Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

So yeah, I thought I would upload another chapter for you lovely people. :) Warning: this chapter contains some violence and mentions child abuse. It is also a bit angsty.

Harry was in the hospital wing, sitting nervously at the end of his usual bed. He was waiting for Madame Pomfrey to come so he could get his next round of treatment. She bustled over, as usual arms full of potions.

"Ah you're here Harry." she said kindly, setting the potions down on the bedside table and gently rolling his sleeve up.

Harry only smiled weakly as she attached the bag of potions to his cannula and pushed him gently, so he was lying back on the bed. She then handed him a brightly coloured potion.

"I trust you've been taking your nutrients potions?" said Madame Pomfrey briskly.

"yeah I have." said Harry, yawning slightly.

"Have you used your dreamless sleep potion at all?" said Madame Pomfrey, feeling his forehead for fever.

"Only once." admitted Harry.

"Okay, well take this potion and get some rest." she said gently.

Harry nodded and uncorked the potion, and downed it. He immediately found himself feeling sleepy. Yawning widely, Harry burrowed underneath the blankets. The last thing he saw and heard before sleep engulfed him was Remus entering the room and whispering something to Madame Pomfrey.

-Dream-

He was five years old and he had been set the task of scrubbing the kitchen floor (with a toothbrush) Suddenly, Uncle Vernon burst through the door, steaming drunk and aimed a kick at Harry's stomach. Winded, Harry fell and rolled onto his back.

Undoing his belt, Uncle Vernon proceeded to hit every bit of Harry he could reach, he then went over to the stove where a pot of water was boiling and tipped it all over Harry. Harry screamed in agony and Vernon snarled, grabbing Harry by the ankle, Vernon dragged him to his cupboard and threw him bodily into it.

-End of Dream

Remus watched in concern as Harry whimpered in his sleep, his face screwed up in fear and his fists clenched tightly upon the blankets. The whimpers became louder and more desperate. Harry began shouting, fighting against some invisible force.

"Please Uncle Vernon stop it hurts!" screamed Harry, seemingly unaware that he was safely in the hospital wing.

Jumping into action, Remus shot out of his chair and took Harry by the shoulders, he shook him firmly.

"Harry, come on wake up, it's me Remus."

With a great gasp, Harry woke up and sat up quickly in bed. His eyes looked almost wild and he was trembling violently as he looked around the room for lurking dangers.

Remus reached out to hug Harry but he recoiled and pressed himself into the headboard, hugging his legs to his chest and rocking back and forth.

"Harry," said Remus gently "Calm down it's me Remus,"

Harry turned his face slowly towards Remus, he let out a small sob and slowly unwrapped his arms from his legs.

Remus sat on the bed next to Harry and opened his arms.

"Come here Harry." he said gently, a voice full of compassion.

Slowly, Harry shifted closer to Remus and buried his face in his chest. Remus gently wrapped his arms around the trembling boy.

"Shh Harry, it's all over now." whispered Remus gently, as he rubbed the sobbing boys back.

Harry let out a small howl of misery that broke Remus' heart and tightened his grip on his guardian.

"It really happened," he sobbed, while Remus ran his fingers through Harry's messy hair.

Remus stiffened slightly. "What else did they do to you Harry?" he said, not sure if he'd like the answer.

Harry didn't answer, he started violently trembling.

"Did...did he ever touch you Harry?" Remus asked, hoping against hope that the answer was no.

Harry stiffened and shuddered and slowly nodded. Anger and sadness ignited within the pit of his stomach.

"Once," said Harry hoarsely "Please don't make me talk about it," he moaned.

Remus tightened his grip on Harry and kissed his unruly hair.

"I won't Harry, I wont." he whispered.

Harry sighed with relief and burrowed deeper into the embrace. He fell asleep with Remus rubbing his back and rocking him gently.

-xxx-

As that day had progressed, Remus had held him through the night, sponged his fevered brow and rubbed his back as he vomited repeatedly. Now the morning after, Harry was feeling better and ready to leave the hospital wing.

"How are you feeling Mr. Potter?" said Madame Pomfrey gently.

"Better now you've given me them potions," admitted Harry. Beside him, Remus smiled

"Good, that's brilliant." she said smiling.

Harry nodded and smiled weakly up at her.

"Now as it's the last day before of lessons before the Christmas holidays, I must insist that you take it easy. Don't overexert yourself." she said sternly.

"I won't I promise." said Harry, giving her a genuine smile.

"Good, if the treatment goes well. You might not need it by the end of the year." she said, smiling kindly at Harry.

Harry's eyes lit up at the prospect of no more treatment. Remus seemed equally as happy.

-xxx-

It was Christmas eve and as promised Remus had take Harry into Hogsmeade. He had intended to take Harry a couple of Fridays ago, but Harry had been too sick to go.

Now as they ambled slowly up Hogsmeade high street, Remus' heart warmed at the happy expression on Harry's face as he surveyed the beautiful village. Throwing an arm around his shoulder, Remus smiled at Harry.

"How about we go and get a butterbeer?" he said, still smiling gently at him.

"yeah ok." said Harry, smiling widely. With that he followed Remus up the snow covered street and into the gloriously warm Three Broomsticks.

As they sat down, Harry surveyed the pub with great interest, Remus watched this, eyes twinkling merrily.

A commotion from across the pub caught Harry and Remus' attention. Remus narrowed his eyes as he surmised that it was two fifth year Slytherins who had snook out of school and were now fighting.

"Excuse me Harry." Remus said and he moved quickly over to the direction of the two Slytherins.

While Remus was dealing with the two Slytherins, Harry needed to use the bathroom, so rising to his feet he headed for the males toilets. As he exited the cubicle, he saw two very shady characters with dark cloaks and their hoods up standing by the door.

As he made to step out of the door the two figures stepped in front of him and pushed him back, stumbling slightly, Harry scowled at the two people.

"What's the big idea? Move out of my way" Harry snarled.

Both figures exchanged a glance and drew their wands from the folds of their robes. A loud bang echoed and Harry flew backwards and slammed into an empty cubicle. Heart hammering, Harry tried and failed to get back to his feet.

I need to get out of here and back to Uncle Remus. Harry thought desperately, however before he could move an inch, one of the figures raised their wand and spoke in a cold yet vaguely familiar voice.

"Crucio"

Harry screamed and writhed in agony. His bones felt like they were on fire, his very nerves protested and burnt as the curse took hold. He couldn't breathe, couldn't see. Surely he was going to die.

All of a sudden, the door burst open and Remus ran in, he flicked his wand at Harry's attackers and they were bound and stunned. A few other wizards followed him in and grabbed the two attackers, before disappearing with a pop.

Remus dropped to his knees beside a violently shaking Harry, carefully and gently, he lifted Harry up and held him to his chest.

"Are you ok Harry?" Remus fretted.

"I am now." Harry muttered, pulling away from Remus and getting shakily to his feet.

"Come on lets go back to Hogwarts, you're staying in my quarters tonight."

Harry nodded shakily and allowed Remus to pick him up, bridal style and carry him up to the castle.

So what did you think of this chapter? Yeah I know I introduced the Cruciatus curse early, but it is AU so yeah :) Who do you think the death eaters that attacked Harry are?