Author: Sae Matsumoto Beta: Linz (Starrysunrise)
Spoilers: SS, COS, POA, GOF, OOTP, and (tada) HBP Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE, DO NOT CLICK LINK IF YOU WISH NOT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
Disclaimer: I own nothing..
'It began at Diagon Alley' was a thought, a single notion that Harry was rather fond of. He liked to imagine that it all began then, as most stories and adventures have their beginning. He hated to think, to even ponder what could be the greater truth, that it had started in Madame Malkin's six years ago.
Sitting alone on the small bed, happy to get some peace in the crowded Burrow, Harry rested his head against the pillow and closed his tired eyes. Unable to obtain solace, though, in the darkness of his lowered eyes, he readying reopened them and sat up on the bed.Harry sat up in time to catch a shadow that seemed to be lingering outside his door, and then moving away in a flourish, as if the person were reading to knock at the door but had lost the nerve.
He knew, almost immediately, the uncharacteristically shy shadow was none other than his ex-girlfriend Ginny. The words seemed unnatural as he thought it over, his 'ex'-girlfriend. Though Harry hardly had time to become accustomed to second part of the word: girlfriend. He felt a pang inside, the creature inside growling at the thought of not being with what he thought was his heart's one desire. Yet just as suddenly as it began, the growling immediately disappeared, attacked from a much darker, hidden, and powerful creature that lay within the confines of Harry's entire being.
Harry preferred his crush on Ginny. He didn't deny the slight fluttering sensation he developed at the flower-scented hair; however, it had been conquered by the stronger feeling he had been attempting to thwart all year long: obsession.
There were few things he could hide from Hermione and Ron, this certainly being one of them. They were well aware, as an exasperated Ron pointed out to Harry just earlier in their sixth year: "You are becoming obsessed with him, Harry..."
Harry moved off the bed and next to a dark stoned basin positioned between the night stand and the wall; his Pensieve. He dipped his pointer finger into the silver substance, the Pensieve very full as Harry had mixed several memories he had decided to look into this afternoon. Perhaps a look through the chaos would clear his mind.
There were very few things he could hide from Hermione and Ron...but this was one of them. Neither knew exactly how deep the obsession ran, neither knew how far he had let his obsession get him. Harry feared to think that he still was unsure of the depths of his fixation.
With one last glace at the Pensieve, Harry cast a spell on his door so that no one would enter, though he doubted such measures were even necessary. The truth was that Hermione and Ron had promised to stand with him no matter what, but they were sensitive enough to realize that Harry, needing his space and time after the funeral, was to be by himself for a bit. They were also wise enough to pass this on, making sure no one disturbed Harry as he mourned Dumbledore's death.
And so, casting the proper spell on the door, Harry threw himself into the Pensieve, not only ready to face the images and fresh memories inside, but rather in desperate need to glance again at his one and only fixation: Draco Malfoy.
–– End of Prologue