Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This is merely fanfiction.

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Last chapter:

Despite my earlier thoughts, hope had taken hold of me, but it was a desperate and different kind of hope. As those footsteps neared my own personal hell, my cell and residence for who knows how long, I felt a desperation I had not felt since I had been brought here.

That desperate hope was shattered and replaced by fear. The footsteps had not passed my cell. Such a fear that gripped me!

A fear that came to life as I looked into the eyes of the one who burned the greatest betrayal and hatred into me. I looked into the periwinkle blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

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Chapter 2: A Visit in Hell

I stood in a rush, and back away against the wall with my half-starved body breathing heavily in either panic or exhaustion. I felt fear, the fear of a dying man who hadn't yet resigned himself to death, and I could do nothing but tremble against the cold gritty walls in Azkaban, hoping that the gaze moved elsewhere. I didn't like the judging eyes that man possessed. They reminded me too much about the people outside these walls, and that was something all Azkaban prisoners hoped to forget existed. That way they wouldn't have to live in the knowledge that betrayal (whether for good or bad) even happened.

Dumbledore himself just heaved a sigh of regret and turned to look at the guard, motioning for him to unlock the cell. The guard did nothing for a few minutes but staring in between my panic wracked form and the greatest wizard of the light. It almost looked as if the guard was looking out for my best interests by not allowing the man entrance, but past experience with this particular guard proved that assumption wrong (he was mean...). Perhaps he just didn't trust Dumbledore, who knows what the papers print these days.

Anyway, the door was open and wide; symbolizing a freedom I would never feel again… it was a most effective torture.

"Harry, I must be the first to tell you how sorry I am." The wizened wizard started off about something with 'framed' and 'released', apologies of the masses, I wasn't paying the man much heed. My back was still plastered against the wall, and my eyes were still wide with panic. I was incapable of understanding the situation.

You see after being incarcerated in Azkaban you were quick to loose hope of escape and innocence, lest they be brutally ripped from you by the dementors, advancing your inevitable insanity by months, even years. I wasn't one to give up, thus the reason I lived in the hell I lived in for what I estimated to be a year before slipping into insanity. I didn't give up my hopes at first, and now I realize how very foolish of me it was not to. We can't always be brave.

They say the island changes you... I chuckle at the thought, unknowingly aloud, but I didn't have much sense of detection of these things any longer. What need did I have to hide my emotions when I was locked in a 5 by 5' cell for the rest of my life? Exactly, there isn't a reason to do that. Back to my original thought... I start laughing again at my own joke, if it was even a joke. Of course the island changes you! It practically kills you.

Slowly my mind catches up to me, I can practically feel the wheels turning in my head, and I realize who is in my cell at this moment. It was anger that welled within me instead of panic. The wizard was looking at him in pity, shame, and fear! How dare he? The one who carved me carefully out of soft flesh, just barely out of my mother's womb, was looking at what he wrought in shame? That fool, that utter, complete, fool!

"Now Harry, I know this must be a confusing experience for you, but you must keep your wits." The old man had backed up against the wall and was using placating gestures. Apparently he thought me insane. The words however brought the attention of the human guard upon us, and he looked questioning at Dumbledore with a look that said 'Do you want me to come beat him into a pulp?' Thankfully however, (it was odd to feel thankful towards the man after all this time, especially since I was still unused to feeling at all), the man shook his head in a visible 'no' gesture and the guard turned away with disappointment written on his face.

I really hate that guard.

I finally remember the man might be expecting an answer out of me, so I ask with a simple. "Why are you here?" Which, had I been listening, the man had been carefully explaining for the past 10 minutes. The irritation my question brought wasn't hidden all that well, or maybe the emotion reading thing came with insanity? I certainly wasn't good at it before I was imprisoned here...when was that anyway?

I realized Dumbles had started his explanation again, and I had already missed half of it. I wonder if the man would just leave if he had to repeat it so many times? "...and the whole wizarding world wants you back my boy. We made a terrible mistake three years ago and we wish to help rectify that by helping you recover, and offering a place at Hogwarts as a home for however long you wish it to be so." So that was when he was done with his explanation. It really threw me for a loop. Why would they allow a convicted murderer in a school filled with children? It didn't make sense, of course not many things make sense any more, not that I cared overly much.

Carelessness was fun, but I keep on forgetting what I was thinking about!

"Harry? Harry are you all right?" The voice snapped me out of my thoughts again, which seemed to be drifting far too much for my comfort; apparently reality didn't like me all that much. Suppressing a grin I answer.

"Why would you care? I killed someone. Murderer. I have blood on my hands! It's pretty, but blood stains, I can see them everyday. Stains are not welcome, so why do you want me back?" Hm. Well, I started out logical enough. Maybe this is an after effect of actually being insane? Apparently, however, Dumbles didn't know what I knew. He was looking at me oddly with that same hated expression of sympathy.

Did he really expect me to come out of this unharmed? I almost feel like laughing, sadly enough, the word 'almost' threw me into laughter instead. I really don't have a reason as to why either, but really! The word 'almost' is hilarious, I know it. People are just ignorant to the truth.

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Edited May 16, 2006

Original notes: Finally! I have been trying to post this for DAYS! stupid fanfiction...It's short (I know, don't you just love hearing that?) But I figured I might as well post something! I was getting behind! (When am I ever ahead?) Thank you to all my reviewers, I seriously didn't expect that great of a response. Does it creep you out when I say I love you all? I don't remember if anyone flamed, but if you did, thanks for the wonderful criticism! I appreciate you! (I always wanted to write a flame, I respect people for being able to actually come and outright state their opinion.) ...no, I can't tell if I am being sarcastic or not.