Hey everyone! Once again I'm terribly sorry for the very long wait. I know how really annoying that can be but schools been horrible, my grandfather's been in the hospital, and was blocked for a while on my computer (or the computer at the library).
Thanks to my reviewers, you don't know how much they inspire me to wright more, and, of course, thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Badbugz.
opal- no, the glamour does not hide Harry's mark but he wears long sleeved shirts and robes to cover it up.
Okay, The Secret is going to be ending soon, I don't know how many more chapters there are going to be. I've got a lot of good ideas for a sequel but I don't think I'm going to be able to get it done before the sixth book comes out. So, should I make a sequel?
Chapter thirty- It Begins...
Valentine's day was coming up. It fell on a Sunday that, conveniently enough, was on a Hogsmeade weekend. So it was Saturday that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were found bundling up, due to the most recent snowfall, and lining up with their other classmates in the Entrance Hall as Professor McGonagall and Filch checked them off.
"I want to do something special for Ginny," Harry told them as they made their way through the almost knee-high snow.
Hermione frowned. "You know that's going to be hard, considering that she's with 'Damien Snape,'" she glanced at Harry. "Maybe you should just get her something special. I'm sure she'd love that."
"Get her some Chocolate Frogs," Ron told him smugly. Harry and Hermione stared at him. "What?" he asked defensively. "Everyone likes Chocolate Frogs and Valentines Day is supposed to be about chocolate."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ron! Valentines Day is not about chocolate! It's about expressing how much you care for someone and you are supposed to get them something special, something that comes right from the heart." She threw him a sidelong look. "Chocolate Frogs do not come from the heart and it's a terrible gift to give someone special to you on Valentines Day!"
Ron flushed. "Guess I'll have to get her something else," he muttered so only Harry could hear. Harry chuckled as they approached the Three Broomsticks.
"There really is nowhere to buy anything special, though, is there?" Harry asked. "At least not here." Ron looked uncomfortable.
"You two never use your eyes do you?" Hermione huffed as each of them ordered a butterbeer. "Zonko's, Honeydukes, and the Three Broomsticks are not the only shops around here. There are dozens more. You two just never want to look anywhere else except for Zonko's and Honeydukes."
"I never thought we were allowed to wander that far," Ron murmured as they sat down at a table by a window, butterbeers in hand. "I don't see students go down that far."
"Well you wouldn't now would you?" Hermione sipped her butterbeer. "The only shops students are interested in are candy and joke shops. No one really has any use for the other ones unless they need to buy a gift for someone." She took another sip. "The merchandise in the other shops is pretty expensive."
"Let's try them next then," Harry spoke up quietly. His mind wandered slightly as he pondered on the dream he had had a couple weeks ago. He knew it was Voldemort-related, because he had woken up with his scar burning, but he couldn't remember what it was about. Whenever he tried, his head just pounded more. Harry sighed, hoping that it wasn't too important, but knowing that the hope was futile.
There was the familiar 'ding' of a bell, telling them that yet another person had entered and Harry glanced over, only to duck out of sight two seconds later as Rita Skeeter and Cornelius Fudge walked in along with a couple other wizards in ministry robes.
Hermione and Ron scooted their seats over until they were properly blocked from view by a short sign informing the customers of the day's special.
The minister's group settled themselves in a table close to Harry, Ron, and Hermione's, and huddled together, talking in low voices and not even bothering to order a drink.
Hermione scooted her chair a tiny bit closer and Harry also moved closer.
"What are they talking about that's so important?" Hermione whispered, eyeing the hated minister.
"I don't know," Ron whispered back. "But I'm going to find out." He then fished out three flesh-colored cords from his pocket. Hermione gasped.
"You still have those!"
"Yeah," Ron grinned. "Fred and George sent me a couple for Christmas." He handed an Extendable Ear to Harry and Hermione before putting one in his own ear.
"….sent me a letter just last night," Rita was saying, her eyes alight with excitement, "wishes to remain anonymous."
"Now, hold on a minute," Fudge held up a hand. "How do we know that this person isn't just trying to-"
"We don't," Rita interrupted impatiently, "but that's just the thing! Think about it, Minister! All the facts in the letter make perfect sense."
One of the other ministry wizards nodded in agreement.
Fudge frowned and was silent for a moment. "If this is true," he said slowly, "then we must inform the Wizarding World immediately."
Another wizard nodded. "Yes, Minister. Children's lives are at stake here."
"Then it's settled," Fudge agreed.
Rita smiled deviously. "This is going to be our best issue yet!"
They stood up as one and exited the bar in a flurry of snowflakes.
Harry sat up in his chair again and looked questioningly at his two friends. "What was that all about?"
Hermione shook her head as Ron tucked the Extendable Ears away again.
"We'll probably find out soon knowing Rita Skeeter," Ron muttered before turning to Hermione. "Why couldn't you just keep her in that jar forever?" he asked dryly.
Hermione sighed as they stood up and also exited the Three Broomsticks.
&&&&&&&&&&&
Harry stretched as he slowly opened his eyes, feeling rather more rested than he usually should in the mornings. He frowned at the sunlight that was pouring cheerfully into the dormitory. He sat up, putting on his glasses to notice that he was the only one in the dorm.
'I would have at least thought that Ron would wake me up,' he thought tartly as he made his way to the bathroom. He glanced hesitantly at the mirror, frowning at the reflection. He remembered briefly when he would have given anything to see this face in the mirror a couple months ago…….
Now, it just felt so abnormal. Harry avoided the reflection as he dressed himself and ran a hand through his once again unruly hair. It took Harry a minute to remember that it was Valentine's Day, but he still couldn't help but feel a little irritated that Ron didn't wake him up.
Harry hurried down the to the common room, finding it empty too. He frowned again, there should be at least a couple of people in the common room; it was never empty except during the Welcoming and Leaving Feasts. He opened the portrait only to run almost headfirst into Ron and Hermione, who were opening it on the other side.
"What-" Harry began, but his two friends grasped his arms and pulled him back into the common room, forcing him into a chair.
"What are you doing?" Harry snapped, as they released him. "Why didn't you wake me up? Where is everyone?" He glared at both of them.
"You really don't want to go out there, Harry," Hermione said quietly, looking slightly nervous.
"Why not?" Harry folded his arms, looking from Ron to Hermione. "What's going on?"
"Er…" Ron glanced uneasily at Hermione. "Here, mate, read it." He held out the Daily Prophet.
Harry stared at it for a moment before taking it with a rising feeling of trepidation. He unfolded it and read the front page:
The Boy-Who-Lived a Death Eater!
A continuous war has been going on between You-Know-Who and the rest of wizardkind (writes reporter, Rita Skeeters). One alliance that has filled people's hearts with hope is that of the Boy-Who-Lived, who has defied the Dark Lord four times, more then any other wizard, except for Albus Dumbledore, has managed. But has anyone ever wondered why the Boy-Who-Lived has always escaped unscathed? Could it be that he is the one destined to defeat him? Or could it be the well-known factor that the boy is a parseltongue? The ability of a parselmouth, which this reporter is sure everyone is well aware of, has always been a mark of a dark wizard, yet the whole of the wizarding world continues to blindly believe that this boy is still for the light. We have recently received news from a loyal citizen that wishes to remain anonymous that Harry Potter does indeed have the dark mark on his left forearm. Not only that, but the belief has been going around that Harry Potter is indeed not a Potter, but a Snape. Damien Snape was recently labeled as a Death Eater in training when the Dark Mark was found on his forearm and was sentenced to Azkaban. He, along with Draco Malfoy, were the only two who escaped out of Azkaban when the Death Eaters attacked it a couple weeks ago. Snape and Malfoy's whereabouts are still undetermined. The recent claim that Harry Potter is in fact Damien Snape has been taken into account, due to the similarities in the boys' ages and due to the timing of Damien Snape's arrival at Hogwarts and Harry Potter's leave. Why has Harry Potter suddenly returned after Damien Snape's escape from Azkaban? Minister Fudge has assured the press that these claims will indeed be investigated and for the time being, let us hope that our savor hasn't turned his back to the wizarding world.
Harry felt his fingers go numb as the paper floated soundlessly to the ground. He felt as if his insides had turned to ice. He was numbly aware of Ron and Hermione talking quietly to him. He blinked, not comprehending what either of them were saying.
"H-How is everyone taking it?" he whispered, interrupting them.
"Well," Hermione looked uncomfortable. "We walked in and Neville sort of forced the paper into our faces and then we came here."
Harry swallowed the rising lump in his throat as he picked up the paper and scanned it again. "..these claims will indeed be investigated"? he read and glanced at his two friends. "Does that mean he's going to come here!"
Hermione shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I-I don't know."
"How did they see the mark?" Harry whispered, his eyes automatically flying to the mark onhis left forearm, which was covered by the sleeves of his robes. "I haven't worn anything but long sleeved robes; there is no way they could have seen it!"
They said nothing.
The portrait opened and Harry jumped in surprise, his hand automatically flying to his wand. Ginny hurried in and shut the portrait securely before turning to look at them, her face pale.
Harry let out a breath that he hadn't known he had been holding as relief spread through his veins.
"Ginny?" he asked quietly, feeling contented at the sight of her. He really hadn't seen her for a while.
Ginny walked over to him and hesitated, before throwing her arms around him. "H-How did they know?" she asked in a loud whisper before drawing back and staring him in the eyes. "Who told them? How did they-"
"Ginny, relax and breathe!" Ron ordered as he gripped her shoulders and gave her a small shake.
Her face immediately morphed into one of rage and Ron paled, snatching his hands away as if he'd been scalded. Even Harry backed up a little as her face reddened.
"Relax!" she exclaimed as if it was the most aberrant thing in the world. "You want me to relax when the wizarding world has just found out that Harry is really Damien Snape! Or did you forget that Damien Snape is labeled as a Death Eater? Or maybe you didn't bother reading the rest of the article to find out that the ministry is going to check Harry for the dark mark which, by the way, is burned into his forearm!"
It all seemed to hit Harry with full force then and he suddenly felt as if his legs had turned to lead as he dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach and letting out a nauseated groan.
"I really don't feel so good all of the sudden," he croaked, imagining that his face was also turning white.
Ginny and Hermione dropped down on either side of him and both put a hand on his back reassuringly.
"It'll be okay," Hermione told him softly. "We'll get through this, we always do."
"Yeah," Ginny agreed, her mouth curving into a weak smile. "And you know that Dumbledore would never let anything happen to his dear 'golden boy.'"
Harry wanted to believe the two of them, but a voice kept constantly ringing out in the back of his mind that nothing ever went right for him and that this was no different.
"If that was true," he told the two girls a bit more crossly then he meant to, "then why did Dumbledore let them take me to Azkaban and, better yet, why was he against trying to save me from Voldemort?"
Hermione sighed. "Harry, he couldn't risk it; you know that. It all turned out alright in the end; it always does."
"Yes," Harry snapped, feeling rather angry all of the sudden. "Everything does turn out 'alright' in the end besides that fact that someone is usually dead!"
Ginny and Hermione jumped at his sudden exclamation. They exchanged uneasy glances with Ron, and Ginny turned back to him.
"Look Harry, you need to stop looking at the negative side of things…" Whatever else she was about to say was abruptly cut off as the portrait practically flew open.
Harry, nausea suddenly gone, dove behind the couch, but not fast enough to escape the sight of the three intruders.
"Professor Snape, Dumbledore, Lupin," Hermione looked at them uncertainly, "what a pleasant surprise…"
"Hush, you stupid girl," Severus growled as he filed past her. Harry stood up, looking at the three professors in confusion.
"Dad?" he asked faintly. It was Dumbledore who answered him.
"Harry, we need to be quick about this. I am sure you have read the latest article in the Daily Prophet due to your absence from breakfast," Dumbledore paused as he looked at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, you all need to return to breakfast," he told them gently, but firmly.
"But-" Ginny began and Severus cut her off.
"Now, Weasley," he looked in a very sour mood this morning, though no one could blame him for once.
"You may raise suspicion from your rather abrupt exit at breakfast," Dumbledore told them. "We can't risk any suspicion that anyone here at Hogwarts besides Severus knew that Harry is really Damien."
They hesitated before nodding in almost perfect unison.
"Okay," Hermione said uncertainly as she glanced at Harry. "We'll see you later…..I hope."
Ginny and Ron nodded also before they turned to leave. Ginny lingered for a moment as she threw Harry a meaningful look before she left as well.
"Alright," Dumbledore turned back to him again, his blue eyes devoid of any twinkle. "As I said, we need to be quick about this. I do not have any doubts that Fudge wants to get this investigation of you, Harry, over as soon as possible, which, unfortunately, could mean in a couple of minutes at the least."
Harry drew in a sharp breath, his heart skipped a beat and his eyes darted to the nearest exit, as if expecting Fudge to suddenly storm through the door. He would then go to Azkaban…with the dementors…..his mother's screams, Cedric and Sirius's death, Vernon beating him, Voldemort torturing him….
Harry felt a shiver trail up his spine. He didn't know if he had the strength to stay sane if he was sentenced to Azkaban again. Dumbledore seemed to sense that, apparently, as he quickly went on.
"We need to get you out of here as soon as we can. If they see the dark mark on your forearm, you will be sentenced to Azkaban most certainly at the very least," Dumbledore shook his head in dismay.
Severus seemed to take it upon himself to voice the question that had been running through Harry's mind. "And at the very most, Albus?"
Dumbledore paused, staring at Severus and Harry for a moment before sighing and murmuring in a dejected voice, "The dementor's kiss."
Harry stumbled slightly as he remembered Barty Crouch's soulless body in the Hospital Wing during his fourth year. His eyes had been so blank; there hadn't been any life there at all. He started as he felt a hand weigh upon his shoulder and didn't need to look up to know that it was his father.
"We will get you out of here, Damien," Severus told him firmly. "I swear to you. One way or another."
Harry swallowed and nodded his thanks as he refocused his attention back to Dumbledore, who had been waiting patiently.
"Severus and Remus will escort you to Hogsmeade, where you will be able to floo to the Grimmauld Place. We will take it from there," Dumbledore explained heavily. "It isn't a very fail-safe plan, but it is the best we have as of now."
Harry nodded and saw Remus do the same out of the corner of his eye. He felt a small pang in his heart as he stared silently at the werewolf, feeling rather guilty for barely talking to Remus all year. He had been to preoccupied with the discovery of his father and Ginny and Draco and Voldemort….he really hadn't even thought much of Remus, not even during DADA. His guilt seemed to multiply ten times as he thought of how pained Remus must be from Sirius's death, and Harry hadn't even given him the time of day all year long…
It took Harry a minute to realize that Remus was staring at him. He turned and their eyes connect, and Remus seemed to understand the guilt he was feeling.
"It's alright," Remus told him, walking over to put a hand on his shoulder.
Harry shook his head. "No, it's not…"
"You've had a lot to deal with this year, what with be sorted into Slytherin and keeping up your profile," Remus smiled weakly. "And you had a father to get used to."
Harry lowered his head. "About that-"
"I'm very happy for you, Harry," Remus interrupted gently, causing Harry to look up. "And Sirius would be to, even if he thinks your father is a bit of a git." He threw Severus a sidelong glance, who sneered.
Harry smiled slightly. "Thanks."
"Now," Dumbledore went on, clasping his hands together. "You two need to avoid the Great Hall as well as the Entrance Hall at all costs."
"But-" Harry thought about the secret passageway that lead to Honeyduke's cellar.
"You do not need to go near that, Harry," Dumbledore told him, much to the confusion of Severus. "You will, undoubtedly, be wanted now, especially if you ran away from Hogwarts to avoid being checked for the dark mark. You need to avoid crowded places, such as Honeydukes."
"How did you know?" Harry squawked, looking appalled. Remus snorted softly and Harry whirled around, glaring at him. "You told him, didn't you?"
Remus shrugged. "In your third year, when I thought Sirius was still guilty, I had to tell Dumbledore where all the secret passageways on the Marauder's Map were."
Harry scowled at him. "Goody-goody," he sneered. He felt confused when his heart didn't give out a rather noticeable twinge at the mention of Sirius. In fact, he hadn't really mourned much about Sirius for a long time…. Harry shook his head and dismissed it as another thought occurred to him.
"Why can't we use Hogwart's floo? And if I need to stay out of sight then why are we going to Hogsmeade?"
"The ministry cut Hogwart's off the floo system early this morning before the paper came out," Dumbledore explained. "And you, Remus, and Severus will be traveling on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, to the Hog's Head, where not many customers are."
Harry glanced at his father with a feeling of trepidation. Severus nodded to him, as if mentally reassuring Harry that he was there.
"Do you understand, Harry?" Dumbledore's voice rang through his ears. Harry hesitated, staring at his hands for a moment before giving a small nod.
"Yes, sir."
&&&&&&&&&&
"Hush you stupid werewolf!"
"You're the one being so loud, Severus!"
"Will you both shut up!" Harry snapped as they made their way down the stone steps. His father turned to glare at him but said nothing.
The three of them were currently making their way out of the castle by the most unnoticeable way possible. They were using the outside corridors, which were rarely used during the winter.
Harry shivered, pulling the Invisibility Cloak around them tighter as the wind picked up. Snow was falling silently onto the frozen ground below. As they reached the bottom floor, Harry couldn't help but think that it was harder to hide two adults and a teenager under the cloak instead of four teenagers, as he had once attempted. What made it so hard was that his father and Remus seemed to be going different speeds, with Harry stuck in the middle, and he felt as if he were being pulled in two directions.
"Not so fast, Severus!" Remus growled as the cloak started to uncover him. He grabbed it and snatched it back to his side, nearly tearing it in the process.
"You've got plenty of cloak, Lupin!" Severus hissed back as he yanked the silky cloth toward him.
"Stop it, you two, you're going to tear it," Harry said angrily, grabbing the cloak with both hands in order to even it out. "There, now you both are covered."
"Well if Lupin wouldn't go so slow-" Severus began.
"Dad, please," Harry murmured. "Would you two stop acting like children, at least until we get out of the castle?"
The two men fell into silence after that. Harry sighed in relief and held the cloak tighter. As they neared the grounds, the sound of chatter from the Great Hall could be heard clearly. Harry winced and almost stopped breathing as he spotted Fudge marching up to the teacher's table. He heard his father curse softly from behind him.
"We need to hurry," Severus said quietly, eyeing the minister with ill-concealed hatred. They quickened their pace.
"Won't they notice your absence, Remus?" Harry asked nervously. "They'll know you had some connection with me."
The werewolf shook his head. "No," he muttered bitterly, "as far as they know, I am currently in my office, preparing for the upcoming full moon."
"It's tonight?"
"Yes, unfortunately," Remus whispered. Harry gave him a meaningful look before his father pushed him forward.
"Don't stop," the man told him.
"I know," Harry growled back as he stared at the nearing Dark Forest. As they entered the outskirts, Harry gratefully shoved the cloak off, feeling cold air wash over him.
"Here," Remus said gruffly, flinging his cloak over Harry.
"Thanks," he muttered, smiling at him.
A sudden commotion broke out from behind them. Harry turned around to see ministry wizards, aurors, and teachers all flooding out of the Great Hall.
"Time to go," Severus said quickly, grabbing Harry and shoving the cloak in his hands. "Go," he told him.
Harry blinked. "What?"
"You heard me, Damien, go," Severus told him firmly. "I'll hold them off. Go to the Hog's Head and floo to headquarters. Draco and Lucius will be there…"
"No!" Harry yelled. "They'll kill you!"
"No, they won't."
"Then do you want to go to Azkaban?"
"Do you?"
Harry shook his head furiously. "I'm not leaving you-"
"Go, Harry!" Severus snapped, using Harry's first name. "Now!"
"But-" he was abruptly cut off as Remus grabbed his arm and started to pull him deeper into the forest, down the path toward Hogsmeade.
"No!" Harry shouted desperately, kicking against the werewolf. "Let me go, Remus! I'm not leaving him!"
"Harry, we need to go," Remus tightened his hold and pulled him with more force. Harry stumbled.
"I'm not going to loose another father!" Harry yelled frantically. "I'm not!"
But Severus had already drawn his wand and was approaching the edge of the forest; he was going back in the direction of Hogwarts. "Take care of him, Lupin," he told the werewolf. "If anything happens to him, I will personally kill you."
"No!" Harry screamed, yanking with all his might against Remus's vice like grip. "Let me go! Dad! Don't leave me, please!"
Severus looked back at him. "Go, Damien," he whispered. "We will see each other again, I swear."
Harry froze, which allowed Remus to pull him towards Hogsmeade. His father's face faded until they were to far away to see him. Harry dropped to his knees, feeling the beginnings of a panic attack.
"Harry!" Remus crouched next to him, grabbing both shoulders and giving him a small shake. "Harry, listen to me. Severus knows what he is doing, all right? He is a very powerful wizard, he can take care of himself."
"He's going to die," Harry whispered in a small voice. "And it's all because of me…"
"Harry!" Remus snapped forcefully. Harry blinked and looked up at him. "We have to keep going. He would want you to, Harry. He loves you."
Harry stared at him for a moment. A loud bang sounded, not to far away. He stood up and tried to run toward the sound. Remus grabbed his arms, holding him back.
"Dad!" Harry yelled, then to Remus. "LET ME GO!"
"Severus is right," Remus mumbled. "You do have to get over this hero tendency." His tone was slightly amused and Harry knew the man was trying to cheer him up.
"How can you say that?" he snapped, seeing red in his vision. "He could be dead right now and it's because you wouldn't let me go!"
Remus flinched and sighed. "Do you honestly think it would've helped Severus had you been there, Harry? You would just be in the ministry's custody, which would only cause him more pain." He paused and continued to drag Harry in the direction of Hogsmeade. "You underestimate how Severus can be. He went to Voldemort even when the monster knew he was a spy and escaped with you."
Harry ignored him and continued to struggle. He landed a flailing kick in the werewolf's stomach. Remus hissed in pain, his grip weakening and Harry took that opportunity to break free.
"Wait!" Harry heard Remus gasp. His heart was pounding in his ears as he forced his exhausted legs to run. A moment later he heard a soft, "Immobulus!" and fell unceremoniously to the ground as he felt invisible cords wrap around him.
Harry let out a yell of fury as he struggled vainly against the tight bounds. Remus turned him over. "Please, just follow me. I don't want to do this to you, Harry." Harry narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
Remus sighed and waved his wand, freeing only Harry's legs. Gently, the werewolf helped him off the ground but kept a tight grip on his shoulders to keep him from running again.
Harry felt fury building up in him at each step he took towards Hogsmeade, away from his father. How could Remus do this? Did Remus want his father to die? Did Remus want him to be alone again? He felt his vision blur with anger and concentrated on taking in one breath after another.
Hogsmeade was abandoned when Remus and Harry approached it and Harry actually felt his anger melt into curiosity. Hogsmeade was never abandoned. Where were all the cheerful people? It was Valentine's Day; it should be more crowded then before. But they didn't see another living person. The only movement in the abandoned village, besides them, came from the wind that was blowing gently, stirring snowflakes up from their resting point on the ground.
Remus tightened his hold on Harry, his amber eyes scanning the abandoned streets. Harry glanced through the windows of some shops and thought he saw a couple of people, but when he looked again, they were gone.
"What the hell…" Remus whispered, his eyes darting around frantically.
"Remus? What's going on?"
Remus opened his mouth to respond but was abruptly cut off as a loud "Crucio!" broke the eerie silence. Remus's eyes widened as he immediately shoved Harry to the ground, the curse just barely missing them.
A moment later, the empty street was filled with black-clad figures with white masks. Harry felt his heart skip a beat. Why hadn't his scar burned?
Remus muttered a quick, "Finite Incantantem," and yanked the now unbound Harry off the ground. "Wand out!" he shouted. Harry didn't need to be told twice.
"Idiot! You should have waited for my orders!" a shrill voice rang out. Harry recognized it immediately: Bellatrix Lestrange.
Remus shoved Harry behind him, pointing his wand at her. There were about seven Death Eaters, all forming a wall in front of them; there was no escape.
"Harry," Remus hissed quietly. "Go!"
"You're not going anywhere, traitor!" Lestrange purred, her eyes glittering insanely from behind the mask. "Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater and your Lord wants to see you, Potter!"
Remus shoved Harry in the opposite direction of the Death Eaters. "Run!"
"Crucio!" five voices shouted at the same time. Harry let out a yell as they all connected on Remus, who fell to the ground, screaming.
Remus's screams rang through Harry's ears and he felt raw hatred rise up inside of him.
Lestrange lifted the curse and signaled for the others to do so as well. "Give up, Potter. You are one of us now!"
"Go….Harry.." Remus whispered in a raspy voice. Harry stared at him for a moment before turning and race in the direction of the Three Broomsticks; he had to get them away from Remus.
Several voices rang out different curses but Harry didn't look back to see, nor did his brain register what exactly the curses were. He kept running, his legs ached, his lungs burned….
Distantly, he heard a loud "Imperio!" sound above the other curses. Harry fell to the ground and saw the curse shoot over him. Unfortunately, he had ducked into a Cruciatus.
The curse, he numbly thought, hurt much more then he had remembered. It brought the memories of his torture from Voldemort, making it sear through his skin a hundred times worse. A ragged scream burst from his lips, as he felt hot knives stabbing into him over and over again. His vision tunneled, his brain fogged and finally, miraculously, the pain stopped.
Harry crumpled on the ground, panting, his throat aching from the screams. His eyes were blank with memory and suddenly, he was back in the Riddle House, alone, with Voldemort. He was cold, though his body was numb, and he could feel aches rippling through him each breath he took.
"Harry!" Remus's warm eyes met Harry's and his vision cleared, his brain slowly catching up to his eyes.
"R-Remus?" he whispered, surprised on both accounts that he could talk and how raspy his voice sounded. "W-What happened?"
Remus smiled earnestly at him and gently helped him up. Harry rubbed his eyes and stared at the now crowded town. The aurors from Hogwarts were there, fighting with Death Eaters, and Harry noted with relief that the aurors outnumbered them easily. He could already see three Death Eaters tied and bound.
"We need to go," Remus whispered. Harry realized that both he and the werewolf were shaking, courtesy of the Cruciatus.
Harry nodded and, with the aid of Remus, stood up, stumbling slightly. He carefully took the Invisibility Cloak out from his pocket and shakily handed it to Remus.
"Avada Kedavra!" a shrill voice screamed suddenly from very close to them, too close…
Harry saw the flash of green light igniting from the wand, the rushing sound echoing through his ears. It all seemed to go in slow motion. One moment, Harry was staring at the light that was quickly approaching, wondering if the curse would kill him since he had to be killed by Voldemort and the next, a body was flung in it's path.
Everything then seemed to go so fast. There was a loud rushing sound; the blinding flash of green light and Harry was grasping Remus's limp body. The weight was suddenly too much for his dazed body and he collapsed to the ground, Remus's body beside him.
Harry froze for a moment before he realized what had just happened. "Remus!" he yelled, grasping the body. "Remus! Remus! Wake up! Please wake up! I'm sorry, Remus, I'm so sorry!" Harry screamed as if his screams would somehow bring Remus back to life.
Harry felt the hot tears pouring down his cheeks, dripping onto Remus's body. His body….Remus was dead. Remus was dead! He was dead! Dead! Dead like Sirius! Dead like Cedric Diggory! Dead.
An ice-cold feeling formed in Harry's stomach and it felt as if someone was holding a pillow over his face. He tried desperately to breath, but it felt as if he were breathing in concrete. No. This couldn't be happening. This-this was a dream! And Harry was going to wake up from it and go to see Remus and apologize for not visiting him at all this year and Remus was going to smile and say it was okay and they were going to have tea and everything was going to be fine…..and Remus would be alive…
A howl of agony met his ears. It took a moment for him to realize that it was him. He was yelling, yelling incoherent, unimportant things…..just yelling. Yelling so loud that his lungs burned, his throat ached. But he didn't stop yelling, he couldn't. Not when he ran out of air, not when his throat felt as if it was going to collapse, not even when he felt a pair of hands grasp his shoulders, yanking him away from Remus.
Harry took in couple of frantic breaths, though didn't receive any air. He let out a feral scream, lashing out madly as he tried to get free, to get back to Remus. He clawed at anything he touched, bit anyone he could get his hands on, flailing his limbs out wildly, not caring that he bruised anyone he hit.
He could feel other hands gripping him, trying to control his flailing but he retaliated by biting any hand that tried to touch him, not even knowing if it was his own father that was trying to calm him. He thrashed like a wildcat and didn't stop until he felt a sharp sting in his neck, followed by a feeling of being stupefied. He was paralyzed.
Harry panted heavily, lying there helplessly as the aurors lifted him and shoved him into a dark carriage. He once again heard the bolt lock solidly after they shut the door, cutting off any light. The tranquilizer hadn't worn off and Harry couldn't prevent himself from rolling onto his face as the carriage started to move.
He was alone, all alone. There wasn't even Draco here with him. Harry tried to swallow but found that he couldn't. He couldn't even blink. His face was already wet with tears and his eyes started to sting.
Only one thing registered in his broken mind: Remus was dead.
Harry squeezed his eyes shut, trying to forget the fact that came back, no matter how hard he tried to forget it.
Remus was dead.
His eyes opened again. The blankness that once resided there was gone, instead was determination and something else…something that had never been there before. A shadow seemed to shine in his once bright and innocent eyes. A shadow that had the capacity to form into darkness.
Nothing mattered anymore, Remus was dead…..and he swore that Bellatrix Lestrange would join him at his own hand.
A/N- Well, tell me what you think...