Hey, I'm still alive, don't worry! And you know what? I have a new chapter,
all for you!
I know, I'm really late. I had a few problems and so I decided to have a break and take some time for thinking. The first results can be read here, and as I might add, they aren't that bad.
I'm very grateful towards all the people who reviewed, thanks so much, it really helps! And because I took so long, I decided to write a bit more than usual. Six pages-now I'm really spent. At least until I get a few inspiring reviews! *grins*
A.Dee: Thanks for your review! Nice cliffie, eh? Well, I know I'm evil, but I simply had to do it. And it gets even better . . . !
Someone Reading: Thank you! No. I haven't a proof-reader, but I could really use one! Was really hard to write the part with Harry and Remus, and I'm not sure how it turned out. As for Sirius: Yes, they beat him, and he can be happy if they leave it like that! Oops, too late! *sigh* Yes, I'm a horrible, sadistic, evil, Sirius-torturing person . . . *shrugs* Nobody's perfect, right? Well, no. Honestly, I have no idea how I'm going to get him out, but plenty how to get him deeper in it! You can be sure, that they'll have a hard time!
Sylvia: Thanks for reviewing! No, I haven't, but I imagine it to be like that. Thanks again! Yeah, you're right, he's wonderful person! And it'll get even sweeter, I promise!
mette: Thank you very much! As I said, I never experienced it myself, but I hope you like my imagination of it! The idea of Sirius suffering from it come, when I saw a documentation film about coal mines. Funny, huh?
kat: Thanks for your review! Don't worry, I didn't know that myself until now. I was really surprised myself! ;) Got the idea when I saw 'Matrix- reloaded' yesterday. I was tempted to start writing right there in the cinema, but the movie was just too good! Anyway, you'll find out what's going on in this chapter . . . well, sort of!
Lisande: Thank you for reviewing! And no need to worry, I'm not very bright when it comes to computer either! Normally they crash the moment I touch them. Must have something odd at my fingers! As for Sirius: I'm torturing him in the worst way I can think of, so nice people like you can pity him! I'm so evil . . .
karno-L: Thanks for your review! Well, as I said, I needed a cliffy! Hm, I have a bit, somewhere, but I don't quite know where-why'd you ask? As for Harry: No idea, so let's find out together!
Hpfan1928: Thank you! No, I didn't experience it myself, but it's nice to hear, that you liked it! As for the cliff-hanger: I'm just evil, I need that from time to time.
Now enjoy yourself with chapter 15-'Catching on':
Catching on
With a soft "clink" Remus sat the teacup down in front of Harry and seated himself opposite the teen. They had spent the way to his and Sirius' quarters in silence. The werewolf would have loved to tell Harry the instant they left Dumbledore's office, but the halls suddenly seemed stuffed with students and he was too afraid someone would overhear them.
"You got my letter, didn't you?", he asked. Harry nodded. Remus returned the gesture unconsciously. "Well, I found him there and called Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore. Poppy got quite a shock when she saw him." Harry looked up at him, concern shining in his eyes.
"She didn't know? She didn't hurt him, did she?" Remus shook his head. "No, she didn't know about him. We needed to calm her down a bit, but she believed us right away as we filled her in on what really happened that Halloween night and in the Shrieking Shack."
The black-haired boy relaxed a bit. Remus went on. "He told you about that mission, didn't he?"
"No, not exactly. He said, that he might get the chance to get free, but he couldn't tell me anymore."
"Hm, well Professor Snape told us that the Death Eaters were passing information about planned attacks in small meetings, and we managed to find out where precisely one of those meetings would take place. And that Wormtail would be there. I couldn't accompany him, because it was a full moon night-" He looked over at his former student, but Harry gave him a small, understanding smile.
"When I changed back, he still wasn't home, and I got worried, and went looking for him. That's how I found him. While Poppy took care of his leg, Dumbledore asked him, if he had gotten any useful information. But he didn't seem to remember much at that moment, understandably."
Remus sighed and took a sip of his tea. "You remember the last attack?" Harry looked down in his lap, forgetting to nod. Mr. Weasley had told them that Oliver Wood's parents had been murdered by Death Eaters. He, Ron and Hermione had visited him, after the funeral, not even two days ago. He'd been shocked at the hollow expression on Oliver's face, any trace of that characteristic gleam in his eyes gone.
"Sirius had overheard that Voldemort planned attacks on several Order members, including Phillia and Thomas Wood, shortly before he was hurt. He wasn't very well over the next few days. When Dumbledore send me an owl, telling me what had happened, he suddenly remembered the conversation he had heard and we informed Dumbledore about the other targets."
At this point Harry seemed to have a vague premonition of the events that followed.
"He thought it was his fault?"
Remus nodded, his expression turning grave. "Yes, he was utterly down the next days. Didn't sleep, barely ate. Sometimes he was even depressed." He hesitated a moment, not sure if he'd told Harry too much. He didn't want to upset the teen, he was worrying enough for his godfather. But on the other hand he had a right to know, didn't he? Sirius hadn't told him anything, because he didn't want his godson to know. But he simply hadn't thought it mattered much. Until now-
"What did he do?" Harry's question ripped him out of his thoughts. He rubbed his face, silently reminding himself to pay attention. He was lost in thought too often recently.
"He knew, that Mundungus Fletcher would probably be attacked. So he decided to put the Death Eaters, that would show up in front of Mundungus' door, out himself. Unfortunately we seemed to turn up in exactly the wrong moment. They caught him."
Harry sat very still. Remus hesitated again, but then he silently came around the table and put his arm around the boy's shoulders. The black- haired teen didn't flinch away. Encouraged by this Remus pulled him into a loose hug. Harry leaned into it gratefully, he really needed that comfort right now.
The cold lump, that had always appeared in his stomach when he was worried about Sirius, was back and it seemed to be heavier then ever. It simply wasn't fair. Sirius was his only family, and he had been through enough already. Suddenly an icy jolt rushed up his spine.
Remus let go immediately when he felt Harry tense up. He was about to apologise, when emerald orbs, misted with fear, turned on him. He frowned.
"Harry, what is it?"
"Do they have Dementors?"
"What?"
"Do they have the Dementors jet?", Harry repeated. "Professor Dumbledore said, it was likely that Voldemort would turn them to his side. Do you think they have Dementors already?"
Remus caught on quickly from this point. He looked at the student, stunned by the horror of that thought. But it seemed likely that the Azkaban-guards had joined forces with the Dark Lord. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, trying to will imagines away.
Images of Sirius in a tiny, dark cell, desperate to escape the terrible memories those foul creatures brought back on him. He had seen the scars on his friend's arms, heard his screams at night, how he would panic in his sleep, trashing and turning, lost in the torturous nightmares of Azkaban. Going through that again might finally brake him.
He shook away the pictures in his mind. "I don't know, but let's hope they don't. For Sirius' sake."
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Crucio!"
Sirius winced at the low whisper, inwardly preparing himself for the pain.
It didn't come. Instead of breaking down screaming and trashing under the Cruciatus-Curse, he heard a "thud" and then shrieking cries echoed through the small cell. He stared at the writhing man on the floor in front of him, not quite understanding.
Suddenly the shrieks stopped. He tore his gaze from the panting Death Eater on the floor and looked up at the black-robed figure looming above him. His head was pounding, McNair's cries of pain still ringing through his mind. The ache in his leg and stomach got noticeable again, but didn't overpower the cold angst, that was creeping up his chest.
Blood-red orbs settled on him, and haughty smile appeared on that white face. "Get up McNair, and then get out of my face." The command was spoken in the same low, dreadful whisper like the curse. Sirius only dimly noticed, how the Death Eater scrambled to his feet and then out of the tiny room. His eyes were glued to the nightmare imagine before him.
Because that was, what he still was hoping against better knowledge. 'Let this be a nightmare, please! Let me wake up soon! This just can be a dream, Remus'll wake me any moment now and tell me it's alright. And then he'll give me a potion and I'll go back to sleep, with no nightmares. . .'
"So pleased to see you, Mr. Black." He winced as the icy voice cut through his thoughts. Voldemort noticed and the smile contorted into a merciless grin. He went on in that low, icy voice. "A very surprising meeting, I have to admit, but I certainly approve. Anyway, we shall not discuss how you arrived, but what we will do, now that you're here."
Sirius gulped, but held the Dark Lord's firm gaze determined. He was surprised as Voldemort broke the eye-contact to look him all over. His gaze stopped at his prisoner's right leg and Sirius felt a jolt of pain rush through it, as it did so. He had barely time to wonder about the, as Voldemort lifted his wand again and pointed it at him.
His eyes widened and he prepared himself for being struck by the Cruciatus- Curse. However his surprise grew as he was just levitated about ten feet up. The chains rattled quietly, as they were stretched to fit his new position.
Voldemort stepped forward, and started to inspect his injured leg. Sirius quizzically looked down at him. His heartbeat was back to normal and he felt oddly curios. That was until Voldemort reached out a white finger and pressed it against the cold skin of his chin. Hot pain shot up his leg, but it was gone as sudden as it had come.
Instead a cold heavy feeling settled in his chest, it was all too familiar to him. He didn't notice that he was lowered to the ground or that the chains on his wrists tightened painfully. All he was aware of, were the pictures playing over his mind.
He saw the wreckage of the Potter's house in Gordric's Hollow. Baby Harry with the bleeding cut on his forehead, Remus transforming into a werewolf and attacking him, Death Eaters torturing small children, Harry dying at the feet of Lord Voldemort.
He was jerked back to reality by searing pain. As soon as he opened his mouth to scream in agony, Voldemort lifted the curse. The young Animagus lay panting against the wall, an odd ringing in his ears.
The Dark Lord come forward again, until he was standing over Sirius, a vile smile tugging at his thin lips. "I didn't believe it possible to test my idea so soon, but nevertheless I'm pleased with the results of our little experiment." His blood-red eyes shone threateningly.
Sirius peered up at him through a kind of mist. His vision blurred at the edges and he was trembling all over. Fear and pain still raced trough his system, but he dared to ask the question only half formed in his mind.
"What. . . why. . .?" His voice cracked. The sneer curling Voldemort's lips widened. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial, filled with a strange looking liquid. The oil-like stuff was jet-black, but in the faint light of the torch it sparkled like molten silver.
"Blood of a Dementor." Voldemort watched the black-haired man's expression carefully. "It shows rather interesting reactions, when injected in the human system. Of course that depends on the dose, and it only works, if the person in question has had close contact with Dementors before."
Sirius didn't stared up into those crimson glowing orbs. He felt sick. His whole body was aching, he throat was dry and raspy, he could barely breath, and he only wished he could fall unconscious and forget everything he had been told in the last few hours.
The only thing, that kept him awake was the sheer horror at the thought what would come next. And that sick voice in the back of his mind, that asked for more information. He would have screamed at it to shut up, but he didn't even have the energy whimper at the pain.
Voldemort went on: "Avery reported his little mistake with you. You see, he came in contact with this blood, too, because he felt the need to stir it with his wand. Somehow he must have transferred a small dose on you, when that curse hit you. I wasn't pleased, that he and Wormtail didn't find you, even when you were stunned. But now you're here and everything is alright, isn't it?"
He grinned down at the crumpled man on the floor. Then he reached into his cloak again, this time pulling a knife out of it's folds. He went over to the chained Animagus and gripped his bare forearm. He slid the blade over the dirty, clammy skin in one swift move and dark blood welled up.
Sirius was trembling with cold and exhaustion, but the Dark Lord ignored his misery and uncorked the vial. With a steady, claw-like hand he held it over the wound and waited until a drop of the oily liquid glided over the brim. The black drop swam on the red blood for a few moments, like oil on water. Then it suddenly was sucked in, and Sirius could feel it running through his veins like a small ice cube.
He stared at his arm, he felt numb and cold. Like the way he had, when he was walking through the snow, trying to get to Remus' home. The trembling had stopped and his muscles were too weak to move an inch. He could here the humourless laughter faintly as his eyes slid shut and everything went dark.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know where they put him, Dumbledore. He didn't even announce it officially. I heard it from Avery." The old wizard nodded. "Do you have any ideas, what Voldemort would need him for?"
Snape hesitated a moment. "Well, not really. But he said, he wanted me to research old potion formulas concerning the effects of Dementors." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at this.
"So that means, he's going to use Dementors against us?"
"Not exactly."
"What does that mean?"
"There's not a single Dementor in the whole lair, that I'm sure of."
"How else could he use those formulas then?"
Snape hesitated again. Dumbledore's voice had stayed calm through their conversation. Much calmer than Snape felt. He didn't know why exactly. He doubted, that it was sympathy for Black. Maybe he was afraid, of what Voldemort planned now.
"He mentioned blood of a Dementor." Dumbledore looked at him with an inquiring gaze. "I'm afraid I can't follow you there, Severus." He still spoke in a calm, even sort of voice.
"I don't quite understand it either. As far as I know Dementors can't be killed. I never read of Dementor's blood as magical utensil, let alone as potion ingredient. But I guess that Voldemort has found a way to use it."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment. "If he wanted to use it, in a potion maybe, wouldn't he let you do the research on the blood?" Snape shrugged. "Me or another of his Potions Masters. It seems, as if he tests the stuff himself on a 'personal experimental subject'-"
He cut himself off, as he realised, what he had said. He swallowed and looked at the Headmaster. Dumbledore's expression was grave. He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his temple.
"Severus, do you by any chances know, how it would effect a human?"
"No, Sir. No idea."
"And I suppose it's very unlikely, that we could find out ourselves?"
"Very unlikely. Maybe it has the same effect like a Dementor itself. Just . . .stronger. That would mean Black has a chance. He survived Azkaban."
Dumbledore looked up at him, and unreadable expression on his face. "Yes, he did.", he said slowly. "You still couldn't detect his lair, could you?"
Snape shook his head. "No. it's impossible to get in or near it without his call. Only the mark can lead in, and only if he wants it to." Dumbledore nodded his head absent-mindedly.
~*~*~*~*~*~
He awoke with a start. Cold sweat was running down his face and neck. He shuddered and sank back, rubbing his dirty face with a clammy hand. Stinging pain radiated from the cut in his arm. He suppressed a whimper and cradled the injured limp to his chest. Curling up to a tight ball, he tried to get a bit warmth back.
Sirius had lost track of time. He had awoken before, to find Voldemort gone and the walls starting their cruel game on him again. His stomach was growling loudly, but he felt too sick to even think about eating. The torch was only glomming now, casting a faint red light over him. He was cold.
It had been like this in Azkaban, too. He would wake up, eat, distract himself with pointless little games, get cold, fall asleep, dream, wake up and start again.
Only the visions were different. He didn't see things, that had once happened, but things he feared to occur. He could see James, calling him a traitor. Lily with those big, angry eyes screaming at him for being such a stupid coward. For being a cold-blooded murderer. Remus changing into a werewolf and attacking him, tearing him to bloody peaces. Dumbledore being given the Dementor's Kiss for helping a convicted criminal to escape.
And Harry. He saw his godson, begging Voldemort for his life. And that cold sneer, two muttered words, a green flash of light and the lifeless body slumping to the ground. With a scream ripping from his sore throat he would jerk out of sleep.
He wondered if this was the effect of the Dementor's blood. And if it was the only one. Burring his head in his arms, he let his despair and fear break free in great, gulping sobs.
A/N: *whips tears away* Oh my God, who writes such evil things? *everybody else pointing* Oh. I see. Ok, err . . . so what do you think? Too short? Too long? Too evil? Too mushy? Not mushy enough? Stupid character description? Really, I want to know!
So PLEASE review and tell me what you liked, didn't like, hated, want to read ect.!
lara
I know, I'm really late. I had a few problems and so I decided to have a break and take some time for thinking. The first results can be read here, and as I might add, they aren't that bad.
I'm very grateful towards all the people who reviewed, thanks so much, it really helps! And because I took so long, I decided to write a bit more than usual. Six pages-now I'm really spent. At least until I get a few inspiring reviews! *grins*
A.Dee: Thanks for your review! Nice cliffie, eh? Well, I know I'm evil, but I simply had to do it. And it gets even better . . . !
Someone Reading: Thank you! No. I haven't a proof-reader, but I could really use one! Was really hard to write the part with Harry and Remus, and I'm not sure how it turned out. As for Sirius: Yes, they beat him, and he can be happy if they leave it like that! Oops, too late! *sigh* Yes, I'm a horrible, sadistic, evil, Sirius-torturing person . . . *shrugs* Nobody's perfect, right? Well, no. Honestly, I have no idea how I'm going to get him out, but plenty how to get him deeper in it! You can be sure, that they'll have a hard time!
Sylvia: Thanks for reviewing! No, I haven't, but I imagine it to be like that. Thanks again! Yeah, you're right, he's wonderful person! And it'll get even sweeter, I promise!
mette: Thank you very much! As I said, I never experienced it myself, but I hope you like my imagination of it! The idea of Sirius suffering from it come, when I saw a documentation film about coal mines. Funny, huh?
kat: Thanks for your review! Don't worry, I didn't know that myself until now. I was really surprised myself! ;) Got the idea when I saw 'Matrix- reloaded' yesterday. I was tempted to start writing right there in the cinema, but the movie was just too good! Anyway, you'll find out what's going on in this chapter . . . well, sort of!
Lisande: Thank you for reviewing! And no need to worry, I'm not very bright when it comes to computer either! Normally they crash the moment I touch them. Must have something odd at my fingers! As for Sirius: I'm torturing him in the worst way I can think of, so nice people like you can pity him! I'm so evil . . .
karno-L: Thanks for your review! Well, as I said, I needed a cliffy! Hm, I have a bit, somewhere, but I don't quite know where-why'd you ask? As for Harry: No idea, so let's find out together!
Hpfan1928: Thank you! No, I didn't experience it myself, but it's nice to hear, that you liked it! As for the cliff-hanger: I'm just evil, I need that from time to time.
Now enjoy yourself with chapter 15-'Catching on':
Catching on
With a soft "clink" Remus sat the teacup down in front of Harry and seated himself opposite the teen. They had spent the way to his and Sirius' quarters in silence. The werewolf would have loved to tell Harry the instant they left Dumbledore's office, but the halls suddenly seemed stuffed with students and he was too afraid someone would overhear them.
"You got my letter, didn't you?", he asked. Harry nodded. Remus returned the gesture unconsciously. "Well, I found him there and called Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore. Poppy got quite a shock when she saw him." Harry looked up at him, concern shining in his eyes.
"She didn't know? She didn't hurt him, did she?" Remus shook his head. "No, she didn't know about him. We needed to calm her down a bit, but she believed us right away as we filled her in on what really happened that Halloween night and in the Shrieking Shack."
The black-haired boy relaxed a bit. Remus went on. "He told you about that mission, didn't he?"
"No, not exactly. He said, that he might get the chance to get free, but he couldn't tell me anymore."
"Hm, well Professor Snape told us that the Death Eaters were passing information about planned attacks in small meetings, and we managed to find out where precisely one of those meetings would take place. And that Wormtail would be there. I couldn't accompany him, because it was a full moon night-" He looked over at his former student, but Harry gave him a small, understanding smile.
"When I changed back, he still wasn't home, and I got worried, and went looking for him. That's how I found him. While Poppy took care of his leg, Dumbledore asked him, if he had gotten any useful information. But he didn't seem to remember much at that moment, understandably."
Remus sighed and took a sip of his tea. "You remember the last attack?" Harry looked down in his lap, forgetting to nod. Mr. Weasley had told them that Oliver Wood's parents had been murdered by Death Eaters. He, Ron and Hermione had visited him, after the funeral, not even two days ago. He'd been shocked at the hollow expression on Oliver's face, any trace of that characteristic gleam in his eyes gone.
"Sirius had overheard that Voldemort planned attacks on several Order members, including Phillia and Thomas Wood, shortly before he was hurt. He wasn't very well over the next few days. When Dumbledore send me an owl, telling me what had happened, he suddenly remembered the conversation he had heard and we informed Dumbledore about the other targets."
At this point Harry seemed to have a vague premonition of the events that followed.
"He thought it was his fault?"
Remus nodded, his expression turning grave. "Yes, he was utterly down the next days. Didn't sleep, barely ate. Sometimes he was even depressed." He hesitated a moment, not sure if he'd told Harry too much. He didn't want to upset the teen, he was worrying enough for his godfather. But on the other hand he had a right to know, didn't he? Sirius hadn't told him anything, because he didn't want his godson to know. But he simply hadn't thought it mattered much. Until now-
"What did he do?" Harry's question ripped him out of his thoughts. He rubbed his face, silently reminding himself to pay attention. He was lost in thought too often recently.
"He knew, that Mundungus Fletcher would probably be attacked. So he decided to put the Death Eaters, that would show up in front of Mundungus' door, out himself. Unfortunately we seemed to turn up in exactly the wrong moment. They caught him."
Harry sat very still. Remus hesitated again, but then he silently came around the table and put his arm around the boy's shoulders. The black- haired teen didn't flinch away. Encouraged by this Remus pulled him into a loose hug. Harry leaned into it gratefully, he really needed that comfort right now.
The cold lump, that had always appeared in his stomach when he was worried about Sirius, was back and it seemed to be heavier then ever. It simply wasn't fair. Sirius was his only family, and he had been through enough already. Suddenly an icy jolt rushed up his spine.
Remus let go immediately when he felt Harry tense up. He was about to apologise, when emerald orbs, misted with fear, turned on him. He frowned.
"Harry, what is it?"
"Do they have Dementors?"
"What?"
"Do they have the Dementors jet?", Harry repeated. "Professor Dumbledore said, it was likely that Voldemort would turn them to his side. Do you think they have Dementors already?"
Remus caught on quickly from this point. He looked at the student, stunned by the horror of that thought. But it seemed likely that the Azkaban-guards had joined forces with the Dark Lord. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, trying to will imagines away.
Images of Sirius in a tiny, dark cell, desperate to escape the terrible memories those foul creatures brought back on him. He had seen the scars on his friend's arms, heard his screams at night, how he would panic in his sleep, trashing and turning, lost in the torturous nightmares of Azkaban. Going through that again might finally brake him.
He shook away the pictures in his mind. "I don't know, but let's hope they don't. For Sirius' sake."
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Crucio!"
Sirius winced at the low whisper, inwardly preparing himself for the pain.
It didn't come. Instead of breaking down screaming and trashing under the Cruciatus-Curse, he heard a "thud" and then shrieking cries echoed through the small cell. He stared at the writhing man on the floor in front of him, not quite understanding.
Suddenly the shrieks stopped. He tore his gaze from the panting Death Eater on the floor and looked up at the black-robed figure looming above him. His head was pounding, McNair's cries of pain still ringing through his mind. The ache in his leg and stomach got noticeable again, but didn't overpower the cold angst, that was creeping up his chest.
Blood-red orbs settled on him, and haughty smile appeared on that white face. "Get up McNair, and then get out of my face." The command was spoken in the same low, dreadful whisper like the curse. Sirius only dimly noticed, how the Death Eater scrambled to his feet and then out of the tiny room. His eyes were glued to the nightmare imagine before him.
Because that was, what he still was hoping against better knowledge. 'Let this be a nightmare, please! Let me wake up soon! This just can be a dream, Remus'll wake me any moment now and tell me it's alright. And then he'll give me a potion and I'll go back to sleep, with no nightmares. . .'
"So pleased to see you, Mr. Black." He winced as the icy voice cut through his thoughts. Voldemort noticed and the smile contorted into a merciless grin. He went on in that low, icy voice. "A very surprising meeting, I have to admit, but I certainly approve. Anyway, we shall not discuss how you arrived, but what we will do, now that you're here."
Sirius gulped, but held the Dark Lord's firm gaze determined. He was surprised as Voldemort broke the eye-contact to look him all over. His gaze stopped at his prisoner's right leg and Sirius felt a jolt of pain rush through it, as it did so. He had barely time to wonder about the, as Voldemort lifted his wand again and pointed it at him.
His eyes widened and he prepared himself for being struck by the Cruciatus- Curse. However his surprise grew as he was just levitated about ten feet up. The chains rattled quietly, as they were stretched to fit his new position.
Voldemort stepped forward, and started to inspect his injured leg. Sirius quizzically looked down at him. His heartbeat was back to normal and he felt oddly curios. That was until Voldemort reached out a white finger and pressed it against the cold skin of his chin. Hot pain shot up his leg, but it was gone as sudden as it had come.
Instead a cold heavy feeling settled in his chest, it was all too familiar to him. He didn't notice that he was lowered to the ground or that the chains on his wrists tightened painfully. All he was aware of, were the pictures playing over his mind.
He saw the wreckage of the Potter's house in Gordric's Hollow. Baby Harry with the bleeding cut on his forehead, Remus transforming into a werewolf and attacking him, Death Eaters torturing small children, Harry dying at the feet of Lord Voldemort.
He was jerked back to reality by searing pain. As soon as he opened his mouth to scream in agony, Voldemort lifted the curse. The young Animagus lay panting against the wall, an odd ringing in his ears.
The Dark Lord come forward again, until he was standing over Sirius, a vile smile tugging at his thin lips. "I didn't believe it possible to test my idea so soon, but nevertheless I'm pleased with the results of our little experiment." His blood-red eyes shone threateningly.
Sirius peered up at him through a kind of mist. His vision blurred at the edges and he was trembling all over. Fear and pain still raced trough his system, but he dared to ask the question only half formed in his mind.
"What. . . why. . .?" His voice cracked. The sneer curling Voldemort's lips widened. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial, filled with a strange looking liquid. The oil-like stuff was jet-black, but in the faint light of the torch it sparkled like molten silver.
"Blood of a Dementor." Voldemort watched the black-haired man's expression carefully. "It shows rather interesting reactions, when injected in the human system. Of course that depends on the dose, and it only works, if the person in question has had close contact with Dementors before."
Sirius didn't stared up into those crimson glowing orbs. He felt sick. His whole body was aching, he throat was dry and raspy, he could barely breath, and he only wished he could fall unconscious and forget everything he had been told in the last few hours.
The only thing, that kept him awake was the sheer horror at the thought what would come next. And that sick voice in the back of his mind, that asked for more information. He would have screamed at it to shut up, but he didn't even have the energy whimper at the pain.
Voldemort went on: "Avery reported his little mistake with you. You see, he came in contact with this blood, too, because he felt the need to stir it with his wand. Somehow he must have transferred a small dose on you, when that curse hit you. I wasn't pleased, that he and Wormtail didn't find you, even when you were stunned. But now you're here and everything is alright, isn't it?"
He grinned down at the crumpled man on the floor. Then he reached into his cloak again, this time pulling a knife out of it's folds. He went over to the chained Animagus and gripped his bare forearm. He slid the blade over the dirty, clammy skin in one swift move and dark blood welled up.
Sirius was trembling with cold and exhaustion, but the Dark Lord ignored his misery and uncorked the vial. With a steady, claw-like hand he held it over the wound and waited until a drop of the oily liquid glided over the brim. The black drop swam on the red blood for a few moments, like oil on water. Then it suddenly was sucked in, and Sirius could feel it running through his veins like a small ice cube.
He stared at his arm, he felt numb and cold. Like the way he had, when he was walking through the snow, trying to get to Remus' home. The trembling had stopped and his muscles were too weak to move an inch. He could here the humourless laughter faintly as his eyes slid shut and everything went dark.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know where they put him, Dumbledore. He didn't even announce it officially. I heard it from Avery." The old wizard nodded. "Do you have any ideas, what Voldemort would need him for?"
Snape hesitated a moment. "Well, not really. But he said, he wanted me to research old potion formulas concerning the effects of Dementors." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at this.
"So that means, he's going to use Dementors against us?"
"Not exactly."
"What does that mean?"
"There's not a single Dementor in the whole lair, that I'm sure of."
"How else could he use those formulas then?"
Snape hesitated again. Dumbledore's voice had stayed calm through their conversation. Much calmer than Snape felt. He didn't know why exactly. He doubted, that it was sympathy for Black. Maybe he was afraid, of what Voldemort planned now.
"He mentioned blood of a Dementor." Dumbledore looked at him with an inquiring gaze. "I'm afraid I can't follow you there, Severus." He still spoke in a calm, even sort of voice.
"I don't quite understand it either. As far as I know Dementors can't be killed. I never read of Dementor's blood as magical utensil, let alone as potion ingredient. But I guess that Voldemort has found a way to use it."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment. "If he wanted to use it, in a potion maybe, wouldn't he let you do the research on the blood?" Snape shrugged. "Me or another of his Potions Masters. It seems, as if he tests the stuff himself on a 'personal experimental subject'-"
He cut himself off, as he realised, what he had said. He swallowed and looked at the Headmaster. Dumbledore's expression was grave. He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his temple.
"Severus, do you by any chances know, how it would effect a human?"
"No, Sir. No idea."
"And I suppose it's very unlikely, that we could find out ourselves?"
"Very unlikely. Maybe it has the same effect like a Dementor itself. Just . . .stronger. That would mean Black has a chance. He survived Azkaban."
Dumbledore looked up at him, and unreadable expression on his face. "Yes, he did.", he said slowly. "You still couldn't detect his lair, could you?"
Snape shook his head. "No. it's impossible to get in or near it without his call. Only the mark can lead in, and only if he wants it to." Dumbledore nodded his head absent-mindedly.
~*~*~*~*~*~
He awoke with a start. Cold sweat was running down his face and neck. He shuddered and sank back, rubbing his dirty face with a clammy hand. Stinging pain radiated from the cut in his arm. He suppressed a whimper and cradled the injured limp to his chest. Curling up to a tight ball, he tried to get a bit warmth back.
Sirius had lost track of time. He had awoken before, to find Voldemort gone and the walls starting their cruel game on him again. His stomach was growling loudly, but he felt too sick to even think about eating. The torch was only glomming now, casting a faint red light over him. He was cold.
It had been like this in Azkaban, too. He would wake up, eat, distract himself with pointless little games, get cold, fall asleep, dream, wake up and start again.
Only the visions were different. He didn't see things, that had once happened, but things he feared to occur. He could see James, calling him a traitor. Lily with those big, angry eyes screaming at him for being such a stupid coward. For being a cold-blooded murderer. Remus changing into a werewolf and attacking him, tearing him to bloody peaces. Dumbledore being given the Dementor's Kiss for helping a convicted criminal to escape.
And Harry. He saw his godson, begging Voldemort for his life. And that cold sneer, two muttered words, a green flash of light and the lifeless body slumping to the ground. With a scream ripping from his sore throat he would jerk out of sleep.
He wondered if this was the effect of the Dementor's blood. And if it was the only one. Burring his head in his arms, he let his despair and fear break free in great, gulping sobs.
A/N: *whips tears away* Oh my God, who writes such evil things? *everybody else pointing* Oh. I see. Ok, err . . . so what do you think? Too short? Too long? Too evil? Too mushy? Not mushy enough? Stupid character description? Really, I want to know!
So PLEASE review and tell me what you liked, didn't like, hated, want to read ect.!
lara