This story is very near and dear to me. As a teen, I was attacked by my father and it finally made me wake up to the reality of his abuse. How bad my life was, It changed everything. This made me finally stand up for myself and change the reality of my life. I think seeing this in some way for Harry, who's abuse is never addressed, would be everything for me!

It was the pain that drew Harry back to life, the memories of what had caused it unclear as he struggled out of the endless dark. The weight of something in his veins left him fearful and struggling to function. It took what felt like hours to reach the surface, and when he did he was blinded by the endless fluorescent lights.

"What happened?" He managed to slur out, shaking and weak. His eyes slowly focused and he saw something unfamiliar. "Am I in the hospital?"

"Yes, you are... "A woman's voice drew his attention and he quickly saw the source, a woman in a white coat looking at him with soft brown eyes. "May I ask who you are? And of course how you are feeling?"

"Harry Potter... and everything hurts."

"I would imagine so, you were attacked by a wolf... or a large dog more likely."

Harry froze as his memories returned all at once... and he could barely breathe. "It was a full moon out... and I was... I was walking to the Dursleys,... " He shivered, the fear he felt in his soul filling him. "Something was growling, it sounded so familiar... and I... I couldn't move in time. It slammed into me. It's teeth caught my chest, then my light... it clawed at me for what felt like hours. I fought back. I tried..." He remembered fighting but his very magic felt paralyzed, he guessed from fear or the venom..." Nothing worked...I kicked it's leg out and managed to flee... then I passed out when I saw a car."

The Doctor nodded. "A Mary McDougal found you, she kept you alive while the ambulance came to take you. You nearly bled out..." He shivered and nodded. "How old are you Mr. Potter and is there anyone we can contact?"

"I am almost fourteen... and no... not really... " He almost said something... then stopped as a rush of hate came to him, and unlike before common sense or fear didn't stop it... he felt the same rage he now knew came from being a Werewolf, or maybe from having yet another thing forced onto him, more misery, less choice... "My aunt and uncle would probably be disappointed I didn't die..."

The Doctor's eyes widened. "We were going to ask about that... you are... very small... thin as a rail and there are other signs of malnutrition. That mixed with your clothing... we thought you were homeless."

"That would be better." The rage he felt was odd.. familiar but also far more... real, less numb them before. It was like a damn in his mind had been unleashed nad he was feeling for the first time what he really felt. ' Why am I so bloody angry... I nearly died that's why! I nearly died in a place I hate because Dumbledore said was a safe place... and I still have to stay since he will force me back...' And in that moment, Harry lost a lot of respect for Dumbledore. 'I was supposed to be safe! I was supposed to be okay...why stay where I am hated, hurt and abused for no real safety... I was attacked by a werewolf... I... I nearly died, again!' A rush of coldness overtook Harry. "I am not going back...I have dealt with their hate for years but now... I nearly died... I spent more than a decade being hit, hated and starved all to be nearly killed. No more."

The doctor's smile was pained. "It is not too shocking you feel that was. Many people, who nearly die, realize there is something toxic in their lives and make the change. It can be a long shift for some or swift for others... for you, It seems to be a swift change. Do you think charges can be set on your relatives? I am a mandated reported, I have to turn them in for this..."

Harry knew Dumbledore would fight it but now... at this moment, Harry didn't bloody care. "Do what you must... I will tell you everything... but not yet. Let me rest first, please... If I am going to fight, I want to actually fight."

The doctor held out her hand. "My name is Michelle Daniels. I will do everything to get you out of your home.!"

Harry actually started to cry, actual heaving sobs as he felt... free for the first time in his life. Who would have guessed that near-death and a permanent life-altering transformation that still hadn't really hit him yet... was all it would have taken...

'I refuse to suffer for the Dursley's any more... or for anyone else...and I refuse to be like Lupin either, drifting and miserable. I will not let this define me...but I will let it change me. I can't be the old Harry Potter anymore... I will be the new Harry Potter. I will stand up for myself, and I will make my life what I need it to be... I will finally, finally choose myself...look out world... here I come.'

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was... cathartic for me to write. I think a powerful event like this can change Harry enough that he makes these strides. They are actually close to real thoughts I have over the summer I had when I was his age. Real thoughts that led me to becoming a better, happier, selfish ( in a goodway) person...

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.