I'm Ba-ack... Sorry for the wait, but like I said, I was away and had no means of getting this to you. Anyways, I will be back to posting regularly now. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I wasn't totally happy with it, and not much happens, but I promise that things will pick up again soon.

Harry stared at the low ceiling as he listened to Draco sleep. Did he really want to do this? No, he knew that was not the question he should be asking.

He had to do this.

The real question was if he wanted to start without his friends. His thoughts turned to the nightmares he had been having recently. Ones depicting Draco and Voldemort and the Death Eaters. He thought about how all of those nightmares were liable to become reality if Draco and his friends came with him.

Harry quickly made up his mind.

He got out of his bed and redressed, adding on a pair of boots and a jacket. Then, very quietly, he started to repack his trunk. It did not take him very long since he had only had it open for a few days. That was hardly enough time to spread out.

Once he was finished, Harry glanced around the room, making sure he was not forgetting anything. He noticed the invisibility cloak lying on a chair. He had forgotten to mention it to Draco.

Oh well, if they ever saw each other again, Harry would tell him about it.

He shoved it into his pocket and then turned back to his trunk. He took out his wand and used it to shrink the trunk. It was just like he was leaving Malfoy Manor again, only this time he was leaving by himself.

He found his eyes traveling over to where Draco still slept, oblivious. Harry thought about waking him up to say goodbye; however, he knew he could never. Draco would try to stop him.

Instead, Harry decided to leave a note for him to find in the morning. He saw a spare bit of parchment and a quill lying close by. He picked it up and wrote:

Dear Draco,

Dumbledore gave me a mission that I had to complete. It is to find the rest of the Horcruxes and destroy them. I have to find them; it will be the only way to stop Voldemort. I have to stop him because there was a prophecy made about me and him. That is the reason he went after me and my parents. I can't explain it now, but if you talk to Dumbledore, he will explain it.

Be brave, and don't do anything stupid while I am gone. Be careful who you trust with this note. I would only tell two or three others about it if possible. Maybe just Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, they seem trustworthy. Make up some other excuse as to why I left.

I love you like brother which is why I have to leave now to keep you safe. I hope we see each other again someday. However, if I die, which is very possible, just know that you are the best friend I could have ever asked for.

Love, Harry

Yes, this would be good. If someone else were to read it, it would not give away to much. Harry was sure Draco would go to Dumbledore to get answers.

Harry placed it on the table where he was sure Draco would see it. He looked up at Draco once more. A single traitorous tear fell down his face, but he brushed it away.

He turned quickly and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him for the last time.

He started to make his way downstairs and found that it was much harder to be quiet in boots. He hesitated and looked around the kitchen before opening the door.

Harry debated whether or not he should take some food, but he decided against it. He had already been much too loud.

Harry opened the back door and made his way outside as softly as he could. He was outside before he noticed the figure standing just out of sight. He raised his wand and was ready to fire a spell when the figure stepped into the light.

It was Sirius.

Harry sighed heavily. Nothing was ever easy.

"What are you doing?" Sirius asked him.

"Going for a walk of sorts." Harry replied, trying to disguse his bulging pockets.

"Why are you fully dressed then?" Sirius questioned. Harry sighed again.

"How did you know?"

"Dumbledore said you might try to leave tonight, but why?"

"It's a long story."

"I have time," Sirius said, walking to Harry.

"Yes, but I don't."

"Come on, Harry. At least tell me why you have decided to leave so suddenly." Harry hesitated for a moment, but he could not see the harm in telling Sirius.

"Fine," Harry said, taking his usual seat on the steps. Sirius sat, too, and Harry started to talk.

"There are these powerful magical items that I must find to end Voldemort. I am going to go and look for them." Harry talked as quickly as he could, wanting to get away from here as soon as possible.

"Don't you want help? I would have thought you would at least bring Draco, if not anyone else." Sirius said.

"It's too dangerous. I will most likely die on this mission; I can't be responsible for the deaths of everyone else, too."

"I get it," Sirius nodded, "But Dumbledore seemed to want you to wait for your friends."

"I can't," Harry said in despair. "I have to go alone. I don't want to; of course, I don't want to do this alone, but I have to. It is no longer a choice."

"Why?" Sirius asked, "Why does it have to be you? Why not someone else."

"There are many reasons, none of which I can tell you."

"Why not?" Sirius said, clearly starting to get frustrated with Harry.

"Dumbledore told me not to say." He replied simply.

"Oh," Sirius said, deflating some, "Well, okay, then, but you should let someone tag along. You can't do this alone, Harry."

"I know," Harry said quietly, "But I have to try."

"No," Sirius said. "You don't have to try this alone. If you fail, you could die. You have to bring someone with you. You won't be forcing them to do it; they would come of their own free will, and you wouldn't be responsible for their death. That's saying they do die, which is always possible, but the chances are decreased in a group of people." Harry shook his head firmly.

"It's not that simple. I would never be able to take no blame because I will always be the one who invited them to come in the first place. I am fine with the prospect I may die. I have accepted it, and I know this is something I have to do.

"It is different for everyone else. They don't have to do this. There is no reason for them to come. The only reason would be if I brought them, that's it, nothing else. They have no reason to come besides that. I could never forgive myself if one of them died because of me."

Sirius looked at Harry. "Stop thinking about yourself." He said rather sternly. "Draco will be devastated if you go. He will never stop looking for you. He might think the whole thing was staged and blow up on us. Or he might go after you, or worse, Voldemort. If he goes, there is a chance he will die, but at least if he comes with you, you will be there to protect him.

"Also, don't think for a minute the others wouldn't look for you too. They would help Draco every step of the way. If they are with you, you can protect them better than if they were looking for you."

Harry pondered that for a moment. Sirius did make a good point.

"But what if I can't protect them?" he asked.

"Then you will have tried. That is all you can do, try." Harry nodded.

"Okay," He agreed, still unsure of why he was doing so, "I'll wait and ask them to come. Everyone but Ginny. She is still underage and still has the trace on her."

"She won't like that much, but I see your reasoning." Sirius agreed. "Harry, promise me you won't leave before asking them."

"I promise." Harry said, then he saw the look on Sirius's face. It was one of complete disbelief.

"I won't. I swear I won't. You are right. I have to protect them."

"Sure," Sirius said, obviously not believing Harry completely. Harry rose to his feet, and Sirius mirrored him.

"I will be back. I just have to go upstairs and put the note I left for Draco into my trunk before he sees it."

"Okay," Sirius said, "I'll come in and wait for you."

Harry realized what he was doing. Sirius wanted to make sure he didn't leave out of the front door instead.

"Fine," Harry said, and he walked inside. He wasn't going to leave, not right now. He had to protect his friends and, most importantly, Draco.

He crept back up the steps and into his room. He enlarged his trunk and spread out some clothes so Draco couldn't tell he had tried to leave.

He then retrieved the note and stuffed it into his trunk. He would save it, just in case he needed it. Harry removed his jacket and boots and slung the invisibility cloak over the chair again.

Harry took another look at Draco before he left the room. He was still sleeping, oblivious to the events of the night. He had no clue of the dangers of the coming days or of the abnormal things he would learn when he woke. Harry liked him like this, worry-free.

Harry knew the risk he was taking by allowing them to come with him; however, he knew Sirius was right. He needed to be there so that he could protect them.

Harry started to make his way downstairs again and saw Sirius standing by the steps, waiting for him. He was about to say something to him when he paused. He wanted to show Sirius how he was going to listen to what he said.

Harry took out his wand and did a quick spell. He turned completely invisible. He crept carefully down the stairs, past Sirius, and stood behind him.

He quickly undid the spell and then cleared his throat. Sirius jumped a mile and spun around.

"You standing there wouldn't have stopped me from going if I had wanted to, but I am going to listen to you." Sirius looked shocked.

"How did you get past me?"

"I turned invisible." Harry said, "If I hadn't said anything, I could have gotten out of the door and into the yard before you even noticed the door was open. I could have gone. I had the choice, but I decided I would stay."

"I am glad you did." Sirius said, smiling.

"Come into the kitchen, we can sit."

"Sounds good." Harry agreed, and he followed Sirius back into the kitchen.

"I'm going to make hot chocolate. Would you like some?" Sirius asked as Harry sat at the table.

"What?" Harry asked, looking confused.

"Do you want hot chocolate?" When Harry still looked confused, Sirius said, "Haven't you ever had hot chocolate?"

"No." Harry said. "What are you talking about?"

"Wow," Sirius said. "I'll make you some. It's chocolate melted in warm milk. Please tell me you have had chocolate before."

"Sure, once or twice." Harry could see that Sirius didn't know if he was joking or not.

Sirius filled the pan with milk and then retrieved some chocolate from the pantry. "What do you mean once or twice? Didn't you ever have dessert?"

"No, not really. Even when we did, it was rarely chocolate. At the Manor, as well as at Dumrstrang, they like pastries as desserts. Generally, we stay away from cakes, unlike Hogwarts."

"I didn't know that," Sirius said. "How do you know so much about Hogwarts?"

"Reading mostly." Harry replied. "I was curious about it, so I researched it in my spare time. I think I know more about it than even some of the students."

"I don't doubt that. When I was at school, my friends and I found tons of secret passages around the castle. Still, I doubt whether we even found half of them." Harry smiled.

"Even though I technically know where most of them are, I still would have trouble finding my way around if I ever needed to."

"We all do at first, but you get used to it eventually." Sirius said. He started to pour the mixture, which was now a rich dark brown, into two mugs. He held one out to Harry.

"Go on. Try it." Harry accepted the mug and took a swig.

"Wow," he said, "That is one of the best things I have ever had! You have to make more!"

"Now?" Sirius asked with a laugh.

"No, wait till later, but you are making more of this." Harry took another deep sip of the warm, chocolaty goodness.

"So," Sirius said, "Lupin told me you and Draco are going to make him Wolfsbane. He was very pleased."

"Yes," Harry said, putting down his mug. "Draco is going to do it mostly; I am just going to get the ingredients."

"How are you going to get them?"

"Well, first, I'll look in the woods to see if I can find any of them there. I doubt I will, but I have to check. If not, I will have to go to Diagon Ally and buy the stuff. Oh no…" Harry trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked as Harry's face fell.

"Bellatrix used to buy my books and stuff with her money. Now I don't have any to buy stuff with. I'll have to find the stuff or find some money."

"You didn't think your parents left you with nothing, did you?"

"I have money?" Harry asked, bewildered.

"Of course you do, loads of it too. It has remained in Gringotts collecting interest for years. I have your key upstairs."

"Great," Harry said, "I'll have to go there tomorrow." His face fell for a second time.

"What now?" Sirius asked.

"I can't go tomorrow. I have an appointment with the Ministry of Magic."

"What do you mean?" Sirius's eyes snapped up to Harry's. So Harry explained all about meeting the Minister in Dumbledore's office.

"Now he wants me to go to the Ministry to be questioned. I am sure they will try Legilimency, but that is obviously not an issue."

"Who is going with you?" Sirius asked, his brow furrowed.

"No one, as far as I know."

"I'm coming"

"No, you doesn't have to. I'll be perfectly fine on my own."

"I know you will, but I want to make sure of it." Sirius insisted. "I am going to send an owl to Dumbledore."

Sirius walked away before Harry could say another word. Though he would never admit it, Harry was kind of glad Sirius was insisting on coming with him.

He had never once been to the Ministry of Magic before, though now that he was thinking about it, he did not know if Sirius had been there either.

But still, Harry had doubts about whether Sirius would be good to have around. He lost his temper easily and was triggered over small things.

If they tried to torture Harry, which was possible, then Sirius would hate it, even if he knew that Harry was resistant to it. Perhaps it would be better if someone else went with him.

However, he realized there was nothing he could do now. He didn't have an owl, after all, and he would never ask someone else to accompany him. So, Harry just sat at the table and finished the rest of his hot chocolate.

"I just sent the owl to Dumbledore. He should get it and respond by morning." Sirius said as he reentered the room. Harry nodded but didn't say anything. They sat in silence for a while, both not knowing what to say.

"Where is Lupin going to go tomorrow?" Harry asked, needing to break the awkward silence.

"He has a spot he goes to transform. It won't be till night, though."

"It's too bad he can't stay here. Then we could take care of him."

"I was planning on going with him, but Dumbledore said he has a job for me to do tomorrow night, so Remus will be even more alone than normal this round." Sirius said sadly.

"Couldn't someone else do it?" Harry asked.

"Apparently not, or he would have asked someone else. He knew I was going to go with Remus, but he needed me, so it must be important."

"You don't have to come with me tomorrow if you have to get ready for it or something like that." Harry offered.

"No," Sirius said, "I coming with you." Harry started to protest, but Sirius interrupted him. "I know you can take care of yourself, but sometimes having someone with you makes all the difference."

Harry knew this to be true from the many battles he had fought in. "You're right, but if there is something else you should be doing, I could get someone else to come."

"No," Sirius said again, firmer this time, "I am coming." With that, they fell silent again. Harry was amazed at how hard it was to hold a conversation with the older man.

"How is your head?" Sirius asked finally.

"It's fine," Harry shrugged. His head was constantly hurting, but he had gotten used to it.

"Any more dreams?"

"I had one before, but it's not important."

"Lupin said you were in rough shape after."

"He was exaggerating." Harry said simply, getting annoyed with Sirius and his prying.

"See, the thing is, I don't think he was." Sirius said.

"Well, he was, I am sure. What did he say?"

"He said your hand was bleeding profusely, and you looked very pale. Also, it looked like you wanted to vomit, and you were unsteady on your feet." Harry looked down at his hands.

"I wasn't that bad." He said quietly.

"Harry, why don't you just admit you need help? We could get you something for your head, which I know is hurting you right now."

"My head always hurts." Harry said bitterly wondering how Sirius could have known that his scar was playing up again.

"So why don't you ask for help? We have stuff for things like this."

"Things like what, exactly?" Harry asked, looking up.

"Headaches, curses, I don't know, whatever is wrong. We could try stuff. Why don't you want to try? Why hide your pain?"

"Why not? What do you care? Your head isn't the one being torn open every few hours." Harry said, getting mad.

"I care because I care about you, Harry. We all care about you and don't want to see you in pain." Sirius insisted.

"There is nothing you can do." Harry said, "Even Dumbledore didn't know what to do. I have to just live with it. Nothing can be done about it."

"How do you know, though? What if there is something that helps?"

"There won't be, not for something like this. Do you think I didn't already try to find a cure?" Harry hadn't, of course, but Sirius didn't know that. He now knew the only way of stopping this was to kill Voldemort.

"What if you just need help? Why are you so against people helping you?" Harry stood abruptly. "I am not against people helping me; I am against them dying for me. Perhaps you have yet to realize this, but Voldemort is after me. He will kill me the first chance he gets, and I will not allow anyone to get killed in the crossfire."

Harry turned and walked out of the room. He heard Sirius call his name, but he didn't look back. Harry crept back up the steps and into his room, closing the door softly behind him.