Harry receives a new diary from Fawkes, the Weasley's leave Grimmauld Place with Remus and Tonks, Harry has a very unpleasant run in with Snape, and an even more unpleasant encounter with the Dark Lord.

A/N: I own nothing this is all J.K.R.'s, what a brilliant mind she has.

Chapter Seven- Dreams and Potions

Harry's temples were throbbing when he woke up. At first he didn't remember where he was or anything that had happened in the last day, but as soon as he opened his eyes everything painfully came back to him. He was still in Sirius' bedroom and the door was still locked. He didn't know how long he had been asleep for. He didn't even remember falling asleep. He only remembered thinking about Sirius and then being overwhelmed with the though that his godfather's death had been his fault. He remembered crying into his arms over the loss of his godfather, and being in his room had finally made Harry realize that Sirius truly wasn't coming back. There was no one left that understood him, and what was worse, he was probably in trouble for unleashing his magic the way he did. It really had been stupid, he could have controlled himself, but he hadn't wanted to. He wouldn't let himself loose control again. He could have seriously hurt someone.

The magic he had used had taken a huge amount of energy out of him, which was probably why he had fallen asleep, he was just glad that no one had really witnessed his emotional breakdown. Harry slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position. He was now receiving the side affects of using such powerful magic. He felt like he had been trampled over by a heard of hippogriffs and on top of that he was starving. He now remembered that he had eaten very little in the last day.

Forcing himself to stand, Harry stumbled across to the door and unlocked the latch. He pulled the door open an inch and peered out. Satisfied that no one was about, Harry stepped out into the hall and started to make his way down the several flights of stairs to the kitchen. He was surprised that he met no one on the way. Besides a lit lantern here and there, all was dark and there wasn't a sound in all of Grimmauld Place. Harry didn't bother lighting any candles as he entered into the deserted kitchen, there were already three or four lit, and the dimness didn't bother him at all.

Harry set about making anything that he could find to eat. When he was finished he'd managed to make three chicken sandwiches, a bowl of chicken soup, and he'd found some butter beer stashed away in one of the cupboards, presumably belonging to George or Fred, as there were several Weasley Wizarding candies just in back of them. Harry consumed the food quickly and was just taking a bite out of his last sandwich when Fawkes suddenly appeared in front of him on the table.

Harry hit at his chest a couple of times, as he had choked on the bite of sandwich, and he swallowed hard. He had not expected Fawkes to appear then, and it had scared the hell out of him. "Bloody Hell Fawkes, a warning would have been nice," again, Harry thought, I'm talking to a bloody bird.

The phoenix just looked at Harry for a half a second, jumped up into the air with his wings outstretched, and then landed again, as a really thick book fell hard on the table with a heavy thud. Harry got up immediately and pulled the large tomb towards him eagerly with a grin on his face. "Another diary, excellent," Harry whispered as he opened the book to the first page and read the first few paragraphs in lightning speed, his brow furrowing ever so slightly as he read and then flipped through the book, the grin faded from Harry's face immediately. "A Potions book," Harry cringed. It was indeed a Potions book, from front to back almost every page was covered with hand written instructions on how to create various Potions, including ingredients needed and the most likely places to find them.

Fawkes just nodded at Harry's cringe, looked at him sternly and then disappeared in a flash of feathers and fire. Harry looked at the spot the phoenix had vanished from for several minutes, before he closed the book and started clearing up his dishes. Potions was, and as far as Harry was concerned, would always be his worst subject and a complete waste of time. He'd never be able to create anything from that book, even if they were instructions from Merlin himself, so Harry decided that reading it was pointless, he'd concentrate on other areas of study. Especially anything he could use against Voldemort.

Harry tucked the book under his arm and started to leave the kitchen when he realized for the first time, that his glasses were not on his face. Harry raised an eyebrow and turned back towards the kitchen. Everything was clear as day.

"How?" murmured Harry to himself as he looked around the kitchen, he had definitely left his glasses in Sirius' room. He had been seeing clearly since he woke up. Harry ran his hand through his still sleep tussled hair. It didn't make any logical sense. Unless the magic he had used had done it, but how? But then logic was thrown out the window when it came to magic.

Harry kept looking around the kitchen in amazement, when he noticed a letter that he hadn't seen sitting on the counter until then. Harry walked over to it and picked it up. It had his name on it in glistening green letters and the Hogwarts seal was pressed into the wax on the back of it. Harry broke the seal and pulled out the letter inside. He scanned over it very quickly and then his eyes widened, and his mouth hung open in disbelief. It was more amazing then his gaining perfect eyesight. The letter held his O.W.L. test results and he had scored an O in Potions. Snape was going to be livid, but Harry was thrilled. Not at the prospect that he had to spend yet another year in the mans presence, but because he could take the only class that he thought for sure would hold him back from becoming an Auror, the only occupation Harry had ever really considered. Of course that was before the prophecy…

Perhaps he wasn't as bad at Potions as he thought, though he doubted that he'd be able to make use of Merlin's potion book, of what little he had glanced over in the book, it appeared very advanced and complex, too complex for his limited potion skills. He'd read it anyway of course, how else was he going to get another diary. Fawkes only ever brought him one when he had finished the last.

Harry was still contemplating this thought as he walked out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. Voices in the hall above made Harry stop and shrink quickly into the shadows, before he had the chance to put one foot on the stairs. Harry listened intently, it sounded as if the entire Weasley family was in the entrance hall, and though they were talking in hushed voices, do to Mrs. Black, Harry could hear every word of their arguing clearly. Had his hearing increased as well? Harry shook his head away from the thought.

"Mum, shouldn't Harry be coming with us, or shouldn't we at least wake him up and tell him we're going?" It was Ginny's concerned voice that Harry heard first.

"Yeah Mum, he's been in that room for two days, he hasn't come out to eat or anything," that was distinctly Ron's voice.

"I know you're concerned about your friend dears, and I have to admit that I am a bit worried myself, but Professor Dumbledore insists that we do not disturb him, he believes that Harry will come out when he is ready. However, if he has not come out by the time we get back tonight I will personally go in there and drag him out by his collar."

Harry would have laughed at Mrs. Weasley's last statement had she not said it so seriously, and Harry's mind was still reeling with the thought that he'd been asleep for two days. The magic must have taken more out of him then he thought. But given him more as well?

"Mum, what was the magic Harry used the other night that has Professor Dumbledore and the Order so worried?" Ginny asked cautiously.

Harry's ears perked up. Yes, Mrs. Weasley, what magic exactly, does Dumbledore think I'm using? Harry thought to himself and he knew that there'd be a sneer in his voice if he were to ask the question out loud.

Harry could almost feel the hesitation coming from Mrs. Weasley, and just as he was about to think that she wasn't going to answer Ginny's question, she spoke. "I can not tell you the exact spell because I do not know it, but I can tell you that it was very Dark Magic."

"So what Snape told us in the meeting last night is true. Harry's somehow learning Dark Magic," Harry didn't recognize the voice right off but the next person who spoke told him who the voice belonged to.

"Not just Dark Magic Bill, powerful and deadly magic. Harry very well could have killed himself the other night as well as anyone near him," Remus' angry words made all the Weasley's gasp. Harry wanted to run up the stairs to Remus and tell him it wasn't true, that he would never use Dark Magic, but something made him stay where he was.

"How long do you suppose Harry's been using the Dark Arts?" It was Charlie's voice that made Harry creep closer to the stairs, though still stay in the shadows.

"With the amount of power he's gained I'd have to guess over a year, maybe more," Remus' heated words stung at Harry viciously. They'd known each other since Harry's third year at Hogwarts. How could Remus think that he'd been practicing Dark Magic for so long? Or that he would ever practice Dark Magic.

"It isn't true!" There was still hope, Ron didn't believe it. If anyone trusted Harry to have enough common sense to not use Dark Magic, it would be his best friend. "Hermione and me, well Hermione anyways would have known if Harry was using Dark Magic all last year, plus he never used magic like this until he came here, maybe it's uh…"

You should have kept your mouth shut Ron, now go on make up some excuse. Harry thought as he listed to Ron's pathetic attempt at defending him.

"Yes, Ronald?" Mrs. Weasley questioned.

"Umm… well I… umm… Harry left the house a couple days ago. He's the one that set off the alarm." Harry put his head in his hand. Even Ron was betraying him now. Was everyone against him?

"Ronald Weasley, why didn't you tell someone before now? He could have been seen, he could have been killed," Mrs. Weasley near shrieked and it reminded Harry of the howler Ron had gotten in his second year. Amazingly Mrs. Black stayed quiet.

"I know Mum, but he made me promise. He said he'd just gone outside for some fresh air, and promised never to…" Ron's sentence was cut short as the front door opened and closed.

"Hello Tonks, any problems getting the portkey?" Remus asked. The anger now gone from his voice, replaced by what Harry could only discern has sadness. Or regret?

"None, the Ministry is in such disarray that they couldn't care less about the little things like portkeys and such," Tonks' voice sounded quite sad as well. "Well come on Weasley's if we don't get moving, we're going to be late. Fred, George and Arthur are all meeting us there." There was a shuffling of feet, presumably everyone trying to gather around the portkey. Where were they going? "Remus are you sure you're alright to come with us? You don't have to."

"I'm fine, I have to go. I have to see this through to the end. But I am a little worried about leaving Harry here," Remus' voice held a slight bit of annoyance.

"Don't worry, Severus is here, Harry will be fine. Now put your finger on the Portkey it's going to go off shortly." There was another shuffle of feet, letting Remus into the group.

"That's what I'm worried about," Remus quickly added and then there was silence.

Harry cautiously made his way up the stairs and into the now empty entrance hall. He breathed out heavily. He desperately wanted to tell everyone about Merlin's Diaries, but there was still that tiny nagging voice that kept telling him to keep the Diaries to himself. Harry briefly wondered again, where they had all gone as he walked up the next flight of stairs and right into the path of Severus Snape. Harry tried to turn around quickly but was too slow for the Potion's Professor had already seen him.

"How long have you been up and about, Potter?" there was no civility in his address.

Harry turned around and looked at Snape with disgust. "I've been up long enough to hear many things, now if you would excuse me." What Harry really wanted to say, was 'move you slimy git.' He was very close to actually saying it, but he'd just got high enough on his O.W.L.'s to get into Snape's class. He didn't want to blow it, and get kicked out before school even started.

"One moment Potter, what is that book you are holding?" Harry had forgotten that he still held Merlin's book under his arm and panic almost washed over his face before a slight smirk came across Harry's lips.

"It's a potion's book Sir. Professor McGonagall thought it would come in handy for me to get a head start on my N.E.W.T. studies. She gave it to me at the end of last term," Harry lied through his teeth but kept the smirk on his face.

"As far as I am aware, Potter, you did not receive high enough marks on your O.W.L.'s to get into my N.E.W.T. Potions class."

The smirk grew on Harry's face immediately. "How would you know? O.W.L. scores haven't come out yet, or have they?" Harry held up the letter that he had crunched in his left hand. "I scored an O in Potions Professor; I believe that's high enough to get into your Potions class."

Snape Sneered, "nothing is high enough to get into my class for you, Potter. I refuse to continue to teach Potions to a spoiled brat such as you."

"Fine, why would I want to continue in your pathetic Potions class anyways Snape? I've never learned anything there. I'm surprised anyone has," Harry threw down his O.W.L. results at Snape's feet. "All I have to do is pass the exam, as long as I study on my own, I don't have to take your class at all," Harry said cheekily. He hoped that what he was saying was true, though part of him really didn't care. "Now excuse me, I have nothing more to say to you," Harry clenched his teeth against the urge to throw a curse at Snape, and Harry was startled that it wasn't his urge, but Voldemort's. Harry moved around him to continue up the stairs to his and Ron's room.

"Potter, if you continue to dwell in the Dark Arts, there will be consequences," Snape sneered calmly as Harry started up the stairs.

Harry turned around very quickly. "I am not learning Dark Magic!" Harry breathed in deeply, and with hatred in his eyes, asked the question he'd been subconsciously dying to ask. "What right do you have to tell all of the Order that I was using Dark Magic? Was it Dumbledore's idea or did you do it of own violation?" Harry was seething. He knew that he should keep his mouth shut but his anger was too great. "If you continue to insist to everyone that I am using Dark Magic, I will not be held responsible for my ACTIONS!" Harry shouted down the stairs and then he took in a calming deep breath. He had to control himself. He had to.

"If it's not Dark Magic Potter, what is it?" Snape asked, too calmly.

"Something a servant of Voldemort could never grasp," Harry spit out the words in a harsh whisper before he could stop himself. His scar stung irritably as he turned way to continue up the stairs.

"Crucio!" the words came a half a heart beat before Snape's curse and Harry screamed and dropped to his knees in agony. He felt as if every cell in his body was on fire, every nerve ending. He felt himself slide down several stairs, but wasn't aware of it until he stopped at Snape's feet. Then the curse was lifted suddenly. "I am not a servant of the Dark Lord!"

Harry panted and turned to Snape with fear and tears in his eyes, and utter disbelief. Harry quivered with painful after shocks, but managed to scramble to his feet shakily and unsteadily. He wanted to get as far away from the man as possible.

"That's why you're still a servant of Voldemort," Harry whispered weakly and then grabbed his book from the stair above him and against the protest of his body, ran up the stairs and into his room, slammed the door behind him.

Harry dropped the Potion's book and sunk to the floor, he leaned his head against the door with his eyes closed, trying to stem the flow of tears that streamed down his face. Harry had been bullied and beaten up all of his life by either his uncle or his cousin. He was used to the physical abuse, but never did he imagine that a teacher, including Professor Snape, would ever right out curse him with an unforgivable curse. Why did he feel so grown up, but was still so naïve?

Getting hit with the Cruciatus Curse by Snape had been far different then getting hit with it by Voldemort. Bellatrix Lestrange had been right; you have to mean it for the curse to work properly. While Voldemort got pleasure from using the curse on Harry it was obvious by the power of the curse that Snape did not, and that was what made Snape different from Voldemort and his followers. Snape had used the curse out of anger and no more, and Harry had provoked that anger. Not that he was forgiving the man of anything.

Harry sat contemplating this for hours, at least he it felt like hours, and sometime during those hours, Harry had begun to fall asleep against the door. His head rolled to one side as he tried fruitlessly to stay awake…

"Lucius, you have come back to me," the voice Harry spoke with was strong and full of power, but still had the unmistakable snake like hiss to it.

"My Lord," Lucius Malfoy knelt in front of him on one knee. He had no mask and the black robes he wore were tattered and stained, but his white-blond hair was still sleek and gleaming, as if untouched by the filth that he wore.

"We are so glad to have you rejoin us, aren't we, Potter?"

Harry suddenly felt himself being propelled from his body… no, not his body, Voldemort's body! Within seconds he was visibly standing in front of Lucius Malfoy and Lord Voldemort, but he knew that he was still dreaming. "How?" he asked with his own shaky voice as he stared back at the Dark Lord. Maybe he wasn't dreaming. He never really remembered falling asleep.

"Amazing what the unconscious mind can do when it has power to back it up, isn't it?" Voldemort walked towards Harry and Harry flinched away from him. "Ah, Mr. Potter, do not worry, I can not harm you, for you are not actually here," Malfoy looked up at Harry with disgust at Voldemort's words.

Harry looked at Voldemort with an expression of fear and confusion. "I don't understand," Harry said shakily.

"I have simply allowed you to project yourself from my mind and yours. This way, when you sleep and see what I am doing, you will no longer be seeing it through me or feeling it, and I, will always be able to tell when you are here with me. This applies both ways off course, but I very much doubt that you could summon the amount of power to make me visible to all around you, as I am doing know," Voldemort explained and Harry was frighteningly amazed at Voldemort's power. "Now tell me Potter, before your body wakes up and you leave us, how did it feel to be tortured by Severus Snape? It's so much fun when I can control my followers," Voldemort said this with a smirk on his face and anger flashed across Harry's face and then to Harry's horror-struck pleasure, amusement.

"Stop making me feel your emotions," Harry spat at Voldemort, and a revolting smile played across Voldemort's lips.

"Oh but it's so pleasurable to see the reverse finally put upon you. Did you know that for a year I felt every sickening giddy feeling you had. Every feeling of happiness, of joy, that was powerful enough to be projected to me?" Harry stopped breathing at Voldemort's words and his face paled considerably as another disgusting smile played across the Dark Lord's lips. "But I think the most intriguing of all the emotions I felt from you this past school year, was the one a got from you the morning after our little battle in the Ministry of Magic. Hatred, anger, fear, sorrow, all of my favorite feelings all wrapped up into one very powerful burst of emotion. It gave me much strength, and power that night, and I would like to thank you for it."

Horror washed across Harry's face as the room in front of him blurred. The power Voldemort was using over Harry had come from his outburst in Dumbledore's office the morning he had found out about the Prophecy. The morning after he had lost his godfather, and the memory of that night came flowing back to Harry in a torrent.

"Yes Potter, fuel my power…"

Were, along with the sound of manic laughter, the last words Harry heard from Voldemort before he woke up with a start on the floor of his bedroom. He was now curled in a tight ball and he shook as he tried to wash from his mind anything that would make him feel any kind of emotion.

A/N: Wow, Harry's having a ruff time of it. Keep on with the reading to find out what Harry plans to do about Professor Snape, the Evil Dark Lord, and that pesky Potion's book Fawkes dropped off.