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There was little doubt in Harry's mind that his fourth year at Hogwarts would be difficult. He'd like to claim it was because of the challenge of the classes, or even trouble with his friends. Harry was used to standing alone after all, years of surviving the Dursleys had caused that. That wasn't what concerned him though. Every year he'd been to Hogwarts Harry had almost died. His first year: Voldemort, the dark wizard who tried to murder him as a baby, had stolen into Hogwarts and tried to finish the job. The second year a giant basilisk was loose in the school trying to murder people. His third year a convicted murderer headed to Hogwarts leading to dementors, soul devouring creatures, to be set up around the school. They'd proven themselves more dangerous than the prisoner they were set to catch, and that was before Harry had learned Sirius was innocent.

Harry had done his best to learn to protect himself. Despite hiding his research in the library from his other classmates Harry had still racked up more hours in the library than his book loving friend Hermione. Of course, he hadn't had a choice. It was the only way for him to learn about the wizarding world and the spells he needed to survive. At least he had others that would try to help him survive. Ron might not be a steadfast friend but he fought at Harry's side. Hermione was always ready to help him in classes and back up his research. Even more valuable to him was Sirius and Lupin, links to his parents and the single people he trusted. He'd told them some of his secrets, and they had not only helped ease his burden but kept them from those that would pry into his business. He'd only known them for a year, less with Sirius, but he felt that he'd finally found a family.

Harry had been overjoyed to learn the ministry had messed up enough to place his guardianship with Sirius, if suspicious of how convenient that was. It was just another reason why he wanted to find a way to communicate with them that no one else could intercept or track. Maybe something similar to the charms on the Marauder's Map where text appeared insulting those that tried to break into it, or something like the parchment charm used on Tom's diary. He had dug out books on concealment charms, books on magical communication, books on enchanted diaries even on the hopes of finding out how Tom's diary had worked, everything he could possibly think of. His familiar Venentrios had actually complained about how he tasted of ink and old parchment, but even the rattlesnake's complaining hadn't deterred him. He needed Lupin and Sirius for this next year. Harry didn't want to do another year fighting for his life alone.

LARMINIUS OJECTO

Created in the dark ages when muggles hunted witches and wizards to kill the spell enchants two objects to warm and alert the other object bearer if the witch or wizard bearing the object enters danger. It was a popular charm to cast on wedding rings, with later modifications to help track…

No, that wouldn't help. He wanted to actually communicate, not just have a band warm up to tell them he was in danger. With his luck it would end up going off half the time anyways dragging Sirius and Lupin down to Hogwarts needlessly. Sighing he shut the book a sharp rap on the door breaking his concentration.

"Boy!" Aunt Petunia's shrill voice pierced through the door. "We're heading out to see Aunt Marge. She's got a new litter and wants to give one of the pups to Dudley. Behave yourself! And clean the kitchen! We'll want a place for the pup that's easy to clean." Harry silently groaned. He didn't need to see his aunt to know her face was wrinkled in disgust at the thought of a drooling messy puppy in her tidy home. It would have been worth getting the dog just to see his aunt clean up after it. Unfortunately Harry knew he'd be the one taking care of that task, and it'd probably end up being a biter too.

"Boy! You listening to me?" Harry winced as her voice shrieked. Hedwig fluttered her wings in discomfort at the piercing sound.

"Yes Aunt Petunia," Harry answered. His aunt's steps finally retreated from his door letting him take in a deep breath of relief. So the Dursleys would be out for the day. That suited him just fine. He'd be able to move around the house without being interrupted and get some food. A soft hiss from the bed turned his attention to a copper scaled rattler, dull black outlining the diamonds on his body.

"Ssso annoying. Her voissse gratesss. Why did ssshe come bother usss?" Harry held out a hand to Venentrios letting his familiar wrap around his arm.

"They're leaving for the day. You can sssun out in the garden." A hiss of pleasure came from the snake as he considered Harry's words.

"The human'sss annoyanssse isss forgiven then." Harry chuckled at Venentrios' dry words and stepped over to Hedwig's cage. The owl hooted, snake and bird eyeing each other with suspicion before Hedwig flew out the window bearing Harry's letters to his friends. Despite spending two years with each other neither animal had entirely moved past instinct dictating each other as an enemy. It was an effort to be polite, done only for Harry. The young wizard left his room and stepped down to the garden. He'd best make the most of the day before the Dursleys returned, hopefully without a dog.

Harry's poor luck had played against him once more when the Dursleys returned with an ugly pup. It took after Ripper far too much for Harry's liking with a squished face, more wrinkles than could be counted, and an ugly grey body with splotches of black and white on it. Harry had just collected Venentrios from the garden when the pup decided to bite him. It was a good thing he'd already raided the house for food as he was sent up for 'upsetting the darling pup' and locked in. Venentrios had been hissing nonstop death threats to the dog angry that such a dumb beast had dared to attack his master. Harry barely managed to suppress a smile thinking for once that Hedwig and Venentrios were on the same page. Collapsing on his bed Harry dug out a chunk of cheese and some crackers and settled down for the night. Maybe he'd get lucky and find something useful in his books tonight.

Wormtail crouched pathetically before an ornate chair situated by a fireplace. The room was beautiful in decoration. The age of the building was told in the old stone finishes and Victorian style, the room clearly recently restored.

"Master…" Wormtail's voice pleaded as the pudgy man cringed away from the chair.

"What is it Wormtail?" The high cold voice rang through the air. The careless pride couldn't be mistaken as belonging to anyone other than the Dark Lord. Wormtail flinched as he was addressed barely remaining where he was.

"I was wondering…if my Lord is-is sure he wishes me to go with Lucius to the Quidditch World Cup. Surely I'm more useful…here? To you?" The cold voice laughed bitter amusement tainting it.

"You, Wormtail? You presume to prove yourself worthy of attending to me? You only live because of the gift you brought me. If you hadn't brought such valuable knowledge I would have killed you." Wormtail cringed again trying to condense his great bulk down.

"Master, I-I am pleased you f-found my gift useful-"

"Silence! You will follow the plan Wormtail, or suffer my wrath!" A whimper escaped the man as a large snake entered the room. Wormtail flinched as the snake snapped at him drawing amusement from his fear.

"Massster, the muggle groundssskeeper isss here, lissstening to you."

"Isss that ssso? – Wormtail, Nagini has told me we have a guest. Invite him in." Wormtail scurried to the door dragging in the hapless old man. A gleam of enjoyment flickered in the rat-like man's eyes at the old man's discomfort. He was enjoying being able to scare someone, prove he wasn't the weakest in the room. The old muggle straightened staring at Wormtail with pride. He'd been in the war; he wouldn't let himself be frightened by a cowering mess.

Voldemort spoke, "Did you enjoy your eavesdropping?" The muggle turned his attention to the chair wishing he could see his employer, the one that had been threatening the funny man, Wormtail – and what kind of name was that? – with death.

"I was just checking to see the grounds were undisturbed." The man frowned a flicker of the soldier he once was gleaming in his eyes. "You're planning something illegal, ain't you? It would be my responsibility to report it." The man realized his mistake a moment later. He was alone. There was no one who would notice if the men disposed of him, less that would believe the claim of a supposed murderer. He was lucky to have this job, and now he'd made himself a threat.

The sharp laugh chilled him. "Is that so?" The snake hissed rising up from the ground. Wormtail backed away from the muggle not wanting to catch Nagini's attention.

"Nagini, kill him." The man only had enough time to drop his cane before the snake wrapped around him. Fangs flashed and venom burned in his veins, the cold laugh echoing in the air as he screamed…

Harry sat up in bed clutching his scar. The searing pain matched the burning the old man must have felt as Nagini killed him. Rubbing at it Harry wished the pain would fade faster. This wasn't the first time Voldemort had caused his scar to hurt. The blinding agony that engulfed Harry whenever they neared each other was enough to make Harry wonder how anyone expected him to defeat the dark wizard. Were they hoping he'd fall on Voldemort and crush him?

Harry knew his scar was unusual. Using the invisibility cloak he'd read every book he could find on curse scars in his first year. It didn't behave how normal curse scars did. Then again, who was to say this wasn't normal for scars from the killing curse? Too bad he was the only survivor. The best he could do was use spells to try and keep the scar contained and stop the pain from being too bad. This was the worst the scar had ever done to him though. He'd never had a vision of Voldemort planning before, and seeing the old man die…

He needed a way to protect his mind. A way to block Voldemort from getting in. Thinking about it Harry rolled over and closed his eyes pushing the pain back. It was just a dull throb now, enough for him to sleep through. And hopefully whatever books he found would stop such visions from happening again.

Drifting to sleep Harry completely forgot Voldemort's words about the Quidditch World Cup, and the plan Voldemort had mentioned…