Disclaimers: All on first chapter.

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Learning in the Dark

Acceptance

He knew he couldn't hide there forever but at the moment Harry's mind was devoid of any plan.

"The longer you hide, the more it's going to hurt when I find you…"

Harry swallowed nervously, glancing to his left where the man's shoe had become visible.

In a very Gryffindor moment of chivalry he pulled himself upwards into a silent crouch, closed his eyes in a silent prayer and threw himself as his attacker's legs. The man gave a roar as they both toppled to the ground and Harry scrambled for the open door once again.

He noticed the man's wand had fallen to the ground also, and kicked it further from the death eater's grasping hand. Instead the hand found Harry's foot as he struggled to escape and Harry lashed out with his free foot instead. It connected with the man's arm, but had little effect as he seemed to be made entirely of muscle… or wood. Either way it probably hurt Harry more than it did him.

The death eater laughed mercilessly as he reached once again for his wand which was within reach. Harry had raised his wand in an effort to release his legs but he was knocked back by a powerful expelliarmus, his head meeting the solid floor once again.

When he looked up, the death eater was standing over him triumphantly, holding both wands… swaying slightly back and forth with the room it seemed.

"Crucio."

The room exploded with stars and Harry could hear his screaming as if it were coming from the room next-door. The stars disappeared as quickly as they had come and Harry found himself lying in a different position to before as he gasped the air back into his lungs.

"You squirm a lot under that spell," The death eater stated as if it were the time of day, "You'd think you of all people would be used to it by now…"

Is that good or bad?

Harry coughed and tried to get up, but found that his shaking muscles couldn't quite make it. The death eater soon sorted that out however, and grabbed Harry by the scuff of his robes. He dragged him over to the bookshelf where he threw him against the solid wood. Harry slid to his knees, still struggling to find his bearings in the swimming room.

"Imperio."

Harry's body was freed of all pain so for once it was such a blissful feeling that Harry had no trouble obeying the first command.

"Stand up."

He got to his feet and stood up straight.

No doubt with a stupid smile plastered across my face, he thought, slowly coming to his senses.

"Don't move."

Okay, Harry's body told him, but Harry thought otherwise as the death eater advanced with a knife.

"The Dark Lord wants you alive but that doesn't stop me from having a little fun…" the large man informed him with a sickly smile.

Harry's mind strained against the effects but he was having trouble pushing the curse aside now that it had taken over.

The knife hovered in front of his eyes as the death eater laughed. He moved it away from his glasses much to Harry's relief until it was then was dragged slowly down the side of his face. Harry couldn't feel the pain which was a bizarre state to be in because he could feel the blood running down his face. This didn't help matters much because now his mind didn't want the imperius curse to end as he would feel the pain.

The death eater slashed it across his chest and seemed to survey his work as Harry struggled against the curse.

Move… movemovemove.

Harry gritted his teeth as the pain rushed back into his body as if someone had turned all the taps back on in his nerves.

He gave a yell and kneed the death eater hard in the stomach. The taller man who hadn't been expecting such a move, doubled over in pain and Harry tried to hold back the knife that was now coming at him in a stabbing motion. He put all his might into holding the knife away from his face as the death eater pinned him against the bookcase and struggled for control of the blade.

It was Harry's turn for a knee in the stomach and he released his grip slightly on the knife as the wind was knocked out of him in a rush. He heard the noise before he felt the effects and perhaps it was just as well, as he may not have been able to say the incantation otherwise.

His heartfelt stupefy sent the death eater across the room to collapse in an untidy heap amongst the remains of the coffee-table. After a painful moment of ensuring the man was out for the count, Harry turned to where the dagger had gone through his right hand, which was now pinned to the fourth shelf of the bookcase.

As the green eyes observed the sight, the pain hit him full on and he stumbled against the bookcase, holding on to it so that he didn't fall and damage his hand further. The knife had gone in vertically rather than horizontally, so Harry hoped that it hadn't done too much damage.

What was he supposed to do now? It wouldn't do much good for Voldemort to walk in on him now, immobilised because he was stuck to a bookcase.

Harry closed his eyes, cursing prophesies and magic altogether, and gripped the handle of the knife. He gritted his teeth and pulled.

He allowed himself the short scream that escaped his mouth as the knife dropped to the floor and Harry to his knees, where he cradled his injury with tears of pain welling up in his eyes.

Oh Merlin that hurt.

How many teenagers had to pull a weapon out of their own body? In fact, how many teenagers had to fight for their lives on a regular basis? Harry scowled and tried to banish the rebellious thoughts that had entered his mind many times before.

Why didn't he have a normal life?

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"… so it wouldn't take much to swap them. Sugar Harry?"

"No thanks."

"I've heard that you're keeping yourself busy. That's good. But I'm curious as to whether you've studied the Black library in depth?"

Dumbledore took a drink from his bright blue mug.

Harry gave him a small smile. That obviously meant, have you been looking at the Dark Arts books.

"Well, as I haven't really had much else to do, then yes, I have found some quite interesting volumes."

Dumbledore nodded.

"I'm not going to order you not to read into the Dark Arts Harry, but I'll urge you caution as I would to anyone. It would be best not to experiment without informing someone first… just in case anything should happen."

"I bet Snape didn't inform anyone when he was playing about with them," Harry said before he could stop himself, "And I can't imagine Tom Riddle would have either

Dumbledore gave a small sigh and set down his mug gently.

"Harry, I can hardly allow you to compare Professor Snape to Tom Riddle. And, I'm surprised that you're getting quite so defensive about the matter. Is there anything you need to tell me?"

Harry scowled, here we go, he's just a boy, he doesn't understand.

"No, sir, but I'm tired of everyone treating me like I'm five years old."

"But to me you're still a child and I care about what happens to you,"

Harry opened his mouth to protest but Dumbledore's next sentence made him close it with a smile.

"But you must remember, I still consider Severus to be a child and I worry about him too, so I hope you can imagine much I feel I need to keep an eye on you, dear boy." The old man smiled warmly at Harry, knowing he had silenced his doubts for the moment.

Harry hated to admit it, but it felt quite nice knowing that someone had admitted to caring for him… It hadn't happened all that often really.

"But everyone else acts the same, and it's not like they're…" Harry bit his tongue and looked up guiltily at the headmaster.

"It's not like they have been around for as long as me?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his glasses.

"Yes, sir, but I mean, even Hermione treats me like I'm a child sometimes."

The headmaster considered this.

"I think you'll learn Harry, that many men find themselves at a loss when it comes to how women treat them, however," He took another drink, "These people worry because they care about you."

"Well, I wish they would show it in another way." Harry grumbled, drinking some of his own tea which was now cool enough to drink

"I don't believe Miss Granger has any younger siblings, perhaps she is treating you as she would her younger brother…" Dumbledore smiled in amusement at Harry's disgusted expression

Maybe I'm just not used to being treated like a chid now, because I've never been treated like a child before. The Dursleys hardly played with me… I was more like a house-elf to them. Harry decided not to share this information with the headmaster, and busied himself with drinking his tea.

A knock at the door broke Harry from his thoughts and a familiar head popped around the doorframe.

"Sorry to interrupt Albus, Harry, but I thought you might like to see these before I go, Headmaster. I picked them up at a muggle… car, boot, sale," Mr Weasley paused on each last word to make sure he got them right, then broke into a grin, "They're like toys, but they don't move or make any noise."

Dumbledore shared a quick smile with Harry at the elder Weasley's enthusiasm before moving aside to let him place down his treasures.

"I think I heard them say they were called bored-games… quite a confusing title really because you'd think they were to relieve boredom and not cause it…"

Harry grinned at Mr Weasley's mistake.

Harry stood back and watched as Dumbledore listened, and to his credit, seemed to be quite interested as Arthur explained the workings of Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly and other such games to the headmaster.

"… so if your coloured plastic circle ends up on these squares with the pictures then you have to either move up or down, I'm not actually sure… Harry? I don't suppose you know what happens if you land on one of these flat little ladders do you

Harry looked up and found himself faltering. It wasn't as if he didn't know which direction they went, obviously ladders meant that you moved up. It was just the fact that he had never actually played Snakes and Ladders himself. He'd only listened as Dudley played, and consequently wrecked his board with his friends.

"Up, Mr Weasley. Ladders mean that you move up. Snakes are down."

"Ah… spot on Harry, good show… so, if you land on…"

The red-haired man launched back into his explanation but Dumbledore's gaze lingered on Harry for several moments in an un-readable manner. Harry avoided his gaze and turned back to finish his cup of tea.

"Anyway," Mr Weasley concluded after several moments, "I'm going to take them back to the kids and see what they can make of them. I can't imagine Molly will be too pleased with all these little bits of plastic lying about the place, but hopefully it will keep the mob quiet for an hour or two."

Harry felt a tightening in his chest as he listened to Mr Weasley talking about his family. He wished someone had brought him back a present like that when he was little.

"Ah, very good, I'm sure they'll enjoy them. Thanks for coming by, Arthur."

"Not a problem Headmaster, no problem at all. You should join me when I next visit a car-shoe sale. Goodbye, goodbye Harry."

"Goodbye Mr Weasley." Harry managed a smile as the man left, shuffling the boxes abut under his arm as he put on his little hat and disappeared.

Harry's eyes met with those of the headmaster who held his gaze for several moments, then returned to his tea.

"So, Harry, do you read many muggle books…?"

>>>

A crash from the hallway and the sound of male voices gave Harry the energy he needed to get up from his crouched position, and make his way over to the door. He held his wand in his left hand as he advanced and had little chance to decide whether to hide or not, before he recognised Arthur Weasley's voice.

Harry leapt around the doorway and had half a second to take in the death eater standing over Mr Weasley before the hooded man turned and shot a bright pink spell at him. Harry pirouetted instinctively and the spell flew past his right ear. Harry didn't stop to see what the spell had hit as he heard a shatter from the room he had just left, and instead returned the attack with one of his own.

Unfortunately for the death eater, the first spell that came into Harry's head was one which he had picked up in the Black family library, and under the guidance of Dumbledore, he had yet to test.

The death eater yelled in panic as long brown hair began to sprout all over his face and arms, and Harry could only stand at watch in amazement at the effects of his spell. It was just as well Mr Weasley stunned him before the corridor became filled with hair, and the hooded man fell against the wall in a heap… Harry decided he looked a bit like a haystack.

"Harry, it's good to see you. Are you okay?" Mr Weasley picked himself up and came over to where Harry was now standing.

"I'm fine." Harry replied out of habit.

"I don't think you are," the red haired man replied studying Harry's injured face, "I can- Merlin Harry, look at your hand! What have you been doing? Let me see."

It took a couple of minutes of Mr Weasley's concerned comments before Harry relaxed enough to let him see the injury.

"It's nothing really, I…" But Harry's protests were silenced by a stern look from Mr Weasley.

"Harry, I'm not about to let you run off when you're bleeding all over the place. Look here,"

Harry let the red-head sit him down in a sheltered corner of the hall as he took off his jacket and promptly ripped off the sleeve.

"What-"

"Shh, let me see your hand again."

Harry held out his hand reluctantly, and watched as Mr Weasley carefully bandaged it with his jacket sleeve. He was surprisingly gentle, and Harry decided this was what it must feel like to have a dad. Someone who was willing to sort-you-out no matter what the situation was. Harry grinned.

"Alright? That's a bit better but we'd better get you to some proper medicine as soon as possible."

"Thanks." Harry said, slightly embarrassed.

Mr Weasley just looked at him with a smile on his face,

"Don't you worry. Now, there should be a phoenix pendant in the kitchen next to the sink. It's a portkey. I want you to go there right now and use it to get to Hogwarts. The password is Hellebore. No arguments."

"But-"

"No, Harry you're of paramount importance here, you have to get out."

Harry scowled, "Why, because I'm the chosen-one?" he muttered.

Mr Weasley looked surprised and replied as if it were obvious.

"No, because I don't want to see you get hurt any more than you already have been. Now go."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine-"

A barrage of spells flew at them and Mr Weasley pulled Harry to the ground.

"I can hold them off, but you must go, NOW."

Harry stared at the red-haired man as he tried to think of an argument to stay and help, but Mr Weasley pushed him in the direction of the kitchen.

"Go!" he hissed, firing off a few spells.

Harry closed his eyes, feeling thoroughly ashamed as he left Mr Weasley to fight the death eaters on his own. He looked back, and between spells, the older man shot him a thumbs up sign. Harry nodded unenthusiastically an continued down the corridor.

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Harry sat near the fire, flicking through an old book he'd found upstairs. Nearly everyone had either left, or gone to bed so he had retired back to the warmth of the living room. He wondered briefly if the Weasley's were all sitting together playing the board-games in their own living room.

The jumping fire cast shadows flickering across the armchairs and Harry decided he rather like the effect… how very gothic, he mused. Maybe this is what Voldemort's house is like. Harry snorted in amusement at the image.

"I'm glad you've found such an amusing book, but perhaps I could join you."

Harry started and looked up to find the owner of the voice.

"Professor, I thought you'd left."

The headmaster stepped into the light of the fire, green robe sparkling.

"I had, but I realised I'd forgotten a potion."

"Oh," Harry replied, not really knowing what to say.

It seemed even Snape got more attention than he did these days.

The headmaster watched him through his glasses, the firelight glinting off the half-moon shapes.

"I don't suppose you've got any pressing engagements for the next few hours do you?" he asked quietly, settling himself down into the armchair opposite.

"I… er, no not really." Harry answered apprehensively, not sure what the headmaster was planning

"Good good," he replied happily, "Then I thought we could perhaps sample one of Mr Weasley's board-games. I rather liked the look of this one."

Harry blinked in surprise as Dumbledore brought out a game of Snakes and Ladders and looked up to see if he was serious.

Dumbledore smiled warmly, "Arthur was kind enough to let me borrow it for a few days. Shall we see if you're as good at dodging snakes as you were in your second year?"

Harry grinned. He knew just what the old man was playing at, but decided that for once, he didn't mind being treated like a child. Not this time anyway.

"Who goes first?" He asked.

Harry stepped into the doorway of the kitchen and glanced about quickly. A few broken chairs and a smashed plate littered the floor and his feet crunched as he stepped across the room.

He spotted what looked like the necklace next to the sink as Mr Weasley had described, but decided he was having second thoughts about leaving the place. He still hadn't found Lupin.

A heavy weight dropped into his stomach as he considered this. What had happened to him?

Harry froze as he thought he heard a noise, but after a couple of moments he relaxed again and stepped closer to the necklace.

That was when a strong arm grabbed him and a gloved hand covered his mouth. Harry struggled with an inaudible yell, but slipped on some broken wood and found himself being dragged backwards. There was a heavy slam and the next thing he knew he was in the darkness of a cupboard.

"Potter." The voice of his attacker said from behind him, out of the darkness.

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Hope you enjoyed, I've planned it out a lot more now, so I know what's happening in the next chapter. Thanks to all my reviewers! X x x