Title: The Sides of Fear (16/?)
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.

The information about the Pogrebin is taken from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling.

The Sides of Fear

Chapter 16
Love Revealed

The following day seemed to drag on as Harry anxiously waited for History of Magic to end so he could go talk to Sirius again. He found himself awake, a sensation in itself, as Binns continued to elegantly describe the importance of the House-elf Servitude Act put in place in the year 748. Hermione was listening intently no doubt thinking about S.P.E.W. and her attempts to liberate the house-elves of Hogwarts. By the look on her face Harry knew it was only a matter of time before he would be partaking in one of her plans free the likes of Dobby and Winky.

Harry spent most of the time watching his classmates sleeping. Seamus had spilled his inkbottle in his sleep and the right side of his face was covered in ink. Bubbles formed in the puddle of ink as his loud snores permeated the ink. After what seemed an eternity class was over and Harry ran through the hallways up to Dumbledore's office. Sirius was waiting for him with a copy of Witch Weekly readily in hand.

"You should read this," chuckled Sirius as he handed it over to Harry.

On the front page of Witch Weekly was a picture of him from the game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. He was holding the Snitch and soaring through the air on his Firebolt.

Harry Potter: The Young Man-Who-Lived

Over the past four years Harry Potter has taken us all by storm by fighting off basilisks, dragons, and escaped prisoners. Now he must face another fight, more perilous than ever. The fight for his heart. At only the age of fourteen he managed to win the Triwizard Tournament and defeat World Cup Quidditch star Viktor Krum of Durmstrang. Coincidentally that was the first time any reports were made concerning the state of Harry's relationships with girls. Highly acclaimed reporter Rita Skeeter (at this Harry huffed thinking of other adjectives to describe her with) told the story of Harry's feelings for a fellow Gryffindor by the name of Hermione Granger. Not only would Harry battle with Krum for the Triwizard Tournament, but also for the heart of a girl. Recent reports have made it clear that luck does not go both ways as Harry made off with the Triwizard Tournament, while Krum got the affections of the girl.

This means it is open season on the most eligible young man at Hogwarts. As seen on our exclusive photographs he is no longer a shy little boy with unruly hair, much thanks to the hard work he puts in during the off-season. Yes, girls. He is a hard worker as well as handsome. Rumor has it he is seeing a fellow Quidditch player, but as this article is printed it is still unconfirmed. Who will become the lucky girl that manages to "snitch" Harry's heart? Only time will tell...but you had better hurry up before your best friend gets to him.

The article was written by Mary Lewall and at the bottom of the article Harry read even more embarrassing news.

This is the beginning of a series of articles concerning our nominees for Most Handsome Wizard this year. Please use the ballot at the bottom of this page and send it in via owl post by November 24th.

Harry let the magazine drop to the floor with a loud groan as his godfather was doubled up in the chair laughing uncontrollably.

"I'm glad you think this is funny," scowled Harry.

"Well, I suppose it's a good thing we did have that talk yesterday," said Sirius wiping tears out of his eyes as his laughing continued.

As much as Harry tried to keep himself from laughing he felt his lips curl into a smile, and before he knew it he was laughing along with Sirius. Finally they managed to settle down and Harry was relieved to see that Sirius had been able to procure an evening meal for the two of them.

"You know, this is what I would like to do as soon as possible," sighed Sirius. "Just sit down and have a meal together with my godson at our own place."

Harry nodded and continued eating even though he felt a small lump forming in his throat. He had never known what it was like to have a family, and now that he had a godfather who loved him they could not be together.

"If only I would've let you take care of Wormtail you would be a free man," said Harry, clearly blaming himself for the situation his godfather was in.

"Harry, you were right to let Peter live. He owes you a life debt now."

"But..."

"No, living in the past is no use. I did for twelve years and the only thing that got me through was the thought of living for the next day. That's all we can do. Take one day at a time. What will come will come," Sirius replied with a haunted face as his thoughts strayed back to his stay at Azkaban.

"Is that the recommended expression among Dumbledore's operatives? Hagrid said that to me last year as well."

"Well, I suppose it could be, but it just makes sense. Harry, a great deal of things won't make sense in the years to come, but never lose hope. It's the last thing we have," Sirius said grimly.

Desperately wanting to change the subject Harry tried to think of something less depressing to talk about. Voldemort was getting stronger for every day that went by, and there was nothing he could do. The only thing he did was sit at Hogwarts waiting for Voldemort to strike next. If only I could go out and face him. Then he would leave everyone else alone.

"Don't even think about it Harry," said Sirius looking straight at Harry who was wondering whether his godfather could read minds. As if hearing the question Sirius continued. "I've seen that look before. Your father had it when they went into hiding. I know what you must think, but the best way to help everyone is for you to stay at Hogwarts and learn as much as you can before you face Voldemort again."

Harry looked down at his plate and pushed around a small pea while trying to suppress his desire to just run away from Hogwarts and find Voldemort.

"I hate this. I hate waiting. Why is Dumbledore waiting? I mean, he knows Voldemort fears him above anyone. If the two of us went to fight Voldemort we could finally get rid of him," Harry yelled out of frustration.

"Harry, calm down. In time Dumbledore will tell you everything you need to know. In the meantime just have faith in his judgement. I trust him, and so should you. He is the only reason why Voldemort doesn't have complete control of the Ministry."

"What's wrong at the Ministry?" Harry asked, concerned about Arthur and Percy Weasley.

"The Ministry can no longer be trusted. There are too many people working for the wrong side, and the handful of people who are not might be in serious danger if they try to do anything."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

"Wait. It's all we can do. Wait for Dumbledore to give us more instructions."

"It's always waiting or cryptic messages with him. I can never get a straight answer out of him. It's like he enjoys having me dance like a puppet. Ron's right. He really is off his rocker..."

"Now you listen up Harry!" Sirius rose out of his seat and his roaring voice echoed in the office. "Albus Dumbledore trusted me even though I had been convicted, and I will not have you insult him in any way. He's got more magic in his big toe than most wizards could dream of. So you just sit back and listen to what he has to say!"

A red-faced Sirius sat down and picked up his plate. Harry's ears were ringing and his hands were shaking from the reaming he had just received. I was just told off by my godfather, he thought and smiled. When he turned his face toward Sirius he could see the strange look on his godfather's face.

"Thanks...dad," smiled Harry.

"Why you..." chuckled Sirius. "I can't stay mad at you Harry, but trust me. Dumbledore knows what he's doing," Sirius paused and looked around the office before leaning over closely, "but I agree. Sometimes he is off his rocker."

***

The next morning turned out to be "Let's Gawk at Harry Potter" day. He had forgotten all about the article in Witch Weekly and he was dragging his feet into the Great Hall, exhausted from not getting enough sleep the previous night. Sirius had told him he had to leave for a while, but he would be back in a few weeks again. As soon as he entered silence fell upon the students. Harry quickly looked down to see if he had forgotten to put on his clothes, but he was fully dressed. As he slumped down next to Ron and Hermione he could feel the eyes of every girl boring into him. He leaned over too ask Hermione what was going on.

"Hermione, what's wrong with everyone? Why are they staring at me like I turned into a troll?"

Hermione just smiled and shoved a copy of Witch Weekly into his hands. Oh no, that article. That's just great. He glanced over at each of the tables and found that even the Slytherin girls were eyeing him hungrily, which made his stomach turn inside out. Turning over he found Ron trying to choke his laughter by stuffing his face full of ham.

"Harry?"

He spun around in his seat only to find Angelina, Alicia, and Katie standing there.

"Is it me?" asked Angelina in a mock high-pitched voice as she batted her eyelashes at him.

"Get away! Everyone knows it's me!" shrieked Alicia pushing Angelina away.

"Harry, you can tell them all about us," said Katie putting her hand on his cheek.

"Wh-what?" spluttered Harry feeling his cheek burn from Katie's touch.

He was blushing furiously and the Gryffindor boys were laughing loud enough for the table to start shaking. He looked over at Fred and George who had tears streaming down their face as they lay doubled over laughing on the floor. They put the girls up to this. I'll get them back tomorrow morning during practice, and the next...if they survive tomorrow.

While the boys were laughing the girls were now shooting deadly glares at the three Gryffindor Chasers who started making kissing gestures toward Harry. He was surrounded by them and he took the only way out. Diving under the table he crawled to the other side, grabbed a piece of toast, and ran out of the Great Hall.

For the rest of the day he was followed around by girls from every house and even Millicent Bulstrode tried to flirt with him during Potions. Snape was of course aware of the article as Malfoy had been kind enough to personally supply the Potionsmaster with a copy.

"So the famous Harry Potter has made it into another article. Now who might this love interest be?" said Snape with an evil smile. "That will be fifteen points from Gryffindor for managing to disturb the other students."

Harry refused to go back to the Great Hall for lunch or dinner so Hermione and Ron were kind enough to bring him some food up to the dormitory. Fred and George had made it clear they were going to try to embarrass Harry as much as possible. When Ron came into the dormitory with Harry's dinner he was wearing a scarlet badge with flashing gold text. The badge said Harry the Handsome, Vote Now! Harry stared at it dumbfounded.

"The twins made them. You want one?" smiled Ron, holding out a badge in his hand.

Instead of voicing a reply Harry threw a pillow at Ron who swiftly dodged out of its way.

"Now, now Harry," he chimed, "you wouldn't want the girls to find out you such a temper."

"Get...out," growled Harry.

Ron put on a mock hurt look and left the room laughing.

As the day drew to an end the badges were still floating around Hogwarts, but the storm had died down as Harry had decided to hide in the fifth year dormitories for the rest of the year. Seamus, Dean, and Neville had come in sporting their very own badge, and Ron had wobbled into the room carrying a box filled with more badges. These had a close-up picture of a smiling Harry who winked every now and then. Ron set down the box and jumped into the bed as the five boys got into their respective beds.

"Harry?" came Ron's voice. There was no response. "Harry?" he said again.

"Yes," muttered Harry.

"You know, I'm sorry if we overdid it, but we just thought we should have a laugh at it. I mean, who would think you would be the Most Handsome Wizard?"

"Thanks," replied Harry a bit put off.

"Anyway, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

"Yeah, us too," the other boys said.

"Well, I suppose it was kind of funny," sighed Harry, "but when Millicent Bulstrode flirts with you there is just something wrong."

They all broke into laughter and when it finally subsided they turned over to go to sleep. Ron's voice broke the silence.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it difficult to be handsome?"

At this there was a roar of laughter from the other boys, and Seamus rolled out of bed clutching his stomach from laughing. In a desperate attempt to shut up his best friend Harry threw a pair of dirty socks in the direction of Ron's uncontrollable laughter.

***

The hysteria with the Witch Weekly article had faded away, and Harry had made the next week of Quidditch practice a living hell for the twins. They did not seem to mind as their little campaign would no doubt go down in Hogwarts history. Besides, it paled in comparison to the voice and punishment of Molly Weasley. He did not want to imagine what would happen if he actually was voted Most Handsome Wizard. Walking down to Care of Magical Creatures with Hermione and Ron he felt like things were finally starting to go right. Viktor and Fleur had left and their story had been that their schools needed them to come back. They had not lied, but both Hermione and Ron had suspected there was something else they were not telling them.

Hagrid was absent as Halloween rolled around and Professor Grubbly-Plank, the substitute teacher, had decided to make life difficult for the fifth year Gryffindors by assigning them Pogrebins. At first sight you might think the little furry rock looks completely harmless, but it follows you around conveying a sense of hopelessness. If exposed for an extended period a person will collapse out of hopelessness and the Pogrebin will happily pounce on the unconscious victim and eat them.

The first lesson was interesting as Grubbly-Plank let the students play around with their new projects without actually telling them what they were. Hermione had tried to shake her Pogrebin off her tracks, but to no avail. The students had gone from tentative to completely depressed. Neville had broke down completely and cried his heart out about how hard Potions were and that he would not get any O.W.L.s.

Ron had been petting his cautiously for the entire period and he was sprawled out on the grass muttering incoherently. Harry could only make out the words "Hermione" and "never" as he was busy trying to escape from his own feelings of hopelessness. Hermione, who knew what the creatures were, was doing well as she had tried to stay away from hers, and had managed to lure it away from her.

At the end of class Professor Grubbly-Plank told everyone what a Pogrebin was and the technique it uses to find their prey. Malfoy was clearly upset as he had sat at the far end of the enclosure sulking with Crabbe and Goyle by his side. If anything the picture of a wailing Malfoy being comforted by Crabbe was worth any misery in Care of Magical Creatures. She had told them fighting against dark wizards and witches often induced the same emotion as there seemed to be no end to the evil. It was also a common way for Death Eaters to be recruited as they were usually faced with what seemed the only option. This year they would have to learn how to deal with hopelessness and trying to fight the urge to give in and give up completely.

The fog of desperation slowly lifted as the three of them trudged up the stairs and headed for the Potions dungeon. It had been a while since the three of them had actually walked together like they had so many times before. The sudden departure of Fleur and Viktor had helped matters, and it had been clear neither Hermione or Ron had been too upset about not seeing their supposed boyfriend and girlfriend for a while.

They were going to be late, but as they picked up the pace Harry's bag tore at the seam and his books, parchment, and quill came flying out landing everywhere in the hallway. Ron and Hermione bent down to help him collect his items.

"You two should go. There's no use in all three of us being late," sighed Harry, stuffing a book back into his torn bag. Ron was about to protest when Hermione put a hand on his arm.

"Harry's right. It will only be worse if we walk in together. We're sure to lose an insane amount of points as well as receive detention until Christmas."

"But..." tried Ron.

"No, just go. I'll be fine. Besides, it'll give me some practice for fighting the Pogrebins," grinned Harry, putting a quill behind his ear.

Hermione tugged Ron along the hallway as they sprinted towards the Potions dungeon leaving Harry behind frantically trying to put his books back into the bag. There was no way the bag would be able to hold all his things as it was ripped and Harry dejectedly stood up dragging his bag along the floor.

When he walked into the classroom the other students were busy chopping up their ingredients, and Snape was sitting at his desk with an evil smile. As Harry entered the room he carefully stood up and walked over to Harry's seat.

"Ah, Mr. Potter. It's an honor to finally have your brilliant mind here. I'm just glad you took some time out of your busy schedule to attend my class," said Snape with stinging sarcasm. The Slytherins were laughing and Malfoy seemed to be highly amused.

"Sorry Professor. My bag tore and..."

"No excuses Potter. That's fifty points from Gryffindor, one detention, and..." he smiled, "you will be today's guinea pig for testing the assigned potion."

Snape turned around and strode over to where Neville was feebly trying to chop up his frog liver while muttering how sorry he was. Harry turned to ask Ron or Hermione for help but before he could say a word Snape's voice rang out through the dungeon.

"Potter. If you're late you must think the first part of my lesson is quite unnecessary. The rest of your classmates were studiously taking notes while you were galloping around Hogwarts. Come over here and help Mr. Malfoy with his ingredients. You would take well to learn something from an excellent student like him."

Snape was standing by Malfoy looking smug and Harry picked up his bag and walked over to his new seat.

"Potter, chop up the frog liver," commanded Malfoy.

"You can do it yourself," growled Harry.

"Professor, Potter won't work."

"Potter! You should be grateful for Mr. Malfoy showing you the finer ways of making potions. Now do as he says," he sneered.

"Learn your place," whispered Malfoy as he handed the knife to Harry.

Harry was now seething with anger as he started in on the frog liver wishing fervently that it was Snape he was cutting into tiny little pieces. The pattern continued as Malfoy ordered him around until the potion was done.

"Mr. Malfoy. Excellent work. Twenty-five points for Slytherin for finishing first, and another twenty-five points for having the patience to teach Potter some much needed skills," finished Snape.

Snape walked up to the front of the room and turned around as the students stopped their activity.

"Potter! Get up here!" yelled Snape.

Harry walked up slowly, dreading what the potion would do. He was fairly sure it would not set him on fire, but then again it would be just like Snape to do something like that.

"If Mr. Potter would have been present at the beginning of class he would have known what this potion does," started Snape, accompanied by sniggers from the Slytherins, "but I think we will just let him drink it. Don't worry, it won't last for long," smiled Snape.

The vial was filled with a glowing red mixture and Harry remembered thinking he would end up in the Hospital Wing before he swiped down the contents. There was a slight stinging sensation as the slimy liquid settled in his stomach, but oddly enough nothing happened. That is until Harry felt his fingers start to tingle followed by his arms, chest, and the rest of his body. The difference was that it was no longer a slight tingle. He felt like his body was about to burn up. Thankfully enough it only lasted for a few seconds, but then he felt another strange sensation as Snape leaned over.

"Remember when I said my hand would slip? I think it just did," whispered Snape, abruptly turning to the rest of the students as Harry felt himself drift into a dream. Snape had given him Veritaserum.

"What is your name?" echoed Snape's voice.

Harry felt like he could barely hear his Professor's voice, but he felt a sudden urge to tell him anything he wanted to know.

"Harry Potter," he said flatly.

"How did you feel when you took the Incendio potion?"

So that's what it was, thought Harry. No wonder I felt like I was burning up. He probably thought that was funny. I'll tell him how I feel all right. But instead of a few choice words about Snape, Harry heard his own voice clinically report the sensation of feeling like he was on fire.

"Did you steal the gillyweed from my office last year?"

"No."

Snape looked like someone had spoiled Christmas for him, but managed to gather himself together again.

"Maybe we should ask Potter a few...personal questions just to make sure he is telling the truth. Mr. Malfoy, would you like to ask a question?"

A huge grin spread across Malfoy's face as he got up from his seat and walked up to Harry. He could almost see the wheels turning inside the head of Malfoy.

"Hmm, Potter. Do you have a girlfriend?" he asked.

"No."

"Well I suppose no one would want you," replied Malfoy followed by laughter from the Slytherins, "but is there anyone you fancy?" he asked with amusement.

"Yes."

What? Harry thought. I don't like anyone, do I? Harry tried to tell himself to be quiet but it was no use. The Veritaserum had made him incapable of not telling the truth. He knew what the next question would be, but hoped he was wrong.

"Who is it?"

Harry felt himself inwardly cringe as he tried to stop himself from saying anything he would later regret. The room was silent as an air of anticipation filled the room with every student listening intently.

"Who is it?" repeated Malfoy.

It's no one, it's no one, it's no one, Harry tried to tell himself. To his horror he felt his mouth open and start to form a sound. No one, Harry repeated in his mind before he heard himself speak.

"Cho Chang"

~~~~~

A/N: This will be a rather short A/N. I just wanted to say thank you to the people who were kind enough to review either by e-mail or on the message board. Brian, Amy, Maddy, AnGeL, LivelyRach, and Claudia. I was hoping to have this story done by the end of the month, but I highly doubt that. Oh well, looks like I'll have plenty of time until book five comes out anyway. Thanks again. It means a lot to me when you guys review. Oh yeah, check out the story under "Other HP Fanfiction." Amy wrote her first fanfiction so please go read it and review. The address is: http://azeroth_fics.tripod.com.