Harry Potter and the Unforgettable Destiny

by Psychoangel

AU Follow Harry as he trains to become the ultimate wizard, Harry's 6th year is filled with abductions, and promises. He has to make choices, and he's going through more unbelievable obstacles then ever before, will he survive ? Plz R&R UPDATED! ABANDONED

12. Paint it Black

Disclaimer: All characters are owned and created by the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Except for Professor Tarop, he's mine :P

A/n I hope you enjoyed my last chapter, things are starting to come along and make sense. You finally get to see what's really wrong with Harry and why he's acting that way, but thats not the full reason, this chapter may or may not reveal his story. You'll just have to read to find out.

Xx Harry Potter and the Unforgettable Destiny xX

I look inside myself and see my heart is black I see my red door and it has been painted black Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts It's not easy facin' up when your whole world is black No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue I could not foresee this thing happening to you If I look hard enough into the settin' sun My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes I see a red door and I want it painted black No colors anymore I want them to turn black I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes I have to turn my head until my darkness goes Hmm, hmm, hmm,... I wanna see it painted, painted black Black as night, black as coal I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky-Paint it Black by Rolling Stones

Chapter 12

Xx Paint it Black xX

Harry made it to the grounds, and he saw the Slytherins and Gryffindors gathering around Hagrids hut, sighing he made his way forward, when he heard his voice called out in a booming voice he couldn't help but cringe. "Harry, c'mere i've got somethin to show yah." Hagrid called out. Harry rolled his eyes and made his way over to the half giant. He caught Draco's eye and smirked at him, before he stepped over to where Hagrid was standing, he looked so proud of himself. "What is it Hagrid..." Harry asked in his perfected bored voice. Hagrid stared at him, a little taken aback, but he recovered and pointed down to the crate at his feet. There were two creatures both similar looking, except they were both different in colour and size. The green once was about 3 feet long and 2 and a half feet wide. It had a snout-like nose and big bulging eyes, it was actually a very ugly looking thing, it had a long tail with 1 foot spikes sticking out of it. The second one was about 4 feet long and 3 feet wide, and it was a light blue colour, it had the same features as the other one except you can see ears on this one, and they were pointy and small, the tail was thicker and there were more spikes that climbed up it till the base. Harry looked up at Hagrid curiosity taking over his hostility towards his Defense against the dark arts teacher. "What is it?" He asked. Hagrid gave him a huge grin, he seemed very proud of himself.

"They're hoggleweeds, they are" The class stared at Hagrid with confusion, only Hermione had the knowing look on her face, her hand shot up in the air, when Harry saw her he rolled his eyes, and she caught it. With hurt evident on her face, she lowered her hand, not wanting her own friend to say something he would regret later. Harry moved away from Hagrid and stood over were he saw Malfoy, smiling he playfully punched his friend before turning back to his teacher. Malfoy didnt' say anything about Hagrid being an oaf, knowing that Harry was fond of him and he didn't want Harry to lose everything that was familiar, he needed to keep him around the people he was use to, so he didn't lose the hero aspect and his innocence.

Hagrid cleared his throat as everyone stared at him, "Um...Does anyone know what Hoggleweeds are?" He looked around, and he had a desperate look on his face, when he caught Hermione's eye. She reluctanly put her hand up, "They are creatures. much like lizards, there colour distinguishes whether the Hoggleweed is male or female, the blue is female and the green is female. Most females are larger and have more spikes then the males. They are careful creatures, and they don't normally like just anyone. They ward off their enemies with Fire from their mouths, and their tail is also dangerous, with the spikes they can seriously harm anyone who approaches them and gets hit with the tail. They have venom in each of their spikes, and one drop of their venom can cause anyone to fall into a coma in a matter of minutes. They say their still hasn't been a cure made for it. Hagrid why would you bring something that dangerous to class?" Hermione sounded anxious when she finished not liking how things were starting to look.

Hagrid smiled sheepishly at everyone, "They're not dangerous at all, only wild ones are, i've been training these lit' guys since they were babes. No harm 'ill come to yah." Hagrid boasted proudly. No one would step forward to even look at the creatures. Harry feeling bad for Hagrid, walked forward and reached his hand into the crates. Hagrid watched him, he beamed broadly at Harry for his bravery, and his kindness. Harry smiled back, knowing he had nothing to hate or push Hagrid away for, the half giant can take care of himself. He felt his hand connect with one of the creatures flesh, it was warm and surprisingly smooth, the creature made a weird cooing noise before it sauntered closer to Harry's hand, enjoying the attention. Harry gave a delighted laugh as he realized that the creatures weren't so bad. Once everyone realized that no harm had befallen Harry everyone began to move closer and started to show some interest. Hagrid came to Harry and asked for a word. Harry nodded and walked away from the listening ears of the busy students. "Yah know Harry, i'm always here for yah, wheneva yah need to talk." Harry smiled up at Hagrid, "Thanks Hagrid i'll remember that, but we better get back to make sure no student has gotten hurt." Hagrid nodded and gave Harry a warm smile before he made his way back to the crates. Draco came out of the crowd and stood beside Harry, "You're really fond of him aren't you?" Harry gave Draco a sideways look, he wasn't sure what to say, he knew that Hagrid wasn't really the smartest person, but he was kind, and he never did anything to try and control Harry, all he wanted was his company and to talk. Harry figured he was sort of fond of the Half giant. "So what if i am? He's not really that bad if you get to know him, just never try his rock cakes, they are exactly as the name describes." Harry said half jokingly. Draco smiled and clapped him on the back.

Soon the class was over and they were making their way back to the school when Hermione had caught up with the two boys. "Harry...Please can we..umm...talk for a minute..." She looked at him timidly, she never dreamed that she would be embarassed or scared to talk to her best friend, but she was ever since he came back from Voldemort's, what could she do to make him realize that he needed them more then ever. He just gave her an incredulous look before he pushed her out of his way and made it inside the school. She stood there dumbfounded at his departure, it wasn't until a few minutes later she realized that Draco was still standing beside her, she tensed up as she turned and faced the blonde haired boy. He stared at her, his face all serious "I need you to meet me in the room of requirment at 9 tonight, bring Weasley with you." Then he turned and strode after Harry without even giving her time to answer. She stood watching him leave, at a lost as to what just happened. Finally Ron was finished with helping Hagrid put the Hoggleweeds away and caught up with her, "What did ferret want?" Ron asked, anger clear in his voice. Hermione just shrugged and gestured that she would tell him later. So they made it into the great hall for dinner, her eyes connected with Draco's whose were a sharp silver as he showed how serious he was, then they softened as he laughed at something Harry said. Her eyes moved over and connected with Harry's emerald ones, and she saw the emotion she had been longing to see in his eyes since he finally came back, he showed his sadness and his love towards his friends. She knew that the Harry she knew was still in there somewhere, she just needed to find a way to get him back. At this point she was desperate, she decided that she was going to meet Malfoy and hope that this wasn't some kind of set up now that Harry was on his side, but as an answer to her pleas for help. She took her seat at the Gryffindor table and she could feel eyes digging into her back, she turned and noticed that Harry was still staring at her, and this time with a shadowed emotion, one of anger, and underneath, one of regret.

When 9 came around Hermione, dragging Ron behind her, made it to the room of requirment. Draco stood there his shoulders slumped, and his eyes staring out the window. Hermione cleared her throat, which made Draco jump, he turned and gave them a tentative smile as he walked towards them. Ron's face was set in a grim line, his hands were curled into fists at his side. Hermione just stared at Draco, his solemn expression worried her. His silver eyes met Hermione's brown ones and she knew from that one look that this was about Harry. "Thank you for meeting me here, i'm sorry to have asked you considering the circumstance i thought it necessary. This meeting i would like to talk to you about Harry. Now Harry has gone through a lot as you both know, and he has recently turned to me to help him and guide him. I think the main reason is that he's afraid to get you guys killed, and considering i'm part of the Dark Lord's ranks that i'm already safe. What he doesn't know is that the Dark Lord is planning something that involves Harry. I'm telling you this because even though you can't do anything physically or even intellectually for Harry, you can at least warn Dumbeldore on the matter and hope the old man can figure out some way to help Harry. But i'm not very confident on his ability towards Harry since he's going through a rebellious stage, and he practically yelled it out that he doesn't want anything to do with stopping the Dark Lord. Actually to me it seems that Harry is beginning to admire the man, as absurd as that sounds, you should start to believe it. I just hope i can somehow get Harry to see the error in what he believes. I still don't know what you two can do except continue to try and reach out to him. I still have to be rude to, just to keep up appearances and so that Harry doesn't catch on about what's happening cause then he won't even trust me." Draco finished looking around nervously. Hermione just stared at the blonde boy infront of her. He has really changed, he's not the terrible boy who made Harry's and the rest of their lives miserable, but he's someone who wants to help the young troubled prophesized boy-who-lived. With all Harry's fame, people believe that he lived in luxury, but in truth he was worse off then even the less fortunate kids in this school, and it frustrated Hermione to no end, that she knew this even though Harry didn't know how much she knew about his home life.

Both Ron and Hermione agreed to the terms and just hoped that Draco knew what he was doing. Hermione stayed behind in the room of requirment a little longer, trying to gather all her thoughts and feelings. She knew the secret that Harry hid from everyone, he only told them enough of what happened to him at the Dursley's, but she figured it out. She knew that the beatings started way before he even started school. Harry never knew that she had seen the million scars that littered his body. She cared so much for him, at some point she thought that she was in love with him. But now that she thought about it, she knew it was absurd. She couldn't fall in love with him when she already had feelings for Ron, she felt confused but she knew that she still cared deeply for her Emerald eyed friend, her knight in shining armor. She closed her eyes and felt the room of requirment shift and change, when she opened them she was in a room, filled with pictures of Harry and it was dark like the feelings that he had been feeling lately. She walked over to a more recent picture of him, a time before Sirius died. He was smiling and laughing his arms wrapped around her shoulders as he joked and teased her during the break. She sighed at the memory, it was one of his more happier times, the way he and Sirius acted it was like they had been with each other all of their lives. But that memory was dashed away when she remembered one day when they went swimming in the creak behind the black house. Harry had gone in without a shirt, and she saw his scars. She didn't know if anyone else noticed but she could feel a tint of sorrow in everyone as if they sensed it but were afraid to question it, hoping that what they believed never happened. Hermione sighed in frustration, she didn't understand why Harry would turn his back on the people who cared about him, who cares about the risk, she knew that there was a chance that she could be killed but she wasn't going to hate him for it, it's not his fault that this was happening to him all she could do was watch him push her away and she was falling apart everyday.

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Harry laid in his bed, thoughts of the future and the past invading his sleep, he growled low under his breath as he sat up and angrily punched his pillow. He was frustrated, he didn't understand why he had to stay in the Gryffindor tower, all he wanted to do is be on his own for a few minutes, sighing he dragged himself out of bed and pulling on a night robe he left the boys dormitories and went downstairs to the common room were he sat in front of the dying fire. He remembered when he saw Sirius' head in the fire, talking to him, and telling him that he would always be there for him. Harry didn't realize he was crying until he felt a drop hit his clenched fists that rested on his lap. He lifted up his head when he heard the Portrait door open and Hermione stepped in, she saw his face with the tears sliding down his cheek, and she ran to him her arms wrapped around him tightly, before he could even push himself away from her. She held him to her and let him cry, he hated the feelings he felt and how he couldn't forget his godfather, he missed him right now, but he was too confused to even voice this to his best friend. He knew that he was being unfair to his friends, by ignoring them and pushing them away, but it was he last chance to save the lives of the people he cared most about, he didn't want them to turn up like his parents and his godfather. He finally pushed Hermione away as he wiped away his tears, and glared at her, she stared back at him, all her emotions reflected in her eyes, all the pain and sadness that he was causing them when he pushed them away, and all the love that she had towards him and the friendship they had. He closed his eyes tight to push all the feelings he had down, before he stood up and charged out of the Common Room through the Portrait hole. He didn't care how late it was, all he wanted was to get away from his friends, and keep them alive just a little longer. He knew he had made a deal with Voldemort, that he wouldn't touch his friends, but he never really trusted him. He respected that so far he had kept his word, but he didn't know how long that would last. Harry stopped himself and looked around, he realized that he had made it to the lake, sighing he sat down and leaned against a nearby tree. I wonder what it would be like if my parents were here, if Voldemort never exsisted. I guess i wouldn't be the same person that i am today, but who would i be? Would I still be brave, or would i be scared more often, would i have the same friends, or would i be alone? Who can answer these questions? or even yet are these questions even answerable. Harry groaned as questions clouded his mind, he hated not knowing, he hated wondering about what could of been, he hated that he had to go through all this and everyone kept saying that it was going to be ok, but it wasn't, no one knew what he had to go through, how much inner turmoil he had. All the arguments he had to face from himself at what to do, or how to keep everyone in the goddamn wizarding world safe. He still didn't understand why it was up to him, everything would be easier if the damn ministry and Order can just capture all of Voldemort's Death Eaters, so Harry could finally just face off with the bastard and then go back to his life.

Harry grew even more frustrated as these ideas flashed across his mind, what's left for him to do? Once he killed Voldemort everyone would forget him, he knew that in 1 years time no one would have thanked him, no one would really care. Who would Harry be but just another wizard who saved peoples lives, when none of them could even protect themselves because how weak they were, they just chose to rely on a 16 year old boy. "Crap..." Harry whispered. He knew he was being harsh but he couldn't help but think and feel this way, something was happening to him he could feel it. Power was growing inside of him, stronger then ever. He knew he needed to train and to control it before it got out of hand. Harry stood up and grimanced as he heard his leg pop, shaking his head he limped slightly over to the lake and picked up a rock, he skimmed it across the water and smiled in satisfaction as it jumped over the water 5 times before finally sinking to the depths of the cold waters below. He turned around and jumped as he finally noticed that Professor Snape was standing there watching him. His cold black eyes staring curiously at him, Harry shifted uncomfortable beneath the gaze, he didn't think he was doing anything against the rules, but then realized it must be late, and he wasn't in his dormitories when he should be. Harry ducked his head and waited for Snape to reprimmand him for being out late after hours. But it never came, Harry glanced up and saw that Snape was smiling, actually smiling! Harry was surprised, and even had to take a double take before he even believed his own eyes. "So Harry, you finished with your thoughts?" Harry nodded, keeping his mouth shut afraid that he was going to get into trouble, which was the last thing he needed. "Oh Harry, lets go for a walk, i think it's time i tell you about your father..." Harry's head snapped up in surprise not sure he heard it right. Snape wanted to talk to him about his father? James Potter the man that caused Snape so much grief? The world must be in serious trouble for that to ever happen. Snape rolled his eyes and gestured for them to start walking. Harry nodded and stepped up beside Snape as he began to walk around the lake.

"I know that your probably confused at the reasoning behind this, but seriously i thought you deserved to know your father was never really a bad guy...all the time anyways. He mainly started to...umm...torment me at the beginning of 6th year. But before all that me and your father were what you could call, Friends in a way, we weren't hostile to each other for ever. I think it started around the same time that James was being threatened by the Dark Lord. But before this all happened me and your father were civil towards each other, and i helped him in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, and he helped me in Charms and Quidditch, surprisingly enough he gave me some pointers, but he still beat me. He was very talented in charms and flying, he had great power and skill. As you probably know your father was very um...good looking and you and him of course have a striking resembelence." Snape was looking uncomfortable by this point, but he took a deep breath and continued on. "Anyways, your father was infatuated with Lily Evans-your mother- but she didn't want anything to do with him, he was very stuck up about his powers and his friends, Sirius, Lupin and Peter would walk around the school like they owned it, I use to be part of the group a long time ago, but then of course your father found out about a prophecy that was made about him near the end of his 5th year. All I know was that it said something about him fathering a child that will end the reign of the Dark Lord. That was when everything had started..." Snape glanced over at Harry and watched his face as all the information began to sink in. He stared ahead, shock and confusion evident in his emerald eyes.

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing, Snape actually saying nice things about his father, and now the whole prophecy about him being born. Everything was becoming so confusing, the things he had pictured about his father changed once again. Harry turned to Snape "How do you know about the prophecy?" Harry asked, choking on the words. Snape sighed and closed his eyes, "I was there when it happened, but i can't remember most of it, just the general idea. Anyways that summer James started to get mail from the Dark Lord, threatening him that if he ever had a child that he would kill him and the babe. James didn't take the news well as you probably figured out. Anyways when he came back to school, he suspected that i was the one who told the Dark Lord about the Prophecy, because I was slytherin he expected me to be part of the ranks, but no matter how much i tried to tell him that it wasn't me, he never believed me, and so our friendship ended, and he did whatever he could to 'pay me back' for telling the Dark Lord about the Prophecy. Remus, Sirius and Peter were all in the room as well when the prophecy was made, we had a different Divination teacher then, and she was a true seer, but she died the same year we graduated, from a killing curse." Snape sighed as he remembered everything. " It wasn't until later that I found out who really told the Dark Lord about the Prophecy-"

Harry gasped cutting him off, "Peter!" Snape nodded, "Yes, it was Peter, James never suspected him because I always believed he pitied the rat. But the night I found out it was Peter, Dumbeldore told me that Sirius was the Secret keeper, even though he knew I was part of Voldemort's inner circle, he trusted me because he knew me and he knew that I cared for Lily, even though she would never want me. James was a good friend until he bullied me. I wasn't going to put up with it so i bullied back, we became enemies in less then a year. People whispered about our animosity all over the halls. But James never cared for gossip all he cared about was his life, and the life of the baby he was prophesized to have. Finally near the end of our 7th year James and Lily finally got together, they fell in love and everyone knew that they would be the first to get married after we all graduated, I was jealous then of your father, because he had it all. He the power, the fame, the friends, and now he had the girl. But he wasn't all just smiling and pranking. When he came back for his 6th year, he was depressed and sulking, he didn't want his friends around, he sat in a corner, probably hearing the prophecy over and over in his head. Sirius wouln't have it, he came up to James and shook him hard, James just glared and pushed his friend away, Sirius got pissed and punched James in the face. After that James snapped out of it, and everything carried on as if it never happened." Snape took another deep breath as he finished his tale. He knew it was all jumbled up, but that was how his thoughts came, like a mixed torrent, all he knew was that Harry deserved to know who his father really was, not the bits and peices he learned through someone's animosity or someones admiration or pity for his father, or of Harry himself.

Harry ran a hand through his long black hair, his thoughts on everything that Snape just told him about. Then he thought back to what he heard when the Dementors came too close. His mothers screams and Voldemort telling her to step aside. Everything began to click. Voldemort didn't want to kill his mother, he just came to kill James and Harry like he had threatened to do in James' 6th year. Harry growled in frustration, he didn't understand why it mattered anymore, and then when he let the numb feeling pass after hearing about his father, he felt anger well up inside of him, and it was directed towards Voldemort. How dare he kill his mother, she had no part in this, all she knew about was the Prophecy about him, but Harry doubted whether James told Lily about the threatening letters, because he guessed that Lily would never have had a child, especially if it put them at risk. When he glanced back up at Snape he noticed that they were being watched. Harry whispered to Snape, and Snape wiped around trying to find the person that had been standing there, they watched the person run back up to the castle, and when they made it into the light, Harry noticed the fiery red hair of Ron. Harry couldn't help but smile as he watched his red haired friend run up the stairs to the main doors of the castle.

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Ron had gone out to the Lake where he saw Harry and Professor Snape talking, out of curiousity he hid in the bush's and listened to what Snape was telling Harry, and he was shocked to hear Snape talking about James Potter, Harry's father. He listened to how Sirius was able to get James out of his moody behaviour and Ron had to admit, he was tempted to land a good one on Harry's face right about now. Ron continued to listen to the whole conversation, taking it all in and trying to make a plan in getting Harry to realize what he's doing and to get him back on their side, against Voldy mouldy instead of with him. Harry looked up at Ron and their eyes connected, Ron freaked and ran making his way back up to the castle, when he turned around he saw Harry smiling and felt the chill deep in his bones, disappear. He just hoped that it was a good sign, he hoped because he felt that it was his last chance, to see his best friend sane again. Ron now sat in the common room, musing over the information he had recieved even if it was by accident. What could he do to get Harry back? His best friend, mate, brother, was lost to a darkness inside of himself, he wanted nothing and no one around, except Draco someone who Ron found out was going through something similiar. Ron could only guess that Harry didn't want him around because he didn't know the pain he was going through, but Ron believed that it was a good thing, he could help distract him instead of brood over all the horrible bits of the situation. Again, frustration clouded Ron's head when it concerned Harry, he didn't know what to do, Hermione was so hooked on helping Harry that she sometimes even forgets to read or do her homework. If only Harry knew what he was putting them through maybe he would snap out of his own worries and began to see the bigger picture, and then something clicked, thats all he had ever done, was see the bigger picture, he never had time to worry about himself, and now Ron still believed that he was looking at the bigger picture, and he didn't give a damn about himself. Ron sighed, Harry was a hero by heart, nothing can change his way of thinking.

Harry finally made his way back to Gryffindor tower, with Snape as an escort. Harry still felt dazed at the information he was given, but he also felt happier in a way, to know that his father wasn't a jackass as Snape had first made it seem. Finally he climbed the stairs back up to the dormitoies where he stripped down and put his pyjama's on and slipped into bed, he listened to see if Ron was awake, but he heard his friends loud snoring, smiling slightly Harry feel asleep, the tension escaping him as he dreamt about flying pixies and glowing faerie dust.

The next day, Harry woke up feeling refreshed and happier then he had ever felt before. He climbed out of bed and changed into his robes, then he slipt his wand into his pocket and left his dormitory and stood in the common room, he smiled at the glowing fire. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs when he turned around he was face to face with Ron, Harry smiled at him and was glad to see that Ron returned the smile fully and they both clapped each other on the back "Sorry about acting like a prat lately, it's just i don't know I needed to get away, straighten things out with myself and other stuff, i hope your not mad." Harry finished shyly afraid that after everything Ron wouldn't want anything to do with him. Ron shook his head and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder "It's alright mate, i'm not mad, I just hope you learn to believe in me and Hermione more often, were not that hopeless in dueling, but lets hope it won't come down to that." Ron grinned at Harry and they both moved off to the Great Hall for breakfast, because Harry heard Ron's stomache growl, he laughed "Man, nothing will ever change for you and your appetite" Ron punched Harry in the arm, Harry winced and then smiled slyly at Ron as he rubbed his shoulder. The sat down and talked as Ron shovelled as much food onto his plate as possible and Harry only nibbled on a slice of toast. He glanced across the table and caught Draco's eye, Draco winkied and smiled at him, Harry smiled back and then turned back to talk to Ron about classes and what teachers he liked. "I really like Professor Tarop, he seems really cool and he knows what he's doing." Ron sounded positively happy with Tarop, Harry glowered at the thought, that teacher really annoyed him."I don't know Ron. he doesn't really seem that great to me, i mean the guy kind of creeps me out." Harry shrugged as Ron just stared at him. trying to understand what was going through his best mate's mind. Finally, when Ron started to get a headache he dropped the issue and they both left for class, Harry wondered where Hermione was but after a while stopped worrying, she's probably safe with a book in her lap, or at the library researching something or other. He figured he would see her in class, and he would make up with her, and things would go back to normal, well as normal as things could get with him being the Boy-Who-Lived.

Draco watched Harry talk to Ron, inside Draco was happy to see them together, because it meant that Harry was becoming his old self, not the depressive teen he was but the one where everyone could count on to be there when they needed him. It seemed to Draco that things were turning out for the good, but as soon as he thought that he felt an impending dread creep up on him, where was Hermione, he figured he would see her with the 2 boys, but she never showed up. At first he thought that the know-it-all would be in the library but as he thought more on it, she couldn't be because class was starting in a few minutes and she was always here for breakfast. He felt worry and dread engulf him, he wouldn't dare, not when Harry was so close in falling for his trap, the bastard was going to hurt Harry so much with this new stunt. Draco grew angry at the thought of what the Dark Lord would do to a muggle born, especially one so close to Harry Potter's heart. Shaking his head as images passed through his head he climbed unsteadily to his feet and proceeded on to his class hoping against hope that he was wrong.

Hermione opened her eyes, everything was dark, she tried to move but felt her hands tied behind her, she felt hot tears spring to her eyes a glide down her cheeks, there was a gag in her mouth and she couldn't scream. She didn't even know where she was. She felt panic build up in her chest as she remembered the cold red eyes staring at her in the library, she was trying to figure out how he got in. What is Voldemort up too? She heard a clang and she stiffened as the door to her hell hole opened and Bellatrix stepped in. An ugly cruel smile curved on her lips, she held Hermione's wand in a strong grip in one hand, and her own wand in the other. Hermione's eyes widened in fear at the sight of the women who had killed Sirius, of course she didn't know what exactly happened because she was unconcious. Then a surge of anger conqured the fear and she stood up, her hand bond behind her back and her mouth gaged she stared menacingly at the ugly creature in front of her. Bellatrix laughed at Hermione, "Come on little mudblood, the master wants to see you." She said a little too sweetly, before grabbing Hermione by the forearm and practically dragging her out of the grimy cell. Hermione tried looking around, to find out where she was, at first she thought maybe Harry was here and he was going to demand her to be freed. But then when she entered the Hall all she saw was Voldemort in all his glory, which wasn't much in her opinion, surrounded by his death eaters. She felt despair creep up on her as a jumble of thoughts entered her mind, I'm going to die, here, right now in front of this monster without so much as a fair fight. Where is Harry? Doesn't he even realize i'm missing, doesn't he care about me at all? What am I talking about, this monster corrupted him, made him become like him, A man with no heart. I don't want to die here, with out any dignity this isn't fair. Tears sprang to her eyes as this last thought surfaced in her mind, she felt an ache in her heart when she thought about Ron and how she still never told him that she loved him and how much she would miss him. Sighing she kept her eyes focused on the ground, she didn't want to see this man's cruel smile as he watches her suffer, but she didn't understand why he would do this if Harry was going to be coming to him anyways for the Christmas Holidays. She felt confused but she tried not to dwell on it. There was no real answer for her at this point, just more questions and the feel of death looming up before her.

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Harry sat down in class and looked around, Where's Hermione? Sighing he turned back to the front and watched as Professor Tarop entered. He glared at him, the memory of what he did to him resurfaced. Harry also held a bit of fear for his new teacher, he had amazing power that Harry wasn't even sure he could match. Why didn't this teacher go and fight Voldemort he has the power and capacity to do it. Let him try and lead a hero's life and leave Harry out of it. The class started and they were set out to practice old spells that they haven't thought about for a while, he told them that they were going to have a dueling competition in 2 weeks, and that only disarming and maybe safe spells were allowed."I don't want anyone needing to be sent to the hospital wing." When Tarop said this, his swirling grey eyes met with Harry's Emerald green ones. Harry glared at him before he set to the task with practicing his spells, he used Ron as his partner, but when he looked up he saw Draco by himself. Harry walked over to him, "Hey Draco, you need a partner?" Draco gave Harry a sarcastic smile, "No i don't, i'll just do this by myself, sheesh obviously." Harry rolled his eyes at his friends attitude, "Geez, don't bit my head off, come join me and Ron we could always use an extra person, you know for sneak attacks" They both laughed and moved back to where Ron stood waiting for them. Ron looked at Draco a frown curving on his lips. Harry clapped Ron on the back and then they began to practice. Harry threw a a curse Ron's way and Ron ducked moving to Harry's side throwing a curse back towards Harry. Harry ducked and rolled, he lifted his arm and threw a curse back and then dodged the cursed aimed at him by Draco. Harry looked up and saw that his curse connected with Ron, Ron ducked his head and sat down, and watched as Draco and Harry were left to duel. "Stupefy!" Harry yelled out, Draco dodged and sent one back. Harry turned, the curse just missing his back and then he smirked at Draco as he sent out another one. Draco ducked, then catching Harry's eye he made a dramatic gesture. Harry smirked as he reconized what Draco was refering to, During 4th year they had a small 'duel' in the front of the potions room. Harry pointed his wand at Draco, and Draco pointed his at Harry, "Furnunculus" Harry shouted. "Densaugeo" Draco yelled. Both duelers jumped out of the way of the spells path, both spells struck the wall, a big hole was burned from the impact. Both boys were laughing as they faced each other again.

Everyone in the room had finished their dueling, and saw that Harry and Draco, the two best duelers in class, were against each other. Professor Tarop smiled as he watched them fire spells at each other. The class was hooting and cheering for the two boys. It also seemed the boys were having a great time, just throwing out spells, a contest to see who's the better dueler. "Tarantallegra" Harry shouted, he cursed under his breath when it missed. Draco winked as he sent a curse Harry's way. Harry ducked and shot a curse back, "Petrificus Totalus". Draco watched the spell approach, he took a deep breath and dodged, his leg hit a desk and he fell down wincing in pain. Harry stared at Draco, concern etched across his face, "Harry finish him." Professor Tarop shouted. Harry sighed as he caught Draco's eyes, Draco nodded. Harry pointed his wand down at his friend and shouted "Expelliarmus" Draco's wand flew out of his hand, and Harry gracefully caught it, before he helped Draco to his feet and handed him his wand. Draco smiled and clapped him on the back. "I guess this proves that your the better dueler potter. Congrats." Draco held out his hand, which Harry shook a smile curving at his lips. Harry turned back to look at his Professor, who was clapping enthusiastically, Harry rolled his eyes and helped clean up the class room, by putting the desks back. Finally the class was over. Harry gladly picked up his bag and left the class, but not without the Professor asking to wait a second. "That was a good duel Harry" Professor Tarop said. Harry nodded, anger just boiling under the surface. Once again, Tarop stared into Harry's eyes, the silver swirls became hypnotizing, and Harry felt his mind being probed. Harry growled and broke the connection. "Can you stop doing that." Harry said angrily, he had to clamp his teeth together to stop himself from screaming in frustration. Harry's hands balled into fists at his side, he had to take two deep breaths to calm himself down. He couldn't stand the feeling of being powerless, and this man who Harry barely new made him feel like some puny child who didn't know anything about magic. He invaded Harry's private thoughts and feelings, and made Harry feel violated and disgusting. Harry turned around and strode out of the room, small tendrils of magic escaping through his clenched fists. As he moved down the hall Portraits and Statues, burst and sizzled away. Finally Harry turned down a different corridor, trying to calm himself down. Forgetting about going to his next class Harry rushed into Gryffindor tower, and tore the place to peices out of anger and frustration. Then he made his way up to the Dormitories and he stripped down in the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and stared at all the scars that covered his body and then the thought of Tarop entering his mind, it made him feel sick. Harry turned to the toilet and retched more then half of his breakfast out before he turned on the shower and stepped under the hot steaming water. He scrubbed at his body until it was raw. Statisfied that he no longer felt disgusting, he quickly dried off and once again stared at his scar ridden body. "Why does everything have to happen to me?" Harry asked his reflection. "Because your the Boy-Who-Lived" His reflection answered him. Harry cursed at his reflection, his fist went colliding with the wall. Harry stared down at his bleeding knuckles, shock flitted across his face before he began to feel the pain. Wincing Harry dressed and left Gryffindor Tower, he turned down the corridor and proceeded to the Hospital Wing, hoping that Madam Pomfrey had something to help fix his bleeding hand. Once he reached the Hospital Wing he felt nervous, he knew what Madam Pomfrey was was like, and he wasn't sure if he was up to sitting in that unnecessarily bleach white room for a long period of time, or even a short period of time, actually he didn't want to be there at all. He took another glance down at his bleeding hand and watched as his blood pooled at his feet, he sighed and walked through the doors.

A/N Thanks go to all who have reviewed my story for the last 11 chapters. I hope I can win more people over with this chapter.