Disclaimer Roses are red, violets are blue, I no own so you no sue…(except for original characters that is)
AN: Hope you like this chapter... please R+R thx
Perhaps it was the trick of the light that made the Dark Lord look somewhat amused at the drunken antics of Travers. Certainly Harry had been expecting at least several bouts of immediate and painful torture, after all even Albus Dumbledore would not have tolerated Travers.
"Ah, mi Lord, I saw just saying how I's been poisoned," slurred Travers the tip of his tongue perturbing from the left corner of his mouth. His eyes, although having moved back to a more natural position, remained glazed and unfocused. They constantly shifted from the Dark Lord as if to visually secure an escape route. Harry thought that was probably the wisest thing to do in Travers' situation.
"You were poisoned, Travers?" asked Voldemort with more than a little sarcasm. "I would have expected you to be able to protect yourself from such petty folly."
"Ah, but you see I was talking to this girl at the White Lilies," Travers paused as if realising something important and hastily inserted "my lord." His eyes darted back and forth while he licked his lips slowly, weighing his words.
"And?" prompted the Dark Lord
"Well, she was stunning like but I reckoned she was only after my money…she made me buy her a drink and she must have slipped something in mine while I was looking the other way…I dunno what but it knock me out cold…next thing I know the Mark was burning and I got here, fast as possible, mi lord!"
"I see, so you condition is in fact due to your inappropriate urge to socialise with loose women?" said Voldemort in a very logical tone.
Travers' eyes stopped moving for a moment and then he nodded vigorously causing his mop of brown hair to bounce.
"Well, I suppose we must cure you of this addiction…Crucio!" the word was spoken harshly and Travers collapsed, rolling on the floor and scrabbling at the flagstones.
It was over in no more than ten seconds but from his own experience Harry knew that it felt much longer. Having been so absorbed by Travers Harry suddenly realised that Bellatrix was still holding his hand and their palms were quite sweaty but whether it was his sweat or hers was impossible to tell. He briefly wondered if he should pull away but Voldemort had strolled into the front of the semicircle leaving Travers to clamber up on his own and take his place in the circle.
"Today, I have called a meeting to discuss the issues of our prisons." There was a small murmur through the circle. "It has come to my attention from several sources that Azkaban may not be as secure as I hoped." There was a growing sense of unease through the followers but did not apparently spread to Bellatrix as she remained positively relaxed.
"The Demetors grow restless, something is stirring but they cannot establish or pinpoint the cause. Apparently there has been an upsurge of hope from some prisoners. A group of linked prisoners in fact,"
"My Lord, if there is indeed some sort of a plan for an uprising, surely the Demetors will be able to cope. They have dealt with far more difficult situations," said Lucius Malfoy briefly stepping out of the semi-circle in a half bow.
Does it mean that the resistance is moving again? Thought Harry with mounting excitement cruising through his veins, Perhaps there is a plan to liberate Azkaban. Oh, I wish I knew a bit more but Voldemort wraps my world in layers of cotton wool. It's so fustrating that I can't do anything for the resistance. I have the best access that any could wish for and yet somehow it feels as if I would be betraying Voldemort in some way if I did spy on his plans. Thoroughly confused, Harry decided to gather as much information as possible while it was still available.
Voldemort had carried on talking…
"The Demetors reported that the high security prisoners have been more than active as of late. Because the Demetors cannot see they cannot relate the activities of the prisoners."
"My Lord," said Rabastan unexpectedly but most of the inner circle restrained themselves from looking at him, "With all things taken into account it is hard to say whether this excitement is not just the product of many insane minds. It is quite likely that in their damaged minds they have been dreaming of escape and rescue prompting a release of excitement."
Voldemort nodded thoughtfully,
"To the point as always, Rabastan but Sirius Black managed to stay sane in Azkaban out of pure hatred, surely the others may have been able to do so too."
"My Lord, it is a possibility that some may still be solely focused on their hatred but most are probably too weak to cast magic," said Rabastan.
Voldemort nodded, taking Rabastan's view into consideration.
"However, I am more concerned about the influence from the outside, which is affecting the prisoners." The distinct sense of unease hovered over the circle like a transparent vapour. "I am concerned about possible rebel insurgents and their attempts that infiltrating Azkaban," hissed Voldemort.
To the other side of the semi-circle, Harry thought he saw Macnair twitch.
"My lord, I do not believe that anyone, let alone rebel insurgent could possibly communicate with prisoners inside Azkaban," said Macnair somewhat hastily.
"Are so sure, Macnair?" asked the Dark Lord venomously.
"Yes…my lord. I can guarantee that Azkaban is safe and secure," said Macnair and Harry realised why he had been so eager to assure the Dark Lord. Macnair was the man that Voldemort had appointed to oversee the security of the country.
"Really, Macnair, would you like to swear upon your life that the prison will hold against rebel insurgents?"
There was a slight pause, but it was ever so slight.
"Yes, of course my lord," said Macnair and his voice did not waver.
"Very well, Macnair, I am pleased to know that the issue has been resolved," hissed Voldemort. "Meanwhile I want every Death Eater on full alert, the rebels have been laying low for too long, something is definitely going to happen and I want us to be well prepared."
"Master, I beg to know of the roots of your anxiety," said Lucius Malfoy stepping out of the semi-circle in a half bow. Only Malfoy, realised Harry, was secure enough to question the Dark Lord's suspicion. Although Bellatrix was probably just as favoured she kept her indecisions to herself.
"You feel that I am being paranoid, Lucius?" asked Voldemort but did not sound surprised.
"No, of course not my lord,"
"The Demetors have been sensing a particularly type of excitement from the most dangerous criminals with known ties to the outside world," the circle shifted knowingly, "although the Demetors could not hear exactly what is being said, they have been able to distinguish a certain string of sounds that is associated with the particular emotion. Might this perhaps be some sort of message that has been passed in from the outside?"
"My lord, we will do everything in our power to ensure that the fortress is secured and any leaks from the outside are eliminated," said Lucius
"I expect as such, but the search for the remaining rebel bases should be stepped up as well. You would think it was easy to eradicate such a small and insignificant band of unclothed heathens…" the tone was filled with suppressed anger and the ruby red eyes of the Dark Lord swept through the semi-circle as if trying to find someone to condemn.
"My Lord, I assure you that any remaining rebels will be rounded by the end of the year. They are becoming more desperate as we speak," said Dolohov who had also stepped forwards to speak.
"Enough said," hissed Voldemort dismissively, "we have more to do than simply confer. Although the toils are over there is yet more to do…this meeting is dismissed. Lucius, Bella, I want a word."
With that the meeting came to an abrupt halt and the Dark Lord disappeared. A sigh of relief rippled through the semi-circle as the formation broke and postures relaxed.
Harry looked around rather bewildered. What am I supposed to do now? Should I go back to my room? Or am I going to the secret meeting?
"Come Harry, the Dark Lord wished for us to meet him in the drawing room," cooed Bellatrix who, Harry realised, still had hold of his hand. He was calmly led away from the throng of noisy chatter that proceeded the Dark Lord's departure. The Death Eaters sounded very much like school boys released from their lessons.
However before Harry could fully register what was happening he saw Bellatrix touch the large tapestry depicting a fearsome fight between two dragons and felt the all too familiar tug at his navel. He was spinning head first in mid air and suddenly his feet smacked onto the hard stone floor of one of the mansion's numerous corridors.
"Come in Bella, Harry," hissed the cold voice of the Dark Lord from the doorway of his study. Harry had never entered the study from this door before; in fact he was pretty sure this particular door had not existed before.
A fire was burning in the hearth and the light illuminated the profile of the Dark Lord's leather armchair. Two other armchairs of the same size were placed on either side of it but Harry's footstool was not where in sight.
As if sensing his thoughts, Voldemort indicated the to rug in front of the fire.
"There is something to entertain you," he muttered. His small box of building blocks had been arranged in front of the fireplace and Harry blushed at the sight of them. Although he frequently played with toys at home, he felt highly embarrassed that Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange were here to witness it.
However Bellatrix took no notice and sat down in the armchair to the left of the Dark Lord. The right one, Harry suddenly realised, was already occupied by the lanky figure of Lucius Malfoy.
Harry gingerly lowered himself onto the rug but made no move to touch his building blocks. Instead he stared intently into the fire hoping that he looked as mature as possible sitting on the furry rug like a pet.
The meeting commence in Latin as usual. From his personal experience of the many private meetings he had attended, Harry knew that if he tried to listen too intently he would only serve to amuse the Death Eaters. So instead he sat still and let the conversational sound of the foreign syllables wash over him.
He felt drowsy…
The fire was hot against his skin…
The rug was soft like his bed…
Ron would laugh if he fell asleep in front of the fire…
Hermione wants him to finish Snape's essay…
Snape was traitor and a thief…
Sirius, Remus, Mrs Weasely, Dumbledore…anyone…
He was laughing again in a way that was nearly foreign to him, the happiness wrapped him completely in its jovial splendour. Sirius was howling too, hunched over the table next to Dung. Mrs Weasely was looking disapprovingly in his general direction and Harry sobered, just a little. The twins were jugging butterbeers over his head now, perhaps that was why Mrs Weasely was so angry…but Hermione was not there, she was writing a letter
To whom? Was it Krum…Ron would be jealous and the twins would laugh. Then Ron's face would become scarlet once more and his ears would match his hair. Neville was talking to Remus about cats as Crookshanks leapt from one chair to another. Tonks was eating her hair…which was made of strawberries. Ginny was kissing Michael Corner…in a corner.
Professor Snape was trying to teach him to sing but the Dark Lord disapproved. Voldemort was holding him, soothing him…he was crying now, crying for Dumbledore. Dumbledore had flown away like a bumblebee…he was alone now… in cold comfort.
The scent of heavy velvet…
The comforting touch of fingers in his hair…
The low chuckles of the Dark Lord penetrated his sleep-fogged brain and Harry jerked up right. He felt a wet sensation on his cheeks and hastily bought his hands to his face. There were tears trailing down his cheeks.
One arm held his curled body firmly in place while the other combed through his hair lazily. He could smell the scent of whiskey floating through the room. The hard jewelled buttons pressed into his face and neck and he shifted away.
"You had a bad dream Harry," hissed Voldemort looking down at his young charge. Harry pressed his face into the comforting softness of the Dark Lord's robes and drew in a shuddery breath. He realised that they were alone in the room now. How long had he slept for, he could not tell. The room was dark as ever and the fire still burned in the grate.
"You have been asleep for a while, Harry. Tell me what did you dream of?" asked Voldemort as he cradled the boy.
"Nothing," muttered Harry and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Nothing, I'm sure you dreamt of something…was it your friends, Harry…do you miss them?" Harry felt the Dark Lord's face inches from his hair. He could feel the breaths disturbing his sleep tussled locks.
"A little," Harry admitted and sank back into the warm embrace. He was comfortable here, he realised, lying in the arms of his greatest enemy, being coddled like a child. He didn't have to fight anymore; he didn't have to be a hero.
"Life has been hard one you, hasn't it, Harry. Do you like it here with me? If not I can always let you go…" the ominous words echoed in Harry's head and his eyes snapped open. "Yes, Harry, I don't want to keep you here if you don't want to…tell me, do you want to stay here or do you think you can try your own hand at life?"
Harry blinked in confusion. Did he want to stay here, if he was to leave he could do so much for the rebellion. However the outside world was filled with dangers, how was he to survive? But he wanted to go, he would go…he would if he could go and jin the rebellion.
The Dark Lord hovered over him like a shadow sensing his thoughts.
"You can go Harry," Harry felt stunned, was this a test, perhaps, of his obedience. "Do you know in the Middle Ages Serfs could be granted their freedom if they survived in a town for a year? Well, Harry if you could even survive on your own for a week…I would give you your freedom."
The words hit him hard in the chest like a rock. He felt jubilant and yet so frightened and the fear was not of the Dark Lord's tricks. He was afraid to leave the Dark Lord's side.
It was then in his life that he came to the realisation of how much he was controlled by his lord and master.
AN: Thanks for reading once again and please review so I can improve...
Personal Notes:
Morning star: wow! Thanks! I promise that its just a nightmare will definetly be updated next week so just check the lists around thursday.
fudgebaby: thanks for reviewing and nice name!
Kruz: I love your story particularly the scene where the snake eats the quills...it was so wierd but totally funny! thanks for reviewing once again.
Lucifer's Following: Thanks for reviewing and I hope this chapter was worth the wait.
acr: Here is the illusive update..hope it puts a smile on your face
Sarah: Thanks again for reviewing
ShatteredxDreams: I was reading your story before I sooo sorry that I never got round to updateing up I will and here is the update hope it was worth waiting for.