Dumbledore tentatively took up the boy's thin pale wrist and felt for a pulse.
The whisper of a throb beneath his fingertips was so weak that finding it only dampened the worry.
He took the boy up in his arms, cradling him against his chest but being careful not to touch the menacing looking blade that protruded form Harry's shoulder.
He was distracted by a quiet tremolous voice at his side,
"Is he dead?"
Asked Auriellis in almost a whisper.
Dumbledore swallowed his panic for Harry and spoke as calmly as he could.
"No, he's just hurt."
Together, they made their way back to the castle, Auriellis having to run to keep up with the speedy strikes of the distressed headmaster.
***
Ben and Jay had missed the opportunity to escape that Harry's distraction had given them…
As he watched the cloaked monsters approach him and his son, Ben Morrison tightened his hold on Jay and glared at them defiantly.
"Come now muggle. We have orders to keep you alive. You apparently have a purpose in our Master's plans."
Drawled a tall man from their ranks.
"We have no reason to trust you… And we wont help you either."
Replied Ben, all the while wondering how long they had left to live.
"We don't require your co-operation muggle… Stupefy!"
Cried Lucius Malfoy, watching with disinterest as the muggles collapsed and were dragged back to their cell by Crabbe and Goyle.
"You underestimate them Luciusss."
Hissed Lord Voldemort, in a faintly amused voice.
The Dark Lord sneered at the fear in his servant's eyes.
"Dumbledore chose them for a reason, and even the muggle-loving fool that he is, he must have thought long and hard about who to entrust the child with."
Looking suitably abashed, Lucius bowed low.
"You are wise beyond bounds Master."
"If I were wiser I would have picked better servants Lucius."
Laughed Voldemort, raising his hand.
"Leave me."
He commanded.
And then, with a click of his long, pale fingers, he banished Malfoy from the room.
***
Fire raced through his veins with each beat of his heart. His chest flared with pain at every breath he took.
Harry knew that it wouldn't be long before he wouldn't be able to do either any longer. He just hoped that it would be long enough.
It was hard not to focus on the pain, trying to think about anything else took up too much energy.
Suddenly, a wave of calm swept over him.
He was surprised, and dimly conscious that this new development might not be a good thing.
Harry couldn't help but let the deep black pain lead him down into the dark oblivion.
***
Hermione was twirling her quill between her fingers, stopping now and again to run the feather through her fingers.
Ron was sitting across the desk from her. He watched her fingers move over the quill that Harry had given her and his jaw clenched tightly shut unconsciously.
It was so hard seeing Hermione like this. He'd never known her to get distracted when there was work to be done, but right now, she was staring into space a frown creasing her brow.
"Ron."
The sudden trembling voice caught Ron slightly by surprise, he turned round to see his sister Ginny standing before him holding a piece of parchment carefully in her hands.
"Ginny! What are you doing with that?"
Asked Ron, his eyes widening as he realised what she was holding.
"Professor Lupin sent it to me. But that's not what's important right now..."
She replied, her voice getting quieter with every word.
Ron was about to ask why Lupin had sent it to her when he noticed that she was shaking and looked as if she was fighting back tears.
"What's wrong?"
He asked in a quiet voice, feeling his stomach fall like lead.
"It's Harry… I… I think he might be dying."
Ron dimly heard Hermione's quill clatter onto the desk accompanied by her soft gasp.
He grabbed the Marauder's map from his sister's trembling hands and with a gulp he spread it on the desk.
"The Hospital Wing."
Ginny whispered, sinking into a chair with her face in her hands.
Ron's eyes focused in on the map and he found the faint dot labelled 'Harry Potter', which was fading away.
"He's here! Come on Hermione we've got to see him."
He said, commandingly.
Wordlessly Hermione allowed herself to be dragged out of the Common Room, Ginny followed behind them bringing the map clasped tightly in her fist.
***
Padfoot's head shot up. He cautiously sniffed again.
With an excited yelp he tugged at Remus' pocket and smelt Harry's scarf again.
The scent!
Transforming back into his human form Sirius pulled Remus into a crushing hug.
"It's him! I can smell Harry!"
He yelled.
"Hold on a second Padfoot. My pin is vibrating, there's news from Dumbledore."
Replied Remus holding out the small golden lion pin which was glowing faintly.
"I'm going after Harry now. I don't care what Dumbledore wants."
Sirius growled, with a dangerous glint in his eye.
Remus sighed as the man beside him transformed once again and began stalking off with his nose to the ground.
"I'm going to find a fireplace Sirius. I'll follow on afterwards. Just don't get into trouble."
He called, tapping the pin with his wand and putting it back in his pocket.
The large black dog didn't respond, Padfoot disappeared into the wood.
Remus knelt and sniffed the ground, for once grateful that the full moon was nearing as his heightened senses allowed him to confirm that Sirius had indeed found Harry's scent after days of searching.
Hope blossomed in Lupin's heart and with a small smile, the first since Harry's disappearance, he turned away to look for the nearest suitable wizarding residence.
***
Auriellis wasn't listening to Albus Dumbledore and Poppy Pomfrey as they discussed Harry's condition. She could already tell that the boy was very sick.
Nearing the bed she took in his dirty skin and torn robes. His eyes were closed but she remembered clearly the piercing green stare that he'd given her in her dream.
She didn't doubt that in that dream she had seen this boy directly, as he was.
He had looked just as skinny as he did now, his hair had been just as mussed up. But somehow, he looked very different lying there on the Hospital bed.
The small knife in his shoulder was certainly a new addition.
It was strangely entrancing. Its intricate silver hilt was finely crafted although the beauty of the design was marred by the strong sense of evil, which seemed to radiate from the object.
Not really understanding why she was doing it, Auriellis found herself reaching forwards to touch the glinting knife.
The very second her hand met with the icy cold metal of the hilt she knew she had made a mistake.
The world around her disappeared and she felt herself spinning away from the safety of the school, and her Uncle Albus.
Dumbledore had seen her a fraction to late. The moment she touched the knife in Harry's shoulder his last direct descendant was stolen away from him.
In disbelief he blinked, and blinked again, but she had gone… and he knew that Voldemort had already succeeded in his threat.
***
smile 7499 - hope u liked the smidge of Ron… Next chapter… Well… We shall see.
hpafan – He is going himself because he fears that Voldemort already knows WHO she is and he felt that it would be safest to have her at his side as soon as possible.
baasheep – hehehe, thankyou for your badgering!!! It's great to have someone expressing such a keen interest in my scribblings! And thankyou so much for the lovely compliments, I'm really grateful!
DancerBabe3293 – I'm glad that my Voldemort is scary… That was certainly my aim!
Ady – My dear Ady, you give me too much credit! I'm sure you will appreciate this lovely cliffhanger I've served you… I hope that I wont have to make you wait too long for the next chapter tho, it really is disgraceful how long these things take me. I do apologise for the death… I am a mean meany. But hey! I can't help it. Thanks for your wonderful unfailing support, it means SO MUCH to me. xxx
daydreamer (franny) – Yes, I'm sorry for my cliffhangers! I don't mean to do it… They just sort of, materialise, and then I can't help but post them! hehehe.
Embyr Black – Another cliffy… I'm sorry! I hope you're enjoying the story anyways!
abbey – Thanks girl! xxx I shall try to write faster!!!
Kit Cloudkicker – Yep… Kidnap Harry fics are certainly my bread and butter. It is just exciting! But he always escapes somehow! hehehe.
Animechick24 – I'm sorry I always keep you waiting. I hope it's worth the wait. Thankyou. I have always tried to develop Auri, I'm keeping her around for a while yet, and the other remaining Morrisons ought not to be underestimated *wink wink*!!!
TatraMegami – Thankyou for your review… Harry may be back at Hogwarts… but he's not quite home and dry!
Michelle – I hope not! I hate Mary Sue fics. She is a person… Not just a
'worthless-make-up-the-numbers-name-to-be-shoved-in'!
Wink At J00 – The method of Harry's transportation… (and now Auri as well) will be delved into next chapter. I'm glad you like the story! I'm still enjoying it myself, so of course I will continue!
animegirl-mika – *looks scared* I'm sorry! I'm very glad you liked it so far! Thanks for reviewing!!!