I don't own Harry.
Over the next few months, there were many more taunts, jokes, and stares for Harry to endure. Then there were the dreams about the graveyard and Voldemort. And of course, Umbridge, who was constantly giving Harry punishments because he was speaking the truth.
But the worst thing were the whispers. They followed Harry everywhere he went, and he hated them, because he could never tell what they were saying. Even if Harry was alone, he could hear them buzzing about his head like an annoying insect, and it drove him crazy.
Harry found himself wishing that it was the summer so he could be back at the Dursleys; he would rather face an angry Uncle Vernon then the whispers.
But it was only November, and Harry was dreading the months ahead. He feared he couldn't take it much longer before he totally lost it and did something horrible.
And then, one day, Malfoy passed him, Hermione and Ron, in the corridor, sneering, and made of his usual Cedric jokes, and Harry suddenly felt the anger rear up like a giant snake inside him, taking control. Harry was blinded by rage as he raised his wand and yelled, "Crucio!"
Malfoy rolled on the ground, screaming in pain. Harry cackled madly as the boy lay on the ground, panting.
Harry raised his wand again, eager to cause more pain, but Hermione slapped him across the face, and screamed, "What are you DOING?"
As his cheek stung from Hermione's slap, the rage left Harry, and he looked around at the crowd that had formed, then down at Malfoy, who was staring at him in fear.
What was happening to him?
Harry pushed through the crowd and ran through the stone corridors until he was out of breath. Harry leaned against a wall and looked around; he was at the foot of the stairs that led to the Astronomy Tower. He had just used the cruciartus curse. He had caused pain, just like Voldemort did. How long would it be before he used the Killing Curse on someone? No, he couldn't let that happen. He had to protect everyone.
Harry took the stairs that led up to the Tower two at a time.
Harry closed his eyes, and felt the cool breeze ruffle through his untidy black hair, as he leaned on the stone balcony.
It was quiet; so quiet. Nobody was quoting Daily Prophet articles at him, Malfoy wasn't sneering at him making crazy jokes, and there were no whispers behind his back as he walked down the corridors. For once, Harry couldn't even feel a trace of Voldemort inside him.
Harry looked down over the Hogwarts grounds; it was a wonderful view. Even in the dark, Harry could see the lake, and Hagrid's hut and the Forbidden Forest. Harry sighed.
He had to do this; it was the only way; he had only crucioed Malfoy this time, but what if next time he performed the Killing Curse? Harry shuddered; he would never let that happen, he would not become like Voldemort.
Harry climbed up on the balcony, and looked down. This was it. He tried not to think about the people he loved; Ron, Hermione, the Weasleys, Sirius, and Hagrid, and what they would think of him. His mother died to save him,and now he was dying to save the people he loved.
Harry took a deep breath, and jumped from the balcony.
As the Harry flew through the chilly air, the ground reared up to meet him, and he felt like he was free!
And then everything went black.