A/N: I really appreciated the people who reviewed and in return I have made a conscious effort to a) leave reviews for all the stories I read and b) get this chapter out sooner than I thought. Remember that this is slash and feel free to leave a review, please.

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Chapter Ten: Where the Wild Things are

Remus flinched and Harry's hands stopped moving.

"Where's Sirius?" he repeated and Remus backed away, far, far away from the painful memories.

"He's dead, Harry," Percy walked into the room, and Remus was grateful for the intervention. They turned to look at the Boy-Who-Lived, who had cocked his head to the side, muttering softly.

"No," the boy breathed "nonononononononononononoNONONONONONONO AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…"

"Stupefy," whispered Percywhen it seemed that Harry would hurt himself. Harry collapsed and Remus rushed forward, pulling the boy into his arms.

"How could he forget that, Percy? Why did we have to put him through that again…?" Remus rocked the bundle in his arms, and Percy ran a hand through his hair.

"Harry knows Sirius is dead…just…not on the level he's currently on."

"Level?" Remus asked. Percy nodded.

"Sometimes, when things get too much for Harry, he pulls himself away from the forefront, letting a sort of automaton replace him. He goes to another plane of existence, where nobody can reach him. When he feels threatened, or confused, he'll slip back there, and what's left is a Harry who doesn't remember things like Sirius dying, or his…his kidnapping. So when he sees something that triggers a memory, his automaton can't deal with it, and there is a struggle between our Harry, and the numb fake Harry our Harry is using to move his body."

Remus stared.

"So what do we do about it?"

Percy shrugged.

"I don't think there's really anything we CAN do about it. It's more than likely this will stay with Harry for the rest of his life, or until he faces his capture…and after what he's been through, the chances of Harry ever facing the whole ordeal is very, very slim."

Remus nodded thoughtfully. They stared at the boy in silence when an owl came in bearing a letter.

"It's from Dumbledore," Percy said as he untied it and sent the owl on his way. "He wants us to bring Harry to Hogwarts. He says there won't be any ramifications for you taking him, but that he's spoken to Coriander and that he agrees Harry would do better at a familiar environment."

"He just wants to have Harry under his control!" Remus spat, but Percy put a hand on his shoulder.

"Think clearly now, Lupin. Hogwarts has his friends, memories that could help him deal with his trauma little by little. Pomfrey also has access to medicines I need for Harry."

"You'd come with us?" the werewolf asked and Percy glared at him.

"Of course! Do you really think I'd abandon Harry after I've spent so much time with him? I don't think so!"

Remus nodded, sitting down. He didn't want to take Harry to Hogwarts, where Dumbledore would already be planning on how to utilise him in the coming war, but there was little choice. Harry…the Harry he knew, was strong and with the help of his friends, he was certain things would get better. They had to. They just had to.

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"Are you sure, Mr. Wood? It's a full-time job, for a year. Would your team agree to this?"

Oliver Wood looked at his old headmaster. He nodded.

"The Magpies have already said they'll use our replacement Keeper. They also think helping Madam Hooch will ease me back into a Quidditch rhythm without putting any undue strain on me."

Dumbledore looked at the young man, and nodded. Madam Hooch would be relieved with the help, and the children would love the famous Keeper.

"All right then, Mr. Wood. Let me draw up a contract," he flicked his wrist, "and if you could just sign here, and here, then I can welcome you as our new assistant flying instructor."

Oliver smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine."

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Harry reached up and patted the threstral on the head. The animal bent down and nuzzled Harry's cheek, nibbling on his hand. Harry giggled and Percy's heart broke and mended in an instant.

They took the carriage up to the castle and Remus and Percy were looking at Harry anxiously to see if there was any change. It was their aim to draw out their Harry…the Harry that knew everything, out to the forefront more often, so that Harry would finally allow himself to deal with what happened and move on. That sounded selfish, even to Remus's ears, but there had to be a way to get Harry to face what happened to him…maybe Hogwarts was the answer. At the sign of the slightest disturbance though, he was taking his cub out.

Albus was standing on the steps to welcome them; most of the children having gone to Hogsmeade for the day. There was a frosty look between the Headmaster and the werewolf, but then Dumbledore turned his smile on Harry, who looked back stoically.

"Welcome back, Harry. You have been sorely missed."

"Indeed," said Harry and he avoided the Headmaster's eyes. Percy stepped forward, inclining his head to Dumbledore, then ushering Harry into the building.

"I think it would be best if we went to my office first- "

"No," Percy interrupted, then blushed as the Headmaster turned his steely eyes on him. "I beg your pardon, but it's very important that we move Harry into his quarters as soon as possible. It was a long journey."

Dumbledore looked surprised to have his once Head-boy interrupt his sentence, but nodded.

"I see your point. We have Harry situated back in the Gryffindor tower…that seems best for all."

"But maybe not best for Harry," Remus growled. "Too many people might add to his stress levels."

Dumbledore didn't say anything, but turned to look at Harry, who was touching the castle walls almost reverently.

"What about the old Head-boy room? I know the Gryffindor one hasn't been in use for a while - I know I preferred to stay with my friends - but it's still in the Gryffindor Tower whilst offering us the privacy Harry needs right now."

Dumbledore nodded and Remus sent a quick smile to Percy, who nodded. They walked up the stairs towards the Fat Lady, who surprisingly kept her mouth shut and looked on Harry with pitying eyes. Then she swung open and Harry entered his common room after so many months. Percy and Remus looked for a reaction, but Harry just wandered through the chairs, letting his hand fall on a few choice pieces of furniture. Then he turned.

"Where is this Head-boy room?" His voice was soft but seemed to carry. Remus was struck by the silent strength that Harry exuded, more so here in the place that Remus detested than back at home where the werewolf had thought them safe.

Dumbledore beckoned them, leading them over to the boy's staircase. They went up the first flight and then Dumbledore opened a door Harry had thought lead to a dormitory. But it was a small corridor to another door that opened into a large bedchamber with a door leading into a small bathroom. The bed was in the corner near the window and there was a desk, two armchairs and a fireplace. There was also a small winding staircase. Dumbledore saw Harry looking at it, and smiled.

"The Head-boy library. Some very fine collections. The interesting thing is that the library is shared by all the Houses."

Percy looked confused and Dumbledore elaborated.

"Every house has a Head-boy and Head-girl room, with a winding staircase to a library. But it is the same library."

"But…that means I could enter into the Ravenclaw Head-boy room, or the Hufflepuff one…" Percy stopped when Dumbledore shook his head.

"No Mr. Weasley, that is the beautiful part of this castle. You share the same library but nobody can enter or leave through another person's exit. Most likely, although I have not tested this, there is some sort of magick that prevents people from disturbing each other…although do not forget that there are usually only two people per year using it."

Harry looked out of the window and then turned back to the Headmaster.

"We need another bed."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.

"Why is that, my boy?"

Harry fidgeted slightly and then shook his head.

"Percy needs to stay here too."

The three looked at the Headmaster who assessed the group and nodded.

"For your health. It's all right Harry, I understand."

With a wave of his hand, another bed was added in the far corner and Percy nodded, satisfied. Remus however, had been looking at Harry and had noticed the grimace of distaste that the Headmaster's use of magick had caused. Dumbledore looked at Remus and smiled, his eyes sparkling faintly.

"Would you like me to show you to your quarters as well, Remus?"

Remus inclined his head stiffly.

"If you would be so kind." Turning to Percy he spoke softly with him for a minute before turning to his cub. He let his finger trail down Harry's thin face.

"Be safe, Harry. I'll be back shortly."

Harry nodded, his hand coming up to grab the werewolf's hand and squeezing it momentarily. Then Remus turned and Dumbledore escorted him out of the room. Percy turned to Harry who was looking out of the window again.

"What do you see?"

"Oliver Wood."

Percy's eyes widened and he hurried to the window.

"Really? Oh yes, there he is! Wow. I didn't know he was out of hospital already."

"Hero-worship much, Perce?" Harry smiled as Percy blushed and shrugged.

"He was nice to me when we were here. Not many people were." He saw Harry's look and smiled. "They weren't mean or anything…they just weren't friendly. More…cordial than anything else."

Harry nodded and looked back to the outline of Oliver Wood, checking the bristles of the school brooms.

"I think he's assisting Madam Hooch for the year. He'll be good."

"How do you know?"

Harry looked at Percy.

"What, that he'll be good or that he's assisting Madam Hooch?"

Percy rolled his eyes.

"The assisting part."

Harry smiled.

"A little bird told me."

Percy snorted but Harry looked serious. Walking towards his bed, Percy unpacked his bag with a wave of his wand. Harry frowned.

"I can see your magick."

Percy stopped.

"What do you mean?"

Harry walked over to Percy and hovered his hand over Percy's wand.

"There it is. It's a soft orange. It lingers around your clothes as well."

Percy nodded.

"That's interesting. I'll look into that tomorrow."

Harry nodded and yawned. Percy motioned towards the bed.

"Come on you, let's get you to bed."

"But mum…," Harry whined and Percy smiled.

"Or you could always stay up and wait till Hermione and Ron get back from Hogsmeade and shower you with questions and have the entire school in an uproar because you're back…?"

Harry blinked.

"On second thought, bed sounds good."

He undressed and snuggled under the covers. Within minutes he was asleep, and Percy wandered up to library to explore.

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"Have you heard?"

Draco looked up at Pansy but lowered his head back to his paper.

"Potter is back. Daphne saw him walking near the lake with Granger and two of the Weasleys. And I think Lupin was there as well."

Draco stared.

"He's back? Here?"

Pansy nodded. Draco put down his newspaper and drummed his hands on the table.

"We should give him a warm Slytherin welcome," he said at last, not noticing Pansy's look of disgust.

"That sounds great, Drake. You always have the best ideas," She simpered as she edged towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

Pansy attempted a smile.

"To get the others of course…," and then she was gone. Draco frowned. Girls were…odd. Or maybe it was just Pansy. And if it was just Pansy, he'd have to keep an eye on her. But Potter back. That was…unexpected?

He stared at the wall.

'One does not not obey Lucius.'

'There are things I could tell you…things that would make you unable to sleep at night.'

'It's a seed. I planted it. And it will grow and grow until you can't discern what is right or wrong. It will leave you wondering at night, eating away at you, biting, gnawing, breaking…'

Draco shook his head. What the hell was that? He hit himself on the head a few times before realising what he was doing. If someone came in and saw him…he had to find Potter. Or his mother. He just knew it. He wouldn't rest until he had seen with his own eyes that Dumbledore's Golden Boy was back.

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They were walking quietly by the lake, just the three of them. Percy and Remus had left - Remus under great protest - and now Harry was alone with his best friends. He was grateful for the easy silence, comforted by their presence.

Instead of talking about it, Harry had let Percy explain and then given his friends some of his memories. He had withheld the worst ones, of course, because he wasn't ready to face those yet, but he was sure Hermione and Ron got the point. There was a time when he had thought he would try to be strong, and withhold his pain and suffering from them…but they were his friends; his best friends, and they had been with him through everything.

They had been disgusted and Harry had cringed before Hermione had said, in the new soothing voice she had adopted, that they were disgusted at the Death Eaters, and that they could never, ever hate him. Ron, looking a bit green around the edges had nodded, a determined glint in his eye.

"We love you, Harry. I have no idea how you were strong enough to come out of that alive, and I don't understand too well what's wrong with you…although Merlin knows Hermione's tried to explain it enough times…but I just…thank you. For feeling you could share those memories with us. That sort of trust…I missed you, Harry."

And Harry cried, then, when Ron's words finally got through to him. They weren't judging him. They still loved him. They still wanted to be his friend. There was no hugging or smiling afterwards. It was just the three of them, and that was enough.

Finally Hermione broke the silence.

"Narcissa Malfoy is the new DADA teacher."

Ron snorted and Harry shook his head.

"Merlin help us."

Normally Hermione would have chastised him and Ron would have sniggered, but the last few months had changed the Trio, and they all smiled. Harry turned to Ron.

"I know it's not…easy…for you, but Percy is very important to me."

Ron nodded, wincing at Harry's voice, still brittle and hoarse. Harry smiled and they settled under a tree near the lake. It was the last warm day of Autumn and Harry closed his eyes in reverence of the fact that he was actually here. With his friends. He may not be…better and for the most part he was still broken, but some things were falling into place.

Hermione and Ron shared a significant look and Hermione leaned forward.

"Harry, there's someone who's been helping us with research, about you and Remus and stuff. Would you like to meet her? She's very anxious to see you."

Harry looked confused, but nodded and Ron took off at a run. Hermione watched this with displeasure but sighed and gave Harry a tired smile. A few minutes later Ron came back, and there was a short girl with blonde hair following him. Harry frowned but then recognition came.

"Hannah?"

The girl nodded, half-hiding behind Ron. Harry saw through her glamour immediately and his heart clenched.

"Hannah," he repeated, eyes closing. "I am so sorry. So sorry."

Hannah came forward, and his two friends fell back. The Hufflepuff shook her head.

"You don't have to be sorry, Harry. Sometimes bad stuff happens to good people. We were just unlucky."

Tears made their way down his face, and Hannah swallowed. The glamour faded away and Hermione turned her head away, still appalled by the cruelty of the Death Eaters. Harry opened his eyes and Hannah slowly reached for his hand, giving Harry plenty of time to pull back. He didn't. She lifted his hand and placed it on her cheek, letting his fingers trace the scars.

"I'm sor- "

"Don't," Hannah said. "I…I'm the one who's sorry. I should've remembered more. Should have told people sooner."

They sat together, shrouded in misery, but each healing a little more. Harry smiled and Hannah smiled back, even though it caused her pain. Hermione and Ron shared another look, and Ron smiled, stepping forward and putting his hand on Hannah's shoulder. She nodded at him and got up, excusing herself. Ron fell in step beside her and Harry watched them as they walked away.

"You hurt," He said to Hermione as she settled near him again. She looked at him, and nodded.

"A little. It's strange when you've had this idea in your head of ending up with one person, and everybody else shares that idea…and then one half of the equation balks and finds something else. Something…better?"

Harry shook her head.

"No. Not better. Just…different."

Hermione nodded.

"I…know. It's just hard. But I think…I think Ron and I wouldn't have…would have…I don't know. Ron needs someone to take care of. Someone to appeal to his protective nature. Someone who depends on him and…well."

The two friends shared a smile. Hermione and Harry both knew Hermione was entirely too independent to ever need protection.

"I've been researching," Hermione said and Harry smirked.

"Oh hush you. I play my strengths. I haven't found as much information as I would've liked on werewolf adoption but I'm not giving up hope. And…I've been researching…PTSD." She looked at Harry who nodded. He knew Hermione wouldn't leave any stone unturned.

"If you could…Mione…can you try to come up with links to…changes in magick?" Harry wasn't looking at her.

"Big changes?" she asked.

He nodded, ripping up the grass. Her hand covered his.

"Just give me a list of things you think are…different. I'll do my best."

"Thank you. I'd like to be alone now. Someone's coming."

Hermione hesitated, but left. Harry knew what he was doing…and Hogwarts was surrounding him.

Harry heard his friend's footsteps disappear. The sun shone on his back and he could hear the grass growing. The trees were a calming presence, especially when he heard someone approaching.

"Potter."

A female voice. He recognised it, but couldn't place it.

"Watch your back."

The voice was pleasant but insistent.

"Is that a threat?" he asked, his eyes still closed.

"Watch you back please. I don't know what he will do…"

The female voice walked away briskly and Harry could sense yet another person coming close to him.

"Potter."

"I'm certainly popular today," Harry said softly, before a foot was placed on his shoulder and he was pushed down onto the ground. He opened his eyes and saw a halo of light. Images began rushing towards him and he raised his hands.

"Nononononononononono…leave me alone. Leave me alone. I'm safe here…you're in my mind, you can't hurt me…"

"POTTER!" Two firm hands shook his shoulders and he squinted against the sunlight. Oh. The other one.

"Malfoy."

"Potter. I wish you would quit freaking out on me."

"Maybe it's your face," Harry said and mentally scolded himself. Draco pulled his hands away from Harry and scowled.

"So it's true."

"What?"

"You're back."

"In the flesh."

"Mungo's didn't want you any more?"

"I missed your pretty face," Harry said, a headache building behind his eyes. Draco snorted and sat down opposite his nemesis.

"What? No caustic remark?" Harry scooted back a bit, watching Draco warily.

"Relax, Potter. I have questions."

"Oh really?"

Draco sneered and Harry's eyes narrowed.

"If you want me to be answering any questions, Malfoy, I suggest you lose the attitude."

"Fine."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, and even Harry, whose patience was close to infinite was getting fidgety.

"WHAT, Malfoy?"

Draco hesitated. After a few seconds he opened his mouth.

"Was I there? At St. Mungo's? In your…ward? Room?"

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Malfoy, my mind, if you haven't noticed, is pretty fucked. How the hell should I know? Why do you think you were there?"

Draco almost believed him, but there was a glint in the smaller boy's eyes.

"You know."

Harry shrugged.

"I don't know what you think I know, Malfoy."

Draco's eyes narrowed.

"You talk like a Slytherin."

The Boy-Who-Lived inclined his head.

"It has its uses."

Draco ground his teeth together.

"You…I NEED to know, Potter!"

"Why?"

"ARGH! I just- " The blond looked ready to throttle him and Harry edged back.

"Don't get any ideas, Malfoy."

Draco sneered.

"As if I would want to sully myself with your filth."

The minute he said it both boys looked at each other, Draco blanching and Harry trying hard to drown out the images of someone else with blonde hair who had most definitely not minded sullying themselves with his flesh.

"Malfoy," Harry's voice was strained, "I think you should go."

The blonde stood up.

"I wish I could say it's been a blast, but I'd be lying," Draco sneered and he reached out to hit the boy sitting on the grass. Harry's hand rose to meet him, and Draco found his arm in a vice grip. He looked at the boy and found an unholy yellow light in his eyes.

"I am tired of being a victim. Do not touch me, anymore."

Draco swallowed and wrenched his hand out of Potter's grasp.

"Psycho," he said before grabbing Harry's chin and gazing into his eyes.

"Welcome home, Hero." Then he spat in his face. He walked away and Harry wiped the spit of his cheek, grimacing. He watched the Slytherin's retreating figure, stretched out his arm and…tweaked the air around him. In the distance, he saw Draco trip and fall. The blond hurriedly got up, hoping nobody had seen. But Harry had, and he felt vindicated, for the moment. He was tired of being a victim…and he would show them.

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