Oriana Dumbledore: Thanks! And you have to figure, they don't know what's
going on with him. For all they know he's just changing. They have no idea
what's happening. But they're back on his side now, though. As for
Dumbledore, he's known for years what Harry's destiny is. And it's not like
he can do anything to help him. All he or anyone else can do is just
provide support. As for the big change. . .it'll be going on for the rest
of the story just about but it starts here! Go on why don't cha?
Jordan: Yay! I just loves new reviewers! Welcome to my story! Don't worry here's the next chapter but why isn't anyone telling me whether to make it a song fic or not?
Felion: Yay! Another new reviewer! Yes, I agree with you, darn school! I have exams this week! Ugh, math and English tomorrow! Easy smeeshy! And if you're only on chapter 7 you have a long way to go. . .but me hopes you'll keep on reading. . .and reviewing!
HPZ26: Let's see. Will it work out. . .hmmm. . .not sure yet. Why don't you read on and find out!
Kimmy: Right on the money! It has everything to do with the blob! I won't say too much 'cuz I don't wanna ruin it, but you're a sharp one! What I will say is that it isn't exactly Harry at the moment so technically he is in character! Don't understand? You'll see soon enough.
Leaf: You got it! It wasn't that long of a wait, was it? Hmm, sorry 'bout that. Nah, Harry could fight off the depression, especially with all the help he has around him. But you got it on the second try! I tried to make Harry completely out of character so that people would be able to know it's something else. Poor Remus, don't worry, though, I won't kill him off! And as for how quickly I update, writing's my life! My absolute favorite pass- time! So you don't have anything to worry about. The only thing that I want to clear up is that Harry's still afflicted. . .ain't quite better yet. . .sorry!
Amy: Alas, I've had a good time writing Harry's struggle. . .but. . .I fear that, as you wish, it's ending soon. . .oh well. . .thanks for reviewing!
***********DISCLAIMER:I own not this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Tis property of Garth Brooks! BEAUTIFUL song!*****************
Wanted: Love
Ch22: Healing a Heart
It was pitch black inside the house. The only light came from the gentle glow of the moonlight cascading in through the windows, and not a single sound could be heard. The only person still awake was Harry who was sitting silently in a chair against the wall, watching Hermione sleep. He still remembered the events of earlier that day. Visions of the flaming Weasley house, attacking his friends, Lucius attacking his friends, him protecting his friends; they all replayed over and over again in the back of his mind.
He remembered waking up in his bed, everyone sitting around him. They had all looked worried and he still didn't understand why. For a long time they had stayed there and talked to him, and, though they didn't say it, Harry knew that they were surprised that he let them do so. In part, he had still been half asleep and was too groggy to make such a big deal out of it. But as time went on, they began to talk about things that he couldn't remember. At first, he thought that they were just lying to get him on their side, like everyone had always done, but a nagging little voice in the back of his mind kept disagreeing with this logic.
Harry leaned forward and ran his hands over his face back through his hair. He didn't know what was true anymore, and he couldn't trust anyone enough to believe what they had to say. Pulling his hands back, he looked at them. No matter what the truth was, one thing was for certain. He had hurt it. Whether it be from preventing his "friends'" deaths or it be aiding them, he had done something wrong. Turning his eyes back to the slumbering girl, he remembered seeing her face when he had awoken. For some reason it had stuck out in his mind, the tear stricken face suddenly lose what looked like a thousand ton weight as his eyes opened.
Suddenly he stood up and walked to the door, having to keep a hand on his side to keep the pain from exploding again like it had when he first got up. Whatever the truth was, he needed to leave. He needed to find the truth for himself, without the possibility of lies being forced into him, and then, just maybe, he would be able to bring order back to his life. Just before he left the room, though, he stopped and turned around and gave the girl one last look. Smiling wistfully to himself, he turned and left the room.
*******************
There's a ship out, on the ocean
At the mercy of the sea
It's been tossed about, lost and broken
Wandering aimlessly
And God somehow you know that ship is me
*********************
He walked quietly through the long hallway, stopping at every room whose door was open to take one last room and catch his breath which he lost easily with his injured side. Eventually he made it to the outside. It was snowing gently and Harry made sure his robe was on tight before continuing. The moon was beautiful and he had to stop for a moment to stare up at. He closed his eyes and saw something flash before his eyes. Harry shot his eyes open and felt a very strong feeling of déjà vu-- he and Hermione hugging out on some stretch of land, they were both dirty, he was crying, and she seemed to be comforting him.
Shaking his head, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned his head downward as he went on. He wasn't really paying attention to the direction he was going, he supposed it didn't really matter anyway. A light to his left drew his attention and when he lifted his head, he noticed that someone had awoken in the house. He prayed that it wasn't anyone going to check on him, just someone going to use the bathroom. All the same, Harry picked up his pace a little. Far too often had he been caught while attempting to accomplish his goal and it wasn't going to happen again. Just then, Crookshanks bounded into his path before stopping and staring at him.
"What do you want?" Harry asked the cat a little irritably. Crookshanks did nothing and Harry rolled his eyes as he walked around him. The cat trotted alongside him as best he could in the snow.
Harry turned his head to the cat as he continued on his way, "Damn cat; go away."
"Harry? What're you doing out here?"
Scowling, Harry turned around, "Why do you care?"
"Is that your new catch phrase or something? It could use some work." joked Sirius.
"What are *you* doing out here?" Harry asked.
Sirius smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, "Ah. . .well. . .you see. . .I was just. . ."
Shaking his head, Harry went on his way.
"Hey! Harry, I was talking to you! And I asked you first." said Sirius.
"*I'm* leaving. In the meantime, why don't you go figure out what you were doing and go finish doing it?" suggested Harry condescendingly. Sirius scrunched his face, a little offended, but didn't say anything. Instead. . .
"Harry, you aren't in any shape to go anywhere."
***********
'Cause there's a lighthouse, in the harbor
Shining faithfully
Pouring its light out, across the water
For this sinking soul to see
That someone out there still believes in me
***********
"Yeah, besides, Madame Pomfrey's going to blow a fuse if she hears you've been out of bed."
Taking an aggravated breath and crossing his arms, Harry turned around, "I'm not a kid, you know. I can take care of myself. I don't need all of you hovering over me at all hours of the day and night."
"You sure are acting like it." muttered Ron, gaining a glare from Harry.
"Where exactly do you plan on going?" asked Molly.
Harry uncrossed his arms and thought for a second, "Don't know."
"Then why are you going?" Lavender asked.
He looked them all straight in the eye, "How do I know that you aren't just lying to me? How am I supposed to trust you when all you could be doing is get me on your side?"
"Harry, you know that's not true!" exclaimed Tali.
"Do I!? Do I know anything for sure!? No! There's nothing I can trust or depend on other than myself! I need to get away and sort things out! If you're really my friends like you say you are then you'll let me go quietly." said Harry.
"No, Harry, as your friends we can't let you go. It's too dangerous. You- Know-Who is out there looking for you." said Hermione.
Harry snorted, "That's rich. If I recall correctly, Voldemort's the one who actually supported me when I wanted to die."
"Exactly!" cried Fred and George at the same time.
"Harry, that son of a bitch wants you to die for him, not for you!" snarled Sirius.
"That's right! He's messing with your mind, *he's* the reason you're confused. Don't let him continue to control you. You're strong, Harry. Fight it!" urged Remus.
They were all very close to him now, in a circle, partially to stop him from escaping. Harry looked at them and mentally cursed himself for not getting away while he had the chance. He grabbed his shoulder which was beginning to get the familiar tingling sensation and closed his eyes for a minute. When he reopened them, he loosened his grip on his shoulder and sneered at them.
"Lies." he said quietly, then, more loudly, "All of it. Nothing but bull!"
"Harry, please! Try to remember!" begged Ginny, grabbing his hand.
Harry looked at it as a vision flashed passed his eyes again. It passed by so slow enough for Harry to see Ginny and him hugging in a dark room with a dead basilisk a little way away, but too quickly for him to recognize anything else.
Harry shook the thought out of his head and withdrew his hand from Ginny's grasp, "I remember plenty."
"No you don't nothing real, anyway." said Ron.
"Oh, I seem to remember telling me to go ahead to Siberia and never to come back." glared Harry. Ron bit back his lip and subdued back into the group, muttering something about never saying never to come back.
"Harry, we were fighting. Everyone says things they don't mean when they're fighting. Remember the good times." said Lavender.
"There weren't any good times."
"Sure there were! Loads of them! Remember when you won the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor? Wood nearly had to be tranquilized!" said Fred, smiling at the memory.
"And what about that time when you scared the crap out of Malfoy with that silvery light during the Quidditch match in our third year?" reminded Ron, coming forward.
"Bull, all of it. . .bull." Harry kept repeating under his breath.
"It never happened, none of it. It's all lies. . .but it did happen. . .no! No it didn't! Did too!" Harry fell to his knees and clamped his hands over his ears as he continued to debate with himself, leaving those around him silent.
For several minutes he continued the one-person conversation then fell silent as his body trembled in its hunched over position.
***********
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
***********
Somewhere deep in the dark depths of his mind, Harry stared around into the darkness. After what seemed like an eternity of despair and hopelessness, he finally felt himself growing stronger. He was finally able to seriously fight back against his capture and with the help of his friends, whom he could hear talking to him, he was able to force some good memories back into his mind.
"You're losing." Harry called out with a smile into the darkness.
"Don't be so sure, Potter. It's not healthy to push all your bad memories to the side. And there are *so* many of them. I'm just trying to help you. Remember the terrible times and be satisfied that I'm willing to help you." came a prickly voice. Harry saw a vision of himself and Cedric arriving at the oh-so-familiar graveyard.
'Wands out, you reckon?'
Harry shook it out of his head, "Not this time. I'm not going to let you control me any longer!"
'Go on, Harry. Just enjoy it while it lasts.' said Lavender.
Harry laughed, 'Yeah, until they find I didn't then its back to the fourth champion popularity all over again.'
'It's not so bad, Harry. Not as long as you got us. We'll stand by you!' said Ron in an overly dramatic voice which sent all those near into fits of laughter.
He felt a smile crawl upon his lips as he remembered, "You aren't going to win this time."
"Oh, we shall see about that." the voice cackled.
As quickly and doubly as loudly as the voice had spoken, a collage of terrible memories flashed passed his eyes. He had seen it all before. Whenever he got rowdy and tried to overthrow him, this had always crushed him back into submission. Harry fell to the ground and breathed heavily, sweat forming on his face, but he didn't cry out and he didn't give in. When it passed, Harry slowly, ever so slowly, got to his feet.
'Good thoughts.' he thought to himself, 'Happy memories. You can do it.'
She sat next to him, "What are you doing up here? Everyone's been looking for you."
"Nothing much, just thinking." he said.
"Oh, well you mind if I think with you?" she asked.
///////////
Surprisingly, Ron smirked, 'Ah, I don't know if this is the right time to say it but. . .I always had fun on those little adventures of ours. Besides, a lot of good has come out 'em.'
'That's right, if you hadn't dragged us on them You-Know-Who would have come back a lot sooner then he did. You also saved Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets.' said Hermione.
'Yeah, and don't forget about how that entire ordeal in our third year finally got Sirius free.' agreed Lavender. Harry turned his head to the side.
'Face it, Harry; you're an all around good guy. A mistake here and there won't change that.' said Ron, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
//////////
Harry smiled, "I'll drop a dung bomb just for you."
"That's my boy!" exclaimed James, ruffling his son's hair.
"What are doing!? You have no good memories! Don't fool yourself into believing these lies! It'll only hurt you!" the voice cried.
"Ah, shove it! I know my path! I'm not confused anymore, and you aren't going to mess it up!"
***********
There's a moment we all come to
In our own time and our own space
Where all that we've done, we can undo
If our heart's in the right place
***********
Harry let out a terrible scream as though someone had just cast Crucio on him and started shaking more violently. Hermione moved forward and put a hand on his shoulder but he didn't seem to notice.
"What's happening?" she asked, terrified.
"He's fighting it! He's doing it!" exclaimed Tali happily with tears in her eyes.
"Good thoughts. . .Happy memories. . .You can do it." Harry muttered just loud enough for them to hear after he finished screaming.
Instantly, everyone started shouting out all the good times they could remember.
***********
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
***********
Harry heard his friends and smiled as he allowed them to do the work for him. With each memory he heard, he felt his heart grow lighter and his smile grow larger. Then suddenly the large blue blob that had seeped into his skin ever so long ago appeared in front of him, looking ten times larger than he remembered.
"So you think you can go on with your life, even with all the guilt, pain, and suffering you've caused?" it asked.
"I've done nothing dishonorable that couldn't be helped." Harry growled at it.
"Or so you think." it taunted.
Harry glowered at it, "I don't need to listen to you. I know what I've done. I have no regrets. And there's still one more memory I have to gain before I die."
"And what would that be?"
"To see Voldemort, and every one of his minions go to a place where they can never hurt or kill again. And I won't give in until I've accomplished it!"
As he said this, streaks of light erupted through the barrier of black. And soon it became so bright that Harry could no longer see what was happening, but the one thing he remembered was the wretched high-pitched shriek coming from in front of him.
***********
And again I see my yesterday's in front of me
Unfolding like a mystery
You're changing all that is and used to be
***********
Harry had stopped all movement and his head now rested on Tali's lap. No one dared move him as he was still breathing and no one being quite sure of what had happened. Quite abruptly Harry shot up, eyes wide and gasping for breath. He had bumped foreheads with Sirius who had promptly cursed. Then, without saying a word, he jumped to his feet and dashed past those gathered around where he had been a second ago.
He didn't stop until he reached the edge of the property. Immediately, he was lifted off the ground by a purple light. As everyone caught up to him, they gaped at what they were seeing. No one said a thing as Harry curled up into a ball then stretched his limbs out as far as they would go all very quickly. Another blue light was seemingly sucked out of him to form the familiar blue blob that had worried everyone so much.
Almost simultaneous with the formation of the blob, the purple light vanished and both the blob and Harry fell to the ground. He landed very cat- like and slowly stood up but didn't turn around. Hermione took a step towards him but stopped as he slowly turned around, his eyes quite different. He looked down at his hands then back to the group of people staring at him.
***********
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
**********
Choking back his emotions, Harry ran forward and swung Hermione around off the ground while laughing, almost insanely, before setting her down. He kissed her and when he drew back he was giving her a watery smile.
"Thank you." he whispered then turned back to the rest of his friends and laughed, "All of you! I'm free, finally, I'm free again!"
***********
When you come back to me again
Author's Note: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! It sooooooooo stunk in the beginning, took me forever, too. But once I got into it. . .this is the COOLEST chapter! Hahaha! Harry's free! He can finally have a good time! Whoo hoo! Thanks for putting up with me. . .humor should start up within the next few chapters. . .hehehe, ain't saying no more here! Gotta read on to find out. . .but while you're waiting, write me a review, why don't cha? Oh yeah, just case you're wondering, the areas with big gaps are Harry's memories.
Jordan: Yay! I just loves new reviewers! Welcome to my story! Don't worry here's the next chapter but why isn't anyone telling me whether to make it a song fic or not?
Felion: Yay! Another new reviewer! Yes, I agree with you, darn school! I have exams this week! Ugh, math and English tomorrow! Easy smeeshy! And if you're only on chapter 7 you have a long way to go. . .but me hopes you'll keep on reading. . .and reviewing!
HPZ26: Let's see. Will it work out. . .hmmm. . .not sure yet. Why don't you read on and find out!
Kimmy: Right on the money! It has everything to do with the blob! I won't say too much 'cuz I don't wanna ruin it, but you're a sharp one! What I will say is that it isn't exactly Harry at the moment so technically he is in character! Don't understand? You'll see soon enough.
Leaf: You got it! It wasn't that long of a wait, was it? Hmm, sorry 'bout that. Nah, Harry could fight off the depression, especially with all the help he has around him. But you got it on the second try! I tried to make Harry completely out of character so that people would be able to know it's something else. Poor Remus, don't worry, though, I won't kill him off! And as for how quickly I update, writing's my life! My absolute favorite pass- time! So you don't have anything to worry about. The only thing that I want to clear up is that Harry's still afflicted. . .ain't quite better yet. . .sorry!
Amy: Alas, I've had a good time writing Harry's struggle. . .but. . .I fear that, as you wish, it's ending soon. . .oh well. . .thanks for reviewing!
***********DISCLAIMER:I own not this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Tis property of Garth Brooks! BEAUTIFUL song!*****************
Wanted: Love
Ch22: Healing a Heart
It was pitch black inside the house. The only light came from the gentle glow of the moonlight cascading in through the windows, and not a single sound could be heard. The only person still awake was Harry who was sitting silently in a chair against the wall, watching Hermione sleep. He still remembered the events of earlier that day. Visions of the flaming Weasley house, attacking his friends, Lucius attacking his friends, him protecting his friends; they all replayed over and over again in the back of his mind.
He remembered waking up in his bed, everyone sitting around him. They had all looked worried and he still didn't understand why. For a long time they had stayed there and talked to him, and, though they didn't say it, Harry knew that they were surprised that he let them do so. In part, he had still been half asleep and was too groggy to make such a big deal out of it. But as time went on, they began to talk about things that he couldn't remember. At first, he thought that they were just lying to get him on their side, like everyone had always done, but a nagging little voice in the back of his mind kept disagreeing with this logic.
Harry leaned forward and ran his hands over his face back through his hair. He didn't know what was true anymore, and he couldn't trust anyone enough to believe what they had to say. Pulling his hands back, he looked at them. No matter what the truth was, one thing was for certain. He had hurt it. Whether it be from preventing his "friends'" deaths or it be aiding them, he had done something wrong. Turning his eyes back to the slumbering girl, he remembered seeing her face when he had awoken. For some reason it had stuck out in his mind, the tear stricken face suddenly lose what looked like a thousand ton weight as his eyes opened.
Suddenly he stood up and walked to the door, having to keep a hand on his side to keep the pain from exploding again like it had when he first got up. Whatever the truth was, he needed to leave. He needed to find the truth for himself, without the possibility of lies being forced into him, and then, just maybe, he would be able to bring order back to his life. Just before he left the room, though, he stopped and turned around and gave the girl one last look. Smiling wistfully to himself, he turned and left the room.
*******************
There's a ship out, on the ocean
At the mercy of the sea
It's been tossed about, lost and broken
Wandering aimlessly
And God somehow you know that ship is me
*********************
He walked quietly through the long hallway, stopping at every room whose door was open to take one last room and catch his breath which he lost easily with his injured side. Eventually he made it to the outside. It was snowing gently and Harry made sure his robe was on tight before continuing. The moon was beautiful and he had to stop for a moment to stare up at. He closed his eyes and saw something flash before his eyes. Harry shot his eyes open and felt a very strong feeling of déjà vu-- he and Hermione hugging out on some stretch of land, they were both dirty, he was crying, and she seemed to be comforting him.
Shaking his head, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned his head downward as he went on. He wasn't really paying attention to the direction he was going, he supposed it didn't really matter anyway. A light to his left drew his attention and when he lifted his head, he noticed that someone had awoken in the house. He prayed that it wasn't anyone going to check on him, just someone going to use the bathroom. All the same, Harry picked up his pace a little. Far too often had he been caught while attempting to accomplish his goal and it wasn't going to happen again. Just then, Crookshanks bounded into his path before stopping and staring at him.
"What do you want?" Harry asked the cat a little irritably. Crookshanks did nothing and Harry rolled his eyes as he walked around him. The cat trotted alongside him as best he could in the snow.
Harry turned his head to the cat as he continued on his way, "Damn cat; go away."
"Harry? What're you doing out here?"
Scowling, Harry turned around, "Why do you care?"
"Is that your new catch phrase or something? It could use some work." joked Sirius.
"What are *you* doing out here?" Harry asked.
Sirius smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, "Ah. . .well. . .you see. . .I was just. . ."
Shaking his head, Harry went on his way.
"Hey! Harry, I was talking to you! And I asked you first." said Sirius.
"*I'm* leaving. In the meantime, why don't you go figure out what you were doing and go finish doing it?" suggested Harry condescendingly. Sirius scrunched his face, a little offended, but didn't say anything. Instead. . .
"Harry, you aren't in any shape to go anywhere."
***********
'Cause there's a lighthouse, in the harbor
Shining faithfully
Pouring its light out, across the water
For this sinking soul to see
That someone out there still believes in me
***********
"Yeah, besides, Madame Pomfrey's going to blow a fuse if she hears you've been out of bed."
Taking an aggravated breath and crossing his arms, Harry turned around, "I'm not a kid, you know. I can take care of myself. I don't need all of you hovering over me at all hours of the day and night."
"You sure are acting like it." muttered Ron, gaining a glare from Harry.
"Where exactly do you plan on going?" asked Molly.
Harry uncrossed his arms and thought for a second, "Don't know."
"Then why are you going?" Lavender asked.
He looked them all straight in the eye, "How do I know that you aren't just lying to me? How am I supposed to trust you when all you could be doing is get me on your side?"
"Harry, you know that's not true!" exclaimed Tali.
"Do I!? Do I know anything for sure!? No! There's nothing I can trust or depend on other than myself! I need to get away and sort things out! If you're really my friends like you say you are then you'll let me go quietly." said Harry.
"No, Harry, as your friends we can't let you go. It's too dangerous. You- Know-Who is out there looking for you." said Hermione.
Harry snorted, "That's rich. If I recall correctly, Voldemort's the one who actually supported me when I wanted to die."
"Exactly!" cried Fred and George at the same time.
"Harry, that son of a bitch wants you to die for him, not for you!" snarled Sirius.
"That's right! He's messing with your mind, *he's* the reason you're confused. Don't let him continue to control you. You're strong, Harry. Fight it!" urged Remus.
They were all very close to him now, in a circle, partially to stop him from escaping. Harry looked at them and mentally cursed himself for not getting away while he had the chance. He grabbed his shoulder which was beginning to get the familiar tingling sensation and closed his eyes for a minute. When he reopened them, he loosened his grip on his shoulder and sneered at them.
"Lies." he said quietly, then, more loudly, "All of it. Nothing but bull!"
"Harry, please! Try to remember!" begged Ginny, grabbing his hand.
Harry looked at it as a vision flashed passed his eyes again. It passed by so slow enough for Harry to see Ginny and him hugging in a dark room with a dead basilisk a little way away, but too quickly for him to recognize anything else.
Harry shook the thought out of his head and withdrew his hand from Ginny's grasp, "I remember plenty."
"No you don't nothing real, anyway." said Ron.
"Oh, I seem to remember telling me to go ahead to Siberia and never to come back." glared Harry. Ron bit back his lip and subdued back into the group, muttering something about never saying never to come back.
"Harry, we were fighting. Everyone says things they don't mean when they're fighting. Remember the good times." said Lavender.
"There weren't any good times."
"Sure there were! Loads of them! Remember when you won the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor? Wood nearly had to be tranquilized!" said Fred, smiling at the memory.
"And what about that time when you scared the crap out of Malfoy with that silvery light during the Quidditch match in our third year?" reminded Ron, coming forward.
"Bull, all of it. . .bull." Harry kept repeating under his breath.
"It never happened, none of it. It's all lies. . .but it did happen. . .no! No it didn't! Did too!" Harry fell to his knees and clamped his hands over his ears as he continued to debate with himself, leaving those around him silent.
For several minutes he continued the one-person conversation then fell silent as his body trembled in its hunched over position.
***********
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
***********
Somewhere deep in the dark depths of his mind, Harry stared around into the darkness. After what seemed like an eternity of despair and hopelessness, he finally felt himself growing stronger. He was finally able to seriously fight back against his capture and with the help of his friends, whom he could hear talking to him, he was able to force some good memories back into his mind.
"You're losing." Harry called out with a smile into the darkness.
"Don't be so sure, Potter. It's not healthy to push all your bad memories to the side. And there are *so* many of them. I'm just trying to help you. Remember the terrible times and be satisfied that I'm willing to help you." came a prickly voice. Harry saw a vision of himself and Cedric arriving at the oh-so-familiar graveyard.
'Wands out, you reckon?'
Harry shook it out of his head, "Not this time. I'm not going to let you control me any longer!"
'Go on, Harry. Just enjoy it while it lasts.' said Lavender.
Harry laughed, 'Yeah, until they find I didn't then its back to the fourth champion popularity all over again.'
'It's not so bad, Harry. Not as long as you got us. We'll stand by you!' said Ron in an overly dramatic voice which sent all those near into fits of laughter.
He felt a smile crawl upon his lips as he remembered, "You aren't going to win this time."
"Oh, we shall see about that." the voice cackled.
As quickly and doubly as loudly as the voice had spoken, a collage of terrible memories flashed passed his eyes. He had seen it all before. Whenever he got rowdy and tried to overthrow him, this had always crushed him back into submission. Harry fell to the ground and breathed heavily, sweat forming on his face, but he didn't cry out and he didn't give in. When it passed, Harry slowly, ever so slowly, got to his feet.
'Good thoughts.' he thought to himself, 'Happy memories. You can do it.'
She sat next to him, "What are you doing up here? Everyone's been looking for you."
"Nothing much, just thinking." he said.
"Oh, well you mind if I think with you?" she asked.
///////////
Surprisingly, Ron smirked, 'Ah, I don't know if this is the right time to say it but. . .I always had fun on those little adventures of ours. Besides, a lot of good has come out 'em.'
'That's right, if you hadn't dragged us on them You-Know-Who would have come back a lot sooner then he did. You also saved Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets.' said Hermione.
'Yeah, and don't forget about how that entire ordeal in our third year finally got Sirius free.' agreed Lavender. Harry turned his head to the side.
'Face it, Harry; you're an all around good guy. A mistake here and there won't change that.' said Ron, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
//////////
Harry smiled, "I'll drop a dung bomb just for you."
"That's my boy!" exclaimed James, ruffling his son's hair.
"What are doing!? You have no good memories! Don't fool yourself into believing these lies! It'll only hurt you!" the voice cried.
"Ah, shove it! I know my path! I'm not confused anymore, and you aren't going to mess it up!"
***********
There's a moment we all come to
In our own time and our own space
Where all that we've done, we can undo
If our heart's in the right place
***********
Harry let out a terrible scream as though someone had just cast Crucio on him and started shaking more violently. Hermione moved forward and put a hand on his shoulder but he didn't seem to notice.
"What's happening?" she asked, terrified.
"He's fighting it! He's doing it!" exclaimed Tali happily with tears in her eyes.
"Good thoughts. . .Happy memories. . .You can do it." Harry muttered just loud enough for them to hear after he finished screaming.
Instantly, everyone started shouting out all the good times they could remember.
***********
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
***********
Harry heard his friends and smiled as he allowed them to do the work for him. With each memory he heard, he felt his heart grow lighter and his smile grow larger. Then suddenly the large blue blob that had seeped into his skin ever so long ago appeared in front of him, looking ten times larger than he remembered.
"So you think you can go on with your life, even with all the guilt, pain, and suffering you've caused?" it asked.
"I've done nothing dishonorable that couldn't be helped." Harry growled at it.
"Or so you think." it taunted.
Harry glowered at it, "I don't need to listen to you. I know what I've done. I have no regrets. And there's still one more memory I have to gain before I die."
"And what would that be?"
"To see Voldemort, and every one of his minions go to a place where they can never hurt or kill again. And I won't give in until I've accomplished it!"
As he said this, streaks of light erupted through the barrier of black. And soon it became so bright that Harry could no longer see what was happening, but the one thing he remembered was the wretched high-pitched shriek coming from in front of him.
***********
And again I see my yesterday's in front of me
Unfolding like a mystery
You're changing all that is and used to be
***********
Harry had stopped all movement and his head now rested on Tali's lap. No one dared move him as he was still breathing and no one being quite sure of what had happened. Quite abruptly Harry shot up, eyes wide and gasping for breath. He had bumped foreheads with Sirius who had promptly cursed. Then, without saying a word, he jumped to his feet and dashed past those gathered around where he had been a second ago.
He didn't stop until he reached the edge of the property. Immediately, he was lifted off the ground by a purple light. As everyone caught up to him, they gaped at what they were seeing. No one said a thing as Harry curled up into a ball then stretched his limbs out as far as they would go all very quickly. Another blue light was seemingly sucked out of him to form the familiar blue blob that had worried everyone so much.
Almost simultaneous with the formation of the blob, the purple light vanished and both the blob and Harry fell to the ground. He landed very cat- like and slowly stood up but didn't turn around. Hermione took a step towards him but stopped as he slowly turned around, his eyes quite different. He looked down at his hands then back to the group of people staring at him.
***********
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
**********
Choking back his emotions, Harry ran forward and swung Hermione around off the ground while laughing, almost insanely, before setting her down. He kissed her and when he drew back he was giving her a watery smile.
"Thank you." he whispered then turned back to the rest of his friends and laughed, "All of you! I'm free, finally, I'm free again!"
***********
When you come back to me again
Author's Note: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! It sooooooooo stunk in the beginning, took me forever, too. But once I got into it. . .this is the COOLEST chapter! Hahaha! Harry's free! He can finally have a good time! Whoo hoo! Thanks for putting up with me. . .humor should start up within the next few chapters. . .hehehe, ain't saying no more here! Gotta read on to find out. . .but while you're waiting, write me a review, why don't cha? Oh yeah, just case you're wondering, the areas with big gaps are Harry's memories.