tomorrow to pick you up and floo you home. Until then try and care on with the "Family". See you then!!!

Mione

P.S. I made you another cake without Ron's help. Your stomach will thank me and don't worry your safe with me. Tehe. I'll make the switch tonight.

Harry was elated. Not only was he going to the Burrow tomorrow, his only "True" Home, but he was going to have a real birthday party as well. That was something he had never experienced. He couldn't believe his luck really. He couldn't wait to see his friends, most of all Hermione, who for some reason just held most of his focus at the moment, why he couldn't figure out.

Ignoring the odd feelings coming over him Harry started packing almost immediately, even though there was a good 24 hours before it would come time to leave. Throwing everything he owned into the trunk, and nearly throwing Hedwig in the process earning him another reddened finger.

His books, clothes, robes, games, chocolate frog card collection, etc. He only left out his wand and the clothes for the next day. As well as the gifts he had gotten Ron and Hermione for their birthdays. He just couldn't wait for twelve O'clock the next night so his hell would be over. Ron surely had to be looking forward to seeing him, due to his near constant correspondence, and seeing how Ron was surrounded by Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Hermione, Harry wasn't surprised that he felt overwhelmed and wanted another male presence.

Hermione, was surely looking forward to him coming as well but Harry felt a slight apprehension to seeing her. Not that he feared her, but he couldn't help feeling sort of odd at the idea. He had found her missing her more and more over the days, and not truly understanding why, and though she had come to be a valued friend in his mind, he had found that he now valued her even higher then Ron. The whole thing just kind of freaked him out. Also, the prospect of her lecturing him on Dumbledore's death didn't look to promising either. He knew that he still blamed himself slightly for his death and though he knew it wasn't his fault he couldn't help it. Hermione would most definitely pick up on this and assault Harry with speeches and such. But he just couldn't get it out of his mind that if he had only been strong enough to drink the potion instead of Dumbledore things might have been different.

Still, Harry had been in mourning for quite some time now, and now that he really thought about it, Hermione was the only one to truly understand and be concerned with easing his pain. He truly did owe a lot to her, and as he drifted to sleep he found himself trying to think of present to get for her, and chuckled slightly at the thought of gold plated books.




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