Dumbledore watched Sirius rush past him with Harry in his arms closely followed by a frantic looking trio of friends. Lupin however, stopped on seeing him.
"Albus! It's Harry. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but we think he needs to be healed quickly. Apparently he kind of lost it back there."
Dumbledore nodded and the two of them followed the others outside.
The Forbidden Forest loomed ahead, dark and mysterious as always. But Sirius didn't take time to think about it, he plunged straight along the path his eyes darting about for a sign of a centaur.
"Sirius!"
His name rang in his ears. It was Professor Dumbledore's voice.
Sirius stopped, looking at his unconscious godson in his arms his eyes were beginning to itch. Slowly he turned around.
"Wait for us." Shouted Remus.
Reluctantly Sirius leant against a tree and tried to control his erratic breathing.
"The centaurs wont see us if we just barge in here." Said Remus slightly angrily,
Sirius nodded realising that Moony was more worried than angry.
"He's had enough Moony. I just want him to be safe and well. I feel so helpless!" Confessed Sirius frustrated and upset, whilst he shifted Harry's meagre weight in his arms.
"I know. But at least you can be here for him now." Said Remus reassuringly as Dumbledore emerged.
"I ordered the students to wait back there for us… They shouldn't be far behind." Said the headmaster with only a slight smile on his worried face.
"How do we contact the centaurs?" Asked Sirius urgently.
"They already know we're here." Replied Dumbledore calmly.
"That is correct."
Firenze stepped out from behind some trees.
"But I am afraid we can no longer help you."
Remus had to hold Sirius back as his friend tensed in anger.
"May I ask why?" Responded Dumbledore frowning.
"Muane is one of our number. She senses that the boy's aura has altered. There is a powerful evil in his soul. We dare not heal him now."
Said Firenze glancing nervously at Harry's limp form.
"Harry is NOT EVIL!" Yelled Sirius clutching his Godson protectively.
"Muane is never wrong about these things." Said Firenze, his pale face hard as stone and his eyes sharp.
"Come on Padfoot. Let's get him to the Hospital Wing." Said Lupin gently.
Sirius' face was contorted with rage and fear. He passed Harry over to Lupin carefully before turning back to face Firenze.
"This is Harry we're talking about! He's all I have… And, I know there's not an evil bone in his body!" He said striding forward.
"We can't help you." Said Firenze once more before he tossed his head and galloped away.
Sirius watched as the centaur disappeared before sinking to the ground in despair.
"Why?" He moaned, "Why do these things always happen to Harry? What has he done to deserve this?"
Remus felt Harry beginning to shift awake and he glanced worriedly at Dumbledore.
"Take him inside Remus, we'll be there shortly."
Remus nodded and started making his way out of the forest with Harry, whilst Dumbledore knelt down next to Sirius.
"Sirius, I've known you since you were eleven years old. I taught you in your 4th year when Minerva was ill. You have always exceeded my expectations. You've been through hell for Harry. He depends on you as much as you do on him. Don't let this disappointment take your attention away from what is important. Harry needs you now, more than ever, so you have to be strong for him."
Sirius nodded mutely hastily rubbing his eyes and standing up.
"Thankyou Professor."
With a small smile Dumbledore didn't bother to correct him.
"I should get back inside then." Said Sirius turning to leave.
"Yes. I'll be there in a minute." Said Dumbledore glancing to the direction in which Firenze had left.
Sirius followed his eye line and nodded in understanding. "Alright."
The two wizards parted.
When Sirius appeared in the Hospital Wing he noted that the mood had drastically changed from earlier.
Remus was whispering to Dawn and they both looked upset. Madame Pomfrey was fussing around Harry looking lost as to what to do and Sirius also noticed Ginny Weasley and Arabella Figg hunched together away from everyone else having a heated conversation.
Harry is such a big part of my life nowadays. Sirius realised looking at his godson's twitching face as the boy began to wake.
As soon as he began to stir Madame Pomfrey, Ginny and Arabella surrounded Harry.
Sirius sidled over to Remus and Dawn twisting his hands nervously.
He didn't want to get in the way. There seemed to be nothing he could do.
***
"He's back. The part that was missing… It's returned hasn't it?"
"Yes."
"So… What's wrong with him? Do you think he'll tell us?"
"Harry is your guardian. No matter what mind control or is affecting him, he won't be able to harm you. It has to be you who will talk to him." Said Arabella grasping the girl's chilled hands in her own tightly.
Ginny gulped anxiously but nodded with steely determination.
"Good. Don't worry about what to say. Just try and find out what's wrong. Our Harry's in there. And you're going to help bring him back."
***
Dumbledore pushed through the undergrowth determinedly. He knew very well where the centaurs would have gathered.
As he neared the spot he heard two hushed voices.
"You told them we wouldn't help?"
"Yes Muane, we can't take the risk."
"What did the wise one say?"
"Dumbledore didn't speak much. He was busy calming the dog-wizard."
"You should have heard him out, he knows many things."
Dumbledore came through the bushes.
"I think I can arrange for that." He said calmly.
Firenze frowned back at him.
"You followed me." He stated with a hint of anger in his voice.
"No Firenze, Bane made no secret of this place to me. He trusted me, as did Creole."
"What have you to say about the Potter boy wise one?" Asked the centaur Muane, who was in fact little more than a girl, but who had the presence and poise of one who knew much.
"Perhaps you are right to be apprehensive my dear. I believe what you sensed is indeed true. We will strive of course to break Harry free of this evil and I trust that, should we be successful, your offer will remain open to him."
Dumbledore and Muane turned to Firenze.
Firenze scratched at the ground with his hoof thoughtfully before replying.
"Yes, the offer would be open should you succeed. We owe much to the Potter boy, it would be right to help him."
"Thankyou Firenze, Muane. I must be leaving."
"Good luck wise one. May the gods be behind you." Replied Muane with a shake of her chestnut mane of hair.
***
Ginny approached Harry anxiously pulling at her hair and digging her toes into the soles of her shoes.
As Harry woke up she looked searchingly into his eyes. The disorientated green orbs focused onto her own and she saw the evil that lurked there, the realisation that the cold and aggressive glare could belong to Harry chilled her.
Ginny broke the stare and blinked back the tears that were threatening to come.
"Harry, what's happened to you?"
The black haired boy blinked up at her almost pityingly,
"The Dawn of Realisation." He replied.
"What do you mean?" Asked Ginny, fighting to control her voice as she heard Sirius' agitated shifting from across the room.
"Voldemort's spell has awakened the part of me which realises my potential. I can use my magic to do what I want. Voldemort is a fool though. As if I would use my power to serve him."
Ginny was shaking slightly. The cold of Harry's voice was an unnatural parody of his usual voice.
"What will you use it for?" She asked nervously.
"I will destroy Voldemort and replace him. That fool will serve me."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N
Ahhh, don't I just love to leave you guys hanging. And I KNOW I didn't put any Draco in this part, he'll be back next chapter, as will Voldie… Now I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss that!
Luv
Jona
xxx