Disclaimer: This is all J.K. Rowling's. This story is a work of fiction. Anything you recognise is JKR's, everything else is mine. No profit is being gained by this.

Okay. I guess I should start with the apology. Sorry it's been so long since my last update, but I really have had a lot to deal with over the last few months, revision for exams and personal issues included. But I have made this one significantly longer to compensate.

However, there is good news. This should be, no scratch that, is the last flashback chapter (waits for 'yays! to die down). Next chapter will finish off the flashbacks and then the journey of Harry's life in the past will begin. Insane Bellatrix will be gone and normal Bellatrix will take her place. A normal, younger, Bellatrix for those of you who feel I haven't made it clear.

To tidy a few things up, only Harry goes back in time, as Bella died in the prologue. Yes, there will be two Watchman's… that's part of the plot. As for putting the flashbacks throughout the story instead of doing them first, it wouldn't work. Trust me, it's better this way. As for Lily, James, Sirius and Remus, that will be explained in this chapter. However, they will not be with Harry permanently. Finally, for Harry seeking vengeance, he cannot physically harm or kill those who betrayed him i.e. Dumbledore, Hermione, the Weasleys etc. I'll leave you to work out the catch. But that doesn't mean he can't attack or kill the Death Eaters or Voldemort. After all, they haven't betrayed him, just tried to kill him.

As I always say, thank you for the reviews and support you show. I think I'll stick with this one thousand word preview if you review thing I'm doing. It'll give you guys tasters of what the next chapter will be

And one last thing. If anyone here does fanart of any kind, I have a job which I need to commission to any eager volunteers. If you are up for it, please PM me. Not review. PM. I won't give anymore away, but I would appreciate it if you would contact me, if you're interested.

So, here it is. Chapter five is here and I'm already starting on number six. Enjoy.

Somewhere Back In Time…

Chapter Five: Out Of The Shadows

"I know of no higher fortitude than stubbornness in the face of overwhelming odds." - Louis Nizer

Severus Snape was not a happy man as he strode down Hogwarts' halls. The old man who had asked to see him this evening had caused him the biggest headache he'd had in years. His anger spiked when he realised that the Blood Debt he owed to the Potter boy would have to be paid if he wanted a peaceful afterlife. And it was the fault of the old man which had stopped that from happening. But Potter, as usual, had wiggled his way out of a situation in which the odds were stacked impossibly high against him. He had escaped Azkaban of all places, and he was currently on the run from everybody. The Ministry, the Order, the Dark Lord; they all wanted Potter, and desperately. Snape was surprised that the boy had managed for as long as he had. It seemed Potter wasn't as much of a dunderhead as he'd originally thought.

The Potions Master had reached the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office and he said the password.

"Cadbury's Creme Egg." Snape intoned in an exasperated voice, rolling his eyes as he did so. The ugly creature leapt aside and Snape climbed the stairs. He reached the top and knocked solidly upon the door with the phoenix door knocker.

"Come in." said a falsely cheery voice.

Snape sighed as he turned the door knob and walked inside. He schooled his facial features into its usual scowl before he walked in, closed the door, walked over to the cushy chair opposite Dumbledore and sat down. Dumbledore had dropped the happy facade when he'd realised it was Snape and had went back to what was presumably his activity before Snape had entered - rubbing his temples.

"You seem to be doing that a lot these days Albus." Snape noted.

Dumbledore ceased the movements and looked up at him.

"Yes, I suppose I do. But that would be because of the headaches that have been visiting me recently, more frequently than usual. And they do not seem inclined to go just yet."

Snape inwardly snorted when he heard that. Headaches were nothing to what Potter had been through. It was time he laid his cards on the table.

"You wished to talk to me about something." Snape asked slowly. He had to do this right.

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. I was to request you to go to Lord Voldemort and find out what he knows of this Watchman character. It must be of some importance to him, as it quite clearly states that The Watchman will be his downfall."

Snape nodded before replying. "The Dark Lord has already received information on The Watchman. The capture squad sent out to apprehend Potter stumbled across vital details of who The Watchman was in legends, but no information on who they currently are. As for Potter's whereabouts, the Dark Lord is just as clueless as we are. The boy certainly has hidden himself well."

Dumbledore sat impassive for a few moments, absorbing Snape's report. Snape allowed the Headmaster to think for a while, while he sat there waiting for his next instructions and on how he would word his next sentences. He was beyond frustrated at this point: he had no interest in this war between Voldemort and Dumbledore anymore, for that was what it was. Each was trying to gain the upper hand on the other, trying to wipe the other from existence. Snape half-hoped they would wipe each other out, but it was never to be. Harry Potter was the only one who could kill the Dark Lord, it seemed, until this new prophecy had appeared, invalidating the previous one. The Watchman was now the centre of focus for everybody in the Wizarding World. Snape sighed as he remembered the Daily Prophet article that announced that Potter was no longer the Chosen One, but a mysterious figure thought only to live in legends and bedtime stories, was actually the supposed would-be conqueror of Voldemort. Only people within the Order were meant to know, which must have meant that someone had, accidentally or deliberately, leaked the information and the press had picked up on it. But nevertheless, people were now terrified and relieved that The Watchman had returned. Snape had harboured suspicions that Potter himself could be The Watchman, but had quickly eradicated them from his mind. There was no way the boy could have that power, as his father never possessed it. Of that, Snape was quite sure.

"Yes...yes..." Dumbledore mumbled suddenly. Snape turned to him.

"Albus?"

"I was just thinking Severus. I believe that the boy is somehow... connected to this Watchman person in some way. No, not like his connection with Lord Voldemort," he said hastily for Snape's eyebrow had risen. "No, not at all. What I mean to say is that I believe that Harry may know who The Watchman is, or visa versa. At the present moment, it is now our main objective to find Harry or The Watchman before Voldemort does."

Snape sat there in silence for a few moments before answering.

"No."

Dumbledore's head snapped towards him, the usually twinkling blue eyes devoid of the aforementioned twinkle, and coldness in their place.

"No, Severus?" The voice came out quietly but Snape still caught the underlying anger in the seemingly conversational tone. He knew better than to probe using Legillimancy, so instead he reinforced his own Occlumency shields. It was time for the usual Snape.

"You heard me Albus. I said no. I have no wish to participate in this espionage and petty war between you and the Dark Lord. Too many lives have been lost and sacrificed for it, heavy inflictions upon both sides. You want this to end Dumbledore? Go and fight yourself. Instead of sending untrained, naive men and women to fight for you, fight for what you supposedly believe in." Snape sneered. "You promised me you'd do everything to keep Lily's boy safe, and you failed that promise. Potter is currently on the run, with nowhere to go. No matter who he's caught by, it's death. You disposed of your pawn when you realised its apparent worthlessness. It's because of all this that I have decided to refuse to be your spy any longer and I am resigning from my position as Potions Master."

The Headmaster sat with his eyes closed as he listened to Snape's rant. When he had finished, Dumbledore sat up and looked at him straight in the eyes.

"I cannot allow that Severus my boy. You are vital to this war effort. Without you, half of the attacks that we prevented would've been complete massacres for us. Besides, what do you think Lord Voldemort would do once he discovered that his spy at Hogwarts had abandoned his post? Do you truly think that Voldemort would let you continue without a punishment? I think not." Dumbledore said.

"I have already viewed my options on that matter. After leaving you and your infernal service, I will vanish from the Dark Lord's ranks. It is my intention to sit out the rest of this war." Snape glared.

Dumbledore gave a small chuckle. "And you really believe that Voldemort will not track you down. I do not mistake you as a foolish man Severus. And anyway, it was I who prevented you from being thrown in with the Dementors at Azkaban. You owe me at least that much."

Snape's eyes narrowed as he answered. "You're attempting to blackmail me?" It was hard to tell if it was a question or statement, but Dumbledore interpreted it as the former.

"I wouldn't call it blackmail my boy, more of... a reminder. You would not be here now if it were not for my actions." The Headmaster sank back into his chair, a smug smile upon his face.

"And the Order would very well be decimated if it were not for me risking life, limb and soul everyday to provide you with information about the Dark Lord and his actions discreetly, without being found out and thus suffering a painful death, as you very well stated!" Snape spat. He had risen from his chair, his face white. "I go through this to protect Potter, despite his arrogance and your manipulations. I do this for Lily. No-one else. Just her. And you have the audacity to sit there and threaten me. I do not think so Albus!"

"But I do Severus. After all, if this were to go to court, which would they believe? A supposedly reformed Death Eater, now teacher of this country's precious children, whose only supporter is now his accuser, or would it be the esteemed and revered defeater of one Dark Lord, the barrier for another, who also happens to be the Headmaster of this nation's children? I think that the choice is rather obvious. Don't you?" Dumbledore smiled, still casually staring at Snape.

The Potions Master had sat down during the speech and was now glaring at Dumbledore with a barely veiled mask of fury and hate.

"It seems, to my absolute misfortune, that I have no choice whatsoever in this matter but to do as you wish." Snape ground out.

Dumbledore nodded, a seemingly genuinely sad smile upon his face. "Indeed Severus, indeed."

"Why do you want Potter so badly dead Dumbledore, after all those years protecting him? And why do you want this Watchman?" Snape asked bluntly.

"Because I believe that young Mr Potter is our Watchman Severus." Dumbledore replied. At Snape's shocked look, he elaborated. "Think about it. Harry has eluded the Ministry, Voldemort and the Death Eaters and the Order for a week now. The only way he could have done so is if he knew the person, or if he was him. And I believe Harry's rather spectacular display of magic during the battle at the Ministry, plus the rumour of him escaping Azkaban using an animagus form mean that Harry wields the power of The Watchman. However, I am not absolutely certain, just fairly."

"But that's impossible!" Snape spluttered. "There is no way Potter could have it, his father-"

"Ah but there is the solution Severus." Dumbledore interrupted. "There was a reason I kept Sirius in Grimmauld Place and did not let him leave."

Dumbledore watched as Snape slowly worked out the answer.

"Black?!" he exclaimed once he had realised. "Black was The Watchman?"

"So it seemed," Dumbledore nodded. "And in death he passed that power onto Harry via his will. That is the reason that I believe that Harry is The Watchman. I am sure of it. Sirius trusted that I knew what was best for Harry, and so when I told him that both Harry and himself would be better off if he stayed at Grimmauld Place, he believed me. I knew he was The Watchman from some time ago. However it makes me wonder why he did not use his power to escape Azkaban. Perhaps the scope of The Watchman's powers does not go that far."

The Headmaster stood up suddenly and walked over to the window that showed him Hogwarts' grounds. Snape watched as Dumbledore stared at the glowing sun in the distance, watching as it slowly set in the sky. He spoke again.

"I do not regret what has happened to Harry, Severus. As enraged as you may be, the boy poises to great a threat to be left undisturbed. He must be brought to heel and justice. Harry Potter has to die."

"Then what happens to my Blood Debt? What happens to The Watchman?" Snape croaked, truly disgusted with what Dumbledore was saying. Dumbledore turned to Snape and surveyed him over his half-moon spectacles.

"I'm afraid Severus, you will have to suffer death. I will not allow the boy to live or for you to aid him. If you do, I will personally make sure you receive the Dementor's Kiss. I cannot allow for an insolent, scrawny, snotty-nosed sixteen year old to oust me as the most powerful wizard. It was I who defeated Grindelwald and prevented Voldemort taking over this country. Therefore it is I who shall remain as the greatest." Dumbledore sighed before containing. "Before Harry is executed, I will have him write a will saying he turns over the power to me or he destroys it. I will not be made a fool of."

There was no grandfatherly tone in Dumbledore's words. The blue eyes were blazing with hate and fury. Snape could scarcely believe that he was hearing what he heard. Dumbledore was jealous over Potter? Never...

"You have a choice Severus. You continue what you do... or I hand you to the Ministry. Either way you will die eventually." Dumbledore finished, delivering his ultimatum. "Just think... if you hadn't of relayed the prophecy to Voldemort, you wouldn't be here now. All this is an accumulation of your previous actions."

Snape sat there in the chair staring at Dumbledore, mouth agape. Finally he answered.

"I have no choice but to do as you ask. But let me warn you Dumbledore," Snape spat. "When your time comes, I hope it is very painful."

Dumbledore gave a humourless chuckle.

"Severus, Severus, Severus... you are in no position to make threats. Go and do what I told you to."

That was the end of the conversation. Snape didn't care if the old man wanted to continue. He abruptly stood up, and ignoring the Headmaster's eyes, he strode from the room slamming the door behind him. He quickly made his way down to the dungeons, seething as he did so. Who did the old man think he was to threaten him like that? No-one told him what to do with threats like that! And the Blood Debt! Snape shuddered to think of the afterlife he'd receive if he did not pay it off.

By this time he had reached the door to his office and he walked inside. He had made up his mind. He couldn't give two shits on what Dumbledore thought. He would locate Potter or The Watchman - whatever, even if he was both. His knowledge on the character was limited but the Dark Lord most probably had tomes on them. He grabbed a few essential items before thinking over what he was about to do. As much as he disliked Potter for his resemblance to his father, this was for Lily. The boy wasn't really that bad. He had sworn to protect her son, and protect Potter he would.

With one last sweeping glance at his office, Snape left Hogwarts and began his search for The Watchman.

HB~HB~HB~HB~HB

Two days later, at The Watchman's Base.

For three months, Harry had been trained in all forms of magic under the tutelage of his parents, his godfather and Remus. One of the first things they had explained to Harry was that the room they had occupied was in fact The Watchman's Base, a secret area set aside for the exclusive use of The Watchman. However, the room was no ordinary room; it was incredible similar to the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts, except for one major difference... it could slow down time.

For the first few hours after Harry met them all again, after the reminiscing and laughs, they had discussed how long it would take to teach Harry all he needed to know in order to become a fully fledged Watchman. It was decided by Sirius that three months was enough time and so the room was instructed to slow time down to that degree. And teach him they had done.

Harry had never known that there were so many different forms of magic. He believed that what he was taught at school was all there was, unless you ventured into the deep and murky world of the Dark Arts. But they'd gone there as well. Sirius hadn't been kidding when he'd said The Watchman knew all magicks. But it was more than that: they had shown him that there were so many different forms of magic to know, including the Dark Arts. Magic and its effects were based purely on intent. At first, Harry had refused point blank to learn the Dark Arts, but he soon changed his opinion when he listened to Sirius.

"The Watchman is the symbol of peace, order, and neutrality pup. Without the magic that The Watchman possesses, the world would fall into chaos. The Dark Magic is there to balance out the Light and visa versa. Without it, The Watchman would die. Remember, magic isn't about good or evil, it's about responsibility, intent and morals. Magic doesn't cause good or evil, the wielder does. Just think... if someone uses a life to kill somebody else, does that make the knife an evil object? Truth is, it doesn't. The wielder of the knife is the evil one, because he used it for an evil purpose. The knife can be used to butter bread, cut a sandwich etc. But my point is, we need all magic to combat all magic. We need Light Magic to fight the Dark Arts, and we need the Dark Arts to combat the Light. And we need the Grey Magic to battle both. My mistake is that I embraced the Light and neglected the Dark, therefore rendering my powers useless. Just remember that pup..."

And so Harry had thrown his heart into the learning of magic. No paperwork or textbooks were needed; all theory was explained for him. They had held duels with wandless and wand magic. A first, everyone had kicked Harry's arse in the duels, but slowly and surely over time, he had improved. They taught him how to move with the spell, how to dodge efficiently, how to cast without over-flourishing his wand. Harry picked up on it rather quickly and according to James, he was now quite an impressive duellist.

But the most fun had happened when they had taught him duelling stances. Remus had given Harry a thick tome and told him to choose a stance from the various pages, combining them if he wanted to. It had taken Harry the best part of three days to choose, or rather make, a stance he considered unbeatable. It was a pro-Renaissance, neo-Latin forward shifter, once he chose the right words to match the balance of his body. Designed by a combination of Renaissance wizards and Italian mages, but combined by himself, it was easy on the movement; attack orientated, placing a huge emphasis on power while sacrificing high defence spells and causing limited mobility. Up against his father, in whose stance he saw contained elements of the Spanish foothold and neo-Flamelian, he thought he stood a good chance. He couldn't have been more wrong. Once James had beaten him the eighth time, it was then Harry demanded to know the stance that was being used so effectively against him. To his surprise, he was told, in the immortal words of Sirius, that it was the 'Azkaban-informed, Marauder street-fighting style'. Invented by James and Sirius, and so not written or recorded anywhere, it was based upon fluidity in one's movement, something which Harry's forward shifter had lacked. Quickly adopting it, and being taught to use it to optimum efficiency by everyone, Harry saw that the flexibility and mobility allowed him to still access his power resources and defensive spells, all of which were within easy range of his wand position. But one of the biggest benefits had been when Harry had found out that Muggle duelling was a part of the Marauder style. There had been quite a few all-out fights that involved no wands. Remus had explained that that was the biggest drawback of wizards; take away their wands, and they believe they are powerless. Wrong. They still have fists, elbows, arms, legs, feet and heads. It was just a matter of using them. So they had educated Harry in what the Muggles called 'martial arts' and now, Harry was pretty good.

However, despite the delving into stances and duelling styles, very little was done on wandless magic. As Harry learnt, only a few wizards, such as Dumbledore and Voldemort used wandless magic, but even with them it was limited. So Harry had learnt only minor things, like wandless Lighting or Summoning. Wands were much more powerful and useful, as they allowed precision and power.

As for his knowledge and skill in magic in general, Harry was now proficient in various types of magic, but surprisingly or to some unsurprisingly, he was the best at Grey Magic. A combination of both Light and Dark Magic, it made use of both to create incredibly powerful spells, drawing on the power of both. His parents, Sirius and Remus had taught him all the necessary magic he was to learn at Hogwarts plus others. His father, being a master Tranfigurist, had taught him all branches of Transfiguration, including on how to become an animagus. The first time he had transformed, back when he escaped Azkaban, had been a fluke. Sirius had deliberately manipulated the power within him so he could transform and get out. However now, he was able to turn into the panther with glowing green eyes at will.

His mother, who he now knew was a brilliant Potioneer and Charms prodigy, had educated him in the realms of Potions and Charms. Sirius had worked him like a dog in Defence against the Dark Arts and Legillimancy, Occlumency and Apparition. Harry was now incredibly good at the middle two, able to repel any assault aimed at his mind. And lastly, Remus showed him the weird and wonderful world of Runes and ancient magicks, including Sumerian, Egyptian, Arabic and Chinese. Other beings' magicks also came under that, with Harry learning Elvin and Goblin shields and spells. And on top of that, they also taught him the deepest branches of magic in all fields, so deep he was now highly skilled in Theurgy, Thaumaturgy, Necromancy, Enchantments, White Magic and lastly Shamanism. It was the last the Harry was particularly good at, and he made great use of the powers that he possessed.

Another of the things they all had told Harry was that although they looked real, felt real, acted real, they were not real. They were not truly alive, but they were not dead. Harry was told that they had made a deal with Time that allowed them to have a limited amount to time on Earth in a truly physical form. When Harry had asked what they were really, they had explained that they were much more than ghosts but less than actual living beings. They had been allowed to flit by the boundary of life and death. When they eventually disappeared, they could connect to him as they had done when Harry had been in Azkaban, but it would be limited. And the maximum amount of time they were allowed to stay was three months. Today was the last day.

But the time had come when they could teach Harry now more. And so they had told him the duties of The Watchman, the things that one had to do in order to protect a weak world. Sirius also showed Harry The Watchman's emblem, which incidentally was an eerily glowing green lantern. As Harry remarked, it was very similar to the Dark Mark, the way it was portrayed that was. Sirius told him Voldemort most probably based the Dark Mark of the mark of The Watchman.

An eerily glowing green lantern hung when the incantation, Vigilantium, was said. The green flame within the lantern seemed to burn, and if one looked closely, it was possible to make out an eye with a lightning bolt in the pupil, in the flame. Harry had watched as it waved there in the air, watching the flame make its silent crackle.

The talk then moved to Harry's doings once he had left the base. Sirius told him he'd been left a huge amount of gold from the Black Family Vault and also the Potter one. Also, as per the terms of Sirius' will, Harry was now legally emancipated and therefore an adult. Taking that revelation with joy, Harry realised he could now use magic without fear of repercussions from the Ministry.

The trip to Gringotts had also been profitable and interesting. After discovering that Dumbledore and some of the Weasleys had virtually robbed him blind, he had asked the goblins there to reclaim every Knut that they had stolen, along with a hefty amount of interest. The majority of the expense ended up as Dumbeldore's bill however, as Harry didn't want all the Weasleys to suffer that much. So the bill for the Weasleys was charged to Mrs Weasley, Ron and Percy. Harry had enjoyed the writing of that declaration immensely and would have liked to see their reactions even more. But unfortunately, that could never be the case.

Now, however he stood on a cliff by the sea, Levitating rocks and launching them out to the waves below. He had just Levitated a particularly big boulder when he felt a slight prickling in his head. He followed it and realised that someone was calling him, calling for help.

Someone who needed The Watchman.

HB~HB~HB~HB~HB

Bellatrix ducked and weaved as she duelled an Order member. They were good, but not good enough, as was demonstrated when they went down due to a well-placed Bone-Crusher. She whipped around, looking for more prey to kill. The Death Eaters had arrived only minutes earlier, beginning the desecration of Diagon Alley.

They had begun with immediately attacking the wandmaker's shop, completely destroying the front displays and then progressing into the store itself. Unfortunately, Ollivander had managed to escape while under attack and had subsequently alerted the Ministry that a full scale Death Eater assault on Diagon Alley was underway. As was expected, a full three Auror squadrons and an Order detachment to match arrived as the brunt of the force that was now unsuccessfully trying to repel the Death Eaters from Diagon Alley. She knew that Dumbledore was surrounded by some of the more experienced Death Eaters, and she prayed to Merlin himself that they would keep the senile Headmaster occupied for the duration of the battle. The man, although he was old, was a worthy and dangerous opponent. Other than her Lord, he was the only one she feared.

Ducking a Body-Binder from a shot from the left, Bellatrix flicked her wand towards the brown-haired Auror and his entrails promptly expelled themselves from his stomach. The Auror dropped to his knees, futilely trying to hold in his guts and powerless to prevent the Cutting Curse that lacerated his throat.

Bellatrix causally sauntered over to the fallen and now dead Auror. A small, sadistic smile played upon her face as she reached down and grabbed a handful of intestines. She raised them to her face and sniffed greedily. This was what she lived for; the smell of battle, of death. It was in her blood, it was her life force. She existed solely for this.

A loud bang brought her out of her out of her thoughts. She whipped round, coming face to face with the soot-smeared and battle-scarred face of Alastor Moody.

"Black." he roared. Bellatrix smirked in reply and subconsciously settled into her favoured duelling stance between them. She fired off a few quick Stunners before shifting to the more deadly curses. Moody brought up a yellow shield which absorbed her curses and sent back equally nasty ones. Craters formed in the cobbled street as she ducked under his intense barrage.

"Aiming to kill, are we Mad-Eye?" she taunted.

"The world will not miss seeing the last of you Bellatrix! Time to die!" he retorted.

The aged Auror switched his wand position so he was holding it as if it were a javelin, and thrust it towards Bellatrix. A bolt of purple shot at the woman, and as it did, she remembered the words Moody had told her long ago.

She was in her Defence against the Dark Arts class, and the Auror had come in. He had told them how to defeat an enemy. Mobility was the answer. Movement was the key.

She moved over to the left, firing spells off of the opposite wall in order to disorientate her opponent. It partially worked, with Moody quickly throwing up another shield and then letting loose a series of lethal to non-lethal spells in all directions. Bellatrix dodged instead of shielding and came up behind the man. But without any warning he whipped around and sent another stream of hexes.

"No good Black!" he spat, tapping the strap that held his eye in place. Bellatrix cursed herself. She had forgotten about that damned eye!

A sudden noise to the left distracted both combatants. Bellatrix glanced momentarily towards the source of the noise to see that Greyback, Dolohov, Jugson and Malfoy were battling a small group of Order members. To her surprise and then anger, one of them was Snape. Her emotions were obviously felt by her comrades as they were hurling spells and abuse to the double-spy.

She felt enormous pain however when a unnoticed hex ripped into her side, blood immediately filling the wound. She ignored it and returned a volley of Killing Curses in Moody's general direction, hoping he would Disapparate and thus leave her. Though she hated to admit it, Moody was a formidable opponent. Whilst many feared her for her erratic and unpredictable fighting style, many feared Moody because his onslaught was never ending and brutal. It was as he was a bulldog, who never gave up his ground no matter condition he was in.

As luck would have it, Moody did Disapparate away, only to reappear behind a larger group of the junior Death Eaters that her Master had said were to join the attack. Bellatrix groaned as she watched Moody cut down the incompetent sods, methodically working his way through the group. She once again glanced over towards Malfoy and his fellows, noticing with a jolt of joy that Snape was dead. His greasy black hair hung lankly over the sallow face, his black eyes glassy and vacant.

Bellatrix began to run towards Moody, eager to finish him off. She slipped and slid over the blood-stained and entrails-covered street, giggling wildly and firing off random Cruciatus' as she went. She had just neared Mad-Eye, who was still butchering the Death Eaters, when a enormous crack of thunder and a blast through her, Moody, and other random Death Eaters and Order members off of their feet. Planks of wood and chips of stone mingled in the air, creating a fatal cocktail that took lives, judging from the screams that she heard. Coughing and retching, she Banished the filth off of her and jumped to her feet. No pain was felt from the previous wounds, which she had either healed or were dulled out from the adrenaline rush.

Looking round, she saw that Dumbledore had managed to protect quite a few Order members and Aurors alike from the blast. But they were not engaging with the Death Eaters anymore. Instead, looks of horror and awe had filled their faces as they stared at something. She looked at what their line of sight had picked up on and immediately stepped backwards. She bumped into a figure behind her, and shoved them out of her way. Others were doing the same.

Bellatrix fled to the safety of a half-fallen roof. Inside she saw the dead body of the ice-cream vendor, Florean Fortesque. Her fears were confirmed when she saw the gold clock he had clutched within his hands. She chanced a look outside again and moaned.

Grey mist was seeping down the street, creating a creepy, eerie effect as it crawled along. And walking down the mist, his arms at his side, his wand held firmly and surely, was The Watchman.

HB~HB~HB~HB~HB

He walked down the alley, taking sure, measured steps. The dust and rubble were crunched beneath the black boots. The coal-coloured trench coat fit perfectly around his torso and shoulders, the trailing hem whipping around the back of his legs. Blue jeans covered his legs, and he wore a white T-shirt. The hood of the coat was pulled low over his face, so low that only the tip of his nose and downwards were displayed.

As Bellatrix watched him continue his walk towards the now still fighters, she noticed the little yellow bird that Malfoy and Mr Smith had mentioned. It darted and flew around The Watchman's head, tweeting every now and then.

Ten metres from everyone else, The Watchman stopped. Though his eyes were not visible, everyone felt the gaze that surveyed them, taking in everything. Whoever it was beneath the hood, they knew how to wield power, to inspire fear. But something was niggling Bellatrix. It was the fighting stance that The Watchman held himself with. It was familiar, very familiar. She had seen it before, she knew she had. But where?

"You are The Watchman."

The words were spoken as a statement, not a question. Bellatrix shuffled in the shop, trying to see who spoke. Judging from the direction of The Watchman's gaze, it was Dumbledore.

"So it would seem." came the reply. It had a low, growling quality to it, and Bellatrix strained to make sure she heard every word. "You would be Albus Dumbledore."

"Indeed I am," Dumbledore replied. "And I have been searching for you. Tell me, do you know the whereabouts of a young man by the name of Harry Potter?"

From her hiding place, Bellatrix shuffled again, catching a glimpse of The Watchman, seeing him twitch at the use of the boy's name. Unfortunately for her, her movement caused a chair to fall over, and The Watchman's gaze snapped towards the sound. She flattened herself against the wall and rapidly thought of a plan. After a tense few seconds, The Watchman spoke again.

"Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived. Saviour of the Wizarding World. Conqueror of the greatest Dark Lord to ever live. Yes, I know of Harry Potter. I know of his life, his suffering, his pain. I also know of his betrayals."

This little speech was met with silence. Bellatrix saw the strained look on Dumbledore's and the Orders' faces. She also noted that the Death Eaters had moved out of the way. And at that moment, a plan was sprung in her mind. The Watchman started to speak again.

"You wish to seek out the whereabouts of the boy, to kill him to cover your own disgraceful, selfish tracks. You wish to-"

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore thundered. The elder wizard had drawn his wand and it was pointed at The Watchman. "I will not be spoken to like that. Mr Potter committed crimes, heinous crimes. Crimes for which he shall be brought to justice for. Do you know where he is?"

The only sign that The Watchman had shown of attacking Dumbledore was another twitch of the wand. Bellatrix edged her way around the walls of the ice-cream parlour, finding the door which would lead out to the street. She bent double as the roof had caved in, and walked through. Looking back at the group of wizards, she saw that Malfoy had spotted her. With quick, harsh hand signals, she told him to organise that Death Eaters to surround The Watchman and the Order. He nodded and relayed the message.

The Watchman and Dumbledore were still arguing when Bellatrix made it on to the roof above them. She saw that the Death Eaters had indeed circled the Order, and that the Order had noticed. In fact, the only person who seemed oblivious to the threat that was poised was The Watchman himself. She listened to his words again.

"I will not help you find Harry Potter. The duty of The Watchman dictates I protect the powerless and weak, not to aid the evil and the power-hungry. I have no desire to help you or your Order, Albus Dumbledore. You tried to sacrifice the Wizarding World's last hope to defeat Lord Voldemort. Yet, neither of you are better than the other."

Bellatrix felt rage bubble within her, directed towards The Watchman. How dare he insult her Lord! She caught Malfoy's eye and signalled for him to commence attacking, but something, or rather someone, got there first.

The Watchman turned to face her sliced his wand up towards the roof Bellatrix was standing upon, and the next thing she knew was that she was falling. Apparating down towards the ground, she watched as the Death Eaters turned to attack the Order and The Watchman, only to be pushed back by some invisible force. Dumbledore had raised his wand to attack The Watchman, but then as quick as The Watchman had arrived, he disappeared in a cloud of grey smoke.

Then the lightning came.

Huge bolts of yellow from the newly-formed black clouds struck Death Eaters where they stood. A few Order members were hit as well. The Death Eaters died on the spot instantly, disintegrating into dust, whereas the Order members were just unconscious. With no warning, spells were fired seemingly from all directions, causing chaos and confusion. The Death Eaters scattered, trying to find refuge from the rapidly-forming death trap. Bellatrix joined them, hiding behind a wooden crate. Only Dumbledore seemed to be fine, conjuring shields that protected him from the random assortment of objects that were flung his way. And then Bellatrix had her chance.

The Watchman had Apparated directly in front of her, not making a sound. Surprise and panic claimed her mind for a millisecond before she reacted.

"Crucio!"

The curse hit The Watchman and he roared with pain, but he didn't writhe and scream on the ground like others did. He spun around and retaliated.

"Mutilo!"

Bellatrix's eyes widened at the use of the Dark Magic. She parried the curse into a wall which was promptly destroyed.

You want to use Dark Magic? Fine. Let's see how you like this. she thought.

She slashed her arm towards the ground, before bringing it up with a complicated loop. Then with a final flourish, she directed the hex towards The Watchman's head. He dodged it, but only just. It nicked the side of his hood, ripping it open so half of his face was exposed. And the recognition of who it was, who The Watchman really was, caused her to freeze.

"Potter…" she whispered.

It had to be him. The jet black hair, the green eyes, the glasses that sat upon his face. Potter roared again, this time in anger, just as the side wall blew up, admitting entrance for the Order.

At that moment, everyone froze. Bellatrix saw that everyone's faces were a mask of shock and fear, mingled with surprise. Unsurprisingly however, Dumbledore spoke.

"I was correct. You're The Watchman Harry."

The reply was a sickly orange spell which splashed dangerously close to the Headmaster's head.

"Fucking. Die." Harry growled.

HB~HB~HB~HB~HB

Fury and fear like he had never felt before coursed through Harry in equal measure. His identity was now blown open; he had no cover. And it was the bitch that had blown it. The bitch that had murdered his godfather. And if that wasn't bad enough, Dumbledore now knew who The Watchman was. Oh, everything was fucking perfect.

Thinking fast, he flicked his wand up at the wooden panels that were scattered on the ground, and sent them towards the Order, being careful to ensure that none of them died. That was the condition if he still wanted his parents' company, limited though it was. Then he aimed a Killing Curse towards Bellatrix before Apparating out of the building, in front of Gringotts Bank. He had been so stupid to do that; clear the area you want to Apparate. That was what he had been taught. That was what he had to do.

Flinging a few more curses at the gawping Death Eaters that were in his way, he ran towards The Leaky Cauldron. He had to get out now, before the Aurors arrived. It would not do to be caught. Death was the only thing waiting for him if he was.

He had just made it to the wall when a massive roar made him look back. Gripping his wand so tightly it hurt, he ran a few steps back, only to see that the Order was now contained inside the shop due to a rather clever and nasty piece of Dark Magic. Harry recognised it as soon as he saw the blood running down Bellatrix's arm.

The witch herself turned towards Harry, head tilted, chest heaving. She looked mad, insane, like was her persona. She licked her lips as she surveyed him, and Harry gripped his wand tighter.

"Itty, bitty, baby Potter." she smirked.

"Crucio!" Harry cursed.

The curse missed her by inches, but at least it wiped the smile off of her face.

"Get him. No deaths." Bellatrix growled to the other Death Eaters.

They started towards Harry, but he was already running. Reaching the door to The Leaky Cauldron, he wrenched it open and tumbled inside. He then slammed it shut and warded it with every ward he could think of. Turning around, he moved into the pub's interior. He stuck to the shadows as he crept up behind the barman, Tom. A jab in the back with his wand froze the crippled man where he stood.

"Turn around." Harry ordered. "Hands in the air."

Tom complied, but gasped when he saw the face of his assailant.

"Harry Potter!"

Harry cursed himself when he realised his hood was down, and he couldn't wear it. Damn Bellatrix.

But Tom's words hadn't gone unnoticed by the other patrons. A few of them recognised Harry as well, judging from the drawn wands and horrified faces. Thinking quickly, Harry grabbed the barman and brought him up against him, his wand at the elder wizard's throat.

"Nobody move. That includes you." he added, giving the squirming Tom a jab.

Everyone froze, waiting. All that was heard was the sounds of harsh breathing, and the muffled pounding of the Death eaters outside.

"What do you want Potter?" one of them growled.

Harry turned to who spoke.

"Me? I want a lot of things. I want my life. My freedom. My innocence. Revenge. To get out of here. Which you're going to let me do." he said calmly, feeling oddly clear-headed.

The man snorted.

"As if we'd let you walk out-"

A loud bang that signified the front door being blown to pieces cut him off. Everyone hit the ground as wooden splinters flew through the air. Harry threw Tom off of himself and ducked behind the counter. When he came up, he swore at the person he saw.

Bellatrix stood there, a triumphant gleam on her face when she saw him. It seemed she wasn't stupid enough to continue to try the back way, although that was breached as Harry heard, from the yells and whoops he heard.

"Now, baby Potter, make this easy for yourself and give up." Bellatrix smiled.

Harry's response was to levitate a table and launch it her, along with what seemed to be thousands of bottles of alcohol. Cutlery and crockery joined the mix. Bellatrix screamed with frustration as she batted it aside, but Harry hadn't finished yet. Hoisting himself up onto the counter, he pointed his wand at the roof and yelled:

"Reducto!"

Shielding his face with his arms, he waited until the debris had all fallen down before looking up. There was a nicely large enough hole in the roof, a hole big enough for him to escape. Grey mist surrounded him as he took off and flew through the hole and out into the air, Bellatrix's and the patrons' screams becoming more and more distance.

Flying without a broom had been one of the things that he had insisted that his parents, Sirius and Lupin teach him. It had been difficult at first, but he had soon got the hang of it and was now, in his opinion, pretty good.

He angled his body so that he flew lower, skimming over the top of Muggle London. It would not do for the Muggle authorities to be after him as well, or for the nation to panic over a humanoid UFO.

But as he was speeding towards the London Eye, he noticed movement in the corner of his vision. Glancing behind him, he saw several black plumes of smoke, and several denser, fast moving clouds in front of them.

Oh shit! They've followed me! Bloody Death Eaters!

Harry pitched his body downwards in a deep dive. Pulling himself back up, he saw that the Death Eaters, led by Bellatrix, were still chasing him. Urging himself forward, he decided that he was going to try and outfly them. But it wasn't to be. Jugson was the first alongside him, and attempted to curse Harry off course. Harry rolled sharply to the left, avoiding it but finding himself enclosed from all sides. He swore again. This wasn't meant to happen!

As he passed the London Eye, a plan surfaced in his mind. Drawing his wand, he sent Killing Curses in all directions. His plan worked; the Death Eaters scattered and Harry took advantage of their momentary confusion and fear. He surged forward, whipping through Hungerford Bridge. He would take them out one by one; he knew he couldn't fight them all together.

As he zoomed towards Waterloo Bridge, he veered to the left, passing over the Strand Underpass. He turned left again, following the road outline, hoping his almost doubling back would throw his pursuers off. Countless, nameless, blurred shops and people went by, the speed he was travelling at rendering reading impossible.

Then a black cloaked figure appeared out of nowhere and grabbed him. Harry couldn't make out who it was they were too close and they were both travelling too fast. The pair grappled in mid-air, the unknown Death Eater trying to ground Harry, Harry trying to stay airborne. Unfortunately for Harry, he lost.

They landed heavily onto a bright red London bus. Miraculously, Harry had managed to cling to the roof, but the Death Eater had as well. Seizing the advantage, Harry gripped his wand and launched a Cutting Curse.

His aim was true as he watched it slice open the hood that covered the face. It fell away, and then fluttered off into the breeze, revealing the face of Buckbeak's would-be killer, Macnair. The man had seen Harry casting the curse and had wisely moved his head, so it had only nicked his ear. However, they were both lying on the bus, and seeing the other in a disadvantageous state, they scrambled up onto the roof. Harry cast his previous spell again, and followed it up with a Stunner and a Body-Binder for good measure. His opponent conjured a shield which absorbed the first two before he side-stepped the last. Then, Macnair's wand flashed as a Cruciatus Curse fled from its tip. Harry threw himself to the floor and glanced back. Seeing that they were turning into a corner that led to Trafalgar Square, he muttered a sufficiently strong enough Sticking Charm to ensure he didn't fall off.

However, Harry's adversary had neither the intelligence nor foresight to make such a move, and thus fell off of the bus as it veered around the corner. Harry winced when he heard the sickening crunch that signified the Death Eater's demise. But he had no time to dwell on his victory as scores of curses hit the bus rooftop, ricocheting off or making deep scorch marks. Harry snapped his head upwards and saw that Bellatrix and the others were bearing down on him. Using words that would melt the gold off of Gringotts' doors, he Apparated towards ground.

As he landed and found his feet, he noticed that the Death Eaters were still pursuing him. A few Muggles had noticed his sudden appearance and were looking at him funnily. Harry gave them no time as he started to move. As he did so, he realised he was in Trafalgar Square.

Oh perfect. Right in the middle of Muggle London. he thought.

Immediately, he moved towards Nelson's Column, shielding himself temporarily as he frantically thought of his battle plan. He didn't want innocents to be hurt, but the Death Eaters would almost certainly make sure that they were. Harry didn't want for them to be accidently caught up in the crossfire. He swore again as he drew up short on a good plan.

Stone chips flew through the air as a curse hurled in Harry's direction signalled the arrival of the Death Eaters. They had removed their hoods now and Harry saw quite clearly who they all were. Leading the pack in arrow-head formation was Bellatrix, who was toying with her wand. Flanking her on either side were Greyback and Dolohov. He also sighted Malfoy, Jugson and Mulciber. They advanced upon him, the Muggles staring at this strange spectacle.

The Muggles.

Harry turned to the standing spectators and yelled at them.

"Go! They'll kill you! Run and hid-"

Dolohov launched an Entrails-Expeller at a young mother by the fountain who was pushing a pram, causing Harry to react.

"Protego Horribilus!"

The two spells collided in mid-air, smashing into the stone steps. The Muggles started to scream and run, but thankfully away from the Death Eaters and himself. Harry dived towards the shelter of the Column again as several Cruciatus Curses sped towards him. And it was then his plan came to him.

He cast the charm that animated the bronze lions that guarded the Column. One by one, the lions all seemed to come alive with a life of their own, causing even more Muggles to flee and scream. Harry even saw an open topped tourist bus slow down, as did a number of vehicles. The Death Eaters, however, were completely unprepared for this method of Harry's and resorted to Killing Curses to bring the lions down.

Harry tensed. He had seen what had happened to the golden centaur in the Ministry a good few weeks back when Voldemort's own Killing Curses had struck it. It hadn't lasted long. He breathed a sigh of relief when the curses bounced right off. It was time for some fun.

He twitched his wand at the furthest lion, who after letting out a blood-curdling roar, charged towards Jugson. The man was helpless as he stumbled backwards, sending curse after curse, as did his comrades but to no avail. The lion pounced and with one sweep of its cold metal paw, slammed him towards the stone steps. The Death Eater hit them and moved no more.

More lethal curses went fired in his direction though the lions intercepted the majority of them. Mulciber faced Harry, but a quick Sectumsempra finished the man off. Harry chose to replicate his tactics in Diagon Alley, using guerrilla style warfare and constantly moving to disorientate his adversaries. He managed to score a few hits on Dolohov and Greyback, although Bellatrix had evaded every single one of his attempts to kill her. He duelled each of the Death Eaters in turn, switching positions, causing confusion. This was how he had been taught; this was how The Watchman fought his battles. Curse after curse met Harry's shields and his own spells, creating a myriad of colours which blinded both himself and the other Death Eaters. The lions still continued to defend Harry, but their actions were growing sluggish, and all had deep gauge marks in their sides and faces. Harry felt through his own magic that they wouldn't last long. He knew he wouldn't last that long either; the moving around constantly was draining him and he sought to end his battle with them all now. A Shockwave Curse followed up by multiple Stunners distracted them all long enough for Harry to Apparate away.

He heard the shouts of indignation and the gasps of shock as he landed where he did. He quickly regained his balance and clung to the statue for support. Nelson's Column sure was high. Acting quickly, he swung his wand in a wide arc, and hoped it would work, that he wasn't too high…

"Accio Water!"

At first it seemed that nothing was happening, and the curses and abuse from the Death Eaters whizzed past him. But then, the water from both stone fountains on the Square rose up, forming a moving sphere as it did so. Harry heard the Death Eaters being marshalled by Bellatrix to move, but they only did so reluctantly, still trying to kill Harry. He felt the lions magical energy expend and a glance down confirmed that they were indeed static. The spells were either absorbed by or reflected off of the growing sphere which still continued to rise. Eventually, it reached Harry's height, and once again he hoped it went well.

"Please work," he muttered "This better work."

He breathed out, and transfigured the mass of water into molten lead.

"Oops." he smirked as he cancelled the Levitation Charm he had also put upon it. The molten mass fell towards the Earth at full speed, churning and spinning as it did so. Harry heard the screams of the Muggles and prayed none were beneath the liquid death.

His plan failed when he realised that the lead was changing colour and that it had become water again. Hundreds of gallons of water splashed down onto the stone of Trafalgar Square, soaking those who remained and creating a moving torrent. He sighed with relief when multiple pops signalled Auror arrivals. Looking down, he saw that the Death Eaters had gone. Then, visualising his destination, Harry Apparated away.

HB~HB~HB~HB~HB

Seventeen hours later.

"AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!"

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor echoed with Bellatrix's screams as she felt the full effects of the Cruciatus Curse. To say Voldemort was displeased was an understatement; the Dark Lord was furious. The Watchman had been within their grasp and they had allowed him to escape. Voldemort's fury had peaked further when he had been told that The Watchman was none other than Harry Potter himself.

So, it was because of all this that she found herself being tortured like she had never been tortured before. Voldemort saw fit to punish her only as she had been the leader. Of course, the other Death Eaters who had participated in the attack had not objected to these arrangements. In fact, they seemed to gloat and laugh about it, insulting Bellatrix when they had seen her. However, these incidences stopped after she gave them her own styled form of punishment.

Bellatrix shuddered when the curse was suddenly lifted. It seemed Voldemort wanted to talk and hold off the torturing… for now. The Dark Lord walked away, silently seething, and as he did so, Bellatrix quietly thanked whatever deities that were listening for the reprieve.

"Tell me, Bellatrix," Voldemort spat. "How is it that a sixteen year old boy has evaded my Death Eaters, my best Death Eaters twice?"

Bellatrix coughed before answering.

"My Lord, he is The Watchman, we were outmatched, numerous though we were-"

"HE IS SIXTEEN!" Voldemort thundered. "Sixteen and still underage. Sixteen and still of age to attend Hogwarts. You, with six others, are more than five times that, and yet still, he manages to escape, to avoid, to evade me."

A brief silence was heard until Voldemort continued.

"The conditions for your redemption were that you had two chances to capture Potter by any means, though he was to remain alive. Your position has sunk even further now, Bellatrix. You have one chance left. Do not waste it. Failure means dinner for Nagini."

And with that, the Dark Lord left the room, his robes billowing behind him. Bellatrix coughed again, and after regulating her breathing, picked herself up off of the floor. She smoothed down the front of her tattered dress, and left through the same door her master had previously.

Multiple exposures to pain under the Dark Lord's hand had enabled Bellatrix to mask the punishments she had received. She controlled the shaking of her hands and the crease on her forehead that showed the pain she was suffering. Moving quickly down the hallway, she eventually came across the room she sought; the main hall.

As expected, she found the group of the Death Eaters that had participated in the attack. They all avoided her gaze, none keen to invoke her anger. They knew that Voldemort had been torturing her and did not want to suffer their own under her crazed hand.

Bellatrix stopped in front of them, surveying them with cold, violet eyes.

"I… we," she corrected. "Have one final chance to redeem ourselves. Potter must be captured at all costs. If we fail… we die."

A shudder passed around the group as she said those words.

"We need to win this," Bellatrix continued. "Even if Potter is The Watchman. We must prevail. We must win."

Murmurs of consent and nods were respectively heard and seen. Bellatrix drew herself up to her full height and commanded the men before her.

"We are going to search for Potter. Starting with London. And we will not rest until we capture him. Any ideas onto where he may be?" she suddenly asked an unusually subdued Malfoy. The Death Eater hesitated before answering.

"My sources within the Ministry have speculated that Potter is indeed somewhere in London, but somewhere in London Underground. From what my source told me, it is a network of moving carriages that transport Muggles. It's commonly referred to as the London Underground, or simply, the Underground."

Bellatrix was silent for a moment before replying.

"You have directions to this Underground?" she asked.

Malfoy produced a map as he answered. "That and this map, which shows the layout of each station."

Bellatrix smiled. "Brilliant. Let's start."

HB~HB~HB~HB~HB

Four days later.

Harry sat down on one of the many benches that were scattered around Marble Arch Underground Station. He wasn't exactly near the tube line, he was actually in the ticket area. Various Muggles wandered past him as he sat there, watching the world go by. It seemed strange and alien to him that they could continue normally with their lives, completely unaware that their very world was in the same amount of danger as his was. After all, the little incident that occurred in Trafalgar Square a few days ago was all over the Muggle and Magical news.

Plainly, the Muggles had reported that there had been a high-tech weapons fight between a terrorist gang and a known and wanted fugitive. Muggle intelligence had added that the weapons used were stolen, highly-classified military prototypes, and they had declined explaining how these weapons work, for security reasons. The incident with the water had been the biggest problem for the secret services to cover up, but eventually their cover story of a mass-suction pump had won over the majority of the Muggle population… for now. One death was also recorded, though again, the identity of that individual had not been released.

On the other hand, with no problems of secrecy or covertness, the Magical press had had a field day. They had well and truly demonised Harry, and however much he had hated Rita Skeeter in the past was nothing to how he hated her now.

Virtually every newspaper and magazine had stated that Harry had gone to Trafalgar Square to show the Dark Lord that he was better, and Darker, and thus attempted to massacre the Muggles within the immediate area. His so-called 'plan' had failed though, when Voldemort's minions turned up and tried to kill him. The arrival of the Aurors also stopped his plan being put to action. Because of this, Harry had fled, but not without shouting he would be back to finish his task.

At first Harry had raged at all of this, in no doubt that Dumbledore was behind it. But eventually he had calmed down, realising getting angry about the situation would not help. He needed to remain in control. So he had taken to sitting in the Underground, moving from station to station with money he had stolen from the Dursleys. He had taken it whilst they were out, and had also taken the liberty to ward his former room against them, so they would not enter. He had things in there that he needed to collect, and he was doing it a bit at a time. This was because it seemed Dumbledore, the Ministry and Voldemort had all stationed someone to patrol his former home at regular intervals, in case he turned up.

How the Dark Lord had found out where he lived was beyond Harry, but now he was exceedingly careful whenever he returned to Number Four. He had had a few skirmishes and takedowns with them, but nothing major. The only time things had really got out of hand was when the Ministry's and Dumbledore's spies sensed that a Death Eater was there. An invisible and silent battle had taken place, with the Death Eater on the losing side. Suffice to say, if there now was a Death Eater there, they were very well concealed.

Harry yawned and stretched as he looked around himself once again. Occasionally he had thought he had spotted another fellow Magical, but whenever he looked closely, to see if they were Death Eaters or Aurors, they had disappeared. He knew that both were trying to track him, and had succeeded a few times. But he also knew that they didn't want to duel him in such close proximity with the Muggles. It was in moments like that that Harry moved on, either using the tube or Apparating away to another station. So far today however, no-one was there.

Harry picked up the paper he had been reading and turned to the sports section. It was totally devoted to football, primarily on England's chances in the European Cup next year. To be honest, Harry wasn't really interested but it was something to read and it passed the time.

But it was when Harry had just got settled for another reading session that his magical senses pricked up, as did the hairs on the back of his neck. He lowered the paper and looked around, searching for whomever it was here that shouldn't be. Then he noticed that people were staring, or rather glancing back worriedly towards his right. Harry followed their line of sight and found himself locking eyes with none other than Fenrir Greyback.

Immediately he jumped up, the paper abandoned as he flicked his wrist, his wand flying into his hand. He felt the mental probes upon his Occlumency shields and he squashed them. Greyback's face morphed into a snarl as Harry did that, and Harry saw the werewolf turn to walk away. Harry ran after him, pushing people out of his way and muttering apologies as he did so. When he finally reached the pillar that Greyback had been leaning against, Harry saw that he had gone. Cursing softly, he searched around, looking for any trace of him, but found none. Greyback wasn't hard to miss.

But another sight caused Harry to give a small cry of fright. Walking towards him in an arrowhead formation that was exactly the same as the one they had used in Trafalgar Square, save for a missing person, was Bellatrix and the other Death Eaters that had tried to accost him the other day. Greyback was not among them.

Harry ran towards the ticket barrier, plunging his hand into the pocket of his trench coat and retrieving his pass as he did so. His eyes were roving everywhere, looking for Greyback and the surprise attack that would surely follow. Seeing none, he shoved a young man who yelled "Hey!" out of the way and fed his ticket through. The barriers jumped open in conformation and he snatched his ticket as he ran through. He looked back frantically, seeing Bellatrix and the others were still following him. The Muggles were looking at them oddly, for they were in Wizarding dress. They were also looking at Harry oddly as he ran from the Death Eaters.

Harry then ran into something solid and a pair of rough hands grasped him. Looking up, he saw that he was staring at the hairy face of Greyback.

"Mornin' Potter." The werewolf rasped. "Lovely day, innit?"

Harry knew that from such close range that Greyback would be unable to block any spells. He was relying on Harry being petrified at being this close to the most feared werewolf in decades. But Harry was anything but scared.

"Imperio!" Harry whispered.

Greyback's eyes went oddly glazed as his grip on Harry slackened and Harry knew he had the man under his control. Glancing around, Harry conjured a gun and shoved it into Greyback's hand. He then stepped back and gasped.

"Oh my goodness!" he cried "That man has a gun!"

He twitched his wand and made Greyback raise the weapon and fire once at the ceiling. The resulting bang was deafening, as was the noise when the Muggles screamed and panicked. They ran in all directions and for once, Harry was glad that pandemonium reigned. He slipped in amongst the crowd, allowing himself to be swept away, hopefully from the Death Eaters.

He made it to a tube and was about to step on board when he heard Bellatrix's screech.

"He's there!"

Harry saw the Death Eaters board the tube just before the doors closed. He cursed his rotten luck as he squeezed his way through the crowd. He saw that Greyback was with them as well, seemingly free from the Imperius Curse. They mirrored his movements, shoving commuters out of their way in their effort to get to him. The train was moving as Harry made it to the door that separated one carriage from the next. Yanking the handle he opened the door just as a spell smashed into the space above his head. He turned back to see Bellatrix's livid face feet away. It seemed the movement of the tube had caused her to miss.

"Potter!" she yelled.

Harry ignored her and wrenched open the other carriages door. Slamming the other in Bellatrix's face, he locked it with a very complicated Locking Charm, before repeating his movements on the other door that he had closed. Harry ignored Bellatrix's screams of fury and continued to move through the crowd. At that moment, the monotonous feminine voice sounded out.

"This is Bond Street. Doors will open on the right-hand side. Change here for the Jubilee line."

As soon as the tube, Harry hopped off and sprinted towards the sign that led him to the Jubilee Line part of Bond Street station. As luck would have it, the tube was coming in, and thankfully, it was almost empty. He jumped aboard, waiting nervously with his wand up his sleeve for the Death Eaters to appear. When they didn't and the door closed and the tube started moving, he slumped down in a seat, a sigh of relief escaping him. A voice startled him though.

"Are you okay?" a female voice asked.

Harry looked to his right to see the same mother whose own and her baby's life he had saved back at Trafalgar Square looking at him with worried eyes. He stared back for a few seconds before pulling himself together and answering.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine…" he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You looked… distressed. And edgy." the woman replied, still staring at him.

"No… no, I'm fine, honestly." Harry said. His gaze drifted to the baby in the pram, which looked at him with wide blue eyes. It kicked its feet and made a gurgling sound as it rattled the toy keys it had clutched in its tiny fist. The mother saw what he was looking at and hoisted the baby out of the pram. She settled it onto her lap, where the baby still continued to stare at Harry.

"I see you've noticed my baby boy." the woman stated brightly. Harry felt like there was no better time to start a conversation, so he threw himself into it whole-heartedly. He missed having idle chat with people; it was almost impossible as he was a fugitive.

"Err yeah. How old is he?" Harry asked.

"Nine months," the woman said. "Oh excuse my manners. My name is Jane. This is little Mark."

"I'm Harry." Harry said.

Jane inclined her head towards him and started to play with the baby. Harry watched the bonding between mother and child for a while, wondering if this is what his mother would've been doing with him when she was still alive. The hurt and emotion must have been on his face for the woman stopped playing with her son.

"Are you okay?" she asked again.

"Yeah, it's that… just… well, my mother and father died when I was a year old. I'm an orphan, you see." Harry said.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." the mother gasped. "Really if I had known…"

"No it's alright, really. I don't really remember them much." Harry said.

A long and awkward silence fell as the tube moved through the tunnel. It was the woman who broke it.

"Would you like to hold him?" she asked Harry.

"Sorry?"

"Mark. Would you like to hold Mark?" she asked again.

"Err… I'm not really sure…" Harry began.

"It's okay, really. He doesn't bite." she said.

Harry looked at the young baby again, who had the keys stuffed in his toothless mouth.

"Why not?" Harry shrugged.

The woman gently lifted the baby over to Harry and Harry put his hands under the boy's armpits. He then set the boy on his lap. The baby gazed up at him, and then began to play with the buttons on Harry's trench coat.

"I think he likes you!" the woman laughed.

Harry gave a weak chuckle in response and after a couple of minutes with the baby playing, he handed the boy back to his mother. She settled him into the pram, and turned back to Harry just as he heard another voice.

"Time's runnin' out Potter."

Harry drew his wand and was on his feet in a blink of an eye. He looked intently around the carriage, but the only people in there were a young black man, a dozing old lady and a young Chinese girl standing by the doors. The Chinese girl looked at him briefly before returning to the book that she was reading. Evidently, she hadn't noticed the wand his hand held.

"Time's runnin' out." the voice said again.

This time Harry caught the source and whipped around to see a familiar Wizarding raincoat over and equally familiar navy-blue jumper and trousers. The peaked cap was still there and the only new addition was the ornately carved staff upon which the person leant.

"You. The person who read my rites." Harry said, raising his wand higher.

The old wizard who had indeed read Harry his last rites in Azkaban smiled.

"I told ya Mr Potter – See ya on the outside. And look where ya are now… on the outside."

"And a fat lot of good it's done me!" Harry retorted, uncharacteristically angry. "I have everyone, everyone, after me!"

"But ya're alive," said the old man. "Alive an' able to change things."

"Like what?" Harry spat.

The old man was silent for a while, the only signs of movement the rocking of the tube and the woman with her son. Suddenly, the old man moved opposite to where Harry was standing, Harry's wand still trained upon him, and he sat down. He motioned for Harry to do the same. As Harry began to sit down in his seat, the old man spoke up.

"Not there. You'll sit on yaself."

Bewildered, Harry looked around and jumped back in shock. Sitting there in his seat was a version of himself, having an animated conversation with the young mother. He watched with a fascinated horror as his doppelganger continued to talk. He turned back slowly to the old man.

"Who… who are you?" Harry whispered.

The old man gave a crooked smile before answering.

"Time's represen'ative, Mr Potter. An' for you, time is runnin' out. Ya will have to move on, to adjust."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"What I mean," said the old man, gesturing to Harry to take the seat beside him. "Is that the world is changin'. Changin' too fast for the forces of good an' Light to count'r an' repair the damage caused by the forces of evil an' Dark."

"You could say that." Harry muttered.

"I could," the old man chuckled. "An' it'd be true. You, Mr Potter, have a troubled an' turbulen' future. Ya have the ability to change the future, 'owever, but only if ya choose ya choices wisely. Ya will have the opportuni'y to save innocent's, such as ya fello' travellers 'ere." he added, looked at Jane and the other passengers.

Then the old man fixed Harry with a gaze before continuing.

"Ya hav' it in ya, son. Ya can do it. Is this 'Dark Lord' worth defeating?"

"Of course he is!" Harry exclaimed, slightly shocked at the question.

"Then defeat 'im. Work 'ard for it. Do what ya hav' to do. Defeat the Dark Lord. Defeat the Death Eaters."

"I'm trying to… but it's hard… and I have no-one beside me anymore…" Harry breathed.

"Look around ya Potter. Look at the kid." the old man said.

Both teenager and man turned their eyes to young Mark, who was laughing with pure joy and happiness as he played a mock tug-of-war with the Harry doppelganger. Harry looked towards Jane's face as well and saw a similar expression.

"This is what ya fight for, Harry." the old man said softly. "To keep innocence alive. To ensure that these children, these babies, people, whoever… to make sure that they can live in a world that is free from the Darkness. The odds are against ya sure, but ya're strong, and ya can bring this world out of the shadows that hav' been shroudin' it for too long. I know that a lot o' people say this too ya, and that ya feel ya've been used and manipulat'd, but it's true… it's for the best. An' even if the prophecy, which yeah I know exists, wasn't there, wouldn't ya want to be the one that killed Voldemort?"

Harry tore his gaze away from the three people in front of him, his eyes slightly teary.

"Yes."

"Then do it. Kill the bastard. Ya don't need anyone beside ya to do that. That's down to ya own willpower and sense of self."

Harry turned back to the Jane and Mark. He stared intently at their faces, their expressions. He then turned to the other occupants of the tube. Harry thought about the children that were young and had only just been born. They didn't deserve this.

"I will… I'll do it. I'll kill him. I will." he said, his voice hard.

"Good lad." the old man said, before stiffly getting to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked with a frowned brow.

"Away. Ma work 'ere is done." the old man smiled. He held out his hand. Harry stood up and shook it, in front of his doppelganger.

"Good luck, Mr Potter. See ya when I see ya." the old man said. He shuffled over to the tube door and nodded towards Jane. Harry turned to see Jane putting Mark back in the pram but that his doppelganger was gone. He looked back towards the old man but found he too was gone.

"So, you're getting off now?" Jane suddenly asked.

It was a few seconds before Harry answered. He realised that he now knew the contents of his conversation his doppelganger had had with Jane.

"Yeah! I am. Well I should be." he said quickly.

"It was nice meeting you Harry. You seem like a nice guy." Jane said.

"Err… thanks?" Harry said.

Jane laughed loudly before shaking her head. She stood up abruptly and gave Harry a small peck on the cheek.

"I hope to see you again." she told a stunned Harry.

"Err… yeah… you probably will… it's a small world…" he mumbled, his face going red.

Jane laughed again just as the tube tannoy announced itself.

"This is Westminster Station. Doors will open on the right-hand side. Change here for the Circle and District lines."

"Bye." Harry said, getting over his embarrassment.

"Goodbye." Jane smiled.

Harry then turned to leave the tube, just starting to walk towards the door when he saw someone else moving along the next carriage. Someone who locked eyes with him after feeling his frozen gaze. Someone whose mouth also opened in shock. Someone who drew her wand.

Bellatrix Black.

That's it. Hope the length of it compensated for the wait. Sorry for that. Remember, if you do fanart and want a task, I have one, so PM me. Please review. See ya!