Harry's Sixth Year

CHAPTER 7

Harry woke the next morning as the sun was pouring through the hospital wing's windows. He peered blearily through his eyelids. Ginny was still asleep next to him, still clutching his robes. Ron and Hermione lay in the bed next to him and Ginny, fast asleep. Harry ached in his ribs and on his shoulders. After effects of the crutacius curse, he suspected. As quietly as he could, Harry unclenched Ginny's hands from his robes and decided he'd head down to the kitchen to get the three of them breakfast. Not wanting to have to face the people of the Great Hall, he decided to head down the hall that lead to the picture of the bowl of fruit. Dobby would definitely be glad to give Harry some food. Harry entered the large kitchens to find houselves working furiously over stoves, stirring stews, cutting vegetables, and baking bread. He was keen to investigate further until something charged at his midsection and wrapped itself tightly around his waist.

"Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby spoke, with his voice muffled into Harry's waist.

"Dobby, hello there," said Harry still trying to regain his breath.

"Harry Potter,sir! Dobby heard of what is happening last night! Harry Potter musn't get himself into danger, very dangerous Harry Potter, but very noble sir," said Dobby with tears welling up in his eyes. Harry smiled down at him.

"Yes, I'll be sure to try and stay safe from now on, I couldn't stand the fact of those Death Eaters going free,though," Harry said with a note of malice in his voice.

"Harry Potter is all too noble, all too noble," said Dobby in his most hero-worshiping voice. Harry surveyed the kitchen as Dobby continued to speak.

"But Dobby is known about this for long now, yes, 'tis a shame," Dobby said still peering up at Harry. Harry stopped looking around abruptly and looked down at Dobby with a quizzical expression.

"What do you mean, Dobby?" Harry asked. Dobby peered around nervously, his eyes wide, and beckoned Harry closer. Harry knelt down and looked at Dobby.

"Dobby is knowing sir, Dobby is knowing...awful things sir, former master is...is...very bad wizard!" Dobby said with horror in his voice. He then looked around frantically and grabbed a wooden spoon, but Harry grabbed Dobby's arm before he could inflict any further pain upon himself.

"Thank you, Harry Potter sir," said Dobby wearily.

"Do you mean to tell me that the Malfoys could have been behind this?" Harry asked. Dobby looked around nervously once more.

"Dobby is knowing, sir, that his former masters was planning to attack Hogwarts once He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back into power, sir. But this is only the beginning Mr. Potter, sir, only the beginning. Too much more is to come, too much." Harry pondered this for a moment. Lucius was in jail, he didn't know much about Narcissa, but he knew Draco was his father's son. Dumbledore would certainly be interested to hear this.

"Thanks Dobby," said Harry as he began to walk out. He was about to open the door when he stopped and remembered what he was there for.

"Hey, do you think I could get some food?" Harry asked tentively. All of the house elves in the kitchen looked up at him eagerly and smiled, bustling to work double time to prepare Harry's food. In no time there was six or seven house elves pushing trays of pancakes, sausages, bacon, waffles, and porridge upon him eagerly. Harry smiled as he walked out the door with the food, shouting many thanks to the house elves behind him.

As Harry walked down the halls back to the Hospital Wing he thought about what Dobby had told him. Could Draco have really set this up as an inside job? But how could he have known where the Gryffindor common room was? Someone in Gryffindor must have told him, there was no other way. If anyone had gotten hurt...Harry wouldn't know what he would have done. But what if it wasn't Draco who had set it up? Voldemort undoubtedly still had a connection with Harry and could have surmised where Harry would have been sleeping, it was very possible.

Then a realization dawned on Harry. It was his fault that Ron and Hermione were in the hospital wing. His fault Joseph, Dean, Seamus, and Neville were nearly killed. He was a danger to anyone around him. Voldemort and his Death Eaters would stop at nothing to kill Harry and his friends. A wave of guilt fell over Harry as he came to his realization, how could he be so foolish? This was all his fault, all his....

"Harry!" Ginny's face lit up as Harry entered the Hospital wing. She looked ready to jump into his arms until she realized he was carrying all of the food he had picked up at the kitchens. She settled for a quick kiss on the lips and helped him arrange the food for the four of them. Ron and Hermione stirred not very long after Harry had arrived. Ron's red hair was a frazzled mess and Hermione's was very much the same way. Harry couldn't help but snicker at the way their hands were clasped together. Ron sat up and stretched.

"Ah, breakfast," said Ron happily. His hand was still entwined with Hermione's. Harry laughed. Yep, same old Ron. Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's lack of sensitivity and smiled at Harry. Harry motioned toward their clasped hands and the both of them pulled back quickly, blushing furiously and smiling sheepishly. Hermione seemed eager to change the subject.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Little sore in the ribs and the shoulders, but other then that I'm good. How're you?" he asked back. Her brow furrowed at him. She got up and slapped him in the face. Harry's head jerked sideways at the force of her hand. He looked at her shocked and began to ask what it was for until she started yelling at him.

"How could you be so foolish Harry? Going chasing after Death Eaters in the middle of the night! Honestly, I don't know what came over you! Couldn't you see that was exactly what they wanted? Urgh, you're absolutely mad, Harry!" she shouted at him furiously. Ron watched from the side, chuckling through his pancakes.

Harry tried to stammer out an explanation but was stopped once again when Hermione threw herself onto him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Harry's eyes widened at the suddenness of her movement and patted her back awkwardly as she half-sobbed, half-talked into his shoulder.

"Honestly Harry, you could have been k-killed! I was worried s-sick when I heard the explosion and I knew when Ron h-had shown up you had gone. Why d-do you have t-to be so blasted courageous!" Hermione cried into Harry's arms and he tried to reassure her.

"Shhh, shh, Hermione I'm fine now. It's okay, I'm here. Look, I won't do it again if it'll make you feel better, I'm really sorry," he said quietly. Her crying subsided and she let go of him wiping her eyes. She looked at him and smiled with puffy eyes.

"Yes, course you are, you're still absolutely mad," her voice faded away as she walked off muttering things like 'insane' and 'don't know what he was thinking.'

Harry chuckled to himself at her behavior as he sat down next to Ginny on his hospital bed. She looked at him gravely His smile faded immediately.

"She's right, you know," Ginny said to him. Harry sighed and looked into her great brown eyes.

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry," he said sincerely. She leaned up to him and they kissed passionately. Harry felt her warmth spread throughout his body, her love spread to every nerve. He pulled away and lay down again, letting her head rest up against his chest.

The four of them ate breakfast and chatted happily. All except Harry. He stared intently at the floor and thought about what could have happened had the blast been more powerful, or had Dean or Seamus been looking out the window at the time, or anything. It all came back to him. Anyone who ever knew him or loved him or was even near him was in danger. This had to stop. He couldn't stand the guilt any longer, it had to stop. He was brought out of his trance by Ron's voice.

"What do you think Harry?" he asked. Harry looked around at the three of them with a curious expression.

"Think...?" asked Harry.

"About what Malfoy will say when we get those Order of Merlin's!" said Hermione impatiently. Harry forced a smile.

"I think he'll be absolutely livid," Harry responded. After that Joseph had come to visit. His eyes had circles under them and he looked as if he hadn't slept much at all. Upon seeing the three of them, his face appeared much more relieved. He was admonishing the three of them for being so crazy. Harry chuckled.

"It's not funny, Harry, that was crazy!" said Joseph in half-awe, half-disgust. Harry's smile faded and he became serious.

"I know, I'm really sorry Joseph, I'll be smarter next time," he said seriously. Joseph had a stony look on his face but it lightened at these words.

"It's alright, Harry, it's alright. Just, don't do that again, you scare me," he said in an out-of-breath sort of voice. Quickly thereafter, he fell asleep on a cot. Harry chuckled guiltily, he must have been up all night worrying...but why?

He finished up his toast and went out for a walk alone. He shook off the other three telling them had to go finish a History of Magic essay.

Harry trudged along the cold Hogwarts grounds thinking about all of what had happened. Anyone could have been seriously hurt or killed, and Harry didn't know if he could live with that. After four weeks of absolutely bliss, Harry's life had slammed back to reality with the force of a three-ton lorry. It all came back to the fact that anyone close to him was inevitably doomed just as he was. It all came back to Voldemort. Anger flared inside Harry's chest as he walked to the lake's edge. He picked up a few spare rocks and began to toss them into the lake. Any number of people could have been killed last night. Toss. Harry was a target and so was anybody near him. Toss. Ginny was in danger, but she had already told him she wouldn't stand for him distancing himself. Toss. Hermione and Ron were targets, they had been since the fourth year. Toss. Even still, if any of them ever got hurt... Toss. Harry let out a shout of frustration as he tossed the last rock into the lake. Why did it always have to be him?

Why was Harry always worrying about the safety of other peoples lives while other people were worrying about what to wear out, or what to make for dinner, or how they would do their homework. Harry was different. He was marked, he was a hero bound to destroy a menace, to protect the world. He realized what he had to do. Harry had to go into hiding.

Harry pondered this as he stared out at the calm, blue surface of the lake. He'd have to abandon all of his friends, Hogwarts, Ginny.... He couldn't stand the thought of it. It was too painful, too terrible. It angered him that everyone else got to live a normal life, but he was forced into hiding. He let out another shout of frustration and kicked several rocks along the shore. After a few minutes of releasing his frustrations upon the shore he sat down at the oak and buried his head in his hands. This was all too much. Why him? Why?

"Harry?" came once again the timid voice of Ginny. Harry looked up at her. She was gorgeous. Her brilliant red hair blew in the wind and her deep brown eyes shone with concern. She was wrapped in her black robes as she sat down next to him.

"What's wrong Harry?" she asked with concern. Harry had to smile to himself. The irony was all too sickening. This was the tree they had professed their love to each other under and this would be the tree that they would share one of the most awful moments of their life. Whatever Gods there were in heaven were certainly playing a disgustingly, nasty joke upon Harry.

"Last night, when the Death Eaters attacked my dorm and I can't help but think what would have happened if Seamus or Dean or Neville or Ron suddenly got up to go to the loo, or to get a drink of water, or whatever, and then got killed. It would be my fault because Voldemort wants me dead and he'll go to any ends to have me dead. No matter how many people he has to slay," Harry said gravely. Ginny looked into Harry's great green eyes and he back into her amazing brown ones.

"What are you saying, Harry?" she asked as calmly as she could. Harry paused for a moment, not knowing if he could tell her. Harry didn't know if he could break her heart.

"I have to go into hiding," he said grimly. Ginny leaned her head back and laughed. Harry looked back at her with a curious expression on his face.

"W-what's so funny?" he asked with a note of annoyance.

"Oh Harry, I thought you were a Gryffindor," she said with a note of amusement in her voice. Her eyes peered into his with anger.

"Ginny, this isn't about keeping me safe, it's about keeping everyone I love safe," he said angrily.

"Oh so now you're noble?" she inquired incredulously.

"Ginny, you don't understand," he shouted at her as he stood up, "didn't you hear what I just said? Voldemort will go to any means to ruin my life! He'll take out my family, my friends, everyone I ever knew and loved just to get to me! I couldn't live with myself knowing that they're in danger!" he burst at her angrily. She retorted with an equal, if not larger temper.

"And how do you think the people you love feel every day, Harry?" she shouted at him, her face growing red, "because trust me, what you're feeling now is what Ron, Hermione, me, what everyone you know goes through every day. Wondering if you'll be safe, wondering if you'll end up in the hospital wing...wondering if it'll be the last time you see daylight," she said with a note of despair."

"You think you're worried? How do you think we'd feel once you went into hiding? Take your feelings now and multiply them times about a hundred and then you'll see what we go through every day."

"Sure, we would all be safe, but we would never know how YOU were doing, whether or not YOU were safe. You're not being brave or noble, or anything of the sort! You're just too scared to feel for me what I feel for you every waking moment of my life!" she said angrily, tears of rage welling up in her eyes. She peered up into his eyes and waited for a response. Harry knew Ginny was right, but couldn't find words to express it.

"She's right, mate," came a voice from behind Harry. He turned around to see Seamus, Dean, Ron, and Neville standing there, their robes billowing in the wind. Seamus spoke again.

"We know the dangers, and we're full willing to face the consequences of them. Our life isn't in your hands; it's in our own. If we fall it's not your fault, it's nobody's fault but Voldemort's. You need to learn that it's not all always your fault, mate. Now, the boys and I have had a talk, they all feel the same way. So quit tearin' yourself up about it," and with that the four of them walked away. Harry turned to look at Ginny who had an expression of desperation on her face. She moved closer to him and looked up into his great, bright green eyes and spoke, wrapping her arms around his neck as she did so.

"And if you went into hiding," she whispered, "I'd find you." With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. He returned her kiss and cupped her precious face in his hands. Her tongue rolled throughout his mouth with desire. When they broke apart she peered into his eyes, tears in her own. She embraced him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Please don't leave me," she said with a note of despair.

"I would never leave you, Ginny, never," he whispered back. She gripped him tighter as if he might disapperate on the spot. Harry would stay after all.

CHAPTER 8

Harry and Ginny walked back to the castle together, hand in hand. They weren't smiling, but the weren't in the most terrible of moods either. They were headed up to the Gryffindor's floor until none other than Draco Malfoy stopped them. Just the person Harry wanted to see. He came from behind Harry and yanked him by his shoulder. For a moment Harry just stared, shooting a malevolent look at Draco until he realized Draco's eyes didn't have the familiar sneer or sarcasm in them. They had worry and sympathy. Harry pulled Draco to the side of the hall, still looking daggers at Draco in case this was a joke. Ginny watched curiously at Harry's side.

"What is it, Draco?" asked Harry shortly. Draco looked from side to side as if someone was listening or stalking him.

"Harry, I can't believe they would attack the school, attack the school!" he said frantically. Harry was puzzled. Why did Draco care? He hated Harry and everything about Hogwarts.

"Harry, you've got to get out of here, you've got to leave. For your safety and the school's safety, you've got to run. As far away from here as possible, get a secret keeper, do something, but get out," Draco said urgently.

"Why should you care what happens to the school or to me. You've always hated me," Harry said with a menacing look. It was true, Draco had always hated Harry.

"Yes, Harry, yes, I've always hated you. Loathed you to no end, but I've never wanted you to die. I've never wanted anyone to die! I may seem like an ass sometimes, but Harry, I'd never want you to be killed. Apparently my father has different plans," said Draco nervously, constantly glancing around him.

"Malfoy, number one, don't say my first name, it's way too scary to hear it coming from you. Number two, why should I believe you? How do I know you're not a double agent or just spying for your worthless father?" Harry asked.

"Because of this, Harry," said Draco urgently. He unraveled his sleeve and displayed the Dark Mark to Harry. But it wasn't its usual charcoal black. It was red.

"It means that they know I've turned on them," Draco said, seeing Harry's puzzled expression. This could all be some sick joke. Harry didn't have to believe Draco, there was no way.

"How am I supposed to believe you?" asked Harry. Draco let out a wail of impatience and desperation.

"You've got to trust me, Harry, trust me. I know it seems foolish, God knows we've always hated each other, but this time my father and his pure-blooded maniac friends have gone too far. It's got to stop, you've got to believe me," said Draco. His pale blue eyes usually alight with malice now bore with desperation. Harry sized him up for a moment. He could be lying. No, he was lying; there was no doubt about it. This was Draco Malfoy, Mudblood hater and pure-blood maniac right along with his worthless father. He always loathed Harry, always. Harry was about to reject him until Ginny spoke.

"I've a way to prove it," she said knowingly. Harry looked at her curiously but her eyes did not meet his. She was staring with an analyzing look at Malfoy. Malfoy's eyes widened, as he seemed to be reading her mind.

"Yes, yes!" he practically shouted with understanding, "Harry, Ginny, follow me," he said excitedly. Harry looked at Ginny confused but she kept her eyes on Draco, as if he might run off at anytime. Harry followed Draco down the corridor and into the dungeons, and a realization dawned upon him. They were going to Snape.

The three of them entered the dungeon, Malfoy in the lead followed closely by Ginny and Harry. Professor Snape sat at his desk reading a length of parchment. Draco rushed up to his desk. Snape looked up quickly and then back down to his paper.

"Draco, Potter, Weasley, can I help you?" he asked in an effortless voice.

"Professor, we need to ask you something-er-delicate," said Draco uncertainly. Snape's eyes did not waver from his piece of parchment.

"Oh?" he said with mock interest. Draco looked at him uncomfortably, as if debating what to ask him, and then spoke quickly.

"Professor, we need to examine your Dark Mark," he said in a rush. Snape's head shot up so fast Harry thought he might have gotten whiplash. His eyes narrowed at the three of them.

"What did you ask?" he said menacingly. Draco cringed, not wanting to upset his favorite teacher.

"Sir, you see, some-er-complications have arose over the recent weeks what with Potter being attacked and the Death Eaters running rampant. Harry's life could be in danger-" but Draco couldn't finish, Snape cut him off.

"And since when have you cared about Potter's health?" Snape spat.

"Since my father and his maniac friends decided they wanted to attack the school!" shouted Draco in frustration. Snape's eyes grew wide with surprise at the statement as Draco stood panting in front of his desk. Snape broke eye contact with Draco. It appeared as if he was just staring into space until he brought his arm up slowly from his side. It took Snape an eternity to slide his sleeve up his arm revealing his utterly revolting mark-glowing bright red. Harry's eyes grew wide as he stared at the mark. Draco wasn't lying. He wasn't trying to get Harry killed. Draco was being sincere.

Harry was so deep in thought he didn't realized a worried looking Ginny and wide-eyed Malfoy looking at him expectantly. Snape decided he'd break the silence.

"Potter, I think it's time we see the headmaster," he said quietly. Harry's head shot up at the sound of someone's voice. He nodded and followed Snape up the dungeon's halls, through the castle corridors, and down the hall to where the stone gargoyle that Harry had seen all too many times. And never under the circumstances that one would call pleasant. All the while Malfoy was explaining to Snape why he had turned on the Dark Side, how he had encountered Harry just before the three of them had headed to Snape's office, and how the school was to be attacked again.

"Rubber duck!" said Snape. The gargoyle sprang to life and slid off to the side. Harry and Snape climbed the stairs to Dumbledore's office and entered the curiously looking circular room. Dumbledore sat at his desk, leaning back comfortably reading a book in his hand. His eyes shot up from his book and upon seeing his visitors, he set it down.

"Evening Severus, Harry," he said nodding to them both.

"Good evening, headmaster," said Snape. Harry was at a loss for words and merely nodded.

"You two look grave indeed," he observed. Harry couldn't speak, he just stared at his headmaster wide-eyed.

"Professor Dumbledore, there have been some-er-complications regarding the safety of the school," began Snape awkwardly. Dumbledore immediately leaned forward and gave Snape his full attention.

"Malfoy, Weasley, and Mr. Potter here came to me earlier and wanted to see the mark that is so disgustingly burnt into my arm. As you know, when a Death Eater turns from the Dark Side, the mark begins to glow red. Mr. Malfoy had his mark bore into him at birth and has recently turned on his father and the Dark Side due to the attack upon this school."

"He came to Potter earlier and showed Potter his mark. Malfoy told Potter both he and the school were in grave danger and that he needed to go into hiding. Potter, not trusting Malfoy, came to me. The only other person in the school with the abominable mark for proof. And so he has it." Snape spoke in a slightly quavering voice the whole time. Harry could understand. The thought of the school being attacked was indeed a sickening one. For a moment Dumbledore just looked at Severus, deep in thought. He then turned his blue eyes to Harry as a look of regret and hurt shone in them. Harry immediately understood.

"You know what you must do, Harry?" Dumbledore asked quietly and gravely. Harry fixed as determined a look on his face as he could and nodded ever so slightly. Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes in exhaustion and despair. He closed his eyes and rubbed his nose softly, as if relieving pressure.

"It is indeed an awful thing when those most young and most precious to this world must suffer these dreadful consequences that the elders of the world have most unfairly bestowed upon them." He then opened his eyes and looked right into Harry's. "You are one of the most courageous people I have ever met Harry, and I have the deepest admiration for you. You are truly your father's son." By the time Dumbledore had finished, Harry had tears in his eyes and was desperately trying to hold them back. He nodded once again and turned away as a tear ran down his face. He was going to miss so many people.

Snape and Dumbledore sat in the office and waited patiently for Harry to regain composure. It was ironic. The two people that Harry admired and loathed the most present and the most pivotal time in Harry's life. Harry had got control of him self and spoke.

"Sorry," he mumbled softly, "so, who's gonna be my keeper?" he said in a would-be-normal tone. Snape and Dumbledore looked gravely between each other. This was indeed the million-dollar question.

"I'll do it," said Snape quietly. Harry looked up at him. Snape had a note of concern and care for Harry that Harry had never seen before. He nodded softly. This was perhaps the best idea. No one would expect Snape.

"Very well, Harry, the charm will be done in a few days. Say your good-byes, do what you please, enjoy this time," said Dumbledore. Harry nodded and headed down the staircase to find Ginny and Malfoy standing at its foot, waiting for Harry to come down. Malfoy was frantically looking right and left, as if another attack would happen in minutes and Ginny was biting her nails in nervousness. Harry came into view and Ginny and Malfoy both gave him expectant looks.

"Well?" Ginny asked with both impatience and worry.

"He's legit," said Harry softly. Ginny's face fell and Malfoy just looked gravely between the two. Ginny cleared her throat and spoke.

"When do you leave?" Ginny asked solemnly. Her eyes were looking down upon the stone floor with an attempt to appear indifferent and hold back her temper, but Harry could see the pain that shone in them. He could hardly speak at the sight of her. Malfoy slowly backed away, seeing the need for a private moment.

"Within a few days," Harry said back, trying to peer into her eyes so intently fixed upon the ground. A tear fell from her cheek and she brushed it away impatiently. Harry began to approach her but she rushed off, running in the direction of the Great Hall. Harry sighed. Voldemort would pay.

"Potter?" came the voice of Malfoy. Harry turned to look at him.

"Why are you doing this?" Harry asked simply.

"Doing what?" asked Malfoy.

"You always hated me, hated Muggleborns, and loved your father's conservative, pureblood crap. Why the sudden change?" Harry added. There was a beat of silence and then Malfoy spoke.

"I had this mark burnt into my arm at birth, not knowing what it stood for or what it would bring me too. My father raised me to despise of anyone who wasn't a pureblood, taught me that if a person wasn't a pureblood, they weren't any good. He brainwashed me," Malfoy added with disgust.

"I got older and grew to agree with his ideas and theories and views on purebloods and Muggleborns. I came here and obeyed him by not befriending any half-bloods or Muggleborns. I constantly gave hell to yourself, Granger, and Weasely under his wishes. Well, mainly yourself and Ron, but Granger was...a bonus I suppose," he added yet again with disgust. I obeyed his wishes throughout my first five years here, no matter how horrendous they may have been. I had always known he had been a Death Eater, but it never really bothered me."

"I figured I'd grow up, follow in his footsteps, and do the same. That is, until earlier this year. Father sent me word that mother had suggested we abandon Voldemort's cause, saying it was bloodthirsty and foolish. She suggested we go hide on a nice tropical island or something of that sort." Draco now had an extreme look of hatred on his face.

"My father had enough kindness to kill her after torturing her for hours on end. I formally denounced my father, I told him to never contact me again and I'll do everything I can to right the wrongs I have committed." By the time Draco had finished Harry was staring at him with his eyes wide in terror. He could hardly speak. When he finally found his voice, the look of hate on Draco's face had died down.

"Thanks, Draco," he croaked.

"Don't mention it, Potter," said Draco as he turned to walk away. "Just act normal around me, we don't want to raise suspicion," he added. Harry nodded.

"Oh, and Potter," said Draco stopping and turning around, "you might want to go get your girl." With that, Harry dashed off toward the lake, where Ginny undoubtedly was.