Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Reviews welcome. Any advice to help me improve would be brilliant. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 17 - Siblings

The stone floor was hard and cold. That was the first thing that gained Harry's attention as he regained consciousness. A roll of thunder came from somewhere outside and he could hear the waves angrily attacking the shore.

He squinted one eye open, his vision was blurry so he couldn't see much. It felt as though he was in some kind of cell. Water thundered in from the outside, through a barred window which left him at the mercy of the elements. A great iron barred door stood on the wall opposite the window and he was encased by brick on either side.

Hazily, he looked around the rest of the cell, he could just about lie straight either way. Otherwise there wasn't much room for movement. He was disappointed. Though not surprised to see no bed in his chamber, the most embarrassing thing being the lack of a bucket or other toilet facility. He would have to pick a corner.

Shivering, and teeth chattering against the cold. Harry pushed himself into a sitting position, scooting backwards so his back was rested against the wall. He only noticed he was barefoot when he pulled his knees to his chest. They were numb and he was sure to catch frostbite regardless of how careful he was.

The last thing he remembered was being in the lift in the Ministry, after that it was a blank. I can't believe I got caught. You've really fucked up this time Potter.

It had by now dawned on him where he was of course. Azkaban had never been described as homely. He was just beginning to be grateful that the prison guards hadn't visited yet, when ice started spreading over the door.

'Shit.' He muttered to himself. He scrunched his eyes closed and forced himself to try and think of anything other than the visions he would see. He heard the rattling draw in of breath, biting his lower lip was the only thing he could do to keep from screaming. He heard his mother's screams as she died and recalled Bellatrix's maniacal laugh as she killed Sirius.

'Come on fight it.' He chided himself. He could taste the blood on his lip where he had started to bite too hard. Distressed he started to rock himself back and forth, hoping the movement would give him some form of comfort. The screaming and laughing were starting to die off when he felt another two dementors arrive.

Behind his closed eyelids he saw flashed of green light, spurts of blood and remembered untold pain…

Harry violently jerked awake, after reliving another nightmare. His left eye was glued shut from the dried tears that had leaked out of them. The dementors had stayed long after he had blacked out causing him to have a never-ending stream of nightmares, like a trailer wheel at the cinema.

He curled up into a ball and rubbed his eye to clear it before resting his head on the back of his hand. His breathing coming in ragged intervals. I need to get out of here.

Stretching he pulled himself up and inspected his prison for the first time. The first inspection was done on the door and surrounding bars, although he was sure they wouldn't be of any use to him. They were most likely to be the sturdiest of everything.

Being almost blind was a disadvantage here, he had to do a lot of seeing with hands. This resulted in a couple of cuts where the metal wasn't smooth anymore.

Sensing no weakness he moved onto the walls, testing each brick for a sign of movement. To his dismay the wall was holding strong. It was tedious work, he was adamant there must be something though, so he kept at it.

The only thing that had given any hope was the way one of the bars on the windows moved slightly when he really put some effort in. He wasn't sure it would be enough though and was resigned to think that it would be a dangerous climb down the other side. It would be perilous enough if he could see.

He rested the palm of his hand against the door, while focusing on his breathing in and out, until it was under control then barked a single word. 'Bombarda!'

Nothing happened apart from a slight tingle somewhere near his wrist. Damn. He stepped back as a familiar cold crept through him. He could even feel it through his enviously numb toes. He stumbled back to the floor fighting against the vision that flooded him.

The days passed slowly for Harry with little interaction with anyone apart from the dementors and the odd tortured scream of a fellow inmate. Every two or three days he would be left a meal, for around the first week he had refused to eat knowing that was how they were stopping him from using magic.

He wasn't as proficient without a wand as Dumbledore had been, however, he would normally be able to cast well enough to escape the prison. The trouble was that when the drug had left him he was too weak, frostbite had set in in both his hands and feet, meaning he was at risk of losing some of his extremities.

The odd thing was that not even a year ago Harry would have been almost glad for his current situation. He could have just died in peace, it seems having something to live for meant suffering, which he had done enough of during the war.

The dementors had well and truly done their job. Leaving Harry with nothing but his worst experiences, meaning that almost forgotten yet familiar pang for death had returned. It came as a surprise then that as he started to succumb there was a memory that brought him from the brink.

His head had lulled to the side and he had been hit with the memory of a flowery scent. The memory jerked him back awake. What was that?

Distressed he desperately searched for the memory that eluded him. He didn't even notice the dementors on their rounds as he obsessed about the smell. Curiosity peaked he pulled the bowl of mush (a poor attempt at porridge if there ever was one) towards him. Despite the poor taste the food was actually good for him. It repressed his magic although there was evidently some kind of potion to help fight frost bite. For whatever reason, his captures wanted him alive.

As his health and strength returned, he kept his advantage over the dementors by focusing on the intoxicating smell he remembered. Eventually the memory of him passing out in the bathroom returned. It was at that point his obsession changed from scent to its owner. I've got to get out of here. He grumbled silently to himself. It was the first time in almost a week he had thought of escaping.

Harry was sleeping, rather deeply considering his surroundings and the ever-present thunderstorm, when invisible chains wrapped around his legs tightly to hoist him into the air. He was hung upside down and the back of his head smacked against the stone floor.

'Ahhh.' He hissed. His vision blacked for a second before coming back with a dull throb at the back of his head. Gingerly he reached to touch it with the tip of his fingers. He hissed again in pain at the contact over the suspiciously damp area. The red liquid that his finger held precariously before his eyes confirmed the damage. Harry felt dizzy.

'Sorry about that.' Said an amused voice who didn't sound remotely sorry. Harry didn't say anything. He didn't know the voice and couldn't see well enough to get a description of the man either. 'Well you could at least say hello, I must say you are a poor host Mr Potter.'

'Well feel free to show yourself out then.' Bit back Harry.

'Oh, I think not, I want to talk to you.' Harry just shut his eyes. 'Are you not even going to ask my name? I would have thought you would be curious.' Harry snorted. 'What's funny?'

'The last thing you want to tell me is your name.'

'Why's that?' Asked the man intrigued.

'It'll make it easier for me to find and kill you.'

The visitor's loud unnatural laugh filled the air. 'They' he started before breaking down in laughter again, 'they told me you wouldn't break.' He said breathlessly. 'I didn't believe them, especially when I heard about the screaming.' He bent over wheezing as he finished evidently lost in the humour he found in the situation.

Harry just waited patiently for him to continue. 'You actually think you are getting out of here don't you?'

'Still alive.' Shrugged Harry. 'Last time I checked.' He added as an afterthought.

Harry's companion grinned evilly. 'Yes and you will be alive for a very long time, there are worse things than death Mr Potter. Much like the Dementors kiss.'

That got Harry's attention, he glared blindly in the man's direction. Anger pooling in his green eyes, along with no small amount of fear.

'Yes, I thought you wouldn't like that. Don't worry you will have your wits about you long enough to witness the death of those closest to you. Well you may only see the bodies, but you will know they are gone.'

'Leave them out of it.' Snarled Harry.

'No, I don't think I will. Of course, I will try to keep them alive enough to have my fun after todays attack on the muggleborn rally. The Weasley girl in particular is quite the looker.'

Fury boiled through Harry's veins. The likes of which surpassed that which even Voldemort could inspire in him. No spell came to mind, however, his magic responded instinctively to intent. His rage forcing adrenaline which burned off the effects of the drug he was under. The restraints around his legs snapped causing him to fall to the ground. He was prepared this time for the impact and braced against it.

After breaking his fall, Harry launched himself at the door immediately. It exploded into pieces before him and the man was blown backwards into the wall behind. Blood poured out of a wound in the man's head. As Harry loomed over him to finish the job two guards sprinted around the corner and raised their wands simultaneously.

The jets of red light were intersected by a wall of magic as Harry threw his arms up to cover his face. Animalistic in his rage, Harry sprinted at the pair. A third stunning spell sizzled out before him and he dodged an ominous jet of green light before coming upon the first guard.

He grabbed the man's wand arm as the weapon was swung back to point at him, Harry pulled himself so he was too close for the unfortunate guard to cast a spell. He used his left leg to snap the braced knee, then slammed a fist into the unguarded nose.

The second guard had hesitated as Harry got in close, not wanting to hit is colleague. It would be his undoing, the swiftness that Harry had dealt with his partner surprised him, leaving Harry free to disarm him and throw him against the wall. Hard.

'Who's that fucker?' Asked Harry gesturing at the prone man outside his cell door.

'I, I don't kn-know.' He stuttered.

'Not good enough.' Growled Harry, punching him in the gut.

'P-please. I really don't know. He, he works for the m-minister.'

'Is the Minister here?'

'No he came alone.'

'How was he getting back?'

'There's a boat in the dock.' One more punch knocked the man out. Satisfied with the information received Harry moved back to his tormentor. He was still slumped against the wall and the pool of blood had only gotten larger. Harry felt for a pulse, which he didn't find.

Hurried footsteps drew his attention, drawing himself to full height Harry raised a palm at the end of the corridor. He was about to unleash another wave of magic when a flash of pink caught his attention.

'Tonks?' He rasped.

'Harry!' She shouted whilst sprinting towards him. When she reached him she threw her arms around him and he caught her unsteadily. 'Bloody hell you had us worried.' She whispered squeezing him.

'I'm sorry.'

Tonks snorted. 'I know. You shouldn't be though.'

'What are you doing here?' He asked.

Tonks pulled back and smiled at him. 'Rescuing you, you berk.' She punctuated her sentence by punching him lightly in the chest.

'What about the muggleborns, the attacks today.'

'I know, don't worry we have a plan still. Funnily enough finding you was quite important. We can't have the fake Harry Potter running around without the real one being there to stop him.' She said teasingly. 'Come on, we can talk on our way out of here.'

She turned on her heel and walked towards the exit of the corridor where the stairs were. 'Where are the rest of the guards?' Asked Harry, following her closely.

'They've been dealt with, all we need to do is watch out for is the dementors.'

'Good.'

They walked to the end of the corridor towards the main staircase. Tonks had started down them briskly when she stopped when Harry was no longer behind her. She turned to see him fumbling awkwardly with the rail as he tested each step gingerly, making sure his foot would land on solid ground.

'Shit.' She swore under her breath, as she rushed back to his side. 'Sorry, I forget your almost blind I'm that used to seeing you with contacts in.'

'It's ok.' He muttered distastefully as she wrapped an arm around him to steady him.

'It's ok to need help you know.' She soothed softly, Harry just held on tighter.

The two of them made steady progress thanks to Tonks' careful guidance. True to her word they weren't bothered by any more guards, they could only hope the dementors would stay away.

Harry's hopes raised as they approached the main entrance. When they stepped off the bottom step though his heart fell through his stomach. A mist surrounded them, unseen by Harry's eyes cloaked figures gathered in the exit.

He was shaking and he could hear the distant sound of screaming. Mentally preparing himself to fight wandless against some of the true horrors of the wizarding world, Harry was distracted as a sob fell from Tonks.

She was shaking uncontrollably, her wand raised yet juddering violently in the air. 'Exp, Expect.' She tried and failed to get the incantation out, as she went to let her arm fall to her side, Harry caught her wrist holding it steady in front of them.

'You need to let go Tonks.' He whispered in her ear. 'Close your eyes and think of what you have, not what could have been. What makes you happy now?'

'T-Teddy… B-B-Bill.' She stuttered, slumping into his side.

'Then think about them, allow the feeling of having them in your life fill you up.' Dark figures emerged out of the mist. 'Have you got it?' She nodded hesitantly. 'Then together.'

Harry's own mind was flooded by Ginny, that one moment in the Leaky Cauldron and what could have been.

'EXPECTO PATRONUM!' The two shouted together. A large silver wolf with a short snout and tail erupted from the tip of the wand held before them. Powered by their joint moments of joy.

Howling, the wolf herded the dementors away from them, allowing the mist to clear. Tonks was still too shook up to walk so it was Harry's turn to guide them. He kept hold of her wand arm to make sure the Patronus remained charged and started walking towards the large gateway he could just make out.

The area outside was littered with sharp, jagged rocks and loose pebbles underfoot made the walkway treacherous. 'Where am I going Tonks? Where's the boat?' Asked Harry as gently as he could, failing to keep his desperation from leaking through his voice.

'Over there.' She hmphed, pointing in a general direction in front of him.

The rain and wind continued to buffet them as they made their way towards the jetty. Harry stole a look behind him to see the dementors still being held off by the silvery wolf.

Tonks steadily regained some composure and led them to their way of escape. She pulled Harry close as they walked along the old creaking wooden pier the boat was moored against, so that he didn't stray over the side.

She helped Harry lower himself aboard first before following and settling down next to him. She tapped her wand on the back of the craft and it sped away under her command. Exhausted they allowed the Patronus to fade.

Now that they were safe Tonks started to sob freely again into her hands, Harry silently pulled her towards him wrapping his arms around her securely. 'I'm sorry, so sorry.' She started muttering almost incoherently.

'It's ok. We're going to be ok.' He whispered.

'I'm sorry. I broke down, I couldn't think. All I could remember is how I felt when you came home without Remus and Sirius.' Tonks sniffed into his shoulder.

'It's ok. Believe me I spent many long nights remembering the war. What happened with Sirius and Remus, the things I've done myself. I forgot everything I had to live for, that's what dementors do.'

'I should be stronger.' She wheezed weakly.

'Why?' He asked. 'There are true horrors in our pasts Tonks, we lost much more than most during the war and bore witness to unspeakable acts.'

'You were ok.'

'That's because I had you next to me and a lot of time in the presence of dementors to practice focusing on what matters. What makes it worth getting up every morning.' He argued quietly.

'Ginny.' Tonks breathed doubtlessly, without question.

'Yeah, and Teddy and Bill for you.'

'Hmmm.' She hummed. 'We're going to be ok aren't we?'

'Yeah, it's like I've learnt to live again these past few months.' Muttered Harry.

'Ginny's been worried sick about you.' Said Tonks fondly. 'If we hadn't found you I think she would have teared the country apart looking for you.'

Harry smiled a little sadly, he really hadn't meant to worry anyone. 'How did you find me?'

'We got lucky. We spoke to Mad-Eye to see if he had seen you. That's when he told us you had been to the Ministry.' At this point she looked at him angrily. 'Couldn't that have waited until after all this.'

'I was rather worried the Aurors would try to kill me if the realised who I was. I at least wanted the head Auror to know I was on their side.'

Tonks sighed heavily. 'Fair enough.'

'Besides it's not fair for you to you carry my secret around anymore.'

'I never minded.'

'I know, but it was selfish. You could have been throwing your life away if anyone had found out.'

Tonks smirked, despite her tear stained face. 'That's true, although, it's easier to hide a brother than a boyfriend.'

Harry shifted uncomfortably. 'Don't know what you mean.'

'Really.' Sighed Tonks airily. 'So it's got nothing to do with your romantic feelings for a certain Ginevra?' She laughed loudly at the growing blush on his face. 'You've got it bad little brother.'

'Don't I know it.' Snorted Harry. 'Just wish I was worth her.' He added quietly, looking out to the sea around them. The water was stiller here, the sun had started poking through the clouds as they left the storm surrounding Azkaban behind.

'You are.' Confirmed Tonks, turning his face towards her. 'I'm glad you've found her.'

'So am I.' Admitted Harry smiling tiredly.

'Anyway, after we found out it didn't take long to wheedle it out of that berk Foxman, the one who looked rather dead outside your cell. It was easy to convince him not only to visit but to take me along.'

'Did he tell you anything else?' Asked Harry interested.

'Unfortunately not.' Said Tonks. 'Although to be honest I didn't really try, I was just trying to get you back.'

Harry nodded his head. 'Thanks Tonks.'

'Don't mention it.' She eyed him shrewdly. 'You look tired.'

Harry snorted. 'Yeah the floor wasn't all that comfy to be honest. I've definitely had better mattresses.'

Laughing Tonks pulled away and moved to the far side of the bench, where she sat and tapped her lap. 'Come on go to sleep, we've got a while before we can apparate home.'

Too drained to argue, Harry rested his head in her lap. 'We should go straight to the Ministry, help with the attack.'

'We're in no fit state, they can look after themselves and the plans solid.' She said, resting a calming hand on his forehead stalling any argument. 'Trust them, they know what they're doing.'

'Ok, love you sis.' Harry mumbled, content with his eyes closing.

'Love you too bro.'

A faint smell of cooked bacon was the next thing Harry was fully aware of. He stirred hating the teasing memory, what he felt next surprised him. He wasn't on the stone-cold floor he was expecting, instead he was on a rather comfy bed and covered by heavy duvet.

I must be going mad. He thought, rolling away from where he was imagining the smell and curled tightly into a ball again, the position he had regularly taken up whilst imprisoned.

Then the memory of his escape hit home. 'Tonks!' He shouted springing up suddenly.

'Easy now.' Said a calm voice from beside him. 'You're ok, you're home.'

He turned to the sound, the voice of his only sanctuary. His blurry eyes could just make out the red hair and pale skin of the woman beside him. 'Ginny?' He breathed hopefully.

'Morning sleepy head.' She chirped happily. She sat on the edge of his bed and placed his glasses into his hands, which he quickly pulled on, catching himself in the eye. 'Smooth.' Snorted Ginny with an amused twinkle in her eyes.

Harry beamed, as he looked at her before the smile died on his face. 'What happened?' He asked, gently cupping her face in his hand, where his thumb rubbed small circles under a black eye she was wearing.

'It's nothing,' She said leaning into the touch. 'Happened during the attack.'

'What happened? Is everyone ok? Did you catch anyone?' Asked Harry breathlessly.

'One at a time.' Chuckled Ginny. 'Everyone's fine, thanks to your plan we got the muggleborns out ok and for the most part the Aurors were uninjured. Although a couple ended up in the hospital as a precaution.'

Ginny took a deep breathe. 'It's what happened next that's the problem, We caught a few of them but not everyone…' She hesitated to go further.

'What happened Ginny?' Urged Harry.

'The imposter was there, he got away but not before someone got a photo of him fighting.'

Harry groaned and fell back into the pillows. 'I bet it's all over the prophet.'

'I'm sorry Harry. Everyone thinks he is you.' She placed a hand on his shoulder. 'There's something else too.' Something in her voice forced him to look at her. 'I, I told everyone who you are.' She said sadly. 'I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't stand it, my brothers were all tearing into you, saying what a monster you are and something just snapped. I'm so sorry.'

Harry covered the hand on his shoulder with his own. 'It's OK. They deserve to know the truth and your brothers aren't wrong he is a monster.'

'Yeah well you're not.' She huffed. 'So we need to stop him.'

'We will.' He promised.

They fell into an awkward silence where they both refused to break eye contact. Fighting a blush Ginny eventually started to move. 'I should let you eat and rest, we can talk about what to do next later.' She went to move her hand from his shoulder when Harry caught it.

'Please don't go.' He whispered hoarsely. 'Please.'

There was a broken vulnerability to his voice she had never heard before. 'I'm scared.' He admitted. 'I don't want to wake up and be back in Azkaban.'

'You won't.' She promised smiling. 'You're stuck here with me.'

'Really?'

She leaned over and gently ran his hair through his already messy black hair. 'Really.'

'There's something I need to tell you.'

'It's alright you don't need to say anything.'

'I need to say this.' She nodded her head for him to continue, her brown orbs never leaving his eyes. 'The only thing keeping me sane, the only thing that let me live through what the dementors did to me was the thought of you. I've gone for a long time with nothing to live for, scraping around for a way to die.' He took a shaky breath as a tear leaked from Ginny's eye. 'Now… I've gotten to know you and I want to live again.'

He closed his eyes and shifted uncomfortably for a second before looking back at her. 'Sorry I'm shit at this kind of thing.' Ginny chuckled lightly at his admission. 'What I'm trying to say is… It's… I've never… I…'

His useless rambling was cut off as Ginny pressed her lips to his. 'Shh, I know.' She whispered against his lips before kissing him again, eagerly.