Abandoned Innocence

Chapter 1: Last Resort

Cut my life into pieces

This is my Last resort

Suffocation, no bleeding

Don't give a fuck if I cut my arm bleeding

This is my Last resort

Harry was never a deep sleeper but if anyone asked him to recall the events of that particular night, his memory would only show him moving blurs. It was probably a turning point in his life; he had had many of those but that night had been THE turning point.

He had been staring at the ceiling, thinking once again about the void in his life that had appeared after the death of Sirius. He wondered how much more it would have hurt if his parents had died when Sirius did, maybe it was better that he never knew his parents, at least he wouldn't have been responsible for their deaths.

Oh wait - he was responsible for his parents' death as well, if it hadn't been for that stupid prophecy then Voldemort wouldn't have come looking to destroy him and then maybe he would have been on some vacation with his parents rather than staring in bewilderment at the cloaked figures that surrounded his bed.

Wait a minute - cloaked figures? Harry might be dense at times but he certainly wasn't a stranger when it came to life and death situations. Later he would wonder why the Death Eaters hadn't just finished him off while he had been taking a walk down memory lane, maybe they were too awed to see the great Harry Potter just lying on this mangy bed with his eyes unfocused, looking so vulnerable, the fact was they expected him to defend himself, they even expected them to kill him.

And strangely enough - that's exactly what he did. It would remain a mystery to him how exactly had he summoned his wand to him by mere will.

It had been a blur, his vision for some reason had been perfect even though he hadn't been wearing glasses and his wand had just flown in his hand. The words just spilled out of his mouth, it was like letting out a loud roar after repressing it for years. Sirius's face spun around him as all he saw was blinding rage, later there would only be a mist of green left in the room as black bodies would cover the floor.

"Avada Kedavra." Such a simple word, spoken so effortlessly and the soft 'thump' of bodies hitting the floor lifelessly was so satisfying. Harry remembered when Bellatrix Lestrange had told him that to cast an Unforgivable, you had to mean it and at that moment Harry really did. He wanted to wipe the world off these monsters and if at that moment Voldemort himself had appeared, Harry would not have hesitated to say the Killing Curse.

After the last of the green mist had cleared, Harry's vision blurred again, so he walked towards his small table careful not to step on any of the bodies. After putting on his glasses he looked around at the bodies sprawled at weird angles on the floor, he had used Avada Kedavra six times. At first he had thought that the Death eaters had been an 'easy kill' but when the Dursleys turned the light on as they burst into his room, did he see the damage the Death Eaters had done. Nothing could be seen intact in the room.

If Harry had never seen real fury before then he certainly would have recognized it at that moment when his Uncle's face was about to pop; it had swollen so much. His petite wife just stared in horror, her mouth gaping like a fish.

Well Harry should have been expecting what happened next, he was just surprised that Uncle Vernon hadn't thrown him out of the house by his collar. Instead he stood with his mouth snapped shut and fists clenched as Harry picked up some priced possessions, namely his Firebolt and his already packed trunk. In fact he had known this would be happening sooner or later and he wasn't a least bit upset that the event occurred sooner rather than later.

That's how he finally got free of the Dursleys; he got thrown out of their house. Harry had been far from grasping the situation, as he was still thinking about those dead bodies, those bodies had been people, he hadn't even seen their faces. They were just that - bodies. Did that make him the same as Voldemort? Had he committed a sin? But if he was expected to defeat Voldemort, wasn't he expected to kill? Obviously the Dark Lord won't just suddenly vanish or drop dead just because Harry said, "Pretty Please with sugar on the top."

*

Vernon Dursley wasn't intimidated easily, no sir. He paid his mortgage and his taxes; all in all he was a well-respected member of the community, amen. So one must wonder why he had a group of unusually dressed folk in his living room at such an ungodly hour.

"You did WHAT? Have you any idea what sort of danger you have put Harry in by throwing him out of your house?" Remus was usually a calm sort of man but at this precise moment he found it hard to contain the fury. Of course they hadn't expected Death Eaters to be able to reach Harry so easily so when the alarm went off at the Department of Aurors, everyone just went wild. They detected that Avada Kedavra had been performed six times; Remus had never been more worried in his life, not even when James and Lily had been murdered. The prophecy had said that only Harry could kill Voldemort but anyone could kill Harry.

When the team arrived they were too late, these foolish relations of Harry Potter had thrown him out of the only sanctuary he had.

"T-There are b-bodies - " Petunia Dursley broke down in sobs as she pointed a shaking finger towards the stairs. The team exchanged glances and without asking permission they apparated upstairs in front of a very indignant Vernon Dursley.

Remus tripped on something soft as he apparated in Harry's room, he looked down to see bodies in black lying in each other. He prodded one with his foot but now he understood what the six Avada Kedavras had been for.

"Get them to the ministry." He barely managed not to choke. When the bodies had been taken away only Alastor Moody stayed behind with Remus.

"We have to wipe the muggles memory," he growled. Remus nodded as if in a trance. "That foolish boy - " Moody muttered all the way downstairs.

"Be safe wherever you are, Harry." Remus said softly. He knew that Harry couldn't hear him but just couldn't help hoping that the wind would carry his words to Harry, wherever he was.

**

Harry remembered the last time he had been in this dingy alleyway was in his second year. The rusty board's writing had almost worn off but the name was still decipherable, 'Borgin & Burkes'. He had full knowledge of what kind of things that shop dealt with, in fact Harry was aware that Knockturn Alley itself reeked of Dark Magic, everything in him told him to turn away and leave but he had come a long way and wasn't about to let nerves take the better of him.

He had made sure not to use magic lest it be traced to him so it had taken quite a while to get to Knockturn Alley, he had disguised himself as a beggar and ventured into Diagon Alley through the Leaky Cauldron without getting caught. He needed some sort of charm or spell that would hide any traces of magic from his wand because he knew the Ministry was looking for him hence the posters all around Diagon Alley. Apparently a panic wave had rose in the wizarding world when they got the knowledge of Harry's disappearance but it seemed the Ministry was doing alright at keeping the public calm.

Harry had no idea that the Death Eaters that had been caught at the end of his fifth year were to be executed today as well. There had been a massive Dementor revolt at Azkaban after the capture of those Death Eaters. Seems like Voldemort had got the Dementors vote already so the Death Eaters were to be killed the old fashion way - burnt at stake.

After casting quick glances sideways, Harry entered the shop. The sound of the bell ricocheted to announce his arrival to the proprietor, Mr. Borgin. The stooping man appeared behind the counter at once, Harry didn't head towards him straightaway. He walked around the dark shop, looking at all the Dark Artefacts. Wonder why the ministry hasn't busted this place already, Harry thought in amusement.

"Hello." Mr. Borgin said. Harry turned towards him. He was wearing a hood, which covered all of his face so he was sure that the man didn't know who he was. And even if he didn't cooperate with him, Harry had the trusty Avada Kedavra Curse to buy his loyalty.

He walked towards the man and raised the front of his hood enough to show the scar and the bright green eyes. Harry liked to think the man took a step back in fear.

"Harry Potter." He gasped.

"I have come specifically for one thing." He started. The man raked his dirty hands through his thinning and greasy hair. "Don't worry, I'll pay you more than you are worth." Harry had made sure to takeout enough money from his vault at Gringotts, he could trust Goblins not to leak any information on him as they were supposed to be strictly confidential and anyways the only thing that interested them was the vault key to grant access to a particular vault.

"O-of course. Though I d-don't think I can be of any help - " Mr Borgin stuttered and his eyes widened when Harry slipped his wand from his sleeve and started twirling it in his fingers.

"Oh come on Borgin, I know the things you deal with. I've heard you have a long history with the Malfoys and anyway you are the best around for what I want." Harry gave a cold smile. "So, let's cooperate with each other now, shall we? We both have something that the other want." The man didn't say anything but studied Harry clearly, what he saw was any man's guess since Harry's face was shadowed with his hood. "I'm sure you have heard the news about me, I want something that can cloak any magic done by me so the ministry can't track me down."

The man scratched his stubbly chin as if he was thinking. Harry waited patiently.

"I know something that maybe of handy, but it'll cost you." The man grinned and his blackened teeth could be seen, Harry tried not to flinch.

"Name your price." He replied. Mr Borgin nodded and went in the back somewhere while Harry looked around once again. He was studying an ancient looking mask when the bell rang again. Harry looked up in alarm to see another figure dressed in all black and face hooded.

Harry didn't recognize who it was and he hoped the person didn't recognize him either; he wished that Mr Borgin would hurry up. He watched the person from under his hood and suddenly was struck by this strong aura; it was like a light surrounding the figure. It was familiar yet strangely intense. The figure came towards him.

"Potter."

"Malfoy...."

"Didn't think I'll find Saint Potter here." He drawled. Though neither could see each other's face, Harry could almost see the familiar sneer on the blonde's face.

"Here you go, Mr Potter." Mr Borgin came from behind the counter; he stopped though when he noticed another person. Harry laid a purse of coins down on the counter and took the dirty pouch from Mr Borgin. Then he turned to Malfoy.

"I was just leaving." And he did just exactly that.

Harry wouldn't admit it but somehow that encounter with Malfoy had unnerved him, a million questions were travelling through his head at the speed of light. It wasn't that he was surprised to see Malfoy at that shop, he had seen him with his father in his second year but this time he was alone. Then things started to click in place. What if Malfoy was going to use some dark spell to help his father escape from the execution? Harry's blood boiled with fury, no way in hell was he letting Malfoy escape unpunished.

He wondered around aimlessly still trying to figure out what was he going to do if a situation did arise. He had found out that the Unforgivables were like child's play to him and he won't be afraid to use it if he had to. Soon it was noon and Harry made his way to the Market Square where already a large crowd had gathered in anticipation.

In the middle, all the captured Death Eaters were bound with roped against long wooden stakes and the crowd was jeering at them, some even tried to throw various objects at them but a magically enforced shield was stopping the vegetables and eggs from hitting the targets.

From where Harry was standing he could see Malfoy, Avery, Nott, Crabbe, Macnair, Rookwood and there were some more he couldn't recognize but he remembered the names Malfoy had shouted that fateful night at the Ministry, it had been Jugson, Dolohov, Rabastan and Mulcifer. It seemed their families had gathered at the front of the crowd as well.

Harry recognized Crabbe and Nott but it was Malfoy who he had his eye out for. He saw him standing with his mother by his side. They looked like angels amongst the others what with their pale skin and hair. Last time Harry had seen Narcissa Malfoy had been at the Quidditch World Cup two years go, she hadn't changed at all. She still had the high nose and straight posture; though her husband was about to be killed she stood as regal and indifferent as ever.

Suddenly the crowd erupted in loud cheers as Cornelius Fudge and a team of Aurors mounted the wooden platform. He raised his hands to silence the excited crowd and pointed his wand at his throat, probably to amplify his voice.

"These present here," he pointed at the bound Death Eaters, "have been accused and found guilty of allegiance with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and of participating in other gruesome and surely horrifying activities. We are here present today to witness the execution of these traitors."

Another loud cheer went up from the crowd but Harry's eyes were still trained on Malfoy's face, as if sensing he was being watched, he raised his head and scanned through the crowd. Harry quickly turned and tried to blend in with the crowd. Harry missed another part of the speech and when he looked up at the Minister of Magic, he had already lighted the last Death Eater. Flames were licking away quickly at the wood and the tattered clothes they now wore.

Harry was confused at what was happening, he had been so sure that Malfoy was going to do something. He looked at him and saw the blond boy staring at his father who also was looking straight at his son. Draco Malfoy was muttering words under his breath and was moving his hands in the sign of what appeared to be runes but in everyone's excitement no one noticed. Harry saw Malfoy give a last smirk to his father and then with one sharp movement of his hand Harry looked up to see that Lucius Malfoy was now staring ahead.

At first he wondered what exactly had Malfoy done and fought the urge to go up to him and ask him face to face. The he noticed that Lucius Malfoy was staring straight on, without blinking but that was all Harry saw before flames hid his face.

**

"So nice of you to drop by," Harry gave a sickeningly sweet smile. "Does it hurt?"

He bent down to the nearest Death Eater whose throat had gone raw from screaming while the others still gave out howls of pain. Harry wasn't worried about anyone hearing them since they were in an abandoned graveyard and hardly anyone came here thinking the place was haunted.

"Don't worry," Harry looked up at the moon and then at the watch on his wrist. "Just one minute before midnight and my sweet sixteenth."

He watched the Death Eaters shaking with unimaginable pain; Harry thought that he had mastered the Unforgivables by now after practicing on animals and of course the odd Death Eater who would be foolish enough to stop by. It had been three weeks since he had left the Dursley's, and tonight he was going to turn sixteen. He usually went and spent the rest of the summer with the Weasley's but he doubted that even they, as nice and kind they were, would let a murderer in their house.

Harry shrugged to no one in particular; he didn't care anymore about anything. It had become a daily routine; more Death Eaters would come at him thinking he was vulnerable now that he wasn't under the protection of his only relatives and the last thing they would see would be his grinning face. Harry had slipped in and out of the Ministry of Magic a couple of times; he would drop the bodies in and leave. He hadn't been caught or noticed so far but there were many posters of him around and a reward for whoever found him. Harry doubted he was being hunted down because of his deeds but because they wanted to make sure that they got to him before Voldemort did.

Harry was brought out of his thoughts by the loud chime of a near by Church Clock telling it was now midnight. Harry felt angry at himself for letting his guard down while there were Death Eaters around, he looked down at them but they were still under the Cruciatus Curse, he hadn't taken any of there masks of, he never did.

"Finally." He said cheerfully and rubbed his hands. He removed the curse from them and they fell limp. He kicked one in his ribs and he groaned so Harry knew that they weren't dead, after all where would be the fun in that. "Time to open presents!"

He looked around expectantly but none of the fallen figures even raised their heads, Harry sighed, well time to liven up the party a bit.

"Happy Birthday to me..." he started singing softly, after a while he became annoyed when the rest of the guests won't join in. "Imperio" he cast on them.

"Happy Birthday to you." It was more of a chant then a song but Harry felt satisfied as he heard them say in that monotonous voice.

"And what party would be complete without food." He smiled and with a flick of his hand a table appeared laden with party food and four chairs around it. He ended the Imperius Curse but they were too dazed to move forward. "Let's do this the easy way, you wouldn't want me to cast the Imperius Curse again now would you?" he warned.

They approached the table hesitantly, one would wonder why didn't they just attack Harry at once after all they not only out numbered him they could also out power him since he was still a child while they were adult wizards but Harry had already thought these things through and first thing he did was disarm them and then let the fun begin.

He watched as one of the Death Eaters spilled wine because he hadn't taken his mask off, in fact none of them had. Harry had already made clear that he didn't want them to take their masks off and he usually didn't let them speak lest he recognized them. It was better to kill an unknown enemy across the battlefield then a once acquaintance.

"Now, I have a message for Voldemort." Every trace of amusement or humour left his voice as his whole demeanour turned cold. "Tell him that I tire of his games, I expected him to do better than this. I wait for his next move and hopefully it will be better than the last pathetic attempts." He said. "Now leave before I change my mind, I'm feeling a bit generous tonight."

They stumbled while standing up and knocked a few things off the table. Harry watched with cold eyes as they quickly walked away from him before he told them to stop. They did as he said while Harry walked slowly towards them until he was facing them. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Now how many people does it take to deliver a message?" he raised an eyebrow.

"O-one." They replied in unison.

"Okay." Harry smiled and with one word muttered three times, only one Death Eater was left standing. "Now hurry up and go." And the Death Eater didn't need to be told twice, Harry wondered how he was able to apparate even with the type of injuries he had inflicted on them.

He stood watching as light slowly started creeping from behind the grave stones, he heard an owl hoot and he held out his hand before Hedwig came to perch at his elbow. He stroked her feathers absently and she nibbled his fingers affectionately. He was thinking about what would happen when he would go to Hogwarts. Only time will tell, he thought.

"I think it's time for a makeover, what do you think, Hedwig?" he whispered. She hooted in approval. "It feels good to be sixteen."