"Okay so monkshood root is used in what potions? I have numbing potion and the memory potion, there is supposed to be another…" Ginny exclaimed frustrated.  Ginny, Ron and Hermione were doing their holiday homework; Ron and Hermione were sitting at the small table near Harry's bed and Ginny was sitting on Harry's bed near his feet.  The Infirmary looked more like a library than a hospital at the moment.  The trio had stuff everywhere (all organized however, thanks to Hermione).  Clothes, books, parchments and just random stuff were all in piles and heaps around the room that the trio rarely left these days.

            "Wolfsbane Potion, Ginny," Remus stated overhearing as he came in the door.

            "Thanks"

            "Not a problem.  How's our boy doing?"

            "No change.  Hasn't had any nightmares lately though."

            "Excuse us for being rude," Hermione interrupted noticing Angela, "I'm afraid that we've forgotten our manners. My name is Hermione. I don't believe we've meet?"

            "No we haven't," Angela smiled.  "I'm Angela Jo Dumbledore. A long time friend of the Marauders," she stated, hoping to make these young adults a bit more receptive to her.  The three friends glanced at each other and then appraisingly at Angela.

            "Angela has an idea as to help Harry," Remus explained.  "But before you hear it – I'm telling you that you WON'T like it at first.  I think it might work and that Angela has my full trust."
            "Wait… Dumbledore? As in…" Ron asked

            "Yes that Dumbledore." Angela answered. "He's my grandfather and only living relative besides Aberforth and grandma.  As to the idea – first I want all of you to know that I am suggesting this knowing full well what's happened this past year concerning Harry and Voldemort. I also want you to know that I won't do this unless you want me to. You three are the ones Harry trusts and I will need your help to do this," Angela said looking the three students in the eye.  Gods they were young to have gone through what they had.  "Okay, listen to the whole idea first, then you can say 'no' okay," seeing nods she went on.  "I am a telepath and an empath.  I can speak to people in their minds and can also feel and project people's emotions.  Comes in handy when knowing who to trust or if they are spies or something else treacherous… What I want to do is to speak to Harry in his mind and using your emotions of love and loyalty to him, convince him to wake up."

            "WHAT!!!??? Are you insane? Harry will freak if you show up in his mind!" Ron shouted, or more like exploded.

            "Hold on. Calm down Ron," Hermione pulled him back down onto the couch.  "Miss Dumbledore, I'm afraid I have to agree with Ron here, but for fairness sake – can you fully explain what you want to do and explain why you think Harry has a choice as to if he wakes up?" Hermione asked feeling that there was more to this then what Angela had said.  Ron looked at her like she was nuts, but when Hermione meet his eyes, he sighed and settled down. Ginny hadn't moved or said a word from her permanent perch sitting Indian style at the foot of Harry's bed.

            "Of course I will. But I think it might be easier for you to understand if I show you.  Remus, do you mind?" Angela asked.  Remus knew what she was going to do and was used to her doing it – although it had been some time. He nodded. "Okay, first an emapth is a person who can feel others emotion and… in rare people like me, can project those feelings towards others. A telepath is a person who can talk to other people by thinking what they want to say and send it to that person by thinking 'at' that person.  The best way to make you understand how this works is to feel it," with that Angela focused on Remus.  Remus could feel Angela taking his guilt and anxiousness and sadness away, not all of it – it felt like some had taken up some of the weight and was… sharing it.  Those feelings were then experienced by the rest of the people in the room.  "See it's not invasive or controlling," Angela said all eyes focused on her.  "I can't see memories or dig around peoples' mind, or control them in any way.  I do have some defense mechanisms to protect me from being sucked in, but they don't hurt the person at all.  It's just like… sharing feelings and talking without moving your lips," as she said this peoples' eyes widened as they realized that they were hearing her talk without her voice being used.  "Sorry. I shocked you, but it doesn't have the same effect if I warn you," she laughed glancing at Remus who was smiling. 

            "You guys.  Angela wouldn't suggest this unless absolutely sure it wouldn't hurt Harry.  I mean she was Lily's best friend, Sirius' girlfriend for two and half years and is Harry's godmother," Remus said with a twinkle in his eyes, much like Dumbledore.  The three weren't sure who to stare at, Remus or Angela.

            "Godmother…"

            "Sirius' girlfriend…"

            "Yes to both.  Maybe I should tell you some more about me before your decision.  I am 32 years old, American through and through and my favorite color is purple.  My only living relatives are my grandparents and Aberforth – my parents were killed when I was fourteen.  After I dealt with that my life got better, but right when all was perfect I was forced to leave everything and everyone to go into hiding.  After I was recently reunited with the one man I have ever loved, he is killed by the same monster that killed my parents – to leave me jobless, homeless, and pregnant."
             "WHAT?!?!" screeched Remus. "You never told me that. I would not have agreed to this…"
            "Remus it's okay," Angela said putting her hands on his shoulders and looking up at him, "Besides I HAVE to do this."  Remus looked at this little bitty female whom he had thought long gone.  He knew what Angela was feeling and not because of her empathy, but because she was as close to a sister as he was ever gonna have – they were best friends. 

            Angela turned back to her grandfather who gave her a discerning look, "Angela.  You never told me…"

            "Sorry Grandpa.  Guess I can't say 'I forgot' can I?" she mocked.  Seeing her grandfather shake his head in both indignation and amusement, "Surprise! Your gonna be a great grandfather!" Angela said with a smile on her face and a 'please forgive me' look in her eyes.

            "I hate to break up this family moment, but…" Ron was getting a 'tad' impatient.  "Gin…what do you think?"
            Ginny looked Angela in the eyes searching for something, after about a minute she nodded.  "I think we should try.  Nothing else has worked and… I want him back," she said quietly but decisively.  Ron and Hermione looked at her and then at each other – the trio didn't need telepathy to talk to each other.

            "Okay.  BUT we want to know what is going on at all times and if we say stop you do so immediately," Ron warned.

            "Okay," Angela agreed.  "But first, I'm really hungry," she said as her tummy rumbled, "Remember I'm pregnant here," she said laughingly as she turned to her grandfather.

            "Now I remember why you and Sirius got along so well… no matter what you could always eat!" Remus muttered.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*

An hour later (and entire breakfast and more questions) –

            "So how exactly do we do this?" Ron asked still eating.  Angela had been observing these three throughout the meal.  Ron was definitely starting to grow up.  He was easily 6'3" and even though Gryffindor hadn't had the easiest season, the practices showed on Ron.  He had also matured.  When Hermione got to Hogwarts they had had a long talk (hexes WERE traded) and discovered mutual feelings.  Ever since they had been inseparable… Ron still had incredibly dense moments, but Angela could see that he had incredible spirit and power.  He would always be there for Harry; he would always be able to make him laugh and would always be able to give him roots.  Angela had noticed that 'Mione was also very powerful and intelligent.  Harry was like a brother to her, he had saved her many times.  She was always the one who knew when he was hiding something – and she was the one who always had the advice that Ron couldn't give.  She would always have an answer.  Ginny was a bit harder to figure out.  She had a quiet powerful strength to her that reminded Angela of Lily.  But unlike Lily, Ginny had been in love with Harry since the first day she had seen him – she had been ignored, rescued, befriended and then his saving grace.  This had given her an inner reserve of strength and a solid core of love that would never be questioned.  These three adult-like teens had been with Harry at his worst, seen him at his best and lived with him daily.  They were the force and the power and the love supporting The-Boy-Who-Lived.

             "Well it's relatively easy to establish a link with him.  I simply put one hand on his chest and hold one of his hands.  Then I just begin talking, at first I will speak vocally and telepathically and then slowly I will just use telepathy.  We'll have to see where it goes from there, it really depends on Harry," Angela explained.  "But I know his first reaction will be to, as you put it Ron, freak.  To help this I will need you guys.  I can project an image of myself into his mind and that will hopefully help calm him.  But all of you will need to be connected to him as well and will need to project your love and concern for him."

            "Project an image of yourself?" Ginny asked.

            "Yeah. Without getting into all of the details, within everyone's mind there are these areas where you can 'retreat' to, that are void of emotion and thought.  In my mind one is like an empty movie theater where I feel nothing but yet can see what's going on or can watch my memories like a movie.  Another is like a cave where I am in a completely dark area… I don't like that area – it's not a good thing when I go there.  If Harry is anything like his parents or Sirius I have a feeling he will be in a place like that.  These areas are completely controlled by the individual.  This area is kind like a neutral area when it comes to this type thing.  Harry can call up images and memories, but so can I – I can't tamper with them or change them or anything, just call them up."

            "Okay.  You said something about projecting our love and concern to Harry… How do we do that?" Hermione asked.

            "Concentrate on your good memories of Harry.  There will be a link open through Angela.  Although she can't project more than one image at a time, Harry will be able to feel you and the memories will strengthen the link making it easier for Angela.  Concentrate on good memories.  The first time you meet, all of the midnight talks, flying with him, classes.  Truly happy times. The love you have for him," Remus explained.  He noticed odd looks, "What? We did this a lot!" Angela smirked.  "What are you smirking at Paws?"

            "Nothing, nothing… It's just good to hear your voice again," she smiled.  Remus smiled back at her.  "Well should we get started?  I'm not sure how long it might take."

            Ron got a look on his face, "Hey… wait.  Paws?  Does that mean you're an animagi to?" Ron asked.  Mooney and Paws just smiled and went to Harry.  The three friends looked at each other, "Not that they answered the question," Ron mumbled.

            "Okay let's get started," Paws said.  "Now Ginny I think you have the strongest connection – you were the one to save his life – so you need to hold his other hand.  Ron Hermione I need you two to be close to him as well so I want you to put a hand on one her shoulders.  Remus, would you mind supporting me?" Angela directed the small crowd of people to where they needed to go.  Some of Harry's trusted adults had gathered to help.  They included: Dumbledore, Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Hagrid, Tonks and Professor McGonagall.  Seeing Remus nod, she continued. "Everyone else, I need you to hold hands with Hermione and Ron to form a circle. Everyone understand?"  People started moving into position, with Remus moving behind Angela.  It took a lot of energy to do this and the longer it takes, well…  "Okay I'm gonna start; all you need to do is concentrate on Harry and the fun happy times you've all had together.  You will be able to 'hear' and 'see' what I'll do and I'll be able to hear you, so if you need me make sure to direct your questions to me.  Everyone ready?" she asked.  Heads nodded all around so, "Let's be about it people."

            With those words Angela got into position and started talking.  At first she just looked around for Harry – and like she had mentioned she found him in a small, cold, very dark cave.  She didn't go right up to him; she just sat outside the cave and started talking.  "Well Harry, of all the ways I thought of meeting you, I can honestly say this is NOT what I had in mind.  From what I hear you are just like your father in that aspect – always surprising everyone, but I suspect you have a lot of your mother in you as well – quiet, take-the-world-on-by-yourself and smart as all get out. I bet your wondering who I am huh? Well Harry, I'm your godmother. I know your wondering why I never came to you before this," Angela said her voice getting quieter and sadder.  "Well… I couldn't.  It's really a long story that I think you have every right to know," Angela said in full telepathy while now projecting an image of herself to Harry.

            "WHO ARE YOU? And why are you here?!?!" Harry barely uttered; he sounded terrified.  Harry had retreated to a very dark recess of his mind and was speaking from the shadows.

            "Hey there sweetie.  I told you, I'm your godmother.  My name is Angela – I was your mothers best friend for two and a half years."

            "Yeah right! Why should I believe you? Why are you IN MY HEAD?" Harry bellowed.

            'Angela... I don't know if we should..." Remus whispered

            'No this is normal,' Angela said.  'If I can't get him calm in a few minutes I'll stop, but if I do... it'll be that much harder to try again.'

            "Harry I know that you have no reason to trust me right now.  You don't know who I am and I am inside your head – which you haven't had the best experience with.  You're scared.  So I thought that if I told you my story it might help with the trust factor.  And perhaps we could talk about you joining your friends again," Angela said calmly.  Angela may have sounded calm but she was actually seething – she was furious at Voldemort.  She wanted to kill him – no one should be scared of their own mind – especially not a fifteen-year-old boy.  "Harry? Does that sound okay with you?"

            Harry looked at her and whether it was the feeling his friends' trust and acceptance or just complete desperation, he nodded.

            "Okay Harry.  I'll tell you everything – all of it." Angela sat down and motioned for Harry to do so as well.  "Ready?  Here it goes.  Well first off you should know that my mother is the only daughter of Albus Dumbledore," seeing Harry's shocked expression, "yes that which makes me his only surviving granddaughter.  But anyways...  See my mother wasn't raised by her real parents – it was too dangerous.  But the family that did raise her was great. She was a wonderful mother and she and my father were so in love.  I took it for granted until I didn't have it anymore.  See when I was ten and my sister Amy was eight, we met our real grandparents and were told the reasons why we hadn't meet them before.  But the danger was gone and over the next four years we got to know them.  Then tragedy...again...  When I was fourteen – Voldemort came to America – and killed my parents – right in front of my sister and I.  The only way Amy and I survived is because we had on invisibility cloaks and were hiding in a crawl space between the walls.  We didn't come out until Grandfather came and got us.

 I had no idea what he was gonna do with us – my sister was a full Seer and an empath.  She couldn't function in a school setting because she had visions everyday and they took a lot out of her.  But she definitely couldn't go to school now – she hadn't spoken since... since our parents murder," Angela said.  She was crying at this point, but she knew that Harry had to know the whole story so he would realize that he wasn't alone in his pain or his hatred of Voldemort.  "Amy never talked after that day.  Ten years to the day after their death Amy was killed when the Death Eaters attacked the inn she was staying at in the United States – I was supposed to meet her there, but got held up... sometimes I think if I had been there... if only I had known... By the time I arrived it was too late.  She knew she was dying, she knew that I needed her to say 'goodbye.'  She told me she loved me and that she would be waiting to see me in heaven, but until then she would watch over me.  God I miss her so much – she was my little sister... we always stood up for each other and protected each other.  Sometimes... I feel like I failed her, but then I remember something your mother, Lily, told me.  She said that our loved ones never truly leave us, we hold them in our hearts and in our memories and the best memorial we could ever give them is to live our lives as they would have had us live – to be happy and to do good.  It's the only way I got through the pain," Angela was very quiet by this point; her voice thick with emotion and memories she had long ago packed away. 

"After grandfather came and got us I was really nervous because since we moved around so much I had had to be home schooled.  I wasn't sure if I knew the right things or knew what to say or do.  Plus I was an American – still am!!!  But I knew that eventually I would have to face the kids – so I was brave and was sorted that year as a transfer student.  Grandfather and grandmother tested me and found that I was actually ahead of my school year so I was placed into the same year as your parents and friends.  The sorting hat placed me in Gryffindor.  I was introduced as Angela Night – so no one knew who I really was – it was safer that way.  For the most part things at school were fine.  I stayed in the background a lot.  I was never really a people person.  I always sat next to the door in classes and was the first person out.  I never really talked much – I spent most of me time in the library, in Amy's rooms or in grandfather's office.  I also spent a lot of time outside or just watched people interact with their friends and such.  I loved watching the Marauders.  They all looked so happy and when they weren't, if they were upset or anger, they had friends to go to.  Along with the Marauders there were Lily and her friends Emma and Arabella, who were also dating the Marauders," Angela said.  She knew that this was taking forever, but she had to make sure to answer all of Harry's questions – plus this was one way of distracting Harry from his own thoughts of darkness and pain.  Besides she could feel Remus and her grandparents, she could always feel their love and support.

 "Everything was going along just fine… until one night.  I wish I could forget this night... although if I did I would forget my first meeting of Sirius and the Marauders.  Anyways, I had had some trouble with a certain group of Slytherins – give ya three guesses and you won't need the first two as to who they were – they constantly teased with hexes and all!  They even got me cornered sometimes, but I had always gotten away somehow, until..." Angela shuddered

Remus

I'm here

"This is still so hard to talk about... I was out past curfew.  I had been visiting Amy in her rooms away from the students and hadn't paid attention to the time.  I was trying to get back to the tower without getting caught by Filch – well it wasn't him whom I should have been worried about.  I was pulled into a classroom and immediately surrounded by Malfoy and his gang.  Since the second week of school he had been trying to get me – I had pissed him off by not 'accepting his advances' shall we say.  Anyways... he and his group decided that since they had me they were going to 'have a little fun' with me.  They put the Crucitacous Curse on me and the group kicked and punched me; they put the Imperious Curse on me and tried to get me to do... bad things, but I had been taught the block that at an early age.  Malfoy stood me up and stuck his tongue down my throat; let his hands wander as the crowd cheered him on and offered advice.  He pushed me down onto the floor and slapped me a couple of times.  I can still remember his hands... they were everywhere... he tore open my shirt... and he was going to.... but he never had the chance.  I guess that their cheering and my screaming had alerted the Marauders and friends, who were on their way back from the kitchens.  They had literally kicked the door down and put a full-body bind curse on everyone who was standing.  I was so terrified, I crawled to the wall and tried to hide in the shadows; your mom saw me.  I couldn't speak or hear anything really.  She tried to get me to come out of the shadows, but all the pain and blood and screaming over the years had taken their toll and all I could do was sit there rocking back and forth, back and forth, crying.  I remember thinking that these people were going to hurt me, even though my heart knew they weren't.  Then I remember Sirius sitting down next to me – not too close.  For some reason his voice reached me, even in the very dark place I was in.  He spoke quietly – he told me who everyone was and that they wouldn't hurt me.  He promised that no one would ever hurt me again.  He promised.  He just kept saying that he would protect me.  He moved gradually closer, but made no sudden movements or anything.  He told me that Lily, Emma and Bella would help me to.  As he was talking he looked directly at me and caught my eyes.  I couldn't look away.  His eyes were so filled with kindness, strength and... and love.  Sirius asked me if he could pick me up and take me back to the tower.  Something just told me that I could trust him.  I felt so safe in his arms that when he got me back to my bed I didn't want him to leave.  So after he convinced me to let your mom, Bella and Emma clean me up, I crawled back into the safety of his arms and fell asleep.

When I woke up the next day I saw all seven of the Marauders (the girls were honorary members) sleeping around me.  I knew that as soon as they woke up they would tell me that I was a horrible person – that I deserved being attacked.  I felt so dirty and used.  I wasn't sure what to do, and was shuddering so badly that Sirius woke up.  He pulled the blanket up around me and whispered encouraging and reassuring words.  When I looked in his eyes I lost what control I had had.  I broke down.  Just started crying.  I soaked his shirt – I must have cried for two hours straight 'cause by the time I knew what the actual time was it was noon.  It's a good thing classes had been cancelled that day because of a 'mysterious' explosion.  The Marauders, it seemed, had been testing a prank when it got out of control and had done some major damage to the main part of the castle.  After the others had woken up all of us just hung out in the room.  James and Remus went to get food and the magnificent seven (as people Hogwarts had taken to calling them) told me stories of their pranks and jokes and the stories of how they met. 

At one point in the afternoon Sirius asked me if there was anyone I wanted to tell about what had happened.  I started crying again – not hysterically or anything – but the thought of telling granddad what had happened scared me.  I knew that they would want answers – and they deserved them after helping me as much as they did.  But I figured to get all of my explaining out of the way at once so... I took them to Grandfather's office.  It was the time that Granddad taught Amy her lessons, so I knew they would be there.  As we were walking no one really spoke or anything – but I could tell that the Marauders were all looking out for Malfoy or anyone else who would be mean to me.  When I said the password to get into the office – they all stared and were wondering 'how did she know?'  When I walked in I saw that my grandmother was there as well, which wasn't all that surprising.  I introduced the Marauders to my grandparents and Amy – both sides were shocked to say the least.  Although Amy looked like she knew already and Grandfather's eyes had that annoying little twinkle in them… I hate it when he gets that look, like he knows everything and was just waiting for you to figure it out, but anyways…  I started telling the Marauders my story, just like I'm telling you.  But when I got to the part about Malfoy and his gang … well…  I think it best if you saw this memory.  It's just like muggle movie – just watch," as this was said Angela conjured a movie screen in front of Harry.

"I fear there is more to this visit than just introducing your new friends to us my dear." Dumbledore asked

"I have to tell you something.  And it's really hard grandfather."

"Whatever it is you know your family loves you.  What's the matter my dear?" grandma reassured.

"Last night after I left Amy – it was late, way past curfew," a young Angela said not looking at her grandfather.  "I was trying to get back without getting caught… I did."

"I don't think you came here to get out of a dentition my dear."

"No… I was caught by some Slytherins Grandfather.  They… they…." Harry watched as a younger Sirius and Lily held Angela's hands and gave her the support to go on.  "They used Unforgivables on me and tried…tried… they were going to…. Oh God Grandfather they were going to rape me!  If the Marauders hadn't kicked the door down and rescued me," Angela finally got out with tears streaming from her face.  Her grandfather's eyes lost that twinkle – they went hard and cold with fury and then seeing his granddaughter sitting there crying, being comforted by her rescuers and new found friends they were full of compassion and pain. 

Harry watched has the man he knew as Headmaster kneeled next to his granddaughter and took her in his arms as he comforted his now weeping granddaughter.  Angela's grandmother, whom Harry couldn't see because of his vantage point, gathered Angela in her arms and held her granddaughter's shaking body.   Amy came and laid her hand on Angela's shaking shoulders.  As Angela turned her younger - yet taller than she – sister enveloped her into a bear hug only girls know how to give.  As the family sat there comforting one of their own, the friends noticed a faint purple glow surround them. 

"When I was done crying, finally, my sister looked me in the eyes to see if I was hiding something – which I was.  I didn't want to tell Grandfather that in the small amount of time (not even 24 hours) I had spent with Sirius I had fallen in love with him.  Of course Amy knew right away and smiled at me.  I never could keep anything from her.  Grandfather demanded to know who my attackers were.  I was scared to tell him – their families were powerful – but one look at him told me I would have to.  When I did, Grandfather was furious at the Slytherins – he was literally seething with pure anger.  I could barely look at him his aura was radiating his anger – I was a relatively new empath, but still it blinded me.  One of the Marauders hade made some noise – I had forgotten they were there.  When I looked at them, all of them were staring at me. Eventually Grandfather asked the Marauders to walk Amy back to her rooms and then go back to Gryffindor. 

On our way to Gryffindor – I told the Seven that I would understand if they didn't want to be my friends any more.  I couldn't imagine that they would want to.  I was Dumbledore's granddaughter, I had a sister who was a 'freak' to many people, and I was a very big target for Voldemort.  I told them I couldn't imagine that they would want to be any where close to me, let alone be friends with me.  I said I trusted them with my secret and I thanked them for saving me – I started to walk away, but Sirius stopped me.  All of them said that I was crazy – that they would always be my friends.  None of that mattered to them and that if anyone called Amy a freak again they would have to deal with some very mad Marauders.  I looked into Sirius' eyes – I saw a depth in them that… amazed me.  I saw his love for me and for his friends.  From that day on, I knew that not only could I trust them with me family secret, but that they would die to protect me. I would do the same for them as well.  From that day on I was never lonely again – Sirius never left me.

 For the next two and a half years I was part of their group.  Everyone said that Sirius and I were the perfect couple – he was the prankster, the loud rabble-raiser and I was the calm, patient and mysterious one.  Lily, Emma, Bella and I were well-liked by most of the kids at school.  Well, expect by all of the popular girls; we didn't play all of the games and politics that they did and plus – they didn't like that the boys were dating us instead of them   All of my new friends went to visit Amy at every chance.  We spent summers at each other's homes and even took a vacation together.  We went to Walt Disney World – back to America.  We took Amy and my grandparents; we had so much fun.  It was our last summer together."

Angela sat there as she told Harry her memories of her past – seeing them all in her mind like they had happened yesterday.  From here no one knew the rest of the story.  Angela could feel Remus and her grandparents sending her their love and acceptance to her and Harry.  She could see that the darkness in Harry's mind was retreating little by little as Harry remembered his loved ones and felt their love. 

"Harry the rest of my story could best be seen in a pensieve or told in the light.  Can I take a break?"

"Yeah I guess," Harry said.  Both sat there for a few minutes in silence.  "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course dear."

"How are you here in my head? I would have thought that my… Ron and Hermione and the others would have stopped you.  If they're still around… they probably…"

"First of all I am an empath and am telepathically able to link with just about anyone, second of all I am your Godmother and although I have not seen you since the day you were born I love you very very much.  And lastly I am in your head to help you realize that it is safe to come out of the darkness that has taken a hold of your heart.  As for your friends…the three of them are all sitting by your side and have been since the day they yelled at Grandfather, called Snape scary and forced three adult wizards to rescue you.  They have not left your side since then.  Madame Pomphrey is ready to check herself into her own ward – the three of them are making her go nuts.  You have had many visitors and well-wishers.  Your bedside table looks like an advertisement for a florist!  Ron, Hermione and Ginny all love you very very much – it was like pulling teeth to get them to allow me to do this.  I had to explain everything like three times and they asked so many questions…" Angela exclaimed.  "Harry if you doubt your friends loyalty and love all you have to do is concentrate on them.  Concentrate on the happiest memory you have with each of them… Have it?  Good – now do you feel that…? that warmth Harry?  That's called love Harry."  Angela explained as she watched Harry concentrate.  He seemed to want to accept the emotion he felt – Angela could see it in his face – but the darkness held him down. 

 "Okay so….whatever.  Next question – why did you leave?  IF you were SO in love with Sirius why did you leave?" Harry asked.

"Well it's a very long story – and one best told in the light.  I will tell you, but it is inappropriate to do so here in the shadows."

"Okay then, where are my friends now? If they're so worried about me why didn't they come in here with you?  I would have guessed they would of jumped on seeing the famous Harry Potter's inner workings.  I bet you're lying and they're off having fun in the summer sun somewhere," Harry accused.

"Well actually, Mr. Sarcasm, they are all in your hospital room, focusing their love onto you and I, so that I could establish this link.  Everyone is waiting, wanting you wakeup.  Ron, Hermione, Ginny, your Aunt Petunia, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Remus.  Even Hagrid, Tonks and the Weasleys are there.  We all want you to wake up.  So many people are praying for you to feel better and to wake up.  They all love you very much."

Angela watched was Harry struggled with a debate going on inside his consciousness and could see that his heart wanted to believe her, but was being forced into hiding.  "Yeah right! You just all want something from the-boy-who-lived!  You just want me to go and fight your war for you or to be famous by association or to recapture your precious past," Harry screamed.

"Harry… I guess, yeah your right.  We all do want something from you.  Ron and Hermione want their best friend back.  Ginny wants the boy she has loved for five years back.  Dumbledore and McGonagall want the student they see was their grandson back.  Your aunt wants you back.  So yeah we do want something.  We want YOU to realize that we LOVE you and would do anything for you.  We are all so incredibly proud of you – you have been through more in your fifteen years of life than most people go through in a lifetime of living.  We want YOU Harry, that's all," Angela said sympathetically.  "We love you Harry," she said as the wall Harry's self-defense had built around his heart came down piece by piece.

"Everyone expects something of me. I can't go back.  I can't… I don't want anyone else hurt.  I… I couldn't handle it," Harry mumbled.  He was hugging his knees to his chest and crying.  Angela slowly sat beside him and took him into her arms.  "Why?  Why did my parents and Sirius have to die?  Why do I have to have a stupid prophecy about me?  Why am I ALWAYS the one?" he whispered his eyes pleading with Angela to tell him the answers.

"Oh Harry.  If I could answer those questions for you… I don't know why God choose you Harry, but I think I can guess," she said while still holding her godson in her arms.  "The Potter family is known throughout time for being courageous, smart, loyal and gifted.  Put that together with your mother who was clever, kind, logical and beautiful; plus the fact that both of your parents were so damned stubborn sometimes…  You are a very special little boy Harry, who unfortunately has had to grow up too fast.  Harry – I'm a faithful Christian and one thing I have learned through years of travel and heartache is that God does have an Ultimate Plan.  We may not understand why we have to do certain things or why bad things happen, but knowing that they 'are' for a reason, that some ultimate good is being served, and that is a comforting thought.  Harry – bad things happen to good people for one reason – to make them stronger.   You are a very special person Harry; you have so much love to give and are such a strong courageous person – it's not hard to see why people want things from you.  You make people happy and safe.  But in all the hero-worship and rumormongering, people forget that you are a fifteen-almost-sixteen year old boy who has lost so incredibly much.  They forget that you're human, that you have emotions and feelings.  They don't realize all that you have already done for the world.  I know you feel alone and used and lied to Harry, but there is a room full of people that wouldn't pause for a second if you asked them to follow you into Hell right now.  I can think of at least 20 people who would volunteer for the job, and at least seven of them with infamous red hair," Angela felt Harry let a small laugh escape through his tears.  "Bad things have happened to all of us Harry – me included.  It is how we survive those things and how we draw strength from them that makes us who we are.  I know for a fact that God would not have given you this task if you would not succeed – he never gives us a task we are not strong enough to handle.  Sometimes the task is simply to make us realize that our strength comes from our friends and from God himself.  Your love is your strength Harry, use it.  Never be afraid to love, Harry, it is the most powerful weapon God has given us.  It can defeat even death," she said in low almost whispering voice. 

Harry looked up at Angela and looked into her eyes, searching for something.  Sensing that she meant each and every word, every emotion he had felt through her embrace.  He nodded. 

"Will you tell me the rest of your story…before I wake up?"

"Will you get out of this cave and come with me into the Light?"

"….Okay…"

"Good! Let's get oughta here!" Angela exclaimed smiling as she got up and extended her hand to Harry.  And together they walked out into the Light.

'This is very good.  He's coming around.' Angela heard Remus say.

' I can't believe you got him to do that,' Ron said.

'What can I say.  You kids okay?' Angela asked concerned for her godson's friends.

'I think so,' Hermione said shakily.

'I'm sorry,' Ginny whispered.

'For what, Ginny?'

'Your parents… all that you went through,'

'Thank you.  It happened so long ago, sometimes it seems that that little girl was a different person.  After I finish my story I'm gonna ask you three to talk to Harry.  But not until I tell ya okay?

'Alright,' she heard the three chorus. 

"So you wanna hear the rest of my story, hmmm? Okay… Where did I leave off?" she questioned.

"Walt Disney World." Harry stated. 

"Okay.  Well you had better make your self comfortable," Angela grinned.  When she and Harry had come out of the cave they had found themselves in a beautiful forest with tall trees, wild flowers every where and a beautiful clear lake.  She and Harry were sitting against a tree looking out over the lake.  "Okay.  The last summer.  Well… that year was certainly… interesting.  Disappearances and killings were happening everyday. At least once a week a letter would come to Hogwarts announcing someone's family had been killed.  The entire school was scared when it came time for mail.  No one was unaffected, not even the Marauders.  Your grandparents – on both sides - were killed.  On the same day actually.  James and Lily were devastated, but it just added more fuel to their hatred of ole' moldy Voldie. Despite the death and destruction in the real world, it seemed that the love bug had bitten the Marauders that summer.  Sirius and I.  Lily and James.  Emma and Remus.  All of us were closer than ever before, except Peter that is.  Even Bella, who would never find love, was affected by the 'couple bug' as Sirius termed it.  She fell into the poetry world and wrote wonderful poems about love, friendship and loyalty.  All of us pulled pranks, went on walks and dates – together.  Instead of the four Marauders terrorizing the school, it was the Marauders and the Sirens.  My grandfather just laughed and gave us the standard detentions; grandmother on the other hand was mad at me all the time, but there wasn't too much she could do really.  Even with the new couples everywhere, the mood had changed over that last year.  We weren't doing the pranks for fun – we began to see it as our duty – to distract everyone from the war raging outside the safety of the school. 

Somehow – I didn't know it then, but now, I know it was Peter – Voldie found out where Amy and I were.  I had known all along that it was only a matter of time before I would have to leave.  You see, if Voldie got his hands on Amy he would be able to see the future – every prediction she had came true.  If he got me, he would use me to control people; like the Imperious Curse, only I didn't have to be anywhere near the person and didn't need magic – so left no trace of magic on them.  As long as we were at Hogwarts Amy and I were safe – but merely being there put Hogwarts and all the students in danger.  As graduation loomed closer and closer I didn't know what to do.  I loved Sirius so much.  I knew I could live to the end of my life with him a be happy.  I wanted to do just that – I wanted to buy a house next to your parents and Remus and Emma, have lots of kids… but I knew that as long as Voldemort was after my sister and I that could never happen.  Voldemort had killed my parents and every person in our extended family to get at us.  I couldn't let him get us or kill anyone else, so the night the eight of us graduated I left.  Right after the ceremony, during all of the confusion and congratulations, I left my knight in tarnished armor… my love.  And the only friends I had ever had.  Amy and I took only what we needed, left notes for the Marauders and Sirens, said goodbye to our grandparents and left.  Remus will have to tell you how they all took the news," Angela went on to say.  She told Harry about how she went to a muggle college in America and while she was there she meet some people called the X-men – who had abilities like hers, mutations instead of magic.  But she couldn't stay long there either.  She and Amy then moved to California, where she meet another group of world-saving heroes called the Power Rangers.  From each group she meet she learned – learned to expand and control her telepathy and empathy, learned karate and kung fu.  She completed her education – getting a degree in social science education and sociology.  She became a missionary to Asia and Africa.  And finally she ended up in a small town in the Midwest where she meet a women named Arwen – and elf and the last of her kind in this dimension.  Amy had stayed with the X-Men for a while.  She was accepted there – and was relatively well protected because of her silence.  But she to traveled and became a missionary – writing about her experiences in India and Europe.  When Angela was done telling her story she told Harry that if she had had to do it all over again she would probably do the same thing.  Of course she missed Sirius – sometimes it caused her physical pain she missed him so much, but it was just too dangerous for her to stay. 

"Harry are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. I guess so, I'm not the only one who has had a hard life huh?"

"No, unfortunately your not.  Most people are just older or have it spread out over a couple of decades," Angela said comfortingly.

Harry gave a little smirk.  "I just… I just don't want anyone else to get hurt – I don't know how to handle my friends being in danger because of me.  With all that's happened I… I doubt myself and my judgement.  I just wish there was a way for me to know if they are truly my friends still or stay because they feel they have to…"

'Guys get ready to talk.'  "Do you really feel that way?" Harry nodded. "What if I could help you do that? IT would mean letting them in a little."

He thought about it.  Taking in everything Angela had said in the past few hours.  "Okay ."

Angela smiled reassuringly, "Good.  Now you'll be able to see them just like you see me.  If you want I can shut off the link at anytime, okay? Any particular order? Alright…" 'Be honest.  Go ahead'

'Harry.  I can't say that I know what you're going through – I don't.  But I do know how it feels to lose your loved ones. I loved Sirius too – he was a brother to me, as was your father.   I feel scared, lonely, angry even.  One minute I miss him like crazy and the next I'm angry at him for leaving me alone in the world, again.  But mostly I'm angry with Voldemort Harry.  It's his fault Harry – no one else's and CERTAINLY not yours!  Sirius and your parents would want you to be happy Harry.  They know you're sad – it's normal to be sad – but this is when your friends and loved ones are even more important to you Harry.  Don't shut us out Harry.  We all love you. Not because your famous, but because you are brave, smart and kind.  We love YOU Harry.'

'Hey mate. I always wondered what it looked like inside your mind… I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to stay in that dark shadowy place over there.  Harry – I'm sorry – I know you hate people saying that, but I am.  I'm sorry for ever doubting you, for ever being jealous.  But really… I'm sorry for never saying I love you.  I don't know if I ever have told you that, you know I'm not into the mushy things maybe it's a guy thing.  I never have to say it to my family – it's a known fact of life.  I have memories of my brothers reading me bedtime stories and teaching my to fly and using me to test pranks.  Memories of my parents kissing me goodbye, of my siblings hugging me.  I know I'm loved – I guess I just forgot to tell you.  You are my best friend Harry.  You are the only person to know EVERYTHING about me.  We have had some pretty wild adventures lately.  I just want you to know that I WILL stand by your side and I WILL always follow you no matter what.  I'd follow you to the deepest part of Hell Harry, whether you wanted me to or not.  I'm not your friend because you're famous or wealthy, I'm your friend because I choose to be and because you NEED me to be.  I love you Harry and that will never change.'

'Harry do you know what you've put us through. I know you think we're better off without you here, but you're wrong, so very wrong.  Ron can't even talk about Quidditch without getting choked up.  Remus has walked around in a daze since Sirius' death and it got worse when they found you.  NONE of the professors can concentrate – even SNAPE is coming to see you!  I haven't been to library since Ron came and got me.  And Ginny… don't even get me started on her.  Harry please come back, I miss you.  You're the bestest friend I've ever had. I love you. You're my brother Harry.  Please come back.  I want my brother back – I want YOU back.  I love you no matter what.'

'Harry I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from.  You're probably really very angry with me right now.  That's okay – you have every right to be.  I just want you to know that, like all of your friends, I love you.  I blame myself for what happened that night and all of the pain you're going through.  But I do love you.  I loved your parents like they were my own and I love you the same way.  You have always done the good thing Harry – please choose the Light.'

'Harry Potter! As head of Gryffindor I order you to come back to the Light! Please… Harry – I know my students think that I don't have favorites – but every teacher has favorites.  You're mine.  Harry,  I've always tried to be fair to everyone but when it comes to you I have to stop myself from letting you do whatever you want.  You are my favorite.  If I had ever had a son I would've hoped he would have been exactly like you.'

Ginny went next.  At first she just sat down next to Harry then slowly but confidently she put a hand under his chin and raised his head. She looked him in the eyes and spoke.  'Harry, look at me okay.  I love you.  I always have – ever since that first day I saw you at the train.  Everyone thought it was a crush –that  it would go away.  Well the crush did – but not the emotion behind it.  I will always love you Harry – no matter what happens, no matter where you go or what you have to do.  You're the one Harry.  NO ONE will ever replace you in my heart Harry.  I love you with all that I am and all that I ever will be.  Harry, it doesn't matter to me that your famous or that you have more money than my family will ever have.  That's not why I love you.  You could be broke, dirty and jobless.  I love you because you are the kindest, bravest and most pure person I have ever met.  When the world looks at you they see the-boy-who-lived, great Quidditch player, and a handsome talented young man.  When I see you I see a young man who wants nothing more than to have a family who loves him and a talented wizard who will do anything to protect that family.  I know you hate the spotlight, you wish you could fade away and have a normal life.  Well, you can't.  To me and to your friends you'll always be just Harry, but to the world you are a hero and a savior.  So that is what you must be.  But as long as you keep being my Harry, the Harry that I love and that Ron loves and that Hermione loves, you will have a normal life.  Harry, life is what we make of it – live with no regrets and with all the love you possibly can.  Love Harry, it's the one thing Voldemort can never have and it's the one thing that survives, no matter what!  I love you Harry, for me there is no one else.  I'll wait for you forever Harry.  I love you,' and with that she kissed Harry on the check and faded away.

 Angela sat next to Harry and waited while the words of his friends and teachers sank in.  "See Harry your friends love and respect you.  They want you back so much they have put their entire lives on hold indefinitely to wait for you.  Do you really want them to sit around a hospital room all day long for the rest of their lives – because that's what they'll do.  They don't have much of life without you Harry.  Harry the choice is yours.  Stay here in the dark and let moldy Voldie win OR kick his Death Eater butt and choose the light.  It's up to you," Angela stood up and held her hand out for Harry.  He thought about what everyone had said. 

It took a few minutes and just when Angela thought he had chosen the darkness, he took Angela's hand and said, "I choose the Light.  Can I see Ginny, Ron and Hermione first when I wake up? Alone?"

Angela was so elated that she would have said yes to giving him the moon.  Together Harry and his godmother walked into the place in between dreams and awake.

'Remus I need you to catch me,' was all the warning Remus got before she woke up.  "I just need a chair Remmy.  I put a lot of energy into that," she said.  Looking at the others, she said, "Harry should wake in about an hour.  His mind needs to catch up with his conscious," the kids nodded.  "Did you all hear his request?  Good, we should definitely honor that.  Besides I need to talk to all of you adults before you talk to Harry."

"Whatever you need dear.  We're very proud of you," her grandfather said with Professor McGonagall nodding in agreement.