BEYOND SECRETS AND LIES
By: Chiki Yumeshisa

Disclaimer: I solemnly swear I am up to no good….okay fine! I don't own Harry Potter. All original characters/ideas are mine to claim though.

AN: Ah, wow, thank you so much for all your support, everyone. I'm glad people gave this story a chance. And here is my update, sorry to keep you waiting. I'm trying to gather my thoughts here, so please bear with me.

Warnings: None. Please enjoy. Rated PG.
-Chiki

CHAPTER 2
- This Time -

Night had fallen by the time Ron saw Harry again. He was leaning against a big picture frame that had an old man in it, scowling and brandishing his cane threateningly and cursing aloud. Harry did not seem to care, as he looked off absently down the hall.

Torches hung from the walls, the fires burning brightly behind their iron cages and yet they cast a dim light in the darkness. It was enough to see with, but it gave the impression that the place was haunted.

As if that was far from the truth.

Years had worn the stones down, and the sound of dripping water could be heard faintly, coming from somewhere behind the walls. One would have supposed it to smell dank but Hogwarts' halls smelled like home.

If he would accept it as home, Harry had yet to find out.

It took Ron three calls before Harry turned around. The latter looked tired and upset, his tie around his neck loose, the clasp to his cloak was undone, leaving it hanging open, loosely.

Ron ran up to him, stopping for a moment to catch his breath. "I was supposed to show you our common room, remember? I thought I'd never find you."

Harry managed an apologetic smile. His fatigue was overwhelming and it was all he could do to stand upright. Sleep sounded like heaven, but it was not so easily gained. "Sorry about that. I….got lost."

Ron ran his hand through his hair. "Well, I guess that's understandable: Hogwarts is a huge school."

Harry pursed his lips together, fighting back a flippant response. He tended to say things he didn't mean when he was exhausted. Instead, he shrugged, clasping his cloak closed, and trying his best to at least appear presentable.

Not that Ron was any more so, as he was dressed in a worn cloak and a hand-me-down uniform. This was obvious because they looked faded and old.

Uncomfortable with the way Harry was judging him with his critical eyes, Ron shifted in his place. "Well?" he asked, trying to keep a smile on his face. He hated it when people looked down on him. He already disliked Harry, and if it wasn't for Hermione, Ron would have no business with him.

Harry seemed to apprehend, because he pushed himself off the wall wearily and nodded, silently. Together they moved down the hall, the tension between them building.

It was Harry who spoke first. "Ron, when I met you for the first time, I was…." He trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"You were high on something." Ron declared. "You were all dreamy. I was afraid you'd fall to one knee and start spouting sonnets to me."

"Oh." Harry turned pink, and then he looked angry. He tried not to direct the anger at Ron – it hadn't been his fault. "Listen, I wasn't – I mean, I didn't….."

"It's all right, Harry. It's your first day, and that's understandable too." Even if his voice sounded light, Harry could still detect a hint of confusion.

So he kept his mouth firmly closed and followed him up the staircases, stopping every so often as the stairs decided to move and shift their places. When they did, a dizzying sensation swept through the boys.

One or two students came by, and when they glimpsed Harry, started eagerly whispering to each other. Once, a Ravenclaw girl dared come forward and asked Harry to sign her hat. He did so obligingly and then turned away quickly, afraid to be asked to do so again by the girl's friends who were watching wide-eyed.

Ron was more than uncomfortable by then. He had thought that knowing a celebrity would have been fun. But this one was withdrawn; quiet - nothing like a celebrity should act. He was disappointed as he had hoped the famous Harry Potter would be friendly and outgoing. Instead, he got another stuck up snob and gods knew that there were enough of those in the school.

He couldn't understand why Hermione had insisted on making friends with him. All Ron wanted to do was get his duty over and done with and never talk to him again.

He was most grateful when they reached the portrait of the fat lady, which held the passageway to the Gryffindor common rooms. She was having her afternoon tea and she put down her teacup upon spotting them standing there.

"Well, hello! No dinner for you two?" Her voice was an airy sing-song.

"Right after I show Harry, here, the rooms." Ron told her.

"Harry?" She asked, peering at him. Her eyes flicked to his forehead. "Oh bless me! Harry Potter's in Gryffindor!" She seemed excited and quickly checked herself, settling down a bit, her face flushed. "Password?"

"Wonder root." Ron told her, and she swung open, revealing a little passage that led to a comfortable, spacious room that held rich red furniture and a grate with a fire dancing merrily.

With a sweep of his hand, Ron gestured proudly. "This is where we spend most of our time in our towers: the common rooms. The bedrooms are upstairs; your things should have been taken up already."

Harry let his eyes wander over the wonderful tapestries hanging on the walls of the room, each bearing a proud lion like that on the crest of their uniforms, in gold. The room had a cozy feeling to it, and brought forth the feeling of security if nothing else.

Ron led him up the winding staircase, past various doors. It was a maze all on its own, with each room looking like the other.

He stopped when Ron did, in front of a door that was open slightly, as if inviting them inside.

Sure enough, Harry's things were sitting on a four-poster bed towards the left of the room. A single suitcase and a cage that stood empty were the only belongings he appeared to have. Hedwig, his owl, must have been up in the owlery he remembered Dumbledore had mentioned earlier.

The bed looked very inviting, covered in rich red fabrics, the curtains pulled back. Beside the bed sat a chest of drawers, and just above that, a window that was slightly ajar, letting the night's cool air in.

Slowly, he made his way to his trunk, a battered brown thing he had acquired from a family so long ago. It had served its purpose throughout the years though, and was still in good shape. He wanted to change and sleep – even a cold bed of rocks would have been fine. He didn't think he could remain standing much longer.

"Alohamora." Harry said, pointing his wand at the lock that kept it secure. It clicked open, obediently, hanging loosely, and he began to empty it of its contents. There wasn't much, and the extra clothes he had brought with him were way too big for his scrawny self.

With nothing but the thought of his rest, he hastily began to put his things away in the provided drawers, emptying the suitcase as quickly as possible. He was unaware of a small plastic bottle that fell to the floor and rolled to Ron's feet.

Bending down to retrieve it, Ron eyed the plastic bottle curiously. Inside, were a number of bright orange pills. He had only just managed to read the label and was about to ask what they were for, when Harry snatched it out of his hands and at that, rather roughly.

Taken aback, Ron thought to explain himself. "I'm sorry…they fell…and…I didn't mean to…" He ended up stammering like a fool. What he was apologizing for, was beyond him. Yet, that furious glare that was being directed at him left him stunned and confused.

Harry's glare was more out of panic than out of anger. As much as possible, he never liked to show his sickness to anyone. He could practically hear Snape leering again, and he grit his teeth so much that his gums hurt. Seeing Ron's pale face, he took a deep breath, forcing himself to ease up a bit.

Over the years, he had become more and more hostile towards people, not trusting them. This gained him more enemies than it did friends. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had had a real friend. That, however, was a treasure denied him, forever out of his reach. He had buried that longing a long time ago, not letting it get to him, but now, he made an effort to dig that up again.

He had made a promise to himself this time, though – he would try to change. When he had received the acceptance letter into Hogwarts with the note that there was something of great importance there, he had decided. Maybe that was what Dumbledore wanted – for him to come out of his shell. It would take longer than expected though – Harry had built his walls up so high and so thick that it would be hard to tear them all down.

He stuffed the plastic container into one of his drawers and quickly slammed it shut. At a loss for words, he faced Ron again, who, in his anxiety to say the right thing, slipped up again by asking, "W-what were those for?"

Should I tell him? Harry thought, mind racing for excuses. If he told him now, his thoughts of becoming friends with someone would never become a reality. Surely Ron would tell the whole school and let everyone who would listen, know. It had happened countess times in the past. "They're…vitamins…." Harry lied, choosing the safety of his shell. "They keep me going throughout the day."

"Vitamins?" Ron repeated. He looked even more confused. "A muggle creation?" He ventured.

It was then that Harry realized that Ron was a full-bred wizard. He could always take advantage of that, as many wizarding families did not take kindly or associate with anything to do with muggles. "Yes, a muggle creation."

Before Ron could say anything more, Dean, another roommate of theirs, came crashing in, looking excited. He stopped for a moment upon seeing Harry there, and then continued. He acknowledged them both with a nod. "You guys missed the action downstairs. You won't be having dinner?"

Ron seemed to remember that it had been in his plan. He glanced at the overhead clock and heard Harry say, "Thank you, but I'm not hungry." To which Ron opened his mouth to object, but on an afterthought, decided against it. He turned to leave, his worn cloak billowing as he did so. If Harry did not want to eat, Ron did not plan to miss a meal on his account.

"Um….Ron?" Harry called. Ron froze in his steps and turned slowly to face him. "I really appreciate all your help."

Ron broke into a grin, that was strained. "No problem, Harry." He turned to leave but then turned back once more. "Are you sure you don't want to come down? You didn't each much earlier from what I remember."

Harry shook his head, a bit surprised. "No, thank you. I'm fine, really." This was the first time someone other than the doctor cared enough to remember something so meager as the last meal he had eaten.

Seeing as Harry would not be swayed, Ron exited, leaving Harry alone with Dean. His roommate was watching him as he stripped down out of his uniform, changed into his pajamas and clambered into bed.

Harry sat down heavily on his bed, feeling the fatigue sweep over him again in an almost intoxicating way. Today had been one of the longest days he could remember. He could feel himself get dizzy, and he pulled his around his body, willing himself not to get sick. When Dean asked if he was all right, Harry nodded and told him he was just tired.

His mind turned to his pills briefly, and he pushed the thought away. In a cold sweat, he pulled his curtains closed, and fell onto his pillows. He was too tired to change his clothing, the clasp to his belt at his waist digging painfully in the lower part of his abdomen. He didn't care, and fell asleep almost instantly.

- - - -

Hermione was just finishing up when Ron arrived, looking troubled. She knew he had just been with Harry, showing him around. Perhaps they had gotten into a fight because Harry was nowhere to be seen. Trust Ron to make the new student upset.

"What happened?" She demanded, as Ron took his place next to her. The empty plate in front of him suddenly filled with food magically.

"Harry wasn't hungry." Ron replied, defensively, picking up his fork.

"But he hardly ate anything earlier." Hermione said, frowning.

Ron took a bite of his chicken. "He didn't look too well." He said around his mouthful.

Hermione shot him a warning glare. "Ron, I hope you didn't get him upset."

He hunched his shoulders, guiltily. "I'm not lying, he really did look sick. And…he had a fit when I picked up the vitamins he dropped. It was like I had no right to see them."

Hermione's face puckered into that ever-thoughtful frown. "Vitamins?"

"A muggle creation." Ron thought to explain.

She sniffed disdainfully. "I know, that, Ron. I am a muggle, remember?"

He turned as red as his hair, and he couldn't help but scowl at her tone of voice. She was often like that, unconsciously showing off her smarts. He knew she tried hard to keep it under control whenever she was around him, but sometimes, he blundered too much for his own good.

"Well, he's a jerk." He said, defensively. "If he doesn't want to be our friend, then we've no right to force him."

Hermione glanced down the Great Hall. It was almost empty, as most students had finished their dinners and were retreating back to their dormitories, or to their own special places of study.

The floating candles in the air would soon dim, to let everyone know that dinner was done for the night. The ceiling had been charmed to show the night sky, each star showing brilliantly like a diamond in the sky. At the high table sat the professors, all talking quietly amongst themselves, their voices a soft murmur from where she sat.

Even though there were many students, she could vividly remember Harry sitting by himself earlier that morning. "No," she stubbornly said at last. "He's not a jerk. He may just be shy."

"Well, why don't you just date him already?" Ron asked, angrily. He stabbed at his food angrily, not wanting to look up and see her hurt reaction. He couldn't help but feel a bit jealous at the way she seemed so interested in the new boy.

Her hand touched his shoulder gently. "Ron, don't be upset." She told him. "If you don't want to continue, then I won't say anything, I promise."

He relaxed a bit, resentful at the way he had lashed out at her. "He's not a bad person." He admitted. "He's just….so far from what everyone expects….from what I expected….he's so…"

"Withdrawn?" Hermione supplied. "I noticed too." She watched as Ron pushed his empty plate away and then crossed one leg under her. "I'm still willing to try. He's probably tired of all that fame he gets through the newspapers. I sure would be if I were him."

Ron shrugged, helplessly. "All right, whatever you say then. It seems I have no choice." At that, Hermione smiled triumphantly, her brown eyes sparkling. He gave her a small smile back, "But I think we should leave him to his secrets."

"As to those," Remarked Hermione, "I can't help but wonder why he would get expelled from his previous school. If he did something illegal, then Dumbledore would be out of his mind to accept him here."

Ron couldn't agree more. "They say Dumbledore would take anyone in." He pointed out. "I mean, he's got Snape as a professor!"

Out of the corner of their eyes, they saw the Potions Master get up out of his seat. Hermione giggled as Ron swallowed nervously. The said professor strode out of the Great Hall without so much as a glance at them. He looked a bit upset, but then again, that was the way he always looked.

"As I was saying," Hermione said, with a laugh, "there are only so many things you can do to get you expelled. Harry doesn't look like a trouble maker."

"Those vitamins nearly drove him to kill me." Ron said, lightly. At the look on Hermione's face, he added, "I was joking. He was just upset, that's all."

She had become serious again, her lips turning down into its frown. "I wonder why? Vitamins are nothing to be so secretive about. Unless…." Her eyes widened slightly. "He must be hiding something. Did you see the label?"

Ron shifted in his seat a bit, trying to find comfort from the hard wooden bench. "I don't remember what it said."

Hermione seemed disappointed. "Well, if - "

"No, 'Mione!" Ron said firmly. He knew what she was going to say next. "No. I told you, we should leave him to his secrets. If he thinks you're prying into his life, then he'll get upset."

"But Ron, what if it is something illegal that he's dealing with?" Hermione protested. "If they were just vitamins, then why would he be so eager to hide them?" None of it made any sense.

She stopped abruptly when she saw Professor Dumbledore standing by them. He seemed to be in a weary mood. His robes were a dark, rich, purple color trailing the floor whenever he walked. He had a snow-white beard that came to a stop at his mid-chest. He looked at them over his moon-shaped spectacles.

"Miss Granger, I think it is safer if you leave Mr. Potter be for a couple of days." He said, not unkindly. "You might find some things that are rather…shall we say, disturbing…"

"Disturbing sir?" Ron asked.

His gaze slid to the younger boy. "He's not the regular type of student, as you have read him to be, Mr. Weasely." He knit his fingers together. They looked like gnarled tree limbs with the way they were old and weathered. He may have been old, but they knew him to be the most powerful wizard alive. "I would stay away from him, were I you." Those last words were an obvious warning as he made his way out of the dining hall.

Ron found he was having difficulty trying to find his breath. He brought his wide eyes to Hermione. She looked just as determined as before.

"Hermione…" He tried to say.

Her determined look only darkened. "Ron, don't you think it's just a little weird?" she asked.

He fidgeted, taking glances at the doors to the Great Hall where the Professor had just exited. "But you heard him…what he said…"

"That's the thing," Hermione insisted. "If he's worried, then it's not something normal."

"You look here, Hermione." It was Ron's turn to look determined. "We shouldn't come to conclusions. Maybe he just doesn't want to make friends. Period."

That could be true too. Still, she wanted to get to the bottom of it, but she knew that Ron wasn't all that eager. She tried a different approach. "He was expelled from his last school, remember? What if those pills are the reason for it? What if it happens again? We have to stop him."

At this point, Ron knew there was no point in arguing. Still, he wasn't very happy with Hermione's obsessive persistence. "Fine," He sighed. "We'll look into it." He got up abruptly, leading the way out of the dining hall. She always won.

She did not let him see her smile of satisfaction.

- - - -

Harry wasn't present at breakfast the next morning either. Because his bed had been deserted with its covers neatly drawn and his bedclothes folded atop of his pillows, Ron had thought that their newest roommate had gone down to eat. He had been mistaken as his eyes scanned the dining room. He was not at the Gryffindor table.

He found him already sitting in their first day's class, with his head in his arms. When Ron took a seat next to him, he lifted his head slightly to see who it was.

"Hey Harry…." Ron began.

"Hey." His voice was muffled and strained.

Uncertain of what to say, Ron glanced over at Hermione who was watching them curiously. Harry, much to Ron's relief, had let his head slip back down into the comfort of his arms once more.

He found it strange: Harry had gone to bed earlier than anyone, and yet, he seemed to be exhausted. He decided not to bother him, and promptly forgot all about his seatmate until McGonogall called on him.

"Mr. Potter, I hope you are paying attention."

Harry did not move, or answer.

"Mr. Potter?"

No answer.

Ron turned his head to look down at him. Finally, he reached over and shook his arm urgently. "Harry," he hissed, "wake up! McGonogall…." He trailed off when Harry did not respond, but rather, his head lolled to the side, limp. His skin was as pale as the parchment that they used to write on.

"Harry!" He tried again, but it didn't work. "Harry!" his voice raised in panic as his seatmate was clearly not responding. "Professor! Harry won't wake up!"

To Be Continued…….

AN: And that's a wrap for this chapter. Thank you again to those who reviewed and who read my work. I hope to get reviews, so please enlighten me – and the next chapter should come up soon. I'm not going to give up on this story as long as those reviews come in. So please, before you exit this window, kindly click that little button down there.