Disclaimer: The Harry Potter world was created by JK Rowling.
A/N: Every time I check my e-mail and see those reviews, it makes me very happy. Please keep it up. I will try to update as often as I can, but college keeps me pretty busy. I know all of the major things that are going to happen in this story, but it's the smaller details that I'll have to work on. I've already started typing chapter four, so it should be out pretty soon.
Anya: Thank you for the compliments and for taking the time to send me an e-mail.
Black's Phoenix: I'm not sure what fics I may do in the future, but thank you for your input.
nishrin: Well, Dumbledore isn't as feeble as you would think. Plus, Harry has been having trouble eating lately, so he has lost a little bit of weight. He was already skinny before this anyway.
saiyanwizardgurl: Thank you for reviewing both of my first two chapters and for the compliments.
I also want to thank Rettz and Riker15 for their reviews.
Harry found himself once again wandering through the graveyard. The area seemed to be deserted, but Harry knew that it wouldn't stay that way for long. Suddenly, a dense fog began to roll towards him. He started to panic and turn wildly about searching for anyone hidden in the vast whiteness. He could hear people's voices murmuring in the background, but he could not make out what was being said. A figure slowly emerged from the fog and made its way closer to Harry. As features of the person began to take shape, Harry was able to tell who was standing before him.
"Harry, I trusted you. You weren't even supposed to be in this Tournament. If it wasn't for you, I would have lived," Cedric accused Harry while jabbing his finger into Harry's chest. Cedric's eyes were blank, and his face was devoid of color.
Harry stared horrified at him, but he made no move to stop Cedric from speaking or touching him. Cedric's words stung Harry every time he blamed him for his death, but Harry felt like he deserved it, in a way.
Two burning red eyes glowed in the fog, and a voice spoke those two words which Harry despised.
"Avada Kedavra," the voice hissed.
As the green light hurtled towards Cedric, those red eyes vanished back into the fog. Harry wanted to save Cedric, but his feet seemed to be glued to the ground. He could only watch helplessly as the green light rammed into Cedric once again, and Cedric's body fell to the ground. Harry was finally able to surge forward; however, the body disappeared before Harry could reach it. He knelt down onto the grass where Cedric had lain. His fingertips trembled as he ran them lightly over the ground.
"Look what you've done, Harry! Cedric was always nice to you. He even gave you a hint about the golden egg, and this is how you repay him. I don't even want to know what you would do to those that you consider your close friends," a voice exclaimed from behind Harry.
Harry's head had bowed once the speech had begun, and his eyes were squeezed tightly shut. A tear flowed slowly down his cheek as he took a deep, shaky breath. His eyes opened apprehensively while he turned around to face Ron. He tried to swallow past the lump in his throat once he caught sight of Hermione standing next to Ron. Ron's face had brightened to a dark red, and a scowl transformed his features. Hermione didn't say a word; she only stared at Harry with a sad, disappointed look on her face while shaking her head back and forth. Harry preferred having Ron rant and rave at him compared to Hermione's silent treatment.
Before Harry could say anything to his two friends, the Killing Curse was spoken twice more. That eerie green light sped towards the group, striking Ron and Hermione within a matter of seconds. A sob escaped Harry's throat as his friends met the same fate as Cedric. Harry was soon left alone in the graveyard waiting to see if anyone else's life would be ruined because of him.
Harry leapt up from his reclining position on the coach. He stifled the scream that threatened to escape his throat and wake up the rest of the Tower. His heart was racing madly in his chest, and he was in danger of hyperventilating. Once Harry realized that it had only been a dream, he began to slowly calm down. He glanced over at the clock resting on the mantle above the fireplace. It was only 6:30 a.m. The rest of Gryffindor Tower probably wouldn't be up for at least another hour.
Harry didn't know why Ron and Hermione had been in his dream or why they had been accusing him of murder. He knew that they didn't blame him for it. Since the end of the Tournament, Ron and Hermione had repeatedly tried to stop him from feeling guilty. They had stood by him for four years, and he hoped that they would still be there for him as they all got older.
As Harry continued to sit deep in thought, voices began to drift down the stairs. He looked up startled once he realized that an hour had quickly gone by without him even noticing. His friends walked over to him, and the trio made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry caught Dumbledore's eyes as he started to sit down to eat. The Headmaster had a sad look on his face while he stared over at Harry. Harry remembered what he had said and done to the Headmaster the day before, and he regretted it. He promised himself that he would apologize later when he got the chance. Harry flashed Dumbledore a small smile before turning back to his friends.
"Were you up early again this morning, Harry, or did you fall asleep on the couch last night? I don't remember hearing you come upstairs," Ron said.
"Both, actually. I didn't intend to fall asleep on the couch, but I guess I was more tired than I realized," Harry replied. Even though Harry didn't mention his nightmare, Ron and Hermione shared a knowing look with each other. Harry had been having bad dreams on and off since the Third Task, and Ron had to wake Harry up a couple of times from them.
"Did you finish packing last night?" Harry asked them trying to turn the topic on to something a little more safe than his sleeping habits.
"Yes, but it almost didn't all fit," Hermione said exasperated. "I don't know how, but I have amassed several more possessions since the year started. I had to rearrange everything a few times in order to get all of my books in." Ron and Harry both laughed after that statement.
The trio talked about random topics until students began to drift out of the Great Hall and head towards the carriages that would take them to the train. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked sadly at each other for a few more moments.
"I guess that we will have to say our good byes now," Hermione said reluctantly.
"Yeah. I wish that it didn't have to be this way," Harry answered wistfully.
"Write to me the second that Professor Dumbledore gives you permission," Hermione said as she pulled Harry into a quick, friendly hug.
Once Hermione stepped back, Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder. "If the Headmaster should change his mind, you are always welcome at our house. Good luck with the Durseys."
"Thanks, guys. I'll talk to you later. You better go before the carriages leave without you. Say hi to your mom for me, Ron," Harry replied. He stood watching his friends as they disappeared out the front door of the castle. Harry turned around when he heard Dumbledore approaching him.
"Let's go up to my office, Harry. Your trunk is already waiting for us there. We will Floo over to my house and then get you settled in," Dumbledore said.
"Sir, about yesterday morning, I just wanted to apologize for my behavior…" Dumbledore cut Harry off before he could finish his sentence.
"You don't have to apologize, Harry. I understand the difficulties that you are going through. I want to be there for you this summer and help you with any problems that you have. Please come to me for anything," the Headmaster asserted giving Harry a warm smile.
The rest of the trip up to Dumbledore's office was spent in a comfortable silence which neither person wanted to break. Once they entered the office, Dumbledore began gathering some last minute items to take with them. Harry wandered over to Fawkes's perch and started to pet the phoenix. Fawkes greeted Harry with a soft trill as he closed his eyes and rubbed his head against Harry's hand.
"Is Fawkes coming with us?" Harry asked.
"Fawkes is a very independent phoenix. He will come to my house whenever he feels like it. Sometimes he is there just for the company, but he also knows when he is needed. Fawkes really likes you, Harry. He may stay around the house for a little while longer this summer." Dumbledore gazed fondly at Harry and Fawkes for a brief moment.
"Harry, I will let you use the Floo first. Once you throw down the powder, you will say Albus's Sanctuary-Fizzing Whizbees. Fizzing Whizbees is the password. The password changes every couple of days for security measures. You must have the password in order to get into the house," Dumbledore cautioned.
"You know, you shouldn't use candy for all of your passwords. It makes you too predictable," Harry responded, a grin lighting up his face.
Dumbledore gave Harry a quick wink. "I'll keep that in mind next time. Now, grab your trunk and carry it with you into the fireplace. Here's your Floo powder. I'll be right behind you."
Harry took a deep breath. Traveling by Floo wasn't one of his favorite means of transportation, but he guessed that it would have to do. He took one last look at the Headmaster's office before he threw down the powder and shouted out his destination. He felt himself quickly spinning away through the fireplace. Before he knew it, he was stumbling out of the fire and trying to stay upright. Harry didn't get much of a chance to look around the house before the Headmaster arrived.
"Welcome home, Harry."
