Sooner or Later

By: AngelDusterBuster

Disclaimer: Let's face it. We all know I don't own any of the characters from the Harry Potter books. So if you see something here that was ever mentioned in the books remember that I was only given the material I didn't create it!

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Chapter Ten: Think Twice

The next two weeks went by slower then anything Harry had even known in his life. Still having no word from Sirius, and wondering when Ron would come back was something that made his life a living nightmare. He knew Hermione was trying her best to help him, but the truth was she was going through the same thing.

The worst part of it all was how everyone was treating him different. As if they expected him to break at any moment. Everywhere he went teachers would make excuses to walk him to class. He remembered very well the day Professor McGonagall had brought all the seventh year boys into her office to break the news of Ron.

As for Defense class, nobody had been able to get Harry to go. There was a day when he'd even been dragged down there. Finally they just gave up. Harry was so furious as Sirius for leaving. For not telling him he was dating, yet engaged. But the hate he had for Professor Sanibel was two times worse.

"Harry", Hermione walked into his dorm room. She looked as if she'd just seen a ghost, "I've been looking all over for you"

"I've been here all afternoon", Harry shrugged, "and every other day lately. Couldn't have been that hard"

"Don't be difficult Harry", Hermione sat down next to him, "There's something I have to tell you…"

"Who died?", Harry looked up from his homework.

"That is not funny Harry!", Hermione gently gave him a shove, "what's with you lately?"

"I'll give you a few guesses if you want", Harry looked back down at his homework.

"I talked to Professor Sanibel today", Hermione saw Harry's shoulders tense up, "I really think you're acting childish Harry. Refusing to go to class…"

"Look I don't need a lecture!", Harry snapped slamming his book closed, "all I wanted to do was get my work done. I don't need this Hermione"

"Fine Harry. But you should know one thing. Ron's coming back tonight and he's going to need us now more than ever. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and go back to class", Hermione glared at him before storming out of the dorm room.

Harry stared at the doorway for a moment, "And to think she wasn't even supposed to be up here"

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He hadn't fully comprehended that Ron was coming back tonight until he was summoned to Professor Dumbledore's office. He was smart enough to realize exactly why he was told to go there. He shut his eyes for a moment leaning against the wall. He had to admit he was reluctant to see Ron. The last two times he'd seen him hadn't gone well after all.

He jumped up when he heard to familiar voices. He quickly ran to find a hiding place.

"I'm glad your doing okay Ron…I was so worried"

"Where's Harry? I really need to talk to him"

"There's a few things you should know about Harry…"

"He's okay isn't he?"

"Physically. Cutting a long story short Sirius is engaged. That's why Harry came to your house that night. He'd just found out. Some words were said and from what I've gathered nobody's heard from Sirius in three weeks"

"He's engaged? To who?"

"Professor Sanibel. So you know our Harry…he refuses to go to defense class"

"Hermione…I've really been a jerk to him"

"You're his best friend Ron. I've sure learned one thing through all of this. Whatever kind of a friendship you have with him…I don't have it"

Harry swallowed hard. He hadn't realized up till now how much he'd been blowing Hermione off. He quickly tore off in the direction of the common room.

"Where you going so fast Potter?", Draco Malfoy suddenly blocked his path.

"Get out of my way Malfoy"

"What's this Potter? No Weasley? No Granger?", Draco grinned.

"Fine be stupid…I'll just go another way", Harry rolled his eyes turning around. He began walking when he heard Draco mutter something under his breath. Harry turned around ready to throw a comment back when he noticed something else. Draco hadn't just muttered something under his breath he'd thrown a spell at Harry.

Harry fell to the floor when it hit him. He cursed out loud for not jumping out of the way.

"Enjoy your last year Potter", he heard Draco laugh.

"Harry!", he heard feet running toward him.

Hermione helped him to lean against the wall, "What'd he do to you? Where are you hurt?"

"That's the odd part…it made me majorly dizzy", Harry shut his eyes.

Not knowing what to do Hermione forced Harry to keep his eye open, "Harry stay alert"

"Hermione? Do you have a twin sister?", Harry laughed, "wow you sure look alike…"

Ron laughed, "He's seeing double or something…well he did say he was dizzy"

"Stop moving…", Harry complained.

"May I ask why you three are out after hours? Miss. Granger you being head girl…I'd merely assume you knew the rules", Professor Snape walked toward them.

"Malfoy attacked Harry", Ron stood up.

"Well then where is Mr. Malfoy? I didn't see him", Snape snapped.

"Well if you don't believe--"

"I believe that you three have earned yourselves each a detention"

Ron's mouth dropped open, "Can't you see Harry's not acting normal? Who knows what happened to him…"

"He looks fine to me. Now all three of you back to bed right now or I'll give you another detention", Snape glared at Ron.

Hermione and Ron each held a hand out for Harry. He groaned, "Stop it…I'm seeing double as it is"

Ron and Hermione bent down and pulled Harry up, "Come on we have to get out of here"

A few minutes later, after Harry had started walking on his own, Ron looked over at him, "Are you sure your okay?"

"I'm fine Ron", Harry said at the same time he tripped over a crack in the ground.

Ron laughed catching Harry before he hit the ground, "What would you do without us"

"Well most likely I'd be dead", Harry rubbed his eyes, "Ugh…I was finally feeling better again"

"Again?", Hermione and Ron asked at the same time.

"Oh around Christmas I got sick or something", Harry pushed Ron's arm away , "I'm fine. I can walk on my own"

"You have a serious problem with letting people help you", Ron refused.

"Look in a mirror", Harry yawned.

Ron turned pale, "Yeah…I've uh…been uh meaning to talk about that with you. But now isn't really the time"

"Do you think we should bring him to the hospital wing?", Hermione whispered to Ron.

"I'm fine you guys", Harry groaned, "Stop worrying"

"Oh Harry…I almost forgot. You're supposed to go to Professor Dumbledore's office tomorrow morning", Ron added.

"What'd I do now…."

"Come on…let's all get some sleep", Hermione smiled at her two friends. Even though there were still a lot of things to work through, it felt good to just be a trio again.

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"Harry, Professor Snape informed me that something when on in the corridors last night", Professor Dumbledore started up as soon as Harry entered the room.

"Oh yeah--"

"You don't have to serve those detentions", Professor Dumbledore assured Harry.

"Alright", Harry replied not remembering ever receiving one anyway.

"I'm going to get straight to the point Harry. You have to go back to defense class. You of all people need to be in that class each day---", Dumbledore dragged on.

"Look I have my reasons okay?" , Harry leaned back in his chair.

"Would your reasons change if someone else taught?", Dumbledore tried to catch Harry's eye.

"What? Your going to fire someone just because I tell you to?", Harry stared at Dumbledore bewildered.

"That's not exactly what I had in mind", Dumbledore smiled at Harry, "I meant what if we have Remus teach you"

Harry's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"It's very important especially in your final year that you keep up with your classmates. So if that's what it takes, then I'll arrange it", Dumbledore assured Harry.

"Is that all?", Harry asked.

"Harry you haven't heard anything from Sirius have you?", Dumbledore suddenly brought up.

That one very question was enough to make Harry feel miserable, "No. Have you?"

"Are you sure? Because if you have--"

"Believe me if I had you'd know", Harry responded, "Sir? Why did he leave?"

"I think perhaps you should talk to Remus about that", Dumbledore pointed at the door.

Harry was confused. He turned around and looked at the doorway. Remus Lupin was standing there, "Hey Harry"

"Hey! What a surprise…", Harry ran to Remus' side, "what are you doing here?"

"Well I do have a little light to shed…I spoke with Sirius this morning", Remus looked from Harry to Dumbledore, "Harry…maybe you should--"

"No! He's my godfather I have the right to know", Harry defended himself, "Why isn't he here?"

"He told me he wanted me to take care of you over the next summer until you figure things out with your future. I told him I couldn't do that. He said he doesn't want to ruin Harry's life anymore--"

"He isn't!", Harry interrupted.

"Harry I have to ask you not to interrupt me", Remus motioned for Harry to take a seat, "He was being stubborn as ever. He did have your well being in mind--"

"I'm sorry but what's going on? Where is Sirius!", Harry snapped.

"He's gone Harry"

"Gone? What the heck are you talking about?", Harry refused to sit any longer.

"I couldn't take it away from him Harry. James made Sirius your godfather and that was something he always treasured. So when I refused he left. Because he knew then I would have too", Remus sighed.

"What are you stupid?", Harry laughed, "Even you aren't that stupid…"

"Harry--"

"I have nothing else to say", Harry got up rushing out of the room slamming the door shut behind him.

"Harry come back here right now!", Harry heard Remus yell.

Harry gasped. Remus had never raised his voice at him. Sirius hadn't either up till this year. Maybe it wasn't them…maybe it was me.

Harry reached the common room with one thing on his mind, "I've got to stop ruining people's lives"

"Hey Harry", Ron waved as he entered the common room, "what's up?"

"Nothing", Harry managed to say.

"Want to play chess?"

"No"

"Something bothering you?", Ron looked over at him curiously.

"I have to go Ron", Harry shrugged.

"Go where? I'll come with you", Ron shut his book.

"Here", Harry grabbed something out of Ron's backpack handing it to him.

Ron stared at Harry, "Um…yeah that's my wand Harry"

"Tell them I told you to do it. That I forced you", Harry muttered.

"What are you insane? I'm not about to shoot some spell at you Harry", Ron rolled his eyes.

"I can't live like this anymore Ron. Come on make it fast…just get it over with", Harry shut his eyes.

Ron suddenly froze. He knew exactly what Harry was meaning him to do. Ron put his hands on Harry's shoulders, "Snap out of it! I've been there Harry and it isn't the answer"

"It'd be doing everyone a favor. They probably give you an award or something", Harry tried to pull Ron off him, "What are you doing?"

"Give me your hand", Ron snapped grabbing something that had caught his eye.

Harry's eyes widened, "What…what are you doing?"

Harry winced as he felt a sharp pain on his hand, "What the hell are you doing!"

"Like that feeling Harry?", Ron fixed his eyes on Harry, "Because killing yourself is going to hurt a million times worse"

Harry glared at Ron, "Fine I'll do it myself"

But before Harry could think fast enough Ron had already grabbed his wand from his pocket, "Come on were going to Dumbledore right now"

"Give me that back!", Harry shouted, "at least to fix the cut you gave me! What kind of a maniac carry's sharp objects around in their pocket!"

"I don't know Harry I grabbed it off of your bed", Ron tightened his grip on Harry as he dragged in down the stairs.

"Ron? Where are you going?", Ginny Weasley stared at her brother, "better yet why are you pulling Harry around?"

"I'd tell you but I'm giving Harry the same respect he showed me", Ron hinted knowing she'd soon figure it out.

"Oh my god…", Ginny stared at Harry.

"What do you want! What you staring at?", Harry glared back at her furiously.

Ginny winced. It was amazing how much voice tone could hurt, "What were you thinking Harry? Wasn't it hard enough for you when Ron did it? Wanted to try it yourself?"

"Both of you leave me alone", Harry kicked Ron in the shin.

Ron shut his eyes groaning, "Gin…follow him"

Ginny did as she was told. Harry may have had longer legs but was in no state of mind to think intelligently. Taking a different corridor she managed to catch up.

"HARRY!", Ginny yelled grabbing onto the fabric on this clothing.

He finally stopped. Ginny shoved him against the wall, "Are you done acting stupid now?"

Harry took one look at her and broke down. He slid down into a sitting position burying his head in his hands.

"You have it so good Ginny….you know what it's like to be Harry Potter? Pure hell", Harry chocked out.

"Okay yes maybe you do have bigger problems than the rest of us but…that's no reason to kill yourself!", Ginny knelt down beside him, "Didn't you learn anything the past few weeks?"

"I'm ruining so many lives Ginny. Cedric…my parents…your brother…and now Remus and Sirius. I'm just everyone's inconvenience", Harry kept his head down.

"Ginny! Harry!", two pairs of feet ran down the corridor.

Ginny stepped aside as Hermione and Ron came closer, "You are nobody's inconvenience"

"Just leave me alone Ginny! I don't need any tutoring right now!", Harry looked up seeing Hermione and Ron. He saw Ron whisper something to Hermione. She proceeded walking back down the hall.

Slowly and a bit reluctantly Ron walked toward Harry, "I don't know what you kicking me was for…but I'm going to forget it"

"Lucky me", Harry shook slightly.

"It's okay Harry…like you said I'd make you tell me" , Ron bent down beside Harry, "Here let me fix your hand"

Harry looked up at Ron holding his hand out, "I'm sorry about kicking---"

"You don't have to apologize", Ron held a hand up smiling, "I guess were even"

"How can you be so nice to him!", Ginny stared at Ron, "He just tried to kill himself!"

"Actually he asked me to…I mean never mind", Ron shook his head, "Ginny I think you should go back up to the common room or something"

"Fine. I don't want to be around either of you anyway", Ginny swallowed a mouthful of tears walked away.

Ron's attention was quickly turned to back to Harry. He looked to be having a coughing attack, "Breathe Harry"

"It's happening again", Harry whispered to himself.

"What's happening again? Your scar?", Ron asked startled.

"No…I just…I feel sick again", Harry put his hand on his stomach.

"Maybe you just--"

"No…this is the second time. I probably have some rare disease", Harry shut his eyes.

"Harry", Ron nudged him a few minutes later, "Harry wake up"

Harry opened his eyes. Ron was still sitting next to him, but there were more people around. Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Snape. And standing behind them, Remus.

"Don't worry", Ron whispered, "I'll stay with you"

All Harry wanted to do was sleep. But he had a feeling that once again he'd done the wrong thing. In trying to help everyone else, he'd failed. And now once again he felt as if the label inconvenience was written all over his face.

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Author's Note:

Hey I just firstly want to apologize for last chapter being so brief and short. I was in such a hurry to get it up that I didn't realize how short I had made it. But anyway I'm glad you liked it anyway. So right now were looking at another update toward the end of the week…maybe Saturday. Until then have a great week!

AngelDusterBuster

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Sons: Can you tell how Harry's feeling now? Adore? Hey I've never heard that! Thanks for reviewing!

Princess Kattera: Don't worry absolutely nobody has figured out even what chapter the hint came out! Sirius is having a midlife crisis or something! (ha-ha) Thanks for reading!

Anaticulapraecantrix- There's some things I haven't let in yet about what's going on with Sirius. I mean stuff before chapter one even. There's a whole gap of time I didn't cover remember. Hermione always wants to help but she doesn't know how. And now she has to deal with the fact that both of her best friends had suicide thoughts. Poor Hermione…

Anie: Yes I am really enjoying High School! I can't wait till I'm not a rookie anymore though. Nice guess on what's going on with Harry. That's the best guess I got! But still…I'm sorry that's not quite right. I should hold a contest or something! Well hope to hear from you soon!

Fickle:I know it was short! Was it? I'm fortunate enough to have not gotten em…to many flames. I got a lot of flames when I first started writing. That's of course stuff that's not posted on here any longer. Thanks for reviewing!

Arwena: It was shorter! I apologize. I'm not saying anything about Harry/Ginny. Because obviously Ginny's angry with Harry right now and…well I better shut up before I give something away. I'm not sure what color Ginny's eyes are…hmm I never thought about it. Well hope to hear from you soon!

Fireangle: Yeah I know sometimes I'm reluctant to read new stuff too. Aww…thank you so much! I can't tell you how much I love hearing that. But as a first time reviewer I'm glad to hear from you! Thanks for reviewing.

SkyBrooks: I let just a little bit in on Sirius in this chapter. I'll try to update asap! J Thanks for reading!

Harrystwin: Thanks!

-_- No I have to say…Harry being sick has nothing to do with Remus being a werewolf? If that's what you were getting at….Well hope to hear from you soon!

Dark Luna Angel: Next chapter I'm going to give a clue in my author's note. Otherwise you still have a week to try to figure it out! It's so much fun leading people on like this…haha. Don't worry someday you will know! Thanks for reviewing!

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*Email: AngelDusterBuster@msn.com

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Until next chapter remember to review this one! The more reviews I get the faster you'll see the next chapter. So why wouldn't you review? Hmm…that sounds pretty good to me!