Title: Harry Potter and The Forest of the Mind
Author name: Kendal23
Category: Romance / Mystery
Rating: PG (Might Change)
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OoTP, HBP
Summary: After Year 6, Harry made a decision. Now his friends decide to stick by him through thick and thin. But… what is Malfoy doing with them? Very realistic, though nothing compared to Jo's writing! Eventually D/Hr. Please Read and Review!
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author notes: This story has a new character of my creation. Even though at first she will seem like a Mary Sue SHE IS NOT. And what's more important, she won't play a major part in the story. This is all about the Fabulous Four (Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione) and… Draco Malfoy. How does this come about? Read, find out, and REVIEW please! )
Chapter 1: Strange Encounters
"Where is Dumbledore? I really must speak with him…"
Harry glanced at the beautiful young woman in front of him and felt his throat tighten. Apparently she had been the only person in the wizarding world that had not found out about Dumbledore's death. Then again, this woman was dressed in the strangest garments he had ever seen. She seemed like a warrior, dressed in tight, dark, camouflage pants, a black midriff shirt, her wand ready and within easy reach in a sheath located at her right and a dagger located to her left. On her feet was a pair of combat boots. Her hair was long, brown and curly and it flew behind her as the wind blew. Her face was something out of a magazine, beautiful and flawless. It didn't seem completely crazy that she had not found out.
"Where is he?" she demanded, her voice harsher than before.
"Who are you?"
The woman sighed exasperated. She looked straight into his eyes, as if daring him to answer her question with another question again.
"Where is he?"
"Who are you?" he insisted, a bit louder this time.
Her eyes were a brown so dark; they could have been mistaken for black. And they were icy cold, expressionless. She sighed again.
"My name is Anna Sophia. I need to find Dumbledore. Where is Dumbledore? I have found some information he desperately needs!"
"Anna Sophia… Dumbledore is… he is…" his voice trailed off.
"Harry Potter. This is not a joking matter. I need to know. You have to tell me. Please," she begged.
"He is dead," he blurted out.
Anna Sophia's eyes widened with shock. She looked around her, as if trying to find Dumbledore somewhere between the trees.
"Trees?" asked Harry out loud. "Where am I?"
"He is dead? How is that possible? It cannot be! He told me he wouldn't… he told me I had… to help…" her eyes rested once more on Harry.
"Where are we?" he inquired.
"If you don't know, then I cannot tell you," she said, her voice full of sorrow.
Suddenly, with a faint popping sound, Anna Sophia disappeared.
"Harry, please wake up!"
"What!" shouted Harry, sitting up in his bed and looking around to find the source of the voice.
Ron moved back, giving his friend some space. Harry took deep breaths of air before opening his eyes completely. He found himself back at the Burrow. Faint sunrays made their way into the small room. He coughed and reached for his glasses.
"Harry, you were screaming in your sleep again. You were asking where you were and you were calling… some girl… Anna Sophia," he said quietly.
"I keep dreaming I am in a huge, impenetrable forest. This girl is always there, waiting to ask me about Dumbledore. She says she has important information for him. Ron, I know it has to do with my mission. I just know it!"
"Is she a pretty girl?" asked Ron, trying to lift the tension off Harry.
It half worked. Harry smiled and nodded.
"She is beautiful. Probably one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. After Ginny, of course!" he added sincerely.
"Of course," smiled Ron.
"She is different from any girl we've seen so far, Ron. She is small and looks delicate even. But she is strong, she's a warrior. Her clothes, her hair, everything is that of a strong warrior. I wonder if she is a member of the Order that we have not met!"
"Maybe she is just what she is… a dream. Nothing more," declared Ron, getting up and pacing around his room. "You need to forget about it, at least for today!"
Harry smiled and nodded. Today was Fleur's and Bill's wedding. It was a time to be happy. The last chance he probably had to live a happy occasion.
"You're right!" he said, getting out of bed and stretching his arms above his head.
After they each took a shower and changed into their day clothes, they walked downstairs to have breakfast.
"Hello boys!" greeted Mrs. Weasley.
The pleasant woman wore a happy smile on her face as she placed a plateful of eggs and bacon on the table.
"Eat up! Today we are going to have quite a long day!"
Hermione and Ginny were already seated at the table. Hermione's nose was buried in a book and Ginny was munching on a croissant. She smiled at Harry.
"Hey Gin," said Harry, trying to sound detached.
"Hey Harry," she said, smiling again and turning her full attention to eating her pastry.
Since Harry had broken up with Ginny after Dumbledore's funeral they had barely spoken. Even though Harry had been staying at the Burrow for most of the summer, he avoided her like the plague. He spent most of his time looking for information on horcruxes and writing out possible items Lord Voldemort might have used to conceal pieces of his soul. Three had been destroyed, there were still three left and the most important piece was Voldemort himself. He had no time to focus on anything else.
Except for his Apparition test, which he had passed quite easily, but Ginny understood.
"After breakfast you should all go take another shower… I am not sure if you cleaned your ears properly Ronald. And I need your help in the backyard. Girls, in about an hour I need you to get ready and help Fleur get into her dress. It's quite a lovely one…" instructed Mrs. Weasley.
The house was bursting with activity. Fleur's parents were arriving via Floo Powder very soon. Bill was running about, overlooking every detail. His wounds had healed nicely, even though his face was still severely scarred. Mr. Weasley was working at the Ministry, but had promised to make it home in time for the ceremony, as did Charley, Fred and George. Percy was still estranged from his family, much to his mother's dismay. They did not know whether he would make it to the ceremony or not.
As they all ate their meal in perfect silence, each of their minds wandered off. They thought about what had happened, what was happening and what would happen in the future. The nine arrows in the old Weasley grandfather clock were still pointing to "Mortal Peril"…
The World had definitely changed…