AN: You know what's crazy? Me writing another chapter within 24 hours of posting the previous one! It's getting to the exciting part and I hope you all enjoy it. I thought I'd better post this so you would know Harry is going to be alright. I had such drama when I was trying to work out dates and days of the year and when things occurred. I was getting confused whether it was 1995 or 1996 and I nearly thought I had a major plot hole in my story (bellatrix being out of azkaban or not). In Australia our school year is from February to December which I find makes so much more sense than having it over two different years (I know its different for nothern hemisphere because of summer but still). Anyway the major azkaban break out was in January 1996 when Harry was halfway through his fifth year at Hogwarts so I'm all good. This story is set in July 1996.

Anway thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting my story. Without further ado, here is the next chapter!

Chapter 10

Harry felt like punching something. This had been the worst summer ever, and it was not over. He had been abandoned at a mental hospital, where he had been stripped of his dignity, by being strapped to beds and wheelchairs. He then witnessed the death of three people, the doctor who had been responsible for Harry's current physical and mental state, and two other nurses. Three innocent people murdered, by a Death Eater by the name of Bellatrix Lestrange. Although it was not her who was taking the blame for it, he Harry, had been arrested and was now going to be put on trial for the crime, possibly facing an Azkaban sentence. He had been in the clutches of the ministry, who were claiming to take him into custody, probably to some dungy cell, but Dumbledore had come to his rescue. He would still have to go to trial, but with Dumbledore on his side, Harry felt hopeful that he could explain this mess away. But even now, he was still being affected from his stay at the mental hospital. His magic was weakened from the drugs, but what was even more infuriating, after being told he was mentally ill over and over from the doctors at the hospital, Madam Pomfrey was agreeing with them! She said that she thought he might have depression. And this unofficial 'diagnosis' by her was what led Harry to storm out of the hospital wing in a rage. Harry ended up wandering around the castle for hours.

When he passed by windows he could now see the light from the sun beginning to rise, and he decided after his long eventful night, he would go to the great hall to get some breakfast. However when he arrived, he saw it was completely empty. Of course it would be empty he realised; it was still the summer holidays. So instead he made his way to the painting of the bowl of fruit, where he knew was the entrance to the kitchens. He arrived about 10 minutes later, his stomach growling quietly. He tickled the pear and the painting opened up. He was greeted by many house elves, but one in particular welcomed him with a hug.

"Harry Potter!" said the little elf now stepping back to smile up at him.

"Hi Dobby," Harry said, his stomach rumbling again.

"You're hungry! We'll get Harry Potter some food right away," but no sooner than Dobby had spoken, five other elves came towards Harry with trays in their hands full of breakfast foods. Dobby led him over to a little table and sat him down. The other elves placed their trays down on the table and Harry's mouth watered with the smell of all the wonderful food.

"Thank you," he said and started eating.

"Dobby is very happy to see Harry Potter sir, yes indeed, but Dobby wonders why Harry Potter is here at Hogwarts in the summer?" said Dobby, taking a seat opposite Harry.

Harry sighed. "It's a long story Dobby, and not a very good one."

"Oh dear Dobby is not liking the sound of that. You can stay for as long as you like. Is Harry Potter wanting Dobby to make up a bed in Gryffindor?"

"No. I don't think I'll be staying here very long, Madam Pomfrey says I can't be around too much magic. I don't really have anywhere to go." Harry said.

"Dobby knows how Harry Potter feels, Sir. But why can't you be around magic?"

"The Ministry of Magic have my wand, and besides, apparently my magic is weak and needs to recover somewhere non-magical. Madam Pomfrey thinks I'm depressed after Si-my godfather died." Harry said.

"Oh. Well you wants to know what Dobby thinks sir?"

"What?"

"You just need your friends. Yes Harry needs his wheezy, and his friend who knits me scarves and hats and socks!" Dobby said excitedly.

"You mean Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Yes Ron and Hermione. Harry Potter must wait here, Dobby will be back soon." Dobby said beaming at Harry, then he apparated.

Harry spent the next half an hour filling up on all the delicious foods, being offered refills on his cup of tea by the house elves. After he was completely full, the door opened and in came Hermione and Ron, with Dobby behind them.

"Oh Harry I can't believe this is happening again!" Hermione said as she hugged Harry.

"How did you know-" Hermione thrust a paper into his hands. It was the Daily Prophet and there on the front cover was a photo of him, and the caption, "Harry Potter, Villain or Hero". He threw the paper down in disgust, he was not interested in reading it.

"Dumbledore came and got us this morning, and then Dobby brought us down from his office," she said.

"Don't worry mate, Dumbledore will prove to them that you obviously didn't do anything wrong. Though I doubt they'll catch the Death Eaters that did." Ron said giving him a hug and a pat on the back.

"So you both believe me?" Harry asked.

"Of course! Dumbledore filled us in. I'm just glad you're alright and the Death Eaters didn't do anything more to you than a petrificus totalus." Ron said.

"Dumbledore also told us what Madam Pomfrey said," Hermione said biting her lip.

"Oh yeah? And what, you agree with her?" he snapped.

"No I don't! I think everyone's taken this too far and I think you just need some time to yourself to deal with your emotions, I know if I was in your position I would be very upset-"

"I'm not upset! I'm angry! I've got nowhere to go, I don't have any family left, I can't use my magic and everyone thinks I murdered three muggles!" He yelled.

"That's not true, you'll always be a part of our family," said Ron.

"And mine," Hermione said quietly, both boys turning to look at her, "Both Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey seem to think you need to recover in a non-magical place, and that's why my family have offered to take you in for the next week or so."

"Really?" Harry asked, the anger leaving his face.

"Yes, you're welcome to stay until the end of the holidays. But after your trial, which is in one week, we thought we could celebrate at the burrow." She said.

"You don't know that I'm going to get off. Bellatrix used my wand, I could spend the rest of my life in Azkaban," Harry said, his voice shaking and full of uncertainty.

"Of course you will be cleared. All you have to do is tell the truth. Dumbledore has already left Hogwarts to go to the mental hospital to get statements from the people there." Ron said.

"What if they don't believe what I say, even though it's the truth?" Harry asked.

"They have to. I already started reading about evidence you can use and it's common to use memories from witnesses and suspects in trials. All you have to do is put your memory in the Pensieve, and they can show the whole court that." Hermione said.

"Well how come they didn't do that at my hearing last year?" Harry said.

"Well that was Fudge wasn't it? He was out to get you," Ron said to him, before going over to the table and grabbing some food off of the trays.

"But the ministry is still corrupt," Hermione said uncertainly.

"Exactly, and you know what Bellatrix said to me? 'Enjoy Azkaban', and then she laughed and disapparated," Harry said. "This must be some plan of Voldemort's to get me to Azkaban to make it easier for him to get to me. He already broke out heaps of Death Eaters six months ago, he could easily get to me if I get sent there."

"I think we just need to focus on proving your innocence and you won't have to worry about going there. Won't it be Amelia Bones in charge of the case not Fudge this time? She'll make sure she finds out the truth. Besides, do you really think Dumbledore would let you go to Azkaban?" Hermione said.

"No I suppose not," Harry said.

"Now come on, let's go up and see Dumbledore again. He said to come up to the hospital wing once we were done in the kitchens. Thanks Dobby," Hermione said.

"It's an honour to have you all down here in the kitchens, Miss," Dobby said bowing.

"Wai, I'm no' inishe-" Ron started to say with his mouth full, but Hermione was quick to dismiss him. "I don't care if you're not finished, there's always lunch," she said rolling her eyes.

The three of them exited the kitchens and thanked the elves who were bowing to them as they went out the door. They arrived at the Hospital wing and Harry experienced Déjà vu when he was once again ordered by Madam Pomfrey to sit down on the nearest bed, as she wanted to do another checkup on him before he left Hogwarts.

"I will not be treated like I'm some mental patient. I've already endured enough of that!" Harry said rudely to her.

However Madam Pomfrey just ignored him and cast the same spell as she did earlier. When she was reading the little piece of parchment though, she looked confused.

"I don't understand, already your magic is getting stronger," she said.

"Maybe Dobby was right. He's my friend from down in the kitchens, he said I just needed to see my friends," Harry said.

"Well he must be a wise house elf, I'm sorry Mr Potter for my accusations before. It seems all you needed was to see your friends after what you've been through. The last thing you needed after spending time locked up in that hospital was for me to justify their actions and I do apologise." She said. It was not often that Madam Pomfrey was wrong about a patient, and she looked at Harry guiltily because of her mistake.

"Yeah that's alright, as long as no one else accuses me of being mental!" He half joked.

"I should hope not," said Dumbledore, who had just entered through the doors to the hospital wing.

Harry smiled. For the first time this summer, he actually felt like things would be alright.

"I assume Miss Granger has already told you, her family is welcoming you to stay in their home for the next week until the trial on the 31st, from which I will collect you." Dumbledore said.

"Wait the 31st of July?" Harry asked.

"Didn't Mr Weasley or Miss Granger tell you when your trial would be?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well I said it would be in a week's time-"

"But I didn't realise it would be on my birthday," Harry interrupted Hermione, "Well this is going to be the worst birthday ever."

"I'm sorry Harry, I had no say in the matter. But I assure you, I will prove your innocence, and you can spend the rest of the holidays at the Burrow, if that is okay with Molly and Arthur," Dumbledore said turning to Ron.

"Of course we'd love to have Harry stay, you too Hermione," he replied, blushing at the mention of his invitation to Hermione.

"In the meantime, you will take this Portkey to the Granger's home. Temporary wards have been put in place over the house, and there will be someone from the order keeping watch. I retrieved your belongings from the hospital and I will send them to the Granger's home," Dumbledore said, handing Harry a biscuit tin lid. "This is your portkey, it will activate in one minute."

Ron gave both Harry and Hermione a hug, and said, "I'll see you at the trial, my family is coming to support you.

"Thanks, Ron. Say hi to everyone for me," Harry replied. Ron nodded.

"You have nothing to worry about Harry, I'll see you next Wednesday at 9am, your trial is at 11am." Dumbledore said to Harry.

Hermione went and stood next to Harry and grabbed hold of the portkey with him. A few seconds later, it started glowing blue, and with a flash, they were gone.