A/N the story in writing is still a tad behind sorry for that, it getting there though! I'm hoping that in half term (this coming week) I can update twice in one week, but don't hold your breath! I made a mistake on the last chapter, I wrote chapter seven, instead of chapter eight - oops! Because of FFN being down this weekend, I thought I would put this short chapter up after the weekend to stop any problems. Sorry this is so short, it couldn't be helped.

Finally the reviews…

0 = No I can reveal Simone is not the girl from the dream, good guess though! Yeah he'll be in loads of trouble if he does kill anyone.

FlyingGoat = Yes Sirius is my fav character as well, I wish I could write more of him at the mo but it wouldn't fit quite right, but rest assured I will write loads on him later, if he's still alive that is. Yes I thought it was a different twist, evil Harry he's always so good in the cannon…

Esperanza = I like the ideas…thanks for the help I now have a few ideas.

Lil Lupin = Finally they will get an idea in this chapter!

Amber = Thank you, hope you enjoy this chap

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

When The Worst Is Coming

Chapter nine

Fiery Symptoms

(Remus and Sirius were sitting in the kitchen just after Sirius' date and Harry's weird reaction in the hallway; they are worried about Harry and think he is acting strangely)

"We have to find out what is wrong, Moony," Sirius said, sitting at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, fiddling with a piece of parchment.

Remus sighed, "I agree, but how?"

"We could go and have a quick look in his room. I mean I know he would be upset if he found out, but there is obviously something seriously wrong with him. If we don't sort it out soon, then goodness knows what will happen." Sirius worried.

"Yes, but he could not be in his room when we look in there, for obvious reasons. And the fact remains, that he has only been here a few days and he has not even left the house yet."

"I know, but he will have to leave the house sooner or later."

"Yeah, but another problem we have is that we don't know what is wrong with him. He is acting like anyone but Harry; he is normal one minute, and weird the next."

"Okay, so don't loose that train of thought, I am going to write a letter to Albus and ask him to ask Madam Pomfrey what it could be. I'm afraid I need a list of symptoms-"

"Well, he changes quickly from normal to brooding; in fact he seems to be just brooding all the time now."

"Lets just have the symptoms of when he is 'brooding' for now, that seems the most cause for concern." Sirius picked up a quill and dipped it in an ink well and started writing.

"All right then," Remus started on the list of symptoms.

"He's snappy and short when talking to us,

Has a glazed look in his eyes,

Jumpy,

Forgetful,

Oh…don't forget talks to him self!

…Is creepy a symptom?" Remus asked.

 "Dunno I'll put it down any way," Sirius scribbled on the parchment.

"Man," Sirius said glancing down at the list, "I never realised just how bad Harry's gotten. I really miss the old Harry; I really hope it is nothing bad. I don't know what I would do if…nether mind," He snapped out of his ravine and rolled the parchment up and tied the letter to Remus' Owl. He watched it fly off with a sad expression on his, as if a lot depended on its reply.

"Are you alright?" Remus asked.

"Umm," Sirius mumbled still looking out of the window

Remus did not really feel convinced by this but was distracted from inquiring any further. "Hey, Sirius do you smell that?"

"Huh," Sirius' head snapped up "Smell what?"

"Smoke."

"Smoke," Sirius repeated, their eyes locked for a moment.

"Harry," they both said the same thing at the same time

 They both leapt up and ran towards the stairs.

"I really hope Madam Pomfrey can fix him." Sirius muttered to himself as he jogged up the stairs.

*******

"I can't fix this," Madam Pomfrey whispered glancing at the list of symptoms Dumbledore wrote from the alarming letter he just received, instantly from Remus' lightning quick Owl which Dumbledore himself lent him in case of an emergency.

"Ah, may I ask why?" Dumbledore asked looking slightly weary, and taking the letter back off the nurse.

"Well for a start I have no idea this is, aside from the fact that it is probably the work of a potion, and a dark one at that."

"So is there nothing you can do."

"Once we know what type of potion he has ingested, then I might be able to do something, depending of course on whether the potion is curable or…not." Madam Pomfrey said reluctantly. "Though I cannot help much, I believe if Severus could find out what he has been infected with, also it's effects, then I could work my magic on him."

"Severus? Well I suppose it is worth a try…though from Si- Remus' letter I feel that Mr. Potter may be somewhat reluctant to be cured." Dumbledore had not yet told Madam Pomfrey of Sirius' innocence, though he planned to make a formal announcement to all of the staff soon.

*******

"You expect me to help Potter?" Snape said coldly.

"It would be useful, yes," Dumbledore said.

"You are sure that he is in fact ill not just…rebelling or he might just be making it up to get some extra attention."

"I think he has enough unwanted attention as it is, and the symptoms are too strong to be an act of teenage rebellion."

"Perhaps," Snape looked for the first time at the list of symptoms. "This does look like a potion but I really have better things to do than fixing Potter and giving him a lesson on why one should not ingest potions."

"If you where to do this then all you would have to do for now would be to take a blood sample. Then take it back here to find out what it is," Dumbledore explained.

"Pathetic, the boy has barely been out of school five minutes and already he has got himself into trouble," Snape smirked.

"Shall I take it as a yes then?" Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling.

Snape just glared at him. 

"Should I forewarn them then?" Dumbledore asked Snape feeling slightly worried at how everyone might react to the potion teacher's sudden presence.

Snape looked thoughtful for a moment, "No I would prefer to make an unexpected entrance."

"Please try not to terrify the boy Severus."

"A little fear never did anyone any harm."

*********

Sirius and Remus entered Harry's room after unlocking the door to have flames blasted at them, and to find the whole room filled with smoke and flames licking the four walls. For a moment they both stood there coughing, before Remus quickly closed the door.

"What the hell did you do that for? Harry is in there," Sirius snapped.

"I know but I want to do it alone, werewolves are stronger and heal faster than humans, I want you to stay here."

"What? You know I could never do that."

"Sirius you are wasting precious seconds. Let me do this I have to, you must stay here and call madam Pomfrey! Go!" Sirius reluctantly turned and ran downstairs.

Remus took a deep breath and braced himself for the flames, he pulled his robes up over his head for protection and quickly performed a flame proof charm, then he quickly turned the knob and did not open the door too widely as he entered, so that the flames would not spread to the rest of the house. When he entered he coughed for a moment, then tried to extinguish the fire with a few spells, but nothing worked, so he tried to search the searing hot flame filled room for the boy, but he found the heat was so unbearable he could barely move.

Remus began to shout, between coughs "Harry…Harry…are you okay? Harry…please answer me," but Remus received no answer.

A/N I know cruel ending sorry, I feel lots of reviews could stop me from killing off two main characters though…J