Harry Potter and the Original Five
Chapter Two
Captive
Harry awoke hours later, in the waiting room at the Hogsmeade Station;
still damp from the last flood a millennium ago. He was chained to a wall,
naked, raised from the ground. The chains were strong, charmed with many
binding and strengthening spells so that when someone like him was needed,
they could be contained.
He struggled a little, but couldn't move the bonds. He was truly a
prisoner.
But, of whom?
"OI!" he shouted, "OI!"
Nothing happened.
"HEY!" he tried again, "HEY! Would someone help me, please!" he shouted.
There was a rustling above him, and a few minutes later a head peered
around a door, Harry couldn't recognize who it was for they were in the
attire of a death eater.
"Ahh, Mr. Potter, you are awake at last," came the sneering comment of the
death eater.
"What do you want, this time?" Harry asked wearily.
"We want you, Mr. Potter."
Harry snorted, "Well, good luck to you."
"Crucio!" the man hissed, pointing his wand at Harry.
A searing pain he had only felt a few times before, seared through his
body; piercing his scar. He felt like his body was splitting open, the
thousands of tiny seams holding him together were just ripping open. He
screamed loudly, and it stopped immediately.
The man came towards Harry, "That's right, Potter, scream; it only get's
better!" something about the slimy, oily voice was just too familiar, but
Harry couldn't place it. What he said though, it made Harry determined
that he would not scream.
"We want you to join us, in our task," said the man.
"Never!" said Harry viciously, "I would never do anything for you."'
"Don't be so sure!" the man leered, "Crucio!"
Harry gritted his teeth together, forcing himself not to cry out, and at
that moment, something in him changed, some link between his mind and his
body slipped and broke. He felt no pain, felt no aches, no knives. He
just knew that it was happening, to him.
As abruptly as everything had begun, it ended again and he was fully aware
of all his body parts again; "why do you not cry out, Mr. Potter?" asked
the Death Eater in front of him.
When Harry remained silent, he lifted his wand; "Imperio!"
The amazing sensation of floating came back to Harry again, nothing seemed
important. Nothing seemed to matter, anymore. He was free.
Answer Me!
That voice, altogether too coaxing, perhaps Harry should just tell him what he wants to know and then everything would get better.
But wait, didn't we deal with this last time? Said a voice in the back of his mind, by giving in and telling him; you are giving Voldemort opportunities, betraying your parents!
Just Answer Me!
Harry's eyes flashed angrily, and that's when the Death Eaters realized that something was wrong, that things had changed. He was still tied up, but they didn't have the upper hand anymore. They exchanged mystified glances, they'd never been told what to do in a situation like this. The one controlling the curse turned back to Harry, trying again.
Answer Me! Just Answer Me. Everything will be perfect if you answer me
"The hell I'll answer you!" Harry shouted finally, the curse was broken. He felt an amazing surge of power and the bonds on his arms broke, the shackles on his legs cracked and the chain around his waist snapped. He stood up straight, "This is foolishness. You are mere specks of the problem and killing you would serve a huge purpose. Petrificus! Leviosa! Vas y!" he shouted, binding them together, levitating and then sending them just ahead of him towards the castle. No longer prepared to wait for teachers, he walked out the gate and down the main street into Hogsmeade. People had blacked out their windows and were all inside. Not a soul was in sight. When he reached the front doors at Hogwarts, he raised the knocker and knocked three times. Knowing the size of the castle, he figured he would have to wait for a while before anyone came to the door. It was opened by a houself. "'ello, Sir, can I 'elp you?" said a squeaky voice as the door was pulled open. "Ah, I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore, or Professor McGonagall," Harry said, urgently, looking around the entrance hall. "Harry Potter!" screeched the elf. He glanced down and recognized the elf as Dobby, "Hello, Dobby!" Dobby grinned, and then caught sight of the three captives, "I will go find Professor Dumbledore, if I can, Sir," he said reverentially. "No need, Dobby. I'm here. I just went looking for you Mr. Potter. Who met you at the station?" said Dumbledore coming slowly down the stairs on one side of the Entrance Hall, looking mildly curious. Harry looked decidedly uncomfortable; "Professor, I was not 'met' at the station, unless you count these three," he motioned to the three Death Eaters. Dumbledore's cheerful expression dissolved to anger, "three Death Eaters, in Hogsmeade? What happened?" Shaking his head, "I honestly don't know, Professor." he proceeded to explain as best he could what had happened since he got off the Hogwarts Express the day before, including his abandonment by the Dursleys and the arrival and activities of the Death Eaters. "It's such a pity that Poppy isn't here, she's gone to help at St. Mungo's, you know. You look well enough but I would have liked to have you checked over just to be sure. Well, off to your dormitory; your password is No joke." Harry nodded and started towards the door. He had a quick thought, "Ahh, Professor?" "Yes, Harry?" "Will I be allowed to go to Hogsmeade through the holidays?" Dumbledore's face returned to a cheerful, almost bemused expression, "of course, although I expect that someone will need to know in advance."
Harry unpacked his luggage in the dormitory and went down into the empty Common Room. The fire was crackling, although it was warm outside. Without the Weasley Twins plotting pranks in one corner, however, it was empty and lonely. Suddenly there was a 'pop' and Dobby was standing in front of him, "Harry Potter! You is back! Harry Potter!" he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, "but what is you coming back for, sir?" Dobby asked, stepping back and straightening a little. "I don't have anywhere else to go, anymore," Harry said brusquely, and turned away, "Dobby, when will dinner be served?" "That is why I is coming here, Sir. Dinner is ready in five minutes! You is to go down to the Great Hall to eat with the teachers." Harry groaned, but nodded, "Alright, I'm coming." Dobby 'popped' away again, presumably to help the other elves in the kitchens, but anything's possible. Harry, in the meantime, climbed out the portrait hole and walked down towards the Great Hall. He didn't run into anybody on his way done, but he assumed that, as it was a holiday, it wasn't likely that many people would be there. The Entrance Hall was also empty, but Harry walked through it, his feet 'clopping' on the cold floor, the sounds echoing through the hall. The Entrance hall was adorned in plain colors, nothing like the celebrations through most of last year had been decorated with. Thinking of the last year brought to mind Cedric Diggory, again. Harry felt a heavy weight on his heart, he had told Cedric to take the cup with him, and he had put Cedric in a position to be killed. Harry pushed open the door to the Great Hall, and walked inside. The hall was still set out in the four house tables and, of course, the high table. Dumbledore was sitting there, with Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney. It appeared that even Snape had had somewhere else to go. "Ahh, Harry; come and join us up here. As you see, we are only five, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to see too many teachers during your holidays." Harry suppressed a grin, Dumbledore was far too knowing for his own good, sometimes. Trelawney looked up and gasped, Harry waited for the inevitable prediction; "My dear," she said, with horror on her face, "you do know that the spectre of death hangs in the air around you, do you know what this means?" "No, but I'm sure I can guess," he said, smiling widely, "I'm going to die soon. Am I right?" "How did you know?" she wailed, "do you have the sight too? Oh, but it will be brilliant to finally get someone else who has the Sight, I will no longer be alone!" Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and glared at him, as if to say, 'now look what you've done!' "Professor Trelawney, I'm sure you'll understand, I don't have the sight. I merely took an educated guess on the information you have given me previously." Dumbledore took that moment to intervene, "I believe a subject change is in order as I, for one, intend to enjoy my meal and talk of death will make that absolutely impossible." Harry, Flitwick and McGonagall laughed but Professor Trelawney looked horrified that her prediction had been scorned. McGonagall pointed to a chair beside herself, "sit down, Potter." They spent the rest of the meal eating calmly, undisturbed by any more predictions of death. The conversation stayed above board with discussions of current affairs, until it turned to Harry. "So, Potter, why have you returned to Hogwarts?" asked McGonagall, almost kindly. McGonagall was quite a strict teacher, and rarely had a kind word for anyone. She was outdone in the respect only by one other teacher, Snape. "Uhh," Harry glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded, so Harry decided on the truth, "the Dursley's decided, I think, that they'd had enough of magic and would like to rejoin the world of 'normal people'." It was quite a conversation stopper, but Harry quickly turned it around, "I suspect if I tell the Weasleys, Fred and George would end up using Dudley to test all their new, uhh, merchandise." Everyone laughed, "Oh, yes," said McGonagall, "I remember some of the tricks that those two have played. There was one where." Conversation resumed as before. Harry didn't speak much, as he had little knowledge of the Wizarding world outside of Hogwarts but he listened carefully and made note of anything interesting. There had been an attack on some muggle-borns only a few days after he'd returned from the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, and there had been Death Eater sightings in all the major Wizarding venues throughout the world, with the 'culprits' apparating away as soon as they'd caused a panic. "He's just doing it to show us that he can," said Flitwick angrily, "he just wants to prove that he's strong enough and has the power to send us up in arms." "I quite agree, dear Filius," said McGonagall, "but you'd think that the man would have the brains to do it properly; he did only get 12 NEWTS when he was at school." Harry perked up, background information on Voldemort could be handy, "which subjects did he take?" "The usual ones, although not Muggle Studies, Divination or Arithmancy; they were too unpredictable for him." Trelawney gasped, "he did not study the future, but how could he?" It appeared to Harry that her opinion of the Dark Lord had diminished. Harry suspected that if Voldemort had been a certified Seer, she would have thought he was a good person, and everyone else was wrong. McGonagall smiled grimly, "Sybil, not everyone must study the future to be successful. They need only consult a Seer who can tell them exactly what they need to know of the future." "Minerva!" gaped the butterfly like Professor, "I know that you do not hold much faith in the art of Seeing, but I would have you know that even someone as harsh and unbelieving as yourself should consult a Seer once in a while; then you might have prior warning of any pranks being played," she sniffed angrily. "I'll keep that in mind," said Professor McGonagall dryly.
Answer Me!
That voice, altogether too coaxing, perhaps Harry should just tell him what he wants to know and then everything would get better.
But wait, didn't we deal with this last time? Said a voice in the back of his mind, by giving in and telling him; you are giving Voldemort opportunities, betraying your parents!
Just Answer Me!
Harry's eyes flashed angrily, and that's when the Death Eaters realized that something was wrong, that things had changed. He was still tied up, but they didn't have the upper hand anymore. They exchanged mystified glances, they'd never been told what to do in a situation like this. The one controlling the curse turned back to Harry, trying again.
Answer Me! Just Answer Me. Everything will be perfect if you answer me
"The hell I'll answer you!" Harry shouted finally, the curse was broken. He felt an amazing surge of power and the bonds on his arms broke, the shackles on his legs cracked and the chain around his waist snapped. He stood up straight, "This is foolishness. You are mere specks of the problem and killing you would serve a huge purpose. Petrificus! Leviosa! Vas y!" he shouted, binding them together, levitating and then sending them just ahead of him towards the castle. No longer prepared to wait for teachers, he walked out the gate and down the main street into Hogsmeade. People had blacked out their windows and were all inside. Not a soul was in sight. When he reached the front doors at Hogwarts, he raised the knocker and knocked three times. Knowing the size of the castle, he figured he would have to wait for a while before anyone came to the door. It was opened by a houself. "'ello, Sir, can I 'elp you?" said a squeaky voice as the door was pulled open. "Ah, I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore, or Professor McGonagall," Harry said, urgently, looking around the entrance hall. "Harry Potter!" screeched the elf. He glanced down and recognized the elf as Dobby, "Hello, Dobby!" Dobby grinned, and then caught sight of the three captives, "I will go find Professor Dumbledore, if I can, Sir," he said reverentially. "No need, Dobby. I'm here. I just went looking for you Mr. Potter. Who met you at the station?" said Dumbledore coming slowly down the stairs on one side of the Entrance Hall, looking mildly curious. Harry looked decidedly uncomfortable; "Professor, I was not 'met' at the station, unless you count these three," he motioned to the three Death Eaters. Dumbledore's cheerful expression dissolved to anger, "three Death Eaters, in Hogsmeade? What happened?" Shaking his head, "I honestly don't know, Professor." he proceeded to explain as best he could what had happened since he got off the Hogwarts Express the day before, including his abandonment by the Dursleys and the arrival and activities of the Death Eaters. "It's such a pity that Poppy isn't here, she's gone to help at St. Mungo's, you know. You look well enough but I would have liked to have you checked over just to be sure. Well, off to your dormitory; your password is No joke." Harry nodded and started towards the door. He had a quick thought, "Ahh, Professor?" "Yes, Harry?" "Will I be allowed to go to Hogsmeade through the holidays?" Dumbledore's face returned to a cheerful, almost bemused expression, "of course, although I expect that someone will need to know in advance."
Harry unpacked his luggage in the dormitory and went down into the empty Common Room. The fire was crackling, although it was warm outside. Without the Weasley Twins plotting pranks in one corner, however, it was empty and lonely. Suddenly there was a 'pop' and Dobby was standing in front of him, "Harry Potter! You is back! Harry Potter!" he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, "but what is you coming back for, sir?" Dobby asked, stepping back and straightening a little. "I don't have anywhere else to go, anymore," Harry said brusquely, and turned away, "Dobby, when will dinner be served?" "That is why I is coming here, Sir. Dinner is ready in five minutes! You is to go down to the Great Hall to eat with the teachers." Harry groaned, but nodded, "Alright, I'm coming." Dobby 'popped' away again, presumably to help the other elves in the kitchens, but anything's possible. Harry, in the meantime, climbed out the portrait hole and walked down towards the Great Hall. He didn't run into anybody on his way done, but he assumed that, as it was a holiday, it wasn't likely that many people would be there. The Entrance Hall was also empty, but Harry walked through it, his feet 'clopping' on the cold floor, the sounds echoing through the hall. The Entrance hall was adorned in plain colors, nothing like the celebrations through most of last year had been decorated with. Thinking of the last year brought to mind Cedric Diggory, again. Harry felt a heavy weight on his heart, he had told Cedric to take the cup with him, and he had put Cedric in a position to be killed. Harry pushed open the door to the Great Hall, and walked inside. The hall was still set out in the four house tables and, of course, the high table. Dumbledore was sitting there, with Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney. It appeared that even Snape had had somewhere else to go. "Ahh, Harry; come and join us up here. As you see, we are only five, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to see too many teachers during your holidays." Harry suppressed a grin, Dumbledore was far too knowing for his own good, sometimes. Trelawney looked up and gasped, Harry waited for the inevitable prediction; "My dear," she said, with horror on her face, "you do know that the spectre of death hangs in the air around you, do you know what this means?" "No, but I'm sure I can guess," he said, smiling widely, "I'm going to die soon. Am I right?" "How did you know?" she wailed, "do you have the sight too? Oh, but it will be brilliant to finally get someone else who has the Sight, I will no longer be alone!" Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and glared at him, as if to say, 'now look what you've done!' "Professor Trelawney, I'm sure you'll understand, I don't have the sight. I merely took an educated guess on the information you have given me previously." Dumbledore took that moment to intervene, "I believe a subject change is in order as I, for one, intend to enjoy my meal and talk of death will make that absolutely impossible." Harry, Flitwick and McGonagall laughed but Professor Trelawney looked horrified that her prediction had been scorned. McGonagall pointed to a chair beside herself, "sit down, Potter." They spent the rest of the meal eating calmly, undisturbed by any more predictions of death. The conversation stayed above board with discussions of current affairs, until it turned to Harry. "So, Potter, why have you returned to Hogwarts?" asked McGonagall, almost kindly. McGonagall was quite a strict teacher, and rarely had a kind word for anyone. She was outdone in the respect only by one other teacher, Snape. "Uhh," Harry glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded, so Harry decided on the truth, "the Dursley's decided, I think, that they'd had enough of magic and would like to rejoin the world of 'normal people'." It was quite a conversation stopper, but Harry quickly turned it around, "I suspect if I tell the Weasleys, Fred and George would end up using Dudley to test all their new, uhh, merchandise." Everyone laughed, "Oh, yes," said McGonagall, "I remember some of the tricks that those two have played. There was one where." Conversation resumed as before. Harry didn't speak much, as he had little knowledge of the Wizarding world outside of Hogwarts but he listened carefully and made note of anything interesting. There had been an attack on some muggle-borns only a few days after he'd returned from the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, and there had been Death Eater sightings in all the major Wizarding venues throughout the world, with the 'culprits' apparating away as soon as they'd caused a panic. "He's just doing it to show us that he can," said Flitwick angrily, "he just wants to prove that he's strong enough and has the power to send us up in arms." "I quite agree, dear Filius," said McGonagall, "but you'd think that the man would have the brains to do it properly; he did only get 12 NEWTS when he was at school." Harry perked up, background information on Voldemort could be handy, "which subjects did he take?" "The usual ones, although not Muggle Studies, Divination or Arithmancy; they were too unpredictable for him." Trelawney gasped, "he did not study the future, but how could he?" It appeared to Harry that her opinion of the Dark Lord had diminished. Harry suspected that if Voldemort had been a certified Seer, she would have thought he was a good person, and everyone else was wrong. McGonagall smiled grimly, "Sybil, not everyone must study the future to be successful. They need only consult a Seer who can tell them exactly what they need to know of the future." "Minerva!" gaped the butterfly like Professor, "I know that you do not hold much faith in the art of Seeing, but I would have you know that even someone as harsh and unbelieving as yourself should consult a Seer once in a while; then you might have prior warning of any pranks being played," she sniffed angrily. "I'll keep that in mind," said Professor McGonagall dryly.