Disclaimer: Characters owned by J K Rowling

Summary: Everyone has a path, but you dont have to go down it - do you? AU After the Ministry, something about Harry has changed. But for better, or for worse?

Rogue.

The End.

Red.

Green.

Violent Orange.

Shocks of Gold.

The curselight flashed over marble floors, fracturing the world into a blinding twister of hexes, death trailing in multicoloured sparks. The world was burning in screams and mayhem, but he had eyes only for her. He ran, and ran, eyes narrowed. He was dimly aware of people firing Stunners at him, their voices dim and shrill like dying robots. Ducking automatically, he ran on, through the dusty rubble and the blaze of war, his eyes fixated on her dark hair as she ran on. His trainers sqeaked over the polished floor as he hurtled into the Atrium, thoughts of Sirius and death and revenge and, Oh Christ Sirius!

A shock of pain ran through him, and he skidded to a halt, collapsing to his knees. He retched, again and again, vomit and tears splattering over the tiles. He stayed there, hunched over on hands and knees, his head spinning and his heart aching, until a sudden burst of cackling laughter sent goosebumps spiralling up his arms and across his back. He froze, unable to even breathe as she laughed, laughed and laughed, mocking him, celebrating her victory.

He looked up slowly, her face blurred and unfocused through his broken glasses. Why was she still laughing? He gritted his teeth, his breathing coming faster as she laugh and laughed and laughed. Every insane shriek was like a knife in his chest as he hauled himself to his feet, eyes screwed shut, trembling with barely suppressed anger.

He could feel his rage swirling around him in scarecly controlled waves of raw magic, red and swirling, like mists of pure fury. He could dimly hear her voice, taunting him, messing with his head.

"Did you love him, Potter?"

Well, actually, yes. Yes he did love him. And this madwoman, this crazy bitch had gone and killed him. She killed Sirius, SHE killed SIRIUS.

An inhuman snarl was ripped from his throat, and he heard her crazed laughter faulter as his eyes snapped open, a blaze of green, like the killing curse. He watched as she took a step back, still smiling. She didnt stop smiling. Not as he raised his wand, not as he aimed it straight at her stupid, grinning face. Her smile never faltered as his eyes blurred in righteous anger, and he hurled the curse at her, the word tasting like blood and pain in his throat.

"CRUCIO!"

She was laughing in the throes of the torture curse, and when she stood, still goddamn smiling and had the goddamn nerve to mock him, and tell him he didnt mean it, that he wasnt angry enough, did she think he didnt love Sirius? Was she saying he didnt care that she KILLED his GODFATHER?!

And suddenly, the world stopped.

He wasnt shaking anymore, just standing, staring.

Completely, completely calm.

He could hear people screaming, but it was muffled and oddly soothing, like it had always been there.

He looked at her, looked her right in the eye.

His voice didnt sound like his voice, and the words that came tumbling out didnt sound like the words he wanted to say.

"Ah, Bellatrix. But I do mean it, you see. I really, really do."

And then that curse, again and again and again.

And she wasnt laughing any more.

She was screaming.

There was a moment of disorientated panic, orange like candlelight, splattered with blood.

Then, deep in the heart of Hogwarts School For Witchcraft and Wizadry, Harry Potter awoke with a scream.

Panting, he groped wildly for his glasses, and shoved them roughly to his eyes, before staggering out of bed, and puking all over the carpet. He could hear people around him, asking if he was okay, what was wrong. I'm surrounded by morons. What the fuck do they think is wrong?! Sighing tiredly he scrabbled to his feet and gave a weak smile that didnt quite reach his eyes.

"Sorry guys. Just... Just a nightmare. Thats all. Just a dream."

And as they turned away, appeased, he sunk down onto the windowsill, pressing his forehead to the cold glass, and a slow, dim smile spread across his lips.

Yeah. Just another dream. Thats all it was. He shivered as the scene flashed before him again. His godfathers look of eternal surprise, Lestrange's damnable smile. He sighed, gazing out over the mist ridden grounds, trees looming like wizards hats, thestrals whirling through the clouds, dead things flying. Rain spattered pathetically against the windowpane, trailing moonshadows like tears down his cheeks, spilling from his dull green eyes. He looked down at his scarred, stained hands and bit his lip to keep from screaming in anger and despair.

Yeah, Potter. A dream. Except, y'know, generally speaking, when you dream...

You get to wake up.

Authors Note: Sorry its a such a short first chapter... It just felt like a natural break, yknow?

Next Chapter - Home Again (Life at the Durselys is usually as close to hell as mortals can get. Will this year be any different?)

And if you feel like it, please review.