Harry wasn't aware when he started to nod off: He was only aware being startled awake when there was a popping sound and scramble of feet. Harry opened his eyes and found all the Weasleys surrounding someone who had just entered the room…it slowly started to dawn on him…it was Mrs. Weasley. Harry sat up and stretched his back as confusion set in…

"Harry – Mrs. Weasley says Mr. Weasley is going to be just fine," Sirius said, who was sitting on the arm of the chair Harry was in. Harry barely heard the words – he felt as if his ears weren't working properly…

"Oh Harry, dear!" Mrs. Weasley went over to Harry and gave him a big hug. "Because of you, Arthur was found just in time. You've saved his life!"

Then it suddenly hit Harry everything that happened in the last few hours. He hopped off the chair in a panic. "What about the snake? Did someone capture it? What if it's still on the loose –"

"Calm down, Harry, everything is fine now," Sirius said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Now that we know Arthur is fine, I really think you ought to get some rest. You look terrible."

"Sirius is right. We should all get some rest, and when we wake up, we'll have some food and go see your father." Mrs. Weasley said, an exhausting smile on her face. Harry started feeling dizzy once more and reached out for Sirius just in time.

"Harry, dear – are you alright? You're looking awfully pale." Mrs. Weasley asked, concerned. She watched as Sirius steadied him by putting an arm around his shoulders.

"He's sick, Molly. But he refused to go upstairs until you came."

"Well, it's time you get upstairs and recover."

Sirius helped Harry up the stairs, behind the others.

Harry awoke the next morning to light streaming in through the window. He blinked his eyes a few times, adjusting to the brightness of the room. When his vision finally focused, it was to find Ron's bed completely empty. Harry slowly sat up – his body ached, and he felt nauseous. He grabbed his glasses and headed out the bedroom door.

Harry felt slightly out of it, but knew he just needed to get something in his stomach to feel better. He headed to the kitchen to find Sirius and Lupin sitting at the table, deep in conversation. They stopped, however, when they saw Harry walk through the door.

"Harry, you're awake!" Sirius said, standing up. He helped Harry into a chair next to him and Lupin.

"How are you feeling?" Lupin asked, pouring Harry a cup of tea.

Harry thankfully accepted the cup, holding onto it tightly for the warmth. "A bit better, but still not one hundred percent."

"I wouldn't have expected you to be," Sirius said, making his own cup of tea. "Ron said you weren't doing so well just hours before you even had that vision."

Harry sat and drank his tea, thinking…it seemed every time Harry had one of these dreams – he seemed to black out…experience headaches…something always seemed to happen. They had to be connected somehow…Harry looked up to find both Sirius and Lupin watching him closely.

"Do you either of you know why I had this vision?" Harry asked. The two looked at each other and back at him. Harry had a feeling they knew something and didn't want to share. "It's not the only one I've had…" Harry said, looking into his mug.

"You mean you've had others?" Lupin asked curiously.

"I think so…well…at first I thought they were just dreams but…they all seem to be connected…" Harry said, voicing what he had been thinking for the past few months.

"What were the dreams of, Harry?" Sirius asked gently.

"Doors and hallways…I didn't think anything of it…but they kept coming…and they seemed to get more vivid each time I have them…sometimes – sometimes there was a man being tortured. And I think…I think it was Voldemort torturing him…" Harry swallowed as he looked up at the others.

"And the vision last night?" Lupin asked.

"I think it's also connected. The hallway looks exactly the same…and the door I always go through in the dreams was the same door Mr. Weasley was attacked at." Harry could feel his heart suddenly start beating fast. "What's wrong with me?"

"There's nothing wrong with you, Harry," Lupin said sternly.

"Then why is this happening to me? Why do I keep having all these visions? I've never even been where Mr. Weasley was!" Harry sounded scared.

"Listen to me, Harry," Sirius looked at Lupin, who gave him a curt nod. "There's not much I can tell you – not without Dumbledore confirming our suspicions. But…we think there may be some sort of connection between you and Voldemort…"

"A connection?" Harry asked, confused. "You mean, like….like I can read his mind or something?"

"Something like that," Lupin said. "We don't quite understand ourselves, but Dumbledore is working on it."

Harry looked miserably at the table. He wanted to voice another concern he had been having for awhile…he knew Lupin and Sirius wouldn't laugh at him. "Why has Dumbledore been ignoring me?"

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked.

"He hasn't spoken to me since the end of the school year last year. Well, except last night briefly. But he hasn't even looked at me or acknowledged me! Did I do something wrong?" Harry hated that he sounded tearful. He always respected Dumbledore highly and couldn't pretend he wasn't hurt.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Harry." Sirius said gently, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure he has his reasons. And his reasons are usually good."

"Don't worry so much about that, Harry. It's the holidays! We should make the best of it and let Dumbledore and the others figure things out." Lupin said, trying to cheer Harry up.

Harry just nodded and put his head in his hands. How could he possibly enjoy the holidays when he almost killed Mr. Weasley? When he was having these horrendous dreams? When Seamus couldn't even be by his side?

"There something else that's bothering you?" Sirius asked.

"It wasn't just a snake that I saw attacking Mr. Weasley…" Harry said, so softly, the others had to lean in. "I was the snake –"

"Harry, I know what you're thinking," Lupin said, putting up his hand to quiet him. "You couldn't've been the snake."

"How do you know –"

"Because Harry, you were in a room full of other boys. Someone would have seen you leave. And also – Harry, Mr. Weasley was all the way in London when he was attacked. There was no way you would have been able to get there, attack him, and then get back to your room in that span of time." Lupin explained.

"Especially without anyone seeing or hearing you." Sirius added. Harry didn't look convinced though. Sirius suggested Harry go back to sleep and rest, sure he would feel better when he woke up. Harry nodded and headed back to his room.

When Harry next awoke, it was nearly dinner time. He felt well-rested – even better than he had that morning. He laid in bed for a bit, not wanting to get up right away. The door opened just then, and Ron walked in, followed by Hermione.

"Harry!" Just ran in and practically jumped on him. "Oh, I'm so glad you're ok! We were worried sick about you!"

"Hey! When did you get here?" Harry asked, sitting up.

"A few hours ago. We didn't want to wake you. How are you feeling?" Hermione sat on the edge of the bed as she watched Harry putting his glasses on. "Seamus said he was sorry he couldn't go with you."

"Was he upset?" Harry asked, biting his lip.

"Not with you, no!" Hermione said reassuringly. "He was mad Dumbledore wouldn't let him go. Of course, I understand why: He doesn't know about Sirius. You didn't tell Seamus, right?"

"Of course not! I mean, I do trust him enough, though." Harry said, shaking his head. "I wish Dumbledore trusted me enough to let me make that decision."

"Dumbledore does trust you, Harry!" Hermione said sympathetically. "I'm sure he's just trying to be extra cautious to keep Sirius safe."

"I suppose." Harry only half believed her though. He didn't want to get into it. Maybe Sirius and Lupin were right: He should just try and enjoy the holidays.