Here's more of the story. To A.Dee the Anglophile I'm sorry to say that
this story was erased from the boards and this was the only story I have
saved. I copied and pasted from the boards to my computer and saved it.
But if you ever find any of Bryzycloud's stories please tell me because I
loved her stories especially Unbroken. And now back to the story.
The next day was pretty tame. It was Tuesday and Harry went to all his normal classes. He tried to avoid Hermione. Things had become pretty awkward. Harry was trying to clamp the jaws of a goosegator shut during Care of Magical creatures. The goosegators were a cross between geese and alligators. They had the body of a goose, but the jaws and tail of an alligator. Harry took his length of rope and tackled his goosegator to the ground. It snapped it's jaws furiously, and Harry struggled with it. All around the grounds, his peers were doing the same thing. Abby was about ten feet from Harry. She was sitting on her an holding it's jaws shut with her hand. Just then, the long tail came up and slashed her across the face. Harry hastily tied his creature's jaws shut and tied it's legs together before hurrying over to Abby. She was still sitting on her goosegator, but clutching her cheek. Harry grabbed her rope and wound it tightly around the creatures jaws. He knelt down on one knee in front of Abby and examined her cheek. "It's not too deep...Madame Pomfrey should be able to fix it right away." Harry said. Abby forced a smile and stood up. She went to talk to Hagrid, then hurried back to the castle. Harry sighed. He grabbed the two bound goosegators and lugged them over to Hagrid, who was waiting for everyone to bring their creatures forward. Harry watched as Ron struggled with a particularly fat one and as Hermione began to shoot spells at hers. He sighed and plopped down on the ground. "Yeh alright Harry?" Hagrid asked quietly. Harry nodded wearily. "I know yeh must be upset an' all bout tha Sirius Black." Hagrid growled. Harry looked at Hagrid. "Upset? I'm thrilled!" He laughed. Hagrid stared at Harry as he wandered over to help Ron.
Harry finished off the day with Potions. He groaned as Snape announced a pop quiz. Harry carefully read the ingredients of the blackboard and chopped them up finely. Ron was impressed by Harry's thoroughness. "Not becoming a goody goody are you?" He asked with a grin. Harry rolled his eyes. "No, didn't you hear him? He's testing the expanding potion on someone. Why do I have an eerie feeling it'll be me?" Harry asked sardonically. At the end of the class, Harry was right. Snape came around and made Harry take some of the potion. Harry grew to eight feet tall. Snape snarled and forced a vile into Harry's hand. Harry looked at the vile skeptically. "I wouldn't dare poison you in a classroom full of people Potter." Snape said in a low voice. Harry rolled his eyes and swallowed the red potion. He shrank back down to his noraml size and tidied up his work station. The bell rand and Harry hurried out of the class. Harry had almost reached the Gryffindor portrait hole, when someone grabbed his back. Harry spun around and groaned. Dan Harper was standing there, wearing a horrid scowl. "Mr Potter." He said coldly. "Can I help you?" Harry asked impatiently. Harper sneered. "Just thought you'd like to know that I see no real evidence you were being abused by the muggles." He sighed. Harry stared at him. "Th-the pictures!" He said hastily. "For all I know, you got hose cuts from practicing quidditch. Good day Mr Potter." Harper smiled before sweeping off. Harry stood stunned for a moment, then tore off to the owlery. Harry pulled outa scrap of parchment and a quill. He scribbled a note to Sirius explaining what had just happened. Hedwig swooped down from the rafters and nipped Harry's finger affectionately. Harry tied the letter to her leg. "Find Sirius." He said quickly. Hedwig hooted, then took off. Harry watched her disappear. Harper was planning on sending Harry back to the Dursley's.
Harry darted around the pitch, searching for the snitch. Gryffindor was leading 70 to 10 against Slytherin. Harry and Malfoy were at opposite ends of the pitch. Harry glanced in the stands and saw Hermione watching the game. She and Harry had made up. Harry had explained to her that he didn't like her as anything but a friend. This quidditch game...this game that Harry was playing, was for the cup. Harry had to catch the snitch. He had to. Harry's eyes were darting all around the pitch. Then, he saw it. The snitch was hovering by the Slytherin goalpost. Harry shot towards it. Malfoy caught on and started looking around wildly. Harry was closer to it when Malfoyu realized where it was. The blonde prat raced towards the glint of gold. He and Harry were zooming towards it at opposite angles. Harry reached out one of his arms and grabbed the struggling ball. He relaxed, but just then, Malfoy smacked into him. There was a gasp from the crowd. Harry felt Malfoy's head go into his side. He yelled out in pain and toppled from his broom. Harry managed to grab the handle with one hand. Unfortunately, Malfoy had already righted himself. He smiled when he saw Harry desperately clutching the handle. Malfoy raised his fist and brought is crashing down onto Harry's fingers. Harry felt surging pain and his fingers slipped from the broomstick. He began to fall towards the ground. No one had expected this and no one knew what to do. Suddenly, Harry started to slow down. He landed on the grass with a dull 'thud'. A crowd of people rushed around him. Harry was perfectly fine, except for his fingers which were broken. Malfoy had just landed on the ground and was being screamed at by Professor McGonagall. Harry scrambled to his feet. Malfoy wasn't going to ruin this. Harry held up his hand which held the struggling snitch. There was a roar of applause and Harry was lifted onto his friend's shoulders. Harry smiled happily. Sirius was standing in the stands, clapping hard. He waved at Harry and Harry waved back. He was so happy. He wasn't even thinking about that night...
It was around two o'clock in the morning when a rat scampered through the hollow emptiness that was Hogwarts castle. It scurried up the stone stairs and lurked in the misty shadows. The rat knew this castle very well. He had lived here for a good part of three years as a trusted and loyal pet. The rat made his way up several flights of stairs and stopped in front of a portrait of a Fat Lady. The lady was fast asleep in her frame. The disgusting rat squeezed through the small gap that was in between the portrait and the hole. It scurried through the portrait hole and into the common room. There was no one there. The only company was the eerie flicker of light coming from the fireplace. The ugly furball scattered up the stairs that led to the boys dormitory. The fifth year boy's door was open a crack, but not much. The rat barely made it through. It hurried across the room and climbed the hangings on one of the beds and flopped down on the bed. There was a dull flash of light and a man sat where the rat had stood. Wormtail had returned.
Wormtail stared at the mess of a boy that lay before him. He had no idea that Harry went through the transformation once a month. Wormtail waved his wand. What consciousness Harry had had, vanished. The mousey haired man shuddered. Harry looked so much like James. The James, Peter had once been loyal to... Wormtail extracted an old cloak from his robes. An invisibility cloak. He threw it over himself, then grabbed Harry by the scruff of the neck with his silver hand. Harry was lifted off the bed as Pettigrew slipped through the hangings. He pulled Harry under the cloak and dragged him from the room, making sure they were both covered. There was a soft 'thud thud thud' as Harry was dragged down the stairs and into the common room. Wormtail lifted him with his super hand and carried the boy through the portrait hole. The Fat Lady mumbled angrily as she was pushed forward. She saw no one but heard footsteps. Uneven footsteps... Pettigrew made his way through the castle and to the front doors. Albus Dumbledore was talking to a man there...Sirius Black. Pettigrew hoped they didn't hear the sharp intake of breath he took. Dumbledore was saying goodbye to Sirius and told him to have a good time. Wormtail had no idea why Sirius was there at two in the morning. He knew of course that Black was free. It was all over the papers. Wormtail waited for the men to leave. They didn't at first. That sharp intake of breath had caught Sirius's attention. He stared blankly at the spot where Pettigrew stood. After a minute, Sirius said a final goodbye to Dumbledore and hurried out the front door. Pettigrew followed, taking advantage of the open door. Dumbledore felt something brush against his robes. He stared out the doors which were slowly closing and swore he saw them being pushed open a smidge. "Ridiculous." He said quietly to himself. Dumbledore turned and went back to his office. He had no idea that Peter Pettigrew was hurrying across the ground's of Hogwarts with Harry Potter.
Pettigrew dragged Harry of of Hogwarts grounds. He removed him from the cloak and laid him down on the ground. Pettigrew's eyes were darting around. He was looking for something. He didn't even notice Harry stir. Harry opened his eyes wearily. He looked around and realized he wasn't in his bed. When Harry saw Pettigrew, he let out a blood curdling scream. Pettigrew quickly silenced Harry by stunning him again. Hopefully no one had heard that. ________________________________________
Sirius was almost to Hogsmade, when he heard a blood curdling scream. He stopped, dead in his tracks. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. That scream...that scream... Sirius thought. His mind flashed back to the first beating he had heard Harry getting. That scream Harry had made when the Smeltings stick had hit him. It was exactly the same as the scream Sirius had just heard. He turned around and raced back to the castle. ________________________________________
Pettigrew was watching from the dirty field. He saw a figure darting across the grounds. Pettigrew gasped as the figure hurried into the castle. Just then, there was a rustle behind him. Pettigrew spun around. He relaxed when he saw it was one of Voldemort's supporters. "Where have you been?" Pettigrew squealed. The man hurried over and helped bound and gag Harry. They lifted him and carried him over, deeper into the field. They reached grabbed onto an old alarm clock. The man glanced at his watch. "Three...two...one..." Dan Harper hissed. They disappeared from the dirty field, clutching Harry.
Sirius tore into the castle and to the stone gargoyle. "Flafell beans!" He said breathlessly. The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside. Sirius climbed the moving staircase, not wanting to wait. He knock harshly on Dumbledore's office door. "Come in!" Dumbledore said quietly. Sirius pushed the door open and hurried into the office. Dumbledore stared at Sirius, who was red in the face and panting. "Walking...scream...Harry!" Sirius gasped breathlessly. It took a minute for Dumbledore to figure out what he was being told. "We shall check and see if he is in his dorm." He said quickly. Sirius nodded. They hurried from the office and up to Gryffindor Tower. Dumbledore woke the Fat Lady. "Pumpkin spread!" he said. The portrait swung forwards. Sirius and Dumbledore hurried through and up to the dormitories. They opened the door to the fifth year boys and Dumbledore flicked on the overhead light. There were four groans of anger as the light blasted through the room. Four, not five. Sirius hurried over to Harry's bed and pulled back the curtains. The bed was empty. Ron peered out from behind his curtains. "Wazza matter?" He asked groggily. "Ron, where's Harry?" Sirius asked urgently. "Sleepin." Ron muttered. He rolled back onto the bed. Sirius was now very pale. Dumbledore was wearing a look of utter seriousness. He swept from the room. Sirius raced after him. They appeared in front of the Fat Lady once again. "Did anyone leave here in the past hour?" Dumbledore asked calmly. The Fat Lady yawned. "Someone did. Don't know who. Couldn't see em." She explained wearily. Sirius dropped his head to his hands. "An invisibility cloak. I thought I heard something when I was leaving.." He groaned.
Harry wearily opened his eyes. He looked around and had no idea where he was. It was dark out... Harry saw trees and bushes around him, but knew he was in a clearing. Harry stood up and realized his scar was burning him. It was horrible. Unbearable. He turned around and realized why it felt like his head was on fire. Voldemort was standing behind me. Harry instinctively took a few steps back. He was still weak and oh so tired from his transformation. Voldemort had a twisted smile on his face. "I have you this time Potter. You can't escape." He hissed. Harry staggered a bit. He was looking around wildly. Maybe he could run for it... Voldemort raised his wand. Harry knew he had little time. He thought fast. "You're pathetic. Kidnap me out of my bed on the first of the month. I have no wand and can barely walk. You just wanted to ensure I wouldn't foil your pathetic plan!" He said weakly. Voldemort's eyes flashed. He sneered. "Well, well Mr Potter. Are we realizing we only have minutes of life left?" He laughed. Harry bit his lip. "You know, you are too trusting. First you trusted the Death Eater that was at Hogwarts last year and now..." Voldemort trailed off. Someone emerged from the forest. He was wearing a hood and a mask. "Mr Potter..." The voice sneered. Harry realized who it was. "I knew it." He spat. Voldemort smiled. "Yes...unfortunately Dan became a little too aggressive and you became untrusting, but nevertheless..." He hissed. Harry glanced over his shoulder. He could just run. His legs would hold him for a little while. Before Harry knew what was happening, he felt a horrible pain and fell to the ground. Voldemort had performed the Cruciatus curse. Harry began to twitch before the curse was removed. He got shakily to his feet. There was sweat on his brow and Harry could still feel the pain. For about ten minutes, Voldemort shot petty curses at Harry, cutting and bruising him. At last, when Harry was bleeding from several different places and was taking sharp intakes of breath, Voldemort's lip curled into a smile. He raised his wand a final time. "Goodbye Mr Potter." He laughed. As a beam of green light came towards Harry, he did the only thing he could think of. He dropped to the ground. The curse did not hit him. It disappeared into the trees. While everything was still smokey, Harry scrambled into the forest. There was no path, merely underbrush. He was thirty feet from the clearing and could see no one when he heard a cry of anger. Harry heard someone else enter the forest. He ignored it and kept running. The energy draining from him.
Harry could hear several people in the forest now, all of them heading in different directions. His fear was mounting. Harry wove in and out of trees, his clothes were being ripped by the branches around him. Harry was thinking of something he could try and do if he found a road... The trees were beginning to thin. And Harry heard grunts of anger as the people behind him got tangled in bushes and lashed with branches. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Harry broke through the trees. He was in another clearing, but this time the road was right ahead of him. He dashed towards it. People were beginning to emerge from the forest and were shooting spells at him. Harry was five feet from the road when he tripped. He landed in the gutter. Someone who was out of breath grabbed Harry by the neck and lifted him. The person's hood fell down and Dan Harper was staring at Harry. "You arse!" Harry yelled. He brought his leg up and kicked Dan in the crotch. The man released Harry and fell to the ground. Harry quickly darted up the street. He could see people emerging from the forest. There was no escape. Harry was hit with many spells and dodged many too. Suddenly, Harry's scar started to burn wildly. He spun around. Voldemort was standing there. He was wearing a scowl. "Foolish Potter...running. Tut Tut." He hissed. Voldemort extended his wand and pulled something from Harry's robes. The chain. "Take pride in your pathetic scar do you?" He laughed. Suddenly, something happened. There was a blinding flash of white light. Voldemort was thrown backwards. Harry began to spin very fast. Everything was swirling. Finally, everything came into focus. Harry was laying wearily on the ground. He looked around. He wasn't in the middle of the road anymore...he was in a quaint little village. Harry was in Hogsmeade.
Harry realized he was all alone in the magical village. It was still dark in the early morning. Harry's scar burned dully. He was very curious about his chain... Harry had very little energy, but it had to be enough to get him back to Hogwarts. He pulled himself to his feet and began to stagger down the dirt road and through the gate. Harry crossed the damp grounds and felt ready to collapse. Somehow he made it up the front steps and through the doors. Harry collapsed onto the floor, a bloody mess. There were cuts and bruises all over him. The last thing Harry heard before losing consciousness was the far off, distant chatter of two familiar voices. ________________________________________
Sirius and Dumbledore were walking down the hallway. Sirius was in hysterics. It was now four o'clock in the morning and they had no idea where Harry was. They had just had a meeting with the staff, who were getting ready to go scower Hogsmeade. Hagrid had been sent off into the Forbidden Forest to look for Harry there. Sirius knew something had happened to Harry... he just knew it. They rounded a corner and stepped into the entrance hall. Dumbledore and Sirius spotted the limp body in the entrance way. "Harry!" Sirius yelled. He rushed over to Harry and turned him over. The boy looked as bad as...if not worse than he had when he had come from the Dursley's. Dumbledore quickly knelt down beside Sirius. "Curse marks here and there...that's a slicing charm. He's been through the mill..." Dumbledore said quietly. He waved his wand and a magical stretcher appeared. "No." Sirius said quietly. He was on the verge of tears. Dumbledore waved his wand again and the stretcher disappeared. He watched as Sirius lifted Harry off the ground. "Come on." He said quietly. They hurried towards the hospital wing. Horrible images were running through Sirius's mind of what Harry must have been through. Horrible images...
Harry opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, he only knew he was very sore. Everything was blurry, he didn't have his glasses. He could hear voices though. People arguing. Harry tried to talk, but seemed to have swallowed his voice. He let out a low groan instead. Someone grabbed Harry's hand. He didn't know who. He closed his eyes again. "Sirius, he's awake." Someone whispered. The arguing stopped and there was hurried footsteps. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. "Harry?" Sirius asked softly. Harry opened his eyes again and glanced to his left, where Sirius's voice was coming in. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He sighed. Sirius slipped Harry's glasses on his nose. Everything came into focus. Harry looked around. Sirius was sitting beside him. Dumbledore was standing at the foot of Harry's bed. He was wearing a look of most seriousness. Ron and Hermione were standing beside Harry's bed. Hermione's eyes were very red and Ron was very pale. The person holding Harry's hand, was Abby. She looked like she had been crying. Immediately Harry's mind flashed to his chain. Dumbledore began to talk. "Harry, we need to know everything that happened." He said quietly. Harry opened his mouth, but no words came out. Sirius looked really worried. "Why can't he talk?" He asked quickly. Madame Pomfrey bustled over, holding a blue bottle. She gave Harry a sad look before dumping something down his throat. Harry coughed and choked. Sirius squeezed his shoulder. Madame Pomfrey disappeared again. Harry stopped coughing and caught his breath. He opened his mouth. "Wha happened?" He asked hoarsly. Sirius sighed. Dumbledore stared at Harry. "That's what we're hoping you can explain." He said gently. Everything came flooding back. Waking up in that field, seeing Pettigrew...then waking up in the clearing with Voldemort. Escaping...the necklace. Everything. All the colour drained from Harry's face. "What is it?" Sirius asked quickly. "Pettigrew!" Harry gasped. Dumbledore was staring at him. Harry began to explain what he knew about what happened. When he explained about the necklace there were many confused faces. Abby shifted awkwardly in her seat and bit her lip. Harry glanced at her, as did Dumbledore and Sirius. "I knew what it was. I knew that when Harry was in dire need...and had to escape, the necklace would take him to Hogsmade." She said quietly. Harry watched as Abby bowed her head. Her hair covered her face. She looked up. Tears were trickling down her face. "Those charms are very rare Ms Keaton." Dumbledore said quietly. Abby nodded. "The lady said that the owner would be returned to the place where the necklace had been bought. Hogsmade." She explained. Harry was so confused and he was so sore. He had said nothing about Harper. Somehow he had managed to avoid it. "Harper." He choked. Dumbledore and Sirius stared at him. "What?" Sirius asked. "Harper. Dan Harper...he's a Death Eater." Harry explained. Dumbledore's eyes ignited with cold fury. He swept from the room without another word. Harry looked around at his friends. They were all there for him
Harry soon learned he had been in the hospital, unconscious, for a week. Ron told Harry all about what had been going on. He was trying to avoid the fact that Harry had been attacked once again. It was the middle of the day and all his friends were in class. Harry was sitting in the hospital wing, reading a comic book. Sirius was napping casually in the chair next to Harry. There were echoing footsteps and a familiar man appeared. One of the judges...the older judge. He smiled feebly at Harry. "Mr Potter, how are you feeling?" He asked kindly. Harry forced a smile. "Okay I guess, thanks." He replied. The judge nodded. He glanced at Sirius who was asleep in the chair. "Er...how are things going with Mr Black." He asked nervously. Harry smiled. "Really good. Sirius is great. He hasn't left my side." Harry smiled as he glanced at Sirius. The judge smiled and nodded. "Harry...I have some news that I know you aren't going to like." He said quietly. The judge wouldn't meet Harry's eyes. "Before the 'incident' er...we voted on who you would be living with. At the time, Mr Harper was there and he voted against you living with Mr Black. That one vote was enough to put you back with the muggles." The judge said quietly. It took a minute for Harry to comprehend what he had been told. He suddenly started to shake uncontrollably. "I w-won't go b-back." Harry said. He remembered the pain and the note. The judge sighed. "I'm sorry Harry, you have no choice." He said. The judge left Harry, shaking and terrified. When Sirius started to stir, Harry tried to calm himself down. Sirius didn't need to see Harry like this. No one did. He took deep breaths and eventually stopped shaking. Soon, Sirius woke up. "Hey kiddo...how ya feeling?" He asked kindly. "Fine." Harry said in an emotionless voice. He rolled over on his side, his back to Sirius. Sirius was quite perturbed by this. "Harry?" He asked, his face contorted in confusion. Harry said nothing. "Harry, what's wrong?" Sirius asked. Harry again said nothing...
Sirius didn't push it. He told Harry he was going to go have a bit of lunch, and left the hospital wing. Sirius was gone maybe fifteen minutes when he came bursting back into the hospital wing. Harry hadn't moved. "You aren't going back there!" He growled angrily. Harry sighed. "How's you figure it out?" He asked tonelessly. "I ran into the judge downstairs. I won't let you go back!" He said. Harry rolled over onto his back. "Just leave it Sirius..." He said quietly. Sirius stared at him. "I will not-" He began. Harry shot him a look. "I'll be okay...I'll manage. And, I'll talk to you in letters and such." He said quietly. Sirius stared at him. "Harry..." He said quietly. "It can't be helped Sirius. There's nothing we can do!" Harry explained. Sirius bit his lip and sat down next to Harry. He didn't want to admit it, but his godson was right. There was nothing they could do...
FIRST DAY OF SUMMER HOLIDAYS ****************************************
Harry made his way up the stairs to his bedroom in the Dursley household. Dumbledore had escorted him home and warned the Dursley's that if Harry had so much as a paper cut, they would regret it. Harry shut his door and plopped down on the bed. He could just hide in there all summer. That's what he would do... Suddenly, there was a loud pop. Harry jumped back when he saw Sirius standing in the middle of the room. "What're you doing here?" Harry asked, bewildered. Sirius smiled. "I'm here to keep an eye on you." He said quietly. Harry stared at him. Then, a dog sat where Sirius had stood. Harry smiled weakly. At least he wouldn't be totally alone. Harry nervously made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen, Padfoot right behind him. Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, then stared at the dog. "What is the meaning of this?!" He spat. Harry stuttered out an explanation. "P-professor D-Dumbledore wanted m-me to h-have him." Harry lied. He was quite sure Dumbledore had no idea about this. Uncle Vernon smiled wickedly and stepped forward. He grabbed the front of Harry's shirt and pulled him forwards. Padfoot jumped in between them and started barking. Uncle Vernon stared at him and released Harry. "Filthy mutt." He muttered. Harry was shaking profusely as he left the kitchen and hurried back up the stairs. Dudley was standing in the hall. "Gonna have loads of fun this summer..." He laughed. Then, he saw Padfoot. The dog barred it's teeth, then followed Harry into his bedroom. As Harry flopped down on the bed, he realized that he could survive that summer. Sirius was there to protect him...
The next day was pretty tame. It was Tuesday and Harry went to all his normal classes. He tried to avoid Hermione. Things had become pretty awkward. Harry was trying to clamp the jaws of a goosegator shut during Care of Magical creatures. The goosegators were a cross between geese and alligators. They had the body of a goose, but the jaws and tail of an alligator. Harry took his length of rope and tackled his goosegator to the ground. It snapped it's jaws furiously, and Harry struggled with it. All around the grounds, his peers were doing the same thing. Abby was about ten feet from Harry. She was sitting on her an holding it's jaws shut with her hand. Just then, the long tail came up and slashed her across the face. Harry hastily tied his creature's jaws shut and tied it's legs together before hurrying over to Abby. She was still sitting on her goosegator, but clutching her cheek. Harry grabbed her rope and wound it tightly around the creatures jaws. He knelt down on one knee in front of Abby and examined her cheek. "It's not too deep...Madame Pomfrey should be able to fix it right away." Harry said. Abby forced a smile and stood up. She went to talk to Hagrid, then hurried back to the castle. Harry sighed. He grabbed the two bound goosegators and lugged them over to Hagrid, who was waiting for everyone to bring their creatures forward. Harry watched as Ron struggled with a particularly fat one and as Hermione began to shoot spells at hers. He sighed and plopped down on the ground. "Yeh alright Harry?" Hagrid asked quietly. Harry nodded wearily. "I know yeh must be upset an' all bout tha Sirius Black." Hagrid growled. Harry looked at Hagrid. "Upset? I'm thrilled!" He laughed. Hagrid stared at Harry as he wandered over to help Ron.
Harry finished off the day with Potions. He groaned as Snape announced a pop quiz. Harry carefully read the ingredients of the blackboard and chopped them up finely. Ron was impressed by Harry's thoroughness. "Not becoming a goody goody are you?" He asked with a grin. Harry rolled his eyes. "No, didn't you hear him? He's testing the expanding potion on someone. Why do I have an eerie feeling it'll be me?" Harry asked sardonically. At the end of the class, Harry was right. Snape came around and made Harry take some of the potion. Harry grew to eight feet tall. Snape snarled and forced a vile into Harry's hand. Harry looked at the vile skeptically. "I wouldn't dare poison you in a classroom full of people Potter." Snape said in a low voice. Harry rolled his eyes and swallowed the red potion. He shrank back down to his noraml size and tidied up his work station. The bell rand and Harry hurried out of the class. Harry had almost reached the Gryffindor portrait hole, when someone grabbed his back. Harry spun around and groaned. Dan Harper was standing there, wearing a horrid scowl. "Mr Potter." He said coldly. "Can I help you?" Harry asked impatiently. Harper sneered. "Just thought you'd like to know that I see no real evidence you were being abused by the muggles." He sighed. Harry stared at him. "Th-the pictures!" He said hastily. "For all I know, you got hose cuts from practicing quidditch. Good day Mr Potter." Harper smiled before sweeping off. Harry stood stunned for a moment, then tore off to the owlery. Harry pulled outa scrap of parchment and a quill. He scribbled a note to Sirius explaining what had just happened. Hedwig swooped down from the rafters and nipped Harry's finger affectionately. Harry tied the letter to her leg. "Find Sirius." He said quickly. Hedwig hooted, then took off. Harry watched her disappear. Harper was planning on sending Harry back to the Dursley's.
Harry darted around the pitch, searching for the snitch. Gryffindor was leading 70 to 10 against Slytherin. Harry and Malfoy were at opposite ends of the pitch. Harry glanced in the stands and saw Hermione watching the game. She and Harry had made up. Harry had explained to her that he didn't like her as anything but a friend. This quidditch game...this game that Harry was playing, was for the cup. Harry had to catch the snitch. He had to. Harry's eyes were darting all around the pitch. Then, he saw it. The snitch was hovering by the Slytherin goalpost. Harry shot towards it. Malfoy caught on and started looking around wildly. Harry was closer to it when Malfoyu realized where it was. The blonde prat raced towards the glint of gold. He and Harry were zooming towards it at opposite angles. Harry reached out one of his arms and grabbed the struggling ball. He relaxed, but just then, Malfoy smacked into him. There was a gasp from the crowd. Harry felt Malfoy's head go into his side. He yelled out in pain and toppled from his broom. Harry managed to grab the handle with one hand. Unfortunately, Malfoy had already righted himself. He smiled when he saw Harry desperately clutching the handle. Malfoy raised his fist and brought is crashing down onto Harry's fingers. Harry felt surging pain and his fingers slipped from the broomstick. He began to fall towards the ground. No one had expected this and no one knew what to do. Suddenly, Harry started to slow down. He landed on the grass with a dull 'thud'. A crowd of people rushed around him. Harry was perfectly fine, except for his fingers which were broken. Malfoy had just landed on the ground and was being screamed at by Professor McGonagall. Harry scrambled to his feet. Malfoy wasn't going to ruin this. Harry held up his hand which held the struggling snitch. There was a roar of applause and Harry was lifted onto his friend's shoulders. Harry smiled happily. Sirius was standing in the stands, clapping hard. He waved at Harry and Harry waved back. He was so happy. He wasn't even thinking about that night...
It was around two o'clock in the morning when a rat scampered through the hollow emptiness that was Hogwarts castle. It scurried up the stone stairs and lurked in the misty shadows. The rat knew this castle very well. He had lived here for a good part of three years as a trusted and loyal pet. The rat made his way up several flights of stairs and stopped in front of a portrait of a Fat Lady. The lady was fast asleep in her frame. The disgusting rat squeezed through the small gap that was in between the portrait and the hole. It scurried through the portrait hole and into the common room. There was no one there. The only company was the eerie flicker of light coming from the fireplace. The ugly furball scattered up the stairs that led to the boys dormitory. The fifth year boy's door was open a crack, but not much. The rat barely made it through. It hurried across the room and climbed the hangings on one of the beds and flopped down on the bed. There was a dull flash of light and a man sat where the rat had stood. Wormtail had returned.
Wormtail stared at the mess of a boy that lay before him. He had no idea that Harry went through the transformation once a month. Wormtail waved his wand. What consciousness Harry had had, vanished. The mousey haired man shuddered. Harry looked so much like James. The James, Peter had once been loyal to... Wormtail extracted an old cloak from his robes. An invisibility cloak. He threw it over himself, then grabbed Harry by the scruff of the neck with his silver hand. Harry was lifted off the bed as Pettigrew slipped through the hangings. He pulled Harry under the cloak and dragged him from the room, making sure they were both covered. There was a soft 'thud thud thud' as Harry was dragged down the stairs and into the common room. Wormtail lifted him with his super hand and carried the boy through the portrait hole. The Fat Lady mumbled angrily as she was pushed forward. She saw no one but heard footsteps. Uneven footsteps... Pettigrew made his way through the castle and to the front doors. Albus Dumbledore was talking to a man there...Sirius Black. Pettigrew hoped they didn't hear the sharp intake of breath he took. Dumbledore was saying goodbye to Sirius and told him to have a good time. Wormtail had no idea why Sirius was there at two in the morning. He knew of course that Black was free. It was all over the papers. Wormtail waited for the men to leave. They didn't at first. That sharp intake of breath had caught Sirius's attention. He stared blankly at the spot where Pettigrew stood. After a minute, Sirius said a final goodbye to Dumbledore and hurried out the front door. Pettigrew followed, taking advantage of the open door. Dumbledore felt something brush against his robes. He stared out the doors which were slowly closing and swore he saw them being pushed open a smidge. "Ridiculous." He said quietly to himself. Dumbledore turned and went back to his office. He had no idea that Peter Pettigrew was hurrying across the ground's of Hogwarts with Harry Potter.
Pettigrew dragged Harry of of Hogwarts grounds. He removed him from the cloak and laid him down on the ground. Pettigrew's eyes were darting around. He was looking for something. He didn't even notice Harry stir. Harry opened his eyes wearily. He looked around and realized he wasn't in his bed. When Harry saw Pettigrew, he let out a blood curdling scream. Pettigrew quickly silenced Harry by stunning him again. Hopefully no one had heard that. ________________________________________
Sirius was almost to Hogsmade, when he heard a blood curdling scream. He stopped, dead in his tracks. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. That scream...that scream... Sirius thought. His mind flashed back to the first beating he had heard Harry getting. That scream Harry had made when the Smeltings stick had hit him. It was exactly the same as the scream Sirius had just heard. He turned around and raced back to the castle. ________________________________________
Pettigrew was watching from the dirty field. He saw a figure darting across the grounds. Pettigrew gasped as the figure hurried into the castle. Just then, there was a rustle behind him. Pettigrew spun around. He relaxed when he saw it was one of Voldemort's supporters. "Where have you been?" Pettigrew squealed. The man hurried over and helped bound and gag Harry. They lifted him and carried him over, deeper into the field. They reached grabbed onto an old alarm clock. The man glanced at his watch. "Three...two...one..." Dan Harper hissed. They disappeared from the dirty field, clutching Harry.
Sirius tore into the castle and to the stone gargoyle. "Flafell beans!" He said breathlessly. The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside. Sirius climbed the moving staircase, not wanting to wait. He knock harshly on Dumbledore's office door. "Come in!" Dumbledore said quietly. Sirius pushed the door open and hurried into the office. Dumbledore stared at Sirius, who was red in the face and panting. "Walking...scream...Harry!" Sirius gasped breathlessly. It took a minute for Dumbledore to figure out what he was being told. "We shall check and see if he is in his dorm." He said quickly. Sirius nodded. They hurried from the office and up to Gryffindor Tower. Dumbledore woke the Fat Lady. "Pumpkin spread!" he said. The portrait swung forwards. Sirius and Dumbledore hurried through and up to the dormitories. They opened the door to the fifth year boys and Dumbledore flicked on the overhead light. There were four groans of anger as the light blasted through the room. Four, not five. Sirius hurried over to Harry's bed and pulled back the curtains. The bed was empty. Ron peered out from behind his curtains. "Wazza matter?" He asked groggily. "Ron, where's Harry?" Sirius asked urgently. "Sleepin." Ron muttered. He rolled back onto the bed. Sirius was now very pale. Dumbledore was wearing a look of utter seriousness. He swept from the room. Sirius raced after him. They appeared in front of the Fat Lady once again. "Did anyone leave here in the past hour?" Dumbledore asked calmly. The Fat Lady yawned. "Someone did. Don't know who. Couldn't see em." She explained wearily. Sirius dropped his head to his hands. "An invisibility cloak. I thought I heard something when I was leaving.." He groaned.
Harry wearily opened his eyes. He looked around and had no idea where he was. It was dark out... Harry saw trees and bushes around him, but knew he was in a clearing. Harry stood up and realized his scar was burning him. It was horrible. Unbearable. He turned around and realized why it felt like his head was on fire. Voldemort was standing behind me. Harry instinctively took a few steps back. He was still weak and oh so tired from his transformation. Voldemort had a twisted smile on his face. "I have you this time Potter. You can't escape." He hissed. Harry staggered a bit. He was looking around wildly. Maybe he could run for it... Voldemort raised his wand. Harry knew he had little time. He thought fast. "You're pathetic. Kidnap me out of my bed on the first of the month. I have no wand and can barely walk. You just wanted to ensure I wouldn't foil your pathetic plan!" He said weakly. Voldemort's eyes flashed. He sneered. "Well, well Mr Potter. Are we realizing we only have minutes of life left?" He laughed. Harry bit his lip. "You know, you are too trusting. First you trusted the Death Eater that was at Hogwarts last year and now..." Voldemort trailed off. Someone emerged from the forest. He was wearing a hood and a mask. "Mr Potter..." The voice sneered. Harry realized who it was. "I knew it." He spat. Voldemort smiled. "Yes...unfortunately Dan became a little too aggressive and you became untrusting, but nevertheless..." He hissed. Harry glanced over his shoulder. He could just run. His legs would hold him for a little while. Before Harry knew what was happening, he felt a horrible pain and fell to the ground. Voldemort had performed the Cruciatus curse. Harry began to twitch before the curse was removed. He got shakily to his feet. There was sweat on his brow and Harry could still feel the pain. For about ten minutes, Voldemort shot petty curses at Harry, cutting and bruising him. At last, when Harry was bleeding from several different places and was taking sharp intakes of breath, Voldemort's lip curled into a smile. He raised his wand a final time. "Goodbye Mr Potter." He laughed. As a beam of green light came towards Harry, he did the only thing he could think of. He dropped to the ground. The curse did not hit him. It disappeared into the trees. While everything was still smokey, Harry scrambled into the forest. There was no path, merely underbrush. He was thirty feet from the clearing and could see no one when he heard a cry of anger. Harry heard someone else enter the forest. He ignored it and kept running. The energy draining from him.
Harry could hear several people in the forest now, all of them heading in different directions. His fear was mounting. Harry wove in and out of trees, his clothes were being ripped by the branches around him. Harry was thinking of something he could try and do if he found a road... The trees were beginning to thin. And Harry heard grunts of anger as the people behind him got tangled in bushes and lashed with branches. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Harry broke through the trees. He was in another clearing, but this time the road was right ahead of him. He dashed towards it. People were beginning to emerge from the forest and were shooting spells at him. Harry was five feet from the road when he tripped. He landed in the gutter. Someone who was out of breath grabbed Harry by the neck and lifted him. The person's hood fell down and Dan Harper was staring at Harry. "You arse!" Harry yelled. He brought his leg up and kicked Dan in the crotch. The man released Harry and fell to the ground. Harry quickly darted up the street. He could see people emerging from the forest. There was no escape. Harry was hit with many spells and dodged many too. Suddenly, Harry's scar started to burn wildly. He spun around. Voldemort was standing there. He was wearing a scowl. "Foolish Potter...running. Tut Tut." He hissed. Voldemort extended his wand and pulled something from Harry's robes. The chain. "Take pride in your pathetic scar do you?" He laughed. Suddenly, something happened. There was a blinding flash of white light. Voldemort was thrown backwards. Harry began to spin very fast. Everything was swirling. Finally, everything came into focus. Harry was laying wearily on the ground. He looked around. He wasn't in the middle of the road anymore...he was in a quaint little village. Harry was in Hogsmeade.
Harry realized he was all alone in the magical village. It was still dark in the early morning. Harry's scar burned dully. He was very curious about his chain... Harry had very little energy, but it had to be enough to get him back to Hogwarts. He pulled himself to his feet and began to stagger down the dirt road and through the gate. Harry crossed the damp grounds and felt ready to collapse. Somehow he made it up the front steps and through the doors. Harry collapsed onto the floor, a bloody mess. There were cuts and bruises all over him. The last thing Harry heard before losing consciousness was the far off, distant chatter of two familiar voices. ________________________________________
Sirius and Dumbledore were walking down the hallway. Sirius was in hysterics. It was now four o'clock in the morning and they had no idea where Harry was. They had just had a meeting with the staff, who were getting ready to go scower Hogsmeade. Hagrid had been sent off into the Forbidden Forest to look for Harry there. Sirius knew something had happened to Harry... he just knew it. They rounded a corner and stepped into the entrance hall. Dumbledore and Sirius spotted the limp body in the entrance way. "Harry!" Sirius yelled. He rushed over to Harry and turned him over. The boy looked as bad as...if not worse than he had when he had come from the Dursley's. Dumbledore quickly knelt down beside Sirius. "Curse marks here and there...that's a slicing charm. He's been through the mill..." Dumbledore said quietly. He waved his wand and a magical stretcher appeared. "No." Sirius said quietly. He was on the verge of tears. Dumbledore waved his wand again and the stretcher disappeared. He watched as Sirius lifted Harry off the ground. "Come on." He said quietly. They hurried towards the hospital wing. Horrible images were running through Sirius's mind of what Harry must have been through. Horrible images...
Harry opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, he only knew he was very sore. Everything was blurry, he didn't have his glasses. He could hear voices though. People arguing. Harry tried to talk, but seemed to have swallowed his voice. He let out a low groan instead. Someone grabbed Harry's hand. He didn't know who. He closed his eyes again. "Sirius, he's awake." Someone whispered. The arguing stopped and there was hurried footsteps. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. "Harry?" Sirius asked softly. Harry opened his eyes again and glanced to his left, where Sirius's voice was coming in. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He sighed. Sirius slipped Harry's glasses on his nose. Everything came into focus. Harry looked around. Sirius was sitting beside him. Dumbledore was standing at the foot of Harry's bed. He was wearing a look of most seriousness. Ron and Hermione were standing beside Harry's bed. Hermione's eyes were very red and Ron was very pale. The person holding Harry's hand, was Abby. She looked like she had been crying. Immediately Harry's mind flashed to his chain. Dumbledore began to talk. "Harry, we need to know everything that happened." He said quietly. Harry opened his mouth, but no words came out. Sirius looked really worried. "Why can't he talk?" He asked quickly. Madame Pomfrey bustled over, holding a blue bottle. She gave Harry a sad look before dumping something down his throat. Harry coughed and choked. Sirius squeezed his shoulder. Madame Pomfrey disappeared again. Harry stopped coughing and caught his breath. He opened his mouth. "Wha happened?" He asked hoarsly. Sirius sighed. Dumbledore stared at Harry. "That's what we're hoping you can explain." He said gently. Everything came flooding back. Waking up in that field, seeing Pettigrew...then waking up in the clearing with Voldemort. Escaping...the necklace. Everything. All the colour drained from Harry's face. "What is it?" Sirius asked quickly. "Pettigrew!" Harry gasped. Dumbledore was staring at him. Harry began to explain what he knew about what happened. When he explained about the necklace there were many confused faces. Abby shifted awkwardly in her seat and bit her lip. Harry glanced at her, as did Dumbledore and Sirius. "I knew what it was. I knew that when Harry was in dire need...and had to escape, the necklace would take him to Hogsmade." She said quietly. Harry watched as Abby bowed her head. Her hair covered her face. She looked up. Tears were trickling down her face. "Those charms are very rare Ms Keaton." Dumbledore said quietly. Abby nodded. "The lady said that the owner would be returned to the place where the necklace had been bought. Hogsmade." She explained. Harry was so confused and he was so sore. He had said nothing about Harper. Somehow he had managed to avoid it. "Harper." He choked. Dumbledore and Sirius stared at him. "What?" Sirius asked. "Harper. Dan Harper...he's a Death Eater." Harry explained. Dumbledore's eyes ignited with cold fury. He swept from the room without another word. Harry looked around at his friends. They were all there for him
Harry soon learned he had been in the hospital, unconscious, for a week. Ron told Harry all about what had been going on. He was trying to avoid the fact that Harry had been attacked once again. It was the middle of the day and all his friends were in class. Harry was sitting in the hospital wing, reading a comic book. Sirius was napping casually in the chair next to Harry. There were echoing footsteps and a familiar man appeared. One of the judges...the older judge. He smiled feebly at Harry. "Mr Potter, how are you feeling?" He asked kindly. Harry forced a smile. "Okay I guess, thanks." He replied. The judge nodded. He glanced at Sirius who was asleep in the chair. "Er...how are things going with Mr Black." He asked nervously. Harry smiled. "Really good. Sirius is great. He hasn't left my side." Harry smiled as he glanced at Sirius. The judge smiled and nodded. "Harry...I have some news that I know you aren't going to like." He said quietly. The judge wouldn't meet Harry's eyes. "Before the 'incident' er...we voted on who you would be living with. At the time, Mr Harper was there and he voted against you living with Mr Black. That one vote was enough to put you back with the muggles." The judge said quietly. It took a minute for Harry to comprehend what he had been told. He suddenly started to shake uncontrollably. "I w-won't go b-back." Harry said. He remembered the pain and the note. The judge sighed. "I'm sorry Harry, you have no choice." He said. The judge left Harry, shaking and terrified. When Sirius started to stir, Harry tried to calm himself down. Sirius didn't need to see Harry like this. No one did. He took deep breaths and eventually stopped shaking. Soon, Sirius woke up. "Hey kiddo...how ya feeling?" He asked kindly. "Fine." Harry said in an emotionless voice. He rolled over on his side, his back to Sirius. Sirius was quite perturbed by this. "Harry?" He asked, his face contorted in confusion. Harry said nothing. "Harry, what's wrong?" Sirius asked. Harry again said nothing...
Sirius didn't push it. He told Harry he was going to go have a bit of lunch, and left the hospital wing. Sirius was gone maybe fifteen minutes when he came bursting back into the hospital wing. Harry hadn't moved. "You aren't going back there!" He growled angrily. Harry sighed. "How's you figure it out?" He asked tonelessly. "I ran into the judge downstairs. I won't let you go back!" He said. Harry rolled over onto his back. "Just leave it Sirius..." He said quietly. Sirius stared at him. "I will not-" He began. Harry shot him a look. "I'll be okay...I'll manage. And, I'll talk to you in letters and such." He said quietly. Sirius stared at him. "Harry..." He said quietly. "It can't be helped Sirius. There's nothing we can do!" Harry explained. Sirius bit his lip and sat down next to Harry. He didn't want to admit it, but his godson was right. There was nothing they could do...
FIRST DAY OF SUMMER HOLIDAYS ****************************************
Harry made his way up the stairs to his bedroom in the Dursley household. Dumbledore had escorted him home and warned the Dursley's that if Harry had so much as a paper cut, they would regret it. Harry shut his door and plopped down on the bed. He could just hide in there all summer. That's what he would do... Suddenly, there was a loud pop. Harry jumped back when he saw Sirius standing in the middle of the room. "What're you doing here?" Harry asked, bewildered. Sirius smiled. "I'm here to keep an eye on you." He said quietly. Harry stared at him. Then, a dog sat where Sirius had stood. Harry smiled weakly. At least he wouldn't be totally alone. Harry nervously made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen, Padfoot right behind him. Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, then stared at the dog. "What is the meaning of this?!" He spat. Harry stuttered out an explanation. "P-professor D-Dumbledore wanted m-me to h-have him." Harry lied. He was quite sure Dumbledore had no idea about this. Uncle Vernon smiled wickedly and stepped forward. He grabbed the front of Harry's shirt and pulled him forwards. Padfoot jumped in between them and started barking. Uncle Vernon stared at him and released Harry. "Filthy mutt." He muttered. Harry was shaking profusely as he left the kitchen and hurried back up the stairs. Dudley was standing in the hall. "Gonna have loads of fun this summer..." He laughed. Then, he saw Padfoot. The dog barred it's teeth, then followed Harry into his bedroom. As Harry flopped down on the bed, he realized that he could survive that summer. Sirius was there to protect him...