Title: Harry Potter and the Great Adventure

Author: Magiquill9

Chapter 15: Two Steps Forward One Step Black.

Ships: Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron, Bill and Fleur, and Lupin and Tonks.

Chapter Synopsis: Harry runs into someone he thought to be dead, the ministry is attacked, Harry heads there to help. What he meets is something he never expected. A few days later, Harry ends up back at Grimmauld Place after a successful raid is made to rescue him.

Story Summary: HBP raised as many questions as it answered. How can Harry find a horcrux? How can he destroy the horcruxes? Everything was laid out, and we were about to jump off the cliff. Here's where the cliffhanger ends and the adventure begins. Join Harry and friends as they struggle to lead the wizarding world out of despair, fight the good fight, and put an end to the evil that is Tom Riddle.

Disclaimer: Ok, so Chapter 14 wasn't exactly the best chapter in the world. Sorry about that. I had a little bit of anti-Scrimgeour, but that was really it I guess. Once again, I apologize. I have just been out of time. We just finished up our non-district season at 13-0-4, 13 wins, 4 ties, 0 losses. We started district on Valentine's Day, so my schedule has been a little hectic. Chapter 14 was just killing me at every turn, refusing to help me out. Sorry again for the delay. I will get to the story, but I thought I would let you know, this chapter has been in my mind for a while, since chapter 6 at least. So just so you know, this chapter has had a lot of time to develop. So I humbly submit to you, the readers (and hopefully reviewers as well) Chapter 15, Two Steps Forward, One Step Black.

"It's got to get worse before it gets better."

"That's like saying I'm going to die, and then kill him."

"…"


Harry hit the ground, dead to the world, after the cauldron holding Ravenclaw's wand, Voldemort's horcrux, exploded.

'Well, this is weird,' Harry thought. He looked around. He was in a desolate place. There was nothing, no trees, no rivers, no grass, nothing. It was as empty and lifeless as Dumbledore's eyes had been. Harry looked around. He saw no sun, yet he saw shadows. No moon, yet he saw light. He saw the darkness, he felt the evil. But he saw the light, and felt the good. As soon as he thought that, two shadows appeared. He saw a battle going on, two shadows, locked with solid beam of light, and interlocked in an eternal battle. But, like one candle in the darkness can light up the room, the light was slowly winning. Harry silently urged it on, but then, something unexpected happen. The light began to flicker. Wind began to enter the battle, and the wind made the light start to flicker. It also scattered the shadows, but they returned to join the fray. Harry stared on in horror as the dark slowly began to gain an upper hand. But then, it would go back the other way. It was like a pendulum, ever swinging, and everything staying in balance. At one point, they would both be weak, and be equal, then, one side would gain the upper hand. But at the highest point, they were also equal. Like a pendulum in equilibrium, at rest, they were evenly matched, in the middle, half way up, was the greatest point for either side, but then they hit the top of the circle. They were at full strength. The two shadows converged on the light, and the shadows melted into the light, disappearing. Then the light too, vanished, leaving nothing but the wind. Harry's last look was of two pairs of red eyes, and a pair of green ones, staring at hi, all three sets holding a look of longing.

Harry was jolted out of unconsciousness, not remembering anything that happened. He looked around the room at all the anxious faces.

"Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively.

Harry shook his head slightly, trying to clear his vision. Ron slid his glasses back onto his head. That cleared it.

"Yeah?" Harry asked, wincing as he spoke, because his head hurt from whatever he hit.

"Are you alright?" asked Ginny.

"I don't know," Harry replied softly.

"That's better than the usual 'I'm fine,' at least." Harry looked up into Ginny's sad chocolate brown eyes. The warmth was only just starting to return to them. She didn't look very well.

"We thought you-" but Ginny stopped at that. Understanding came into Harry's mind.

"I made you a promise remember? I would always be here for you. I don't plan on breaking that promise anytime soon." Ginny launched herself on top of him. Harry fell back onto the floor. She kissed him soundly, claiming him practically. Harry didn't mind. He finally sat up and looked around.

"So what happened?" he asked.

"Well, the wand split, then everything well, blew up. You got hit by the blast, and were knocked out. You landed right in the potion too. We didn't know what happened." Harry watched Ron as he talked, and took in the information.

"It worked then?" Harry asked, once again rubbing his head. It still hurt. A lot. Harry truly understood the term 'splitting headache.' His forehead felt like it wanted to just tear apart. Like something was inside trying to get out. Harry winced again as Hermione began talking. Her words started to hurt his ears now too.

"I think- I'm going to, go, sleep now, becau-" Harry fell to the floor, or he would have if Ginny hadn't caught him. He was out once he landed in her arms.

Harry finally woke up again, and he felt better. His splitting headache was subdued, he could think and see clearly, and everything was as close to normal as he could want it to. Harry looked around, wondering what had woken him up. He finally found the source, an owl tapping his window. He walked over and let it in.

Harry,

Please come back to the ministry. It's urgent. Hurry. Just grab the owl and say ut obscurum volvit elucido and it will transport you here.

R.A.B.

Harry stared at the note in shock. R.A.B.? Regulus? What was going on? Harry grabbed the owl. He needed information, and Regulus was going to give it to him.

"Ut Obscurum Volvit Elucido!" Harry yelled, grabbing the owl. It whisked him away like a portkey. Harry thought grimly, as he flew through barriers and light, energy and time, and space that the password was in Latin. His Latin was rusty, but he was pretty sure it meant: when darkness turns to light. How Harry hoped that would come true. It was pretty bad right now. Hagrid was gone. Harry felt like there was something Hagrid still had to do, some part he still needed to play. But that wouldn't happen. Bellatrix had made sure of that. The only main players left were Ron, Hermione, Remus, Tonks, Neville, Luna, and Ginny of course. Seven. The dark still had Bellatrix, Malfoy, and a whole lot of others. Draco, Snape, and Pettigrew still had a part to play, whatever side they chose.

Harry wondered where he stood on this imaginary chessboard. Dumbledore, whom Harry had believed to be king, was gone. The game kept going. Harry wasn't great at Wizard's Chess, but he knew when the king lost it was over. So that meant Dumbledore wasn't king. Was he possibly the player? And now it was up to the pieces. Voldemort was king of his side, Bellatrix, his queen. Sirius was gone, and Hagrid. Cedric. Kingsley. And who else would go down? Who else would have to die?

Harry finally hit the ground, and stood up, looking at his surroundings. He walked through the door of the ministry apparition point and was shocked at what he saw. Death Eaters. In the ministry. Now. No wonder R.A.B. said it was urgent. But where was Regulus? On whose side did he fight? Harry watched as a few aurors there put up a courageous fight. But they were swiftly subdued. Harry watched in a kind of morbid fascination as Scrimgeour went down. Harry saw Mr. Weasley there as well, fighting bravely against two death eaters. Harry leapt into the fray to help. Harry took down one of them and fired a stunner at the other. Harry watched as the light sped towards the unsuspecting death eater.

"Avada Kedavra- ahhhh!" The death eater went down. Harry watched as time slowed to a stop. The jet of green light crept slowly towards Mr. Weasley. It took forever to reach him. Harry just stared at the light as it inched ever so closely to Mr. Weasley. Harry was powerless to stop it. He could only stare. As it crept closer to Mr. Weasley's chest, Harry saw his eyes widen. He too, was frozen in place. Harry watched as something stirred in Mr. Weasley's eyes. What it was, he had no idea. Suddenly, the light stopped, inches from Mr. Weasley. Harry wondered why. Then, he saw. Suddenly, everything went back to normal. Harry watched as a body hit the floor. Harry saw Mr. Weasley look down with tears in his eyes and turn the body over. Percy.

Harry kicked the death eater who had killed Percy. It was Malfoy Sr. Harry stared at him in disgust. Mr. Weasley refused to acknowledge anything or anyone. The battle continued for the ministry. They fought valiantly, but fate was against them. Slowly but surely, the death eaters advanced. The remaining members fought for their lives, but it was useless. Mr. Weasley was able to apparate away to safety. Harry watched to ensure his safety and then saw- something. He looked closely at it, and saw a pair of grey eyes.

"Sir-?" But that was all Harry got out, before a stunner hit him.


When Harry finally came to, he kept his eyes closed. It was getting annoying, he thought. He was always getting knocked out today. He tentatively raised his eyes and looked around. His vision was foggy, his whole body hurt. He vaguely remembered being hit by the Cruciatus curse, a lot. There were blank parts in his memory. That was for certain. His wand was missing. Harry remembered dropping it, but not when. Harry looked around the room and tried to stand. That wasn't a very good idea. He fell back down. Hard. He tried to speak, but his voice was raspy from his screams. He settled for looking around. Funnily enough, there was a window in his room. And equally ironic, in a deranged kind of way, Harry was able to find humor in his situation. The window let it a little bit of light, but not much. Harry wasn't sure if let in light, or let out darkness. The one bit of light was trying to get in, while Harry was trying to get out. Ironic. At least, in Harry's eyes.

Harry saw a flash of grey. At least, that's what he thought. Funny color, grey. It was a mix between black and white. And black and white symbolized so many things. Good and evil, light and dark. Different chess pieces. Harry liked chess. But he wasn't good at it. He vaguely wondered why his thinking was becoming incoherent. He heard a noise and looked up. The door to his prison swung open, allowing a death eater Harry didn't like very much.

"How are you today Potter? Horrible I hope?"

"Hello Draco," Harry replied woozily. He remembered not liking this guy very much. He wasn't very nice.

"It's my turn to torture you. Isn't that fun?" Malfoy said, grinning maniacally. Something stirred in Harry.

"I don't recall you being able to put your money where your mouth was Malfoy."

"What are you talking about Potter?" Harry noticed Malfoy's expression drop ever so slightly.

"I seem to remember your wand dropping when you were supposed to kill Dumbledore."

Harry watched Malfoy's barely suppressed rage.

"Think it's funny do you? You'll see. Crucio." Harry felt the familiar feeling of the Cruciatus curse. Malfoy's wasn't as bad as the others, Harry thought vaguely. He wasn't proficient with the unforgivables yet. It still hurt though. Harry willed the pain to go away. And it did. Malfoy stopped. Harry looked up at him questioningly, and watched as he was thrown to the side.

"Ah. Harry Potter. The Chosen One, they're calling you know I believe?"

"Tom," Harry nodded.

Voldemort ignored Harry'sreturning jab. "It has been a pleasure Potter. You do realize, you are the one thing in my way now? The only beacon of light. Hogwarts is gone, Dumbledore is gone, the ministry is gone, Azkaban is gone."

"Avalon," stated Harry, defiantly, yet hesitantly.

"Ahh. Avalon. You are right. But it is of no consequence. Hardly anyone has heard of it anyway. You know. I am going to have fun with you. Because here Potter, no one can hear you scream. Crucio!"

Now this one hurt, thought Harry. He writhed on the floor, not bothering to scream, as that was too much. He didn't know why, but it just seemed too much. After a minute or so, the pain stopped.

"You could have joined me willingly you know. We would have been great. Together, we are the strongest wizards on the planet. No one could stop us."

"Everything that has a beginning has an end, Tom. Even you."

Harry was under unbearable pain once more. Yet, it pleased him. If he was in pain, it was because he had caused it. A lesson he had learned over the past two days. Memories slowly came back to him, yet he quickly pushed them away. He did not want to remember this if he got out alive. None of it. He could not bear it. The pain dulled, then stopped.

"You would do well to hold your tongue."

Harry grabbed his tongue in his hand mockingly. Voldemort ignored it.

"I am immortal Potter. You cannot kill me. I have defeated death."

"No one can defeat death Tom. It's as inevitable as a battle between good and evil. It's like a pendulum. It swings one way, then the other. Always and forever. You are only postponing the inevitable. You have defeated death by dying. That's all you have done. You call what you are going through right now life? You have hardly any soul. Even dementors look at you as worthless. They follow you because you are like them. Soulless. And hungry. And dark."

"Dementors respect me. They fear me."

"Fear has no fear."

Harry's responses flowed from his mouth, almost as a river falling down a waterfall. He didn't know where the words came from, yet they were oddly fitting. They weren't his words, and yet, they were. Like how mist isn't really water, or air, but something in between.

"You continue to intrigue me. I might let you live longer than I had originally thought."

"I'm honored," replied Harry sarcastically.

"We have all the time in the world. Eternity's only an hour away."

Harry felt a prodding in his mind.

"So you thought to try and destroy my horcruxes? That was foolish of you. You have no chance of destroying me, let alone the horcruxes themselves. You were merely luck with the diary, because of Lucius's foolishness. You destroyed my seven-part soul. And I had thought that I had just so recently achieved it, when I made Nagini a horcrux towards the end of last year. Alas, I was mistaken." Harryburied the thought of the wand as quickly as he could.

"Your arrogance knows no bounds Potter. I will return later for another little chat."

Voldemort left, and Harry collapsed onto the floor. Malfoy had scampered off sometime, Harry knew not when. He looked around the room, and went to try and get some rest.

Harry didn't know when or where he was, or what had happened. Or even if his mind was in the present. Harry was dragged out again. He let himself go on auto-pilot, ignoring what was happening. He just felt dead and lifeless. He soon forgot what happened, pushing it deep into his soul, to dwell on later. He had been thrown into the room again, thought dead, already dying. But the door swung open again. Those insanely familiar grey eyes stared into his green ones, once full of energy, now dull and weak, nearly lifeless and empty.

"We need to get you out of here. Now." The man with the grey eyes came to Harry and began unbinding him, slowly bringing Harry to his feet.

"Sir-?"

"Not now. Shh. We have to get out of here and regroup." The man led Harry out of the room and through the door. Harry's mind vaguely registered that they were in Riddle manor. Harry was led through the house and they finally exited it.


The man side-apparated Harry and they landed in an abandoned house.

"Drink this." Harry did as he was asked, and he felt much better. His throat relaxed, he smiled, and he promptly fell asleep.

"Wake up!" he heard someone yell distantly. Harry lifted himself up.

"You're in pretty bad shape."

"Sirius?"

"Close. Regulus. His brother."

"R.A.B.?"

"Right in one."

"But- you're dead."

"Hmmm. I don't feel dead." He poked himself for added effect. "I don't smell dead." He sniffed his armpits. "I'm not acting dead am I?" He stared at Harry quizzically.

"I thought you had been killed though."

"A misconception shared by a lot of people I'm sure."

"I-" suddenly a dam burst in Harry. He had a million questions to ask Regulus. About Sirius, about horcruxes, about a lot of things. They all jostled his mind for front position.

"Why did you tell me to go to the ministry?"

"I needed to talk to you. But they attacked. So that didn't work very well. Sorry for the torture you were put through." Regulus sounded guilty.

"That's not your fault." Harry knew it was, but it didn't help to have him feeling guilty.

"And horcruxes? You're R.A.B. How did you get the one from the cave?" Harry fired another question at him.

"That was simple," Regulus replied, almost nonchalantly, while waving his hand dismissively.

"Simple-?" Harry asked, again surprised.

"I had a house-elf drink the potion, and then I took the locket, replacing it with the fake and refilling the potion."

"Kreacher…" Harry began, comprehension dawning on him.

"Right. He may be a little mad now I'm sure. That potion was some nasty stuff." Harry was thinking the same thing.

"And you destroyed it after?" he continued.

"Well, not after, but later. I had to leave it at home. Then, I had Aberforth, an old friend, retrieve it for me, so I could finish what I started. So yes, it is destroyed," finished Regulus.

"What about the cup? I've taken care of the wand, the diary, and Dumbledore did the ring. That leaves the snake, the cup, and Voldemort, since you did the locket."

"There's more than two?"

"You didn't know?"

"I only knew of the cup and the locket," conceded Regulus slowly.

"Well, how will we get the cup?" asked Harry seriously.

"It's in Riddle manor. We will have to go back there," stated Regulus.

"I don't really want to go there anytime soon," said Harry. The memories were fighting to take him over. Harry refused.

"Do you want your life back?" Regulus asked, equally serious.

Harry, surprised at the question, fell silent.

"That's what I thought. You're going to have a few tough lessons to learn Harry."

"Like what?" Harry asked.

"It's got to get worse before it gets better."

"That's like saying I'm going to die, and then kill him."

"…"

"No response to that?" Harry asked.

"It's possible that that may happen. The prophecy says either must die at the hand of the other. You could theoretically die, and then kill him."

"How do you know about the prophecy?" Harry asked incredulously.

"That's for another time Harry," Regulus said, effectively cutting him off.

"Right, anyway. What now? I still don't know how to defeat Voldemort. You got any ideas?" Harry looked at Regulus; sarcasm laced in his words, yet a genuine curiosity evident in his tone.

"Well, how about the power the Dark Lord knows not?"

"Love?" Harry snorted.

"Yup." Harry could only stare.

"What is a love based spell?" Harry asked.

"Think about it." So Harry thought. But nothing came into his mind.

"Are you going to tell me?" Harry looked at Regulus, staring him in the eye, daring him to lie. Daring him to say no.

"No." Damn him then. Why was he like Sirius? He was a Slytherin. Slytherins and Gryffindors shouldn't be the same. Should they? Harry suddenly realized he was over generalizing too much. Just like everyone always did to him. Oops.

"So what do we do then?" Harry changed the subject and decided he would bring the matter up with Hermione.

"Well, it is a fairly common charm, just a bit difficult to cast…" mused Regulus. "I doubt the Dark Lord could cast it…"

Harry cleared his throat.

"Right. Well, I imagine we should head back to Grimmauld and make a plan."

"That's what I wanted to do in the first place," grumbled Harry. Still sulking, he threw himself on the chair.

"Where are we anyway?" Harry looked up expectantly.

"We are at my uncle's house. He died and left it to Sirius, but I figured it would be safe to come here."

"Oh."

Harry felt somewhat comfortable in the chair. It was relaxing, it eased the pain he felt from the torture sessions. Harry's head still rang occasionally. It was all he could do to not gasp out loud. But he couldn't show weakness in front of someone he didn't know very well.

"How do you feel by the way? I'm sure he tortured you quite a bit."

Harry suppressed the memories that were brought to the surface. He refused to remember them.

"You have no idea." Scenes of cruciatus curses, a sectumsempra from Malfoy, a couple snakebites, a curse that split his arm into about a billion pieces, another that broke his leg and set it the wrong way; the list went on. Picturing the group of death eaters circling him as Voldemort stared at him mockingly. Harry was sucked into the vision, his memories, and was trapped inside his own head.


"It's ironic, don't you think Harry?"

Harry did nothing but grunt in return.

"Really, even a half-blood such as yourself should appreciate the irony of this." The death eaters around them laughed.

"Especially- especially, since you under- understand it. You are a- a half-blood too, Tom, in- in case you forgot." It took Harry a great deal of effort to get that retort out. But hey, it was his parting blow. Harry didn't think he would make it through this. And sometimes, that was just fine to Harry. He almost wished for death. Voldemort chose to ignore Harry's comment though, and pressed on.

"Just think: you, the Champion of the Light. And here you are, kneeling before me." Harry had tried valiantly to stand, but it was in vain. A spell was in place, similar to the one used on him when he was forced to bow in the graveyard. That seemed so long ago. Almost like a bad dream, only fleetingly remembered. So, Harry was basically at Voldemort's mercy. The only thing remaining was seen in his eyes. That fleeting spark. His eyes shone darkly, as dark as the room in front of him, as dark as the marks tainting the forearms of everyone in the room. Harry may have been a lot of things, but he wasn't a quitter. He would die proudly. Using his twisted logic, Harry was even able to obtain a look of triumph in his eyes. It wasn't a matter of whether or not he would win. Nor, even if he would survive. Harry knew he was doomed. The horcruxes remained, and here he was, powerless. The only thing that took hold of Harry was to go down with a fight. And to take as many death eaters down with him as he could.

"Funny thing, fate. Don't you think Tom?" Harry's seventh wind had come. His adrenaline began to pump.

"And why do you say that Harry?"

"Well, just think. It pitted you against me didn't it? It forced you to come after me. And you know what? You lost. And it's going to happen again. But, I am feeling generous. I will allow you to live forever. Only, it shall also be full of irony, just like your cursed half-life. A half-blood like yourself should appreciate it."

Infuriated, Voldemort tried to remain calm, only letting a couple sparks fly from his wand. Harry, armed only with words, was able to shake off Voldemort's controlling spell and stand up, straight back and erect, glaring at his enemy.

"And what, prey tell, do you think you could possibly do to your master?"

"That would ruin the surprise Tom. Just know that there will be a happy ending. And you can go knowing that you caused it." Harry was taking a strange pleasure in pissing off Voldemort. He released his anger.

Voldemort glared at Harry, and probed his mind, wondering just what it was Harry planned. Some unknown power seemed to grasp Harry. When your body is prepared to die, when it knows it will soon take it's last breath, it fights. It fights as hard as it can. Powers from nowhere and everywhere seem to flow through the body. If you are dying of thirst, your tears before death come, and they are really, truly tears. Real. If you are about to die in a fight, your adrenaline goes on overload. It is your body's last stand; it's fight against the inevitable. Your body is always fighting an uphill battle. It knows it can't escape; it just wants to last as long as possible. Harry thought for something to fight for. A reason to not just give in. And it came to him. In the shape of a redhead with a beautiful smile. For Ginny. I willingly die for you. I give my life, in the hope that you can live yours. Her face burst into his mind, and Harry successfully threw off Voldemort's attack on his mind.

"You've fallen asleep and you've just started your worst nightmare Tom."

"I would have enjoyed letting you loose on the world again. But, you have pushed me too far. My generosity only extends so far. Goodbye Harry. I hope you enjoy death. My understanding is it is swift and painless. But don't take my word for it. I have never died, after all. Avada Kedavra." Embracing his destiny, Harry's last thought went out to Ginny. A wish. 'Be safe my love.' Harry stared defiantly, mockingly, at the green beam of light speeding towards him. In one final act of defiance, Harry shouted.

"We'll meet again Tom." It wasn't a threat. It wasn't a wish. It wasn't anything. It was merely a statement. Harry stated it with such conviction that Voldemort, Heir of Slytherin, trembled in his stance. The green light, bringing the swiftness of death, and the release from Harry's pain, sped towards him. Harry took it in the chest, laughing one last time. He hit the floor, the laugh never quite leaving his face. Harry's eyes remained open, yet they weren't exactly lifeless. They still held a mix of his flaring light, that spark. The one spark, a mix of light and darkness. Voldemort strode over and kicked him.

"Throw him back in the cell. Let the rats have him."

Harry felt himself thrown into the room. If this was death, he thought detachedly, it wasn't all that great. He still seemed linked to his body. He was in there still all right. He couldn't understand why the curse failed. Harry, slowly, attempted to move his arm. He raised his hand up and brushed his scar. His connection with Voldemort must have kept him alive, somehow. "And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

"Take that fate. I'm still in this one. Don't count me out yet. I'm just getting warmed up." And then, a look of triumph in his eyes, Harry succumbed to sleep. But the door opened again.


"Harry!"

Shaking himself out of his stupor, he saw Regulus, both in his mind's eye and in front of him.

"Yeah?" Harry looked pretty bad. He could see it in Regulus's eyes.

"That bad huh?" Regulus showed a little bit of concern. But was it for Harry? Or for Voldemort's match?

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Fair enough," Regulus shrugged. "How about we head to good ol' Grimmauld? I haven't been there in ages."

It was Harry's turn to shrug. Regulus picked him up and side-apparated him to Grimmauld Place.

Harry made it to the couch before he collapsed again. Voldemort really did a job on him. He looked like he had gone through a battlefield. Harry honestly didn't know how he was still alive. 'Looks like this body ain't ready to leave just yet.'

"Harry!" screamed three voices, two girl's voices and a guy's voice, all mixed together.

"We thought you were dead," said Hermione.

"Better dead than expelled right?" Harry said, forcing a weary grin onto his face. The effects of Regulus potion had worn off, and Harry could feel it.

"We need to get you to Madam Pomfrey!" shouted Ginny.

"Not the Hospital Wing," groaned Harry.

"At least you have your own bed mate," stated Ron sympathetically.

"That's a lot to look forward to," whined Harry again.

Hermione had already taken off to fetch the nurse, wherever she was. Harry guessed Hogsmeade, although he really wasn't sure. Harry started rubbing his arm. It hurt. Then, Harry realized Ginny and Ron had realized someone else was in the room.

Warily, they raised their wands at the intruder.

"Sirius?" they asked, guardedly. "We saw you fall through the veil. That can't be you. Who are you?"

"Smart friends you have Harry. Regulus Black, although I can't exactly say I'm pleased to meet you." At Harry's nod, they lowered their wands. Well, Ron did. Ginny's remained trained on the last living Black.

"You're a death eater."

"Two for two. Congratulations." Harry vaguely wondered why Regulus was being so sarcastic. He would stop when he had the bat-bogey hex on him though. Harry guessed he had about another minute or so of good quality air.

"Well?"

"I'm not denying it. But I am not really a death eater anymore."

"Some marks don't come off," stated Ron. Harry stopped rubbing his arm and rubbed subconsciously at his scar.

"I come in peace?"

"Try again."

"I brought Harry here, isn't that enough for now?" Ron and Ginny turned around to face Harry, and Harry watched as Regulus cast a spell at Harry's arm. Harry touched his arm gingerly.It felt normal. Harryfelt relief spread throughout his body after the spell. He glanced back at Regulus gratefully.

"Thanks."

"Useful little spell, that."

"I can imagine," said Harry.

At that moment, Hermione returned with Madam Pomfrey, and she began bustling around the house. She muttered to herself, and Harry more than flinched a couple of times.

"There, that should be it. In bed with you Mr. Potter. And you will do everything I say. No questions."

"Yes ma'am," said Harry. And he meant it. He felt himself slowly succumb to the darkness.

When Harry finally woke up, he was pumped with so many potions it was hard to tell if he was still asleep or not. He felt his leg re-breaking and mending, he felt his arm rearranging all the bones inside of it. He felt a lot of the scars healing. The pain-relief potion was in effect; the blood-replenishing potion was helping him gain the blood he lost. Harry had no idea what other potions were in him, but they kept him in pain. Nothing compared to torture. Harry was able to sleep through it all.

"How long was I gone?"

"Three days. And you've been out for five hours," came the reply from Ginny.

"Long time huh?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yeah," said Ron solemnly.

"We really thought we lost you on this one," continued Ron.

"Nope, you all are stuck with me for awhile." Harry chuckled at his own joke.

"Harry?"

"Yeah Gin?"

"What's wrong with your scar?"

Well guys, that's your chapter. I hope you enjoyed this. Foreshadowing and hints abounded in this one folks. Sorry to disappoint you all if you thought it was Sirius coming back. I had planted the clue with Regulus in chapter one; I was hoping you all would pick up on it. And yay! I topped 60,000 words. I'm so proud of myself. It's thanks to you all of course. So thank you. Please give me a review on this one.