Ninja Wizard: Prisoner of Azkaban 01

By David

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. JK Rowling has that honor.

Notes: [] indicate Japanese spoken. / indicate Parseltounge spoken.

Ninja Wizard: Prisoner of Azkaban 01

'Third Year Starts'

"Harry?" Hermione Granger spoke up from the pool float she was reclining on in the middle of the pond.

Harry had his arms up on the left side as he rested from doing his underwater breathing exercises. "What's up Hermione?"

"How easy is it to find your form?" she asked him.

Harry smiled. "Very easy. I have a potion in the potions lab in my trunk that can help you to find it. Best to drink it before going to bed. I can give it to you tonight."

"Could you Harry? That would be great!" Hermione cheered.

Harry grinned. "I'm willing to bet your form is going to be the Great Horned Owl."

"Is it because I'm so smart?" Hermione asked.

"Probably. According to my Dad's Animagus journal your form does reflect some skill or trait about you," Harry said. "You are smart, Hermione. It's because you are constantly learning things from the books in the Hogwarts library. Just don't forget to come up for air every now and then. Keep in mind that reality is a good teacher."

"I will, Harry. Can I read that book?" Hermione asked.

"Sure. I'll get it for you when we get back. Then when you are ready to go to bed for the day, I'll get the potion for you and you can take it," Harry said.

Hermione leaned back. "Thanks Harry."

Harry slid off the raft and moved around to the foot and took hold of it. He pointed the head of it towards shore and began pushing it as he kicked. It was starting to get cool as the sun was going down to end the day. Harry beached the raft and helped Hermione to her feet and handed her a towel. He took the raft and brought it up on the beach and deflated it. Then he rolled it up and dropped it on a shelf inside the small shed. They walked back to the village, which wasn't too far away. They stopped at Harry's place where he retrieved the book for Hermione. He saw her back to the guesthouse the Grangers were staying at and headed back to his place. Nobody was there and Harry knew he had the place to himself. He went into his bedroom and stripped off his Speedos and dropped them into his laundry basket. He took his towel as he went into the bath. Harry turned on the hand shower for his bath and took his time getting wet as the hot water felt good on his body. He turned off the water and began soaping up. As he rubbed the soap on his body, he discovered that he was growing hard. He took it in hand as he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He began to please it as he felt the need for a bit of pleasure, something he hadn't done in some time. The pleasure built up until it got too much for him and he felt orgasm wash over him. He sighed once he had gotten his release. He finished his bath with a long soak in the tub.

Hermione was beaming when she found Harry on the porch outside his bedroom the next morning. Harry had to smile when he saw her coming.

"Was I right?" Harry asked as old man Kazuya joined them.

"I have two forms, Harry!" she cried out joyfully.

"Ah, as I suspected. It seems that the young Miss Granger is with power as well," Kazuya stated.

"How is that, sir?" Hermione settled down on a cushion.

Harry handed Hermione a cup of tea and then handed one to Kazuya as the old man considered the question.

"As you know I am with magic," he began. "One of my abilities is to 'see' a person's magic. Both you and Harry are with power. Harry's power is significantly greater than yours because both of his parents were magical. You have your magic from somebody in your family that had magic. Both of you are capable of having animal forms due to the amount of magic that both of you possess. I can 'see' Harry's magic has grown considerably because of his daily training in his trunk and in the room of requirement at Hogwarts. I would suggest that you start training every morning. To that end I have procured another trunk similar to Harry's. You training room will be set up exactly like Harry's with the emphasis on practicing your magic. Your use of magic inside your trunk will not be detected as the room will be shielded and the monitoring spells on your wand will be rendered useless. I would suggest that you go to the wand makers in Japan's magical shopping mall and have one made to fit you properly. Yes, I agree when the old man Ollivander states that it is the wand that chooses the witch or wizard. I believe it is the elements of a wand found to suit you the best that gives you the best advantage."

"I'll do that," Hermione said. "I've sometimes felt that my current wand doesn't quite work that well for me."

"We can see to that before you leave," Kazuya said. "I am curious as to what your two forms are, and that reminds me. Danzo wishes to see you Harry, and assist you with your Falcon form."

Harry grinned. "Cool! If anyone can teach me a thing or two about being a falcon, it's Danzo. I'll seek him out later."

Hermione grinned. "I am a great horned owl and a Siamese cat."

"Oh ko!" Harry exclaimed. "Well done Miss Granger!"

Hermione blushed as Harry and Kazuya clapped.

"Yes indeed, well done. Danzo can assist you with the owl form. Learning the cat should be very easy to do," Kazuya stated. "You need to picture it clearly in your mind and then 'push' your magic at it. Practice it until you can do it without having to think about it."

Hermione closed her eyes and relaxed, clearing her mind of everything and getting a strong picture of the cat in her mind. She 'pushed' he magic towards it. It took her a few minutes to make the change but she did it and where she had once sat was now a female Siamese cat. Harry grinned and then changed himself into his cat and both Harry and Hermione rubbed noses together as Kazuya smiled. He looked up as the Grangers arrived on the scene.

"Good morning sir," Dan greeted Kazuya. "Have you seen Hermione?"

Kazuya smiled. This was going to be entertaining.

"I have," he said as he sipped his tea.

Emma noticed the cats and reached out to pet them. "What beautiful cats! Are they yours? They are so adorable!"

The cats moved back out of range and sat down. Harry was the first to change back into himself and grinned at the shocked looks on Emma and Dan's faces. Then Hermione slowly changed back from cat back to herself. Both Emma and Dan stood there with very shocked looks on their faces.

"Mom? Dad?" Hermione tapped them on their shoulders getting their attention. "Are you both okay?"

"How are you able to do that?" Emma said as she snapped out of her shocked state. "Is that normal?"

"Is there a danger to… that?" Dan asked.

Harry retrieved two more cushions and teacups. The Grangers sat down and Harry explained everything with the help of the Animagus journal.

"I also have a second form, a Peregrine Falcon. One of the instructors here in the village is an expert at handling Peregrine Falcons. He's going to help me with it," Harry said. "I am going to go see him when we are done here."

"My second form is of a Great Horned Owl," Hermione announced.

Kazuya set down his cup. "Danzo can help her with that one as well. He has made a study of birds his business. I will vouch for him."

Dan nodded. "Okay, I'll allow it. Hermione, sweetheart, I don't want you trying this on your own. Until you get it down pat like that book says, you need to have someone watching you. This Danzo sounds like a trustworthy fellow."

Harry stood up and helped Hermione to her feet. "Then let's go find him."

They found Danzo at his one room hut and after introductions and explanations, got down to business. He had Harry change first and put on a heavy glove to protect his hand and Harry moved up on it. He very carefully examined Harry's Falcon form, poking and prodding every inch of him. Eventually he set Harry back down on the floor and Harry turned back. He nodded to Harry.

"Your falcon is perfect, not a thing out of place, from the coloring to the plumage to the wingspan. Are you able to fly yet?" Danzo asked.

"Not yet," Harry said. "I've been working on making the change without having to think about it."

"Good. Keep on doing that. I will work with you on your flight skills. Now then, Miss Granger, your owl form please. Take your time, relax, and don't rush it. There will be plenty of time to learn how to make the change quickly," Danzo told her.

Hermione followed his directions and made the change. Danzo examined her very carefully and pronounced her form to be perfect. Now all she needed to do was work on making the change from human to owl.

In a desolate place off the coast of England, in the North Sea, concealed behind the strongest wards possible, sat a place so feared by all in the magical communities that very few dared to speak it's name without feeling fear of it, was Azkaban prison. It was a place where witches and wizards who committed crimes were sent. Creatures known as Dementors guarded it. They were horrible creatures, known to suck out a person's happy thoughts just by standing close to them. If they kissed you your soul would be sucked out of you and you would become lifeless, to eventually die from the loss of your soul. There were a number of sections to the place, ranging from the heavy security where the worst of the worst was sent to the light security cells were for those who were to spend a few months there. It was in the extreme heavy security level where the convicted DE's and the killers were kept. It was in this section where the more famous DE's and killers were to be found. One of these individuals was the infamous mass killer Sirius Orion Black. He had been sent there for the deaths of thirteen muggles and for conspiring to kill Lily and James Potter. Only trouble with that was that Sirius Black was innocent of those crimes, and he was incapable of proving it. He had been incarcerated for nearly thirteen years now and was a shadow of the man he once used to be. While the other prisoners surrounding him had gone insane, Sirius Black had managed to keep a solid grip on his sanity because of the one single thought that was constantly running around inside his mind, and that was the thought that he was innocent of everything. He had reinforced his mind on a daily basis that he was innocent and that he would get out of this hell he was in despite the torment the Dementors unleashed upon him. He would eventually come to discover that if he switched to his Animagus form, that of a large black dog, he could evade the dementor's attacks. Thus he spent his days sitting there with very little human contact until the esteemed Minister Fudge paid a visit to Azkaban for his annual inspection, something Fudge dreaded as it meant his coming into contact with the dementors.

As Fudge inspected the cells of each prisoner, he moved further and further into the prison until he entered the extreme heavy security level, and eventually arriving at Sirius Black's cell. Sirius had heard them coming so he managed to get on his feet and made his way to the cell door. He looked out through the bars and smiled when Fudge arrived at his cell.

"Black," Fudge snapped.

Sirius smiled wide. "Wow! You know who I am, and I didn't even have to show you my Wizard's Express card! Never leave home without it, never know if you decided to buy something unexpectedly!"

Fudge broke out into a sweat as the warden worked to repress a laugh.

"I do love the accommodations here, the room service is wonderful, the chefs simply fantastic with their culinary skills, and the view of the North Sea just wonderful!" Black grinned as Fudge blinked at him.

Then Sirius spotted the Daily Prophet under his arm. "Oh wonderful! A newspaper! Don't get the subscription anymore. I miss the crossword puzzles. If you're done with it, can I have it?"

Cornelius Fudge considered the request and then made his next mistake in handing Sirius Black the paper. Sirius saluted Fudge and turned back to his bed. What nobody realized was that the front page would lead Sirius Black to his greatest moment in his life. He sat down on his bed and opened up the paper. There on the front page, in glorious color, was the Weasley family waving at the camera. There inside the left pocket of Ginny's shirt was a rat peeking out. Sirius knew instantly who it was and he ground his teeth in rage.

"He's at Hogwarts," Sirius said as a human guard passed by.

The man stopped to listen to what Sirius Black repeated a few times and then shook his head, thinking that Sirius Black had finally snapped. That man's mistake was in not reporting what he heard Sirius Black had said. He moved on as Sirius began working on the problem of getting out of Azkaban. He would escape, one way or another. He was that determined to.

For the rest of the time they were there, Harry and Hermione worked on their bird forms until Danzo was satisfied they could do it. Harry and Hermione both had managed short flights around the yard under Danzo's supervision. Once he was satisfied they could do everything their particular bird could do he released them. Emma and Dan were convinced that Hermione was going to be okay with her forms. Thankfully her cat form had been an easy one to work with and Harry had mastered his cat form. It had been decided to head back into Japan and do the tourist thing once more before heading home. Harry did want to go hang out at Potter House for a few days before thinking about heading back to Hogwarts. He knew that he was going to be dealing with Dumbledore at some point and thinking of that gave him a headache. He put that problem away and decided to deal with it later. They left the village after Hamura had made Emma and Dan honorary members of Izumi-Zan. They did do the tourist thing once more as they headed back to the airport. Emma did go on her promised shopping trip with Shizune guiding her to the best deals. They spent their last night at a hotel that featured an onsen (outdoor hot spring) getting pampered with the men getting massage while the ladies getting the spa treatments and enjoying it. The dinner show was awesome with the music and the dancers, the food beyond anything they tasted. Harry hoped that Hermione had enjoyed her time there.

"I did enjoy my time here Harry," she answered his question later that evening. "Japan was everything I had read about. Getting to experience life in a village was a learning experience, beyond anything a book said it would be."

"Glad to hear you say that, Hermione. I was hoping that you enjoyed coming here," Harry said.

"Thank you for inviting me Harry," Hermione said.

"It was my pleasure," Harry said.

"How are you going to handle Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.

Harry sighed as he considered the question. "Not sure until I get there. I do have a little something for him and I hope he likes it."

"That's nice of you Harry," Hermione said. "Just be careful around him."

"That's what my folks said," Harry said. "I'm not too worried. He'll jump up and down a few times, scream about my safety and how I put myself at danger, and that I disgraced my parent's sacrifice and so on. That old man is really getting to be a problem. It's an effort to keep a grip on my temper."

"Don't let your temper get the best of you, Harry. It's what he wants. If you lose your temper in front of witnesses and out in public he will use that against you and get you declared a juvenile in need of supervision and that would seriously hamper you," Hermione stated.

"I doubt the Wizengamot is capable of doing that," Harry said.

"I'll check the law books in the library when we get back," Hermione decided. "We need to know if he can do that."

Harry nodded. "Please do that Hermione. If he can then I'll have to be alert around him. I can't give him any kind of excuse to get his hooks into me."

"Try not to worry about it now. We can deal with it when we get back," Hermione said. "Right now we need to get to bed as we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and we need to be rested."

Hermione had been right in the regard that traveling home would be an effort.

Harry stood on the balcony just outside his bedroom on the second floor of Potter House. Getting back into England had been easy. Harry had gone alert the moment they left the plane and he hadn't detected anything amiss. He saw the Grangers off and headed into Diagon Alley after changing out of his suit and into the typical wear of a preteen boy, shorts, a blue polo shirt, a ball cap backwards, sunglasses, and a pair of black trainers. He slid his backpack on his back and left the bathroom once he was sure it was safe to. Still no danger anywhere. Harry headed to the underground tube nearby and got on, his destination Diagon Alley. He needed to see the goblins about arranging a portkey for Hermione in the event she needed to get to safety. Gringotts was one place he could count on, Potter House was another, and the Granger house was the absolute best. He passed through the Leaky Cauldron easily, the people there not giving him a second look. He sat down in Griphook's office as the goblin looked happy to see Harry.

"I am happy to report that everything is going well in regards to your finances and the arrangement between us," Griphook stated. "The security department reports that the Dumbledork has made numerous requests as to where you were this summer stating that your safety is of utmost concern to him. They have documented each request as per your request. There was one attempted intrusion to the Potter Vault and that was documented, by one Emmeline Vance, and she had a key to the Potter Vault. It was confiscated on the pretense that there was a problem with it. She was a member of an organization called the Order of the Phoenix, a group that Dumbledore operated during the conflict with Voldemort prior to his supposed demise."

Harry nodded. "Thank you for informing me of this. Please pass on my thanks to the security department. The reason I am here is to ask you if it is possible to make portkeys for the Grangers in the event they are attacked. I wish to purchase a ward scheme around their residence to ensure their safety as well. Money is no object. They are now aware of my secrets as I have revealed them to the Grangers during my trip to Japan and the three of them are now friends of the Potter Clan."

Griphook nodded. "I shall see to it personally."

And he did.

In the two weeks Harry spent at Potter House he trained hard in his training room to prepare for the school year ahead. Not all of his time was spent working. Harry did take a little time to relax, spending time in and next to the pool, went into town to the Red Lion, went clubbing at the Dancing Girl club, and went hiking in the woods surrounding Potter House. He often took to the air in his falcon form, something he really enjoyed as flying was his passion, be it on the pitch in a game of Quidditch, or flying around his estate on his broom, or in his falcon form. There was something to be said for flying as it made him feel free. Riding the air currents was a thrill beyond anything he had ever experienced. Harry became very comfortable in his falcon form. Then before he knew it the time to depart for Hogwarts was here. Harry had decided on going to the Leaky Cauldron the night before as he planned on meeting Hermione, Emma, and Dan there. He took a room on the third floor and liked it immediately because it was in a spot that allowed him to defend his position perfectly should anything happen. The Grangers had not arrived there so Harry decided he was going to go walkabout in the alley thinking he would be safe there. He headed out to the alley and started down one side of it, taking the time to check out what was in the windows of the various shops and meeting friends along the way. He stopped in at one of the sidewalk cafes for a sandwich and a tall cold glass of iced tea. It was a nice day out and Harry was enjoying himself. He left the café after he finished off his meal. He had gone to the end of the alley and had turned around and was starting down the opposite side. The moment he stepped off the curb to cross over Knockturn Alley his sense of danger started screaming. As Harry turned to find out what it was going battle ready, something grabbed him and yanked him into the alley. He found himself flying towards a pair of open doors that snapped closed with a bang as soon as he passed through them into the dark and dismal looking warehouse. Harry spread his arms and legs as he flew towards three black garbed men wearing white masks. Death Eaters. Harry crashed into them as his momentum was too great as the one who cast Accio on him cancelled the spell. They went tumbling everywhere as Harry managed to keep his feet. He wanted to reach for his wand but he knew if he did that the ministry and Dumbledork would know where he was. Harry cracked his neck as he prepared for battle.

"You idiot!" one of the DE's yelled. "You waited too long to cancel the spell!"

"Never mind that!" a second one yelled. "Kick the little rotter's ass!"

Harry smiled. "Sorry, can't let you do that."

With that the fight was on. Harry didn't think about what he needed to do or what he was going to do. He simply did it. He dropped the one who cast Accio on him in the first few seconds of the fight with a forward kick, shoving the man's nose bones up into his brain, killing him instantly. Before his body had a chance to drop to the floor Harry spun and introduced his right foot to the face of the DE who had cussed out the first man. He did a complete three sixty before dropping. The third man managed to draw his wand but missed Harry completely as Harry apparated out of the way and then reappeared above the man, landing on top of him driving both feet into the shoulders breaking them completely causing him extreme pain. That man yowled as he rolled on the floor out of the way. The second man came at Harry his wand in his left hand and a crowbar in the right hand. Harry avoided the wild swing at his head while avoiding a purple colored spell cast at his legs by flipping over that man. He used his left foot to strike the man between his shoulders propelling him forward. He stumbled a few feet before turning around to find Harry in his face. Harry put everything he had into a right palm strike to the face, literally smashing the man's bottom jaw into pieces. The man screamed out in pain as he went down. Harry took advantage of the man being down by jumping onto both of the man's knees smashing them. The look on the man's face convinced Harry he had struck a disabling blow. Harry moved as the man whipped his wand around and started firing off spells. Harry stayed ahead of the shots as he moved in a circle, and using the man's crazed shooting to make him hit the second man killing him by mistake. He turned his wand on a large crate and smashed it to pieces. He turned to look at Harry and Harry saw the grin on the man's face as the wreckage of the crate revealed four crazed werewolves. All four charged Harry and he leaped upward avoiding them. One of them grabbed the DE that cast the spell on the crate and chomped down hard on the man's neck. Harry knew without a doubt the man was dead. One went after the man with the smashed shoulders and opened him up with a swing of his claws as the man managed to snap off his last ever spell in a desperate move to save his life. Then the four of them turned to Harry with very deranged smiles on their faces.

Harry immediately called up the pair of silver short swords, his mind whirling at the notion that these four had been transformed into mindless werewolves. How was that possible? Harry immediately shelved the problem and went to work in defending himself as the four charged. Harry knew they were not in full control of themselves like the two back in Sherwood Forest. He didn't like what he knew he had to do, knowing full well what would happen if these four broke out of here. Harry ducked underneath the claws of the two in front of the other two and plunged the two silver swords into the chests of the two behind the two front ones. They screamed out as the silver came in contact with their bodies. The sword in Harry's right hand had gone into the heart of the one to his right. One down. The sword in his left hand missed the heart by scant inches and Harry knew this one would be even more out of control. He pulled the right hand sword out of the first one and whipped it around as he moved his body to the left, pulling the left hand sword out of that werewolf and taking his head with the right hand sword. Second one down. Harry completed the about face to see the first two coming after him. Harry charged, thrusting the hilts of the swords into their stomachs and going past them. He went up a post in front of him and used it to flip over them, doing a one eighty in mid air, causing both of them to pause, and that was all Harry needed. Both swords sliced their hearts in half as Harry shoved the swords into their chests. They never had the chance to scream, Harry's attack was that fast. He pulled the swords out of their chests allowing them to drop to the floor. As they fell to the floor Harry used the swords to take their heads off. The fight was over.

Harry let go of the swords and they vanished before hitting the floor. Harry jogged through the building to the other side and went into a bathroom when he saw it. He looked himself over and he didn't have a scratch on him at all. He used his wandless magical ability to ensure he didn't have any blood on himself. He left the bathroom and changed his course the moment he heard voices exclaiming over the mess he left behind. He knew the place would be crawling with Aurors any second. He recalled the tiny alley by the café and apparated to it and stayed there for a few minutes and then stepped out when the coast was clear and nobody looking his way as they were now crowding around the entrance to Knockturn alley. Harry moved past the crowd after having cast a quick glamour over his face. He cancelled it once he was in the back corner of Quality Quidditch and breathed a sigh of relief. He casually strolled around the store looking at the various items there. Leaving the store he noted that nearly everybody was down at the entrance to Knockturn Alley and the squad of Aurors arriving with Dumbledore right behind them. Harry headed up the street to the bookstore, knowing he would find Hermione inside there. The clerk at the counter looked up when Harry walked in.

"Do you know what's going on out there?" she eagerly asked Harry.

Harry shook his head no. "Sorry miss, I don't know. I was next door at the Quidditch shop checking out the newest Quidditch gear. Saw lots of people gathered at the entrance to Knockturn Alley, Aurors arriving and Dumbledore with them. I'm sure we'll find out soon. I'm here to get my third year books."

The girl sighed as Harry headed into the bookcases. He whistled as he searched for his required books for third year at Hogwarts. He eventually came out of the history section having found the last book needed and set them on the counter just as Hermione entered the store with Emma and Dan behind her.

"Harry!" she greeted him.

Harry smiled. "Perfect timing, Hermione. I just got my books for third year."

"Good for you Harry. What's going on out there?" she asked.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "No idea, Hermione. All I know is that I saw a big crowd at the entrance to Knockturn Alley, Aurors were arriving, and Dumbledore following them. I'm sure we will find out soon enough."

"Mr. Potter, Knockturn Alley is not a safe place to go in. Please don't go wandering into there," the girl at the register said. "There are not so very nice people and places in there."

"I won't," Harry said. "The name sounds scary enough."

The girl turned to the stack of books that Harry had gotten and rang them up as Hermione headed off to find her books. Harry joined Emma and Dan at the couches by the front door to wait for Hermione.

"Get comfortable, it could be some time before we see her again," Dan said.

Harry grinned at that. "You should see her when she's in the library at Hogwarts."

Emma laughed at that. "Oh we know how she gets around books, Harry."

It was about a half hour before Hermione appeared carrying a stack of books and a big smile on her face. Harry had to chuckle at the expression on Emma and Dan's faces when they saw her.

"Did you leave us any books, Miss Granger?" the manager of the bookstore asked when he entered the store.

"Yes sir I did," Hermione replied.

Hermione bought the books and got a free catalog of books she could get by owl post. Harry carried her bag as well as his as they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. By now people were beginning to go about their business once more.

Harry was invited to dinner with the Grangers out in London. Harry dug out his suit and got into it but left the tie off and the jacket open. They stepped out into the London evening and walked down the street a ways before coming upon the Italian restaurant they were to dine at, and Harry was glad he had accepted the invitation. Not only was the food fantastic, but also the entertainment was great as all of the staff there would sing for the patrons every fifteen minutes. The patrons enjoyed the singing so much that one man stood up and did a duet with one of the waitresses, taking the part of the gentleman pining for the girl he desired and playing the part very well. He gave the girl a large tip for the song. They spent nearly two hours there having a good time. They walked back about nine, and there were people inside the Leaky Cauldron discussing the day's events as Harry and Hermione entered, having said goodbye to Emma and Dan. There were polite nods in Harry's direction and Harry nodded back to them. They went up the stairs to Harry's room.

"Mine's two doors down," Hermione said as they walked into Harry's room.

Harry closed the door and then cast detection spells and they came back clean. Hermione took a seat on the couch as Harry turned to his trunk and went down into it and returned a few minutes later with cold drinks for both of them. Harry sat in the easy chair next to the couch and then related to her the fight he had been in. He could see her looking serious as he told here everything.

"Harry, this is really serious," she said, leaning back. "If the DE's are able to do that with werewolves, that could be a potential problem for the ministry to deal with."

"Not to mention the possibility of more anti-werewolf laws," Harry said.

"Or a werewolf hunt," Hermione growled.

That was a scary thought. Just pointing a finger at somebody and accusing them of being a werewolf would cause problems for that person if the hysteria were great enough. Harry scratched his chin and wondered if Dumbledore would stoop low enough to use that as a way to get him under the old man's control.

"This is not good," Hermione said.

Harry raised his head. "No kidding. If Dumbledore got it into his head to use that as a way to get me under his control, he'd do it. Be just like him."

"Hasn't anyone ever asked why an old man of one hundred and fifty is obsessing over a thirteen year old boy?" Hermione asked.

"Dumbledore is a manipulator. He knows just how to manipulate people just right so they don't ask too many questions. He has to be in complete control," Harry sighed. "I don't have all the answers to the Dumbledore problem just yet."

"Please be careful of him, Harry. I don't want to lose my best friend. I really do appreciate your giving us the portkey rings. Makes me feel better knowing Mum and Dad have a way to escape should the have to," Hermione said.

Harry nodded. "Thank Griphook for that one. He's the one that made it possible."

"If I ever meet him I will," Hermione said. "Now I need to get to bed."

Harry walked her to her room and bid her goodnight. He went back to his room and sat in the easy chair after turning out the lights and gazed into the fireplace. He examined random thoughts until the fire was nearly gone. Then he went to bed. Just before he went to sleep he had the feeling that something was happening somewhere.

Sirius Black was ready. He had figured out his great escape plan and was ready to put it into action. Using what little wandless magic he had he created a big lump in his bed to give the impression that he was sleeping in it. He morphed into his dog form and crawled underneath the bed and waited for the dinner cart to come around. It did and the door to his cell was opened and the bowl containing his dinner was placed on the floor. Then something unexpectedly happened and there were shouts of anger outside the cell. Sirius crawled out from underneath the bed and peeked out to find the big pot lying on the floor and food spilling out of as the two guard were practically in each other's faces, yelling at each other. Sirius couldn't believe his luck. He went for it. Slipping out of the cell and sneaking down the corridor avoiding the other guards and the dementors. Sirius made it out of that level and took a set of stairs down, jumping into the shadows every time he heard someone coming his way. His luck held as he managed to get down to the ground floor. Peeking around a corner as he had heard a loud rumbling, he got another unexpected gift. A guard was sleeping in his chair at the door between him and freedom. The door was open a crack and that would make it easy for Sirius to push open and get out. The next unexpected gift and the absolute best one, was the guard's wand sticking out of his right hand pants pocket. Sirius wriggled in excitement. The escape was going a lot better than he expected. He very carefully grabbed the wand in his teeth and very slowly pulled on it until it came free. He went to the door and very slowly pushed it open with a paw. He peeked out and saw nobody on the other side. He stayed next to the wall as he moved, using the furniture in the room for cover. Now only the door to the outside stood in front of him. The big problem was that it swung inward. Sirius looked up at the door handle and it was one of those lever types and not the round knobs. He reared up on his hind legs and got his right paw on the lever and pushed down on it. The door popped open. Sirius got his left paw into the wood of the door and pulled it open. He didn't hesitate to dash out of there. Now he needed a way off the island. He didn't relish the thought of swimming in the freezing cold water, so he began scouting the island hoping to find some kind of a boat he could use to reach England. He hid in a small copse of trees and chanced a transformation back to himself so he could stash the stolen wand inside his threadbare pants. First chance he got he would collect better clothes. He turned back into the dog and continued his search. His good luck continued to hold and he came upon a canoe lying on the beach. He looked in both directions to make sure the coast was clear and nobody was there, he resumed his human form and checked it out. He dragged it into the water and took hold of the paddle. He pushed off and started to row in the direction he knew was England. He paddled for what he thought was forever but in reality was two hours time. The dark was falling and Sirius wanted to make landfall before it got too dark to see. He put his all into the paddling and was well rewarded when the canoe struck land. Sirius scrambled out of the canoe overturning it in the process and falling into the North Sea and getting chilled to the bone in seconds. He reached out for anything in his desperation to make it and he felt his hand land on a branch. He pulled on it and managed to get out of the water. He lay there on the cold hard ground and wept tears of joy. Sirius Black had done the unthinkable. He had escaped Azkaban prison.

Harry found the Weasleys and Hermione in the dining room the next morning. Fred and George were the first to greet him in their own unique manner that Harry found so amusing. He went round greeting them all.

"Hi, Ginny. How are you doing?" he asked Ginny.

She smiled at him and Harry could tell she was happy. "I'm feeling really good, Harry! The mind healers that Mum's been taking me to have really helped me a lot. I'm not having nightmares about it anymore and the flashbacks have stopped."

"That's great news, Ginny. I spent the summer talking to my family and they helped me a lot too. I'm glad you're going to be okay," Harry said.

Arthur Weasley tapped Harry on the shoulder, gaining his attention. "Can I have a word with you Harry?"

Harry followed Arthur into a side room and he closed the door behind them. Then he turned to Harry and Harry had the feeling this was serious.

"I, Arthur Weasley, head of the Weasley Family, do owe Harry James Potter a lifetime debt because of his actions in regards to Virginia Weasley in saving her life from death," Arthur declared.

"Mr. Weasley, that isn't necessary," Harry protested.

"Yes, Harry, it is. You put your life at risk to rescue Ginny. I can't let that slide. My daughter is a very important part of my family and you put yourself at great risk to bring her back to us. We cannot forget that," Arthur said. "Please accept."

Harry looked into the older man's eyes and saw how sincere he was.

"I did it because nobody else could. I did it because she has the right to her life. I did it to protect her future. I did it knowing full well that if I didn't do anything and she died down there the cost would have been my soul and the shame on my honor would have been too great," Harry said.

Arthur thought about that for a moment. "I think I understand, Harry. We still owe you a debt of honor regardless of how you feel, Harry."

Harry eventually sighed and inclined his head slightly. "Then I humbly accept this honor and hope to be worthy of it."

Arthur sighed as he shook Harry's hand. "Thank you Harry. There is one more very important matter I must speak with you about."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

Arthur suddenly felt very old and wished he didn't have to tell Harry. He looked up at Harry and Harry grew concerned when he saw the look of sorrow in Arthur's eyes.

"It's regarding Sirius Black," Arthur finally admitted. "Minister Fudge contacted me early this morning and informed me that Sirius Black escaped Azkaban prison last night. He was rushing off to a meeting this morning to direct efforts to find and apprehend him. I'm sorry, Harry. This was something I didn't want to tell you but I felt I should before you found out from somebody else."

Harry nodded and took a chair. "I know of him. He stood by my father James Potter on his wedding day. He was my father's best friend. My father took him in when he ran away from his parent's house because he grew tired of their constant praising Voldemort. What I don't understand is how he could turn on my parents like that. It's not… why… I can't… I don't know what it is I'm supposed to be feeling right now."

Arthur nodded. "I wish I could tell you I understand, but I can't, because I don't know what it is you're feeling right now. All I can say is to try and deal with it the best you can. I need you to promise me something, Harry. Promise me you will not go looking for him. Revenge is never a good thing."

"Before setting out on revenge, you must first dig two graves. One for him and the second one for yourself," Harry said softly as he stared at the wood floor.

He looked up at Arthur Weasley. The older man put his hand on Harry's left shoulder.

"Something a friend of mine once told me," Harry said.

"Sounds like he was a very wise man," Arthur said.

Harry smiled. "You have no idea."

Kazuya had taught him the old Chinese proverb while he had been in training.

"I'll leave him to the professionals," Harry decided.

Arthur nodded. "Good man. Very wise decision. Let's get back before Molly starts to panic and call in a search team."

They left the room and headed to breakfast.

To Be Continued

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Author Notes: Someone in a previous review asked me why I gave the series a mature rating. I gave it a mature rating because of the violence, sexual situations, and language that will be appearing from this point on as Harry moved deeper into the battle against Voldemort and the DE's. If that doesn't bother you then read on. If it does, then I apologize to you for the offense as none is intended.