Disclaimer: Not mine. Hers. Not making money from this.

A/N: Sorry about the long wait, this chapter's been a pain in the ass. Remember that NO ONE knows about Trelawney's new prophecy. I'll tell you that I already have what's coming from there planned. Enjoy!

A/N 2: First off, I check out everyone's author page that leaves a signed review, 'cause I'm always searching authors' favorites for new fics. I'm honored that some of you have my fic in your favorites

Also, yes, I'm a guy, as stated in the chapt. 1 disclaimer. I've been on the Potter train since the first two books were out, well before the hype, merchandise, movies, etc. which I despise. I'm really surprised (but glad) that there's not an animated TV show yet. I got my PoA in the first weekend, GoF the first day, and OotP at midnight, day of release. I plan on a midnight run for HBP. I obsess over the books, couldn't care less about the movies or other stuff.

Concerning some of your reviews, I do plan on finishing this. I agree that it sucks when you're reading a great fic, and find it stopped in the middle, only to see that it hasn't been updated in months. Also concerning your reviews, Ginny will change. She'll be more Gred and Forge-ish in my fic. BTW, don't you hate people that call her Virginia? I sure do. This means you, people. Don't write fics where you call her one of the United States. You want proof, then head over to jkrowling . com and click on the coffee cup, then click around until you find stuff about the Weasleys.

Sorry this chapt. took a long while. It took me some time to figure out how I was going to do stuff, and then I lost my motivation to write, and whatever. I do plan on finishing this. I hope sooner rather than later, but since this is not a Half Blood Prince fic, I'll most likely still finish it if I'm still going after 7-16-05 ('Twill be a glorious day).

Chapter 4

Connections

Once his friends left him alone, Harry tried to fall asleep again to deal with the aches in his body. He was successful in dozing off, but unfortunately, he was bound for another sleep-time rendezvous with the Dark Lord.

Harry was seated on a throne-like chair, looking coldly with slit-like red eyes at the sniveling man before him. How he had ever ended up in debt to this wizard, he would never know. "Wormtail," Harry spat in a high, cold voice, "what happened to your mission to capture Potter?" The venom in his voice as he mentioned that damn boy was nearly palpable.

"Master, forgive me. He fought back, he defeated—"

"He is only a boy! How could my loyal servants be defeated by a teenager? This was your mission to organize, and you failed. I do believe that some punishment is in order."

"No, please master, I beg of you—"

"Crucio!"

"AHHHH! Please!"

Harry realized with horror that he was once again in the body of Lord Voldemort. However, he always awoke from his visions of Voldemort and his followers when the Dark Lord's target was tortured. This time, he felt like someone had shoved him hard to the side, and he was no longer witnessing Pettigrew's torture. He saw information whizzing by. Harry concentrated, and made these visions slow down. He was amazed with what he saw. Harry was in Voldemort's brain! At this, Harry realized that his visions were not Voldemort in his mind, but he in Voldemort's!

Harry willed himself to wake, and did. 'Wow. Let's see if I can go back and take certain information' he thought. Harry attempted to clear his mind, like with Occlumency, and meld his mind to his archenemy's. As an afterthought, he muttered "Legilimens." He found himself in Voldemort's mind again. He dug around, and extracted some useful things. Harry wondered to himself 'What if I could put this information into my head?' He decided to leave that for later. 'Our connection must really be strong, or maybe I'm powerful enough to make it work both ways,' Harry mused. He focused his attention on the Dark Lord himself, and found that he now saw Voldemort in the third person, and not through the evil man's eyes. Once again, Harry pulled out, and finding himself exhausted, went to sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry woke up later in the morning feeling all healed from his injuries sustained in the battle at his aunt's house. He got out of bed and made his way down the stairs. The wonderful smell of Mrs. Weasley's cooking came from the kitchen, towards which Harry directed his path. Entering the cavernous room, he saw his two best friends and Ginny sitting at the table with his former professor, while the Weasley matriarch was busy making pancakes.

"Morning guys, professor, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said in greeting.

The werewolf that was Harry's only link to his family smiled. "Really Harry, I haven't been your professor for two years now. Call me Remus, or Moony."

"Alright," said Harry, moving closer to the table.

"Hello, Harry. Feeling better?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, I'm feeling better. How are you guys?" asked Harry.

Ron answered, "We're fine mate. We weren't attacked by Death Eaters."

"So Harry," Hermione started, bringing the conversation to her favorite subject, "how did you do on your O.W.L.s?"

Harry sighed. How long had it taken her? Less than five minutes to mention the test results? "P's in Divination and History, an A in Astronomy, E's in Transfiguration, Potions, and Herbology, and O's in Charms and Defense. I also now share the honor of having the highest defense mark possible with Voldemort and Dumbledore."

Ron snorted. "Ironic isn't it? V-Voldemort gets the highest possible score in Defense Against the Dark Arts? What did he score on Dark Arts? O plus?" Harry laughed. Hermione looked shocked and scandalized that Ron would mention such a thing as a class, even in joking, while he continued. "I got an O in Defense, thanks to you Harry. A D in Divination. Get it? D for Divination?" Hermione shot a death look. "Alright Hermione, I'll stop with the jokes about the scores that determine my future. E's in Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and Herbology. A in History and Astronomy. Alright, 'Mione, your turn."

Harry started for her. "Let me guess, all O's?"

"No, I got an E in Ancient Runes. My star chart for astronomy was probably only E standard, but I guess the grade got curved."

Remus looked proud. "Good job Harry. You did better than your dad and Sirius. Oh—" He had brought up Sirius. In front of Harry. Shit. Take cover.

Seeing the look on the werewolf's face, Harry interjected, "No, it's ok. I've accepted that it's not all my fault. Yeah, I did some stupid stuff, but it's not all my fault. While these two," he nodded at Ron and Hermione, "were sending me messages that just told me not to blame myself, which only made me madder," the last bit was directed at his friends, "Ginny made me see that it all comes down to Voldemort."

Ginny blushed a little at the comment.

"Well, you did," Harry continued, "and I know that yesterday you were just trying to lighten the mood. I'm going upstairs to meditate now, so see you guys later."

He really was going to go explore his new mind connection with Voldemort more, and started to leave, but Hermione stopped him. "Meditate?"

Harry turned and answered, "Yeah, it helps me focus and Voldemort sort of out of my mind. Can you guys leave me alone for a little while?"

"Sure thing mate," Ron answered for the others.

Harry went upstairs to the bedroom he shared with Ron and sat on the bed. "Ok, Tom," he muttered to himself, "let's see what you can teach me today." He connected himself with Voldemort, and started looking through the Dark Lord's memories, looking for useful things like curses and spells. He looked carefully, in case Voldemort could detect him in his mind. After a few minutes of searching, Harry came upon two useful things—apparition and animagus training. Yes, Voldemort was an animagus, but he had almost forgotten that, since he had almost no need for it anymore. His form was a raven. Wanting to find something specific, Harry thought of a way to mask one's magical signature, and one appeared. Harry pulled these three pieces of information to him, ignoring the curses he found for the time being, and pulled out of the evil man's head.

Harry wanted to test out what he had just found. He pulled out his wand and masked his signature, then summoned a sock out of his trunk. With a little luck, a letter from Madam Hopkirk would not be arriving soon. After what happened last year, Harry decided to wait a while to see if he had successfully hidden his magic from the ministry before he used more.

Harry left his room and headed for the drawing room, passing the elf heads on the way. The only person inside was Ginny. "Hey Gin," said Harry as he sat down, "where are Ron and Hermione?"

Ginny smiled and answered, "Ron's going to kill you later. When you went to meditate, she dragged him off to study."

Harry chuckled, "Do you think they'll ever figure out that they're perfect for each other?"

Ginny looked surprised. "Harry, I didn't realize that you even noticed that."

"Come on Ginny. Everyone; you, me, hell, Draco Malfoy even, know that they fancy each other, but won't do anything about it. The difference between you and me, and him, is that he doesn't give a damn. But to answer your comment, I am more perceptive than most of us guys—way more than Ron." Ginny giggled at the insult of her brother—it was true. "When you spend your life running from a dark lord, you start picking up on the little things.

"Speaking of relationships," Harry continued, "what about you? Are you still with Hogwarts' resident football expert Dean Thomas?"

Ginny grinned at him. "Oh, that. That was just something I said to rile Ron up for being a controlling prat."

Harry laughed, "Good one. You should tell him though, otherwise he'll kill Dean on the first day of school. He'll probably let you date whoever you want the same day he realizes and acts on his feelings for Hermione."

"It's not just Ron though," complained Ginny. "I'm pretty sure that Fred and George had words with Michael, and all of them would rather that I didn't have a boyfriend until I'm 20."

"Just ignore them and do whatever you want," Harry advised.

"I try," answered Ginny.

A/N: I know that the ending sucks, but I just wanted to end this and finally post for you guys. On a copyright note, the idea for the mind connection came from dbzdragonlanceman's fics Year of Discovery and Spirit of Time. Some of the conversation between Harry and Ginny also from Year of Discovery. These are two of my favorite fics, so check them out.

Next chapter is Harry's birthday.