I…………….I

Chapter 7: Tormented Soul; Broken Heart

Ron woke up with a start, he had sworn he had heard something-something had to have woken him up. But what?

He heard something move by the door. What the bloody hell is that? What if it's a- no! No! it couldn't be! He thought frantically to himself.

Cautiously, he slowly got up from bed, grabbing his wand in the process; ready break all the rules if necessary to defend himself and Harry.

Walking a few feet, the moonlight poured through the window, showing Ron the source creating the noise at the door.

"Harry? What are you doing up? You're going to hurt yourself!" demanded Ron as he stalked across the room to help Harry get back into bed.

He gasped at the perplexed site of Harry.

Close up, Ron could see that Harry's eyes looked glazed over. Even though he seemed to be shivering violently from the cold, sweat was dripping from his forehead in obvious fever.

Ron went to place his hand on Harry's forehead to make sure his suspicions were true but

Harry flinched back in a terrified manner.

"Harry? It's just me! It's Ron," replied Ron deeply confused.

"W-who are you?" wondered Harry, an extremely bewildered look across his face.

"Right Harry, quit playing games with me. Let's get you into bed," said Ron, laughing at the fact that even when Harry had a fever he could still joke around.

"Stop!" yelled Harry pushing Ron into the wall, next to him.

"What's wrong with you?" insisted Ron, rubbing his shoulder that had hit the wall; glaring at Harry the whole time.

He saw Harry's eyes filled with tears as he slid down the wall, next to the door. He wrapped his arms around his knees as if protecting himself from something.

Suddenly, the door to the room burst open and Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came running in.

"Wh-what's going on? Are you boys okay? We heard a thump and someone screaming," came Mrs. Weasley's frantic voice.

"Mum? It's Harry! He's acting all weird and stuff- like he doesn't know who I am. But-but I'm his best friend! Help him," cried Ron desperately.

Mrs. Weasley nodded her head accordingly and cautiously walked towards Harry.

"Harry? It's Mrs. Weasley are you okay?" wondered Mrs. Weasley as she kneeled in front of Harry, trying to look for signs of vehemence.

She saw Harry's eyes averted up, which seemed to be observing her face- like he knew her from somewhere but couldn't remember her.

"Mum?"

"No dear. I'm sorry. Your mother isn't here right now," Mrs. Weasley said gently.

"I-I want see her. Please, can you get her? I-I don't feel very well," resigned Harry as he tightly closed his eyes, wishing the fever away.

Mrs. Weasley cautiously touched Harry's forehead making sure that she didn't startle him, but he didn't make a sound.

"Ron, he has a very high fever we're going to have to give him a bath. If his fever doesn't go down will have to take him to St. Mungo's.

"Mum, there's no way Harry's going to let us do that. Especially after what happened that last time he was in a hospital! And now with this fever…" Ron trailed off, as he backed away from the site in front of him.

"I know dear, but it's the only thing we can do right now," appealed Mrs. Weasley.

"Okay," replied Ron finally giving in, while walking into the bathroom; Hermione following.

Mr. Weasley had gone went downstairs in order to find a potion that Harry could take that would not react badly to all the other ones he had taken.

A few minutes later the bath tub was filled up and Hermione, Mrs. Weasley and Ron were in the bathroom struggling to get pajamas off a delirious Harry.

"STOP! I don't want to go in there. You can't make me."

"Shhh. Dear, just calm down," responded Mrs. Weasley as she tried to relax Harry.

"NO!" screamed Harry, backing up away from the three, only succeeding in tripping over a rug and falling on the hard, cold tile floor and banging his head against the plaster wall.

"Ow," moaned Harry as he started rubbing his head.

"Oh, dear," exclaimed Mrs. Weasley as she walked over to were Harry lay injured on the floor.

While Harry was busy rubbing his new wound, Mrs. Weasley sneakily unbuttoned Harry's shirt, taking it off.

"No," whispered Harry as he noticed what Mrs. Weasley had just done to him without his knowledge. "Ow, I have a headache now. Can I go back to sleep please? I want my mum," questioned Harry.

Carefully Mrs. Weasley took off Harry's pajama bottoms, exposing him in only his boxers.

Ron then lifted Harry's frail form up and into the tub, realizing just how light Harry was.

"Can you watch him for awhile? He's very drowsy and may fall asleep. Just make sure his head stays above the water."

"No problem, Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione.

Mrs. Weasley nodded her head and left the bathroom, quietly.

"Poor Harry," cried Hermione as she and Ron sat down next to the bathtub, intentionally watching Harry, making sure his head stayed on top of the surface.

"I don't know. How is Harry going to handle all of this-first Sirius then Remus, that girl Amy, Mrs. Figg? He's going to break," worried Ron as he glanced at Harry's prone form and sighed.

"I miss the real him Ron, he's been acting so depressed since Sirius and then this summer has just made his depression escalate. He doesn't believe that anyone loves him. He thinks that if he died no one would care and that is so wrong. Everyone would be devastated," exclaimed Hermione as she hugged her boyfriend.

They heard some movement in the bathtub and saw Harry's bright green eyes wide open in confusion and embarrassment, "'Mione? Ron? Where am I? Why am I in the bathtub in just my boxers? I have a really bad headache. Can I please get out? I'm cold," rambled Harry his fever still a little high, his teeth chattering.

"Hang on, Harry," responded Hermione, as she gave a glance to Harry's now shivering form.

She relaxed a little when she heard Ron engage Harry in conversation, hoping to stop having him think about the current situation.

"Uff!" cried Hermione as she ran straight into Mrs. Weasley who was just coming through the door, with a potion in her hand.

"Sorry, dear. Is something wrong?" wondered Mrs. Weasley.

"Harry has just woken up. He says he has a really bad headache and is cold," answered Hermione as she walked beside Mrs. Weasley into the bathroom.

"Probably from hitting his head, the poor dear," muttered Mrs. Weasley, as she went to sit next to the tub to help give Harry the potion.

Half an hour later, Mrs. Weasley was tucking in a now dry, almost asleep Harry, whom she had just given a potion to alleviate the fever.

Mrs. Weasley kissed Harry on the forehead checking his temperate before exiting the room, "Good night Harry. Sleep well. Ron, Hermione watch out for him," added Mrs. Weasley as she closed the door.

"We will mom. We will."

And they did-the whole night, both making sure that their best friend wouldn't be woken up from haunting nightmares or fever.

I……………………………….........................I

"Hello Harry."

Harry slowly opened his groggy eyes, only to see a blurry figure sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Professor?"

"Yes Harry, it's me. Here are your glasses."

Harry took his glasses from the white-haired headmaster. He put them on and unsteadily gazed into Dumbledore's blue eyes.

"But-but Professor Dumbledore, what are you doing here?"

"Harry, we need to talk about a few things."

"About what?" Harry asked, fret filling his eyes. He knew what this was about- he'd been waiting for it to come since he arrived at Grimmauld place.

"About what happened at the hospital," Dumbledore answered. His face was looking older than usual and his eyes had lost their normal twinkle. "Harry, I'm sorry that I have to be the one to deliver this news to you."

Harry looked fearfully up at his precious friend. "What-what news?"

"Harry, a lot of people died at the hospital- a lot of patients, some Death Eaters and two order members. We understand that you already know about Remus Lupin, but we were not sure if you knew about Arabella Figg or not."

Harry suppressed tears and slowly shook his head. He turned away from Dumbledore, not wanting him to see the tears that so desperately ached to spill over. "E-Exactly h-how many innocent p-people d-died?"

Dumbledore's face saddened. "We don't know for sure but somewhere around the three hundred mark.

Harry's threatening tears dripped free.

"Harry, look at me," Dumbledore said softly.

Harry reluctantly lifted his head to the older man, tears freely flowing from his green eyes.

"Harry, there is something else."

"Yes?" Harry asked, knowing full well what was coming.

"Harry we need to at talk about Remus- and the man who murdered him."

"What about it? I already told Tonks everything. You know who it is- you know it was Snape," Harry said slowly, making sure Dumbledore took in his every word.

"Professor Snape, Harry, professor," Dumbledore corrected sternly.

Harry wiped the tears from his shock-filled eyes with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore, but I didn't think murderers deserved titles like that. I mean, I'm positive he certainly won't be able to keep the 'professor' when he's in Azkaban," Harry reassured.

Dumbledore looked at Harry calmly, having expected this. "Harry, I have spoken with Professor Snape, and he has told me his side of the story and Harry, you must understand, I-"

"You don't beleive me!" Harry screamed in shock. "How could you? I thought that out of everybody you would be the one who would!"

"Harry, I used a very powerful sort of occlumency on Professor Snape and I know he is telling the tr-"

"NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO!" Harry shouted, placing his hands over his ears. "I don't want to hear this! You're a liar! I know he did it! I saw him!"

"Harry, please, just listen to me-"

"No!" Harry flung himself out of his bed, wincing at the pain shooting up in his weak knee. "No! I won't listen to you! I hate you… I HATE YOU!" Harry screamed, turning around and limping quickly from the room.

"No, Harry, come back!" Dumbledore yelled, rising from the bed and stretching out his long arm, but the young boy had already fled the white- bearded man's presence.

I………………………………....................I

Harry lay quietly in his godfather's old bedroom, wrapped up in a tight ball, lying in his godfather's bed as tears streamed darkly down his pale face.

"How could he? How dare he? He-he actually believes that traitor!" Harry screamed to the empty room.

"Harry- how many times do I have to tell you? Nobody ever believes you. Nobody even likes you!" his inner self spat back.

"That-that's not true! Sirius loves me!" Harry reached inside his pocket and took out a crumpled piece of parchment. "You see? It says right here 'I love you so much.' Don't you bloody get it? Sirius loves me!"

"Harry, get a grip on yourself! Sirius is dead! What does it matter if he loved you? He was probably just lying anyways."

"No! No! He says it right there that he loves me!" Harry screamed to the darkness. "Just-just go! J-Just leave me alone!"

Harry managed to squeeze out a few last tears before falling into complete and utter dark sleep.

I………………………………........I

"Harry, Harry! Wake up!"

"What-what's going on?"

"Harry, you just had a nightmare," Hermione said softly. "You were thrashing around in your bed and kept yelling stuff. Harry, what's going on with you?"

"N-Nothing is going on- it's nothing."

"Harry, that's what you always say. You say it mostly when there is something definitely wrong. Please, just tell me."

"Hermione, he got off," Harry said with a wince, suddenly changing the subject.

"W-What? Who got off?"

"The person who killed Moony."

Hermione remained calm, having expected this after a talk with Dumbledore. "And who might that be?"

"Don't you know Hermione? It was Snape!"

Hermione paused for a second. "H-Harry, are you sure it was-"

"You don't believe me!"

"No, Harry it's not like that-"

"Then what is it like?"

"It's just that- Harry, it was probably dark and-and you had just been put under the cruciatus and Dumbledore said-"

"So? I've been put under it before! And-and it was him! I know it was! I heard him- I saw him! Why don't you believe me?"

"Harry, stress can make you see things-"

"I wasn't seeing things!"

"What's going on in here?" Ron yelled entering the room.

Hermione quickly walked over to Ron and whispered something in his ear.

Harry's face burned with humiliation and anger.

"So umm, Harry-" Ron began quietly.

"Just leave me alone," Harry said firmly.

"Harry, I can't do that-"

"What's your deal?" Harry yelled at Ron, "Don't you get it? I just want to be alone right now? I don't want to be with you guys!"

"What's my deal? What's your deal?" Ron retorted. "You never wanna be around us! It's like you don't even like us anymore!"

"Don't you guys get it? You don't want to be around me. Anyone who comes within a 50 meter radius of me dies! Trust me, just leave me alone," Harry added softly, tears in his eyes.

Ron's expression softened. "This is about Sirius and Lupin isn't it?"

"No kidding," Harry said sarcastically. "And Aunt Petunia and Dudley and Amy and Mrs. Figg and everyone else in that stupid hospital!"

Harry took a few sharp, searing breaths, calming himself down. "Never mind, you just wouldn't understand."

"You're right Harry, we don't understand, cause nothing you say ever makes sense!" Ron bellowed, as Hermione remained silent. "All you do, Harry, is waltz around feeling sorry for yourself while you make Hermione and myself feel like crap!"

"You think the day after Moony died and flaunting your relationship that made me feel good? I can't believe that you guys thought that was as good as time as ever. It was the worst time! But you were too busy into your own relationship to even consider how I felt. Merlin! How the hell would you know what I feel like right now? You have your perfect little lives, with your ideal families. Well guess what? I don't have a family! My family is dead! They all are! You wouldn't understand even if you tried. Well leave me the hell alone! Go run around and have the perfect life! I don't care," Harry said, shaking in anger.

Ron and Hermione were quiet for a moment, shocked at Harry's sudden outrage. "Harry listen, our lives aren't perfect-" Hermione began but was cut off with a vicious Ron.

"Yeah, you wanna know why? Because we're friends with you! You're the perfect one, always getting the attention, always getting everything you want! Well guess what? I'm sick of being friends with perfect Potter. I'm done!"

Ron whipped his read head around and stormed out of the room, ignoring Harry's hurt face. Hermione was left standing there, torn between her boyfriend and the-Boy-Who-Lived.

"Listen Harry, Ron's my boyfriend. I love him and I love you too, " Hermione added quickly. "It's just that, Ron is right about some things. And this is one of them. I'm sorry Harry but you have been acting like- like a spoiled, rich kid if you ask me. And I'm just sick of it. I want the old Harry back. The one who always had a smile on his face, the one who I could have fun with. Where is he? Where did Harry go?"

Harry turned his back on Hermione in order to avoid her seeing the tears dripping down his face. He took a long time to answer, scared of what he might sound like.

"How many times do I have to tell you? He died Hermione, he died in the Ministry of Magic, and then again in a car accident, and once more in a hospital. And now Harry just died again."

Harry heard a sniffle and a door slam behind him. He turned around to see an empty room, he was alone now. He flung himself on the bed, trying with all his might not to cry, but couldn't avoid the urging tears that stung his eyes.

I………………………………..................I

Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, McGonagall and Kingsley sat in the living room of Grimmauld Place talking amongst themselves.

"Do you think that Harry will ever have to go back to that dreadful uncle of his?" Mrs. Weasley asked with a concerned look on her face.

"Not if Dumbledore has anything to do with it," McGonagall said, "He's been looking into the Muggle's legal system and has decided it's not good enough. He's going to try and get Vernon tried under the Ministry of Magic."

"Can he do that?" Molly asked as a shot of confusion ran over her face.

"Come on, Molly, use your common sense. It's Dumbledore! He can do just about anything right now," Mr. Weasley chimed in.

"Yeah, he has so much-" Kingsley stopped in the middle of his sentence, noticing something creeping around in the hallways. "Is that you Tonks?" he asked.

"Tonks?" called McGonagall, wondering if she was okay.

"Tonks?"

Tonks whipped around, a stunned look on her face, "yes?"

"A-are you okay?" wondered McGonagall getting concerned.

"Yes."

"Oh we thought that you'd gone to bed already," Kingsley said with a stunned look on his face.

"I did? Oh! Yes, I did, I just got t-thirsty and thought I'd get a glass of water," Tonks lied.

"Well, did you forget where the kitchen is, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, "It's in the other direction."

"Oh! Right! I knew that, just kind of got lost-big house, ya know?" Tonks left for a few moments and came back with a glass of water in her hand. "Well, thank you all, I'm off to bed," With that, Tonks quickly turned around and left the parlor.

"Strange character that Tonks is," Minerva said, slightly shaken, "Okay so what about this trial? When is it going to…"

Minerva was cut off by Moody's wooden leg clanking on the white tile, leading into the living room. Moody looked sullen, his old face showing even more creases then normal.

"Moody? What's the matter?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm afraid that the trial can not be held anymore," he responded shortly.

"What! Why?" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, her eyes filling with tears.

"Vernon Dursley has gone missing."

I………………………………....................I

Harry cracked open his eyes. A bright light was shining into Sirius's room from the open door. Harry had opted to sleep in his godfather's room, rather than the room he shared with his furious friend. He had slept in his boxers and nightshirt, having not wanted to go downstairs to retrieve pajamas.

"What the bloody hell? I could of sworn Hermione had shut the door," he muttered to himself, groggily.

He rolled onto his other side, closing his eyes, trying to get back to sleep. He buried his head into Sirius's pillow hoping the smell of his godfather's scent would calm him down. A sudden noise sounded in the distance, making Harry jump up in his bed.

"H-Hello?" whispered Harry, terrified.

Harry saw a shadow move in the hallway, having no way to defend himself he quietly got out of bed, hoping to find a place to hid.

"Hello?" he asked louder and more confident then he actually felt.

Cunningly, Harry carefully found his way in the darkness. He touched the walls around him, feeling his way in the shadows. He came upon what seemed like a doorway. He groped for the door knob and finally caught the blast of freezing metal.

He slowly turned the knob, opening the door to the mysterious place beyond the entrance.

"Hello? Is anyone in there?"

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a hand reached out, covering the young boys mouth pulling him inside, closing the door silently.

The mysterious person took their hand off Harry's mouth and laughed.

"T-Tonks? That's not funny you nearly gave me a heart attack. Wh-what do you want?"

Tonks chuckled.

"You- I want you," she said pulling her wand from her robes.

"Wh-what? RON! HELP! RON!" screamed Harry, trying to stand up, wondering why Tonks was acting this way.

"Stupefy!" Tonks yelled and Harry crumpled to the floor of the closet in a big heap.

I…………………I