Disclaimer: I do not own ANY of the characters; they are all J.K. Rowling's. No profit is being made, pleasure only.

A/N: Sorry about the long wait! Just a friendly warning that the language kicks in here so just be ready!

Chapter 2

Hold On

"This pain you cannot bare
But we all bleed the same way as you do
We all have the same things to go thru
Hold on...if you feel like letting go
Hold on...it gets better than you know
Your days you say they're way too long
And your nights you can't sleep at all (hold on)"

Harry rolled over and coughed. Another sleepless night. Maybe tonight at Hogwarts he could sneak a little Dreamless Sleep Potion. Harry slowly got up just to collapse back down on the floor. 'Pathetic Potter,' he thought to himself. He got up again and covered up in jeans and one of Dudley's oversized turtlenecks to cover up the bruises from two nights ago.

Harry was determined to get on the good side of the Dursley's today, if that was even possible. He had coffee, waffles, eggs, bacon, and sausage ready when Aunt Petunia came down. She looked at what he made, and couldn't seem to find a thing wrong with it.

Uncle Vernon and Dudley came down a few minutes later. "What do you want, boy?" Vernon asked. "Well, erm… today's the day I go back to... school," he replied, being careful not to slip out the forbidden word Hogwarts.

"And you want us to drive you ungrateful bastard to the train station where you can learn how at that freak school to make our lives even more miserable?"

"Well, umm…" Vernon smacked him hard across the face with enough force to send Harry flying back into the kitchen cabinet. He didn't have the energy to get back up.

"You're never going back to that school if I can help it you little freak! I'm sick of your kind coming around here and pushing us around! You're just like your mother, that little bitch! You're a nobody, and I think it's time you've learnt that!"

"Enough!" a very angry voice bellowed from the door. There stood a very pissed off Remus Lupin. "Moony!" Harry exclaimed. "Hey Harry, come on I'm taking you to the train station. Get your stuff."

Harry walked upstairs as fast as he could, being very careful to shield his face from Remus. He knew a bruise was there from where his uncle had managed to slap him, and he couldn't let the last of his father's friends know that he couldn't stand up to his uncle. Hell, if he couldn't stand up to his uncle, how was he ever going to be able to stand up to Voldemort?

It took less than 5 minutes to get everything packed. He put some concealing cream on his cheek that he had bought last year, then he went downstairs. He heard the noise of Remus yelling.

"How DARE you say any of those words to him! He has more heart and courage then you have in your pinky finger! He's put himself before others and here you tell him he's NOTHING? You disgust me! Come on Harry, let's go."

Harry quickly followed him out the door. They walked in silence for about half a mile then stopped. Harry was really tired by this point, he could barely stand up a minute ago, and now he felt like he was going to collapse.

"Are you alright Harry?" Remus said worridley. He had been concerned about his young charge ever since he first saw him lying there against the cabinet. Harry looked terrible. There were dark rings under his eyes; he looked like he hadn't slept in ages. He was pale and looked almost feverish. He leaned over to feel his forehead. Harry quickly realized what he was doing and turned away. "I'm fine." He replied.

Remus looked into Harry's emerald eyes, and was shocked at what he saw. Enormous pain was reflected back at him, along with loss and emptiness. "Harry, how are you dealing with losing Sirius?" Immediately he regretted asking. If it was even possible, Harry turned paler and started trembling. "Fine," he said quickly. The old werewolf sighed. "Harry, you need to talk to someone about it." Harry didn't answer.

The coughing fit Harry had been holding back for a while now erupted to the surface. Remus was alarmed, the coughing sounded harsh and painful, and it wasn't going away. He quickly summoned a glass of water and handed it to Harry. He quickly drank it, and the coughs diminished. Right after that ended though, a dizzying spell occurred, and Harry fell to the ground. "Harry!" Remus said frantically.

"I'm fine," he said. Remus looked at him skeptically. "Come on, I'm going to take you straight to Hogwarts." "No, Moony! I'm fine! Please, the train ride is one of the best parts!" Remus couldn't resist the eyes that were the same as Lily's begging him. "Well, ok, but I want you to see Madam Pomfrey as soon as the feast is over, ok?" "Right," Harry said.

"Ok, well here's the plan. I'm going to apparate us both to the train station and I'll make sure you get onto the train. Have you ever apparated before?" Harry shook his head. "Ok, well I'll guess you find out how it feels like."

A sudden tunnel like thing appeared before them and in the blink of an eye they were at the train station. Harry decided he liked this much better than Floo.

They walked to Platform 9 ¾ and walked though the barrier. There, in all its glory, was the Hogwart's Express blowing its whistle.

"Alright Harry, I guess I'll see you sometime. Don't hesitate to send me an owl if you need me or just want to talk. Oh, and here I got a birthday present for you. Open it alone, ok?" Harry nodded. "See ya cub, watch out for yourself now." "You too!" Harry replied.

The next thing Harry knew, he was attacked by a bushy haired girl. Hermione ran over to hug him and Harry hit the ground. He was already weak and it didn't help with Hermione all over him.

"Bloody Hell; let him breathe for a second 'Mione." Ron called out.

"Sorry, Harry," apologized Hermione. Harry smiled a first true smile in days. It was good to be back. He stood up shakily, got his stuff, and said, "Well, let's find a compartment!"

Hermione and Ron both looked down at their feet. Ron mumbled, "Sorry mate, we got to go to the Prefect's compartment." Just then Harry realized that Ron had his arm around Hermione. He grinned and said, "Whatever, but when did you two get together?"

Just then, Ginny showed up. "Hermione came to the Burrow for half the summer, and Ron finally asked her out. You can catch them snogging on the cough sometimes, rather disgusting if you ask me." Harry snickered at this. Ron and Hermione both blushed and looked away.

"Well, Harry and I are going to find a compartment, we'll catch up with you guys later!" Harry and Ginny went on the train. They found Neville and Luna sitting together and joined them. Just then, Harry started coughing and collapsed in a seat beside Ginny. After he stopped, he saw Neville and Ginny looking at him concerned. "Are you alright, Harry?" Ginny asked. "Yeah, I'm fine." He mumbled. He had to admit to himself though, he was nothing near alright. The Hogwart's Express blew its whistle and started the journey.

He could hear Neville and Ginny talking, with the occasional comment from Luna. He was so tired though, and the movement of the train was making him sleepy. Ginny noticed his eyelids drooping more and more. His head started rolling to the side closer to her shoulder. Her breath caught in her throat when his eyes closed and his head fell on her shoulder. She tried to convince everyone that she was over her crush on Harry, but she knew she was far from over him.

Hermione and Ron opened the compartment doors to find Harry asleep resting on Ginny's shoulder with Ginny reading a book and Neville and Luna playing Wizard's Chess. They quietly sat down, being careful not to disturb Harry. They had seen the dark bags under his eyes, and if anyone needed sleep, Harry did.

All a sudden, Harry started whimpering and turning slightly from side to side.

Ginny said, "Harry, calm down, it's just a nightmare." All a sudden, Harry stopped thrashing and lay still. Then his emerald eyes popped open. He looked around wildly, but started coughing. When he stopped, he just felt so tired. The next thing he knew he was asleep again.

Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and Ginny watched confused. It sounded like Harry was sick. But none of them had ever seen Harry sick. They soon forgot about it as they settled down.

"Harry, wake up!" Ginny shook him. Harry jumped up; his bright green eyes flew open. He saw everyone looking at him. Ron said, "Calm down mate, we're almost there!

Harry hurried and changed into his Hogwarts robes just in time as the Hogwart's Express pulled in. It was a nice, cool evening and the students all got into the castle safely.

Harry sat down as the normal Gryffindor table, and he sat deep in thought for what he thought was a minute or two. He looked up to find Hermione, Ron, and Ginny looking worriedly at him.

"Hey mate, we've been calling your name for about 5 minutes! You missed the sorting!" Ron exclaimed.

"Oh sorry," Harry replied, "just got lost in a train of thought." As he finished his sentence, he started coughing again. He quickly took a sip of pumpkin juice and started eating.

Hermione in her know-it-all voice said, "Harry, you sound sick. You need to go to the Hospital Wing."

"I'm fine 'Mione, plus I want to make it at least one day before going there!" Hermione looked at him suspiciously and said, "Ok, but if you get any worse, promise me you'll go to see Madam Pomfrey?" Harry nodded.

As they finished eating, Dumbledore gave his normal speech and they starting heading up to the common rooms.

Ron and Hermione were busy argueing about S.P.E.W. and they didn't notice Harry slowly lagging farther and farther behind. He really didn't feel good, his chest and throat hurt, everything was dizzy, and he couldn't stop coughing.

While all this was going on, Snape watched all the students go up the staircase, but his eyes kept falling back on Potter. He was walking slowly and hanging on tight to the staircase, as if he was going to fall any minute. He was omitting harsh, painful coughs as he slowly went up. He had dark rings under his eyes and he looked feverish and pale. Severus knew he should tell the Headmaster or at least make Potter go to the Infirmary, but the damn boy wasn't his business! He tried to clear the image of Potter out of his head as he went to his own rooms.

Ron and Hermione were still in a heated argument until all a sudden Hermione said, "Wait, where's Harry?" They turned around and saw their small friend way behind them. They went back for him.

"Harry, you look really pale! Do you have a fever?" Hermione exclaimed.

"I'm fine, just tired." Hermione and Ron exchanged glances. They had both noticed the change in their raven-haired friend. He looked like he hadn't slept in ages, and his normally energy-filled emerald eyes looked dark, depressed, and hopeless. They just hoped that Harry would talk to them sometime, but for now, all they could do is wait.

They climbed up to bed and Harry put up Silencing Charms around his bed, so he wouldn't wake up the other boys with the nightmares that he knew were sure to come.

Harry sighed and thought, 'Well, at least I'm back at the only home I've ever had.' He shut his eyes and fell asleep.

Well, hoped you guys liked this chapter! I skipped the Sorting Hat song 'cuz I'm terrible with making up those things! Well R&R!

Review Reponses

Luvguurl and Petroleumjellydotone- Thanks I'm glad you guys like it! Hopefully I won't disappoint you! Thanks for reviewing!