Chapter 1 – Difficult Decisions

"Avada Kedavra!" A bright green light shot out of the trembling wand and hit Dumbledore in the chest. In a split second Dumbledore was on the ground ten feet back, completely still. Harry felt his lungs close up, he couldn't move, he couldn't breathe. Snape swiftly pivoted toward him and raised his wand to Harry. With all his might Harry tried to raise his wand hand but his arms were being pinned down. As he fought, he felt his whole body being shaken by a pair of icy cold hands.

Harry opened his eyes to a head of red hair and a pair of wild brown eyes looking down on him. Ron had a hold on both of his arms, looking at Harry with a bewildered look on his face.

"Blimey, Harry. You could've woke the entire house with all your noise." Ron let go of Harry's arms and slid to the floor, leaning against the bed that had been brought to Ron's room for Harry after the end of term.

"Was I screaming again?" Harry cursed under his breath.

"Yeah, mate. And when I tried to wake you, you started thrashing and kicking."

"It was just the nightmares," Harry muttered. Did I wake anyone else?"

"I think Mum and Dad are up, but I'm not sure they ever went to sleep."

It had been two weeks since Professor Albus Dumbledore's funeral and the Wizarding world still hadn't excepted his death. It seemed that all wizards had just lost their head. Harry had read the Muggle newspapers. Wizards were just roaming the streets, not bothering to wear Muggle clothes any longer. Dumbledore had been an idol, an icon to so much of the Wizarding world.

Reporters from the Daily Prophet apparated to the Burrow every few hours, begging for an interview with any witnesses to Dumbledore's death and Snape's mutiny. Mr. Weasley had finally blocked the Floo line when one reporter showed up at three in the morning and tried to sneak into Ron's room. Harry fleetingly wondered how many reporters had broken their way into the Dursleys' home.

Harry hadn't bothered to contact the Dursleys after the end of term. He knew they might have wondered when he didn't show up the first few days after term, but he was certain that they had quickly lost their curiosity towards him. The Weasleys had insisted on him staying with them at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had told him she was too shaken up to let him be all alone with 'those horrible Muggles'. He had gladly accepted the offer, but didn't plan on staying long. Every minute he spent with the Weasleys was another minute he was putting them in danger. He had tried, but failed, to explain this to the family. They wouldn't hear it.

There was a soft knock at the door and Harry snapped back into reality. Harry looked down to see Ron dosing on the floor, snoring softly. Harry stepped over Ron and opened the door to see a slightly disturbed looking Ginny. Depsite himself, Harry felt his heart skip a beat as he looked at her rumpled hair and wistful eyes. "Is everything alright Harry?" Her voice shook slightly. "I heard someone scream."

"It's nothing. You can go on back to bed," Harry said. He smiled sadly and stepped back to close the door.

"No, Harry," Ginny stopped the door with her arm and stepped forward. "It's your nightmares again, isn't it?"

"I'm fine, really." Harry squeezed her hand that was holding the door open and she let it drop to her side.

"You can't hide these things from me, and live in my house at the same time, you know," Ginny replied softly, as she turned away. "I won't let you."

Harry swallowed, hard, and gently closed the door. The door clicked shut and Harry turned to see Ron jump. Harry let out a soft chuckle. "It's alright Ron, go on back to sleep."

Ron shook his head and sat up. "Who was at the door, mate?"

Harry started to say 'no one', but thought better of it. "Ginny, she heard me yell." Harry was surprised how hard it was to even say her name after he had ended their relationship.

Ron nodded, but didn't say a word as he got up and changed into a pair of worn blue jeans and a sweater. Harry followed suit. It was getting harder and harder to live a normal day. He felt guilty exposing the Weasleys to any kind of danger. They were the only family, besides Sirius, that Harry had ever known. And after Sirius was murdered, Harry felt responsible for keeping them safe from the man that had killed his true family. He wouldn't let that happen again, he couldn't.