Title: The Sides of Fear (4/?)
Author: Azeroth
Author E-mail: mrlindberg3h@yahoo.com
Category: Mystery, Drama, Action/Adventure, Romance
Keywords: Harry, Ginny, Voldemort, Chalice
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: For all four books
Summary: Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts with a female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, feelings of guilt for Cedric Diggory's death, and looking for someone to share his emotions with. Voldemort has steadily begun to build his reign of terror as a sense of urgency and vigilance goes through Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: I can't help but write. It's almost like an addiction. Thanks once again for all the reviews. A special thanks goes out to Maddy who is gracious enough to let me use some of her work in future chapters.
If you leave your e-mail on your review I'll send you an e-mail whenever I publish a new chapter.

The Sides of Fear

Chapter 4
Revenge and Relief

The owls had arrived from Hogwarts carrying their book lists for the upcoming year, and everyone was going to spend the day in Diagon Alley. Harry, Ron, and Ginny had decided to meet up with Hermione at Gringotts. Actually, it had been Harry and Ginny who had suggested they meet up with her. Ron was still oblivious to Hermione's existence, and had begun to protest until Ginny had punched him and called him an idiot. Ron had looked pleadingly towards Harry, but he knew there was no way of ditching Hermione.

Mrs. Weasley had told them to meet up with her at the Leaky Cauldron since she had errands to run. They arrived at Gringotts with Harry successfully using Floo Powder coming out unscathed. They could see Hermione standing by Gringotts looking very nervous as the trio walked up the steps.

"Hi Harry, Gin...Ron," Hermione said cautiously.

"It's so good to see you again Mione," Ginny said rushing up to hug her friend.

"Yeah, you look great Hermione," Harry said.

"Hi," Ron muttered, looking down at his feet.

Harry just looked at Ron and remembered how big of a prat Ron could be when he wanted to. Before he could say anything the girls had already gone into Gringotts. Harry quickly turned around with a furious look.

"YOU STUPID PRAT!" yelled Harry. "I KNEW YOU COULD BE STUPID AND A PRAT, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT YOU COULD BE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME!"

Ron was taken aback as his friend was standing outside of Gringotts yelling at him, and calling him a stupid prat. People had stopped to look at the two boys, and Ron could feel his cheeks burning.

"Harry, I..." Ron started.

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN! I'M TIRED OF SEEING YOU TREAT HERMIONE LIKE THIS!" Harry yelled, now feeling his own face go red out of anger. "SO SNAP OUT OF IT BEFORE I HEX YOU!"

Ron just stood there flabbergasted hearing people around them giggling and laughing.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I'm a prat," sighed Ron, looking down at his feet once again.

"AND IF...huh? What did you just say?" asked Harry.

"I said I'm a prat," Ron said looking up.

"You forgot the stupid part," added Harry.

"Sorry. I meant stupid prat," Ron said with a slight smile.

"Much better. Now what do you say we go in and talk to the girls?" Harry said grinning.

"Sounds good to me."

When they walked into the bank they could see Hermione and Ginny standing in line waiting to exchange Hermione's Muggle money. They walked up to them and Harry dragged away Ginny saying something about an incredible goblin statue of the founder of Gringotts.

"Ahem," coughed Ron trying not to look at Hermione. "I'm sorry Hermione," he said.

"What?" asked Hermione turning around looking at Ron.

"I said I'm sorry for being a stupid prat."

"You should be," snorted Hermione.

"I know I can be a bit...thick-headed, but it's just because I care about you," Ron said feeling his ears turn pink.

"Well, the next time you feel like showing how much you care about me try to think of a different way to show it," Hermione said trying to hide a smile.

"I'll try. I just hate it when Ginny's right," added Ron looking up seeing a smile play on Hermione's lips.

"She is right you know. You can be a stupid prat sometimes," said Hermione grinning.

They both looked at each other, and knew everything was going to be alright. From across the lobby Harry and Ginny could only laugh at the scene that was being played out in front of them. They both knew that Ron and Hermione liked each other a lot.

"That's my brother," Ginny said in between laughs. "The most stupid boy at Hogwarts."

Harry looked at her surprised. She really had changed a lot during the summer.

A few minutes later Harry went to get some money out of his vault, and after that it was off to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions.

***

"How is he taking all of this?"

"He's fine," snapped Lucius. "He's a Malfoy."

"Do you think he'll succeed?" asked Narcissa.

"If he knows what's good for him, he will," said Lucius turning around to grab the carafe.

He slowly filled up his goblet with wine that had the look of blood.

"But he is so young still," Narcissa said hesitantly holding out her goblet for Lucius to fill.

"Lord Voldemort seems to think there is something special about him," sneered Lucius remembering Voldemort's words about his own abilities.

"We must keep him strong if he's to survive this year," said Narcissa. "He mustn't find out about the weakness in our family."

"You mean your family," added Lucius angrily.

"We can't tell him. He mustn't find out."

"I know my dear. He won't find out," said Lucius flatly.

"In Vino Veritas," said Narcissa holding up her goblet to take a drink.

Draco had heard enough as he made his way up to his room. He had been on his way down to see his mother, and ask her for advice for the upcoming year when he had heard his parents' voices. He sat down at the end of the bed and flung himself back feeling the bed soothe his nerves. Two weeks ago his father had come home after he had been summoned by Lord Voldemort and told Draco it was time for him to meet his new master. Draco had always known his life would lead to the service of the Dark Lord, but he had thought he would have to wait until he was finished at Hogwarts. He reached for his dagger on the bedside table. The silver glistened in the light and the dragon-shaped handle molded itself in Draco's hand. The eyes were an icy blue and they reminded him of himself. He had held it in his hands for as long as he could remember. Every time he did so it mesmerized him to a point where time seemed to stand still. He had asked his father about the strange dagger on his 4th birthday. The only answer he had received had been "It's from your future master." Draco closed his eyes and threw it up in the air. The dagger twirled around in the air only to land in Draco's outstretched hand. His eyes were still closed. He had never missed a throw with his dagger. The curious part about it was that the dagger only responded to him. His father had once tried to use it to "punish" Draco, but as his father had aimed to cut him the dagger had stopped in mid-air followed by a scream. The dagger had burned the mark of the dragon in Lucius' hand. His punishment had of course been more severe after that incident.

"I belong to him now," whispered Draco. "My new master."

The memory of the dagger brought back childhood memories that Draco had tried to surpress. Most of his childhood had been full of pain and suffering. His father had been quick to clue Draco in on the secrets of pain and how to block it out. "Fear is for the weak," his father had said. "Pain is glory." His father had made sure to give Draco "instructions" on how to tolerate pain. The marks on his body bore testament to that. He could feel the seering pain of the hot branding irons that had made the marks on his shoulders as if it was yesterday. He had hated his father for years now. He remembered the time when his father had hung him up, and cut him all over his body. His eyes had sparked with hatred and his father had seen it.

"Yes. Finally. I can see the hatred in you," Lucius whispered as he cut Draco over his chest again. "Keep it inside you. Let it fester. Let it feed your mind."

"I...hate...you," Draco spat out.

"You don't know what true hate is. I will teach you though," growled Lucius letting his knife dance over Dracos arms. "You will be ready when he is not," added Lucius, his eyes glistening with content.

Draco could hear footsteps coming closer to his door. It was his father. He was the only one that would come to his room. The handle moved and the door creaked. He aimed his dagger at the door and was just about to throw it when the door stopped short of opening, and was slowly shut. Draco sighed and lay down on his bed, throwing the dagger up in the air, over and over again.

"I will have my revenge," he thought as the dragon's eyes seemed to look into his soul.

Draco drifted off into a trance as he kept on throwing the dagger, whispering "Revenge."

***

"Gin, would you look at this!" shrieked Hermione.

"Oh, that's to die for Mione," said Ginny feeling the hem of the velvet robe.

As Hermione was on her way to ask for resizing Ginny saw a dress robe that took her breath away. The silver and gold shimmered as the light gently stroked each strand of fabric. Ginny walked around the dress letting her hand sweep across it. It felt so light that she could've sworn it was barely there. Hermione had come running back finding Ginny by the dress robe.

"Gin, that dress is made for you," gasped Hermione.

"I know. Isn't it beautiful?" said Ginny. "Too bad it's just a dream," sighed Ginny letting her hand fall to her side.

"How much is it?" asked Hermione.

Ginny lifted up the price tag, letting it go with a dejected laugh.

"A girl can dream can't she?" she said walking away from the dress holding back her tears. "I never have anything new," she thought to herself as she made her way over to the exit where Harry and Ron were waiting.

Harry and Ron had known the trip to Madam Malkin's was inevitable, but little did they know that the girls were going to spend two hours looking at dress robes. At every shriek from Hermione or Ginny there had been an equally painful roll of the eyes from Ron followed by groans from Harry. He and Ron had picked out their dress robes in seven minutes, and that was counting the time it took to fit them. Ron had actually fallen asleep on the bench, no doubt put there for a reason, and Harry had sat down to look at the people walking by the store. After a while he had seen Hermione, with her bushy hair, come darting by looking for the seamstress. He had looked up to find Ginny standing by a dress made out of silver and gold. The sight took Harry's breath away. The dress looked like it would be a perfect fit for Ginny, and he had left his mouth hanging open. "She's definately not a little girl anymore," he thought still unable to tear his eyes away from Ginny. Hermione had went back to Ginny, and they had exchanged a few words until Ginny had come walking up to where Ron and Harry were sitting.

"I'll be right outside. I just need to go outside for a while," Ginny had said as she walked out quickly.

Hermione had come up to him looking sad.

"What's wrong with Ginny?" Harry asked.

"She saw this perfect dress," said Hermione sadly, "but she can't afford it."

"It was really beautiful," said Harry looking out the window at Ginny.

Harry turned around only to find Hermione with an evil smile plastered on her face.

"What was really beautiful?" asked Hermione amused.

"Wh...well...the dress," Harry stammered feeling his cheeks go pink.

"Uh huh," said Hermione nodding. "I'm sure you thought so," she added giggling as she went up to pay for her new dress robe.

Harry woke up Ron who was talking in his sleep about Quaffles and Chasers. As Ron got all his books together trying to help Hermione with all her bags, Harry walked over to the dress Ginny had been looking at. He looked at the price tag, and carefully looked at again just to make sure his eyes hadn't deceived him. He turned around and ran back to the door where Ron and Hermione were trying desperately to get out without dropping one of their bags.

They made their way up to the Leaky Cauldron and sat down to wait for Mrs. Weasley. All of a sudden Harry remembered something Mr. Weasley had asked him to do.

"I'll be right back," said Harry darting out of the Leaky Cauldron heading for the Muggle streets.

"What's with him?" asked Ron frowning.

"Dad asked him to get something for him this morning," said Ginny staring at Hermione's bag from Madam Malkin's.

Hermione could see her staring at her bag, and she tried to shuffle around her bags in order to hide her new dress robe. The door opened again and Mrs. Weasley stood in the doorway looking flustered. She walked up to the trio and sat down letting out an exasperated sigh. She looked around only to find Harry gone.

"Where's Harry?" she asked with worry.

"He just had an errand to run for Dad," Ginny said snapping out of her sadness. She didn't want to make her mother feel bad about not having enough money to buy a new dress robe.

At that moment the door flung open with Harry struggling to carry a huge box into the Leaky Cauldron. He waved his arms to catch Ron's attention asking him to help him out. Ron ran over to help him out and was surprised at how heavy the box was.

"What's in this ruddy thing?" he asked.

"Ronald Weasley," started Mrs. Weasley.

"Sorry Mum," said Ron coughing before he spoke again.

"Harry old chap, what, if I may so humbly inquire, is in that cube made out of re-enforced paper?" Ron said with his best Percy impression.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. Hermione and Ginny were giggling, but Mrs. Weasley gave Ron a stern look.

"I'll let your Dad show you when he gets home," Harry said walking over to grab his bags.

They made their way to the fireplace in the back with Mrs. Weasley going first followed by Ginny and Hermione.

"So what's in that ruddy thing anyway?" asked Ron again.

Mrs. Weasley's head popped up in the fire to the boys' surprise.

"Ronald Weasley. What did I tell you? Get back here now. You have chores to do," said Mrs. Weasley as she disappeared once again leaving Ron looking horrified.

"I can't blo...believe it," said Ron looking shocked as he stepped into the fire.

***

It had been a busy morning for Dumbledore as Professor McGonagall had dropped off a list containing more "suitable" candidates for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Dumbledore chuckled at the thought of Minerva's efforts to see to it that there was a change in faculty. Severus had also been kind enough to drop off a list of his own of perfectly good Potions teachers to replace him when he took over as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He had however informed Dumbledore that the potions were ready, and that there would be no problems during the school year. Dumbledore's light mood changed as his mind turned to matters concerning the chalice and Voldemort. Things were dire in the wizarding world and there was no time to waste. He had to make sure Harry was taught everything he might need to know. After that all he could do was hope that he would be ready.

"Our fate rests on hope," sighed Dumbledore as he crumpled up the papers and threw them in the fire.

***

Harry woke up in the middle of the night only to hear Ron snoring loudly, and talking in his sleep.

"Hermione," grumbled Ron as he threw his arms out and pursed his lips.

Harry almost fell off the bed trying to stop himself from laughing out loud. Ron turned over mumbling something else that Harry couldn't make out. Harry was wide awake now and walked downstairs to grab his broom. Whenever he felt like he couldn't sleep he would grab his broom and go for a ride. When he walked outside he kicked off and soared into the air. As he looked back at the house he could see a figure out on the ledge huddled up. When he came closer he could see it was Ginny.

"What are you doing up?" he asked her.

"Couldn't sleep," she said looking scared.

"Did you have a nightmare again?" asked Harry quietly.

Ginny's head shot up.

"Nightmares? Who to...No, no nightmares. I just couldn't sleep," lied Ginny.

"Ron told me in a letter," said Harry landing on the ledge, and sitting down next to Ginny.

"He just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut," said Ginny angrily.

"Ginny. He's just worried. You're his little sister, you know," Harry said.

"I'm not so little anymore. I hate being called that," whispered Ginny turning away from Harry.

"I've been wanting to talk to you about that for a long time," said Harry grabbing Ginny's hand.

Ginny couldn't believe it. She felt like she couldn't speak, but somehow words came out of her mouth.

"Harry, I'm so scared," she said shaking.

"I'm so sorry Ginny. It's all my fault. Everything's my fault," said Harry lowering his head. "Sometimes I wish I would never have found out about Hogwarts."

"What are you talking about? You saved me. Do you remember that?" replied Ginny.

"You almost died Ginny...and my parents...and Cedric did," said Harry still with his head between his knees. "It's all my fault."

"You know sometimes you're as stupid as Ron," said Ginny starting to look mad. "It's not your fault those people died. It's all You-Know-Who's fault," Ginny continued.

Harry looked up at Ginny's face with tears running down his cheeks.

"You don't understand," he said. "It's all my fault."

"Harry, look at me," Ginny said waiting for Harry to focus on her. "It is not your fault. You saved me. You saved the whole school from the basilisk. You saved the world from Voldemort's tyranny in the first place," Ginny cringed. "You did all that. Nobody else could've done that."

"You said his name," Harry said baffled.

"Well, I can't really be afraid of a name, can I?" said Ginny scrunching up her nose.

Harry looked at Ginny and was amazed at how calm and gentle she seemed. She was right. She wasn't little anymore. Harry wiped away his tears and took out the necklace.

"I never got a chance to thank you for this," he said rubbing the pendant.

"It was just something I found," said Ginny blushing once again.

"Well, it seems to have helped me. I haven't had any nightmares since I started wearing it," Harry said still holding the pendant in his hand. "That's twice I owe you Miss Weasley," Harry said with a slight smile.

"I'm happy to see you feeling a little better," said Ginny feeling herself drown in Harry's smile.

"I suppose I should get back to bed again before any of your brothers wake up, and think we're up to no good," said Harry getting up, putting the necklace back.

"I suppose you're right," said Ginny grinning. "You never know what my stupid prat of a brother would think."

They both smiled as Harry got on his broom and soared out over the ledge.

"That's twice I owe you Ginny," Harry said turning around in the air. "Thank you."

With that Harry flew down to the ground and made his way inside.

Ginny was still sitting on the ledge looking up at the sky only to see a shooting star. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, and then got up and went to bed.

End of Chapter 4