Title: Is It Worth It 2: The Final Battle

Summary: The temptation of darkness ebbs away at Harry's last nerve as he attempts to keep his views out of public eyes. Everyone believes he has returned to the light, but has he really or is he fighting for both dark and light, inside himself and in the impending war. Sequel to: Is It Worth It?

Pairings: I don't think I'll have one. Maybe keep Harry and Ginny, or I might make them break up, they're not doing so good as boyfriend/girlfriend kind of thing.

Rating: PG13

Chapter 4 "Truth"

When Harry woke up the next day, trying his hardest to get rid of the dark circles under his eyes. After all he didn't want anyone to know that he was up late, otherwise many questions would want to be answered.

As he showered and dressed, he headed down to the kitchen where everyone was already seated and waiting for him. He quickly apologized and sat opposite Ginny, who secretly smiled at him and went back to her eggs. Harry stared at his girlfriend, than shaking his head, he asked for some pancakes.

"So Harry have you chosen your classes for this year?" Remus asked him once they were finished.

Harry gulped down the food in his mouth. "No, I know I'm still taking the same classes, maybe add a couple of new ones, seeing as I didn't get a chance to spend half my time at Hogwarts last year. This year I'm going to make sure I do."

"Severus says that you have improved in your potions skill. He is still a bit shocked when he saw that you managed to pass his class yet again this year. He thinks that he is going soft." Remus laughed and Harry had to hide a smirk.

"Harry do you want to play quidditch today? I know we haven't been able to do much this summer, but we could at least play your favorite game." Hermione asked. She was sitting next to him.

Harry was about to open his mouth to tell Hermione that he thought she hated to fly, but Ron beat him to it.

Later he was glad he wasn't the one to say anything, Hermione Granger had a one mean and nasty glare.

"Just because I hate flying doesn't mean I can't do it Ronald. I am a witch aren't I? Sooner or later I will have to fly, apperating takes strength."

Ron didn't say anything, but got up after eating and went to get his broom. Harry summoned his broom as he sat finishing his last roll.

"Well let's go." Ron said when he came downstairs again.

"Wait don't leave without us, we want to come too!" Fred and George burst through the kitchen door. They were both out of breath and when they noticed everyone looking at them funny they both smiled sheepishly and shook their heads.

"It's been a while..."

"Since we played a game of quidditch..."

"And we wanted to play one last time before..."

"The munchkins go back to school..."

The twins grinned at each other and looked back expectantly at the other teenagers. Harry grinned back before getting up from his seat.

"Let's go then."

They spent the whole day in the quidditch field playing and before they knew it the sun had gone down and they trudged back solemnly. Harry, Ron and Ginny came back happier than ever. They had won the game and at the end were caught in a prank, courtesy of the twins. Harry thought they were just sore losers, especially knowing that with Harry they couldn't win even if they tried.

"So what are we going to do now?" Fred asked walking beside them.

"Nothing. We have two weeks before going back to Hogwarts, we could play exploding snap." Ron said.

"Harry?" Harry and the others stopped and turned around in the living room. Remus Lupin stood there in front of them, his solemn eyes were looking at Harry. Instantly Harry felt as if a bomb exploded in his stomach. He felt his lunch threatening to come out.

He gulped and followed Remus when he motioned for him, never looking back.

They walked into the kitchen and Harry sat down as Remus began putting up silencing wards.

"Remus what's going on?" He asked.

He heard Remus sigh before the man turned to him.

Harry almost scuttled away from him when he saw the anger in Remus' eyes. The man's eyes were glowing amber, the eyes of the werewolf were glaring at him.

"How could you lie to me?" Harry had to strain to hear what he said.

"What'd you mean?"

"Don't play dumb Harry. I saw the Prophet." Remus fished out the newspaper and slammed it down in front of him.

Harry's eyes widened as the lettering shot him straight in the face. The picture of him was covered in a dark cloak, looking very shadowed, but it was clear that it was him. The lettering was written in bold letters. "Boy Who Lived or Boy Who Betrayed?"

Harry shut his eyes and tried to breathe calmly.

"What is this Harry?"

Harry couldn't bring himself to answer the werewolf so he kept his eyes downcast and stared at the table in front of him.

"Harry!" He snapped back to attention as Remus' voice cut through his daze.

"Answer me! You said that you didn't have any contact at all this year. Harry, tell me this isn't what I think it is."

"I don't know what you're talking about Remus."

"Harry you were seen in Knockturn Alley, what do you think I'm talking about?" Remus hissed angrily.

Harry's temper flared. "Look, just because I was in Knockturn Alley–"

"So you admit it?"

Harry growled, "Of course I do. There is nothing wrong in going to Knockturn. Just because it's considered a dark place doesn't mean there isn't anything good there."

"There isn't Harry. You have no idea what the people will think of you again. It took them forever to actually accept you again, even with your lies."

Harry snapped his eyes and focused on to Remus'. "Now what are you talking about?"

"Do you really think that everyone believed that you were under a curse? You've killed and tortured when you were kidnaped after you went to track Drasto. Even though you don't remember it the people do. You can't just go around letting everyone see you. One wrong move Harry and you will end up in prison."

"Have you all gone mad?" Harry growled angrily. "Has it ever occurred to you that I might not have gone to Knockturn alley to visit Voldemort? Has it ever occurred to you that I might have actually gone to have a private talk with a person who could be very important in this war? I guess there is no privacy anywhere anymore!"

"Harry sit down, we're not done."

"I'm done Lupin. Tell me, how do you get a person to trust you? How do you make sure that people won't jump to conclusions?"

"I have proof Harry. You met Voldemort there after you promised that you would never associate yourself with him again."

"Now what are you talking about?"

"Don't be daft!" Remus thrust the pictures in front of Harry. Harry almost choked. He stared at himself in the picture with Mr. LeVitz and a hooded figure sitting across them both.

"What does this look like Harry? Tell me the truth this time."

Harry sighed. It was like fifth and sixth year all over again. Damn Voldemort.

"Fine, that is Anthony LeVitz. He was friends with Voldemort when they were younger. I went to talk to him about Tom because we-I thought that if I found out more about Voldemort's old life that maybe I can change him. That was last year that I came up with the plan, but I gave up after I figured out that it was hopeless. This year somebody gave me a tip and I contacted Anthony. He said that he would meet with me and try to talk to Tom.

"What we didn't know was that Voldemort decided to pop up at that moment. I swear Remus I didn't know he was going to be there. I only wanted to talk to Anthony and get clues about what kind of place Voldemort lived in before he came to Hogwarts."

Harry stopped and looked at Remus. The man had his head in his arms and was shaking it. Harry didn't know what to do. If Remus didn't believe the only truth there was, what would he do?

"Remus?"

Remus lifted his head wearily and stared at Harry as if seeing him for the first time. The man stood up and came to his side. Harry looked up at him, bile rising up in his throat and he thought that if he didn't remember how to breathe he could die than and there.

Remus knelt at his side and looked up into his eyes. Harry stared back, afraid to say anything. Remus sighed and stood up, surprising Harry as his hands pulled him in a hug.

"God Harry I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Harry sat petrified, he didn't know what to do. All he knew was the warmth and how good it felt to be hugged. A picture of Sirius suddenly popped up and Harry squeezed his eyes shut trying to get rid of it. But the damage was done, he broke.

The two sat there for a long time just letting their pain out for different reasons.

"Harry I'm sorry." Remus said again, sitting up and letting him go.

"I knew I shouldn't have believed anything this stupid newspaper says. You'd think after all these years I would have learned something." He smiled sadly and Harry returned it.

"Remus you know I would never betray you, you're the only family I have left. Even if I had joined Voldemort, you must know that I would never hurt you."

"God Harry don't speak stuff like that. It makes me cringe at what he did last year. I will never forget how he manipulated everyone around you into believing that you would actually turn against us. All the newspaper stories came out last year making you into this evil person. That time I knew it wasn't true, but then I let myself get trapped again this year."

"It's not your fault. I didn't know that they were watching me everywhere I go. Voldemort didn't know anything about it either. Remus we're actually sort of friends now. He promised not to hurt me or any of my friends or family and I promised to stay away from the war. That's why I only make the plans and help the hurt people, but I don't join in the battles."

"So that's why the Death Eaters only attacked the other Order members. The only people that escaped untouched were Arthur and me. I just thought that maybe we were too powerful. Now I find out that it is Voldemort's promise to you. I think my ego was just deflated."

"Well he had to keep it because I kept mine."

"But Harry, don't you think it's dangerous to just trust him so blindly. He could strike you in the back if you're not careful."

"He wouldn't do that."

"How do you know?" Remus demanded.

Harry sighed, he didn't really know but he went with his gut feeling. "I just do. I know that if Voldemort attacked any of my friends first, he would have to deal with me. After all he trained me himself and knows that I've been studying over the summer and have gotten stronger."

"So that's why you were in your room half the summer. I just thought that you were mad or something."

Harry smiled slightly. All the weight that had settled itself onto his shoulders this summer had begun to lift when he started to talk to Remus.

"I was trying to cope with all that's been going on. When Hermione came to kick me out of my room, I was ready and didn't have any problems with anything. I'm actually more calm this year. Last year I was about to crack and didn't know what I was doing."

Remus chuckled, "Don't worry, we'll try to keep you informed this time so you don't go on a rampage."

"You do that." Harry laughed.

"I have to go write a howler to the Ministry and warn them if they do anything as stupid as this again, I would personally come and bite them." Remus smiled and after ruffling Harry's already messy hair, he took down the wards and went out of the room.

Harry didn't leave, but sat in his chair, appreciating the silence. He barely noticed the peck on his window. When he finally looked up, the owl outside glared at him and ruffled its feathers. Harry chuckled and let it in. The owl glared at him and gave him its letter and flew away before Harry could even give it an apology.

He shrugged and opened the letter. The blood red writing inside made him sigh. Here we go again.

Serpent,

First I would like to apologize for the paper, I did not think those imbeciles would be that stupid to actually post that. Anyway, I am writing because I think that you and I should meet again. I do not think that we left on the right foot in the pub. I still have to dish out my punishment and actually find out what in hell you were thinking in bringing Anthony to me. Meet me the week before you go back to school August 25? Good. I will see you than.

PS: Make sure you show up. The Order would not be too happy to see Voldemort walking up to the Weasley's house. Oh don't worry, I remember our promise.

Lord Voldemort

Harry set the letter on fire and watched it disintegrate right in front of him. The fire burning straight to his skin, leaving not a mark.

"I wonder how this is going to turn out."