Rating: PG-13 for now, although that may change later. Will be slash later in the story. I have a beta reader now so hopefully we got all the grammatical oopsies.
Summary: Harry's has taken his godfather's death hard causing him to force himself to adapt in order to survive. This leads to situations that no one could have imagined and the players involved are even more unexpected. While Harry deals with this, he has started walking a path no one could have predicted. Sacrifices will have to be made; the only question is will he be able to make them? Friends and foes alike will notice the change but who will stand with him in the end?
Spoilers: Books 1-5. Do not read unless you have FINISHED Order of the Phoenix. Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole intellectual property of JK Rowling, Warner Bros. and various others who all aren't connected to me in any way. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole intellectual property of JK Rowling, Warner Bros. and various others who all aren't connected to me in any way. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended. I don't own the Lamb Chop's Play Along song either.
Dark Lord's Lair, Unplottable Location, Somewhere in Europe (maybe)"Wormtail!"
A small, portly wizard with a silver hand came scurrying into the room, almost tripping in his haste to do his master's bidding. "Yes Master?"
"What news?" The Dark Lord asked his servant in a tone of voice that could have been conversational, had it been anyone else using it. He was lounging in what had been aptly named his throne room, since the only chair present was his and it was a great big monstrosity that dated back who knows how long, it looked like something right out of the dark ages. It however suited his megalomaniac tendencies since he felt like a king surveying his subjects when he was sitting on it, as he was now.
"Ma-master?"
"News, Wormtail...if you have forgotten about the attack on the Hogwarts Express...I can help you remember." The menace and promise in the tone caused Wormtail to flinch and shudder in fear.
"No-no-no, Master, I remember. I was not aware of what news you were asking for. I believe something big is also happening with the Wizengamot as I have received reports that they are convening as we speak, though the reason for that has not yet trickled down to our supporters, my lord."
"Interesting, what could have caused that I wonder?" His train of thought was interrupted as his Death Eaters apparated into the thrown room, immediately kneeling down in his presence, while Bellatrix came forward kissing the hem of his robes.
"My Lord." She greeted formally, while kneeling at his feet, waiting for him to ask her to stand or not.
Voldemort surveyed his Death Eaters, taking in their ragged and disheveled appearances, as well as their reduced number. What looked to be wounded were towards the back of the group, being carefully kept out of his sight. He was perturbed with his Death Eaters getting any kind of injury from school children; then again many sent on this foray were knew to his cause.
"I assume Potter is now resting uncomfortably in my dungeons awaiting my pleasure?" He asked Bella silkily and caught her flinch causing him to stir from his reclining position.
"My Lord, we were unsuccessful with our mission. They were not as defenseless as we were led to believe by Snape, my lord." When out of favor always try and place the blame elsewhere was the motto that every Death Eater lived by and Lestrange was no different.
"Are you telling me, Bella, that you failed to bring me Potter!" The last was roared, causing everyone to flinch and try to move out of reach as quickly as inconspicuously possible. Bella didn't have any recourse but to admit it.
"Yes my Lord." She cringed waiting for the punishment, after waiting for a bit she cautiously looked up at the glowering wizard that was now sitting up on his throne.
"Fools! How did you let mere children get the better of you! You failed, that is unacceptable," it was a statement laden with the promise of pain. "Explain yourself, woman." The last was hissed, a direct slur at her and she knew it. Not many Death Eaters were women and even less reached the inner circle of their lord, Bella had been the first. She also knew she would be the last if she didn't explain her failure to her Lord's satisfaction.
"My Lord, the train was stopped near a small clearing as we had planned. I sent two small parties to check the back of the train and front, while I focused on the middle of the train with the rest. We were unprepared for anything more than feeble resistance from the older years but we still took precautions and approached the train cautiously. The two small parties sent to check the ends of the train never came back to report, I figured they'd been stunned; so I sent someone to check on them. When we got about 20 feet from the train one of the students started attacking. We took cover since he had a better position from the roof of the train." She stopped waiting to see if that would be enough to placate her Master into cursing her but not outright killing her. After all she hopped he wouldn't detect her lying about how many students were attacking.
"Tell me." Came the soft but deadly spoken command and she mentally cringed, knowing he was talking about her lying more than the events.
"The two I sent to check on the others came back with the only survivors; they had been mauled by what they described as wolves under the control of two students. Jensen recognized one of the students, it was Luna Lovegood, her father owns the Quibbler I believe."
"You're wrong. She owns it, as well as many other newspapers across wizarding Europe and Asia. Now stop stalling and tell me what happened." The threat was palpable
"I'm sorry, Master, I don't know how it happened but we were only fighting three wizards, the unknown wizard and Lovegood, showed up right before the reinforcements for their side did. Dumbledore and his merry band of mudbloods and Muggle lovers with Ministry Aurors descended upon us, we were outnumbered and caught between two groups, we retreated taking the stunned and wounded with us, we left the dead and dying behind."
"I see. I wonder if maybe Azkaban was harder on the faithful than I had previously thought. It is obvious to me that your wits have been addled; in the past my lieutenants would not have left themselves open to being boxed in by incompetent witches and wizards that think dueling is throwing stunners at the opposition." He finished giving everyone in the room a scathing glance that felt almost physical.
"Master, I—"
"I wonder why some of my Death Eaters died in this endeavor, at the hands of mere school children? I know for a fact Dumbledore and his ilk don't use lethal measures, they didn't then and it hasn't changed now."
"My lord, the students we battled were uncommonly powerful if not terribly knowledgeable with their magic. The one on the roof, I wasn't able to identify, but he was powerful enough to create wards in a short amount of time. However, Potter was one of them, the other was pointed out by the first, as being a Longbottom." She could tell Voldemort was processing the information she had given but was by no means placated in the least. She could feel his anger like a live thing writhing around her.
"Alice and Frank's boy...I presume. Some of your best work Bella...pity the Aurors arrived when you started on the boy. I see he's going to make as much a nuisance of himself as his foolish parents. That still doesn't explain why my faithful have died this night Bella, my dear." Dear Merlin, she knew that her lord was pissed when he tacked on endearments to her name, that was never a good thing.
"Potter and his friends were not shy about using dangerous light spells as well as dark ones. The one on the roof had been trained in dark magic since he used some rather obscure spells, even the new recruits had never heard of. Longbottom used dangerous light magic spells, mostly the ones his own parents were known for, he too used dark magic but with more power than finesse. Potter too was using strong Auror grade magic, also combining legal curses creatively with minor dark hexes. Potter used the killing curse twice, no one was hit but..."
"But?"
"I tried to taunt him like I did at the Ministry, to make him loose control, but it didn't work Master. He stayed calm and instead shot off the killing curse in my direction, I ducked but the force was enough to shatter the tree I had been hiding behind."
"My, my now that is news. Potter had enough desire to kill you...that we can use to our advantage. He's tasted the power I wonder if he'll succumb..." He trailed off seemingly lost in thought but Bella wasn't fooled.
"Wormtail?"
"Yes my lord?" The rat was standing to his right trying his best not to look as nervous as he felt.
"How many did we loose tonight?"
"24."
"Twenty-four of my faithful have been lost due to your lack of foresight Bella...whatever shall I do with you, my dear." The rest of the group relaxed marginally since only their leader was being punished for tonight's failure.
"I am yours to punish as you see fit." Bella couldn't suppress a shiver heavily tinged with equal parts anticipation and fear at her punishment.
"Yes, you are. However..." He looked up addressing the rest of the group kneeling in his presence. "You are not solely to blame for this folly, its seems my new recruits need to be reminded that failure is not an option. CRUCIO!" He had the whole room writhing in pain, minus Bella and Wormtail. The show of power amazed them and frightened them into further solidifying their ties to their lord and master. The Dark Lord had not been able to mass curse before his downfall; this was proof that he had come back stronger than before.
Across some distance in another part of the world, a young wizard fell to the floor clutching his forehead, as he too writhed and convulsed in pain.
The screams of pain were like music to his ears. A sweet symphony especially knowing he had come back more powerful than before he had been vanquished, after all he had 30 Death Eaters writhing under his curse without breaking a sweat. He ended the spell two minutes later, leaving his minions convulsing and shuddering on the floor while gasping for breath.
"I hope you have all learned that failure will not be tolerated but just in case, CRUCIO!" Once again the assembled writhed, this time Bella joined them in their punishment while Wormtail looked on with an unholy glee. This time he stopped the curse after a minute, seeing that his Death Eaters were properly punished he nodded to himself feeling better about his instruction of them. "Now get out of my sight." When Bella went to follow he stopped her with a look.
The new recruits all but stampeded to the exits or they would have he thought amused, if so many of them weren't in such a state that they could barely stand much less walk. They were helped by fellow Death Eaters who were in slightly better condition but not by much. Wormtail also followed the last out, as his Master had not given him specific orders to stay.
When the last of them made out of the chamber he turned his full attention to his lieutenant, one of his best and most loyal...but the years in Azkaban had taken their toll, which brought him to another point altogether.
"Bella how is it that your cousin was able to make it out of Azkaban with more of his faculties in order than my most faithful? He was also able to escape no ordinary feat by anyone's standards."
She was confused by this line of questioning but wouldn't quibble on what could be seen as a reprieve to what was to come. "The blood traitor was a powerful wizard my lord, his force of will was unmatched by any in our family. He didn't break under the tender mercies of my aunt or uncle as well you know Master. He was fully trained in the dark arts by the time he reached Hogwarts at the age of 11, his knowledge if he had applied himself could have rivaled that of Snape; he was sorted into Gryffindor and chose to alienate everything to do with dark magic, though he used his knowledge along with his friends during your last reign. It was also said that he spent the summer of his third year with our uncle, Marius."
"Oh yes, I remember Marius, pity we had to kill him. I wonder...you say he fell into the veil at the Ministry?"
"Yes my lord he fell into the veil after I hit him with a stunner."
"So he was still alive when he fell." Bella didn't answer since it wasn't a question. "Interesting..."
"My Lord?" She asked cautiously.
"I want you to find out everything you can about the veil, if there is a way to get Sirius Black back from the realm of the dead, that doesn't involve necromancy, I want to know."
"But why, my lord?" Bella spluttered so bewildered by this new turn of events that she forgot herself and questioned the Dark Lord.
The tone used to answer her was chilling in its coldness, but she failed to notice this in her confusion. "Sirius Black would be a wonderful asset to our cause my dear. Since Potter has decided to use dark magic he will be susceptible to the power it brings. If we turn Black, Potter will follow and if that fails; I can use Black to lure Potter to his death, eliminating the need for me to plot ways to get my hands on him. He, in his infantile Gryffindor wisdom, will come to save his Godfather and I will be waiting for him."
Bella hadn't thought about it like that, she was anticipating at the prospect of breaking her cousin, should she succeed in getting him out of the veil. "Ingenious, my lord." She concurred breathlessly as she pictured all the things she could do to the blood traitor.
"I rather thought it was, my sweet. However, you forget yourself Bella. It seems you need to be reminded of whom you belong to. You have dared question my plans and that we cannot have. Once again you have failed me, precious, and in the same night too. Pity, you will have to be punished for both transgressions...you do understand that, don't you?" The Dark Lord was lovingly stroking her cheek as he watched her eyes dilate with equal parts fear and pleasure, as she leaned into the touch. He knew she craved his attention especially since he had reclaimed her from Azkaban. Bella and her husband were his most faithful and he regarded them fondly, as you would a pampered pet.
"I'm at your mercy, my lord." She answered meekly and humbly but she knew her Lord wasn't fooled, by the cold smile that spread across his bloodless lips. She gasped as he slapped her with enough force to send her crashing to the floor at his feet holding her cheek. She knew the blow had split her lip too, she felt the blood languorously coming to the surface; she licked her lip, reveling in its taste and the sting the slap had caused to her face.
Voldemort was amused at how her eyes glittered with barely repressed desire and fear, what an interesting combination. He wondered what it would take to have her begging for mercy this time. The last time it had taken a beating, a couple of applications of the Cruciatus, some lovingly carved designs on her flesh, and a salt bath. He was looking forward to see if she could hold out more now since the effects of Azkaban were lessening.
He would still require Snape find a cure for the effect Azkaban had had on his faithful. It wouldn't do to have half his lieutenants suffering psychotic episodes at inopportune times, not to mention the Ministry was using spells to reproduce the effects of Dementors in Azkaban now.
The Dementors were once again in his control but he would need to break into the prison once again to get the Death Eaters that were currently residing there out. He looked at the sprawled figure at his feet and lazily waved his wand, watching her eyes widen as he slowly choked her, cutting off her air supply. She would of course provide hours of entertainment; was the last truly coherent thought he had, as he immersed himself in the punishment of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Courtroom Ten, Department of Mysteries, Ministry of MagicThe werewolf was anxious and kept fidgeting making Snape crazy, since he had ended up next to him. "Stop it, you intolerable creature!" He hissed thoroughly put out.
The fidgeting stopped abruptly; he let out a quiet sigh that turned into a strangled groan when it started back up again. "Lupin so help me, if you don't stop I'm poisoning your potion come the full moon." The threat was very real and they both knew it.
Remus stopped his fidgeting thinking that Snape must have been more concerned about his students than he was letting on since the threat wasn't up to his usual standards. "Don't need it anymore, thank Merlin." He told Snape quietly before resuming his fidgeting. It wasn't that he was doing it to annoy Snape though that was a bonus; mostly it was the fact that he was underground, in a windowless room that no fresh air circulated through. The fact that too many people, who were considered threats, occupied the room with him made him more than twitchy. The wolf was itching to get out physically if Remus didn't make a fast exit from the Ministry and he somehow thought that particular action would be a very bad thing.
"What?! Since when?" Came the furious whisper from the stunned Potions Master.
"Since August... 22, I believe." Came the too quick reply.
"How?" This had Potter's signature all over it and most likely it had to do with that book.
"Book." Remus confirmed Snape's suspicions but would say no more on the subject, he wasn't ready to open that can of worms so to speak.
"..." Snape waited for the Gryffindork, as his godson liked to refer to them, to explain himself; after a bit it became obvious he wasn't going to. Snape huffed in annoyance, "Well, what about the book?"
"Not important." Remus answered succinctly.
"If you maul anyone and they have to put you down, I don't want to hear anything about it." Snape bit out, hating the fact that he was dying of curiosity.
Remus snorted a laugh; he knew Snape was dying to know. "All right." Remus agreed genially knowing it would annoy the man even more. He made an abrupt change of subject knowing it would at least distract Snape from his line of questioning. "Do you think they'll acquit them of all charges?"
"I can only guess. You and I both know that justice is blind, deaf, and dumb in our world. Who know what those intolerant hypocrites will do, especially since those five were less than accommodating and deferential. In fact I believe they went out of their way to insult and ridicule the Wizengamot and our society in general."
Remus nodded it had seemed that way. He cocked his head as he heard Tonks humming something or other quietly to herself, while they waited for the verdict to be delivered. "If they are found guilty...it's times like these I wish Sirius was here. He would be able to break them out of Azkaban and tell them all about the life of a convict on the run. He'd make it sound appealing too, some high adventure worthy of their rascal nature no doubt."
Snape snorted. "The mutt would no doubt relish leading a merry band of innocent convicts. I do not think we could survive this war if those five are sentenced to Azkaban no matter if we break them out. You heard the child, darkness is taking hold in our world and it will continue to do so until we unite. I put no faith in talents such as divination but..." Snape didn't finish his sentence, confused as to why he would believe the crazy Ravenclaw.
"You remember her mother." That was really all that needed to be said on that subject; even if he had wanted to add more they were ready to deliver the verdict one way or the other.
Harry was tired, the kind of tired that went bone deep both physically and emotionally. While he was used to end of the year stunts he pulled to keep him alive...he had barely recovered from the last one before engaging in this one. He could feel himself starting to crash as his adrenaline burned off, the shakes were going to start soon, followed by nausea and finally sleep or so he hoped. His fellow classmates were not going to be in much better condition, since as far as he knew this type of situations didn't happen to them on a yearly basis.
Draco for his part was watching Harry, he knew that whatever had caused the outburst minutes ago wasn't a good thing. The amount of rage the Gryffindor had displayed was frightening in its intensity and he also knew it was dangerous for everyone involved should Harry loose control of that anger. He had seen the bindings on Harry's hands shine brighter as they prevented an active magical outburst. If Harry hadn't gotten hold of himself in time, he knew the bindings would have broken under the strain of keeping raw magic from being used. Draco was pretty sure he would have blown up the courtroom with everyone in, now that would have definitely been a very big no no.
"Do you think you'll be able to keep it together until we get released or are shipped of Azkaban?"
Harry was surprised and confused at the question, briefly wondering if Draco was joking but one look at the seriousness displayed on the blonde's face told him otherwise. He sighed tiredly, so maybe he wasn't holding up as well as he had thought.
"I...honestly have no fucking clue. For fucks sake, my whole life has been composed of nothing but me 'keeping it together' I don't know Draco, I just don't know." Harry knew had he not been so drained, none of that would have been coming out his mouth but his defenses had all but been worn down, he couldn't even muster the effort to lie properly.
Draco was stunned by the reply; he had been expecting Harry to say he was fine or to tell him to mind his own damn business. He had not been expecting the truth; while they had agreed to work together so to speak, they were by no means friends. He had no idea what to say to Gryffindor, so when in doubt he resorted to sarcasm.
"By Salazar look at you, having a heart to heart with me of all people, how very Gryffindor of you. Next thing I know, you'll be inviting me over for a pajama party and asking to do my hair. No, I bet you're one of those matching outfit types, how quaint." Draco gave Harry a half-hearted sneer for effect.
Harry was stunned at the response; he looked at those cold silver eyes and felt anger thrum through him at Malfoy's taunting. He was about to go off, when he saw Draco's eyes flash with worry before they were once again cold and emotionless. The anger drained out leaving him feeling even more weary than before but he laughed catching an answering smirk from Draco.
"You're such a git." Harry told him amused at the manner Draco dealt with emotional outbursts.
"Yes...well...it worked didn't it? Anyway, the lard asses are back with their verdict and we need you to act the part of composed powerful wizard for that." The others who had been paying attention to their conversation nodded stupidly before catching themselves and putting their own masks on. They all leaned back, uncomfortable chairs not withstanding, and reclined nonchalantly, acting for all the world as bored teenagers.
Madam Bones just knew that heads would roll for the stunt that had been attempted today; there was no way the heirs would allow something like this to pass unchallenged. Minister Weasley was going to get a rude wake-up call about the fact that being fair and treating everyone equally was not good politics, especially when you where elected on the heirs say so. She knew it was up to her and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to give the verdict but before she did she wanted to make a few things clear.
"Everybody settle down." Minister Weasley spoke above the hushed din that had arisen while they had deliberated on the verdict. Once everyone's attention was once again on the court proceedings, he turned to Madam Bones, as she would be the one to read the verdict.
"We have a reached a decision, but before I give the verdict I would like to say a few things. First I would like to thank you for not only saving my Susan but also for saving all those students. I would also like to tell you that Directors Wimbly and White will no longer work here come morning, since their incompetence in dealing with this case was only surpassed by their own personal stupidity. I extend my apologies for your treatment and for the inconvenience this hearing may have caused."
Harry, Draco, Luna, Blaise and Neville nodded regally at Madam Bones accepting her statements in the light in which they were given. They of course knew she was making sure they knew she hadn't agreed with whatever verdict had been cooked up by those self-righteous fools.
"We have deliberated and have found the defendants not guilty of the charges leveled against them as a group, since their testimonies have sufficiently explained their actions." Madam Bones paused there, hearing the sighs of relief let out by the heirs' supporters.
"That's good." Neville whispered quietly to Harry, who nodded discreetly in return. "I still have a bad feeling about the other charges though." He finished speaking only to find Luna, Blaise, Draco and Harry nodding miserably at his pronouncement. They too had the same feeling.
"Individually we find Neville Franklin Longbottom, guilty of knowingly participating in the liberal use of dark magic, Draco Lucius Malfoy and Harry James Potter, we find you guilty of knowingly participating in the liberal use of dark magic and on carrying a concealed weapon. Luna Circe Lovegood and Blaise Marcus Zabini, we find you guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and not guilty of knowingly participating in the liberal use of dark magic. Do you understand the charges you have been found guilty of?"
"Yes ma'am." Came the prompt reply from the accused as they wondered what punishment dark magic use and weapon concealment carried.
"Very well, I will now move on to your sentencing. Neville Franklin Longbottom, you are hereby sentenced to three months probation, Draco Lucius Malfoy and Harry James Potter, you are hereby sentenced to six months probation, Luna Circe Lovegood and Blaise Marcus Zabini, you are hereby sentenced to three months probation. All of you are remanded to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the care of Professor Severus Snape until such time as your sentence is up."
Well, that whole Snape thing was unexpected but overall it didn't sound so bad, Harry thought morosely, though he had an inkling there was more to the sentencing than what was previously stated. The fact that Madam Bones hadn't gone into detail about what their probation entailed meant it was pretty horrid. He could just picture the tirade Snape would be giving them, or mainly him not to mention the unending supply of cauldrons he was sure to scrub for the course of this little stunt...
The others thoughts' were all running in that same direction since the punishment seemed light...a little too light if you asked them. They shared knowing looks wondering exactly who they were punishing; Professor Snape didn't look all that happy to have them under his specific care in fact he looked downright murderous.
"It is the courts decision that you abide by its ruling, as it is in your best interest to do so. Do you accept the verdict?" Madam Bones asked them delicately knowing that if they chose to contest it; even more fur would fly in the next few months.
They all again shared a look before shrugging and all replying with various forms of assent. They were however planning to have a private chat with Madam Bones on just who had come up with the punishment and those who had agreed.
"In that case this court is now adjourned. Good day gentleman, lady." With that simple statement the court cleared of all official personnel in two minutes flat, leaving them wondering what the hell they had just agreed to participate in. An Auror came by and snapped off their magical restraints quickly and efficiently before leaving with a curt nod in their direction. The Wizengamot exited from some unknown door somewhere along those high benches while the lawyers stood up and headed for their clients.
"That was unexpected and extremely lucky for us. I would have thought they would have pressed for Azkaban since they like to make examples out of old pureblooded families." Steve confessed to Harry who had yet to loose the perplexed expression.
"Yeah but it still feels...off somehow, like there's something more to this than what's on the surface."
Steve and the rest nodded their agreement, after turning the verdict over in their minds. "I see what you mean, we'll try to find out more from our contacts and the actual court files. I'll send you a report on what we find." Harry nodded at him absently and Steve could see exactly how tired the teen was, since he had yet to move from the chair, or any of them really.
"Thanks Steve, for everything you're the best. Oh yeah, tell your father hello for me." Harry added impishly knowing the old man would probably hide for days after that. Steve laughed. "I'll do that. We'll be going now but if you need anything Harry don't hesitate to owl." Harry nodded and said his goodbyes to their team of lawyers as they headed home for some much needed sleep.
"Well, aren't we glad that over..." Neville said cheerfully before continuing in a more subdued tone, "...sort of, I mean we are all essentially under the 'care' of..." He trailed off shuddering while Draco and Blaise rolled their eyes at the Gryffindors apprehension of their Head of House.
Luna looked dreamily unconcerned though she was fidgeting, Harry for his part knew it was taking all his self-control, not to throw a tantrum right here and now.
"Me, Mr. Longbottom." Snape finished for the foolish Gryffindor in his most menacing tone, sneering for all he was worth. He had come up behind them followed closely by the other Professors and of course, the two Weasley's, and the werewolf.
Harry would have laughed at Neville's jolt of surprise, had a pain not seared across his forehead. His scar was on fire again; it burned more powerfully than before, like someone had poured molten lava on it. He knew he had fallen from the chair, he had felt his body land on the cold stone floor distantly but he couldn't see. Everything was awash in a haze of fog; fuzzy and unfocused he could see a mass of black bobs in front of him...
"Clear your mind, you foolish boy!" Snape roared trying to break through the Dark Lord's hold. Harry knew that voice...didn't he? Everything was so disjointed he knew he had stop this but he couldn't. He felt a surge or anger then he was speaking or was he? He didn't know anymore.
"Folly, its seems...recruits...failure. CRUCIO!" He felt the curse ripple through him as he fought not to scream, his ever-loving guts out. The pain was beyond anything he had ever experienced so far; his very bones were on fire; his head felt like it was splitting along his scar. He knew he lost the battle against trying to hold back his screams as he heard them echoing the ones in his mind. He felt his eyes rolling madly in his head, as he convulsed from the force of the curse.
The Professors, the Weasley's and Remus, had all heard about Harry and how his scar pained him when Voldemort was feeling some extreme emotion but no one had thought it was this bad. Draco, Blaise, and Luna were horrified at what the boy they had come to know in a short period of time was going through, they couldn't fathom how he stood the pain, the piercing shrieks however gave them chills. Neville of course knew just how bad Harry's scar could pain him but it had normally always happened when Harry slept not when he was conscious.
Snape was furious though he was hard pressed to figure out just who to direct his ire at. The foolish boy had let his guard down and Voldemort had capitalized on it, though from the looks of it Potter wasn't having a vision more like he was suffering from a bout of Cruciatus... It dawned on Snape then that whatever was happening wasn't the boy's fault but they needed to snap him out of it for his own good.
Remus was beside himself with anger and worry as he watched helplessly as his cub writhed in pain while screaming in agony. He couldn't do anything, useless since that bastard was torturing him somehow. The wolf, who had been restless before was now screaming for blood; it was taking all his control not to rip everyone to shreds for not being able to help his cub.
"Potter, clear you mind! Push him out!" The pain stopped abruptly making Harry wince as he caught Snape's raised voice.
He tried to focus on the man since he was kneeling beside him but he wasn't having much luck. "He's furious...so angry..."
Snape jerked back when he caught Potter's mumbles, it seemed the Dark Lord had learned of the Death Eaters failure. "Snap out of it Potter, clear your mind, and push him out." He ground out forcefully, as if by some miracle the brat would heed him and actually do it.
Harry felt the something shift deep in his mind, "turn Black...fails...use him...lure...Potter...death." Incentive enough to try to focus his now blazing green eyes on Snape; he grabbed the man's arm with more strength than he thought he possessed, bringing Snape's attention to him. "Go to him." Harry forced out through sheer force of will, since he was gasping for breath and shaking uncontrollably not to mention twitching like mad.
"What?" Snape asked incredulously as he looked into eyes burned with an intensity he had never seen in the boy before.
"Tell him about...everything here." Harry gasped out his thought as best he could. Snape look at him shrewdly, wondering if he should do what the boy was asking. It wouldn't hurt and it would solidify his standing even more with the Dark Lord. Though he wasn't all the convinced now would be the right time to go, since He, was in a 'not good for Snape's health' state of mind. He really rather not risk it if the Dark Lord was being free with the Cruciatus of all things.
Harry knew deep down in his gut that Snape needed to go; he looked up at those sharp coal black eyes and pleaded with his own for all he was worth. Everyone else hovered in the background, completely forgotten by the two on the floor; Harry's body jerked violently, startling Snape from their starring contest, as a spasm cursed though his body. He knew the torture wasn't going to end just yet but Snape needed to go. He could hear snatches of conversation from Voldemort making this very important. He sucked in a breath and once again tried his breath to connect his disjointed thoughts together enough to form something coherent from the jumble.
"Go, she...mustn't be killed, important..." He couldn't say anything more as he once again fell victim to the Cruciatus as Voldemort reapplied it to the room.
Snape was about to ask who he was referring to when the boy once again went under, he knew what Potter was going through, he'd been there himself not too long ago. He almost felt sorry for the writhing child whose throat could but give hoarse shouts and his nerves where set on fire once more.
Harry knew he had once again been hit by the Cruciatus curse. The pain was so intense, so all-consuming.... White-hot knives were piercing every inch of his skin once again; his head was surely going to burst from pain. He could vaguely make out hoarse shouts that seemed to echo the ones in his own mind somehow. He knew there was something he had to say; he forced himself to clench his teeth in order to stop the screaming. Hoping he would be able to get his message across, he did his best to hold back the pain while he made a last ditch effort.
Snape was taken aback when the child in front of him stopped screaming abruptly. His face screwed up in determination, teeth clenched from either the agony or trying to hold back the screams, Snape wasn't sure. The eyes snapped open focusing on him, pleading with him as Potter continued to writhe in pain.
"You must go!" Harry shouted hoarsely before his voice tapered off into hoarse shouts and shrieks. He felt something warm start to spread and was dimly aware that his newly healed wounds had tore open from the strain.
Snape couldn't in good conscious fail to go, since even he was convinced it was for the best. He grudgingly admitted that if Potter had resorted to trying to speak through the Cruciatus it must be important. He stood up leaving the rest the rest to care for Potter and headed straight for the Headmaster.
"I'm going." He said immediately.
"Severus..." Dumbledore started warningly but Snape cut him off.
"I'm going." He reiterated his statement since he wasn't backing down.
Dumbledore sighed defeated. "Very well."
"Potter needs to be taken to Poppy immediately, his suffering under the Cruciatus and his previously healed wounds have been torn open again." Snape told the old man quietly.
The Headmaster was taken aback, shocked but nodded nonetheless. "Be safe."
Snape nodded curtly, without bothering to say another word, he swept from the courtroom at a faster than normal pace. He hoped to get there in time to prevent whomever the Dark Lord was punishing from dying as Potter had requested, it was the least he could do.
The application of the Cruciatus coupled with the earlier blood loss, not to mention that Harry was once again bleeding, and the depleted magic and energy reserves; it was a wonder he hadn't let blackness cloud his vision before now. He stopped fighting, as the pain had grown too great for even his Gryffindor stubbornness to control, he let himself fall into the abyss gladly even eager for the oblivion it would deliver.
Remus heard the conversation from his place next to Harry since Severus had abandoned it to act on Harry's warning. He immediately picked Harry up carefully, blessing all the deities that his cub had passed out. That was a lucky thing since at least this way he wasn't conscious enough to feel the pain.
"Albus, I heard, I'm apparating him to the Hogwarts gates, and heading straight for Poppy." Remus was walking as fast as inhumanely possible without jostling his cub too much in an effort to make the apparition point as quickly as possible.
"Charlie, Bill I trust you'll bring the others to Hogwarts safely and quickly. Filius we need to get to Hogwarts, the children need to be reassured by our presence and it's not safe to be gone so long. " The Weasley's nodded and after a short goodbye to everyone present, the Headmaster swept from the dungeons, followed closely by Professor Flitwick.
Dark Lord's Lair, Unplottable Location, Somewhere in Europe (presumably)
He'd stood outside the mansion that housed the Dark Lord long enough to transfigured his simple robes into something more befitting his station as part of the inner circle. He glanced around making sure he wasn't being spied up on physically before taking a deep breath, making sure his thoughts were all locked up tight behind a wall, before straightening his robes and purposely walking towards the entrance. He didn't bother to knock but strode right through heading for the throne room, he thought he heard muffled screams but it could be his paranoia at work. The screams he found as he headed down the hall were getting louder, confirming that Potter was correct. He wondered what he'd be able to do to save the wretched creature, or if there was anything left to save at all, by the sounds of things this had been going on for a while. He stopped outside the throne room doors, glaring at the rat that was waiting to do his Master's bidding. He didn't bother to address Pettigrew, just sneered in his direction and was gratified to see him cower, served him right the backstabbing cur.
He knocked confidently on the door, waiting to be allowed in. The screams immediately stopped; harsh pants and whimpers were still audible as were the sounds of the Dark Lord's footsteps on the stone floor as they headed towards the door, he was currently standing in front of. He knew he was reading too much into the simple sound of footsteps but they somehow conveyed annoyance and anger and that didn't bode well for him.
The Dark Lord pushed open the door and immediately started berating the person on the other side, "I specifically told you I didn't want to be disturbed, but it seems you need a...Severus?" Voldemort asked as if he hadn't been issuing threats two seconds before.
"My Lord." Snape greeted him courteously and gave a small bow since pride prevented him from kneeling in greeting, at least outside the throne room at any rate.
"Severus, what a unexpected surprise. Come in, we need to," there was a significant pause after that, "talk, about a few things that have recently been brought to my attention." The silky tone didn't hide the annoyance at being interrupted or the underlying suspicion that colored his words. The Dark Lord turned back towards the throne supremely confident Snape would follow.
"If it pleases you, my lord." The sound of the doors closing, reminded him of the guillotine or of a hangman's noose; his plans for Potter had just gone into outright torture.
"It does." Came the careless reply from what amounted to his lord and master, as he made himself comfortable on the throne. That more than anything made him want to hex the man. He could understand world domination, killing, torturing, and assorted evilness but the presumptuousness of that wretched chair really made him burn.
Snape followed the Dark Lord at a sedate pace, not willing to come off as a scared or arrogant since both states of being promised pain. It also let him take a discrete look around the room something he seriously wished he hadn't done.
The creature, because it could no longer be called human, was laying in a pool of blood. The back of her robes had been torn open, leaving her back exposed. It was sickening to see that it reminded him of nothing more than a slab of raw meat. It seemed the Dark Lord had been very put out by her failure since he had skinned her back, broken her arms and legs if the angle in which they lay twitching in was any indication. Sure signs of the after effects of what could only be several bouts of the Cruciatus. The splatters of blood on the Lord's robes and the immediate area around the creature was testament to more, but how much more Snape didn't want to speculate.
"What is it you wish to talk to me about, my lord? You have but to ask." Snape knelt this time in front of the throne, as he had not been told otherwise, trying his best to ignore the panting, whimpering creature a few feet to his right.
Voldemort was amused by Snape's willingness to ignore Bella and her current state. It pleased him to see just how far he would go to ignore such a big elephant standing in the room with them. He knew without a doubt that his Potions Master would never call attention to anything he deemed improper unless he specifically mentioned it. Though he rather enjoyed the man's acerbic humor, but he knew he played a dangerous game letting Snape spy on the old fool. This snake would betray him if he felt the other side would win the war, Snape was first and foremost a survivor and a Slytherin, something he appreciated but watched carefully.
"Bella, my sweet, you seem to have forgotten your manners. Severus has come to visit and you're being unbearably rude." He reprimanded mockingly at the still conscious witch he had been instructing but a few minutes ago.
Bella didn't move just gritted her teeth, swallowed trying to get her voice to work even though her throat felt on fire. "Forgive me, my lord. Severus." She greeted the Potions Master in the same breath. Her voice had sounded strained and raw even to her own ears.
Snape looked at his Lord, who nodded encouragingly, before replying, "Bellatrix... you've looked better." He said returning her greeting with what was known as complete decorum on his part. He almost flinched when that cold high-pitched laugh rang out.
"Brutally honest as always, its good to know some things don't change. However, it seems that you failed to mention a few things concerning the Hogwarts student..." The last was spat out angrily.
"My lord, if you could permit me to explain the news I have found out, it will better explain what you have asked me." Snape hoped the Dark Lord was in an indulgent mood not too mention he found speaking to him while he could clearly hear Bella's labored breathing and whimpers disconcerting.
Voldemort thought about it before waving a hand encouraging Severus to continue.
"I was called away from Hogwarts by the old fool, telling me two of my Slytherins had been taken to the DMLE and were being held for trial with three others. It seems that the Wizengamot had been called in for an emergency session, which was a surprise since those idiots never come into the Ministry before noon no matter what the cause. Aurors escorted me into the courtroom along with Flitwick who was there for the Ravenclaw and Dumbledore acting for the Gryffindor brats under arrest."
"So it seems Wormtail was correct, how interesting. Do continue Severus..." Snape wanted to shudder at the silky tone but plunged ahead knowing it wasn't a good idea to keep the Dark Lord waiting.
"I was surprised to see Potter, Longbottom, Lovegood, Zabini and Malfoy being brought in under restraints to stand before the Wizengamot. I was unaware of what charges had been brought against them but when the new Minister read them I was surprised. They were charged with 20 counts of murder, the use of dark magic, and four of them carrying concealed weapons."
"How comical, the ministry is furthering my plans for Potter, in their bid to no doubt make sure he knows he is not above the law. It seems Potter will be even more susceptible to my cause thanks to them." Snape had no idea what he was on about but he stored away the strange comment to examine later. "What was the verdict?"
Snape relayed the information not withholding any pertinent information except about the mongrels, which had been judged mundane Muggle dogs for all intents and purposes, though he had doubts about that. He relayed the fact that the five students were now under his care at Hogwarts which the Dark Lord seemed inordinately pleased about.
"Well done my snake, even Wormtail had not been able to ferret out any information on the reason why the Wizengamot had convened. On the other hand, you've yet to explain why you didn't know of their talents before hand..." If he had been anyone else, he would have panicked at the sight of his lord calmly fingering his wand.
"My lord, during the trial we were given to understand that Longbottom, Lovegood, Potter and Zabini only parroted back the incantation used by your Death Eaters. When asked why they used those spells considering who was attacking them, Malfoy answered that you were not obliging enough to attack them only using Hogwarts curriculum. I believe he also stated you also failed to bring along Cornish pixies and red kappas since dark creatures had been the main focus of their five years of DADA. They were to say the least quite offended with the insinuation that they, with their infinite years of wisdom, lacked intellect to figure that out by themselves."
Voldemort smirked at young Malfoy's use of sarcasm; he had missed the elder Malfoy's acid tongue along with his intellect. Azkaban would have to be taken once again soon, he rather not have his second in command become a raving lunatic. Which reminded him he needed to tell Severus about the potion he needed to develop.
"So it seems that at least four of the five students have enough power if not outright knowledge to use any spell they know the incantation to...a situation that you will have to watch closely Severus. If they become a problem make sure they have an accident..."
Snape froze but rallied quickly. "Of course my lord."
"Good. Young Malfoy will also be watched if he has taken to associating with Potter, maybe Lucius will be able to teach him the error of his ways..." Snape snorted a laugh at that; Lucius would never touch a hair on his heir's head no matter what. The man might support Voldemort but family came first, especially since Draco had yet to produce an heir. "Speaking of which, Severus I need your considerable talents and intellect focused on developing a potion that will nullify the effects Azkaban has had on my faithful."
Snape wasn't surprised by the request he had been expecting it. The preliminary research was all but done, now he needed to start experimenting with various potions and ingredients. "I will endeavor to find the answer for you as quick as possible."
"See that you do. Now you should hurry back before that Muggle loving old fool becomes suspicious. Report back any pertinent information and keep an eye on those five children." Snape nodded answering in the affirmative, kissing the hem of the Dark Lords robes before standing and turning around to leave. He made a show of hesitating and turning back which he knew hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Yes Severus? You have something you wish to add?" The menace was back in his tone and Severus just knew it was more than likely he wasn't getting out of here without being cursed.
"My lord, I was wondering if perhaps you could have Bellatrix owl me a report of what curses were used and by whom. I need to have a better understanding of how powerful and knowledgeable my new charges will be in order to evaluate them as a future problem." He made sure to make the word "charges" ring with contempt and disgust, figuring it wouldn't hurt.
Voldemort looked at Severus while turning over the request in his mind. He wondered if maybe this was Snape's subtle attempt at reminding him that while Bella had failed him today, she was one of his better servants and faithful above all else. It could also be that Snape wanted to approach the situation with as many facts as he could get beforehand, that way he would be able to better contain the situation. So many possibilities in that simple request that it made him wonder if maybe he was reading too much into it but with Severus one never knew. He was rather bored of punishing Bella, though she had been a challenge. "Very well Severus, expect her owl in three days time." He dismissed his spy, his mind already on other things.
"Thank you, my lord." Snape bowed once more before striding out of the room, stopping briefly to sneer at the rat, seeing him cower made the last hour not seem so dire. He quickly made his way out of the mansion and apparated back to Hogwarts.
The Dark Lord sat watching the still twitching form of Bellatrix before calling for Wormtail to come get her and have her fixed up. She had her orders and he made sure Wormtail would repeat them to her in case he had addled her brains anymore than they already were. He also made sure the sniveling rat passed along Snape's request, since it had merit. He left the throne room heading for his study to formulate the plan to break into Azkaban once again, he needed Lucius Malfoy back since it seemed in the 13 years he had been gone stupidity had become rampant in his ranks.
Snape hurried across the grounds, knowing the Headmaster would want a report about his meeting. He also knew that whatever trick the Ministry had up its sleeve putting him in charge of those brats would not be pleasant. Snape was also wondering whether the Potter brat had come out of the torture he had endured second hand sane, or if he'd lost his mind. Hopefully that infamous Potter luck had held if not they were all doomed before the war had even really begun.
Many thanks for the wonderful reviews and encouragements from my readers, I'm thrilled that my story has garnered so much attention. So thanks everyone for taking the time to review.
Please let me know what you thought of Voldemort and Snape I agonized forever on how to portray them. I wanna know what everyone thought of them to see if it matches my expectations. I think I suck at Snape made him all sorts of OOC, so if it was too much I apologize.
Sorry about the not answering your questions but was being....itself again and well the reviews failed to make it to my inbox....sorry. If you're question wasn't ansered feel free to once again ask it and hopefully it'll get to my inbox this time.....lol.