The next chapter is up, Enjoy! R&R
Chapter 13: "Before you hurt somebody…"
Remus Lupin left the Hospital Wing, feeling as he felt fourteen years ago, when he heard that Lily and James were killed, and Sirius presumably murdered Peter and other twelve muggles. When he first saw Harry in the Hogwarts Express and found that Sirius wasn't guilty a huge stone was lifted from his chest. But now, with Sirius being caught he felt as he lost his best friends again. But the worst thing was that he realized that deep down he was blaming Harry and Ron for this arrest. Time after time he tried to tell himself that he was being stupid with accusing the boys but every time he wasn't convincing enough.
When Harry asked permission to leave the Hospital Wing at first Remus wanted to protest. He wanted to talk to the boy and convince him that what happened wasn't his fault. He didn't want Harry to deal with this alone. But when the other thoughts took over, he didn't try to stop Harry. He hadn't thought that the guilt ridden boy would do something drastic. When he came back to his office he looked at the Marauder's Map and saw Harry running towards the dormitories. He watched the map a little longer but finally he cleared it and threw it on his table.
If he was sparing it another glance he would see the dot labeled Harry Potter leaving the Gryffindor Common Room and heading towards the one eyed witch that holds the secret passage to Hogsmead.
-aaaaa-
After leaving the Hospital Wing, Harry ran to the Gryffindor Tower. He waited there for about half an hour, the time for the adults, specifically Remus Lupin to think he isn't going to do anything drastic. When the time he decided on passed, the teenager grabbed his cloak and left the Tower towards the statue of the one eyed witch. Composing himself so nobody would see his true emotions he made his way to the secret passage. Once there Harry sank to the floor, not able to stop the tears any more. Everything was too much for him; the abuse, the Prophesy, the fight with his friends and finally Sirius' arrest, not to mention the events that took place the previous years. Harry wanted to get out of the castle, away from the adults that think that they know what best for him. The only one who understood him was locked in Azkaban, awaiting his execution. Wiping the tears Harry got up and made his way to the Honeydukes. Quietly he left the store and made his way towards the pub he found on his last trip to the village. Harry noticed that the name of the pub was 'The Dump'. 'Suits the place,' Harry mused. He entered in. Once again nobody stopped him or asked him about his age. He went straight to the counter.
"Give me something strong!" he told the bartender. The man poured him some purple liquid. "Try this, our special drink."
Harry took the drink and emptied his glass in instant. He felt the influence of the drink right away. He paid for the glass and asked if he can get the whole bottle. The bartender gave it to him without asking questions, only added "I hope you won't try to apparate or to ride a broom after that." Harry shook his head as a 'No'.
He took the bottle and looked for a table. Suddenly he noticed Draco Malfoy in one of the corners of the bar. He made his way towards the blond.
"Whan some co'pany…" he said, already little dozed from the drink.
"Sure…" Malfoy said, already drunk.
"What's up?" asked Harry and took a sip from the bottle.
"Been with father… in the meeting… you were right… mother not enough… this was disgusting," and he drained his cup and filled it once more, "You?"
"Don't know, pretty much I guess, school, detentions, Quidditch, uncle, Sirius been arrested, the trial in a week, nightmares, Sirius…"
"Your godfather? The escaped criminal?"
"He was innocent. It was my fault, though…"
"Sorry..."
"Yea…"
After that they drank in silence, with a brake to light a cigarette. When both of them drained their bottles, the boys got up.
"Les go…" Harry said
They went outside, knocking the furniture as they passed. They walked around the village.
Suddenly Harry, through the fog, saw a figure of a person. It was a large blond man with huge mustache.
"Look…Uncle" he pointed at the man. "Hey there, uncle!" he shouted.
The man tried to move away, but Harry and Draco blocked his way.
"Not happy to see me?" Harry asked in a pretty loud voice.
"I don't even know you!" retorted the man.
"Sure you do!" Harry continued, "You just beat me and locked Hedwig" then he turned to Draco, "Let's ask him where's Hedwig!"
Draco nodded.
"So…" he rounded the now frightened man, "Where is my owl?" and he pushed the man towards Draco.
"How do I know," the man said with a shaken voice, "I don't even know you, why don't you go home and take some Sobering Potion and take a good night sleep."
"NO!" Draco shouted, "Tell him where his owl is, you dirty muggle!" he pushed the man to the ground. Harry kicked him, "I want my owl back! I'll kill you!!" he raised his wand at the man. The man now totally in panic managed to pull his own wand and before it was kicked from his hand by Draco managed to send a spell to alert the Aurors.
"Expelliarmus" was heard and both Harry's and Draco wands flew out of their grip. The boys that were totally drunk and unsteady fell to the ground.
"What's going on?" one of the Aurors asked.
"They… They… attacked me without a reason… I don't even know them," explained the man.
The second Auror stood in front of the boys. She was a young witch with spiky pink hair.
"I'm Auror Tonks," she said, "And you are under arrest for disturbing the public order." She pointed her wand at Harry, then at Draco and shot a spell. Both boys found themselves with their hands bound behind their back.
The third Auror, a tall black and bold Auror helped her to raise the struggling boys on their feet and held them by the collar of their robes.
"Let's see who you are," said Tonks. She pointed her wand and said "Lumos". Soon their faces were lit with the magic light. Tonks gasped.
"Dear Merlin, Kingsley, if the press founds out there will be a lot of trouble. We should take him back to Hogwarts."
The black Auror, known as Kingsley Shacklbolt looked at the boys, "You are right, Tonks, I'll send a massage to Dumbledore. The victim should come too, I think." He raised his wand and sent a silver panther towards the castle.
The Aurors, with the man and the boys, apparated as close as possible to Hogwarts. The rest of the way, to the gates they made by foot. Shacklbolt and Tonks dragging the uncooperative boys, their faces covered with the hoods of their clocks, while the third Auror, Daniel Smith, helping the wizard, whose name was Andrew Dove.
At the gates they were met by a furious Professor McGonagall and Prof. Snape.
"Good evening, P'fessors!" shouted Draco Malfoy.
"Yea, Good to see you…" echoed Harry.
The shocked Professors didn't reply anything just led the group towards the Entrance Hall and went straight to the headmaster's office.
Tonks and Shacklbolt dumped the boys on the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk and stood behind. Smith took Andrew Dove to the infirmary.
Dumbledore gave them a grave look, his twinkle missing.
"This is just too much!" he said after a long pause, "Sneaking out of school, getting drunk, attacking. Do you have any excuse at all?"
"What's the big deal?" asked Harry and started to giggle.
"Stop this that instant, Mr. Potter!" demanded Dumbledore. Harry laughed even harder, Draco joined him.
"I think a Sobering Potion is in tact," said Severus Snape. He left to his office and returned with two vials of green potion.
"Open up, boys!" he ordered.
Tonks tilted Harry's head up and Shakelbolt Draco's and Snape purred the potion down their throats. The potion kicked in immediately. Minerva conjured two buckets and put in front of the boys.
"This is going to be nasty," commented Tonks.
After the alcohol was cleaned out of their systems in rather an unpleasant way, Harry felt his mind became clear, but he had a terrible headache. He groaned.
"What's happened?" he asked after he looked around and saw the Aurors and felt his bound hands.
"You were brought back to the school, totally drunk after attacking Mr. Dove. Do you have any excuse at all?"
"I'm sorry, Professor" apologized Harry, "I was upset with everything that going on and then Sirius got arrested, I just didn't think…"
"You damn right, Mr. Potter, you didn't think!" said Dumbledore, his voice lost his calmness. "I think both of you were warned about of consequences of you braking the rules one more time."
Harry and Draco exchanged worried looks. A knock was heard and then the Auror Smith entered. "Albus, I convinced Mr. Dove not to press charges against the boys. I assured him that they will be punished."
"Thank you, Daniel," said Dumbledore, "please escort Mr. Dove back home after Poppy treats him. Tell him I'll contact him as soon as I deal with Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy here."
Daniel Smith left, and Dumbledore turned to the boys.
"I won't expel you this time, as I believe in second chance, but both of you will be suspended till after the New Year, which means for a month. Your parents and your guardians will be notified that instant and tomorrow morning you will be escorted to your homes."
Harry looked with horror at the headmaster. "Please, Professor, I can't go to the Privet Drive."
"It's not up to bargain, Mr. Potter "said Dumbledore in a strict voice,
"Please, Professor, don't send me there… give me any other punishment, but don't send me there…" Harry was pleading now, his voice shaking.
"I know you don't like it at your uncle house, but is there a reason that you practically pleading with me not to send you there? Please be honest with me."
Harry thought about Hedwig, "No sir, I just don't like it there," he said, his head bowed.
"It is only for a month, Mr. Potter. It seems you both need a brake from the school pressure. I hope this will serve as a good lesson to both of you!"
"Yes, sir," the boys answered in unison. Harry instantly closed himself and went into his uncaring mode.
"Right now, both of you will go to your dormitories, escorted by your Head of the House and collect your belongings, you will leave tomorrow after the breakfast. You will spend the night in the hospital wing."
-aaaaa-
McGonagall led Harry to the Gryffindor Tower. As they entered Ron ran towards them.
"Harry, I wanted to apologize…" he began, but was stopped by McGonagall.
"Mr. Potter isn't allowed to talk to anyone and nobody allowed talking to him. Mr. Weasley, with the help of the other prefects please gazer all the Gryffindors in the Common Room, I'll be talking with all of you in an hour." With that she marched Harry to the dormitories, leaving the Gryffindors with opened mouths.
"You may leave things that you won't need on your bed. I'll cast a charm that nobody will be able to open the curtains and to touch them. Make sure you take your books with you since you would be receiving assignments to do," said McGonagall.
Harry decided to leave his trunk in the dorm and took only his schoolbag with some clothes, books and his toiletry bag.
"Should I change to my muggle clothes?" asked Harry.
"There is no need, Mr. Potter; you will be travel by portkey with one of the Professors straight to your relatives' house. We want you to be presentable, which means with your full uniform. We'll make sure there nobody else in the house, when you would be transported there." answered McGonagall.
'Great, my uncle will be thrilled,' Harry thought.
When everything was packed, McGonagall escorted Harry to the Hospital Wing and came back to the Gryffindor Tower to talk with the students about the damages of the alcohol and the consequences of pupil that would be caught drunk. This talk would hold place in the other houses too. Soon, before the day was over everyone in the school knew that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were suspended, although no one of the Professors mentioned their names directly.
-aaaaa-
Harry and Draco sat on their beds in the Isolation room of the Hospital Wing. This room was used mostly for professors as a private room or for students who had contagious diseases that take long time to heal even with magic, such as Dragon Pox. Right now the room served to isolate the two troublemakers from the rest student body before their departure to their respective homes.
The boys were instructed by their Head of the Houses that they aren't allowed to leave the room and to associate with the other students. At first Madam Pomfrey thought to separate the boys so they won't be able to kill each other, being rivals from their first day in Hogwarts, Prof. Snape insisted that they should remain together and bear the company of each other as they did pretty well in Hogsmead. Surprisingly to everyone the boys hadn't shown any objection and stayed silent the whole way, till they were left alone in the room. As the Professors left, Harry checked the door and found it unlocked. He was surprised at this, back at the Dursleys when he was sent to his room or cupboard for a punishment or just not to annoy his uncle with his presence he was always locked up. He picked to see what going on in the main room of the Hospital Wing, but was instructed by a stern voice of Madam Pomfrey to close the door.
During everything that went Draco hadn't said a word. He was deeply in thoughts, especially about his meeting with his father.
"Exited about your trip home?" asked Harry sarcastically, breaking the silence.
"Yea, I really miss father's education, especially with his cane…" Draco answered on the same manner.
"I know what you mean. My uncle hates everything that has to do with me. I'm afraid to think about his reaction. First the owl from school, then me in Hogwarts uniform and with a Professor and finally I'll be there for one more month…" said Harry quietly.
"I really don't care about the beating anymore, it hurts like hell, but I guess I'm used to it after four years, I'm more afraid that he will take me to another DE meeting…" confessed Draco.
"I thought you wanted to be one?" Harry was a little confused.
"I thought so too. The way father told me about how great The Dark Lord and the wonderful future I'll have if I'm to join him. But when he took me to this meeting tonight I realized that you was right all along. It was terrible…"
"Go on," encouraged him Harry. He was really curious to know what changed Draco's point of view.
"They tortured some muggle family. There was a couple with a girl our age and my father… he just… he did her things… you were right about that Winters women, Melanie, I think… my FATHER did it to that girl…" there were tears in Draco's eyes, "And then he killed her and… after everyone were dead the Dark Lord asked us if we had fun… and Nott and the others said yes… but I didn't… and the Dark Lord promised that for the next meeting he would that kind of fun to every new participant… and before we went home the Dark Lord ordered Father to punish me because I hadn't said that I had fun although I should have, being the son of his most loyal and trusted DE and all that… and then father cast…"
"A Crucio on you," finished Harry.
"Yea, you can't imagine the pain of it…"
"Actually I can," said Harry. When he saw Draco's questioned look he added, "Voldemort cast it on me last year, in the graveyard."
"Was my father there?" asked Draco, looking down on his hands.
"Yes," Harry looked at Draco to see his reaction.
"I thought so. I'm sorry," Draco said, still looking at his hands.
"What for? You weren't there," said Harry.
"For everything I've done to you, since our first year," Draco lifted his eyes on Harry, "and for my father's actions. I don't want to be a Death Eater anymore, but I don't know what to do…"
Harry scanned the blond's face for a moment and tried to determinate if Draco was sincere with his statement. He came to the conclusion that he was.
"Well, for a start we can become friends," suggested Harry and offered his hand to Draco to shake, "We already confided each other with things that we hadn't told our best friends…" Draco accepted the offered hand.
"The next thing you should talk to Dumbledore, he would help you," said Harry.
Draco shook his head, "I can't. You are forgetting about my mother, father would kill her if I leave him."
"Right, I forgot…" The silence returned to the room. After awhile both of them were asleep.
In his sleep Harry was dreaming about his uncle and what awaits him. He saw his uncle along with Mr. Dove and his father beating him, each of them accusing him with different crime. Suddenly Sirius appeared and Harry hoped that he would rescue him, but Sirius just stared at him, his grey eyes blank. This was Sirius after he received the Dementor's Kiss.
Harry woke up with a start and saw Draco sitting on his bed, his hands wrapped tightly around his knees and he was staring straight in front of him. When Harry woke up, Draco was startled. He turned toward the raven haired teen.
"Nightmares?" asked Draco, as Harry gained his breath.
"Yea, about my returning to the Privet Drive…" muttered Harry, "You?"
"About that meeting, it's just can't go out of my mind. I keep seeing those girl's eyes…" Draco shuddered. "Listen, I have my chess set in my bag, want to play?" Draco suddenly asked.
"I must warn you I'm not that great player…" Harry said, "Ron always beats me."
"Weasley must be brilliant in chess if he won against McGonagall's set in our first year," commented Draco, "but don't worry, I'm not that good, Blaze Zabini beats me all the time."
Draco pulled his chess set from his schoolbag. Harry noticed that it must have been a very expensive set. The white peaces were made of ivory and the black peaces were from black onyx. They stood gracefully on the board, like well prepared army, waiting for the commands from the wizard playing with them.
-aaaaa-
The boys stayed awake, playing chess and talking. They paid no attention that the morning downed and the room was lit with a natural light.
They were startled when the door was opened and they saw Albus Dumbledore standing at the entrance.
"Good morning, gentlemen," he gritted, his voice stern.
"Good morning, sir," they answered in unison, Draco packing the chess set.
"Get dressed and washed up. Breakfast will be in half an hour, after that I would like to talk to each of you separately," with that Dumbledore left.
Harry and Draco did as being told. Half an hour later they were sitting at a table that was in the room and eating their breakfast. 'I wonder when it will be the next time I'll eat,' Harry mussed. Another half an hour later Severus Snape entered the room.
"Mr. Malfoy, please follow me, the headmaster wishes to speak with you." Draco silently god up and left the room, and Harry stayed alone, thinking about the last events.
While playing, Harry told Draco about Sirius and his arrest. Draco informed him that Sirius was his mother's cousin which made him Draco's uncle of some degree. Draco admitted that although till last night he wasn't supporting the light side, he respected him for his courage to leave his dark family and he himself wished he could leave his father's abusive home.
The thoughts about Sirius brought tears to his eyes. Harry forcefully wiped them away. He knew that if something about to happen to Sirius he wouldn't be able to live with the guilt and probably would kill himself. Harry was awakened from his thoughts by Minerva McGonagall. She let Draco in and asked Harry to follow her. Harry looked at Draco, trying to find any clue about the talk that awaits him, but the blond's face show nothing although he was paler than usual.
They didn't travel far, but stepped into Madam Pomfrey's office. There Harry was taken aback by the presence. Except of Prof. Dumbledore, there were Remus Lupin, Severus Snape and the both Aurors from yesterday.
"Good morning, Mr. Potter, I'm Auror Kingsley Shakelbolt," the black Auror introduced himself; "Auror Tonks and I are here to question you about the last night. Mr. Dove decided not to press charges against you or Mr. Malfoy, but by questioning him we receive some disturbing information concerns you."
When Harry was seated on a chair, Lupin offered him a cup of tea, but Harry, who was suspicious about its contents refused. Apparently there was nothing wrong with the drink, because after Harry's refusal Remus shrugged and sipped the tea by himself.
"This is not an interrogation, Mr. Potter, so we won't use a Veritaserum on you, although I was tempted," commented Snape.
"Prof. Snape is right, Harry," said Dumbledore, "We want you to be honest with us and answer our questions truthfully."
"Now, Harry, tell us how come you were found in Hogsmead when you were supposed to be in Hogwarts?' Tonks asked the first question.
Harry took a deep breath, "I ran away, I was upset."
"What about, Harry?" continued Tonks, her voice gentle.
Harry looked at Dumbledore for help, he couldn't tell the Aurors about his connection to Sirius.
"It's O.K., Harry, both Kingsley and Nymphadora are in the Order and know about Sirius," Dumbledore understood Harry's puzzlement. The pink haired Auror wrinkled her nose, "It's Tonks," she addressed to the headmaster, who smiled at her.
"So, what were you upset about, Harry?" Kingsley repeated the question.
"It was my fault Sirius was arrested," whispered Harry.
"I heard about the accident," commented Tonks, "So, you were upset and that why you ran away and got drunk?" Harry nodded.
"Was it your first time?" asked Tonks.
"Yes!" Harry lied without blushing. He looked straight at Tonks.
"What was Mr. Malfoy doing in Hogsmead?"
"I don't know!" answered Harry.
"Mr. Dove said that when you attacked him you called him 'uncle', accused him with beating you and demanded him to give 'Hedwig' back. What can you tell me about it?" asked Tonks.
Harry's expression changed. From confident to lost. He looked at his hands, not daring to lift his eyes. He was sure that now they would know about everything and Hedwig would be in danger.
"Harry, is your uncle abusing you?" Kingsley went to the direct approach.
"Harry?" called him Dumbledore when the boy didn't answer the question.
There stood his opportunity to confess everything and probably save himself from the suspension. The Order probably would be able to rescue Hedwig too. He knew that if he lies now it will be worse than his summer was. It was one thing to tolerate him over the summer, when there was no choice for both Harry and the Dursley's, but it was another thing for Harry to come back at the middle of the year for a whole month, when there is Christmas and the New Year in the middle. Harry knew that the Dursleys would blame him in ruining theirs holidays. But the small voice inside him, that was his twisted conscience, reminded him that he attacked a man in Hogsmead, he killed Cedric and his parents, it was because of him that a lot of people were dead, because Voldemort couldn't reach him. And so instead of taking the opportunity, he decided to punish himself for his 'crimes'.
"I don't know what you are talking about," he said to Kingsley.
Everyone looked at Harry skeptically. It was obvious that Harry was hiding something. Tonks decided to formulate the question in other way, in case the boy hadn't understood.
"Harry, did your uncle ever hit you or touched you in a way that you didn't like or thought was wrong? Did he ever deprive you of anything like food, clothes or other things?"
"He yells at me a lot, but that it! If he ever does me things you mentioned I'll remember to inform you!" Harry firmly said, with that he made it clear to everybody that from his side the conversation on that matter was over. No one noticed that his hands were shaking, and he fell his heart beating very fast.
"I'll have to believe you for now," said Tonks, "but I'm still curious about the things you shouted at Mr. Dove."
"I don't remember what I told him. You said yourself, I was drunk! Maybe I confused him with Dudley or something; we were fighting pretty much when we were kids." Harry shrugged.
"You accused your uncle, not your cousin through Mr. Dove in mistreating you, there must be some ground to this," insisted Dumbledore, "and Madam Pomfrey informed us about your strange injury in the beginning of the year."
"Listen, I'm not going to admit something that never happened!" Harry became irritated, "You said yourself that I'm save at the Dursley's, if you don't believe me, why do you send me there right now or why I was placed there in the first place?"
"Harry, we are just worried about you. If there a slight possibility that you might be in danger at your relatives I would like to know about it to take action," said Dumbledore.
"Well, I'm fine!" snapped Harry, "I'll go to the Dursley's, I'll serve my punishment there and I'll come back in a month, there nothing to worry."
"Very well, Harry, just remember if you would need any help, there will be people watching you there," said Tonks. Harry just wondered where those people were over the summer.
When the questioning was over, McGonagall handed him a stock of parchments with assignments to do during the month. Every subject was covered. Harry knew that if the things would be as they were during the summer there would be no chance for him to do anything.
"Now, Mr. Potter, go back and collect your things, you're be leaving as soon as Prof. Snape is back from taking Mr. Malfoy home," instructed Dumbledore. He raised his wand and a few moments later Harry's Firebolt came flying to the room.
"I would like you to take your broom with you," said Dumbledore, "you never know when you might need it." He shrunk the broom and handed it to Harry. "Prof. Snape will enlarge it as soon as he brings you to your relative's house."
Harry sighed, not only his uncle would see him with another wizard in school uniform, but with a broom that would grow to its size in front of him, but the worst thing is that Prof. Snape of all the others is going to bring him home.
Snape escorted Harry back to the room he staid in with Draco. The blond was ready to go, his things packed.
"Good luck!" mouthed him Harry as Snape led Draco to the fireplace.
"Thanks, good luck to you too," Draco called to Harry and was gone in a few seconds.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
I hope there aren't much mistakes, since I didn't rechecked the chapter…
The next chapter: "Back to the Dursleys".
Enjoy!!!