AN: Hello again! This chapter is a flashback, so we don't get any confrontations yet. I want to get all the interactions right(that doesn't mean I will) so expect chapter 2 to take quite a while(prologue doesn't count as a chapter). I also get there are a few plot holes, which should be addressed in the next chapter. I will be rereading this and making a few edits, as I'm not 100 percent satisfied with this chapter. I just wanted to tell you all that I'm going to try and complete this story, and my current goal is around 10k words. I also want to start working on a SAO story, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I won't be updating this as frequently, just wanted to communicate a bit with you guys. I appreciate all of you who favorited and followed, and reviews are appreciated as well! Thank you to pottermum for being my first ever reviewer :)

This chapter starts when Dumbledore and Harry arrive at the Astronomy Tower at the end of the Half Blood Prince.

Chapter One

"Avada Kedavra!"

Harry wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. He wanted to do something, anything but stand here frozen and watch as his mentor and grandfatherly figure was hit by that sickly green light that had plagued his nightmares all of his life. What you want and get; however, are two completely different things, a concept Harry understood all too well. As the jubilant whoops of glee from the Death Eaters dwindled Bellatrix spun around and looked directly into where Harry's eyes were, which was odd, as he was currently invisible. As she began to walk to where he stood, Harry realized he was still stunned, unable to move. Harry saw a piece of parchment in Bellatrix's hand and took a quick look. What he saw chilled him to the bone. It was the Marauders Map!

"Awwww, it wooks wike wittle Hawwy is all alone twying to hide! What a silly baby! Bellatrix lashed out with a punch that hit Harry squarely in the jaw, knocking him over like a stiff board. Just when it looked like she was about to strike him again, Lucius intervened "Stop Bella! Do you not remember the Dark Lord's orders? He must look as if he joined us willingly".

"Spoilsport," Bellatrix muttered, stopping mid-swing.

"Now Nott, bring forward the Looney girl," Lucius snapped, seeming very on edge. No doubt he was afraid of reporting back to his master with another failure, thought Harry. Without a word, Nott complied, bringing forward a stunned Luna Lovegood.

"Now, Bella, use the brats wand and end her," Lucius demanded.

"Why, it would be my pleasure," cackled Bellatrix with open glee. She plucked Harry's wand from his hand, suddenly screaming "Avada Kedavra!"

Once more, Harry was unable to do anything as he watched with horror as his friend hit the floor with a blank look, dead. Another person who had died on his account, due to his ignorance and failure. Another needless sacrifice in this damn war against Voldemort, a sad half-blood who simply wanted to be something more. At this point in time, Harry hoped that they would just kill him, end his misery and suffering, and remove the burden of killing Voldemort from his shoulders. What was about to happen, however, was much worse.

"Now," drawled Lucius, clearly enjoying himself "what happened here was quite a tragic accident. Mr. Potter, after seeing his teacher and mentor die in front of him, decides that there is no other path to take other than to join the Dark Lord. As a show of loyalty, he kills his little friend here, however in the process is hit by an unfortunate stunner. As members of the Order of the Phoenix are currently rushing up these stairs, we must make our hasty getaway, leaving our new initiate behind. I believe this is goodbye, Mr. Potter. I bid you a hasty recovery in Azkaban."

At this point, Lucius's smile was absolutely feral, while Bellatrix was hysterically cackling in the corner, barely able to breathe. Nott quickly walked forward, roughly pressing a brand to Harry's shoulder. Immediate sharp, stinging pain began to radiate outwards from where the brand was pressed, and Harry was unable to stop tears from leaving his eyes. As quickly as it began, it was over, and after placing Harry's wand back next to his hand on the ground, the Death Eaters were gone, leaving Harry to be found by a horrified Remus Lupin.

The moment Harry was introduced to the courtroom, he knew he had no chance of walking out a free man. The entire Wizengamot was looking at him with barely concealed contempt, as was the witness stand. Fudge was the only one looking remotely happy, in fact, he seemed to barely be able to conceal his smile. A clear sign that the Jury had been bought out and this case was as good as over. As had become common in the last few days, Harry felt a pang of contempt for the wizarding world. They seemed to never learn, always making the same mistakes over and over. Surprisingly, Harry was in quite good spirits, despite his current situation being bound to a chair in the middle of a Jury bought off to convict him. If he was going down, he was going down in style.

"Ah Fudge, it's been too long. The last time I saw you, you were getting quite a large donation from a convicted Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy. Tell me, how much of that donation has gone to paying off this Jury today," Harry casually inquired. As planned, Percy Weasley suddenly jumped up, face contorted in anger. "How dare you insult the minister? You have never shown proper respect to your betters and those above you! Your despicable demeanor is why you are here in the first place. At least show some decorum in your last few moments!" Percy yelled, his face red with anger.

Harry simply smirked "You lecture me on showing decorum, yet you lose control of your anger in such a prestigious court? My, my Percy, you are quite the hypocrite. Although I can't blame you, it seems to run in the family."

Immediately, Ron leapt up, fists clenched, "What do you know about family? All you did is get yours killed! I trusted you, and you just stomped all over my trust. I hope you rot in Azkaban for the rest of your life surrounded by criminal scum just like you!"

Rather than attempt to achieve order, the entire court burst out in applause after Ron's speech, while reporters in the corner were scratching away on their pads. Ron sat down looking rather proud of himself, drinking up the attention he was receiving.

While Harry was keeping a calm demeanor, Ron's words had struck a nerve within him. It seemed one of his skills was getting the people around him killed. Harry's thoughts threatened to drift in a non-productive direction, however, he was not yet done having his fun. "You look quite proud of yourself Ron. So, now that I'm gone, whose sidekick are you? It was always your greatest skill after all."

Shortly after that comment, Harry felt a sharp fist connect with his head, and everything went black. When Harry awoke, he was in a cell in Azkaban, his hair stained with blood. Grudgingly, he drew himself up from the floor, pulling himself into a sitting position, trying to gain control of his buzzing head. A few moments later; however, the dementors arrived, and Harry entered his own living hell.
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As said above, please review. I'm not 100 percent satisfied with this chapter, so if you have any suggestions I'd be happy to hear them. The next chapter will take a bit longer, as I have a busy week ahead of me. Once again, thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day! :)