Disclaimer: I don't own HP. I didn't create it, blah, blah, blah.

Chapter 6: Prisoners At Large

Lupin seemed to stare at Harry forever. The silence was unbearable, and just when Harry thought he could stand it no more, Lupin spoke. His voice was low and his words were tinged with pain.

"Alright…" he said looking at Harry. His eyes were red and swollen, but unlike Harry he had not cried. He was getting more of a hold on himself now, sucking his emotions back inside.

The inside of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, was exactly as Harry had left it one year ago. Peeling wallpaper and the threadbare carpet glowed in the dim light of the gas lights. A head peaked out a the door at the end of the hallway. Harry half expected it to be Sirius, but the red hair and round cheeks of Mrs. Weasley brought him quickly back to reality. He's dead, there's nothing that can bring him back. Stop thinking he's going to pop out of the next corner, a voice in his head said to him. But he just pushed it away as Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a tight hug.

"Oh, Harry! I've been so worried about you! How are you feeling? You look a bit peaky, dear! Why don't you take your stuff and head upstairs?" she said releasing him and studying his face. "Go on, now! Dinner will be ready soon. Go rest while you can, dear."

Go rest while you can. What did she mean by that, Harry thought as he headed past the shrunken elf heads and headed up the creaky stairs. He was still feeling angry as he trudged along, but his anger was beginning to give way to loneliness. He had no one once again. Like Dumbledore had said last year, as Harry screamed he didn't care after Sirius' death, "Oh yes, you do. You have now lost your mother, your father, and the closest thing to a parent you have ever known. Of course you care." Harry had felt intense rage after that, but looking back now, he only felt alone. Terribly and utterly alone.

Soft voices erupted downstairs awaking Harry from his thoughts. Wizards were coming in. Harry peered down at them over the banister. No familiar faces passed through, and Harry was about to pick up his things, when a gigantic shape appeared through the doorway. Hagrid! He thought somewhat excitedly. Two more forms followed Hagrid through the door, and Harry recognized them as Professor McGonagall and the ever joyful, Professor Snape. He strained to hear what they were saying, but someone was whispering his name. He turned to see Ron and Hermione poking their heads through the door. Harry turned his back on them. They hadn't remembered him all summer, not even on his birthday. Why should he bother with them?

"Harry?" Ron said in a whisper. Harry ignored him. "Harry- what's wrong? Come in!"

Harry wasn't going to budge, except the greasy form of Snape seemed to sense someone was watching and peered up at the balcony. Harry slipped back into the shadows, but Snape's lip curled into a malicious smile. He had seen Harry. He had no choice now, Snape knew he'd been listening.

He picked up his things and entered the small room. Hermione rushed at him and hugged him.

"Oh, Harry! I was so worried about you all summer!" She squeezed him tightly. Harry pulled away.

"You'd been worrying about me all summer, eh??" He said, his anger building.

"I know what you're thinking, Harry….B-but we couldn't help it! We couldn't send mail to you! Someone could have intercepted it! O-or followed the owl back here!" Hermione looked crestfallen as the anger in Harry's expression didn't subside. Ron stepped in this time.

"Yeah, mate…it's true. Dumbledore said we shouldn't risk it…. S-so…we decided to give you your presents here." They both looked too afraid to anger Harry. The had had many incidents last year when Harry's temper got the best of him. They couldn't blame him of course, with all that he was going through.

"We didn't forget your birthday, Harry…. We never would." Hermione said handing Harry a small parcel.

"Never." Ron said smiling now as he too handed Harry a badly wrapped box. Harry guessed Ron had wrapped it himself. He was finding it hard to be angry now, in fact he felt…guilty. Guilty for not giving them a chance, guilty for yelling at them all those times.

"Thanks." he said quietly. He opened the gifts, feeling happier than he had all summer, as he listened and shared stories with Ron and Hermione about their summer. Hermione's gift was another book, but this time it interested Harry. The title read Occlumency: How to Control Your Mind. Harry knew the book would definitely come in handy…. He planned to study harder this year, much harder. He would not let the events of last year happen again.

"I thought it might come in handy…." Hermione said, seeming to read Harry's thoughts.

Ron's gift was more on the entertaining side. It was a box of magical jokes and pranks.

"Bought it off Fred and George. You'd think they'd give me a bargain, being as I'm their brother, but the slimy gits charged me full price!"

Harry smiled at the thought of Fred and George. He was glad, too, to see that their shop was really working out for them. Shifting noises downstairs told them the adults were leaving. All three of them seemed to have the same thoughts as they crept silently toward the door. Slowly, they slipped out and into the shadows of the hallway. The adults were bustling out below them.

"Who is going to guard Azkaban now?" one wizard was saying.

"What I'm more worried about is what they are going to do about Malfoy and the rest who escaped." the other replied in hushed towns.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other with panic-filled eyes. Malfoy and the other Death Eaters had escaped.

Author's note: Longer than usual, I still have more to write, but I have to get up early and finish painting. Hope u enjoy.