Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling; it's not mine.
Remus, the Weasleys, Hermione and Dumbledore were waiting in the kitchen for Harry to arrive. What stepped through the fireplace before Snape and Harry's trunk was not what they expected. Harry was bloody and bruised. The first thing that went through Ron's mind was, "Death Eaters?"
Molly Weasley, the kindhearted mother of seven, burst into tears. Remus watched as Sirius let out a sob and frantically shook his head while glaring at Dumbledore.
"No… family."
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Dumbledore took one look at Harry and asked Fawkes, who was sitting on his shoulder, to get Madam Pomfrey. Snape sighed, heading back into the fireplace, after placing Harry's possessions on the table.
"Potion's Lab, Hogwarts!"
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Madam Pomfrey apparated into Sirius' kitchen just as Snape appeared in the fireplace once again. Both healers carefully led Sirius (who was still carrying Harry) into the living room, where Harry was placed on the couch. Sirius swayed on his feet and Remus quickly guided him into a nearby chair. Sirius held up Harry's secret parchment.
"He didn't want me to see this. He told me he fell down the stairs. Can you read it out loud Dumbledore? I don't think I have the strength."
Dumbledore nodded and led all but the healers, Sirius and Remus from the room. Dumbledore put silencing and imperturbable charms on the room so that the people outside the room would not be able to hear the reading. He unfolded the note and gasped.
"It's written in blood, to you Sirius. Would you rather read it alone?"
"No," Sirius whispered still breathing heavily although his tears had dried up.
"Ok…"
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Dear Sirius,
Dumbledore will probably see this at some point, so hi to him too. I don't think I have much time left. Everything is blurry and I have lost a little too much blood. If I am alive when you find me I will probably tell you I fell down the stairs. If I'm not alive I am really sorry that I wasn't able to save your world. I tried, I really did, but nothing I do is ever good enough. For fifteen years I lived through this abuse but I guess it has finally caught up to me. I know Tom will be happy but maybe he will also be so distraught that he didn't get to kill me that he'll turn himself in… I almost died when I saw you fall through the veil, Sirius. When I found out you were still alive I was ecstatic. I would finally have the chance to have a parental figure that might love me. I tried to stay alive for your sake. I wanted you to know that I am grateful for all that you have done for me. Tell Hermione and Ron that I'm sorry I will not be able to die saving their future, but I don't think I have the strength to hold on much longer. I have been beaten all my life by Vernon, twice a week until I was eleven and then I thank Merlin that Hagrid saved me. (Make sure he knows that I am eternally grateful for his 'rescue'.) Vernon wanted to 'beat the magic out' of me and after I began Hogwarts, Vernon started to worry and he began to beat me more often. This summer I was beaten and raped every day that you and Remus did not come to visit me. I always hid my bruises and pretended that I didn't hurt; I didn't want any one to know that I can't take care of myself. I mean, I have been self-reliant my whole life and I could live on my own easily, but I have never been able to fight off my uncle. Tonight, was really different. I was gang raped by Vernon, Petunia and Dudley. I was beaten and whipped for their pleasure. They don't know that any one is coming tonight. Tonight, the beating hurt more than all the other beatings put together and although I know I deserve to be beaten, but I can't help but wonder if I deserve this much pain. No one else I know is beaten all the time, but I guess I am more of a freak then I ever realized. I want to apologize to whomever finds my body, because I do not have the strength to perform a masking charm on myself to hide the mess. I love you, Sirius. This is the first-and probably the last-time I will ever say these words, but know that when I say them now they are true. You and Remus are like parents to me and I am sorry I had to leave before I ever got to truly know you. Tell the Weasleys that I will miss them greatly. They are like my adoptive family and although I do not deserve to be loved by them, I have always felt loved in their home. Dumbledore, I know you will be disappointed in me, but I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. I really wish that I could be your saviour and make you proud. Give Hedwig to Hermione. I know she will take good care of her and she will keep her busy with all the letters to Ron (when Ron finally gets his Gryffindor courage together and asks Hermione out). Give Ron all of my possessions. I am sure he can find some mischief to get his self into with a certain cloak and map. Tell Ginny that I realized she is not only Ron's little sister and that I would have taken her to the ball in my fourth year if I had feelings for her. Please let her know that I cared for her as a sister and as a friend, but I am not able to feel that kind of love for another person. I am sorry that I have nothing to give to her, but I do not have anything that would match her beauty or her value. Lastly, I know you will probably not want to, but pass on a message to Snape. Tell him that I cannot take back what my dad did to him, but I want to ask his forgiveness anyway. I am sorry that I looked in his pensieve. I had no right, yet I did it anyways and I have felt nothing but guilt ever since. I am sorry that I never took the effort to mend our rifts and see the man behind the mask. I will watch over you all and I am sorry I couldn't save your future.
Goodbye,
Harry Potter
It's been a long week and I'm sorry I didn't get this posted earlier, but with school, yearbook and choosing universities, it's been really stressful and hectic around here. Not to mention, family is here for Thanksgiving. I'm just glad it's a three-day weekend. I don't know how long it will be for the next chappy, probably not more than a week or two. Thanx for reading and review, if you feel like it. Steff