This is the first chapter of the new year. I must apologise for it being so late, I've hardly had a minute to myself since being back at university. At any rate, it's great news to hear the sixth book is soon going to be released, I can't wait. Thanks to those that reviewed the last chapter, some really good points were raised and don't worry, I have taken them into consideration. Enough with me wasting your time, time to start the chapter.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. are owned and trademarks of JK Rowling as well as Warner Bros. Inc. I don't own anything other than Pedro and the plot, which Twisted Silver Dagger originally helped me develop.

In and out of the traffic the Knight Bus zoomed in and out of the traffic. Even though he had been on the Knight Bus a few times before, Harry still found himself marvelling at the way all objects in the path of the Knight Bus jumped out of the way. He decided to not look out the front of the window or out any windows for that matter. All of the objects zooming by were making him feel queasy, which was truly an unpleasant feeling adding onto the pain and weariness that he was feeling at the moment.

Pedro on the other hand was barely able to contain himself from all of the excitement. He was looking out each window he was thrown to. Nobody was physically throwing him around. He was being thrown about due to Ern's driving. Each sudden turn would throw Pedro, who would always land with a rather sickening thud. However, no matter how hard he fell he would always some how manage to pull himself up and stare out at the window that he fell under. A few of the witches and wizards on the bus were murmuring at what Pedro was doing.

Soon, after a few more minutes of horrendous driving (and a few spills of hot chocolate) as well as a few more sickening landings on Pedro's part, Harry (who had dared a look out the front window) saw that they had finally reached Saint Mungo's. The screeching of tires, beds being thrown forward and sudden stop confirmed this. Harry was now really feeling nauseous from the trip, plus he had a new bump on his head from the trip. He didn't dare imagine how many more bumps and bruises Pedro had gotten from the trip.

They were assisted into the hospital by Stan, Ern and the old wizard. Harry by this time was being supported by Stan and the older wizard while Ern, who wasn't really doing much, was assisting Pedro (whose eyes were darting everywhere in amazement). Harry was struggling to keep his wits about him at this stage, he was feeling ill and his legs felt like jelly. Without even realising it, while he was being checked in, he had passed out.

When Harry next awoke he was in a dimly lit room. From what he could tell he was in a hospital room very much the same as Mr. Weasley had been in last year after the snake had attacked him. Harry couldn't help suppressing a shudder as the memory of him being inside of the snake's head and the feeling of him attacking Mr. Weasley. He wanted to move but found that he was unable. The only part of his body that he could move was his head. His glasses were still on his face. This was strange he thought, because of the many times he had awoken in a hospital room or the hospital wing at Hogwarts his glasses had always been removed. Stranger still, he noticed, that his glasses were completely fixed. Who had done it?

"Ah, hello there young one. It's good to see you're awake." Came a voice that sounded a little old and feeble from his left.

Harry moved his head to that direction and saw one of the healers of Saint Mungo's.

"You really were through the mill eh lad? I must say, I've not seen a person so beaten since the days when the dark lord was at full power. Mind you, most of the people I saw back then where dead, so I guess that's something to be grateful for. Although, I guess things are only going to be getting more difficult and worse now that the dark lord has arisen again. But then again….." On and on the old healer went.

Harry almost started smirking at the way the old healer was speaking and just about having a debate with himself. The healer kept on speaking for a few more minutes before he finally stopped, having just stumped himself with a question.

"At any way, there's nothing we can do that now (Harry didn't have a clue what the healer was going on about, he had lost track of what he had been saying some time ago) nothing at all. At any rate, not unless another Harry Potter comes along." The healer ended with a sigh.

Harry found his eyes wide open at this stage, for it truly seemed that this healer hadn't a clue of just who he was. He couldn't help feeling a little happy, because now he was just being treated as a normal person would have been treated. Then something occurred to him, he quickly looked around the room and then saw that there was space for another bed, but there was nobody else in the room. He wondered where Pedro was. He turned his head back to the healer and was about to ask him when he found that the healer was once again speaking with himself.

"……. and it really was a difficult case. The most difficult I had dealt with for years let me tell you. Lucky for the patient that at that time the full properties of a certain bush had been discovered. It was quite extraordinary, because muggles had been using this bush to make a drink of for years. Sometimes those muggles amaze me. I must say, they are a strange bunch. Why, just the other day I was………." And on and on the healer went.

Harry's mouth was hanging open, because now the healer was speaking about muggles and the strange things they did. Harry couldn't get a word in anywhere. Slowly but surely Harry was starting to feel both tired and frustrated. Minutes passed and the healer had once more gone onto his next topic of discussion. Harry was really feeling wary when a click on his right told him that somebody had opened the door and entered his room. Looking who was entering he felt an enormous wave of relief pass over him. Walking into the room was none other than Professor Dumbledore.

Professor Dumbledore walked over to the healer (who was still talking to himself, now something about old brooms that gave many splinters during a quidditch world cup of years gone by) interrupted him. They spoke for a few moments and then the healer came over to Harry.

"It was really nice chatting to you lad, you really are a good chatter I must say. Very interesting to speak to. You've a good many thoughts, I'll drop in to check on you, we can talk again. Your principle here wants to speak to you now though, so I'm afraid you'll have to save your next thought for next time." The healer said with a smile before departing.

"Ah, good old Godfrey, age is creeping up on him, but he is a really good healer. Harry, let me first of all start by saying how sorry I am about all that happened to you." Professor Dumbledore said looking at Harry without the sparkle in his eyes, in place was rather a look of true concern.

Harry remained silent. He really didn't know what to say, professor Dumbledore's words rang true. He really did sound sorry, but there was something that bothered Harry. If he was truly sorry, why was he sorry? Why didn't he do anything to stop what was happening to Harry? The look on his face was a look that told Harry it seemed as if he knew exactly what Harry was thinking.

"Truth be told Harry, we did for sometime suspect that there was something not right in your letters. They just didn't convey the idea that you really meant what you had written. We had actually attempted a rescue mission, but we weren't able to complete it. I'll tell you more about it later, when you're feeling better Harry. I know, I've often told you this, but as soon as you're better, then I'll speak of this." Professor Dumbledore said in a tone that conveyed the idea that his mind was made up.

"Professor, what about the friend who came with me? His name is Pedro. He came in with me, but he's not a wizard professor. Will his memory be modified?" Harry asked choosing to remain silent as to the information that professor Dumbledore didn't want to tell him.

"Ah, well, now there is a very interesting little character. No Harry, his memory will not be modified. You are correct in saying that young Pedro isn't a wizard, not really one. This news may startle you, but Pedro is actually a squib Harry. I had a chat with him, and it was clearly evident to me what he was. That would explain why he could see the Knight Bus. He told me that he had seen it on many occasions and that people had called him mad saying he was pointing at thin air. Now, don't you worry yourself over him, he's doing well, in fact, although he is also in a poor way, I would venture to say that he is having the time of his life. I will try and see if there is not a way that we can help him. There is after all, nothing for him to go back to in the muggle world. He might even prove useful." Professor Dumbledore said and now Harry could clearly see that the twinkle had returned to his eyes.

A movement behind Professor Dumbledore's back drew Harry's attention.

"Ah, I believe they are done examining him. Well Harry, I will take my leave, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have been notified and are on their way. I see that you can only move your head, don't worry about that. You've been magically placed in traction, the healers here don't want you to move to much while they assess your condition. Your neck may be sore because that has had a charm put on it so that you can move it without injuring it. I'll take my leave now, a healer should be along shortly to come and give you a sleeping potion. Take care Harry." Professor Dumbledore said and left the room.

"Pedro has seen so much!" came the excited voice of Pedro to Harry's right.

"Interesting place isn't it Pedro?" Harry asked Pedro.

"Pedro can not believe what he has seen friend Harry! Pedro has seen much, has heard much, in fact, Pedro thinks that the people here are not good in their heads Harry. Pedro thinks that the one Harry was now speaking to is one of those not good in the head. Pedro is sure of it." Pedro said speaking very quickly.

"Professor Dumbledore? What makes you say that Pedro?" Harry asked curious as to this statement of Pedro's concerning Professor Dumbledore.

"Pedro is sure Harry. The man was speaking to Pedro and he is not right Harry. Pedro was called a squid Harry! Pedro was shocked when he heard it! Pedro could not understand it! Pedro was very confused indeed. I mean, does Pedro look like a squid? Pedro does not even know how to be swimming! Pedro is no fish Harry, Pedro can be slippery at times escaping people, but he is no squid. Of that Pedro is sure Harry." Pedro said stating his case.

Harry couldn't help himself, he had to laugh. It was something that seemed so foreign to him, something he felt he hadn't done in years. But it felt good, it felt really good. Pedro's outlook on the wizarding world was truly something interesting. Pedro looked at Harry in a confused manner and was about to speak when another healer entered the room.

"Time to rest you two, you've had a rough time." She said and gave both of them dreamless sleep potions.

She removed Harry's glasses and soon he could feel the effects of the potion taking an effect on him. Soon darkness overwhelmed him and he was fast asleep.

A/N Well, that ends this chapter. I must be honest in saying I did rather enjoy writing the chapter. It's been so long since I've last written. I miss writing and will try to make more time for writing. It's just all the work from the university keeping me busy. Thanks again to all those reading the story and I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's nice working with a character like Pedro. Sorry again for taking so long to update, I'm going to try and update on a more regular basis.

Cheers

Lost in A World of Pain