My breath became labored as I approached Neville Longbottom. I advanced slowly, making each step seem like an eternity. I needed the time, to get my body in iron chains. If I didn't, Neville would be dead. Somehow, I knew that, somewhere in the back of my mind. If I let myself loose, I would destroy him. Destroy him for not being chosen, for leaving me to be the doomed one.

I passed an old vase. It began shaking, shattered after a moment.

The sudden noise seemed to bring Ron, Hermione and Ginny to their senses. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Ron stand furiously and demand that I stop, Hermione leap up and shill to Neville that he run and Ginny give a frightened squeak and scamper out of the room.

I didn't care. The blaze burning inside of me was ready to explode—and I was going to do nothing to stop it. Fury and grief mingled, making me a slave to their desires. Simply put, I didn't care—about anything—at that particular moment but grabbing hold of Neville and making him suffer.

Fire clouded my good sense. I had reached Neville, and my mouth twisted itself into a cruel smile. The poor boy was terrified. He pressed against the chair, burrowing in the cushion like a frightened mouse. He was letting out a series of squeaks, eyes frantic, pleading for me not to kill him.

Oh, how I reveled in his fear. Let him feel just a second of the suffering I go through every bloody day, an evil voice whispered inside of me, let him live through a fraction of the nightmare.

I leaned down slowly, placing a hand on each of the armrests. "Do you want to know why I'm so scared, Neville?" I asked tightly, my words shaking slightly. For a moment rage filled my vision, coursed through my blood, and my hands twisted of their own accord. My voice quickly became a yell.

"DO YOU WAN'T TO KNOW?" I screamed, white-hot fire ripped my insides. I bled, cursed, died everyday, and this oaf wanted me to stop and laugh? My blood suddenly seemed on fire, lightning cracked inside me. I seethed, "DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY THE HELL I'M SO FUCKING SCARED?"

Neville burrowed deeper in the chair, desperate.

Neville needed to know, I needed him to know. I needed to see him going through the same pain.

"I'LL TELL YOU WHY! I'M SO FUCKING SCARED BECAUSE VOLDEMORT IS OUT TO GET ME! I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN KILL HIM! NO—ONE ELSE CAN! THE BASTARD CHOSE ME! ME! NOT YOU! WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US? WHAT'S THE BLOODY DIFFERENCE?"

Neville let out a frightened gasp, eyes widening, fear draining out of them for a single moment.

Oh, yeah, that was like a slap in the face. A slap that brought me back down to reality. Hard.

My insides trembled at what I'd done.

I slowly turned around, my heart hammering wildly. There they were. Mr. and Mrs. Weasly, Bill, Charlie, the twins, Lupin, Mad-eye, Neville's Grandmother, Tonks, Mudungus.

They all knew. The thought whispered inside my head. Suddenly, out of the void where Sirius had been, the one where I lost my emotions to sprang an invisible wall. It was intangible, nonexistent, but it was there. It separated me from the rest of the world. I was marked. I was hunted.

Hermione started, sobs coloring her voice, "Oh, Harry—"

I never gave her a chance to finish. I barreled out of the door, pushed my way through the crowd gathered there, and dashed lighting–fast all the way up to the master bedroom. I slammed the door shut and collapsed against it.

The tears threatened to come. I started on my mantra, but my heart wouldn't let me do it. I had spilled. They would all turn away from me, disgusted. They wouldn't want anything to do with the person that Voldemort would stop at nothing to destroy. The feeling of total isolation finally settled in like a cold and never-ending winter.

I'd never felt so alone.

The tears came, and I made no effort to stop them. I saw no reason to. There was no-one to be strong for anymore.

Author's Notes: This sprang outta nowhere! I just HAD to write it! Review! I love you all, and there's nothing you can do about it! Bwah-ness!

G: Hey! Yes, how dare I leave you hanging! Anyway, there's only one more chapter after this one. Or I might just smash that and this one together. Whatever, man. Love ya! Oh, and btw, I stole your tiara. My sister's wearing it now, so…any damage is not my fault!

Lady Angelique of mystique: Thank you so much for reviewing! Buckets of love!