Whatever It Takes by SanctuaryAngel

The past few days were measurably slower than it has been during the previous couple of weeks. It was drawing close to three weeks since the Battle of Hogwarts ended, and yet Harry Potter still felt highly on edge, not knowing when the next attack would take place. There had been several more victims who were kidnapped in their homes within the last few days – One of which turned up dead and placed in Hogsmeade intended as a threat, according to Arthur Weasley.

Minister Shacklebolt had sent Aurors to investigate and scout the village, but no new information had come to light. They were still nowhere near discovering when this next attack would take place, or even any further evidence of the new poison they were aiming to set on releasing to unsuspecting innocent people. Hogsmeade was still rather derelict, and many of the shopfronts refused to re-open for fear of being targeted. The village has never been more painstakingly quiet before. The locals remain in their homes, magically fortifying as best they could until the Ministry could deem them safe.

It was getting increasingly difficult to follow their trail, as they did their best to cover their tracks. Even despite their numbers, they could not find them quickly enough. Harry and the DA did their best to seek out further information, but with not much luck. Since the Order meeting, Dean had returned with the Patil twins seeking to assist, much to Harry's appreciation and surprise. According to Dean, Seamus, and Katie were still furious about Snape being a part of the Order, and once again, with them. Katie was still frightened to see him, even though she was well aware that he had saved her life from the cursed necklace the year prior. Despite that, she could not fully get over the death of Dumbledore by his hand, and that alone, was enough to turn her away. Seamus did want to help Harry, but not at the expense of the ex-Death Eater in their midst. Lee, on the other hand, did join Dean in scouting magical residences, but neither of the trio refused to step back into Grimmauld Place.

Harry wondered if the Death Eaters continued that concerning project elsewhere. However, it was the elsewhere that made Harry nervous. Now with the possibility of them utilizing Polyjuice Potion, they could be anyone, anywhere.

Severus Snape had not returned since leaving a few days ago. Harry was still mildly bitter about their last conversation and was glad that he didn't have to deal with him for a while. However, the Professor was not meant to leave Grimmauld Place, and there was no word of where he had disappeared to. Harry knew he shouldn't worry – He was an adult and he does whatever Snape usually does in his own time. But Harry still felt slightly worried when he didn't show up. Hermione had mentioned he would return shortly, but he never did. Snape seemed to prefer being alone, so Harry wasn't going to press that issue longer than necessary.

He'll show up eventually, Harry mused to himself.

It was just after lunchtime, when Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna decided to spend the afternoon in the sitting room on the first floor. Hermione and Luna spent some extra time cleaning up the room, removing dust, and making the room feel more open and livelier, less cluttered, and homely. It was a nice change from the old dreary mess it was previously. Sirius would have loved to see it like this – This was what Harry had always imagined the house would have looked like if Sirius were alive and finally living with him.

Once the crackling fire had started, Kreacher had treated them all to hot chocolate with cinnamon, freshly baked fudge cookies, and savory pasties. Hermione had offered to help Kreacher, but the house elf was insistent she'd stay put. Ron couldn't help but laugh.

"Ron, that's not funny. You know how I feel about it, " Hermione nursed her mug of hot chocolate begrudgingly, as she sat on the couch next to Ron.

"Alright, relax. Kreacher didn't want to be set free. That's his choice, isn't it?" Ron responded.

Hermione sighed a little too angrily, "Yes, I know, but…You know what, never mind."

Attempting to change the subject, Neville cleared his throat, "So Hermione, how are the potions coming along?"

"Slow and steady, " Hermione took a sip of her hot drink, "Ginny and I have a pot of Blood-Replenishing potions cooling downstairs. We figured we'd stock up on that - just in case - given our current situation. I have a few vials of a mild analgesic serum ready, but I haven't quite got enough ingredients for the stronger alternative yet. Also, I have started brewing more Anti-Nausea elixirs for Professor Snape…He looked awful when I saw him last."

"If you give me a list of things you need, maybe I can try and find the remaining stuff?" Neville offered, "Basic ingredients have been hard to come by recently…Madam Pomfrey told me and Hannah last week about the dwindling supplies. Even St. Mungo's are struggling with their patients at the moment. Without the correct Potions to cure them, we haven't been able to get them well enough to be discharged home."

Ginny intercepted, "I suppose people are freaking out now, and stockpiling what they can. With people disappearing, I don't blame them."

"I'm going back to St. Mungos later on. Madam Pomfrey wants to teach Hannah and I a new healing spell."

"That's wonderful, Neville, " Luna mused, glancing over at Neville as she sat cross-legged on the floor. A line of chocolate was evident on her upper lip, as she happily sipped from her mug, "You'd make an exceptional healer."

Neville let out a small nervous laugh, "I'm no healer. Just lending my assistance. It's completely mad over there." He glanced over at Harry, who sat beside Ginny, staring off into space. Neville tilted his head, "You alright, Harry?"

Blinking back into the present moment, Harry's eyes darted around the room, and finally found Neville peering right at him, despite becoming distant within the conversation, "Yeah, I'm fine. I suppose. Just…Nothing." There was an awkward silence that shifted among the occupants, and Harry felt uncomfortable with the sudden spotlight of attention.

Ron cleared his throat, "I was thinking. Do you think there is a way we can put a, well – tracker – on the Death Eaters? Kind of like the hex Voldemort put on his name."

Hermione let out a sudden gasp, causing Ron to jump slightly, "That's dark magic, Ron! We will do no such thing!" She shot him an aghast look.

"Hey, it was just a suggestion. Blimey, Hermione. I figured maybe we could ask Snape if he knew how to do it?"

Harry shook his head, "NO, we are not asking him to do that."

"Surely, there is another way we can do it. I mean, it's not a completely terrible idea, " Ginny suggested.

"Gee, thanks Ginny, " Ron huffed, as he leaned back in his chair, looking defeated.

Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother, "No, what I meant is that maybe we can think up other solutions. Like, oh I don't know…Some sort of magical trace on the Mark itself?"

Hermione was deep in thought, "Hmmm. Perhaps? The only problem is that Snape's Mark might interfere with us tracking the rest of them. Again, we'd have to consult him about that. If anyone knows the most about the Dark Arts, it's him. He can give us an answer."

"I honestly don't think Snape will ever allow us to tamper with the Dark Mark. That's a disaster waiting to happen, " Harry explained, "Besides, we don't want to make his condition worse."

"Well, we can pose the idea, and see what he says. He is a teacher, after all. We could really do with his expert opinion right now, " Hermione wondered, "Besides, we won't be tampering with anything. There are far too many consequences with that."

Ron snorted, "Yeah, and he'd probably tell us to shove it. Bad enough he hangs around here -"

Ron was cut off in conversation, as they suddenly heard Luna happily humming to herself, seemingly unaware of anyone else in the room. The Gryffindors exchanged awkward glances, and it wasn't until there was complete silence, did Luna look back to the others. "Oh. You know that is an exceptionally good idea. It's obvious, isn't it?"

Harry shook his head in confusion, "What is?"

Luna wiped the chocolate from her face, using the back of her sleeve, as she tilted her head, "What about another DA lesson?"

Hermione furrowed her brow, until her eyes widened in realisation, "Oh!"

"Oh?" Neville looked confused.

Hermione grinned, "That's a wonderful idea, Luna! Perhaps we can convince him to, well…instruct one?"

Ron gasped, "Are you barking mad? A bit late for one, don't you think?"

"Wait, what?" Harry exclaimed, "No - He is not going to like the idea of that."

"Well, he is a teacher, " Hermione responded as matter-of-factly, "He allowed us to brew those Potions downstairs – and with him without a fuss, I might add - and he taught Harry how to send a message by Patronus. We can learn so much more from him."

"The man's dying, Hermione. Teaching us anything else will be the last thing on his list, " Harry was a little irritated at the idea. As much as he understood their reasoning for it, he couldn't help but feel bad for using the man in this way. Snape was already doing more than enough for them and asking another favor of him may not bode well for either of them.

Ginny asked, "Well, we can only ask. Besides, I'd like to have a proper defense against the dark arts lesson this time, as opposed to the monstrosity we learned this year with the Carrows."

"You know my feelings on being stuck in another class with Snape, but he may very well be, well…different?" Neville spoke a little nervously at the idea, "…Hopefully? He may actually give us a chance this time."

"You never know…Perhaps he would be happy to share his knowledge before his death, " Luna shrugged and continued with her timid, soft tone almost trailing off. "If I knew I was going to die soon, I would want to share what I could with someone else. " Luna gave Harry a small smile and turned her head back towards the fireplace, lost in her own little world once again.

He honestly doesn't know how she does it.

Feeling uncomfortable with the morbid turn in conversation – thanks to Luna – he couldn't help but agree with her statement. Because to be fair, Snape had already done that when he was expecting to die with Harry present. He passed on his memories, including many personal ones that only he knew of, in the hopes to share his knowledge one last time. Perhaps Snape may be willing to share his knowledge again. It could possibly be too much to ask of him now, but Snape could very well be attuned to the idea. Deep down, Harry really hoped to learn more from him. Willingly, this time. Now he was more than ready to pay attention, and perhaps this time, he won't disappoint the man in his so-called mediocre learning ability.

Who knows? Snape may even be surprised at their skill level now, given the turn of events of the year. They learned so much actively fighting for their lives, more than they ever could sitting in a classroom. In fact, besides a few moral hiccups, Snape seemed satisfied enough with their fighting efforts and dueling style in the recent incidences they've fought side by side. From the Forest fight to taking back Grimmauld Place, and fending off Death Eaters at Snape's residence; it could very well be possible that Snape could be willing to teach them further.

After all, Snape was no longer a spy for Voldemort, thus he had no reason to withhold anything. Technically speaking.

But given their last conversation, Harry was hesitant. Snape did make it blatantly obvious that he wanted to keep it professional. As a student, it couldn't hurt to ask, right? But he was worried about how receptive he may be to the new request. But they really could use his additional help.

There was another awkward silence on the mention of Snape's impending fate, and it hurt Harry a little too much to think about. The man was already willing to risk his life to keep Harry safe. Only those sitting in that room knew that he was slowly dying. No one else knew the ramifications of his close call from death at Hogwarts by Voldemort's hand. No one else knew not even McGonagall, Molly, or Arthur Weasley. Not even Minister Shacklebolt. It was easy for them to request help from Snape because they didn't know. To them, he was perceived as alive and well. They were oblivious to it.

Harry and his friends knew the truth, therefore he felt he had an obligation to abide by the man's last wishes. Whatever they may be.

After a few moments, Harry sighed, "Fine. I'll ask him. We'll get his opinion on tracking the Death Eaters, and maybe we'll see if he was willing to teach us more about the wards. Properly this time, and not in a mad scramble while we were fugitives. We've had way too many close calls with warding. If ever our shields collapse, I want to be sure we can replace them properly again."

Ron shrugged, "Sounds fair."

Hermione downed the rest of her hot chocolate and rose from her seat, "Let me know when Professor Snape shows up. I need to fill up those vials downstairs. Ginny, are you coming?"

"On it, " Ginny reached out for Harry's hand, and gave it a light squeeze, before accompanying Hermione to the basement.

"Wait for me – I need that list, then I best be off. I want to go visit my parents before seeing Madam Pomfrey, " Neville waved, "See you later!"

Hermione left with Ginny and Neville, leaving Harry, Ron, and Luna alone in the sitting room. Ron reached over to grab another savory pasty, and took a large bite, leaving flakes all over the front of his shirt. He gave a quick guilty glance to Harry, hastily brushing off the remnants, "Don't tell Hermione…She's been super mad at me for eating so much lately, but I can't help it. She's been on edge lately."

"Can't blame her. We're all a little on edge. Besides, she likes to keep herself busy at a time like this, " Harry looked down at his hands as he spoke, noticing the slightly frayed edge of the bandage underneath his right sleeve. Harry pulled his sleeve back over the dressing and glanced back at Ron, "She's worried about being unprepared this time. Besides, are you both, you know…okay?"

"Oh yeah, we're okay. It's just been stressful with everything else going on now. Just doesn't seem to end. It's hard to, well…move on. With Fred gone…" Ron bowed his head, as he whispered the last few words.

Harry respectively, bowed his head as well, feeling guilty yet again, "Yeah. I know." He glanced over at Luna, who now at this point, had taken her shoes off and twinkled her pale toes at the campfire, keeping within her own Luna-centric headspace. She made it look easy – Like she had no care whatsoever.

Ron gave Harry a thinned smile, trying to shrug off the sense of sadness rising up, "Hey, what did Snape say to you the other day? You know, after we left his place. I forgot to ask. He didn't harass you again, I hope?"

Harry frowned, and shook his head, "Oh, no no. Well, he got mad at me for moving in front of the snake."

"That's it? Well… " Ron shrugged, "…It was kind of stupid of you."

"Did you see his face? I've never seen him…look like that before. Besides, I forgot about the whole Parseltongue thing."

Ron paused in thought, "Wonderful. Now he's afraid of snakes. Poor sod."

Harry sighed, "Can you blame him? If I got mauled to death by a giant vicious snake, I would be too."

"Sure, let's forget about the Basilisk then, " Ron sighed, "Do you think we should tell McGonagall about him?"

Harry bit his lip, "I've been thinking about that, but…I'm not sure. I want to, but Snape was insistent on no one else knowing. Hermione even offered to contact Madam Pomfrey for him, but he didn't like the idea."

"Well, he needs to decide soon, because honestly, it's not our place to take care of a dying man. Even more so our ex-Professor, a Death Eater, and problematic git."

"EX-Death Eater, Ron, " Feeling slightly offended, Harry drew back, "I thought you were alright with him now?"

"Depends. As long as he's alright with you, then I have no problem. Once he starts kicking up a fuss, it makes me hate him all over again. I'm glad he's on our side but that doesn't mean I have to like him. Besides, you seem to be worried about him all of the time now. What's up with that?"

"It's…complicated, Ron, " Harry clenched his jaw, "He gave up everything to see to it that I make it this far. That I survive. He didn't have to, but he did. That night when he gave me his memories…" He paused slightly feeling overwhelmed with his attempts to remember that night, "…He showed me many personal memories. Parts of his life…I saw things that no one else did. They weren't necessary, but he showed me anyway. Dumbledore asked too much of him...I saw Snape differently."

"Don't forget how badly he treated you in class, though. He was always foul, especially to you."

"He had to be, or else his cover would have been blown. I was young and stupid, and I made it easy for him to hate me. We all were Ron. I know I'm not my father, but I often reminded him of James. It wasn't my fault. It took him seven years to realize that I wasn't him."

"Took him bloody long enough. I'd be mad at him…I wouldn't want anything else to do with him."

"I did, and I was mad at him. Furious! The night Dumbledore died…I wanted to kill him. When I found out he was the one who overheard the Prophecy, I wanted him dead."

"Then what changed?"

"The memories, Ron. It was always the memories. Once I realized the truth that he had been helping me – Us – the whole time…It changed everything. He sent the Doe. He led us to the Sword of Gryffindor. He lied to Voldemort's face for years. Every year he protected me, and I never knew it back then. You may think he's still the same git we knew in first year, but people change, Ron. Sure, he's not pleasant to deal with, but he eventually came to do good, didn't he? You can't deny that. None of us is the same person we were back then, and neither should he be, either. He knows he messed up, Ron. Every year since the death of my mother, he's been trying to make things right. To me, he has more than earned his second chance…Even if his time now is limited."

"I'm not calling you a liar, Harry. I believe you. I just want you to be careful, that is all. If he's ever an arsehole to you again, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."

"We've come to a truce, now. A mutual understanding. It's a start."

"Give him time, Harry, " Luna made her way to the couch, still barefoot, and picked up a chocolate fudge cookie. "He is still concerned for you, so that alone speaks volumes. He wouldn't still be trying to protect you, otherwise."

"Helping him is the least I could do, even if he says he doesn't want my help, " Harry ran his hand through his messy hair, "He has no one. You saw what happened during the Order meeting…Snape was condemned. I can't let that happen again. No one understands. No one saw what I saw."

"You're doing the right thing, " Luna smiled, "He is dealing with a lot, I'm sure. He just needs to find a sense of purpose again."

Harry sighed, "Yeah, I suppose we all are."

Before they could continue, they began to hear additional voices downstairs, along with shuffling down the length of the hallway below. Harry and Ron looked at each other and then began to make their way down to see what was going on, with Luna trailing shortly behind and still barefoot. Once Harry reached the ground floor, they were greeted by the warmth of Molly Weasley.

"Oh! There you are!" Molly beamed at Harry with open arms, enveloping him in a tight hug. He was now taller than Molly, and yet he still felt like the little boy she helped at Kings Cross Station.

Gradually, Harry pulled away from the hug before it became too suffocating, "Hi Mrs. Weasley."

"Nice to see you too, mum, " Ron spoke with sarcasm, "I may as well be invisible."

Molly rolled her eyes, "Don't be so dramatic, Ronald. I barely see you anymore. I hope you are both keeping out of trouble. I don't want to see you both plastered on the front of The Daily Prophet for doing something reckless. "

"We're fine, " Harry tried to reassure the woman, but he could see Molly slowly fuming, "It's alright."

Molly looked stricken, "Alright?! Arthur told me you found another Death Eater! You can't go taking matters into your own hands. The Ministry can handle this – "

"I'm sure even Arthur is aware that the Ministry is lacking in Aurors these days. We're just lending our assistance. We're being careful."

Ron shoved his hands in his pockets, "Mum, it's fine. We've fought Death Eaters before, stop stressing – "

"Stop stressing? STOP STRESSING?! RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!" Molly's booming voice echoed through the halls, as she planted both hands on her hips, face livid as her cheeks puffed with anger, "You've barely escaped with your lives! It was barely three weeks ago since the battle at Hogwarts, and I am NOT going to lose any more of you!"

Ron argued back, "It's not like we haven't handled them before! Besides, we want to help Kingsley capture the rest of them. We lost a lot of Aurors - Many were Confounded. It's a no-brainer that we do what we can. Blimey, mum."

"Mrs. Weasley…Molly, " Harry intercepted gently, "Please. We're being cautious. Besides, we are not blindly running out there, wands blazing. "

"Harry, dear, " Molly drew in a deep breath, trying to calm herself, "It's not that I don't trust you lot – Ron, don't interrupt! – It's just…Aren't you tired of all this? Let someone else take over it for you. Just because you defeated Voldemort, doesn't mean you are obliged to clean up."

"But that's exactly why we need to do this. If we don't, who else will? Most of the magical population are running scared and barricading themselves in their homes. The Ministry is still broken from Voldemort's hold. Rogue Death Eaters are still out there attacking and kidnapping innocent people. And you want us to stay here, sit around and play Wizarding Chess, and pretend everything is fine? Well, because it's not. It's not fine, Molly. You know it's not."

Molly looked exhausted. And if Harry had any inkling, she looked like she was going to burst into tears. Molly's lower lip quivered slightly, as she looked at each boy before her. Luna was still on the staircase watching on, keeping her distance, as her mind seemed to trail elsewhere. Harry can understand Molly's frustration. In fact, Harry felt the same way before his friends convinced him to keep going. He was sure as hell tired of it all too. But frankly, he didn't want to resume his life on the grounds that he could be attacked again at any moment again. He wanted very much to take Ginny away on a real date this time – Just the both of them. In no way was he willing to do that still looking over his shoulder in constant danger. That was no way to live.

Harry wasn't ready to give up the fight just yet.

After silence befell them, Molly finally spoke again, "I know. Harry, I know. I just can't imagine losing another one of you. I wouldn't be able to bear it. Losing Fred…" Her voice broke at the mention of her son's name, as she looked away.

Feeling a pang of guilt rising within his stomach, Harry reached out to place a hand reassuringly on Molly's shoulder, "What we are doing, we are doing for him. And everyone else we lost. The war isn't over until it's safe again."

"That's like saying we'll have Hogwarts up and running again for another school year. Do you see that happening with this current mess? Unlikely. No parent is going to risk sending their kids to school right now, " Ron explained, "Besides, McGonagall doesn't even think it's safe for a memorial yet."

After clasping Harry's hand gently from her shoulder for a few moments, she let go to brush away a tear, "You've both grown up quicker than you're supposed to…I suppose I can't stop you from trying to do the right thing. You are young adults now, and your decisions are your own…That doesn't mean I still can't worry about you."

"We'll be fine, really, " Harry smiled reassuringly at the Weasley matriarch, doing his best to prevent himself from further upsetting her.

Molly glanced from Harry to Ron, then up at Luna on the stairwell, before turning back to Harry, "Alright then. " She clasped her hands eagerly in front of her floral printed casual dress, "I thought I might fix you lot some dinner. Arthur won't be home until much later, and George is off with Angelina – It took much convincing to get him out of the house, mind you. And Percy has been busy helping Kingsley in reforming the Ministry. I didn't fancy sitting around alone in an empty Burrow."

Luna smiled, "Would you like some assistance?"

Molly beamed, "That'll be lovely, sweetheart. Come now – " She beckoned for the Ravenclaw to follow, and both disappeared into the kitchen, as Molly led her in with an arm around the girl's shoulders.

Exchanging wary glances, Harry and Ron made their way into the basement to convene with Hermione and Ginny, as the four of them tinkered away at the remaining potion stores. Much to Harry's concern, Hermione had explained to them how dwindled their supplies were, and barely scraped enough for basic potions. Neville had volunteered to seek out herbs from Hogwarts, but considering the danger now lurking in the shadows, it was a risk they weren't willing to take just yet. Harry already knew that Hogwarts had a limited supply since its destruction and ransacking during the battle. The supplies were either destroyed or stolen, as Harry had already seen while he and Snape were down there several weeks ago. With no one to restock them, they were running out of places to obtain even the basic ingredients.

Neville was already concerned with the lack of supplies at St. Mungos, and Harry did not want to deprive the hospital with potion remedies that could save a life. So, it left the group in a predicament, that they may not have enough to deal with Snape's condition. They could barely scrape by enough to aid them in case one of them became injured.

Whilst mulling over their options at dinner, Harry began to stress more as the evening progressed. He hated feeling like a sitting duck with his hands metaphorically tied. There were no new sightings of the rogue Death Eaters, and he heard no word from the DA members who left behind their charmed coins. That alone was instilling a new fear within him. Without the coins, he could not immediately contact them in secret if the need arose. He could only hope that they were still alive and well, and at least manage to take safety measures.

Once dinner was over, the group assisted in cleaning up the kitchen and dining room and bid farewell to Molly and Luna who departed soon after. With a rising headache in his temples, Harry retreated early back to Regulus' old bedroom; of which Harry still couldn't muster up the courage to take Sirius' room yet. In fact, he hadn't even entered that room for a long while, feeling as if he was intruding on his Godfather's sacred space.

Harry slipped into bed, staring at the ceiling for several hours trying to manage his rising headache before he finally drifted off to sleep. But yet again, he was hit with the same nightmares he has had since the battle of Hogwarts. But given the stress upon the teenager in the last few days, this time felt worse.

The nightmare began to sear into his mind like the force from his scar.

It didn't take long for Harry to feel a rising panic. His head started to pound with the force of a drum, causing Harry to thrash within his bed, and tangle himself within his sheets, as the nightmare became too great to bear. Each familiar face vivid of those that were lost, flashed into his mind, further sending him downwards in terror and being forced to relive those memories once again.

"Kill the spare!" "AVADA KEDAVRA!" A flash of green light blinded his subconscious. "Cedric, no!" Harry yelled out Cedric's name, in unison with the memory flashing before him.

"Nice one, James!" A memory at the Ministry shrouded the previous one in a haze, and with the feeling of adrenaline, fighting side by side with his Godfather Sirius. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" But another flash of green light burned in his mind, as he watched helplessness as Sirius fell through the veil once again. Bellatrix laughed manically as she bounded away in all her sadistic, twisted glory. Harry twisted in pain and fear, as tears streamed down his face. "Sirius! Sirius, please!" Harry wept, still bound by the nightmare taking hold of him, refusing to let him go.

That memory dissipated and took the form of another as quickly as it played, sending Harry's chest burning within his subconscious.

A green light flashed again, this time resulting in overseeing Albus Dumbledore being blasted off the edge of the Astronomy Tower…Beads of sweat poured down Harry's head, and onto his chest, soaking through his grey shirt, "NO!"

Another flash of green exploded within his vision, as he saw the crumpled form of Hedwig spiral downwards from the sky, as some of her feathers were taken away by a gust of wind in the night air. "NO!" Harry's breathing was rapid, struggling against the onslaught of his mind. Another dissipation of his memory, re-materialized as another. This time he was holding onto Dobby's injured form, feeling the gut-wrenching blow of yet another loss. The sounds of Harry's cries within the memory were drowned out by the sound of the crashing waves on the beach where they sat.

Harry wept silently; overcome by the nightmare he was trapped inside of.

The memory changed again, as he was forced to watch students crumbling to the floor around him, injured and helpless, as he ran through a destroyed Hogwarts. Explosions sounded around him, as more bodies fell. Screams of terror echoed within his mind, which was not just his own. The memory swirled into another, this time looking upon the faces of the dead before him. Fred…Tonks…Remus…Colin…Lavender…Snape…

Harry's sob escalated to what sounded like a miserable wailing. He was in pain. His chest…So much pain…His heart ached. He could hear voices in his head, but he could not make them out. Some were frantic, and he felt his body being shaken. But no matter how hard he tried; he could not pull himself out of the death-like chokehold the nightmares were giving him. Like the Devil's Snare wrapping around his body…his neck…Inhibiting his ability to breathe.

Finally, the last ounce of agony within his nightmare. Staring at his own bruised and battered form once again, he walked into the Forest to his death. The ethereal forms of his parents, Sirius and Remus walking beside him...Another green flash of light snapped him out of terror and back into reality.

Several different voices were crying out in unison, but his head hurt too much for him to even attempt to open his eyes. He felt cold hands grasp his shoulder, shaking him back to reality with a firm grip.

"HARRY! Harry, please!"

"Wake up, Harry!"

"Oh, what's happening to him?!"

"POTTER!"

Finally, and with great effort, Harry opened his eyes.