Disclaimer: I do not claim to own Harry Potter, or it's characters.

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Last Chapter: Plots and Motive

I grinned, and held my wand out above me and admired it. Perhaps this situation isn't all gone to hell? With a laugh, I rolled over so I was facing the door.

If I keep thinking like that, I know I'll be insane.

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Chapter 8: Plots and Motive

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The meeting with the Gringotts representative was short, but at the same time, required every bit of patience I had. At first the Goblin seemed just like ever other Goblin, short stature, sharp teeth, and a cruel, defensive wit. However, it didn't take long to realize just why this Goblin was chosen to "visit" me. The scheming bastard was that mysterious account manager that had always been "out" while I went to inquire about my accounts.

Needless to say, I wanted to hurt the little creature. Badly.

Of course, I did understand a few things about politics concerning the Goblin race; "No matter how crooked, they control your money, and thus, can make your life a living hell" as was learned by the mess that was Ludo Bagman when the Goblins finally caught up with him. However, now that I finally knew his name I could actually inquire about getting rid of him, so I was already immersed in planning my revenge. Unfortunately… it's hard to concentrate on what is being said when caught up in revenge schemes, but I managed to get the gist of it.

The ministry had confiscated my trust fund, as I learn now it wasn't my main inheritance, and had actually made an extra 500k off of me even with the bloody compensation they gave me. Now, I've never cared much about money, but that made me want to go on a raging rampage into the Ministry of magic, throwing AK's everywhere.

Just imagining it was enough to bring me out of my bad mood!

Unfortunately, my account manager must have picked up on that, or was just annoyed with me ignoring him. With an irritated growl the goblin Frikrip drew my attention to the large golden key held out to me. I assumed it was to the ministry's compensation vault, and the surly goblin confirmed that moments later with a few words spoken through gritted teeth. I glared at the goblin's back as he left. How rude! He didn't even say good-bye!

He was lucky I didn't want to be sent to Azkaban again or he would have been ash on the floor!

With that over, however, I went back to my ponderings. I really didn't have time to sulk, and I needed to keep my revenge plans light until I knew what happened. I hadn't yet found anything that cleared the mess my memory of the events prior to sitting in my cell in Azkaban.

Well, that wasn't true. I remembered my Hogwarts years just fine. It was after my graduation that things became fuzzy. For the most part, I could remember working with the order while doing on and off jobs with the Aurors of the ministry for some extra cash. I could remember my battles against the death eaters, the training I put myself through once I realized no one else was willing to help me survive. I could even recall the numerous failed relationships I had with various people, although the names of the women escaped my mind.

For all I know, forgetting their names was purposely done.

It seemed that the last thing I could recall before everything deteriorated into a mess of scrambled, short images was my defeat of Voldemort. I remember the cheers of various members of the fight against the Dark Lord that allowed the fact that it was finally over to sink in, and joining them. That's where it went blank, just as we apparated away, my memory shattered with nothing but little shards of memory to give me the impression that time passed at all. The revelations during my trial were as much of a surprise to me as anyone, but the lingering effects of the Veritserum were enough suppress my own shock…

Suddenly, I felt infuriated. The pillow I had been coveting since my arrival here was chucked across the room. A bit childish, sure, and not satisfying at all when realizing there was no destruction wrought from the action, but I was too angry to care.

What the hell happened! How am I ever to be free if I don't even know what I was imprisoned for in the first place? Sure, I know what I was charged with, but I know there were people who knew me well. They would have never believed I could have done this without extensive testing with Veritserum. Just what happened after that final battle to lose their trust? What did I do?

Of course, I can't exclude the idea that they could just be traitorous bastards that just used me. Have the Great Harry Potter end all our problems and then cast him aside when they're done. It wouldn't be the first time.

The clatter of footsteps rushing echoing towards my room broke me out of my enraged thoughts. The room was shaking, and the few pieces of glass in the room were cracking. Not good, not good at all. Quickly I suppressed my thoughts about the past, and with it my anger, before I could draw any more unkind attention to myself. Just as the room stopped it's tremulous movement two aurors and various healing staff barged through the closed door (which is strange, I didn't remember closing it after my account manager left) with wands drawn.

"What happened here, Potter?" One of the Aurors demanded from me with hatred lining his voice. I smirked, apparently he wasn't one of those who would feel badly for the way they must have encouraged they're fellows in their "noble" endeavors. Strangely enough, I appreciated the idea I had someone who hated me more than someone who felt sorry for me...

That might just stem from the idea that they are giving me reasons to feel justified in getting revenge, though.

"Nothing, just my temper getting away with me. My account manager was just here, and as you can assume, he didn't go out of his way to ease my mind about some financial details." I inwardly snicker. Oh how I amuse myself.. even though that was just about the truth, it wasn't really! How fun.

I was confused, however, when the intruders tensed up, obviously not believing my explanation. "But the Gringotts Representative left two hours ago!" The healer seemed baffled. So was I.

Two hours? Hm, well this lapse in time keeping ability isn't good for my "get discharged from the hospital" plan.

Apparently, (or perhaps.. thankfully?) my confused expression showed them that I wasn't intentionally lying. They just thought I wasn't "all there", which, again, I suppose I shouldn't bother arguing. The Auror sent a smug glance towards the healer, obviously having argued about my mental stability at some point, and strutted out of the room. Everyone but the healer, who I assume is my appointed one, left after him.

I wasn't the smallest bit saddened at the loss of company.

"Mr. Potter, you'd best get some rest, you will have visitors tomorrow afternoon." And she left, just like that, the bitch.

I really, really, want to hurt something now.

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Lets just say I spent the entire next morning attempting to escape, and I eventually I just had to accept that I was in no condition to do much of anything. Heh, you should have heard me curse out the healers who intercepted me! Of course, I don't think I'm painting a good public image of myself, but I was just released from Azkaban, I have a pretty good excuse.

So yes, today's the day I receive my first visitors other than the healers and the occasional reporter that was chased out by them… As expected, I wasn't exactly pleased. Everyone else picked up on this too, taken the amount of times I've snuck out of their grasp (but they have a pesky tracking charm on me, so it doesn't do much good). I won't admit it... Well hell, actually I'll yell it out to the world! This is rather fun.

Imagine the fun I could find outside this place? It puts a whole new perspective on life!

"Mr. Potter?" I turned towards the speaker. It was her again, my appointed healer. "I was wondering if you would like to bathe before meeting your visitors?" Bathe? Merlin, how long has it been? I'll be honest; I was feeling very grateful towards her. Cleaning charms are easy to become uncomfortable with, given that they itch like hell when applied. It felt like a layer of my skin was being burned off when they applied it when I first arrived!

"Yeah, a bath sounds good." I mutter with a dazed quality to my voice. I send a curious look at her, wondering for a brief moment what brought this bit of kindness on.. but I decided I didn't give a damn shortly after. My depressing thoughts were more interesting.

Three years. Has it really been three years? I always imagined being sent to Azkaban would feel like a hellish eternity. That days would lengthen into years as I relived my most horrible memories… but it didn't. Nothing seemed to exist beyond the walls of Azkaban, not even time. Sure, the first year was horrible, and all around not enjoyable, but afterwards.. twenty years could have passed and I wouldn't have noticed a thing.

"Mr. Potter! Are you coming or not." I glare at her, but nod my head sharply. Really, I have to wonder about that "bedside manner" of hers…

I got to my feet unsteadily and followed her out the door, making sure to snatch my wand from the bedside table. I was starting to regret all those escape attempts, I was exhausted already, but at least it was entertaining. I'll have to see whatever happened to my pensive when I get out of this place, if it was amusing seeing their dumbfounded faces the first time around, it'd be doubly humorous a second time!

The bathroom wasn't far from my assigned room, which I'd already assumed was placed in some sort of private wing, was far more extravagant than I expected. Not quite prefects bathroom, but clean, large, and therapeutic looking. The healer left me to clean up, leaving another one of those short Hospital robes. It probably sounds strange, but I didn't know what to do. I didn't forget how to turn on the water or anything like that, I suppose it was sort of symbolic, this bath is. I was about to cleanse myself of the taint of Azkaban.

I suddenly found myself cracking up in laughter. "Oh.. where do I get this stuff? Symbolism? Hah." And proceeded to cheerily add an excess amount of scented soap into the water.

After indulging myself a little, I'd try escaping for real.

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Author's notes: -Looks around sheepishly- I've had this done for.. oh a week or so. Even so, it'd still be late. Couldn't actually get the motive to post it when it was first completed, though. I appoligize, for that, and the fact my chapter lengths have yet to increase -frowns- This chapter really didn't accomplish half of what I wanted it to do, but here it is. I hope you liked it.

- Rain