He was running through the forest, wand clutched tightly in one hand. His green eyes staring persistently at the gray castle looming above the canopy of the forest. Then in a swift motion he was in the corridor of that very same castle. Everywhere he looked people screamed or fought. He made his way through as curses and hexes flew in every direction. He had to hurry, it was an urgent situation. He stopped when his feet took him to the great hall, where the situation, by the way, was worse. His eyes searched for the ones they hoped to meet. And then he jumped a little, overwhelmed at seeing the familiar shape of Remus Lupin.

He was in a heated duel with one of the Death Eaters Harry didn't recognize. By the look on Remus's face Harry was sure he needed help. He pushed past people and ducked just in time to dodge a killing curse. His heart was hammering against his chest. It was just a few more feet, just a little more, then he could save Remus. But just as these thoughts had come to his mind, they drained away, as Harry saw a green light shoot out of the wand of the Death Eater and hit Remus right in the chest. In a second everything in Harry's life seemed to fall apart. Remus was dead and there was nothing he could do about it.

In a flash of a second the scene changed into a more dark one. Harry could see bodies lined up in the Great Hall. One by one his memory acknowledged the faces – Fred, Tonks, Remus and many more he knew. He felt nauseated as images of his parents and Sirius loomed in his mind. Then there was a chilling sound that made the hair on his hand stand up. "Only one can live Harry Potter, and it is me."

Harry woke up in his bed trembling. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. He was literally shaking as he got up. He was still not used to these nightmares even though they were very frequent. It had been long since the last battle, since the time that Harry himself had killed the Dark Lord, yet he shuddered every time when the chilling voice spoke in his dreams. He wore his glasses and quickly checked for his wand. Yes it was still safely sleeping under his bed. This new wand though was not like the first he had. No matter how much he tried he could not relate to the magic that radiated from his new wand, though the bond was better than in any other wand he had tried at Ollivander's. He inhaled slowly and buried his face in his hands trying to calm himself down.

Ron's loud snores cut through his ears once he had finally cooled down. Ron was sprawled on his bed trying to make use of every inch of the bed while sleeping. But it seemed a little too small for him as his limbs hung from the corners. Harry thought better to let him sleep than to wake him up and wish him a happy birthday. So he grabbed his wand and rushed down the stairs of The Burrow.

"Ah!" A sigh escaped from his mouth as he inhaled the familiar smell of The Burrow. Not only was the scent inviting but also he felt a strange warmth whenever he was here. The kind of warmth and security that he didn't even feel at Sirius's - no, now it was his place. His head dropped a little at the thought of Sirius.

His eyes met the cheerful face of Arthur Weasely. He smiled at him.

"Come on Harry!" he exclaimed. "Sit over and have some breakfast." He motioned at the empty seat at the dining table and Harry say down with a smile after mumbling a 'good morning' to the Weasely parents.

"We better hurry up and arrange the house before Ron wakes up. We have to put up a good surprise." Mr. Weasely continued a broad smile plastered on his face. Harry knew it was a fake smile, the one that he had seen a lot in his stay here. Mr. Weasely wasn't happy and it was all hidden in his eyes. The sadness in them gave away all the emotion of sorrow he was hiding. And Harry knew very well the reason for his sorrow – his wife. Mrs. Weasely hadn't quite got over the war. After Fred's tragic death she had just not been herself. Just then Mrs. Weasely entered the room beaming at Harry. Fake. She smiled at him but said nothing. Instead she began putting some scrambled eggs on his plate and Harry could not help but notice her hands shaking. He heard her stifle a sniff and darted his eyes towards her face. Her hair were in a mess and her eyes were wet. It was obvious that she had been crying. Further her nose was a slight shade of pink. She saw him looking at her and turned away quickly. After serving her husband she walked to the kitchen before urging Harry to eat all of the eggs she had piled on his plate. She cared for him like a mother.

And that is what made it hard for Harry to see her like that. She cared for him and he cared for her. He still remembered the day she had come across a boggart that displayed itself as a horrific show. One by one she had seen the dead bodies of her family appear and disappear in front of her eyes. She had fallen on the ground wailing. It was her greatest fear. She had come face to face with her fear around a year back during the final battle. That fear stayed in her even now, worse, Harry felt it was growing stronger. Every time she looked at her kids or husband walk out of the door for the day she was scared. Even thought the threat had ended, the Dark Lord had gone, she still worried a lot.

It was plainly visible that Fred's death had hit her hard and George hard but Harry had never expected that he would start blaming himself for it. Something in his gut told him that it was his fault that so many had died. Harry closed his eyes shut. He wished so much to have been able to duel Voldemort alone. He never wanted anyone to get involved let alone his loved ones. It was the biggest relief for him when he saw Ginny's face after the war. She was alive and that is exactly what he had wished for. He knew how Mrs. Weasely must have been feeling for the past one year. Just the thought of Ginny or Ron or Hermione sprawled on the floor of the great hall made Harry shudder. He was glad that Hermione and Ginny would be coming tonight for Ron's birthday. As Hermione was of age it was easy for her to apparate with Ginny from Hogwarts. They had been going to school.

Just then an owl glided in from the window and dropped a parcel just close to his food interrupting his train of thoughts. Harry was glad it didn't land on his eggs. Harry tossed a galleon at the owl that caught it in his beak and flew away. Harry slowly opened the parcel unfolding the newspaper inside.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Harry moved nervously. He had not subscribed for the Prophet. Just then his eyes flickered to the headline and Harry nearly choked on the eggs. His head was spinning. As he read it again and again not believing at what he was seeing.

'The Dark Lord Rises Again'

And there was a moving picture of a grave, its tombstone moved, as the aurors examined in shock. Harry immediately recognized the tombstone. It was indeed the grave of Voldemort.

Without warning excruciating pain shot up his forehead. Harry stumbled out of his seat on the floor, his fingers pressing hard against the scar of a lightning bolt. Slowly his vision turned black as he wailed with pain.

This was my first Harry Potter fanfic. I hope it's good. Please REVIEW and try not be harsh because this is my first time. I am open to polite criticism and opinions and of course appraisal. Please Review. :D