Once a Death Eater...

Chapter 1 - Into the Burrow

The past summer was hard for a lot of students in the wizarding world, the feelings of loss and regret burning deep into their soul. Non felt the hurt more than Harry Potter, the saviour, the golden boy and in his eyes, the one at fault. Blaming himself for many of the deaths and most of the destruction brought upon the wizarding community by the Dark Lord Voldemort, this summer was one of the hardest to get through.

Harry spent most of his summer helping with the rebuild of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, having been given a suite in a private wing of Hogwarts castle, he put all of his efforts into the reconstruction of the castle. The rebuilding process was long and arduous, so much damage to all aspects of the place he called home.

Now, in late summer, Harry lay in his bed, looking through the window to the right of his bedframe, watching the full moon pierce the veil of dark clouds. It was late into the night, yet Harry couldn't sleep in fears of one of those awful nightmares, the ones that would pull and throw his body with the fear and regret of seeing the ones he loved be senselessly murdered. He thought that maybe if he was stronger, if he was quicker, maybe he could've saved them.

The moon reminded him of Lupin. Reminded him of Teddy who will never get to know his father. All because of him. Harry let a tear run down his face as he slowly drifted off to sleep, afraid of the nightmares that threaten to consume him.

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The next morning, Harry was stirred awake quite early by an owl pecking on the window. The sun was still low in the sky, must've only been around 6:00am. Groggily, Harry rolled over in bed reaching for his glasses and stomped his way over to the window in order to stop that bloody pigeon from making such a tumult, especially at such an early hour of the morning.

He opened the window wide and the owl bounced across the window ledge over to him, the owl had a neatly sealed letter in its little beak. Harry gently took the letter and the owl swooped away around the far end of the castle walls. Upon examination, the letter had the recognisable insignia of Hogwarts School, wax sealed on its back.

"What the bloody hell is this?" Harry spoke to himself, visible confusion etched on his face.

Surely, if someone from Hogwarts wanted him, they'd come and knock. Not send an owl? Without hesitation, Harry ripped open the letter and read its contents...

Dear Mr Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than 31st July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

"McGonagall?" Harry wondered, he saw her just yesterday. They had a spot of tea in her office and then proceeded to help with the reconstruction of the astronomy tower.

"So, why is she sending me an acceptance letter?" Harry wondered out load.

Harry threw the letter on his bed and decided that he would go and ask her what this is all about. He quickly dressed into some muggle clothes, and fixed his hair in the little mirror in his ensuite bathroom.

He scooped up the letter and raced out of his room, through the portrait and ran down the tower, most of the staff had stayed over the summer to help with the rebuild. It was nice to have people to talk to, especially the professors he was most acquainted with. Professor Slughorn always had little tales that would amuse Harry for hours and helping Professor Sprout with the herbology department was always a joy. However, nothing was better than spending an afternoon with Hagrid, either down by the black lake or even (secretly) sharing a few glasses of Firewhisky in his hut.

Harry hurried through the castle grounds thinking how he had so many people in Hogwarts who cared for him and in turn, he cared for. This, however, didn't do much to ease his own guilt and the nightmares that would occur each night. The ones where he saw friends, family, being tortured and finally killed...

"'ello 'arry!" Harry jumped out of his extremely morbid thoughts in a daze. Hagrid was stood on the other side of the courtyard, sweeping up a large pile of mess left as debris.

"Hey Hagrid, sorry I was kinda out of it just then", he laughed. walking over to Hagrid.

"Ay you had a real glassy look in your eyes , deep thought you were in I reckon?" Hagrid gave a warm smile.

"I was", laughed Harry. "I got this weird letter from McGonagall. I was just going to ask her about it." Harry showed the letter to Hagrid, who in turn gave a big laugh.

"Ahhh you're in for a right treat with this 'arry." Hagrid said, barely reading the letter.

"You know what it means?" Harry inquired, hoping to get to the bottom of this quickly.

"You should go ask old McGonagall about this, she's in her office I 'eard. Go quick, don't want to miss her now." Hagrid shoed Harry on, "See you later now 'arry!"

"Alright, bye Hagrid!" and he left with a small wave to the giant of a man.

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Harry raced on through the castle, finally reaching McGonagall's office, saying the password and the staircase revealed itself. Harry ran up the stairs and to the doors. He gave a little knock and entered her office.

"Mr Potter" McGonagall gave Harry a warm smile and nodded her head to the chair in front of her desk, "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"I wanted to ask about this letter I received this morning Professor?" Harry handed McGonagall the letter and sat in the chair opposite her.

"Ahhh yes well you see Mr Potter, I usually send these letters to people who will be attending Hogwarts this coming school year." Harry was visible confused.

"But I'm not coming to Hogwarts this year Professor?"

"Well, because your final year was unfortunately disrupted I thought that maybe it would be a lovely idea to invite all of the seventh year to return, if they so pleased, so they could finish their time at Hogwarts properly." Harry beamed at this news, probably the best news he received all summer, definitely great news.

"Wow thank you Professor!"

"Anyhow Mr Potter, I've also arranged for you to take a little trip."

"Trip Professor? I should stay and help with the clean up, its only a few days until Hogwarts reopens and there's still loads to do?"

"Hush now, you need to get school supplies too, you've been a fantastic help this summer and there are people waiting for you anyhow." McGonagall gave a sly smile to Harry.

"People Professor?"

"Yes, now Mr Weasley and Miss Granger would be lost without you surely, well more Mr Weasley, but they're expecting you nonetheless."

"Ron and Hermione!"

"Precisely, you'll meet them at Mr Weasley's home and from there, you'll all travel to Diagon Alley together, to get your school supplies."

"Wow fantastic, when are they expecting me?" Harry was excited to see his friends again, they left half way through the summer. Ron wanted to spend sometime with his family and Hermione went to support him, as he was feeling rough after Fred's death.

"Right now Mr Potter, I have a portkey right here for you." McGonagall smiled warmly at Harry, pulling out a little trinket and placing it on her desk. She followed it up with, "and Harry, thank you so much, you're always welcome in my office for a cup of tea or a chat."

"Thank you too Professor, I'll see you in a few days then." They both let out a laugh and Harry stood from the chair he was in and with a final look to McGonagall, he touched the portkey, being transported instantly to the path leading up to the burrow, a little down the path he could see Ron and Hermione waiting for him.

They all ran up to one another, hugging and making their way down the thin, dirt path to the home of the Weasleys.

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