Disclaimer: I sadly do not own any of the characters; they belong to JKR so please let's not sue!
It's Time to Grow Up Potter
Chapter Ten
Discovered Connection
'Thoughts'
"words"
Lord Voldemort sat in a throne like chair in the middle of an elegant looking ballroom. The walls were lavishly decorated with the most beautiful paintings and golden trimming. In the center of the room dangled a stunning chandelier the size of a small Farris Wheel. The floors were all neatly polished allowing the torch lights along the walls to flicker in an eternal echo giving the usually splendid atmosphere an unnaturally foreboding feel.
Voldemort's minions were quietly gathered in a semi-circle facing their lord, waiting patiently for him to speak.
Harry immediately spotted Severus, still serving as spy for the light, on the left hand side of the gathering.
Voldemort sat upon his throne like a spoiled king, who had gotten extra whip cream on his sundae, smiling at a secret only he knew.
"Tonight we shall bathe in the blood of my enemy."
Voldemort gracefully stood and descended from his grand throne to pace in front of his faithful servants. "For I have uncovered the very thing that old fool wished me never to" The snake lord sharply snapped his head to the left "SEVERUS!"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Come to me, my most worthy."
Snape gracefully glided his way to his Lord's side with a look of total composure upon his features. He sinuously bowed to kiss the hem of his robes before replying, "I'm at your service, my Lord."
The Dark Lord sneered down at his beloved one and caressed his cheek before brining his eyes up to meet his own.
"Severus, tell me, what happens to Potter at night?"
"My Lord?"
"Does he scream, thrash, and cry out in glorious agony?" Nervous silence infused every inch of the ring; Death Eaters now shuffled from foot to foot trying to take in every word and comprehend what exactly was taking place before their very eyes. Not one could pull their eyes away from the soft questioning going on between their master and brother.
Voldemort took another step closer until he was towering over the potions master, staring intently into his deep dark eyes before whispering, "Does he sleep the Dream of Knowledge?"
"Yes, my Lord."
The Dark Lord turned away, satisfied with the answer he had just received facing the body of his followers and commanded, "Do tell, Severus. Tell all of your sisters and brothers what haunts the Boy-Who-Lived when he falls asleep at night."
Severus gave an impressive sneer before he began to explain, "The brat thrashes around screaming bloody murder waking the entire castle with his blubbering. He quakes and convulses and when he comes to, the deplorable child tells the old man all of the secrets and tactics we have tried so hard to conceal."
"That's quite right, Severus, but you see, recently I discovered a very important bit of information. It has come to my knowledge that when Potter enters a Dream of Knowledge, or as he so crudely puts it, a-vision." He spat the word like one would a rotten tomato before once more regaining his composure. "The boy witnesses and feels every bit of pain my victims do. Did you know this my dear, sweet, Severus? Hummm?"
"No, my Lord. I did not."
"That is very curious. Very Curious indeed….but no matter join the others! Now!"
Severus scampered back to his unobtrusive spot beside Goyle, his curiosity peeked about what was about to come.
"In the recent weeks, I have been examining these-visions-of the Potter boy and I have discovered an extraordinary thing. You see every time the boy enters into the dream world his mind dances aimlessly upon the connection we share allowing him to see my action and thoughts. He can do nothing to prevent it." A smile like none had seen before split across the snake like face filled with satanic joy. "Tonight we celebrate for your master has created a way to destroy the beloved Boy-Who-Lived. I -I alone- have composed a way to trap the meddling boy in the Dream of Knowledge so that he can never again evade me. For now, when he enters the dream world, the dream, she will recognize him as part of herself and he will become as real as you and I while awake. He will no longer be untouchable but constructed of flesh and bone that can hurt and break just as easily as could his body in reality. This, my servants, is it. For when he is trapped in the dream I can call him here and we can demolish the boy until he is an inch from death, for I am not ready for him to meet with death so soon –no, no- I want him to watch the world he loves so much crumble around him while he can do nothing to stop it."
The crowd erupted in ear splitting cheers of elation. "Gather around as I call the boy away from his childlike dancing!"
Silence spread once more while everyone watched with eager anticipation as the Dark Lord closed his eyes and summoned the ignorant boy to his torment. Suddenly, a crack as violent as a gun shot split the air open and Harry Potter lay confounded at the feet of his enemy.
"Chain him up!" He shouted at the nearest Death Eaters before addressing the rest of the party. "He is yours to do with as you please. I warn you now, anyone who takes his life, with give their loved ones lives in return." He retreated to his high backed chair to observe the festivities with an air of smug enjoyment.
While everyone at Number 12 was rushing around in a panic, Harry had other problems to deal with.
He had been sleeping quite peacefully when a vision overtook his dreaming about a future Christmas where Ron dressed as Santa for all of the children, when he was pulled rather abruptly into a meeting being held by Lord Voldemort.
He lay their on the polished floor and glanced around only briefly before he was brought out of his daze by two rough pairs of hands gripped tightly around his upper arms.
'What was happening? Where am I? How did I get here? Oh Merlin! Did they attack Number 12? Where's Olivia? They had better not hurt her or I'll rip them a new one I swear! How am I ever going to get out of these chains?'
The constant flow of increasing panic was brought to an immediate halt as the first of many blows fell.
Harry had no idea how long he hung there as Death Eater after Death Eater, face after face assaulted him. Many spat in his face, taunting him on his inadequacy. Throwing punches at his body, kicking his ribs and head until he had no idea what was going on. They spun him like a Marinette causing the cold shackles to cut deep gouges into his wrists allowing the blood to run in cold streams down his battered body.
On and on the torture went. Rounds upon rounds of Crucio until his body refused to stop its rapid convulsions.
He was subjected for hours to curses that made his blood boil in his veins, cut him from head to toe, pealed muscle from bone, and set his skin aflame before Voldemort stood and descended from his evil throne
Harry's head rolled as he desperately tried to focus on his tormentor.
"As you can all see, he can not escape. You have all had your fun for the night, but now I believe it is time for the Boy Wonder to return to his body and feel the consequences of his meddling."
He made a vague movement with his hand and Harry found himself watching as the ground came up to meet him.
"Now, Potter, go back and tell you Order that they can not dare to defeat me. Any more action against me and you and your child will suffer greatly and you, Potter won't be able to do a thing to stop it. You can not escape me. You will be trapped in the dream. I can follow you no matter where you go or what you do."
Smiling menacingly at his followers he declared, "Do not fear anymore for tell all those you meet that today was the day I broke Harry Potter." He closed his eyes once more and the broken boy dashed blindly back across the connection to his own familiar body.
Harry's eyes snapped open and he sprang upright on his bed only to be forced to lay back down by Poppy and his own blast of pain.
"Where's Olivia!?!" His eyes flew around the now familiar room searching for the one that meant the world to him. "Please, where is she?" Harry winced from the strain that these few words placed on his raw vocal cords.
"Relax, my dear boy. Livvie is with Remus and Draco asleep in the den. You have had us all rather worried. You have been out for over six hours now and I do not think it is such a good idea to go dashing off just yet." Albus soothed him as he sat beside the bed looking haggard. "Would you care to tell us what happened? Your injuries have kept Poppy on her toes, but even with her magnificent abilities you will still be bruised and sore for some days to come."
"Please I need to see her. I need to know she is alright."
"You can see her as soon as you are well enough and she is awake. Now Harry please tell me what happened to put you in such a state."
"Voldemort….He-he found out about the connection but he-he-…" Harry gave an almighty shudder before gathering his nerve to continue. "He found a way to control it."
Harry started to shake as the torture replayed vividly in his minds eye. Revolted by the blood, pain, and their delight, he had to fight down the sudden urge to vomit.
"I was dreaming and he-he trapped me with him som-somewhere –I don't know where-but he made me real there an-and they…they hurt me. Oh God it hurt so bad…he said he could do this anytime or-or place so I have to-to watch or he'll…he will-he'll hu-hurt Livvie. Please, please, please I need to see her I need to see my baby please!"
"Okay, calm down…that's right deep breathes…good…calm down while I will go and get her, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah go get her."
With that said, Dumbledore left the room to collect the precious child and the young man she had been clutching to for the past several hours, contemplating the new information he was give seconds ago. Albus let out a large weary sigh.
'Things just became a lot more complicated.'
This one was longer than most because I am going to the beach for 2 weeks so hopefully this will keep everyone happy in the mean time. On the good side of things, I will have plenty of time at the beach to continue writing chapters. So when I get back, if all goes as planed, all I will need to do is type them up and post them. I hope you liked it! REVIEW!