24 Hours

Shichan Goddess

Hour 10: Hour of Finding Out About Doors

"Torture is a very humiliating experience. The goal is not to obtain information but to punish and break you so that you won't do anything against the authorities. You are made an example to others so that they will be too terrified to do anything either." Isabel Allende (1942-)

Voldemort strode out of the cell with quick, fluid movements, his eyes nearly black with rage. He turned to the Deatheater who was standing guard outside of the cell, and hissed, "Why don't you show Mr. Potter to the chambers downstairs…I'm sure that he will find that his mind will be more open after he is shown some of our more convincing methods."

The Deatheater stood stock-still, scared stiff as realization dawned upon his handsome features.  

"Take Malfoy with you as well for your interrogation." Crimson eyes flashed as the man made no movement. "Go!"

"Yes, m'lord!"

Voldemort straightened his robes and continued on his way to his chambers while the new recruit scrambled to find Lucius Malfoy and gather their prisoner.

******************************************************************************

James had just gotten into a slightly comfortable position, with his arm clutched to his chest when the cell door slammed open once more. He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut tightly, willing them to go away. "Why, Merlin, why?" James muttered softly to himself. All he wanted was to curl up on the nice hard floor of the cell and pass out. Is that so much to ask?

Apparently, it was.

"Get up, Potter." The voice held a familiar drawl and a hard kick was sent to his gut.

Hazel eyes opened wide, as James gave a small gasp. He quickly shut his mouth however, and glared into ice blue eyes. He was soon heaved to his feet by strong arms. His gaze traveled up the arms but he was met only with the typical Deatheater mask.

"All right, all right, don't get your panties in a bunch." James grumbled and he was led roughly out the door. He spared one last glance at Lily's sleeping form before the cell door slammed shut once more.

******************************************************************************

It was wonderful.

Lily sighed happily as she snuggled into the warmth of her blanket in front of the roaring fireplace. She was at the one place that she could truly call home—Hogwarts. She was curled up in the comfy, overstuffed chair, happily sipping butterbeer and reading her favorite book of muggle poetry.

The butterbeer slipped down her throat and warmed her tummy, making her feel slightly tingly. A darkened figure appeared behind her, and she smiled, her eyes crinkling.

The man wrapped his strong arms around her, and she sighed contentedly. His face was hidden in the flickering shadows, but Lily found that she didn't care. After all, who was to argue with pure bliss?

A sanctuary from war.

Hate.

Suffering.

Destruction.

The sickening stench of death.

A refuge from memories.

An asylum from the entire world world.

Something seemed slightly off in this moment but Lily ignored the nagging at the back of her mind, pushing it back and locking it in away.

This was what she had longed for her entire life.

Peace.

******************************************************************************

"Well, well, well, Potter, isn't this quite a predicament that you've found yourself in?" Malfoy drawled as they led him through the darkened corridor.

Twists and turns were constant, and James quickly discontinued his effort to keep count. After nearly ten minutes of walking, he was at last face to face with a door.

And a very unimpressive door at that.

It was a sturdy door, made of hearty wood and several inches thick. Absently, James wondered why.

Malfoy caught him staring and smirked, taking a key out of his robes and pushed him into the darkened room.

"It's made this way to muffle the screams, Potter. Let's test it, shall we? Lumos!"

James' eyes widened. The room was filled with all sorts of torture devices, many of which he recognized from his textbooks, and many which he did not.

The Deatheater pushed him in and locked the door. James stumbled, trying to catch his balance for a moment, and finally accomplished the feat.

"You see, Potter," Malfoy smirked, "The Cruciatus Curse is too good for you. The Dark Lord would very much like to make this last."

James' eyes widened slightly then hardened as he glared at the man, if indeed he were fit to be called one, in front of him. He schooled his features into a blank mask, defiance showing proudly in his eyes.

Malfoy favored him with a sneer as he picked up a whip. "Well then. Shall we begin?"

******************************************************************************

A/N: WOW! I love you people, you know that? ^_^ I can't believe it, but you actually pushed me past the 200 review mark! Jeez, I feel so special now! When I started this story I never even thought I'd get past the 50 reviews mark! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really wanted to get this chapter longer, but I have to get up early and it's already 2:53 AM. Hope this was to your liking! Torture, twists, and other good things are coming soon!