Authors note: Hi all! I'm in a bit of a rush haha finished this chapter at work during my break so don't have time to chit chat, sorry. Hope you all enjoy it.

Summary: See Prologue for full summary.

Warnings: Violence, bad language and BoyXBoy romance, self made spells, Oh and I'll just apologize beforehand. If any characters appear to be a bit OC sorry, since I am not the brilliant and talented J.K. Rowling I do not possess the ability to capture the true essence of the Harry Potter characters.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it belongs to J.K Rowling and The Warner Brothers. I am simply playing around with the characters to satisfy my Drarry desires.

Thanks to:

kitty tokyo uzumaki- haha ahhh but leaving you all wanting more with a cliffie is so much fun tehe. Be prepared it's going to happen quite a bit now... Ohhhh mine craft is such a fun game. Me and my sister would always play it together haha so enjoy! Hope you have fun. Thanks for the review and please don't stop showing your fangirl self :D

natsuki23- Haha the suspense is building! Thanks for the review.

Now to continue onward!

Chapter 25

"He's finally stable" Professor Snape turned toward the exhausted medi-witch, they had spent more than six hours on healing Edgar Averill. Skele-Gro could handle the broken bones in a synch, the burns healed in a few minutes flat with a few charm here and there but the cuts… Now they were a different story. Severus groaned as he moved his stiff muscles. The foreign magic which had caused the deep gashes had latched onto the wounds, fighting against any attempt they made at healing the slices.

Severus had never before seen such a thing, and the potions master had seen more than the average wizard throughout his life. It was as if the magic had a consciousness, a determination to kill the Gryffindor boy. They had to use the muggle means to seal the cuts before the boy died of blood loss and Snape had to hand it to muggles, stitching was a bitch. But what bothered him the most was that the magical signature they had obtained through samples of the wounded flesh was that of Hogwarts, castle of Witchcraft and Wizardry itself. The Potions Master did not know whether he should sigh with relief or grit his teeth with worry, at the fact that the magic could not be traced back to Draco and thus he was safe from the Ministry which was wonderful.

But Snape was an intellectual individual and knew quite well that it had everything to do with his godson. This brought up the question the black cladded man had been asking himself for months now, ever since the night his blond little charge had confided the information of his bonding with the ancient school. 'How deeply where they interlinked?' Now it seemed he had received an answer, one he detested as it made his cold stone heart ache. The bond was growing stronger, the Potions Professor could not determine the extent but he was sure that Hogwarts' magic was starting to mix with that of the Malfoy heir. Edgar Averill… if the boy had threatened Draco, it would explain the reason why the castle had attacked him. Gryffindor's seem to have luck when faced with death, for at this point, if the blond Slytherin had wished death upon the other boy, they would not even have been able to piece him back together.

"Thank you for your help Professor Snape, I really wouldn't have been able to have done it without your assistance. You really have talent as a healer." Severus scoffed at Madam Pomfrey, crossing his arms as he regarded their unconscious patient. "I am sorry to disappoint you. With my lack of a caring heart, I'm quite content with my position at the present." The Medi-witch clicked her tongue but the smile gave away her amusement. It was at that moment when Snape was just starting to enjoy some silence when a haggard red head appeared, barging through the door. He was hit with a sense of Da je vu, it had only been three hours ago when Ron Weasley had interrupted them to ask if they had seen Draco.

The gloomy man was still peeved that his godson had disregarded his command to stay put, but as always he could not blame his precious child for too long. Though this red head was not Ron as she was quite female. Her long fiery locks tied in a basic pony tail as not to bother her. She was breathing heavily, probably since she had been running and her brown almond eyes where wide with what seemed to be worry. Point was she looked quite distressed. Madam Pomfrey, use to such things acted instantly, placing a comforting hand on the girls shoulders.

"Heavens dear what is wrong?" She asked, leading the girl into the room. Ginny was trying to catch her breath before her eyes locked with Snape's cool gaze. She straighten her back and lifted her chin in purpose. Snape had to keep himself from snorting, all his students reacted this way if they wished to talk to him, it was a common effect the Potions Master seemed to have on life forms. "Well, out with it then. What bout of nonsense do you wish to waste my precious time with?" The man drawled.

"Professor, it's about Harry and Malfoy" This seemed to get the older man's attention. Taking a deep breath the red head continued. "They are missing. We just received a Patronus from Harry which had informed us that they are trapped in the Chamber of Secrets…" Snape saw the small shudder at the mention of Salazar's hidden Chamber which was quite understandable as what had happened to her on her first year. The information though baffled the stoic man. "What in Merlin's name are they doing in there?" He asked more to himself than the others, and had not expected to be answered. "We don't know, we were all just looking for Malfoy. Please Professor we don't know what to do. The others are still looking but we have no way to find them." The Slytherin Head of House regarded the Weasley girl, she seemed to be telling the truth and if it was so, his godson was in trouble... Snape needed to examine the boy as soon as possible, to make sure his magic and mind was stable. With the bond at this stage, he needed to remain as calm as possible.

"Come with me, there is something that might help us find them." And with his famous swoosh of his black robe they sauntered off toward the Dungeons. Leaving a poor confused Madam Pomfrey behind.

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It's prey, it was so close, It could taste it, smell it and feel it. The quick paced beat of its living heart, pumping warm delicious blood through Its prey's body. Enriching the flesh and keeping it fresh. It wanted to hear the frantic beat of that heart, as the prey feels fear, It wanted to hear it scream as It tore into it, freeing the crimson liquid from the veins that imprison it. 'Hurry hurry hurry' a voice whispers, urging It. Inflicting a rush of hysteria through It, It needed to hurry or Its master will be displeased. "Need to catch its prey!"

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Harry groaned again as he banged his head against the wall, they had been stuck in the room for hours, that was if the watch he had given Draco wasn't trying to deceive them. The Malfoy heir had become silent and Harry didn't know why. They had been talking so much that the raven haired boy had to transfigure some parchments into cups and fill them with an Aguamenti Charm just to saturate their parched throats. Draco had thanked him, his voice barely a whisper. The Boy Who Lived was getting bored, he no longer had the blond in his hold which had been a pleasurable distraction and now that the Slytherin prat had decided to become mute, there was nothing to entertain him. It had felt nice to talk about the war, it was difficult and brought back so much bad and painful memories but it made the Saviour feel light just to get it all out. That bundle he had hidden deep within had finally been set free.

Draco on the other hand was having the opposite effect. He knew that he had asked the Gryffindor to tell him about it, he had thought that he was ready. Once again he had overestimated himself. Hearing about how Harry and the others suffered had just made him realise that he did not deserve their kindness. The Malfoy heir and his family had caused them so much pain. If he had never existed then maybe things would have been different…

He had always been a coward, but he tried to be brave, to show the others and Harry that he was worthy of their forgiveness but who was he fooling. A cowardly snake could never become one of the brave Lions, nor could he fly fearlessly in the sky with the freedom of a Raven. He could only Slither back into his hole and hide… Hogwarts was trying to get his attention with distorted whines, but he could not make out what the castle wanted from him. The tiny hairs all over his body was standing up, his skin felt as if it had frosted over, as an unnerving shiver raked through his body. His instincts where screaming for him to find an adequate place to hide as running was not plausible at the given moment.

Draco could faintly hear Harry talking to him but try as he might he could not focus on the raven haired boy's words. His ears buzzed and his mind was in a state of static as Hogwarts tried to get hold of the bond. It confused the Slytherin boy, had it not been just that morning that the building was chirping annoyingly at the thought of seeing Harry. The connection had never been disturbed like this before. Something was very wrong…

Harry had finally given up, he had not wanted to leave the fearful blonde's side but his curious nature wanted him to explore the room. Ever since he had entered the hidden chamber, an excitement was rushing through him. The only thing that had kept him from running off to explore was Draco, though now that the git was ignoring him he saw no reason why not too. The Gryffindor lifted himself off the ground, clicks following him as his stiff joints moved. Silver eyes where instantly aimed his way, and Harry nearly sat right back down at the frightened gaze, but being the stubborn lion he was, continued walking forward.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked, his voice an octave higher than usual, wavering with unsteady emotions. Harry gave him a small sideways smile, he wanted to reach out toward the boy and touch his ever luring platinum blond hair, to trail his hands through the silken strands and caress the soft skin of Draco's face. He wanted to sooth the tension he could see in the other's features, to calm that worried expression. Harry knew that if he stayed he really would do something he regretted.

"Off to explore, I'll be back in a bit. Maybe there's another entrance" Harry grinned as he casually waved behind him, sauntering off into a random direction. Even though he felt guilty leaving the Malfoy heir alone he could not squash down the excitement that coursed through his veins. The room reminded him of The Room of Lost Things, as many ancient artifacts were scattered around, the dust was so thick it was like finding buried treasure in a sea of grey sand. Never having been taught that one should look with one's eyes not one's hands, Harry just had to pick up every interesting device or trinket that caught his curious eyes. The thought that this had been Salazar's personal chamber heightened the Boy Who Lived's interest. It seemed that the Slytherin founder was fond of mechanics as many of the objects had complex clockwork embedded within them.

As Harry walked among the bookcases and other cabinets he could feel a slight draft. Just a small wisp of cool air barely even noticeable. He walked in the direction of the cold air, focused and determined to find the source. If he could find another way out then he and Draco could leave the chamber and hopefully find their way back. The others were looking for them and though the Malfoy heir had been right about them being unable to enter the Chamber of Secrets, since not only did they need to speak Parseltongue to enter, the room had flooded. Although, he mused, Ron had managed once before to copy Harry's Parseltongue enough to open the entrance and there were ways to breath under water, like gilly weed or the bubblehead charm. He didn't actually think they would use this way, as they knew that the water might have damaged the chambers and caused the age old rock to become even more unstable than it already was. That once again brought the question, how had Draco managed to get in? Even if he managed to get through the entrance, what about the barricade of boulders? Harry had to melt a pathway through yet Draco seemed to have just walk through them as if they weren't there.

The Boy Who Lived was distracted from his puzzled pondering when he got startled by his own reflection. A large mirror was placed beneath a stone arch, the engravings long since destroyed with time. He could feel the draft coming from the mirrored archway and, as such, scanned for any hints of a hidden doorway. Minutes passed and in his frustration Harry punched the mirror, or tried at least as he hadn't expected the reflective surface to suddenly disappear with his touch. Harry staggered a bit and watched with bafflement as his arm disappeared within the mirror. He reached out with his other hand and watched as the limb vanished with its companion. Heart pounding Harry dived through the archway, his eyes opened slowly and grew larger as he saw the staircase that was leading upwards. Laughing with relief Harry couldn't help but do a little victory dance. Oh how he was going to gloat about this to Draco, his smile widened as he pictured the irritated frown on the pure blood's face with his aristocratic cheeks blushed a delicious pink in his embarrassment. "It's going to be lovely." Harry whispered to himself as he hastily made his way back to the sulking Slytherin.

It was on his way back that a particular mechanism caught his eye though. It was an old grandfather clock but what had entranced the Gryffindor was the many miniature magical creatures that climbed up toward the clock face. The details where astonishing, from the fine bone structure of the threstals, the scaled tails of merpeople, to the feathers of the hippogriffs. Each delicately crafted to the extent that they looked impossibly real. Behind the glass that encased the clock face, was a chained door which rested just beneath the roman numerical of the number twelve. The iron chains where linked to the hands of time, dangling freely and Harry could just imagine how they would sway with each tick as seconds passed. The double pendulum that rested in the belly of the grandfather clock was a mix of gold and silver. The one shaped and mended in the form of the burning sun and the other morphed into a gentle crescent moon.

As Harry observed the fine craftsmanship he realized that the key to wind the clock up was still inserted into the tiny keyhole just above the roman numerical of the number six, curious he slowly opened the dusted glass and slowly turned the key. The clock groaned loudly, and Harry coughed as clouds of dust floated in the air, caused by the moving cogs of the ancient machinery. The Saviour watched in fascination as the pendulums started to swing from side to side. The small figures moved in time, galloping, swimming, flapping their wings or swishing their tails. Harry laughed as one particular impatient hippogriff nipped at a Threstal's tail which caused said Threstal to kick back in annoyance. Though the Gryffindor was drawn to the chained door, wondering what lied behind it. Not knowing what he was doing, Harry twirled the minute hand of time so that it rested just in front of twelve.

Draco had jumped at the sudden grounding noise that echoed through the small chamber, joined with a haggard cough which had to belong to Harry. Fearing that the impulsive boy had hurt himself, Draco ran towards the sound. He had to pause when he finally reached the Gryffindor boy, who was standing mesmerized in front of an old and dusty grandfather clock. Though when his grey gaze landed upon the old mechanism Draco could not suppress the shiver that trailed down his spine. All he wanted to do was grab Harry's hand and drag him away from the shifty object. Though as he watched, Harry bounced with excitement, a childlike smile brightening his face and he couldn't bring himself to spoil the taller boy's fun. But the feeling that something bad was about to happen was strongly urging him to grab the Gryffindor and run. Biting his lip to stop himself from acting on his instincts Draco stared at the clock face as the final minute passed.

A loud chime resounded in the room, once then twice never ceasing. The boys where much too entranced to notice that all the candles but one had been snuffed out. The single flame was fighting against the thick shadows, the darkness pressing on it heavily but it succeeded at illuminating the clock, casting it in an eerie light. As the chimes continued Draco and Harry watched in fascination as the chained door opened, small clawed limbs reached out, dragging a body out of the small entrance. The boys gasped as the figure of a dragon stretched, its dark body glimmered like a starry sky as it moved, spreading its feathered wings and they shared a thought. 'Sola'

Sola glared down at the creatures that was trying to reach it and with a small growl it spat fire into the sky. The flames were white, indicating at the immense heat. It was then that Draco noticed the lank shadowy figure looming over Harry.

It was slightly darker than the shadows that rested behind it and its form seemed to swirl and blur slightly at the edges. It cocked its faceless head to the side, and its long limbs twitching as it shifted closer. Draco could not make out much other than its outlines but he could hear the long nails as they scrapped against the stone floor and his heart stopped as he realized that the shadow creature was no illusion. Its movements where jerky, as it shied away from the light created by Sola's white hot flames, but it never ceased its slow advancement. The chimes where slowing down as they neared the twelfth count and Draco suddenly, inexplicably knew, that as soon as the clock struck its twelve dong, the shadow will attack.

Draco had to get Harry out of there before that could happen, but his legs where wobbling with fear and his muscles seemed frozen in place. He couldn't let that stop him however, he had just been berating himself on how he would never be a brave lion, but now was the chance to show everyone he was worthy, that he would protect someone he cared deeply for. And even though he wasn't entirely sure what nature his 'caring' was developing in, he was determined to keep Harry away from that shadow. He had to protect Harry! Forcing his legs to move he started heading toward the oblivious boy, but something twirled around his ankle, anchoring him to the ground, keeping him away from the unknowingly awe-stricken Harry. He tried to kick it off but it simply twisted his ankle painfully, crushing the bone and Draco cried out as the bone broke through skin.

Harry had just heard Draco's scream and he twisted around to see that the room was shrouded in darkness. He could just make out Draco's pained expression. "Harry! Harry!" Draco was screaming, his voice was shaking and the Gryffindor could hear the desperation in that quivering voice. Harry's heartbeat accelerated and all he could think of was to calm the Slytherin, so he drew his wand and instinctively lighted a few of the candles next to Draco to chase away the darkness that was swallowing him.

Draco's leg was instantly released, just when the last chime sounded. "Run! Harry!" He screamed, trying to run to the confused boy, but stepping on his broken ankle made him tumble to the floor.

A high pitch screech rented the air and Draco watched in despair as the shadow reared, swinging back its long arm before bringing down its filthy clawed hand. He saw Harry turning towards the dark mass, his expression morphing from confusion to fear. He watched as if in slow motion Harry started to bring up his wand desperately, his eyes widening and his mouth starting to form mindless spells, but Draco knew Harry would never make it in time. Long nails tore through skin, and Harry's tormented scream ripped through the air and Draco's heart, chased closely by the perversely excited screech of the shadow. The two mingled in an obscene fashion in Draco's mind, resounding through it and making him feel dizzy.

Blood splattered on the floor, the furniture, all over Harry and Draco didn't even have the ability to jerk away as a few drops landed on his cheeks, running down it before it dripped on his bare arm. Harry was flung down, but in the motion, he finally managed to lift his wand and sent a blast of pure pain and terror, combined with his want to protect, coalescing into the form of a fiery spell, towards his attacker. The shadow howled as the light of the magic touched it and it was forced back into the darkness, awaiting its next chance to attack. However, the wave of energy the spell gave off caused small sparks, the small embers lighting some of the objects catch on fire which chased the shadows, including its inhabitant, away.

Draco dragged himself toward Harry's slump figure, his heart racing and his chest constricting with fear. He reached the Gryffindor and was slightly relieved to see the boy's chest moving. Chancing a quick glance, he looked around to make sure the creature was gone. He was relieved to find it nowhere, he deemed it safe and turned his desperate and choking gaze toward Harry again. Harry had his eyes closed tightly in pain and Draco reached out to wipe the hair out of the taller boy's face. Green eyes opened slowly to gaze at him and Draco wanted to cry with relief. He slowly lifted Harry so that his shoulder rested against Draco's chest. It was only then that the Slytherin saw the extent of the cuts and gagged as he saw loose pieces of flesh and fat peeling out of the wounds, a hint of white bone peeking at him. There was so much blood, it pooled around them thickly, soaking into his trousers and shoes.

"D-Draco" Harry whispered, his voice raspy and full of pain. The Malfoy heir place a trembling finger on his lips. "Shuuu, d-don't speak." Draco could not stop the tears that rolled down his face as he watched Harry try to smile at him. "Way o-out, Mir-rror." Harry gasped as the pain intensified with each word. "Shut up! Don't s-speak your only m-making it w-worse!" Draco screamed, he didn't know what to do. He had no wand and no clue how to stop the bleeding. Harry's wand might have worked temporarily for a small containment spell, but he knew it wouldn't yield to him easily again, much less if he tried to use harder spells. He also had no idea if the ministry had a way to see if he used another's wand and he couldn't chance it."G-go Dr-raco. The M-mirror. E-exit" Draco finally clicked what the boy was trying to say. There was a way out!

"Alright, I'm going to lift you, bear with me." Draco winched as he placed pressure on his broken ankle, he had completely forgotten about it and now things had just become much more problematic. How was he expected to carry Harry and himself out of the chamber with his embolic foot dangling uselessly to the side? He was glaring at the throbbing appendage when he started hearing singing. The shadows were returning now that the flames weren't raging freely and slowly dying away in the containment spell, being deprived of oxygen. They shivered as the light voice vibrated through the room, ice cold air following its wake. Draco's heart started beating frantically against his chest as he glanced back. It was just standing there, at the very border of light the few candle flames created and Draco wanted to vomit as he recognized the song.

In the darkness I wait.

A shard of night will pierce the light…

Casting all dreams asunder.

In the darkness I play.

Spread your wings and take flight

Through the shadows…

In the darkness I slay

Flee form me.

As the hunted,

For I am the hunter

In darkness it shall begin

The candle flames flickered, dancing from side to side as the shadow creature swayed. Ignoring the pain, Draco heaved Harry to his feet, placing the Gryffindor's arm across his shoulder which caused said boy to moan in pain. Draco grabbed one of the candles near him, ignoring the hot wax that dripped on his fingers and the stinging pain that followed. They had to get out as quick as possible, before the light fades. With great effort Draco started walking, winching every time he stepped on his oddly angled foot. They were moving slowly, much to slow! He could hear the nails that were dragged on the stone tiles as the shadow followed them, almost lazily, as if it knew they would never get away. Harry's breaths were wheezy, every now and then choking slightly on blood that dribbled over his lips and the Malfoy heir could feel the sweat that had started coating his body.

"Come now H-Harry, you sad excuse o-of a G-Gryffindor." Draco rounded the corner and saw the mirrored archway nestled between scattered shelves. "See we're almost t-there." They shuffled onwards, the shadow seemed to be growing impatient as it shifted between the shadows, sometimes getting closer and squealing as the light burnt it. Draco paused in front of the mirror, though his hope was shattered as he didn't know what he was supposed to do now. Was there a latch or Merlin forbid a spell he needed to open the entrance. Something tugged at his robe and Draco nearly jumped back but noticed that it was Harry. The green eyed boy was trying to look at him, his eyes unfocused. He gave Draco a small heart-breaking smile. "J-just..Walk…thr-through…" He started couching, tears from pain flowing down his face, followed by small droplets of crimson liquid.

"Shuuuu, I told y-you to be quite." Draco chided, his brows furrowed and lip trembling. Each cough seemed to tear at the taller boy's injured back and with the blood dribbling slowly from Harry's mouth, he was afraid that the creature's claws had rented through more than just flesh. Without hesitation, Draco tightened his hold on the boy and they continued on their way, vanishing into the mirror. The sight of stairs was both a relief and a distress. Draco made the first few when his broken ankle gave in and the bone splintered as it pushed through the skin and grinded against the stone steps. They tumbled to the ground both hissing and groaning with agony. "D-Draco…"

The Slytherin looked to his side at hearing his name, Harry had closed his eyes, too weak to open them. "L-leave me, G-go." Those words felt like being drenched in ice cold water, how could Harry think he'd leave him there? It hurt more than anything he had ever felt, he couldn't leave the Gryffindor behind. Without Harry…No he didn't want to think about it. Grimacing as he climbed to his feet, biting his lip as he stepped directly on the bone of his leg, he once again heaved Harry to his side and made his way up the stairs. On the bright side, the shadow creature seemed to have gotten stuck at the mirror but Draco wasn't going to let his guard down.

"Almost there, Harry…"

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Harry couldn't concentrate, let alone see clearly in front of him. His mind was flickering with the pain and each time he breathed, he could feel something pulling in him. Black dots were spotting his vision and he could just barely hear Draco's laboured breathing besides him. Behind him, he could feel the dark, skulking aura of the shadow and he knew it would only be a matter of time before it figured out how to get through the mirror. He knew Draco would never get away in time, especially with Harry weighting him down as it was. However, the stubborn git seemed determined to inch along slowly, dragging the Saviour with him. Stair after endless stair seemed to loom before them.

Then Harry heard it. The soft song seeming to be carried on a breeze, clinging to it and he knew the creature had made it through the mirror. Black started to envelop his vision and the sudden slump of his body dragged them both down once again.

"Come on Harry, we h-have to go! It's coming! Please, please Harry, hold on." Through sheer effort of will, Harry drove the darkness away, but even before he opened his eyes, he knew he would not be able to carry on. He could feel the heaviness of his body, dragging him down. Severed nerves which refused to move, torn and abused muscles protesting as he tried to lift them. His eyes slowly dragged open, to meet with the determined, yet terrified dove orbs watching him anxiously. Harry slowly smiled, even as a cough forced its way out of his abused throat.

"S…Sorr-y D-dra-co… I c-can't. you… you know t-this…" Draco's tears dripped on his face and Harry tasted the slightly salty taste on his tongue along with his own blood. Draco was shaking his head, clutching Harry close to his chest, burying his head in Harry's neck and mumbling about how he would never leave Harry. Harry managed to, with excruciating pain, lift his hand and placed it on Draco's pale locks. He almost mourned the way it tinted the Slytherin boy's perfect platinum hair a shiny crimson, but he was too tired to lift his hand again. He could hear the clicks of the monster's nails on the stairs and knew it wouldn't be long before it was upon them.

Harry took a deep breath, gathering the last of his magic, and as he exhaled, he blew it out in a steady stream. Before his eyes, a fiery form of a griffin took shape, staring down at them as the flickering flames danced along its body. Harry knew he wouldn't be able to keep his magic in a physical form for long, but it was long enough for what he had in mind. "Go."

The griffin seemed to gaze at him solemnly, before it nodded and leaned down and grabbed Draco by his clothes, throwing him across his back. Draco exclaimed, struggling to get down, but fighting against an entirely magical being was near impossible. "Harry! Harry!" Draco called as the griffin turned away. Every time he tried to get back to Harry, the flames held him down and stopped him. as the manifestation of Harry's magic started to bound up the stairs, Draco felt his heart break as he watched the slightly smiling face of Harry, the relief and also pain in the dark green orbs flickering in the light of the measly candle standing by his side, getting farther and farther away. Just before they turned a corner, Draco saw the shadows moving slightly, as if reaching towards the helpless Saviour.

"HARRY!"

Harry sighed softly, Draco's scream still twisting at his heart. He knew the pale boy would probably never forgive him, but he had to protect him. The clicking of nails grew louder and louder, the shadows shifting ominously. The pain was so great that he couldn't even worry about the approaching danger and so he lay and listened at the approaching creature. The scratching nails were now by his feet and he could see a dark mass bend over him, nails clicking against stone next to his head. The shadow loomed over him, bending closer and closer till they were almost nose to nose and Harry could feel the warm putrid breath on his face. Then it stopped.

Harry didn't know how long they stayed like that, nose to nose, staring at one another, but it felt like hours. The candle was burning away and struggling against the heavy shadows and slight breeze coming from the top of the stairs. Spluttering slightly, Harry could see the candle would not last much longer, but he couldn't find it in him to care. His body was beginning to become numb and cold seeped into his limbs, stilling his trembling. His mind grew woozier and not even the threat of the growing mass of shadows above him could keep him from slipping away.

Just before unconsciousness took him, he felt the oppressing weight of the shadow fade away and light entered just beyond his sight. Safe with the knowledge that someone was coming, he finally let go and slipped into unconsciousness.

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Another clifie! Things are becoming heavy... will our boys make it? Please review!