NOISES and HURT FEELINGS

Harry was walking down the steps towards the old archway where a thin, tatted veil swayed softly in the non-existent breeze. His heartbeat was racing as he stopped walking within a foot from the veil. Was it his imagination or did he hear whispers? Harry leaned forward, straining to make out the words. "Harry..."

Harry gasped and sat up; cold sweat trickled down the back of his neck. The room was dark and blurred. Shaking slightly, he put on his glasses, swung his legs off his bed and put his head in his hands. After a few moments Harry's breathing returned to normal and he stood up. Sirius was waiting for him behind the veil. Harry was sure of it. He wanted Harry to go back to him. Why else would he be having those dreams? But then Dumbledore said that Voldemort would control Harry's dreams. But why lead Harry back to the department of mysteries? Why give him dreams about Sirius? Harry stopped walking suddenly aware that he had been pacing the room. His stomach growled uncomfortably and he decided to sneak downstairs to grab something to eat.

It was difficult for Harry to find his way to the door, as the only source of light was the weak moonlight shining in through the open window. Harry turned the handle and threw open the door. It swung open silently and Harry sprinted cat like down the stairs, missing the last two.

There was an uneasy silence in the house, and Harry couldn't stop himself from picturing a pack of dementors gliding around the house. A shudder escaped Harry's lips before he took a sip of orange juice. The oven clock told Harry it was past midnight and he knew that if he switched on the radio, he would be listening to the Witching Hour. He took a stick of French bread that was lying on the kitchen side and broke off the end. CRACK. Harry's head shot up and he jumped back, colliding painfully with the worktop behind him.

"Wotcha Harry" Tonks said worriedly as she hurried over to Harry. He was bent over a little because the handles of the cupboards dung into his skinny back.

"I'm fine" Harry breathed, his eyes darted nervously towards the door, leading to the hallway. The Dursleys were still asleep, Uncle Vernon would have shouted by now…

"Tonks, what are you doing here? I've only been here a week" Harry whispered as he looked up at the witch, her hair was long and red, but her eyes were blue. He could see that now. But when Tonks had apporated, Harry's heart stopped dead, Tonks looked the image of his mother.

"The order want you back at Headquarters" Tonks said happily, oblivious to Harry's thoughts. He stared at Tonks for a moment and then looked around the kitchen; there was a nasty silence.

"Alright" Harry said a little louder. Tonks stood watching Harry with a funny expression. Harry gritted his teeth together, why did everyone in the wizarding world look at him like that?

"Shall we er- get my stuff then?" Harry asked quietly as he forced himself to stay calm. Tonks jumped as if receiving a great shock.

"Oh yeah…"she said and she walked quickly and clumsily towards the door. Harry followed quietly; soon they were both gathering his possessions and were throwing them inside his trunk in his bedroom. Harry glanced at the door every now and then, desperately hoping the Dursleys wouldn't wake up. "Oh dear, your mirror's broken" Tonks whispered and before Harry turned around to see what she meant Harry heard her whisper "reparo". He saw Tonks looking at a small pocket mirror. Harry felt cold and all of the blood drained from his face.

"Tonks-" Harry began weakly tears were stinging his eyes.

Tonks looked at Harry smiling slightly. The mirror she was holding, was the mirror Sirius had given to him last year. He had broken it in disappointment and hurt after attempting to contact Sirius shortly after his death. Harry swallowed and shook his head. He turned away and gathered up his books from the floor. After several minutes Harry was dragging his trunk downstairs with Tonks behind him carrying Hedwig's empty cage.

"So are we flying again?" Harry asked Tonks as they reached the kitchen again.

"Oh no" Tonks said smiling brightly as she shook her red hair. Harry felt a lump in his throat, why did she have to choose long red hair?

" We're getting the Knight bus" Tonks said happily as she opened the kitchen door and stumbled out, Hedwig's cage still in her arms. Harry sighed, knowing that they were in for a long ride, took one last look around the clean kitchen and picked up his trunk heading for the back door.

"Arthur! He's here! Oh Harry dear, are you all right? Would you like something to eat? You must be starved! Oh – ARTHUR! Where is he?"

Harry stumbled back after being pulled into a backbreaking hug from Mrs Weasley. Harry and Tonks had just entered the dark kitchen of 12 Grimmauld House and were greeted by a crowd of red headed figures beaming brightly at him. Harry couldn't help himself but smile. It felt good to be back in the presence of the Weasleys. Mrs Weasley rushed off towards the pantry calling for Mr Weasley.

Harry suddenly wanted to be alone, which was strange because he had been yearning to be with the Weasleys the whole time he was at the Dursleys. But Tonks was blocking the door way talking happily with Bill. So he pulled out a chair and sat down, looking at noone in particular.

"Hello Harry" A timid voice said. Harry looked up, it was Ginny.

"Oh hi" Harry said in an unaturally happy voice that did not sound like his own. Ginny flicked her red hair away from her face. She was biting her lip nervously as she looked at Harry.

"How have you been?" She asked carefully. Harry felt his stomach tighten, he suddenly felt nettled. Why was she talking to him like he was delicate, troubled child.

"Fine" Harry replied through gritted teeth. Ginny seemed to have noticed his attitude because she suddenly jumped up as if electrified.

"I'm sorry, I - I just dont know what to say, I mean, this must be really hard for you, being in Sir- Sirius' house - " tears were glistening her eyes but she wiped them away abruptly and looked fearfully at Harry.

"You must want to talk about it" She continued hotly. Harry glared at Ginny, she couldn' t understand.

"You have no idea" Harry replied in a low voice. The room was suddenly quiet and everyone was listening to Harry and Ginny's conversation.

"I know I dont Harry, thats why I need you to talk to me about it. We all want to help you. Harry felt his face grow hot, so he needed to talk to everyone now did he?

"I'm going to bed" Harry said firmly as he stood up. He saw Hermione and Ron were absent from the kitchen. He would find them up stairs and talk to them, not silly little red headed girls. Ginny however seemed angry, her face was red and she was glaring at him.

"I'll walk upstairs with you" She said and gave him a look to dare Harry argue. Harry sighed heavily pushed past Tonks, leaving the silent kitchen, Ginny at his side.

"Harry" Ginny said warningly. Harry however had no desire to talk to Ginny. Why did she want to talk to him anyway? Wasn't she going out with Lee Jordon? Why didn't she just go off and write to her boyfriend. Then with a cold realisation Harry remembered that Ron and Hermione were going out. Was Harry the only person in the world without a Girlfriend? They reached the upper landing and Ginny put her hand on Harry's arm. She looked sincerely at Harry and licked her lips nervously. Entranced Harry stood stll staring at Ginny. "I want to help you" she said softly. Harry's heart leapt but he didn't know why.

"You shouldn't have to go through this on your own" Harry blinked. Why was Ginny saying this?

"How's Lee?" Harry asked in a mock polite voice. But he soon regretted it, Ginny suddenly let two angry tears fall down her cheeks and she glared hurtfully at Harry before running down the hall and disappearing through a door, which shut with a loud bang. Harry was about to follow when -

"FILTHY MUD BLOODS, MUGGLE LOVERS, TRAITORS TO THE DARK LORD!"

Harry turned back and faced the portriaght of Sirius' mother. She was screeming at the top of her lungs and Harry glared at her hatefully. " Well your son is dead now, did you know that?" He snarled, the portriaght stopped screaming and looked at Harry for a moment. If Harry didn't know better he would have thought she looked hurt.

"That's right. Sirius is dead, your only remaining son" Harry felt sick, he felt like everyone important to him had abandoned him. Sirius' mother glared back and said with a sudden realisation

"YOU! You LIAR!" She screetched. But Harry laughed darkly as he shook his head and said.

"Now you shut up, or I'll invite the whole street of muggles into this house." Her face went white and she looked at Harry with wide eyes and remained quiet. Harry smiled grimly, inclined his head to her and dashed up the stairs. At least he managed to take his anger out on a portriaght this time. When Harry reached the door to the room he stayed in the christmas before but stopped when he heard two hushed voices on the other side. He swallowed and braced himself as he turned the handle and opened the door...

A.N Cliffhanger! lol. Don't worry Chapter 3 is already on its way. And yet again I need to remind you that things will get better. Promise! It just might take some time!