Haley had been missing for nine days. Her first classes had been cancelled. So had James and Lily's. They were a wreck. Ron however was feeling very safe. No one believed he could have killed her.

"Please just come to dinner James, Lily," Sirius begged. "Everyone's really worried about you."

Finally they gave in but they just played with the food on their plates.

888

Nine days. Nine days she had been in this car. Haley was getting a little stir crazy. She spent all day singing.

"What I've done! I'll face myself. To cross out what I've become! Erase myself! And let go of what I've done! What I've done!"

"What have I become? My sweetest friend. Everyone I know goes away in the end. And you could have it all! My empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt! If I could start again a million miles away. I would keep myself. I would find a way."

"It didn't take them long to decide that RON had to die. Nananananaaa. Goodbye Ron! Those black eyed peas! They tasted alright to me Rooon! You feeling weak? Why don't you lay down and sleep Rooon?! Ain't a darn? Wrapped up in that tarp Rooon!"

"So if you can't find me look to the Western sky. As someone told me lately, everyone deserves there chance to fly! And if I'm flying solo at least I'm flying free! To those who ground me take a message back from me! Tell them how I am defying gravity! Kiss me good bye I'm defying gravity!"

Then finally they broke out of the forbidden forest.

"Great job, car!"

Haley didn't see Hogwarts though. All she saw was some old building. There was a sign the said 'The Shrieking Shack." She figured they must be getting close. It was only ten more minutes until she saw the castle in the distance. For the first time in nine days she actually worried about her appearance. She looked in the rear view mirror. She had used some of the water to clean the blood off her face but there was still a large bruise from where Ron slammed her head in the floor. She had gotten the car to stop at a pond to she could clean the rest of herself up a bit. She had been wearing her favorite pair of jeans that day and they had gotten a huge hole in the leg so Haley pulled the leg off so it looked like they were half shorts. There were large welts from where the whip hit her. Her ankle hand swollen so she took off her shoes and socks. Her jacket was a bloody mess so she was just wearing a black tank top. She also wore her hat with the skull. She didn't go anywhere without it. She was just grateful that Ron took the time to dress her again. She looked horrible but she felt worse so she couldn't expect much.

The car parked off to the side of the building and let Haley get out. She grabbed the bag the centaurs gave her. She actually really liked it and wanted to keep it. It was a black backpack that had a beaded centaur on it. Then she looked down and saw the keys. "Can I keep these?" Haley asked.

The car honked once. That was there sign for yes. Haley got out of the car and thanked it for its help before it drove off.

She didn't see anyone as she approached the castle and she assumed they were all at dinner. She was starving herself. The food the centaurs gave her was able to tie her over but it didn't fill her stomach.

She climbed the stairs and could hear voices in the distance and there was the wonderful small of food in the air. Haley limped towards the great hall door. She looked in and saw her parents. Neither was eating. Just looking down and moving the food around on their plates. Haley figured this was her fault. What would happen if she just walked in? She looked like a bloody mess. Then again it would be quite amusing.

She made music play. Everyone could hear a piano and a violin. If you're going to do something you need to do it in style.

"So take these words and sing out loud! Cause everyone is forgiven now! Cause tonight's the night the world begins again."

As guitars were added to the music Haley walked through the door singing. Every eye was on her. Most of the staff table stood up.

"I wish everyone was loved tonight. We'll somehow stop this endless fight. Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days! So take these words and sing out loud. Cause everyone is forgiven now. Cause tonight's the night the world begins again! Cause tonight's the night the world begins again."

When Haley was finished everyone stared at her in utter silence. Finally the silence was broken when Dumbledore started to clap. Then Professor McGonagall joined in. Soon the entire room was giving Haley a stand ovation. Well, almost. Ron was just staring at her. He was astonished that she was alive and standing in front of him. She took a bow before walking over to where Ron was sitting.

"Surprised?"

"How did you do it?"

All Haley did in response was toss the car keys to him before walking away. Then she made her way to where Hermione and Lavender were standing. Hermione had tears running down her face.

"Where you been?" Hermione asked breathlessly.

"I'll tell you everything after," she said touching Hermione's wrist. Then she added, "Both of you," and reached for Lavender's before heading up to the head table. She went around the table towards her parents. She still wasn't sure how to react around them but right now she wanted to be with them.

Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus were just standing there numb. They didn't know how Haley would want them to react. She looked like she had just been hit by the knight bus. Where were her shoes? Why did she only have one pant leg? Where the hell was she?

Haley stopped a few feet in front of them. Now what? "Um, hey," she said with a small wave.

Lily rushed to her tears flooded her face. She took Haley into her arms and held onto her as if their lives depended on it. Haley didn't mind. Actually she welcomed it. Soon James had joined. They knew that everyone was watching them but they didn't care. They were all used to people staring. Finally Lily let Haley out of the hug and held her face in her hands while saying, "Oh my baby! Where have you been?"

Now Minerva, Albus, Sirius, Remus, and Severus were standing beside them. Haley looked at Dumbledore and said, "You should probably call some Aurors. Plus I really need to see Madam Pomfrey."

Poppy figured as much and was watching the scene from the edge. "Come along you three," she said to the Potter family.

"Wait!" Haley said suddenly. Then she turned to Dumbledore and signaled for him to bend over. He did as she requested and she whispered something in his ear that no one else could hear. Dumbledore stood up straight the twinkle completely gone from his eyes. He nodded his understanding and said, "Minerva contact the Aurors immediately. Severus, no one is to leave the great hall. Except Haley and her family and whoever else she wishes to come with her."

Sirius and Remus looked at her. He wasn't sure if they counted as family. Haley saw their look. "Sure," she said and was rewarded with two smiles.

Haley started walking towards the great hall entrance following Madam Pomfrey. Her parents, Sirius, and Remus followed behind. She hated everyone watching so she began to sing again.

"Cause you had a bad day. You're taking one down. You sing a sad song just to turn it around. You say you don't know. You tell me don't lie. You work up a smile then you go for a ride. You had a bad day. You see what you like and how does it feel just one more. You had a bad day. Oh, you had a bad day."

She left them in awe. Even Dumbledore, who knew the truth, had to smile at the girl's strength.