Harry slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling above him. He felt so tired, and worn out, but knew it would be a mistake to fall asleep again.

Not after the nightmare he had last night…

He frowned in confusion…he could remember someone there with him…but...who was it…?

Barty.

His eyes widened and fearfully he glanced to his side. True enough, Barty was sprawled in an armchair beside his bed, mouth open widely, and hair pointing out in all directions.

Oh no…

Harry quietly got up, trying not to make a sound, and crossed the room towards the door.

As he reached towards the handle, he heard one very loud snore and peered around to see Barty stirring and opening his eyes. Not good.

Barty had already seen Harry beside the door, and shot up in an instant, casually walking over to Harry, smiling.

"I gotta tell you Harry, I haven't slept like that for a long time." He said, leaning on the door, stopping Harry from getting out.

Harry reluctantly let go of the handle he had already grabbed and looked down at the floor.

Maybe I should kill Barty as well.

He cursed himself. No more killing…one man had been enough. His eyes brimmed with more tears but he held them in, not wanting to be seen like that in front of Barty.

"Maybe I should stay with you more often, just in case you have more nightmares." Carried on Barty, eyeing Harry for a reaction.

Harry stared at the man.

"No thanks. I'll be all right." He said slowly, picking his words carefully.

Barty shrugged.

"I can get you a dreamless sleep potion if you want."

Harry found this offer tempting but shook his head. They could put anything in that potion, and he wouldn't know about it.

"No thanks. I mean it. I'm all right. Now, can you get off the door? I want to go out."

"…hmmm…maybe I will, or maybe I wont. Depends."

"Depends on what?"

"If you let me hang around with you today."

"You have got to be kidding." Said Harry, disbelief written across his face.

"No, not really."

"Well, the answers no."

"Well, you're not going out then."

Harry glared at Barty who grinned mockingly back at him.

"Go on Harry, say yes."

"No."

"Fine, you're not going out."

Harry was determined not to give in. He couldn't spend a day with Barty. No way.

He stood for a moment, looking at the floor, before Barty grabbed him in a headlock and started to mess up his hair.

"Hey! What are-you-doing?" said Harry, in between struggles to get out from the mans grasp.

Barty wouldn't let go though.

"Come on, Harry. I'll let you go if you say yes."

"No!"

"Wrong answer."

"Look, let go of me or I'll punch you."

"I'm sure. You can try, but remember, I'm older, stronger, have a wand on me, and have been on Voldemort's side for one hell of a long time. Do you honestly think you have a chance?"

"Yes."

"HEY! You said yes!"

"No, no! I meant no…you know what I meant. Stop trying to trick me."

Barty laughed as the furious boy tried to wriggle away from him.

"You really are a madman." Said Harry.

"Don't you know it." came the reply.

Harry knew he wasn't going to get out from this headlock, and felt frustrated. Why was Barty being like this? And why was he being so nice all of a sudden?

"…yes…" he muttered slowly, cringing at having to give in.

"What was that?" asked Barty.

"I said yes. Now for Gods sake, let go of me!"

Barty smirked and let go of Harry, who immediately backed away from him whilst flattening his hair down.

"Don't ever do that again."

Barty held his hands up.

"Hey, I can't promise anything."

Harry rolled his eyes and opened the door, Barty following him closely behind.

Sirius sat down in the shrieking shack, alone.

He held his head in his hands.

He needed time to think.

But the only thing he could think about was Harry.

He shivered as the cold air swept through the many gaps in the creaking house and almost had a heart attack when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"What are you doing in here Sirius?"

Sirius looked up to see the worried face of Remus looking down on him.

He shrugged. He didn't know why he was down here. Probably to get away from it all. Everything. Everything that was going on.

Remus shook his head pitifully, and sat down on the floor beside him. He waited for a while, knowing that Sirius would explain after some time.

He was right.

"I…can't believe he's gone, Remus."

"I know."

"I failed him as a godfather. I should have been there to protect him…"

"You haven't failed him, Sirius." Remus sighed.

Sirius shook his head, blocking out Remus's reply.

"I did. If I had taken more notice in what was going on…I mean, everything that happened…it was all so…so suspicious. I could have helped him…and now, I can't even help in finding him…"

Remus didn't know what to say. Sirius certainly hadn't failed Harry, but in matters of finding him, well, they should have been able to pick up something by now…and they hadn't.

"Sirius, Harry can look after himself. I bet he is absolutely fine right now, as we speak. He's very much like James. We will find him. I know we will. We can't give up hope, because when we do that, that's the moment we failed him."

Sirius didn't speak for a while before answering shakily.

"You're right. We can't give up. We won't. We will find him."

He smiled slightly in determination, and turned to see Remus smile slightly as well.

"Thanks, Remus."

"Its all right."

Remus shivered now, and looked considerably pale. Sirius frowned.

"Is it near the full moon?"

"Yes. Its tomorrow."

"I'll come with-"

"No, you won't."

"What? Of course I-"

"No Sirius. I mean it."

"Remus, why cant I?"

Remus sighed.

"Because you can't…I'm sorry."

Sirius grabbed Remus and made him look into his eyes.

"Why cant I?"

Remus didn't meet his gaze, and looked at the floor.

"Please, just trust me on this. And let me go."

Sirius slowly let go of his friend and sat back.

Remus turned to him.

"By the way, Dumbledore's meeting is at about eight thirty. That all right?"

"Of course it is."

Sirius knew Remus had tried to change the subject, but his thoughts were now on both Harry and Remus.

Remus was being mysterious, and he knew he was hiding something. And best friends don't hide things from each other.

He gritted his teeth. He was going to find out what was going on, one way or another.

Harry didn't know what to do or say. Having Barty follow him certainly wasn't comfortable, and he knew his every move was being watched. He sighed inwardly as Barty tried to strike up another conversation as he walked through the woods.

"You know, it's been such a long time since I've had a banana split. Ever tried a banana split Harry?"

Harry grunted in response.

"…Yes. Banana splits. Really nice…"

Barty sighed contently, and then picked up the pace so he could walk beside Harry.

Harry immediately felt frustrated and tried to walk faster, but to no avail. Barty just hurried up even more.

"So Harry, what we planning to do today?"

Harry ran a hand through his hair. He knew Barty was trying to annoy him into responding, and truthfully, it was incredibly close to working.

"Maybe we could go fishing. Its been such a long time since I went fishing…. mind you, I never really could fish…"

Harry saw red.

"Will you just shut up?!? For at least one moment! My God, you are so….so…" He turned on Barty who grinned happily.

"I knew I could get you to talk."

His chocolate brown eyes laughed at Harry and Harry closed his eyes, blocking him out.

"Please go away."

"No, you said I could come with you. And come with you I shall."

Harry shook his head and carried on walking. Maybe Barty would get bored soon…

But Barty followed him. He knew Harry was trying to bore him, and he wanted to applaud the boy's stamina. They had been walking for a pretty long time. Probably in circles though…

"Wanna know what I think Harry?"

"Not really."

"I think you're lonely."

Barty's voice had lost its childishness now, and gotten more serious and adult like.

"Well, if you had been kidnapped by a Death Eater to live with a whole bunch of them as well as Voldemort, then forced to kill an innocent man, I think you would be."

"That's not what I mean, Harry, and you know it. I think you're lonely at Hogwarts, and back at your home, with your family and friends."

Harry refused to answer, forcing Barty to look at his retreating back.

"I think," carried on Barty, "That you are afraid of something."

Harry stopped walking, his eyes darkening.

"Shut up." He said.

Barty shrugged and walked up to him,

"All right."

They both carried on walking in companionable silence, before Barty piped up something.

"What are we doing, Harry?"

"Looking for a way out."

Barty chuckled, but then glanced at his watch, his eyes widening.

"Uh…Harry. We better go back now."

Harry sighed.

"I'm not going back."

"You are."

"No, I'm not."

"Is this because you killed Diggory?"

Harry shook his head, his facial expression refusing to compliment his lie.

Barty ruffled his hair in irritation, and then grabbed the boy's arm and apparated back to the house.

"HEY!" exclaimed Harry, pushing Barty away as they landed in his room.

Barty smirked.

"I don't apparate too often. It takes up energy. I could teach you how to if you want…"

Harry stared at Barty, secretly wishing that he could apparate, but then shook his head, averting his gaze to the floor.

Barty took no notice of this.

"Voldemort wants to talk to you in private soon, so wait in here. Another Death Eater will come and fetch you when he wants you."

Harry looked up.

"Aren't you going to fetch me?" he asked, hoping his voice showed no disappointment.

But Barty knew exactly what Harry was feeling as soon as the words left his mouth, but decided to show no sign of recognising the emotions in Harry's voice.

"No. I have other things to deal with."

He turned on his heel and left the room, leaving an embarrassed and confused Harry behind him.

Authors note: Okay, first of all, I really have to say that I am soooooooooo sorry for not updating for AGES. I feel really bad, and have now decided to go on mega writing mode for the time being, which hopefully will get a few more chapters ready.

Also, I haven't checked this chapter, and I dont think its that good anyway...but hey, it leads on to an important part of the story so I needed it in here.

And now for the good part...cheers to all you readers out there! I have gotten so many reviews ever since the beginning of this story, and to be honest, I really can't stop smiling, no matter what comment you may write down and send. You are all so great, and you make my day.

Anywayz, back to 'business,' the next chapter won't take too long to write...I think...so maybe an update in the next few days if you're lucky...a week at most.

Please review, I'm hoping to get 50 reviews for this story if I can. I know this chapter isnt that great and its a bit short, but for now it'll do.

P.S The whole banana split thing with Barty was just a way of expressing my randomness without annoying anyone in my house.