Chapter 19 The Order of the Phoenix

There was an old, dark, foreboding house in London, called Grimauld Place, owned by the Black family for years. Grim old place was the right description. Two wars had decimated the Black family, and Sirius Black was the sole owner. He had spent his early years there, and there were few fond memories. If his parents had been better organized, he would have been disinherited, but they weren't. Albus Dumbledore asked him if he had a secure place to hold meetings for The Order of the Phoenix, and Sirius said he could use the old house in London as long as he wanted. He had little desire to return there, otherwise.

The Order was founded centuries ago, with the sole intent of stopping the rise of self-styled dark lords. Every fifty to a hundred years, some witch or wizard would decide they should rule by force ... because they could. The leader of the Order always found a successor, to carry on, and keep watch for the inevitable. Albus Dumbledore was the current leader, and he had been, for sixty years. Their numbers had never been large, but they had always been supported by the old families. It was essential that the old families maintain peace, and stability. The last two wars had nearly eradicated those families. The old families were barely able to maintain their essential civic function ... the protection of their way of life. The Wizengamut was the primary system to maintain civility, and the Order of the Phoenix was a stop gap organization to neutralize dangerous mavericks. The leader of the Order was usually a very powerful wizard.

Dumbledore called the first meeting at Grimauld Place to order. "Welcome friends, and thank you for coming. I am truly sorry to say that Voldemort has started to move among us again. Hestia Jones was one of a few Ministry people, in our Order, guarding the prophecies of the Ministry. The state of the Ministry has fallen into such disrepair, that nearly anyone can come in at night, let alone Voldemort. It was our hope that the person on watch would be able to sound the alarm, but Hestia was murdered before she could let us know. Voldemort has the prophecy, concerning him, and one other."

There were murmurs of "Bloody this," and "Dark Wanker that, " and such. The noise died down.

Dumbledore continued, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives..."

"Are we sure of who the prophecy speaks about?" asked retired auror Moody.

"That child of prophecy, is Harry Potter," said Dumbledore. "I am sure all of you have read in the Prophet that Voldemort has vowed to kill him. What you may not know, is that the Ministry wants him just as badly ... to fight Voldemort. They want him on a Hit team. I think he needs to be back in school. He is not prepared for fighting. He is fifteen years old, and studying to be a healer. The prophecy speaks of a 'Power he knows not'. Voldemort studied far and wide. The only power I can think of that he knows nothing about, is love, the behavior of putting another's interests before one's own ... even at the cost of one's own interests. The boy is too young, to know the ramifications of personal sacrifice, for the greater good."

"Well, why isn't he back in school!" exclaimed Molly Weasley. "My daughter wrote me as soon as that foul woman expelled him."

"The expulsion has been overturned," said Dumbledore, "but Harry has disappeared. He was given full rights to use magic, for his selection in the Tri-wizard Tournament. His trust vault is far from empty, and he has barely used it. No one knows where he is. Our first task is to find him, and see him back in school, safe at Hogwarts. Severus, what have you heard?"

"Nothing," said Snape. "I wasn't informed of the raid on the Ministry, and all the Dark Lord wants from me, is potions. He is still building his physical strength, following his resurrection. He was bold enough to lead three others into the Ministry, but he really wasn't ready for a fight ... not that he would discuss his actual health. He wants to be informed, as soon as Potter returns to Hogwarts. He will start recruiting again, and his methods leave few alternatives. He may have a dozen marked death eaters, at this time. As you remember, they primarily act as his command staff."

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "The Ministry has issued a "Kill On Sight" order, for Voldemort, but not for his death eaters. They want them for questioning, and incarceration in Azkaban, if necessary. I want response teams set up to assist the families Voldemort will attack. Alistor, I want you to assemble teams. Let's keep our people safe. The Ministry is woefully ill prepared for this. Voldemort was much more bold than I anticipated, to have raided the Ministry this soon."

"Will we kill death eaters on sight?" asked Xavier.

"No, of course not," said Dumbledore. "We won't sink to their level. Grindelwald was incarcerated in Europe, and died a few years later, in captivity. We will do the same with Voldemort."

"The Ministry had kill orders for death eaters last time," said Moody. "What is different now?"

"You know how many of the old family members were released, for having been under the imperious curse," said Dumbledore. "The Ministry wants death eaters brought in for trial. I believe most of Voldemort's ... minions ... can be returned to society, as useful members. They just need to see the error of their ways."

"Imperious curse, my arse," said Sirius. "Pettigrew wasn't under the imperious, and neither were any others. We know the Ministry can't question anyone properly. We have the best Ministry money can buy." No one said anything, for several moments.

"Be that as it may," said Dumbledore, "we will not purposely curse to kill. We will take prisoners, and make every effort to see they are properly interrogated. I will let you know when the next meeting is, as the need arises. Molly, Arthur, may I see both of you for a moment?"

"Yes, of course," said Arthur. "How may we help?"

"It has come to my attention that Harry is very fond of your daughter," said Albus. " There is an issue that complicates us finding him. He is an animagus ... a kneazle, with green eyes. Molly, you know the dedication the kneazles show your Aunt Arabella. I believe it is possible Harry is showing the same dedication, to your daughter. Have you seen a green eyed kneazle around your property?"

"Oh, my," said Molly. "That young kneazle has been coming to our house for years, since Ginny started school at my Aunt's family compound. Are you saying that kneazle is Harry?"

"Molly, " said Dumbledore, "the boy spent eight years as a kneazle ... practically all of his pre-teen years ... before coming to Hogwarts. Desire to go to Hogwarts brought him back to our world, and now ... the Ministry pulled it out from under him. He could leave, and easily not come back. I fear the young man is more kneazle, than human. I searched for him for four years, with more than a little help ... and could not find him."

"That doesn't sound like the lad I know," said Arthur Weasley. "He wants to work on a project with me."

"Oh, he fits seamlessly in our world," said Dumbledore, "if a bit quietly. I have watched him, since he came to Hogwarts. He doesn't really act like his classmates. On the surface, he is an unusually quiet, mature young man, but if you pay close attention to the behavior of kneazles, one may see those traits in Harry."

"Won't Ginny be surprised," said Arthur, "to find out Harry is Green Eyes."

"Oh, I think she knows," said Albus, " and she has for some time. She has been working with Minerva, studying transfiguration, to become an animagus." Albus knew she had been a cat for a while, but he wasn't quite willing to drop that bomb on her parents.

"She hasn't said a word," said Molly, developing color in her cheeks. "Wait until that girl gets home. I ..."

"Molly," said Albus, "I won't try to tell you how to raise your children, but ... please, treat this matter delicately. What ever you do, don't drive the boy away."

"We will be careful," said Arthur. "He is a nice lad."

That nice lad was currently winging his way east, across the English Channel, with thoughts of Voldemort on his mind. He had to take the fight to Voldemort, and it would take some ... planning. It was a bit chilly, and he was in no hurry. He made it to the Flamel's property in the early evening, touching down in the court yard. He was met by Kerry.

"I see Mr. Potter has returned," said Kerry. "Will you be staying for a while? Master Flamel is in his laboratory, and has left instructions not to be disturbed. Mistress Flamel is in the gardens. I have been informed you have the freedom to walk any where you would go. May I get you some thing to eat?"

"No, thanks," said Harry. "I am not hungry now. I will be staying for a while, though. I am going to find Mrs. Flamel." He started walking toward the gardens. He found Perenelle kneeling in front of a small shrine, crying gently.

"Revered Mother," said Harry, in the way kneazles treated the retired alphas, "I feel your pain. How may I help?"

Perenelle glanced up at Harry. "Please, excuse an old woman her memories," she said. "I have never been able to get over the loss of our family."

"I understand," said Harry, as he knelt by her side. And he did, really. The two empaths were able to communicate completely. "Please, tell me what happened."

"Oh, Harry," she cried, "that vile creature sent his death eaters into the village at night, and killed nearly all of our descendants, even the children. My son, my daughters ... babies ... everyone. We were targeted. It was eighteen years ago, tomorrow, that he came. Half of the village ..." She was crying again. Harry put his arm around her shoulders, and shared her pain for the next hour. Later, they walked into the house, where Kerry brought refreshments.

"He must be stopped," said Harry. "I will do what I can, to remove them, as I would any of our enemies. Kneazles do not suffer that sort of threat to live. It is beyond stupid, to do so. They destroyed your family. They destroyed my human family, in the same way."

"Don't get yourself hurt on my account," said Perenelle. "I don't know that I could stand much more. My family beat him back, at great cost."

"He attacked my family," said Harry. "If that wasn't enough, he has sworn to kill me. There is no choice. I have been expelled from school. Now ... I hunt."

"You shouldn't quit school, Harry," said Perenelle. "You need school."

"I would have postponed school anyway," said Harry, "after he vowed to kill me. There really is no other rational option. Learning history, household charms, and basic transfiguration is not going to protect me. Xavier said I can always go back to school. There is a lot I want to study, especially healing, but not now. By all accounts, the worst evil wizard in a hundred years wants me dead."

"You know my Nicolas, and I, will help you anyway we can," said Perenelle. Harry did know. There were no misconceptions. Harry retired to his rooms a few hours later.

Harry met the old couple in the sun room, for breakfast. "Young man," said Nicolas, "I understand you have declared blood feud on the death eaters."

"You could say that," said Harry. "They must die, since they won't stop coming for me. They destroyed my family. They destroyed your family."

"I will join your blood feud," said Nicolas. "I can not fight, but ... I am not without means to help. How can I help you most?"

"Xavier said I should learn apparition," said Harry. "That is the first thing I want to learn. Xavier will teach me, and so will Sirius."

"I know a very good teacher, in the village," said Nicolas. "He can be here tomorrow, I am sure, if I ask. Is there any further way I can help?"

"I need a way to track death eaters," said Harry. "The only job I have now, other than learning magic, is hunting Voldemort and his death eaters."

"Can you do that alone?" asked Perenelle.

"Yes," said Harry. "I have been hunting most of my life. I just don't know how effective I will be yet, hunting specific people, that are hunting for me."

"I know he signals them through a mark on their left arm," said Nicolas. "There should be a way to track that mark, similar to how an owl tracks a mail recipient. If Voldemort can contact them, other means can follow the same trace. I just need one of the marks, to study. It is probably a modified protean charm, attached to the ethereal body."

"Do you need the whole death eater?" asked Harry, " or just the mark."

"I need at least the arm," said Nicolas. "I must have it as soon as possible, if the death eater is not alive. The ethereal energy will dissipate in about two to four days time, otherwise. The energy will stay, as long as the hair and finger nails grow. I have no compassion for death eaters. None."

"You will have one, at my first opportunity," said Harry. "Last time I was here, you said you had some more tests to run on my scar?"

"Yes, a few," said Nicolas. "We will do that after breakfast. I read about your expulsion from Hogwarts, in the Daily Prophet. How did that happen?"

"I watched Professor Umbridge systematically attack Dumbledore, the staff, and me, last term," said Harry. "Xavier has been teaching me about civics, and politics. It looks like it was politically motivated, and she took great pleasure in the attacks. She seldom missed an opportunity. The Ministry must have thought my celebrity status would aid Dumbledore. He was attacked often, in the Prophet. It was difficult, since I didn't know a way to defend my self, and killing her didn't seem to be a good option. The Ministry would just send more people ... and they would have come in force. I couldn't stay in school any way, if I did that. The Ministry has also become my enemy, but not quite in the same way as Voldemort. Xavier is still teaching me how to deal with politics. I know what I need to do, for now, with Voldemort."

"You don't sound much like a fifteen year old," said Nicolas. "If I didn't know better, I would say you are at least twice that."

"That estimate probably isn't far off," said Perenelle. "I discovered his maturity last time he was here, working on his empathy. He is a student, but he's no child. All empaths mature faster, because they read the people around them. They get a huge dose of reality."

Harry spent most of the day with Nicolas, in his laboratory. The next morning, Harry started his apparition training. Nicolas introduced Harry to Heinrich Kuinnick.

"I have been teaching apparition, among other things, for several years," said Kuinnick. "It is essential that you visualize the entire process. You must know where you are going. You must see your entire self, and what ever you are taking with you, transferring to that location. Lastly, you must resolve to make the move. There is no particular wand movement, as this is practically internal magic. People use the wand, for a trigger, so to speak. Many people just make a small twist of the wand hand. Have you ever apparated with anyone else, before today?"

"No," said Harry. "I have always taken the floo, or a portkey."

"Hold my arm," said Kuinnick. "I want to show you what it feels like. We don't want any surprises and distractions." They apparated several yards, five different times.

Harry was paying strict attention. Two days of intensive training gave him the ability to apparate. It really wasn't that difficult ... most of the wizarding world did it, unless they had a deep aversion to the way it made them feel. Harry immediately made the decision to learn to apparate wandlessly, since he would not need the wand, for the trigger event. He was already using wandless magic. He spent a week with the Flamels, before flying back to Ottery St. Catchpole. He spent the night with his family, and went to see Ginny the next day. She was home for the holidays. He had spent more time at the Flamels, than he had anticipated. He saw Ginny going back to the house from the chicken coop.

"Harry!" she said silently. "I've been so worried. How have you been?" The kneazle was close at her heels.

"I'm OK," said Harry. "I have been training. The paper said I have been reinstated at Hogwarts. I am not going, yet. I can't stay where everyone knows my location. That doesn't feel right. I have too many enemies."

"The Ministry wants you badly," said Ginny. "Mum and Dad are even acting strange. She asked me if I have seen you. That isn't like her. She knows you were expelled. I told her myself, not that it hasn't been all over the paper."

Harry followed Ginny into the house, and laid down near the fire place like he usually did. Molly met Ginny at the archway, between the living room and the kitchen. "Thanks for getting the eggs, dear," said Molly. "Go get cleaned up, and you can help with ..." Molly had seen the kneazle by the fire place.

"Ginny, please come in the kitchen," said Molly. "You too ... Harry." Harry was on his feet instantly, and watching Molly closely.

"Mum?" said Ginny worriedly.

"Care for some juice, Harry?" asked Molly. Harry could sense some uncertainty, mixed with caution. It didn't feel good. This felt like ... some sort of dead end, with only one way out. He thought about running, but transformed instead. He knew the Weasleys, and had been here often. He could always run.

Harry walked over to the table, and sat down. Ginny sat down beside him.

"Albus told me about you, Harry," said Molly. "He is very concerned for your safety. He wants you back in school, and he will fight the Ministry, so you can stay in school. He is the Supreme Mugwump, after all."

"When did he tell you, Mum?" asked Ginny. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Molly sat down at the table also. "Ginny, when I first heard about you and Harry, I ... well, I thought about reading you the riot act," said Molly. "I had a few days before you got home, and that took the edge off. You never told me about Harry, and you never told me about learning to be an animagus, with Professor McGonagall."

Ginny was paying close attention, as was Harry. "Harry wasn't my secret to tell, Mum," said Ginny. "I didn't want to worry you, about the animagus training. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Oh, it was a surprise, all right," said Molly. "Can I see?"

Ginny made the transformation.

"I fed you creme and left over eggs," said Molly. "I thought you were a stray. Ginny, that was a long time ago."

"Yes Mum," said Ginny. She was waiting for the explosion, but it didn't come.

"We will have a long discussion, later," said Molly. "Harry, will you talk to Professor Dumbledore?"

"Maybe," said Harry. "I am not going back to school yet. Too many people want me. I am safer at home, with my family."

"I am sure Xavier would like you to go to Hogwarts," said Molly.

"He is not family," said Harry. "He was my guardian, for a while, but now I am a fully qualified wizard."

"Well, who is your ... family," said Molly, as understanding dawned.

"I think you know," said Harry. He was sure of it.

"Harry, dear, you are human," said Molly. Molly was struggling internally, and Harry watched her. He was pleased she was trying so valiantly.

"I know what I am," said Harry. "and you know."

"Would you mind if I contact Professor Dumbledore?" asked Molly.

"OK," said Harry, with some reservation. Today wasn't turning out like he wanted.

Molly went to the floo, and called. Dumbledore came through immediately.

"Harry, my boy," said Dumbledore. "I am so happy to see you. Are you ready to return to Hogwarts after the holiday?"

"No sir," said Harry. "I will be staying with my family. Too many people are after me, for me to go to Hogwarts. You know what is happening."

"Harry, I must insist," said Dumbledore. "There is no safer place, than Hogwarts."

"No sir," said Harry. "You couldn't stop the Ministry before. Why would you be able to, now? I think you will try to force me to go with you. Is this correct?"

"Harry, I don't want it to come to that," said Dumbledore, "but I really must insist. I am truly only interested in your safety." Harry could tell that was a valid statement.

"I won't be going back with you," said Harry, visualizing his destination.

"Then, you leave me little choice," said Dumbledore, reaching for his wand. Dumbledore was one of the fastest casters in the world. A simple stupefy, and he could talk to Harry at length, at the castle. Harry had to be safe, and he wasn't safe out here alone. He would get Sirius involved. They could make him see reason.

Harry knew Dumbledore was reaching for the wand, well before his hand moved. Harry apparated out in front of the house. He took off running, disillusioned himself, transformed, and took flight. He was just ... gone ... in a matter of seconds. Ginny ran from the room, crying.

"Albus Dumbledore," said Molly, voice trembling with anger, "just how does that constitute not driving that child off!"

Dumbledore just looked at his feet. "Harry said he ran from Voldemort," said Albus. "I guess he just showed me how it is done."

Dumbledore took out his wand. "Point me Harry Potter," he said. His wand didn't move. A very disappointed Albus Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts.

Harry was flying hard, headed home. He was ... infuriated. Now, Dumbledore would be looking for him at home. Well, let him look. It didn't take long for Harry to fly a few miles. He heard one of his brothers sound the alarm, and he listened as it was relayed to the elves. An elf would be on his way to Xavier. Harry's day wasn't going well, at all. Harry found his brother quickly.

"Two men came down the river," said his brother, watching from a tree. Harry watched them. One was casting, while the other stood watch.

"I am going to the house," said Harry. "Xavier will be on his way."

Harry met Xavier in the ward room. "We wouldn't have caught this attack yet, if it hadn't been for the warning from the kneazles. Who ever is attacking the perimeter wards, they are good. It looks like a minor disturbance."

"They are down by the river," said Harry. "One works, while the other watches. My family can take them, if you want. Father is on the way, probably coming pretty fast. He will be there, before we are. All the kneazles, who can fight, are on the move."

"Anyone attacking manor wards is not making a social call," said Xavier. "I have to decide if I want to ask questions, or get the Ministry involved. It is likely they are after you, since two ... well three groups want you. Voldemort, the Ministry, and the Order."

"Yeah, Dumbledore tried to take me back to Hogwarts earlier," said Harry. "I was just on my way back, when I heard the signal."

"What?" said Xavier. "I didn't hear anything about that."

"I was at the Burrow," said Harry. "Molly called Dumbledore, and we spoke. He wants me back at Hogwarts, but I declined his offer. He started for his wand, so ... I left."

"Let's worry about these two intruders now," said Xavier. "They probably plan to sneak up to the out buildings, and watch the manor. They will scout around, or hope for a moment of opportunity. Maybe bring others back. Show me where they are. We will use these matched brooms ... special made for stealth, not maneuverability. They are warded to disillusion the quiet rider. If the stealth wards overlap, we can see each other, and talk, with no one the wiser. The wards extend about six feet, and these brooms are not easy to come by. They have served me well."

Harry and Xavier went straight to the river, and then followed it up stream, to a parked row boat. Harry led Xavier into the woods. He started pointing to kneazles, hidden behind clumps of bush and among the branches of trees. Once Xavier saw them, they seemed to just appear, even though nothing had changed.

"The guard is a man named Avery," said Xavier. "He is one of the so-called death eaters forced into service last time. I don't recognize the other. Professional curse breaker, most likely. We kill Avery, and talk to the other one ... mess him up a bit. Find out if he is a death eater. Death eaters don't get to attack my home."

"Avery is a marked death eater?" asked Harry.

"Yeah," said Xavier. "There was a big trial, and the mark can't be removed."

"I need the mark, for Nicolas to test," said Harry.

"It's yours," said Xavier. "Any ideas on how to use your family, to take these killers down?"

"I will talk to Father," said Harry. "I can take Avery, from the air. He won't know what hit him. We know these guys can hurt us, and we won't give them the chance. You will be able to talk to the other one, shortly." Harry left, parked the broom, and took kneazle form. He quickly reached his father, and discussed what Xavier wanted.

The kneazles crept into position. When they were ready, Harry disillusioned, and took to the air in his largest form. Silent death took Avery completely unaware. Eight kneazles hit the other one, and his wand went flying. Claws dug into his clothing, at least one kneazle per limb, the legs had two. Harry ripped the dead man's arm off at the shoulder. All the curse breaker saw, was a fuzzy, shimmering shape tear off Avery's arm. The breaker knew enough not to move.

Xavier parked his broom, and walked up to the terrified man. "Stupid, to attack my wards," he said. "Two years, in Azkaban, you know. Dementor city."

"I didn't set off any alarms," said the curse breaker. "I know I didn't. No one said anything about bloody cats. Avery paid good, but not that good."

"Can you think of a good enough reason for your life to be spared?" asked Xavier. "Avery is a known killer."

"You can't kill me!" said the man. "It's against the law. He said he was a burglar. He just paid me to get him inside. You have to turn me in."

"You attack my wards," said Xavier moving with obvious agitation. "You attack my family, and tell ME to turn you in? After what death eaters DID TO MY FAMILY!" The kneazles growled, deep in their throats. "Are you a death eater? Let me see your arm."

"Can I see this arm?" Xavier asked the kneazle quietly. Harry's brother let the lightly bleeding arm go. Xavier cut the material up to the shoulder. There was no mark.

"Get off my property," said Xavier. "You attack my property again, you die. Take this dead piece of shite with you. Turn me in to the aurors if you like, and explain to them why you want to go to Azkaban. I am protecting my home. The only reason you are alive, is that you are not marked. Spread the word among your brethren, to stay away. I won't be so generous to the next breaker to attack my wards. I don't want to take the time to prosecute you. DON'T come back." Xavier used his wand to throw the curse breaker and the dead man into the boat. He threw the man's wand into the end of the boat, and gave the boat a shove down the river.

"I won't, I won't," said the babbling man, "you won't see me again. Never coming back. Bloody ward cats."

Harry apparated to the coast, where he usually stopped in the trees to rest. He took large form, and flew to a woods in Belgium. He apparated the rest of the way to the Flamel's property. He handed the package to Nicolas. He stayed for a meal, and returned to England.

Meanwhile, Xavier floo called Albus.

"Albus," said Xavier. "The cats caught Avery and a curse breaker attacking my wards. Avery didn't make it, and the breaker was just hired for entry. Never even asked the breaker for his name. I sent both of them on down the river. I don't feel like dealing with the Ministry. They have already came by twice, looking for Harry, and I don't want to give them any reason to come back. They can make my life ... complicated, trying to get Harry."

"It is regrettable Avery died," said Albus. "We might have been able to learn something of Voldemort's plans. Do you know where Harry is? I am afraid I frightened the boy at Arthur's house. Molly called me, and said Harry was visiting Ginny. I asked Harry to come to Hogwarts, and he refused."

"Harry is not here," said Xavier. "I reviewed the wards moments ago. I can't tell him I recommend he go to Hogwarts. It is too open to the public. Voldemort had to be the one that sent Avery. Harry is no longer my ward, but I will help him all I can."

"I am afraid I pushed a little hard," said Albus. "I didn't anticipate his apparition. Did you teach him that?"

"No," said Xavier, "but I am glad he knows. It isn't all that difficult to do, especially for short distances. Practically every wizard in the world can apparate. My original plan was to teach him next summer, then the bloody tournament emancipated him early. Not that I mind, he is a good kid. Good head on his shoulders."

"It is vital Harry is protected," said Albus. "I want him in school."

"I protect Harry," said Xavier, "as much as any member of my family. I won't give him orders, he is emancipated. Hell, he wasn't my ward long enough for me to give him orders. He actually lives ... lived ... at Hogwarts, for most of the time I have known him. He has been in your jurisdiction, as a student. What have you been teaching him? As Head of House Figg, I will give him suggestions, but the choices are his. He is the legal Head of House Potter, in less than two years. He was supposed to be at Hogwarts, until well after he gains his majority. The only thing he doesn't have now, is the property and seat in the Wizengamut. They are held in legal trust, until he is seventeen. I would help any kid in his position."

"I don't know what to do now, to get him back," said Albus. "I was hoping he could talk to Sirius, they seem to get along pretty well."

"I wouldn't push him," said Xavier. "You know he grew up kneazle. I don't know of any kneazles likely to stand getting pushed. Shag with the bull, get the horns."

"Yes, that worries, more than you can know," said Albus. "I will inform you, if any thing comes of Avery's attack. I am glad you and your family are safe. I have another meeting, in five minutes. Thanks for keeping me updated."

Four hours later, Harry was back in Ottery St. Catchpole. He stayed disillusioned, and visited Ginny's. She was in her room, and he knocked on the window. She didn't see anything, but she opened the window to look.

"Hi Ginny," said Harry, becoming visible. "Guess I am going to have to hide now."

"I had a long talk with Mum," said Ginny. "She wasn't too chuffed with Dumbledore. She might not call Dumbledore again, if you come back. When did you learn to apparate? That takes a license, you know."

"Just recently," said Harry. "Xavier said the Ministry won't really do anything if I don't get splinched, and don't make a spectacle of my self. I wasn't going with Dumbledore, and I sure didn't want to see a fight in your kitchen. No reason to fight him, anyway. He is just another person for me to avoid. So, how did your mum take your cat form?"

"She had a hard time with when I did it," said Ginny, "but she said it is done, and over. She looked at me real close, and asked if I am doing anything else that dangerous. I told her no. Really, I'm not. She doesn't know about Ron and the twins, and I didn't tell her. I am going to talk to Ron, to suggest he break it to her slowly, and soon."

"How would you like to have a pet cat?" asked Harry.

"I think Mum would be pretty suspicious now," said Ginny.

"Not here," said Harry, "at school. It would probably only be in your room, through the girls' loo. I don't dare go through the Gryffindor door wards. Dumbledore is going to stay after me, for sure. I could tell how badly he wants me."

"I'm not sure Mum would like that any better," said Ginny with a grin, "but it works for me. I have been hanging around you, since I was six. Too late to worry about the sort of nonsense Mum will worry about, now. I can just hear her, 'You can't sleep with a fifteen year old boy, blah, blah, blah.' The girls in my room won't pay you any attention, after a couple days. Hermione won't give you up, and she is in another room."

"I won't be there all of the time," said Harry. "I am going to be on the move a lot. You will need to tell them I spend a lot of time outdoors. How did everyone take my expulsion?"

"You should have seen McGonagall," said Ginny. "I thought her EYES were going to hex Umbridge. Hermione had a cow, but Luna took it in stride. You know how Luna is. The boys raised the roof ... not that anyone cared what they said. There was too many of them yelling, to get detention."

"I want you to take my owl, Hedwig," said Harry. "I don't see myself using an owl often. You can work with her. She takes care of herself pretty well, at school. I will let her know, officially. I don't really know how messenger owls do that."

"Sure," said Ginny, "I'll take good care of her. What are you going to do, now that you are not in school?"

"I will spend some time with the family, and train some with Sirius, and Xavier," said Harry, "I am going to be moving around a lot. Everyone wants a piece of me. I don't want you to worry any, about what I am doing. I am fine. I will go back to school, after all this mess is over." He didn't see any reason to tell Ginny he was going hunting marked death eaters. What could it possibly do, but upset her?

Harry spent the holiday with his family, and visited Ginny often. He didn't plan to approach Arthur and Molly until the summer. He met a couple times for breakfast with Xavier. Breakfast was the most likely time to catch Xavier. There was no response, from anyone, for Avery's death. Harry was living full time in the woods, sheltering in the Figg out buildings. He had a cache of supplies in one of the sheds, since he had vacated the Figg residence. He still had his room there, near the kitchen, but he left nothing of significance there for the aurors to find. The grounds were truly his home.

After the holidays, Harry practiced apparition. He wore a heavy, hooded cloak to conceal his identity, and started apparating farther. Diagon alley was a popular target for him, as was the woods on both coasts. After a few days practicing in southern England, he made the jump to Hogsmeade without incident. He started flying several places to land mark apparition points. He had studied maps of the British Isles when he started flying for distance, and had a refined sense of location and direction. Apparition made travel much easier. It was little wonder seasoned wizards used it, and the floo network.

Harry returned to Hogwarts in the middle of January. He set up residence in his workshop in the Chamber of Secrets. Sirius wanted Harry to stay with him, but Harry declined. It didn't feel secure. Nothing felt as secure, as being out on his own. Besides, if he was in Hogsmeade, he preferred to sleep at the foot of Ginny's bed, truth be known.

"Ginny," Harry said his first night back. "I have a workshop in the Chamber of Secrets. Do you want to see it?"

"I don't think so," said Ginny. "A workshop is a workshop, and I don't really care to go that deep in the castle. The basilisk is still down there ... right?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "I talk to him frequently."

"Nope," said Ginny. "No reason to see your workshop. I will see you up here, when you aren't working. What else do you do?"

"I really miss the medical training," said Harry, "but there isn't anything I can do about that. I have a lot of books."

"Ron would be green with envy, if he knew you were just hanging around," said Ginny laughing. "Fact is, I am a bit envious."

"He is an animagus," said Harry. "All he has to do, is find his own spot. I don't have time to train him. Food is easy to find, in the woods."

"He'd never do that," said Ginny. "I'm not so envious now. What do you eat?"

"Rabbit, when I can find it," said Harry. "Mice, rats, and birds are easy. If I am lazy, I just find a large barn yard. There are always mice and rats there. Now that I can apparate, going south is easy also. Food is easy. I can store deer, in the winter. I always have the kitchen, at Xavier's, push come to shove. If I have to, I will just go buy some food. That isn't likely to be necessary."

"I keep forgetting the tournament qualified you as wizard," said Ginny. "That still doesn't seem real. We have to stay for OWL work. Are you going to tell Hermione and Luna you are back?"

"Not yet," said Harry. "The fewer people know, the better. The only thing I can do with them is run the hallways. I don't dare show my face."

"It's just nice having you around," said Ginny. "We have hung around with each other forever, and I don't want that to stop."

"It won't," said Harry. "I might be gone for a few days, now and then, but I like hanging around you too. You are like the pride, really. Family." Ginny just glowed, inside. Ginny's room mates didn't really pay much attention to the cat, since he wasn't around much, and he was always gone in the morning before they woke up.

Harry made a vest, with basilisk lined pockets, for carrying poison arrows, among other things. He had untreated bolts, as well. He started wearing the vest at all times. He practiced with the darts in the woods, in cat form. He found an easy way for the cat to carry the bolts. A modification of his vest adapted it for use with a harness. He was looking forward to Nicolas giving him something to track death eaters. He would likely never stumble onto them any other way.

Harry went to visit the Flamels about every two weeks. During a visit in early February, Nicolas gave Harry a flat, round crystal. "This will point toward the death eaters tattoo, with a line," he said. "Distance is indicated by colors of the rainbow. Red is the farthest away, violet is the closest. Otherwise, it will react to the closest death eater. Multiple death eaters will be a wider line, and you can cycle through available death eaters by tapping the crystal with your wand. My guess now, is that there are about fifteen marked death eaters. It doesn't work, when they are behind certain wards. I would say I am surprised the British Ministry hasn't done something like this, but my studies for the Sorcerer's Stone took me places not many others have gone. The tracking crystal isn't very easy to make, and there isn't much call for it ... that particular modified protean charm is rare. This qualifies as a restricted object, by your Ministry."

"Thanks, for this," said Harry. "Have you had much luck with the Voldemort project?"

"Some, I think," said Nicolas. "I could use some more basilisk venom, but it is difficult to get. I need to find an alternative."

"I can get you basilisk venom," said Harry. "How much do you need?"

"It can be frightfully expensive," said Nicolas, "if you can even find it. I will try something else."

"I have a fresh source," said Harry. He reached into his vest, and pulled out a small vial of venom. "I have been carrying some lately. It works great, on dementors."

"That was you?" asked Nicolas. "I heard rumors about dementors dying."

"I don't get along with them very well," said Harry. "I will probably kill everyone I get a chance to. Do you need more venom?"

"Maybe two more of these," said Nicolas. "The venom makes outstanding poisons."

"Is the venom useful in medicine?" asked Harry.

"I can't think of a use, off hand," said Nicolas. "This stuff is pretty rough. When I am done, Voldemort isn't going to have an ethereal body. Give me a few more months, and I will have a custom made poison for him."

Harry tried to spend a little time with Perenelle, with every visit. He was drawn to her, much more than Nicolas, probably because she was an empath. She would help him with his mental exercises, and they enjoyed each other's company.

A week later, the Order of the Phoenix had a 9:00 p.m. meeting.

"It appears Voldemort has started active recruitment," said Dumbledore. "He has started his old practice of having new recruits kill the parents of muggle born witches and wizards. Have you heard anything, Severus."

"No," said Snape scowling. "All I ever do, is brew. The Dark Lord gives his information on a need to know basis."

"I am afraid I don't know what to do," said Dumbledore. "The Ministry doesn't get there, until after the fact, and we have few contacts with muggle born parents. Wizarding families have a few wards, and means of contacting the Ministry, in an emergency. That is not the case, with most muggle born, and they are standard death eater targets. They hit fast, and run. Eventually, they will start killing political targets."

"Isn't there SOME thing we can do," said the young auror, Tonks, who had been assigned to teach at Hogwarts.

"I have entered legislation for alarms to be distributed to the parents of muggle born students, and candidates," said Dumbledore, "but it has met a lot of resistance. Opponents are citing the secrecy acts. Does any one have any other ideas?"

No one did. The Order was a traditionally reactive organization, and it was too early for Voldemort to be making mass movements. He was a well practiced terrorist. Grindelwald had been much more open.

Harry wanted a list of known death eaters, and their address. Xavier gave it to him. "You are going to go assassin on them?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "Just like any other danger in our area ... simply get rid of it, or move. We know who they are. Can't move away, from the death eaters. England isn't big enough."

"I won't tell you not to," said Xavier, "but you are totally outside of the law. I have no sympathy for death eaters."

"Whose law?" asked Harry. "I don't know that I want anything to do with the Ministry of Magic. They kicked me out of Hogwarts."

"Don't burn any bridges you don't have to, Harry," said Xavier. "Be careful. Don't make mistakes." 'Maybe Dumbledore isn't all that wrong,' thought Xavier. 'If they push him, he might disappear. I would really hate to see that happen.'

In March, Harry learned a new trick, for hunting with his stone. He started apparating while flying. He would set up a glide, and jump. He just had to keep one of his hands free, for the stone. He was scouting now. Learning where they stayed, and where they went. He had learned this, as a kitten, and it was old habit. He knew how to hunt.

Harry learned the patterns of the marked death eaters. Once in a while, they would all meet at the same place. Nicolas had said the stone might not track through certain wards, but the stone seemed to be working just fine. Harry decided he would not sneak into a nest of death eaters. He would make his first kill, with an isolated target. Normal hunting procedure calls for taking the weak, the slow, or the isolated ... especially when they are dangerous.

Harry had been watching a man in northern England for a few days. He liked his garden, and had a green house a small distance from his house. There were no significant wards, away from the house, and Harry was waiting for him one night. He fired a stunner while the man was bent over a pot. Still in cat form, he used a cutting charm to expose the tattoo. He would not mistake a kill, and he confirmed the man was death eater. Moments later, a normal bolt entered the man's heart. The death eater never had an idea he was in trouble.

The next day, the paper had a huge banner, exclaiming a marked, exonerated ex-death eater had been found dead on his property. The Prophet speculated that he had been approached to join the organization, but he refused ... and was murdered for it. They were treating the dead man like some sort of hero. The only thing odd, was that he was killed by a small, short distance, cross bow bolt, and not the traditional killing curse death eaters use. There was no sign of the torture that usually accompanied similar past murders.

A few days later, the next death eater ... terminated ... caused quite a stir. A man, the head of an old pure blood family, and his wife, had apparently been stunned near one of their favorite restaurants. When the wife recovered, she found her husband with a bolt in his heart, and his sleeve exposed to show the tattoo. Harry trusted the tracking stone now. It only identified death eaters.

The Prophet called for the ministry to catch "The Archer," before he killed more people. The vigilante could not be allowed to continue. Talk in public places was a lot different. Most common people wanted death eaters stopped any way possible, and they didn't trust anyone, who had the mark. The Archer became an instant topic of conversation for them.

Albus called another meeting. "What do we know about this Archer?" asked Dumbledore.

Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke up. "The Ministry believes he is a Hit Wizard, possibly retired. A cross bow bolt is not commonly used by aurors. Few Hit Wizards use them, but most people think it likely that revenge is the motive. Both ... victims ... had been tried as death eaters, and released for having been under the imperious curse. Their existence is common knowledge. Now, that ... V . Vo ..Voldemort ... has returned, the person has taken it upon himself to stop them."

Severus spoke up. "The Dark Lord called a general meeting. He wants to actively search for the Archer. He said he expects his people to be able to protect themselves from muggle weapons. People have been assigned to set traps. He really wants this person. He can't afford to lose anyone."

"You need to be careful, Severus," said Albus. "Your activity was well documented a few years ago. The Archer, who ever he is, could easily make an attempt on your life."

"Believe me, Headmaster," said Snape, "I am taking no chances. I have no desire to take a crossbow bolt."

Moody said, "I'm not losing any sleep over death eaters. I wouldn't mind shaking this Archer's hand. Knowing what I do now, if I was younger, I might do what he is doing."

"The Order won't support that kind of activity," said Dumbledore. "The Ministry knows of us, and doesn't say anything. We have always supported their efforts, how ever independently. We have to do what is right, not just what is easy. The only problem I have with the Ministry, is that they waited longer than necessary to address the problem of Voldemort. I don't think Fudge cares for us ... me actually. We can't be associated with this Archer. Death eaters need their day in court, or our society will slip into anarchy. We need to stop the Archer."

Dumbledore's meeting wasn't the only one. Fudge was calling DMLE on the carpet.

"St. Mungo's largest private contributor, Lucius Malfoy, was marked as a death eater, a few years ago," said Cornelius Fudge. "He was cleared of all wrong doing by the Wizengamut, and he must be protected. I want an auror guard for him, and the other cleared men, at Lord Malfoy's beck and call."

Madam Bones spoke up. "We can have an auror squad on stand by, and give the ones you want protected a beacon to use if they are attacked." She wasn't thrilled with the idea, but she had little choice. She felt all of the death eaters should have gone to Azkaban, but didn't have the political strength to get it done.

"That is what I want," said Fudge. "Catch this Archer, before he kills more innocent people."

Late in March, Harry was flying near Birmingham, scouting, when he suddenly saw a reading so close, he had to be nearly on top of it. It didn't take Harry too long to find them. Two masked death eaters were torturing a middle-aged couple in their back yard. Harry sent a bolt right between the shoulder blades of the one closest to the couple. Before he could get set for a second shot, the second man left. Harry flew wide, high circles for a few minutes. Aurors finally showed up, and Harry moved on. There wasn't any reason for him to be around aurors. No other death eaters would be coming. Harry could get to Gryffindor Tower in fifteen minutes, from anywhere in England.

Dumbledore called a meeting, of course. "Does any one have new information?" he asked.

Tonks spoke up. "Death eaters are once again associated with active terrorism," she said. "The latest man to receive the bolt had been in the middle of torturing the muggle parents of a Hogwarts student. The guy was new. He had never been identified as a death eater before. The Archer is a full fledged folk hero, in the pubs and shops."

"How would this Archer know about a planned attack?" asked Dumbledore.

"That is a good question," said Severus. "The Dark Lord is very upset, and most of his people are afraid to speak of how fearful they are. He is rather free with a cruciatus curse, for those who show fear, or simply irritate him. He knows of the Order of the Phoenix, of course, and he doesn't think we are involved ... as long as you lead, Headmaster. You are well known for your non-lethal curses."

"I don't know what to say about that," said Dumbledore, "but I think they should be in Azkaban, not just killed. Before I close this meeting, ... has any one seen, or heard anything, from Harry Potter?"

No one had. Albus was extremely worried about his safety.

Fudge was in a quandary, with yet another meeting. "This death eater had been torturing muggles, but I don't dare let people take the law into their own hands. Trouble is, the public remembers the death eaters all too well," he said.

"What will you do with the Archer, if you catch him," asked Madam Bones. "He has tremendous public support."

"I don't care what the public thinks," said Fudge. "He goes to Azkaban, for life. He has no authority."

The death of his death eater didn't do Voldemort any good, either. His people were spooked. The man was a fresh recruit, killed on his first assignment. If this happened a few more times, it would get much more difficult to recruit willing participants. His marked death eaters had to be volunteers, for the mark to take, but no one outside of his organization knew that. He was developing a network of people sympathetic to his idea of a return to a monarchy, with him as king. Marked death eaters were much more reliable, because of the binding loyalty oath involved during placement. He didn't think anyone COULD betray him, wearing his mark. It would take a prior oath, to over ride his mark, and he investigated his marked followers too thoroughly. Last, but not least, his legilemency skills were very good. He trusted his death eaters, and they were essential to his operation. The unforgivable curses were his trademark, and he was convinced no one would cross him.

By the middle of April, Harry knew England like the woods he grew up in. His ability to apparate while flying let him move rapidly. He knew where the death eaters lived. More importantly, he knew when they were out of their normal haunts.

Harry's fourth attempt was in Diagon Alley. He was sitting on a roof top, watching his target. A good opportunity for a 'between the shoulders' shot presented itself, and he took it. The bolt bounced off of the robes, failing to penetrate. The target looked all around, putting up a solid shield. Harry just watched, thinking he must have had armor under his robes. A second shot would be no good. The target darted into a store, and Harry lazily flew away. He might need to come up with a slightly different plan. Maybe a head shot, but he would want to be closer.

The target lost no time contacting DMLE. He was so frantic, he could barely talk. "Someone tried to kill me," yelled the man. Aurors arrived quickly, and escorted the babbling man home.

Late April found Harry in the air, on patrol as usual. He knew about the trap that had been set up. His crystalic tracking stone pointed to other people in the area, not that he wouldn't have been cautious. The person he was watching didn't act quite like they normally should. He shot two of the hidden death eaters in the back. It was actually easier than going after the guy that was in the open. The public never found out about them, and Voldemort absolutely forbade discussion about them. The Archer had put a serious dent in his operation, and he was livid. He didn't have that many death eaters, that he could keep losing them.

Voldemort held a meeting that included all of his death eaters that were available, and he became involved in setting one of the traps. "Get me a mudblood family," he yelled. "We will make them come through the trap, to release them. They won't let the hostages get hurt. We will get the damned Archer ... at least we can identify him. Lucius, I want you to take personal charge of this next operation."

It didn't take Harry too long to find Lucius Malfoy's trap. The hostages were being held inside their own house. Harry wouldn't be going in there. He flew circles for quite a while. Getting the location of the hidden death eaters wasn't difficult, but they were too well hidden to throw a dart at. He just kept flying circles. He had time, lots of time. Cats are patient hunters.

Severus Snape knew about the plan this time, and told Dumbledore. Five death eaters would hide outside, while two tortured the hostages. Dumbledore wanted to save the hostages, and capture death eaters. He would capture the Archer as well, if the opportunity arose, but it wasn't his primary goal.

Harry was still circling when the eight Order members showed up. That flushed out the death eaters, and the fight was on. This gave Harry the opportunity to shoot two death eaters in the back. One was face down, under the influence of a stunner.

One more death eater went down to a stunner, and the remaining death eaters portkeyed away. Auror Tonks went to the stunned death eater and revived him. She let him stand, and started asking questions. A bolt entered his back while he was calling her a mudblood lover. She tried to save him, but Harry had nicked his heart. Tonks was no healer, and the man died in front of her in seconds.

'What a mess,' thought Tonks. 'The hostages were alive, but in bad shape. Three dead death eaters, and with a fight of this size, the Ministry would be on the way. Over a dozen people had been throwing weapons grade spells. The Order had to leave. Now.' "Let's get out of here!" she yelled.

Albus Dumbledore was in the Ministry building, making himself conspicuous, when the alarm came in. He was hoping this would be a feather in the cap of the Order. Its existence was the worst kept secret in the DMLE. He was shocked when the aurors brought in three dead men. The hostages had been taken to St. Mungo's, and told a tale of a boisterous trap for the Archer. The death eaters had made no secret of their intentions, since the hostages weren't meant to survive. Dumbledore was not happy about how it turned out. The Order had helped the Archer shove the trap up Voldemort's arse.

The next Order meeting was ... loud.

"Headmaster," said Tonks. "The man died right in front of me. I didn't see anything. He shot another while stunned on the ground."

"This Archer must be found," said Dumbledore. "We were nearly associated with this killer."

"What's wrong with what he's doing?" asked someone from the back. "Death eaters are sick bastards."

"The Order of the Phoenix doesn't act like that," said Dumbledore. "We operate outside the law, but we work to support law and order. We will turn the death eaters and the Archer over to the authorities." Moody started mumbling about something.

Harry, on the other hand, was quite pleased. That attack worked very well. He would try that again. He went to visit Ginny, at the school. He was done for the night.

Lucius Malfoy spent a long time under the cruiciatus curse. "You failed me, Lucius," whispered Voldemort. "You know how I treat failure. Do not fail me again." Malfoy couldn't say much of anything.

At the end of the ... discipline session ... Voldemort had a long discussion at him. The short of it, was that more death eaters were needed, and Lucius would free his death eaters from Azkaban, and recuit those he could. Lucius should conspicuously kill any prisoners who refused to join the death eaters. Voldemort needed troops.

Harry spent the first week of May with the Flamels.

"Harry!" exclaimed Perenelle. "How have you been?"

"Pretty good," said Harry. "I visit regularly with my family. I search for death eaters several hours a day. I know where they go."

"From what I read in the Prophet, you have been rather successful," said Nicolas. "The Ministry is asking for people to come forward, with information leading to your arrest. You have quite a reward on your head."

"OK," said Harry. "There aren't many people who know what I am capable of, and there won't be any more. Your assistance has been most helpful."

"We will help you any way we can," said Nicolas. "I think I am near to a solution for Voldemort. I am making a slow acting poison that has no antidote, to remove his lease on life. I probably would not have known how to make it, without my research on the Stone."

"How does the Stone work?" asked Harry. "It will probably help medical research."

"The Stone has a few notable properties," said Nicolas. "The stone, with a wand and the proper incantation, works at the atomic level, to change lead to gold. It will also change gold to platinum, and copper to nickel. It will not change iron. Iron is immutable."

"The Stone can be used to make the elixer of life" said Perenelle. "The 'elixer of life' does not give physical immortality, but it will extend life ... probably from one thousand to fifteen hundred years, maybe more. It works genetically. The one major flaw is, that it causes sexual sterility. It is possible that I could improve the formula, but I won't try. I have discovered, in my longer lifetime, that humanity can't responsibly use the stone. The only thing holding the population explosion in check is death: war, pestilence, disease, famine ... you get the picture. Common sense could stop the population explosion, but humanity doesn't have common sense."

"We thought the Stone was my greatest invention," said Nicolas, "but it has been our greatest heart ache, as well. We enjoyed several great years with our family. The elixer was fine tuned, for our descendants. It didn't take us long to find out just how nasty humanity can be. We cloistered ourselves in this small village."

"The other thing we learned," said Perenelle, "is the meaning of life is closely bound to death. Death is a necessary component, it seems. Life isn't fair, but we learn quite a bit about ourselves, as we live ... with the choices we make. The Stone is unnecessary, since our soul appears to be immortal. We really don't know much about what happens after we die, but we have had some remarkable glimpses. Neither Nicolas, or myself, fear death. We have much to tell you, about that, at your leisure."

"Many people think we need to keep taking the elixer, to stay alive," said Nicolas. "We do not. As soon as we are sure that the scourge that is Voldemort is gone, we will let knowledge of the Stone's creation, and existence, fade into myth."

"We are sure that it will be rediscovered at some point in the future," said Perenelle, "but humanity does not have the necessary maturity now. More tea, Harry?"

The attack on Azkaban was swift, and brutal. All of the staff on duty were killed. The dementors did nothing to defend the prison. Money can get an amazing amount of cooperation. Furthermore, no one would ever learn of the traitor's duplicity, as he was one of the victims found in the cold, grey building. No money actually had to change hands.

The Ministry was not positive how Voldemort was able to get that many of the dementors to leave the island fortress with him. No prisoners of any significance were left behind for the dementors to guard. Those prisoners left, were nearly human vegetables. Some people guessed Voldemort somehow had access to the control talismen, since most of the talismen were gone. It could have been a simple matter of food supply. No one in the Ministry knew how dementors would behave, without the influence of a talisman, if Voldemort didn't have the control devices. The Ministry definitely did not want the dementors under Voldemort's control. The attackers must have used boats, since dementors can't get accross that much open water.

The Prophet sold out, twice. The wizarding world was upset, and terrified. Many short term prisoners were dead. The most dangerous, unrepentant death eaters known, were free. Harry knew they left Azkaban, not that he ever would have approached the place crawling with dementors. He had scouted the area, and never gone back. He just had a few more people to watch now.