the orb of umbra

A/N: Here I am, at it again…my god, I think I'm going to fail my classes! I keep writing this instead of doing my homework! Maybe I shouldn't…my mom told me if my marks drop I can't go see the Harry Potter movie. Speaking of the movie, it opens six months from this Friday (June 1st)! And speaking still of Harry Potter, I wrote a short story today while I was home from school. It's a Sirius songfic, and I really like it, so make sure you go and read it! (It's easy, just click on my bio.)

Wow, it's amazing how quickly I can get off-topic. Anyway! I hope you all liked the last chapter. Harry seems to be having quite the time in that orb, eh? Well, it's just going to get worse. So without further ado, I shall begin to write chapter five, which shall cover the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Disclaimer: I'm sick of writing these. Read the disclaimers from the last four chapters.

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The Orb of Umbra

Chapter Five: Prisoner of the Mind

Harry kept his eyes shut tight, listening to himself taking long, rattling breaths. "It's not real," he whispered desperately to no one. "I'm not in Slytherin. Ginny's not dead. I'm not going to join Voldemort." Mocking laughter rang in his ears. "Its no use fighting, you can't win." Harry's eyes snapped open. The voice definitely hadn't been Voldemort's…so whose was it?

Harry was standing in the middle of a dark stone cell, chains and manacles hanging from the walls. Several wizards in black robes Harry recognized as Aurors were standing in a semicircle around a thin man with long matted hair, kneeling on the ground, his hands bound behind his back and his face turned away from Harry. "I didn't kill them, you have to believe me!" "What were you doing on the Hogwarts grounds? Trying to finish the job you failed at thirteen years ago?" A portly wizard was demanding. His was the voice Harry had heard. Harry approached the circle with great curiosity. The shabby-looking man on the ground raised his head slowly. Harry gasped. Sirius Black. "It's Peter Pettigrew," his voice was barely audible. "Don't lie, Black. You're only incriminating yourself further!" "I'm telling you, it's Pettigrew! He killed all those people! He was the one who handed the Potters over to Voldemort, not me! HE'S AN ILLEGAL ANIMAGUS, A RAT!" Sirius roared, staring into the face of the fat Auror with an expression of great hatred. The Auror simply grinned. "And do you have any proof? Where is this rat? Come on, Black. We all know you killed Pettigrew after you murdered the Potters." Sirius hung his head. The fat Auror's grin spread into a triumphant smile. "Come on, Black," he said, as several wizards pulled Sirius from the room. "There are some Dementors waiting to give you a little kiss…"

"NO!" Harry lunged at the Aurors, desperately trying to hit them, beat them so that Sirius could escape. "You can't do this! He's innocent, no!" Harry cried out in desperation as Sirius was dragged from the room. The door to the cell shut, and Harry could make out muffled phrases. There was a shrill cry of, "I'm sorry Harry", a terrified scream, and Harry was left alone in the emptiness of the dark Azkaban cell.

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Harry had become accustomed to the rush of the wind each time the Orb dragged him further on through time. He would close his eyes, and when he would open them he would be in a scene, each worse than the one before. With Sirius' scream still echoing in his head Harry was too terrified to open his eyes once the wind had stopped.

"Harry," came a low, bone chilling hiss. "Harry Potter, open your eyes and see your fate, boy." How can anyone see me? This is just a dream…Harry slid his eyes slowly open – and he screamed. A pair of cat-like, blood red eyes stared straight at him. "Voldemort!" But the eyes weren't staring at him…they were staring past him. Harry turned around. Directly behind him was the young Harry he was now well-adjusted to, looking more and more mature each time he saw him…except for his eyes. They were dark and cold now, showing no hint of fear or anger, or any emotion at all. Young Harry said nothing. Voldemort sneered. "See what you have done, Potter?" he was pointing directly behind Harry at a large stone slab…a gravestone, Harry realized. Bearing the name Albus Dumbledore. A dry sob escaped Harry's throat. How many of his friends had died? Young Harry made no move to turn. He did not flinch when Voldemort spoke. Voldemort grinned. "You are strong, Harry Potter. Yes, Slytherin has made you strong. But you are not strong enough. You cannot be strong forever. Yes, eventually you will break and give in to me."

Harry took a step back from Voldemort. He did not like what he was hearing. Young Harry stood rooted in front of the grave defiantly. "And if I don't?" he challenged, his voice void of all emotion. Voldemort sneered. "You will give in, Harry Potter. I have what you desire most." Young Harry stepped forward. "And what's that?" "Power, Harry. All the power in the world. It is what you want the most, more than fame or glory, or –" he grinned, "revenge. Slytherin has made you power hungry, Harry Potter." Young Harry drew his wand and took another slow step towards Voldemort, who did not move. He continued to smile. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" "Harry, you could not hurt me. Not now. You will not kill me until you have all that you desire. Give in, Harry. You know you cannot last long."

Young Harry lowered his wand. "I will not join you, Voldemort." "Oh, not yet, Harry Potter. But you will."

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Well! Isn't this becoming an interesting tale? Poor Harry – is this what life in Slytherin would be like? Sirius dead, Dumbledore dead, Ginny dead. Who's next? Find out in the next instalment of The Orb of Umbra! Only two chapters left, people! They will be up by Saturday night, I promise. Look for chapter six, coming tomorrow night (since I have nothing better to do).

A long overdue than-you section! Mad thanks to: Jessica, for being the coolest artist, the best history class bud, and the greatest at helping me write this; Elsebeth Fishnips; RavenLady; Erin; Nykto; Morning Glory; vmr; Juliana Edwards; Tinabedina; excuetee; meagan; jennifer; NickXero; kel; Barbara Fett; Greeneyes; Wolf; Kelzery; Kite; amadeus; Starry Eyed Dreamer.

Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing!