Chapter 8:

A Talk With the Marauders

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger."

"The smart arse of Gryffindor." Ron said.

"Don't try to take her title, because she might go after you." Harry said.

Hermione gave them the 'evil eye' before turning back to Kris.

"No worries there." She assured them, "I have no intention of taking the place of smartest. Don't worry."

"By the way, my name's Ron Weasley."

"I'm Harry Potter."

"Nice to meet ya! You wanna take a Stupid Test?" Kris asked.

The three nodded.

"Kay, what color is the sky?"

"Blue." They answered.

"What color is the grass?"

"Green."

"What color is my shirt?"

"Grey."

"What was the first question I asked?"

"'What color is the sky?'"

"Wrong, my first question was 'Do you want to take a Stupid Test?'" she said laughing.

They glared at her.

Harry was curled up on his bed; he wanted to have time to think. Unfortunately he was thinking about him and the prophecy.

Neither can live while the other survives, he thought, Why me? Why do I have the horrid life? Why can't I be a normal 16-year-old? Why?

He sighed mentally.

I hate my life. I hate me.

Don't say that, Harry. Said Ron's voice in his head.

Really, Harry, you need to lighten up. Hermione's voice told him.

The day I'm happy again will be the day Hell freezes over. Harry told them dully.

Boy, your optimistic. Ron told him sarcastically.

Harry, the Marauders are coming up. Hermione told him before cutting the link.

A couple seconds later there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Harry said wearily.

"Hey, Harry!" James said.

"Hi." He answered with a weak smile.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked.

"Nothing." He answered with a sigh.

"Are you sure?" Lily asked, sitting next to him.

"Yeah." He answered, sitting up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.

Even Sirius, who in James's opinion was thicker than a 100-year-old tree trunk, knew something was wrong.

"Maybe the truth would be more believable." Said Remus, who sat down on his bed.

"I don't feel like talking about it." Harry said.

"Alright." Sirius said, changing the subject, "Do you play pranks?"

"No, I was always trying not to get myself killed. But it could be fun. Well, only if you guys help." Harry said

The Marauders grinned evilly. Lily, Molly, and Arthur looked apprehensive.

"What are you guys planning?" Arthur asked.

"Nothing." The four pranksters said together.

"Right." Molly said disbelievingly.

Harry was watching in amusement.

"So, Prongs Jr., who do you want us to prank, ay?" Remus asked.

"Let me see," Harry said mock thinking, "Do you want me to make you a list or just tell you?"

"Just tell us." Said James grinning like a maniac.

"Draco Malfoy, the Slytherins, the Professors would be funny, as you call him 'Snivillus'-"

"Hold on! Snivillus is still here?! What did he do? Fail?" Sirius asked, gleeful at the prospect.

"No, unfortunately, he Potions Master." Harry informed them.

"Ouch." They said.

"Poor you." Peter said.

"He's not as bad as Voldemort." Harry said without thinking.

They winced.

"Sorry."

"Your brave enough to say his name?" Peter squeaked.

"Well meeting him five times helps. Also Professor Dumbledore once said ' Fear in a name increases fear in the thing itself.'" Harry said to them, "By the way, open the window."

Remus did so, looking at Harry oddly, just as a snowy owl swooped through the window.

"Hullo, Hedwig." Harry said stroking his fathful owl's feathers.

She hooted and stuck out a leg. Harry looked mildly surprised at the fact that he had post. He released the owl of it's burden and opened the letter.

Harry,

Why don' ya come down to me hut fer tea. I'll give ya yer birthday present then. Bring the Marauders, Ron and Hermione with ya. See ya then.

Hagrid

Harry grinned. He had wondered why he hadn't gotten a present from Hagrid.

"What does it say?" Lily asked.

"You know Hagrid right?" Harry asked.

"Yeah! He's the best!" Remus exclaimed.

"How would you like to go down to his hut for tea?"

"Yeah!" they all agreed

"So, Harry, do you have any pictures of us?" James asked.

"Yeah. Here." He pulled out his photo album. He had been trying to ignore the wedding picture. James took it and they crowded around it.

"Aw, look Prongsie! It's your wedding!" Sirius said.

Harry closed hid eyes. He could see the picture clearly behind his closed eyelids. He felt the familiar feeling of grief, pain, sadness, loneliness, and anger. James looked up to tell Harry something but it was forgotten when he looked into the miserable and sad face of his future son. Harry opened his eyes to find James' curious, hazel eyes. James stared. Harry's eyes reflected every emotion he was feeling right then. The Marauders and co., sencing James's inattentiveness, looked up into Harry's sad and dull emerald green eyes. Harry dropped his head into his hands.

"Was it something I said?" Sirius said, in full serious mode (A/N: Couldn't help it. :-D).

"I have no idea, Padfoot." Said James.

Lily moved toward Harry and sat next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at them sadly.

"Harry, why don't you tell us what's wrong? It'll help." Lily told him.

"No it won't. No one understands. No one ever will." Harry mumbled sadly.

"Well try, Harry." James said moving over to Harry's bed and wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"No one ever wants to listen any other time, why now? What's the point anymore? No one cares, and those who do end up dead. It's my fault. If you want to blame someone for your deaths, blame me." Harry said dropping his head back into his hands.

"It's not your fault, Harry. We heard the story. We don't blame you." Lily told him while rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.

"You should." Harry mumbled.

"But we don't." James said firmly.

"I don't feel like talking anymore." Harry said.

"Alright, Harry. But if you ever need to talk you can talk to us or Ron and Hermione." Molly told him.

Harry smiled greatfuly at them as they left. He flopped down on the bed. No one will ever find out he was lonely, no one.

So what didja think huh? Crappy ending huh? Sorry it took so long. I never felt like typing it until now. Well newayz!!!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

The 100th reviewer to this story will get a first look at my new unposted story!!! So when u review make sure you leave ur e-mail addy!!!

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Chapter 9: Lonely Hearts

Someone figures out a fact about Harry's past that's surprising. Also maybe the first prank!

Thanks to all who reviewed!!! I really appeciate it!!! PLZ R & R!!!!

Artimis

P.S. I'm going to be deleting all the separate author's notes.