Unofficial Portkey Archive

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JKR, except the plot and some memories that I used along the story.

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Chapter 2: Memories, Letters & The Journey To Hogwarts (II)

The journey to Diagon Alley had turned out to be very long and Harry couldn't help but feel a little left-out.

When they had entered, Ginny had gone to meet Dean at the Three Broomsticks, and Ron had gone to the Quidditch Supplies to find Luna.

While doing that, Harry had gone to Gringotts, to get some money. After he had left the Bank, Harry had gone to buy his supplies, some times bumping into Ron or Ginny, who were 'shopping'.

But the strangest thing about that day, was the fact Harry was sure he had seen Hermione a couple of times. But that wasn't possible, since Hermione said she had bought her books already.

When Harry was preparing to go back to the Burrow, he stopped in front of his favorite store in Diagon Alley: the Quidditch Supplies.

He missed the feeling of being in the sky, flying and trying to catch the Snitch.

"Harry?" a voice called, and Harry turned around to see Cho Chang standing behind him.

"Hello Cho."

"Hmm..." the girl blushed. "I just wanted to ask if you're going to continue with the DA team."

"Oh," Harry said, feeling strange by the fact he wasn't feeling anything while talking to that girl, it was like everything he felt for her had disappeared. "I don't know. Why?"

"Well, I thought it was a great thing and that, even though it is my last year at Hogwarts, I would like to continue."

"Well, when I know the answer, I'll tell you something," Harry said.

Cho gave him a nervous smile.

"Ok, thanks. See ya at Hogwarts." And with that, she turned around and disappeared in the crow.

Harry shrugged, before looking at the store again. However, his memories were interrupted again.

"Look everyone, Potter is all alone!"

Taking a small breath, Harry turned around.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just wanted to see if you already accepted that that godfather of yours, is dead."

"Malfoy, you really don't want to touch on that subject," Harry warned.

"Why not? He died, and that's final. And you Potter, as you have always been, are all alone, with no one is on your side."

"You're wrong," Harry countered. "I have friends, something you'll never have."

"Oh really? And where are they? Probably shagging in an alley," Malfoy sneered. "I always thought you were the one that was getting the mudblood, but I guess I was wrong."

"I hope you're not talking about Hermione, Malfoy," Harry said, trying to be calm. "For your own sake."

"You can't do anything to me Potter. This street is crowed with people," Malfoy said. "Besides, I already made my point. You're all alone, just like you'll always be. Your friends left you Pottter, you're just too blind to see it."After another look between the two, Draco turned around left.

Harry closed his eyes. Maybe Malfoy was right, maybe he was all alone.

~*~

"Harry, something wrong?" Ron asked, putting the sheet over him.

"No," Harry answered, looking at the ceiling.

"Is this about what happened in Diagon Alley?" Ron pressed. "If it is, I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Ron," Harry answered. "I'm just thinking about something."

"Hermione?" Ron asked, looking at his friend.

"Yes, but not just her," Harry answered.

"Want to share?"

"No," Harry answered, shaking his head. "This is my problem, and only I can solve it."

"All right," Ron said. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure Ron, go to sleep."

"You too, tomorrow we'll be back at Hogwarts."

"Yes," Harry agreed, before whispering, "Tomorrow, I'll return home."

~*~

"I'm not breathing, and no one cares. I need someone to talk with, but I don't have anyone. I want to smile, but only tears fall. I want to hear your voice, but only my screams sound in my ears. I want to go back to life, but I'm still frozen in death.

I'm not sleeping, but I'm not awake. I'm not dead, but I'm not alive. What am I right now? Why can't someone hear me? Am I all alone? No, I know I'm not alone, I just feel like I'm alone. Right? I can't be alone in this darkness; I can't be imagining I can go back to myself again. It has to be true; I have to go back to my heart and to who is my life."

~*~

'"Harry..Harry..."

Harry looked around, in an attempt to find the person who was calling him, but all that was around him was darkness.

"Who's there?" he asked.

"C'mon Harry, you have to look for the Torch."

"What?" Harry asked, confused "What Torch?"

"You have to look for it...it's the answer to this...the Torch can mean the end of everything!" the voice said. "Look for it...find it...use it..."

"What? Who are you? What Torch?"

"Seek, and you'll know. Seek, use it and finish all," the voice said. "Only you can do it. Look for those who already know of its existence, and you'll find it."

"Who are those people? What's the Torch? Who are you?"

"Look for the answer, look for the one that already has seen and touched the Torch. Do as your heart says!"

"Who are you?" Harry asked, still looking around him.

"Harry, wake up," another voice said.

"What?" Harry asked, confused.'

"Harry, wake up," Ginny said. "C'mon, I have to wake Ron."

"What?" Harry mumbled, before opening his eyes. "Ginny?"

"Finally!" the red haired girl exclaimed. "I almost used drastic ways, to see if I could wake you up." She looked at Ron. "Now, the mission impossible."

"Oh, no, that won't be difficult." Harry said.

"Oh yes, it will," Ginny said, approaching her brother. "It has been impossible since...well, ever."

"I bet you it isn't," Harry said.

"One galleon," Ginny said.

"If you're sure," Harry said, shrugging. "Be my guest."

Taking a deep breath, Ginny shook her brother violently.

"Ron, wake up!" she exclaimed. "We're going to miss the train!"

"Five minutes, mum," Ron mumbled.

"I'm not mum, Ron," Ginny answered, shaking her brother. "C'mon, wake up!"

"Leave me alone," Ron said and Ginny looked at Harry.

"Dare to try?"

Harry looked at her and smiled. This was going to be fun, he thought.

Clearing his throat, Harry approached is best friend's bed.

"Luna, how are you? Are you looking for Ron, well, he's asleep right now and..."

Ron jerked awake, frantically looking around the room.

"Luna? Where?"

Harry shared a look with Ginny, who began giggling.

"She's not here, Ron," the red haired girl said. "But she's waiting for you, at the station and you're late."

Ron looked at his sister.

"Get out of town, it must be..."

"Ten o'clock," Ginny interrupted. "And we're leaving in half an hour. So, better hurry. The whole family is already waiting for you, guys." She approached the room's door and said, "See ya, soon."

"Hey, what about my galleon?" Harry asked.

"I'll give you it downstairs," Ginny said, closing the door.

"What galleon?" Ron asked, confused.

"Forget it," Harry said. "None of your business."

~*~

"Come along, children!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "We have five minutes before the train is off."

"We're going mum, we're going," Ron said, pushing his trolley but Mrs. Weasley ignored him.

"C'mon Ginny, you'll go first."

Ginny looked around, to see if anyone was looking, and ran towards the wall before passing through it.

"Ron, Harry go. And please, try to stay out of trouble this year."

"No can do, mum," Ron said, before adding, "But we'll do our best."

"Be careful Harry, and don't forget, we'll always be here for you," Mrs. Weasley said, hugging the boy.

"Thanks you Mrs. Weasley and I'm sorry for not telling you anything."

"Oh, that's all right; I know that you're sorry and you promised not to do the same thing again." Mrs. Weasley stepped back and hugged her younger son. "Go now, I don't want you to miss the train."

"Bye mum!" Ron exclaimed, while Harry looked around to see if anyone was looking.

Then he made a signal to Ron, and both passed through the barrier, leaving Mrs. Weasley all alone.

"So, where are we going?" Harry asked, and Ron made a sound with his throat.

"First we have to put on the Prefects badge," he said, in a mocking voice. "Then, we go to the Prefects compartment and wait to see if the Head Boy and Girl have anything to say to us."

"Wait, what about Hermione?" Harry asked. "We could go together."

"Ok, we'll go and see where she is, and then we'll go the Prefects' Compartment. Along the way, I can look for Luna."

"I can see that's serious," Harry said, entering the train.

"I can't say anything yet," Ron said, with his ears turning red. "I mean, we just start to go out at Diagon Alley."

"Oh, but I'm sure everything is going to be fine," Harry said, looking at every compartment. "I mean...Luna can be a little strange, but you can get along."

"Thanks Harry," Ron said, now with his face turning pink. "Where is that girl?"

"Which one?" Harry asked, with a smile.

"Hermione,"

"We're looking for her, remember?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrow. "You've got it bad, mate."

"Oh, go to hell Harry," Ron said, as Harry start laughing. "And shut up!"

"Harry, Ron!" a voice exclaimed, and the two boys turned around to see Ginny. "I need you to tell me something."

"What?" Harry asked.

"Come with me," the red haired girl answered, before she turned around and started walking.

Ron shared a look with Harry, before starting to follow the girl.

"What is it, Ginny?" Ron asked, when he sister stopped in front of a compartment's door.

"Come here," the girl whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" Harry asked.

"Have a look," Ginny said, pointing to the door's window. "And tell me, who that girl in there is." After approaching, the two boys looked through the door's window and their mouths dropped. "Now, tell me. Is it just me, or is that girl Hermione?"

Inside the compartment was a girl, with brown hair with some bushiness, tight black trousers and a satin black chemise, with the first three buttons undone. The girl was fast asleep, but what gave away to Harry and Ron's that it was their best friend was the ginger cat that appeared beside the girl, close to the window.

"Hermione," Harry whispered, but when he was about to open the door a sharp pain in his head made him stop.

"Look for the Torch," a voice said. "Look for those who already know of its existence, and seek for it. When you find the Torch, you'll be able to destroy the evil forever."

"Harry?" Ron's voice called. "Everything ok?"

"Hmm?" Harry looked at his friend. "Yeah, everything is fine."

"You sure?" Ginny asked and Harry nodded.

"Yeah, lets go."

Opening the door, Harry stepped inside the compartment, followed by Ron and Ginny, before approaching the girl. Harry began to shake the small form lightly.

"Hermione?" Harry said, in a quiet voice. "Hermione, wake up."

"Leave me alone," the girl said, turning her head where Harry was.

"C'mon Hermione, wake up."

"I said no!" Hermione answered, in a higher voice, but she was still asleep. "I said, no! Leave me alone!"

"Hermione, it's me, Harry," the black haired boy said. "Wake up."

Slowly, Hermione stopped mumbling and opened her brown eyes. She blinked a few times, before turning her head and looked at the three friends.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"We're on the train, Hermione," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "What did you think? That we weren't going to school this year?"

Hermione looked at him, before looking at Harry.

"Is it really you, Harry?" she asked and Harry nodded.

"The one and only."

Slowly and startling Harry, Hermione touched his face with her hand.

"It is you," she whispered and Ron shared a confused look with Ginny.

"You were expecting another Harry?" the black haired boy joked and Hermione shook her head.

"No, I wasn't," she whispered. "But...after everything they said..."

Without warning Hermione hugged Harry, startling him and the Weasley siblings.

"Hermione, I missed you too, but..."

"No, I thought you were...you were...," Hermione said, and Harry was almost sure she was crying; which was very odd, since Hermione never cried. "You didn't answer me, and I thought something had happened to you."

"Hermione, what are you talking about?" Harry asked, putting his arms around the shaking girl. He shared a look with Ginny and Ron, who only shrugged, before looking at the girl in his arms. "You didn't send me anything."

"I called for you, and...," Hermione stepped back, and looked down. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"For what?" Harry asked, confused.

"I'm very confused right now, and I can't stop myself from doing things I really don't want to. I'm too emotional."

"Something wrong?" Ginny asked and Hermione shook her head.

"No, I just have been working to much this summer. I'm a little stressed."

"Oh? I thought you went to see Krum," Ron said and Hermione nodded, before looking at him.

"I went to his house, but I only stayed there for a week. Then I went to Portugal, to see a cousin and I started working there, before I returned home. I did all the homework yesterday, and I haven't sleep in forty eight hours, so I'm still a bit shaky."

"Geez, I would be a crack if I didn't sleep for that long," Ginny said and Hermione looked at Harry, who had taken a seat beside her.

"Sorry, for what happened."

"No problem," Harry answered, with a smile.

Hermione yawned.

"Hmm...I think I'm going to sleep a bit more," she mumbled. "Wake me, when we're there, ok?" She leaned her head against Harry's shoulder and began to drift off.

"Hermione...," Ron said, but Hermione was already asleep. "What do we do now? We have to go to the Prefects' Compartment!"

"Why don't you go?" Harry asked, putting an arm around Hermione's shoulders, so she wouldn't fall if the train stopped. "Then, you come back here and tell me whatever they had to say."

"Ok, I'll be back," Ron said, getting up, and leaving the compartment.

Ginny looked at Harry, before clearing her throat.

"Hmm...Harry, would you mind if I go?"

"Of course not," the boy answered.

Smiling, Ginny got up.

"Thanks," she said. "See ya, at Hogwarts."

"Bye."

When Ginny was gone, Harry looked at the girl beside him and smiled.

~*~

"The darkness of the night, the nightmares of my mind. I can't release myself, I can't reach hope. I want to be myself again, so I can feel your warmth. I want to reach life, so I can live with you...so I can be with you.

I know death and life had abandoned me, but I wish for light to come to me. I wish for the ice to be gone, so I can get out of this prison. I'm prisoner of my own body, and I can't get out. I'm lost, never to be found. I'm alone, never to be with you."

~*~

"I'm telling you, soccer is more interesting then Quidditch."

"No, it's not. What do you think, Ron?"

"What's soccer?" the red haired boy asked, and both Seamus and Dean rolled their eyes.

"Ron, you know what soccer is," Harry said and Ron looked at him, confused. "You know...football."

"Ah!" Ron exclaimed, before looking at Dean and Seamus. "Quidditch is better."

"No, it's not!" Dean exclaimed.

"Yes, it is," Seamus said back.

"Here we go, again," Harry said, before looking at Hermione, who was staring into space. "Hermione, are you ok?" he asked and the girl blinked her eyes a few times before looking at him.

"Did you say something?" she asked.

"I asked if you were ok," Harry repeated. "You seemed to be dreaming."

"Yeah, I'm fine," Hermione answered. "Just a bit sleepy."

"Can't say the train is the best place to sleep," Harry said, with a smile.

Hermione was about to answer, when something caught her eye.

"You're a Prefect?" she asked shocked and Harry blushed.

"Um...yeah. Dumbledore sent me a letter saying I'm was going to be the second Gryffindor Prefect, since someone had resigned the place. You don't know who it is, do you?" he asked, while Hermione looked at the professor's table.

"Hey, who's the DADA teacher?" she asked, and Harry was sure she hadn't heard him.

"Don't know," he said. "By the way, Lupin is ok."

"Wasn't he already?" Hermione asked, confused.

"Oh, you don't know?" Harry asked, and Hermione shook her head. "Lupin got some kind of cold this summer, and some people thought he was really sick. But now he's ok."

"Good to hear that," Hermione said. "Hey, wouldn't it be great if Lupin was our DADA teacher?"

"Do you really think he's coming, after everything that has happened?" Ron asked, joining the conversation.

"I'm just saying what I think," Hermione said.

"I agree with Hermione," Harry said. "I would be very happy if Professor Lupin came back."

"I would too," Ron agreed. "But I doubt he'll come."

"Do you want Umbridge?" Hermione asked.

"No!" Ron exclaimed. "Anyone but Umbridge!"

Hermione giggled.

"I should have seen that coming," she said and Harry nodded.

"Mr. Potter!" a voice exclaimed and Harry, slowly turned around, to face Snape. "Professor Dumbledore asked for your presence in his office, after dinner."

"Thank you, professor," Harry answered, and Snape walked towards the professor's table.

"What do you think Dumbledore wants with you?" Ron asked, eating a piece of cheese.

"You're guess is as good as mine. Maybe it has to be with the fact I'm a Prefect," Harry answered, and Hermione cleared her throat.

"Maybe," she said. "Or maybe he wants to talk about last year."

"What about last year?" Ron asked, and Hermione shrugged.

"You know...the events of last year," she said, without looking at Harry.

"Who knows," Harry said. "I'll just have to wait and see, I guess."

~*~

Harry whispered 'Yrrebwarts' and knocked on the door.

"Come in, Harry," a voice said and, after taking a deep breath, Harry entered.

"You wanted to see me, professor?" he asked.

"Yes Harry," Dumbledore answered, while sitting in his chair. "I want to speak with you about the Prefect badge."

Harry nodded.

"You know professor, I think maybe it's not a bad idea for me to be a Prefect," he said. and Dumbledore looked at him, closely. "I mean, maybe this way I can stop thinking about...things."

"Harry, it took me a great deal to decide if I should, or not, name you a Prefect. So, I decided to ask to the other professors and all of them agreed that I should give it a try. I thought really hard about this; it's like I said to you last year, I just didn't name you Prefect because I thought you had too many things to worry about."

"Professor, I appreciate the fact you named me Prefect as I appreciate the fact of you worrying about me, but it's like I said, I think this can help me, to think about other things. I believe that, this way, I'm going stop thinking about everything that happened last year and..."

"You believe you're going to forget what happened with Sirius, if you keep your mind occupied?" Dumbledore interrupted. "I'm sorry Harry, but you're wrong if you think that way. The mind can be occupied by day, but at night everything is possible. You'll never stop thinking about what happened until you understand that, what happened, was supposed to happen that way, and none other. Sirius died Harry, it's true and he's a great loss for all of us, but especially you. He was like a father to you Harry, I know that and I could see you were like a son to him; but you have to admit, not in your mind but in your heart, that he's gone. Only when you understand, and accept that, are you going to be free."

Harry looked at the floor for a few seconds, before looking up.

"Can I go now, professor?"

"Yes, you can," Dumbledore answered. "If you have any doubt, ask Mr. Weasley."

"Thank you, goodnight."

Harry looked one more time to Dumbledore, before getting out of the office.

When he was all alone, Dumbledore took a deep breath.

"Decisions are made, and events happen with time. I just hope everything will be ok, when this is over."

~*~

"Sezirtacic." Harry said, and the Fat Lady gave him access to the Gryffindor common room.

Strangly, eveything was deserted and no one was in there. Harry was about to climb the stairs, when he could hear a few voices. Turning around, Harry saw Hermione talking with Neville.

Hermione was shaking her head, while Neville seemed to be pressing some subject. All Harry could do, was wonder what they were talking about.

"Can any of you tell me, what you are doing here?" he asked, making his two friends to jump.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised. "What...what are you doing here?"

"I believe I should ask you the same question."

"We where talking about Potions," Hermione answered. "Neville was telling me to tutor him, but I was telling him I can't."

"Why?" Harry asked, surprised. "You're good at it."

"But I don't think I can tutor him," the girl answered.

"I was almost begging her to teach me, when you came in," Neville said and Hermione looked at him.

"I really want to help you Neville, believe me, but I don't know if I can. Not, when we're talking about Potions."

"Oh c'mon Hermione, help him," Harry said, smiling. "I'm sure you'll be fine, and who knows, maybe Neville will surprise us in classes."

"Please Hermione, help me," Neville pleaded. "I'm sick of seeing Snape taking Gryffindor points because of me."

Hermione took a deep breath, and looked at the two boys before nodding.

"Ok, I'll give it a try."

Neville smiled.

"Thank you Hermione, thank you!" he exclaimed. "When do we begin?"

"Let's wait for the time-tables, then we'll see what we can do," Hermione answered and Neville got up.

"I'm sure you'll be a great help, Hermione. Thank you. Goodnight."

"Night," Harry and Hermione said at the same time.

Then, everything went silent.

"I'm sorry about what happened in the train," Hermione said, after a few seconds. "I know I made you uncomfortable."

"I said it was ok," Harry answered. "No harm done."

"You said it already, but I wanted to apologize once more," the girl answered, after putting her hands on her knees.

"Er...what are you doing?" Harry asked, confused.

"Trying to relax," Hermione answered. "Sometimes works, sometimes it doesn't."

"Can I try?" Hermione nodded. "What do I have to do?"

"Sit in indian style, close your eyes and clear your mind. Let you be taken by the magic," Hermione answered, still without opening her eyes

"Ok." Harry put himself in the same position as the girl, and closed his eyes.

Trying to clear his mind was difficult but, after some minutes Harry achieved it and start trying to let himself go with the magic; whatever that meant.

Suddenly, he saw himself in a dark division, where nothing was and nothing could be heard:

'"Harry...Harry..." a voice said; the same voice that appeared in his mind before. "Look for the Torch. The Torch is the answer."

"What Torch?" Harry asked. "Please, how can I look for something I don't know?"

"Look around you, look inside you. You'll know who's preparing to help you, and to guide you to your destiny."

"Who are they?" Harry asked, still trying to see something in the darkness. "And who are you?"

"Look in your heart Harry, look inside yourself. Let your ghosts go away, clear your mind and your heart, and you'll be able to know what to do."

"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked and then a green light appeared on the middle of the darkness.

"Look for the light of the Torch. Look for those who have seen it, and use it. Look for the one that keeps the Torch in safety, and look for those who can help you."

"Why don't you tell me who they are?" Harry asked, trying to see from where did the light come.

"Because you have to free the ghosts of your past, and try to accept all the past events. Only then, you'll be able to find the one."

"Harry?" other voice called. "Harry, wake up!"'

Harry opened his eyes slowly, and looked at Hermione.

"What happened?"

"I think you fell asleep," the girl answered, with a small smile. "C'mon, let's go to bed."

"I had a strange dream."

"Oh? Want to share it?" Hermione asked getting up, and Harry shook his head.

"No, I'm just tired."

"Do as you wish," the girl answered extending her hand, which Harry grabbed, and helped him getting up. "But don't forget I'm here if you need to talk."

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said, and Hermione squeezed his hand.

"Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight," approaching the boy, Hermione gave him a quick peck on the cheek, before letting go of his hand and climbing the stairs.

To Be Continued...

A/N: So, what do you think? Bad? Good? Please, review. Thank you.