Nightmare on Privet drive

Chapter: Going back

AN: Sorry if some of this seemed rushed. I was going to end it quickly, because I don't like leaving stories unfinished. But I ended up getting back into it. So there will actually be one more chapter.

Harry Potter was sitting on his bed in the room that Lucius had provided for him. He rocked back and forth, trying to suppress the urge to go to the bathroom. The passing minutes felts like hours, and the hours like days, until the door was finally opened by the owner of the house, Lucius Malfoy, The only person to know of Harry's whereabouts.

Harry stood up. "I really need to go to the bathroom", he blurted out desperately.

"Quickly then", Lucius responded, then checked both sides of the hallway to make sure it was clear.

After letting Harry relieve himself, he led him back to the room. "I have some issues to attend to. So I'll be gone for a while", Lucius announced, standing in front of the door. Harry nodded his head in understanding. Lucius gave a small nod back before going to leave.

"Umm! … Mr. Malfoy", Harry blurted.

"Yes?" He questioned smoothly.

"Umm…what …day is it?"

"Thursday."

"…No. I mean, what's the date?"

Lucius furrowed his brow. "Why so concerned?" Harry looked to the floor as if ashamed. " You want to go back to school, don't you?"

"Yes, sir", Harry mumbled.

"Well then, you'll be happy to know there's a week left until your next term", Lucius spoke blandly, eyeing his perfect fingernails. Harry released a quick enthusiastic smile. Lucius smirked at the boy, amused that such a simple thing as school could excite the boy. "Get some rest Potter. You've got a boring day ahead of you", he warned. Lucius then left Harry to himself.

Harry slept most of the day. So much that his body got sore. There was literally nothing for him to do. He was tempted to explore the room. Look in drawers, closets and cupboards, but feared there might be someone watching him. So he did nothing. Which is exactly what he did the day after as well, and the day after that, and the day after that. Was it not for Hogwarts to look forward to, he would have gone mad. But his enthusiasm and eagerness to start his next term got him through each day.

The day before school started, Lucius allowed him to take another bath. Harry could hardly contain himself. It was like the day before Christmas. He could picture his friends already welcoming him and smiling and laughing together.

The following day, Harry was a tad worried when Lucius had not come for him. It took him a while to realize that he was probably with Draco. Harry hoped that Lucius would remember about him. All his life he'd been forgotten and locked away like a dirty secret.

Harry practically jumped out of his skin when the door opened, and Lucius appeared. "Ready?"

Lucius walked Harry to the Library, where a giant, elegant fireplace awaited him.

As Harry grabbed a bit of floo powder and stood at the entrance, he panicked, suddenly realizing he'd never even thanked Lucius. For saving him. For giving him a place to stay…

"What's the matter", Lucius asked, seeing Harry hesitate.

"…I…never thanked you."

Lucius never expected a thank you. He was not accustomed to people being grateful towards him. "Well then get it off your chest before you're late."

Unable to find the proper words, Harry leaped from the fireplace and hugged him. Lucius, though surprised, did not pull away.

"Thank you."

Lucius merely patted Harry on the back, not being accustomed to hugs of course. "Better hurry up. You don't want to be late." Harry nodded and entered the fireplace once more.

Before Harry took off, Lucius came to the realization that he'd forgotten something as well. Harry had no idea that his family was no longer living. He'd never told him. He'd never even thought about telling him. But it was something that needed to be said.

"Harry…", Lucius began. Harry looked up, with his all too innocent eyes. Innocent and clueless.

Lucius didn't know whether it was guilt for killing the boys remaining family or embarrassment for using such drastic measures to save the boy, when he was obviously expected to turn him over to the dark Lord. Either way, the words couldn't come out. "Have a good year."

Harry smiled. "I will", he said before vanishing.

Back at Hogwarts, Harry was quickly confronted by Dumbledore, who seemed extremely anxious.

"Harry, where in gods name have you been?" Dumbledore asked, once they entered his study.

Harry panicked. He hadn't thought of an alibi. "…Umm…well I-

"And before I make any rash accusations", Dumbledore interrupted. "Tell me just what happened at the Dursley's."

Harry's face paled. He knew? How could he know! "W…What are you talking about?" Harry asked, unable to keep his voice from shaking.

"Harry, the killing curse is nothing to be taken lightly. You'll be sent to Azkaban!" Dumbledore explained, getting worked up.

"Killing curse! Wait…What?"

"Your family Harry! Vernon, Petunia, Dudley! All found murdered!

Harry stood in shock. Partly from the news of his deceased family. But mostly from realizing who'd done it. And the fact that he was not told.

"This is a real nightmare Harry. Of course Voldemort was suspected, but when you didn't contact me…well…" he waved a hand through the air. "Rumors have spread…the Ministry is in an uproar…

"Professor… I swear I didn't."

Dumbledore calmed down, trying to get everything figured out. "All right Harry… just… tell me where you've been these passed couple of weeks.

"…Umm". Harry couldn't give up Lucius' name. "I was… at a friends house."

"Why in Gods name would you leave the Dursley's", Dumbledore barked.

Harry suddenly realized how big of a deal this was. And if he couldn't give an answer, he'd be in serious trouble.

"Harry, answer me", Dumbledore spoke after Harry gave no answer.

Harry was getting both scared and mad. He didn't know weather he would break down and cry or scream his head off at the old wizard.

Instead, he just glared at him. He knew he did nothing wrong, and he'd rather die than tell anyone what happened at the Dursleys.

Before anything else could be said, the door burst open. Cornelius Fudge followed by a few other Ministry workers barged in.

Dumbledore rose from his seat. "Fudge", he greeted grimly.

"I believe you owe us a story Mr.Potter", Fudge said, getting straight to the point.

Harry backed up a tad, as the group of people closed in on him.

"Give him time Minister", Dumbledore pleaded. "We've only just begun on the subject."

"I didn't do it", Harry interupted to the small crowd.

"Then were have you been the previous weeks?"

"...At a friends house", Harry explained, remembering what he'd told Dumbledore.

"What friend?" Fudge asked sharply.

Harry was silent for a moment. The wheels in his head couldn't turn fast enough.He hadn't prepared himself for any of this.

"I'm sorry Harry", Fudge spoke, reaching into his coat pocket. "Albus", He said, eyeing the old man. "You know what needs to be done."

Dumbledore nodded in understanding. "Harry, have a seat, will you please?" Dumble asked, motioning to a chair.

Confused, Harry cautiously sat down, feeling awkward since everyone else was standing and crowded around him.

"Drink this please", Fudge asked, handing Harry a bottle.

Harry eyed the small bottle,then Fudge. "What is it?"

"Veritaserum."

AN: Next chapter: Everythings changed.