A/N: In this chapter, Harry "talks" to himself. Here's how you distinguish between voices:

Harry's own voice

Sirius-voice

Both

Ginny wandered from the library back to Harry's bedroom. She sat on the bed and opened the drawer on the end table. She pulled out the red leathered book. She opened it and slowly flipped through the pictures. After about fifteen minutes, a tap at the window made her look up. A snowy owl was hovering there, tapping its beak on the glass. Ginny quickly got up and let the owl in.

"Hedwig!" she exclaimed. The owl landed on her arm. "I suppose you've been living on your own lately. With the whole family gone." Hedwig hooted. Ginny pet the owl then opened the cage and Hedwig fluttered in.

I never should have left. I should have stayed and helped them. They might have been captured again for all I know, Ginny thought and lay on the bed. She stared at the ceiling.

"Ahh! Oww! God damn it!" Ron cursed. The trio had finally settled on a decision and waded into the pile of objects. It had been fifteen minutes and they were covered in small burns and cuts, but the goblet had not yet been recovered. "This is mental!" he added as he climbed out of the contents.

"He's right, Harry. All we're doing is hurting ourselve,." Hermione said, also crawling out.

"We have to find i,." Harry replied, tossing aside a golden plate. He gasped as it cut his palm. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, sighed, and rejoined Harry. For the next twenty minutes, they were quiet except for their gasps of pain.

"There's too much stuff in here. We'll never find it," Hermione said.

"We won't have much time either," Ron added. Above them and outside the door, they had heard people walking.

"Let's stop for a bit," Harry breathed deeply and they returned to safety. They sat on the concrete floor and leaned against the wall.

"I wonder why no Death Eaters have come through that opening?" Ron wondered aloud.

"They probably know this is the Lestranges' vault. Know that everything's cursed. They won't come in here," Hermione answered.

"But surely they know the Horcrux is in here. You'd think they'd be a bit more worried," Ron stated.

"Again, they probably don't think the Horcrux is in any danger because it's in here. In the pile of cursed objects," Hermione told him.

Harry stared at the pile and closed his eyes. I wish everything but the goblet of Hufflepuff would disappear. We'll never find it this way, he thought. His eyes snapped open and he sat up straight. He had heard something. He looked at his friends. They were sitting up too. They had clearly heard it. The sound came again. The trio looked to the cursed pile.

"Is it just me or is everything sinking down?" Ron said. He was right. All the objects were slowly sinking down with the floor. They looked around, hoping no Death Eaters would show up. They gazed back at the sinking floor. There was one small part that wasn't moving. Suddenly, all the objects sunk into the floor. All except one. A goblet gleamed brightly, though there was no sun or even artificial light.

"Is that it?" Hermione said quietly.

"I think so. It must be," Harry replied, standing up.

"Is it safe to walk on the floor?" Ron wondered. They looked at the blank and considerably lower floor.

"Don't know," Harry shrugged.

"You're not honestly thinking of walking on there, are you?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Again, we don't really have a choice, Hermione. We need that cup and fast," Harry told her. He put a tentative foot on the low concrete. His other foot followed. Nothing happened. He took another step. Nothing. Another step. Nothing. He was halfway. He put a foot forward then jumped back as the floor crumbled beneath his foot.

"Harry!" Ron and Hermione yelled.

"Sshhh. I'm okay. I'm fine," Harry replied and stood back up. He stared at the hole and looked over the edge carefully. It was black. He would have fallen into unknown darkness.

I'd rather face Death Eaters, he thought. Now, how do I get across? I highly doubt I can just go around. The whole middle will probably collapsed just like this part did. How do I get the goblet then? I can't use magic.

But it seemed like magic worked when you wished for everything to disappear,a voice in his head that sounded like Sirius said.

Probably a coincidence, his own voice answered.

Only one way to find out, kiddo, the Sirius-voice stated.

Okay, Harry nodded to himself.

"Harry?" Ron stopped the conversation in Harry's head. Harry turned.

"Yeah?"

"Any ideas?"

"One. Give me a minute," he responded and turned back to the goblet. He stared at it intently. Accio goblet, he said in his head. Nothing happened, making Harry frown.

Focus, kiddo, the Sirius-voice told him.

I can't with you in my head, Harry answered.

I'm here no matter what. Harry rolled his eyes at himself.

Accio goblet, he repeated. It's not working.

I never said it was going to. I'm just giving you options, Sirius-voice said.

Thanks. You're no help, Harry sighed.

How can I be? I'm a voice in your head, which makes you sound insane, Sirius-voice replied.

No surprise there, Harry sighed again.

"Harry?" Ron stopped the conversation again. "Anything?"

"Nope. I'm out of ideas. You two got any?" Harry turned away from the goblet to face his friends.

"We need a way to get you to the other side. Can you jump it? Is it too wide?" Hermione wondered.

"It's not wide, but the floor might give out when I land and I fall into certain darkness, which I'd rather not do," Harry answered, scratching around a fresh cut on his left arm.

"Do we have a choice?" Hermione asked.

Harry stared at her. "Of course you're using my own words against me," he shook his head and she grinned, laughing.

"Are you sure about this, mate?" Ron wondered.

"No, but like Hermione said. This is our only choice," Harry replied. He looked at the hole and backed up a bit to get a running start. He ran and leaped over the hole. "Yes," he muttered when he landed. He was close to the goblet and reached for it. He grasped it tightly. He turned around to jump back. There was a crack.

"Harry?" Ron said.

Harry's eyes grew wide. "Uh oh," he immediately tossed the goblet to his friends just as the floor disappeared from under him. He fell into the darkness below.

"Harry!"

"Lumos maxima," Harry whispered and his wand lit. something wasn't right. He had landed on something soft. He pointed his wand at the floor. He frowned. Why was there a huge pile of rags here? Where was here? He looked around and noticed it was a corridor. He looked up. He couldn't see where he had fallen.

Guess my only choice is to go down here. I hate the option that makes me walk down dark, unknown corridors, Harry sighed. He began walking. It was a long corridor. Straight and still dark. The only light was from his wand.

What are you doing, kiddo? the Sirius-voice had returned.

I'm walking. What does it look like? Harry answered.

Why aren't you staying back there? Where it's safe? Sirius-voice said.

I'm not safe no matter where I go. I'm just trying to get out of here.

What about Ron and Hermione?

I haven't figured it all out yet. Shove off.

You don't even know where this tunnel goes.

I know. I'm also having a conversation with a voice in my head that sounds like one of my uncles. Not everything makes sense in the world, Harry sighed, gazing around the dimly lit corridor.

Nothing makes sense, Sirius-voice replied.

How long have I been walking?

About twenty, twenty-five minutes.

There must be something. This corridor is going on forever, Harry groaned.

You're very impatient, Sirius-voice said.

That would be your fault. Remus is patient, Harry smiled.

True. James wasn't very patient either, Sirius-voice said.

From what I've heard, he was just as impatient as you, if not more, Harry replied. I haven't gone insane, have I?

What do you mean?

I'm having a conversation with a voice in my head. Doesn't that qualify me for insane?

No. I'm your conscience, Sirius-voice said.

But I'm talking to you, Harry frowned.

Everyone talks to their conscience. How do you think we make decisions? Sirius-voice said.

I still say it makes me sound like I've lost my mind, Harry shrugged.

It does, but you haven't, Sirius-voice said.

Good, Harry stated. He slowed his pace then stopped, staring at something right in front of him.

What's up?

Look. Don't you see that?

I'm a voice, not a ghost, Sirius-voice said.

Well, it's a mirror, Harry responded.

Mirror? Sirius-voice said.

Yeah. It's weird. What do I do? Harry wondered.

I think you can go through it, Sirius-voice said.

Go through a mirror? Are you serious? Harry gaped at the mirror.

I just a feeling you can go through it, and since I'm in your head, that means you're actually having the feeling, Sirius-voice said.

Oh, shut up. Fine. I'll do it. I'll go through a mirror, Harry sighed. He kept a tight grip on his wand then stepped to the mirror, his front half going through.

Whoa, Sirius-voice and Harry said. He kept walking until he was gone.

Remus hesitated at the door of six-oh-five, Forty-Ninth Street. He didn't know if he should be there at all. He knew he didn't want to be there, not really. Remus turned from the door and started down the five stone steps. The door opened and Remus turned.

"Can I help you?" a young man said. He was a bit younger than Remus. Around early twenties. His hair was black and somewhat messy. He looked about five foot eight or nine. His eyes were dark. There was a golden wedding band on his finger.

"Danny Ledger?" Remus said.

"Who's asking?" the man asked.

"I'm Remus Lupin. I work at the Ministry. Your-"

"Yeah, I know you. We met a few years back. You're the one they say my brother attacked a while ago," Danny nodded.

"Yes. He was under the Imperius Curse when that happened. I tried to help him, but by the time I had solid evidence, it was too late," Remus replied.

"It doesn't matter. In my eyes, Seth doesn't exist anymore." Danny crossed his arms. "Would you like to come in? It's pretty cold out here," he offered.

Danny was right. The air was frigid and icy on Remus' bare skin. London was supposed to get about four inches of snow come the night. "You look like you're heading out. I can come back if you're busy," Remus said.

"It was nothing important. Come inside. I'll introduce you to my wife and son," Danny shook his head and lad the way back inside the house. Remus followed Danny to the living room where a young woman was sitting on the sofa, flipping through TV channels. A little boy sat on the floor playing with blocks and toy cars.

The woman looked up. "Oh, hello. Danny, you didn't tell me we were having guests," she had dark green eyes. Her hair was long and blonde.

"I didn't even know. Mr. Lupin-"

"Remus, please," Remus corrected.

"Remus, this is my wife, Ella. Ella, Remus Lupin. He's from the Ministry," Danny did the introductions.

"Nice to meet you," Remus and Ella shook hands.

"And you. Are we in some sort of trouble?" she asked.

"No. I'm from the Department For the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I just have something to ask your husband," Remus assured her.

"Is it about Seth?" Ella wondered.

"No. I have a favour to ask, which is odd because we barely know each other," Remus answered.

"I see. This is our son, by the way. Jeremy. He's two and a half," Ella pointed to the little boy. He had sandy hair. "Jeremy. Jeremy, look at Mummy," she said and the little boy looked up. His eyes were a hazel colour.

"Hello. I'm Remus," Remus knelt down. Jeremy stood up slowly and wobbled over to Remus.

"He hasn't quite mastered walking yet," Danny smiled. Jeremy had his arms stretched out towards Remus who knew what he wanted. He picked up the boy and stood up, resting Jeremy on his hip.

"You're very good with him. Do you have children?" Ella asked.

"One. It's my nephew. His parents died when he was one. When he was five, me and my best friend, his godfather and uncle, adopted him. He's seventeen now," Remus explained.

"They grow so fast. It seems like yesterday we brought Jeremy home from the hospital," Ella smiled fondly as her son tugged on Remus' collar.

"They do grow fast. Too fast for my liking," Remus agreed, looking in Jeremy's hazel eyes.

"Would you like something to drink? Water, tea, coffee?" Ella offered.

"Water's fine. Thank you," Remus gently put Jeremy back on the floor and sat on the sofa. Danny sat in a recliner beside him. "Outside you said Seth doesn't exist to you. Why's that? I don't mean to pry. I'm just curious," he asked Danny.

"It's no trouble. When he got hired at the Ministry, that's all his life because. Everything was about work. He was so busy with work, he didn't even come to my wedding and he was my best man. He had said he was needed at work. I let it slide. Then our father died. He didn't even go to the funeral. His own father. Seth and I used to be close, but that job took him away. It was like he never existed. It was always work before family, friends. Everything. Work was always first," Danny explained.

"He never mentioned he was having problems. He never told me about a wedding or funeral. I wouldn't have let him come in if I had known," Remus frowned.

"That's why he didn't tell you, because he wouldn't have been able to work. Like I said. Work before anything else," Danny replied.

"That's horrible."

"And I really ticked me off because every now and then I used to see you in Diagon Alley with a boy. Your nephew, I assume. And I just thought, if the head of the department has time to go to Diagon Alley with his family, Seth should be able to also. But he always said work was busy and he couldn't get away," Danny added.

Remus nodded. "Thank you." Ella had returned with drinks and a plate of cookies.

"You're welcome," Ella sat on the sofa beside Remus. "So, you said you had to ask Danny something," she said.

"Yes. I have a favour to ask, which, as I said before, is a little odd because we hardly know each other," Remus nodded.

"What favour would you like?" Danny asked.

"You see, I have until Monday to send three informants undercover to join Fenrir Greyback's pack and retrieve information. If I don't, I will lose my job. I don't know many that have the curse. Three did come to mind, but one has unfortunately passed. I have not spoken with the other yet," Remus explained.

"You're asking me to go undercover and join Greyback?" Danny confirmed. Remus nodded. "I don't work at the Ministry, let alone your department."

"I know. That doesn't matter. I'm not going to force you to do this. It is extremely dangerous. I don't want to put anyone at risk, but-" Remus stopped.

"You don't want to lose your job either," Danny finished.

"Don't you have people at the Ministry to do this? Why are you asking us?" Ella frowned.

"The Ministry doesn't usually hire lycanthropes. We did have a couple informants, yes, but they were sent to join Greyback a couple years ago. They were both murdered," Remus said.

"Oh my!" Ella exclaimed. Remus stared at Jeremy, not wanting to look the woman in the eye.

"You will receive pay, if you agree," Remus replied.

"You think that's what we want? Money? We don't need money," Ella glared at him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Could you excuse us? Please watch Jeremy," Danny stood with his wife.

"Of course," Remus nodded. He watched them go through the swinging door leading to the kitchen. He turned his gaze back to the little boy in front of him. He was suddenly thrown back twelve years.

Flashback

"Sirius, where's Harry?" Remus asked. Sirius was at the kitchen table, sipping coffee and reading the Evening Prophet.

"Living room. Why, what's up?" Sirius replied. It had been a little over a month and a half since they had taken Harry from Privet Drive.

"It's time for his bath, then bed," Remus answered.

"I'll be up in a few minutes," Sirius said.

"Okay," Remus went to the living room. Five year old Harry was on the sofa, a thin, hardcover book in his hands. Remus smiled softly. The boy didn't know how to read and the book was upside down. "Harry?"

"Wead?" Harry held up the book.

"It's time for your bath, pup," Remus smiled.

"Aww," Harry pouted, making Remus chuckle.

"It'll be your bedtime story. Come on."

"But I don't wanna. I wanna wead," Harry pouted again. Remus sighed and walked to the sofa. He gently picked up his nephew and rested him on his hip. Remus walked back to the kitchen.

"Sirwius. I don't wanna take bath. I wanna wead," Harry waved the book around.

"All he's going to do is read when he's older," Sirius grinned at his godson.

"You make it sound like a bad thing," Remus raised an eyebrow.

"Shut it, Moony. Go give Harry a bath," Sirius stated. Remus walked up the stairs and entered the bathroom. He closed the door and placed Harry on the floor. He plugged the drain and started the water.

"No bath. No bath," Harry ducked away from Remus as Remus began to undress him.

"Harry," Remus reached for the boy but Harry jumped away. "Come here." Harry opened the door and ran out. "Harry! Ah, damn it." He turned back to the tub and turned the water off.

"Remus," Sirius walked into the bathroom. Harry was squirming in his arms, trying to escape. "He came running down the stairs and collided into me."

"Thanks, mate. He doesn't want to take a bath," Remus took Harry as Sirius left. Remus shut the door again, locking it. "No more running off."

"But, Wemus," Harry whined as Remus slipped the boy's shirt off.

"No buts. It's bath time," Remus said. When Harry was undressed, Remus placed him in the warm water. Putting soap on a cloth, Remus began washing the now quiet five year old. "Close your eyes," Remus said when he started on Harry's face. Harry obeyed. "Are you all right, pup?" Harry was too quiet.

"Yeah," Harry sighed.

"Are you sure? You're awfully quiet," Remus stated.

"Did Uncle Vernon wike me?" Harry asked.

Remus was shocked by the question. Harry never mentioned the Dursleys. He was afraid of them. "I don't know, Harry. Maybe deep down."

"You and Sirwius wike me, wight?"

Remus frowned. Where was all of this coming from? "We love you more than anything. There's nothing in the world that can change that."

"I wove you too," Harry looked at Remus with his green eyes. Remus cupped the side of Harry's face with one hand and smiled. It had been a miracle that brought he, Sirius, and Harry together. Suddenly, the front of Remus' shirt was soaked as Harry began splashing.

"Harry!" Remus exclaimed. He smiled as Harry started laughing.

End of Flashback

Remus sighed. Would he ever see Harry again? He and Sirius would die if Harry didn't come back.

"Remus?" Danny said.

"Yes?" Remus looked away from Jeremy.

"Ella doesn't agree with this at all, but I've decided," Danny paused. "I'll do it."

A/N: I know in the flashback, Harry probably seems to talk like he's younger than his age, but keep in mind he lived with the Dursleys where he was abused and hardly ever talked so he didn't get to build up his speaking skills. :]