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Chapter 15
When Ron had gone into the seventh year boys dorms, he didn't quite know what to expect. He should be thrilled, his best friend, whom he had not seen in almost six months now and for half of that time thought was dead, was in the same room as him again.
He wanted to sit next to him and fill him in on everything he had done since they had last been together, his fathers promotion, his relationship with Hermione which had just begun when he disappeared, and countless other things that they had been unable to talk about for far too long, but he knew this wouldn't happen.
The months when he was missing had done something to Harry, had changed him. His eyes were not the eyes of his best friend, on the contrary, they were like the eyes of a complete stranger.
According to what Dumbledore had written to his family during the summer, he hadn't let the invisible walls surrounding him fall for even an instant, refusing to allow anybody close to him, and Ron didn't know if he could do anything to change that.
As he quietly opened the door to their dormitory, the first thing he noticed was Harry sitting at the foot of his bed pulling his pajamas from his trunk.
"Hey Harry" he said to the back of the boy in front of him as he knelt at his own trunk, but the other boy didn't even acknowledge his greeting as he pulled his robes over his head. Sighing, Ron just stood there and began to change his own cloths for bed, and when he had finished, he looked back to look at Harry who had pulled his pajama pants on and was currently trying to get his shirt on over his bandaged right arm, looking almost frustrated as he did so.
After several moments, he had succeeded and was fumbling with the buttons along the front of the shirt. Still heading Sirius' warning not to interfere, Ron stood and made his way to the sink in the other room and as he washed his face, he looked in the mirror in front of him and saw Harry was now lying back on his bed, his shirt hanging opened as though he had given up the effort of trying to button it.
Sighing once again, Ron walked back toward his bed and glanced at his friend curiously, noticing with a knot of pain in his stomach that his entire chest and abdomen were covered in deep scars cut in some sort of crude pattern.
Looking at his friends battered face, he realized that he had fallen asleep, his eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow but regular. Knowing that he probably wanted his privacy when the other occupants of the room came up, Ron silently drew the hangings around Harry's bed closed before collapsing into his own and falling into a restless sleep.
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No matter how much he despised what he was about to do, he knew it was the only thing he could do. He missed his friends dearly and all the time he had been without Ginny's loving arms caused a knot to form in his stomach, but he had no choice.
He was slowly packing all of his new school books and supplies for his final year at Hogwarts into his trunk as he sat on his bed in the hospital wing on September first.
He was vaguely aware of Dumbledore coming in and talking to him for a couple minutes, but he couldn't remember what he had said or what it pertained to.
Sirius had barley left his side during his entire stay in the infirmary and Harry was eternally grateful for his godfathers presence and emotional support. Remus had been present much of the time as well, forcing Sirius to sleep for a few hours himself every night and eat on a regular basis.
Contrary to what his parents best friends may think, he was actually aware of most of the conversations taking place around him, he just chose not to acknowledge or respond to them, not willing to risk losing his concentration on the most important task he was trying to accomplish.
He knew that every time he let his mind slip for any length of time that the consequences were dire to say the least.
Pulling himself out of the depressing thoughts and saw the new black Hogwarts robes sitting on the bed beside him. Guessing that either Sirius or Dumbledore had set it there for him to put on before the feast he obliged, pulling it clumsily over his head before fastening the clasp at his throat.
Looking into his trunk to make sure everything was packed and noticing it was, he used the bed post to pull himself to his feet, wincing as his knee straightened out.
He knew Sirius and Remus were still sitting on a bed behind him, but he ignored them and waved his left hand to make his trunk close with a loud bang. He they waved his hand again and the heavy trunk was levitated from the ground and began to follow him as he set off toward the doors of the infirmary.
He heard two separate sets of footsteps following him through out the vast corridors but he continued on his way without acknowledging those following him. Several times on his way to the dormitory he was forced to stop and lean against the cold stone walls to regain his breath before continuing on his way. He hated not being able to move around freely without becoming weak and breathless because of the pain that stabbed his entire body with every step he took, but he couldn't allow Sirius and Remus to try to help him so he continued to walk haltingly the entire way to the portrait of the fat lady guarding the entrance to Gryffindor tower. He didn't know how he knew the password but as soon as he opened his mouth, the words 'phoenix feather' slipped out and the portrait swung open before the fat lady had an opportunity to say a word to him.
He went inside and was relieved when the entrance closed behind him before Sirius and Remus had an opportunity to follow him in.
Collapsing into one of the many plush chairs in the room, he waved his arm and his trunk disappeared up the steps to the seventh year dorms and he heard a slight thump as it dropped to the floor at the foot of his bed.
He laid back on the chair and closed his eyes intent on getting a few moments rest before he had to make his way back down to the great hall so he could arrive before all the students did and hopefully not be noticed until the speech Dumbledore was undoubtedly going to give that night.
He didn't notice that he was slipping into sleep until it was too late to do anything about it.
He was still lying on the cold floor facing the wall and listening to the death eaters yell at each other furiously about the predicament they had found themselves in.
"What do you mean you still haven't found anyway out of here Nott?" asked a cruel voice.
"We've been looking nonstop for six days Lucius, but wherever we are can't be escaped from by magic or muggle means"
Six days. Had he really been lying on that floor for six days?
"We need to find a way out of this hell hole Nott" growled the other man, apparently Draco's father.
"Where exactly are we Malfoy?"
"I have no idea, but I do know that that little bastard Potter is responsible for it and if he were still alive he would pay for what he has done to the dark lord and his supporters"
They thought he was dead? How had they not noticed he was indeed alive if they had been only a couple dozen feet from each other for so many days?
Just then he heard the sound of feet approaching from behind him. He shut his eyes tight and held his breath in hopes that they would just pass him by and continue to think he was dead.
He heard the feet stop next to him and felt a sharp boot kick him roughly in the back sending white hot knives of pain up his spine.
Startled, he let out a small gasp and he heard an intake of breath behind him and the sound of swishing robes as someone bent down and grasp his shoulder roughly and rolled him onto his back.
"Well, well, well, I have a surprise for you Lucius" he called over his shoulder as he laughed a cold and menacing laugh.
"What is it Goyle, and this had better be important" the other man growled back as he too approached the side of the room.
"He's alive" was the only reply he received
"Well, it seems our young friend Mr. Potter is once again the boy who lived, though not for long this time around I'm afraid" the voice was smooth as silk and thick with a note of triumph "Bring him and we shall have some fun"
Harry felt the hand on his shoulder tighten as he was forced to his feet and drug stumbling into the center of the large chamber, knowing what was about to come and wishing that the curse had killed him like it was intended to.
Harry woke with a start, covered with a cold sweat and trembling once again. He awoke every morning in the same state and he had not been able to get a single nights sleep without being plagued by nightmares about his time in the chamber since his return.
Groaning to himself, he made a slight movement with his wrist and his robes were dry once again, but there was nothing he could do for his shaking except wait for it to subside on its own, which it did about ten minutes later.
Looking out the window, he noticed it was beginning to get dark out, meaning the rest of the students would be arriving shortly. Knowing he would have to face them all eventually, he got to his feet and straightened out his robes, making sure his collar was still buttoned and his sleeve cuff was pulled down as far as it could possibly go so that there was no risk of his secret being revealed.
Dumbledore had said at some point that nobody except for Sirius, Remus, Poppy, Snape, and himself knew about the dark mark tattooed on his arm, and Harry intended to keep it that way at all costs.
Satisfied by his appearance, he left the tower and haltingly made his way to the great hall.
When he reached the entrance hall, he noticed with satisfaction that it was empty and there were no voices coming from the great hall, meaning that he had beat the other students.
He made his way to the large doors and opened one just wide enough to allow him through and he entered the beautiful and magical hall, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for what was to come next.
He felt the eyes of all the professors on him as he entered the hall, and ducking his head to hide his face he proceeded toward the Gryffindor table where he took a seat at the far end, well hidden in the shadows.
He still felt their eyes on him so he focused all of his energies on the plate in front of him, every so often gripping the wrist of his shirt and pulling it down as far as it could go.
After many agonizingly long minutes he heard the front doors bang open, causing his heart to skip a beat in anxiety of the moment that was quickly approaching, with one last pull at his sleeve, he sat in silence with his head bowed.
A few seconds later, the doors to the great hall opened fully and hundreds of black robe clad students entered. He felt the eyes of several of them on him, and heard curious questions being asked about who he was and why he was there, but nobody had the answers.
Looking through the veil of his thick, long hair, he noticed three familiar figures enter the hall and felt a pang in his heart. A boy behind Hermione whispered something into her ear and she turned and looked in his direction curiously before saying something to Ron and Ginny and grabbing the boys arm dragging him over to the shadowed area of the table.
They all sat down across from him and Hermione introduced herself, her boyfriend, and his little sister. Harry was pleased to hear his best friend had been named head girl, but he didn't risk letting that pleasure show on his face, which was still trained on the table before him.
He noticed all three were still looking at him intently, waiting for him to answer something Hermione had asked him, but before they had a chance to ask anymore questions, the doors opened again and Professor McGonagall entered leading the first years in to be sorted.
He listened with half an ear as their names and houses were announced but kept most of his energy focused on his own thoughts. Several times during the sorting he noticed Hermione looking at him as though she were frustrated by his lack of interest, but she didn't say anything.
After the last student had been sorted, he distantly heard Dumbledore making the start of term announcements and sighed inwardly to himself, knowing what was next, and sure enough, he felt the penetrating blue eyes focused on him and he caught the professors gaze and kept his eyes locked with the older mans for a fraction of a second, telling him to continue, noticing Hermione's eyes on him as well and knowing she had figured it out.
Harry didn't pay attention to the words Dumbledore said, but he knew when the secret was out as heard the ringing silence fill the hall and every head present turn to look at him in amazement and utter shock. They remained that way for several minutes before they noticed the food on the plates before them and began to eat and conversations broke out all over the hall.
Ginny and his two best friends though just continued to look at him in wonder before Ginny said something to him. He didn't hear the words, but he didn't have to. He heard the love coming from her voice and the desperation for him to open up to her. He knew it was a risk, but he allowed his eyes to meet hers and it filled his heart with warmth that he hadn't felt in far too long. Her beautiful brown eyes captured his green ones and he didn't look away for several minutes, afraid he would not see those eyes again if he did so.
Her beautiful face broke into genuine smile that lit up her eyes that he still held until she blinked. He then turned to his best friends and saw that Hermione's were filled with tears and Ron's were shining with happiness. He decided it was worth it for him to risk saying a few words to them and in answer, Hermione said something to him, but it passed by unhearing ears as he broke the gaze suddenly and was pulled back into his own mind and thoughts to make up for his short slip in concentration.
He clumsily used his left hand to dish food onto his plate for dinner and was pleased to see the three across from him do the same. He kept hearing them ask him questions, but he was unable to answer then since he was so consumed with himself, and he didn't become aware of his surroundings again until he saw the face of Sirius in front of him telling him to go to bed.
Obeying his godfather, he got shakily to his feet and made his way out the doors and up the stairs, again aware of people following him, no doubt Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
He got to the portrait of the fat lady and whispered the password which allowed him to enter, only to be faced by the entire Gryffindor house starring at him in silence. Ignoring their questioning looks, he made his way to the dormitory where he was joined by Ron a few moments later.
He changed out of his black robes and into his pajamas after sorting through his trunk for a long sleeved shirt to sleep in. It took him some effort to get the shirt over his bandaged arm, but he eventually succeeded. Even after all the weeks he had been back at the castle, there was one thing he couldn't accomplish, and that was buttoning his shirt with one hand. His right hand was completely useless as was his arm and trying to button his shirts with only his left hand working was nearly impossible, so he gave up and fell back onto his bed and into a deep sleep almost instantly, not even drawing the hangings around his bed closed.
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Chapter 15
When Ron had gone into the seventh year boys dorms, he didn't quite know what to expect. He should be thrilled, his best friend, whom he had not seen in almost six months now and for half of that time thought was dead, was in the same room as him again.
He wanted to sit next to him and fill him in on everything he had done since they had last been together, his fathers promotion, his relationship with Hermione which had just begun when he disappeared, and countless other things that they had been unable to talk about for far too long, but he knew this wouldn't happen.
The months when he was missing had done something to Harry, had changed him. His eyes were not the eyes of his best friend, on the contrary, they were like the eyes of a complete stranger.
According to what Dumbledore had written to his family during the summer, he hadn't let the invisible walls surrounding him fall for even an instant, refusing to allow anybody close to him, and Ron didn't know if he could do anything to change that.
As he quietly opened the door to their dormitory, the first thing he noticed was Harry sitting at the foot of his bed pulling his pajamas from his trunk.
"Hey Harry" he said to the back of the boy in front of him as he knelt at his own trunk, but the other boy didn't even acknowledge his greeting as he pulled his robes over his head. Sighing, Ron just stood there and began to change his own cloths for bed, and when he had finished, he looked back to look at Harry who had pulled his pajama pants on and was currently trying to get his shirt on over his bandaged right arm, looking almost frustrated as he did so.
After several moments, he had succeeded and was fumbling with the buttons along the front of the shirt. Still heading Sirius' warning not to interfere, Ron stood and made his way to the sink in the other room and as he washed his face, he looked in the mirror in front of him and saw Harry was now lying back on his bed, his shirt hanging opened as though he had given up the effort of trying to button it.
Sighing once again, Ron walked back toward his bed and glanced at his friend curiously, noticing with a knot of pain in his stomach that his entire chest and abdomen were covered in deep scars cut in some sort of crude pattern.
Looking at his friends battered face, he realized that he had fallen asleep, his eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow but regular. Knowing that he probably wanted his privacy when the other occupants of the room came up, Ron silently drew the hangings around Harry's bed closed before collapsing into his own and falling into a restless sleep.
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No matter how much he despised what he was about to do, he knew it was the only thing he could do. He missed his friends dearly and all the time he had been without Ginny's loving arms caused a knot to form in his stomach, but he had no choice.
He was slowly packing all of his new school books and supplies for his final year at Hogwarts into his trunk as he sat on his bed in the hospital wing on September first.
He was vaguely aware of Dumbledore coming in and talking to him for a couple minutes, but he couldn't remember what he had said or what it pertained to.
Sirius had barley left his side during his entire stay in the infirmary and Harry was eternally grateful for his godfathers presence and emotional support. Remus had been present much of the time as well, forcing Sirius to sleep for a few hours himself every night and eat on a regular basis.
Contrary to what his parents best friends may think, he was actually aware of most of the conversations taking place around him, he just chose not to acknowledge or respond to them, not willing to risk losing his concentration on the most important task he was trying to accomplish.
He knew that every time he let his mind slip for any length of time that the consequences were dire to say the least.
Pulling himself out of the depressing thoughts and saw the new black Hogwarts robes sitting on the bed beside him. Guessing that either Sirius or Dumbledore had set it there for him to put on before the feast he obliged, pulling it clumsily over his head before fastening the clasp at his throat.
Looking into his trunk to make sure everything was packed and noticing it was, he used the bed post to pull himself to his feet, wincing as his knee straightened out.
He knew Sirius and Remus were still sitting on a bed behind him, but he ignored them and waved his left hand to make his trunk close with a loud bang. He they waved his hand again and the heavy trunk was levitated from the ground and began to follow him as he set off toward the doors of the infirmary.
He heard two separate sets of footsteps following him through out the vast corridors but he continued on his way without acknowledging those following him. Several times on his way to the dormitory he was forced to stop and lean against the cold stone walls to regain his breath before continuing on his way. He hated not being able to move around freely without becoming weak and breathless because of the pain that stabbed his entire body with every step he took, but he couldn't allow Sirius and Remus to try to help him so he continued to walk haltingly the entire way to the portrait of the fat lady guarding the entrance to Gryffindor tower. He didn't know how he knew the password but as soon as he opened his mouth, the words 'phoenix feather' slipped out and the portrait swung open before the fat lady had an opportunity to say a word to him.
He went inside and was relieved when the entrance closed behind him before Sirius and Remus had an opportunity to follow him in.
Collapsing into one of the many plush chairs in the room, he waved his arm and his trunk disappeared up the steps to the seventh year dorms and he heard a slight thump as it dropped to the floor at the foot of his bed.
He laid back on the chair and closed his eyes intent on getting a few moments rest before he had to make his way back down to the great hall so he could arrive before all the students did and hopefully not be noticed until the speech Dumbledore was undoubtedly going to give that night.
He didn't notice that he was slipping into sleep until it was too late to do anything about it.
He was still lying on the cold floor facing the wall and listening to the death eaters yell at each other furiously about the predicament they had found themselves in.
"What do you mean you still haven't found anyway out of here Nott?" asked a cruel voice.
"We've been looking nonstop for six days Lucius, but wherever we are can't be escaped from by magic or muggle means"
Six days. Had he really been lying on that floor for six days?
"We need to find a way out of this hell hole Nott" growled the other man, apparently Draco's father.
"Where exactly are we Malfoy?"
"I have no idea, but I do know that that little bastard Potter is responsible for it and if he were still alive he would pay for what he has done to the dark lord and his supporters"
They thought he was dead? How had they not noticed he was indeed alive if they had been only a couple dozen feet from each other for so many days?
Just then he heard the sound of feet approaching from behind him. He shut his eyes tight and held his breath in hopes that they would just pass him by and continue to think he was dead.
He heard the feet stop next to him and felt a sharp boot kick him roughly in the back sending white hot knives of pain up his spine.
Startled, he let out a small gasp and he heard an intake of breath behind him and the sound of swishing robes as someone bent down and grasp his shoulder roughly and rolled him onto his back.
"Well, well, well, I have a surprise for you Lucius" he called over his shoulder as he laughed a cold and menacing laugh.
"What is it Goyle, and this had better be important" the other man growled back as he too approached the side of the room.
"He's alive" was the only reply he received
"Well, it seems our young friend Mr. Potter is once again the boy who lived, though not for long this time around I'm afraid" the voice was smooth as silk and thick with a note of triumph "Bring him and we shall have some fun"
Harry felt the hand on his shoulder tighten as he was forced to his feet and drug stumbling into the center of the large chamber, knowing what was about to come and wishing that the curse had killed him like it was intended to.
Harry woke with a start, covered with a cold sweat and trembling once again. He awoke every morning in the same state and he had not been able to get a single nights sleep without being plagued by nightmares about his time in the chamber since his return.
Groaning to himself, he made a slight movement with his wrist and his robes were dry once again, but there was nothing he could do for his shaking except wait for it to subside on its own, which it did about ten minutes later.
Looking out the window, he noticed it was beginning to get dark out, meaning the rest of the students would be arriving shortly. Knowing he would have to face them all eventually, he got to his feet and straightened out his robes, making sure his collar was still buttoned and his sleeve cuff was pulled down as far as it could possibly go so that there was no risk of his secret being revealed.
Dumbledore had said at some point that nobody except for Sirius, Remus, Poppy, Snape, and himself knew about the dark mark tattooed on his arm, and Harry intended to keep it that way at all costs.
Satisfied by his appearance, he left the tower and haltingly made his way to the great hall.
When he reached the entrance hall, he noticed with satisfaction that it was empty and there were no voices coming from the great hall, meaning that he had beat the other students.
He made his way to the large doors and opened one just wide enough to allow him through and he entered the beautiful and magical hall, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for what was to come next.
He felt the eyes of all the professors on him as he entered the hall, and ducking his head to hide his face he proceeded toward the Gryffindor table where he took a seat at the far end, well hidden in the shadows.
He still felt their eyes on him so he focused all of his energies on the plate in front of him, every so often gripping the wrist of his shirt and pulling it down as far as it could go.
After many agonizingly long minutes he heard the front doors bang open, causing his heart to skip a beat in anxiety of the moment that was quickly approaching, with one last pull at his sleeve, he sat in silence with his head bowed.
A few seconds later, the doors to the great hall opened fully and hundreds of black robe clad students entered. He felt the eyes of several of them on him, and heard curious questions being asked about who he was and why he was there, but nobody had the answers.
Looking through the veil of his thick, long hair, he noticed three familiar figures enter the hall and felt a pang in his heart. A boy behind Hermione whispered something into her ear and she turned and looked in his direction curiously before saying something to Ron and Ginny and grabbing the boys arm dragging him over to the shadowed area of the table.
They all sat down across from him and Hermione introduced herself, her boyfriend, and his little sister. Harry was pleased to hear his best friend had been named head girl, but he didn't risk letting that pleasure show on his face, which was still trained on the table before him.
He noticed all three were still looking at him intently, waiting for him to answer something Hermione had asked him, but before they had a chance to ask anymore questions, the doors opened again and Professor McGonagall entered leading the first years in to be sorted.
He listened with half an ear as their names and houses were announced but kept most of his energy focused on his own thoughts. Several times during the sorting he noticed Hermione looking at him as though she were frustrated by his lack of interest, but she didn't say anything.
After the last student had been sorted, he distantly heard Dumbledore making the start of term announcements and sighed inwardly to himself, knowing what was next, and sure enough, he felt the penetrating blue eyes focused on him and he caught the professors gaze and kept his eyes locked with the older mans for a fraction of a second, telling him to continue, noticing Hermione's eyes on him as well and knowing she had figured it out.
Harry didn't pay attention to the words Dumbledore said, but he knew when the secret was out as heard the ringing silence fill the hall and every head present turn to look at him in amazement and utter shock. They remained that way for several minutes before they noticed the food on the plates before them and began to eat and conversations broke out all over the hall.
Ginny and his two best friends though just continued to look at him in wonder before Ginny said something to him. He didn't hear the words, but he didn't have to. He heard the love coming from her voice and the desperation for him to open up to her. He knew it was a risk, but he allowed his eyes to meet hers and it filled his heart with warmth that he hadn't felt in far too long. Her beautiful brown eyes captured his green ones and he didn't look away for several minutes, afraid he would not see those eyes again if he did so.
Her beautiful face broke into genuine smile that lit up her eyes that he still held until she blinked. He then turned to his best friends and saw that Hermione's were filled with tears and Ron's were shining with happiness. He decided it was worth it for him to risk saying a few words to them and in answer, Hermione said something to him, but it passed by unhearing ears as he broke the gaze suddenly and was pulled back into his own mind and thoughts to make up for his short slip in concentration.
He clumsily used his left hand to dish food onto his plate for dinner and was pleased to see the three across from him do the same. He kept hearing them ask him questions, but he was unable to answer then since he was so consumed with himself, and he didn't become aware of his surroundings again until he saw the face of Sirius in front of him telling him to go to bed.
Obeying his godfather, he got shakily to his feet and made his way out the doors and up the stairs, again aware of people following him, no doubt Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
He got to the portrait of the fat lady and whispered the password which allowed him to enter, only to be faced by the entire Gryffindor house starring at him in silence. Ignoring their questioning looks, he made his way to the dormitory where he was joined by Ron a few moments later.
He changed out of his black robes and into his pajamas after sorting through his trunk for a long sleeved shirt to sleep in. It took him some effort to get the shirt over his bandaged arm, but he eventually succeeded. Even after all the weeks he had been back at the castle, there was one thing he couldn't accomplish, and that was buttoning his shirt with one hand. His right hand was completely useless as was his arm and trying to button his shirts with only his left hand working was nearly impossible, so he gave up and fell back onto his bed and into a deep sleep almost instantly, not even drawing the hangings around his bed closed.
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