Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Touched By an Angel.

A/N: Whew, I know, I know, it's been a while! But I'm back! A great big thank you hug to my reviewers: Vellouette, Mimaindi, Crazy-Physco, Sakurako Minase, Frau, ilovethestorys, carolquin, mae-E, King Of Wolves, Jack Potter, FOXANBU, storm tigeress, orderofphoniex, Maloran, Shizuku Tsukishima749, and Firgof Raina.

The Wizard's Angel

Part 7: "Divine Interference"

The blood-curling scream shook Monica to the core. She forgot completely the unimportant rebuttal her mouth had been forming; it froze in its open position and refused to close. The brown-haired angel turned to Tess, hazel orbs forecasting fear and worry. Tess just shook her head, lips pursed, and together they teleported into Harry's bedroom.

A shocking sight met the celestial creatures as they gazed down with horror at their charge. Harry was sweating profusely, body tangled in the covers as he jerked and twisted. Caught in the throes of what had to be a terrifying nightmare, Tess and Monica felt helpless as they were forced to watch but not interfere.

"Tess... what's wrong with his scar? It looks so harsh against his skin... it's raw!" Monica gasped, fingering for Tess' hand. Tess squeezed back reassuringly, but her voice belied the calm her exterior portrayed.

"I don't know, baby girl. I really don't know," Tess murmured. "I'd say it's only darker because of his palor but it looks so recent! As if he'd just gotten the cut!"

"There are so many strange things surrounding that boy!" Monica commented, but her attention was quickly averted as Harry's door was flung open. She winced, startled. It ricocheted off the wall with a piercing bang, but Harry was unaroused. He only continued moaning and jerking. It was with a renewed sense of horror that Monica observed Vernon Dursley storming into the room, fire riding on his tail and pure, unadulterated fury burning on his countenance.

"Sirius... no, Sirius, come back! SIRIUS! NO!" Harry shouted, tone rising and pitched sorrow growing in his plead. It tore Monica's heart up to hear such pain usually unseen in a mere child. Who was Sirius, she wondered? A friend? A family member? The angel stored this new piece of the puzzle away in her brain for later examination. Her mind was still focused on her assignment and his towering uncle.

"BOY!" Vernon shouted! "BOY!"

This time, Harry did wake up. He shot up, gasping and groggy with emerald eyes darting around the room. His hand twitched for the bedside table where his stick lay, but Vernon crossed the room in what seemed two steps. The beefy man grabbed Harry's arm before Harry could grasp his piece of wood. This in itself befuddled Monica, but again, she ignored the pondering. All she could think about was how hard Vernon must be holding Harry's arm and how she mustn't interfere, she must not interfere... it violated human free will...

"Oh no you don't, boy! You're not using any funny tricks on me! You'll be expelled if you do!"

"Ex-pr-elled?" Harry repeated sluggishly, still half-asleep. He groaned. "Ow, my arm..."

"I'll give you more than 'ow', boy!" Vernon yelled, flecks of spit flying into the dazed teen's face. He shook Harry's arm threateningly, squeezing...

Must not interfere, must not interfere...

"Ow..." Harry moaned softly again.

Must not interfere, must not interfere... free will, free will, Monica!

"Let's-see-if-you-decide-to-wake-us-up-again-hmm?" Vernon growled, punctuating each word with a slap to Harry's head. The fifteen year old wailed pitifully, blinking rapidly as he struggled for total consciousness.

Mustn't... interfere...

"After all Petunia and I've done for you; after all the trouble you've caused! And now this! Every fricking night!"

Must...

"Worthless! Stupid! Abnormal! Freak! A freak who can't even sleep without having a nightmare! Without screaming like a little baby!"

Not...

"Shut up," Harry muttered. "Shut up."

"I'll make you shut up, Potter!" Vernon raised his hand, releasing Harry who tried to sink against the headboard, probably wishing he could disappear into it, completely helpless...

INTERFERE!

Vernon swung his arm down to punch Harry. Or he thought he did. But the boy was still staring, wide-eyed at the arm that hadn't moved. Vernon tried again. And again. His arm... was frozen!

"B-boy... what are you doing? Stop it! Stop it now!"

"I'm...not doing anything," Harry whispered, barely audible, as he continued to stare at the god-sent mystery. Could his magic be doing this subconsciously? Even if he wasn't trying to? It had happened before...

"STOP IT!" Vernon exclaimed, trying to bring down his arm and failing for the umpteenth time.

"Monica," Tess said from the aforesaid angel's side reproachfully. But there wasn't enough reproach in her tone to be scolding. In fact, relief graced the outer edges of her voice. "What happened to free will?"

"I couldn't let him hurt Harry, Tess. I couldn't!" Monica said, watching as Vernon turned and fled from the room in fear, at last able to control his appendage. She glowered at the door that was slammed shut and locked, frowning. "Perhaps that will teach him a lesson!"

Tess gave her a sad look. "I know you were trying to help, but you've only made things worse for Harry, sweetheart."

"What? How could that be worse for Harry!" Monica gave the boy a surprised glance, observing as he slouched back under the covers, appraising his form. He looked rather worse for wear. "It's not as though Vernon Dursley can possibly think that was Harry's fault, can he!?"

Tess didn't answer at first. She just wrapped her arm around Monica and pulled her friend in close.

"Oh yes, they can, angel girl. Yes they can."

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! The more who update, the faster I'll try to update! And remember, "God loves you"!

AngelMoon Girl