Harry Potter And So It Begins

Harry Potter sat in his room staring out the window, rereading the letter from Professor Dumbledore that had arrived that morning.

Dear Harry,

I am aware that I had told you at the end of your last term that you would have to remain at your Aunt's house for your protection. However, it has become most urgent that you leave The Dursleys' as soon as possible. Professor McGonagall will be arriving this evening with a friend to take you to a secure location until the start of term. I cannot stress enough the seriousness of the situation, or how vital it is that you do not leave your home for the time being.

Yours most sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore

It had taken Harry all of about five minutes to pack up everything he owned in the world and fit it all into his school trunk, save for his broom and his owl Hedwig. Hedwig was sleeping peacefully in her cage atop Harry's trunk, beside the Firebolt his late Godfather had bought for him a little over two years ago. As the sun began to slowly set Harry ran through a mental checklist to be sure that he had not forgotten anything. As he finished, the squealing of tires outside drew his mind back to the reason for the list.

A shiny, black, American sports car came skidding to a sudden stop right in front of Number Four Privet Drive. Harry's eyes widened in shock as a young man, dressed in all black, jumped out of the driver's side and began to run towards the front door. He stopped about mid-way and began to look around the area as if looking for something, or someone.

"RAVEN SIRIUS JAMES REMUS RAVENCLAW-SHANTOR YOU COULD HAVE KILLED US.... THEY MAY DRIVE LIKE MANIACS IN AMERICA BUT HERE IN ENGLAND WE DRIVE LIKE CIVILIZED BEINGS!" An extremely upset and disheveled Professor McGonagall screamed, as she climbed out of the passenger door.

The young man, obviously named Raven, continued to look around as if he hadn't heard her. "Athos," he called out. A soft popping sound heralded the arrival of a very respectable looking house-elf. The house-elf was wearing a clean pair of finely pressed black slacks and white dress shirt. It bowed to Raven and awaited its instructions.

"Get inside and take Harry's things to the Mansion quickly. Then send Porthos and Robyn for the car. Tell them to be quick about it, we haven't much time."

The House-elf nodded, and he popped inside Harry's room. Without so much as a "Hello" it grabbed hold of Harry's trunk and popped out again. Just then, there was a loud banging on the front door followed by an explosion outside.

Before Harry could even think to move, Professor McGonagall had Apperated into his room looking very upset and scared. "Mister Potter, take this at once." She told him in a voice the left no room for argument, as she handed him a small object. The Portkey activated as soon as he grabbed it, and in a flash, he found himself sprawled out on a sandy beach somewhere along the English coast.

As he stood up, there was a loud explosion as Raven Apperated to the side. Raven was engaged in a struggle with someone and as they rolled around, it was apparent that the other person had grabbed hold of Raven as he tried to Disapparate. "Okay enough of this shit," Raven said, as he rolled on top of the attacker and put his hand over the man's mouth. "Incendio," he called as the guy's cheeks puffed out and his eyes widened in terror. In an instant, he was gone, leaving Raven kneeling atop a pile of ashes.

Raven got up without dusting himself off and turned around running towards Harry. "What are you doing? Get in the boat now.... They're coming." He grabbed Harry's arm and threw him in a rowboat on the water's edge. Just then, several men and women Apperated on the beach and Raven began hurling Incendio Charms at them, as he jumped into the boat.

As the boat began to move away from the coast quickly, Harry watched in amazement as Raven fought off the attackers without a wand. The attackers had started to fly and followed after them as the boat began to pick up speed. "Keep your head down till we hit the fog bank," Raven ordered him.

A moment later, they were in a fog bank so thick, that Harry could barely see past his own nose. He completely lost sight of their pursuers and heard Raven whisper softly to him. "Don't speak, just focus on Rowena Island."

Harry did as he was told and a minute later, the boat they were in cleared the fog bank, as it ran aground on another sandy beach. Raven jumped out of the boat and grabbed Harry. "Keep moving, we're not safe yet." Harry was dragged towards the edge of a Black Forest and pulled just beyond the tree line. About twenty feet into the forest they came across a pack of wolves and what appeared to be ligers surrounding a thestral drawn-carriage.

"Move aside." Raven commanded the animals, who obeyed instantly just as the House-Elf had done. The carriage door opened on its own and Raven nearly threw Harry inside before climbing in himself. "Mansion," Raven said as the door closed and they began to move. The "pack" followed providing a type of escort.

Harry watched as Raven sat across from him and seemed to almost melt into the cushion of the seat. Letting out a deep sigh of relief Raven smiled. "Thirsty?" With a wave of his hand, a goblet of pumpkin juice appeared in front of Harry and floated in mid-air until Harry took it. "It'll take almost an hour to get to the Mansion so we might as well get to know each other. Raven Shantor," he said offering his hand in greeting.

Harry shook the offered hand and for the first time took in Raven's appearance. He appeared to be roughly around the same age as Ron's older brother Charlie who was only about nine or ten years older then Harry. Harry also noticed his shoulder length pitch-black hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, but he was more interested in Raven's eyes. Those ice-blue eyes, that seemed to see straight into Harry's very soul and appeared to be trying to discern Harry's every thought.

Harry felt the pain of guilt beginning to swell inside him again, as he realized that this young man looked almost like a younger version of Sirius. Harry missed his Godfather very much and was haunted by nightmares of his death. It's all my fault Sirius had to die, Harry thought. If I had just stayed at Hogwarts he'd still be alive.

"Not much for talking are we?" Raven asked in a friendly and warm voice. "Don't worry about it. Besides, I think I'd best fill you in on what's been going on before we get there or else Molly's likely to try and stop me. Dumbledore's orders be damned."

At the mention of Dumbledore and the thought of being filled in on Order business, Harry instantly sat up straight and listened intently. This caused Raven to grin as he began talking.

"Okay first thing you need to know is that the Order's had to relocate to another Headquarters. Well obviously, since this sure isn't the old one. Sorry, I wasn't told the location so I can't say it. Right now, we're heading to Ravenclaw Mansion. Remember that when we hit the other fog bank, Ravenclaw Mansion.

"Now as for as what happened tonight, we heard rumors that some vampires had been recruited by Voldermort. It wasn't until the meeting a little while ago, that it was confirmed and that they would be attacking tonight. I forged the letter because Dumbledore's been incommunicado for the last week or so. I just didn't know we'd have to move this fast." He chuckled a bit. "Pretty sure I gave Aunt Minerva a heart attack."

"Hold up." Harry demanded. "Professor Dumbledore's gone? Gone where?"

"No one knows. He received some information just before the end of term and left with Hagrid and Hagrid's brother on a secret mission. He left instructions on what to do in his absence and if there is no word from him by the end of the year." Raven shrugged, but Harry noticed a note of uncertainty in his voice.

"Aren't you all worried? What if something happens?" Harry asked almost frantically. He didn't particularly like Dumbledore at the moment, but to have him suddenly gone, had Harry worried. Dumbledore had been all that had kept Voldermort out of Hogwarts. Now he was what? Missing, gone on holiday, what? None of this sat right with Harry and he was about to say something when Raven interrupted his thoughts.

"Of course we're all worried, but Harry, this is Dumbledore we're talking about. The greatest wizard that ever lived and he's traveling with a giant and a half-giant wizard, well sort of wizard. Point is they'll be fine, it's the rest of us I'm worried about."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked. He didn't feel as confidant as Raven but he was starving for any bits of information he could get and as long as Raven was talking he would go along.

"The attacks have started and so has the body count." Raven noticed Harry's eyes widen as he continued. "Your classmate Susan Bones' Aunt Amelia was killed in her home last week, along with Tonks' parents." Raven held up his hand to stop Harry's interruptions. This was hard enough for him to say since he had known Amelia Bones and Mr. & Mrs. Tonks personally. He was still mourning their loss along with Sirius Black's, but he had a job to do and not much time left to do it.
They would be reaching the second fog bank soon and from there it was a short trip across the grounds to the Mansion. Once they were inside, he would likely lose Harry's attention to the others and only Merlin knew when he'd have another chance to fill Harry in on what was going on, before he returned to school.

"With the vampires joining his side, Voldermort's forces have become bolder and their attacks more and more frequent. As it stands now nearly all the Order and their families have had to go into hiding, only those working for the ministry make public appearances any more. The ministry and Aunt Minerva are working on making alternate arrangements for students to return to Hogwarts since many parents feel it is just too dangerous to make the trip to King's Crossing."

"Why do you call Professor McGonagall Aunt Minerva?" Harry inquired.

Raven laughed. "Old habit I guess. Her nephew married my Aunt, so when growing up I always heard her referred to as 'Aunt' Minerva, never thought to call her anything else till Hogwarts. Then I had a few choice names for her." He laughed as they neared the edge of the forest, and approached the second fog bank. "Okay remember what I said, Ravenclaw Mansion."

Harry thought about their destination and soon they were out of the fog bank, traveling along a path through the grounds of a large estate. Looking out the window he saw that their escort was gone, or rather replaced by a pack of Griffins and Hippogriffs flying over head, with what appeared to be a pair small Dragons walking along side the carriage. Small by dragon standards considering each was more then twice the size of a large horse.

"We'll be at the Mansion soon, so here's what you need to know." Raven said as Harry turned back to face him. "Minerva McGonagall will be assuming the roll of Headmistress till Dumbledore returns," Harry nodded. "Charlie Weasley will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures," Harry's face lit up. "Relina McGonagall will teach Transfiguration and Rachel Fitzpatrick will be taking over History of Magic. I'm the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor as well as the new Head of Gryffindor House."

Harry didn't know how to react. This guy seemed cool and certainly knew how to take care of himself but the job was cursed, their last five teachers had only lasted a year, surely he couldn't be serious.