This store is not making any money. The characters are owned by conceived by JK Rowling, I am just borrowing them. I do not wish to say I am as good or do I try to eclipse her long awaited books in the future. I had posted this story at one point. Due to issues completely out of my control I had to pull my story for a while. The first parts will be the same but there will be different pairings in the long run. I have read the fifth book. For this story I am ignoring it.
Cedric's face had the most grotesque twisted look of terror. The green flash over came him and he went limp to the ground. Harry recognized the fixed gaze on Cedric's face. It was the look of sheer terror, now permanently painted across the young man's face. Harry tried to rationalize what he just saw.
"Wait!" Harry thought, "I did not see this happening. How is this going on? No!! Stop Voldemort!!!
Harry sat up in a small dank room. He was screaming "no" out loud, not just in his dream. He knew none of the Dursleys were going to burst into the room, racing to his bed to comfort him. However, Harry searched threw the darkness of the tiny room for a comforting face anyways. Harry eyed the room nervously, the nightmare still fresh in his head. He was in a small room that was given to him begrudgingly at the age of 11. The young wizard was only allowed to keep a few of his precious possessions in the room with him. For example, Hedwig, his owl companion that Hagrid have given him as a gift, slept quietly on her perch in a corner of the small room. In the closet hung the over-sized hand me down clothes of Harry's cousin Dudley. The rest of his personal items and school supplies were kept under a loose board in the floor. If Uncle Vernon got his plump hands on these items he would lock them up in Harry's previous quarters, the cupboard underneath the stairs. Harry needed those hidden items to study with over the summer otherwise he would not be prepared for the following term at Hogwarts. Uncle Vernon would do everything in power to jeopardize Harry's career at Hogwarts, including preventing him from studying.
The first night back with his family he had screamed and startled Dudley awake. Dudley rushed into his room hoping to catch him doing magic to get him kicked out of his Wonderful school. Dudley had bee taunting him with these sarcastic phrases, wonderful school, loyal friends, and powerful wizard when describing Harry. His look of mischievous excitement faded to disappointment when he saw Harry sitting up in his bed crying. Dudley called him a big girly blouse and laughing as he quickly lumbered out of Harry's room quickly. Dudley still had the scar from when his father had to take him to the hospital to have the pigtail removed at the age of 12, thanks to Hagrid. He was still afraid one of Harry's friends would put it back on his bum. Harry would often muse to himself 'was a shame it was Dudley's most enduring feature.
Harry sent an owl to his godfather, Sirius Black. Harry had been sending and receiving letters and packages from his two closest friends in the world, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry would never tell them of his nightmares or that for some reason lately he just could not seem to do any thing. Harry would certainly do all of his chores and cook for the Dursleys. His heart just was not in it. When he was not doing chores he just felt more comfortable just closing off his room and sleeping.
A couple of days later, with Harry almost drifting into another dream, there was a tapping at the window. Harry slowly got up, dazed from being waked up, and looked out the window. There below was a large dark shadowy figure of a dog in the middle of the back yard. Harry knew at once it was his Godfather. Hoping he was here to take him away he flung open the window and waved frantically at Sirius. The great mass was now crouching down, the entire mussel coiled and tightened ready to spring. The head of this mammoth best motioned to Harry to get out of the way. With a flash Harry realized what was about to happen. He opened the Window as far as he could and jumped back just in the knick of time. In mid leap the dog Suddenly changed into a man. The momentum the former dog gave this now man flung him into the room. Sirius landed with a thud on the floor. Harry shock and dumb struck cringed at the sound. Harry's uncle snorted in the next room and muttered something about, damn noisy Harry.
Sirius stood up and in one fluid motion picked Harry up in a big bear hug. He was not as big as Hagrid but Harry still felt like Sirius was going to squeeze his body until he broke in two. Harry did not care, this was his godfather and he was going to take him away from here. After a few moments Sirius set Harry on the ground. "Hello Harry," he said as he smiled, "it is wonderful to see you. I came here to help you out. "
Harry leapt on the inside "Great," Squeaked Harry excitedly, "I'll get packed."
The smile fade from Sirius' face and Harry knew this was not the case. "I got permission from Mr. Weasley to come and place a silence potion on this room," as he looked around the room not in disgust bet disappointment at the size of the room which he was towering in. "It took some convincing for Severus to assist me. He begrudgingly gave me a potion so I am not setting off any alarms at the ministry."
Sirius reached into his clock and produced a small square glass flask with an opal colored liquid inside. Harry stood in the middle of the room watching his godfather with a wash of emotions on his face of disappointment, confusion, and embarrassment. Great! He thought now professor Snape knows "Harry's is having nightmares." Sirius looked up and tried to give Harry a look of reassurance as he carefully poured a few drops of this opal colored liquid in all the corners of the room and along the windowsill and threshold of the door. "Here," Sirius said quietly, "let's try it out." As he produced a hand full of heatless firecrackers from his pocket, a look of panic swept across Harry's face as Sirius snapped his fingers and lit the first one. Harry could still the birds chirping outside so he thought the poison was not working and, "Bang!" The report of the small monition went off in his room. Harry froze as he waited for his uncle to come roaring in and catch Sirius in his room and call the police. Nothing the birds were still chirping and he could still hear his unshapely cousin in the next room half wheezing and snoring.
"Sirius!" Harry scowled, " Warn me when you're going to do that."
"Come on Harry," Sirius smirked, "you know Severus is on our side. I just never knew. I knew we had our differences. I know now they were just childish squabbles not resolved."
"Do you think he will still be as hard on Ron and me when I go back to school?" Harry questioned hopefully.
"To be honest I don't know. I think it will all have to do with Malfoy. Will he still let Draco go to Hogwarts?" I know that family will lie to get him in. He was spying for that busy body reporter to make my life a living hell. So I know he would be spying for his father. Draco that bigot has made his stance know for along time his feelings about non magic born wizards."
Sirius sat and pondered Harry's last statement in frustration. "Right now I don't have all the answers." Sirius Finally answered, "Besides if he was easier on you how could you become the great Harry Potter we know you can be. It could be that he is a true professional wizard and professor ant that is why Albus took him on as the potions teacher."
"You mean," Harry jumped at the thought. " Snape is taking it easy on Draco because he in the future would not have the tools to become a threat like his father. "
"I would not go that far Harry," Sirius said, "Even though he is making it hard on you no one in that call is lacking in a education because of the teacher."
Harry knew he was right. Snape might have been harder on Harry because he saw the potential, but he would not slack in his duties to teach a student wanting to learn. Harry's mind shifted gears and thought of one question to ask Sirius.
"Do I have to stay here Sirius?" Harry whined. "I would much rather be with the Weasleys or anyone else but hear. "
"Harry," Sirius snapped, "A young man of 14 almost 15 should not be whining. I know it would be a whole lot more fun to stay with the Weasley, but you are safer here. I know you can not fathom being safe from Voldemort in a Muggle home but with how you described him he would stick out and be caught right off the street if he came here."
"All right," said Harry pouting, " I will stick it out here for now. Even Mr. Weasley said later I could be coming to stay with them at the end of the summer." Harry smiled.
Sirius with a serious tone said, "let's hope so. Besides until then you can still send owls back and forth with all your friends from school. Harry I love sitting with you and talking. When this is all over we will take a long vacation and truly become a family."
"You mean it!" Harry said, "Lets go get Voldemort now then you and me."
"Harry, you really are going to make a great wizard. I have to go now though. Stay safe ok."
" Don't worry Sirius I will make sure I'm not getting into trouble this summer."
Sirius smiled and picked Harry up in a big bear hug again. "Don't worry if you need anything any of us are just an owl and faster away." Sirius slowly let Harry go, placed his hand on Harry's head and mussed up his hair even more.
Harry stepped back as Sirius suddenly became a dog and jumped thought the window. Harry stood at the opening of his disappeared into the night. Harry hope he would see him soon.
That was a couple of weeks ago. He has been sending owls back and forth with Ron and Hermione daily just talking about their summer so far and how much they missed each other. Her he sat in bed now some how the pain in his chest was killing him. There was no gaping hole in his chest, like when the giant spider lanced his les with one of it's talons in the Tri-wizard's tournament, was just the pain of guilt. He realized like all the times before burning tears were streaming down his face. This has been having dreams like this all summer. This was the first time he had ever seen Cedric's face as he died. All the other times it was just like when it happened. When Wormtail killed Cedric. After they came through the port key in the cemetery, his eyes were closed. He could still hear that sickening thud and the crumple of cemetery grass as the body fell to the ground. This thud he could not get out of his head.
He slowly got up out of bed. He looked at the clock on the stand beside his bed it was four in the morning. He went ahead and picked up one of his books from school. Many times he could read and the dream would slowly drift back into his subconscious. Thankfully reading flying with canons had started to make the dream go away. It was not like he could forget what happened completely. At the same time it was not always fresh in his mind. The book was doing what he wanted to do, slow the onrush of memories from his subconscious. Today it was not working as fast as he was used to.
Harry decided to do something about it. He grabbed a large book and a clean piece of paper and started to write:
Dear Cho,
I am sorry I have not written you before I was just worried you would be mad at me. I am sorry Cedric had died. I f I could have it would have been me instead of him. There was nothing I could have done in a flash we were standing in front of Wormtail and I froze. There was a blinding green flash and Cedric died. I wanted to let you know He did not hurt. His death was quick. There was nothing I could do. I really would like to be friends with you and get to know you better next year.
A hopeful friend,
HarryHarry got up and sealed it in a letter. Tied it to Hedwig leg and gave him nuzzle before he watched him fly out the window. Harry was excited and relived he had gotten this off his chest. He lay back down but he knew he was not going back to sleep. Oh well he thought breakfast will be on a couple of hours and even though he knew Dudley was still on his diet he was still hungry. He tossed and turned for the rest of the night. He was excited to get a reply from Cho. After a few hour of imagining what she might say he finally came to the realization that even though this was done with owls she would still need to write the response.
Harry dozed off for about half an hour until Uncle Vernon's annoying muggle alarm started buzzing. Harry could hear the grumbling of his uncle get up and start his day. He went head and got up and changed out of his over sized sleep clothes. Hand me downs from Dudley an ugly striped shirt and shorts still three sizes too big. That just barely hung from his hips.
Morning breakfast started as quiet ads usual. At least when it cam to the attention paid to Harry. Aunt Petunia droned on to who would listen about the latest spying and gossip she had gotten from above the neighbors fences. It's a shame this and I would be so embarrassed that. It all just melded together into one long doldrums. Even Uncle Vernon was just appeasing her with a few I don't believe it her and there. Even Dudley was in rare form trying to get more food out of his parents.
"Harry!" Vernon snapped as Harry was certain his heart stopped, "What was that noise in your room last night. You know that large thud?"
"I'm sorry Uncle Vernon," Harry softly spoke, "I was rolling in my sleep and fell off the bed. It will not happen again."
"See that it does not, I would hate to see you kicked out of your precious school and have to go to St. Brutus's."
Harry's face flushed with anger all he replied was "Yes sir." There was no way he was going to have another episode of his aunt blowing up. Please excuse me I am full. Harry still red in the face left the room quickly and quietly moved up the stair to the tiny room he was staying in. He quickly ducked around the corner and sat on the stairs. He had also noticed that when even the smallest incident would send Harry off. Harry sat quietly counting to ten and taking deep breaths. Over and over thinking I will feel better when Cho replies.
Harry opened the door, to the room he was staying in, to see Hedwig sitting on top of his perch napping. She got it! Any day now I will be getting a reply from her. Just as Harry was basking in the warmth of this revelation he felt a light thump in his lap. He looked up to catch a glimpse of a small owl fly away out of the corner of his eye. At first he did not notice the small parcel growing in heat and s mall tinge of smoke until it was to late.
EEEEEEAAAAAAA!!!!! An earsplitting scream started emitting from the envelope. Harry looked down in total fear. There in his lap starting to singe his trousers was a Howler! He grabbed the envelope and burned his finger while he tried to open it. In his mind he flash who is sending me a howler?
With a blister forming on Harry's finger he got the envelope open, there was a thunderclap of sound and rush of wind as Cho was standing in front of him. –ARRY POOOTTTTERRRR!!!!! HOW DARE YOU WRITE ME? THIS LETTER. "I WAS JUST WORRIED YOU WOULD BE MAD," I AM NOT MAD I AM IN RAGE! YOU FROZE THE GREAT HARRY POTTER-"
Harry recognized the crumpled parchment chow was holding in her hand as the letter he had written.
"LOOK AT ME WHEN I AM TALKING TO YOU! "Bolted Harry back to reality, "YOU DON'T LIKE ME YOUR NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION TO ME NOW! GET THIS THROUGH YOUR HEAD MR. POTTER I BLAME YOU! IT IS YOUR FAULT FOR CEDRICKS DEATH IF WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE TOURNAMENT THIS WOULD NEVER HAD HAPPENED AND I WOULD STILL HAVE CEDRICK! WE WILL NEVER BE FRIENDS IF I SEE YOU AT HOGWARTS MERLIN HELP YOU FOR WHAT I WILL DO!!! GOOD BYE HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!"
The bed stopped shaking from the sound as the envelope went up in a bright green ball of flame like flash powder. Harry was now shaking not from fear but from shame and hurt. Tears now streamed down his face his throat was killing him. The pain in his chest was back. Except now it was worse than any nightmare he had. This reaction was real and knew it. Harry slowly curled into a fetal position and sobbed deeply. Harry thought he was not going stop wailing. He could not stop now that he had started. Finally he cried himself top sleep.
Harry woke some time in the early morning. His face crusted with dries tears. His eyes felt crusty and gross. Harry really did not care. After that Howler Cho sent him he was not surprised. Cho hated him. He knew at that point there was no way any of the girls at school were going to like him. "Great!" Harry grumbled out loud, "Another school for people to ostracize me!"
It was my fault, Harry thought. If he had been faster Cedric would not be dead. I am the great Harry Potter and I let him die.
Harry heard this last statement ringing in his ears from all the people at school. The look of hurt, disappointment, and anger just like in the Howler Cho sent him.
How can I face them? Harry realized he had some relief when he gave the prize money to Fred and George. The Weasley twins a pair of school pranksters from Hogwarts and brother to Harry's best friend. Harry had given them the thousand galleons for them to start their own joke shop. This was Cedric's money he was the one that won. If Harry had not been in the competition Cedric would not be dead. Harry did not fell like the one who lived. Harry was the one that got lucky.
"Some chosen one," he smirked. "My wand stopped Voldamort from killing me."
Harry felt himself start to cry again. He did not need this now. So Harry slowly left the small room and went down stairs. The Dursleys were already eating breakfast, actually almost Finished with it.
"Harry!" his uncle barked, "From now on you will be on time to breakfast." His uncle chuckled as Harry sat down to an empty plate.
"Yes, uncle." Harry quietly responded as he sat at his empty table setting.
"Very well Harry," Uncle Dursley snapped, "Here!" Uncle shoved Biscotti into his plate from under his napkin. "You look down Harry," his uncle not truly showing any real concern with this statement, "Can't be because of school. Not like you killed anyone." his uncle Burst into uncontrollable laughter. The rest of the Family joined in.
Harry just sat there thinking. How can he laugh at a time like this when Cedric is dead? Shut up. Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up! "SHUT UP," Harry shouted and pounded his fist on the table, "I am sick of you bullying any poking fun at me every time you get a chance." Harry's face was now just inches from his uncle's now purple face.
"How Dare y…" Vernon Now tried to stop him.
" How dare I?" Harry roared, "you were the one when kept me under that infernal stair case for the first 11 years of my life. Why should you care what happens to me?"
Vernon now standing shaking in a furious rage, "How dare I?" Vernon roared "if your Miserable parents hadn't gone and gotten selves killed you wouldn't be a burden on us now! GET OUT OF MY SITE BEFORE I KICK YOU OUT OF OUR HOME!"
Harry was about to comeback with another barrage. Suddenly from the back of his mind Dumbledore's words came back to him making him promise to stay at the Dursleys for now. Harry quickly turned and started to walk away.
"Your grounded, I don't want to see you out of that bloody room for a month!" Harry heard as he walked up the stairs.
Harry quietly shut his door and sat on his bed. He was hoping that little outburst would take his mind off what happened. He suddenly realized since he was trying not to think about it that was the first thing on his mind. Well let's ride this thought to its bitter end. He grabbed a piece of paper and started writing.
Dear Ron,
This might be the last letter I write you. Don't worry I'm not thinking of hurting myself I just don't think I can look at anyone from Hogwarts again. Once you get over the shock of Cedric's death and realize this was my fault. I did not act. The 'Great Harry Potter' did not act to stop Wormtail from killing Cedric. Don't hate me too much like Cho. When you see her next year tell her I am truly sorry.
Always,
Harry Potter
Harry wrote almost an identical letter to Hermione. Harry placed Ron's and Hermione's letters in separate envelopes and seal them in one big one.
Harry turned to Hedwig, some how his best friend the owl knew what was about top happen. He puffed out his feathers ad squalled when Harry came near. Hedwig knew he probably would not be coming back. Harry sat on the bed and Hedwig followed after a moment or two, always loyal to the end. Harry's shaking hands tide the letter to his leg. The great owl pressed himself into Harry's chest weakly hooting. Harry could have sworn he was crying.
Slowly he stoked Hedwig's feather as he tried to get the courage to say what came next. "H-Hedw-w-wig," Harry finally choked out from the pain building in his through, "I L Lo-Love yu-you (pause as Harry chocked back a sob) "Ron or Hermione will take great care of you. You will not worry for anything. I probably won't be seeing you for a long time." Harry choked and a cry of sorrow almost slipped out. "Be good for them and always remember I love you."
With this last statement Harry slowly rose and opened the window. With Hedwig in hand he moved his arm out the window. With a little nudge and a squeak, "Go," from Harry the owl took flight. Harry watched until he could not see the owl any more. Her sat on the bed and looked around. He would stay hear for a while for it to cool off and then sneak out into the night and disappear. No one would ever hear from Harry potter again.