Chapter 30

Blind Revenge

He flew at top speed, looking around in the town that he is in, where the matron of Hogwarts had died. He knew there would be Death Eaters lurking in crime scenes. After all, most muggle people tend to do that. In one of the alleyway, he smirked at the sight he found them in. there were three Death Eaters standing around and talking animatedly.

How utterly stupid, they were talking too loudly for Harry's taste. He flew closer and he was able to hear what they were saying. "What a victory! Dark Lord shall be celebrating tonight; our raid is a successful one. Most muggles and muggleborns are practically wiped out in this slum of a town!"

"Of course you idiot, we did," another said mockingly then laughed. "Ah the faces of terror on the victim's face was so priceless. I had forgotten what it was like to see that face since the last reign. Surely, we can beat that blasted Potter..."

"Only a matter of time Goyle, only a matter of time," said a different male voice. Harry arched an eyebrow, this Goyle must be the father and he sounds almost too smart. He landed suddenly in front of the three Death Eaters, glaring dangerously.

"Why, in fact the bitsy baby Potter came to see us!" said Goyle, mockingly. "You will do the Dark Lord a great favor if you can just come with us... nicely."

"Fat chance Goyle," snarled Harry. "Who killed Madam Pomfrey!?"

"The matron of Hogwarts you mean?" asked the other male, sneering. "She was a great victim for me, her face of terror was priceless. Strong too," he said, his voice sounding like a sadist grin behind the white mask. "Stup--"

"Expilliarmus!" roared Harry, faster than the opponent and sent him flying while Harry caught his wand smoothly. "Now, since you killed her," said Harry coolly. "No one, and I mean, no one escapes the wrath of my revenge."

He paused, staring at the three; "Oh I will get Voldemort (the three cringe and yelled at him for using his name), shut up, Voldemort eventually. You three are just lowly, pathetic Death Eaters who are always on hands and feet, doing whatever Voldemort barks out an order."

"So, stupefy! Stupefy!" he stunned the other two standing males while watching the Madam Pomfrey's murderer who was paling a deathly white color. "Any regrets?" he asked indifferently, practically ignoring the murderer's stuttering. "Guess not, crucio!" he grinned, watching the murderer scream in agony.

Harry never felt anymore alive than he had since he cast the last crucio, on Bellatrix. Then he blinked, his eyes slowly widening in horror at what he had done. Hastily, he took the curse off the Death Eater. He had gone to Azkaban the last time he had done. He looked around hurriedly; he didn't want to go back so soon. He couldn't believe how reckless he was.

The Death Eater on the ground chuckled and pushed himself off the ground, still laughing. "Well, well, well, you do know how to play games after all. The Dark Lord wasn't joking; you did cast on Miss Lestrange, did you not? Then you ended up in that, oh dear," he mocked, "in Azk--"

He never got to finish his sentence as Harry threw the silencing charm on him. Harry glared hard at him, baring his teeth at the murderer, but at the same time, he was right. He would end up in Azkaban. Fearing for his own life, he knew he wouldn't last very long in that place called hellhole. Harry sent a curse upon the Death Eater, which would quickly drain the blood of Death Eater, killing him but not long after Harry had disappeared. He didn't want to cast the Killing curse or they would have more reason to put him in Azkaban.

Harry grabbed his broom by yelling 'up', got on and flew away. In the opposite direction from Remus' house. Harry hated himself for being so reckless; he should have at least controlled himself. But the--falling into darkness with Voldemort--is increasing higher, he knew he was falling towards the darkness. He prayed that the theory that he would reach the area where it is neither light nor dark, is the correct one. If it wasn't, well, he would be in deep shit.

Then Harry had realized; he couldn't even remember how many people he had killed so far. Shuddering to himself, he hoped it was only two people so far. Otherwise, it would be another proof that he is; indeed; falling to the dark. He could have gone to Snape, since he dealt with these things. However, he didn't know where he would be during the holidays, much less his house. Nor he did even want to talk to him. Then Harry frowned, hadn't they got some sort of a truce with him? So, why was Harry not willing to go see Snape?

He knew the answer; he couldn't bear the idea of him reporting to anyone that he did another one of Unforgivables. He knew that he was being a coward, but he knew that the Sorting Hat wanted him to be in Slytherin. So he could blame the Slytherin part of himself, sure the idea was ludicrous, but he couldn't care less about it.

Harry flew five towns over at top speed, urging his broom to go as fast as it can go. The faster he was away from there, the better off he would be. He had no idea where he would go. He only hoped that he could hide somewhere. Even if it was for a short time so he can think for himself.

He flew for about half-hour, seventy-five miles away from the town he had left. He saw the familiar ruins of Surrey, he had no idea where he was going or which way he was heading and ended up in Surrey. No one had even bothered to clean up the mess, there was just simply too much mess, and everything in shambles. He led his broom down toward the Privet drive, six months ago, he would have never thought he'd be back here again during winter break. He landed on the front step, or what it used to be a front step as it was shattered, standing in front of his old, so-called home. Someone had obviously taken the Dursleys bodies away, because they weren't there anymore, as there weren't even a single bone left.

He strongly suspected that Aunt Marge ordered someone to take their bodies, he truly had felt some pity for the woman, as she had lost her only relatives. Sure Harry could be considered one, but they weren't even relatives at all. Going up the crumbled stairs, slowly and cautiously as to be careful not to fall down the stairs. It had snowed inside of the house as there wasn't even a roof anymore and was amazed that the second floor remained intact, if not in worse condition as downstairs. He stopped in front of the smallest bedroom in the house, staring at the hole he had crawled out of so many months ago.

Well, if the floorboard had kept him safe from fires, he knew it would provide against any other dangers. He only had to worry about anyone who would try to find him in Surrey, let alone, under the loose floorboard under the bed. Nevertheless, he felt confident that no one could find him since he was in the least likely place. Harry squeezed himself into the room along with his Firebolt and sat down. The small room was even warmer than it was moments ago above the room and he felt grateful. He snuggled down to himself and fell into troubled sleep.

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After he woke up, disoriented but remembered the events before he had fallen asleep. He didn't know if it was still the same day or a new day, but he dared not peek out of the room lest he be discovered by any tracking charm. After all, the room he had created so many months ago, included some untracking and unplottable charms that he hadn't realized he cast at first. He supposed he added that along with the enlarging charm out of fear at the time.

He pondered, there had been the white light as well, over the course of past six months, and he saw appearances of light whenever he was in danger. He knew he should have pondered on those thoughts, it was too much of a mystery to let even it go. He wondered if he was doing accidental magic, since all they had ever happened was when he was in life-threatening situation. Nevertheless, what had the light represent? The good side of the war? Himself, or even his strength of the powers he had possessed.

Then his mind slowly drifted to where he had cast the Cruciatus curse on the Death Eaters. Why he even through that curse, of all things, he would never know except for his theory. Which he really hoped he was right. Otherwise, if it was his own recklessness, then he would be doomed to a life of misery in Azkaban. He reflected on what he had done so far. True, his actions were becoming darker and darker, even the Light Curse backfired on him, proving part of his theory.

He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Should he risk it? Shaking his head no, he couldn't risk that right now. He didn't want to found before he was ready. Let other people worry, Voldemort angry and the Wizarding world frantic with fear. Harry could hardly care less about it; he needed time to himself. He felt a pang of shame for leaving his family like that.

Before he let his mind to go further than that, shaking his head. He would worry about his family later. They couldn't be in any danger, could they? Harry bit the bottom lip, frowning in thought. 'Well, what else can I really do?' thought Harry, his stomach grumbling. 'Just great, I go into hiding and I don't even bring food or water with me!' Sighing in irritation, he would have to starve for a few days and then come back out. Problem was, he didn't know how long is days. He remembered the time he spend in the cupboard, not even ten years spending inside of that place could he know how many days it's passed. However, he did know when it was daytime or nighttime. However, inside this small room, he couldn't even know, as there wasn't a crack to shine through.

He lied down on his back, staring up into the darkness, he felt safe and it was quiet. More peaceful than it is in the dungeons and enjoyed the endarkment he felt and learned. For some odd reason, it was better than enlightenment. He could stay in this room for many weeks but he couldn't fall behind in his classes or die of dehydration or starvation. Whichever came first.

Several days, or what it felt to Harry, had passed with more thinking. He knew that he would have to come out of hiding eventually. Harry felt his energy was draining, as he hadn't anything to drink or eat. Even from ten years of being intentionally starved, summers of starvation as well, and he couldn't even stay strong now. Harry suspected that it had been over a week since he went into hiding, because he did feel weak. Sighing, he picked the broom up and slowly climbed out of the hole and realized it was nighttime.

Harry mounted his broom and soared out of his old bedroom window into the starry night sky. He enjoyed the air flying past his skin and hair, feeling the freedom. He was glad that it was nighttime or he would have been blinded by the daylight. He took in how beautiful the stars were tonight, no moon and he could even see the Milky way. He decided not to go at top speed, since he had all the time in the world to fly because he had been in hiding so why rush it?

Since he knew that he had no idea if classes were starting up or not, he flew to Hogwarts. Later, he had deeply regretted, the ride was so long, his arse grew sore, his back aching and his fingers were frozen to the broom. He should have had at least brought warmer apparel. Nevertheless, he enjoyed the cold air, making him feel alive but not more so than when he cast the Cruciatus curse...

Harry shook his head; he couldn't give into the darkness, trying to forget how he felt when he cast that particular curse upon a Death Eater. He thought of Mark, Sirius, Remus, and he smiled softly, he felt grateful to have them as his legal family. The first family he ever felt love since his parents died. Although he never remembered any warm moments with his parents, he knew he was loved.

Love, it was a funny emotion to Harry. He felt all warm and squirmy inside of him as he thought of his three male as his family. Grinning wildly, causing his broom to go even faster. He whooped in joy and did several loops. He felt he could do anything, love certainly felt like a powerful emotion. He saw an owl flying by and grinned, and wordlessly raced the owl who caught the hint and tried to fly faster. However, no animal was even close to his broom, Harry had far outrun the owl who hooted indignantly as Harry left out of the owl's view. Several minutes later, he saw the familiar mountains, the ridges and the lake. Soon, the castle loomed into view, smiling fondly, he flew down to the Entrance doors and tried to pry himself away from the room, having to sit there and fly for a long while. Finally, he got off his broom. Firebolt in his left hand, he tentatively opened the door, not knowing what to expect who would be in there. He wasn't even sure if the students were back or not.

He greeted with loud noises from the Great Hall; dinner was in the progress. He could even smell of the food wafting towards him. Grinning, he walked to the Great Hall and paused before the doors. Taking a deep breath, shrinking his broom and pocketed, he went in. Silence immediately fell as Harry casually walked over to the Gryffindor table as if nothing had ever happened. He sat down in the free spot next to Seamus and began piling his plate on food.

"Boy, am I hungry!" exclaimed Harry, eating his dinner. No one dared to speak, even after Harry had said something to try to break the tension. He hadn't even glanced up at the high table for their reactions. The Great Hall exploded with exclamations and questions. Harry only ignored them, he had a funny feeling that Hermione and Ron were trying to ask him or talk to them. He felt a hug around his waist, looked to his left, and grinned.

"Hey Mark, how are you holding up?"

"Harry! How can you say that when you have disappeared for three weeks!"

"What? Three weeks? You've got to be kidding me," paled Harry but continued to eat, somehow.

"You didn't know?" asked Mark, widening eyes in surprise. "Where were you?" Harry only grinned mischievously.

"Nice try Mark, I'm not saying in here," said Harry, winking. He soon finished his meal as a band of professors approached him, Headmaster in the lead.

"Harry," he began, smiling, but frowning at the same time. "Can we talk in my office?" Harry looked at the other professors and sighed.

"Of course," said Harry, his stomach clenching. 'Could they know what I've done?' Harry stood up and turned to Ron and Hermione. "We'll talk later."

"Damn right we will Harry!" said Ron furiously. Harry nodded apologetically and the group left Great Hall. Everyone walked in silence, with Harry in the front besides the Headmaster. When they reached the gargoyle (M&M's) and went up the escalating stairway, entering the office. Harry walked to the most comfortable chair in the room and sat down, putting his feet on the coffee table. Snape glared at him for the obvious disrespect and Harry only shrugged indifferently.

"Harry, mind telling us where you were?" asked Dumbledore, getting to the point for once.

"What if I don't tell you? I'm safe so obviously the place I was hiding in is safe."

"So you admit that you went into hiding Potter," sneered Snape.

"Yes well, that's basically the only things I am willing to share," said Harry, leaning back. 'Oh, the chair is so comfortable, compared to what I've stayed at... but three weeks? Man, I've lasted longer than I thought...'

"Potter..." gritted Professor Snape.

"Please Harry, we need to know," said Dumbledore, frowning at his attitude. "What happened to you? More importantly, why did you go into hiding?"

"Safety sir," replied Harry. "It was too dangerous to come out."

"What was dangerous Mr. Potter?" asked Srycry curiously.

"I can't even divulge that information, it's too dangerous," said Harry, shaking his head. "Remember my theories professors? The one that dealt with Voldemort?"

"Yes, how would-" said Professor McGonagall, but got cut off from Harry.

"It does deal with it ma'am, please believe me, it's for our sake. I may tell you in the future. But not any time soon as it is too dangerous," said Harry tiredly. "May I go back to the Gryffindor tower?"

"Absolutely not!" said a new voice, which Harry recognized at Remus. Harry mentally cringed. "Harry, oh Merlin, you are safe!" exclaimed Remus as the two hugged him. "We had thought..."

"I had told you many times, the Dark Lord had nothing to do with Potter!" interrupted Snape, growling softly.

"You weren't even sure Severus!" said Remus, looking over Harry for any injuries. "Harry, have you ate anything for the past three weeks?"

"No Remus, I practically starved myself," said Harry sighing.

"Why?" asked Sirius, worried.

"Because I couldn't come out of the--the place I was hiding in. It had untrackable," everyone widened their eyes, "and unplottable charms on them. Harry then paused and finally decided. "Fine, I'll give you a hint where I hid at, it is the next safest place, according to Dumbledore, to Hogwarts and Gringrotts for me.

Albus Dumbledore's eyes had some of realization dawning on him and opened his mouth to say something, "Yes professor, where I had lived with my muggle relatives."

"But Harry..." said Sirius, frowning.

"We searched there," said Remus, also frowning as everyone else in the room. Harry rolled his eyes and shaking his head.

"Honestly, don't you all remember what happened during the summer?" Everyone looked at each other, remembering the attacks on Surrey. "Remember the loose floorboard, the room is still there where I had left."

"Well, I must say it's... very..." Snap struggled to say, "impressive."

"I know sir, thank you," said Harry, standing up. "That's everything you all need to know. Except for the exact reason why I went there in the first place of course."

"What reason?" asked Sirius and Remus at the same time, suspicious.

"Nice try, good night professors, Remus and Sirius, we'll talk more tomorrow," said Harry as he went back to the Gryffindor. No one had even tried to stop him. Harry soon came to the portrait of Fat Lady. "....Damn..."

"No password, no entry," she said, smoothing out the wrinkles on her dress.

"I know that, but see... I was in hiding for the past week..."

"No excuses," she said, glaring. Harry sighed, might as well wait for someone to come by. The door to the common room opened, revealing Ginny peeking out.

"Harry! Come on!" said Ginny tentatively but grinning, opening the portrait wider for him to enter. "The password's Dancing ball."

"Thanks Ginny," said Harry, grinning as he met with loud applause and cheering. Harry blinked as everyone welcomed him back. 'Honestly, if they knew what had really happened, they wouldn't even be doing this...' Harry only mentally shrugged as he grinned. "Hermione! Ron!"

"Harry!" the two hugged him at last.

"Oh Harry, I was so worried..."

"We were really worried," corrected Ron, grinning at Harry.

"Sorry guys, but it was too dangerous to come back. But I had never intentioned to stay in hiding for three weeks... honest! I was going to come back at the start of new term," said Harry hastily at Hermione who glared at Harry but didn't say anything.

"Where did you go into hiding at?" asked Mark.

"Under the loose board at Privet drive," said Harry, grinning as Mark widened in surprise as his other friends.

"But we checked there!" said Ron.

"That was because it was untrackable and unplottable. None of you even checked the loose floorboard," said Harry, picking up a bottle of butterbeer. "Cheers!" he said, drinking the butterbeer. Everyone roared in cheer as everyone enjoyed themselves.

"But why did you go into hiding, after the battle?" asked Mark curiously. Everyone else fell quiet, hearing why he went into hiding. Harry sighed, trying to place the words.

"I told you, it was too dangerous to come back," said Harry quietly. "The threat was too much to even come back home Mark."

"And you didn't even go for help?" asked Hermione, frowning.

"I thought about it, the problem was that I didn't know where Snape is," said Harry, drinking more of the butterbeer.

"Snape? Why him?" asked Ron incredulously.

"Because the situation I was in, he would have had helped me with something, but I didn't," he said shrugging. "So, can anyone help me catch up on work?"

"Of course!" said Ron as Hermione smiled, nodding.

"Oh Harry, we've almost solved the charm for reversing of Black Area charm! We just need... you to perform it."

"Really?" asked Harry, widening in eagerness. He took his wand out, waiting for the next set of instructions. Hermione nodded, smiling as she walked to the window. Harry followed her, not questioning what she was doing. She turned to him, anxious and hoping that the charm would do it.

"Okay Harry, ah, um, just point anywhere outside and say the incantation, 'Ornatasulvis' with a stress consonant on the 'ul-vis'.

Say it Harry."

"Orrnatassulvis," tried Harry. Hermione shook her head.

"No, don't stress the first part of the word, it's 'Ornatasulvis'," corrected Hermione. Harry nodded, not in the least bit irritated for being corrected. True, for the past three weeks, he had thought about Hermione and other people. They were all trying to help.

"Ornatasulvis," said Harry and Hermione beamed.

"Now, for the wand, it's very tricky mind you, there's a very small wand movement you have to pay attention to. I will exaggerate so you can see where the small movement that is easy to miss," she said and then started exaggerating her wand movement. She made a counter clockwise one way and then a big jab upwards, "that's where you will have to make a very small movement with." Then she continued but clockwise this time. "Now for the real wand moving, watch," she made a small counter clockwise, very teeny tiny jab and did a smaller clockwise. "See?"

Harry nodded, and tried for himself, he made a small counter clockwise, very small jab but Hermione shook her head.

"No, not that big of a jab! It makes a huge difference!"

"How big of a difference?

"All of the second years who tried that, got leaves in their mouths!" Harry arched an eyebrow as he looked around and saw some embarrassment on second years' faces.

"Okay, thanks Hermione," said Harry, as he tried again. He made a small counter clockwise, did a teeny tiny jab and went clockwise. Then Hermione beamed at him.

"Very good, now try that again, we can't afford you to suffocate by the leaves!" she said, almost jokingly. Harry smiled and did his practice with the wand moving. He got them perfect four times in a row, satisfying Hermione. "Okay, now put the two together... and... erm, point outside..." she said as everyone watched both him and the window tentatively. Harry looked back at her.

"How will we know if it's restored back to normal?" asked Harry, jabbing his thumb outside. "It's night out."

"Oh don't be so stupid, the light from this castle will be reflected!"

"Oh right," said Harry sheepishly. Taking a deep breath and pointed his wand outside, hoping that it would work. He really wanted to see colors again.

"Ornatasulvis!" said Harry, doing his precise wand movement, a jet of color shot out of his wand and went pass through the windows and hit upon a rock next to the lake. Everyone watched with bated breath, as it had collided with the large boulder.

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Thanks for the reviews. As for your review Deeps, well, I left clues here and there as to why Harry acts sort of a 'big show' or a 'snob'. It will be explained by the seventh book that I will do after this one is finished. Anyways, thanks for the support. Reviews are appreciated. And for your question on Mediwizard athenakitty, well, you'll see who will take her place temporarily. grins