Thank You for the reviews…. Please continue with your support…

Dear Plum, I tried your version, and hopefully this isn't a total disaster

DISCLAIMER:

For the record, I'm probably half way in love with Tom Felton, and that's saying something, considering I don't really believe in love. Okay, so I'm most definitely in lust with Tom Felton, what I wouldn't give to snog him! Pity he's got a girlfriend… Speaking of which has anyone seen the trailer 'From the Rough'? It's hilarious how they introduce, Tom Felton. Academy Award Nominee this, Academy Award winner that, and from Harry Potter - Tom Felton. EPIC!

I'm starting this story as Harry's Seventh Year, Sirius is dead, and Ginny is his girlfriend, for now… No Deathly Hallow Plot-line…

I own Illiannahha Williams and Allaina Adriana Williams.

I apologize for stating Aragog as alive, which will be explained shortly…

I do not own the Latin spells; half are from Harry Potter, half from Merlin…

SUMMARY: THIS IS AN OOC STORY. It has been done a thousand times before, so why not one more time? Harry accidently discovers a sinister plot that has mapped out everything about his future, his past and his present. Now, he must fight against everything he believes in and has been taught, to embrace his destiny. In the process he discovers, new friends, magic and a chance to finally have the life he's always wanted. All he has to do is destroy Voldemort and kill the puppeteer controlling the strings of his life, and to finally understand; it's always for the greater good!

NOW THE PLOTS ARE ALL MINE; AND THE CHARACTERS BELONG TO AUTHOR J. K. ROWLING, PUBLISHER BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING (UK), ARTHUR BOOKS (US) AND THE DISTRIBUTORS WARNER BROS. THE REST OF THE STORY AND CHAPTERS BELONG SOLELY TO ME 'SAHIBA'.

This story is rated M. Please Enjoy.

Key:

thoughts.

Memories.

Chapter Four

Blast from The Past

Lights flickered and shone high on the Towers of London Bridge, and many street lights shimmered below guiding the traffic home. Some also illuminated the quays along the banks of the river Thames, where, late as it was for any city, where most people sat at home watching the news, or began preparations for dinner, others returning home, just from the office, could be seen from the dusky gloom; Lights also glimmered beyond into the city of night, few people walked the streets.

A young man only seventeen sat on the highest Tower just barely out of sight, with a young woman of sixteen. The girl was playing with a ball of fire, throwing it into the air, just high enough to reach her head and then catching it, "Well", she began and then cleared her throat, a soft smile gracing her features as she turned to the quiet almost somber man beside her, "I guess it's safe to say that you're the Richest and youngest man in the entire city. Women across the age groups, will be falling at your feet", she joked. The man laughed weakly, "if only that were my focus", he murmured.

They sat quietly for minute, until the man turned to her, "I owe you an explanation. But, first thank you again, for today", he began. Smiling at her resigned expression, he continued, "I wasn't always like this, withdrawn and well distrusting, if you think about it, I'm actually way too trusting. The first people I trusted were actually my relatives, "I took their word as it was that my parents were killed in a car crash. If I'd loved them as much as I know I do. I should have contested the story I was given", smirking he continued, "I grew up unhappy, bullied and in general disregarded. That was the truth given to me. There is no love lost between me and my relatives", he said.

"I was raised as Harry Potter, the scrawny troublemaker that was just about on the right side of crazy, to be thrown unwillingly into a boy's disciplinary school, without question. The neighbors steered clear. Who would defend a boy who never had the voice to call for help, to defend himself?" he said.

"I'm not saying that I deserved what happened to me, I wouldn't wish it on anyone, to be raised an orphan is not a punishment I'd give anyone, willingly", he continued.

Staring out at the night sky, as he leant back on the turret he closed his eyes, just as he completely settled, enjoying the cold air play with his unruly locks. "I resented my family", he bit out the word vehemently, and "I loathed, hated and just disliked them. As mean as they were to me, I was worse. I used what gifts I had against them. Even if I had no idea I was magic, I chose to disregard rules. I chose to be a brat. It was my way of fighting back, Lia. It was my way of surviving. The only way I knew how. I was completely useless", he said.

"For every trick my magic performed to protect me instinctively. The greater the scolding, the greater the lashing — the worse the pain — and what did I do?" he laughed.

"I hid away, I ran away. I stayed away. For all the time I spent in a library avoiding my cousin and his friends, avoiding the bullies who belittled me, I never once tried to find out what actually happened to my parents. I could have researched past obituaries, for all the time I was left locked in a room, locked away. I could have practiced meditation skills, something, and anything. Yet what did I do? I cried, I wept, I sulked, wishing upon a wish, for any change. I did nothing!" he yelled.

Lia grabbed his hand, "Ry! You were a child, a little boy, you were scared, and it's understandable. It wasn't your fault. Any ten year old boy would never have been able to survive. Many would have given up. You didn't, you said it yourself, and you survived Ry!" she held on tightly even as he struggled to remove his hand from her grip.

Exhaling, Ry turned to her, "What were you doing at seven years of age? At Five? At ten?" he asked. Pulling away, he started speaking, "You spent hours in a room, training on your own. Training to be a better fighter", he's voice grew stronger, angrier, "You, who stood against an army of oppressors at age seven, with a fire power of the lowest level. The power to only heal. You who is younger than me by a year; at the moment I was sobbing in a cupboard, screaming that it wasn't my fault, that things just happened. You stood tall, at the front lines, wielding a dagger, and facing a man bigger than the tallest person you. Glaring him down, you who; stabbed him in the heart. I was a little boy who cried himself to sleep. And there's you, who mourned the loss of life, on a night that was supposed to be a Night of Celebration!" he yelled finally.

"H-How?" Lia stuttered. Ry groaned, "How do I know? I've watched your memories, in my dreams", he whispered. "I dreamt of you the night I slept by your side in a tree", he hung his head in shame; "I had no intention of dreaming of your memories. I assume Leo was right, on some subconscious level, I can read deep into your mind, and when I lose consciousness, it's you I dream of. But since it's only happened once, I don't know if it's a regular thing", he answered her.

Lia sighed, "He's name was Mortius", she began, "He was a warrior for Helia, but he was corrupted by Dark. I was told that the battle would commence in three days, it was my Mother's Birthday. I had to leave the Castle, and battle a stranger I barely knew, I was told to fight, because I was heir to a throne, no one else would defend. It was a test", she hissed,

"I was tested that night, would I stay in bed dreaming of a prince, or would I make a move", she whispered. "I had a vision, and made my choice. I'm so sorry that of all visions you saw, you witnessed the worst. The first person I killed was my mother's cousin, my own Uncle. I am so sorry", she sobbed.

Ry gathered her close, "Idiot", he murmured affectionately, "Why are you apologizing? I had no right to pry or bring it up. I'm the one who should apologize", he whispered, he gathered her closer.

"You are so much stronger than I have ever been. I wish I had half your strength, it couldn't have been easy. I know what it's like to kill. I don't like the feeling either", he murmured.

They sat silently, and after a moment harry continued his explanation. Lia listened as he spoke softly still gathered warmly in his arms, "The first time I was accepted into a wizarding school, I was speechless, and for the first time, in a long time, I questioned the truth. At first, I was excited and I tried to figure out who was sending me letters, I remember sub-consciously avoiding the truth", he muttered and then hissed, "Somebody knew I was being tortured, hurt, bullied. Who else addresses a letter, 'To Mr. H. Potter - The Cupboard under the Stairs - 4 Privet Drive - Little Whinging - Surrey'?" he asked no one in particular.

"Someone knew I lived under the stairs, in a cupboard for ten years, and no one came to help me? Where's the justice in that?" he asked.

Laughing he turned to Lia, "Mind you this Epiphany only struck me a week ago. When everything went to hell in a hand basket, and then some", he joked weakly.

Ry smiled, "Then I went to HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY. The day I entered Diagon Alley till the last moment in Hogwarts, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I probably would have made different choices, maybe made better decisions, maybe not. I wouldn't know. I wouldn't understand if I had to live it all over again? What's to say I won't make the same mistakes? Won't I make the same friends? Won't I be guided the same way? Won't I be manipulated the second time? If I played with time, if I made a second attempt what's to say I won't screw it up again? I asked myself these questions, nearly drove myself mental thinking about all the 'What ifs'. And then I stopped", he breathed.

"I just wanted some peace", he begged.

Lia sneaked a hand around his waist, hugging him, "What happened Ry? Who hurt you?" she asked.

Ry laughed again, the sound chilling and cruel; it hurt Lia to simply hear the sound. "Ry", she whispered, her voice drowned out by the cold laughter. Waiting as quietly and patiently as she could, she was a bit startled to hear Ry speak when he did, his voice barely above a whisper, and that too so broken and hurt, she barely could focus on the words, as his pain engulfed her.

"Two weeks ago I wouldn't have questioned why it happened. It's not my place to know how Fate plays a game. But sometimes I wish she could be a little less Cruel", he prayed.

Turning he lay down, on the edge, "Make yourself comfortable, this may take awhile", he said. Lia nodded, "I'm good", she said to nervous to waste time, in case he chose to close up again and move in cryptic circles.

Ry closed his eyes, for all appearance he looked almost asleep, but then he began speaking. Narrating he started with, "I had two best friends, Hermione Jean Granger, muggleborn (One born without a magical heritage) extraordinaire and Ronald Bilius Weasley Chess-Master extraordinaire. Together we were dubbed the Golden Trio. Of course I still have no idea who came up with that title", laughing his features softened.

"We did everything together, regardless of our rather awkward and painful starting. A beginning I'll explain a little later, we were practically joined at the hip. Not only were we like glued to each other twenty four seven, but we were always in contact", smiling he continued, "I started dating Ginevra 'Ginny' Molly Weasley. Ron's baby sister, the youngest in a family of seven children", he grinned at her shocked expression.

"Seven?" she asked for good measure, "I can't imagine having seven children that must have been painful", she whispered. Harry laughed, "I wouldn't know", he laughed. Lia smiled, and then he continued, "For the first time in a long while I felt normal. A teenager, an actual honest to God Teenager. Not someone destined to fight a megalomaniac bent on destruction and horror. I was happy", he sighed.

"Of course everyone automatically assumed Hermione and Ron would end up together, and so did I, although to be honest, the way they bickered and fought and argued, I wasn't gunning for a wedding", snickering he continued, "Hermione needs someone strong, someone cocky a bit arrogant, someone intelligent; a person who can walk with her and not be intimidated by her intelligence, anyone from Fred Weasley to Draco Malfoy. Just not Ron. And Ron he's the nicest guy, and the densest person you could ever meet anyone from Luna Lovegood to Lavender Brown would be brilliant for him. So when they begun to disappear for extended pieces at a time, everyone including me thought they'd begun dating. They were both prefects, so it seemed apt, they'd find a place to snog and have a little fun once in awhile", he exhaled heavily.

Opening his eyes, he shuffled and moved his head onto her lap. Lia obliged and ran her fingers through his hair.

Harry sighed like a cat, "Imagine my surprise that when I decided to check up on them on the marauder's map. It's map of the entire school; The Marauder's Map is a magical map of Hogwarts created by James Potter (My father), Sirius Black (Your Father), Remus Lupin (The werewolf you met earlier) and Peter Pettigrew (Personally I think all he did was find ways to betray people. I'll explain later. I keep saying that. I know. Please Bare with me) while they were at Hogwarts, during which time they gained extensive knowledge about the school grounds, such as its various hidden passages, from their frequent night-time adventures together", he quickly explained.

Harry and then continued, "The night after a pretty irritating, Voldemort induced nightmare. I find Little Miss Granger with Draco Malfoy Pureblood Extraordinaire. My arch Nemesis' and Ron with Pansy Parkinson; Draco's right hand, I panicked. I thought they were being bullied. So I dug my invisibility cloak, and ran to the corridor I saw them in", here he flushed, "They were making out", shaking his head his features twisting in revulsion.

"I think my heart almost sputtered and died with shock. I managed to duck in time and I waited patiently", shuddering he moaned, "Who knew people really can kiss for that long. Yeuck!" he said, "Of course Ron was like a brother, knowing about his sex-life is just wrong, and Hermione she's like a really close friend, her kissing Draco is not cool!" he groaned out.

Paling rapidly he sat up, "I'd give anything to have that moment prolonged, rather than to find out what happened Ten minutes later. Anything", he said.

Lia listened as he spoke, and then watched as his features crumbled, "Ry?" she asked. Ry turned away, he's face upturned, and Lia watched as a silent tear drop trickled down his face, "Anything Li, to have not seen what I saw next", he murmured. "Why don't you watch my memory", he said, "I don't have the heart to explain", he muttered. Grabbing her right hand in his left, he kissed it once, and Lia was pulled back to a memory a week ago.

X

Harry groaned, inwardly begging all the gods in existence for the moment to end. Harry waited and precisely Five minutes later; Hermione pulled away, "We should stop. Ron!" she called. Ron pulled away from Parkinson with an audible pop. Harry's stomach turned.

Thank You God!

Hermione grimaced, "Ugh! Ron will you please never do that again. Honestly Parkinson tame your husband, please!" she begged. Harry's eyes widened comically.

Husband?

Parkinson laughed, "Fiancé", she corrected, "Get it right Bookworm", she teased playfully. Hermione grinned. Ron and Malfoy shared a look of mild exasperation.

Ron and Draco sharing? Something in common? Have I fallen into a different dimension?

They joked a bit and then a shadow fell in front of them, the four had their wands out so fast, Harry was afraid he'd get whiplash. "It's just us", a voice called out. Cultured and tinged with a European accent Harry couldn't for the life of him, pin-point. "Honestly one day, the four of you will learn to be less paranoid", the voice complained.

As the figure stepped into the light, Harry raised a brow, 'Blaise Zabini', stood arrogant and proud, his hand was inter-locked with another figure who stood in the shadows behind him.

Someone shy then?

Ron sighed, "That day will exist when Oppressors and Voldemort die", he said.

And Voldemort? How many Dark Lords are there?

Hermione sighed, "How did you find us?" she asked. Blaise grinned cockily, "I have my ways", he stated mysteriously. Hermione rolled her eyes, "I'm sure", she remarked drily. "We should get going, a few Classrooms down the hall. We have a meeting", she murmured. Ron groaned, "Again, it's the third time this week, I can't keep this up, I'm losing ground with remembering my lies", he mumbled. Pansy patted him on the back, and sighed, "We're all tired Ron, but it's important", she said.

Draco growled, "It is Not! I don't like doing this, either. It just doesn't seem fair. Not to him, not what we're doing", he said. Hermione gripped his hand, "I know Love, it's worse when it's us he asks to do his bidding. But we can't stop, if it keeps him safe", she argued softly.

Ron groaned when Draco relented, albeit with a scowl adorning his handsome features.

Their argument loud enough to muffle Harry's confused and awkward steps following, Hermione headed into a Classroom at the end of the corridor on the fifth floor, the others filed in as well, the young person in Blaise' arms the only one whose features Harry could not discern walked into the corner of the room, and sat down on a desk, dressed entirely in Black with a green cloak. Harry automatically assumed, Slytherin.

The others sat in silence waiting for whoever they were waiting for; Draco had a firm grip on his wand, murmuring consistently to himself. Harry stood closest to him besides the Door, and therefore could hear him say, the words 'calm down, clear your mind, Calm Down, Clear your mind. Calm down. Breathe in Breathe Out'.

Draco instinctively straightened as he heard something and step back. Had he known he was right in front of Harry as if shielding him from something ominous.

Dumbledore walked into the Room, and Harry grinned he failed to see everyone shift and scowl, once before clearing their expressions and standing alert. "Ah Children, Do sit down", he gestured to six armchairs that appeared before each occupant. Draco hissed, "I'm good, Thank You", he smiled politely.

Harry watched as Hermione and Ron refused the same, except Blaise who sat down, regally. The effect completely ruined by the rigid way he sat as well as the tight grip on his wand.

Why are they so nervous, honestly it's only Dumbledore?

Harry watched as Hermione stepped forward, "How long do we have to do this?" she asked. Dumbledore regarded her patiently, "Hmm… As long as I deem necessary", he said voice calm and soft. Hermione rolled her eyes and with an of extreme patience, she waved his words aside, "Yes, I'm aware of that. It's not what I asked, and it's not the answer I received. I'm asking how long do we have to lie? Voldemort is gaining power, he's getting stronger. When will you actually start training Harry, Sir?" she asked adding the word 'sir' almost as an afterthought.

Harry raised a brow.

Training?

Dumbledore sighed, "We don't need to start his training any time soon. Just continue you as you have been doing since the beginning of the term. Remember Harry is to be kept safe, distract him the best you can we can't afford Voldemort getting his hands on Harry", he advised.

Draco growled low, "That's not a good idea. Have you not been listening? Voldemort is getting stronger. He keeps dipping his fingers into more jars of Dark Magic. I know because I'm your bloody spy. I have watched his power grow. Why won't you train Harry? We need to help him, just distracting him won't help anyone. Why can't you see that old man?" he growled.

Dumbledore spared him a glance, and watched with a raised brow, as Draco felt to his knees, a scream echoing through the classroom. A scream filled with excruciating pain.

Harry stood in shock. "No!" Hermione cried out as she ran towards Draco, "Please!" she begged. Dumbledore raised a hand, and levitated Hermione away from Draco's trembling form and pushed her towards Ron, who caught her and held her close.

Hermione struggled in his arms. "Comfort your own boyfriend, and let Miss Parkinson look after Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger", he advised. "Mr. Malfoy do not question my methods of looking after Harry", he said and lifted the spell.

Draco spat blood onto the floor, and wiped away his mouth with his left-hand standing weakly, he smiled, "Apologies", "sir", he added. Harry wanted to reach out and ask if he was alright. Harry blinked as Draco held himself, his posture guarding and alert, "But you're mistaken", he snapped. "In your school and to its students Hermione only pretends", he spat the word, "as Ron's girlfriend", stepping closer, he continued, "Don't be fooled old man, she's my wife!" he said.

"Don't fucking, ever touch my wife again!" he warned. Dumbledore turned to him, and hit him with a spell. "I'm not Harry, professor", "I'd just as soon trust Voldemort than you", he said. "And you are not the only one who can do wandless and silent magic", he said.

Dumbledore laughed, "You've gotten stronger Mr. Malfoy", he praised. Draco sneered, "I had a choice", he muttered.

Dumbledore turned to the others, "So you all defy me, now?" he asked. Blaise laughed, "We never were on your side. We choose to protect Harry, because he is the only one who can kill Voldemort", he answered.

Dumbledore scoffed, "Well at least I'm not the only one with selfish interests", he said. Pansy looked away, and Ron sighed, "Professor", he paused, "Harry isn't an idiot. He'll figure out the truth soon. He'll know Mione and I are not seeing each other. And with—", he opened his mouth to continued to speak but no words followed the previous.

"Then act properly", Dumbledore thundered.

Harry flinched, and his eyes widened, as Pansy lifted Dumbledore's spell, "Shut up!" she hissed. "We can't keep on lying to Harry, or to ourselves, and we can't keep up appearances, it's wearing on us!" she cried.

The old man sighed, "You give me no choice", he raised his wand at the brunette and Blaise stepped forward.

"Enough!" his voice hissed. "We already are your pawns. We're already under your control. Stop cursing us!" he said.

Harry paused, and watched as everyone excluding Draco, walked to the figure in the corner, shielding the person. "Not all of us can pretend", Blaise continued. "You continue to force us to drug him. We're tired. Even the love-potion he drinks is not strong enough. Potter is not in love with Ginny, and neither is she", he hissed.

"Your mind-blocks, your mind control will slip, what will we do when he finds out? Potter has the power to defeat a Dark Lord, when your control slips, what we will do?" he asked.

Dumbledore laughed a loud raucous mocking laugh, "Little Boy, I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, No one's magic is strong enough to break through my spells. I have placed strong wards on Harry's magic—" "What?" Draco hissed interrupting him.

Harry turned as he watched the Blonde who seemed to act as his voice, as he stood mostly in shock.

"Wards? You can't place wards on a person's magic, that would kill them", he cried out. Harry blinked, as Hermione nodded in silent agreement, tears threatening to fall. Draco continued, "Why would you do that? What have you done to him?" he asked half curious half indignant.

Dumbledore sat in a chaise lounge that appeared out of nowhere, "Just a few spells. Most to bind his magic, most to control him, and a few to make sure that any Love potion he drinks has the proper effect", he said.

Hermione paused, "Love potions? Why a love potion?" she asked. Draco gasped, "No way, Harry can't be that powerful. No one is that powerful", realization flashed before his features, "Are you saying that his magic is strong enough to flush out any kind of magic that could potentially control his mind?" stumbling back, and narrowly missing crashing into Harry.

Draco's features paled drastically, "That means you've used Dark Magic on Harry to control him", he hissed and then to himself he mumbled low contemplating, "A Rune or a liquid form of the imperious curse. But if he's as powerful as you think. To bind his magic, that would mean, to have access to Harry's blood. And with the amount of time he spends in the infirmary, you have ample amount of blood", he paused and then looked up in shock.

"H-How long?" he stuttered, "How long have you left him vulnerable to all the evil in the world?" he asked.

Dumbledore smirked, "Always knew you were too smart, should have had you packed with that potions master of yours", he sighed. "But to answer your question. Ever since he stepped into Hogwarts, I've used the bindings spell. The first time when he killed Quirrel", tsking at Hermione's scandalized ton, "He was Eleven. He trusted you", she cried.

Dumbledore continued in amusement, "Of course the second time when he killed the Basilisk, I had to repeat the spell, apparently being parselmouth keeps you safe from Dark magic. The venom started pushing away the binding spell, but the pain was excruciating forcing him to almost lose consciousness", he grinned, "And thank Fawkes, the poor bird had no idea it was helping me, as it healed the wound, pity the venom had already started working. I spent the better part of the night working with Madam Pomfrey to reconstruct the binding magic. Of course she did it to protect Harry as I fed her some drivel that his magic being as powerful as it was could kill him", laughing softly Dumbledore continued, "I've been keeping the binds up every year", he answered vaguely, ignoring the somber mood as he poured himself a cup of tea, he'd asked one of the elves to bring for him.

"Lemon Drop, anyone", he asked as he popped the candy into his mouth.

Harry cringed at the familiar line, the words that used to bring him comfort pierced his heart, he watched as Draco looked away from Dumbledore in disgust. Harry spied a tear slide down. Hermione cried in Ron's arms, and Pansy looked away, expression stoic.

They stood in silence, each contemplating the cruel act, until a voice spoke up. Harry looked up in shock, and he gasped.

No!

Draco turned to look as the figure in a green cloak stood up, and walked forward. Dropping the cloak at her feet, red hair cascaded down and fell in low ringlets to her back. Hazel eyes, almost brown glittered dangerously, "You're evil!" she cried. "I'll tell Harry", she promised.

Dumbledore laughed, "Oh yes please do. Please tell Harry, how every time you kissed him, you were thinking of another. How every time he touched you, you hid a cringe, flinched and even winced, tell him how, his kisses felt wrong, how he violated you, with his affections, with his care. Tell him how you drugged him with a Love potion for the last month. Tell him, my dear Sweet Ginny, how innocent you are? How when every time Harry kissed you, and with just one kiss, you brushed your teeth with rage, almost bleeding. How when he touched you, never truly making love to you, never going too far. Respecting YOU! Giving you space and time, protecting you!"he spat, "You showered and scrubbed your skin raw", here he laughed bitterly almost in pity, "You ended up sharing Mr. Zabini's bed. How he fucked you into his bed, and helped you forget Harry's touch!" he scoffed.

Harry realized he was crying. Tears falling, sliding down his cheeks, as each word tore through him.

Ginny fell to her knees, covering her ears she screamed, "Stop! Please stop it, I'm begging you!" and she sobbed. Ron stepped away from her, betrayal flashing across his features, "Ginny, please tell me that's a lie?" he asked.

Ginny cried harder, "I never—meant it to be—anything else. I just I fell in love with Blaise—and then we were given that task, it just felt wrong!" she cried reaching out she grabbed his hand.

Ron recoiled from her touch, "You should have said so, we would have asked someone else", he cried. "A hundred girls could have been hired, Cho was enough a distraction, I don't imagine a lie of a fake girlfriend would have hurt a lot less? But still a lot less than someone who scrubbed away his touch!" he hissed angrily. Ginny cried louder.

Why not just tell me? Wait, don't need an answer for that…

Blaise went to Ginny's side, "Sshh. I'm here, it's okay", he hushed her gently. Hermione knelt and gathered Ginny in her arms. Harry felt like hitting someone as anger started clawing through him. Before he could move, Dumbledore clapped his hands.

"As entertaining as this has all become, May I call your attention forth to why this meeting was called in the first place. Miss Granger, I want you to monitor the hallways, and steer clear of Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood, the two of them together is bad idea. Miss Lovegood is too perceptive, and it seems she is sensitive to Dark Magic. If she's around Harry, for too long she might be a problem. And Mr. Longbottom's ideals are getting dangerous", he waited and Hermione nodded, "Yes, Sir", she bit out angrily.

"Mr. Weasley, I'm sure you understand the gravity of my words, and the power I have to keep your family safe. If I chose to I can destroy your mother's mind for good. Keep Harry distracted at all costs, make sure he remains oblivious to his surroundings, if one of you slip up", he said.

"Although I can't stress enough how bad that would be for any of you, if you do slip up, that is. Besides with the unbreakable vows you took to keep Harry save, that would be most difficult to explain. We wouldn't want Harry to suffer any more now would we?" he stated with a quiet affectionate Grandfatherly smile.

To Harry it looked like a leer. Then again, it felt like he was waking up from a deep sleep, as he processed everything. Certain expressions were likely to change, as his perceptions adjusted to the sudden and shocking change.

"Mr. Malfoy please remain and the rest of you are dismissed. Have pleasant dreams", he wished them goodnight. The others understood the dismal for what it was, and filed out.

Ron and Pansy left first scowls evident as they walked out. Ron passed Draco a single nod in warning. Hermione followed, she placed a soft kiss on Draco's cheek, and pat it softly, "Good Luck", she whispered.

Harry frowned, the words seemed oddly misplaced. Blaise and Ginny followed, the former supporting the latter. Harry watched as Draco looked away, disgust and what seemed like irritation adorning his features.

Harry blinked at Draco, and waited as the blonde turned to Dumbledore. The old man looked at him, and after a small moment of deliberation, he asked curiously, "Tell me, has your feelings towards Harry changed because of Hermione, or is it because you think he's the one to help you get rid of that mark?" he asked.

Anger leapt into the blondes eyes, and then calming down, "My feelings towards Harry have always been one of a rival", he answered. Harry smirked.

Good Answer!

Dumbledore chuckled softly, "Brat!" he said. "Now tell me news of Voldemort", he ordered. Draco sighed, "It's the normal, not much has changed. He still is borrowing strength by torturing others; he feeds off of their fear, and pain. He continues to send Harry violent dreams through their shared connection, and what's more is, he's trying to attack Severus mentally. I think you should personally have someone like him train Harry with Legilimency/Occlumency", he said.

Dumbledore shook his head, "That was a disaster the first time we tried it", he said.

Draco laughed, "Of course not, he needs someone he can trust. Someone he has a little faith in. There's no love lost between him and Severus, never mind the school, I'm pretty sure the whole wizarding world knows that", he snorted.

Dumbledore nodded, "Then I will try", he said. Draco laughed, "Oh you'd love that wouldn't you", he sniffed, "Between me and you, I think at least I let him know how much pain I cause him, even if I only use a petty insult. What you're doing is breaking him and turning him into a puppet", he flinched as Dumbledore sent a cutting curse his way, grabbing his shoulder, blood seeped through his fingers.

Draco laughed a second time, "Cut me up as much as you want, the truth won't change. I hope you sleep well at night Professor", he bowed eyes on the headmaster and walked out the door.

Harry stood patiently as Dumbledore stayed in the classroom, and smiled, "It is for the greater good", he said. Then standing he left the room, closing the door.

Harry waited a breath before removing his cloak, stumbled to the wall, and then slid down it. His head rested on the wall, as he tried to wrap his head around what had become of his life, and what turned out to be a complete lie.

X

Lia looked at Harry as tears fell, "Ry", she whimpered. Ry turned to her, "Hey now, hush", he whispered, "I'm okay, it doesn't hurt anymore. It's more of a dull ache that comes when I think about it too much", he joked weakly. Lia pulled back, and wiped away the few tears that still fell from his Emerald orbs, "Liar", she said. Ry pulled her closer and finally let him-self cry as the pain of everything that followed after that night washed through him. Lia held him as she too shared his pain.

I promise to help you fight against any evil that comes your way. I will always stand by your side. As your Friend and Equal.