A Time Out of Memory
by S. L
James began shaking as he caught his first glimpse of that narrow pale face, and those red, terror filled eyes. He knew he must have looked a pathetic sight, with his mouth hanging open and his breath coming out in ragged bursts, his heart could probably be heard for miles around. The only thing he saw though were those eyes, the eyes that told of inevitable death. James knew that Lord Voldemort would be the one to kill him.
Anger spread through him next, anger for his father and for his family. This was the man that had caused them all so much pain. A man, if you could even call him that, he was a demon. He was death.
The lord's eyes slid down to Harry and Susan Potter. "Yes, those two are strange aren't they?" He clicked his tongue. "Strange indeed... useful in their own ways as well. I've heard it was this twin boy of yours that's been causing me so much trouble to begin with. I believe I will enjoy watching him die almost as much as I will you." The eyes slid back to James who stood paralyzed. "I'll give you a chance though. To become faithful to me. A chance for life, and maybe even a chance to save your mother..."
He stepped forward, even more into the light and now James caught sight of a tall thin body. One arm, that held his wand, was raised slightly, almost carelessly. It was a menacing sight, even one so seemingly casual.
"Scared are you Potter?" He smirked. "As well you should be. You've a moment or two to think on the offer, though your decision should be clear. Join me and you can be part of one of the greatest and most powerful movements of all time," he smiled upwardly at some blissful goal. Then just as fast his vision came falling down, bring a wave of fear over James. "Refuse me," he went on, his voice low. "And death is the only thing that awaits you."
James sucked in his breath as his mum suddenly flew by him, suspended by invisible strings. He made a grab for her, but wound up stumbling across Harry instead. The lord ignored him, peering at his mum instead.
"Susan Potter... she will serve me well, in time," he turned back to James and smiled. "She put up a fight I must admit, but her talents will soon be put to my own uses. That Harry so-called-Potter though, he's a puzzle. I had hoped him stronger than this, or so my informants have led me to believe... But look! He faints at the sight of me!" He laughed, a laugh that pierced James' insides like fire. "Weak little brat..."
James stood up, his knees trembling. He wasn't going to take any more of this, he couldn't. "Leave them alone." He said simply, quietly, not trusting his voice to raise loud enough and not to tremble and give away his fear.
The lord turned on him with a smile in his fearful red eyes. "What's this? Courage? You'd dare to stand up to me Lord Voldemort, all on your own?" He threw back his head and laughed. "Straight backed and proud... just like your father died. Just as you shall die..." he stopped then smirked. "Or have you made up your mind? Perhaps you'd rather save your mother's life by joining me. I could use another Potter in my forces."
James' head whirled, fear paralyzed him, but the thought of helping his mum kept him standing. He couldn't give up on his family, he couldn't let her be killed. "I- I-" was all he could get out. He was feeling faint now. He couldn't stand here any longer, he couldn't do this, he couldn't face the most powerful dark lord, it just wasn't possible. He'd be killed, then so would his mum and it would all be useless...
"Yes, James... save your mother... you'd like that wouldn't you? You don't want to see her hurt, see her bleeding, in pain, in death..." he took a step closer. "You could put an end to all that, simple really. You would even save your own life. See how generous I am, to allow you this alternative. Either both of you die, or both of you live, either way, one of you will serve me. All you have to do is say the word..."
James' mouth opened, but nothing came out. He was swaying on his feet now, unable to think clearly. He couldn't, he just couldn't do this, not alone at least.
Something stirred at his feet. Both James and the dark lord looked down. Harry was awakening, jumping to his feet beside James and taking in the situation in a blink. James jumped back in surprise, there was an aura around Harry he'd never even known. At that moment James was almost as fearful of Harry as he was the dark lord, not that he thought Harry would hurt him, but there was something similar about them both... power.
"Let them go," Harry said in a hiss. James began shivering again. His friend sounded so menacing.
The lord's eyes widened a bit at this unexpected bravery, then once again he smirked. "And you'll be the look-a-like. Too bad you look so much like your friend over there, or maybe your life could have been spared as well. Too bad..."
Harry was unfazed, but James' eyes widened. "I said, let them go. You've no business with them."
Eyebrows raised and James was forgotten. The two took a step towards another. "No business?" This time Voldemort's voice was cold again. "And who are you to dictate the business of the greatest Dark Lord?"
"I," Harry began, with no emotion other than hatred lining his features. "Am Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived and I do tell you to let them go."
The dark lord laughed again. "A boy? Telling me?"
"After all," Harry continued with his own smile. "You were once a boy too, Tom Riddle? Maybe you'll remember that? Even simple boy's can achieve great things."
The dark lord had frozen at that, wand still upraised. James blinked taking in the sight. Whatever Harry had just done had obviously startled him. James blinked again not knowing what was going on. His head was swimming and he felt like he was going to faint at any second.
"What-did-you-call-me?" The lord spat out finally.
Harry just smiled a little wider, though there was fear behind his eyes. No matter what front he put on, James could tell he was afraid. "Let my family go, now."
"The-Boy-Who-Lived?" Voldemort said finally after a long moment of silence. He sounded half afraid this time and half joyful. "You said the- Boy-Who-Lived?" He retreated a bit into the darkness.
Harry took a step back towards James as well, loosing his confidence. He now looked a boy again, hurt, weary and afraid. Just as James felt. James looked across from him to see his mum still suspended in the air. Harry was looking at her too. Even Voldemort's red eyes had been drawn to her.
She was shaking uncontrollably, her hair dancing upon an unseen wind, her mouth opened in a silent scream. Then all of a sudden she went still, rigid even. Blood streamed down her wrists and dripped onto the floor where her nails began digging into the flesh on her hands.
"THE DARK LORD SHALL BE ALL POWERFUL AND FEARED, PUSHING HIS FOES INTO DARKNESS. ALL SHALL FALL BEFORE HIM, NONE SURPASSING HIS GREATNESS, THE GREATNESS OF SLYTHERIN. ONLY ONE... A BABE... HE SHALL BE THE ONE TO SAVE THE MAGICAL WORLD FROM UTTER SHADOWS AND DEATH. THE DARK LORD SHALL PERISH BENEATH THE BABE, THE BOY AND EVENTUALLY THE MAN AND THE MAGICAL WORLD WILL HAVE IT'S SAVIOR!"
Then she slumped against her invisible chains and all was silent. Two red eyes stared back at Harry and James through the darkness. Two wide, calculating eyes.
Harry sucked in a breath beside James and held his head high. The eyes blinked. "The-Boy-Who-Lived..." he muttered and the eyes closed again leaving them in darkness again.
For long moments neither of them moved then Harry ran forward to James' mum. James was paralyzed for a second longer, still looking for those eyes, then he too ran closer.
"Mum," he said, not knowing there were tears in his eyes. "Mum!" He cried louder, trying to pull her down from her out of reach height.
Harry pushed him back slightly. "No, wait..." he pulled out his wand and muttered a spell and Susan Potter came crashing to the ground. Both boys bent over her cautiously.
"Is she... alive?" James asked at last, his voice quavering, not believing the situation he was in.
Harry nodded solemnly and brushed James' mum's hair out of her face. "Yes, she just went into a trance, she'll be alright."
"What'd she mean?"
The other boy looked away. "Nothing that concerns us at the moment. Right now we just have to figure out a way out of here..." he stood back and surveyed the strange room.
At first James had thought that they were outdoors, but now he could see it was really just a large, a room with a high ceiling, filled with a strange sort of darkness. The kind that clung to your skin and suffocated you, filling your senses with hate.
"How'd we get here?" James said at last, after Harry had been silent for many long moments.
Harry opened his mouth to speak, but it was not he who answered.
"Perhaps I can explain dear brother."
It was Daniel Potter.
Hope the chapter's alright. Tell me if there's anything wrong. I don't want to come out sounding too cliché, but... it's rather hard. I also want it to sound believable... or well... you know what I mean. Hmmm... okay that's all I'm gonna say. Thanks to everyone who reads this and especially to my reviewers!
~Ice Princess988
~~*Crystal Liily*~
~Tidmag
~Maab
~Bunni Girl: thanks!
~Quack Quack 88
~smile74--
~Mayleesa
~Starlight
~Lady FoxFire: me too!
~Jen: I AM NOT ABANDONING!!!
~mandrago
~Madelaine
~Taracollowen
~Celtic Ember
~Anakah
~RiddleStar
~Natty
~Aalilyah
~Tap-Chan
~A-man
~AngelStar88: like I'd tell you... lol... you just have to wait!
~Tara-Yo
~je suis... confused: I don't really understand what you're saying, otherwise I'd answer your question... sorry
~Artemis-chan
~puddles
~Riauna
~tsuki tatsu
~aurora riddle
~someone
~Lila Mae
~Moonlight
~what you want
~otaku freak
~Dragonlet
~blue_angel1204
~Atheis
~smileygirlo3
~Mystic Topaz
by S. L
James began shaking as he caught his first glimpse of that narrow pale face, and those red, terror filled eyes. He knew he must have looked a pathetic sight, with his mouth hanging open and his breath coming out in ragged bursts, his heart could probably be heard for miles around. The only thing he saw though were those eyes, the eyes that told of inevitable death. James knew that Lord Voldemort would be the one to kill him.
Anger spread through him next, anger for his father and for his family. This was the man that had caused them all so much pain. A man, if you could even call him that, he was a demon. He was death.
The lord's eyes slid down to Harry and Susan Potter. "Yes, those two are strange aren't they?" He clicked his tongue. "Strange indeed... useful in their own ways as well. I've heard it was this twin boy of yours that's been causing me so much trouble to begin with. I believe I will enjoy watching him die almost as much as I will you." The eyes slid back to James who stood paralyzed. "I'll give you a chance though. To become faithful to me. A chance for life, and maybe even a chance to save your mother..."
He stepped forward, even more into the light and now James caught sight of a tall thin body. One arm, that held his wand, was raised slightly, almost carelessly. It was a menacing sight, even one so seemingly casual.
"Scared are you Potter?" He smirked. "As well you should be. You've a moment or two to think on the offer, though your decision should be clear. Join me and you can be part of one of the greatest and most powerful movements of all time," he smiled upwardly at some blissful goal. Then just as fast his vision came falling down, bring a wave of fear over James. "Refuse me," he went on, his voice low. "And death is the only thing that awaits you."
James sucked in his breath as his mum suddenly flew by him, suspended by invisible strings. He made a grab for her, but wound up stumbling across Harry instead. The lord ignored him, peering at his mum instead.
"Susan Potter... she will serve me well, in time," he turned back to James and smiled. "She put up a fight I must admit, but her talents will soon be put to my own uses. That Harry so-called-Potter though, he's a puzzle. I had hoped him stronger than this, or so my informants have led me to believe... But look! He faints at the sight of me!" He laughed, a laugh that pierced James' insides like fire. "Weak little brat..."
James stood up, his knees trembling. He wasn't going to take any more of this, he couldn't. "Leave them alone." He said simply, quietly, not trusting his voice to raise loud enough and not to tremble and give away his fear.
The lord turned on him with a smile in his fearful red eyes. "What's this? Courage? You'd dare to stand up to me Lord Voldemort, all on your own?" He threw back his head and laughed. "Straight backed and proud... just like your father died. Just as you shall die..." he stopped then smirked. "Or have you made up your mind? Perhaps you'd rather save your mother's life by joining me. I could use another Potter in my forces."
James' head whirled, fear paralyzed him, but the thought of helping his mum kept him standing. He couldn't give up on his family, he couldn't let her be killed. "I- I-" was all he could get out. He was feeling faint now. He couldn't stand here any longer, he couldn't do this, he couldn't face the most powerful dark lord, it just wasn't possible. He'd be killed, then so would his mum and it would all be useless...
"Yes, James... save your mother... you'd like that wouldn't you? You don't want to see her hurt, see her bleeding, in pain, in death..." he took a step closer. "You could put an end to all that, simple really. You would even save your own life. See how generous I am, to allow you this alternative. Either both of you die, or both of you live, either way, one of you will serve me. All you have to do is say the word..."
James' mouth opened, but nothing came out. He was swaying on his feet now, unable to think clearly. He couldn't, he just couldn't do this, not alone at least.
Something stirred at his feet. Both James and the dark lord looked down. Harry was awakening, jumping to his feet beside James and taking in the situation in a blink. James jumped back in surprise, there was an aura around Harry he'd never even known. At that moment James was almost as fearful of Harry as he was the dark lord, not that he thought Harry would hurt him, but there was something similar about them both... power.
"Let them go," Harry said in a hiss. James began shivering again. His friend sounded so menacing.
The lord's eyes widened a bit at this unexpected bravery, then once again he smirked. "And you'll be the look-a-like. Too bad you look so much like your friend over there, or maybe your life could have been spared as well. Too bad..."
Harry was unfazed, but James' eyes widened. "I said, let them go. You've no business with them."
Eyebrows raised and James was forgotten. The two took a step towards another. "No business?" This time Voldemort's voice was cold again. "And who are you to dictate the business of the greatest Dark Lord?"
"I," Harry began, with no emotion other than hatred lining his features. "Am Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived and I do tell you to let them go."
The dark lord laughed again. "A boy? Telling me?"
"After all," Harry continued with his own smile. "You were once a boy too, Tom Riddle? Maybe you'll remember that? Even simple boy's can achieve great things."
The dark lord had frozen at that, wand still upraised. James blinked taking in the sight. Whatever Harry had just done had obviously startled him. James blinked again not knowing what was going on. His head was swimming and he felt like he was going to faint at any second.
"What-did-you-call-me?" The lord spat out finally.
Harry just smiled a little wider, though there was fear behind his eyes. No matter what front he put on, James could tell he was afraid. "Let my family go, now."
"The-Boy-Who-Lived?" Voldemort said finally after a long moment of silence. He sounded half afraid this time and half joyful. "You said the- Boy-Who-Lived?" He retreated a bit into the darkness.
Harry took a step back towards James as well, loosing his confidence. He now looked a boy again, hurt, weary and afraid. Just as James felt. James looked across from him to see his mum still suspended in the air. Harry was looking at her too. Even Voldemort's red eyes had been drawn to her.
She was shaking uncontrollably, her hair dancing upon an unseen wind, her mouth opened in a silent scream. Then all of a sudden she went still, rigid even. Blood streamed down her wrists and dripped onto the floor where her nails began digging into the flesh on her hands.
"THE DARK LORD SHALL BE ALL POWERFUL AND FEARED, PUSHING HIS FOES INTO DARKNESS. ALL SHALL FALL BEFORE HIM, NONE SURPASSING HIS GREATNESS, THE GREATNESS OF SLYTHERIN. ONLY ONE... A BABE... HE SHALL BE THE ONE TO SAVE THE MAGICAL WORLD FROM UTTER SHADOWS AND DEATH. THE DARK LORD SHALL PERISH BENEATH THE BABE, THE BOY AND EVENTUALLY THE MAN AND THE MAGICAL WORLD WILL HAVE IT'S SAVIOR!"
Then she slumped against her invisible chains and all was silent. Two red eyes stared back at Harry and James through the darkness. Two wide, calculating eyes.
Harry sucked in a breath beside James and held his head high. The eyes blinked. "The-Boy-Who-Lived..." he muttered and the eyes closed again leaving them in darkness again.
For long moments neither of them moved then Harry ran forward to James' mum. James was paralyzed for a second longer, still looking for those eyes, then he too ran closer.
"Mum," he said, not knowing there were tears in his eyes. "Mum!" He cried louder, trying to pull her down from her out of reach height.
Harry pushed him back slightly. "No, wait..." he pulled out his wand and muttered a spell and Susan Potter came crashing to the ground. Both boys bent over her cautiously.
"Is she... alive?" James asked at last, his voice quavering, not believing the situation he was in.
Harry nodded solemnly and brushed James' mum's hair out of her face. "Yes, she just went into a trance, she'll be alright."
"What'd she mean?"
The other boy looked away. "Nothing that concerns us at the moment. Right now we just have to figure out a way out of here..." he stood back and surveyed the strange room.
At first James had thought that they were outdoors, but now he could see it was really just a large, a room with a high ceiling, filled with a strange sort of darkness. The kind that clung to your skin and suffocated you, filling your senses with hate.
"How'd we get here?" James said at last, after Harry had been silent for many long moments.
Harry opened his mouth to speak, but it was not he who answered.
"Perhaps I can explain dear brother."
It was Daniel Potter.
Hope the chapter's alright. Tell me if there's anything wrong. I don't want to come out sounding too cliché, but... it's rather hard. I also want it to sound believable... or well... you know what I mean. Hmmm... okay that's all I'm gonna say. Thanks to everyone who reads this and especially to my reviewers!
~Ice Princess988
~~*Crystal Liily*~
~Tidmag
~Maab
~Bunni Girl: thanks!
~Quack Quack 88
~smile74--
~Mayleesa
~Starlight
~Lady FoxFire: me too!
~Jen: I AM NOT ABANDONING!!!
~mandrago
~Madelaine
~Taracollowen
~Celtic Ember
~Anakah
~RiddleStar
~Natty
~Aalilyah
~Tap-Chan
~A-man
~AngelStar88: like I'd tell you... lol... you just have to wait!
~Tara-Yo
~je suis... confused: I don't really understand what you're saying, otherwise I'd answer your question... sorry
~Artemis-chan
~puddles
~Riauna
~tsuki tatsu
~aurora riddle
~someone
~Lila Mae
~Moonlight
~what you want
~otaku freak
~Dragonlet
~blue_angel1204
~Atheis
~smileygirlo3
~Mystic Topaz