Even Heroes Can Bleed

"Wake up, Harry."

Harry stirred. He must have been lying on a table of some sort. He felt a cold metal around both of his wrists and ankles. Slowly, with great effort, Harry opened his eyes to the horror he was in.

Tall, black men stood above him, laughing cruelly, wands pointed at his weak chest. And there, by his head, stood a man...no a snake. Voldemort. At once, Harry slammed shut his eyes.

"Wake up Harry." No, Harry thought, keep my eyes shut.

"Wake up Harry...wake up...HARRY!"

"HARRY!" someone above him shouted. Harry opened his eyes as he slowly got out of his dream.

"Oh, Ron," Harry sighed. "Good morning."

"Harry, you sleep like a rock," Ron said. "Anyway, Hermione wanted you. Remember, we are supposed to write our Potions Essay's. Good thing we've got all day."

Now he remembered. Today was Saturday and they were all going to write those Essays while Hermione gave them pointers on how to do it.

"So, sleep well?" Ron asked. "You're shaking...did you know?" Harry stared at his hands, he was shaking and he couldn't stop.

"Umm...I slept alright..." Harry stuttered. "You?"

"Fine...had a terrible dream that you and Hermione were spiders though...hmm..." Harry smiled at this comment. "Harry, I know you're lying to me...I won't tell Mione, but, I am not THAT stupid." With that, Ron left the Dorm, leaving Harry alone.

Wake up, Harry...he could still hear those words as if Voldemort was whispering them into his ear that very second. He shuddered as he stood up to get dressed.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled. "Over here!" Harry raced across the common room to meet Hermione and Ron.

"Good morning," Harry said as he sat down.

"Sleep well?" she asked as if she knew the answer.

"Yes, I-I did...you?" Harry lied quickly. Hermione cocked an eyebrow and stared at him.

"No-no you didn't," Hermione said. "And you don't have you lie to me do you? Ron here told me all about it."

"RON!" Harry snapped. Ron's lip trembled a bit and he stared at his shoes.

"She forced it out of me...that, that...witch!"

"Thank you Ron," Hermione slyly said to the "witch" comment.

"She's evil, I tell you! The DEVIL!"

"Enough Ron!" Hermione and Harry snapped. Ron continued to look at his shoes.

"What happened Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Er...I can't remember," Harry lied not so smoothly. Hermione stood up and snapped her book shut.

"Fine, don't tell me!" she snapped as she stormed from the table.

"Ron...did you have to tell her?" Harry asked.

"She made me," Ron whimpered. "Harry, she's evil, scary and...and...well, dangerous..."

"I've seen worse," Harry said. Ron smiled at Harry.

"Yeah, I guess I have too," Ron said.

"I'll go make up with her...," Harry said as he stood.

"Why?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"Because, I really need help with my potions essay," Harry sighed as he crossed the room to see Hermione.

"Oh...what do you want" Hermione asked when he got there. She was huddled in a corner with books and parchment and quills everywhere around her. Her essay was now 18 scrolls, going on nineteen.

"Erm...I can to apologize..." Harry said quietly, sitting down next to her and moving one of her five books.

"I'm intrigued, go on..." Hermione muttered, looking at her essay and scribbling down her next paragraph.

"Well, you are my friend and..." Harry began. "...and I shouldn't keep things from you and..."

"You need my help with the Potions Essay." Damn, she saw right through him.

"Well, that too, but, I'd rather fail potions than loose my friend." Wow, that was probably the most well spoken thing he had said all year. A little corny, but sweet all the same.

Hermione seemed to like it. She looked at him and smiled. "Really? That is so sweet Harry." With that, she kissed him on the cheek and started gathering her papers.

"Let's go to the Boys Dorm to, ahem, talk and do our essays."

"Umm...why?"

"It's private and Parvati and Lavender are mindlessly giggling in my dorm."

"Oh," Harry said. "You drag Ron up there and I'll carry your things."

"Thanks Harry. Be there in a minute!" With that, Hermione raced off happily to grab Ron. Harry, slowly, carried, no, heaved Hermione's books and things to the dorm.

"So, Harry, what happened?" Hermione asked.

"Erm...well," Harry stammered.

"Harry, come on now. Tell us!" Ron said excited, yet nervously.

"Ok, one second..." Harry snapped. "Ok, I just woke up and somebody kept saying..."

Harry explained every detail that he could remember. Hermione and Ron sat in shock, Ron in fear, as he told them.

"So-so...he's back?" Ron whispered.

"No, it was just a nightmare, right?" Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, that's exactly what it was," Harry agreed. "Just a dream."

"You-you sure?" Ron asked.

"Positive!" Harry and Hermione said together.

"Ok-ok," Ron said, a little comforted.

"Harry, you've got to get him out of your mind...finals are coming up soon..."

"Oh Hermione, it's November!" Ron snapped. "Finals aren't for months!"

"Well, he'll still need his mind for studies," Hermione replied rudely.

"I'm fine...honestly!" Harry said. "Thank you for your concern, Hermione, but I have plenty of time until finals." Hermione glared at Ron who now was laughing hysterically.

"Well, he'll still need to keep his head during classes!" Hermione snapped.

"Ok, Mione, I'll keep that in mind," Harry laughed.

"Good, now, let's finish those essays," Hermione said, picking up her quill and scroll 20. Ron and Harry looked at each other smirking as they each picked up a scroll of their own.

Meanwhile, a tiny beetle flew off the windowsill and out to the Hogwarts grounds. It flew away swiftly from the school and out into the real world.

The Great Hall was empty when the three of them arrived. They were fairly early, but, they sat down just the same.

"So, Mione, what do you want to do when you get out?" Ron asked.

"Get out?" Hermione replied, puzzled.

"You know, Hogwarts...what do you want to do?"

"I'm not quite sure...there are so many fascinating jobs out there...so many options...you Ron?"

"I want to be an Auror!" Ron said, waving his wand around. "You Harry?"

"I don't know," Harry shrugged. "Haven't thought about it."

"Well Harry, "Witch's Weekly" is sure that you'll be an Auror," Hermione stated.

"What?" Harry and Ron asked. Hermione sighed and grabbed the magazine from her book bag. "Page 54."

Harry flipped through the pages until he saw a picture of himself on one of them. He skimmed the article. At the last paragraph, it talked about Harry's future.

Harry Potter is destined to be a famous Auror like Mad-Eye-Moody to defend the innocent from the dark arts, so as to save any would be Lily's and James's.

"I see where they got that," Ron said, reading the article now, "But the most eligible bachelor for teens?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"What, thought it would be you?" she asked.

"Well, no," Ron said quietly. The Great Hall quickly began to fill, and soon, everyone was there, merrily sitting and chatting. After a few minutes, the food began to appear. Rich potatoes, roast beef, loafs of very desirable bread and steaming vegetables.

Ron quickly dove into the food and happily dished up mountains of everything. Hermione stared at him, disgusted while Harry laughed at the look on her face.

"Ron, you look like a pig, you know?" Hermione snapped.

"And?" Ron mumbled, eating his meat.

"Nevermind." Harry dished himself up some food and joined in Ron while Hermione turned away, muttering "Boys," to herself. Harry and Ron silently laughed together and continued eating.

By the time dessert appeared, both boys were too full to even look at it and left the Great Hall, making jokes that weren't so funny, but laughing anyway. Hermione followed them up the Gryffindor Common room quickly, but unnoticed, or so she thought.

Harry and Ron stopped suddenly in the hallway.

"Hermione," Harry called. "We know your back there." Hermione ran up and walked by them.

"Hello Mione," Ron yawned. "I am so tired."

"Me too," Harry yawned back.

"Harry, if you have a dream, come get me," Hermione said urgently.

"Oh, you want me to foolishly run into the Girls Dorm and risk waking up the other girls just to tell you I had a nightmare. Thanks but no thanks, Mione."

"Fine Harry, run to Ron," Hermione said.

"Hermione," Ron moaned. "I'm tired, I don't want Harry waking me up to tell me he had a bad dream."

"Boys," Hermione snapped and she stormed off. Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged. She'd get over it by tomorrow.

The two of them dragged themselves up the stairs and almost fell into bed, but instantly fell into a deep sleep.

"Harry, wake up."

Harry opened his eyes and saw the tall men again, and Voldemort above him. He felt the cold metal against his wrists and his ankles once again.

"What?" harry whispered. If it was a dream, he couldn't get hurt and he could control it. It's his head. Harry decided to figure this out.

"Hello Potter," Voldemort hissed. "Glad you are awake. Yes, this is a dream, Potter, but you are wrong about two things." Voldemort pulled a shiny dagger out and raised it. "First, try as you might, you can't control it. And second, you will feel pain." Fiercely, Voldemort slammed the dagger into Harry's shoulder. Crimson blood oozed over his clothes as he screamed a piercing scream. He could barely hear it, but knew that the Death Eaters were laughing at his pain.

Voldemort pulled the knife out and the blood oozed more freely over his clothes. Harry started taking deep breathes, gritting his teeth, he tried to stop screaming. Voldemort laughed his shrill, cold laugh.

The pain, the laughing, the metal against his wrists. The scene flickered away, soon a blur of color and then black...

"Harry!" Ron yelled. Harry opened his eyes slowly. Ron and Hermione were standing over him. He was back in the dorm, safe again.

"Oh Harry, you were screaming so terribly. And, you are bleeding Harry!" Hermione whimpered. Harry turned his head and saw the knife wound. The pain was slowly coming back.

"You woke everyone up Harry!" Ron said. "They're all out in the common room."

"Fred and George ran off to get Professor Dumbledore, they should be back soon."

"Everyone thought you were dying." Hermione grabbed his sheets and applied pressure to the wound. Harry grunted a little.

"You really are bleeding."

"Badly," Ron commented.

Harry slowly closed his eyes, wanting to escape everything.

"HARRY NO!" Ron and Hermione screamed. "STAY AWAKE!"

"DON'T GO!"

"HE'S WAITING FOR YOU!"

"Stay strong," Hermione whispered in his ear. "Harry, stay strong."

Harry struggled, but kept his eyes open. Everything was blurry, Hermione and Ron stood above him, he thought.

A loud noise. The sound of something slamming against the wall. People running into the room.

"Harry!" Dumbledore said urgently. Harry stared, not really seeing. "Harry, stay with us Harry, it'll be fine. Stay with us!" He waved his wand and something long appeared and soon, Harry was laying on it and flying away.

People stared at him as he passed. Dumbledore was running swiftly, for his age.

Out the Portrait Hole, down the corridor. Harry stayed awake. Blood fell over his shoulder quickly, some onto the floor.

"POPPY!"

Harry slowly opened his eyes. The pain was gone from his shoulder, but it was bandaged and the once white fabric was now red with bloodstain. Harry looked the other way to see Hermione sleeping in a chair next to his bed and Ron in a chair next to her.

Hermione stirred and opened her eyes. Her face lit up when she saw that he was all right.

"Ron," she whispered. "Ron...RON!"

Ron jumped up, awake, but angry.

"What?" he asked.

"Shh, you'll be kicked out," Harry whispered. Ron looked at Harry and his face lit up too.

"You, you're alright?" Ron asked.

"Why is the wound still there Mione?" Harry asked.

"Madame Pomfrey tried to get rid of it, nothing worked at all. It was strange."

"How long have I been out?"

"A day," Ron said.

"Oh," Harry said. "How are you?"

"We are fine. We aren't being stalked in our heads!" Ron said, pointing at his head.

"He has a point," Hermione said, "How are you is the question."

"Fine," Harry lied. He was terribly worried. Voldemort still hated him obviously. But why didn't he just kill him already? He could if he wanted to.

"Harry, he could have killed you!" Hermione said.

"Yeah, and it's only November!" Ron stated.

"What has that got to do with anything?" Hermione snapped.

"Well, all the "You Know Who" stuff happens at the end of the year usually. Plus, he has more time to kill him now. He has all year, rather than a month!"

"Ron," Hermione sighed, shaking her head.

""It doesn't matter how much time he has, he could've killed me last night."

"I wonder why he didn't? What is his plan now?" Ron asked. "If he was smart, he would've...not that I want him to!"

"I know that Ron!" Harry said. "I didn't think you were a Death Eater."

"Good," Ron sighed.

"Only Ron would worry about that," Hermione stated.

"Alright! He's awake! It's time to leave you two!" Madame Pomfrey shrieked.

"But," Harry said.

"No buts! Out!" Madame Pomfery said.

"Bye Harry," Ron said.

"See you later," Hermione said, worried, as the two of them left the hospital wing. Harry stared at the ceiling, thinking. Why didn't Voldemort kill him? One curse, or that knife in his heart would have killed him.

"Mr. Potter," Madame Pomfrey said. "Professor Dumbledore is on his way down here. He wants you to stay awake and not to think about what happened. He also wanted you to know that he is bringing a dog with him."

Harry looked at her. "A dog?"

"Yes, he is the Headmaster...but a dog! Honestly!" With that, she turned around, complaining about the dog. Harry smiled. Sirius was coming to see him again. It had been a while since he saw his godfather.

He heard a happy bark from outside and soon, a big black dog ran in, followed by Dumbledore.

"I've sent Poppy away and told her not to disturb us," Dumbledore said. "Sirius, if you please." The dog nodded and turned quickly into the ungroomed man that was Harry's godfather.

"Harry!" Sirius said happily, hugging him.

"Ow!" Sirius backed up quickly. Harry was looking at his shoulder.

"Harry! What happened?" Sirius asked. "I heard you were hurt, but why is the wound still there? Someone should have a word with Poppy and..."

"Sirius, calm down," Dumbledore said. "She could not remove the wound. I could not remove the wound. No one could at all."

"Why not?" Sirius asked.

"Because, Voldemort did not want us to be able to remove the wound."

"Voldemort?" Sirius asked, sinking to a chair and clutching his heart.

"Yes, Sirius," Dumbledore said. "Voldemort."

"Oh God."

"I know," Dumbledore said. Then, he turned to Harry. "We need to know what happened in your dream, Harry. We need to know every detail."

Harry explained everything to them, from the table to the knife. Sirius sat silent for the most part. When he did protest, Dumbledore quickly silenced him and bid Harry to continue.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Ron sat in the common room, looking in a spell book Hermione checked out from the library.

"Here it is!" she said at last, they had been looking for at least a couple of hours in at least five 500 page books. "Joining dreams!"

"Cool!" Ron said. "So, we're gonna do this tonight?"

"Only if we hear him scream. If we don't, there isn't a point in going in his mind."

"Oh...ok," Ron said.

"Harry, I don't know why, but Voldemort must want you in pain, but he wants you alive," Dumbledore said. "I'll try to figure this out. Now Harry, I would like you to stay here tonight. Sirius will be with you."

"Can Hermione and Ron..."

"Yes, I'll have them down here as soon as possible. If you are feeling better, you may go to classes tomorrow." Dumbledore turned around and left the hospital wing. Sirius looked at Harry.

"I am so sorry Harry," he said.

"Why? You aren't in my head," Harry said.

"It's just..."

"It's not your fault," Harry said, puzzled on how he got to that conclusion. "Seriously, it's not your fault at all." Sirius nodded, not convinced and turned into a dog. He slowly curled up at the side of Harry's bed, not asleep.

"Thanks for coming," Harry said.

"Harry!" Ron yelled, coming into the room.

"Ron, do you want to get us thrown out?" Hermione hissed. "Look, Sirius is here too!"

"Hello," Harry said.

"You ok yet?" Ron asked, sitting down in Sirius's chair.

"No, but I'll manage," Harry said.

"That's good," Hermione said, pulling up another chair and sitting on the other side of Harry.

"So, are you...umm...afraid to go to sleep?" Ron asked.

"Oh, Potter, you scared of the boogie man still?" a cold drawl came from the door. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were standing there, smirking.

Sirius growled and Ron glared at them.

"Malfoy, you shouldn't be here!" Hermione snapped.

"I have a right, mud blood!" Malfoy said.

Sirius jumped up and growled even more, ready to charge. "Sirius! NO!" Ron yelled. Malfoy looked up at him, curiously.

"Sirius, Weasley?" he asked, "Strange name for a dog...a big BLACK dog...put two and two together and you get, Sirius Black. Harboring criminals, Potter?"

"You think that Harry would go near the man who killed his own parents? How dumb are you Malfoy?" Hermione snapped. At that, Malfoy frowned and left, Crabbe and Goyle quickly following.

"Sorry about that comment, they still don't know the truth," Hermione apologized. The dog nodded and curled back up on the floor.

"So, Harry, are you going to go to classes tomorrow?" Ron asked.

"I think so," Harry said.

"I hope so!" Hermione said, "You'll need that information for finals!"

Harry and Ron looked at each other, disgusted. Hermione sighed. "You might not care, but I want to pass and graduate next year! If you don't go to class tomorrow, I'll bring you all of the homework we get and teach you anything we learn."

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said, sincerely.

"You're welcome," she said.

"So, what time is it?" Harry asked.

"It's almost six o'clock," Ron said, looking at his watch.

"So, what do you want to do?" Harry asked. Before Ron could say a word, Hermione pulled out a huge book and opened it. Harry looked at the page.

"Joining Dreams?" Harry asked.

"Yes, if you scream tonight, we are going in there!" Hermione said happily. Sirius turned into a person.

"Me too!" he said quickly. "I have a wand now. I know that spell."

"No!" Harry said.

"Sorry Harry. You-Know-Who isn't getting you this time!" Ron said.

"It's dangerous, he could kill you!" Harry protested.

"But he could kill you! Besides, we can get out at any time," Hermione said.

"I don't think..."

"Harry, as your godfather, I have to look out for you! Now, if you scream tonight, I will be there to protect you, no matter what!" Sirius said. Harry sighed.

"There isn't a way for me to change your minds, is there?" he asked.

"Nope!" Ron said.

"Please, don't do this," Harry pleaded.

"Sorry Harry, I don't want that creep to hurt you again," Hermione said. "Now, just relax."

"Relax? My friends and godfather are committing suicide and you want me to relax?" Harry asked.

"We won't die," Ron said.

"Trust us Harry," Sirius said.

"Harry, we want to help! Maybe we can get rid of You-Know-Who!" Hermione said.

"It'll be interesting to be in the head of "Witch's Weekly's" most eligible bachelor!" Ron laughed. Harry and Hermione smiled, almost laughed at this.

"What are you talking about?" Sirius asked, intrigued.

The sun had long since set, but Harry wouldn't sleep. He struggled to keep awake. Hermione and Ron were asleep and Sirius was still on the floor, a dog again. Harry couldn't tell if he was sleeping too. It was maybe midnight or one o'clock.

Harry needed sleep if he wanted to go to class, but he didn't want his friends dead either. He sighed and stared at the wall. If only he had distraction. At this rate, he would be asleep in minutes. His eyes began to close slowly. He tried to keep them open, but it was useless. His eyes shut, and minutes later, he was asleep.

"Back again, Harry."

He felt the metal again and the hard wood table he was laying on.

"So, your friends want to help you? How interesting."

Harry quickly opened his eyes. Voldemort was sitting in a chair, right by his head yet again.

"You're watching me?" Harry asked. Voldemort smiled coldly, but ignored his question.

"If they hear you scream, they'll come," Voldemort said. "Hmm..."

"Please..." Harry said.

"Please what, Harry?" Voldemort asked. "Spare your friends? Let you go?" Harry shut his eyes. If he just had stayed awake. Hermione, Ron, Sirius. They were as good as dead now. The Death Eaters still were there. Three to thirty.

"Yes Harry, they are as good as dead," Voldemort said.

Harry forgot that here, Voldemort could read his mind. Damn him, that bastard.

"Harry, that was very rude of you to point that out!" Voldemort shrieked, pretending to be shocked and offended. "Well, well, well, I'll have to teach you a lesson. Hmm...I know!"

Voldemort whipped out his wand and pointed it at Harry. "Crucio!"

Hermione, Ron and Sirius woke up to a piercing shriek. The looked up and saw Harry, writhing, and twitching in his sleep. His eyes rolling madly in his head and screaming loudly.

"Well, here we go!" Hermione said, whipping out her wand.

"Don't worry Harry, we're coming," Sirius said.

The pain slowly died and Harry opened his eyes.

"They're coming Harry...soon, Harry," Voldemort said.

If only he could talk to them. His only family, his best friends, gone.

"Your only family Harry? What about those muggles?"

The Dursleys? They aren't his family. They hate him, the feeling is mutual. Harry thought of third year, he was so close to leaving the Dursleys for good and then...

"Wormtail ran away, right Harry?" Voldemort asked. "Aw, here they are..."

"HARRY!" Hermione yelled. "Oh my..." She, Ron and Sirius saw him lying there, chained like an animal.

"LEAVE! HE'S GOING TO KILL..." Harry began. His voice died completely before he could finish his sentence. Now he could do nothing, nothing at all. He'd have to watch them die, they would die, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Let him go!" Sirius yelled. Voldemort smiled and held up a key. He then threw it behind all of the Death Eaters.

"If you can get the key, you can go and I'll leave Potter alone," Voldemort said. Sirius looked and Hermione and Ron.

"Stay here and back me up," he said.

"Sirius, I don't think..." Hermione started.

"And if anything bad happens, get out," Sirius continued, ignoring Hermione.

"All right," Ron and Hermione (reluctantly) said.

"Good," Sirius said. He then turned back to the Death Eaters and Voldemort.

"Ready to die Black?" Voldemort asked.

Sirius frowned and walked forward, his wand pointed. Harry could not watch, but he could not keep his eyes off Sirius. He was dead.

Sirius then ran and all the Death Eaters did charms. Then he did something clever, something Voldemort couldn't have guessed. He turned into a dog and ran between their legs.

"GET HIM!" Voldemort shrieked. "GET THAT DOG!"

Death Eaters were falling down as the dog passed between their legs. They were all confused and angry, falling as they tried to stand up, tripping over other Death Eaters.

"GET HIM! GET HIM!"

Sirius had the key and was running back to Hermione and Ron, who were cursing Death Eaters left and right. He was going to make it, by some miracle; he was going to make it.

"AVADA KERDAVERA!" Voldemort shrieked. The spell hit Sirius and the dog yelped and then fell limp. Harry would have screamed, except that he couldn't make a sound.

"NO!" Hermione shouted. Ron ran to the dog and picked up the key.

"We've got the key!" Ron said. "Now let Harry go!"

"No, the deal was for Sirius...and he's dead," Voldemort hissed. Hermione, in tears, disappeared and Ron followed. Harry stared at the dog, limp on the ground. He was so close, and so foolish.

If only he had listened to Harry. If only they didn't come. It was all his fault; Sirius was dead, all his fault.

"Yes Harry, it is all your fault..." Voldemort said cruelly.

Harry wished to die, die along with Sirius.

"Sorry Potter, you can't die...not just yet...though I would love to kill you..."

"You can wake up now, Harry."

Harry's eyes opened. Sirius was on the ground, dead and limp by his bed. Ron and Hermione were sitting in tears.

"Harry, we tried," Hermione whimpered. "We tried."

"I-I...can't believe," Ron sobbed.

"It's all my fault," Harry said.

"No, it isn't Harry," Hermione said. "He wants you to believe that."

"Someone should get Dumbledore," Ron said.

"Already here," Dumbledore said. He looked very angry. "I've been here since you three jumped into his head. Sirius was the last one out and I tried to tell him...I thought that you would have better judgement than that, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley. I want you two to go to your dormitories and stay there." Ron and Hermione, heads bowed left the hospital wing.

"He's dead," Harry said, staring at Sirius. He tried to hold back the tears, but it was useless. They streamed down his cheeks and hit the bed. Dumbledore sat down next to him.

"I am terribly sorry about this Harry," Dumbledore said. Harry could not take his eyes off him. He was lying there, limp and cold. And that was his fault, his fault.

"It is not your fault Harry," Dumbledore said. "You told him not to, you warned him. His blind stupidity caused this. He was a great man, and he loved you like a son."

Dumbledore stood up and started to walk to the door. "Harry, you do not have to go to class tomorrow. But please, keep him and his death a secret." Dumbledore waved his wand, a stretcher appeared, and Sirius was on it. Dumbledore and Sirius left the room. Harry looked at the wall, his hands clutched into fists. He would kill him. It was time for Voldemort to die, and die slowly.

Harry decided to go to class the next day to get his mind off things. Everyone stared at him as he walked with Ron and Hermione in the halls, or sat as he scribbled notes in class. It got distracting, but was hell in Potions.

"Hey, Potter!" Malfoy yelled. "Having nightmares?" Harry looked at Ron and Hermione.

"How would he know that?" Harry asked.

"Oh, not just me Potter," Malfoy said, coming up behind him and holding up The Daily Prophet. "There's an interesting article in here about you."

Harry grabbed at the paper, but Malfoy quickly pulled it away.

"Give it here, Malfoy," Harry said. Malfoy shook his head. Crabbe and Goyle snickered at Harry's frustration.

"Harry, just ignore them. I have a copy." Hermione dug through her book bag and handed him The Daily Prophet.

"It's Rita Skeeter," Hermione said. "Blast her."

"She must have been there while we were talking," Harry said angrily. "How, I thought you stopped her, Mione."

"Maybe she registered," Hermione shrugged. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were making jokes to the Slytherins about the article.

Harry finished reading the paper as Snape came up the corridor and class started. It had everything Harry said to Hermione and Ron. That was a private conversation he had had, which made him angry and very irritable, more so than he was before.

"Potter!" Snape yelled in the middle of class.

"Yes Professor," Harry said.

"Are you paying attention?" Snape asked coldly.

"Yes," Harry answered.

"Then tell me, what am I talking about?" Harry told him everything, every detail, for indeed he had been paying attention, to keep from beating up Malfoy or thinking of Sirius.

Snape glared at Harry and then continued the lesson. Hermione gave him a thumbs up and Ron was trying to hold in laughter at the look on Snape's ugly face.

After Potions, the three of them walked down the hall, again, everyone stared.

"That was good," Hermione said. "You really are getting into your studies."

"I'm going to kill him," Harry said quietly.

"Harry, not here," Hermione said.

"Yeah, there are a lot of people here," Ron said.

Harry stared at the ground as the three of them walked out of the dungeons and back to the Gryffindor Common Room. His heart ached and he wanted Voldemort dead. He wanted to kill him himself, make it slow, make it painful.

Harry plopped into an armchair by the fire. People were staring at him and whispering and he did not care.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked, sitting next to him.

"What do you think Mione?" Ron asked. "Look at him! He can't sleep and well, you know!"

"Remember, Skeeter might be here. Don't say anything you wouldn't want in the papers," Hermione said in a hushed voice.

"Then I won't talk," Harry said.

"Harry, we are going to need to talk some time!" Ron said.

"Then don't say anything she'll understand," Hermione said.

"There is one thing I need to say," Harry said. "Don't you ever do what you did last night again!"

"We won't," Hermione said.

"We promise," Ron added. "It was Hermione though!"

"Ron!" Hermione snapped. "Yes, Harry, it was dumb."

"Now that that is settled, let's talk about something else..."

The next morning, Harry was very tired and dark rings were under his eyes.

"Harry? You ok?" Hermione asked.

"You didn't sleep, did you?" Ron asked.

"Not at all," Harry yawned.

"Just stay awake for classes," Hermione said. "I mean, you'll start screaming and..."

"I know Mione, thanks for reminding me," Harry said sleepily.

Harry could barely walk straight through the halls or keep his eyes open in classes. Hermione and Ron guided him for the whole day as he stumbled and as the Slytherins laughed and pointed.

"Just ignore them Harry," Hermione said. "Just concentrate on walking straight." At last, the day was over and he could get some rest. Rest? No, he couldn't sleep. Voldemort was waiting for him to go to sleep again.

"I can't do this," Harry said. "I can't sleep, but I can't not sleep."

"I know," Hermione said.

"Well, what are you going to do?" Ron asked.

"That's the question," Harry said. What was he going to do? There was little hope of being able to never sleep again and there wasn't a way Harry was going to see Voldemort again and let him do this to him.

"I can't go to sleep at night," Harry said, "so I'll fail my classes and eventually get killed."

"Harry, be positive!" Hermione said.

"Just drink a lot of coffee!" Ron added. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"By any chance, do you have any?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't carry coffee with me," Hermione said.

"Well, why don't you do a fancy charm and make some, Mione?" Ron asked.

"Because, no magic in the hallways," Hermione snapped. "Can't break the rules now!"

"Oh, and jumping into Harry's head two nights ago is ok?" Ron asked. Harry and Hermione both smacked him.

"You idiot!" Harry snapped.

"Did you forget, Skeeter?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, yeah...whoops," Ron said.

"If this is in the paper tomorrow," Harry said as the approached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"I'm sorry!" Ron whined.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.

Harry didn't sleep that night either, though he almost fell into a deep slumber once, or twice. When this happened, he made a nice cup of caffeine coffee appear, just like Ron said before.

Harry staggered to the Great Hall and sat down next to Hermione, who was glaring fiercely at Ron, who was staring at his shoes.

"What happened?" Harry asked, noticing that many people were staring at him.

"Read," Hermione snapped, shoving him the paper. Harry looked at the headline and then glared at Ron too.

"In Harry Potter's Dreams?" Harry asked Ron and he whimpered.

"Don't hurt me!"

"Oh Ron, you idiot, no one is going to hurt you," Hermione said, "Just watch your mouth. And in the article, it talks about Snuffles."

"Oh you mean..." Ron began.

"Ron?!" Harry snapped.

"Sorry," he said quickly.

"Malfoy, he's the only one who could've," Harry said after yawning.

"That's what I guessed," Hermione said. "You didn't sleep last night either, did you?"

"No, I didn't," Harry said. "I took Ron's advice about the coffee though. It worked well."

"Good," Ron said.

"No, caffeine gives you a temporary boost of energy. Now that you can't get it, you'll," Hermione began.

"Wrong, Mione," Harry interrupted. "I made some nice little caffeine pills to last me the day."

"Smart Harry," Hermione said. "So, now Rita can say you are an addict. And if the teachers see you taking them..."

"Then I'll explain," Harry said. "And I don't care if Rita says I'm a drug addict as long as she keeps away from what's important."

"She will you know," Ron said.

"Yes, I know," Harry said. That's the point."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow and Ron stared.

"You want the public to think you are on drugs?" Ron asked.

"Not to cut in, but..." someone piped up from next to Ron.

"Ginny, don't you have better things to do?" Ron snapped.

"No," she said and looked at Harry. "Harry, why do you want her to tell the world?"

"Ginny, not now, later, ok?" Harry asked.

"See Ron," Ginny said. "Harry is so much nicer than you are." Ginny then turned and reentered a conversation with her friends.

"So Harry, we'd better get to class," Hermione said. Harry, Ron and Hermione all got up and left the Great Hall together. Harry popped one of the pills in his mouth and swallowed. He just hoped Rita Skeeter saw that.

If Rita Skeeter saw him popping a pill, maybe, just maybe, she would be distracted from the Voldemort situation and tell the world it was all a hallucination because of his "drug addiction." That way, the people would not have anything to fear and he would not have people staring with fear at him, he would just have people thinking he was a druggie. It was better than the thought of Voldemort.

Harry had a smile on his face at Transfiguration and actually managed to turn his fish into a dish, and a pretty one too. Hermione was impressed with his work for being under "such stress."

All and all, the day was a total success for him, though teachers and peers were staring at him all day.

Harry didn't sleep the next night, and the caffeine was having less effect on him. IF he went for a higher dose, then he could very well become addicted to caffeine pills and very well become the addict that he was pretending to be.

It was all over the school that Harry Potter was doing drugs. There was even a lovely picture of the pill. Well, Voldemort was out of the picture. Unless he didn't become a druggie, Voldemort would be back in the news and the jig would be up.

"Harry," Ginny whispered in his ear that night in the common room.

"What, Ginny?" he asked.

"So, are you...really...you know...taking drugs?" Ginny asked. She actually believed it. She was hard to lie to, so everybody must believe it now. Harry smiled at her.

"No," he said happily.

"Then...what about..."

"The article? The picture? That's just a fake to get Rita off my case about...you know who," he whispered in her ear. She flinched when he said you know who.

"So he's really back?" she whispered back.

Harry nodded his head slightly and Ginny flinched again.

"It'll be all right, I promise," Harry said. Ginny smiled and left to talk to her own friends. Harry soon saw why. Ron was coming over there and he usually yelled at her.

"Hello Harry," Ron said. "How's, you know, the pills going?"

"Fine," Harry lied.

"Liar!" Hermione snapped as she ran up. "You've made twice as many!"

"And?" Harry and Ron asked.

"Meaning, soon, you really will be addicted."

"That's a problem Harry," Ron said. "Unless you like doing drugs."

"Caffeine isn't illegal or anything!" Harry retorted. "Besides, it's perfectly safe!"

"Harry, you can't just not sleep!" Hermione said.

"It's been two days," Harry began.

"And you look like hell," Ron interrupted.

"I don't care," Harry said stubbornly.

"And you can't hide forever!" Hermione added.

"I don't care!"

"Soon, caffeine won't work at all and then what?" Hermione said.

"And then I'll find something else," Harry commented.

"That's just like a real druggie would say," Ron said.

"What are you, my mother?" Harry yelled.

"NO, SHE'S DEAD!" Ron shouted. Harry froze dead and stared at Ron. Hermione looked away quickly and shook her head.

"Drop it Ron," Hermione snapped.

"NO, MIONE!" Ron yelled, "Harry! She didn't run! You don't have to either!" This was probably the most educated, yet foolish thing he had ever said. By now, the whole common room was listening, in dead silence, without a clue.

"Ron, that's enough," Hermione snapped.

"So, you want me dead then, do you?" Harry asked.

"No Harry," Ron said, quieter now. "I just would rather you stop hiding and face it rather than kill yourself with...with...those...PILLS!"

"CAFEINE NEVER HURT ANYBODY!" Harry shouted.

"He has a point, Harry! If you don't quit...maybe, we should take this somewhere else..." Hermione cut off. Every Gryffindor was staring at them, wide-eyed and very puzzled.

"Oh, yeah," Ron said, quite and embarrassed.

"Yeah," Harry said. The three of them left the common room in a flash, followed by Ginny who tagged along.

"Hermione, Ron, what's going on?" she asked in the hallway. Harry was way ahead of them. Ron was right. He couldn't stay awake forever. Like his mum, like Sirius, he had to face his fears.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted, running down the hallway. Ron and Ginny followed quickly.

"What if he kills me, Mione?" Harry asked quietly. "What if I flip out again? What if..."

"And what if the world ended today Harry?" Hermione asked. "You can't stop everything Harry. You aren't Super Man."

"I should be," Harry said.

"No Harry, you are who are, and that's who you're meant to be," Ginny said softly.

"Since when were you so smart?" Ron asked rudely.

"I've always been smart Ron!" Ginny snapped.

"Just like you've always been dumb," Hermione added. "Now, Harry. It's time you got some sleep."

"HEY!" Ron shouted, finally getting her comment.

"Yeah, I guess you are right, how do you manage to always be right?" Harry said, completely ignoring Ron.

"It's a girl thing," Hermione and Ginny chorused.

"It's like the planned that," Ron whispered to himself.

"Harry, this sounds dumb, but, good luck sleeping tonight!" Ginny said.

"You're right, that did sound dumb," Ron snorted.

"Thanks Ginny," Harry said. "You know, sleep really does sound good now."

"Yeah, well, it is nine and you haven't slept for two days," Hermione said.

"True, very true," Harry said.

"Now, go to bed. Well be right there if anything..."

"No, Mione, no more of that "Dream Joining"," Harry said firmly.

"No, I meant by your side...your body's side," Hermione quickly said.

"Remember what happened last time," Harry said.

"I know, I know," Ron said, holding up his hands.

"What happened?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Nothing squirt," Ron snapped. "No shut it and let the us finish."

"Ron, you are so rude!" Hermione snapped.

"Well, she's a little tag-a-long and..."

"...is your sister and a human being!" Hermione finished for him.

"Anyway, I'll be going," Harry said, turning around. "See you tomorrow, I hope." The four of them reentered the Common Room and went straight to bed. Everyone of course was staring at them because of the screaming fest earlier, but that didn't phase them.

Harry got into his pajamas and half fell into bed. Ron said goodnight and the two of them were out instantly.

"Morning Harry," Ron muttered as he got up. "Harry?" He pushed open the curtains around Harry's bed and gasped. He was gone.

"MIONE!" Ron screamed as he ran into the girls' dormitory.

"Who the...?" Parvati moaned. "What are you doing Weasley?"

"Mione! Harry! Gone!" Ron blurted. Hermione sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Ron go away...what do you mean gone?" she asked, suddenly awake.

"GONE! No note, no Harry! Nothing!" Ron shouted. All of the girls gasped, especially Parvati who had liked Harry ever since he saved her last year.

"What?" Hermione shrieked, running to the boys' dorm. Sure enough, no Harry.

"I told you!" Ron snapped.

"He's probably out on a walk," Hermione said, but she did not believe herself. "Dean! Go get Dumbledore! Now!"

Dean quickly got up and ran to get Dumbledore. Seamus and Neville were staring at Harry's empty bed as if he was going to appear any minute. Parvati and some other girls came in and were flipping out.

"Oh god, where are you Harry?" Hermione whispered, falling to the ground in tears.

Harry woke up happily from his sleep. He hadn't had a single dream or disturbance.

"Wake up, Harry," someone above him hissed.

"I'm up," Harry said as he opened his eyes. It wasn't any of the boys staring at him, it was Voldemort. Harry was shackled to a table in a dark dreary place. The Death Eaters were there, laughing at him.

Voldemort lifted some ceremonial blade above his head. Harry struggled, but it was useless. The blade came down toward his heart. Harry shut his eyes tightly. He was going to die. And then the knife hit.