He was still slumped against the staff table. He was still wondering how he had made it so far. He was still wondering if it was the strength of his body or the strength of his magic which allowed him to arrive. He still had something very important to say to Madame Pomfrey before he would let go of the stretcher so she could heal his relatives. He shouldn't have wasted so much on telling them who the rat was, He heard a nearby click, and knew what it was.

'What is it Harry?' Harry never thought he'd be so happy to hear that voice, even if it was in his head.

'She's pregnant. You have to be careful with her.' Harry thought to Dumbledore, who nodded to Harry and turned to an expectant nurse.

"Have a care, Poppy. She's carrying." Dumbledore said quietly. Everyone looked around in confusion. What was she carrying? Was she diseased? Was it contagious?

Dumbledore hadn't closed the connection yet, so it was weird hearing his voice just a tiny bit behind hearing the voice in his head. Amazing.

'Vernon had the Cruciatus Curse. One of the death eaters is dead. I hit him with a piece of metal. His head caved in. There was a puddle of blood the size of the basement. The others are just stunned. I wasn't hit with anything. I'll be alright with sleep. I just can't walk any more.' Harry was now loosing energy over projecting thoughts. He couldn't take much more.

There was a shattering sound as a plate hit the floor. Harry turned faster than anyone else could react. His wand was drawn and his face was fierce. When he saw what it was it was too late. The sudden movement has sucked the blood from his brain, and he fell slowly to the ground.

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"Is it really Harry Potter?"

"Were those his relatives?"

"Did he kill those aurors?"

"Why did he have a rat?"

"Did he use Dark Magic?"

The yelling from the crowd outside of the hospital wing was beginning to get to her. She had to miss a relaxing night, curled up with a book for this. Guarding the damn hospital wing. And who did these student's think they were? Crowding around the doors like a show was going on inside. Didn't they have any respect for the ill. Even the dead. The constant questions had been going on for an hour straight already. Two students had left, but they had returned with food and beverages. She couldn't see their faces through the crowd, but she was willing to bet they were willing to camp here all night, and that was something she was not willing to do.

There was a loud clicking sound along with the soft tapping of hundreds of feet. Professor Moody turned the corner with what appeared to be all of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw houses behind him.

"'evening Minnie." He said in his trademark growl. She hated it when he called her that. Why couldn't he call her Minerva just like every one else. He squeezed by her and stepped into the Hospital wing.

"Let all the students in." He growled again.

"Why?" she asked. Dumbledore instructed her strictly, that under no circumstances could anyone be brought into the hospital wing.

"Potter wants witnesses." She had no idea what was going on, but she conceded. Another thunder was heard as the Hufflepuffs arrived, right behind a running Professor Flitwick. She decided that if everyone was allowed in, she should be allowed in too. She was vaguely surprised at the transformation of the Hospital wing. It was now five times larger and had hundreds of chairs as well as a stage. On the stage was a table. On the table was a cage. In the cage was a very sullen rat. Dumbledore was chatting with Moody in quiet serious tones. Everyone found a seat, and fell silent through expectation and suspense.

"My dear students…" Dumbledore began, but halted as approximately half of the Slytherin house arrived, obviously disgusted at not being invited. Dumbledore waited until they found seats, and ventured to continue.

"My dear students, you were asked here tonight to witness what is known as a new development. Many of us remember the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban, do we not?" The was a fury of nods. "Does anyone remember what he was convicted of?" A few hands went up. "Ms. Bones?"

"W-well, umm. He was a traitor, who turned dark and handed over the Potters to You-know-who. He was their secret keeper, I think."

"Very good Ms. Bones. Twenty points to Hufflepuff. Now, we all hope and believe that in the end justice will be served. Tonight we will see just how well our system works. First I will tell you a story, another way some claim the events before and after the last attack of Voldemort (flinches throughout the crowd) happened." So Dumbledore began. No one knew that he was just saying everything Harry told him, word for word. By the end most were shocked, and others were denying it. Then Dumbledore went on to explain the events of the Triwizard Tournament, and more people feeling it was a joke. "Now all this is relevant to this rat here, because, if I am told correctly, this rat is no ordinary rat. This rat is Peter Pettigrew." The gasps among the students even surprised Minerva.

"He was transfigured?"

"I thought Black killed him." The yells from the crowd returned.

"You misunderstand me. Peter Pettigrew was, is, and unregistered animagus. Can anyone tell me how you get a suspected animagus to reveal it's true self?" Dumbledore asked.

"Revealius Animagus!" Someone screamed from the back.

"Correct. Twenty points to Slytherin. Now, you all may feel that any results gotten here may be tampered with so you all may select the witch or wizard to complete the spell on the rat here." Dumbledore explained

"I will!" Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin fifth year screamed. Of course a Slytherin wanted to be up there. Everyone was too stunned to protest. In a few short seconds she made it up onto the stage, and sent the spell at the rat laying in the cage. Immediately the rat grew to a large size, and stood up on it's hind legs. It grew until it was little over five feet. With a sharp pop, a balding man who could only be guessed to be in his late thirties appeared. There was a collective reaction from the students. Even the Slytherins seemed less than confident.

"You see before you, the very same Peter Pettigrew who was somehow killed by Sirius Black. Interesting, isn't it. Ahhh, he's even missing a finger." Dumbledore said. No one had ever heard such venom in his voice. "Severus, your strongest truth potion. Moody, contact the ministry. ('Already done, Albus') Minerva, send a letter to him." Severus and Minerva left immediately on their tasks. Everyone watched as Dumbledore put Peter in a large cage, and summoned all of the remaining teachers up to him. "Do not let the ministry take him. Especially Fudge. We already know they cannot be trusted."

Hermione watched in shock. Harry had done it. All by himself. He had captured Peter. He would have set Sirius free. She supposed it should have made her feel good and happy, but it only made her feel more helpless. She was always there to help Harry, but he no longer needed her. His use of her had expired, and she felt so…empty. Like the reasons for everything she ever did had disintegrated. Like the soldier who came back from a war to a country that booed, and jeered, and people who were unappreciated for the sacrifices they made. She knew she was appreciated. Harry had always appreciated her. She just…………no longer had anything he could appreciate her for. She felt like her stomach had left her body, and she could never eat again. There was a small commotion as Snape entered followed by Cornelius Fudge and four aurors. They marched onto the stage, without so much as addressing anyone.

"What madness and hysteria are you trying to create now, old man?" Cornelius said loudly. Dumbledore ignored the comment, and accepted the potion from Snape. Without the least hesitation, Dumbledore placed three drops of the potion in the mouth of Peter, and awakened him with the wave of his hand.

"Wha- Where am I? I can't be -"

"What is your name?" Dumbledore asked. The man's eyes became glassy, and his screechy voice became like silk.

"Peter Roger Pettigrew."

"When were you born?" Dumbledore asked.

"January fifteenth, 1970."

"For whom do you work?" Dumbledore asked.

"For my master."

"Who is your master?" Dumbledore was getting impatient.

"Lord Voldemort." There were screams and shrieks and all kinds of unheavenly noise, but everyone seemed to squeeze closer anyway.

"Just look here, Dumbledore –" Fudge began.

"No, Cornelius, you look here. You had a death eater, and you made everything he knew worthless. You know the darkness has returned and you run from it. I will no longer tolerate the hiding and cowardice which your administration thrives on. These students, every single one of them will know the truth." With a snap of his fingers Fudge and his aurors were all tied down to chairs facing Pettigrew, who was helplessly clawing at his cage. "And for once, so will you." Dumbledore sighed and made a seat for himself. "Now, Mr. Pettigrew. I want you to tell me everything of your actions for your master starting the week before Holloween, 1981." Everyone got comfortable. They all knew this would be a long story.

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Harry awoke with a crushing headache, he had bandages around his head and eyes, and couldn't see a thing. He knew certain healing potions had been given to him. It would explain why he felt so hot even in his thin clothes. He had no patience for healing, and he couldn't deal with not seeing where exactly he was. Behind his eyelids he kept seeing the man's head laying in pool of blood. He shivered.

It did not take him long to find the end of the bandage and roll it off his head. He did it slowly, as the little bit of light which started to peak through the bandages as he extracted them was hurting his eyes. How long had he been asleep? He finally got the last layer off and naturally rubbed the bridge of his nose. His hand recoiled when he felt the pain. The wound had been closed and healed, but the pain remained. Harry took in a deep breath and notice his chest movement was restricted. They had bandaged his chest as well. As he became more self aware, he realized his right knee was bandaged too. So was his upper arm, and the wrist of his right hand. When he moved his tongue around his mouth, he noticed a missing tooth. He couldn't remember missing a tooth. Despite the tight bandaging of his chest, Harry sat up slowly, trying not to make the bed squeak. He realized that was how Madame Pomfrey always knew when people has risen, and he didn't want to see her.

He had to see his Aunt and Uncle. He looked around the infirmary, but it was empty. He was feeling the after-effects of his exertion. His body felt dead. It was yelling at him to go back to sleep. His mind, however, was bored and needed stimulation. His body would just have to go along with it. Moving extremely slowly he slid off the bed, and noticed his clothes were at the foot of his bed. He dressed quickly, so no one would walk in on him while he was revealed. He neglected to put on his shoes. They would tap on the floor and she would hear him. Instead he carried them in his hand.

He put all of his removed bandages on the bed. He had taken them all off except the one on his chest and back. His back muscles were too shot to keep him standing upright, and the extra support was necessary. He walked slowly over to the wooden doors, taking a peek into the office.

Madame Pomfrey was filling out some forms, while listening to the wizarding radio. It gave off just enough noise that he could slip out, and he did. Once in the hallway he started checking his pockets as they clinked and jingled. He found his wand, and returned it to the sheath on his wrist. It hadn't been there when he took the bandages off, but somehow it had returned. He found his trunk in his pocket. He checked all of his pockets, and once satisfied, he walked down towards the entrance hall. From the height of the sun through the windows, he guessed it must be late morning. Everyone would be in classes, so he could wander around without being seen. The great hall would probably be empty, and he would have to go to the kitchens for breakfast. He wasn't so hungry, but he really was tired, and needed fuel. As he entered the entrance hall, he saw his Aunt and Uncle whispering.

"You said you were leaving here, and I agreed. You said we were leaving England, and I agreed. You said we'd take Dudley out of school, and I agreed. You said we would never tell him where we're going and I agreed. He saved our lives, Petunia, and you won't even say good-bye to him. He's asleep up there with god knows what, and you won't even say good-bye. He is your nephew by blood. No matter what, you owe him this little courtesy." Vernon was red in the face. Harry had never seen Vernon get mad at anyone but himself and motorcycle drivers, so it was a little awkward for him to stand there.

"Do what you will. I am leaving. I don't have anything to say to that…that thing!" she hissed, before walking out of the main doors of the castle. Vernon watched her go and turned around to see Harry, standing on the stairs. He was standing crooked, as if he had been deformed. Otherwise, he looked like he was in perfect health, if not a little flushed.

"It's alright," Harry said before the situation got awkward "I never expected anything from her. She never really expected anything from me."

"I'm sorry Harry, for everything we did to you. I-"

"Don't worry about it Uncle Vernon. And don't tell me where you're going either. If I ever really needed to find you, I could. We magic folk have our ways." Harry offered a friendly smile as he walked Vernon to the top of the stairs leading up to the main entrance.

"I think you'll be alright Harry. You always were smart." There was a comfortable silence. "The man who sent them, was he…"

"Yup. He was the very same who killed my parents."

"Oh." Vernon looked humiliated, even ashamed of himself. He was remembering how he had treated the boy for years. How he had made life so much harder for him. How he had messed up his own child more by spoiling him. He had done so much wrong. If only he hadn't been blinded by his wife's prejudice's. "Do you need anything, if you're going to b on your own? Money? Clothes?" Now the silence became awkward.

"No. I'll be fine. I make enough at my job to more than cover myself. I think I'll be moving away, too. Everything I care about, other than your family, is here. He'll come after anyone near me where ever I go. It's the only way I can protect them. He is too strong for them. He's too strong for me. I have no way to defend myself. It's odd how your entire perspective on life changes, when you know you're not going to make it through the year. It's not necessarily fear. It's an empowering feeling, knowing you have nothing more to loose. If you have nothing to loose, you have nothing to defend. And if you have nothing to defend, than all you have to do is attack. In case I never see you again, thank you Vernon. Even if you weren't kind or loving to me, you gave me just enough to get by, and that was all I needed. I'm sorry about your car. I'll make the loss of your house up to you. Have a safe trip." Harry didn't wait for a response, and went down the staircase into the dungeons.

Vernon wiped away the tear that he had let form. He had been such a bastard. How did it end up this way. The kid thought he was going to die. No, he was sure he was going to die. What do you say to that. What do you say to a sane person who knows of their impending doom. If only he had a second chance, he would have changed so much. God, where did he go wrong.

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Harry licked his lips as he moved through the entrance hall the second time that day. He had a very nice breakfast. He'd only realized how hungry he was when the food was placed in front of him. Dobby was doing well, he was happy to see. He couldn't remember the name of the house elf who had been so depressed the year before, but she seemed to bounce back and served him with the sane vigor of the others, although she seemed to lack some of the joy.

He became conscious of the fact that he hadn't seen Hermione or Ron since his arrival. Vernon and Petunia had gone, obviously, and he had no idea where the prisoners were. Had they been given over to the ministry already? He couldn't remember ever being so lost at Hogwarts. For his first time there, he didn't know where he should go.

There was a loud grumbling in a hoarse voice and the sound of a score of footsteps. Harry noticed Alastor Moody leading some younger students down into the basement.

"Moody" Harry tried to yell, but it came out as more of a loud whisper. He wasn't up to yelling yet. However Moody heard and left his students. He had as much of a concerned look in his face as Harry supposed was possible, considering the scarring.

"Potter, you should still be in bed. You have three cracked ribs in your back, as well as a broken wrist. Bloody amazing you made it here." He growled. Harry just looked confused. His wrist was never broken. He surely would have felt it. He flicked his wrist. No pain. There must have been some mistake.

"Yeah, well, I'm a quick healer. Always have been." Moody gave a short chuckle to Harry's obvious excuse.

"Couldn' stand the white ceiling no more, could yeh boy." He let off a loud howl. "Been there meself. What's with the snake?" Harry turned around, looking for a snake. "No, the one in yer pocket." Harry seemed even more confused. Did he have a spy on him? Moody signaled to the chest pocket, and Harry pulled out a short fire orange snake with blue and red stripes. "Well boy? Where'd it come from?"

"It's a Firesnake. I thought it was dead. I thought it would've died in the blast of potions which destroyed it's package." Harry said, awe on his face.

"Firesnake? You sure Potter? I thought they were gone forever." Moody growled, though Harry was sure he had his interest.

"No. They have them in Magical China. One man couldn't afford a potion I made for him, and sent it as payment. He said they could be useful if trained properly and treated well."

"Sendin' potions to China are we? Dangerous business, it is. Wouldn't have expected less from you. What are you waiting fer? Give it a try?" Harry gave him a questioning glace. "Yeh can talk to it, righ'?" Harry forgot he was a parseltongue. He felt kind of weird doing it with a small audience. He focused his eyes on the snake.

"Hello?" Harry said. The snake turned it's head to him.

"You are very warm. I have put the life juice into you. You will be perfect soon." Harry seemed more surprised than he thought he would be. He then saw the two small holes in his skin on his wrist. It could heal. His bloody snake could heal. Didn't that go against some sort of rule written in the classification of animals. Moody noticed Harry staring at the marks on his wrist.

"So yer snake got some powers yeh can use. Lucky you, Potter. Down to see a Boggart with the second years. Wanna come. I'll take yeh to yer friends as well." Harry nodded in agreement and followed the crowd of students. He walked a few paces behind them an started a conversation with the one foot long creature in his hands.

"You healed me?" Harry asked it.

"Yesss."

"I was told you could do many things, but I never learned what they are." Harry didn't want to pressure the snake. If it was powerful enough to heal, it was probably powerful enough to kill.

"Squeeze my jaw at it's base, then pinch my tail." Harry obeyed. It was hard to find the base of the jaw but when he did, he squeezed very slowly, not wanting to injure the creature. As soon as the mouth opened, he held that position. Then he grabbed the tail, and pinched the end. There was a loud hissing sound followed by a huge flame flying out of the mouth of the snake. Harry stopped for a second, before continuing behind the students, who were glancing back every few second at the strange guy with the snake. Harry noticed that the snake maintained the flame, although smaller, and served as a sort of portable torch. Harry released the tail and jaw.

"Wow," Harry hissed, "that was brilliant. Your like a tiny dragon, without the wings and the like." The snake seemed to take offense.

"More like the dragon is a big one of us. We were here first. They spawned from us. They were created with evil in mind. We were created out of nature." Harry quickly apologized. "It's cold here." Harry felt the air, and noticed it was a little chilly, especially for a snake.

"Do you want to go in my pocket, it should be warmer there." Harry asked. This really was an amazing creature.

"Yes, thank you. Although a flame would be better." The snake started slithering up his arm towards his chest pocket.

"Wait. I have an idea." Harry hissed back. He found the nearest torch, pointed his wand at it. "Duplicus" he whispered. Another torch appeared next to it, but in lacking a metal holder, it began to fall and clattered on the ground. Harry picked it up and made sure the flame was intact. "Will this do?" He asked the snake. The snake hissed a thanks, and went back down Harry's arm to the base of the torch. Harry expected it to curl around the torch a little below the flame, not to wrap itself around the flame. The snake caught on fire almost immediately and started singing a song.

I am a snake and I'd like a flame,

When I am warm, we can play a game.

If you will not let me be so warm,

I will have to bite you on the arm.

Firesnake, Firesnake, that is my name.

Firesnake, Firesnake, give me a flame.

I am a snake you can set on fire,

If you do not, it will not be dire.

I can blow a flame that is quite big,

And burn you more than a burning squid.

Firesnake, Firesnake, that is my name.

Firesnake, Firesnake, give me a flame.

"I like your song." Harry said with a smile. The snake unraveled itself and slid a little down the torch. Harry was amused to see that the snake was still on fire, but the flame of the snake left no smoke.

"Thank you. It was written by my Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Aunt. She was a very respectable Firesnake. She made it to eight feet long."

"Oh, is that long for a Firesnake?" Harry never heard another animal sing a song with words before. He was naturally curious about it's heritage.

"It is very old. We only grow one inch a year. She was ninety seven. A very old age nowadays. My Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Grandfather was nearly twenty feet. He was 238 year old."

"That is very old for any creature." Harry mused.

"And they said he died young." The snake started shaking, and hissing irregularly. It took Harry a second to realize the snake was laughing.

"We're here" said Moody. Harry followed the students into what appeared to be a storage room used for old and broken Hogwarts furniture. Harry moved to the outside, waiting for Moony to finish his explanation of what to do. "…and to show you exactly how to do it, Mr. Potter will be the first to face the boggart." Harry's head snapped up.

"Excuse me?" Harry sputtered.

"You can show the little ones how it's done. I know you've faced boggarts before. Don't tell me you can't do it." Harry swallowed hard, but nodded. He put the torch he was holding in a stand, and took out his wand. He approached the wardrobe which was to be opened and stood expecting a Dementor. Moody opened the wardrobe and Harry did a double take. The same man he had killed stood there. This was what he was most afraid of? He didn't remember being afraid of him. There was a sickening crack and the man fell down. Blood poured from his ears and mouth, and in seconds a puddle had formed around the body. He didn't hear the second years screaming. He didn't see Moody's eyes go wide in surprise. He only saw a dead man. It made sense to him. He knew what he feared most; being a murderer.

Another chapter out before midterms. I jut can't stop. They start this week too. Maybe I ought to study. So Harry lost his family, but gained a friend. His outlook on life I felt was important. Maybe the only real important part of this chapter. And the snakes song was my first attempt at poetry. Tell me what you think. Even if in a reivew you put "Good firesnake song." Those three short words are all I need. I don't normally write poetry or songs so it was a fresh experience that took the whole of twenty minutes. I hope you like it. I kinda do, but of course I'm going to like it, I wrote it. Anyway.

Zoot Vampiric Vampire - You say "stupefy" doesn't seem like the curse to use in a life threatening struggle. Let me ask you this. When your life is on the line, do you try something that may or may not work when tension is high, or do you go with old faithful?

Malu – Hermione will become more active. She is just still adjusting to self-destructing Harry.

Poacher – Finally, someone who is a firm believer in something. I don't necessarily think I should have more reviews, I just think that if your reading, don't you think you should give a little feedback to the person writing it? People just don't understand that reviewers have a larger effect on the story than they think. Oh, and if you like it when Hermione hits Harry, like four chapters away, I think I'll have a scene that you'll simply love.

Takeda LeeNo Harry isn't any bigger yet. I can promise you one thing, by the very end, he will be of normal or bigger stature, but for most of the story…lets just say if you painted him blue you could call him a smurf.

Special thanks to Zoot Vampiric Vampire, Malu, Poacher, Takeda Lee, as well as 8Princess8, shdurrani, angel, Mystic Queen. Happy reading everyone.