The sky was black, blacker than it had ever been, and black with the stench of evil. And
evil was lurking about. Evil was having a meeting, and the meeting was not pleasant
Voldemort was standing over the Death Eaters, looking at them as if they were scum
(which they were).
" Why, after all that I have done these past 4 years, have I not been able to kill the boy?
Tell me! If you had found me earlier, than he would be dead, and the only thing that
would stop me from ruling the world would be the old fart, Dumbledore."
" Master…"
" Silence. No matter, this time, my plan to attack Hogwarts is fool proof. Now, let me
remind you of the details. We will attack my former school on September twenty first,
when all of the classes and everything have just settled in. It will be at 9 o'clock sharp.
And we will know the Potter boy's schedule after Malfoy tells us. Next, we will have one
of you capture him, and take him to the Forbidden Forest. There, we will torture him, and
kill him; not before getting him to tell us Dumbledore's big secret, first. Any questions?"
None of the cloaked figures answered. They remained perfectly still.
" Good. Now, tell me, Lucias, have the Dementors replied to our offer?"
" They agreed to join us as soon as we asked."
" Good, another deadly weapon. Wormtail, bring me the hostage."
Wormtail walked away for a minute, and then came back, carrying the prisoner. He was
under the full-body-bind, but still conscious. He wore a ministry uniform, and had the
highest-ranking pin. His name was Fudge.
" So, Minister, I've heard that you don't believe that I have risen again. Do you believe
now?"
The minister could not move his lips, but his eyes were wide in terror.
" Crucio!"
And Harry Potter, at number 4 Private Drive, woke with a start.
Harry was used to having strange dreams warning him of Voldemort's plans to attack, he
was having them ever since the summer of his fourth year, which was a year ago. So far,
he had had dreams of Death Eater meetings and plans to kill Harry, but until now, they
gave no date and location. Harry's first thought was to owl Sirius, but then he thought he
should contact Dumbledore first. He called to Hedwig to deliver the letter.
Professor Dumbledore;
How has your summer been? Mine is normal for life with the Dursleys. Anyway, I wanted
to tell you that I just had a dream concerning an attack on Hogwarts. Voldemort said he
was attacking the school on September 21, 9:00 sharp, and he was planning to capture
me. Voldemort said he would learn my schedule from Malfoy. I don't know if he means
Draco or Lucias. He also had Fudge kidnapped at the meeting, and hit him with an
Unforgivable, which woke me up, as they always do. It was Crucio, but I have a feeling
that he will be put under Imperious. I am not sure if he has been missing or not, because I
don't get the Daily Prophet. But it looked like the Death Eater's meeting was deep in the
Forbidden Forest. I could be wrong, though. Anyway, I hope this helps.
Harry
Ps. I forgot to mention, Voldemort said that the Dementors have joined him, as he asked
them too.
As his owl soared out into the night sky, Harry hoped that he had done something right
for once.
*~*
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, consumed with the letter that the boy who lived sent
him. Was this dream another warning? He doubted it wasn't. And what was he to do?
How could he protect the school at nine am on the 21 of September? And was Voldemort
hidden in the Forbidden Forest this very moment?
" Headmaster?"
" Yes, Minerva?"
" What are we to do?"
The best wizard of his time looked up at a fellow Transfiguration teacher. He had for
once a worried look on his face.
" I was wondering that myself."
*~*
**
Harry's summer was as usual, dull. The only thing that interested him was the letters he
was sent by his friends.
Harry;
How are you? Have you had any dreams where you woke up with your scar hurting?
Please tell someone if you do. I have been having a productive summer, and I vacationed
in Bulgaria. I learned a bunch interesting facts in the muggle towns, and so I wrote an
extra credit report for Muggle Studies. Anyway, keep talking to me.
Love from
Hermione
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry;
How are ya, mate? Having a good summer? Ha! I doubt it! Sorry, just gone mad because
Percy is acting stupid. Anyway, can you come to stay at my house over the summer? I
know that you couldn't last year, but nothing has happened with You-Know-Who. My
mum wrote to Dumbledore, asking him, and she told me that you had to want to come to
the Burrow, which I don't doubt you do. Am I wrong? Owl me.
Ron
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Ron:
Are you insane? Come to the Burrow for the rest of the summer? Of COURSE I want to!
When can I come?
Harry
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hermione;
I'm fine. Yes, I have had… dreams… but I informed Dumbledore about it. Don't worry.
Ronald says that I can come visit him. I am awaiting your reply to my owl, and I will
inform you of the answer, and the date. Please respond to me.
Harry Potter
Ron;
Does Harry sound a little… strange to you? His last letter to me was oddly formal. Has
he written to you like that? He also says that you say he can come to the burrow. What
about me?
Hermione
Harry;
Are you feeling all right? Why were you so formal? Please tell me.
Hermione.
My dear Friends;
How are you? In perfect health, I hope?
I find that I cannot divulge any more information, as the given circumstances have
arranged. I encourage you, however, to read between the lines.
Help will always be given to those at Hogwarts who ask for it, as a wise wizard once
said, who is now informed of certain news, though imprecisely.
Snuffles…! Is ok, I hope. Have you had any contact with him lately? Please don't mention
him, though; I don't think he would want you to be worried.
Currently, Hedwig is eyeing a small creature outside my window. The rat must feel like
he is being watched. He actually looks as though he were biting his nails, as it seems that
one is missing.
I must conclude, but not before stating one last bid of advice: Sometimes, you can have
too many words, and it is best not to mention any names or elaborate. I am not quite sure
who says that, but rest assured, they mean it.
Harry Potter
"Hermione, what on earth is this supposed to mean?" Ron asked her in furry, reading
over their friend's letter, which sounded like something Dumbledore would write.
" I'm not sure… Harry has changed…"
" And what does he mean by this stuff… read between the lines?"
" It's a muggle saying, it means…. Oh, Now I get it! Ron, it means, that we have to try to
figure out the clues he is giving us!"
" What?"
" Look, he first says, Help will always be given… that's it! He needs help! Ron, who said
that? I never heard that?"
" It was Dumbledore in our second year, he said it when we were in Hagrid cabin, right
when he was asked to leave the school…. Oh! You were… you know…"
" Let's just say… Stoned…?"
" Er-right. He says Dumbledore knows informatively. Which means, he must have to
work out the clues, too. I hope he is as smart as you are, Hermione!"
Hermione blushed. " Ok, next he said something about Sirius… and he puts an
exclamation mark… as if it were very important… maybe it was for if we still didn't
know that he was writing in code, Sirius's name is a code name. But, why would Harry
have to write in code? To hid it from the Dursleys?"
" We'll get to that later. What about Hedwig?"
" And the rat…"
" Yea… oh, I've got it! Wormtail… Hedwig sees Wormtail out of the window! He was
sent to watch Harry, so he has to write in code, so they aren't intercepted! That's why he
mentions Sirius!"
" Ron! You've never been this smart before!"
" Shut up! What if Voldemort is there too? Harry could be thinking that, you know. It's
good that Dumbledore gets a letter like this. Do you think we need to write the
Headmaster?"
" It wouldn't hurt, unless this house is being watched, too." Hermione was staying at the
Burrow with Ron. " Anyway, what's the last thing he says?"
"… Don't elaborate on people or other stuff, I guess."
" Right! We should owl him back, and tell him we understand. Let's be as secretive as he
was! This will be fun!"
And they began their letter.
Harry Potter;
We comprehend you fully. I do hope it is the same for you with us.
How is that wise man? Talked to him lately?
You know that thing you said with the Rat and you're owl? I almost feel the same way?
SHOULD I?
Please send my regards to the Dursleys, although I doubt that they will like it. Do They
Know … of me?
I know that you are occupied with rats and owls right now, but have you any interest in
Anyone else?
And Snuffles? Well, I'm not quite sure of his health. Could I Tell Him that you are
asking?
From;
You're friends.
Friends;
I am surprised that you feel that way with my owl and the rodent. I am not sure why, but
I doubt that you should, as the best-kept secret is guarded.
No, the Dursleys have not been informed of you, and I don't intend to inform them.
However, I believe it would be best if you tell Snuffles of yourself, and ask his health, as I
worry constantly over him.
I do not know if the old man whom I admire understands the problem I addressed to you,
though it would help if you helped him. I am relieved that you do, as it concerns you also.
Currently, I have interest in some other areas, none of which take little time. The other
areas are largely related to my talents. I am not sure of this knew hobby, though; it could
just all be in my head
I am questioning my ability to be educated. I feel like a tiger in the zoo. Please address
this matter to whom it may concern.
From;
Mr. Potter
" So, let's see what we have soo far… the Dursleys don't know about you know what,
we should tell Snuffles, Harry thinks that Voldemort cold be there too, but he isn't sure,
and thinks it could be over reacting, and Harry isn't sure if he can go to Hogwarts, or
leave the house, probably, so he wants us to tell Dumbledore"
" Tell me what?"
Ron and Hermione jumped in surprise, they were sitting in the living room, and Albus
Dumbledore had just stepped out of the fireplace.
" You see, I too got a letter from Harry that sounded strangely formal for him. I trust you
have figured out that he was giving us clues, and is currently being watched?"
" Yes, sir, we figured it out, and we owled him back. He gave us another letter." Ron
handed the second letter to Dumbledore, and he read it.
" Harry is very smart to write clues. Wormtail is not bright enough to understand…. He
wanted you two to see if I knew… yes…he doesn't believe that you are being watched…
neither do I…what does he mean, interest in other areas?"
" In the letter we wrote him, we asked, in other words, of course, if he thought you-know-
…V-Voldemort was there too, and not just the rat. We called him ' other interests'
though, and he says that he thinks V-Voldemort could be there, but it could be just
nerves."
" Very well."
" Headmaster, Harry also says in the last paragraph that he is trapped, and doesn't think
he can go to Hogwarts."
" Hmmm…. We'll have to rescue him then, won't he? I hope the Dursleys have a
fireplace. But first, we'll need another means of contacting him…"
evil was lurking about. Evil was having a meeting, and the meeting was not pleasant
Voldemort was standing over the Death Eaters, looking at them as if they were scum
(which they were).
" Why, after all that I have done these past 4 years, have I not been able to kill the boy?
Tell me! If you had found me earlier, than he would be dead, and the only thing that
would stop me from ruling the world would be the old fart, Dumbledore."
" Master…"
" Silence. No matter, this time, my plan to attack Hogwarts is fool proof. Now, let me
remind you of the details. We will attack my former school on September twenty first,
when all of the classes and everything have just settled in. It will be at 9 o'clock sharp.
And we will know the Potter boy's schedule after Malfoy tells us. Next, we will have one
of you capture him, and take him to the Forbidden Forest. There, we will torture him, and
kill him; not before getting him to tell us Dumbledore's big secret, first. Any questions?"
None of the cloaked figures answered. They remained perfectly still.
" Good. Now, tell me, Lucias, have the Dementors replied to our offer?"
" They agreed to join us as soon as we asked."
" Good, another deadly weapon. Wormtail, bring me the hostage."
Wormtail walked away for a minute, and then came back, carrying the prisoner. He was
under the full-body-bind, but still conscious. He wore a ministry uniform, and had the
highest-ranking pin. His name was Fudge.
" So, Minister, I've heard that you don't believe that I have risen again. Do you believe
now?"
The minister could not move his lips, but his eyes were wide in terror.
" Crucio!"
And Harry Potter, at number 4 Private Drive, woke with a start.
Harry was used to having strange dreams warning him of Voldemort's plans to attack, he
was having them ever since the summer of his fourth year, which was a year ago. So far,
he had had dreams of Death Eater meetings and plans to kill Harry, but until now, they
gave no date and location. Harry's first thought was to owl Sirius, but then he thought he
should contact Dumbledore first. He called to Hedwig to deliver the letter.
Professor Dumbledore;
How has your summer been? Mine is normal for life with the Dursleys. Anyway, I wanted
to tell you that I just had a dream concerning an attack on Hogwarts. Voldemort said he
was attacking the school on September 21, 9:00 sharp, and he was planning to capture
me. Voldemort said he would learn my schedule from Malfoy. I don't know if he means
Draco or Lucias. He also had Fudge kidnapped at the meeting, and hit him with an
Unforgivable, which woke me up, as they always do. It was Crucio, but I have a feeling
that he will be put under Imperious. I am not sure if he has been missing or not, because I
don't get the Daily Prophet. But it looked like the Death Eater's meeting was deep in the
Forbidden Forest. I could be wrong, though. Anyway, I hope this helps.
Harry
Ps. I forgot to mention, Voldemort said that the Dementors have joined him, as he asked
them too.
As his owl soared out into the night sky, Harry hoped that he had done something right
for once.
*~*
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, consumed with the letter that the boy who lived sent
him. Was this dream another warning? He doubted it wasn't. And what was he to do?
How could he protect the school at nine am on the 21 of September? And was Voldemort
hidden in the Forbidden Forest this very moment?
" Headmaster?"
" Yes, Minerva?"
" What are we to do?"
The best wizard of his time looked up at a fellow Transfiguration teacher. He had for
once a worried look on his face.
" I was wondering that myself."
*~*
**
Harry's summer was as usual, dull. The only thing that interested him was the letters he
was sent by his friends.
Harry;
How are you? Have you had any dreams where you woke up with your scar hurting?
Please tell someone if you do. I have been having a productive summer, and I vacationed
in Bulgaria. I learned a bunch interesting facts in the muggle towns, and so I wrote an
extra credit report for Muggle Studies. Anyway, keep talking to me.
Love from
Hermione
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry;
How are ya, mate? Having a good summer? Ha! I doubt it! Sorry, just gone mad because
Percy is acting stupid. Anyway, can you come to stay at my house over the summer? I
know that you couldn't last year, but nothing has happened with You-Know-Who. My
mum wrote to Dumbledore, asking him, and she told me that you had to want to come to
the Burrow, which I don't doubt you do. Am I wrong? Owl me.
Ron
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Ron:
Are you insane? Come to the Burrow for the rest of the summer? Of COURSE I want to!
When can I come?
Harry
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hermione;
I'm fine. Yes, I have had… dreams… but I informed Dumbledore about it. Don't worry.
Ronald says that I can come visit him. I am awaiting your reply to my owl, and I will
inform you of the answer, and the date. Please respond to me.
Harry Potter
Ron;
Does Harry sound a little… strange to you? His last letter to me was oddly formal. Has
he written to you like that? He also says that you say he can come to the burrow. What
about me?
Hermione
Harry;
Are you feeling all right? Why were you so formal? Please tell me.
Hermione.
My dear Friends;
How are you? In perfect health, I hope?
I find that I cannot divulge any more information, as the given circumstances have
arranged. I encourage you, however, to read between the lines.
Help will always be given to those at Hogwarts who ask for it, as a wise wizard once
said, who is now informed of certain news, though imprecisely.
Snuffles…! Is ok, I hope. Have you had any contact with him lately? Please don't mention
him, though; I don't think he would want you to be worried.
Currently, Hedwig is eyeing a small creature outside my window. The rat must feel like
he is being watched. He actually looks as though he were biting his nails, as it seems that
one is missing.
I must conclude, but not before stating one last bid of advice: Sometimes, you can have
too many words, and it is best not to mention any names or elaborate. I am not quite sure
who says that, but rest assured, they mean it.
Harry Potter
"Hermione, what on earth is this supposed to mean?" Ron asked her in furry, reading
over their friend's letter, which sounded like something Dumbledore would write.
" I'm not sure… Harry has changed…"
" And what does he mean by this stuff… read between the lines?"
" It's a muggle saying, it means…. Oh, Now I get it! Ron, it means, that we have to try to
figure out the clues he is giving us!"
" What?"
" Look, he first says, Help will always be given… that's it! He needs help! Ron, who said
that? I never heard that?"
" It was Dumbledore in our second year, he said it when we were in Hagrid cabin, right
when he was asked to leave the school…. Oh! You were… you know…"
" Let's just say… Stoned…?"
" Er-right. He says Dumbledore knows informatively. Which means, he must have to
work out the clues, too. I hope he is as smart as you are, Hermione!"
Hermione blushed. " Ok, next he said something about Sirius… and he puts an
exclamation mark… as if it were very important… maybe it was for if we still didn't
know that he was writing in code, Sirius's name is a code name. But, why would Harry
have to write in code? To hid it from the Dursleys?"
" We'll get to that later. What about Hedwig?"
" And the rat…"
" Yea… oh, I've got it! Wormtail… Hedwig sees Wormtail out of the window! He was
sent to watch Harry, so he has to write in code, so they aren't intercepted! That's why he
mentions Sirius!"
" Ron! You've never been this smart before!"
" Shut up! What if Voldemort is there too? Harry could be thinking that, you know. It's
good that Dumbledore gets a letter like this. Do you think we need to write the
Headmaster?"
" It wouldn't hurt, unless this house is being watched, too." Hermione was staying at the
Burrow with Ron. " Anyway, what's the last thing he says?"
"… Don't elaborate on people or other stuff, I guess."
" Right! We should owl him back, and tell him we understand. Let's be as secretive as he
was! This will be fun!"
And they began their letter.
Harry Potter;
We comprehend you fully. I do hope it is the same for you with us.
How is that wise man? Talked to him lately?
You know that thing you said with the Rat and you're owl? I almost feel the same way?
SHOULD I?
Please send my regards to the Dursleys, although I doubt that they will like it. Do They
Know … of me?
I know that you are occupied with rats and owls right now, but have you any interest in
Anyone else?
And Snuffles? Well, I'm not quite sure of his health. Could I Tell Him that you are
asking?
From;
You're friends.
Friends;
I am surprised that you feel that way with my owl and the rodent. I am not sure why, but
I doubt that you should, as the best-kept secret is guarded.
No, the Dursleys have not been informed of you, and I don't intend to inform them.
However, I believe it would be best if you tell Snuffles of yourself, and ask his health, as I
worry constantly over him.
I do not know if the old man whom I admire understands the problem I addressed to you,
though it would help if you helped him. I am relieved that you do, as it concerns you also.
Currently, I have interest in some other areas, none of which take little time. The other
areas are largely related to my talents. I am not sure of this knew hobby, though; it could
just all be in my head
I am questioning my ability to be educated. I feel like a tiger in the zoo. Please address
this matter to whom it may concern.
From;
Mr. Potter
" So, let's see what we have soo far… the Dursleys don't know about you know what,
we should tell Snuffles, Harry thinks that Voldemort cold be there too, but he isn't sure,
and thinks it could be over reacting, and Harry isn't sure if he can go to Hogwarts, or
leave the house, probably, so he wants us to tell Dumbledore"
" Tell me what?"
Ron and Hermione jumped in surprise, they were sitting in the living room, and Albus
Dumbledore had just stepped out of the fireplace.
" You see, I too got a letter from Harry that sounded strangely formal for him. I trust you
have figured out that he was giving us clues, and is currently being watched?"
" Yes, sir, we figured it out, and we owled him back. He gave us another letter." Ron
handed the second letter to Dumbledore, and he read it.
" Harry is very smart to write clues. Wormtail is not bright enough to understand…. He
wanted you two to see if I knew… yes…he doesn't believe that you are being watched…
neither do I…what does he mean, interest in other areas?"
" In the letter we wrote him, we asked, in other words, of course, if he thought you-know-
…V-Voldemort was there too, and not just the rat. We called him ' other interests'
though, and he says that he thinks V-Voldemort could be there, but it could be just
nerves."
" Very well."
" Headmaster, Harry also says in the last paragraph that he is trapped, and doesn't think
he can go to Hogwarts."
" Hmmm…. We'll have to rescue him then, won't he? I hope the Dursleys have a
fireplace. But first, we'll need another means of contacting him…"