Molly Weasley sighed as she levitated a huge plate of toast and bacon over to the table.

''Ron, dear, why don't you tell Harry to come over here? He needs to be around family now, not cooped up in some old home with only Kreacher for company!''

Ron, yawning hugely, was prevented from answering by the screech of an owl. Percy, who was next to the window, choked on his tea and slid up the glass panes, coughing.

''Errol will never learn the difference between an open window and a closed one.'' Mrs. Weasley sighed, coaxing the ancient barn owl into having some toast, which the owl accepted with a feeble hoot of thanks.

''Mother, Kingsley wants Father to resume his post in the Ministry immediately. A cursed….err….eklectic kettle has been found.'' Percy finished pompously.

Molly sighed. ''Charlie, dear, would you get your father? He's probably out by the shed.''

Charlie nodded, dropping his spoon into his plate. Ron seized the opportunity to transfer some of his carrots into Charlie's plate and swapping the bacon.

''Shouldn't somebody go wake George up?'' he whispered to Percy, who had resumed reading the newspaper.

Percy pushed his glasses up his nose. ''He won't let anyone come inside. Last night Bill went to wake him up after we heard him screaming- nightmare, I should think – then this morning he put a silencing charm as well as an imperturbable charm on the door.''

Ron groaned. ''What does he think he's going to achieve like this? He hasn't eaten properly since forever – Fred's funeral is coming up – what the hell is he playing at?''

Percy's expression faltered for a second. No one at the Burrow spoke about Fred anymore. Personally, he felt it was more awkward- the way they tip-toed around Fred's name as if it were some sort of gaping chasm between the family. Mother used to burst into tears every two seconds – only last week they sat down for dinner and she demanded why Fred was late, before realizing her mistake. George had all but upended the table as he stomped upstairs, Ron choked on his mince pie while Ginny and Bill hissed at George to come back down.

Arthur hurried in, and grabbed some floo powder from the mantle threw it in and said – '' Kingsley Shaklebolt, Interim Minister of Magic.''

''Arthur.'' Kingsley's face greeted through the green flames.

''What is this about a kettle I hear?''

''Apparently muggles use ….eklecticity? – to heat their kettles or something. There's been a few reports from Bristol that a certain kettle is singing while connected to the…plague? ''

''Plug, you mean.'' Arthur nodded knowledgeably, eyes shining with excitement.

''Yes, quite right. Apparently the kettle has been belting out Celestina Warbeck's greatest hits, and on completion instead of pouring the tea it has been squirting the liquid all over the place. One lady swore to the moon and back that the kettle somehow winked at her before spraying her favorite tablecloth with jasmine tea.''

''I'll contact the obliviation squad right away. Is Perkins available? This doesn't sound very dangerous, but I don't want a repeat of last time.'' Arthur said darkly, remembering those exploding toilet seats on which Finite Incantatem only made things worse, until the entire lane was flooded and a great deal of obliviation was needed to control the situation.

Ron rolled his eyes as Arthur got all worked up about plugs and cords, telling Molly that he simply knew his collection of muggle junks would come in handy someday. He slinked off to find Ginny, who he was sure was in one of her moods.

Ginny kicked a pebble quite aggressively, watching it plop into the small pond. The frogs hopped out of the path of the stone and glared at her reproachfully.

Git.

Ginny had no idea what Harry was up to. She had woken up that day only to find him gone, and had spent a good three hours panicking as cold fear clutched her heart, until Ron and Hermione had returned from Grimmauld Place declaring Harry needed some time by himself.

Why does he need so much time? Away from the people that loved him, and cared for him?

She had wanted to storm into Grimmauld Place, shake him until his head fell off – not that it would cause him any lasting damage- Harry rarely used his head to do anything- and demand to know what was it that he thought she was – a girl he could break up with whenever he wanted and not have to answer to?

Before Harry disappeared last year with Ron and Hermione, Ginny had been understanding. Of course, he had a war to fight- she couldn't expect him to gambol around with her.

But his present behavior worried her. She had no idea if he was moping around, not able to break free from the ghosts of the war, or if he had finally decided she was a silly little girl unworthy of his time.

''Oi! What did you do that for?!''

Ginny snapped her head up. She had been kicking pebbles, and of course her prat of a brother had to get hit by her.

''Get out of the way then. Funny, aren't you? Can't dodge a bloody stone!'' she scowled.

Ron made a rude gesture as he rubbed his ankle.

''Luna was asking if we'd like to come over for tea.''

Ginny huffed, making her red strands flutter.

''So, are you coming?''

''Can't you go by yourself?''

''I don't fancy listening to her go on about Blibbering Humdingers and wrackspurts all by myself.''

''Tell Hermione to tag along then.''

Ron shuddered. ''She's been in a right state, researching spells to reverse the Obliviation she did on her parents. Last night I asked her if she wanted dinner and she replied – Yes, the weather is quite fine.''

Despite her cloudy mood, Ginny snorted. Hermione had been a joy to be around for the past few weeks.

Of course, she knew why – Mum and Dad had both been terribly shocked after hearing Hermione altered her parents' memories and erased herself right out of their lives. Dad had given her a strong talking to about the adverse effects of memory altering spells, and Kingsley had offered to contact the Australian Ministry to locate the Grangers, now known as Wendells.

As for Hermione, she had been frantically researching spells to reverse the memory modification. In her haste to obliviate them, she had made a lot of changes that needed subtle magic to be restored. Ron had tried to help her, but Arithmancy wasn't really his forte. Bill was quite stumped too – he was a curse breaker, not a healer.

Ginny sighed. ''Right, I'll come along with you.''

''Although I must warn you- the tea is quite exotic.'' Ron waggled his eyebrows, grinning evilly.

Ginny groaned.

''You are an orphan, Harry. You know quite well what it's like – how could you do the same thing to our Teddy?''

''Take my body back to my father, will you, Harry?''

''All right, Harry? Could you sign the picture later, maybe?''

''No, not harry, Please, take me instead!''

''Lily, it's him! Take Harry and run- I'll hold him off!''

Harry gasped and woke up with a scream. His voice was hoarse – he had likely been screaming for some time. It took a while to get his bearings – he wasn't on his bed, rather he was on the floor, his blankets a messy tangle around him. Fumbling around for his glasses, Harry tried to squint at the ancient clock on the opposite wall.

Was it morning? Or night? He rubbed his eyes and struggled to get out of the blanket.

As he pushed his door open and emerged from the bedroom, the smell of soup greeted him. His stomach grumbled, and he trudged downstairs.

Kreacher hopped around the table, tureen of gravy in one hand and chicken on the other.

''Master is awake – Kreacher made a small meal.''

Harry nodded. '' What time is it, Kreacher?''

Kreacher cocked his head to the side, and replied – '' A little after four in the evening, Master.''

Harry nodded, picking up the spoon.

Harry had no idea when he entered the library, but he supposed it had been quite some time. He sat on the comfortable armchair, eyes fixed on a spot just above the mantle. He was tired, he wasn't sure why, considering all he did was eat, sleep, scream, wake up, and eat some more; but he was very tired. But he didn't want to sleep – not yet. The last nightmare, although not new, still rattled him.

Harry thought back to what Remus had taught him- to think of the good memories. But Harry struggled to remember anything remotely happy. All he could see when he closed his eyes was Death. Sirius. Remus. Tonks. Colin. Fred. Dobby. Cedric. Dumbledore.

Was there ever a moment he was happy? Did he even deserve to be happy?

Harry felt a strange hunger within him. What he wouldn't give to have even a single moment of happiness.

With a gasp, Harry sat up straight. What was he thinking? Hunger? For happiness?

With a terrible choking sound, Harry surveyed his own fingers. Pale, long, and so cold. He leapt up from the armchair and stumbled around the room looking for a mirror- he found a full length one, between two tall bookcases.

Harry drank in his own reflection – searching for signs – was he turning into a dementor? Was it possible to turn into one?

Startled emerald eyes stared back at him. The dark circles were painfully prominent in his pale, white face- how long had it been since he had been out in the sun?- weeks, probably. He had forgotten to shave for the last couple of days, and the stubble had grown into a soft fuzzy cover. His hair stuck up in the back, as untidy as ever, and his shirt clung to his pitifully thin body. Harry looked at his hands again. Were they scabbing over? He experimentally tried to walk slowly- was he really walking? He wasn't floating, was he?

It felt as if his breath was stuck in his throat- what if he really was turning into a dementor? Sudden panic seized him, and he fumbled around the mantle for a bit of floo powder.

The pot was empty!

With a wail of despair, Harry imagined his breathing was slowing down to a rattle – perhaps the cloak would come any second now – then he'd truly become one of those dratted creatures!

Harry made a mad dash for the door, wand clutched in hand.

''Master needs something? Can Kreacher – ''

''No! Stay away!'' Harry roared, afraid he'd harm the old elf.

He wrenched the main door open and tumbled out into the street.

Molly sniffed as Arthur tried to open George's door. He was screaming again- the silencing charm must have worn out.

''Let's just knock it down.'' Ron suggested, having been woken by his brother's incessant screaming.

''Let me have a go, dad- ''

''Yes, Father, Bill is quite experienced in knocking down doors.'' Percy said, somewhat sarcastically.

Ginny rolled her eyes. Apparently Audrey had come over to 'talk' to Percy and had shrieked when Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, had suddenly jumped on the bed. Bill had mistaken her shriek for a Death eater attack and had nearly blasted the door off its hinges. Percy wasn't very pleased.

''Maybe someone should try zee window. Eez it open?'' Fleur suggested, frowning at Percy.

A ringing sound echoed through the quite night, startling everybody within the Burrow.

''Dad! Someone's here!'' Charlie said, gripping his wand.

There was a general chaos as everybody tried to run down the stairs at the same time. Ron had the presence of mind to apparate straight to the door and wrenched it open.

There was a blue pulsating light towards the west of the untidy garden, signaling the break-in point.

''What's going on?'' Hermione's voice demanded from the second floor window.

''Quick, Bill, approach from the side!'' Arthur said in a low, strained voice.

Bill nodded as Fleur hung back, looking very worried and nursing her baby bump. Molly gently held her daughter- in- law's arm, trying to guide her back to the house.

Ron stepped forward cautiously. He could make out a thin figure, clad in white shirt and raggedy pajamas stumbling through the tall reeds.

Charlie was about to stun the figure, when Ron and Ginny yelled at the same time.

''Harry! What happened to you?''

Bill lowered his wand, perplexed, as Percy squinted through the velvety darkness of midnight.

''That's Harry?''

Ginny rushed forward, ignoring her father's yells – '' Might be Polyjuice, Ginny – hang on now- ''

''Harry!''

Harry snapped his head up at her voice. With a strangled yell, he held his wand up, halting her in her tracks.

''What am I? What am I?'' He demanded, shaking his wand.

''Harry – oh- what is wrong? What do you mean?'' Ginny pleaded, her eyes bright.

''I am not human anymore!'' Harry whispered, voice catching on the last word, his emerald eyes startling in their intensity.

Ginny choked back a sob, rushing forward to hug him, ignoring the wand jabbing into her shoulder.

''Oh, Harry, you prat! What are you raving on about?''

Ron stood there, the most helpless he'd ever felt in his life, as Molly burst into tears behind him.

''I told you, Arthur, didn't I – he needs care and – now look – what has happened!''

Arthur's eyes were strangely wet. He cleared his throat as he held his distraught wife.

''It's okay, Molly – he's home now.''