Hey this is my version of Book 5, I don't own any of the characters expect any names that you don't know, they are my made up characters… whatever. J.K.Rowling owns Harry Potter! I wish I did though… um, well R/R and I hope you enjoy.

The moon was shining high in the sky; the stars were twinkling in the sky very bright. It was silent in the world expect on one street, Privet Drive. In number 4 Privet Drive, everyone was sleeping and having peaceful dreams expect the boy in the smallest bedroom. He was a boy of 15 years old but looked much younger as he was in clothes that were too large for him and at the present was thrashing around and talking in his sleep. He whimpered a few times trying to wake up but he couldn't. He started to yell as the dream got worse and he screamed as his forehead where an odd looking scar started to feel like it was burning.

"NO CEDRIC! CEDRIC! BEHIND YOU, WATCH IT! NOOOOO! CEDRIC, DON"T BE DEAD! NOOOO…. I DIDN"T MEAN TO! I TRIED TO WARN YOU… I DIDN"T, I'M SORRY!" the boy thrashed around even more, he got tangled up in his meager sheets and fell hitting the ground hard. The bed was too small for the boy who had grown a little taller during the summer. He continued to dream, sweating and crying more than ever now.

A man opened the door and it slammed against the wall shaking the house. He was a big, beefy man who looked like an angry bull as he looked down at his nephew. It took him three strides to get across the room where he boy was. With a big belt in his hand he stood over the boy and hit him a few times on his back that was facing him. He whipped the boy's shoulders and back to wake him up. The boy woke up and when he felt the belt he knew what was happening for this was not the first time. He lay there silent, trying not to scream, trying not to move anymore. The man knew he was awake but did not stop. When the man himself was breathing hard he stopped and left leaving the boy alone. The boy slowly opened up his eyes and watched the man leave. He closed his eyes again; the pain was too much, how many times had he been hit… the boy fell asleep unconscious.

**

Sirius Black sat on the floor as a dog next to Remus Lupin. He was bored. He was watching Albus Dumbledore talk to a group of people. They were all in his office and he was giving out orders. He looked around; most of the people in the room were young and looked very scared. A few older people were in the back sitting with Remus. A nervous young man sat two seats away from Remus and Sirius, and Sirius already disliked him. He was too nervous, too afraid and he was sitting in that seat.

Dumbledore stopped talking and everyone got up to leave. Remus though remained sitting, as did the man sitting near them. Sirius lifted his head, 7 other people were in their seats and Dumbledore made his way over to them.

"Are we all here?" He asked checking to make sure the door was closed and everyone who was supposed to be gone was.

"Yes," Remus said glancing around.

"Good to see you all again," Dumbledore shook the hands of the 9 people. "Sirius, would you be so kind to grace us with your presence?"

Sirius made a face at Dumbledore as best he could as a dog and then a small pop came from the floor where the dog had been. In its place was a tall man with black hair that had been cut to his shoulders. He was clean-shaven and the only hint of his absence from the world was his eyes that had a deadly look in him. He sat down between Remus and the strange man.

"Who's he?" Sirius growled he sounded like the dog he was.

"He is all right," Dumbledore waved a hand. "I've invited him here to be." Dumbledore looked around the group and sighed, "This is what is left of the original phoenixes."

"Dumbledore shouldn't we keep this in the old group?" Sirius insisted.

"James is very talented," said Dumbledore. "I have hand picked him from the others and I want him to get the experience he needs with you 8. Incase anything happens I want someone to be here with the experience to take control."

"So what you are saying is if we are croak, James here takes over," one woman laughed.

"A precaution that needs to be in place," Dumbledore nodded. He clapped his hands together,

"So the groups remain, Sirius, Remus and James and then you three and then the other two. Watch over James for me Sirius."

"I will not," Sirius said outraged. "I'll work with Remus alone."

"James is dead Sirius," Dumbledore raised his voice a little, "you have to get over it. I need you to train this James."

"Sirius." Remus warned. "We will be happy to take him on Professor."

Dumbledore nodded and thanked Remus silently, "I knew I could count on you."

"Let's go Sirius," Remus stood up. "Come on James."

Sirius turned back into a dog and ran out. Remus shook his head as he went. They followed the dog out and at the doors of the school there was a carriage waiting for them. They got in and did not speak until they reached the town of Hogsmeade. Sirius turned back into himself for a split second and he was gone. Remus turned back to James, "Think Marauder's Hideout."

"What's with him?" James asked very confused.

"I'll explain later," promised Remus and he disapparated.

James followed and appeared next to Remus a second later. They looked up at a house that was a little lopsided and had 3 stories. Remus went to the door that was already opened but James hung back looking at the house.

"Are you coming inside?" Remus asked from the door.

James followed Remus inside, wondering what he had gotten himself into.

**

It was morning when the boy woke and he got up carefully. He felt the back of his shirt with his hand and then looked at the blood-covered hand. Cursing softly he walked over to the small mirror. The boy whose name was Harry Potter looked awful, his eyes had many circles under them, and his hair was more messy than it had ever been. He pulled off the blood-covered shirt wincing in pain. If his face and hair were bad it was nothing compared to the rest of him. He was thinner than usual and his back was one big bruise. His ribs were sticking out and he resembled his godfather when he had first met him more than the Tri-Wizard Champion he had been the previous year. He had grown taller but that was about it. His glasses were broken so he couldn't see properly. The summer had been the worst for him and he wasn't sure about going back to school. He would be starting his 5th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for he was a wizard. He looked at himself in the mirror again and sighed, he couldn't face everyone again. Not after last term, it was too much. Last term during the Third Task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament he had watched Lord Voldemort, the wizard who had killed his parents, kill his fellow student Cedric Diggory and then regain his body. He had dueled with Voldemort and then watched the echo of his parents come out from Voldemort's wand. With the help of them he got back to the safety of Hogwarts but even now he wasn't sure how he had done it. The wizarding world lived in fear of Voldemort's second reign of terror but Harry knew none of this for he hadn't gotten a single letter from any of his friends. This was strange because he usually got loads of letters from there but not one. It was the end of July, his birthday to be exact but it seemed no one had remembered. Sighing he made his way down to breakfast not caring that he was 15 or about anything right now in the world. There was nothing to care about anymore.

Down at breakfast the three Dursleys were eating breakfast but they didn't notice Harry. He went to his seat, saw a piece of lettuce and a list of chores. Picking them both up he went outside to start the chores since it would take all day. This was his punishment for last night as if the beating hadn't been enough. The beatings had started when the nightmares did as Uncle Vernon thought this was the only way to wake up his screaming nephew.

He worked outside all day, his back was so bruised that he couldn't bend over but he did not stop working. He knew his Aunt Petunia was watching him, making sure worked and did not rest. He thought about the summer as he pulled the weeds up, it had started alright but once the started to have nightmares things got bad. They gave him very little food and a long list of chores to do. It was the Dursley's fear that any of the neighbors would find out about his powers and where he went to school that he was punished so severely. He sighed and continued to work.

**

Remus showed James to his room on the second floor and pointed out his and Sirius's room, which were down the hall. Telling James he would have plenty of time to get settled in and to have a cup of tea with him, they headed down to the kitchen. There Remus made tea and they talked about the simple things when James decided to voice something he had been wondering.

"Why does he hate me?" he asked Remus.

"He doesn't hate you," Remus waved a hand. James gave him a look and Remus sighed, "Give him time, its been a tough few years."

James stood up, "Thanks for the tea." He went and climbed the stairs to his room.

James spent the next hour getting settled into his new room. It looked like it hadn't been used in years and so after cleaning it he put his stuff away. He was interested in the rest of the house though. He walked down the hall and made a note of Remus and Sirius's rooms but stopped at the door that was on the opposite side of the other bedrooms. It was the only room on this side of the hallway. He opened the door and went in. There were Quiddtich posters all on the walls with players flying around the room. A water fountain was by the window and there were pictures of the same 5 people all around the room. He went to one of the pictures and held it up, it was of 4 boys and one girl and by the look of their robes they were students at Hogwarts. They looked young, maybe 12 or 13. He recognized Remus and guessed that one of the tall black hair boys must be Sirius. He stared at the other 3, who were they? He heard someone coming down the hall. James put himself against the wall and hoped he wouldn't be caught. He looked at the door; it was open a little bit. He cursed silently to himself and hoped whoever was there wouldn't notice. He didn't hear anything for another minute or so and guessed that it was safe. He left the room and as he closed the door there was a tapping on his shoulder. He wheeled around it was Sirius Black.

"If I ever catch you in there again, you will be dead before you know what hit you," he said and left.


James stood there for another moment scared. He sighed and went back to his room not wanting to see Sirius again. He spent the rest of the day in his room wondering about a lot of things, who's room was that, why didn't Sirius want him in there and what was his problem with him. What did he do to offend Sirius, he'd barely said five words to him. He fell back on his bed, why did Dumbledore assign him to this group; they didn't want him here.

The next morning he got up and went down to breakfast. He stopped though at the top of the stairs for he heard Remus and Sirius arguing. He didn't want to listen in but when he heard his name he stopped and did listen.

"James is dead Sirius," Remus's voice said angrily, "you have to get that through your thick head and move on!"

"Remus!" Sirius snapped. "I know Prongs is dead! I know that every time I think of Harry. I can't forget, I look in a mirror and I remember!"

"James hasn't done anything to you Padfoot," said Remus. "Treat him with some curiosity, Dumbledore assigned him to us, he is trusting us with him!"

"What? I found him in Prong's old room!

Remus slammed his hand on the table, "He doesn't understand Padfoot. He doesn't understand that, that room is off limits. He doesn't know what we have been through."

"Well if he doesn't find out soon enough," Sirius snapped, "he'll be dead. And then maybe I'll go to Azkaban for a murder I did commit!" There was a pop and a second later the door slammed.

James considered going back to his room but his hunger got the better of him and he walked down the stairs. Remus was sitting at the table with his head in his hands. "Did you hear everything?" He asked without looking up.

James knew he shouldn't lie, "Yes."

"You must forgive Sirius," Remus looked up, "Its been a trying time for us. I still haven't gotten used to this new Sirius."

James thought for a few minutes, "You were talking about James Potter?"

Remus got up to get tea and more food, "Yes, we were good friends. That room you were in, that was his room. This house was his idea. We were a team, a very good team and his death hit us hard."

James nodded, "Is there anything I can do to get on the good side of Sirius?"

Remus laughed, "Well 13 years ago you would have just to play a joke but now," Remus shook his head, "now I don't know. But I will tell you this, never speak of Harry Potter as an idol or the Boy-Who-Lived, he is just a normal kid. Never speak about Lily and James Potter and maybe something will happen so he will see you as James Little and not Prong's replacement." James nodded and they ate.


Sirius came back in an hour later and James jumped up, "Are you hungry?" He asked.

"No," Sirius snapped and went upstairs.

Remus looked at James and shook his head; "I'll keep trying for you."

**

It was a few nights later and Harry paced his room thinking about every spell he knew and everything he had ever learned. He had finished his homework earlier in the month as he had spent so many nights awake. He had read all his schoolbooks trying not to fall asleep; he had actually picked up a lot that he had missed, as he never paid attention in any of his classes. He looked at the clock 2:00am, great he sighed; only 6 more hours that he needed to stay awake. He was alone in his room as Hedwig who he had sent to Ron a few days into summer had never returned. He missed her, as she was the only thing in the house that could stand to be in the same room. He still had not had any letters from anyone, not even his Hogwarts letter that he usually got around his birthday. He sighed and started thinking about everything the fake Moody had taught them and what Lupin had taught them, that would keep him entertained for a few more hours…

The days passed slowly, one morning Harry walked down to breakfast very tired. He had not slept at all the night before. Uncle Vernon was reading a letter and puffing as Harry sat down. He didn't even notice the carrot in his plate he was too tired.

"So," his uncle put down the letter and spoke to Harry.

Yawning he just looked at his Uncle.

"A letter about you," Uncle Vernon pushed the letter across the table and Harry read it eagerly. He had a few problems reading since his glasses were still broken.

Mr. Vernon Dursley,

Greetings, I'm sure you remember me, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am Harry's Headmaster at Hogwarts. I hope Harry is well, he went through a terrible ordeal last term, he witnessed Lord Voldemort regain his body and he also dueled with him. Lord Voldemort is of course the wizard who killed Lily and James Potter. If he is not acting well I pray you to be patient with him, not many wizards could have done what he did. It is because of last term that I write to you in this fashion and not to Harry directly. I have improved the securities surrounding your house so that no owl can get in or out. Tell Harry that I am deeply sorry but it is for his own safety because an owl can be caught by Voldemort's followers or by Voldemort himself. Also he can not go to the Weasley's this summer for his and their protection. His good friend Remus Lupin who will also be picking Harry up on September 1st at 9:30am will also be picking up his books in Diagon Alley. Please tell Harry to use the following code when Remus arrives to ensure that it is indeed Remus and not some imposter. When Remus arrives say, "Welcome Messieurs Moony and Padfoot." If it is indeed Remus he will reply, "Hello son of Prongs." Tell Harry I will see him September 1st and to keep his head up.

Albus Dumbledore

Harry put down the letter. Well that explained so many times. He looked up at Uncle Vernon was looked angry.

"We are stuck with you until September 1st?" he snarled.

Harry very tired and still in pain snapped back, "I think it's more like I'm stuck here! I'd rather go to Ron's house and be around people who like me!

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" Uncle Vernon yelled.

"What are you going to do about it?" Harry asked raising his voice. "I'm sure Sirius my godfather would love to know!"

"Ah that godfather of yours," Uncle Vernon stood up. "Where is he? I've never seen him and you can't get in touch with him! What is he going to do?"

Harry swore to himself, Uncle Vernon was right. He couldn't get in touch with Sirius this wasn't good.

Uncle Vernon laughed horribly; "I know what I'm going to do with you. For your mouth and your dreams!" He walked over to Harry and picked him up still laughing and sneering and dragged him to his old cupboard. Uncle Vernon threw Harry in whose back hit the wall and he crumpled on his old bed. He slowly put a hand behind him to touch his back and he saw that there was blood on it, some of the cuts had reopened. He didn't want to cry, he tried to stop himself, but the pain was building in his back again and he blacked out…

When Harry woke he had no idea what time it was or anything. It took him a few minutes to realize that he was in his cupboard. He lay on his stomach trying to ignore the pains in his back and stomach. How long could he survive in here? It was the middle of August; it was still a few weeks to go before he could go back to Hogwarts. But did he want to go back to Hogwarts? Maybe it would be better just to die in here… then everyone around him would be safe, no one else would have to die because of him. For the first time since last term Harry cried he had reached the end of his hope this was it. He wouldn't survive long; he didn't have the strength. He wasn't strong enough, everyone thought he was but he wasn't. No one really knew him, no one understood him. They thought they did but they didn't. He cried for a long time, he cried for Cedric, his parents, everyone at school and for himself. He did not know how he cried for but when he stopped it was only because they were all dried up and he found no more tears.

Harry didn't know how he survived in the next weeks. He was fed every few days and let out to go to the bathroom if he was lucky. He continued to have nightmares so the beatings continued. Harry never felt worse; his forehead would burn while he slept so he started not to sleep again. But it was harder now with nothing to do all day and he couldn't walk around. He needed sleep but he forced himself to stay awake.

It was one morning; Harry was half-awake and felt half-dead. There was a knock on the door and Harry heard a familiar voice, he must be dreaming. He heard Uncle Vernon's footsteps toward the cupboard. It was opened carefully, "Boy! Get out of there," Harry raised a hand to block out the sunlight. "I told him he shouldn't punish himself like this," Uncle Vernon explained. "He put himself in there."

"Harry!" Remus Lupin's face appeared in the cupboard. He looked at him stunned, "Oh Merlin!"

Harry recognized the voice, but he couldn't see his face that well.

"Snuffles back! Back!" Remus's voice said distant. "We need to get you out of here."

Harry felt himself being picked up, he yelled in pain too weak to do anything else. He saw a big black shape, which had to be Sirius. Sirius started to bark mad when he saw Harry. "Where is your trunk Harry?" asked Remus.

Harry's mouth to dry to speak lifted a hand to point upstairs. He was too weak; he closed his eyes and remembered no more…