Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: Answering questions!

nickyx3: not to worry, all the protagonists are in this chapter! Yay!

Always reviewing anonymous: Snape usually would, but if he did, than Dumbledore wouldn't have a spy in the Death Eaters ranks. He's not sure which side Harry's really playing for, so he really can't. Does that make sense?

P.S. ok, so get that some of you don't like the blood vow, but I can't exactly go back and change it. It will still (hopefully) be an interesting story. And Voldy CAN control Harry, but that doesn't necessarily mean he WILL. He won't cause he'd rather have a pet horcrux *wince* that trusts him. They're kinda at a stalemate because of the blood vow. Harry has to do what Voldy tells him to, but Voldy can't harm Harry's loved ones/muggles.

Harry,

How have you been? I've been so worried since You-Know-Who took you! Ron told me you were fine now, but his dad wouldn't tell him much. I haven't heard anything being home with mum and dad, and Ron is being brief due to his dad. Well anyway, I'll be staying over at the Order HQ for the rest of holiday (Ron is too), are you there already? I imagine you are . . . I miss you, Harry. Hope to see you in a few days.

P.S. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Hermione

Harry smiled. Typical Hermione. Worried and then blaming Ron for something. He hadn't gotten any letters from Ron or Hermione since getting back, a fact that had disappointed him greatly. Lupin, who had been living at the Headquarters to look after Harry, explained that the Wizarding World was in chaos with Voldemort's return discovered and as a precaution owl post wasn't allowed at the HQ until it was checked for curses. Apparently Death Eaters had a sick sense of humor. . .

Not that they'd dare to send Voldemort's new pet cursed post, harry thought a bit bitterly. Ron had owled him as well.

Hey Harry,

Me and the whole lot at the Burrow have been worried about you. Dad says he doesn't see you much when he's over, you stay hidden up in your room. Though you might just be bored. Is it about You-Know-Who? Or Padfoot? We miss you, mate! Mum, Dad, Ginny and me are coming soon, I think Hermione is to. See you then.

Ron

So Ron and Hermione were coming. And Ginny. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about that. He missed his friends, but he wasn't sure what he'd do when they came. They would no doubt want to know what happened when he was Voldemort's prisoner. I'm still Voldemort's prisoner. Harry sighed. He couldn't tell them the truth.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up as Lupin popped his head into the room. He looked like hell. Harry realized it must've been that time of the month. He looked outside and sure enough, the moon was nearly full.

Lupin didn't think Harry looked much better. He was pale and didn't eat as much as he used to. He jumped at the slightest sound and wasn't nearly as social as he'd been before. He usually sat in his room doing homework, reading, or looking out the window.

He was glad that the Weasleys and Hermione were coming, Harry needed more human interaction. All of the time in solitude couldn't be good for him.

Something else that Lupin noticed was that Harry always looked sad and slightly guilty. He wondered if Harry was still guilty that he'd made a Blood Vow with Voldemort. He shouldn't be, he was forced into it.

"Hmm?" Harry asked.

"I just wanted to be sure you were ok? You've been really quiet lately." There it was again, that guilty gleam in his eyes.

"I'm fine. Just a little put out, I guess."

"Harry, if you need to talk, I'd listen. I'm not your parents or Sirius, but I still care about you. You know that don't you?"

Harry bit his lip before answering. "Course I know that, thanks Remus." A clear message that he didn't want to talk. He looked back up at Lupin when he didn't leave. "Was there something else?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. Dinner's ready."

"Kay, I'll be down in a minute." Harry gave him a small smile.

"Oh, and the Weasleys should be here in time for your birthday. Hermione too." Lupin's smile drooped slightly. "I'm sorry I can't be there, Harry. You know how things are . . ."

"I understand Lupin, don't worry about it." Harry gave him another sad smile.

Lupin nodded and retreated from the room, more sure than ever that there was something wrong with Harry.

Harry was in the parlor at Malfoy Manor again. But this time Voldemort wasn't there, at least Harry didn't think he was until he realized he was Voldemort. Not again. He felt savage pleasure wash over him as he watched the Death Eater in front of him wither in pain on the floor. No, Voldemort is happy when he tortures people, not me. Harry told himself. Voldemort immediately stopped and ordered the Death Eater away. After the person left, Voldemort seated himself on the sofa.

So, Harry, my little horcrux, you still fight me? I expected you to of course; it is exactly what I would have done. We are alike, Harry, you cannot fight your instincts forever.

But I can fight you.

Voldemort laughed. My dear Harry, I am you instincts.

Harry woke in a cold sweat.

"Harry!"

"Harry!"

"Harry!"

"HARRY!"

Harry was nearly suffocated in Mrs. Weasley's hug. She pulled him away and held him at arm's length. "How are you? Alright?" she asked, the concern evident in her voice. Harry felt more guilty.

"I'm good, Mrs. Weasley. Thanks." He smiled. A genuine smile, for the first time since the Ministry.

Ginny was next, which surprised Harry. She didn't say anything, just hugged him. He knew she'd been with him at the Ministry, but it had nearly slipped his mind. "I'm glad you're alright, Harry." She said quietly. They were both blushing when she backed away.

"Hey mate, it's been a while." Ron grinned as he clapped him on the back.

"Harry!" Hermione smiled and hugged him as well.

"Hey, I've missed you. All of you." He said, smiling.

"So . . . what happened?" Ron asked, his smile gone.

Mrs. Weasley and Hermione both "Ron!"ed him.

"It's fine, I'll tell you guys. But let's catch up first, shall we?" Harry said. He couldn't tell them everything, some things he would. But not yet. For now he felt like an ordinary teenage wizard seeing him friends over holiday.

He could be The-Boy-Who-Lived, The Chosen One, the traitor to wizard kind, later.

For now, he was just Harry.