Thank you for reviewing chapter eleven of HPMMD as of June 16th, 2007!!
I'd like to thank the following reviewers:
DestinyDragon: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it so much!
Ckarrine: well I hope you didn't stress yourself out. Good to hear from you again! Thank you for keeping up all this time!
death by storm: seems everyone does! Thank you for reviewing though!
Alaki-chan: I'm glad you love it! Thank you! But don't do anything you don't want to because of me. I'm thankful for readers, any kind. Thank you anyway!
DBZfanalways: always a pleasure. I just didn't know I'd get so much sympathy for Harry and Draco! LOL
Thanks again for reviewing!
Thank you again for reviewing and enjoy the twelveth chapter of...
Harry Potter and the Millennium Darkness!
Chapter 12
"But Professor please!" Hermione begged desperately. McGonagall waved her hand dismissively.
"I will hear no more. This matter is no longer open for discussion. Return to your dormitories immediately and let the staff do their job." The witch said firmly. Professor Itshar loomed off in the corner, her blue eyes ever watchful. Snape was also present, standing off behind Dumbledor who was seated at his desk.
"Rest assured, Miss Granger, we will find Harry. Don't you worry about that." Dumbledor said softly. Ron gently tugged the girl, coaxing her toward the exit. Once they were sure the two were out of earshot the teachers turned to the headmaster.
"What shall we do, headmaster? We have looked all over school grounds and as far as I can see, Potter is nowhere to be found." Snape commented.
"He's right Albus. We've even searched the surrounding area. There's only so far a boy can go in a few days on foot. If we haven't found him by now…" McGonagall had let her stern facade drop into worry and fright. Dumbledor nodded in understanding.
"I quite agree Minerva however I must remind you we have an excellent seer with us now." The old wizard motioned toward Professor Itshar. "She is doing all she can to find Harry Potter."
"The longer Potter is away from the school, the more danger he is in." Snape muttered, eyeing the foreign woman wearily. "We should take to searching ourselves."
"All staff are needed at the school, Severus." Dumbledor said softly. "I trust you have a good handle on the issue, Professor?" Itshar nodded, her finger lingering on her necklace. Her blue eyes were glazed over slightly but she seemed far more alert then most.
"It is under control Headmaster." She said.
"Should we tell Remus?" McGonagall said suddenly. "He'll want to know. He is taking care of Harry now."
"We should wait until it is absolutely necessary." Dumbledor said calmly. "The full moon was only last night. Telling him now would only worsen his recovery time." Snape snorted to himself, glaring off in another direction. Dumbledor sent him a wry smile but didn't say anything.
Harry wasn't quite sure where in the school he was. It was dark out, shadows dancing on the walls from the burning stone lamps lining the walls. It was quiet, far after hours. Harry turned a corner slowly, glancing around. His eyes widened when he faced forward. He jumped back from the person in front of him. His back was turned, glancing up the corridor. Harry wasn't sure if he had been noticed or not.
The other turned to look down the hall. Harry choked on his gasp, stepping back. It was Riddle.Tom Riddle when he had gone to school. Harry ducked behind the corner, watching Riddle carefully. The future Dark Lord was seventeen now, a "Head Boy" badge glittering on his Slytherin robes. The boy stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. Harry followed his gaze up the corridor. Where had that other person come from?
Harry felt a wave of nausea and fear as he stepped out, watching Riddle make his way toward the dark figure standing in the middle of the corridor. Harry didn't know why but he wanted to yell out. He wanted to get Riddle's attention. Yell and scream at him for everything he had ever done or would do. Anything. Anything to keep Riddle away from that person in the hall.
"Students shouldn't be wandering about after hours." Riddle called, stopping a good distance before the dark figure. Shadows were swarming around him. His head was bowed under soft white hair. Harry felt his blood freeze. Why? Why did he have to watch? Why did he have to see these memories? The other didn't answer Riddle, slowly turning to face him. Harry couldn't see his face. Riddle frowned deeper, seeming to sense the disturbing darkness. "Who are you? You aren't of this school."
"Not...of this school...?" The voice was soft and filled with mild confusion and sarcasm. "My dear mortal brat, I have been apart of this school since its creation." He laughed, his head tilting to one side. "You think you're so scary, being the decedent to Salazar Slytherin. Having known the man personally, I can't say you're any threat to me."
Riddle growled at the insult. If there was anything more that pissed the future Lord Voldemort off it was being denied his right to the Slytherin name. Harry watched with fear as Riddle slowly cooled, rationalizing inside. His mind was constantly working, constantly manipulating things to his favor. The Gryffindor had to admit he was curious to see how Riddle would get out of this one.
"You are unfamiliar to me as a resident ghost of this school. May I inquire your purpose?" Riddle asked calmly. The other laughed, a smirk reaching across his white face. Dark red eyes peered at the wizard past snow white bangs.
"You may or you may not. That doesn't mean I'll answer." He laughed as Riddle's anger grew. "You're amusing. As long as you do not pursue me, I shall allow you to remain here in the remainder of your year in peace. Only because my host is so gentle toward you worthless humans."
"Host?" Riddle repeated. Harry cursed him. Don't ask. Don't ask him questions. He knew to well that questioning would get you into trouble. "If you are placing students in unwanted situations I have no choice but to expel you from this place." Harry was completely taken back by Riddle show of heroism. It wasn't to his knowledge Voldemort had any sense of morality or humanity in him. He watched as Riddle's hand inched toward his wand.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The white haired boy's smirk had vanished. Harry knew that face far to well. It looked no different between the fifty years. The same vengeful anger burned in those red eyes. The same choking shadows clung to him, obeying only him. "You might find yourself in a bit of trouble."
"You underestimate me." Riddle muttered darkly. The spirit snorted, his eyes narrowing. He turned sideways, as if to leave.
"My host holds far to much compassion for you mortals. If you come after me again I will dispose of you." The boy turned his back to Riddle, the shadows flaring up around his legs. Riddle drew his wand, aiming for the boy. Compelled to move, Harry jumped forward.
"No! Don't!"
Hermione sighed miserably, letting her book close. She turned to face out the window. It had been three days. Three bloody days since Harry had run from the transfiguration room and disappeared. Ron and she were unable to slip past any kind of teacher to go search for themselves. Not only that, the teachers themselves didn't seem to put any effort at all into it. Remus didn't even seem to know what was going on.
They had promptly told the Professor the moment he returned to class. He had gone into a daze, deep in his own thoughts. He had told them to keep to their lessons and allow him and the other teachers to handle it. But as far as anyone was aware, the teachers weren't doing anything! It was infuriating.
The question was, why had Harry disappeared? Someone had attempted to kill him, that was clear by the dagger coming out of nowhere at Harry's head. But how had they done it and how had Harry been able to escape it when no one had even seen the blade until after Harry moved? And why had Malfoy made such a hasty exit after Harry? Most expected that kind of reaction from Ron or herself but they had not. Ron had been hurt in the tumble out of his chair and Hermione had gone right to him instead.
The bushy haired girl looked up when a small stack of books slammed into the table, Ronald plopping down in the chair across from her. "I... HATE... Snape." He stated with a deep angry scowl. "He didn't say a bloody thing about Harry, degraded me on my potion's essay and then told me how incompetent I was to be more worried about bloody Harry Potter then my homework! Well what the bloody hell do you expect me to do, just shrug and cram on potions essays? I very well think not!" He howled, glaring at his text books. He had half the mind to throw them out the window but he knew Hermione would be displeased, not to mention it would do no good to ruin his mother's hard work in getting them.
"I'm sorry Ron." The girl muttered, lifting his hand off the table and holding it between her own. "I have to admit my grades are slipping as well. I'm so worried about him." She sighed, kissing his knuckles. "Why don't you go shower? You look frazzled."
"I am frazzled! I wanted to turn him into a rat and blow him up like I wanted when I found out who Scabbers was! That'd teach him!" He shouted, not even botheringwith his hand. "I hate him, Hermione! I do! How can even he not care if Harry's gone or not! I swear all he bloody cares about are his potions and Draco Malfoy!"
"Malfoy is his godson, you know that." Hermione muttered. "And you must remember whom you're talking about. Snape holds a lot of contempt toward Harry's father and his friends. He has every right to."
"That still doesn't excuse him from being a teacher who swore to protect EVERY student of the school!" Ron shouted. Hermione nodded, caressing the other's hand with her fingers, rubbing his palm with her thumbs.
"I'm scared Ron." The boy blinked in surprise. It was then he fully took in the girl's appearance. She looked so tired and fragile. She looked ready to cry any moment. This wasn't his Hermione. His Hermione was head strong and clever and always willing to apply her knowledge to any problem. Now she looked weak and shaky, unsure and holding little confidence in herself. "What if Harry's hurt? He's had to have slept in the past three days. He could have been seriously injure this time. Or...or what if some Death Eater's gotten him?"
Ron bit his bottom lip. He stood, and made his way over toward her. He sat on the floor, gently pulling her down into his lap where no one could see. He shushed her softly, brushing her hair away from her face soothingly. "It's alright Hermione. Everything's all right. Harry's strong. He'll pull through. He's faced a lot of terrible things in his life and he can face this."
"B-but what if he can't?!" She demanded, tears already welling in her brown eyes. "What if this one is it? Harry's not invincible you know. He's just a boy. He's just like us, just the same. Every other time he's been lucky but what if his luck runs out? What if he's... if he's..."
"Shh!" Ron hissed, quieting her. He held her tightly in his arms. "Don't think like that. Never think like that. We thought there was no way Sirius could live and he's back. Reborn. We can't know anything until it's proven. So keep hoping. Keep praying for him and Harry will come home. He's never let us done before and he won't now. Believe in him now and everything will be alright." He said softly. Hermione whimpered, burying her face in his shoulder.
The rest of the world seemed gone to the pair as they hid beneath their table, the girl folded safely in the fiery red head's arms. Then... Hermione giggled. Ron blinked in confusion, pulling back a bit to see her face. Tears glittered in her lashes and yet she was smiling. "How did you get to be so strong Ron?"
The boy nearly fell over. "Well excuse me for not being as brave and powerful as Mr. Harry Potter!" Hermione's laughter filled his ears as his cheeks flushed red. His freckles blended with the blush and he tried to hide in her mass of brown hair.
"You're so cute being so tender to me Ron. I love it so much." His face darkened right to the roots of his red hair. She giggled quietly, smiling brightly up at him. "We'll find Harry. And if not us, someone will and bring him home." She said confidently.
Ron nodded firmly.
Jounouchi sighed miserably. He was so bored. The Red Eyes sat next to him, gazing out at the open sky. Harry Potter was missing and he hadn't heard from Seto at all. Everyone was worried or concerned for the Boy-Who-Lived. What happened to him? Who had tired to kill him? Had the Dark Lord gotten him yet? Was he even in England any more?
Whatever the rumor was, Jounouchi didn't believe. Strangely, he had a strong feeling Harry Potter was still in the school. He didn't know why or how, he just did. He'd even talked to Professor Ishtar about it. She agreed with him, to his surprise. But like every other teacher, she had told him to just focus on his homework.
The blond snorted, glaring at the sky. Ignore it. How could he? Potter was now one of his dear friends. How do you ignore a missing friend? You didn't. It was as simple as that. The Red Eyes suddenly looked up, his nose sniffing at the air.
"There's a monster nearby, master."He said with a growl. Jounouchi turned to him ready for action.
"What kind?"
"Angel. It's a magic card." Jounouchi's eyes widened.
"Is it Harry's Change of Heart?" The Red Eyes gave a snarl, his wings flaring. Jounouchi chased after his dragon as he took off into the castle. They seemed to run all over the upper level of the castle before Jounouchi recognized the clock works room. "Find him Red Eyes!"
The dragon gave a roar of acknowledgment to the order and began sifting through the gears and works. Jounouchi took to looking around as well. His amber eyes widened when he glimpsed a white feathered wing. "Harry!" He shouted, running after. Soft fearful coos filled the air as Jounouchi rounded a corner. His yelled in triumph when his eyes landed on the body.
Harry Potter lay on the floor in a far corner, his face worn with terror in his sleep. The Red Eyes growled as Jounouchi fell next to the Gryffindor, gathering him in his arms. "Red Eyes! Get someone!" The dragon roared again, taking off out of the room.
The dragon beat his leather wings harder and harder, his red eyes flashing over the empty hallways for any sign of human. Finally he found someone walking along the hallway. He landed without warning on the blond's back, snarling and chirping at him. The human turned and grunted in confusion. The Red Eyes growled, taking a mouth of robes and tugging, his wings flaring. Reluctantly the blond followed the dragon's summoning.
"Red Eyes!" Jounouchi called when he saw the dragon return, the sound of footsteps following the creature. "Malfoy?" The blond blinked in confusion until he spotted what Jounouchi was holding. His face filled with an unfamiliar fear as his face went paler then usual.
"Potter?" He glared at Jounouchi, growling. "What did you do?" Harry groaned, sweat lining his brow. He was panting slightly, curling into Jounouchi. He was clenching his middle as if in pain. "What did you do!" Malfoy demanded again.
"I didn't do anything you pompous windbag!" Jounouchi shouted. "I just found him! Are you gonna help me or not?" Malfoy growled, not seeming to believe him. The Hufflepuff growled back, baring his teeth like a dog.
"Dra...co..." The two boys looked down. Harry panted, trying to open his eyes. "It...hurts..." Malfoy seemed to move faster then Jounouchi could comprehend. He gathered Harry up into his arms and made a dash toward the door. Jounouchi followed after, closely followed by the black dragon and a misty Change of Heart angel.
Madam Pomfrey was startled so badly when the doors of the infirmary burst open she nearly took out a first year's eye with a thermometer. Spinning around to scold someone, she gasped when she was met with a rushing Draco Malfoy cradling a boy in his arms, Jounouchi following. "Mr. Malfo- OH!" She dashed toward them as he placed the body on a cot. Her hand flew to her mouth when she looked at the boy. "Harry Po- YOU!" She pointed at Jounouchi, startling the boy. "Alert the headmaster! Quickly!" Madam Pomfrey flew into her work, almost ripping Harry's robes and shirt away to examine the damage.
Jounouchi raced from the hospital wing and to McGonagall's office.
Ginny let out shrieked as Neville dropped his arm full of books when the Gryffindor portrait door slammed open, Seamus Finnigan flying in. His chest was heaving wildly, his face bright red and breathless. The common room was silent as Dean slowly stood and went to the other.
"Seamus? What is it?" He asked, gently brushing his tawny brown hair out of his eyes.
"They...found...they found...they... in the clock..." He panted, throwing his head back trying to catch his breath. Dean shushed him, holding his shoulder.
"Found what Seamus? What are you talking about?" Seamus growled, everyone now eager to hear the news.
"Found him!... Found in...clock..." He heaved. "Ha...hoo..."
"Who?" Hermione was on her feet now, Ron slowly taking hold of her trembling shoulders.
Seamus sucked in a large breath, his face scrunched and red.
"Harry Potter!"
The girl was on Seamus faster then anyone could see. She shook him by the collar of his robes, tears in her eyes. "Where is he?! Where did they take him? Where is Harry?!" She cried, struggling against Ron as he pulled her off Seamus. Dean took the boy away to settle as Ron tired to calm the girl down. Whispers were ringing through the common room as Ginny finished helping Neville pick up his things.
Ron finally calmed Hermione down well enough for her to listen to him. "I'm sure Harry is just fine in the Hospital Wing. We'll go see if we can visit him, alright?" Hermione slowly nodded before turning to a now steamy Seamus, his breathing reduced to mild gasps.
"I'm sorry Seamus. I lost control for a moment." She said, her cheeks turning pink. The boy waved her off.
"Almost bit off the Hufflepuff's head when he told me myself. Came straight here." He muttered with a laugh. "Ya better get over there. They may only let a few in and you two need to most." The two nodded and quickly left the common room.
When they reached the hospital wing they found Jounouchi crouched outside the doors. The blonde looked up at the two as they approached, grinning weakly. "Sorry guys, they're not lettin' anyone inside. Lupin's already been by and McGonagall said no one in. I got kicked out myself." Hermione huffed, glaring at the wooden doors.
"Do you know who all's in there now?" Ron asked the Hufflepuff. The blonde tapped his chin, keeping his balance with one hand on the floor.
"Madam Pomfrey, McGonagall, Dumbledor, Snape and Malfoy." he said calmly. "They even closed him off to the other students inside the hospital wing or released those not in immediate need of care."
"Malfoy's in there?" Hermione repeated in confusion. Jounouchi nodded.
"Refused to leave. He just sent anyone who came near a glare worse then his father's. No one's argued since and I got shoved aside." Jounouchi said, petting his dragon. "I had the Red Eyes get me help when I found him up in the clock room. Malfoy came in and you would've thought I'd killed him, the way Malfoy was carrying on. Swear I've never seen him that scary 'afore."
Hermione and Ron exchanged glances for a moment. That didn't sound right at all. Jounouchi hopped up, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I'm gonna go spread the word." He turned to the black dragon sitting on the floor. "Stay here and come get me when things change, kay buddy?" The dragon nodded, remaining next to the door frame. "See you two at dinner." He said with a nod before leaving them.
Hermione sighed, leaning against the wall. Ron stared at the floor in puzzlement. "What would Malfoy be doing around there and why would he be so worried about Harry?" He asked.
"I don't know." Hermione said honestly. "They've both been acting odd toward each other all year. If they aren't avoiding each other, Malfoy flirts with him." This caused Ron to turn red and confusion to cross his face. "Don't tell me you didn't notice after Halloween? Hell, they were doing it at the dance. Malfoy invited Harry to dance and he accepted. They were together all evening."
"That was October 'Mione." Ron groaned, slumping down next to her. "It's February. How am I to remember that?" She shrugged. "You think he's hurt bad?"
"I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see." She said, gazing at the door sadly. "I just wish I could see him. Just see his face and know he's alright and home again." Ron nodded in understanding. The girl blinked when she felt something capture his dangling hand. She turned to see Ron giving her a smile, lightly kissing her fingers.
"We'll see him. Don't worry."
Harry turned his head as the screams filled the night air. After a moment the corridors went silent. His heart slowly began to beat again as he heard the footsteps dissipate. Another memory. Another death. Why did he love killing so much? Was that why the boy was here? To kill students? Or to keep him from killing students? Harry didn't quite know and he didn't really care at this point. He just wanted out. He didn't know how long he'd been here but he was sick of it.
Memory after memory, he watched as the white-haired boy wandered the halls of the school and dodge students learning about him. He'd even seen his father. He had been wandering around after hours under his cloak and had come upon the boy. That was the worst memory Harry had faced. Thankfully, he hadn't seen his father get hurt. He'd been thrust to a different memory before that happened.
Finally Harry didn't feel the spinning sensation as the memory shifted. It was dark, leaving only the empty corridor and Harry. He knew better then to move now. It would prove useless later anyway. He still didn't know why he was forced to watch them, but he did.
"I'm sorry."
His green eyes widened as he spun around. He was faced with sad emerald green eyes. White bangs fell over his eyes, giving him a fragile, ragged look. He was dressed in a white tunic instead of the usual black robe. He gave Harry a weak, sad smile.
"I'm sorry for hurting you so much." He whispered, his eyes falling to the floor. "I never meant for you to get involved so deeply."
"It's...you..." Harry breathed. He was afraid, yes but surprised. This was the boy. The boy he was working so hard to save. The boy who cried at night in Harry's dreams. "W-what's...going on here...?"
"This place is inside my mind." The boy said softly. Harry glanced around in confusion. "This world is created from my memories. I wanted to show them to you so you would understand why I did what I did." He said.
"I saw a lot of people die and others finding you. And my dad. What was that about?" Harry asked, trying to grasp the fact that he was actually talking to this boy.
"Your father got the farthest of all those I've reached out to. When I reach out to people, I look for the strongest hearts. And from them I chose the purest. Your father was not the strongest of all that I found that generation but he was the kindest. He was braver then anyone I had ever seen and he held his friends higher then anyone else. He and your mother both were magnificent people."
Harry's eyes widened in awe. This boy looked younger then he did and yet he knew his parents. Had probably watched them grow within the walls of the school. It made Harry both happy and envious.
"I am sorry though." Harry looked up at the boy in confusion. "You have gotten farther then anyone has ever come, even Malik. I don't think anyone has angered him more before." Harry shivered at the thought of the 'other'. "I did try to stop him but you kept doing things to push him. I don't blame you. It was my fault for involving you."
Harry drew in a deep shaky breath, trying to get a hold of his chaotic body and mind. He let it out slowly before looking up at the other again. "I can understand if you don't have time to answer all of my questions and I do have a lot. But I must know something. Who are you? What is your name?"
The boy blinked curiously through his white bangs. He then turned his head slightly, as if listening to something behind him. "You are right." He said finally, turning back to Harry. "I don't have much time. They will be waking you up soon." He said calmly. "When I was 'alive' I was a Slytherin. One of the first. In my sixth year I 'killed' myself, trapping my soul and my curse here in this school in an attempt to save the students who resided within. I want to live again. But I cannot live without my other half. So I cannot live as long as Malik or any other hunter wishes to take him from me. I reached out to you in hopes you could find a way to help me. I don't know how."
He jerked slightly, glancing over his shoulder again. "You need to go now. He'll be coming soon and your friends are worried about you." He said calmly. Harry's eyes widened when the walls around him began to fade away like dissolving sugar.
"Wait. What's your name?" He asked quickly. The boy gave him a small smile, his body dissolving into the darkness with the illusion.
"My name is Ryou Bakura."
"Ryou Bakura." Harry repeated softly. "I'll save you Ryou! I promise I'll find a way to save you and your other half!" He called as the boy got farther and farther from him. The boy spared him one last sad smile before disappearing into the shadows.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Thank you very much for reading chapter twelve of HPMMD!
Thank you again!
Jo Manta