Author's note: Ok so this is my first Harry Potter fanfiction (so be nice please). I've wanted to write one for quite some time, and I had a lot of ideas floating around in my head, but all of them seemed so cliché. Finally I got the idea for this story, and I love it. Maybe no one else will want to read about a drugged-out Harry, but honestly what would you do in his situation? I'm surprised he hasn't looked for some sort of coping mechanism by now. This is a 6th year story, not because I didn't like HBP, but because this story fits better after year 5. This story will hopefully be really long, and hopefully good. I hope you all enjoy ; )

Disclaimer: This is all JK Rowling's. I'm just having fun with her characters for a while.

A Road Less Traveled

Chapter 1: Down the Rabbit Hole

In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was going to get out again.

-Lewis Caroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

"Come on Dud, you sure you don't want to have a go?"

Harry Potter was walking down the sidewalk of Privet Drive when he heard the voice coming from behind a tree at the end of the lane. Soon a second voice, which he recognized as his cousin Dudley's, answered.

"Nah, I can't be doing any shit like that. Dad would kill me. Besides, it would just fuck up my boxing."

Harry kept walking towards them, not out of interest, but out of sheer lack of will. Ever since returning to the Dursley's, Harry didn't have much energy for anything. Today was one of his better days; he was able to actually get dressed and go outdoors. Sirius' death was still raw, and almost every night he woke screaming from his nightmares. They varied in plot- Sirius' death, Cedric's death, his parents' deaths- but the theme was constant. Death, they were always about death, and it was always his fault. The Dursleys of course, must have heard his screams, but they wisely chose to ignore him. In fact, they hadn't so much as uttered a single word to him all summer. Moody's threat was probably still fresh in Uncle Vernon's head. Harry almost wished they would yell at him again, tell him to shut up, or clean the kitchen, or something, anything to keep his mind off of his guilt. But Harry had no such relief and was left with only his mind for company, something no one should have to endure.

Harry surfaced from his thoughts as he saw Dudley emerge from behind a large oak and head back towards his house and straight past Harry. Dudley gave him a quick glance before scuttling away as fast as his pudgy legs could carry him. Harry just shoved his hands in pockets and continued walking with his head down and staring at his trainers; that is until the voice from earlier called out his name.

Harry looked up and spotted Piers Polkiss leaning against the oak. He had changed quite a bit since Harry had last seen him. He still had a rat-like quality about him, but he had grown much taller and now wore his mousy-brown hair long, cut at his shoulders. As Harry approached him, he noticed Piers was wearing a brown leather jacket, and if he was not mistaken, black eyeliner.

"What do you want Piers?" asked Harry, not really caring about the answer. He had stopped being afraid of Dudley and his sidekicks five years ago.

"Listen, I know we haven't been the best of friends," Piers started.

Harry snorted.

"Yeah, ok so I've been a right arse, but it's time to make amends. I think I have something that would be useful to you. Dud's told me about your nightmares-"

At that, Harry felt all the blood drain from his face. "What the hell has he told you?"

Piers held his hands out in a peaceful gesture. "Don't get so upset about it. Nothing much was said, he was just complaining about how little sleep he gets now, what with you screaming out names in the dead of night."

"Yeah sure, that's not much. Why are telling me this?" Harry's hands balled themselves into fists unconsciously within his pockets.

"Because I think I can help." Piers took something out of his coat pocket and held it up to Harry. It appeared to be a white powder of some sort held in a small baggie.

"Ever heard of smack Harry?" At Harry's blank stare, Piers elaborated, "Heroin."

Harry's fists unclenched, and his mouth formed a small 'o'. "But I don't use-"

"Yeah, well there's a first time for everything. It the greatest stuff in the world. Leaves you with a high you won't ever want to come down from. And the best part is it makes you forget all the shit in your life. No more nightmares, no more screaming; it's an amazing drug."

Harry was definitely intrigued. This must have been what Piers and Dudley were talking about earlier. Before he knew what was happening, Harry's right hand was lifting up and reaching towards the little bag. Piers gave a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, then hastily closed the distance and let the baggie fall into Harry's palm. Harry stared at the drug for a second, wondering how something so small could make him forget his problems which were so big. He was destined to either kill or be killed by Voldemort. What on earth could possibly make him forget that?
"Look Piers, I appreciate the offer, but I don't think this will do much for me." Harry held up the baggie for Piers to take back, but Piers refused.

"Think of this as a trial offer, a peace pipe from me to you."

Harry just shrugged and slipped the baggie into his pocket, then turned to leave. It was getting dark.

"Harry wait. You don't know much about heroin do you?" Piers quickly asked. "How do you expect to get that stuff into you body, unless you're more of an expert than I thought, and you just happen to have your own needle lying around the house?"

Once again, Harry shrugged. He hadn't really thought about it.

"Alright I suppose I'll have to give you some supplies to start with." Piers began rummaging through his pockets and pulled out a couple of syringes. "Nicked these from my mum a few days ago. It finally pays to have a nurse for a mum. Now, if you decide to use it you'll need to get a spoon and put some of the smack into it. Then heat the spoon until the powder turns liquid, and draw it into the syringe. Insert into vein and there you go." Piers was grinning widely, as Harry warily took the syringes and put them into his other pockets.

"Is that all?" Harry asked. It seemed a bit complicated.

"Oh, don't forget to use a tourniquet of some type on your arm. It makes it easier to find a vein." Piers answered completely oblivious to the sarcasm. Then he looked at his wristwatch and let out a curse, "Shit I better go. Listen Harry, if you want more, come find me. But this is a one time offer. Next time, it'll be about 6 pounds a bag, so enjoy." With a final grin, Piers turned and headed back towards his house. Harry was left there staring at his retreating back as he thought about all that had just happened. Some people certainly change.

A while later, Harry was sitting on his bed staring at himself in the mirror. The young man staring back was one he hardly recognized. Gone was the skinny little boy of old, and in his place was a teenager on the cusp of adulthood. His shoulders had broadened out, and he had grown a few inches, though he would never be as tall as Ron. And despite the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, and his horrible wire-rimmed glasses, he was a far cry from ugly. His hair was as messy as ever, and from under his bangs he could see the tip of his scar. But his looks didn't concern him at the moment, for right now he was currently waging a war within his own head.

He had nicked a spoon, a candle, and a few matches from dinner, and they currently sat upon his bedside table along with the syringes and baggie. His eyes kept stealing glances over towards the pile of equipment, but just as quickly he would turn away. The idea of getting rid of his nightmares greatly appealed to him. Not having to think about Voldemort, the prophesy, or any other responsibility of his, was extremely enticing, but he wasn't stupid. He knew enough about drugs to know that it wasn't something that was well thought of. Harry had heard enough on the news to know that there were serious issues that came with using heroin.

On the other hand, he could just try it once, and never do it again. It could be a one time thing, just like Piers said. And it wasn't like anyone would ever find out. The Dursleys never came into his room, and he wasn't going to write about it in any of his letters. 'Hey Ron, just thought you should know I used some H the other day. Nothing to worry about, Harry.' He didn't think that would go over too well. And the Order had seemed to back off this summer. They were no longer keeping tabs on him all the time and seemed to be pacified with a letter from him every few days.

Just once, he would try it just once. Before he could talk himself out of it, he jerked his head away from the mirror and walked towards his closet. There he picked up a belt, and returned to his bed. It was a bit awkward trying to tighten the belt around his arm, but with some help from his teeth, he managed to get it securely in place. Already he could feel the constricted blood flow.

Harry then reached for a match and lit the candle. Setting the candle aside, he picked up the baggie and dumped the contents into the spoon. It wasn't long before he was able to liquefy the powder. Harry took out a syringe and drew it back until it was full with the heroin. He looked down at his arm, where his veins were standing out. With a deep exhale of breath, Harry plunged the needle into a vein at the crook of his arm. He pushed down on the syringe, emptying the contents into his bloodstream. Pulling out the needle, Harry almost immediately felt something come over him. He let the needle fall from his hand, and he laid back on his bed. Staring up at the ceiling, he felt a sense of euphoria come over him, a sense of well being. He smiled to himself.

Harry laid there for hours, drifting in and out of wakefulness, until finally the drug wore off, and he fell fully asleep.

When he woke up the next morning, light was streaming through his window. Harry sat up, rubbing his eyes, until he remembered last night's events. He looked down at his left arm and saw a little pinprick there, confirming that it had been real. But he couldn't help smiling. He hadn't had a nightmare last night.

"Wow," he said to himself, and wondered when he could get more.

Author's Note: Ok so that was chapter one. Yay! I know it was short, but the chapters will get longer I promise. Hope you enjoyed; please review.