sneaks in

Hey there! Yes, we know we have taken forever and a decade to get this chapter up! But do not worry we are back on track and ready to finish this sequel. We actually have every single chapter planned out so every week we are just going to write our scenes. Be on the look out for a chapter once a weekend.

We do hope you enjoy this chapter!

I………………..I

Chapter Two: Unshed Emotions

It was not out of the ordinary for Ron to be woken up by one of his roommates on a school day. He always had a knack for sleeping in late, only to be found hastily rushing to get to his class in the morning. It was to his surprise to wake up and find Harry still asleep. Harry was normally the first person to wake up. Deep down this left a twinge of concern in Ron's stomach.

Ron decided to let Harry sleep in more as he got ready for the day. Merely because he knew that they hadn't gone to bed on good terms and he knew that he would have to apologize for it. Harry wasn't one to get mad for simple reasons, but Ron had motive to believe that Harry had overheard what he had mentioned to Hermione on the train the other day- that he had a reason to believe people were going to start to assume that he was nothing but a freak.

He finished tying his shoe as he gave another glance at Harry, who still seemed to be deep in sleep. He would have to do what he had been stressing the whole time getting ready-waking Harry up. He wished he could let Harry sleep as much as possible as it was clear that it was what Harry needed. He walked over to Harry, calling his name.

"Harry, Harry wake up." Harry didn't move.

Walking closer to Harry's bed, Ron placed his hand on Harry's shoulder intent on trying to shake him awake. This gesture caused Harry to tense up and jerk awake. His eyes frantically surveying his surroundings.

"Hey, mate. You gotta get up. Classes are about to start. You okay?" Harry's bright emerald eyes landed on Ron.

"Yeah, sorry, I-I just didn't think it was you for a moment there," he muttered as he slowly got up, training his eyes off of Ron. He felt a blush rise up on his cheeks. He couldn't seem to face him, after everything that he had said to him last night.

Just as Harry was about to stand up, Ron stood in front of him-it was now or never. They couldn't go through the whole day without talking about what had gone on last night.

"Hey, Harry, I just wanted to apologize for last night. I'm sorry that I yelled at you. I really shouldn't have done that, it's just that I'm your best friend and I want to make sure that you're okay. When you act sad or angry I want to know why and I want to fix it."

Harry looked up at Ron, his eyes brimming with unshed emotions. "I'm fine, Ron. I-I just had a bad day, is all. Really," he lied.

Ron took a deep breath. "But, last night," he paused, "you mentioned something about being a freak. Where did you get that idea?"

Harry's breath hitched at the question, his eyes averted momentarily to the ground. "Um...I dunno. I just thought that maybe, you know, with all that-that's happened that people would start considering me a freak. I d-"

"You heard me didn't you?" Ron interrupted, his mood lowering considerately. He felt as though he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. Harry had heard him the other day, on the train when he had been talking to Hermione and he knew it. Harry had heard him mention that he had thought people were going to think him a freak. Why did he have to say it then? Why did he even think such a thing?

Harry tensed up. "Um, no, I don't know what you're talking about…" he mumbled as he pushed Ron out of his way and started making his way towards the bathroom.

Out of pure anger at himself, Ron grabbed Harry's wrist to stop him from walking any farther. "Don't lie to me, Harry!" he hissed.

Harry pulled his wrist out of Ron's grip. "What does it matter to you anyways? Even if I did hear what you said, you obviously meant it. Don't try and tell me that you regret what you said or that you really didn't mean it. Well, you know what Ron, I am a freak and I know it. There's no use trying to tell people something if it isn't true. So is that it then? You think that people are going to think I'm a freak now? Huh?"

"Harry, I didn't mean-"

Harry held his hand up in defense. "Ron," he said in a strained voice, "my uncle told me a fair share amount of times that I'm a freak, so I'm pretty damn well use to it now. I-I just can't believe that you think-God, I mean I try to believe everyone when they tell me I'm not, but you, my own best friend, thinks that I am one or becoming one. It's hard to believe anyone anymore."

"I don't think you're a freak Harry. I-I just mentioned to H-Hermione that I thought that with everything going on with you people-people might assume it, but that doesn't mean, even the tiniest bit, that I think, or anyone else for that matter, thinks you are a freak."

Harry glared at Ron. "So everything that happened to me during the summer or at all for that matter is what makes me a freak? Is that what you're trying to say?"

"Harry please, just stop. Stop thinking these things. I can't argue with you anymore, it's not good for you. I mean, I don't think you're a freak-nor does Hermione, Fred, George, anyone. We all love you."

"Don't you dare tell me that someone loves me, Ron. Stop telling me things that aren't true because you want me to feel better." And with that Harry walked away from Ron, slamming the door to the bathroom with a loud bang.

I……………………….I

Ron walked down the stairs from waking up Harry, his head slightly hanging.

Hermione peaked at him from behind one of the big, cushy chairs in front of the Gryffindor fireplace. She smiled encouragingly as she asked, "How did it go?"

Ron plopped into the chair next to her. "Not as well as I would have hoped," he said with a sigh.

Ginny glanced up from a book she was reading. She was lying on the floor, soaking in the heat from the fire. "Is there something wrong with Harry?" she asked with concern.

Ron shook his head. "He's just been through so much. I mean I was there for a few days and that was nothing compared to what Harry had to go through. I saw some of the stuff she did to him. I-" Ron paused, a strange look in his eye, "I honestly do not know how he got through it all."

Ginny sighed, "Maybe I should go talk to him. She said standing up, her book falling to the ground.

Ron walked over and picked it up, grabbing her wrist as she attempted to go up the stairs to Harry's dorm. "No! I don't think that's a good idea. Harry doesn't want to talk about it, that'll just bring back the memories. What Harry needs," Ron paused in thought, "What Harry needs right now is time."

Ginny looked at him reluctantly, "Fine, Ron, if that's what you think is best for him," she said coldly, as she turned around and walked out of the common room.

Ron returned to his seat next to Hermione. "You know, I'm really starting to get sick of her."

"She just cares about Harry is all," Hermione said with a small smile.

"Yes, everybody cares about Harry- they just don't care about what he wants. He wants to be left alone," Ron said a red flare slightly rising in his cheeks.

"Maybe what Harry wants and what Harry needs is completely different," Hermione said simply.

"You don't think I know that?" Ron snapped. "I'm trying Hermione, I really am. It's just- he won't let anyone, not even me, his best friend…"

There was a slight pause. Hermione reached for Ron's hand and took it in her own. Ron slightly flinched and blushed.

"Hermione-"

"Ron, listen, I really wanted to talk to you about…" Hermione slightly paused, trying to read Ron's face, "…talk to you about us."

Ron sat there for a moment. "What do you mean by us?"

"It's been a few months now, and I-I miss you and being with you," Hermione said.

Ron smiled softly at her. "I love you, you know that right?"

Hermione nodded her head, her bushy hair moving ever so slightly.

"There's only one thing that I want more than to be with you and that is Harry to understand that I will always be there for him. I- we- can't risk losing his trust again."

Hermione sat quietly for a moment. "It could be different this time. We could take things slower." She sat up in her chair and leaned toward Ron and whispered, "No one would have to know."

Ron smiled, "Come here," he said as he looked lovingly into her eyes. Hermione got up from her seat and snuggled next to Ron in his comfy chair. Ron gently guided her head to his heart, kissing the top of her bushy head. "You see Hermione? We are together. No matter what, I will always love you."

"It's just- it's not the same," she said quietly, tears silently leaking from her eyes.

Ron stroked Hermione's hair. "I've been thinking about this as well and I've been waiting for the right moment to give you this," he said as he maneuvered his hand into his pocket.

Hermione picked her head up from Ron's chest. "What is it?" she asked.

Ron opened up a small jewelry box to reveal a beautiful silver ring with an emerald jewel. "This was my grandmother's a long time ago. She gave it to my mother to give to me when I was ready to give it to a girl I loved more then life itself. I asked my mom for it right before we left the Burrow. It's a promise ring. It means you have and will always have my heart, whether we are together or apart."

Hermione silently stared at the small ring, tears flooding her cheeks. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

"May I put it on you?" Ron asked.

Hermione silently shook her head.

Ron pushed it onto her right index finger. "I love you."

Hermione smiled through all of her tears. "I love you too Ronald Weasley."

I…………………….I

Harry always hated getting into arguments with his friends. It constantly made him worry afterwards that they would figure out that the fights weren't worth it and that they wouldn't want to be friends with him anymore. He hated himself for thinking like that, but he couldn't help it.

He was now standing in the Owlery, mostly to stay away from Ron, but he also didn't want to go down to the Great Hall and have everyone stare at him and whisper behind his back. It was better up here, away from everyone where he could think and be alone. He could always get something to eat later on. He wasn't that hungry anyways.

Not wanting to be late for class, Harry forced himself to tear his eyes away from the view that he had been looking at for the past ten minutes. He didn't want to be late to his first Potions class. He was quite anxious to see who this new teacher was. Harry hoped it was someone far nicer than Snape. He placed his hands in the pocket of his pants, trying to keep them warm and he carefully started to make his way out of the Owlery.

"Harry! Harry!" Someone was calling his name frantically. He looked up cautiously only to be met eye to eye with Ginny, who was making her way hastily up the stairs.

"Ginny, something wrong?" he asked softly.

"Well, kind of. I-oh here," she stopped to hand him a few pieces of toast that were covered up with a napkin, "I-I noticed that you weren't at breakfast, thought you might be hungry."

Harry smiled at Ginny as he took the offered food. "Thanks. I just couldn't go down there, you know? Not now."

"Yeah, yeah of course, I understand. But, well, I was going to- I came up here to talk to you. I-are you alright?"

Harry stopped eating his toast and looked at Ginny with a semi-annoyed looked but with a hint of amusement hidden behind his bright emerald eyes. "I really should be charging people a galleon every time they ask me that. I would become rich really fast."

Ginny's face fell. "Oh. I didn't mean it to annoy you, I just- well, this morning Ron came down in a right foul mood. He said that you two got in an argument. I wanted to go up and see if you were okay, but he said that you just wanted to be left alone. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Just please, don't tell Ron."

Harry shook his head. "No, no, I won't."

For some reason he actually was happy that Ginny had worried about him so much that she had to ask him in person if he was alright. Any other person, he would have been annoyed, probably even snapped back at them commenting that he was fine and that they should 'mind their own business.' He couldn't do that to Ginny, not when she was looking so nice right now, standing there, her eyes full of concern.

"I'm fine, though. I just-it's hard for me to be back here. Everyone is acting like I'm someone different- like they never knew me before, well, everything. I mean, just because all of that stuff that happened to me during the summer-that doesn't mean I'm someone different, does it? Why are they acting like that?" For some bizarre reason, talking to Ginny didn't make him shake from fear or nervousness. She almost calmed him in a way.

Ginny felt her heart break. She hated it when people made Harry feel unwanted or horrible about himself. "Truthfully, Harry? I don't know. Most people are mean and cruel. They don't know you, but they still put up false pretences about you. They shouldn't do that; they shouldn't be saying anything or staring at you like you're someone different-at least not until they have talked to you. They don't know you." She knew that some of what she said would make Harry feel worse and some of it would make him feel better, but he needed to know the truth. She hated when people would lie to him to make him feel better, only to have him find out the truth. It was worse that way, she thought.

"I don't know. It seems like sometimes even the people who know me the most don't know me at all," Harry said quietly.

"Ron and Hermione are just trying to help. Don't even think about it. Just hang out with your friends and don't let them bother you."

"Well, I'll try that, then," he concluded. Surprisingly this short conversation he had with Ginny made him feel better than he had felt since he had arrived here. He couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked, with her face flushed from the cold, her shiny red hair blowing in the wind. He didn't want to say this to Ginny, but he couldn't understand where these hidden feelings were coming from. He was trying to convince himself that it was just because she was Ron's little sister. But, something deep inside him made Harry doubt this entirely.

I………………I

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked to their first Potions class with the new professor.

"What do you think he will be like?" Ron asked staring down at his class schedule. Next to Potions, the professor's name read as Edward Lurtz.

"Lurtz," Hermione shuddered, "It's such a dreadful name."

"I don't give a crap what his name is. Anyone is better than that murderer. And now, imagine, Dumbledore making him the professor of my favorite class! He's horrible. I've decided to drop it," Harry said bitterly.

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other. "Harry, you can't drop Defense, you need those skills!" Hermione said.

"I don't need anything that Snape would teach me. I'm done," Harry said as they entered a classroom on the second floor. Potion's was no longer to be held in the gloomy dungeons under Hogwarts.

Ron, Hermione, and Harry took their seats across the room from the Slytherin's. They each pulled out a copy of their text books, and sat quietly. A small sense of anxiety rising every moment they waited to meet their new professor.

A door at the front of the room swung open. A young man walked in, Harry supposed he couldn't be more than thirty.

"I am Professor Lurtz, and you are my class," he said as if no one knew. "You are to do everything that I say without question and if you do this, I imagine we will get along quite famously. And what I say now is that every person is to sit with a member of the opposite house. Gryffindor's pair up with Slytherin's."

Every student sat still, Harry could feel a tension rise beyond the high ceiling of the classroom.

"But Professor-" Draco began to argue.

"What is your name?" Professor Lurtz barked.

"Draco Malfoy."

Lurtz stared down at the class list he held in his hand and smiled smugly. "Draco Malfoy, you will be paired up with Mr. Harry Potter and you will sit right here in front of my desk."

Harry's heart sank as his jaw dropped to the floor. "But professor, you can't-"

"Did I not make myself clear?" Lurtz said calmly.

Rage built up in Harry's chest, he could feel the eyes of the whole class on him and Draco as they both walked to the front of the classroom. As the two adversaries took seats next to each other, their eyes met, both full of hatred. Draco gave Harry a quick wink as he took his place at the front of the classroom.

"Now everyone else follow suit!"

There was a large scuffle for everyone to find a seat. Most sat with people they had never met before, others were stuck with those they hated most. Hermione sat sulking next to Pansy Parkinson, while Ron sat next to a boy who Harry had never met before.

"Now that's better, isn't it? I won't tolerate any house discrimination in here." Lurtz said with a bright smile on his face. "Now today we are going to do some work with an herb called Illinova. Who can tell me what Illinova can be used for?"

Hermione quickly raised her hand. "Yes, you in the back- stand up, tell me your name and the use of the plant."

Hermione quickly rose to her feet. "My name is Hermione Granger. Illinova can be put into a serum that will heal most muggle illnesses."

Professor Lurtz smiled broadly. "Great job, ten points to Gryffindor. Now, I've talked to Professor Snape and it seems that he has-"

Harry shuddered as he heard Snape's name. He had been in the class for less then ten minutes and he already hated it. Why does Dumbledore always have to be a fool when picking teachers for Hogwarts? Harry thought to himself. Why is it that he always chooses professors that hate me? And now I have to sit next to Draco. What did he mean yesterday anyway? 'Auntie Bella had her way with you.' Does he know how far she went? It's probably just talk.

Harry sat in deep thought for several moments, pretending to listen to the professor. Every once in a while Lurtz would turn to the blackboard and write something. Every time he did this, Harry noticed that the Slytherin's would start giggling. Harry couldn't help but wonder what was going on. At one point, Harry caught a glimpse of something being passed from Slytherin to Slytherin.

What the hell is that? Harry wondered. Suddenly something hit the back of his neck and he whipped around. He saw a piece of paper lying on the ground. He looked around to see who had thrown the offensive piece of paper but was interrupted by Lurtz yelling at him to pay attention.

Gradually more Gryffindor's started to figure out that something was going on with the Slytherin's. Harry desperately looked at Hermione and Ron, both of whom shook their heads no that they didn't know what was going on. Harry tried to ignore the giggling but by this point, many more Slytherin's had joined in on the joke. Harry was lost and confused. Every few moments he would catch a quick glimpse at what the Slytherin's were laughing about, though never long enough to decipher what it was.

Harry couldn't help but blush with the thought that they were laughing at him. Why hasn't Lurtz noticed yet? Harry thought. Another piece of paper went whizzing through the air and hit Harry on the back of his head. He once again whipped around to find all the Slytherin's giving him a rude gesture and laughing at him. Hermione and Ron sat there lost and confused, trying to make the Slytherin's stop gesturing.

Suddenly, Malfoy caught the object that had been passed around the room and slammed it loudly on Harry's desk. Professor Lurtz turned around from the blackboard angrily. "Mr. Potter, twenty points from Gryffindor for disrupting my class! Mr. Potter?" Lurtz stared down at Harry who was staring, horrified at a picture of himself on the cover of Witch Weekly. His face was filled with bruises and blood; his clothes were nothing but rags. He was staring at a picture of himself screaming- it was a picture of himself in Adflictation Lair.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, admiring yourself, are you? Well then I'm sure then you won't mind if I read a piece of this to the class," Lurtz said with a wicked smile as the Slytherin's whooped and cheered. The Gryffindor's still looked lost.

"This article is entitled, Harry Potter: Inside the Tortured Boy Who Lived," Professor Lurtz read slowly to the class. A look of understanding dawned on the Gryffindor's faces; Harry looked horrified as Lurtz continued to read. "The life of Harry Potter has been nothing short of a fairy tale story, one that we all have heard several times. Young boy defeats dark lord, goes to Hogwarts, meets girl of his dreams, Hermione Granger, and lives happily ever after."

Harry could feel his ears grow red.

"Unfortunately, we have all been misled about what goes on in this young boy's life. After Potter defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in an attack that ended both his parent's lives, he was shipped off to his muggle relatives where he endured years of both physical and mental abuse-"

"STOP!" Harry screamed, sweat forming on his brow as his face grew red.

"Mr. Potter, are you not enjoying this?" Professor Lurtz asked.

"Please, just stop," Harry said desperately.

Professor Lurtz smiled; Harry saw something wicked twitch in the grin. "In a juicy twist of events, Harry's muggle aunt, Petunia Dursley, and his cousin, Dudley Dursley, both died in a fatal car accident."

Hermione stood up, "Please, professor! Stop it! Can't you see that it's bothering him?" she screamed, tears flooding down her face. "Please just leave him alone!"

The Slytherin's were all jeering and laughing at Harry, he could feel tears enter his eyes. He stood up from his chair.

"While at a muggle hospital, waiting for treatment for injuries caused by his uncle and the car accident, a group of death eaters attacked. A group of trained Aurors and wizards showed up just in the nick of time to save Potter. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save Harry's friend and companion, werewolf Remus Lupin…"

Lurtz's voice and all of the laughing died down as a tear fell down Harry's cheek. He stood there in shock. The look on Lupin's face as Snape murdered him resonated in his mind. I should have done something- I could of saved him. I'm such a moron!

Harry felt more tears tremble down his cheeks. He turned quickly and ran out the class. The laughs of the Slytherin's exploding even louder. Ron and Hermione turned to follow him out the room but the door slammed in their faces.

The two slowly turned to face their professor, hatred for the man present on both of their faces. "I think Mr. Potter wants to be alone right now," Lurtz said with a smirk.

Ron's face burned with anger as Hermione's words crept back into his brain- maybe what Harry wants and what Harry needs is completely different.

I…………………………….I

Harry ran to the outside grounds. He didn't know where he was running to, he just wanted to get away. He ran to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. There he sat down against the trunk of a tree and rested his head back. The shade felt nice in comparison to the sweat on his forehead.

He just sat there for a few moments, his brain unable to think- his brain not wanting to think. He still had tears on his face, which were now mixed with the beads of nervous sweat. He couldn't comprehend why anyone would hate him that much. He didn't understand why someone would go through so much trouble to make him feel terrible.

Harry heard a twig crack close to him in the forest. His eyes snapped open and he quickly searched for the source of the noise but couldn't see anything. He laid his head once again against the tree, this time keeping his eyes wide open.

His ears perked up as he heard what sounded like whispering. What is going on? he thought.

Suddenly, seemingly out of no where, a group of about fifteen people jumped out from different spots of the forest. Reporters ran wildly up to Harry, notepads in hand.

"Harry, what is your reaction to the rumor that Bellatrix has taken another young boy captive?" one reporter asked

"Have you recovered from both the emotional and physical scars that torture has left you?" asked another.

"What about the claims that the Ministry has made that they are going to get custody of you?"

"Did Ms. Granger leave you after seeing how torn up you were after Adflictation Lair or is she sticking by your side?"

Harry's head pounded. He quickly placed his hands over his ears as he tried to elbow his way through the crowd but they resisted his attempts to get out.

"Harry, please comment on the accusation that Bellatrix sexually abused you in Adflictation Lair."

"Harry, do you feel that you will ever truly recover from the abuse you endured for years on end with your uncle?"

Suddenly, Harry felt someone grab his wrist and quickly pull him from the crowd of reporters. He looked up to see Ginny Weasley yelling at him to run to the castle as she cast a quick spell on the group of reporters to stall them.

Harry and Ginny ran quickly as the reporters unfroze from their momentary curse and started to follow them.

The two teenagers found their way quickly to the castle.

"Quick, in here," Ginny said to Harry as she pulled him inside a coat closet and slammed the door shut.

The two pressed their ears against the door and listened for the discouraged reporters to disperse.

"Thanks for that," Harry whispered.

"No problem," Ginny said with a small smile.

There was a slight pause before Harry asked "How did you find me?"

Ginny laughed. "It wasn't hard. I was in the forest anyway and I heard this massive commotion. I just had to follow the voices."

Harry's face contorted in a look of confusion. "You were in the Forbidden Forest? Why?"

"Oh, I was, um, ya know, just looking for, um, a p-plant for Herbology," Ginny scrambled for an excuse.

Harry gave her a suspicious look but before he could say anything Ginny whispered, "I think they're gone now."

Harry and Ginny climbed out of the coat closet, silently closing the door behind them. They turned to see the confused faces of Ron and Hermione.

"Um…" Ron stammered. "Mate, what are you doing in a closet with my sister?"

"Oh! No! It's not like that-" Harry tried to explain.

"Wait, no, I decided I don't want to know," Ron said.

"Ron, I swear-"

"Harry, please, just don't-"

"There was a group of reporters-"

Hermione and Ginny grinned silently at each other as they followed Ron and Harry back to the Gryffindor common room.

I………………………………I

Hope you enjoyed it. We won't be writing author notes anymore because of the policy and new system at So if you review when you are logged in or have your email we will definitely reply to you!

Next chapter will be out next weekend!