My Dark Passenger

I could not have reached this point without the help of ValwithV, Asylum94, and LucyTheBucktoothTiger. Thank you all so much! Rated M for the following: Murder, torture, blood, gore, child abuse, and intense violence.


Chapter Two: Nightmares and Fairytales


Severus gripped his broom tightly as he watched his companions descend below him. A small group of masked Death Eaters rushed towards the cottage, blasting the front door open as they neared.

Speeding towards the ground his broom trembled beneath his fingers. With stumbling feet he landed on the cobblestone pathway. He abandoned his broom on the frost covered ground and sprinted towards the wreckage. Pausing at the entrance to the cottage he silently observed the debris. His jaw strained; numbing pain filled his limbs as he stared down.

"Welcome home."

The doormat's script curved and looped like the wind. The blustery weather roared with a repentant tone, whipping at his robes and lashing against his penitent skin.

He breathed deeply, shoulders straightening and face smoothing as the cool thrill of the silk cloak of Occlumency fortified his mind. Severus strode into the cottage.

Pettigrew, Travers, and Nott were pulling items from the shelves and pocketing them with haste. Severus cleared his throat gaining their attention.

"Did you have any trouble?" Dark eyes narrowed at Travers' thick grimy hands that held a muggle novel -which he knew was one of Lily's favorite books-the corner of Travers' mouth curled up, he ripped out a page, crushing it in his balled fist.

"So much filth, wouldn't even wipe my ass with this shit."

A sour taste filled Severus' mouth.

"If anyone here is capable… of answering my simple question, please speak up."

Travers looked at Nott and chuckled.

"Nah, no resistance. That little bird was all by herself. You should have seen her run up those stairs. She fell hard." Travers' eyes flashed as he licked his lips.

Severus wrestled with internal wrath as his own rage rammed against his shields, quickly he became submerged in a vision- standing over Travers' body Severus watched as the aristocrat struggled against leather strap restraints. Fear widening Travers' eyes as Severus lowered his scalpel, he plucked at sensitive tissues with nerveless ease, the favored tool scraping with practiced precision as it filled the air with the thick scent of human flesh- he almost heard Travers' moaning screams. This was a lullaby in his mind that would steadily feed and sooth his rage. A slow smile built on his face, but he did not hide it – he knew Travers would assume his excitement was due to Lily's fall.

Pettigrew fidgeted beside them breaking Severus out of his thoughts. Stammering; Pettigrew moved forward.

"No one's coming— I sent a false lead. Dumbledore's people are busy chasing a red herring." Pettigrew rambled on, his pitch slowly increasing as sweat beaded at the forehead. A sneer marred Severus' exaggerated features, he watched mucus melt into wide flaring nostrils and pour down Pettigrew's face.

"As if anything you say has worth. Turncoat." Severus snapped.

Nott stepped forward, absentmindedly smoothing out his robes. The flames behind him tinted his hair with hints of gold.

"Well… for now, it seems that his claims hold true. Only the mudblood is here. She put up some weak protective wards. But our Lord is taking care of them."

"Then why, may I ask, are you all still here?"

"Our Lord did not dismiss us," Pettigrew squeaked.

"And he needs…" Severus allowed an eyebrow to rise, "… your help?"

"No-n-no, but-" Pettigrew started.

"You. Are. Unnecessary." Severus' gaze sweeping between all three. "Leave."

Nott's face twisted in disgust as he spoke. "And you? You'll stay to feed your fascination with the Potter bitch? We know what prize you were promised." Travers chuckled as Nott continued to speak with a scowl, "I have no desire to watch you play."

Pettigrew crossed and uncrossed his arms.

"But our Lord said-" Pettigrew jumped as Travers smacked his head. "Ouch! Why did you hit me?"

"To stop you from spewing anymore pathetic nonsense. Our Lord does not need help killing a child. Let Severus have his fun." Travers walked past Severus and shoved his shoulder. "Lucky bastard."

Severus' cold mask morphed as forced anticipation pooled into his black eyes, he knew that Nott would mistakenly think he had slipped. But he did not make stupid mistakes; only very clever ones. Nott recoiled away and made for the front door; he wrinkled his nose as he muttered half-blood under his breath.

Travers followed, leaving Pettigrew staying behind, now sweating uncontrollably and biting his lip, he glanced briefly towards the exit.

"Still here, Pettigrew?" Severus tilted his head slightly. "One might think you still care."

Pettigrew shook his head, stuttering no as he slowly retreated towards the exit.

The front door shut, notable silence sliced at Severus' hope. He turned slowly to the stairs.

With weary legs, he forced his arms to pull himself up the stair rail. Stepping into the narrow hallway he turned towards a flash of light coming from beneath a door. Crossing the hall he slowly twisted the doorknob. It pricked at his skin like hot needles, blood slowly drawing to the surface. Somehow Voldemort had taken Lily's wards and perverted them into his control; effectively blocking all help. Dread spooled into his stomach. His presence meant nothing. Voldemort did not keep promises.

Severus' mouth went dry as the only woman he ever loved began to scream. The sound of her voice shattered his blank expression as haunting laughter mingled and twisted around it. He covered his face, back pressed against the door, and slowly sunk to the floor.

Each scream echoed through him, sinking deep into his bones with a piercing coldness. He rocked back and forth as his nails dug deep into his scalp. He stared at the ground. His mind began to numb before a flash of green washed over his feet.

No….

Frozen in his mind, he rejected the connection between green light and death. His heart and breath slowed as he stared unseeing and unbelieving. Space and feeling expanded to nothingness—particles broken in a perturbed silence—the connective cords cut between Severus and the world. For one small fraction of time—he was not in hell but suspended beyond—nothing and numb.

Flickering lights from above brought him back. He blinked slowly and turned towards the pictures down the hall as they started to rattle. His heart which he thought could not break any further shattered as he heard a small child sob poignant screams, the sound invaded his very pores, repeating like a broken record.

Another flash of eerie green glowed across the wooden boards. Everything went silent. His arm began to itch, he grasped his sleeve and pulled it up. With a slack jaw he watched as the tattoo that had been burned into his forearm faded.

Hope fueled his strength as he stood, he rushed at the door trying to force it open, only for it to smoothly slide from its frame.

The smell hit first as if a penny was forced into his mouth; copper invading his tongue. With clammy palms he rubbed a thin hand across his face, vision remained blurry— silently replaying every step into that house—he tried to deny the sight in front of him. But he couldn't force himself to turn away and it soon came into nauseating clarity. The floors were splattered with dark blood. Lily lay damaged and broken in the center, cracked and shattered like a white porcelain doll.

He could not think. He could not reason. He could only act.

Crossing the room, he took Lily into his arms. The deep cuts across her arms and chest transfixed his gaze. With trembling fingers he lightly hovered over the wound, understanding it for what it was. He grabbed Lily's pale hand but it only laid limp in his grasp. Her once bright emerald eyes now dull.

"No… no... What have I done?!" Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as inaudible sobs shook his frame. He pulled her close. Fixated on her image he caressed her cheeks and traced the outline of her lips, thumbing away the blood mixed tears that stained her face.

"You weren't supposed to get hurt… You weren't supposed to die…"

Severus had never wished more that he had not succumbed to the Dark Lord's charm.

The weight of his mistake slammed down upon his shoulders. He had to leave. He could not take the feeling of her blood as it burned against his skin, damning his very soul. As he lowered her to the ground familiar green eyes connected with his own. His shoulders tightened, taking notice of the two children in front of him.

The child with eerily familiar auburn hair and emerald eyes sat in front of him, dark blood splattered across her pale skin as tears rolled down round cheeks. With wide eyes, Severus sat frozen, the child's mother still grasped loosely in his arms. The girl mumbled as her eyes darted around. Severus wanted nothing more than to turn and flee but he found himself moving closer. The girl's hushed jargon slowly becoming clearer. Severus sucked in a gasp, Lily's blood now branded his skin; he attempted to turn away as the soft voice invaded his ears.

"You never came… no one did... mummy said you'd come."

Severus jerked away, trying to escape her eyes, he wanted to disappear, to fade. Blood soaked through thick robes, skin burned underneath crimson fluids, it painted his hands and thickened under his fingernails. Smearing dark stains across the carpeted floor, Severus retreated as the small girl watched him with damning eyes.

The sound of heavy footsteps broke him from his nightmare. He jerked his head to the doorway. Someone hurried up the stairs. He knew he could not be found. Severus shook his head, trying to focus. The familiar voices of the Order filled his ears before he apparated away. He never saw the thirteen inch yew wand that laid innocently on the floor.

Severus landed kneeling in his living room, childhood memories lingering around him. He sat in the silence. Lily's blood dried, flaked and fell from his skin. He didn't move. He didn't bathe; this sin would never be washed away. For the child was right, he hadn't come.


The Godric's Hollow cemetery lay behind an old church. The graveyard expanded across the landscape, thick ancient trees twisted throughout the gently rolling hills. At its edge, near a grove of young trees, James Potter stood staring down at his wife's body.

On a swirled black and white marble table she lay surrounded by white roses. Seeing her resting there, in her dress robes, which were just as golden as the rays of sunlight caressing her face, made it appear as if she were only sleeping.

The last four days had been a blur of numbing emotions; he kept expecting to see his wife, to hear her silvery voice.

The night of the attack he had been chasing down a false lead, Dumbledore and his fellow aurors had arrived before him. Due to standard protocol he had not been able to enter his own home. He could have forced the issue but the look on Sirius' face as he carried out Harry and Rose had rooted him. Sirius' expression of pure unfiltered rage, his daughter's tear stained face and his son's haunted eyes had wiped him of any bravery. Yet, now looking down at his beautiful wife he wished he had seen what they had, if only to make it more final.

Behind the grave site sat Harry and Rose. They were in the first row of chairs next to Alice and Frank. All of their friends and family were here, all of their faces stared back at him with pity except one. In the crowd Moony's pale green eyes burned accusingly. James cringed, he knew he should have trusted Remus, maybe then his wife would still be alive. It was hard to grasp that Peter had betrayed them.

Everything felt unreal. This was not a world he belonged in, and yet he could not wake up from the strange dream.

He wanted his wife—he needed his wife!

Dumbledore patted his shoulder gently; signaling him to begin. The ocean of faces drowning him. All expecting him to say a eulogy— all expecting him to say goodbye and he hated them all for it.

James cleared his voice and moved forward. All of their stares eating through his armor. He gripped the podium. With white pressed knuckles he began.

"I want to start off by thanking everyone for being here today. I know my wife would tell me I was being rude if I didn't. She always kept me on my toes." A few people in the crowd smiled, others chuckled nervously.

"That was my Lily, always keeping me in line with her no nonsense ways and her unconditional love. My Lily was a good hearted person who truly loved helping others. That is why she spend so many years towards research, inventing new healing potions. Somehow in all that work and daily chaos she found time to be an amazing mother to our two children and the best wife I could have asked for. I have no idea how to take care of my children by myself. They need their mother." James choked as he stared down, Harry's body engulfed by wrinkled dress robes; his little girl's auburn hair braided with dark lace. Their pale faces looking up at him with confusion and anxiety. He couldn't cry in front of them. He had to be strong.

"I know that everyone here loved her and is going to miss her as well. I think that she is still here with all of us though. Her family, friends and children were her life. She would do anything for her family. She bravely sacrificed her life for our children and I will never forget that." James' voice thickened and a repressed sob shook through his body. Breathing slowly in and out, he concentrated on the chilled wind entering his mouth and the warm puff between his clenched teeth. Collecting himself, he cleared his throat, and retried.

"Thank you everyone, for being here for us."

James looked at Dumbledore and nodded. The old wizard raised his wand and cast the spell to lay her to rest.

James watched as bright, white flames erupted next to Lily's body and the table upon which she lay. Higher and higher they rose, obscuring the body. White smoke spiraled in the air and made strange shapes: James thought, for one heart-stopping moment, that he saw a doe prance joyfully into the blue, but in a second the fire - and with it the doe – had vanished, now encased by marble stone.

James stared down at the marble as his wife's name carved into the stone. A wave of nausea washed over him, the finality of her death all too real in his mind. His knees trembled as he touched the front of her coffin before a small hand covered his. He looked up to see Lily's green eyes staring at him from Harry's face, in the background Alice and Frank attempted to motion Harry back but they did not move closer, wary to interfere.

James smiled sadly at his son. Words had barely passed Harry's lips the last four days. James looked at the red lightning bolt on Harry's forehead. The healers had been able to repair the deep scratches that Harry had self-inflicted while under Voldemort's wand but they had not been able to remove the inflamed cut.

Harry had tried to scratch at his face multiple times since the attack. Administering the calming draught to his struggling son haunted James' waking hours. His heart breaking every time he held small arms down, forcing child-like lips to open. James was jarred from his thoughts as Harry's fingernail indented hand patted his own.

Green eyes stared intensely into hazel ones. His son's small fingers tightening around his arm, pulling him down to meet his gaze.

"Don't worry Dad." Harry slowly stroked his face. "She won't be dead for long."

A chill went down James' spine as he watched Harry smile down at Lily's tombstone. Lost for words, James opened his mouth over and over again, his face pale. He did not know what to say, all he could do was reach out and pulled Harry against his pounding heart.


In an abandoned muggle warehouse, Peter sat on top of grime-streaked floors, shivering as he pressed his back into the mold flecked wall, hoping he would come. His once closest friends and family now fiercely searching for him with vengeance, all while his new allies rejected him with distrust and disgust. He had nowhere to go, no safe place to hide. Chills relentlessly gnawed through his thick layered robes.

A dog barked in the distance.

Peter jerked and stiffened; icy blue eyes flashing across his memory.

He huddled forward and started a small fire, rubbing the warmth back into his fingertips, he tried to dismiss his fear. The flames cast a soft glow across the building, his face turned upwards as the light revitalized the cold metal walls.

Garbage clattered and echoed across the cement floors. Peter stumbled up and attempted to cast out the flames. Something thudded against the pavement, Tap tap tap, growing nearer every second.

Peter's face paled as his legs weakened underneath him, his nose already developing mouse-like whiskers.

A familiar man strode towards him, a walking stick in hand. Tap tap tap. Releasing a held breath, Peter brought his hand to his temple, whiskers shrinking back. Hope brightened his face. He had come!

Impeccably dressed and with an air of aristocratic elegance; Lucius sneered at his surroundings.

"Such filth..." Lucius wrinkled his nose, his cold steel eyes cutting into Peter.

"You came! I didn't think anyone would," Peter prattled. "You must believe me… I'm no traitor! You know those rumors of my betrayal are not true. You have to see that, I gave up everything for him." Peter hated begging but he was good at it and forced tears to come forward knowing it would empower his plead.

"Ahh, yes. I'm sure you had nothing to do with it. But… you see, the others do not trust you. Of course, I could help you with this." Lucius flashed perfect white teeth in a predatory grin. Peter thought it was meant to be reassuring but it only reminded him of the cat that had once tried to devour him in his animagus form.

He fidgeted under Lucius' stare, the man smiled silently, only gesturing for him to answer. Peter turned his head away.

"What do you want? What do I have to do, to gain the others' trust?"

"See, that's what I love to hear. Your undying loyalty," Lucius drawled.

Peter's cheeks flushed.

Lucius neared. "Show me your loyalty, do as I say and I will help you." Long white fingers curved around Peter's shoulder, digging into his bone like grindylow claws. "But should you fail, you will die."

Knees wobbling, Peter nodded.

If only this beast's grasp was as easily broken. Thunder shook the walls around them as rain began to patter across the metal shingles. Peter knew he had no choice. He knew how the world worked.

Only the strongest survive.

"Tell me what I must do."


Sirius arrived at Godric's Hollow with a soft thump of his motorcycle as it landed onto the driveway. He parked it beside the shrubbery that lined the home and walked up to the front door.

Only a month had passed since Halloween. Even though the door had been replaced and the entrance repaired, the attack still lingered. Ivy vines snuck under the hedging and continued into the wildly grown grass, their caretaker now gone. Sirius observed the new door frame in silence, he took a deep breath and knocked.

Sirius had never been the type to wait for his best friend and today was no different. He strode into the foyer and turned into the kitchen. James sat at the table, chewing at the tip of a quill while he sorted through a pile of paperwork. Rose sat in James' lap, quietly playing with a stuffed dog that Sirius had given her for her fourth birthday back in April. Sirius smiled at the memory with fondness before speaking.

"You ready Prongs?"

James looked up and blinked slowly. Sirius' eyebrows furrowed.

"You alright?"

James shook his head and placed the quill onto the table.

"Yeah, it's just filing Lily's death on paper seems so wrong."

Sirius nodded heavily in return.

"Wizengamot will be open tomorrow. If you need more time, I can come back later."

"No, no. I need to get this done. I just have to grab something upstairs."

"Alright, if you're sure."

"I am." James stood up, juggling Rose who clung to his side. "Look who's here? Uncle Padfoot came over to play."

Rose's previously firm grip loosened as she wiggled down James' side. She ran across the kitchen into Sirius' out reached arms. He pulled her up and then spun her around in the air. Ruffling her short auburn hair, he placed her gently onto the ground.

He caught James staring at them with a sad smile. Sirius moved closer and gently patted James' shoulder. Rose moved behind them, matching each step.

"I got this. Go take care of yourself," Sirius said.

"Thank you." James looked down at his daughter, the corner of his eyes wrinkling with worry. Sirius began to wonder; was Rose's separation anxiety getting better or worse. His goddaughter had refused to be alone a moment since Lily's death. The dark rings under his best friend's eyes had only darkened since last time he had seen him. James needed to sleep.

"It's no problem," Sirius replied. "Oh and maybe take a shower while you are at it. You look like a goblin."

James laughed lightly before he punched his arm. "Alright, but don't go burning my house down."

"What! You gonna charge me a fee?" Sirius waved James up the stairs. "Go take a shower!"

They both shared a grin before James turned towards the stairs.

Sirius looked down at Rose.

"So, where's your brother?"

"Harry's reading."

"Reading huh? Well, we gotta put a stop to that." He winked.

Rose giggled and nodded as she ran ahead of him towards the living room.

The child that had often been on Sirius' mind, sat at the sofa in the living room, the very place that Lily used to read her children books. Harry clutched a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard in his hands. The boy shared similar dark rings around his eyes but what caught Sirius' attention the most was the stony look that Harry was directing towards him. Sirius opened his outer robes and reached into his breast pocket.

"Hey, Harry!" Sirius pulled out a large bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, determined to see his godchild smile. "Wanna see who gets the boogie flavored bean first?" Sirius grinned. But as time went on it slowly started to fade, Harry only stared silently in return.

"Sorry, did I interrupt you? You'd think Lily would have broken me of that one by now." Sirius' stomach hardened as he realized what he had said.

He glanced around the room for Rose. She only continued to play. Silently, he thanked Merlin that she had not heard her mother's name. It would have only caused tears.

Sirius turned back to Harry. "Uh...Which story are you reading? Babbitty Rabbitty was always my favorite."

Harry seemed to consider his question before he placed the book on his lap.

"I'm reading The Three Brothers. I'm going to trick Death and get him to bring back Mum." With his chin high and his shoulder back, Harry stared directly at him with a knowing grin.

Sirius' smile faltered as he struggled for words.

"Harry… you know they're just stories, right? The Deathly Hallows and the fictional character Death don't exist. It's… just a fairytale." Regret immediately flooded his senses. Harry's face fell and twisted.

"No… You don't understand." Harry leaned his back into the chair and stared down at his hands. "Mum has to come back."

Rose stood up, her stuffed animal hanging at her side.

"Harry?" She moved closer. "Can you really do that?"

Sirius watched as Harry turned towards his sister, the boy's shoulders tightened under his sister's hopeful gaze. Harry stood up, instinctively Sirius took a step back, flinching at the sound of Harry's book hitting the ground. Raised in front of him, Harry stood tall from the sofa seat, his chin lowered and his eyes cold.

"You don't know what I can do. You know nothing of my potential." Harry smiled softly at his sister. "I can do it. But it might take a while."

Sirius' stomach churned, the golden pocket watch that was once in his robes now warmed the palm of his hand. Silently, he hoped James wouldn't take too long of a shower. He had never been good with serious stuff. Still he tried for James' children.

"You can't reverse death but your mother's love and memories will remain. She will always be here." He placed a hand over Harry's heart.

His godson's face paled, he retracted from his touch, his body beginning to shake. Sirius frowned with worry.

"Harry…Are you alright?"

Harry's fingers began to rise, hovering slightly over his scar. Sirius cautiously stretched his hand out, an ache building in the back of his throat, tightening it with dread.

"Harry, please don't..." Sirius tried.

Harry's hands paused but his fingernails remained pressed firmly against the inflamed scar.

"You're wrong. She has to come back. She has to make it go away." Harry lowered his body, now sitting, he brought his knees to his chest. "It hurts. It hurts so much." Hands still hovering over his pale face.

Sirius didn't know what to do but he knew Harry was in pain. Closing the distance, he took Harry tightly into his arms and rubbed small circles into Harry's back as he tried to force his own tears away.

"Shh… It's okay. You're safe now."

Harry's breath quickened and his fingers twitched. "You're a liar. I'm not safe"

"Harry, stop!"

But it was too late. Harry's nails pressed down deep into his flesh, splitting the skin.

Hastened with alarm, Sirius broke the hug and grasped at Harry's arms. The boy's strength was startling. Sirius' heart pounded against his chest, fear lapping at his strength, the room spun as Harry's self-inflicted wounds began to stream red. The memory of his blood soaked godchildren now drowning his vision. With breath quickening, Sirius tightened his hold, bruising pale skin, he pulled the boy's fingernails from his scratched face; Sirius' arms shook with panic induced terror.

"Harry… Stop! I'm hurting you." Sirius' voice quivered.

"She can't be gone. She can't..." Harry's body shook like his very foundation had crumbled apart, pulling against his robes, Harry placed his cheek against Sirius' chest, warm tears soaking through the fabric.

Cupping Harry's head, Sirius drew the small unsteady child close and pulled them to the ground. Back pressed against the sofa, Sirius cradled the body, rocking them back and forth.

"No one is ever going to hurt you again. I won't let them," Sirius vowed.

A small pale hand reached out and grasped Harry's. Rose's emerald eyes shining with tears, a fleeting hope still wavering in her wide eyes.

Sirius watched the boy's cheeks flush with shame, and Harry began to roughly push at his hold in a second bout of panic. Sirius slowly released him.

Standing up, Harry pulled Rose into his arms. "I'm sorry."

Shivers ran up Sirius' neck prickling at his skin, watching with wide eyes as Harry gently brushed his little sister's hair back and pressed his lips to her heart-shaped face, perfectly mimicking his mother's movements.

Sirius gently patted Harry's back. "You have nothing to be sorry for." The boy glared at him but Sirius continued. "I know it hurts but the pain will only make you stronger."

Harry inched away from his sister and began to rub at his bleeding scar. "When?"

Sirius caught his arm.

"Harry, look at me." Harry leaned back but his stare never strayed, even when Sirius squeezed his shoulders. "You have to be brave!"

With a downcast face, Harry turned away. His gaze ashamedly averted as teeth pinched his bottom lip, tears glistening in his emerald eyes.

"I'll try," Harry whispered.

"That's my boy." Sirius squeezed his shoulders once more before pulling his wand out and silently casted a cleansing spell. Once Harry's face was cleaned of blood and tears, he then turned to Rose.

"You okay?"

Rose moved slowly to Harry and nodded. Sirius' chest felt heavy, the weight of their sadness thumping against his heart. All he wanted was to see was their smiles.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Mum would make us hot chocolate," Rose smiled shyly.

Sirius nodded. Finally something he knew how to do! "Alright then. Hot chocolate it is."

Sirius headed towards the kitchen missing the frantic pleading voice as Rose questioned Harry further. Sirius went through each cabinet searching for the cocoa powder. He finally found the jar in the last cabinet and began to hunt for a pot, when a piercing scream filtered into his ears.

He dropped the pot and rushed towards the noise. In the foyer, he pulled himself to a stop, almost colliding with Harry as the boy bolted past him and ran up the stairs. But the sound was not coming from Harry, it was coming from Rose.

Sirius rushed into the living room, once neat it now looked as if a gust of wind had blown through it. Books laid around in disarray and in the center of the room sat his goddaughter, sobbing and clinging tightly to the stuffed black dog. Black and red thread streamed over her pale hands as cotton poured from the dog's now headless body.

"What happened?"

Rose crashed into his arms.

"I didn't mean to," Rose cried.

"What are you talking about? Who did this?" Sirius fumbled through his thoughts trying to grasp onto anything.

"Harry," Rose whispered, fear lingering in her voice.

Harry? Was his Godson hurt too? The thought of Harry chasing the cause of whatever damaged the toy crossed his mind.

Pulling away from the shaky girl, he rushed towards the stairs. On the second floor, inside Harry's bedroom Sirius stood staring. Model quidditch players lined the bookshelves, dragon figurines littered the floors and walls glowed with painted stars.

With a sharp intake of air, Sirius took a step back, his eyes widening. Harry sat in the middle of the bed surrounded by bits of cotton. Furiously, he continued to pull pieces of fiber from the decapitated head, throwing bits to the ground, whitening the surface like blood flecked snow. Harry paused bloodstained fingers, lips pulled back, teeth gleaming white.

"Why?" Sirius whispered.

Harry's emerald eyes flashed.

"Rose has to realize that her dumb dog can't save her. Everything's a lie. Nothing will keep you safe." Harry dropped the severed head onto the floor in front of him.

"I have to make sure she knows Fairy tales don't exist." Harry lightly touched his hand to his face. "Only monsters."


Writer's Note: I know Harry comes off a little over emotional here. Every chapter from here on out has his POV and he is not "emo". This is simply showing his character development as he adjust from the attack. ;)