Finding Harry Potter, Part One...
He stepped into the Three Broomsticks and the sound level dropped to nothing. He looked around nervously, but Rosemerta rushed up to him and escorted him to a table.
"What will it be, Mr. Potter?" she asked, grinning.
"Can I have the special and a butterbeer, Rosie?" he replied after checking the notice for the daily special. He'd always liked the gruff inn owner and her establishment. It had a homey type of atmosphere.
"For you, dearie, anything you want. One special and a butterbeer, coming right up," she said with a saucy wink, then she sauntered away.
Harry chuckled and shook his head at her antics.
A few minutes later she came back to his table, placing the order down, and a couple newspapers. "I think you might want to read what's been happening since you left hospital," she murmured. "After you've eaten, can we talk?"
Harry eyed the woman suspiciously for a moment, but he nodded reluctantly. He wasn't sure what she wanted, but he knew her well enough to know she wasn't the type to take advantage of him.
He pulled the oldest paper to the top of the pile and started to read.
Potter Escapes St. Mungo's
Ministry Undecided!
Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Won, escaped from St. Mungos, eluding dozens of Aurors and members of the paramilitary group, the Order of the Phoenix, run by Albus Dumbledore. In a bold move that involved St. Mungo's, Diagon Alley and the Ministry of Magic, he left the hospital after some how changing more than five thousand people to look like him!
Healer Emily Watkins, his personal healer, was questioned for several hours under truth serum, but was finally released. She gave the following statement through her husband. "Harry Potter is not some Dark Lord. He is not a criminal. I have spoken extensively with him and discovered to my delight that he is a wonderful young man, kind and humble. He wants nothing more than to live his life without any interference from Albus Dumbledore, who he accuses of controlling and manipulating him since he was a baby."
Department of Magical Law Enforcement Director Amelia Bones, when contacted about the charges, had this to say. "Mr. Potter's charges may have some merit. Despite interference from within the Ministry, our investigations have turned up enough evidence to keep us digging. Let me also say this. Despite what Albus Dumbledore says, we are not seeking Harry Potter. There is no warrant out for his arrest and he has committed no crime. The Minister and Dumbledore can speculate all they want, but until they can bring us proof of a crime, our hands are tied."
Headmaster Dumbledore, when asked about Mr. Potter's charges, had this to say. "I am confidant that once we find Harry, he will issue a retraction of his comments. They were made while he was still recovering and under the influence of pain killing potions. His comments cannot be taken seriously because of that."
Reports of Harry Potter sightings are coming in from everywhere. There have been reports of sightings in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Edison Street in New York and even reports from Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.
Potter, age sixteen, is the youngest Order of Merlin winner ever. He received the award for killing Lord You-Know-Who. He has been missing since August Fifth, when he escaped the heavy security put on him. We at the Prophet are eternally grateful to young Mr. Potter for his bravery in killing Lord Who-Know-Who. And we have to question why the Ministry and Albus Dumbledore are so interested in controlling Mr. Potter's life. The Prophet will stay on this story and report as more details are uncovered.
He frowned. The paper was from August Sixth, just four days ago. He ate a bit more, then pulled out the paper dated August Seventh.
Potter still missing!
Why was his parents will ignored?
In an exclusive investigation into the life of Harry Potter, the Prophet has uncovered a consistent pattern of abuse aimed at the young man, starting with his placement after the murder of his parents. Despite a will stating that young Harry should not be placed with his muggle relatives, he was sent there by Albus Dumbledore.
His muggle relatives began a pattern of abuse, physical and mental, that continued throughout his life. We at the Prophet were shocked and have turned over most of our findings to Madam Bones of the DMLE to aid in their investigation. However, with her permission, we can tell you some of what young Harry endured, thanks to an indifferent Ministry and Albus Dumbledore.
At age four his arm was broken by his uncle, and he was hospitalized three times that year for major infections from untreated wounds...
Harry pushed the paper away from him, nauseated by what he saw. He couldn't read anymore. He lowered his head, unable to stop the tears.
"It's true, isn't it?" said a voice.
He looked up to see Rosemerta sitting across the table from him and he angrily dashed away his tears. Rosie pulled her wand and cast a privacy charm.
"It is true, isn't it?" she asked again.
Numb, he nodded at her.
"So, what will you do now?"
He shrugged. "I'm not sure. Leave, I guess."
"You're going to let the bastards win?" she asked intently, leaning closer to him.
"What?"
Rosie sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Look, Harry, from what I can figure, you're probably the most powerful wizard seen in a thousand of year. You could easily slip away and start your life over somewhere. Or you could slip in among the muggles and vanish forever. But running away isn't the answer. I know, I tried that. And I don't think you're the type to run from your problems."
She looked at him, her eyes hard. "I grew up with people that didn't want me, either, Harry. And as a girl, there was an added danger that I had to learn to live with."
Harry looked up at her in surprise and she nodded grimly, answering the question he refused to ask.
"Not everyone is against you. Sure, a lot of people you thought were friends turned out to be using you. But you have some very loyal friends, Harry. I've seen them with you when you've come in here.
"You can do one of several things. You can run away from it all. Unlike most of us, you could probably succeed in running away, but that doesn't solve anything. Your problems will always be just sitting over your shoulder, waiting to pounce on you.
"You could try to pretend it didn't happen and that it doesn't hurt you. But that road will drive you mad, turning you into someone nearly as bad as the Dark Lord.
"Or you can face your bullies and your past and push back. Let them know they can't push you around anymore. Take it from someone that has walked in your shoes. Running doesn't work. Burying it doesn't work. You need someone you can confide in, and you need to stand up to the people trying to control you and tell them no."
Harry's expression grew thoughtful.
"I know it's been rough for you, Harry, but I also know you're not alone. You have a lot of people that would love to help you, and I know for a fact that your little muggle born witch would give anything to help you. I've seen the way she looks at you," she said with dancing eyes.
Harry looked up startled. "Huh? Hermione? But she's only a friend!" he protested weakly. He knew that he wanted her to be more, but she had chosen Ron.
Rosie laughed and canceled her privacy spell. Standing, she patted Harry on the shoulder. "Sure, Harry, but just think about what I said, alright? And remember, I'm always willing to listen. I won't betray you."
He smiled shyly and thanked her. She had given him a lot to think about.
Harry left the Three Broomsticks a while later, after promising Rosie that he'd come back and talk with her again. Something about their conversation gave him hope. It was the first time he had ever met someone who'd grown up as he did, and it gave him hope to see that she was reasonably happy. It meant that someday he could achieve the same thing.
He walked around Hogsmeade for a while, doing a little shopping. He had just left Gladrags when he felt a hand on his arm and he was spun around.
"Moony!" he exclaimed.
"What the hell are you pulling, Harry? Leaving the hospital was stupid!" Remus said in an angry tone.
Harry's expression darkened. "Oh, so you're really one of Dumbledore's ass kissers? I'm disappointed in you, Remus."
Remus frowned at him. "The Headmaster has only your best interests in mind, Harry. It's time you grew up and realized that fact."
Harry shook his head. "I almost pity you, Remus. I wonder who my parents would be more angry with? Wormtail for betraying them, or you for betraying me?"
Remus scowled and tightened his grip on him. "You're coming up to the castle with me. Dumbledore will set you straight."
"I don't think so, Remus. I'm not putting up with that bastard and his interference in my life anymore and I'm not putting up with you, either!" he snarled.
As Remus watched, Harry shrank down to nearly half his size and his hair turned blond. He began to twist in the older man's grip, trying to escape.
Remus stared at him incredulously.
"HELP! WEREWOLF! HELP ME, PLEASE! HE WANTS TO BITE ME!" Harry screamed in a childlike voice, attracting the attention of the townspeople.
In a matter of seconds, Remus was hit with dozens of stunners. Harry dashed away and ran around the side of a building, trying very hard not to laugh. Behind him, several townspeople were kicking the prone Order member.
Harry dispelled the glamour around him and watched from a distance for a moment. He saw Minerva and Mundungus run up and chase the people who were kicking Remus away. He looked towards the castle in the distance. Only two of the school's towers were visible from where he stood.
"You want a war, old man? You'll get one," Harry murmured. Concentrating, he vanished from Hogsmeade.
Scottish Highlands (August 12th)...
He sat in front of a pile of blank parchment, wondering who he could write and who he could trust.
Rosie's words echoed in his head and he wanted to write Hermione, but he knew, as a friend of his, she would be closely watched by the Order. He couldn't arrange any sort of meeting, or even send her a long note, without putting her at risk.
Hedwig appeared overhead in a flash of flame and glided to a landing on his table. He smiled and scratched around the base of her neck.
"What do you think, Hedwig? Hermione would be in danger if I contacted her, wouldn't she?" he asked.
The bird just trilled a short reply and looked at him as if to say, just write her already.
"Perhaps a short note, then?" he asked.
He stared at the phoenix and for a brief moment it seemed like he was receiving a series of images, comforting him. He blinked in surprise. "We're going to have to figure that out," he said, largely to himself.
Shaking his head, he dipped his quill in the inkwell and began to write.
Dear Hermione,
I won't tell you where I am, but I'm recovering from my injuries.
I'm fine, really. I hope you will forgive me for such a short note, but I don't dare tell you much in this letter. For now, just know I miss you more than I can say here.
Trust no one from the Order, including Dumbledore. This is important, believe me.
I will try to send you another letter, but if I don't, I will see you on the Express September first.
Love,
Harry
He rolled up the parchment and offered it to Hedwig, who eyed him reproachfully. "Yes, I know it's short, Hedwig, but right now I don't know who I can trust. I'm sure I can trust Hermione, but she's probably being watched. Just take this to her and leave immediately. I'll talk to her on the Express. Oh, and I may be gone for a while when you return."
Hedwig trilled softly and bobbed her head, then vanished.
Harry stood and dressed, then donned a warm cloak. A moment later he, too, vanished from the tent.
The Grangers...
Hermione entered her room, a towel wrapped around her body. The days since Harry's fight with Voldemort have been filled with worry for him.
At the end of the last term she thought she might be falling for her other best friend, Ron Weasley, but on the train they'd had a fight over her insistence that he do his homework early this summer. They managed to hide the fight from Harry, as well as their budding relationship, but once Harry had left the platform with his relatives, it had blown up again, only this time far worse.
Hermione had said something to Ron and he'd been offended. He'd stepped toward her and raised his hand to strike her. She'd cringed back and her father caught Ron's descending wrist, preventing the blow.
Ron's parents had been appalled by his behavior, and after apologizing profusely to Hermione and her parents, they had dragged the still enraged Ron from the train station.
When Hermione had arrived home, her father sat her down, fully expecting to have to forbid her from seeing Ron, but she had already come to that decision on her own.
It had hurt, but she was sure it was the right decision. She knew her friendship with Ron was over and done with. Now all she needed to do was find out where she stood with Harry.
She was startled entering the room. For a brief second she could have sworn she'd seen flames. Then she saw it. On her desk was a rolled up parchment that was rocking gently back and forth, as if it had been dropped.
Discarding her towel, she hurriedly dressed, then broke the seal on the parchment.
She read the letter several times before putting it down and sighing heavily. She remembered a conversation she had had with her mother only a few days earlier.
"So, what will you do?"
"Well, I'm not going out with Ron anymore, Mum."
Emily Granger nodded in acceptance. "Yes, well, I didn't raise an idiot for a daughter. I have to admit that I was surprised when you owled us about dating Ron and that you were keeping it a secret from Harry. Nearly every letter you've sent from school was about Harry, and then suddenly you're dating Ron?"
Hermione looked down at her hands in her lap for a moment. "Ron was... safe, Mum. Harry doesn't know I exist, at least not like that. Besides, he's Harry Potter."
Emily frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"He's Harry. He's handsome, he's rich and he's famous. He could have any girl he wanted," Hermione replied with a shrug. "I'm just Hermione, his know-it-all, bookworm friend."
"Stop that, Hermione Jane," Emily snapped, as she stood and walked over to her daughter. "You are beautiful and smart. If Harry can't see that, you have two choices. Either live with it and just be his friend, or take the steps needed to let him see it for himself."
Hermione looked at her mother uncertainly.
"Look, dear, you've said it yourself in the past, Harry seems to be too much of a gentleman to take advantage of those witches lining up for his attention, right?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well, either be his friend, or show him that you can offer more than just being a friend. Your father is my best friend and so much more. But I had to nudge him a little to get him to notice me," Emily offered.
Hermione nodded weakly in understanding and wondered if she could work up the Gryffindor courage to tell Harry how she felt.
She looked down at the letter again and smiled to herself. He missed her. Maybe I have a chance, after all, she mused. Humming to herself, she picked up the letter, planning on showing it to her mother when she got home. The bit about not trusting the Order would need to be explained, of course, but it was time.