Chapter Four:
Sweat poured out of his skin like a wrung sponge. The blanket somehow managed to twist up around his feet as he tossed and turned in his sleep. He muttered incoherently, a whisper at first but then his voice got louder. He shuddered and sat up abruptly, his eyes wide open with fear. Another bloody nightmare.
"Harry?"
Harry's soft breathing could be heard. At least he did not wake anyone up. He told them it had stopped. He had to make them believe that.
"Oh, good. You're still asleep," Ron whispered.
He hesitated for a few seconds before laying down again. Another attempt to sleep. He did not notice that a small eye peeped out from behind the door, which was ajar. Ginny watched Ron intently, and did not leave until he was asleep. She had woken up, knowing something was wrong. She crept to her brother's room to be sure no one was in danger. No, they were not. She should have known. After all, she had done the same thing a countless amount of times this summer..
"Istheranymobacon?"
"Oh, Ron, don't talk with your mouth full. It's repulsive!"
Ron shrugged, stood up, and found more bacon in the frying pan on the stove.
"Looks like great flying weather today," Harry said before biting into his toast.
"Yea, pity it can't be used though," Ron swallowed some bacon.
Hermione raised her eye brows and said in her know-it-all voice, "you know it's for our own safety."
"But these are our summer holidays!" Ron whined.
"Yea, and we're sitting here like canaries in a cage," Harry added, spitting little flecks of egg in Hermione's direction. She cringed.
Their plans of going outdoors had been ruined for the day after the Daily Prophet brought news of suspicious Death eater activity nearby.
Ginny walked into the kitchen, and snatched a strip of bacon out of Ron's hand before he had a chance to put it in his mouth. She stuck her tongue out at him and ate the bacon herself.
"Oh, shush you two. Hermione has a point. Besides, Dumbledore should be giving us permission to go to Diagon Alley soon."
"So, you think your ban will be lifted?" Ron asked, getting up for another helping of bacon to replace the one that Ginny stole.
"Yea, sure. I mean, now that Um-bitch isn't around there is no reason it shouldn't be. I'm going flying the first chance I get."
Even Hermione could not have the insolence to retort back with a comment about the dangers of flying after seeing Harry's eyes change to a brighter shade of green.
"Bloody hell, only two more weeks left," Ron frowned and put his elbows on the table to hold his head up.
"Well, I don't know about you three, but I'm going upstairs to finish my Care of Magical Creatures Essay. Harry, you should get started on your Potions."
Harry rolled his eyes, but knew she was right. He spent the entire summer convinced he would not get in Advanced Potions, a course he needed in order to become and Auror. He nearly fainted when he opened his OWL results and found out he had an 'exceeds expectations.' Ironically getting into the class with the worst professor was the best birthday present he could have ever imagined.
Five minutes later Harry was biting at the end of a quill, frowning over his non-existent essay.
"Ron?"
"Hmmm?" Ron was sitting on his bed, staring at the animated Quidditch posters on his ceiling.
"Do you know why a pickled toad is the main ingredient in the foot-deodorizer potion?"
"Nmmmmh?"
"Never mind."
A loud clanking noise was heard over head. The ceiling trembled slightly and the poster Ron was staring at came undone and fell on top of his head.
"Bloody goul!" He stood up and poked the ceiling with his broomstick.
"I hate having this room. The thing never shuts up!"
The ghoul's chains continued to rattle to Ron's annoyance. Harry could not help but smile slightly.
A spell hit Ron square in the chest, and sent him flying backwards into a brick wall.
"And the Dark Lord will..."
Ron caught a snippet of a voice before his world went out of focus.
"The Dark Lord knows not..."
There it was again, but he could not comprehend it.
"No, Ron. Stay with me here. Ron?" Harry kneeled at his side, gently hitting the side of Ron's face to keep him conscious.
"Ok Ron. I don't know how it happened, but we're in one of my dreams. Just relax and I'll find a way to get us out, all right?"
Ron mumbled incoherently.
Harry stood up to take a look at his surroundings. As he did a dark shadow stood behind him. A wand followed Harry's back as he brought himself to his feet. The wand sharply jabbed his back, and his eyes went wide.
"Going somewhere, Potter?"
The surprise in Harry's eyes changed immediately to anger.
"Wormtail," Harry spat.
The short and portly man chuckled, making his stomach quake.
"That right, Potter. But if you were wiser you would treat me with more respect."
"What do you want?"
"It's not a matter of what I want. It's a matter of what I've got."
Harry turned around so that he was facing Wormtail. They were two feet apart and both had their wands pointed at each others faces.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..." Peter began in a mocking tone.
Harry paled greatly.
"How do you know that?" He demanded.
Peter grinned, showing off his yellowing teeth, "My little secret, Potter."
"Born to those who have thrice defied him..."
Harry tried to maintain composure by clenching his teeth.
"Well, they obviously weren't that great if the Dark Lord defeated them in the end." Peter laughed.
"You're nothing but a coward, Wormtail. They only died because of your dastardly actions," Harry retorted.
"You'll find I am quite brave when provoked," Wormtail raised his wand higher, "Crucio!"
Harry dodged the curse, but to his horror found that Ron had been in its path. The red light hit Ron, causing him to released a shout of pain.
"Let him off it!" Harry yelled.
He went to knock Wormtail off balance but stopped mid-way when his scar began to sear with fire. Harry suppressed a scream. He did not want to give Wormtail the satisfaction he thought he would receive. A warm, sticky substance trickled down his forehead, and off the side of his face. It almost gave one the impression that he was crying tears of blood.
As soon as Harry realized that his scar had split open, a sudden pain of greater potency engulfed him. Ron's screaming was drowned out by Harry's. He fell to his knees, wand held loosely in his hand. Then there was darkness.
"Ron? Harry? What?...Wake up!" She shook her brother roughly.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley rushed into the room, Hermione trailing after them. Her hair was in complete disarray and she was ghostly pale. Mr. Weasley awoke Harry. A second later Ron's eyes fluttered open. Both boys sat up and started trembling uncontrollably. Harry's scar oozed blood.
"Ron?"
"Harry?"
The two friends looked at each other with wide eyes.
"What just happened?" Hermione asked.
"Wormtail," they said simultaneously
Mr. Weasley exchanged looks with his wife.
"You were both there?"
They nodded.
"What did he do?"
Ron's teeth chattered as he said, "Crucio. Well, on me at least."
"Harry?"
"He...I'm not quite sure. He used Crucio on Ron, and I went to stop him and my scar..."
Mrs. Weasley told Ginny to bring back a wet cloth. Ginny ran out of the room, and returned shortly after.
"Now, Harry," Mrs. Weasley pressed the cloth against his forehead. "Did he say anything to you?"
Harry pulled away from Mrs. Weasley and looked down in thought.
"I think I better talk with Dumbledore."
"It's 2 in the morning, can it wait?"
"Molly, this is urgent," Mr. Weasley said.
"No, don't bother him now. I can wait."
After his recent encounter with the professor Harry was not to keen on talking to him in the middle of the night, in such a state of mind nonetheless.
"Harry, Ron," the boys looked up at Mr. Weasley, "come with me. We're going to Hogwarts."
Barely five minutes later the three wizards were standing in Dumbledore's office. The old man sat behind his desk, wearing blue pajamas covered in half moons and stars. Harry wiggled his toes, which were numb from the cold stone floor.
Dumbledore conjured three chairs across from him.
"Ok, who would like to begin?" he asked.
Ron cleared his throat.
"It wasn't in the usual setting. But Wormtail was there."
"Anyone else?"
"Apart from me and Harry, no."
Ron looked at Dumbledore, who motioned for him to continue.
"I heard a voice before I hit the wall. I mean, a spell hit me and threw me back into the wall. The voice...it sounded like Wormtail's, but I'm not sure."
"It was Wormtail's," Harry started. "He recited the..." he stopped, not knowing how to word the thoughts without revealing his knowledge of the prophecy. "He knows," Harry finished.
Dumbledore sat up a little, looking directly into Harry's eyes.
"He knows?"
"Yea, I'm sure of it. He admitted it."
"Knows what?" Ron asked.
Harry remained silent.
"Harry, is this what you've been keeping from us all summer?"
"I'm not ready to talk about it yet."
Ron was about to raise his voice, but thought better of it.
"I haven't been entirely truthful either..."
Harry threw him a questioning look.
"The brain that attacked me, Harry," He began. "They left me with...visions. Sort of like yours. But they always took place in this one room. I don't know where. With Voldemort and Wormtail mostly. This is the first time it happened somewhere else."
Harry was shocked. Mr. Weasley and Dumbledore sat quietly with neutral expressions on their faces.
"It was in Diagon Alley," Harry suddenly said, breaking the brief silence.
"Are you sure?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yea!" Ron said, "It was the brick wall you see before turning into Knockturn Alley."
"What can this mean, Albus?" Mr. Weasley crinkled his forehead in worry.
Dumbledore sat back in thought. There was a long, awkward silence before he answered.
"I really do not know. Somehow Harry and Ron's visions have connected, and Peter knows it. We can only hope this knowledge has not reached the ears of Voldemort. This is not good at all. If what you say is true, Harry, than you are in even more danger than predicted."
"Sir, do you think Voldemort knows what Peter recited?"
"The prophecy..." Ron spoke up, "You said it was destroyed."
"It was. But...but I know what it says. I found out afterwards." Harry replied.
"And you never told us!"
"Ron, listen to me. I will tell you someday. Just not now. I'm...I'm not ready yet, ok?"
Dumbledore sensed a row starting.
"Mr. Weasley. Mr. Potter."
The two friends apologized to the headmaster, and sat back in silence.
"Because of this," Dumbledore began once more, " I am afraid you cannot go to Diagon Alley. I will send aurours to pick up your school supplies. I believe it will be wise not to allow you, Ms. Weasley, and Ms. Granger to arrive on the Hogwarts express on September first. We must take the proper precautions to ensure your safety."
The boys sighed and nodded.
"I believe we should all try to get some sleep now. Ron, perhaps you can lend some Dreamless Sleeping potion to Harry for tonight. I assume you are still taking it?"
"Yes, sir. I couldn't tonight though. I had a dose last night."
Dumbledore bid them a goodnight, and they portkeyed back to the Burrow.
"Boys," Mr. Weasley stopped them at the door of Ron's room. "If you need Mrs. Weasley or myself don't hesitate to get us."
"Yes, Dad."
"Yes, Mr. Weasley."
"Good," he clamped a hand on Harry's back firmly and walked off, leaving Ron and Harry to face a most unpleasant night.
"Who else knows you've been having visions?" Harry asked as he climbed into his cot beside Ron's bed.
"Everyone. The Order, Hermione. I'm sorry Harry. I was going to tell you, but you only just got here and things have been somewhat normal and..."
"It's ok. I mean, I have a lot more secrets than you can imagine. I hope you understand that I want to keep them to myself for now."
"Yea, I suppose. I just want you to know that you can trust me. You're my best friend, you know." Ron choked on the words as he said this.
"Yea," Harry looked down at the ground. He knew it wasn't easy for Ron to express his emotions like this.
"I just don't want another repeat of last year. So if I start acting like a git again stop me, ok?"
"I will."
"Because we can't do what Voldemort wants us to. I mean, his intentions are to break us apart. And we have to unite and..."
"Yea, Ron. I know," Harry said in an understanding voice.
"Night, Harry."
"Goodnight."
Neither of them slept that night. Both laid with their eyes closed, thinking they fooled the other.
Harry's mind raced with thoughts of what had just happened. Voldemort's connection had extended to Ron. If he was not careful he would kill off another one of his friends. He was becoming too close. He had to distance himself a bit further.
Harry cursed himself in his mind. Why had he not asked Dumbledore about Remus? What if these visions had something to do with him? They could potentially lead to his rescue, if he was still alive.
Not that Dumbledore would have told him anything, even if he did know.
Dumbledore. He did not trust the man any longer. Harry doubted he ever would. With each passing day he grew colder towards his headmaster. Harry had no idea that this could be a grave mistake. A mistake that could determine the fate of not only himself, but Remus.
A/N: Please tell me this one is long enough. It's actually two chapters put into one (suggestion of Hunta's). I meant to post yesterday but I had to go back and change something that I hope to be a big part of the story. Mostly towards Harry's anger, which I hope is building up well enough. I'm starting to write the next chapter but this week is going to be a bit busy. I've got a monologue for a theater showcase that I'm trying to perfect, and I'll be gone all of Friday. Also the fact that finals are approaching doesn't make things any easier.