Chapter Two: Omniscient Pain

Harry felt odd as he found himself standing inside the space of a narrow hallway. Harry knew he had never set foot in such a place but the feeling of de ja vu overwhelmed him. Straight ahead was one black tiled path that led to a dark metallic door with multiple symbols that shined under a singular pale light. The walls were the same glossy black as the pillars build in front of them.

Harry licked his lips, an awful sense of dread had been surrounding him since he appeared. He had began to walk, against his own will towards the door at the end of the hallway. Harry felt stiff as he suddenly realized he had no control over this body, it felt like he was trudging through quicksand as he tried with all his might to stop walking. Harry looked around at the pillars, at the door he was getting closer too, the feeling of fear becoming suffocating. Harry looked down to the ground and wanted to cry out. His feet were sharp, fleshy, and white. Overgrown, chipped yellow toenails were attached to said feet and Harry knew immediately that he wasn't Harry.

"Harry."

A vivid image of cloud filled glass balls stacked to the sky flashed through his mind.

"Harry!"

He, more like Voldermort, took out his wand. The dark mind etched on his thin arm.

"Harry!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Harry!"

Harry almost jerked out of his chair as he felt a hand touch his arm. His heart beat madly against his ribcage as his eyes darted towards every corner in his surroundings. He was in a classroom, and in front of him was a dark wooden desk, equipped with his Defense Against the Dark Arts books, quill, and some paper. Harry released a big sigh of relief. It was all just a dream.

"Have you gone mad Harry?"

Harry glanced at Ron who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Just uh, daydreaming Ron."

"That must've been one hell of a daydream, you almost scared me the way you jumped up. I thought you were going to hit me."

Harry chuckled trying to stifle his fear and anxiety as much as he could.

"You said I almost scared you? Sounds to me like I actually did scare you."

Ron smiled. "You wish you could actually scare me. I've battled a troll, escaped man-eating spiders, AND the wrath of my mother. Nothing can scare me now."

Harry laughed. "Yeah well, did I miss anything?"

Ron shook his head. "Dumbridge hasn't showed up and I'm hoping it stays that way for," Ron glanced up at the clock. "eight more minutes so we can leave class with no punishment."

"Agreed."

"Were dreaming about anything good mate?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "I was." He said trying to come up with something. "It was about a girl."

Ron's eyes became the size of the moon. "Who!?"

Harry smiled playfully. "I don't know if I can tell you."

Ron frowned, a look of fear had flashed on his face. "It wasn't Hermione was it?"

"What? No. Never! She's practically a sister."

Ron shook his head and averted his gaze. "Yeah she is. I just asked because that would be weird."

"Uh-huh."

"What are they doing up there?" Ron titled his head to the Patil twins sitting two desks in front of them.

Real smooth Ron. Harry thought as he glanced at the twins. If Ron thought his rush to change the topic and flustered cheeks were getting passed Harry, he thought wrong. Harry grinned at Ron's antics and focused on the twins.

He shrugged. "Beats me."

Harry watched as Parvati flicked her wand and a big paper bird began to levitate into the air. Slowly it flapped its thin paper wings and steadily began to sail across the room. Harry watched in amazement.

"That's pretty cool." Said Ron.

"Over here. Bring it to me." A pretty girl with long red hair sitting next to a studying Hermione urged.

Harry couldn't remember her name but she blew on the bird causing it to fly to Seamus, who swatted it causing raucous praise from Dean and some boys behind them. As the bird circled around Crabbe hit it with a pebble from his slingshot getting a few chuckles from the Slytherins hanging in the back. Harry watched as the bird soar over the candle-lit chandelier above him before gliding smoothly downward in his direction. He reached out his hand and felt the side of it before it flew to the desk in front him.

"Did you get a papercut?" Ron asked.

Harry chuckled. "No, it felt quite nice actually."

"It's just paper you loony."

Harry pushed Ron's arm who pushed back as the two shared a smile. Harry glanced at the old owl clock.

"Do you think we'll actually be able to leave? We have two minutes."

"I'll bet three knuts and an acid pop that we will."

Harry nodded. "Okay, deal."

Harry fiddled with his quill before glancing back up at the bird whom started flying around the twins. Suddenly, the paper bird decimated before them and into a series of scattered ashes that had fallen onto the Patil twins desk. They all looked with widened eyes, disappointed and in shock. In his peripheral, past the smoking pile of ash Harry saw two bubble gum pink heels stop in the center of the classroom. His eyes trailed up to the white stockings before witnessing the hideous pink dress that covered Delores Umbridge. Her brown hair shaped her wide face with thin curls and when she smiled, it reminded Harry of a hyena, always gleeful at others misery, especially when she giggled.

"Hello class." She spoke, her voice still as uncanny and unnatural as Harry first remembered at his trial.

She looked over all of them in the classroom and Harry was grateful that she didn't, or at least pretended, not to notice him.

Ron leaned closer to him and whispered. "Hey um, do you think I can give you those knuts later mate?"

Harry leaned over to respond 'a don't worry about' but his voice was instead becoming attentive to Umbridge who wrote her name in big italic letters on the board.

"Now I know I introduced myself at the feast but I feel compelled to do it again. I, am Delores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. I have worked in the ministry since the age of seventeen and now, I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

She smiled and turned to the table that was placed in front of her desk. On the table were stacks of short, thick black books. Umbridge flicked her wand and the books immediately levitated and began to make their way to each student's desk.

"I know that most of you have purchased books that were going to be originally used in class but there will be a new curriculum."

Harry huffed as one of the books slammed onto his desk. Defensive Magical Theory by Wilburt Slinkhard was printed on the front.

"What the hell is this rubbish?" Ron hissed.

Harry looked at Umbridge who continued talking. "It's exactly what you called it Ron. Rubbish."

If looks were as deadly as spells, Umbridge would have keeled over.

"Now." She continued as the last book landed on a desk. "We will be reading this Ministry approved book by Wilburt Slinkhard not to necessarily fight or defend but to get all of you ready for your OWLs."

Umbridge turned back to the board and began writing. "Ordinary Wizarding Levels exams. You will study and learn what you need to pass them. Any questions?"

If anyone did have a question Umbridge didn't give them any time to ask as she smiled and stood in front of her desk.

"Since we are in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class I feel it would be unjust if I did not mention this. Now, I know there have been rumors going around claiming that the Dark Lord has returned. But fear not children, those are all lies to stir controversy."

Harry groaned. Could he get one day where there wasn't someone calling him a liar? "Give me a break."

"Is there something you have to say Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked at her and she stared back, with a smile of course. "What is it that you have to share with the class?"

"I was saying Professor, that the rumors are true, the dark lord has returned. I saw him with my own eyes."

There was a series of gasps as Umbridge shook her head, looking cross. "Tut tut tut. Children calm down."

Umbridge focused back on Harry. "Let me announce this so everyone understands. What you saw Mr. Potter was a projection. You are so fearful of the Dark Lord that you conjured him up to ration out how Mr. Diggory died. There was no Dark Lord there."

"Yes there was!" Harry yelled, surprising himself and Umbridge who slightly jumped. "I was there, I saw him die! He cast the killing curse on Cedric and killed him! Lord Voldemort killed Cedric! And no stupid book is going to help us fight him!"

Harry could feel and see the tension in the room with every face he glanced at. Umbridge pursed her lips angrily.

"Harry Potter see me after class for detention."

Harry stood in rage. "What for? Speaking the truth!"

"I will NOT have this intolerance in my classroom do you understand Mr. Potter?"

"I—"

"Just because you are the so called chosen one does not mean you can come in my classroom and plant your seeds of deception in the minds of your peers. I will not have any of it!"

"But I'm not lying! Why would I lie about such a thing? What would I have to gain from th-ah!"

Harry almost bit through his tongue as he clamped his mouth shut. Behind his scar a prickling pain spurred and spread throughout his body. Harry felt Ron grab onto his sleeve but pushed him gently away.

"Would you please stop making a scene and sit down Mr. Potter?"

Harry winced as the pain continued, he could feel the growing stares of everyone around him, some were filled with remorse and others annoyance. Harry slowly sat down despite Ron's protests and the pain began to disappear as quickly as it came.

Harry waved a dismissive hand to Ron. "I'm fine." He muttered. "It's going away."

"Shouldn't you go to the nurse mate?"

"No, no it's okay."

Harry looked to the front of the class to see Umbridge give him a small, satisfied smile. "Glad to see you're done with your performance Mr. Potter. Now class, where were we?"

"I can't believe she did this too!" Hermione cried out as she cradled his hand.

Harry hissed as Hermione began to wrap his hands in a bandage. The black and red bruises that coated his hand were starting to disappear under the white cloth. Harry looked at Hermione who looked ready to cry.

"You have to report her Harry. She can't get away with this."

Harry sighed. "It won't do any good Hermione."

"Are you mad?! If you report this she won't be able to do this to another student, let alone someone younger than you. What if she did this to a first year."

Harry slid his hand out of her grip and pulled the rest of the bandage in place. He was physically and mentally drained from the awful day and wished for nothing more than his bed. Harry leaned onto the arm of the couch and closed his eyes trying to ignore the other Gryffindor's in the common room that were staring at a livid Hermione.

"Can we just deal with this another time?" He pleaded.

"Harry!" He felt the weight of couch shift and opened his eyes to see Hermione, with her hands balled and nose flared, standing over him.

"If you don't say something I will!"

"Hermione no! Look I'm already dealing with a lot of issues I don't want to put any more on my plate."

"But this isn't just about you Harry!"

Harry stood up. "I don't care! None of these people believe me anyways so why should I help them?"

Hermione looked taken aback. "This isn't like you Harry you've never been so…"

"So what Hermione? I've never been so what!"

"Selfish Harry! God it's almost like I don't know you anymore, you're a completely different person now." She said as she sat back down on the couch putting her hands through her hair in frustration.

"I understand you're having some problems Harry but why are acting like this?"

Harry shook his head and laughed, anger echoed through every breath. "You're the smart one here Hermione so you figure it out."

"Harry!"

He interrupted. "I'm going to go get some fresh air. And please for the love of all things you hold dear don't follow me."

Harry didn't wait for a response but he couldn't walk away quickly enough to avoid seeing Hermione's hurt expression. Hurriedly he rushed out of the Gryffindor common room and onto the next flight of stairs that stopped at his podium. Harry went hurriedly down the stairs with no specific destination in mind. He just wanted somewhere safe and somewhere quiet. Harry went down another flight of stairs that led to the second floor and down a hallway where he recognized some of the classrooms. Of course they were all empty as it was the end of the day and Harry tried to open the closest one he could reach. Harry took out his wand and prepared to cast Alohomora if the door was locked. To his surprise it opened when he simply turned the knob. Immediately Harry walked in.

The classroom was pretty empty except for a couple of standard chairs, many that were scattered but still facing the front of the room where a large desk held an empty cage. There were two big curved topped arch windows behind the desk that showed a great view of the sky and cliffs of Hogwarts. Harry walked up to the desk and saw an attendance sheet with Professor McGonagall's signature on it. He glanced at it briefly before focusing on the windows again. He made his way to the right window, whose glass frame was missing and almost stepped in a huge puddle trying to get to it. Harry wondered why the puddle was there and why it was still there. But the puddle was the least of Harry's concerns as he managed to step over it and right in front of the window. He pressed both his good and bruised palm on the sides of the open window and held a breath.

Harry looked out the window and briefly, as if he was casually making a choice about what kind of breakfast he should have in the morning, wondered if he should jump. If the pain on his palm and the pain in his head, and back, and heart, mind and memory, would just all go away. It probably wouldn't go away he concluded. He just wouldn't notice it because most likely he would be distracted by the pain that would erupt in every other part of his body if he fell. Harry opened the window and looked down and felt a little nauseous. Everything from this height looked like little blurs. He could barely make out students, their black robes made them look like scurrying ants as they made their way around the campus.

Slowly, Harry grabbed onto each side of the sill and pushed his way up to where his knees were resting on the stone frame. Harry felt a calm breeze flow through his hair, causing his black locks to tickle his forehead and smiled. Harry closed his eyes, it felt so peaceful up here, so freeing. His smile grew bigger as the temperatures of September chilled his hands and face. He could just let it all go now, all he had to do was let go. Cedric. Mom. Dad. Harry began to lean slowly forward his grip gradually began to slip…

And then there was pain.

Harry slammed his hand against his forehead and fell away from the window and onto the stone floor. He cursed at the newfound pain as his scar began to sting once more and let out a frustrated cry as he rubbed at his forehead as if the hard rubbing would make the pain disappear. He was so confused, and so surprised, usually the pain was a burning pressure, like the feeling of being hit by a massive wave, or a bludger. Since this morning, it felt like a series of bee stings that just kept growing and growing whenever it emerged.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" Harry moaned as he lay on the floor, forming into a fetal position. "What do you bloody want from me you stupid scar?"

Harry twisted on the floor in agony. The pain had come out of nowhere and similar to his time in class with Umbridge, there were no usual visions of Voldemort. "Merlin's beard! If I knew this would happen I would've never climbed. I would never bloody jump, ever.

The pain stopped.

Harry's eyes widened and he took a deep and slow breath to recover. After a few minutes of nothing but occasional chirping from birds and his own breathing Harry poked at his scar. Nothing. The pain had just ceased. Harry scrambled onto his feet and groaned. His shoe had landed in the puddle and Harry hadn't even noticed the water had soaked into his sock until now.

Harry stood up and recoiled at the way his sock squelched in his shoe. He looked into the puddle ready to give the inanimate water a piece of his mind when he saw something that disturbed him. There was a person. The water was a bit murky but Harry swore what he could make out were black eyes and dark hair.

Harry immediately looked behind him a look of petrified fear was now replaced with utter bewilderment. Harry squinted.

"Filch?"

"Yeah, and why are you in here Harry? And why are you staring at me like that? Get out of here you!" Cried Filch. "Shoo Potter! Class has been dismissed!"

Dumbfounded Harry silently sped out of the classroom before Filch would find this meeting as an opportunity to give him detention. Those eyes, they were black, cold, and lifeless. But Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he made contact with those eyes before, he just didn't know when or where.

Despite his doubt and increasing fear that he was going crazy Harry knew it was definitely not Filch he saw in the puddle, it was a definitely a boy, a young one at that.

"Hey Harry how's it going?"

Harry turned to Neville and smiled, genuinely because Neville was nice and familiar.

"I'm okay Neville, I had a pretty bad day."

"Oh. Sorry to hear that Harry are you going to the common room too?"

Harry actually had no plan or direction where he was going, but he thought it was best to probably go and sleep everything away. He need to destress and deconstruct everything that had happened to him today. He couldn't possibly do that with his brain constantly running at one hundred miles per hour. "Yeah Neville, how have you been by the way?"

Neville's face lit up. "I've been pretty good, my Nan got me this really cool badge of my favorite band see." Neville pointed to the badge on the top of his backpack. "But I reckon she's going to be a bit mad at me when I tell her I don't need my D.A.D books anymore. I'm not even sure if she can return them."

By the time they had reached the common room door, fed the Fat lady the password, and came in Neville was still rambling on about his Nan. He stopped however once he realized Harry was no longer paying attention and was instead looking at Ron and Hermione.

Hermione looked at Harry and then looked at Ron. "We can finish this in the library."

"What? But I don't want to." Ron whined.

"Fine then, I'll be upstairs." She said and without another word or glance at Harry she stormed upstairs.

"What's wrong with her?" Harry asked, although he felt he knew the answer.

Ron began to play with hands. "She just feels bad mate."

Ron looked at the stairs to make sure the coast was really clear. "She told me she feels like she's been stepping on your toes recently. Like every time, she tries to help you it makes things worse. I tried to talk her out of it. I even managed to make her laugh but I guess she's still down."

Harry looked to the floor shamefully and felt Ron gently nudged his shoulder.

"What happened mate? I go to the bathroom for a few seconds and then everyone goes ballistic, it's like I can't leave you too alone for five minutes."

"Yeah well, maybe you should referee us then." Harry said trying to make light of the subject. Ron snickered but the comment didn't make Harry feel any better.

"I'm going to go check on her and apologize."

"Well alright." Ron said as Harry began to go upstairs. "And when you're done do you think you could send her down here. I still need some help with homework."

"I'll tell her." Harry replied before he completely disappeared up the stairs.

"Hermione?" Harry called out as he went into her room. Inside Katie and Romilda were talking to each other while Hermione stuck to the other side of room, her head buried in a book.

Harry turned to Katie and Romilda. "Do you guys think you could give a bit of privacy please just for a few minutes?"

"No need for that Harry. They can stay if they like." Hermione barked beneath her book.

Katie and Romilda looked at the two of them until Katie finally got up, pulling Romilda along who held a sort of glee in her eyes, as if she couldn't wait to start gossiping about them the moment they were out of ear shot.

Once Harry saw them disappear down the hall he immediately sat down on the edge of Hermione's bed. "Before you say anything Hermione I want to say that I'm really sorry and I shouldn't have said what I said. I don't want to lose this friendship Hermione so I just ask that you…maybe be a little passive with me. Allow me to bring my problems to you instead of vice versa. And I'm really sorry, again."

Harry couldn't see Hermione's face under Silent Spells: The Mind Behind the Magic but he reckoned she was still upset. "Look if you don't want to forgive me, that's understandable. I have been a real jerk lately."

"A massive, enormous, phenomenal, jerk."

"And I don't deserve your compassion."

Hermione chided. "You really don't."

"But will you please find it in your heart not to hate me?"

Hermione slammed her book shut and placed it on the night stand beside her. She began to fiddle the edge of her sleeve, deliberating on what she should do. After a few minutes, she looked up at Harry and he could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"Do you promise you won't ever be so foul again?"

"With all my heart I will try to never be so foul."

"And what if you do end up being so foul?"

"Then please cast a jinx on me. Maybe Anteoculatia would suffice."

That got a smile from Hermione.

"Come here." She said finally, with open arms.

The two of them hugged and Harry felt he wanted to break down in that moment. "I need help 'Mione, I'm just I'm turning into the wrong person you know." He muttered into the hug.

Hermione squeezed him even tighter. "You're going to fine Harry, you've always been good. Just because some people make bad choices doesn't mean they are bad people Harry. That includes you okay."

Harry nodded and hugged her even more. He hoped with every fiber in his being that she was right.

Tom is coming super super soon. Thanks for reading any feedback is appreciated.

Stay awesome~!