Author's Notes: I think my chapters are getting shorter. It's depressing
me. Ah well, next chapter should be nice and long...well, long, anyway.
Thanks for all the reviews.
Disclaimer: See part one.
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For three long days, nothing at all happened in the prison. We did not have our morning exercise, we were scarcely allowed out of our cells, and nothing was done about the damage in Helga Alley. The guards were jumpy, on edge, and barely paid any attention to us. We inmates, with little communication between us, worried about what was happening.
And because we were only really let out of our cells for meals, I had no chance to talk to Harry. Not that I really thought that he would talk to me, but I needed to try.
It was on the fourth day that the reason for the disarray in the prison became clear. For the first time since Harry's visitor, we were taken into the yard for our exercise. For half an hour, nothing happened. Then the far door, the one that was only ever opened for prisoners going in or out, was opened.
We all froze. Harry, at the other end of the yard from me, furthest away from the door, froze and let out a small moan, clapping a hand to his forehead. A wave of terror washed over me, and I abandoned my line, fleeing to near Harry, where the other prisoners concealed us a little.
But not enough. When *he* stepped through the door, his eyes immediately searched out first me, then Harry.
The guards hurried up, bowing deferentially to him, as we all stayed still and silent where we had stopped. They conferred for a few moments, then the guards hurried us all back inside. Harry met my eyes, and jerked his head at the men moving inside, indicating that I should go also. I impulsively grabbed his hand and forced him to come with us - I don't know what he would have done had I not.
Everyone was hastily locked in their cells, except Harry - and I stayed next to Harry, so the guards left me alone. *He* stood in front of us, lazy red eyes flicking between us as though trying to see what was between us.
I could have told *him* the answer to that - absolutely nothing. Yet.
Then *he* stalked past us, inspecting the damage in Helga Alley. *He* touched an stray bar of metal that had belonged to a cell door, and whirled around to face Harry.
"You did this?" *he* hissed. "How?" Harry stared impassively back at *him*, not bothering to answer. I looked between them; there were words unsaid here, that they could understand and I could not. I didn't like it.
"Answer me!" *he* snapped. Harry lifted his eyes from *him*, looked slowly around the men gazing out of their cells on Helga Alley, then looked at me for a moment before returning his green eyes to meet the red ones of his enemy.
"Why should I?" he retorted coolly. "I don't answer to you, Tom." I flinched; no-one ever, ever called him that name. I'd found that out the hard way.
Voldemort raised his thin eyebrows, a look of anger on his face. "No," he said slowly. "I suppose you don't." He lifted his hand and beckoned over one of the nearby guard, who came and bowed low. That display of obedience made me feel sick; what had this man - no, this creature - done to deserve such unfaltering loyalty? For I knew that the guards here were loyal to him, they weren't just co-operating, collaborating with him for the sake of their lives and their families' lives. He had done nothing to deserve it except kill and torture the innocent, and maim all of England, wizard and muggle alike.
"Keep Potter locked up," he instructed the guard, keeping his eyes fixed on Harry. "He is not to be let out, do you understand?"
The guard shuffled his feet nervously. "Yes, my Lord," he agreed. "But - my Lord - we tried that before, if you recall, my Lord. We couldn't keep him locked up." I glanced at Harry, surprised - why did he stay in here, then, if they could not hold him? I got no answer from his eyes which were, as per usual, hooded, unreadable. Sometimes I thought that I would never get any answers from him.
Voldemort's eyes flickered. "Just what can you do, Potter?" he demanded.
A small grin settled onto Harry's face. "Wouldn't you like to know," he taunted. He took a step backwards, so he was just behind me, and then lifted his right hand, palm upwards. I frowned as his expression changed to one of deep concentration. Voldemort did not move, although he frowned faintly, but I stumbled backwards; I'd seen Harry like this before, and I knew what it was about.
Harry glanced at me, before looking back at Voldemort. He said something, in Latin I think, although I had never been great at languages, and the world seemed to explode.
I was shoved by against the bars on someone's cell; I could feel the bars shaking against my back. I squinted through the air that was suddenly thick and heavy, and I saw the men in the cells being pressed against the walls by some force. The guards had flown through the air as I had, but Voldemort had merely stumbled backwards a few paces. Harry tilted his head slightly, then shrugged.
"Oh well," he said simply. "It was worth a try." He said something else in that language, and the air seemed to...relax. I slumped to the floor, trying to catch my breath. Voldemort took three strides towards Harry, brandishing his wand, and muttered something under his breath. Chains appeared around Harry's wrists and feet.
"I advise you not to try to use magic again," he hissed. "It would not be pleasant for you." He glared at Harry for a moment longer, then he turned his eyes on me.
I shivered. God, I hated him more than anything else in the world. And his eyes.those eyes on me, knowing my deepest, darkest secrets...I hated him.
And he knew it.
Guards hurried back to us from where they had been thrown, and grabbed Harry roughly, pulling him away down Helga Alley, then turned in the direction of isolation. The prison was deathly silent. Voldemort still had not looked away from me, and I returned his gaze evenly, though inside I was shaking.
Then he walked down the alley towards the main entrance. I was stupid then; I was blind with fury at him, at the injustice that was our world, and I let it rule my actions.
I lunged at him, and knocked him to the ground.
Fortunately - for me and for him - there was a guard close by who pulled me away from him rapidly. Voldemort slowly rose to his feet again, brushing off his fancy robes. I, held by the guard, glared at him, wishing that looks could kill.
Oh, if looks could kill.
Voldemort said nothing, but looked at me with a disparaging sneer, and left.
The guard who held me back twisted me around, and put handcuffs on me. "Stupid," he snapped. "Very, very stupid."
He took me through the prison to isolation. The men watched me pass, and my soul hardened.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued.
Replies to reviews:
EnigmaDesdemona7 - I can't tell you whether it was Hermione or not - but you will find out soon. I think. I swear. Maybe. Anyway, thanks for your comments.
Hana-chan - Of course there will be consequences to the kiss! But you'll have to wait to see them, because Harry's, er, tantrum kinda had repercussions. But you're right, it wouldn't be easy to get to Harry.
Nyghthawk28 - Thank you! And you're sort of right about Harry working magic...but all will be explained...eventually...and I already update at 1- 2 day intervals, I can't write any faster than I do!!
TaraAngel - Thank you! Good guess about who broke Harry's heart...you'll have to wait and see. *evil grin*
Derelictus - yes, I took snoggage away. Well, I had to. Neither of them were being cooperative.
Demeter - are you so sure that they *did* have a thing? Did I ever say that? One thing I should probably say is that you should never, ever take anything that's been written for granted, unless it has been stated in full. Which practically nothing has, I know. *Wicked smirk* it will be, I promise. The thing about Hermione being a collaborator, again, will become clear once I get Harry and Draco actually sitting down and talking to each other (like that's going to happen in the immediate future :) ), and is important for explaining Harry's past. Trust me, everything has a purpose. Of some kind. Anyway, thanks once again.
Jubilee - Thank you! Well, chapters come soon but information doesn't. That's not to say that it never will...
Fin-Phoenix - More will be learnt about Harry's power, in fact a little more is learnt in most chapters from now on, but the bulk of it will not happen until...well, the latest will be five chapters from now. Thanks for your comments.
tsuki neko - thank you!
KawaiiKowaiKoneko - Ah, who broke Harry's heart? Wouldn't you all like to know...no, Hermione wasn't *exactly* a traitor...you'll find out. Eventually. Anyway, thanks for your comments.
ShadowWolf - I can't tell you! Wait for forthcoming chapters!!!
Ice - sigh, I know the annoyance of FF.Net's uncooperation well. I hope it worked okay after you tried to review! Zabini: Yes, he is an interesting character, and he has an interesting background, that will, eventually, be explained in full. Or in brief at any rate. At some point. Yes, Blaise acts as though he doesn't expect to be seriously punished by Harry, and there is a reason for that. I can't really tell you much more than I have, but I agree that it is a strange situation. All three of them are strange guys, after all! Anyway, thank you once again for your comments.
Funkegirl - Yes, all questions will be answered eventually. And no, eventually is not very soon, eventually is...eventually. Questions will (should be) answered in most chapters from now on. I think. Maybe. It all depends. Thanks for your comments.
Kitori - Thank you - and yes, I have read the Tamora Pierce books, and I realised after I'd written the first few chapters that several of the names are the same. But they fit, and I'm not stealing anything off that wonderful author.
moriavis - dark and disturbing...yep, that's what I was aiming for! Thank you.
drika - Whoever said it was Ron?
Colibi - thanks *grins wryly* I appreciate the honesty. Chapter nine should be longer.
Disclaimer: See part one.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For three long days, nothing at all happened in the prison. We did not have our morning exercise, we were scarcely allowed out of our cells, and nothing was done about the damage in Helga Alley. The guards were jumpy, on edge, and barely paid any attention to us. We inmates, with little communication between us, worried about what was happening.
And because we were only really let out of our cells for meals, I had no chance to talk to Harry. Not that I really thought that he would talk to me, but I needed to try.
It was on the fourth day that the reason for the disarray in the prison became clear. For the first time since Harry's visitor, we were taken into the yard for our exercise. For half an hour, nothing happened. Then the far door, the one that was only ever opened for prisoners going in or out, was opened.
We all froze. Harry, at the other end of the yard from me, furthest away from the door, froze and let out a small moan, clapping a hand to his forehead. A wave of terror washed over me, and I abandoned my line, fleeing to near Harry, where the other prisoners concealed us a little.
But not enough. When *he* stepped through the door, his eyes immediately searched out first me, then Harry.
The guards hurried up, bowing deferentially to him, as we all stayed still and silent where we had stopped. They conferred for a few moments, then the guards hurried us all back inside. Harry met my eyes, and jerked his head at the men moving inside, indicating that I should go also. I impulsively grabbed his hand and forced him to come with us - I don't know what he would have done had I not.
Everyone was hastily locked in their cells, except Harry - and I stayed next to Harry, so the guards left me alone. *He* stood in front of us, lazy red eyes flicking between us as though trying to see what was between us.
I could have told *him* the answer to that - absolutely nothing. Yet.
Then *he* stalked past us, inspecting the damage in Helga Alley. *He* touched an stray bar of metal that had belonged to a cell door, and whirled around to face Harry.
"You did this?" *he* hissed. "How?" Harry stared impassively back at *him*, not bothering to answer. I looked between them; there were words unsaid here, that they could understand and I could not. I didn't like it.
"Answer me!" *he* snapped. Harry lifted his eyes from *him*, looked slowly around the men gazing out of their cells on Helga Alley, then looked at me for a moment before returning his green eyes to meet the red ones of his enemy.
"Why should I?" he retorted coolly. "I don't answer to you, Tom." I flinched; no-one ever, ever called him that name. I'd found that out the hard way.
Voldemort raised his thin eyebrows, a look of anger on his face. "No," he said slowly. "I suppose you don't." He lifted his hand and beckoned over one of the nearby guard, who came and bowed low. That display of obedience made me feel sick; what had this man - no, this creature - done to deserve such unfaltering loyalty? For I knew that the guards here were loyal to him, they weren't just co-operating, collaborating with him for the sake of their lives and their families' lives. He had done nothing to deserve it except kill and torture the innocent, and maim all of England, wizard and muggle alike.
"Keep Potter locked up," he instructed the guard, keeping his eyes fixed on Harry. "He is not to be let out, do you understand?"
The guard shuffled his feet nervously. "Yes, my Lord," he agreed. "But - my Lord - we tried that before, if you recall, my Lord. We couldn't keep him locked up." I glanced at Harry, surprised - why did he stay in here, then, if they could not hold him? I got no answer from his eyes which were, as per usual, hooded, unreadable. Sometimes I thought that I would never get any answers from him.
Voldemort's eyes flickered. "Just what can you do, Potter?" he demanded.
A small grin settled onto Harry's face. "Wouldn't you like to know," he taunted. He took a step backwards, so he was just behind me, and then lifted his right hand, palm upwards. I frowned as his expression changed to one of deep concentration. Voldemort did not move, although he frowned faintly, but I stumbled backwards; I'd seen Harry like this before, and I knew what it was about.
Harry glanced at me, before looking back at Voldemort. He said something, in Latin I think, although I had never been great at languages, and the world seemed to explode.
I was shoved by against the bars on someone's cell; I could feel the bars shaking against my back. I squinted through the air that was suddenly thick and heavy, and I saw the men in the cells being pressed against the walls by some force. The guards had flown through the air as I had, but Voldemort had merely stumbled backwards a few paces. Harry tilted his head slightly, then shrugged.
"Oh well," he said simply. "It was worth a try." He said something else in that language, and the air seemed to...relax. I slumped to the floor, trying to catch my breath. Voldemort took three strides towards Harry, brandishing his wand, and muttered something under his breath. Chains appeared around Harry's wrists and feet.
"I advise you not to try to use magic again," he hissed. "It would not be pleasant for you." He glared at Harry for a moment longer, then he turned his eyes on me.
I shivered. God, I hated him more than anything else in the world. And his eyes.those eyes on me, knowing my deepest, darkest secrets...I hated him.
And he knew it.
Guards hurried back to us from where they had been thrown, and grabbed Harry roughly, pulling him away down Helga Alley, then turned in the direction of isolation. The prison was deathly silent. Voldemort still had not looked away from me, and I returned his gaze evenly, though inside I was shaking.
Then he walked down the alley towards the main entrance. I was stupid then; I was blind with fury at him, at the injustice that was our world, and I let it rule my actions.
I lunged at him, and knocked him to the ground.
Fortunately - for me and for him - there was a guard close by who pulled me away from him rapidly. Voldemort slowly rose to his feet again, brushing off his fancy robes. I, held by the guard, glared at him, wishing that looks could kill.
Oh, if looks could kill.
Voldemort said nothing, but looked at me with a disparaging sneer, and left.
The guard who held me back twisted me around, and put handcuffs on me. "Stupid," he snapped. "Very, very stupid."
He took me through the prison to isolation. The men watched me pass, and my soul hardened.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued.
Replies to reviews:
EnigmaDesdemona7 - I can't tell you whether it was Hermione or not - but you will find out soon. I think. I swear. Maybe. Anyway, thanks for your comments.
Hana-chan - Of course there will be consequences to the kiss! But you'll have to wait to see them, because Harry's, er, tantrum kinda had repercussions. But you're right, it wouldn't be easy to get to Harry.
Nyghthawk28 - Thank you! And you're sort of right about Harry working magic...but all will be explained...eventually...and I already update at 1- 2 day intervals, I can't write any faster than I do!!
TaraAngel - Thank you! Good guess about who broke Harry's heart...you'll have to wait and see. *evil grin*
Derelictus - yes, I took snoggage away. Well, I had to. Neither of them were being cooperative.
Demeter - are you so sure that they *did* have a thing? Did I ever say that? One thing I should probably say is that you should never, ever take anything that's been written for granted, unless it has been stated in full. Which practically nothing has, I know. *Wicked smirk* it will be, I promise. The thing about Hermione being a collaborator, again, will become clear once I get Harry and Draco actually sitting down and talking to each other (like that's going to happen in the immediate future :) ), and is important for explaining Harry's past. Trust me, everything has a purpose. Of some kind. Anyway, thanks once again.
Jubilee - Thank you! Well, chapters come soon but information doesn't. That's not to say that it never will...
Fin-Phoenix - More will be learnt about Harry's power, in fact a little more is learnt in most chapters from now on, but the bulk of it will not happen until...well, the latest will be five chapters from now. Thanks for your comments.
tsuki neko - thank you!
KawaiiKowaiKoneko - Ah, who broke Harry's heart? Wouldn't you all like to know...no, Hermione wasn't *exactly* a traitor...you'll find out. Eventually. Anyway, thanks for your comments.
ShadowWolf - I can't tell you! Wait for forthcoming chapters!!!
Ice - sigh, I know the annoyance of FF.Net's uncooperation well. I hope it worked okay after you tried to review! Zabini: Yes, he is an interesting character, and he has an interesting background, that will, eventually, be explained in full. Or in brief at any rate. At some point. Yes, Blaise acts as though he doesn't expect to be seriously punished by Harry, and there is a reason for that. I can't really tell you much more than I have, but I agree that it is a strange situation. All three of them are strange guys, after all! Anyway, thank you once again for your comments.
Funkegirl - Yes, all questions will be answered eventually. And no, eventually is not very soon, eventually is...eventually. Questions will (should be) answered in most chapters from now on. I think. Maybe. It all depends. Thanks for your comments.
Kitori - Thank you - and yes, I have read the Tamora Pierce books, and I realised after I'd written the first few chapters that several of the names are the same. But they fit, and I'm not stealing anything off that wonderful author.
moriavis - dark and disturbing...yep, that's what I was aiming for! Thank you.
drika - Whoever said it was Ron?
Colibi - thanks *grins wryly* I appreciate the honesty. Chapter nine should be longer.