A/N
after a long time, I will update Light and Dark again. I had a problem to solve with the later chapters of this story.
Enjoy reading and tell me what you think! Reviews are motivation:-)
Slowly Harry opened his eyes. Bright sunlight made tears flood his eyes, so he blinked fast to keep the world a bit more in focus. When he tried to wipe them away though he noticed that his hand was trembling violently. Then he became aware of the exhaustion and dull ache in his whole body. He tried to sit up but just managed to push himself up a few inches before he collapsed back onto the pillows. His glasses were pushed onto his nose, the sudden movement startling him. But the world came in perfect focus then and Harry took in his surroundings.
He lay on a small, simple bed. It looked more like one of the infirmary cots than his cozy four-poster in Gryffindor tower. The room was bright from the sun that shone through a high window. Next to the door stood a big wardrobe, beneath the window, Harry could see a desk. Harry didn't come any further in his observations because at this moment his gaze hit the man sitting in a chair by his bed. Voldemort sat there, holding a book. But the man wasn't reading. He was staring at the young Gryffindor with a look of curiosity on his features.
"I am pleased to see you awake again, my boy." When Voldemort finally spoke, his stern, cold voice rang through the room. The sound filling the silence in a very unpleasant way. The very moment Harry heard this voice the memories came crashing down on him. Voldemort standing above him pointing his wand at Harry. Then a red light and ...nothing but pure agony.
Harry shot up and tried to get away from the man sitting next to the bed. As soon as he sat up a wave of dizziness hit him, and he once more fell back into a lying position. A low groan escaped his throat as the residing pain flared to new life. Despite his trembling body and spinning head, Harry scrambled further away from Voldemort until he hit the wall where the bed ended. The stone wall was rough against his back and the cold began seeping into his exhausted body just moments later. Harry's gaze was fixed on the snake-like man in front of him, panic written all over the boy's face.
"Oh, Harry. I thought we had an agreement concerning your behavior. Do you need a reminder already?" Voldemort asked with a sweet voice and fixed Harry with a glare.
Harry fought against the dizziness in his head as he tried to shake his head in denial. There was no doubt what exactly the 'reminder' would be. Anything but the cruciatus! He would do anything to escape the agony. Before Harry could bring himself further into panicking Voldemort spoke again.
"A verbal answer would be appreciated, Harry." There was a stern edge in this statement, which made more than clear that this had not been a politely articulated request but a command to be fulfilled immediately.
Harry panted heavily. His panic rising once more. When he saw Voldemort's features twist into a deeper scowl, the Gryffindor managed to answer. "No..."
The pale face froze, the red eyes blazed with anger at Harry's answer. The room suddenly seemed to narrow. The air felt thicker and Harry tried frantically to figure out what he had done wrong. He swallowed trying to soothe his sore throat. He must have been screaming a lot earlier? "I don't need... a... r-reminder. - Sir!" He added hastily as Voldemort's red eyes bore into his own. Then the young Gryffindor lowered his gaze drawing his shoulders up for some protection. He was cold and scared and – alone.
Although Voldemort hadn't moved an inch since Harry had woken, his presence took in the whole room. Harry felt like suffocating as he tried to breathe properly and even. The very moment Voldemort spoke again, Harry flinched violently and pressed himself further against the wall.
"I am pleased to see that our lesson in respect earlier was successful, my boy. You earned yourself a reward." An evil smile spread across the pale face as Lord Voldemort raised a hand and reached for Harry. The young Gryffindor pressed himself further against the wall to escape the long-fingered hands, but all his struggles were useless. Voldemort was mere inches away from him and there was no escape route in sight.
"Come here, Harry!" The man commanded quietly. This was the same tone the monster had used before throwing the crutiatus at him earlier. Harry definitely didn't look forward to the 'reward'. Whatever it was he didn't want it, never.
"Oh, Harry. Do not destroy your positive impression on me by not complying. It would be a pity..." At these words, the boy shivered and closed his eyes for a moment to gather his courage. Then he slowly scrambled towards the man and sat up on the edge of the bed. He let his trembling legs touch the cold stone floor and hugged his middle for protection.
A heavy silence spread between them. Since Harry stubbornly stared at a spot on the floor, he didn't see Voldemort's satisfied smile. The silence stretched on and Harry began shivering from cold. Why was that room so freezing cold?
After what felt like an eternity to Harry, Voldemort moved and in the next moment cool fingers gently gripped Harry's chin. The young Gryffindor flinched away from the touch but forced himself to stay where he was. That brought a smile on Voldemort's face again. This time Harry saw it. The sight made bile rising in his throat.
"You are a very clever boy, Harry." Harry froze as Voldemort moved his hand a little downward and stroked Harry's throat. His mind screamed at Harry to run but his body was frozen in fear. Voldemort muttering something under his breath. A warm feeling spread across Harry's neck and the pain in his throat disappeared completely. Startled by the sudden kindness, the boy looked up and met Voldemort's gaze. Pure astonishment was written on his young features as he stared at the Dark Lord. They held their eye contact for mere seconds, fearful green meeting fiery but guarded red.
Then the man just pulled back his hand and smiled again. "Remember, Harry: bad behavior will bring punishment, but well-behaved boys will be rewarded."
Harry nodded and looked down again. It was silent once more and Harry had the feeling that Voldemort was waiting for something. The longer the silence continued the more aggravating got the atmosphere. Without thinking properly about it, Harry whispered: "Thank you...Sir."
As soon as those words were out of his mouth the atmosphere in the room relaxed and Harry took a deep breath.
"That is right, my boy. Because of your politeness, I will reward you again. But do not think I am pleased easily." Voldemort reached into his robes and brought out a vial with a portion of a dark orange color. He opened it and fixed Harry with his crimson eyes.
"Drink it, Harry!" With trembling hands, Harry took the vial, he tried to hold it still but spilled a few drops, nevertheless. He looked up scared Voldemort would punish him for this but all he found were red eyes and a small smile.
The wizard reached forward and took the vial back. His pale hand once again came towards Harry and the boy fought hard not to flinch; he wasn't a coward! Voldemort snaked his hand behind Harry's head and gently supported the boy's head.
"Don't worry, my boy. Here..." With that, he held the vial to Harry's lips. After a second the frightened teen allowed the orange liquid to be poured down his throat. It could not get worse than what had happened a few hours ago, could it? Harry's heart pounded hard as he waited for the potion to take effect.
The very moment, the potion reached his stomach Harry felt the trembling lessen and the dull ache fade. Gratefully he rose his gaze and once again whispered: "Thank you, Sir."
That brought a thin smile to Voldemort's face and he nodded.
"Good boy, Harry. Now lie down and sleep for a while!" Harry complied instantly. Not just because Voldemort had said so but also because his eyes were so heavy, and he was tired to no ends. When he lay under the covers and closed his eyes, he felt Voldemort gently push a stray of hair out of his forehead. He managed to not recoil from the touch. But what happened next, Harry could barely understand.
Suddenly Voldemort leaned forward and pressed his thin lips onto Harry's forehead, onto his scar. The young Gryffindor lay perfectly still, too shocked to move and heard the man say:
"Sleep well, my good boy!" Then he was gone, and the door shut with a quiet click.
The thoughts were racing in Harry's mind. How could he be so trusting around the murderer of his parents, his arch enemy? Shame filled the young Gryffindor as he thought about what his friends and Professors would say if they knew. Dumbledore had told him time and time again to not accept any potions from people he did not trust fully. He had told Harry to fight tooth and nail whenever confronted with Voldemort. And now? Now the Boy-Who-Lived was tucked in bed by Lord Voldemort himself!
The man was confusing. One moment he tortured Harry and the next he kissed him? Where was the logic in that? Then, suddenly Harry realized that Voldemort of all people had been the first person to tuck him in and kiss him good night!
Quickly the Gryffindor forbid himself this line of thoughts. That man was the reason Harry had no one to tuck him in, to care for him. If Voldemort hadn't killed Harry's parents, he wouldn't have to stay with the Dursleys!
Harry sighed heavily. What could he do now anyway? He was definitely too tired for an escape attempt.
'As soon as I am better, I will get away from here!' The young Gryffindor swore to himself and surrendered to the heavy tiredness in his body.
The Great Hall was quiet this morning. The few conversations were whispered, and even the Gryffindor table was almost silent. The evening before, Dumbledore had informed the whole school of the events yesterday. After the declaration, the four house tables were drowned in nervous chatting. Over the night it seemed everyone in Hogwarts had thought about what could happen to the savior of the wizarding world if captured by You-Know-Who's men.
The most horrifying rumors came up. Surprisingly the Gryffindors didn't try to make Harry's disappearance result of a heroic act. They kept silent about the whole incident. For once in the history of Hogwarts, the house of lions was quiet, shaken by the events and concerned for one of their housemates.
Sunday was spent with studying or pretending to study. The Gryffindor common room was unusually quiet, even the Weasley twins didn't pull silly pranks or teased their siblings.
On Monday morning lessons were a tense business, too. The teachers were stricter than normal, and the students tried not to annoy them. Especially the Professors McGonagall, Lupin and Snape were more irritable than usual. The DADA Professor and the Deputy Headmistress made no secret of being concerned and shaken by Harry's capture. Why Snape was upset was a riddle to most of the students.
The whole week Dumbledore told them at dinner they had to concentrate on the lessons and not to worry.
"There will be done everything possible to find and rescue Harry." He assured them on Wednesday evening. Easier said than done. His speech was met with lowered heads, quiet murmurs and an atmosphere of despair. The wizarding world was missing its savior. Some of the students missed a friend, a Quidditch player, a headstrong boy they all liked. Well most of them.
Ron, Hermione, and the other Weasleys knew from their parents the Order of the Phoenix had no clue where to find Harry. That didn't ease the worry about their friend in the slightest. As a result, even Hermione had difficulties following lessons and handing in assignments before the deadline.
Hermione, Ron, and the twins sat in front of the fire in the common room. Most Gryffindors left them alone. The common room was not the same anymore with everyone noticing the empty spot between the closest friends of Harry Potter. It looked as if the black-haired teen was just about to come through the portrait hole and sit down at the vacant seat between his mates. But all of them knew the unconsciously saved seat would not be taken any time soon.
"I can't do this anymore!" Ron said suddenly, staring into the flames with a fierce look on his face. "I can't just sit here while my best friend is tortured by Voldemort. Maybe he... he isn't..."
"Ron!" Hermione interrupted him angrily and punched him on the arm. "Do not even think about that! If Harry was... gone... You-Know-Who would celebrate his victory and the whole wizarding world would know! Before we have no confirmation don't you dare think in such a terrible way!" Then the girl wiped the tears away from her cheeks. She hadn't noticed that she was crying all the time.
Ron, on the other hand, looked angry despite the tirade Hermione had thrown at him.
"It is just... I am scared and I don't want to do nothing, I want to help, Hermione!"
His announcement was met by nods and sighs. They all knew there was nothing they could do but hope.
The next morning Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked down to the dungeons for potions class. Neither of them was eager to meet Snape. It seemed with every hour Harry was missing the man got angrier and more annoyed.
When they arrived at the classroom door, it was still closed. That was very positive because it meant Snape couldn't deduct points for being late. The three stood there among the others and waited. Hermione tried to re-read her potions text but could not concentrate properly so she closed the book again. The students were quiet this morning. Not even the Slytherins spoke much.
They all jumped as the classroom door was suddenly pushed open hard. It hit the wall and bounced off with a loud bang. Only Snape's outstretched hand prevented the heavy wood to fall closed again.
Snape stood in the frame glaring daggers at them all. "Move!" he commanded and pointed his index finger inside the room. The single word was spat in their direction with so much venom, Ron caught himself feeling his pockets for a bezoar – or his wand. Whatever was in there.
Neville was white as a sheet as he shuffled into the room. Snape was frightening enough when he was not in such a bad mood, but today? Ron and Hermione noticed Neville's uneasiness and quickly decided to do something. Hermione joined Neville at the workstation while Ron paired up with Seamus. Neville needed Hermione's whispered instructions and hints for certain today. His hands were already shaking in fear although the class hadn't even begun. How he was supposed to cut ingredients properly was beyond Hermione.
As soon as the class was inside the room and had their books and parchment on the desks, Snape waved his wand fiercely and instructions appeared on the board behind him.
"Start now! You've got two hours." With that, he turned around and took position behind his desk in the front of the class. There he sat watching them with his unyielding black-eyes stare.
Hastily the students copied the instructions and began to brew a few minutes later. It was perfectly quiet except for the clattering of knives and cauldrons.
Half an hour into the lesson, Snape stood and walked around the room to inspect their work. His movements were curt, fierce and full of strength as if he was fuelled by an unfailing source of energy.
He stopped at Goyle and sneered: "That – is not what the potion is supposed to look at this time in brewing, Mr. Goyle. Start anew!" the dark man walked away after vanishing the mess in Goyle's cauldron completely. The whole class gaped at their Professor. Criticizing Slytherins was new. But if the Gryffindors thought, this lesson wouldn't be as terrible as usual, their hopes were crushed the very next moment.
Snape stopped at Neville's desk right after vanishing Goyle's concoction.
The man wrinkled his nose in disgust as the sour smell of the liquid caught his nostrils.
"Mr. Longbottom, why do you think I wrote down instructions for the potion?" Neville paled and looked at his potion attempt.
"I am sorry, Sir." He mumbled shrinking back from the intimidating man.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom, you will be in a minute or two when your cauldron explodes." He vanished the yellow-green liquid. Then he turned and barked at Neville: "Again!"
After two long hours, the lesson mercifully ended, and Snape told them to bottle up their samples and leave. Everyone hurried to comply and fled the room. Even the Slytherins seemed not too eager to be longer near their head of house than necessary.
Transfiguration with McGonagall wasn't really fun either. They had to take notes from the book and they start a three-foot essay about the difficulties of transfiguring big objects into smaller ones.
In that manner, the whole day continued. Hagrid didn't show them interesting creatures this time. He just told them to revise the chapter about hippogriffs and dismissed them after one hour. Hagrid giving them homework, that was bitter.
Dinner was quiet again and they all went to bed early. None of the Gryffindors wanted to enjoy some time in the common room. It wasn't the same when Harry was not there. Not that they all talked to him all the time, but the golden trio was not together. They normally were a standard group in the common room and Harry's fate shocked them all. It seemed as if everyone in Gryffindor Tower had lost the delight for chatting and being together in the evenings.
The next morning, when the students came into the Great Hall there were no bright fires lighting the wall or the usual house banners hanging above the tables. The ceiling showed a clouded sky and the worst of it all: The Great Hall was decorated with black and white Gryffindor banners all over. The teachers were already there, as well as the other three houses. It was totally silent.
Today none of the Slytherins grinned at the arriving Gryffindors. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs didn't look up or greeted the lions. Dumbledore stood in front of his speaker's desk and looked at them with a shattered look on his old face. He looked as if he had aged overnight. For the first time in ages, he looked like an old man. The staff table was quiet.
Hagrid sat at the right corner and sniffed into a tablecloth-sized handkerchief. McGonagall was simply pale as snow and Snape sat next to her absolutely petrified, nothing giving away that he was alive.
The Gryffindors who reached the doors to the Great Hall first stopped as soon as they recognized what was going on. Some of them tried to stifle their gasps and cries, others just stared back and forth between the banners and Dumbledore.
A shout sounded from the entrance hall: "Oi! Walk on guys. I'm hungry." Ron started to push through the other Gryffindors, and Hermione followed him rolling her eyes at Ron but said nothing while she pulled Neville along.
What Ron hadn't noticed was that all the Gryffindors parted to let him through. Fred and George tried to stop him, but he pushed through further until he could see the Great Hall.
He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the black banners hanging all around the hall and above the Gryffindor table. A choked sob escaped Hermione as she saw why Ron had stopped so suddenly. Neville stared at his friends and did not want to understand what that all meant.
The next moment Ron sprinted along the hall towards Dumbledore and roared: "What have you done?! Where is Harry? You can't tell me he didn't make it! I don't believe you!"
He arrived at the teacher's platform hands clenched into fists and trembling from anger. He stared at the headmaster first in disbelief, then in shock. Dumbledore merely shook his head in sorrow. He panted heavily and suddenly he lunged forward to grab Dumbledore's robes, shake the man, punch him, everything to make him stop this madness but his brothers caught him before he could reach the headmaster. They struggled to hold him back since Ron was struggling to get free to reach the headmaster. The man stood there, not moving at all.
"Don't make fun of such things, Professor! That is not possible... it can't be..." Ron broke down in tears. Professor McGonagall rushed forward and tried to comfort her lion. But Ron seemed to have lost his energy when he realized the truth of this terrible morning. The red-head stopped fighting and leaned against Fred for comfort. In a matter of seconds, his world had been shattered to pieces. To lose Harry was not just losing a friend. It was like having a brother ripped from him. Like a piece of his heart crushed and burned in front of his eyes.
Professor McGonagall felt fury rise inside her. Albus Dumbledore had insisted on telling the Gryffindors the news in front of the whole school. She could not understand why the old wizard had chosen to do it this way. This was torture. Many of her lions were good friends with Harry. To put their reaction on display like that was nothing but cruel.
"I told you, Albus, that this - " She made a gesture to take in the whole situation." is not the right way to tell them! You should have allowed me to tell them in Gryffindor tower!" She glared at her employer then she shoved the Weasleys out of the Great Hall.
Hermione just stood at the entrance, her tears streaming freely. Neville tried to comfort her, but he could barely contain his own tears. The two of them hugged Ron as he came by. Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked out of the Great Hall together, through their housemates. The pain inside them was uncontrollable and all of them wanted to be somewhere other than here.
The Gryffindors were led upstairs to their tower by Professor McGonagall. She wouldn't stand forcing her house to sit in the Great Hall. They needed a sanctuary now. She needed one, too.
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