Warning: little bit of blood and torture.

Chapter 4: Outside

Harry lay on his stomach. The pain from his back was nearly too much to bare. He could feel his blood dripping off his back.

~*~*~*

Voldemort had approved his request but at the cost of his back. He had grabbed Harry's hair and dragged him outside. Once outside he threw Harry to the ground near a tree. Harry was surprised to see his chains had disappeared. His body felt lighter than it had in months. He was outside and could feel the sun hit his face. Somehow he almost forgot why he was out here, until a thump brought him back to his reality.

Harry looked to the ground to see a link of chains on the ground. He looked up to Voldemort's piercing red eyes.

"Tie yourself to the tree." Voldemort was clearly holding back a laugh. Harry couldn't help but glare at him. He did not reach for the chains.

"You asked to come out here. If you want this privilege, you will tie yourself to the tree." Voldemort smiled, Harry imagined himself strangling Voldemort with the chain in front of him. Suddenly he was yanked up by his hair. His face was a mere inch from Voldemort's.

"Face it Potter, you'd not even get close enough to try." Harry yanked his head away from Voldemort, who surprisingly released him easily. Harry tried to hide his thoughts. He hated when Voldemort would catch him off guard like this.

Reluctantly, Harry wrapped the chain around the tree. He kept telling himself he was obeying now to escape later. As he passed the chain from one hand to the other he let out a gasp. The chains had come to life and wrapped his hands tightly and pulled him against the tree. He was now pressed forcefully against the tree and barely able to move. Voldemort chuckled from behind him.

"Still want to go outside." Harry closed his eyes. He knew what was coming and tried to imagine himself in the woods by the Burrow. He tried to picture himself playing Quidditch when the first lash came down hard on his back. Unwillingly Harry let out a gasp of pain. He immediately clenched his teeth together and tried to imagine flying through the open field of the woods. Another lash came down, but he refused to make a sound. Three more hit his back before he let a grunt out. Harry kept his eyes clenched shut. His fists were in balls and he could feel a few drops of blood falling from where his nails cut into the skin.

Voldemort paused for a moment. He enjoyed watching Harry's rapid breathing. He stepped closer to his now well exposed back. He took a single finger and touch Harry's neck. He saw the boy immediately tense at the touch. He enjoyed watching Harry try to move from his touch as he dragged his finger down to the hem of his pants. His smile grew each time Harry flinched as his finger moved over an open wound.

Voldemort stepped back, lifted the whip and came back down on Harry's back.

~*~*~*

Harry closed his eyes and let a few tears escape into his pillows. He didn't know how long he'd last if his plan failed again. Each day he felt a part of himself crumbling. Some days he felt that he had nothing left to live for, but others he thought of his friends and family. More tears threatened to fall as Ron came to his mind. He would never see him again, but maybe he could get back to Hermione and Ginny.

Soon sleep took Harry. It was not a peaceful sleep as he relived the slashing he had just endored.

~*~*~*

A few days later Harry slowly walked from his room. Each step he took released a wave of pain up his back. Harry ignored the pain as he struggled down the hall. It was the first time in weeks he was able to be alone in the halls. Harry knew there was no escape and the chain still attached to his ankles reminded him of this.

Draco Malfoy came around the corner and saw as Harry supported himself with the wall. He shook his head before approaching him.

"What did you do?" He asked as he wrapped Harry's arm over his neck. Harry winced as pain shot up through his back.

"Nothing. Just asked to go outside." Harry was moving faster now with Draco's help.

"What else?" Draco's tone told Harry he didn't believe him. The two rounded a corner and the back door came into view.

"Nothing." Harry said, grasping his side. "I asked to go outside and this was my payment to do so." Draco held the door open, Harry froze as he felt the summer air hit his face. It was one of the most blissful moments he had in weeks. Draco stopped to let Harry enjoy it for a moment, before walking again.

"You'll enjoy it more Potter from outside, you know, all the way outside." Draco chuckled. Harry smiled as he did his best to lift his own feet.

"I don't think I can go much further." Harry said in defeat. He was only about ten feet from the building, but he felt miles freer. Draco nodded and helped him to the ground. The two sat in silence for a few moments. Harry smiled up at the sky, realizing how much he truly missed being outside. Draco lay down on the soft grass and watched the pure bliss move across his once nemesis's face.

"Thank you." Harry said without taking his eyes from the sky.

"Course. But just so you know my father is expecting me in ten minutes so if you want help going back it'll have to be soon." Harry joined Draco on the grass. It both hurt and helped his back.

"I don't think I've had the chance to say it, but I'm sorry about Weasley." Harry felt tears well in his eyes and his heart catch in his chest.

"Thank you." He choked out. He quickly wiped away the few tears that had fallen.

"If it helps, as far as I know the rest of the Weasleys and Granger are still alive." Harry saw Draco turn his head towards him out of the corner of his eye, but he kept his eyes fixed on the sky. Harry rubbed his hands on the dew covered grass.

"It does."

~*~*~*

A week later Harry was able to walk on his own again. Most of his cuts were healing with the occasional reopening when he forgot his physical restrictions.

He dragged his fingers along the cold stone walls as he walked through the mansion. He was unsure if it was good or bad, but Voldemort had not come to see him in the last few days. Harry put his hand to the door that lead to his temporary freedom. He felt a watch magically appear on his wrist. As he pushed the door open the watch began to count down from ten minutes.

Harry started his daily walk around the perimeter. Anyone who watched him would think he did this to get as far as he could away, but Harry had an alternative motive. Every few feet a small orb was half way inmerged into the ground. These orbs worked as a force shield, by keeping attackers out and Harry in. Harry let his fingers glide across the shield as he studied each orb he passed. He just needed one weak one.

Note: I've been working really hard on my story. Please take a minute to tell me what you think. Thank you!