Title: L' Estate di Suicidio
Author: Clynn
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: See part one.
Author's notes: Two chapters in one night, I'm good, right? Granted, the chapters are really short but... Oh well. Review, please!
Its too bright here. I'm not sure where I am. There is a voice, loud and obnoxious, boring through my senses and its taking so much effort to understand it. "Will he be awake soon, Poppy?" Its like a chainsaw driving through my skull. The voice sounds familiar, but distorted, and I can't quite place it. They are talking about me, I think, but I am too far away to care. I don't want to go back to them.
"He should be waking now, Professor. His physical wounds should have healed overnight, and the sleeping draft I gave him only lasts six hours. I was going to give him something Severus made, a potion that will make him forget any inhibitions he might have about speaking to you. He will not speak otherwise, I'm afraid." This voice too, was familiar. Clearly female, it rings annoyingly in my head. What is it she is saying about me? It is a struggle to comprehend her words.
"Alright, Poppy. I hate to do this to him, but I need to know. I have to understand why, if I'm going to help him." The voice is a little clearer now, but I still can't quite understand it. Some vile liquid is being poured down my throat, and I want to choke, but that would be weak. I swallow it, instead. Now I can feel my head emptying in a way that reminds me alarmingly of the imperius curse. I open my eyes cautiously, and find the face of a man swimming above me. I blink twice and will the world to hold still. Seconds later I am able to focus, and I again look at the face above me. 'Dumbledore,' I realize. I remember vaguely that I hadn't wanted to see him, but I can't quite remember why. Again, the image of being completely under someone else's control comes unbidden into my mind, and I gasp and try to run, try to escape.
"Harry? Harry, its okay, I'm not going to hurt you, I just want you to talk to me." Dumbledore turned towards me and I fall back to the bed, alarmed. "What's wrong, child? You can talk to me, you know."
"Please... Please, I don't want to talk to you, sir. I don't... I don't remember why, but I don't. What did you give me? Why are you doing this to me? I don't like being controlled, sir, please..." I hate myself for the whining, pleading tone my voice has taken, and for the look of pain that crosses Dumbledore's face.
"I don't want this either, Mr. Potter, I only want you to talk to me. I want to help you. Perhaps I should just give you time... I'm always here for you if you need me, child." Dumbledore turns away, and I feel a small pang of regret. "Poppy, I think I'll have a word with Severus now, it seems his potion has a few kinks left to work out. Please see that Mr. Potter is well protected from ANYONE that might seek to harm him." I watch with limited interest as Dumbledore glides powerfully from the room.
